Four Aussie peacekeepers win medals

Four Australian peacekeepers, who found themselves in the thick of fighting during
the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, are now eligible for the Australian Active Service
Medal (AASM).
That follows a decision by Defence Minister John Faulkner to reclassify their
service as warlike.
At the time of the hostilities 11 Australian soldiers were serving as military
observers in Operation Paladin, Australia's long-running contribution to the United
Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel, Syria and Lebanon.
UNTSO was established in 1948 and Australia has contributed peacekeepers since 1956.
Senator Faulkner said during the 33-day conflict in July and August 2006, four
Australian soldiers were stationed with Observer Group Lebanon, conducting patrols
on the Lebanese side of the border between Israel and Lebanon.
The savage fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters resulted in some
1000 deaths, including four UNTSO peacekeepers killed when their post was hit
inadvertently by an Israeli air strike.
Senator Faulkner said the reclassification came from an ongoing investigation into
the past service of Australian Defence Force personnel.
It means the four Australians will now be eligible to receive certain veterans
benefits as well as the AASM.
"In line with our international commitments, the government will continue to provide
ongoing support to United Nations peacekeeping operations and the Australian Defence
Force personnel who contribute to them," Senator Faulkner said.