New Zealand's military deployment in East Timor is being cut because the security situation there has improved, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says.The next rotation leaves today with 75 personnel, just over half the size of earlier rotations of around 140.&
New Zealand's military deployment in East Timor is being cut because the security situation there has improved, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says.
The next rotation leaves today with 75 personnel, just over half the size of earlier rotations of around 140.
"We have increasing confidence in Timor-Leste's journey towards permanent stability," Dr Mapp said yesterday.
"The Australian-New Zealand International Stabilisation force is one of the main international security operations in Timor-Leste. Australia reduced its commitment by around 100 personnel in January last year. We can now follow suit."
Dr Mapp said considerable international security assistance was still needed, but the nature of that need was changing and fewer defence personnel were required.
The NZDF has been contributing a light infantry company to the International Stabilisation Force since May 2006, New Zealand's largest overseas deployment for most of the time since then.
"We have a very warm relationship with Timor-Leste, focused on providing security and development assistance and that will continue," Dr Mapp said.
"They still need our support and they will have it."
