09/26/2002 | AST

Це - письмові відповіді на запитання до речника Держдепартаменту:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/13718.htm

Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 25, 2002
Question Taken At September 25, 2002 Daily Press Briefing

Ukraine: President Kuchma's Offer to Allow Experts Access to Records



Q: Has the Government of Ukraine contacted us yet regarding President Kuchma's offer to allow experts access to records regarding the alleged clandestine sale of the "Kolchuga" early warning systems to Iraq? If so, has the U.S. responded to the offer?

A: The Government of Ukraine has contacted us. We strongly have urged Ukrainian officials to be as transparent and forthcoming as possible.

Unfortunately, we do not believe that the Government of Ukraine has been candid with us in the past on this issue. We are considering the possibility of this type of visit by U.S. experts to Ukraine, but before proceeding, we would want to have confidence that Ukrainian officials are prepared to address this issue in a transparent way and that appropriate understandings about the scope of work and access were in place in order for the effort to be productive.


[End]

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/13717.htm

Released on September 25, 2002Taken Questions
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 25, 2002
Question Taken at September 25, 2002 Daily Press Briefing

Ukraine: Continuing Anti-Government Demonstrations



Q: Can you comment on the continuing anti-government demonstrations directed against President Kuchma and his administration?

A: We understand that opposition leaders who temporarily occupied the Presidential Administration building met with President Kuchma, as they had demanded. We also have reports that after protestors met with the head of the state-run television station, the Government of Ukraine agreed to allow opposition members to air their views on state television some time in the near future, although that has not been confirmed.

We are monitoring the continuing demonstrations closely. We view peaceful and lawful protest as part of the normal democratic process. We hope the demonstrators continue to exercise their rights to freedom of speech in a peaceful manner and we expect the Ukrainian authorities to observe their international commitment to freedom of assembly.


[End]

Released on September 25, 2002