Timor Leste Consul General José Amorim Dias visits Australian soldiers in Darwin

A senior Timor Leste diplomat has addressed local troops ahead of an upcoming multinational mission to the tiny island. Details.

Timor Leste Consul General Jose Amorim Dias visits Australian and US troops in Darwin. Picture: Harry Brill.

A senior Timor Leste diplomat has addressed local soldiers ahead of an upcoming multinational mission aimed at rebuilding the tiny island’s infrastructure.

On Friday morning, Consul General José Amorim Dias paid a visit to Robertson Barracks to personally thank a group of Australian and US combat engineers, medics and logisticians ahead of Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk.

The exercise, featuring troops from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States, will involve delivering power to hospitals, purifying water and repairing critical roads across Timor Leste.

Australian and US troops will deploy to Timor Leste together. Picture: Harry Brill.

Mr Amorim Dias said the bond between Australia and Timor Leste carried the “hopes and dreams” of his people.

“I want to, on behalf of my colleagues who are here, again extend our strong sentiments of gratitude to all of you who are going,” he said.

“You will enjoy it there in Timor, with our people, with your colleagues.”

In previous iterations of Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk, Timorese soldiers have had the chance to try their hand at new soldier training led by their international guests. Picture: Supplied.

Beyond the tools, Mr Amorim Dias said he hoped the Timor Leste soldiers would benefit through soldier training and language activities.

“If we are to help or be together in the same peacekeeping force in the world, we need to be equipped with these skills,” he said.

“It is important for them to understand technology, language and other skills necessary that they would need to implement in their work.”

Hospitals, schools and roads will be the focus of the force being sent over. Picture: Supplied.

The latest embarkation to Dili comes just days after the veteran community paused to reflect on 25 years since the ADF deployed to East Timor.

Mr Amorim Dias reflected on the first time he laid eyes on an Australian Digger back in 1999 when the island was at its most dangerous.

“I remember a soldier came to me and my sister at the airport,” he said.

“We embraced each other and they spoke in (our language) – I was shocked.”

What the soldier said next stuck with the senior diplomat forever.

“He said ‘now you’re safe, we’ve come to help’.”

For many of the US Marines, the trip to Timor Leste will be their last big activity before returning home to California. Picture: Harry Brill.

Troops will link up with locals to complete the big construction jobs. Picture: Supplied.

An Australian Army sapper takes troops through a unexploded bomb scenario. Picture: Supplied.

Originally published as Timor Leste Consul General José Amorim Dias visits Australian soldiers in Darwin