Media Release

20 Jul 01

Security Situation  at the Border Stable

“Security at Sector West is stable but militia threat remains significant at the moment,” Brigadier Richard G. Wilson, Sector West Commander  said yesterday. 

“Sector West provides security against external threats from the border but also internal threats.” 

The good work done by the Australian Battalion (AUSBATT) and New Zealand Battalion (NZBATT), and other nations at Sector West, particularly in maintaining a good relationship with the people of East Timor contributed immensely in achieving a stable security environment.   

He said,  they are prepared to support the election process to achieve a “free and fair elections that is successful.” 

Meanwhile,  at approximately 9 pm last night, an element of the Australian Battalion reacted to a report of 10 personnel armed with knives in the vicinity of Marko in the Bobonaro District.  The Australian Battalion secured the area by establishing a cordon and maintaining observation onto the personnel who had occupied a house.  Negotiators were used at approximately midnight, to urge the personnel to exit the house without their knives and talk to the soldiers.  The personnel left the building peacefully and AUSBATT are conducting a routine investigation into the operation today.  

The operation was conducted in close consultation with the United Nations Military Observer Group and the Civilian Police. 

No United Nations or civilian personnel were injured during the security operation.

20 Jul 01 

Slovaks Medical Team Arrives in East Timor

Colonel Peter Daxner Commander of Slovakia Medical Team, together with 34 others from Slovakia are in East Timor as part of the  medical component of the Peace Keeping Force (PKF) in East Timor. 

Arriving in two separate groups two weeks ago, the Slovak Medical Team is composed of doctors and other medical specialists. They will  replace the New Zealand Field Surgeon Team who has been  taking care of the medical and other emergency health needs of  the peacekeeping troops  and the people of Suai for more than a year. 

Capt. Stefan Ivanecky, a Slovak surgeon said, they will formally take over the medical functions from the Kiwis on August 1, this year  after a new field  medical facility will be in placed 50 meters away from  Sector West Headquarters in Suai. 

12 July 01

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

  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. 

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. 

“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.  

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

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. 

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. 

“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.

9 Jul 01

PKF Supports Community Day at Beto-Tassi Village 

Songs and the sounds of laughing children filled the air at Beto –Tassi village on Sunday 8 July. The staff from the PKF United Nations Military Hospital provided games, food and gifts during a community day that aimed to promote community spirit and social cohesion among the villagers.   

The day was organised by the Singaporean medical contingent with support from the Egyptian and Australian medical staff.  The PKF United Nations Military Hospital shares a close relationship with Beto-Tassi village.  Many of the local staff employed at the hospital come from Beto-Tassi.   

The community day started with a children’s art competition.   Local kids were asked to draw pictures of their village.  As the children drew, a singing competition took place under the village shelter.   Groups performed local songs, complete with traditional costumes and dance, watched by a large appreciative crowd.   

For the more energetic there were games and relay races.  The entire village gathered as each game was played and the winners grinned as the community cheered their success.  As having fun is hard work, the medical staff provided food and cold drinks to refresh the villagers throughout each activity. 

The community day concluded with a prize presentation ceremony and the distribution of food and welfare parcels to each family in the village.   Singaporean organizer, Major Lim Wee Kiak said “ it has been an honour for us to be able to organise this day for you.   We have enjoyed this community day as much as you have and we look forward to more activities in this village.” 

The community day followed a Christmas Party and painting day at the Beto-Tassi Chapel organized by the PKF United Nations Military Hospital in recent months.  

The day was a great success.  The village and the PKF staff had fun together, and the community spirit at Beto-Tassi is alive and well.   

4 Jul 01                                         

PKF Delivers Relief Supplies to Flood Victims 

The Korean PKF Battalion (ROKBATT) has delivered essential relief supplies to victims of recent flooding in the Lautem District.  As part of continuing support to the local community called ‘Operation Blue Angel’ ROKBATT provided clothes, school supplies, medical treatment and physical assistance in the village of Anarua Kampang. 

20 ROKBATT soldiers visited the village to provide assistance and encourage the local population.   300 sets of clothes, 50 pairs of shoes, 500 sets of school supplies and 300 toothbrushes were distributed.  Principal of DESA Daudere SD-2 Elementary School Juang san Mario, said, "We are very grateful for the support from the PKF after these floods.  ROKBATT has provided excellent support here“. 

The PKF is happy to provide this important support to the people of East Timor.

  3 Jul 2001      

PKF Bridge By-Pass Construction in Lautem District after flood

The PKF has built a four-kilometer by-pass route around a damaged bridge in the Lautem district after it was destroyed by flood waters on 19 Jun.  This work was conducted jointly by a PKF Engineer Troop from Bangladesh, and the PKF Korean Battalion (ROKBATT). 

After the collapse of the bridge, vehicle travel between Baucau and Lautem district was cut off.   It was impossible for daily supplies to get through to the local population. Building this bypass was therefore vital for the local community. 

Deputy Commander of PKF, Major General Roger Powell, visited the collapsed bridge on 23 June and, seeing the local difficulties, decided to send PKF troops to repair the bridge.  Bangladesh Engineer equipment including two heavy dozers, two loaders, two excavators and two dump trucks were moved into the area by PKF road transport assets from the Force Logistic Support Unit based in Dili. 

The Bangladesh and ROKBATT Engineers started work on the by-pass route on 25 June and the construction work was completed in only four days on 29 June.  In one place rocks that weigh up to 50 tonnes had to me moved as the by-pass route cut around the side of a hill.   

  "We constructed the by-pass in the direction of the valley to prevent further damage by rain storms because the area is a place that habitually inundates during heavy rains." "It was a very complicated construction work, but that is what the PKF is here to do - to help the people” said Captain Park.   

Major General Powell visited the site again on 2 Jul to inspect the completed bypass. Traffic and supplies are now getting through again.  Further improvements will be made to make travel even easier as the PKF continues to help and support the East Timorese people.

For More Information:   CAPT Jeff Squire HQPKF             0417 829 160

14 June 2001

34 SUSPECTED MILITIA MEMBERS SURRENDER TO PKF

 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 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.

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.

BALIBO, EAST TIMOR:    A United Nations peacekeeping soldier from Australia was wounded in the leg following a shooting incident near Balibo in East Timor today (Friday 1 Dec 00). 

The incident took place at approximately 1pm.

The soldier was one of two occupants of a Landrover vehicle traveling on a road at Fatuklaran 2 km south of Balibo this afternoon (Friday 1 Dec 00) when twenty to forty shots were fired from a vacant building nearby. The soldier suffered a wound in the upper left thigh. 

Additional troops responded to the incident and have secured the area. 

The soldier from AUSBATT (the Australian battalion from the UN peacekeeping force in East Timor) was evacuated from the immediate scene by an armoured ambulance and flown to the UN military hospital in Dili by Blackhawk helicopter. 

His condition is serious but not life threatening. The soldiers involved in the incident did not return fire.

 No sighting was made of the person/s who fired the shots.

 The name of the soldier will be released when next of kin have been notified.