ARMENIAN STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST SENDING TROOPS TO IRAQ

ArmenPress
Oct 13 2004

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 13, ARMENPRESS: Some Armenian youth organizations
voiced today their protest against a decision to send a 50-member
non-combat platoon to Iraq to join US-led coalition forces for post-war
reconstruction of that country, saying it would pose a serious risk
to local Armenians. The protest was announced by Nikol Aghbalian
student organization, closely affiliated with Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, a member of the ruling coalition.

A statement issued by the organization says the news about sending an
Armenian contingent to Iraq has already spoiled relations between the
20,000- strong Armenian community and Arabs, though Armenia said it
would send to Iraq doctors, sappers and truck drivers. The statement
says Iraqis look at this decision as “treachery” of Armenians.

One of the leaders of the organization, who was present at an Armenian
youth gathering in Lebanon recently, said Armenian participants from
Iraq held that Arabs’ attitude towards local Armenians has changed.

“Armenia’s emergence in the US-led coalition puts at higher risks the
lives of Iraqi Armenians and draws the interest of Islamic terrorists
to Armenia,” the statement says. It was signed by representatives of
29 youth organizations, who will send it to the president.