Timor Leste - FAQ and History

Air Force Medic provides medical assistance to Timorese locals.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the NZDF contribution?

New Zealand Defence Force’s commitment to Timor-Leste at present includes approximately 155 personnel in support of the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF), two Military Liaison Officers serving with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and five Military Advisors attached to the Timorese Defence Force F-FDTL.

What is their role?

The New Zealand contingent supporting the ISF assists a force of more than 1000 UN Police to maintain security in the country. They conduct patrols and vehicle checkpoints to assist UN and local police to maintain security. New Zealand troops patrol central Dili and area to the East while Australian Defence Forces patrol central Dili and the area to the West.

Where is the contingent based?

The New Zealand contingent in Timor Leste is based at Kiwi Lines, now located at the Helicopter Point of Disembarkation (HPOD) in Dili.

Who commands the contingent?

Captain Wayne Burroughs (RNZN) has been appointed the Senior National Officer for the contingent in theatre.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Air Vice Marshall Peter Stockwell remains responsible for operational command of all deployed NZDF personnel.

What is the current situation in Timor Leste? 

Timor Leste is much safer now than it was during the unrest of April 2006. However, gang activity remains common and there is still work to be done to create a stable environment in which Timorese people can go about their lives without fear.

History of peacekeeping missions to Timor Leste:

1999: Timor Leste (INTERFET).  The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was an Australian-led Australian/New Zealand force deployed to East Timor in September 1999 to provide a stabilising force for the internal conflict between East and West Timor. The main tasks of the NZDF contribution were to provide border security in the New Zealand sector, helicopter support to the force, staff officers to two United Nations Headquarters and training support to the East Timor Defence Force. The NZ Battalion Group was based in Suai near the Indonesian border of West Timor.

2002: Timor Leste (UNTAET).  With independence in May 2002 the UNTAET mission was closed by the UN and replaced by UNMISET (United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor) established to provide security while also developing a law enforcement agency.  It was also directed to help core administrative structures critical to political stability in the region.

The NZ Battalion Group returned to NZ in November 2002 and the commitment is three personnel in Dili, two of whom were military observers, and one the military assistant to the Force Commander.

New Zealand also contributed a 22-strong Small Arms Training Team (NZSATT) to assist the developing Portuguese-sponsored Falantil Force Defence Timor Leste (F-FDTL). This contribution has reduced to three personnel.

2005: Timor Leste (UNOTIL).  With UNMISET closing at the end of May 2005 after successfully completing its mandate. The United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Office in Timor Leste (UNOTIL), a one-year mission to ensure the foundations for a stable country are continued to be built upon. The  two NZ UN Military Observer roles also came to an end. Their duties included patrolling to villages, talking to villagers about the security situation, escorting families back together and repatriated refugees.  A month on from the transfer of UN Missions, the changes are already visible. Buildings that had been damaged in 1999 are now being repaired or new buildings erected.   As part of UNOTIL New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed to Timor Leste will now work as Military Training Advisors.  The role will be to teach and mentor Boarder Patrol Units and facilitate meetings between Units and Indonesian Army.

On June 9, 2005 UNOTIL organized a “brainstorming” retreat with Timorese officials, development partners and other relevant stakeholders in Dili, to discuss strategies and assistance programmes for the implementation of the mission’s mandate. On the same day, Prime Minister Alkatiri handed over 200 firearms and uniforms to the Police Reserve Unit of the Timorese national police (PNTL), which will soon commence training on the use of long-barrelled weapons.

On June 13, 2005 Australia began the withdrawal of its last peacekeeping troops from Timor Leste. On the same day, SRSG Hasegawa, the Ambassador of Australia to Timor Leste, Prime Minister Alkatiri and other Timorese Government officials attended a ceremony to mark the handover of the Moleana base, located near the border town of Maliana, to the Government of Timor Leste; the base, which was used by the Australian contingent participating in UNTAET and UNMISET, will serve as an Agricultural Training College.

UNOTIL: 1 x UN Military Training Advisor, located at UNOTIL Headquarters in Dili.

ODFD: 2 x NZDF Officers attached to ODFD (Office Defence Force Development) military advisors to the F-FDTL (East Timor Defence Force) in Dili. The officers provide support and training in Personnel and Logistics issues, and
 
Metinaro: 1 x Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, based at Metinaro Camp (Military Training Advisor) approx. 30km East of Dili and provides support in small arms training to the F-FDTL.

2006: Timor Leste (UNMIT). On 25 August 2006, UN Security Council established a new expanded UN Mission in Timor Leste for a initial period of six months - SCR 1704 (2006).  Expressing its concern over the still fragile security, political and humanitarian situation in Timor Leste.  This new expanded mission took over UNOTIL.  

SCR 1704 (2006) established the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT).  This mission includes up to 1,608 police personnel and an initial component of up to 34 military liaison and staff officers.

UNMIT remains an active mission today.

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