RIGA - Defense Minister Atis Slakteris will leave for Iraq to meet Latvian troops serving on the international peace-keeping mission.
During his visit, Slakteris is scheduled to meet the unit's management. Slakteris will also meet with Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and the administration of the NATO training mission in Iraq.
Slakteris hopes to see the soldiers' service conditions and discuss several issues related to the peace-keeping mission. The minister will also bring Latvian soldiers gifts from home: press publications, CDs and DVDs with Latvian music, rye bread and cheese.
The visit is scheduled for Wednesday to Saturday.