Australia is to reduce the number of troops in East Timor to 650 by early 2009. The announcement was made today by the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon. [Read more…]
Rudd Sends More Peacekeepers To East Timor
Feb 11, 2008
More Australian peacekeeping personnel will be sent to East Timor, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced today.
The decision follows the assassination attempt on the East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta.
Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, Rudd emphasised the significance of an attack on the democratic process in one of Australia’s near neighbours.
- Listen to Kevin Rudd’s press conference (21m)
Alexander Downer: Earle Page Politics Speech
May 17, 2005
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, has delivered a speech on Australian foreign policy and politics at the University of New England in Armidale.
Downer gave the Earle Page College’s Annual Politics Dinner speech. [Read more…]
Paul Foley: Ambassador To East Timor
May 30, 2002
Paul Foley, a career diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been appointed Australia’s first Ambassador to East Timor.
The appointment was announced today by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer.
Text of media release by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer.
I have today announced the appointment of Paul Foley as Australian Ambassador to East Timor.
East Timor’s independence ceremonies on 20 May 2002 were a moving celebration of East Timor’s entry into the community of nations. I was delighted to be present with the Prime Minister and a broad delegation of Australians to witness the birth of a nation. [Read more…]