Malaysia says East Timor sensitivities must be respected

6.06.2006
PUTRAJAYA:

Countries that send troops to join a peacekeeping mission in East Timor must be sensitive to the views of the former Indonesian province and its neighbours, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Tuesday.

The U.N. Security Council would discuss turning the Australian-led mission into a long-term U.N. peacekeeping force "if the situation warrants it,'' Malaysia's Najib said.

"We have to be mindful of the sensitivities of the East Timor government as well as other neighbouring countries,'' Najib told reporters.

Najib, who is also the defence minister, didn't elaborate.

Neighbouring Indonesia ruled East Timor for 24 years until the East Timorese chose independence in a U.N. ballot in 1999.

Australia led a U.N. force against pro-Indonesian militias to end the bloodshed triggered by the independence vote, prompting Jakarta to tear up a defence treaty with Canberra.

On Monday, Australia's Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said Asian countries should be mindful of Indonesia's views, but that they need not seek Jakarta's permission if they decide to send peacekeepers to join the 2,000-strong force comprising troops from Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia.

Nelson has said he expects more nations in the region to send troops on the invitation of East Timor's government and with U.N. endorsement, but he didn't specify which.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio reported that Australia has been lobbying Singapore, South Korea and Thailand to join the mission.

The fighting in East Timor, which erupted after Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri fired 600 striking soldiers, has killed at least 30 people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes in the capital, Dili, in recent weeks. - AP