Flurry of army weddings

Flurry of army weddings

AUCKLAND (AFP): New Zealand soldiers about to join the Australian-led peacekeeping force for East Timor were rushing to get married over the weekend ahead of their departure Monday.

The flurry of weddings -- nine this weekend -- was triggered by news New Zealand soldiers would be leaving for East Timor within days.

Several young soldiers told Television Three they had brought their weddings forward because of uncertainty about when they would return from duty.

Jubilation went hand in hand with trepidation as couples exchanged wedding vows, kisses, and tears over what the coming months will bring for those heading to East Timor.

There will no time for honeymoons, with the soldiers leaving early Monday for the Australian city of Darwin, the staging point for the operation.

The New Zealand government has pledged up to 1,000 troops over the next 18 months, with an initial 420 soldiers backed by 265 navy and air force personnel due in East Timor next week.