Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Mr Joketani Cokanasiga is currently visiting Iraq as part of government’s exercise to assess Fiji’s international peacekeeping role.
Mr Cokanasiga arrived in Baghdad, Iraq on Saturday 15 September after visiting and holding meetings in New York with the United Nations Secretariat discussing critical issues for peacekeeping both for the military and police.
He is accompanied on his visit to Baghdad by RFMF Land Force Commander, Col Mosese Tikoitoga, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson, Director Army Legal Services, Lt Col Pacolo Luveni, and Senior Defence officer Mr Joji Wasigitoni.
Upon arrival in Baghdad, the Minister was accorded a 50- man guard of honour mounted by 1St FIR of RFMF at Diwan Compound.
He was then briefed on the situation in Iraq by the officers of 1 FIR and the Chief of Staff of the UNAMI HQ before being accorded traditional Fijian welcome ceremonies.
1FIR makes up the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) which provides the security for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). 278 Fijian personnel serve under UNGU.
The Minister also had fruitful discussions with ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior of the Government of Iraq.
In these meetings, Minister Cokanasiga addressed issues relating to the welfare and deployment of Fiji’s UNGU contingent and other pertinent issues relating to rotation of troops and visas for military personnel.
While in New York last week, the Minister and his delegation met with the Under-Secretary-Generals of the various UN Secretariat departments responsible for administering UNAMI.
In the course of these meetings, the Minister’s delegation was able to gain updates on the UN’s ongoing peacekeeping demands, and to assess Fiji’s current and future contributions to the UN’s Military and Police peacekeeping duties.
In a breakthrough of events amidst the subsequent government presentations to the Iraqi government, the CONTICO hosted a traditional farewell treat to the delegation and the Fijian soldiers showcased their cultural items to the delight of the invited guests from the Iraqi Government.
This was the first ever cultural event to be held within the UNAMI HQ since its operation.
In attendance were the Chief of Staff of the Iraqi ISAF General Azzim, officials of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Defence.
The Minister’s delegation returns next week.
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