More than sixty Fijian peacekeepers have lost their lives upholding the values of toleration and reconciliation embodied in the United National Charter.
This was highlighted by President Major General Jioji Konrote while delivering his statement on the Fiji –UN 40th anniversary on peace keeping.
Konrote says considering Fiji’s small population, the number represents one of the largest capita losses of life amongst all peacekeeping nations.
He says that Fiji has 882 peacekeepers involving Fiji Military Forces, Police and the Fiji Corrections Services who are deployed on eight missions overseas and one of the world’s smallest militaries and this commitment represents a significant contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security.
According to Konrote the reputation of our peacekeepers is based on the highest standards of professionalism and honor and the need to strive for the highest standards of discipline and personal ethics is paramount.
He adds the involvement of RFMF in Peacekeeping operations provided benefits that addressed some of the key challengers the government was facing in terms of employment and labor mobility, skills development, producing the leaders of tomorrow and military remittances
Fiji’s first 500 Peacekeepers were deployed to Lebanon exactly 40 years ago this month.
