Armenia to Deploy 46 Troops to Iraq [View All]

[Khephra]

YEREVAN, Armenia -- Armenia's parliament voted Friday to send 46 non-combat troops to Iraq, a move that was backed by President Robert Kocharian but drew sharp criticism from many Armenians and opposition groups.

After more than seven hours of debate behind closed doors, lawmakers in the National Assembly voted 91-23, with one abstention, to send the contingent, which will include bomb-disposal experts, doctors and transport specialists.

The troops could be deployed to Iraq as early as next month and could serve in Iraq for up to a year, said Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisyan, adding that the contingent would only conduct humanitarian operations.

"There is not, and will not be an Armenian military presence in Iraq," Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said. "In the humanitarian aspect, it is preferable for Armenia to contribute to the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, in establishing democracy in this country which has important significance for the region and which could have an impact on the Caucasus."

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