24.12.2004, 22.43
YEREVAN, December 24 (Itar-Tass) – The Armenian parliament has ratified a bill on sending military specialists to Iraq.
The decision was made after seven hours of closed-door debates. Ninety-one deputy supported the bill, 23 voted against, and one abstained. The Justice opposition bloc and the Dashnaktsutyun party, which is a member of the ruling coalition and holder of ministerial portfolios, objected to the bill.
Thus, Armenia joined the memorandum on mutual understanding in the formation of the South-Center multinational division led by Poland and stationed in Iraq. The document signed between Poland and another 19 countries last July regulates relations in the division.
Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said they would send up to 50 military drivers, sappers and medics to Iraq. Their mission will be purely humanitarian and voluntary. Contracts will be signed with the Armenian servicemen, he said.
Armenia will make several reservations before sending its personnel to Iraq, Sarkisyan said. Firstly, they must not take part in operations together with Azerbaijani units. Secondly, they must be engaged only in defensive and humanitarian actions. In case of demining handmade bombs, America must supply Armenian sappers with robots, the minister said.
Yorumlar kapatıldı.