news.am, Armenia
Jan 9 2010
Seyran Ohanyan: Participating in peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan
Armenia’s moral duty
15:48 / 01/09/2010Participating in a January 9 ceremony of sending
Armenian peacekeepers to Germany and later to Afghanistan, RA Minister
of Defense Seyran Ohanyan stated that participating in such a mission
is Armenia’s moral duty. In a month, 40 Armenian peacekeepers forming
part of a German contingent will leave for Afghanistan for six months.
Addressing the peacekeeping brigade, the Minister Ohanyan said: `Our
Armed Forces’ international reputation, and our state being a full
member of the international community, imposes a moral duty on us `
participating in the tasks facing the international community. We
cannot but participate in the activities aimed at establishing peace
and stability. This is in conformity with Armenia’s specific features
and priorities. I can assure you that by carrying out your mission in
Afghanistan you render an invaluable service to the Homeland.
‘You must remember that your will be hosted by the Afghan people. Your
duty is to protect them, and you must be on the alert," Ohanyan said.
The Minister also thanked the German side for its financial assistance
and moral support in resolving the problems of stationing the Armenian
troops.
German Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt addressed the
Armenian contingent. He said that the problems of further activities
in Afghanistan will be discussed in London, Great Britain, late this
January.
T.P.