ITAR-TASS, Russia
Jan 9 2010

Armenia joins German contingent peacemaking mission in Afghanistan

09.01.2010, 21.11

YEREVAN, January 9 (Itar-Tass) — Armenia launches its peacemaking
mission in Afghanistan, joining the German contingent there. The first
soldiers, ten of the total 40, have left for a four-week training
mission in Germany, Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Oganyan said
Saturday.

The remaining 30 will fly to Cologne on January 17. After the training
is over, the Armenian soldiers will go to Afghanistan for half a year.

The division will be guarding the airport in Kunduz, a city in the
northern part of the country.

`We cannot stay aside from joint measures to provide international
peace,’ Oganyan said.

He addressed soldiers with a call to protect the Afghans and to be
attentive to the local population’s needs.

Oganyan thanked German partners for the overall support in providing
the Armenian soldiers with all the necessary conditions both in
Germany and Afghanistan.

Armenia has been actively taking part in peacemaking missions since
2003, including Kosovo and Iraq.