Australia says troops to stay in Timor

Australia says troops to stay in Timor

AUSTRALIA: Australian Defense Force chief Gen. Peter Cosgrove
said on Sunday his troops should remain in East Timor until
citizens of the fledgling nation feel secure.

Speaking after returning to Australia following a brief visit
to East Timor on Saturday, he said Australia should remain in
East Timor even after the United Nations pulls out in May next
year.

"It's not for us to put a time on it, we should stay here as
long as the East Timorese think they need us and we're prepared
to be here for as long as they want," he told ABC radio.

Cosgrove said how long Australia remained East Timor was a
question for the government but he was keen to act as a good
neighbor to the country.

"We are prepared to be here for the long haul, assisting East
Timor with these types of practical projects."

Australia has about 440 troops in East Timor as part of the UN
peacekeeping force, representing about a quarter of its total
strength. -- AFP