Rudd to send forces to East Timor after Ramos-Horta shot

news.com.au ^ | 11th February 2008

[naturalman1975]

AUSTRALIA will send more troops and police to East Timor following the attempted assassination of East Timor's President Jose Ramos-Horta.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he was deeply shocked by today's wounding of Dr Ramos-Horta and the failed assassination attempt on Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.

Mr Rudd said Dr Ramos-Horta's condition was "very serious but stable" after the East Timorese leader was shot and wounded by rebels at his home in Dili.

"I'm deeply shocked by developments this morning in East Timor," Mr Rudd said.

"What we had, apparently, are coordinated attacks aimed at assassinating the democratically elected leadership of East Timor, a close friend and partner of Australia."

Airlifted to Darwin

Mr Rudd said Dr Ramos-Horta had received treatment at an Australian military hospital in Dili.

A plane carrying Ramos-Horta reportedly touched down in Darwin early this eveing and he is expected to receive further treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Mr Rudd said Australia would boost its Australian Defence Force deployment to East Timor, where about 800 Australian troops are already on peacekeeping duties.

Mr Rudd said following a request from the East Timor governnment the National Security Committee of the cabinet met today and authorised a "substantial and immediate'' reinforcement of Australian defence force personnel as well as an additional contingent of Australian Federal Police personnel.

He said the Australian-led international security stabilisition force in east Timor had already secured key buildings and deployed more broadly throughout Dili and increased their presence in East Timor's districts.

[Renegade]

Horta ??? Visions of Star Trek rock eaters !

[Emperor Palpatine]

"For God's sake, Jim...I'm a doctor - not a bricklayer!"