PEACEKEEPERS DAY IN ASMARA - A DAY OF

"LIGHT, LAUGHTER AND FRIENDSHIP"

Hundreds of excited children from schools in and around Asmara joined UNMEE staff on a bright and sunny morning on 29 May to celebrate the first ever United Nations Peacekeepers Day. Though unaware of the significance of the day, the children were nevertheless eager to take part in the fun and games, which had been specially organized for them. These included a tour of a helicopter, a visit to a mock minefield, a football game and watching cartoons and videos about the work of the Mission both in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

In his opening address to the gathering, which included members of the diplomatic corps and senior Eritrean officials, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila said that the work of the peacekeeper, whether civilian or military, was often fraught with risks and challenges.

Describing UNMEE as one of the new-generation of peacekeeping missions, he said that the Mission represented both the old and new faces of UN peacekeeping. He further explained: "It represents the old, traditional form of peacekeeping under Chapter Vl of the UN Charter, whereby two parties sign a ceasefire agreement and give their consent to the deployment of a peacekeeping mission. However, the new face of peacekeeping is the trend by which UNMEE has, among other things, incorporated human rights, quick impact projects (QIPs) and HIV/AIDS Awareness training."

Ambassador Legwaila then went on to praise "the massive sacrifice" that UNMEE peacekeepers had made in furthering peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He added: "I’m fully aware of the challenges that you confront in your daily chores. Some of you operate under extremely hostile conditions – in terms of the weather, physical and human factors." He also warned that as the peace process reached a new turning point with the onset of border demarcation, the challenges were likely to be more daunting.

Speaking at the event, the Force Commander, Major-General Robert Gordon said that though peacekeeping was often arduous and dangerous, it was worth it, if it helped to bring stability and a future to those who have suffered from war. He thanked the people of Asmara for hosting UNMEE, adding: "Today is meant to be a day of light and laughter and friendship, and hopefully all of you will leave with a better impression of those normal people who work here under the flag of the United Nations."

International Peacekeepers Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly under resolution 57/129 in 2002, to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations, as well as to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

More stories on pages 2, 3, 4