OPINIONS OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY FORCES ON DISPATCH OF ARMENIAN
PEACE-MAKERS TO IRAQ DIFFER

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. Party Orinats Yerkir attaches special
importance to participation of Armenia in peace-making actions in
Iraq. Vice Chairman of the party, Head of the Parliamentary Commission
for Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, Mher Shahgeldyan,
made this statement at a briefing at the Armenian Parliament,
Thursday.

He says that Armenia’s participation in the peace-making actions will
contribute to the country’s integration into international
processes. He informs that only volunteers will be included into the
peace-making contingent, who will receive $1,000 monthly salary. In
his turn, Representative of the United Labor Party Grigor Gonjeyan
states that if such super power as the USA asks Armenia to participate
in any joint action, official Yerevan cannot refuse from it, the more
so as these actions are aimed a combatting terrorism.

In his turn, Secretary of the Justice opposition bloc Victor Dallakyan
states that the bloc is against dispatch of the Armenian contingent to
Iraq, as it may endanger the safety of the local Armenian
community. He did not rule out the Justice bloc’s participation in
parliamentary discussions on this issue and voting against its
adoption. Justice bloc’s position is shared by the opposition party
National Unity. Meanwhile, RPA and ARF Dashnaktsutyun representatives
promised to determine their position at relevant parliamentary
discussions. It should be noted that the Constitutional Court of
Armenia recognized the provisions of the Memorandum on Dislocation of
a Multi-National Division, including Armenian peace-makers, in Iraq in
conformity with the country’s Basic Law.