Australian Broadcasting Corporation Friday 21 January, 2000

Ramos Horta condemns use of Jordanian troops in E Timor

The leadership of East Timor's main independence body (CNRT) has condemned a decision by the United Nations to send Jordanian troops to the Oecussi-Ambeno enclave.

Jose Ramos Horta says he has no confidence in the ability or integrity of the Jordanian Army.

Australian troops from the Third Royal Australian Regiment are currently on high alert in East Timor's enclave territory, following a series of attempted militia raids this week.

But at the end of February Australian troops will pull out of the enclave to be replaced by about 700 Jordanian peacekeepers.

The decision has outraged CNRT vice-president Jose Ramos Horta, who says he has no confidence in the independence of the Jordanian Army because Jordan provided sanctuary for former Indonesian General Probowo.

As a previous leader of Indonesia's Kopassus special forces troops, Probowo has been accused of masterminding terror campaigns in East Timor.

(7:40am AEDT)

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