Major Stone is Horta´s new defence advisor

A young, decorated Australian Army major has been hand-picked by East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta to become one of his military affairs advisers.

Major Michael Stone, a Canberra-born, Australian Defence Force Academy and Duntroon Military College graduate, will take up the new post in November.

President Ramos Horta wrote to Prime Minister John Howard in May requesting Major Stone, 30, be released from Australian Army duties to take up a two-year secondment on his personal staff.

Major Stone has done three tours of East Timor, first arriving as a Duntroon graduate in 1999.

He joined the UN-sponsored INTERFET peacekeeping forces in the aftermath of the fledgling nation's first democratic election and the end of 24 years of Indonesian occupation.

He returned in 2001 as a part of the UN's mission UNTAET and again in 2004 as a part of the Defence Cooperation Program, advising on the development of the national defence force.

During his three years in East Timor, Major Stone became fluent in the national language of Tetum.

Last May, as the country descended into civil crisis, he assumed various roles as a mediator and negotiator and filmed nightly addresses, broadcast on local television, urging the population to remain calm and peaceful.

Speaking from New York this weekend, President Ramos Horta said Major Stone's "personality and language skills have helped him liaise well with many people".

"Major Stone, like many other Australian and New Zealand officers serving in Timor-Leste is a truly professional army officer that Australia can be proud of," he said.

In his letter to Mr Howard, President Ramos Horta said Major Stone had "strong negotiation and mediation skills and a demonstrated ability to engage effectively at village as well as the most senior levels and within an international environment". His new job would include a "special emphasis on the reform of the defence and security sector".

After Mr Howard gave approval, Major Stone received his posting orders this week.

He is due to begin , working directly to President Ramos Horta in early November, in the capital Dili.

Major Stone said he was surprised at the speed at which the new position had been approved, given it was only in February that President Ramos Horta indicated he wanted him to return and assist him with various issues relating to national security.

He said working in East Timor and the army had prepared him to always expect the unexpected. While it was too early to say exactly what his role would entail, he said "underpinning progress in developing countries is our ability to communicate, develop relationships, understand the people and support indigenous capacity building."

"So that will be my effort regardless of specific tasks."

The region also remained relatively unstable in the aftermath of last year's unrest and the June election, in which the former governing party, Fretilin, emerged as the single largest party but failed to achieve a working parliamentary majority.

Former President Xanana Gusmao's party, the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction, gained the support of minor parties and formed an alliance government.

Major Stone said generations of turmoil had left scars that cut deep into the hearts of many Timorese.

Managing this trauma through mediation, encouraging communication and especially listening were some of the greatest challenges.

"It's an honour to have the opportunity to make a difference, and as a member of the Australian Army, I get to represent my family, friends and nation whilst doing so," he said.

He also went with the Australian Army's best wishes, with Chief of Army Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy saying "to be personally invited by President Horta to take up this position exemplifies the hard work Mick has undertaken during his time in East Timor".

"He is an outstanding young army officer who has had a long association with the people of East Timor. I have every confidence that he will excel in his new role as President Horta's special advisor."

General Leahy praised in particular Major Stone's linguistic skills which had "enabled him to establish a close and enduring connection with the people of East Timor".

"The impact he's made during the country's short history is a testament to his skills."

Last August, Major Stone received an Australian Chief of Defence Force Commendation in recognition of his self-taught fluency in Tetum and the contribution of his language and negotiation skills to Operation Astute, the Australian Government's response to East Timor's call to help restore peace and stability during the 2006 civil unrest.

Source: the camberra times, 01.10.2007