"We are grateful and appreciate Indonesia`s contributions to UN peace keeping missions," Director for UN Peace Keeping Mission Operations Herve Ladsous said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The United Nations appreciates Indonesia`s contributions to UN peace-keeping missions in a number of countries.

"We are grateful and appreciate Indonesia`s contributions to UN peace keeping missions," Director for UN Peace Keeping Mission Operations Herve Ladsous said in a teleconference with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on Monday.

The conference was held in connection with the opening of the Peace Keeping Education and Training Center at the Indonesian "Santi Dharma" Peace and Security Center Compound by President Yudhoyono that day.

Flanked by Indonesian ambassador to the UN, Hasan Kleib, Ladsous said he welcomed the establishment of the facility by Indonesia to better prepare its military personnel for carrying out UN missions.

"Congratulations on the establishment of the peace keeping education and training center which will better support preparations for military personnel to be assigned for UN peace missions any where," he said.

Ladsous said Indonesia`s role in the UN peace keeping missions had been proven well and given pride such as in Lebanon and Congo. In view of that, he said he hoped Indonesia could continue playing a role in UN peace missions.

Since 1957 Indonesia has sent 24,284 military personnel to carry out UN missions.

In response, President Yudhoyono said the facility was aimed at creating TNI (military) personnel who were prepared and capable to serve in N peace missions.

"And Indonesia will continue playing a role and support UN peace missions anywhere," he said.

Flanked by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and TNI Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono as well as several cabinet ministers President Yudhoyono on the occasion also exchanged words with the commander of the UN peace mission in Congo (Monusco) General Chander Prakash.

Prakash spoke about the history of the establishment of a UN peace mission in Congo and developments in the security situation in the region in connection with the implementation of general elections in that country.

President Yudhoyono also talked with the chief of the TNI Engineers Task Force Konga XX-H/Monusco, Lt Col Widiyanto regarding the tasks of the TNI contingent in the UN mission in Congo.

He also talked with the deputy commander of the UN Peace Mission in South Lebanon (UNIFIL), Brigadier General Santi Bonfanti and the commander of the Garuda Contingent, Col. Darmawan Bakti regarding peace keeping mission in Lebanon and the task of the TNI contingent in the region.

The last person he talked with was the deputy commander of the UN Peace Mission in Haiti (Minustah) Felicio de Los Santos and the commander of Indonesian Konga XXXII-A Colonel Winarno in connection with UN mission in Haiti and the TNI`s role in the region.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011