UN may enforce peace in East Timor

The Australian Defence Minister, John Moore, says the pro-Indonesian militia which are active in East Timor have improved weaponry and training, including Indonesian equipment.

Mr Moore is visiting Australian troops in East Timor who are part of the UN transitional force (UNTAET) helping to administer the territory until full independence.

He said the militia were active, and he warned that the peacekeepers could return to a role of peace enforcement.

Mr Moore said the UN troops were on high alert after the deaths of two peacekeepers from Bangladesh and New Zealand and the killing of two militia members by an Australian battalion.

Australia has said it has no evidence that the Indonesian army is supplying the militia, but it's continuing to press Indonesia to move towards closing refugee camps in Indonesian West Timor used by the militias.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service