CO 4RAR Bn Gp Lt-Col Jeff Sengleman, right, at the B Coy compound high in the hills of Bobonaro. Photo by WO2 Gary Ramage.

HALFWAY through its tour of East Timor, CO 4RAR Lt-Col Jeff Sengelman, takes stock of the situation and sheds light on the battalion group's role in the lead up to the August 30 elections.

He is a clear thinker who doesn't mince words. His clear and direct approach helps focus the battalion's efforts on the job.

"Our principal role is to provide security for the people of East Timor as their lives return to normal and a deterrence to threat groups, namely militia, who may want to come across from West Timor," he said.

"We're providing safety and stability so that kids can go back to school and the people can get normalcy back in their lives."

Lt-Col Sengelman said it was a difficult job, somewhat akin to being a tightrope walker.

"There are a series of complicated factors that the young men and women of this battalion have to deal with.

"Not only do we have the threat of militia, which we actively patrol against but there are internal factors - there are growing concerns with regard to the elections. They all make for a challenging environment."

A prime example of the balancing act the battalion performs relates to illegal cross-border trade.

Items such as petrol and cigarettes flood into East Timor daily from the west at hundreds of spots.

The UN tries to keep it in check with border control points but the locals aren't going to travel extra kilometres just to check through an official CP when they have probably already walked 20km with up to 50 litres of fuel.

Lt Col Sengelman said the battalion was very mindful that its role was not to police illegal trade, concerning itself only with security issues.

"If we acted as customs officers we would deny most people a basic living and that would destroy the close relationships we have built with people in the three months we have been here.

"The main thing we are trying to achieve is a partnership with the people of East Timor, because we're here for them.

"In some respects I'm asking our people to behave the same way they would if they were home in Australia and conducting a similar task.

"We're guests here, so the way we act and behave on the streets and work with the people needs to make them comfortable. I want the locals to look on us as their soldiers."

4RAR runs two types of patrols - blue-hat and green. Blue-hat patrols are high visibility, where the battalion has its blue caps on and maintains an open presence, mostly by adopting foot patrols through towns and villages. Green patrols are when the Australians are camouflaged and are looking for threat groups along the 150km border.

He said that with such a high presence, the battalion was hoping the message had been taken in by the militia. It's a message that fits with the theme of reconciliation being followed by senior East Timorese leaders.

"Our message to them is that it's time to stop and come home. Our measure of success is not how many are taken out, but how many actually come home.

"In our time here that number has increased and that's pleasing, because they know if they want to come back peacefully, they'll be allowed to do so."

On the other hand, there have been several serious incidents. One, as recently as mid June, involved a contact with five armed men and a section from 4RAR.

Lt-Col Sengelman said the group opened fire on the Australian patrol when challenged.

"That showed that there are threat groups out there, so the danger certainly still exists.

"We are operating under UN Chapter 7 conditions - under warlike conditions - so we posture ourselves for a worst-case scenario.

"The way we operate and are equipped we can react at short notice. At any time, or form any direction, a grenade could be thrown at us."

This was highlighted by a grenade attack on May 29 at the Maubusa markets - an attack in which five people died and more than 50 were injured.

He said such instances continued to occur and just reinforced the importance of the battalion's mission in East Timor.

Throughout the entire operation, Lt-Col Sengelman's main concern was for his soldiers - all 1060 of them.

"This is quite an arduous operation. We are continually patrolling, manning sentry points, liaising with the people. It's 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week for the six months we are here.

"Apart from the hours, the soldiers have to carry heavy loads. It's hard work by any measure, both physically and mentally.

"But we spent six months getting ready and we have the best equipment available and I can't see any reason why we won't continue the good work."

By Maj Greg Smith