SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello returns to Dili tomorrow, after a series of high-level meetings in Australia and New Zealand. In Wellington today, SRSG met the New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke and the parents of New Zealand Peacekeeper Leonard Manning, killed by militias in East Timor on 24 July.
In meetings with both governments, SRSG explained the social, political and economic aspects of the East Timor mission. He also took the opportunity to thank Australia and New Zealand for their great contribution to UNTAET so far, and for their on-going support.
In talks with the Australian Government earlier this week, the SRSG discussed the need for help in strengthening border control systems, especially in regard to maritime policing.
SRSG spent UN Day in Canberra, where he gave a key-note speech at the National Capital Authority and attended a Remembrance Service at the Australian War Memorial in honor of United Nations Peacekeepers.
