ITAR-TASS, Russia
Dec 26 2004

Armenia to send 46 military experts to Iraq

26.12.2004, 03.29

YEREVAN, December 26 (Itar-Tass) – Armenian Defence Minister Serge
Sarkisyan said on Saturday that Armenia would send 46 military
experts to Iraq to operate as part of the Polish contingent. The
group includes the commander, a communications officer, a platoon
commander, three doctors, ten sappers and thirty drivers.

The minister said that the U.S. command and the Polish division would
arrange logistics support, medical services, housing and utilities
for the Armenian experts.

The Armenian Defence Ministry received approval from parliament to
send the experts to Iraq for a year.

Sarkisyan understands that the arrival of the Armenian contingent in
Iraq could put the Iraqi Armenians there under threat. However, he is
convinced that `more dangers will emerge’ if the republic refuses to
take part in the post-war stabilization in Iraq.

`Armenia will have humanitarian rather than military presence in Iraq
because the Armenian and Arab peoples are bonded with centuries-old
friendship,’ the Armenian defence minister emphasized.