Timor deployment may be last

New Zealand's sixth and largest deployment of troops to East Timor was farewelled yesterday.

More than 220 Timor-bound soldiers paraded through Christchurch's Cathedral Square and marched over the city's Bridge of Remembrance. Troops also performed a haka in Cathedral Square.

Prime Minister Helen Clark addressed the troops, whose contingent may be the last to East Timor. The advance party flies out next week, and the remaining battalion of peacekeepers will be moved out next month.

The contingent, comprising more than 600 soldiers and including 60 women, is the largest battalion-sized group to serve in East Timor.

Burnham Army Camp spokesman Lieutenant Zac Prendergast said East Timor had been the largest Army involvement overseas for New Zealand since the Korean War in the 1950s.

"We will have sent over 4000 Army personnel to Timor at the end of all this.

"Indications are that it is the last lot to go over. We are waiting for the Government to see what will happen next. But it looks like this will be the last group."

The New Zealand peacekeepers' role will be to help ensure a smooth transition to an Independent East Timor on May 20.

Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore also farewelled troops posted with the United Nations for a tour of duty ending in November.

- NZPA

Feature: Indonesia and East Timor

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