East Timor expects UN mission within a month

28/08/2006 09:12:42

East Timor's prime minister, Jose Ramos-Horta, says he expects a new United Nations mission to arrive within a month.

The United Nations established the mission, comprising 1,600 police, despite a dispute over whether Australian-led international troops, already in East Timor, should remain independent or be part of a UN force.

Australia has about 1,500 troops and 200 police in the existing force which includes contingents from Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal.

Calm has largely returned to the country after a wave of violence, arson and looting from April to June after the sacking of 600 soldiers from the west of the country who had complained of discrimination.

Produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation