Bondoukou (Cot=EA d'Ivoire), July 12, GNA - Brigadier General Hidayat Rehman, Sector East Commander of United Nations Operations in Cot=EA d'Ivoire (UNOCI), has commended personnel of Ghana Battalion 13 (GHANBATT 13) for excelling in their duties especially in long range patrols and protecting humanitarian organisations. In addition, for the professional manner in which they escorted examination papers and provided security for United Nations officials and other NGOs working in Cote d'Ivoire.

Brig-Gen. Hidayat, a Pakistani, was on a two-day working visit to GHANBATT 13 Headquarters in Bondoukou close to the Sampa border from Friday, July 9-10. He said though personnel of GHANBATT 13 had just taken over from the previous battalion, he had confidence they would succeed, and described Ghana's role in peacekeeping in Cot=EA d'Ivoire as remarkable.

However, Brig-Gen. Hidayat cautioned them about the pending Cote d'Ivoire elections and the need for prior election scouting. He advised them to be very observant in their daily patrols and report any unusual occurrences. He also called on all the officers and men to be of good behaviour in order not to dent the image of Ghana and take good care of themselves to avoid mishaps. Brig-Gen. Hidayat recalled a situation that the Pakistan Battalion in UNOCI had lost three soldiers within the past years. He commended Ghana's Senior National Team, Black Stars for their exploits in the just-ended World Cup Tournament in South Africa and hoped the Ghanaian contingent would lift the Inter-Contingent UNOCI football competition slated Monday July 19 - Thursday 22, in Bouake. Brig-Gen. Hidayat presented some footballs to the personnel. They held a Guard of Honour for Mr Abou Moussa, Principal Deputy Special Representative of UN Secretary General (PDSRSG) of UNOCI.