CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM
Moldova:
The Republic of Moldova has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the United States on September 11, 2001, regarding them as a direct challenge to the entire civilization and its fundamental values.
Being a part of the international conventions against terrorism, Moldova thoroughly implements their provisions as well as the recommendations of the Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001), 1390 (2002), and 1455 (2003). The measures undertaken by the Government of Moldova in combating terrorism have been outlined in three reports presented to the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).
The commitment of Moldovan forces to the US-led Multinational Coalition operations reflects the nation’s willingness to support the world efforts in its wider response to security problems around the globe and confirms the extensive possibilities of small- and medium-sized countries to actively participate in the preservation of peace and stability.
Supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom:
In the atmosphere of heightened sensitivity to terrorism following the events of September 11, 2001, Moldova has been a supporter of American efforts to increase international cooperation in combating terrorism. Moldova started to send contingents to Iraq on September 8, 2003, immediately after the Moldovan Parliament approved of their participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The first contingent consisted of an infantry platoon, an engineer team, and medics. The contingent was attached to the 4th Infantry Division (US) and conducted its mission in vicinity of Sammara in Multinational Division North-Center (MND-NC). The missions of the contingent were:
- patrolling;
- providing security of convoys;
- engineer reconnaissance;
- destruction of unexploded ordnance;
The second contingent was deployed to Iraq on July 26, 2004. It consisted of a nine-soldier Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attached to the 1st Infantry Division in MND-NC. An additional three staff officers were attached to the Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) headquarters in Baghdad . The Moldovan EOD Team displayed great enthusiasm and flexibility when the 1-33rd Field Artillery Battalion conducted Operation Capture Enemy Ammunition. They also conducted over 80 combat EOD missions at the Tikrit North Ammunition Supply Point (ASP). Moldovan soldiers in close cooperation with US EOD and 1-33rd Field Artillery Battalion soldiers disposed over 160,000 articles of unexploded ordnance (UXOs), which otherwise would have threatened the lives of Coalition soldiers and the local Iraqi population.
After clearing the Tikrit North ASP, Moldavan EOD was attached to Forward Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit where it conducted explosive ordnance reconnaissance and disposal on base and in the area. During this period, over 20,000 articles of UXO were discovered and destroyed. The total number of UXOs discovered and disposed of by Moldavian EOD during the 6-month period has reached 182000. The contingent was redeployed on February 11, 2005
On November 8, 2005, the Moldovan Supreme Security Council decided to send a third group of servicemembers to Iraq . The new contingent of twelve soldiers, including eight mine engineers and three staff officers, went through intense training based on the experience and recommendations of its predecessors
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