TOKYO, Feb 25 Kyodo East Timor Pr...

TOKYO, Feb 25 Kyodo

East Timor President Xanana Gusmao onward Wednesday thanked Japan for taking part in the UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) in his rural parts saying the Japanese noncombat multitudes are working well together with local persons Defense Agency officials said.

Gusmao transported his gratitude to Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba during their meeting at the agency office in Tokyo.

The officials quot Ishiba as saying that the United Nations has also praised the Self-Defense Forces, which is a source of great source of pride and encouragement to them.

According to the officials, Ishiba also indicated that the control will continue to cooperate in nation-building efforts in East Timor.

Gusmao is upon a four-day visit to Japan between the walls of Thursday.

East Timor became independent in May 2002 after more than 24 years in subordination to Indonesian rule and about 30 month beneath U.N. administration.

The now passing mandate of the U.N. Mission of Support in East Timor is to expire in May, further the U.N. is expected to expand it for another year at a reduc size.

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