NEW CARABIENIRI CHIEF ARRIVES IN MISSION AREA

Major Massimo Zuccher has taken over the charge of UNMEE’s Carabinieri Contingent from Major Franco Giandinoto in a colourful handover ceremony on 19 May, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Asmara. The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Asmara), Ms. Angela Kane, and the Italian Ambassador to Eritrea, H.E. Mr. Emanuele Pignatelli, were among the invited guests. Major Franco Giandinoto has returned home to Italy after completing his tour of duty with UNMEE.

Ms. Kane, in her address congratulated Major Giandinoto for his excellent performance as the commander of the Carabinieri Contingent and wished him good luck in the future. She said that the Carabinieri Contigent was doing a wonderful job in UNMEE. Their contribution in maintaining road traffic discipline among UNMEE staff and thereby preventing road traffic accidents "is invaluable". She welcomed Major Massimo Zuccher and expressed the hope that he would keep up the same spirit.

Major Zuccher studied at the Italian Military Academy where he pursued courses in parachuting and mountain warfare training from 1985 to 1989. He was commissioned in 1989 as First Lieutenant and commanded a Platoon. Later, he commanded a company at the 1st Warrant Officer Carabinieri Training Regiment, where he was also an instructor in Weapons and Criminal Law Procedures.

As a Captain, he commanded a Carabinieri Police Company in northern and southern Italy from 1992 to 2000. In 2000, he was appointed as the Chief of the Legal Adviser Section at the Personnel Office of the General Headquarters of the Carabinieri Force in Rome post he hold until to UNMEE. During his service with Carabinieri, he has completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law Studies and Internal Security Studies from the University of Rome, and earned a Ph.D. in Law Procedures from the Public Administration School. He is an avid reader, who loves riding and soccer. He has also been an Italian Soccer referee.

COMMANDANT NOEL O'GRADY HEADS HOME TO IRELAND

Commandant Noel O’Grady left UNMEE Military Public Information Office on 5 June to return to his native Ireland. According to Chief Military PIO, Lieutenant Colonel Arif Maula, Commandant Noel is a highly professional officer, who is very composed and has conducted himself excellently in the mission area. Honest and straightforward, he had a very positive attitude towards his responsibilities and assignments. His sincerity and utmost dedication made a marked contribution to the success of the Military Public Information office during his tenure. He was resourceful and accepted responsibility without question.

Comdt O’Grady’s commitment to his appointment as Military Public Information Officer began even before he arrived in Eritrea. With 30 years of service experience in the Irish Army and five previous UN missions, he carefully researched the nature of the work before leaving Ireland. Based on this he purchased a hitech digital camera at considerable expense, to be properly equipped to best discharge his responsibilities. Such initiative is typical of his exacting personal and professional standards and his generosity of spirit that he subsequently displayed as a photojournalist with UNMEE News. Indeed, every task and innovative enterprise he undertook as a team member of Military PIO.

Comdt O’Grady had a very good sense of humour and was also very popular amongst the civilian Public Information staff. As a singer and musician, the ceremonial and social occasions of several UNMEE nationalities benefited from his undoubted talent in this arena.

A non-smoker and moderate drinker, he kept himself physically fit for his regular assignments to UNMEE areas of intense heat and climate. Comdt O’Grady’s dedication to duty, loyalty and outstanding performance made him an invaluable member of the UNMEE Public Information team. He is an excellent ambassador for Ireland. His unassuming disposition, whether dealing with visiting dignitaries or working amongst soldiers in the field, made all feel equally valued and respected. He was awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation for excellence.

Before leaving the mission Comdt O’Grady thanked all the peacekeepers in the field who contributed their time and effort away from their homes and families to help the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea achieve peace. He wished the Mission success and a lasting peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea.