Australia scales down East Timor operations

Australia will begin withdrawing 200 troops from nearby East Timor today because security in the restive nation has improved since rebel soldiers wounded the president, the prime minister said.

Today’s withdrawal will reduce Australia’s troop commitment there to 750 – the same level as before East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot in February outside his home near the capital, Dili, Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said.

“This drawdown in Australian forces reflects the improved security situation,” Mr Rudd said.

Mr Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, nearly died in the February 11 attack by mutinous soldiers.

East Timor’s prime minister Xanana Gusmao escaped unharmed from an ambush of his motorcade the same day.

Most of the suspects in both attacks have been captured. The president’s guards killed rebel leader Alfredo Reinado.

Mr Rudd said the East Timorese government agreed with Australia’s assessment that the security situation is now stable.

With 750 troops, Australia will remain leader of a 900-strong international force that was invited by East Timor’s government two years ago to restore order.

Dozens of people have been killed in clashes between government troops and mutinous soldiers in Dili, and more than 150,000 others were forced to flee their homes.