Australia probes 'Timor abuse'

Australia has led UN operations in East Timor

The Australian military is investigating allegations that some of its troops abused pro-Jakarta militiamen they captured in East Timor.

We'll be outraged.... we abhor that sort of behaviour

General Peter Cosgrove, Australian Defence Force

The army's top commander, Lieutenant-General Peter Cosgrove, who led the multinational peacekeeping force in East Timor, said if the accusations proved true he would take firm action.

The Brisbane-based Courier Mail newspaper has alleged that members of the elite Australian Special Air Service posed for trophy photographs with the bodies of dead militiamen.

According to the report, the pictures were subsequently used to terrorise prisoners during interrogation.

Fresh allegations

The allegations, which could further damage relations between Canberra and Jakarta, first surfaced in October 1999, but were found by an army investigator to be groundless.

When the allegations resurfaced, General Cosgrove ordered a new and more comprehensive investigation by the federal police "to ensure objectivity, impartiality and accountability".

A small number of Australian soldiers, now stationed in Australia, are being questioned.

General Cosgrove says he will be "outraged" if the claims prove true.

"We worked very hard there to establish a great reputation and our soldiers continue to do wonders there, and anything of this nature is very disappointing to all ranks in the army - and of course to the public - and we abhor that sort of behaviour," said General Cosgrove.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred immediately after a clash between peacekeepers and militiamen on 6 October 1999, near the town of Suai.

Two Australian SAS soldiers were wounded and several militiamen taken prisoner in the firefight.

Pro-Jakarta militias rampaged during the 1999 referendum

It is alleged that bodies of the dead militiamen were photographed for trophies and may have been used during interrogations.

Australia led an international peace enforcement team into East Timor after violence erupted following the territory's vote for independence from Indonesia.

Pro-Jakarta militias had gone on a rampage of violence, killing and looting in the East Timor capital Dili and the countryside.

About 9,000 international troops, the bulk of them Australian, remain in the UN-sponsored mission in East Timor.