Armenian peacekeepers may go to Iraq in early 2005
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
25 Dec 04
[Presenter in studio] Yesterday’s extraordinary session of the
Armenian National Assembly approved the memorandum on mutual
understanding related to the sending of an Armenian peacekeeping
contingent to Iraq with a vote of 91 in favour, 23 against and one
abstention. Forty-six Armenian servicemen will be sent to Iraq for one
year in early 2005. They will be mainly snipers, doctors and
drivers. The defence minister said that they will be working mainly in
humanitarian spheres.
[Passage omitted: The National Assembly discussed other issues as
well]
[Correspondent over video of parliament] The defence minister pointed
out that an Armenian peacekeeping contingent might go to Iraq on 5
January 2005.
[Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan] Forty-six people, including one
commander, will go to Iraq. One officer, one platoon commander, three
doctors, including one cardiologist, therapist and psychologist, 10
snipers and 30 drivers will be at the headquarters of a Polish
communications division.
[Correspondent] The members of the National Assembly said that
although the discussions were difficult, this decision is
important. The fact that the decision was unanimously adopted by the
overwhelming majority testifies that they stick to the same position.
The Justice bloc and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation –
Dashnaktsutyun voted against the decision. The main argument of those
who are against sending an Armenian contingent to Iraq is that the
security of Armenians living abroad [in Iraq] is not guaranteed. The
defence minister said he was not worried about the presence of
Armenian representatives abroad.
[Sarkisyan] I hope that our security will strengthen, our borders will
open and international organizations and individual states that are in
favour of establishing peace and stability in the world will not have
a different attitude to the South Caucasus countries.
[Passage omitted: The parliament discussed the state budget]