Fed: Aust may hand over East Timor command to UN - Downer

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2007
Fed: Aust may hand over East Timor command to UN - Downer

Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER says Australia will consider handing over the command
of international troops in East Timor to the UN .. after the nation holds parliamentary
elections mid-year.

Mr DOWNER says the troops will be there until July .. but once the elections are over
.. the situation will be assessed.

He says the military presence there might then be run by the UN .. instead of Australia.

East Timor PM JOSE RAMOS HORTA has said he'll ask Australian troops to stay on for
years .. if he wins tomorrow's presidential election.

Australia has about a thousand troops in East Timor .. most brought over last year
during a violent standoff between government and rebel forces.

AAP RTV pw/wf

KEYWORD: TIMOR AUST (CANBERRA)

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