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GV Peruvian soldiers in formation (2 shots)
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SV U.N. flag PAN DOWN TO Canadian Commander in Charge presenting medals
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CU Medal being pinned on soldier
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GV PAN ACROSS Peruvian soldiers with medals
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SV Peruvian Ambassador congratulating troops
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SV Austrian Commander of U.N. Peacekeeping office, Colonel Philipp speaking as Peruvian troops listen
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About two hundred Peruvian soldiers serving in the Golan Heights gathered for a medal presentation ceremony on Saturday. The United Nations decorated the soldiers for having successfully maintained peace at the ceasefire line between Syria and Israel. The Canadian Commander in Charge presented the medals.



Another one hundred of the Peruvian battalion, who were on duty, will receive their medals at a private ceremony later. Three other battalions -- Austrian, Canadian and Polish -- will also be decorated for their service. The Austrian Commander of the United Nations peace-keeping force, Colonel Hannes Philipp, addressed the soldiers.



"They met various people with different customs and they have to serve with soldiers of other countries. Their mission was, and still is, to serve for peace and to help that in this area there will not be another will not be another war."




Initials CL/0142 CL/0151



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: About 200 Peruvian soldiers were awarded peacekeeping by the United Nations on Saturday (24 May) at their camp near Kuneitra in the Golan Heights.

The soldiers, who have been serving in the region for nearly a year, were decorated for having successfully maintained peace at the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria. Another 100 Peruvians who were on duty during the ceremony will receive their medals at a private ceremony later. The men were at their posts manning the 40-km (25 miles) stretch of the buffer zone.

They are due to go home by the end of July, but the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Kurt Waldheim, has still been unable to find a nation willing to send replacement troops.

Three other battalions -- Austrian, Polish and Canadian -- will also be decorated for their service.