ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO COMMITMENT, COURAGE, PROFESSIONALISM OF UNIFIL MEMBERS DURING VISIT TO FORCE'S HEADQUARTERS
Press Release
GA/SM/53
ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO COMMITMENT, COURAGE, PROFESSIONALISM OF UNIFIL MEMBERS DURING VISIT TO FORCE'S HEADQUARTERS
19980805 Following are remarks made by the President of the General Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), during his visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in Naqoura, Lebanon, today:I am very pleased to have this opportunity to visit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and meet personally with the brave and dedicated men and women who are playing such a vital role in helping to bring stability to a very volatile area.
I am especially gratified that my visit comes only days after the Security Council decided to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of six months. Although UNIFIL has been prevented from carrying out its mandate under resolution 425 (1978), the decision to extend its mandate is another strong reaffirmation of the fact that the Force continues to contribute in a very real and meaningful way to stability and to the protection of the civilian population.
UNIFIL's involvement in the area has now spanned 20 years -- two decades of noble work in trying to limit the conflict and shield the inhabitants of the area from the worst effects of the violence. Doing your utmost to prevent the area of operation from being used for hostile activities and to defuse situations that could escalate out of control, you provide a vivid example of United Nations peacekeeping at its best.
No less important are your efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population. From medical care to harvest patrols, from casualty evacuation to distribution of educational material and equipment to poorer schools, you have extended a helping hand to those who desperately needed support and assistance.
We should not forget, however, that those two decades have been also marked by peril and tragedy. In his latest report to the Security Council, the Secretary-General cited chilling statistics: since the establishment of UNIFIL, 76 of its members have been killed and over 300 wounded by firing, or by mine or bomb explosions. I am deeply troubled by the high level of
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casualties suffered by UNIFIL and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the Force.
Today's visit here is certain to become one of the most memorable moments of my diplomatic and political career. Far from the somewhat rarefied atmosphere of Headquarters conference rooms, it offered a sobering look at the real-life conditions where UNIFIL is performing its difficult and dangerous task.
Once again, I would like to pay tribute to the commitment, courage and professionalism of UNIFIL members whose selfless work, under the leadership of Major General Jioji Konouse Konrote, deserves wide recognition and deep gratitude of all those who cherish the ideals of justice and peace.
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