KYIV. Nov 29 (Interfax-AVN) - Defense Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko said on Monday his ministry's priorities included withdrawal of Ukrainian peacekeepers from Iraq, raising combat readiness in the armed forces, and meeting the 2005 deadline for housing construction.
Other priorities for his ministry are "effective and conflict-free adaptation of young conscripts" to their new environment, effective use of funds for the defense sector, and fighting corruption in the armed forces, Hrytsenko said at a conference with senior Defense Ministry and General Staff officials.