E&OE.................
Major General Peter Cosgrove, Brigadier Evans, ladies and gentlemen, this
is one of the real privileges that I've had as Prime Minister of Australia
to say a few words of thanks on behalf of all of the Australian people for
the superb way in which the men and women of the Australian Defence Force
under General Cosgrove's magnificent leadership have carried out the mandate
given to them by the United Nations. Your operation, and the actions of
you men and women as Australians have brought tremendous repute, tremendous
regard, and tremendous esteem to our country around the world.
Australia has a very proud and great military tradition. It's not a military
tradition that seeks to impose the will of our nation on the will of others,
but rather a military tradition that is ready to stand up for what is right
and what is legitimately in the Australian national interest when the occasion
arises. And you have done that magnificently, you've done it very very efficiently,
you've done it in a very professional way. And in the process you have won
the affection and gratitude of the people of East Timor.
The links between Australia and East Timor as many of you of a military
tradition know go back a very long way. And there was a time when the people
of East Timor extended help and succour and comfort to soldiers of the Australian
Army during World War II when they were fighting the Japanese. And in a
way, and for a lot of other reasons, that is a gratitude and a debt that
is being repaid. But I can't tell you how proud I am of all of you, and
can I say to you that in the 25 years that I've been a member of Parliament
I have not found an issue that has more united the Australian community
in a single resolute desire to support an effort conducted in the name of
Australia.
You are very much in the thoughts and the prayers of the people of Australia.
I know that you will be thinking of your wives, sweethearts, children, parents,
brothers, sisters and friends back in Australia. We are doing everything
we can to look after them, to provide for them. Of course doing our level
best, although we can never do it adequately, to share some of the anxiety
they may feel for you.
General Cosgrove has given me a detailed briefing this morning that shows
that your mission has been substantially accomplished. But I will not forget,
nor will the people of Australia forget, that when you came here you came
into an uncertain environment, you came into a zone of great danger, you
were sent to redress some wrongs that had been unfairly inflicted on the
people of this territory, and you have done that in an absolutely magnificent
way, in a way that befits the military tradition of Australia and a way
that makes your country very proud, and in a way that will ensure that you
will be ever felt and regarded in a grateful way by all of the Australian
people.
Can I as Prime Minister, and I know speaking on behalf of all Australians,
convey to you my thanks, the thanks of the Australian people, my respect
and admiration for your commanding officer and the commander of the INTERFET
operation Major-General Cosgrove, for all of the other brigade and other
commanders, and every last man and woman who's worked so well both in a
military way and a humanitarian way. You make me very proud indeed to be
Prime Minister of Australia, and all of your fellow Australians are both
grateful and immensely proud at what you've achieved. Thank you.
[Ends]