Fiji's military personnel must continue to train as professional soldiers to be effective and successful peacekeepers and to maintain Fiji’s enviable reputation.
This was President, Jioji Konrote’s message in his opening address at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s 40th Anniversary symposium at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
Konrote says that Fiji owes their thanks to many individuals and parties who made peacekeeping operations possible and who continued to cultivate this mission over the past four decades.
He says government has seen the significant increase in peacekeeping allowance, that have now made employment in the RFMF an institution of choice, all done in recognition of the incredibly important work that peacekeepers are conducting around the world.
Meanwhile, 60-year-old ex-serviceman, Tomasi Verekauta who was part of the first mission to Lebanon in 1978, has told Fijivillage that the Fijian peacekeepers have maintained the purpose of their mission while serving in the middle east.
He says that it is always a challenge leaving their families behind, however the sacrifice to see a person in the war torn countries they serve, live a normal life, is what makes the mission worthy.
The President says that we have lost about 56 servicemen including several civilians as they are Fiji's sons who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace.
The Symposium continues at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
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