FROM FEBRUARY 2010 ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN

ARMENPRESS
Dec 3, 2009

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The delegation headed by the US Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander visited today the
peacekeeping troops of the Armenian Armed Forces. The high-ranked US
officials got acquainted with the skills of the Armenian peacekeepers
through showing exercises.

Speaking to the reporters, C. Wallander noted that the peacekeeping
mission is of great importance for the whole world. According to her,
US President Barack Obama wishes to increase the number peacekeepers in
Afghanistan and in that respect USA expects Armenia’s assistance too.

Commander of the Armenian peacekeeping brigade, Colonel Arthur
Simonyan said that the main goal of the visit of Wallander is to
get acquainted with the skills of the Armenian peacekeepers who are
leaving next year for Afghanistan. According to him, in near future
a group of servicemen will be sent to Afghanistan to get acquainted
with the place of future service, conditions, after which in January
40-member platoon will leave for Germany for training. After this
process, in February next year, Armenian peacekeepers within the
German platoon will implement their mission in Afghanistan.

"The number of those wishing to leave for Afghanistan is great. The
best from the best will be selected," the Commander of the brigade
said.