TALLINN, Mar 10, BNS - The commander of the Estonian defense forces, Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots, began today a visit to Iraq to inspect the infantry platoon ESTPLA-16 serving there and meet with leaders of allied forces.
"Reports on operations of our infantry platoon say that Estonian soldiers are successful. The ESTPLA-16 has confiscated from anti-government insurgents a considerable amount of arms and explosives. Each weapon or improvised explosive device seized from insurgents saves human lives and diminishes the opportunities for attacks against Iraqi government forces and soldiers of the international coalition in Iraq," Laaneots said.
"I consider it very important to regularly survey all Estonian units' overseas operation areas in person," the army chief added.
Laaneots has meetings planned with the commander of Multinational Force Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and commander of Multinational Corps Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin. He also is to visit the NATO training mission in Iraq.
The Estonian infantry platoon is serving in Iraq as part of the US 1st Cavalry Division. The 34-strong unit has been trained to perform foot and motorized patrols, searches, convoy duties and guarding of military installations. The soldiers are deployed in the area of Sab al Bor near Baghdad.
Estonian military have been participating in the Iraqi mission since June 2003.
Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8863, sise@bns.ee
