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| Armenia to Deploy 46 Troops to Iraq |
| 2004-12-25 |
| 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." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 Well, thank you guys.... knowing your folks aren't just real happy with this move.... we Americans have to thank you. We got lots of guys willing, trained, desiring to be on the "front" lines. It's amazing to listen to them talk of their mission, of what they are doing, and how they feel about what they are doing in this world. Lots of pundits and politicians keep asking for more troops. We don't need more "front line troops." We got those folks, troops on the front lines, willing and waiting to go back in, troops in the states, wanting to go back, retired troopers with a deep down inside of them feeling, that they should be there. We got guys hurt, wanting to return to their unit..... we need folks like these Armenians to support our troops on the front line. Gotta think, each of our Soldiers, Marines would salute these Armenians for their support. That's 46 of our guys, not doing "behind the scene" stuff. Now, they can go do "front line" stuff. What they are trained to do and what they desire to do. I'm no military person.... but, man, there's lots I could do with 46 support folks!!!! In any business! And trained folks, living by the creed of taking orders...... Whoa.... what I could do with 46 folks! Thanks, Armenia....our guys and gals know you are there. And we Americans know you are there with us. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2004-12-25 11:49:21 PM |
| #4 The Armenians just bought protection from another Turkish genocide of the Armenians. Smart people. Who is going to protect you from the comming slaughter? |
| Posted by: ed 2004-12-25 11:30:03 PM |
| #3 Well, it's just the Armenians proving that they are "real men", unlike the Turks. Again. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2004-12-25 10:41:14 PM |
| #2 With such a formidable force you can't loose anymore, muahahaaha |
| Posted by: Murat 2004-12-25 10:20:08 PM |
| #1 Is that 46 more than our back-stabbing "ally" Turkey? At least 'declared troops', not covert thugs sent to disrupt the Kurds? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-12-25 9:52:51 PM |