Australia considers handing over intl troops in ETimor to UN after mid-yr polls |
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Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:42
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SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Australia is considering handing over command of international troops in East Timor to the United Nations after mid-year elections there, foreign minister Alexander Downer said.Australia has about 1,000 troops in East Timor, most of whom were sent there last year following violence between the East Timor government and rebel forces.The international force also includes about 200 troops and police from New Zealand.Downer, speaking on the eve of presidential elections in the tiny country, said Australia continues to take the security situation in East Timor 'month by month'.'The troops will absolutely be there until after the end of the legislative elections in July,' he told Australian Associated Press.'Once the legislative elections are out of the way, we'll have a look at the situation, not only in terms of the international task force there led by Australia, but in terms of whether we might move to some sort of United Nations-based military presence rather than Australian.'Downer said security in East Timor appears to be under control ahead of the presidential polls.'We are, obviously, concerned that in the election period there could be a good deal of tension and politically motivated violence but the last I heard the situation was okay,' he said.Downer said it is unlikely that a single presidential candidate would win an outright majority in the election to replace Xanana Gusmao and that a second round of voting is expected.afp/net
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