UN-UNESCO-IAC

5 June 2014

Presidentof the International AdvisoryCommittee of the Organizations of reserve officers(IAC) Alexander Kanshin and IAC Secretary General Anatoly Kumakhov at the invitation of the Secretariat of the United Nations Office at Geneva and the management of the International Association of UN Peacekeeping Forces» Soldiers of Peace» took part in the solemn commemorative events to celebrate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, which held at the Headquarters of the United Nations Officein Geneva on 3June and the UNESCO Headquarter in Paris on 5 June.

Delegations from different countries veterans of peacekeeping operations, representatives of international organizations and diplomats gathered in Geneva, to pay tribute to loyalty, courage, and to high level of professionalism of members of peacekeeping operations, as well as honor of those who died for the sake of peace in the performance of peacekeeping missions.

Taking part in these activities, the management of the IAC came from the fact that the goals and objectives set for themselves members of organizations participating in the IAC, the same as solved peacekeeping force tasks. First of all, by all means help prevent violence, wars and military conflicts, find their solution through peaceful and diplomatic means.

At a ceremony at the Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva Secretary General IAC A.Kumakhov awarded a bronze commemorative medal of the Peacefor his contribution to the preservation of peace.

The IAC delegation visited on June 4 in Lyon headquarters of the French Federation of veterans -participants of foreign operations (member IAC), which is headed by Mr. Laurent ATTAR-BAYROU. He is also President of the International veterans association UN Peacekeeping Forces"Soldiers of Peace»(SPIA). During the talks,the sides discussedprospects of cooperationin the framework ofthe IAC, including holdingjoint internationalactivitieson the basis ofthe United Nations Officeat Geneva andUNESCO in Paris,both by theFrenchFederation andthe Association ofPeacekeeping Forces.

During the meeting,the Vice-president of the International Associationof UN Peacekeeping ForcesPaulCopeland-SPIArepresentativein Oceania, the president of the AustralianBranch of theSPIAand Vice-president of the Polish Association of Veterans of United Nations Peacekeeping OperationsYerzhiBanac, as well as president ofSPIAin IrelandEdward P.Doleinformed about thebasicprinciples for the creationand operation ofthe IAC. The two sidesexpressed their interest inthe IAC.In particular, P. Copeland expressed his willingness that he would inform the leadership of the Australian Association of reservists on the activities of the IAC for cooperation and possible entry into the IAC.

For his great contribution in support of the veteransA.Kanshin handed Mr. P.Copelandand Mr. J.BanacMedalsof IAC «Officer’s solidarity».

IAC President A.Kanshin held in Geneva and Lyon conversation with the Vice — presidentof the Regional Associationof veterans of Peacekeeping Forces of Russia Anatoly Solovyov and members of his delegation, who was informed of the problems faced in Russia for veterans of the number of UN observers: they are not offered as benefits observers to UN peacekeeping missions. According to them,the denial of benefits due to the fact that this category of military personnel involved in peacekeeping missions without weapons. Stated that A.Kanshin explored the possibilities to assist in solving this problem using the site of the Public Chamber of Russia.

June 5 in Paris IAC delegation took part in the welcoming ceremony and the awarding Grand Gold Medal of Peace of the President of the Republic of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza for his outstanding contribution to the preservation of peace in Africa and in other regions of the world.

At a ceremony UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, President of the IAC Alexander Kanshin awarded a silver commemorative Medal of the Peace for his contribution to the preservation of peace.