31 March 2006
Brigadier General Tuar Matan Ruak, Commander Timor Leste Defence Force, To Visit New Zealand
Brigadier General Tuar Matan Ruak, Commander Timor Leste Defence Force, will carry out an official visit to New Zealand
from 2 - 6 April. Brigadier General Ruak will visit Defence House in Wellington, Joint Force Headquarters in Upper Hutt,
Waiouru Military Camp, Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Auckland and Devonport Naval Base during his stay.
This is the inaugural visit of the Commander Timor Leste Defence Force and it will consolidate the strong connections
that have been established between New Zealand Defence Force and Timor Leste Defence Force personnel.
Brigadier General Ruak will call on Defence Minister Phil Goff during his visit to Wellington.
The New Zealand Defence Force's contribution to restoring peace, stability and security to Timor Leste, from September
1999 to November 2002 was the largest deployment for 35 years. Over 5500 personnel rotated through Timor Leste during
the three-year peacekeeping mission. Four New Zealand Defence Force Personnel remain based in Timor Leste in advisory
and training roles.
ENDS