“Yesterday, from Apia, I have spoken to the Prime Minister of Fiji and I explained the current status of negotiations. And I assured him that the UN would spare no cost to have the release of all the Fijian peacekeepers”
The Samoan chief in charge of the United Nations has demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of 44 Fijian peacekeepers.
Secretary-General, Tupua Ban Ki Moon, made the call yesterday from Tuana’imato where he is attending the third Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference.
According to news reports, the Fijians who are serving with the U.N., were seized by an al Qaeda-linked group last Thursday evening on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights region, one of several groups attacked in the volatile frontier between Syria and Israel.
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The Samoan chief in charge of the United Nations has demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of 44 Fijian peacekeepers.
Secretary-General, Tupua Ban Ki Moon, made the call yesterday from Tuana’imato where he is attending the third Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference.
According to news reports, the Fijians who are serving with the U.N., were seized by an al Qaeda-linked group last Thursday evening on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights region, one of several groups attacked in the volatile frontier between Syria and Israel.
Yesterday, Tupua hailed the Fijians, describing them as “brave blue helmets.”
“I again demand the immediate and unconditional release of these brave blue helmets, who are deployed to the region to bring stability for the sake of the people,” he said.
“We are working around the clock for their early release.”
The Secretary General said the U.N.’s force commanders and U.N. entities are currently negotiating for the peacekeepers release.
“Yesterday, from Apia, I have spoken to the Prime Minister of Fiji and I explained the current status of negotiations,” Tupua said.
“And I assured him that the UN would spare no cost to have the release of all the Fijian peacekeepers.”
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said she had spoken to Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and Foreign Minister to express Australia's strong support, including intelligence resources.
She said Australia would use its position on the Security Council to maintain focus on the issue.
Earlier reports note that the head of the Fijian Army Commander Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga told a media conference in Fiji that they "are continuing negotiations at all levels."
He said they had been assured that the men were being treated well and had come to no harm, he said.
"However, we are still very concerned that we cannot confirm at this stage their exact location, whether they are still in Syria or whether they have been moved to neighbouring countries," Tikoitoga said.
The Fijian troupes are serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (U.N.D.O.F.).
The U.N. reports that all Philippine peacekeeping troops, trapped by Islamists in a different area of the frontier just mere hours after the Fijians were taken, were now safe.
Tupua also strongly condemned Saturday’s attack on U.N. peacekeepers’ positions in the Golan Heights, in a statement released by his spokesman.
“The Secretary General demands the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained United Nations peacekeepers and calls upon all parties to co-operate fully with UNDOF to enable it to operate freely and to ensure full safety and
security of its personnel and assets,” the statement said.
~ With Reuters, Associated Press and A.B.C.
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