RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 17 2005

ARMENIA’S MILITARY CONTINGENT TO BE SENT TO IRAQ

YEREVAN, January 17 (RIA Novosti) – On Tuesday an Armenian military
contingent will go to Iraq, press officer of the Armenian defense
ministry, Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvaryan, said on Monday.

After eight-hour, closed-doors discussion on December 24, 2004, the
Armenian parliament ratified the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding
on the sending of a contingent of the Armenian armed forces to Iraq.
In line with the memorandum, Armenia will participate in the
humanitarian mission as part of the Polish contingent and will send
46 specialists -ten sappers, 30 drivers, three medics and three
commanders, including one signals specialist.

91 deputies voted for ratification, 23 against it with one
abstention.

Those voting against said that the sending of the Armenian contingent
to Iraq is against the national interests of Armenia, its state
security and poses a threat to the 25,000-strong Armenian community
in Iraq, as well as Armenians residing in Muslim countries.