219 Bangladesh peacekeepers awarded UN medals
Friday, 8 August 2008
A total of 219 'Blue Helmets' from Bangladesh Air Force have been awarded the United Nations peacekeeping medals in DR Congo, reports BSS.
Force Commander of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) General Babacat Gaye decorated them with the UN medals at a function on July 30, said a UNIC press release in the city Thursday.
The colourful ceremony was also attended by the Interim Commander of MONUC's Eastern Division, General Farukh Bashir, and the Director of MONUC's Regional Office in Ituri, Madam Olamide Adedej, and local Congolese authorities.
The Commander of the Bangladeshi Aviation Unit (BANAIR-5) based in Bunia, Group Captain Mohammad Harunur Rashid, thanked the MONUC Force Commander for arranging the function. "We are highly honoured by your visit, your presence here, especially to decorate the BANAIR-5 with United Nations medals," he said.
He also thanked the military and civilian guests from the United Nations as well as the Congolese authorities for their presence at the ceremony.
Rashid said that despite many challenges facing peacekeepers, which require enormous sacrifice, "these 'blue helmets' from Bangladesh have never hesitated to perform".
The Bangladesh Air Force has operated in Ituri since August 2003 and has two units: the Utility Aviation Unit and the Airfield Services Unit for the Bangladesh Air Force.
Although they joined the Mission to assist with military operations, the Bangladeshi peacekeepers also assist MONUC's Movement Control (MOVCON) section.
Force Commander of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) General Babacat Gaye decorated them with the UN medals at a function on July 30, said a UNIC press release in the city Thursday.
The colourful ceremony was also attended by the Interim Commander of MONUC's Eastern Division, General Farukh Bashir, and the Director of MONUC's Regional Office in Ituri, Madam Olamide Adedej, and local Congolese authorities.
The Commander of the Bangladeshi Aviation Unit (BANAIR-5) based in Bunia, Group Captain Mohammad Harunur Rashid, thanked the MONUC Force Commander for arranging the function. "We are highly honoured by your visit, your presence here, especially to decorate the BANAIR-5 with United Nations medals," he said.
He also thanked the military and civilian guests from the United Nations as well as the Congolese authorities for their presence at the ceremony.
Rashid said that despite many challenges facing peacekeepers, which require enormous sacrifice, "these 'blue helmets' from Bangladesh have never hesitated to perform".
The Bangladesh Air Force has operated in Ituri since August 2003 and has two units: the Utility Aviation Unit and the Airfield Services Unit for the Bangladesh Air Force.
Although they joined the Mission to assist with military operations, the Bangladeshi peacekeepers also assist MONUC's Movement Control (MOVCON) section.