SARGSYAN AWARDED MEDALS TO PEACEKEEPERS, WHO TOOK PART IN HUMANITARIAN MISSION IN IRAQ

Pan Armenian
11.10.2005 22:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ October 11 Secretary of the National Security Council
at the President of Armenia, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan awarded
Andranik Ozanyan, Vazgen Sargsyan medals, diplomas and memorable
gifts to first group of Armenian peacekeepers, who took part in the
humanitarian mission in Iraq.

Addressing the servicemen, the Armenian MOD head expressed gratitude
for successful fulfillment of the military mission, which was a hard
one in his words. “You promoted enhancement of our country’s authority
in the world.

Working for integration into Europe, we cannot stay indifferent towards
international community’s problems, just like the community cannot be
indifferent towards ours. Thus we have a mission in Kosovo and Iraq,”
he remarked.

In a conversation with journalists S. Sargsyan appreciated the
professionalism of the Armenian peacekeepers. “Undoubtedly, being
in another country our soldier defends the security of our lands. We
protect their security, acting for the sake of their interests, while
they do the same for the sake of ours. We should not forget that
the cease-fire in Nagorno Karabakh is secured not only by our army,
but also owing to our allied states,” he emphasized. S. Sargsyan also
informed that the Armenian MOD “to all appearance will address the NA
requesting to consider expediency of sending third and fourth shifts
of Armenian peacekeepers to Iraq.”

It should be noted that representatives of Armenia serve in Iraq as
part of the Polish peacekeeping division. The US Government covers the
expenses of dislocation, rear, communication, technical and medical
equipment of the Armenian humanitarian contingent. The first shift of
Armenian peacekeepers was sent in Iraq January 18. The first rotation
of the contingent took place six months after that. To continue the
mission Armenian Parliament’s agreement is necessary. The Armenian
contingent includes medical officers, sappers and drivers. Armenia
does not have military tasks and limits itself to the humanitarian
component of the peacekeeping mission in Iraq, reported IA Regnum.