April 04, 2014 - Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson, and Ambassador-at-Large Major General Ioane Naivalurua visited the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan from the period 31 Mar - 01 Apr 2014. The visit included meetings with UNDOF officials and the Fiji contingent serving with UNDOF.

The Fijian Ambassadors were welcomed and farewelled by Fiji's UNDOF contingent under the command of Lt Col Sitiveni Qiliho. They met with the officers and personnel to hear of their experience and register any points of concern. These were noted for further action in Suva and New York. The Ambassadors were pleased to observe that the contingent's esprit de corps and morale were high, that the personnel were in good health, and that all concerned were proud of the solid contribution provided by Fiji to UNDOF.

Lt Col Qiliho and UNDOF officers escorted the Fijian Ambassadors to observation posts along the Alpha line of the Area of Separation to overview the northern zone of the area of responsibility covered by Fiji. They were able to inspect facilities in the observation posts and assess the operating conditions of the Fiji contingent.

At UNDOF's Camp Ziouani, the Ambassadors received a mission operational brief, including details of the current security situation in Golan. The brief was delivered by Major Maika Baleinaloto in his capacity as UNDOF's Senior Staff Officer Operations. The UNDOF Force Commander, Lieutenant General Iqbal Singha, attended the briefing and held separate talks with the Ambassadors in which he expressed his satisfaction with the high calibre of the Fiji contingent's contribution to UNDOF.

FIJICON Officers with Ambassador Peter Thomson and Maj Gen Iowane Nailvalurua

Ambassador Peter Thomson inspects a Quarter Guard from troops of Position 22