THE Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel who are to leave for the Syrian Golan Heights will be officially farewelled by His Excellency the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama on Tuesday, June 25 at Albert Park in Suva.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Joketani Cokanasiga will host the farewell parade for the troops which is expected to be attended by other Cabinet Ministers and dignitaries.
The parade will conclude with a march through the Capital City.
Cabinet officially approved the deployment of Fijian troops to be part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights.
The evolving situation as a result of the Syrian crisis had mandated the United Nations to strengthen its peacekeeping troops in the Golan Heights.
In addition, as mandated by the UN, the inclusion of medical personnel to be part of the Fiji troops is to supplement existing UN medical team for the UNDOF Mission.
Fiji’s initial deployment to UNDOF will consist of an infantry company of 140 personnel of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and additional 31 personnel to replace the Croatian and the recently withdrawn Japanese transport detachment which brings to a total of 171 troops expected to be deployed next week.
Families and friends are welcomed to be part of the farewell programme as this is one of the important occasions for the nation that marks our commitment and sacrifice to international peacekeeping to bringing about safe and secure throughout the globe.
The troops are scheduled to depart our shores on a United Nations charter flight on Wednesday 26th June 2013 from the Nadi International Airport.
-ENDS-
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION MR JOKETANI COKANASIGA