DATE=9/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TIMOR / THAILAND / U-S / L
NUMBER=2-254540
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Defense Secretary William Cohen says
Washington will help Thailand send troops to the
peacekeeping mission in East Timor. V-O-A's Jim
Randle reports from Bangkok.
Text: Thailand's government has promised to send 15-
hundred troops to the eight-thousand-member force --
the second-biggest national contingent.
But -- in talks with visiting Defense Secretary Cohen
-- Thai Prime Minister Chuan Liakpai made it clear
Bangkok would like help transporting the soldiers to
East Timor and aid to pay some of their expenses.
Mr. Cohen says details must be worked out, but
Washington is ready to help.
/// COHEN ACTUALITY ///
We hope that can take place beginning very early next
week. Because we think that the sooner the
peacekeeping troops can arrive in East Timor, the
better off all concerned will be.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
About half of the peacekeeping force is now in place
in East Timor. That is where the vast majority of
people voted to break away from Indonesian rule,
sparking a rampage of killing and arson by pro-
Indonesia militias in the former Portuguese colony.
Here in Bangkok, U-S officials say Mr. Cohen planned
to discuss the sale to Thailand of 16 refurbished f-16
fighters in a deal worth about 173 million dollars.
The officials said no final decision was expected on
the sale, at this time. Two years ago, as Asia's
economic crisis broke out, Bangkok backed out of a
deal to purchase new f-18 fighters, calling them
unaffordable.
Mr. Cohen next heads to Singapore and the Philippines
for talks with officials there. (Signed).
NEB / jr / wd
01-Oct-1999 01:37 AM LOC (01-Oct-1999 0537 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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