Australian Role Changed: Timor Leste

Several news sources were quoted as saying that the Australian troops in Timor Leste would soon be returning home to Australia. But it seems this is maybe not the case.

According to the Australian Federal Government, Australia's presence in East Timor is gradually changing from a military role to a policing one. As calm returns to the fledgling nation after recent political unres, a foreign police force next week will take over daytime patrols in Dili from almost 3000 international troops.

The Australian Justice Minister said "We saw it in the Solomons where initially you had predominantly military with police and what we are seeing now is a gradual change in the mission in the Solomon Islands moving more to one of policing rather than a military operation. Australia still remains totally committed to the work we’re doing inTimor Leste and the change in the mix is something which we’ve seen in the RAMSI mission in the Solomons and other places."

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said today it would be up to the government to determine the ongoing role of the AFP as part of the international police force in Dili.

At the moment there aresomething in the order of 130 AFP officers and 70 state and territory police in Timor Leste.
"We are waiting to see what the outcome of the Security Council resolution will be in August to see what sort of police makeup that we'll advise the Government from our perspective is the most appropriate." Keelty said.