Международный перелёт МИР

The United Nations Air Mission

Dear friends!

I have the honour of presenting a historic page of great importance, in my opinion, related to a mission of Belarusian aviators under the UN flag in the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1992-1993, to Belarusian Mission to the UN. The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia located in the south of the Indochinese Peninsula; it has an area of 181 thousand square kilometers. Its population is 4 million people. Buddhism is their main religion, they speak the Khmer language, Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, and the climate is tropical. The chief of the state is the King Norodom Sihamoni.

At the end of 1992 – at the beginning of 1993, an air group led by the experienced chief and pilot Vladimir Bulba flied from Minsk to Phnom Penh on helicopters Mi-26. Being a crew member and working as a flight radio operator and an interpreter, I provided radio connections with air communicators, and being highly experienced in international work in various countries, I helped the squadron to adapt to local conditions. Our task was to transport goods for the contingent of the UN troops and employees. At that time Cambodia was arranging its peaceful life, developing local trade, industry, tourism and preparing itself for democratic elections under the UN flag. With no doubt, our work under the UN guidance contributed a lot to the development of democratic processes and the economy of this wonderful country with the richest history and cultural heritage. While accomplishing our peacemaking mission, we submerged ourselves in a warm and friendly atmosphere of the UN multinational family. When the mission was accomplished, and while really facing the UN challenges and mechanisms, I consider this body to be one of the most important instruments in the world politics, which contributes to the creation of a humane and civilized society on the planet of Earth. I highly appreciate the Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s personal contribution to the development of the UN programs.

Sincerely yours,

Pavel Vasilyev

10.06.2002