Visit to Solomon Islands and East Timor

7 December 2004

The Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery will visit Solomon Islands and East Timor this week to meet Australian personnel serving in both countries.

The Governor-General has praised the work of Australians deployed to assist in the Solomons, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea and looks forward to discussing their work on location and extending congratulations.

Major General Jeffery will visit Honiara and Malaita Province on Friday before flying to Dili for a one-day visit on Saturday.

In Honiara the Governor-General will call on his counterpart, His Excellency Nathaniel Waena, and meet Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza and senior Cabinet Ministers.

The Governor-General will tour a police station and meet Australian police, military  and civilian staff at the RAMSI Base. (Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands). In Malaita Province General Jeffery will also meet Australian Federal Police and visit a hospital recently renovated with Australian funds.

In East Timor General Jeffery will call on the President of the National Parliament

Mr Francisco “Lu’Olo” Guterras and Prime Minister Dr Mari Alkatiri before visiting AFP and ADF personnel during tours of training facilities and an AusAid project.

7 December, 2004.