WELCOME! THIS IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN EAST TIMOR. THANKS FOR THE VISIT.

Headquarters Peacekeeping Force

PRESS BRIEFING POINTS 

NEWS RELEASE  

 15June 2001

PKF Troops Exchange Fire with Suspected Ex-Militia in East Timor Border Region 

At 12.50 pm yesterday, PKF soldiers from the Australian Battalion (AUSBATT) encountered a small armed group of suspected militia  inside East Timor, eleven kilometres south of the village of Batugade.   The AUSBATT soldiers were conducting a routine security patrol. 

The PKF patrol challenged the suspected militia group verbally, instructing them to stop and put down their weapons.   The suspected militia fired upon the PKF patrol with rifles.   When the PKF patrol returned fire the suspected militia group withdrew.  

No PKF soldiers or East Timorese civilians were injured.   

AUSBATT has deployed troops into blocking positions around the incident location and is currently tracking the group in an attempt to apprehend and disarm its members.  

The PKF will respond swiftly and robustly to any threat to security in East Timor. 

For more information:

Captain Jeff Squire,             HQ Peacekeeping Force 

 14 June 01

SUCCESSFUL PKF SECURITY OPERATION LEADS TO SURRENDER OF 34 SUSPECTED MILITIA MEMBERS

 A swift and successful security operation conducted by Australian PKF troops on the morning of Tuesday, 12 Jun 01 has resulted in the surrender of 34 suspected militia members in and around the village of Lontama, seven kilometres south of Maliana.   

Late on Monday 11 Jun 01, a former Militia Leader from the Bobonaro District, voluntarily surrendered to United Nations Civilian Police (CIVPOL) in Maliana.   The Militia Leader was able to inform the PKF security forces of more displaced people and his militia followers who had returned to East Timor over the previous 48 hours.   Acting upon this information early on the morning of 12 Jun 01, an Australian Battalion (AUSBATT) company sized force, assisted by CIVPOL and the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOG), moved to the area of Atusi Saburai, Lontama and Molomic on the slopes of Lolo Mabitwa and established a security cordon.   

Once the PKF troops were convinced that their own force protection, and the protection of the local population was in order, the returnees and ex-militia were asked to come forward and submit to security and registration processes.  In a highly successful and peaceful operation a further 34 suspected ex-militia members surrendered to the Peace Keeping Force (PKF).  Of the 34 people who surrendered, six volunteered to cooperate further with the PKF and CIVPOL in ongoing security and law and order investigations.  The remainder were released to commence the process of reconciliation with the people of their villages.  This process is expected to be peaceful and will be supervised by CIVPOL and other UN agencies. 

 A major contributor to the success of the operation was the excellent assistance provided by the East Timorese people and the local leadership in the villages concerned.  Their support demonstrated the value and success of the Sector West PKF strategy of “security through partnership with the people”.  The operation also demonstrated that the PKF is capable and well prepared to deal peacefully with ex-militia groups who wish to return to East Timor in a peaceful manner.  However, the PKF is well postured to protect themselves and the local population if a violent course is adopted by ex-militia elements.  The operation also displayed the effectiveness of PKF units in conducting combined operations with other UNTAET and civilian organisations.   

The Commander Sector West PKF, Brigadier Ken Gillespie, stated, “this has been an excellent outcome for East Timor and the reconciliation process.  Until today our dealings with ex-militia elements had been violent.  Hopefully, refugees and ex-militia members in West Timor will now see that the PKF, while very capable of dealing with violence, is more than willing to participate in a peaceful and secure returnee/reconciliation process.  I am very proud of the professionalism our soldiers have displayed and grateful for the security partnership they have been able to forge with the people of East Timor.  Hopefully this will be the first of many such incidents in the coming weeks”. 

The Officer Commanding the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Sengelman stated, ‘the success of the operation and the willingness of the suspected militia to cooperate with the PKF, was a reinforcement of the persistent professionalism of the Australian Soldier and the Australian Battalion’s demonstrated ability to provide security to the District.’   He went on to add however, that if people or groups choose to threaten the peace and security of the Bobonaro District, PKF would use all of its capabilities to provide a swift, strong and controlled response. 

For more information:

 Captain Jeff Squire,             HQ Peacekeeping Force

0417 829 160            or            08 8942 2203             ext 4926

1/6/01

PKF Sector East Organizes Walk & Run Mini-marathon

 PKF Sector East is organizing "East Timor Walk & Run Mini-marathon" on Saturday 2^nd, June 2001 in Baucau District.

The event is to promote the importance of exercise and the benefits to the fitness of East Timorese people and the International staff in East Timor. This event is also organized to encourage the East Timor youth to exercise daily as part of their healthy lifestyle. The East Timor Walk & Run Mini-marathon will demonstrate the joint activity among the East Timor people, UNTAET personal, and other organizations in East Timor to develop the nation.       

It is free off charge for East Timorese participants and it costs only as little as AU$ 10 for International staff to join the walk or run mini-marathon. The proceed of this fund raising will go to the renovation of the Baucau Sports Stadium.

The event will include a 10-k mini-marathon and a 3.6-k fun run. The participants who join the mini-marathon will receive complimentary gifts as follows:

·        PKF Certificate for the achievement

·        PKF T-shirt (for every runner)

·        PKF sport medal (for the first 200 runners who complete the mini-marathon)

·        More prizes for winners

PKF Sector East will provide drinking water points every 2.5 km and a refreshment at the finish line. Also there will be  ambulance and medical care units along the course. There will be a secured luggage deposit service at the start point in the Baucau Sports Stadium. Accommodation for participants from outside Baucau is available at the Baucau Airfield.

The Mini-marathon will start at 7:00 A.M. on Saturday 2^nd June 2001 at the Baucau Sports Stadium. The mini-marathon course will be in the old town of Baucau and back to the Stadium.

In addition THAIBATT, ROKBATT and PHILBATT will join the run and will  provide magnificent entertaining programs such as cultural shows and live-music bands from 9:00 A.M. onwards to support the reconciliation and environmental day organized by UNHCR.

Don't sit back, Get your gear and Start running for East Timor!

For more information, please contact:

CAPT  WUTTICHAI             PKF HQ         Ext.  4917 or  0407 107 374

CAPT  PITTAYA                  PKF SE HQ  Ext.  4140     

29/5/01

Civilian Deaths in Timor Border Region

DILI, EAST TIMOR:            At 11:14 am today an incident occurred seven kilometres south east of Balibo in the vicinity of the tactical control line between East and West Timor.    

UN Military Observers and UN Civilian Police have confirmed at this stage that three civilians have died and 25 civilians have been injured.

No Peace Keeping Force (PKF) members were involved in the incident.

Three civilians later attended the PKF medical post at Balibo with fragmentation injuries.

The District Operations Centre was activated immediately.  This body coordinates action between the PKF, UN Civilian Police, and the UN District Administrator. 

The PKF, Indonesian Military Forces (TNI) and UN Civilian Police are investigating the incident.

Pakistan Engineer’s Bridge Improves Safety at Ainaro   

25/5/01

The PKF Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Boonsrang Niumpradit, opened a temporary bridge erected by the PKF sixteen kilometers North East of Ainaro yesterday.   The PKF Bridge was erected by the Pakistan Engineers to replace an existing bridge that was damaged and unsafe.   This will improve access on the main route between Dili and Suai.

The new structure is a temporary military bridge called a ‘Bailey Bridge’.   It is 30 feet long and is rated to carry vehicles that weigh up to 70 tonnes.   Work started on the bridge on 17 May, with final improvements to the approach and exit points completed on 23 May.   A Pakistan Engineer unit based at Ainaro erected the bridge.

Representatives from the PKF and the local community attended the opening ceremony yesterday.   The Force Commander met the local people and distributed gifts.

Major Inam, of Engineer Operations at the PKF Headquarters said, “the old bridge was passable but very dangerous.  Heavy rain could have washed it away”, he said.  “This new temporary bridge will allow heavy vehicles carrying trade and supplies to pass safely.”

The bridge will remain in place until a civilian contractor erects a new permanent bridge later this year.

The work of the PKF Pakistan Engineers continues to provide outstanding support to the people of East Timor.   In the last twelve months 340 separate tasks have been completed and 29 more are currently underway.   Tasks include work on roads, airfields, reconstruction of market sites and establishing clean water distribution points.

  For More Information: CAPT Jeff Squire HQPKF             0417 829 160

  25 May 01

Peacekeeping Force in Taibesi Market Preparation

 15 May 2001

Members of the peacekeeping force belonging to the Bangladesh Engineers (BANENGR) yesterday completed clearing an area consisting of 60,000 sq. m. of land at Taibesi.  Concrete walls and other damaged buildings were cleared for one of the three sites for Central market relocation. 

“Clearing the area was a very big challenge for any agency,” said Major Md Arman Ali Bhuiyan, who headed the clearing operations with 20 strong Bangladesh working force and utilizing  3 types of landmovers including a wheel loader, wheel dozer and a truck dozer.

The area is a former TNI compound with about 150 buildings of different sizes which  were demolished to the ground to pave way for the new market site.

Colonel Md Aminur Rahman said, “a number of septic tanks covered with thick grass made the job very risky.”

The demolition and clearing operations started on 26^th of April and continued to 14 May 2001, only about 13 working days.

Other similar tasks or projects have been undertaken by the peacekeeping force to assist the transitional government in East Timor in infrastructure development or  maintaining existing facilities.

‘This type of operation is not only considered successful but very efficiently done’, the Engineers said.

 For more information:

Capt. Isabelito R. Sanchez, Jr.       PI, PKF Hq

0409092886   or 4917

Briefing Notes

20 March 2001

Peacekeeping Force

  1.       ROKBAT Conducts Operation Blue Angel

The Republic of Korea’s Battalion spreads out its Operation Blue Angels from  Los Palos to Aileu.  Operation Blue Angels is the humanitarian component of ROKBAT’s contribution in East Timor aside from providing security in its  assigned area of operation in Los Palos. It includes a medical clinic service, a dental service, barber service and a special class in Taekwando.  Tomorrow, the Blue Angels will go  to Aileu for this type of humanitarian mission. ROKBAT is about 400-strong.

2.       ROKBAT Donates Taekwando Materials to ETDF

The  Republic of Korea’s government is donating $22,040 worth of Taekwondo materials for East Timor Defense Force.  This includes 800 uniforms, 2,800  Taekwondo belts, 80 pieces protective gear, 30 pieces mat and 700 pairs of shoes.

3.       BANENGR 1  Makes Life Easier

Col. Faruque, Commander of Bangladesh Engineering Battalion in East Timor, together with about 500-strong personnel are going home after more than a year of  purely sweat and hardwork, this week.  He is replaced by Col. Amin with equal number of personnel.  Col. Faruque spoke humbly of the loud achievements of his  highly motivated engineering force as a vital component of the overall peacekeeping operations in East Timor. So far, about 400,  big and small projects have been accomplished by them with sufficient support from the transitional government.

16 March 2001

Repatriation of Private Atkins

The body of Private Boyd Atkins, the New Zealand soldier who tragically died at Hera on Wednesday, will be flown to Darwin today for repatriation to his homeland. 

At 12pm (midday) a small service at Comoro Airport will begin and his body will be transferred to a scheduled UN Hercules aircraft for the flight to Darwin departing 1230pm. 

Private Atkins’ body will be prepared by an undertaker in Darwin for further travel on a QANTAS aircraft which is expected to arrive in New Zealand on Monday afternoon. 

RAAF Withdrawal

The service of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in East Timor was recognized in a ceremony held at Comoro Airport this morning marking the departure of the last RAAF unit to operate in the territory. 

The RAAF’s Comoro Airfield Support Group (CASG) have been responsible for the operation of Comoro Airport and the management of airspace in East Timor since the arrival of INTERFET peacekeepers in September 1999. 

Last month a detachment of RAAF Caribou transport aircraft also completed its service in East Timor.  

The withdrawal of more than 100 personnel reduces the Australian military commitment to approximately 1,500 – still the largest force from any of the troop contributing nations. 

A civilian firm from Portugal now performs the role done by CASG.

USGET MAKES  THE DIFFERENCE

The continued presence of the United States Support Group East Timor (USGET) is a critical element in East Timor’s nation building process and in maintaining regional stability.  USGET’s presence makes the statement that the United States of America has a commitment both to the United Nations, the region, and most importantly the future of the East Timorese people and their evolving democratic state.   It is our request that the United States Government continues its commitment by maintaining the USGET staff and rotational units in their Humanitarian Assistance role.

            Although only a small permanent party of staff and a platoon of engineers, the USGET has performed and coordinated an inordinately high amount of the Humanitarian Assistance projects in the Dili area.  The USGET Engineer Platoon has rebuilt 14 local schools, an orphanage, two clinics, and two water treatment plants. Its engineers have mentored local carpenters so they can maintain the facilities, providing continuity that will exist long beyond their tenure.  These projects are critical to start bringing elements of normalcy into the lives of the average East Timorese Family.

            USGET staff have coordinated rotational three medical, two dental, two hygiene, one veterinary and other specialized teams to run clinics and educational programs in direct assistance to the East Timorese People.  Health concerns were always issues in this nation but with the deliberate destruction of its health system by the militias last year health care has become a paramount issue.  These rotational teams have provided direct assistance to over 10,000 east Timorese.  In a nation of roughly 850,000 this is an amazing accomplishment with a use of only minimum human and material resources.  The cost to benefit ratio is definitely in favor of continued USGET operations of this kind.

            The six rotational ship visits have been critical both in their humanitarian role and as a continuing political statement of the United States support for the East Timorese.  Humanitarian Assistance projects of the ships crews and assets have included air and sea lift of humanitarian supplies, the painting of local schools, DENCAPs and MEDCAPs at local clinics, and donations of food and clothing to East Timorese charities.  Most impressive and effective of these was the visit of the 13^th Marine Expeditionary Force (MEU) to East Timor during 14-16 September 18, 2000.  It’s presence in the Area of Operations (AO) made a statement of support for the East Timorese struggle to build a democratic nation, the United Nations, and America’s allies in the region.   The MEU’s Humanitarian Assistance (HA) projects and security presence on the shores both helped rebuild the nation of East Timor and reassured the East Timorese people in a time of national anxiety due to the violence in West Timor. The 13^th MEU’s and future similar visits are key elements to maintaining regional security and assisting the East Timorese in their nation building challenges. 

            In conclusion, the presence of the USGET staff, it’s organic engineer platoon, and coordination of rotational US Military units is critical for the rebuilding of the nations infrastructure, successful completion of the UN Mission, and evolution of the East Timorese Democracy. It is the hope of this Head Quarter that the presence of USGET will continue also in next year.

Telephone Advisory

An advisory from Lt. Col Waqar Ahmed, FCO says there is an on going "fault finding test" on the telephone system by the UNTAET Communication  staff.

This situation may somehow affect the normal  telephone system from East to West  sectors. For this reason an interim communication arrangement is being adopted until full restoration has been accomplished.

The following is the interim arrangement:

In Suai, the numbers extended are:

7547    Commander Sector West

7548    Log Cell

7549    Mil Info Cell

7550    Fax

7551    Ops Cell

7552    OC FCU Suai

In Los Palos four telephone numbers have been extended from Civpol to ROKBATT:

7430     CO ROKBATT

7431     Comms Room

7432     Ops Room

7433     Fax

Col Ahmed further advised that  both military and civil exchanges in Baucau are now fed from the city earth satellite station in lieu of  the airport sat which is under repair.

"You may sometimes get the congestion on Hq Sector East telephone numbers," he said.