SAF PERSONNEL LEAVE FOR UN MISSIONS

Some 72 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel have left for East Timor to serve in the United Nations Mission of Support for East Timor (UNMISET).

UNMISET replaces the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), following East Timor's independence on 20 May 2002.

The SAF has been deploying its peacekeepers to East Timor since May 2001. In response to the UN's request, Singapore will extend its deployment of peacekeepers till November 2002.

Led by Senior Liaison Officer, Major Jimmy Toh, the 72 personnel form the third platoon of SAF soldiers to be deployed as combat peacekeepers in East Timor.

Stationed at Fohorem, southwest of East Timor, members of the SAF contingent perform duties such as patrolling, manning checkpoints, protecting vital installations, and maintaining peace and security.

Meanwhile, another SAF officer, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Adam Hamzah, has replaced LTC Soon Yoo Ker as a Military Observer in the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

Singapore has been consistently supporting the UN in its peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. Since 1989, more than 1200 SAF personnel and other Singaporeans have participated in such missions.

The SAF is also currently involved in the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM).