Forever in our hearts
Timor-Leste leader’s parting message to peacekeepers

Colour party: Australian National Commander in Timor-Leste Lt-Col Brian Cox is greeted by locals at the handover ceremony of FOB Moleana, marking the end of the ADF peacekeeping mission. On his right is Timor-Leste Prime Minister Dr Mari Alkatiri. Reports on the base handover are on page 9. Photo by LACW Kim Eager

Gratitude: Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao.

By Cpl Damian Shovell

THE last Australian peacekeepers have left Timor-Leste, ending almost six years of peacekeeping operations.

Their departure on June 24 signified the end of an era in Australia’s operational history – the closure of one of the ADF’s largest military operations that began in 1999 when Australia led the UN mandated mission to bring peace and stability to Timor Leste.

Before they departed, Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao had a parting message for them and the estimated 13,000 ADF members who served during the operation.

“On behalf of the Timor-Leste people, I would like to express to you our gratitude for your involvement in the restoration of security in our country,” President Gusmao said.

“You started, you came in 1999 and you are the last to leave. You will remain in the minds and the hearts of the people forever.

“It is something that reinforces the relationship between our two countries, and is something that the people of Timor-Leste will never forget.”

He said there were mixed emotions among the Timorese as they had looked to the ADF “as a guardian and guarantee of security”, a role the Timor-Leste Defence Force would now fulfil.

“Our people were so accustomed to your presence and because you represented a guarantee of security. But the other aspect is very positive, not only because you have accomplished your job here, but also because we now take responsibility for the environment of security that you have helped to build,” President Gusmao said.

He said the challenges for the future lay with the further development of the F-FDTL – the Defence Force – and state institutions. He hoped one day for Timor-Leste to contribute to similar peacekeeping missions as the one it hosted.

UN Special Representative to the Secretary General in Timor-Leste Sukehiro Hasigowa also thanked Australian peacekeepers and praised the ADF for the “unique contributions it has made in securing peace and stability to Timor-Leste, for leading the multinational force Interfet in 1999, and for remaining here until now”.

“Australian troops have indeed exceeded our UN requirements in many ways,” he said.

Australian National Commander in Timor-Leste Lt-Col Brian Cox said it was the right time for the peacekeepers to depart Timor-Leste as there had been no threat of the violence that once gripped the country.

“The repetitive comment in all my reports since being here is ‘calm and stable’,” he said. “It’s the end of an era. We came here in very difficult circumstances and Australia contributed to the security of this nation, and now we’re leaving them in a position where they can grow and prosper, and I think that is a great thing that Australians have achieved over here.”

He said he had been privileged to lead the last UN contingent of 120 ADF personnel on UNMISET and that his personnel were proud of their efforts and the efforts of ADF members before them.

Lt-Col Cox said Australia would continue to support Timor Leste through bilateral arrangements such as the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP)

Twenty-four Defence personnel are posted to the DCP, which has spent $40 million in the past five years helping to train the F-FDTL in English language, navigation, leadership and communications.