Manpower problem in East Timor

Manpower problem in East Timor

DILI, East Timor: Commander of the East Timor Military
district Col. Kiki Syahnakri said yesterday that the poor quality
of manpower is the main social problem in the region.

"We must pay a serious attention to this problem," Kiki was
quoted by Antara as saying when responding to a question from
visiting Deputy Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy, Niels Didrich
Buch.

Kiki said that the presence of the Armed Forces in the
province was needed to improve the quality of the local human
resources. Its presence is not only upon the request of the
Ministry of Defense and Security but also the request of the
local government, he added.

"We currently operate seven Armed Forces battalions in East
Timor. One is a combat battalion and the others are territorial
battalions," he said.(imn)