Speech for National Commemoration of Service in Timor-Leste

Defence

A warm welcome to you all as we gather to acknowledge the New Zealanders who were involved in peace support operations in Timor-Leste, and to remember those who lost their lives as a result of their service.

I acknowledge the many military and civilian veterans present, and I am pleased this national commemoration provides the recognition your service so greatly deserves.

Welcome to all the families and friends here among us, and to the members of the Timorese community.

I especially want to acknowledge the families and friends of the five New Zealand soldiers who so tragically lost their lives in Timor-Leste:

• Private Leonard William Manning
• Warrant Officer Class Two Tony Michael Walser
• Staff Sergeant William Edward White
• Private Boyd Regan Henare Atkins
• Private Dean Russell Johnston.

I also want to pay tribute to the three personnel from Fiji, Ireland and Nepal who were serving under New Zealand command who lost their lives.

Every death in service is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to the families, friends and comrades who will be feeling the impact to this day. Our thoughts are with you today.

I acknowledge His Excellency Alfredo Pérez Bravo Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Mexico, Her Excellency Felicidade de Sousa Guterres Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and all the members of the Diplomatic Corps who are here representing the many countries who served in Timor-Leste.

I acknowledge Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Mathew Williams, here representing the Chief of Defence Force, all the representatives of the New Zealand Defence Force and the National President of the Returned and Services' Association Sir Wayne Shelford.

I also acknowledge Greg O'Connor, Labour spokesperson for Veterans.

Yesterday, the 20^th of September, marked the 25^th anniversary of the arrival of New Zealand troops in Timor-Leste to contribute to peace operations led by Interfet, the International Force East Timor.

The troops came to the aid of the Timorese people at a time of extreme violence and destruction, in the aftermath of a referendum which had confirmed overwhelming support for independence.

New Zealanders served from 1999 to 2002 to support East Timor's transition to a sovereign state, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. After further violence broke out in 2006, New Zealand personnel were again deployed and continued to serve there until 2012.

Approximately 7000 New Zealand personnel were deployed over these years.

In fact, New Zealand was one of the largest contributors to international efforts. The Special Air Service, air transport and helicopter support, three naval ships, and an infantry battalion which included sub-units from Canada, Ireland, Nepal, Fiji and Singapore, along with members of the Territorial Force, were all deployed at times throughout the conflict.

Today is also a time to recognise the diplomats, members of the New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs, prison officers, legal staff, medical professionals and other New Zealand civilians who served alongside Defence Force personnel.

On the Roll of Honour in the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, our national place of remembrance, the names of the New Zealanders lost in Timor-Leste are commemorated among those of all who have died serving our country. I am pleased we have the Timor-Leste Roll on display here in the Cathedral today as we honour the deceased.

Today, let us also give thought to the suffering of the people of Timor-Leste and the impact of violence on their lives, homes and communities. Let us honour, too, their enormous courage in supporting independence despite the brutal repercussions from the militia.

It is the nature of service in times of conflict that strong bonds are forged - between service personnel, with local communities, and nation to nation.

We cherish our strong relationships with the Timorese people and the Timor-Leste government, relationships we owe to the contribution of our personnel and the trust they earned.

I understand Inspector Ray Sutton, former Commander of the first contingent of New Zealand Police to serve in the new nation, is with us today. I hope he doesn't mind if I quote him about the importance of relationships:

We had to think on our feet - everything we did was through diplomacy. Probably our best asset was our ability to get on with people.

Ours is a relationship founded on shared values that are all the more important in today's uncertain world - decency and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, equality and fairness, and guardianship and protection of our environment.

The New Zealand Defence Force still maintains a presence in Timor-Leste, supporting the professional development of the Timor-Leste military.

Because the peace support operations were relatively recent, many of those who served in Timor-Leste remain employed in the New Zealand Defence Force today. For all who were involved, the experiences in Timor-Leste must still be very close and vivid, and I know too that your experiences will have had lasting impacts on your lives.

I am glad that we have this opportunity as a nation to say thank you on this important anniversary.

We can be very proud of the contribution of New Zealand service personnel and civilians in Timor-Leste, standing alongside the local people and helping to provide a more secure and stable life during their country's journey as the first new sovereign state of the millennium.

Twenty-five years after New Zealand's involvement began, your deeds are enshrined in our nation's memory, and your achievements, and the bonds you helped forge, will live on as a testament to your service.

Thank you.