NZ unlikely to send troops to Timor

New Zealand troops are unlikely to be sent to East Timor, despite the fledgling nation dealing with unrest in its military, Defence Minister Phil Goff says.

Hundreds of former East Timorese soldiers, sacked after deserting last month, are petitioning Timor Leste's government to have their dispute resolved.

The soldiers, who make up about a third of the country's military, have been protesting in the capital of Dili.

Some former soldiers have threatened to wage guerilla war if their demands in relation to conditions and the military's system of promotions are not met.

But Mr Goff today said the protests were peaceful and Timor Leste's government had assured New Zealand the situation was an internal one they could handle.

If the situation blew up and Timor Leste's government requested New Zealand's assistance then that might be given, but no planning was currently taking place for any deployment, Mr Goff said.

New Zealand has four military personnel in Timor Leste, however thousands of troops were deployed there until November 2002, as New Zealand and Australia helped the country's transition to full independence.

The leaders of the protesting soldiers, mainly from East Timor's 10 western districts, say they deserted because they were being passed over for promotion in favour of those from eastern districts.

Timor Leste Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta has said most of the soldiers had deserted because they simply did not like military life.

Around 400 of the 591 soldiers who lost their jobs after deserting have been protesting.

- NZPA