| They're cheaper than Samoans, but you get what you pay for... |
A detachment of Fijian troops has left to take up peace-keeping duties for the United Nations in Iraq. The UN has re-established a presence in Baghdad after withdrawing last year when its headquarters was bombed. Fiji's Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, said the country, a former British colony, was proud to be part of efforts to bring stability to the Gulf. His government was the first to agree to provide troops specifically to protect UN officials in Iraq. The Fijian soldiers, who marched through the capital, Suva, earlier this week, were given an emotional send off. Around 130 troops will spend the next six months protecting the United Nations in Iraq as the country prepares for national elections. Last year 22 UN workers, including the special envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, were killed in a bomb attack in Baghdad. Fiji has a long history of sending its forces to the world's trouble spots, including the Solomon Islands, East Timor and Lebanon. | It's one of their bigger export crops. |
More than 2,000 soldiers from Fiji are currently serving in the British army. They have a reputation for loyalty and courage. A 27-year-old Fijian sniper, who was part of the Black Watch regiment in Iraq, was killed by insurgents earlier this month. | I've heard they are so good the government doesn't like them hanging around back home. Afraid they might get "ideas". |
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