N. Z. forces seek Sinai medal

Press, 11 February 1986, Page 6

N. Z. forces seek Sinai medal

NZPA political reporter TIM DONOGHUE

PA Wellington New Zealanders who served in the Sinai desert as part of the Multinational Force and Observers peace-keeping unit are seeking some form of medal in recognition of their work.

The only “member” of the New Zealand force prepared to defy Buckingham Palace by wearing the “M.F.0.” medal is the force’s canine mascot, Mate.

The recently returned New Zealand Contingent Commander in the Sinai, Wing Commander Tony Medcalf, said Buckingham Palace had ruled that the M.F.O. medal was unacceptable for New Zealand servicemen and women. He understood one reason for this decision was that the 11-nation M.F.O. unit, which moni-

tors the border between Israel and Egypt, was not a United Nations-consti-tuted force.

Buckingham Palace had previously approved decorations for New Zealanders who had served in U.N. peace-keeping forces.

Wing Commander Medcalf said New Zealanders with M.F.O. force service experience believed there should be some form of official medal recognition for their efforts. The M.F.O. unit was an armed force which could use weapons In selfdefence.

“I guess there probably should be a medal for people who serve in this situation,” he said. “Maybe we could make an approach to Buckingham Palace to have what we’re doing here accepted as part of the General Service Medal with some

sort of clasp on it,” Wing Commander Medcalf said. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshall David Crooks, said the matter of recognition for New Zealanders with Sinai service was being pursued.

He declined to elaborate further. The Chief of the M.F.O’s Visitors Bureau, an Australian, Lieutenant Colonel David Tresise, said New Zealand, Australian, and British troops were not allowed to wear the M.F.O. medal.

American, Colombian, Dutch, Fijian, French, Italian, Norwegian, and Uruguayan, M.F.O. contingent members wore it. The Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter contingent will pull out of the Sinai in March but New Zealand will continue to be represented in the M.F.O. unit by a small Army contingent.