Chief of Defence Force Visits East Timor

Chief of Defence Force Visits East Timor

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, arrived in Dili this afternoon for a two day visit to East Timor.

Air Chief Marshal Houston is meeting Australian Defence Force personnel serving as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program.

“I am looking forward to a productive visit and meeting with our people who are doing an outstanding job in East Timor,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

During the visit, Air Chief Marshal Houston will hold discussions with Vice Prime Minister Guterres and East Timorese Chief of Defence, Major General Taur Matan Ruak, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to providing security and development assistance in East Timor.

Air Chief Marshal Houston is also meeting with Special Representative of the Secretary General to East Timor, Ms Ameerah Haq, to discuss Australia’s continuing support to the United Nations in East Timor.

Commander of the ISF, Colonel Simon Stuart, said the Chief of the Defence Force would gain a first-hand update on the conditions in East Timor since the draw down in troop numbers in February 2010.

“The situation in East Timor has remained stable since the shooting attacks on the President and Prime Minister in February 2008,” Colonel Stuart said from Dili.

“It is encouraging to see the progress that is being made not only in the security sector but also in the development and growth of East Timor as a nation.”

Around 400 Australian Defence Force personnel are serving in East Timor as part of the ISF to maintain peace and stability, and build a stronger future for East Timor. New Zealand currently contributes approximately 140 Defence Force personnel to the ISF.

While the primary role of the ISF continues to be the provision of security assistance to the Government of East Timor, the improving security situation has enabled ISF efforts to increasingly focus on building the capacity of the East Timorese Defence Force (F-FDTL).

ENDS

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