25 March 2010

First defence attache appointed to Indonesia

Televizaun Timor-Leste, March 24, 2010 language source: Tetun - Timor-Leste has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Alberto dos Santos as its defense attache to be posted at the Embassy of Timor-Leste to Indonesia Monday, hoping to establish better defence cooperation with the Indonesian Armed Forces, its former occupying force.

Timor-Leste’s Defence Force Commander Major General Taur Matan Ruak said that despite past bitterness, Timor-Leste and Indonesia agreed last year to have cooperation in the areas of maritime security, border security and military training.

“Despite of our past bitterness, we agreed to have cooperation in the areas of maritime security, border security and military training,” said General Matan Ruak.

Secretary of State for Defense Julio Tomas Pinto said that with the appointment of the first defense attache to Indonesia there will be better defence cooperation with Indonesia to develop the Timorese defence force.

“We think that we have important relationship with Australia and Indonesia and particularly with Indonesia with whom we share a land border so it is important to have a defence attache to help coordinating the border problems,” said Secretary Pinto.

He also added that in the future Timor-Leste will send more defense attaches to other countries that play important roles in developing the country’s defence force.

The farewell party was also attended by Special Representative of the Secretary General to Timor-Leste Ms. Ameerah Haq and state dignitaries.

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