| Subject: Nation:
Thailand yet to decide on peace force
Also: AFP: Thailand approves Philippines
Timor commander
The Nation (Thailand) December 17, 1999
Thailand yet to decide on peace force
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said
yesterday that Thailand will have to discuss and decide if it should
participate in the United Nations peace-keeping operation in East Timor.
But he said if Thailand decides to, the
size of its force in the third phase of the UN operation in the soon-to-be
independent country will be smaller as the global body has scaled down the
number of foreign troops to be deployed there.
The premier said Thailand has no problem
working with the Philippine general who will be nominated to head the
peace force in East Timor. Thailand and Malaysia had initially expressed
their desire to have their nationals head the UN operation.
"There is no problem for us [working
under the Philippine general] because we didn't apply for the position. We
will cooperate as much as we can, as we did before," he said.
Chuan, also defence minister, said
privately that the Army has expressed its interest to continue its mission
in East Timor, but the final decision and the size of the Thai force have
yet to be discussed.
A senior Thai Army general is presently
serving as second-in-command of the current Australian-led international
force which was deployed to end the violence that erupted shortly after
the East Timor referendum in August. The third phase of the "blue
helmet" UN peace-keeping operation is due to go into effect early
next year.
Chuan, meanwhile, rejected the
opposition's criticism that the Thai force in East Timor has been engaging
in singing and dancing activities. He said the entertainment is part and
parcel of the armed forces.
Thailand has nearly 1,600 soldiers
deployed in the territory. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said early this
week that a Filipino commander would be appointed to head the UN force.
The deputy commander will be an Australian. Annan did not name the two.
---- Agence France Presse December 16,
1999, Thursday Thailand approves Philippines Timor commander
BANGKOK, Dec 16
Thailand on Thursday pledged to work with
the Philippine general nominated to head the UN peace force in East Timor
but hinted it would cut the size of its garrison in the ravaged territory.
Thailand is serving as second-in-command
of the current Australian-led multinational force in East Timor but has
been reluctant to assume a leading role in the new "blue helmet"
UN force due to assume control next year.
"There is no problem that we are not
getting the commander's post because we did not file any application and
we will continue to cooperate whenever we can," Prime Minister Chuan
Leekpai told reporters.
Chuan, who also serves as defence
minister, said he will consult with armed forces commanders on the level
of Thai troops needed in East Timor.
"There will be an adjustment of the
numbers of troops since the UN will reduce the size of peacekeeping
forces," he said.
Thailand currently has 1,581 troops in
the international force which went into the territory after it was
engulfed by violence led by pro-Jakarta militias after voting for
independence from Indonesia in August.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said
Tuesday that he would appoint a commander from the Philippines to head the
UN force. He did not name the man.
The deputy commander will be an
Australian, Annan said.
The peacekeepers are part of a United
Nations transitional authority, known as UNTAET, which has already taken
over the civilian government of East Timor to prepare it for independence.
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