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