22 Dec 2006

UN retains Fiji peacekeepers despite coup, says military

4:25 pm on 22 December 2006

The Fiji military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says despite the coup, the United Nations will continue to use Fiji soldiers in peacekeeping missions.

Several countries have cut or suspended military ties with Fiji after it decided to oustthe governent.

But Commodore Bainimarama has told the website fijivillage.com that the UN won't impose sanctions.

"We have received a note from the United Nations, from the undersecretary of the political affairs telling us that even though did not agree with what we did, there is no stopping us from our continued participation in the United Nations peacekeeping arena."