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Kathmandu,Monday January 31, 2000 Magh 17th, 2056.
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Nepal
endorsed as peacekeeping centre
-By
a Post Reporter
UN
PEACEKEEPING TRAINING CENTRE, Panchkhal, Jan 30 - Exercise Shanti
Prayas, the first ever South Asian Multi-Platoon Training Event,
concluded here today with Resident Coordinator of UN systems in Nepal
Dr Henning Karcher endorsing a proposal to develop a regional
peacekeeping centre in Nepal.
Royal
Nepal Army (RNA)’s Chief of Army Staff Prajawalla SJB Rana closed
the two-week long event amid a grand ceremony in this scenic valley,
45 kilometres east of the capital city.
"There
is a need to inspire the establishment and development of a culture of
peace in the region and around the world," Karcher told a
gathering of army officials from around the world. "And what
could be a better place to look to in this context than Nepal, where
Lord Buddha, the much revered pioneer of Peace, was born and where
peacekeeping has been an honoured tradition."
Lieutenant
General Edwin P Smith of US Army Pacific Command, Lt General Muhammad
Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh Army and Major General LP Balagalle of
Sri Lankan Army were present at the programme participated by
observers from 18 nations--Australia, Canada, China, Fiji, India,
Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, New
Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga and United
Kingdom.
Karcher’s
endorsement followed a similar backing from Assistant Secretary
General of UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Yon Jing Choi
and Commander-in-Chief of United States’ Pacific Command, Admiral
Dennis C Blair. At the opening of the historical training event the
officials had said that it would be appropriate to set up a
peacekeeping centre in Nepal "as South Asia region does not have
a regional peacekeeping training centre yet".
On
the occasion, RNA’s Chief of the Army Staff Rana had sought the
endorsement of the proposal.
According
to officials, setting up of the regional peacekeeping training centres
in different parts of the world is a fairly new concept. Such centres
have so far been set up in countries like Norway and Sweden.
The
Panchkhal-based centre has remained the training venue of the Royal
Nepal Army, widely lauded as one of the leading peacekeepers of the
world. Since 1958 over 35,000 Nepal Army personnel have already served
in various UN missions. Nepal has currently committed a total force of
3,000 for UN peace-keeping duties at any given time. Thirty-five
Nepali soldiers have lost their lives during the peacekeeping duties
to date.
"Peace
has a price, and I hope that the last two weeks of toil in the cross
cultural gathering has enabled the participants to interact and
identify procedures in coordinating and supporting each other in
adversity," RNA’s Chief of Army Staff Rana said. "I am
certain, your brief sojourn at Panchkhal has also been a period of
exposure in harmonizing the growth of cordial relationship with
comrade-in-arms dedicated to peace."
Altogether
four platoons--one each from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the
United States--partook in the training. Also attending were trainers
from these countries.
Rana
also distributed certificates and awards to the commanders of the
participating nations, and plaques and mementos to observers. RNA’s
Assistant Chief of Staff Pyar Jung Thapa had delivered welcome
address.
The
multi-platoon training event, supported by the UN’s Department of
Peacekeeping and the US Pacific Command, is said to have enhanced new
peacekeeping partnership amongst the units hailing from various
regional, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.
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