Dili – December 19 2006 – In a move that represents an increasing stabilization in Timor-Leste, United Nations today started deployment of district commanders and their units to all 12 districts. Deployment is expected to be complete by the week's end.

The officers leaving Dili today will join other officers already stationed at the border regions of Oecussi, Bobonaro and Covalima. The fourth eight-member unit will be deployed to the Baucau district taking the total number of each UNPol unit to eight officers.

As part of UNMIT, the United Nations currently has 981 international police officers from 25 different countries implementing screening and mentoring programmes for the National Police force of Timor-Leste (PNTL) under the Police Supplemental Agreement.

The agreement details the operational arrangements and command and control procedures through which UNPol assumes responsibility as the interim law enforcement body in Timor Leste. The arrangement provides for unified command and control arrangements and the reform, restructuring and rebuilding of PNTL, including its certification.

It is expected that the full force of 1608 international police officers to be stationed in Timor-Leste will be in country by the end of January 2007.

Atul Khare, UNMIT's Special Representative for the Secretary-General said, "These additional deployments will begin to lay the ground work for the security preparations ahead of next year's post independence elections."

A further eight UNPOL units will be deployed to Ailieu, Manatuto, Liquica, Ermera, Viqueque, Manufahi, Ainaro and Lautem by the end of this week.

For additional information, please contact:
Allison Cooper, Spokesperson UNMIT; +670 7230453