28 June 2007
More than fifteen years of service by New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel in Bosnia will end with a ceremony hosted by the Commander of European Union Forces (EUFOR) in Sarajevo on Friday 29 June.
The ceremony will include the lowering of the New Zealand flag and medal presentations to the three New Zealand staff officers currently in Bosnia.
Major Michael Brown is the New Zealand Senior National Officer (SNO) currently serving in Bosnia and has been located at the Headquarters of EUFOR for the past six months. Following the ceremony Major Brown will be available for phone interviews with New Zealand-based media.
Due to the time differences, Major Brown will only be available for interviews between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on Saturday 30 June.
All media wishing to interview Major Brown are asked to register with Nicole Munro-Johnson prior to 4pm on Friday 29 June.
ENDS
Currently 753 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 19 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world. For further information please contact Nicole Munro-Johnson, Defence Public Relations, on 04 529 6033 or 021 569 148.
Background information on the NZDF's involvement in Bosnia is available on request.