AUSTRALIA has a vital national interest in the promotion and maintenance of stability in our region. Yesterday the Government received a formal request from the Government of East Timor for military assistance to help that country in the restoration of security, confidence and peace. The Government has agreed in principle to this request, and, subject to the final agreement of East Timor to the conditions of the mission, Australia is preparing to send an Australian Defence Force battalion group of approximately 1300 personnel to help our near neighbour. This action follows a significant deterioration in the security situation in East...
