10 Feb 2005

UN selects Fiji as peacekeeper training base

8:36 am on 10 February 2005

The United Nations has chosen Fiji ahead of 1-hundred and three other countries, to establish a military training facility for peacekeeping troops.

Fiji TV reports that the decision's been conveyed to Fiji's representative at the UN, Colonel Isikia Savua, who's in the process of informing the government in Suva.

It'll be the second such UN military training facility in the world, the first being in Sudan.

A UN delegation, including senior military officers from several countries, will arrive in Fiji next month to finalize details with the government.

It's understood the base is likely to be established in Fiji's west, to enable rapid deployment of troops from Nadi Airport when the need arises.