Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola while attending the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Coordinating Bureau, held at Sharm El- Sheik in Egypt, also took time to meet Fiji’s Senior Military Officers serving in Sinai at the Multinational Force and Observers’ (MFO) South Camp.
The Minister met Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Manasa Tagicakibau and Senior Officers of the Fiji troops, who are based in the North Camp and had travelled down to the South Camp to meet the Minister.
During their discussion, the Minister thanked the officers for making time to be at the South Camp despite their busy schedules. He also updated them on the work currently undertaken by Government, as well as the opening of two new foreign missions for Fiji <http://www.fijilive.com/news/2011/12/fiji-to-open-embassies-in-uae-south-korea/38483.Fijilive> later this year in South Korea and Abu Dhabi.
“The setup of a mission at Abu Dhabi this year would augur well for our soldiers and Fiji nationals serving in the Middle East,” Minister Kubuabola said.
Minister Kubuabola met the MFO’s Force Commander Brigadier General Warren Whiting and was briefed on MFO’s operations by Wing Commander Guy Bendall.
Aside from the operations, Com. Bendall discussed the challenges faced by soldiers especially in dealing with rebels and certain factions of the community, something that they have to deal with every day. He relayed to the Minister that this could not have been any easier if it was not for the Fijian soldiers, whose support and perseverance during such times had always been critical and exceptional to work undertaken by the MFO.
The Minister also toured the Coastal Patrol Unit (CPU) of the MFO, which was basically managed by the Italian Navy and is tasked to monitor the compliance of Egypt <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt> in maintaining freedom of navigation of the straits as provided under the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel-Egypt_Peace_Treaty> of 1979.
The Minister was glad for the informative tour as he was able to learn first-hand the operations of the MFO. He expressed his gratitude to the MFO for their kind gesture in approving this visit.