Associated Press Worldstream
July 29, 2004 Thursday 4:58 PM Eastern Time

Armenia planning contribution to Iraq force

YEREVAN, Armenia

Armenia drew closer to contributing to the U.S.-led forces in Iraq on
Thursday, when the Cabinet approved a Defense Ministry decision to
join an agreement governing the coalition forces there.

Armenia’s leadership has decided to contribute, and a Defense
Ministry official said the former Soviet republic is discussing
sending 10 explosives experts and three doctors to Iraq. The official
said Armenia is also offering to send military trucks.

Armenia has close ties with Russia, but has sought to step up
relations with the United States since the 1991 Soviet collapse. The
Caucasus Mountain nation’s neighbor and foe, Azerbaijan, has sent 150
troops to Iraq.