Weapons for peacekeeping

SUVA – Arms and military equipment that arrived in Suva in a shipment from Russia last Thursday are for Fiji’s peacekeepers, the Fiji Sun has reported.

The consignment is the outcome of an initiative by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to better equip our peacekeepers in some of the world’s increasingly volatile trouble spots, the newspaper states.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Acting Commander, Rear-Admiral Viliame Naupoto is quoted saying: “I can confirm to you now that small arms from Russia have arrived into the country and are at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua.”

The consignment was brought in by a Russian ship escorted into Suva Harbour by a Fijian navy boat.

“I must thank the government of Russia for the timely donation,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.

The formal handover to the RFMF, he said, would be some time in February because it was Russian aid.

He said the arrival of the new equipment was timely, especially for the small arms to be used by the peacekeepers. He said the peacekeepers needed new arms because they were operating in volatile areas.

“They are using outdated arms,” he said. - PNC