Timor chief rubbishes claims of problems with Army rifles

New Zealand's East Timor Joint Force Commander Brigadier Jerry Mateparae says there is nothing wrong with the rifles used by his troops.

He called rumours about problems with the Army-issue Steyr rifle totally inaccurate.

A group calling itself Concerned Soldiers of East Timor had expressed reservations about the Steyr in an e-mail to a Christchurch newspaper, saying the rifle's limitations could cause New Zealand casualties.

The e-mail claimed that in a clash with militia groups in July, when Private Leonard Manning was killed, several soldiers had had problems with their rifles.

The message said the Army knew about the problem.

Brigadier Mateparae said he would not normally respond to an anonymous e-mail sent to a newspaper.

"But the claims ... are totally inaccurate. If a soldier has a problem with a weapon, there is a stringent procedure for reporting [it].

"A defect report is completed and this report is handled in a technical manner by the armourers, and is also quickly brought to the attention of the command chain."

The brigadier said senior weapons technicians had inspected the weapons used by 2/1 Battalion during preparations for deployment to Timor.

"Two potential issues were identified at the time and rectified before the battalion deployed.

"On the basis of these two issues, action was also taken Army-wide to double check and ensure all weapons were problem-free."

Brigadier Mateparae said the Army had stringent procedures "to ensure the fate of our people."

He termed the claim made in the e-mail disappointing and inaccurate.

- NZPA

Herald Online feature: the Timor mission

UN Transitional Administration in E Timor