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New Zealand may have to keep troops in East Timor for years, rather than months, Defence Minister Phil Goff said today.
"The situation on the ground is still somewhat fragile, volatile. I'd suspect we will be there for the medium rather than the short term - that means years, rather than months," he told Radio New Zealand.
"Usually, we look at it every year or so to determine what the difference is that New Zealand forces are making on the ground."
New Zealand has 180 soldiers in East Timor and 25 police officers.
Mr Goff's comments came a day after one of the prominent candidates in East Timor's first presidential election, Jose Ramos Horta, said he would ask New Zealand and Australian troops and the United Nations to remain in the tiny nation for years if he wins Monday's election.
"If I'm the president of this country I will ask the UN, Australia, New Zealand to stay on here for as many years as possible," Dr Ramos Horta, East Timor's current prime minister, told AAP.
New Zealand has 180 soldiers in East Timor and 25 police officers.
Dr Ramos Horta's comments came after violent clashes in and around Dili, with at least 32 people injured.
"My first obligation is to ensure that women, children, the elderly, the farmers, the students are able to walk free in the streets without fear.
"Until such a time we cannot guarantee that with our own police force, I'm sorry but I will swallow my pride and I will ask Australia, New Zealand, please stay on."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today called on all parties in East Timor to make the election a free and fair one.
"I hope the elections will be free, fair, transparent and credible. I hope they will be unmarred by violence and intimidation, and I hope they will lead to results accepted by all," Ban said in a message broadcast on local radio.
"The way these elections are conducted will be decisive in setting the tone for how your society develops in the future," Ban said.
"The eyes of the world are upon you. I call on all candidates and their supporters to accept the results in a peaceful manner."
Dr Ramos Horta is considered a strong contender to succeed Xanana Gusmao in a contest of eight candidates, AFP reported today.
The powerful Fretilin party chairman, Fransisco Guterres, and Fernando "Lasama" De Araujo, who chairs the opposition Democrat Party, are also considered to be viable candidates. Gusmao is not seeking re-election.
Violence has pulsed through the fledgling state since it gained independence in 2002 after a period of UN stewardship. Indonesia previously occupied the former Portuguese colony for a turbulent 24 years.
- NZPA
