NZ Troops may have to stay after the Timor Elections

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200704071447/nz_troops_may_have_to_stay_after_timor_elections

Posted at 2:47pm on 07 Apr 2007

The Government has indicated New Zealand troops may have to stay in East Timor for some time, after renewed violence ahead of presidential elections on Monday.

At least 32 people have been injured in recent days in clashes between supporters of the eight presidential candidates. Monday's poll will be the first since East Timor gained independence five years ago.

The latest violence has heightened fears the impoverished country of one million people, whose secession from Indonesian rule in 1999 triggered widespread violence by pro-Jakarta militias, could again descend into chaos.

Four of the candidates have warned of the likelihood of further clashes during voting. They have issued a joint statement saying there have been numerous attempts to manipulate the electoral process and they want the United Nations to guarantee security on Monday.

New Zealand soldiers were sent to Dili in 1999 and were forced to return following violence last May.

There are now 150 New Zealand soldiers in East Timor. But with the renewed violence this week, Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Minister of Defence, Phil Goff, say the troops might have to stay on.

UN and Australian-led soldiers have stepped up security to quell any violence before and after the poll.

Call for calm

Religious and political leaders appealed for calm on Good Friday. President Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and the Bishop of Dili, Alberto Ricardo, urged citizens to reject violence and accept the result of the poll, whatever the outcome.

Mr Ramos Horta - who is seeking to switch jobs and is a frontrunner among candidates vying to replace Mr Gusmao - earlier said he would ask Australia's troops and the UN to remain in East Timor for years if he wins the presidential vote.

UN hopes for fair election

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties in East Timor to make the presidential election a free and fair one.

"I hope the elections will be free, fair, transparent and credible. I hope they will be unmarred by violence and intimidation, and I hope they will lead to results accepted by all," Mr Ban said in a message broadcast on local radio.

"The eyes of the world are upon you. I call on all candidates and their supporters to accept the results in a peaceful manner."