DATE=9/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PEACEKEEPRS / LAUNCH (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254085
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=DARWIN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The international peacekeeping force for East
Timor launched its mission Monday from the northern
Australian city of Darwin. Roughly 22 hundred British
and Australian troops make up the first wave of
peacekeepers that was mandated to restore stability to
the territory, which has been ravished for more than
two weeks by militia groups opposed to independence
for East Timor. Patricia Nunan brings us more from
Darwin.
TEXT: Foggy skies across Darwin failed to hamper the
launch of the international peacekeeping mission from
the Australian Defense Forces airbase.
A Hercules C-130 plane carried the first of what will
be an eight-thousand strong mission in East Timor.
Most troops are expected to be on the ground within a
week.
The peacekeeping force represents a commitment of
personnel and resources from more than 20 different
nations. Australia is leading the mission, with
roughly 45 hundred troops to be deployed in East
Timor.
The United States is sending two hundred personnel, as
well as providing logistical support and military
intelligence.
The peacekeepers mandate includes restoring stability
to East Timor, which was virtually taken over by the
militia groups. The groups, which are opposed to
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