Peacekeepers commemorated

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty has taken the opportunity to mark Australian Peacekeepers Day by thanking his overseas staff for the sacrifices they make.

This Sunday, 14 September marks 61 years since Australian peacekeeping operations began.

“AFP personnel who deploy overseas work in challenging circumstances throughout the world, away from their families and friends,” Commissioner Keelty said.

“This day provides an opportunity for the Australian Federal Police family, and indeed the Australian community, to recognise the sacrifices of our peacekeepers.”

“Our overseas personnel face very real dangers, as experienced during the civil unrest in 2006 in the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Tonga.”

“Just last week, a New Zealand member of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands was attacked and injured while on duty near Avu Avu.”

The AFP currently has 315 members deployed on peace operations and capacity development missions to 10 countries: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Four Australian policemen have lost their lives overseas since the AFP began supporting peacekeeping operations, three in Cyprus in 1969, 1971 and 1974 and one in the Solomon Islands in 2004.

An Australian Peacekeeper Memorial is currently being designed for construction along Anzac Parade in Canberra. The memorial will appropriately recognise the continuing and significant contribution by Australians to international peacekeeping.

Further information about the Memorial can be found at: www.peacekeepingmemorial.org.au.

Photos of Australian peacekeepers can be obtained by calling (02) 6275 7100.