MALAYSIA BENEFITS FROM UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia benefited much from the seven
United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions abroad since 1960, House of
Representatives was told Wednesday.

Deputy Defence Minister Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad said some 20,000 Malaysian
Armed Forces (ATM) personnel involved in the missions had invaluable exposure.

He said the peacekeeping missions also tested ATM's preparedness in applying
doctrines and war procedures.

"Our soldiers also gained experience and indepth knowledge in facing
conflicts and show that Malaysia is a peaceful nation. They are are in line with
our foreign policy," he said in reply to a question by Dr Mohd Hayati
Othman, a MP.

Dr Latiff said the peacekeeping missions had attracted foreign investors to
invest in Malaysia and also opened up investment opportunities overseas.

The missions were United Nations Operations in Congo (UNOC) from Oct
1960-April 1963, United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia
from Feb 1989-April 1990, United Nations Transition Authority in Cambodia
(UNTAC) from Mar-Nov 1993,

United Operations in Somalia II (UOSOM II) from June 1993-Feb 1995, United
Nations Protection Force in Bosnia (UNPROFOR) from Dec 1993-July 1998, United
Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT) from May-Aug 2006 and United
Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from Jan 2007 until now.

Dr Latiff said Malaysia spent some RM50 million (US$16.15 million) on each
UN peacekeeping mission and that the amount was then reimbursed by UN.

-- BERNAMA