06-04-2004, 05:51 PM
Prospect of U.N. peace missions boosts recruitment in Sri Lanka 's beleaguered army
Associated Press, Fri June 4, 2004 04:28 EDT . COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) The prospect of joining U.N. peacekeeping missions has prompted more people to join Sri Lanka - 's army, which has been suffering from a troop shortage, military officials said Friday. Sri Lanka - has so far sent peacekeeping troops on two U.N. peacekeeping, missions, both in Africa.
The country is also scheduled to start its biggest-ever peacekeeper training operation on June 12 in a bid to get its troops more involved in the U.N. missions. The two-week training exercise in southern Sri Lanka - , co-hosted by the United States, will also involve troops from Bangladesh, Nepal and Mongolia, Rajapakse said.
The first batch of U.N. instructors and observers for the exercise arrived Friday, he said. Lt. Gen. James L. Campbell, head of the U.S. army's Pacific Command, is expected to open the exercise. Sri Lanka - 's government fought a 19-year war against the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels until a February 2002 cease-fire stopped the fighting that had killed nearly 65,000 people. Peace talks between the two sides have been stalled for a year, but the truce has held.
Associated Press, Fri June 4, 2004 04:28 EDT . COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) The prospect of joining U.N. peacekeeping missions has prompted more people to join Sri Lanka - 's army, which has been suffering from a troop shortage, military officials said Friday. Sri Lanka - has so far sent peacekeeping troops on two U.N. peacekeeping, missions, both in Africa.
The country is also scheduled to start its biggest-ever peacekeeper training operation on June 12 in a bid to get its troops more involved in the U.N. missions. The two-week training exercise in southern Sri Lanka - , co-hosted by the United States, will also involve troops from Bangladesh, Nepal and Mongolia, Rajapakse said.
The first batch of U.N. instructors and observers for the exercise arrived Friday, he said. Lt. Gen. James L. Campbell, head of the U.S. army's Pacific Command, is expected to open the exercise. Sri Lanka - 's government fought a 19-year war against the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels until a February 2002 cease-fire stopped the fighting that had killed nearly 65,000 people. Peace talks between the two sides have been stalled for a year, but the truce has held.
<span style='font-size:20pt;line-height:100%'>Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.</span>