SUVA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 900 Fijian soldiers are currently serving as the United Nations peacekeepers across the world as the South Pacific island nation marks its 40th anniversary of commitment to UN Peacekeeping Operations on Sunday.
This was said by Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Sunday while attending a celebration of Fiji's participation in UN peacekeeping missions over the past four decades.
He said that peacekeepers carried on a proud Fijian legacy that stretched as far back as the World War I and Fijian soldiers have braved some of the most dangerous and volatile regions on Earth.
For the past 40 years, Fijian peacekeepers have defended civilians including children in areas around the world facing conflict, he said, adding that no matter how different the region they serve, throughout these 40 years of service, one thing has remained constant, Fijian peacekeepers have sacrificed, they have persevered, and they have brought immeasurable honor, glory, and pride to the island nation.
He said the legacy of Fijian peacekeepers continues through the nearly 900 brave Fijians serving as UN peacekeepers around the world, all of whom are worthy successors to that 40-year legacy of excellence which Fiji honored.
While confirming that 60 Fijian peacekeepers were killed while on duty, he said, "That legacy has not been built without sacrifice, as we have paid a high priceespecially for a nation of our sizefor the sake of spreading peace around the world."
