INDIA TO SEND MORE WOMEN FOR UN PEACE MISSIONS

September 1, 2004 - (IANS) India Wednesday said it planned to increase the number of women police personnel sent for UN peacekeeping missions as it reiterated its commitment to such operations worldwide.

"India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, which shows our commitment to the ideals of the world body," Home Minister Shivraj Patil said, opening an eight-day training programme on UN peacekeeping missions for police officials from 18 countries.

Patil's proposal to increase the number of women personnel sent for UN operations to 30 percent of the total forces contributed by India was based on a suggestion by Kiran Bedi, a civilian police advisor to the world body's Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The move would, however, depend on the availability of women personnel and the UN's needs.

"It is a matter of satisfaction that a large number of Indian officers take part in such operations and we reaffirm our commitment to peacekeeping," Patil said.

There would be no difficulty in giving a longer tenure to Indian police personnel on international peacekeeping duties if the UN wanted it that way, he remarked.

Underlining the need for the UN civilian police training programme, Patil said peacekeeping was "not an easy task because there is a need to fulfil demands of the UN. This is where training comes handy."

He also mooted the need for uniform standard of policing as levels varied from country to country.

"This uniform standard can be built up only by training, exercises and seminars. This training seminar is a welcome step in the direction of meeting the challenges of peacekeeping by civil police," he said.

From: http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/index.php?action=fullnews&id=11048