NZ to start East Timor pull-out

New Zealand will start withdrawing troops from East Timor later in the year unless there is a further deterioration in the security situation there, Defence Minister Phil Goff said today.

About 200 New Zealand Defence Force troops and 25 police have been in East Timor since violent clashes broke out three months ago.

Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said on Thursday that it would be withdrawing its troops. Mr Goff said he had discussed the withdrawal with Mr Nelson and the reduction in New Zealand's deployment would follow the Australian withdrawal.

"So we would see, from the latter period of this year, a gradual reduction in the forces on the ground," Mr Goff said. "But that will depend on the circumstances at the time, we don't want to act prematurely."

Apart from Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal have troops in East Timor.

Mr Goff said he was working closely with the East Timor Government, which would be informed of any decisions on troops.

Australia led an international force of more than 3000 troops to restore peace in Asia's newest state after at least 20 people were killed in violent clashes and arson attacks.

The political crisis began when former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri dismissed around 600 troops for protesting against discrimination.

East Timor asked the United Nations to deploy more than 800 police to help with long-term security after the crisis.

Over the past two weeks, Australia has withdrawn a troop supply ship from East Timor, as well as three army Blackhawk helicopters.

Mr Nelson said about 23 armoured personnel carries, infantry troops and logistics staff will also return to Australia in the coming weeks. The department said that would leave about 2000 soldiers in East Timor.

* Mr Goff said any deployment made by New Zealand to Lebanon in response to the crisis in the Middle East will be small.

"Decisions have yet to be made internationally and in New Zealand about any contribution to the Lebanon," he said.

New Zealand has seven members with the United Nations Truce and Supervision Organisation in Lebanon, and 26 Defence Force personnel in Sinai, Egypt.

- NZPA