Posted on 06/22/2010 7:02:48 PM PDT by naturalman1975
AUSTRALIA is willing to extend its Defence Force presence in East Timor beyond 2012 if necessary, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.
Australia has 400 personnel stationed in the fledgling nation as part of the International Stabilisation Force which is supporting the United Nations to maintain stability.
If the UN wanted to extend its mandate Australia would respond "positively", Mr Rudd said in Canberra.
President Jose Ramos-Horta said the economy of East Timor was "doing well" enjoying double-digit growth during the past three years.
"Those of you who might go there, or who were there is the past, wouldn't recognise Dili," he said of the nation's capital.
"That in large measure is thanks to the contribution of the Australian army, New Zealand as well as Australian Federal Police, together with other members of the international community."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
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