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New Zealand's commitment to East Timor is being increased, with two Air Force helicopters and another 32 personnel to be deployed.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said the Iroquois helicopters would be in East Timor for up to 12 months and a third machine would be on stand-by.
The number of New Zealanders involved in the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) will go up to to about 180 with the addition of the 32 personnel.
"This is happening at what is potentially a more volatile period in the run-up to the presidential elections in April," Helen Clark said yesterday.
"The helicopters will provide additional transport to the CJTF as it supports UN operations in what is a mountainous country with a poor road network and where helicopters are essential for moving personnel."
A senior New Zealand officer would take up the appointment of deputy commander of the CJTF, the PM said.
Besides the troops, there are 25 New Zealand police in the country as part of a UN mission, and two Defence Force personnel are attached to the Timorese Defence Force as advisers.
Australian has more than 900 troops serving with the joint force.
- NZPA
