THE HON. JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
THE HON. ALAN GRIFFIN MP
Minister for Veteran’s Affairs
Thursday, 5 March 2009
029/2009
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE MEETS LEADERS OF EAST TIMOR
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today met East Timor’s
President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
This is part of a two day visit to East Timor and is the second time that Mr Fitzgibbon
has visited the fledgling nation. Mr Fitzgibbon was accompanied by the Minister for
Veteran’s Affairs, the Hon. Alan Griffin, and the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief
Marshal Angus Houston.
“I am delighted to be back in East Timor again and to have the opportunity to meet
the President and see the Prime Minister again,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“My discussions with both the President and Prime Minister focused on areas for
future cooperation, including maritime security and providing additional English
language instruction.
Air Chief Marshal Houston also paid tribute to the strong relationship between
Australia and East Timor.
“Defence continues to help mentor and train East Timor’s Defence Force through the
bilateral Defence Cooperation Program,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
“The Australian-led International Stabilisation Force complements these efforts
through capacity building activities and the progress that has been made is a tribute
to the professionalism of ADF men and women.”
During the visit, the Ministers and Air Chief Marshal Houston also met with the Chief
of the East Timorese Defence Force, Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, and the
Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs Kirsty Sword-Gusmao.
“Brigadier General Ruak and I enjoyed a tour of HMAS Glenelg, an Australian
Armidale Class Patrol Boat that is conducting a goodwill visit to East Timor,” Mr
Fitzgibbon said.
“Mrs Sword-Gusmao and I discussed the great work being done by the Alola
Foundation in increasing awareness of women’s issues throughout East Timor
including maternal health and promoting human rights.”
Imagery will be made available at
Media contacts:
Jack Smith (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0408 116 423
Laura Ryan (Alan Griffin):
02 6277 7820 or 0437 863 109
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
