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| International-UN-NGOs |
| Bangladesh Is Military Powerhouse for the UN |
| 2004-11-02 |
| The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has said that the surge in demand for UN peacekeeping forces around the world has reached a 10 year high. Speaking earlier this month in Ireland, he said that new operations had been authorised in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Burundi. The UN was also planning a substantial mission in Sudan, he said, and was looking to strengthen its force in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In total, he said that the UN would need an additional 30,000 uniformed personnel on top of 50,000 already deployed. So far, it has been poorer countries that have contributed most of those men. Bangladesh and Pakistan have the largest contingents on UN Missions by far. Between them they have deployed nearly 17,000 troops. The United States in comparison has provided 430. For Bangladeshis, the peacekeepers - who are on duty in 12 countries across three continents - are a source of pride. "It is giving a good exposure to our country," said Flight Lieutenant Abu Saleh Mohammad Mannafi, a helicopter pilot with Bangladesh's air force. We're earning a good name and fame for the army, air force and navy as well as contributing to our economy. So it is doing a world of good for our country." |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #1 says a lot about the UN.... |
| Posted by: Phitle Glavise4927 2004-11-02 4:32:08 PM |