Posted on 06/02/2006 6:57:32 PM PDT by naturalman1975
AUSTRALIA will play hard ball with the United Nations over any fresh resolution for East Timor, insisting on controlling the military and policing aspects of the mission.
It is understood the Government wants virtually no UN interference over security functions in the trouble-plagued country.
That could mean a long military deployment for our troops -- and a heavy bill for taxpayers.
Government sources yesterday confirmed Australia would draw a line in the sand on security but added there was still a "long way to go" in negotiations for a new security council resolution.
Meanwhile, sources have revealed Prime Minister John Howard will visit Dili "soon" to see the Australian-led mission for himself.
The Prime Minister's office would not comment but it is understood a visit won't proceed until things have settled and the streets are under control.
Military chief Brigadier Mick Slater yesterday flew by army Black Hawk helicopter to Maubissi, south of Dili, for talks with rebel military leader Major Alfredo Reinado.
Major Reinado has said he will not surrender unless Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigns or is forced from power by President Xanana Gusmao.
But Mr Alkatiri said yesterday the prospect of him giving up his job "is not on the table".
To cave in to the demands of renegade troops would only imperil East Timor's democracy, he said.
Meanwhile, Dili was much calmer yesterday with trouble confined to the looting of a few homes and offices.
The resignations of Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato and
Defence Minister Rocque Rodriguez had an immediate dampening effect on the violence.
The city was virtually free of smoke for the first time in more than a week and people began to return to their homes.
Australian Federal Police forensic officers continued to investigate crime scenes, particularly the gruesome remains of a house in which two adults and four children were burnt alive last week.
A massive humanitarian operation is in full swing to get food and water to more than 50,000 people living in camps around Dili and in the surrounding countryside.
Many are fearful of a major conflict between warring military and police factions, now holed up in the hills above the city.
Australian, Kiwi and Malaysian patrols are having a major effect and the security situation will be bolstered by the arrival of 140 Portuguese GNR police today.
Known as the "head kickers", they will answer directly to the Portuguese Embassy.
Interesting!
Luckily we've got a couple of good friends as permanent members of the Security Council...
Looks like our cousins in the down and under have no choice but to straighten the mess out. Hope Australian forces are spared much in the way of any WIA or KIA.
It's one of those missions that could go either way - we could be lucky and not suffer any casualties at all. But if we're unlucky, things could get very bad. Here's hoping for luck - we've got everything else we need, but that factor is the one you can never calculate.
Amen, Marine_Uncle- God bless our Aussie friends.
Cheers - Dinah
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