Moldovan sappers deactivate over 8 thousand explosives in Iraq

Moldovan sappers involved in the international post conflict humanitarian mission in Iraq have deactivated more than 8 thousand explosive devices. According to the head of the operational National Army Staff Center, lieutenant-colonel Sergiu Parascan, the contingent of Moldovan sappers that is 40 km east of Ballad has deactivated 8 400 explosive devices. The basic mission of the group is to detect and deactivate the explosives in the responsibility zone of the Moldovan sappers. Till now, the sappers have verified about 60 km of area during the operations. The contingent’s commander, lieutenant-colonel Igor Cutie asserts that “Moldovan pioneers fulfill the functional commitments according to the destination in the responsibility zone, and the moral-psychological condition of the military men is satisfactory.” The quoted source reported that the staff took an accommodation and special training course, where they familiarized with the conditions to accomplish the mission and special equipment put to the disposal of the contingent. While accomplishing the mission, the sappers’ security is ensured by a platoon of American military men. The group of sappers in Iraq is the fourth contingent of Moldovan military men involved in the international mission of humanitarian post conflict character in Iraq. The mandate of the National Army’s contingent in Iraq expires in January 2007.