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Congo-Kinshasa: Mr. Doss Awards UN Medals to the Departing Tunisian Contingent
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United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
PRESS RELEASE
12 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
On 9 May 2008, on their departure from MONUC, the Tunisian military contingent, as well as their military observers and staff officers, were decorated in Kinshasa with United Nations medals for good and faithful services rendered to MONUC.
Taking part for the first time in such a ceremony in the DRC was Alan Doss, MONUC head and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, as well as MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye, the MONUC Western Brigade commander and a representative from the Tunisian embassy in Kinshasa.
The Tunisian contingent commander pointed out the tradition of peacekeeping in his country, with 17 UN peacekeeping missions to its credit, and evoked Tunisia's historical links with the DRC. It was in 1960 that Tunisia took part in their first ever peacekeeping mission worldwide in the DRC, with 2,200 men deployed in Katanga.
The Tunisian blue helmets ensure the protection of UN installations in Kinshasa and also carry out patrols, while a unit is currently in the province of Bas Congo, to monitor security after the recent violence in the area.
Mr. Doss, reiterating the United Nations zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, congratulated the Tunisian soldiers for their exemplary behaviour.
"Your exemplary behaviour has resulted in a zero level of sexual exploitation and abuse, which was the subject of many directives on my part. By achieving this, you can be proud representatives of your country."
Mr. Doss seized the occasion to thank all MONUC soldiers, who work daily on the ground, so that the DRC and its population can live in harmony. He also congratulated the MONUC military observers and commanders, which play a big role within MONUC.
"You can be proud to carry this medal which represents certainly for each one among you a intense period of your life, but more especially the recognition of the United Nations for the work that you carried out here, in the Democratic Republic of Congo."
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The awarding of medals was followed by a military parade, a demonstration of Tunisian dances and a meal offered by the contingent commander to the guests.
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| Copyright © 2008 United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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