Expect casualties: Shipley

By Andrew Laxon

political reporter

The public is being warned to prepare for casualties as more than 400 New Zealand troops face possible combat in East Timor from this weekend.

Prime Minister Jenny Shipley announced yesterday that an initial force of 420 soldiers, supported by 265 Navy and Air Force staff, would join an Australian-led peacekeeping force based in Darwin.

Over the next 18 months, New Zealand's involvement could grow to more than 1000 troops and support staff, at a cost of $75 million - potentially the biggest overseas assignment for our armed forces since the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Mrs Shipley said the Government knew it was a high-risk mission, and there could be casualties.

"But there are a huge number of people losing their lives every day, and to do nothing would be inexcusable.

"So yes, there is a real risk that some of our people could be injured, and we have to face the fact that we could lose people in this mission.

"The Government considered it very carefully, and on balance we decided this is absolutely the right thing to do on behalf of the people of East Timor and from the point of view of New Zealanders wishing to assist."

Defence sources indicated last night that East Timor was still considered highly dangerous, despite signs of improvement yesterday.

Indonesian units are starting to pull out, and United Nations officials say some of the militia leaders the Army protected have already fled.

However, the 8000-strong peace enforcement mission will not know how much resistance it faces from remaining militiamen and rogue elements of the Indonesian Army until it arrives in East Timor.

New Zealand also faces long-term diplomatic risks by taking part in a "white man's" force with Australia and Britain, which could supply a destroyer and a company of 300 Gurkhas from Brunei.

Although Indonesia's Asian neighbours have promised to join the United Nations mission, none is expected to take part until the immediate danger is over and the operation moves into its peacekeeping phase.

It is understood that the cabinet considered waiting until countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore were ready, but felt that the humanitarian need to act quickly was too great.

The UN force's mission is to take control of East Timor using "all necessary measures" so that humanitarian aid can be delivered.

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Don McKinnon described the Security Council resolution as the first time the UN had invoked the right to use force.

However, defence sources rejected speculation that troops could pursue fleeing militia leaders across the border into Indonesian-controlled West Timor, saying that would be provocative.

The mission ranks as one of this country's biggest. There were 3890 New Zealand troops in Vietnam between 1965 and 1972 - but no more than 550 at any one time - and 3794 in Korea from 1950 to 1954, while about 750 troops helped with humanitarian aid in Bosnia from 1992.

About 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas in the First World War and 135,000 in the Second World War.