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Monday, September 20, 1999 Published at 11:04 GMT 12:04 UK
World: Asia-Pacific
Picture gallery: Peacekeepers go in
The first Hercules transport plane carrying United Nations-backed peacekeeping troops into East Timor touched down at Dili airport at shortly after sunrise.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery2.jpg) |
The first peacekeepers were given 20 minutes to leave the aircraft and take up positions.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery3.jpg) |
As the first Hercules left the airport to return to Darwin, northern Australia, the platoons fanned out, securing the area.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery4.jpg) |
Indonesian soldiers looked on as troops delivered equipment.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery4a.jpg) |
Members of the UK's elite Special Boat Service, the seabound equivalent of the SAS, were among the first troops in.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery6.jpg) |
A top priority was securing Dili's harbour, essential for massive deliveries of urgently-needed aid for refugees.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery7.jpg) |
Troops came face-to-face with members of the militias. Some offered no resistance and readily gave up their weapons.
![[ image: ]](/olmedia/450000/images/_452263_gallery9.jpg) |
But with militias still roaming the city and other areas of the territory, the mission is expected to be long and difficult.
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~29~RS~)
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Relevant Stories 20 Sep 99 | Asia-Pacific UN food drops to resume 20 Sep 99 | Asia-Pacific British troops in vanguard of Timor force 19 Sep 99 | Asia-Pacific Timor force on way 16 Sep 99 | Asia-Pacific Analysis: The task ahead |
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Internet Links |
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United Nations Mission to East Timor Government of Indonesia East Timor Action Network BBC Indonesian Service |
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