FIJI’s Defence Minister has held fruitful discussions with ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior of Iraq.
In the meetings Joketani Cokanasiga addressed issues relating to the welfare and deployment of Fiji’s United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) contingent and other pertinent issues relating to rotation of troops and visas for military personnel.
He arrived in Baghdad on Saturday, September 15, following meetings in New York with the United Nations Secretariat discussing critical issues for peacekeeping both for the military and police, a statement said.
Mr Cokanasiga is accompanied by RFMF Land Force Commander Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Peter Thomson, director Army Legal Services Lieutenant Colonel Pacolo Luveni and senior defence officer Joji Washington.
While in New York last week, the delegation met the Under-Secretary-Generals of the various UN Secretariat departments responsible for administering UNAMI.
In a breakthrough of events amid 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, the statement said.