also: Indonesian military offer to train Dili's officers - UN mission

LusaNews

18-07-2002 13:38:00 GMT

East Timor: Defense handover begins next week

The East Timor Defense Force (ETDF) assumes responsibility next week for all aspects of security in part of the new nation, and the Dili government was informed Thursday of progress in transferring defense control into Timorese hands.

On Tuesday, the ETDF takes over all defense duties in Lautem, Timor's most easterly province, and the handover of military responsibilities from UN peacekeepers begins a process that will hopefully conclude in June 2004.

Timor`s fledgling defense force will be responsible for all border security in Lautem, including conducting patrols in the area and coordinating with local authorities and police forces. The ETDF`s small naval force will also patrol Timor's territorial waters around the province.

Meanwhile, heads of the ETDF development bureau have confirmed that the next defense sector donors` conference will take place in Dil on Aug. 28-29.

CJB/ASP -Lusa-

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17-07-2002 21:44:00 GMT

The Indonesian military, until recently occupiers of East Timor, may soon begin training officers for Dili's fledgling defense force, the UN mission in the newly independent country said Wednesday.

In a communique issued in Dili, UNMISET said the offer to train officers was made earlier this week in talks between Indonesia's regional military commander, Brig. Gen. Willem da Costa, and the commander of East Timor's UN forces, Thai Lt. Gen. Winai Phattiyakul, in Bali.

The regular, quarterly meeting was attended for the first time, with observer's status, by the chief of Dili's defense force, Brig.

Gen. Taur Matan Ruak, UNMISET said.

SAS/ASP -Lusa-

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