250 Bangladeshi policemen honoured by UN

DHAKA, Bangladesh, June 18 (BSS) - A total of 250 Bangladeshi police
officials have received the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal in
recognition of their contribution to the United Nations Operation
in Cote D'ivoire (ONUCI), in helping stabilize the west African
country.

A ceremony was held in this regard at the headquarters of
the Bangladeshi Formed Police Unit (BANFPU) in Bouake on June 11
at the headquarters of the Bangladeshi Formed Police Unit
(BANFPU) in Bouake, according to a message received here from
Abidjan today.

Commissioner of the United Nations Police (UNPOL), Colonel
Pierre-Andre Campiche, who made a trip to Abidjan, attended the
ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion Campiche praised the dedication and
sense of self-sacrifice of the Bangladeshi police officials. He
said BANFPU's professionalism has "strengthened the capacity,
efficiency and reaction force of the United Nations Police and
all of ONUCI, enabling it to cope with unforeseen security
challenges."

He also drew attention to the crucial role of the UN police
in securing the electoral process ahead. "We have the duty to
support our national partners from Cote d'ivoire to provide the
necessary security during and after the elections," he added.
For its part, on behalf of Bangladesh police, superintendent
of police Ahmad Zamil, the BANFPU Commander, reaffirmed the
commitment of the Bangladeshi police to support the mandate of
the United Nations to promote the reconciliation process and the
return to peace.

The Formed Police Unit is a specialized unit of the United
Nations Police, tasked with providing security of people and
goods within UNOCI. It is also in charge of managing the problems
associated with maintaining public order and has considerable
means to control demonstrations crowds.

Bangladesh, the second largest troop contributor to the
forces of UNOCI, has 250 police officers based at Yamoussoukro
and Bouake.

Bangladesh is currently the world's second largest provider
of troops and police to the United Nations with more than 9,000
serving in fourteen peacekeeping operations.
  In addition to Cote D'ivoire, Bangladesh has major
deployments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan
(Darfur and Southern Sudan), Liberia and Timor- Leste.BSS