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BAKU: Zahid Oruc: "It Is Incorrect To Regard Decision About Iraq As

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  • BAKU: Zahid Oruc: "It Is Incorrect To Regard Decision About Iraq As

    ZAHID ORUC: "IT IS INCORRECT TO REGARD DECISION ABOUT IRAQ AS PART OF AZERBAIJAN'S POLICY OF OVERALL REJECTION OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MISSION"

    Today.Az
    http://www.today.az/news/p olitics/48888.html
    Nov 11 2008
    Azerbaijan

    Day.Az interview with Zahid Oruc, deputy of Milli Medjlis, member of
    the standing parliamentary commission on security and defense.

    - On Monday the parliamentary commission on issues of defense and
    security discussed prospects of complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani
    peacekeepers from Iraq and recommended to Milli Medjlis to settle
    this issue. What is it related to?

    - I would like to note that on May 7 of 2003, under the
    decision of the head of Azerbaijan, the armed forces of our
    country joined an international coalition on conduction of the
    peacekeeping activity. They served in Iraq on the basis of the due
    UN resolution. The term of this service for the armed forces of
    Azerbaijan was defined by five years. This year the mandate of this
    peaceekeping mission expired. Thus, the withdrawal of peacekeeping
    forces is only a technical issue and it would be incorrect to explain
    this resolution with political motives.

    The President has sent the due appeal to the parliament and it was
    considered by our commission that decided to raise this issue at the
    plenary session of the parliament.

    - How do you assess the service of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Iraq
    through the past five years?

    - I think measures Azerbaijan undertook through the past period for
    consolidation of security in the world and our active position of
    peacekeeping activity were highly evaluated by both the command of
    international coalition and the countries, joining this coalition.

    Our contingent, comprising 151 people, fulfilled a very responsible
    function, mostly envisioning provision of security of electric stations
    and water reservoirs in Iraq.

    But, as I have already noted, the term of their activity has expired
    and our forces are being completely withdrawn.

    - The session of the commission was held just a few hours ago and
    even now the statements of different observers which say that the
    decision of Azerbaijan has a definite political ground are posted in
    the Internet. At the same time, these observers mention relations
    of Azerbaijan with NATO, Russia, the recent news in the Karabakh
    settlement and the recent overall situation in the Caucasus. What do
    you think of it?

    - I consider it incorrect to regard this issue as a result of some
    misunderstanding in our relations with the West and the United
    States. The term of the mandate has completed, Azerbaijan's position
    was clarified and I think there are no problems here.

    Moreover, it is unfounded to bind this decision to the recent events
    in the Caucasus, Russia's new role in the resolution of regional
    conflicts, like some do in their analysis. This decision can not be
    regarded as a rejection of cooperation with international coalition and
    no new tendencies in the US-Azerbaijani relations should be looked for.

    Moreover, I want to remind that other states, including Poland and
    neighbor Kazakhstan also made a decision about the withdrawal of
    peacekeepers due to the completion of the term of service. Even
    such country, as Great Britain, which plays an active role in the
    coalition, has repeatedly stated the need to withdraw British troops
    from Iraq. I would like to remind that newly elected US President
    Barack Obama also stated the intention to withdraw US troops in 16
    months following his election.

    - Will Azerbaijan's participation in the peacekeeping mission in
    Afghanistan change from now on?

    - No. On the contrary, Azerbaijan has recently doubled its contingent
    in Afghanistan, clearly stating the need to further cooperate with
    the international coalition. This decision was balanced and careful
    enough. The issue was discussed in the parliament. The participation of
    our armed forces in maintenance of peace and security in Afghanistan
    had a favorable influence on the international image of Azerbaijan
    and I would not regard the decision about Iraq as part of Azerbaijan's
    policy of rejection of international contingent.
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