Defence Minister to lead parliamentary delegation
Defence Minister Mark Burton has announced he will lead a
parliamentary delegation to East Timor at the beginning of
February.
"The delegation will meet with New Zealand
troops, will be briefed on the current operations and on the
transition to a United Nations-led force. Meetings are also
being arranged with Timorese leaders.
"This is a valuable
opportunity for Parliament to demonstrate its cross-party
support for New Zealand's presence in East Timor and the
outstanding peacekeeping role being performed by our
troops.
"I wanted to provide an opportunity for this
non-partisan expression of support and I am pleased that
every party has nominated a representative for the
delegation."
The Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Carey
Adamson and the Secretary of Defence Graham Fortune will
accompany Mr Burton's delegation. It will travel on a
scheduled RNZAF Boeing 727-supply flight. The aircraft will
also be carrying a number of NZDF personnel and freight. The
flight will leave Wellington on Tuesday 1st February and
will travel to Dili after a stopover in Darwin.
"A full
day will be spent in Suai where many of the New Zealand
troops are based. It will be a chance to meet some of our
men and women on the ground and express the appreciation and
pride that all New Zealanders have for them."
Mark Burton
said he is ensuring maximum value from the trip by making
use of a stop in Brisbane on the return
journey.
"Following on from the constructive meeting of
our respective foreign ministers earlier this week, I will
meet with the Australian Minister of Defence John
Moore.
"New Zealand and Australia have cooperated with
great success in East Timor in the spirit of the ANZAC
tradition. I am confident we will continue to have a
positive and fruitful defence relationship with our closest
neighbour," Mr Burton
said.