DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS TO TIMOR LESTE

The ADF will deploy an additional 120 strong infantry company group to Dili by this Saturday to address current uncertainty and prevent deterioration in the general security situation in Timor-Leste following the escape of Alfredo Reinado on 30 August.

The soldiers will reinforce the ADF and New Zealand military personnel currently supporting the International Police.  The International police, supported by the multi-national forces, are doing everything in their power to recapture Reinado and the other prisoners as quickly as possible.

The escape of Alfredo Reinado and 56 other prisoners from Becora prison has added an unpredictable element to the situation in Timor-Leste.  The ADF is deploying additional personnel to provide greater flexibility in responding to potential security threats.

Following general improvement to the security situation, and the establishment of a comprehensive commercial logistic support contract in August, elements of the ADF deployment have progressively returned to Australia as they were no longer required. 

These returns will continue with 130 logistic and other personnel returning to Australia over the next week. 

Taking the returns and the additional deployment announced today into account, 925 ADF personnel will remain in Timor-Leste.

The 120 soldiers are drawn from the Townsville based 1^st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR). 

Media Note:

Details of the location and time of departure for personnel will be provided when available.

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison          (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

For a free subscription to Defence Direct, the Minister for Defence's monthly e-newsletter, please follow this link:

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/defencedirect/spt/subscribe.html