buglerbilly
13-05-10, 12:45 PM
May 13, 2010 - 7:44PM
Four Australian peacekeepers, who found themselves in the thick of fighting during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, are now eligible for the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM).
That follows a decision by Defence Minister John Faulkner to reclassify their service as warlike.
At the time of the hostilities 11 Australian soldiers were serving as military observers in Operation Paladin, Australia's long-running contribution to the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
UNTSO was established in 1948 and Australia has contributed peacekeepers since 1956.
Senator Faulkner said during the 33-day conflict in July and August 2006, four Australian soldiers were stationed with Observer Group Lebanon, conducting patrols on the Lebanese side of the border between Israel and Lebanon.
The savage fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters resulted in some 1000 deaths, including four UNTSO peacekeepers killed when their post was hit inadvertently by an Israeli air strike.
Senator Faulkner said the reclassification came from an ongoing investigation into the past service of Australian Defence Force personnel.
It means the four Australians will now be eligible to receive certain veterans benefits as well as the AASM.
"In line with our international commitments, the government will continue to provide ongoing support to United Nations peacekeeping operations and the Australian Defence Force personnel who contribute to them," Senator Faulkner said.
© 2010 AAP
Four Australian peacekeepers, who found themselves in the thick of fighting during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, are now eligible for the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM).
That follows a decision by Defence Minister John Faulkner to reclassify their service as warlike.
At the time of the hostilities 11 Australian soldiers were serving as military observers in Operation Paladin, Australia's long-running contribution to the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
UNTSO was established in 1948 and Australia has contributed peacekeepers since 1956.
Senator Faulkner said during the 33-day conflict in July and August 2006, four Australian soldiers were stationed with Observer Group Lebanon, conducting patrols on the Lebanese side of the border between Israel and Lebanon.
The savage fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters resulted in some 1000 deaths, including four UNTSO peacekeepers killed when their post was hit inadvertently by an Israeli air strike.
Senator Faulkner said the reclassification came from an ongoing investigation into the past service of Australian Defence Force personnel.
It means the four Australians will now be eligible to receive certain veterans benefits as well as the AASM.
"In line with our international commitments, the government will continue to provide ongoing support to United Nations peacekeeping operations and the Australian Defence Force personnel who contribute to them," Senator Faulkner said.
© 2010 AAP