Russia supplies light weapons for Fiji`s peacekeeping force of UNDOF UN mission in Golan Heights TASS 13001162

Defence & Security News - Fiji
 
Russia supplies light weapons for Fiji`s peacekeeping force of UNDOF UN mission in Golan Heights
Russia supplies light weapons to Fiji by the country`s official request. The supplied weapons will increase the effectiveness of the Fiji`s peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights, according to the official spokeperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova.
     
Russia supplies light weapons to Fiji by the country`s official request. The supplied weapons will increase the effectiveness of the Fiji`s peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights, according to the official spokeperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. Fiji`s peacekeeping soldiers during a military parade
     
"The batch of the Russian small arms and light weapons (SALW) is supplied to Fiji by the country`s official request. It is intended for the Fiji`s motorised infantry batallion (a part of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF) depoyed in the Golan", Zakharova said.

She pointed out, that the official procedure of arms transfer to Fiji would take place in February 2016. " There are no doubts, that the Russian assistance will help to increase the effectivenes of the Fiji`s peacekeeping force in the Holan", Zakharova emphasized.

The official spokeperson added, that Russia would strengthen multi-faceted cooperation (including the defense area) with Fiji and other South Pacific states. "Such cooperation does not suppose interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. It is not aimed against third parties", Zakharova said .

Previously, the Guardian newspaper reported on the allegedly secret supplies of Russian weapons to Fiji.

The initial composition of the UNDOF in 1974 was of personnel from Austria, Peru, Canada and Poland. Today, about a thousand troops are provided by Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, and Netherlands. The troops are assisted by military observers from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization's Observer Group Golan, international and local civilian staff.

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) is the military force of the Pacific island nation of Fiji. With a total manpower of 3,500 active soldiers and 6,000 reservists, it is one of the smallest militaries in the world.
     
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