Officers to be deployed for UN

Despite the international pressures from Australia and New Zealand, an additional 20 police officers from Fiji will now be deployed in December to serve in the United Nations Mission in Sudan.

Cabinet has approved the additional deployment bringing the total number of officers serving under UNMIS to 28.

Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau told cabinet that Fiji has been contributing to the mission since 2005 and during the Prime Ministers visit to Sudan in 2007, the Commissioner of Police there requested for additional Fiji Police Officers for UNMIS.

Ratu Epeli said police have been rotating 8 Officers every 12 months and since its inception, 30 police officers have served in Sudan.

He said Fiji Police officers have been commended for their conduct and performance in contributing effectivly to world peace and especially in Sudan.

Ratu Epeli also said that the increase in deployment will have very little impact on the Police budget.