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| Southeast Asia |
| E Timor violence under control, Downer says |
| 2006-06-05 |
| Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says the security situation in East Timor is generally under control. There was fresh violence overnight as Australian and Malaysian troops were forced to use helicopters and armoured personnel carriers to control gangs. The Minister visited Dili on Saturday and met with East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao who broke down and wept over the plight of the nation. Mr Downer says there are still outbreaks of violence but the situation is better than it was. "The gang violence has of course very substantially declined since the troops arrived, but prior to their arrival it was simply no law and order there but it hasn't gone," he said. |
| Posted by:Fred |