Dili, 28 September 2001

ANOTHER EIGHT MAJOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS REHABILITATED

The rehabilitation of eight new major public buildings has been completed by the East Timor Public Administration, formerly known as the Transitional Administration.

The work in Dili includes the Ministry of Water and Public Works; the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications; the security upgrade of Becora Prison; the Fire and Emergency Service and the Road Services Deposit. The District Education Department and the Public Works Deposit have been rehabilitated in Viqueque district, as well as a District Hospital in Maliana.

Nine major public buildings are currently under reconstruction - three in Dili and six in the districts of Baucau, Ermera, Liquiça, Maliana, Manatuto and the Oecussi enclave.

Since June 2000, the East Timor Public Administration has completed 30 major public buildings. The Transitional Government's East Timorese and international architects and engineers are supervising the public reconstruction.

So far, the Public Administration has signed contracts for the reconstruction of public buildings worth US$7.5 million.

Twenty East Timorese companies and eleven foreign companies have conducted or are conducting the rehabilitation work, and have been responsible for the direct employment of more than 1,000 East Timorese workers.

VICE MINISTER RECEIVE TRAINING IN MALAYSIA

The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Second Transitional Government, Jorge da Conceição Teme, is leaving tomorrow for a month-long diplomacy course in the Malaysian Institute for Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs.

All Vice Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Countries will participate.

NEPALESE PEACEKEEPERS HEAD HOME AFTER SIX MONTHS

Seventy-seven Nepalese Peacekeepers left East Timor this morning after having completed a six-month tour with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.

The soldiers, under Commander Major Basnet, served in the Zumalai region of Covalima district as part of the New Zealand Battalion.

"Nepalese soldiers serve with many UN missions throughout the world, but they particularly enjoy serving in East Timor," Commander Major Basnet said as the Contingent departed. "We enjoy the peaceful and calm environment and working with the people."

Eighty-one new Nepalese troops arrived today to take over from the departing Contingent.

Soldiers from 29 nations are currently serving with the Peacekeeping Force and the United Nations Military Observer Group in East Timor.