12 July 01

Big Smile Greets Jordanian Peacekeepers in Oecussi with School Bags and more Humanitarian Assistance

They are and the future of East Timor…faces of happy children as they show the sign of peace.

Oecussi -  PKF (Peacekeeping Force) members belonging to the Jordanian Battalion (JORBATT), maintaining security in Oecussi, provided 800 school bags to primary pupils at three schools within the enclave yesterday.

JORBATT, who have previously provided textbooks in the different schools, were greeted happily by the school children and their teachers.   The children received free school bags of beautiful colors and good quality. Mostly were “back pack” type bags.

 Oecussi District Administrator Mr. Francisco Marquez with JORBATT Commander Colonel  Ahmed Obaidat (Right) and PKF Civil Military Affairs Chief Colonel Tan (Left), gives out 800 school bags to students in Oecussi primary schools yesterday (11 July).

At least three schools were recipients of yesterday’s PKF humanitarian project sponsored by JORBATT.  They were, Skola Primaria Bintueto de Agosto, Primero Skola Palaban and the UNTAET Emergency School SD Massin who also received “meal-ready-to-eat” food packs.  All schools are located in Pante Makasa, Oecussi. 

“We’ve been doing this quite often,” said Colonel Ahmed Obaidat, JORBATT Commander.

Mr. Francisco Marquez,  Oecussi District Administrator accompanied the  PKF humanitarian team and wished the JORBATT could do more. But “it depends on the capability of JORBATT, “ he said. “They are happy if they can give all the time,” he said.

Many a happy kids…..with new school bags.  When asked what he wants to become when he grows up, he said, “a doctor”.

“It feels good,” said Mr. Tiago Mauno, Head Master of SD Massin.

Yesterday’s assistance to Oecussi included 800 school bags, 100 chairs, 30 gallons of school paint, and food packs worth US$5,000, said Lt. Col Mohammad Al-Sharman, JORBATT National Contingent Commander.

JORBATT also maintains a medical and dental clinic in that area which responds to the peoples’ health needs in addition to the hospital in that area. Six year old Dias Serliano, was treated yesterday by Dr. Khaled Alokour for second degree burns which affected her legs caused by a burning candle a week ago. The JORBATT doctors have provided extensive emergency medical assistance to East Timorese saving the lives of more patients recently in Oecussi.

For more information: 

Please contact Capt. Isabelito R. Sanchez, Jr.

SRSG lauds Jorbatt's peacekeeping efforts, General Smith echoes

16 November 2000

Mobarak lil katihbah al ordiniyah (Congratulations)! Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello  congratulated the Jordanian troops at Oecussi enclave during a speech delivered at the United Nations Medal Parade ceremony, as he recognized the indispensable role the Jordan Battalion has been doing ever since the deployment of their troops  in East Timor at the start of the year.

Thursday's  ceremony (16 Nov) at Oecussi enclave, Mr. De Mello as Guest of Honor and Speaker awarded UN Medals on  Jordanian troops who had served the peacekeeping mission since January 20, this year. 

"Jorbatt has done a very  good job in lending assistance to the East Timorese  thus gaining their trust and support." He said that it is not surprising  that Jorbatt has done an excellent job as he related other Jordanian peacekeeping participations that he knew of throughout the world.

Starting at 11 a.m. the SRSG was accompanied by UNTAET Chief of Staff Mr. Parame Swarme and the Deputy PKF Commander Major General Mike Smith.  Tour Matan Rouak, the Falintil Commander-in-Chief and other Falintil commanders, PKF Headquarters key staff officers, National Contingent commanders, CNRT leaders in Oecussi and a large crowd of Oecussi population witnessed the ceremony.

Mr. De Mello personally awarded the UN Medals on the Commander of Jordan Battalion Colonel Mohammad Tallas who thanked the main guest and his entourage even as he assured that Jorbatt will continue implementing the FC's intent and always consider the East Timorese people as its center of gravity. Meanwhile UNTAET chief of Staff, DFC and Commander Sector West presented other medals to the troops.

The high professionalism of Jordan Army  with the United Nations having proud of your participation, we always expect to continue this secure environment for the next months, the kind of security needed prior to the  election in East Timor next year, he said.

I know the peace in the Middle East was the result of the wisdom of His Majesty late King Hussan whose wisdom and guidance are very much alive and that the world acknowledged the tremendous effort of His Majesty King Abdullah II in the peace process in the Middle East as well as in other conflicts areas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Force Commander Major General Mike Smith, delivering a speech on behalf of the Force Commander Lieutenant General Boonsrang Niumpradit who was out at Denpasar, appreciated Jorbatt's role in the security efforts. "We are here and we know that you are representing the rest of the Battalion who are now deployed and maintaining security along the borders."

General Smith recognized the difficulties the troops have faced from a long way travel  from Jordan to East Timor. More than that, the Jorbatt was the only army who dared to provide security in the enclave  especially in the height of misunderstanding  at the Western territory. Towards that effort, Jorbatt was also assisted by Bangladesh Engineer Squadron, the UNMO's, PAK Comms, DA, Ngo's and Malaysian interpreters.

Good relations with the people have facilitated the maintenance of security in the enclave that two children were named Jorbatt, as he congratulated also the troops for a job well done.

Highlighting the ceremony was a display of combat skills by the Jorbatt in the shooting and self defense exercises conducted by the Special Forces Platoon then followed by a short folklore dance.  Immediately after, all the guest were treated with the best Jordanian dish called Al Mansaf.

Highlighting the ceremony was a display of combat skills by the Jorbatt in the shooting and self defense exercises conducted by the Special Forces Platoon then followed by a short folklore dance.  Immediately after, all the guest were treated with the best Jordanian dish called Al Mansaf.

irs

The Role of Jordan Battalion (JORBATT) in East Timor

This battalion has assumed its responsibilities in Oecussi enclave on  15 February 2000. Generally, as an enclave located in West Timor, it is isolated from the rest of East Timor.  Last year's International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) came to that enclave first which is used to be the most dangerous and insecure region. Since the arrival of JORBATT, peace and security have been prevailing throughout the enclave.

This claim of achievement did not come out of  a vacuum. It was a result of the following:

a.       The excellent reputation JORBATT gained through  dealing with the locals;

b.      The existence of JORBATT troops in all districts, which provided the locals with security;

c.       Close cooperation and coordination with governmental and non-governmental organizations for the benefit of East Timor;

d.      Extending medical and humanitarian assistance to the locals; and

e.       Cooperation and liaison with UNTAET, Village Chiefs, CNRT, UNMO and CIVPOL.

These are the reasons which greatly helped  the Jordanian peacekeepers maintain security in their area of operations. Additionally,  a good coordination has been established and  being maintained with TNI (Indonesian military) to prevent  any form of fighting along the border.

In one of the several meetings with a number of  locals as well  as responsible people in the  districts of Oecussi, they had recognized the effort being provided by the Jordanian peacekeepers.

The following are excerpts of  what some of them said:

Antonio Lafo, a member of CNRT said: "The security situation has greatly improved since the arrival of JORBATT and now the situation is much better than it used to be.  JORBATT has established good relationship with CNRT, village chiefs and the locals.  The relations (sic) are improving day by day and the local are getting all support and assistance from JORBATT particularly in providing medical treatment to people who are suffering from dangerous diseases such as Malaria, Leprosy, and Poxes.  JORBATT helped in the evacuation of difficult  birth cases to hospitals in ET under the supervision of Jordanian doctors."

Rasia Radakos, a member of CNRT said: "Security is prevailing (in) the enclave thanks to JORBATT foot and mounted patrols in all parts and sub-districts of Oecussi.  JORBATT has been able to solve any village disputes. JORBATT coordination with TNI under the supervision of UNMOS's helped greatly in providing the people with security."

Jose Antonio Sota, Passabe town mayor said " that security  is the most important element JORBATT is providing us with.  Security situation improved so significantly that the people who used to dwell in the mountains fearing the Militia are back  (are) now in their villages exercising their daily life naturally."

Professor Joszenos Koou from Passabe said "that because the local knowledge of English language is very little, some Jordanian Officers gave our children English lessons twice a week and we feel that our children (are) learning this language and their level is improving thanks to the Jordanian officers."

The Jordanian peacekeepers had a meeting with a certain Mrs. Sofa, 32 yrs. old from the Village of Passabe  who said "She was once pregnant and it was  found that the fetus was dead. So her husband informed the JORBATT's doctors who dispatched an ambulance and evacuated her to JORBATT clinic.  An Air Medical Evacuation was requested by JORBATT to evacuate her to Dili. She is grateful to them for the medical assistance and she is  well now."

In another case, "A family named one (of) their children after JORBATT in recognition to the medical assistance given to the mother of that child during labor. Unfortunately the mother  died in  (sic) labor.  JORBATT is providing the girl with milk daily in addition to the required medical attention."