NSW: Australian soldier was naive: Cosgrove

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2000
NSW: Australian soldier was naive: Cosgrove

Former Interfet Commander Major-General PETER COSGROVE says an Australian soldier
who paid an East Timorese civilian for information on the militia was well meaning but
misguided.

The soldier allegedly paid an East Timorese civilian $A22 to collect information about
suspected militia activity around Indonesian West Timor.

General COSGROVE has told journalists in Sydney he believes the soldier had done the
wrong thing with good intentions.

United Nations Transitional Authority Commander JAIME DE LOS SANTOS yesterday announced
he would be asking the UN to order the soldier's withdrawal.

A spokesman for the Australian Defence Force says the soldier did the wrong thing,
and will be removed when a formal UN request is received.

About 1,600 Australian troops and 300 support staff are participating in the UN peacekeeping
operation in East Timor.

Meanwhile, the achievements of Australia's force in East Timor will be honoured tomorrow
at welcome-home parades in several cities.

AAP RTV jb/sb/msk/jn

KEYWORD: TIMOR COSGROVE (SYDNEY)

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