Defence

Strategy Group

Cooperation at work in Timor-Leste

By Lieutenant Colonel Grant Sanderson

The English language training facility's class of 2004, celebrating graduation day. Photo by SGT Mark Dowling

The Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) became the primary Australian Defence contribution to Timor- Leste, following the closure of the United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor (UNMISET) on 20 May.

The DCP began in 2000 but has not received the same level of public attention as the larger UN Australian Defence Force (ADF) presence.

Strategy Group's International Policy Division drives and funds the DCP. It is a significant component of Australia's Defence engagement with a number of our Asia-Pacific neighbours.

The program in Timor-Leste aims to develop a sustainable defence force which contributes to national and regional security. The DCP is emerging as the key vehicle to progress the ADF's ongoing and long-term commitment to Timor-Leste.

Up to now, Australia's efforts under the DCP have focused on strategically delivering skills, equipment and infrastructure to the emerging Timor-Leste Defence Force (Falintil - FDTL). But as the Timorese take a more active role in building their nation, the program is also adapting to assist development.

Under the leadership of Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, (the former Falintil commander and now Chief of Defence Force) F-FDTL is embracing the concept of Civil Military Operations (CMO).

There are 24 Australian Defence personnel deployed on the DCP. They coordinate technical, logistic and operational training to F-FDTL members, who in turn can provide practical contributions to the development of their newly independent nation. CMO enables the F-FDTL to protect the people by supporting the National Development Plan in terms of health, education facilities and assistance to remote communities.

Benefits are reaching the whole country, from the far-eastern district of Lautem, home of the First Battalion, to the isolated enclave of Oecussi.

The DCP facilitates CMO related training courses and combined activities with Australian units, as well as providing advice and resources to specific projects.

In April and May 2005, DCP initiated the first F-FDTL Disaster Management Response operation to prepare the F-FDTL for its responsibilities during a time of natural disaster, such as an earthquake or tsunami. Operation 'Sempre Pronto' (Portuguese for 'Always Ready') combined an exercise designed to test disaster response management with a broader mix of CMO tasks that included community participation.

The 2nd Battalion, along with a platoon of 1st Battalion Pioneers and representatives of the Timorese National Disaster Management Office, deployed to the isolated Atauro Island in response to a simulated earthquake emergency. The objective was to conduct an immediate disaster assessment by sending F-FDTL patrols out to all the isolated communities and then report back to Dili via high frequency radio transmission. Following this phase, the group then used the deployed Pioneer and medical teams to make a contribution to the community on the island. CMO projects such as improving sanitation and repairing roads damaged during the wet season were conducted after consultation with the civil administration of the island, and involved the participation of local leaders and volunteer tradespeople.

Future strategic priorities include the maintenance of the F-FDTL's own bases, civil support operations into the Oecussi Enclave and isolated areas in the south of the country. In addition F-FDTL Medical Platoon will continue to conduct mobile 'remote area' medical clinics. To better support this agenda and deliver a higher quality of Pioneer/Engineer specific advice, the DCP effort will include additional Royal Australian Engineers on long-term postings from January 2006.

Timor-Leste remains an underdeveloped nation. But the DCP sets a framework for Australia to provide strategic assistance for the Timor-Leste Defence Force, to produce a sustainable and relevant organisation for the future. Through the training and advice being provided by the Defence Cooperation Program, the F-FDTL will be able to make an even greater contribution to their nation's development.

For further information log on to: http://www.defence.gov.au/opspire/.

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