MONGOLIA: U.N. Secretary-General praises Mongolian Internation peaekeeping efforts
Record ID:
561398
MONGOLIA: U.N. Secretary-General praises Mongolian Internation peaekeeping efforts
- Title: MONGOLIA: U.N. Secretary-General praises Mongolian Internation peaekeeping efforts
- Date: 28th July 2009
- Summary: CENTRAL AIMAK ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT, MONGOLIA (JULY 26, 2009) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS, MONGOLIAN AND OTHER FLAGS FLYING SOLDIERS STANDING IN LINE VARIOUS SOLDIERS WEARING UNITED NATIONS BLUE CAP STANDING IN LINE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON, MONGOLIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER BATBOLD SUKHBAATAR AND OTHER PEOPLE WALKING FOUR SOLDERS STANDING WITH FLAG IN FRONT OF MILITARY BAND BAN WALKING IN FRONT OF SOLDIERS TWO FEMALE SOLDIERS' FACES BAN BOWING AND GREETING SOLDIERS, SOLDIERS GREETING BAN, BAN WALKING ON BAN SHAKING HANDS WITH CIVILIANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING (PLEASE NOTE PART OF THE SOUNDBITE SHOWS BANNERS AND SOLDERS LISTENING): "As you know, Mongolia is playing a very important role in the special forces in Sierra Leone. I'm very proud of all of you, for your strong commitment, dedication, and discipline and devotion for the peace and security of the world" BAN SHAKING HANDS WITH SOLDIERS FLAGS AND PEOPLE TWO SECURITY PERSONNEL LEAVING SITE ARMY VEHICLES DRIVING THROUGH GRASSLAND LEAVING
- Embargoed: 12th August 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mongolia
- Country: Mongolia
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA2H6NHQ56FWPUGC1X7LZ6UJMY4
- Story Text: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited a Mongolian military base training U.N. peacekeeping forces on Sunday (July 26), the first day of a three day trip to the country.
The Mongolian visit was expected to focus on environmental issues, as well as the country's increasing contribution to international peacekeeping efforts.
At the Five Hills joint training centre, Ban inspected a group of 250 peace keeping soldiers scheduled to replace an existing force in Sierra Leone early next month.
The troops will be the eighth rotation of Mongolian troops to be stationed in the troubled African country, where 250 troops are currently stationed, a Mongolian military official said.
The site, which started undertaking cooperative operations with other countries in 2002 and is currently the largest of its sort in Mongolia, hopes to become a regional peace support training centre by 2015, military officials said.
At a ceremony held with Mongolia's Foreign Minister Batbold Sukhbaatar, Ban praised the country of less than 3 million's increasing efforts in peacekeeping in the Sierra Leone.
"As you know, Mongolia is playing a very important role in the special forces in Sierra Leone. I'm very proud of all of you, for your strong commitment, dedication, and discipline and devotion for the peace and security of the world," Ban said.
Mongolia's Ministry of Defence announced last week that it planned to send at least 150 soldiers to Afghanistan, in the country's biggest contribution yet to international fighting with Taliban militants, media reports said.
The country decided last week to send 800 soldiers, or one full battalion, to Chad, though the exact timing could not yet been confirmed, a Mongolian military official said on Sunday.
Mongolian has already helped with peacekeeping efforts in other countries including Iraq.
Ban's trip also aimed to highlight the effects of climate change on Mongolia, and he was scheduled to visit a traditional nomadic family affected by changes in the natural environment later in the day.
Ban will also meet with President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Prime minister Sanjaagiin Bayar on Monday (July 27). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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