DATE=8/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TIMOR BALLOT (L-O)
NUMBER=2-253229
BYLINE=ROBIN POLK
DATELINE=CANBERRA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Australian Prime Minister John Howard has told
Indonesia's President B-J Habibie that Australian
defense force units are on alert ahead of a ballot
Monday in East Timor likely to see the province vote
for independence. The Australian leader told his
Indonesian counterpart he is concerned for the safety
of Australians in East Timor, including a large media
contingent covering the vote. Robin Polk reports from
Canberra.
TEXT: Mr. Howard said his country's defense forces
are on alert in case it becomes necessary to evacuate
any of the more than 200-Australian civilians, aid
workers, and media representatives in East Timor.
The Prime minister made his comments during a
telephone call (Sunday) in which he emphasized the
importance of a fair ballot in East Timor and the need
for the security that will make it possible.
However, a spokesman for Mr. Howard stressed that at
no stage will Australia mount an occupation force. He
said this would represent an invasion of Indonesian
territory, a move that would require U-N approval.
Australia has sent a contingent of civilian police to
the province to help U-N representatives overseeing
the ballot.
The spokesman added that during their call Mr. Howard
thanked President Habibie for the role he played in
bringing about the East Timor ballot and democratic
elections in Indonesia. The spokesman said the prime
minister also stressed how important it is that the
result of the ballot is accepted by all parties.
Mr. Howard's call was made only days after several
journalists, Australians among them, were attacked by
militia forces sympathetic to Indonesia and opposed to
East Timorese autonomy. The safety and security of
journalists is a sensitive issue in Australia. It has
long been believed that five Australian journalists
were murdered by Indonesian troops 23-years ago during
the invasion of East Timor, a former Portuguese
colony.
If Australian defense forces are needed, they will
almost certainly be sent from Darwin, Australia's
northern port. The Australian Navy's high-speed
catamaran is docked there, and can carry 500-hundred
troops. Australian Air Force Hercules troop carriers
are also reported on standby. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RAE
29-Aug-1999 09:53 AM EDT (29-Aug-1999 1353 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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