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Associated Press, Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 21, 2004
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KIEV, Ukraine - Ukraine, a leading contributor of troops in Iraq, wants
members of the U.S.-led coalition to have more influence in decisions
on nonmilitary issues, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko expressed that demand in a
phone call Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, the
ministry said.
In the call, initiated by Powell, Gryshchenko "stressed the importance
of stepping up political contacts between coalition countries on key
questions involving the present and future of Iraq,'' the ministry said.
The two discussed opportunities for Ukraine to take part in
reconstruction projects.
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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko
Photo from files of ArtUkraine.com Information Service
(Click on image to enlarge it)
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Ukraine has about 1,650 soldiers in Iraq - the fourth largest contribution
behind Britain, Italy and Poland.
Ukraine opposed the U.S.-led war, but its troop contribution improved
relations that were frayed by suspicions that President Leonid Kuchma
approved sales of anti-aircraft radar systems to Saddam Hussein.
Some Ukrainian lawkmakers have demanded that Kuchma withdraw the
country's troops, but the government has resisted.
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