The signing ceremony you will shortly witness is a most significant step in the development of the relationship between the TNI and the PKF, and indeed between UNTAET and the Government of Indonesia. Before we proceed to that point, however, there are several acknowledgements I wish to make.

Firstly, may I welcome Major General Kiki Syahnakri and his official party very warmly to my Headquarters today. That this very senior group of Indonesian officers has traveled to Dili for today's signing is clear evidence of their commitment in assisting us to maintain a stable and secure border region.

General Syahnakri, please accept my sincerest personal thanks for your efforts in bringing the signing of this document to fruition. You are to be congratulated for your determined contribution.

I spoke a moment ago about the significance of today's signing. We should all be very clear about what this means and what it is indicative of. I take great personal confidence from what we are achieving today. We see a continuation, a transfer, of the excellent relationship which TNI and Interfet enjoyed. This in turn strengthens the relationship between TNI and my Peacekeeping forces.

It will result in a far stronger understanding of each other's position and a much improved ability to work together in the border areas. On a personal level, I must also state that today's signing reaffirms the very good and professional relationship that has developed between General Kiki and me. Communication is the key to our combined success and we certainly both enjoy that with each other. I trust that our relationship continue to develop more positively and more strongly from today.

Again, before I ask General Syahnakri to reply, may I acknowledged his involvement and herald today's signing of the border MOU as a mayor step forward in the UNTAET and Indonesian relationship.

Thank you