Fund to honour slain soldier

The parents of New Zealand soldier Leonard Manning, killed on patrol in East Timor, have set up a trust fund in his memory to benefit children there.

Private Manning, of Putaruru, died after he was shot during a skirmish with pro-Indonesian militia in a border area in July 2000.

His parents, Linda and Charlie Manning, and sister, Laura Rees, visited East Timor last month.

Mrs Manning said the children of East Timor made a deep impression, because they were so poor but always seemed to be smiling.

"They have nothing. When the UN pulls out, they are going to need our support even more," she said.

The Mannings set up the East Timor Pools and Schools Fund soon after returning.

South Waikato Mayor Gordon Blake, Putaruru police Sergeant Murray Hamilton and businessman Brian Grey are the trustees.

A New Zealand company has donated two pools, one of which will be built at a recreation centre near Dili, and the other auctioned to raise money for the fund.

The fund will also support a factory set up by soldiers, where East Timorese are being taught skills to build furniture. Mrs Manning said it might back other initiatives, such as sponsoring high school students to visit New Zealand.

The Mannings will return to the territory in May, with an invitation from the United Nations to join East Timor's independence celebrations.

Donations to the fund can be made at any branch of the BNZ.

- NZPA


Feature: Indonesia

CIA World Factbook: Indonesia (with map)

Dept. of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

Antara news agency

Indonesian Observer

The Jakarta Post

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor

East Timor Action Network