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| Southeast Asia |
| Gunbattles erupt in East Timor Capital |
| 2006-05-24 |
| Sporadic shooting has continued around East Timor's capital Dili overnight, between troops and rebel soldiers. Australian soldiers could arrive in East Timor as early as this afternoon after the Government received an urgent request for help, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson says. Residents still in Dili have been told to stay indoors as bursts of gunfire could be heard close to Dili throughout the night. Rebel soldiers from warring factions are still positioned in the hills around the capital. Further west, East Timorese troops have engaged in an ongoing gunfight with a larger group of soldiers angry at their treatment and sacking from the army. Central Dili was almost deserted last night, as thousands of residents fled. Catholic churches and convents are full of refugees, many of whom have no idea when they will be able to return home. The decision to send troops is conditional on details being agreed with the East Timorese Government. The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, will fly to Dili this morning to negotiate the make up and role of the Australian deployment. Acting Prime Minister Peter Costello says the troops will arrive in East Timor quickly once the details are finalised. "We will not be doing this by half measures, we will be doing what is required to ensure that they can discharge their obligations," he said. Dr Nelson told Lateline that the arrival of international forces should calm the violence between the East Timorese military and rebel soldiers. "It'd be my reasonable expectation that we will see those rogue elements if you like, come to heel," he said. The Minister says Australia could send up to 1,300 soldiers to East Timor. East Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta told the 7:30 Report that he believes the arrival of Australian forces will immediately calm unrest in his country. "The larger part, population remain very, very uneasy, panicking, and it is important that we restore calm with the presence of the first Australian units to land here," he said. |
| Posted by:Omoter Sport8251 |