FIJI STEPS UP: a tiny nation bravely makes a big contribution

When the going gets tough in Iraq, and a few new forces are needed to protect the small UN contingent, who steps up to the plate?

The French? NO. The Germans? NO. The Russians? No. ANYBODY FROM OLD EUROPE, OR NATIONS SERVING ON THE UNSCR? NO. Fiji.

From the BBC:

The United Nations says Fiji's government has become the first to agree to provide troops specifically to protect UN officials in Iraq. The 35 UN officials in Baghdad are currently protected by troops from the US-led multinational force. But the BBC's Susannah Price at the UN says there are fears that this could make them more of a target. The UN is very worried about the safety of its personnel after the bombing of its Baghdad headquarters last year. [by Zarqawi] [...]

... on Wednesday UN spokeswoman Maria Okabe announced that 130 Fijians would provide security details for senior UN officials and a guard unit to protect UN facilities in Baghdad. "These contributions are critical to the UN's efforts to strengthen the security arrangements for its personnel in Iraq," she said, quoted by the Associated Press news agency. "This would make it possible for the United Nations to consider expanding its activities in Iraq as circumstances permit." [...] Australia has already agreed to provide training and equipment for the Fijians. [...]

The South Pacific country has a long and proud history of sending its forces to the world's trouble-spots. The most recent deployment was in the Solomon Islands as part of the Australian-led intervention. Fijian soldiers have also served with the UN in East Timor and Lebanon. More than 1,000 Fijians are currently serving in the British Army, some of them in Iraq.

WHAT WILL KERRY SAY? Will he disparage the brave Fiji soldiers? Claim they've been bribed, or coerced?

Rather than shame Bush, the reluctance of Old Europe to help liberate Iraq shames Old Europe.Rather than praise the important and brave contribution that small nations (like Fiji and others) are making to Iraq, the Left uses it to try to besmirch the coaliton in Iraq and to personally attack Bush.

How can Kerry, the cowardly leaders of Old Europe, and the Left look at themselves in the mirror?

Either they have no shame, or THEY HAVE NO MIRRORS!