AUSTRALIA: DEFENCE FORCE CHIEF ADMIRAL CHRIS BARRIE COMMENTS ON PRESENCE OF U.N. PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN EAST TIMOR

Record ID: 504925

  • Title: AUSTRALIA: DEFENCE FORCE CHIEF ADMIRAL CHRIS BARRIE COMMENTS ON PRESENCE OF U.N. PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN EAST TIMOR
  • Date: 16th September 1999
  • Summary: DARWIN, AUSTRALIA (SEPTEMBER 16, 1999) (REUTERS) SLV AUSTRALIAN CREW MEMBER RAISES NATIONAL FLAG ON DECK OF HMAS ADELAIDE WIDE OF FLAG RAISING ON VESSEL SLV PAN ACROSS AUSTRALIAN AND BRITISH, NEW ZEALAND VESSELS SLV BRITISH VESSEL, HMS GLASGOW LAS RADAR EQUIPMENT ON SHIP SL V CREW ON DECK/PAN CLOSE-UP OF CREW INCLUDING FEMALE RATINGS (2 SHOTS) SLV CREW MEMBER IN DINGHY OF
  • Embargoed: 1st October 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: DARWIN, TOWNSVILLE AND CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
  • Country: Australia
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAA8DCGMP9MOOEXKPRCF0RJKYDG
  • Story Text: Australian Defence Force Chief Admiral Chris Barrie has warned the U.N.peacekeeping force will conduct a "tough military operation" if Indonesian troops failed to cooperate.
    The sun dawned on Darwin as the military continued hectically to prepare for the upcoming United Nation's peacekeeping operation in East Timor.
    Australian troops stationed in Darwin, northern Australia are due to arrive in Dili by Sunday (September 19) or Monday (September 20) But the Australians do not expect this mission to be a walk-about.
    Admiral Chris Barrie, head of the Australian Defence force said it will be the biggest operation here in the region since World War Two.
    Barrie arrived in Darwin on Thursday (September 16) morning to help draw out a plan for the exact timing of deployment of the multinational force.
    In a news conference, Barrie said the Australian-led peacekeeping force is faced with a tough challenge in restoring order in East Timor, especially in dealing with the TNI (Indonesia army).
    "If we don't get the cooperation we need we will end up having to make this a tough military operation and that will be a tough challenge, but as I said earlier we are ready to take this challenge,"
    The Indonesian military has been accused of arming and supporting rampaging pro-Jakarta militia in waging violence against pro-independence East Timorese.
    Australian, New Zealand and British Naval vessels are making last minute preparations for the departure of a multinational peacekeeping force.
    The U.N.Security Council has authorised an 8,000 strong multinational force, led by Australia.
    An advance contingent of the troops, led by Australia, could be on the ground over the weekend as part of this force.
    The men and women in Australia's army have prepared for a long time for this moment.They say they are ready to go and are prepared.
    Indonesia's armed forces, a parliamentary committee and leading politicians have objected to the participation of Australia, which has been particularly vocal in criticising Indonesia on East Timor.Instead they say the force should be composed only of southeast Asian nations.
    Australia has offered 4,500 troops for the peacekeeping mission and has thousands of soldiers on 24-hour alert in Darwin, an hour's flight from East Timor.
    The head of the British forces in Darwin also expect to take part in the first wave of the mission to East Timor.
    A British navy destroyer, HMS Glasgow, arrived in Darwin on Wednesday from Malaysia.The ship is carrying a Royal Marine protection party.
    Their goal will be to first occupy key areas in East Timor then work on the humanitarian issues.
    Around 250 Nepalese Gurkha troops also arrived at Darwin on Thursday morning.
    The Nepalese Gurkhas are a regular fixture in British military deployments abroad and are widely admired for their professionalism and toughness.
    Some of the Gurkhas are Bahasa Malay speakers and are expected to blend with the locals easily which speak a similar Bahasa Indonesia.
    Meanwhile, more trouble awaits the multinational peacekeeping force in East Timor as Indonesia threatened to cancel a four-year old security pact with Australia because of Canberra's behaviour over the East Timor issue.
    Australian Defence Minister John Moore said the end of the pact means some TNI (Indonesian army) may not cooperate with the peacekeeping force.
    Australian Prime Minister John Howard, in an interview with an Australian local television network admitted members of the peacekeeping force face danger in East Timor.
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