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Welcome
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces, US Pacific Command, and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO) is co-sponsoring a multinational seminar on key pre-deployment and deployment issues related to military planning and training in preparation for future complex, multi-national, multi-dimensional UN operations.
The purpose of the 4 1⁄2 day seminar is to share information and exchange experiences, with a view to building capacity within the nations of the Asia-Pacific Region.
This event is part of an ongoing series addressing challenges to planning, coordination and execution of peace support operations known as the Asia Pacific Enhanced Peace Operations Program, co-sponsored by US Pacific Command, UNDPKO, and a host nation which selects the topic areas to be discussed.
Representatives are expected from the military forces of 20 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, United States, Vanuatu and Vietnam. The event will be officially opened by Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. Mr. Theodore Seay III, Deputy Chief of the US Embassy, will also provide opening remarks.
Within the seminar, a scenario is used as the basis for discussion. it is based on national preparations for future participation in a multi-dimensional, multi-functional UN peace support operation. Major activities within the seminar address four separate issues which explore important dynamics of national pre-deployment planning and associated training. A variety of background briefings will be provided to set the scene prior to working group discussions on each issue. Each major seminar activity is divided into three parts: an introductory plenary to ensure the task is clear, a working group session, and a concluding plenary. The concluding plenary for each activity will take the form of group out-briefs to a role-playing senior officer with national responsibilities for operational preparedness of units deploying on UN peace support operations. Discussion on group conclusions will follow and comments will be sought from subject matter experts supporting the seminar.
REMARKS
FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY
Monday,
February 28, 2005
Mr. Edmond E. “Ted” Seay III
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Suva
Commodore Bainimarama; instructors from the Center of Excellence; distinguished military guests from South, Southeast, and East Asia and the Pacific Region; representatives of the NGO community; Distinguished Guests:
On behalf of Ambassador David Lyon and the U.S. Government, I would like to welcome you all to this very important and timely seminar on peace support operations which will focus on deployment and pre-deployment activities.
Our host government, the Republic of the Fiji islands, has a remarkable record of many years of successful experience deploying for peace support operations.
The officers and men of the Republic of Fiji military forces have tremendous capabilities and knowledge that they willingly share with others.
My government and many others view Fiji as a mentor in many aspects of peace support operations. For a country of some 880,000 people living in relative calm in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, this is a remarkable achievement. We believe that Fiji represents a model for what can be accomplished through focused and consistent effort, and through dedication to an ideal.
But the men and women of Fiji are also humble about what they have accomplished, and continue to seek new opportunities to enhance their current capabilities.
The U.S. and Fiji have a long history of cooperation. Fiji has consistently participated in and supported U.S. Pacific Command's peace operations capacity building program, executed by the Center of Excellence.
Through the Enhanced International Peacekeeping Capabilities Program executed by the U.S. Department of Defense, through the Center for Civil-Military Relations at the Naval Postgraduate School, and through the new Global Peace Operations Initiative funded with U.S. State Department monies, the U.S. and Fiji will continue to build this relationship into the 21st century.
This new program has set an ambitious goal of training 75,000 personnel within 5 years. We look to the government of the republic of the Fiji islands, and to the military forces of Fiji, to be a partner in helping us achieve it through the sharing of their expertise. All of the countries represented here today will be the beneficiaries of this continued relationship.
Once again, on behalf of Ambassador Lyon, welcome, and I wish you the best of success with this very important seminar. Thank you.
Commodore Josaia V. Bainimarama
Commander, Republic of Fiji Military Forces
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor for Fiji to have the chance to host the Asia Pacific Peace Operations Seminar from 28th February to 04th March 2005, here in Suva.
On behalf of the Fiji Government, especially the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, let me welcome you all to Fiji. We hope you will enjoy your time during your stay here.
This event, which is co-sponsored by the United Nations, the Fiji Government and the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, on behalf of the United States Pacific Command, is an important event for Fiji and especially the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF). Amongst others, this event is a testimony of appreciation of our country’s commitment and contribution towards world peace and for the restoration process that took place after the political upheavals and the dark days of 2000 in Fiji.
Fiji has participated in UN missions since 1978. However we feel that we still need to deepen our understanding about the concept of peacekeeping, developing our conflict management skills, improve our capacity and enhance our involvement for future peace operations, as our role in trying to ensure world peace.
We understand that the peacekeeping arena is very different from the one that we first entered in 1978. For the first time ever, the UN has had to provide security for its own staff when it deployed into Iraq, in January this year in preparations for the elections. We were approached to provide not only security for the main UN camp in Baghdad, but for the personal security for the Special Representative to the Secretary General. This was a new challenge for us and we had to start from scratch after the unfortunate events of 2000. However, I am glad to say that this new challenge has been taken up with a lot of enthusiasm and with the help of both the Australian and American Governments, who provided us the necessary equipment. From this we have received satisfactory reports from the field on the performance of our troops.
In reality, the world is facing more complex conflicts that are not only caused by the differences in social, economic and ethnic culture, but also religious beliefs and ideological differences. Those conflicts, whether they arte interstate or intrastate conflicts, they brings about strong impacts on global and regional peace and stability. Not to mention the loss of resources or even the loss of lives. This is why a much more collaborative effort between UN members is needed to deter and prevent emerging conflicts.
The objective of this seminar is, among others, to develop an appreciation of the issues that come from integrating components within modern complex contingencies with an emphasis on multinational and multifunctional peace operations. Moreover, through this seminar you should be able to broaden your knowledge and ability to examine your nation’s capacity building and training that is required to optimize participation in peace operations. Besides that, you may get a clearer idea of multilateral, multifunctional and operational levels of peacekeeping operations and training requirements that are required to enhance contribution in every UN Peace Mission.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please allow me to express our gratitude to the United State Pacific Command for supporting this seminar and also to thank the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. I would also like to thank the organizing committee for their hard work in making all of this possible.
On behalf of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Citizens of the Republic of Fiji Islands, I now declare the Asia Pacific Enhanced Peace Operations Deployment and Pre-Deployment Seminar officially open.
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