Howard calls Habibie over E. Timor security

Howard calls Habibie over E. Timor security

CANBERRA (Reuters): Australian Prime Minister John Howard called Indonesian President B.J. Habibie on Sunday to demand full security in East Timor ahead of Monday's independence ballot.

In what were described as "extensive discussions" Howard stressed the need for an end to violence in the run-up to the referendum.

"The Prime Minister expressed the importance of a fair ballot, and the need for adequate security to ensure that that happens," a spokesman for Howard's said.

"He expressed the importance of everyone accepting the outcome and making it work, whatever the outcome of the ballot is."

East Timorese will decide on Monday whether they want to remain part of Indonesia or move towards independence.

Rioting in the troubled province has claimed at least a dozen lives in the past few days, and the UN-sponsored vote has been postponed twice.

Howard expressed his concern for the safety of Australians in East Timor, and said the country's defense forces had been put on the alert to pull Australian citizens out if need be.

The spokesman declined to comment on what Habibie's reaction had been.

Australia has maintained close diplomatic ties with Jakarta and, as the only Western nation to recognize Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor, has played a key role in the planning and monitoring of Monday's poll.