FED: ADF remains on standby despite peaceful ballot

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-1999
FED: ADF remains on standby despite peaceful ballot



done



Thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel remain on standby today to head to East
Timor, despite yesterday's peaceful autonomy ballot.

Around 90 per cent of East Timor's eligible voters took part in the ballot, with only one
minor incident reported - a far better result than predicted.

Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman LAURIE BRERETON, a frequent critic of the lack of
armed peacekeepers for the ballot, says the vote was truly historic.

Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER says reports from observers are very encouraging.

But the ADF is taking no chances, with Black Hawk helicopters, a high-speed catamaran and
C130 Hercules aircraft remaining on stand by in Darwin to evacuate Australians and others if
violence erupts in the wake of the vote.

AAP RTV ss/wz/rat

KEYWORD: TIMOR AUST (CANBERRA)

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