Australia Prepares Troops to Send to Timor Leste
Thursday, 25 May, 2006 | 13:50 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Dili: Today (25/5), Australia is preparing to send troops to Timor Leste, due to clashes between the military and the rebels that have cused thousands of people to run away from the worst rioting since Timor Leste's independence four years ago.

Timor Leste's Foreign Affairs Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, said the conditions in Dili—the capital city of Timor Leste--wer calm, but that the rebels’ leader had warned that only the arrival of foreign troops could prevent a civil war.

“This is the only solution,” Major Alfredo Reinhado told BBC. “There is no other way, or else there will be an everlasting war. The government acts too slow. It cannot handle this problem.”

The violence began last month when 600 of the 1,400 national soldiers were dismissed after they deserted their duty, protesting against discrimination against soldiers from the west side of the country.

The support for the soldiers changed into rioting after security personnel shot at the crowds, ended in a clash during which five people were killed.

Two residents were killed last Tuesday and a new battle exploded near the military headquarters yesterday (24/5).

Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said that a preliminary team made of military and government personnel has departed to Dili to arrange the strategy for Australian troops and to meet Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri.

Australia has promised to send 1,300 soldiers with weapons and helicopters, but Downer said Australia will be very careful as regards their activities.

AFP/Erwin1