ARMENIA LIKELY TO MAINTAIN CONTINGENT IN IRAQ, DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS

Associated Press Worldstream
October 11, 2005 Tuesday 3:25 PM Eastern Time

Armenia’s military will likely seek to maintain its small contingent
in Iraq for at least another year, the defense minister said Tuesday.

The first rotation of 46 servicemen was sent to Iraq in January and
replaced by a second group that began a six-month tour of duty in July.

“In all likelihood, the (Defense Ministry) will ask the National
Assembly to approve a third and fourth rotation of Armenian
peacekeepers in Iraq,” Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian said Tuesday
during a ceremony in which he decorated members of the first group
to serve in the U.S.-led coalition there.

Parliament approved the decision to send troops to Iraq late last
year despite criticism from opposition parties, many Armenians and
even the 30,000-strong Armenian community in Iraq, which fears being
targeted for attacks.

President Robert Kocharian and his government have sought to portray
the contribution as a way to boost ties with Europe.

The Armenian contingent serves under Polish command.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress