All smiles: Troops on Operation Anode meet Prime Minister John Howard during his visit to Timor-Leste. Photos by AB Kade Rogers
PRIME Minister John Howard has visited troops in Timor-Leste in a visit that coincided with his 68th birthday.
Mr Howard and his wife Janette were greeted at Dili airport by members of the International Security Force deployed on Operation Astute when he arrived on the morning of July 26.
He told soldiers that “the story of our engagement with Timor-Leste in modern times reflects great credit on the ADF”. Importantly, the ADF had worked well in partnership with the police, he said.
It was more than a year since Mr Howard had visited troops in the country. While there he also held talks with Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta and interim Prime Minister Estanislau da Silva.
