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.