ArmenPress
Dec 9 2004

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT UNDECIDED OVER SENDING TROOPS TO IRAQ

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9, ARMENPRESS: Grigor Ghonjeyan from the United
Labor Party’s parliamentary faction was the only parliament deputy
who said openly their faction welcomes the decision on sending a
non-combat contingent to Iraq, saying the faction would back it when
the parliament starts debates. On Wednesday Armenia’s Constitutional
Court paved the way for debates ruling that the decision does not run
counter to Armenia’s Constitution.
He said Armenia’s joining the US-led coalition of international
forces would raise the country’s international image. He said the
interim government of Iraq and the local Armenian community did not
speak against Armenians presence. However, his latest remark was
wrong as the Armenian community asked Armenian authorities not to
send its troops, saying it would prompt Islamic insurgents to take
retaliatory measures against local Armenians putting their lives at
higher risks.
Representatives of other factions refrained from comments saying
they would express their views when the issue would be debated and
only Viktor Dalakian from the opposition Ardarutyun alliance said
they would vote against.
If the decision goes through about 50 Armenian military doctors,
sappers and truck drivers will be placed under Polish command in
Iraq.
Speaking to reporters after Wednesday Constitutional Court hearing
of the issue defense minister Serzh Sarkisian said Yerevan will send
its nationals to Iraq on condition that the Armenian military
personnel take part only in “defensive and humanitarian activities”
and avoid joint actions with the bigger Azerbaijani contingent.
According to some estimations, there is a 25,000-strong Armenian
community in Iraq.