NATIONAL ASSEMBLY EXTENDS GOAM NON-COMBAT

UNCLAS YEREVAN 002121 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS IZ AM SUBJECT: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY EXTENDS GOAM NON-COMBAT CONTINGENT TO IRAQ REF: 04 YEREVAN 2787 Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. (SBU) On December 8, the Armenian National Assembly voted to extend Armenia's deployment of a non-combat contingent to Iraq for an additional year. In contrast to last December's original authorization, opposition parties who are boycotting the National Assembly did not return to vote (reftel). Most of the pro- government coalition (with the exception of the Dashnaks) and non-aligned members, voted to extend the contingent's mandate, and it cleared the National Assembly by a vote of 73 for to 12 against, with one abstention. (Note: The resolution needed a simple majority of 66 votes to pass the National Assembly. End Note.) EVANS