Australia to supply E. Timor with rifles

Australia to supply E. Timor with rifles

CANBERRA (AP): Australia will supply the fledgling East Timor defense force with 360 M16 assault rifles, but has ruled out giving heavier armaments, the Defense Department said on Friday.

A department spokesman denied reports that Australia would supply grenades, machine guns and other heavy weapons.

"We will not be supplying machine guns or hand grenades or anything heavier than the rifles," said spokesman Brian Hickey.

"The rifles will remain under Australian army control and in a secure armory," he said.

Australia and Portugal, which once ruled East Timor, are providing training to East Timor's 600-strong defense force.

In November, the Australian government pledged A$26 million (US$14.3 million) over five years toward the Office of Defense Force Development for East Timor.