15 Oct 2004

Fiji UN detachment to receive help from Australia

11:17 am on 15 October 2004

A Fijian military contingent deploying to Iraq will receive assistance from Australia.

A joint statement released by Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, and the Defence Minister, Robert Hill, says Australia will provide support for training, equipment and logistics.

The ministers say the help is at the behest of Fiji.

Mr Hill and Mr Downer say they welcomes Fiji's contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq and are pleased to support them through the provision of equipment and training.

The ministers say they are keen to ensure the UN can deploy sufficient personnel to fulfil its mandate to advise and support the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq on the process for holding elections.