FED: Australia pushing for extra police for East Timor

AAP General News (Australia)
08-07-1999
FED: Australia pushing for extra police for East Timor

Australia is pressing the United Nations for a substantial increase in the number of police
and military personnel in East Timor for the independence ballot on August 30.

Federal government sources confirm the UN backs Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER's plan
for an increase in police and military observers to boost security after the ballot.

Australia has 50 police in East Timor acting as unarmed monitors of the voter registration
process leading up to the ballot.

The new proposal is for as many as 300 extra police and similar number of military
observers.

Mr DOWNER raised the issue with his Indonesian counterparts during his recent visit to
Indonesia and East Timor.

Subsequent reports suggest Indonesia has tacitly agreed to the plan.

AAP RTV mb/kbw/lw/shm

KEYWORD: TIMOR AUST (CANBERRA)

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