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Subject: Aus Opposition backs E Timor troop return
also Troops arrive home from East Timor ABC News Opposition backs E Timor troop return Posted Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:36am AEDT The Federal Opposition has given bipartisan support to the Australian Defence Force's decision to bring home a small group of troops from East Timor. Eighty-three Australian troops arrived home in Darwin from East Timor yesterday evening, with more to follow. Liberal Senator and defence spokesman David Johnston says the withdrawal still leaves more than 600 Australian soldiers serving in East Timor. "I don't believe we'd be running our forces down or withdrawing the 80-odd personnel that are coming home unless we saw that it was appropriate to do so and that the security situation permitted it to be done," he said. "The Chief of Defence, Air Marshal Angus Houston, has obviously ticked off on this and we are always going to take advice from our senior commanders and accordingly if he's satisfied we'd be satisfied." All 100 troops are expected to be redeployed to the Middle East. -- ABC News Troops arrive home from East Timor Posted Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:00am AEDT Eighty-three Australian troops have arrived home in Darwin from East Timor, with more to follow. The Federal Government says their return has been made possible by ongoing stability in the country. All 100 troops are expected to be redeployed to the Middle East. About 650 Australian soldiers will remain in East Timor.
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