ARMENIAN CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR IRAQ

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000086

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS IZ AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIAN CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR IRAQ


1. On January 18, a 46-man contingent departed Armenia
to serve with coalition forces in Iraq. The Armenian
troops, consisting mostly of truck drivers, will work
with Polish forces currently stationed in Iraq. The
Armenian media covered the departure in a mostly
positive light (septel),and the Armenian Defense
Minister joined the Ambassador in attending the brief
sendoff. The Armenian National Assembly authorized the
deployment December 24. The Armenians will arrive in
Iraq following a brief period in Kuwait.


2. During a January 19 meeting with the Ambassador on
a different issue, Defense Minister Serzh Sargsian said
that the first reports from the contingent after
arrival in Kuwait had all been positive.

EVANS