RI to join UN force in Congo

RI to join UN force in Congo

Two soldiers from the Army's equipment division (Zeni) inspect
a remote-controlled bomb and landmine disposal unit at the 13th
Zeni Battalion in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Thursday.

The unit was among hundreds of items of equipment prepared for
their deployment to Congo, Africa, to support the UN peacekeeping
force there.

Other equipment included tractors, water and oil tanker
trucks, electricity generators, operational vehicles,
telecommunications and medical equipment, including outdoor
surgery facilities.

In addition to the equipment, the Indonesian Military would
also send about 100 personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force
to join the peacekeeping force.

The soldiers engaged in two days of preparations starting
Thursday at the 13th Zeni Battalion in Lenteng Agung. They are
scheduled to be dispatched to Congo after the Idul Fitri
holidays.

Maj. Gen. Eddi Budianto, director of the Indonesian
Peacekeeping Center, said during the preparation training on
Thursday that despite various difficulties at home, Indonesia
would continue to support the UN peacekeeping force as "keeping
the peace in the world is our goal."

Also witnessing the preparations were Col. Virinder Singh
Dadhwal and Elizabeth George from the UN peacekeeping force.

Eddi said that in Congo, Indonesian soldiers would be tasked
to help defuse various explosives as well as destroy ammunition
and arms.

They would also be asked to help Congo people build public
facilities and repair the country's airbase facilities and
irrigation system. -- JP