More French weapons found in Iraq

10 October 2003
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry announced on 10 October that members of its military serving in Iraq found three armed French-made mobile anti-aircraft systems near Kut, in predominantly Shia southern Iraq. The weapons were found on vehicles abandoned by Iraqi soldiers after the fall of Saddam Hussein. There has been no confirmation of when the weapons were made. Poland's Defence Ministry spokesman resigned in early October after he wrongly announced that anti-aircraft missiles that had been made this year in France had been found in Iraq. Paris refuted the claim, saying that no weapons or parts have been supplied to Iraq since 1990.

Ukrainian troops flew to Iraq on 8 August to assist with peacekeeping efforts. The country offered a force of about 1,600 troops, but doubts were raised about the troops' preparedness for the mission, which in turn led to the dismissal of two senior generals (MEED 8:8:03).

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