Deirdre Clune
Question:72 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to East Timor. [17456/00]
Written Answers. - East Timor.
Last month I took the opportunity to pay a short visit to East Timor where I met with the personnel of No. 2 Irish contingent serving with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor – UNTAET. I was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department and the Defence Forces' director of operations as well as by a staff officer of the directorate who served with the No. 1 contingent and my private secretary.
The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of Defence Forces personnel serving there and to convey to them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, the deep appreciation felt regarding the outstanding manner in which they perform their duties in this challenging mission which is the one furthest from home. I found the situation on the ground to be calm with little evidence of the militia activity which had bedevilled the mission of late. The main security threat appeared to emanate from criminal youth gangs operating in the main centres of Dili and Bacau. The absence of a fully functional judiciary, a proper police force and correctional system make this a particularly difficult issue with which to deal. All the Irish military personnel were safe and well and morale was good.
While in East Timor I met with Lieutenant General Jaime de los Santos, Force Commander, UNTAET peacekeeping force. General de los Santos spoke very highly of the contribution being made by the Irish contingent. He was fulsome in his praise of the excellent job being done by it despite being stationed in one of the most inhospitable regions of the island from the point of view of terrain and climate.
While in Dili I also met with the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of UNTAET, Mr. Jean Christian Cady. He explained the problems relating to law and order and also those relating to the poor state of infrastructure. In this latter regard, heavy rains had exacerbated existing problems caused by poor maintenance and damage from heavy armoured vehicles. Almost the entire road network in East Timor had disintegrated with most roads completely impassable. Law and order problems were exacerbated by high levels of unemployment and tackling this aspect was a priority for UNTAET. He outlined a number of community employment schemes which were being undertaken in this context and which were producing encouraging results. UNTAET has so far produced an estimated 24,000 jobs and it was hoped that this stimulus would go some way to priming the economic pump of the fledgling state.
A police academy is now in operation to train local Timorese in policing and the first batch of recruits are due to emerge within three months. A civil service academy is also being established. Health and education are also pressing problems and these are being addressed. In relation to health, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases and tuberculosis continue to be major problems. While in East Timor I met with the Australian Consul General in Dili, with the brigade – Australian – and battalion – New Zealand – commanders of the western sector of the peacekeeping force as well as representatives of UN Agencies, for example, UNHCR and of Irish and other NGOs. During my visit to Fatalucic, near the West Timor border, I was happy to indicate that, on my return, I would arrange for a special donation of humanitarian supplies through the Irish contingent and this is now in train.
A particular highlight of my visit was a meeting with National Council of Timorese Resistance – CNRT – President Xanana Gusmao, who has come to symbolise the struggle in East Timor. He expressed his heartfelt thanks for Ireland's commitment to the cause of peace and stability in his country as demonstrated in many ways, including humanitarian support as well as participation by both military personnel and gardaí in the pre-election UNAMET – UN Mission in East Timor – in INTERFET – International Force in East Timor – and now in UNTAET. Mr. Gusmao recalled with warmth the visit of the Taoiseach earlier this year as well as the support from the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews. He said that the process of nation building was now entering a crucial phase but he is hopeful for the future. In addition to the meetings already mentioned, I also had meetings with the Australian Northern Territory Minister for Defence Support, Mr. Tim Baldwin, in Darwin.
The focus of UNTAET's activities will shortly be directed towards preparations for elections in August 2001. It is likely that there will be a gradual downsizing of the UNTAET peacekeeping force with a build-up of the UN civilian police component.
As the House will be aware, No. 3 Irish Contingent, UNTAET, comprising 40 personnel departed for East Timor on 14 June 2000. This will be the final contingent to be deployed to that particular mission. It gives me great satisfaction as Minister for Defence, that Ireland took up the challenge and responded when that particular call came to serve in East Timor. Once again personnel of the Defence Forces met the call and the challenge and did this country proud.