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Africa Subsaharan

250 Pakistani peacekeepers leave for Liberia

2007-05-17

A batch of 250 Pakistani troops left for Liberia on Wednesday to perform peacekeeping duties under the aegis of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country.

Because there's nothing for them to do at home ...

Logistic Divisional Headquarter Commander Brigadier Shahid Majeed saw the batch off at Allama Iqbal Airport, before their departure on a UN chartered aircraft. These troops will replace the already deputed Pakistan Army Contingent in the war-ravaged country as part of a Relieve And Rotation Schedule.

Brig Majeed said the Pakistan Army had a good track record of rendering dedicated services for the restoration of peace in many countries including Somalia, Eastern Slovenia, Bosnia, Haiti, East Timor, Congo and Sierra Leone. He told the troops that they would be considered ambassadors of their country and their every action should reflect the exemplary traditions of the Pakistan Army.

Posted by:Fred

#5 Thank you, James. That makes sense, right up until the Pakistanis were added.

Posted by: trailing wife 2007-05-17 13:01

#4 TW, I can think of a couple of reasons:
1) Things are still a little tense. The legislature is filled with warlord partisans, nobody in his right mind believes the combatants are completely disarmed, and the police are deeply understaffed. (As soon as a new policeman is trained, he quits and joins a private security firm--better pay and easier work. The crime rate is _very_ high.)
2) Things _are_ quiet, so "peacekeeper" actually makes sense for a change.
3) Trickle-down economic boom. I've never seen so many people building houses. Of course, one day the UN will go away, and if the economic infrastructure is entirely built around servicing expats...

Some of the UN projects seemed a trifle naive. One is supposed to encourage integrity in government--no more bribes, just good governance. It addresses a crying problem, and the fellow seemed earnest enough, but . . .

Posted by: James 2007-05-17 11:10

#3 That's all very nice, but why does Liberia need peacekeepers?

Posted by: trailing wife 2007-05-17 07:34

#2 For the Pakis, UN assignments are considered plum jobs and are traditionally used as a reward for loyal service. The unit being sent is most likely one that is being rotated out of Pakistan for awhile after fighting terrorists/separatists/tribalists, and the UN assignment means that the troops will be getting Western medical attention, new weapons and equipment, and about $1000 US a month per diem from the UN - about 10 times the amount of money that the average goat herder earns back in Pakistan. Oh, and add in the new vehicles, uniforms, the UN-built barracks, the catered food, and all the local Liberian honeys that the troops can rent for the night - a truly rewarding experience for a lad from the mountains of Pakistan.

Posted by: Shieldwolf 2007-05-17 04:42

#1 Looking at Perv's current charm offensive they'd be more use at home.

Posted by: Howard UK 2007-05-17 03:25

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