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| Down Under |
| East Timor awaits briefing on Aussie Navy Ships |
| 2006-05-12 |
| East Timor's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, says he has not been told by the Australian Government about the deployment of Navy ships toward his nation. The HMAS Kanimbla and the HMAS Manoora have been sent to Australia's northern waters. The vessels are on stand-by in case East Timor requires assistance to quell any further rioting in the capital, Dili. Dr Ramos-Horta says the Australian Government has not informed his Government about the deployment of the ships. "It might not even be for East Timor because I haven't heard anything about that," he said. "But accepting at face value Australia's good faith, accepting at face value that Australia cares about East Timor and cares about security here, well then I am touched. "I wait to hear a proper briefing from the Australian ambassador." Troops 'not required' Prime Minister John Howard says East Timor has not requested help but Australia is ready to lend a hand if required. Dr Ramos-Horta says he sees no need for the ships to be dispatched, because he does not believe there will be any further violent flare-ups. "It's quite peaceful - the incidents we had on April 28 was only on April 28," he said. "The rest of the week the country was largely the victim of rumours that caused people to flee to the mountains, but as everybody knows there [were] no more incidents. "The situation has very much calmed down." Dr Ramos-Horta says East Timor does not need peacekeepers, but believes more international police advisers would help provide stability. |
| Posted by:Oztralian |