Public diplomacy yields positive results for Fiji Embassy in Washington
Jul 25, 2008 - The public diplomacy programmes organised by the Fiji Embassy in Washington has captured attention and yielded
positive results recently.
The Embassy displayed traditional artifacts, informational publications, and provided traditional dancers, singers, and
Fiji cuisine to over 800 guests from the public and private sector who attended Washington's premier Pacific cultural
event called PACIFIC NIGHT held at the National Geographical Society HQ in Washington.
As a result of the Embassy's success at the Pacific Night officials of RONCO Consulting Corporation , an international
professional services firm based in Washington, D.C. approached the Embassy and discussed with the Charge d' Affaires Mr
Peni Lomaloma the possible recruitment of security personnel from Fiji.
Paul Brown, Director, Canine Services, and Isaac Evans, Director, Security Services, both of RONCO Consulting
Corporation explained that from personal experience in Iraq they were well aware of the skills of Fiji Service
personnel. They would therefore like to explore the possibility of including some Fiji security personnel in their
company data base for future deployments all over the world. They emphasized that no contracts were yet available as of
now but they would like to assemble a database of names of Fiji security personnel that they can call upon at short
notice for duties in the future.
Mr Lomaloma explained that RONSON has made the right choice in selecting Fiji given Fiji's vast pool of experienced,
highly trained, motivated, battle tested security personnel that fits all the RONSON prerequisite. Fiji Service
personnel have served in international peace missions in all parts of the world and should they be selected they will be
going into areas where they have served before. Fiji Service personnel have been trained in overseas military academies
at all levels of command. They are therefore highly trained and can fit in easily with the personnel, procedures and
equipments of those they will be working with at RONSON.
Fiji Embassy Washington is now working with RONSON on identifying suitable local security firms the Company can liaise
with on its request.
In another positive fruit of the Embassy and their family and supporters community outreach effort Friends of Fiji, a US
non-profit 501c(3) organization of ex-Fiji Peace Corps Volunteers which supports a portfolio of projects in Fiji has
responded positively and given a cheque to be used in a community project in Fiji.
ENDS