Two from 2RAR
January 31, 2002
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| CO 2RAR Lt-Col Angus Campbell spells out the battalion's role in bringing peace and normalcy to adults and kids who live near the East/West Timor border. Photos by Cpl Wade Laube |
2RAR is approaching the half-way point of its second six-month tour, this time operating in the Bobanaro district as the rotating Australian battalion commitment to the UN mission in that country.
CO 2RAR Lt-Col Angus Campbell said the situation in his area is looking better.
"Things are quite stable now - very positive signs are that the people are increasing their trade, businesses are opening and they feel confidence both in our presence and in the general support being provided by the UN," he said.
Lt-Col Campbell said the role of the battalion group was a vital one in the restoration of the communities of the Bobonaro district.
"We're providing security for the community as they're rebuilding themselves and getting back into the economic and social lives that they had during 1999."
Two-thirds of the Australians in-country are working in the border region's heat, its sweat, and its mozzies.
"We have 1500 Australians in East Timor and I'm responsible for 1,000 of them here in the Bobanaro district."
Lt-Col Campbell said the inherent discomforts and difficulties of this nature of work hadn't deterred most from putting their hand up for another go.
"We've come here on our second rotation. This is the first battalion that stepped off the plane in INTERFET and 65 per cent of them have come back here on this tour under a UN banner.
"They look around and see so much difference - buildings have been reconstructed, the communities have flourishing markets, animals are back in the fields, the rice is being grown in the paddies.
"What we see is a nation that is getting back on its feet and looking forward to its independence day in May."
By Cpl Wade Laube