DM Shares Armenian Public Concern Re Dispatch of Servicement to Iraq

DEFENSE MINISTER SERGE SARGSYAN SHARES CONCERN OF ARMENIAN PUBLIC OVER
POSSIBLE DISPATCH OF ARMENIANS SPECIALISTS TO IRAQ

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30. ARMINFO. Armenian Defense Minister Serge
Sargsyan shares concern of Armenian public over possible dispatch of
Armenians specialists to Iraq.

In his interview to the Armenian Public Television, he said that
definite problems are evident, and first of all, the fact that Iraq is
a “strange country.” However, the concept “strange country” is
disputable enough, the borders of Armenia and Iraq are in 260 km
distance only, meanwhile the distance from Yerevan to Baku is 400 km
and to Tbilisi more than 200 km. Besides, no country in the world is
insured against terrorism. Of course, there is Armenian community in
Iraq which can become a target for terrorist, but whether it is in
security in condition of Armenia’s absence in Iraq, the minister
said. mentioning the terrorist acts near the Armenian Church in
Baghdad.

Besides, the minister said, Armenia has not right to come out as a
peculiar user of stability without making its contribution to it, even
the smallest one. Armenia always asks and demands unbiased attitude
to itself and Azerbaijan or Georgia from super powers. Whether it has
a right to it, if it considers the problems of super powers from
position of a user, as these super powers can ask why they should be
unbiased in this case, the minister said. He added that the Armenian
contingent supposed to be sent to Iraq is very little connected with
military actions, these are 31 drivers with 6 mechanics, 10 sappers, 3
doctors, including one therapist. Evidently, their task is to assist
the peaceful population in Iraq, the minister said, adding that the
last word in this issue rests on the parliament.