Troops follow dinkum Aussie

In true Anzac spirit, the New Zealand soldiers going to East Timor will be under the command of a dinkum, down-to-earth Aussie.

Major-General Peter Cosgrove will be in charge of the United Nations-sanctioned force, including the 685 New Zealand Army, Navy and Air Force staff preparing to enter the ravaged territory.

A Defence Force spokesman, Squadron Leader Ric Cullinane, said that each element of the New Zealand forces would be commanded by a senior officer but there was no individual in overall command of the contingent. He said the New Zealand forces would be "plugged into" a much larger international operation, led by General Cosgrove.

He is one of Australia's most distinguished and experienced soldiers, and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in South Vietnam.

An Australian Defence Force spokesman said last night that General Cosgrove was a dinky-die, down-to-earth Aussie who loved his rugby and was regarded as a soldier's soldier.