New Zealand soldiers perform the Haka at the New Zealand Battalion Group’s farewell from East Timor at Darwin Airport on its route back to New Zealand. Photo by LS Tracy Casteleijn

Kiwis leave East Timor

By Flt-Sgt Scott de Haan
THE official end of the New Zealand Contingent support to INTERFET, UNTAET and UNMISET in East Timor was recently marked by a ceremony at RAAF Base Darwin.

Thirty-five soldiers from 1 Bde joined members of the other services to participate in the parade, with AAB Darwin providing musical support.

In attendance at the parade was New Zealand Minister for Defence Mark Burton and NZ CDF AM Bruce Ferguson, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale and CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove.

Minister Vale thanked the New Zealand troops for their remarkable three-year contribution to the peacekeeping operation in East Timor.

“Through its ongoing and substantial contribution, New Zealand has helped provide the necessary security for the first democratic elections of one of our closest neighbours,” she said.

“In three momentous years, we have witnessed and assisted in the birth of a new nation with sound prospects for a safe and secure future. More than half of the New Zealand Defence Force has served in East Timor on a rotational basis during this campaign, a fact the East Timorese people will never forget.

“Nor will those New Zealand soldiers who gave their lives or were injured be forgotten.

“We ask so much of our Defence personnel and we must not forget the very real sacrifices their families make to support them.”

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