Armenian court considers sending contingent to Iraq

.c The Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia’s Constitutional Court has begun
considering the president’s plan to send non-combat troops to Iraq, an
initiative that has been sharply criticized by the opposition groups
in the Caucasus Mountain nation.

The court opened a session to consider the request Tuesday, but
adjourned almost immediately because Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian,
who was to speak in favor of the plan, could not attend. He was
hosting security talks with officials from other former Soviet
republics.

President Robert Kocharian pledged 50 troops in September, but the
decision requires the approval of the Constitutional Court and the
parliament. The troops include bomb disposal experts, doctors and
transport specialists.

Last week, opposition parties said they would interrupt their boycott
of parliamentary sessions to oppose sending the troops in parliament,
arguing the move would endanger the 25,000-strong Armenian community
in Iraq.

The leader of a pro-government faction in parliament also expressed
opposition to the proposal last week, saying it would not be backed by
the Armenian people. Kocharian has sought to portray the decision to
send troops to Iraq as a way to boost ties with Europe.

12/02/04 01:09 EST

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress