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In November 2000 Professor Ken Donald, Chairperson of the RMA, and Dr Alex Bordujenko,
Principal Medical Officer of the RMA Secretariat, along with representatives from
DVA, visited Australian members of the PMG based in Bougainville. At the time of
the visit, the PMG was a multinational force with about 250 representatives drawn
from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.
The purpose of the visit was:
- to gain an understanding of the current practices of defence
force personnel engaged in this peace monitoring mission and the risks and exposures
these may entail;
- to review issues that may alter the presentation and description
of factors or the current definitions used within Statements of Principles; and
- to demonstrate the RMAís continuing concern and interest
in understanding the experiences of military personnel and to listen to serving membersí
experiences.
A report of the visit was tabled and discussed at the December
2000 meeting. The RMA gained an increased understanding of a number of the physical,
social and psychological issues affecting these peace monitoring groups serving in
the tropics and has commenced consideration of issues regarding the description of
factors and definitions in Statements of Principles. This process will be ongoing.
This page last updated 10 April 2002.
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