Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-04-22

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Dutch preacekeepers to join UNFICYP

1040:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Dutch peacekeepers to join UNFICYP

UNFICYP spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski told CNA that "the governments of Britain and the Netherlands have concluded that one company, which is approximately 100 men, of Dutch peacekeepers would replace one company of British soldiers serving under UN flag."

He explained that the Dutch peacekeepers will be "incorporated" in the British contingent, which will comprise two companies of British soldiers and one Dutch company, which might become a separate unit in the future.

Rokoszewski said there is "nothing unusual" in this case and noted that Britain and the Netherlands "have long and successful history of cooperation of this kind in other peacekeeping operations."

The final decision on this has to be made by our authorities in New York, he said.

"It is expected that this new set-up will materialise at the forthcoming replacement of the British battalion, which is the end of June, " the UNFICYP spokesman said.

Rokoszewski noted the same procedure was followed in the past when Hungarian peacekeepers replaced an Austrian company and one platoon from Slovenia replaced another Austrian platoon, thus maintaining the number of soldiers serving in the Austrian contingent.

At this stage, UNFICYP approximately comprises 1.200 troops of nine nationalities, while the arrival of the Dutch peacekeepers will add the tenth national flag in UNFICYP.

Its military personnel come from Argentina, Austria, Canada, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Slovenia, the UK and Australia.

In a letter to the Security Council President, dated April 14, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had conveyed a proposal by the Dutch government that a company of its peacekeepers be incorporated in the UNFICYP British contingent, the military personnel of which would not be increased.

Hisashi Owada, the Japanese Security Council President, replied the same day that the Council's members had agreed to this.

CNA AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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