Arms 'unlikely' for Timor police team

By Warren Gamble and NZPA

A 10-man New Zealand police team being sent to East Timor in a United Nations security operation for the island's potentially volatile referendum is highly unlikely to be armed, say senior staff.

However, all the members selected yesterday have armed offenders squad training and have the capability to carry weapons if the United Nations decides its 280-strong police contingent needs them.

Deputy Commissioner Rob Robinson said yesterday that it was normal practice for United Nations police deployments to be unarmed, and it was highly unlikely that would change for East Timor.

The 10 policemen, led by Inspector Ray Sutton of Rotorua, were all highly experienced frontline staff used to dealing with volatile, difficult situations.

New Zealand's involvement was confirmed as United Nations officials demanded that Indonesian authorities restore order in the East Timor capital, Dili, as pro-Indonesian militia continued to attack supporters of independence.

East Timorese will vote in early August whether to accept greater autonomy under continued Indonesian rule.

If they reject that, Indonesia has said it will withdraw from the former Portugese colony it invaded in 1975.

A United Nations spokesman, David Wilmhurst, said last night that the militias had threatened United Nations personnel, and that the security situation in East Timor was "not good."

The New Zealand team will join Australian, Malaysian, United States and European police in advising their Indonesian counterparts on security, and helping to provide a secure environment during the ballot.

The New Zealanders gathered at the National Police College in Wellington yesterday for a 12-day training course.

They will leave for a week's acclimatisation in Darwin on June 12 before travelling to East Timor, where temperatures are in the mid-30 degrees.

The team will wear a lightweight version of their New Zealand uniform with blue UN berets.

Members of the team are:

Inspector Ray Sutton, Rotorua; Senior Sergeant Steve Mather, Christchurch; Detective Sergeant Peter Burt, Timaru; Senior Constable Wayne Corbett, Nelson; Constable Bruce Davies, Rotorua; Constable Wayne Dwyer, Greymouth; Constable Rangi Maniapoto, Wanganui; Constable Rob Mills, Invercargill; Constable Paul Symonds, Napier; Constable Steve Wills, Timaru.

Non-travelling trained reserves: Inspector Graeme Cairns, Christchurch; Senior Sergeant Steve Rudsdale, Whangarei; Detective Robert Isaac, Hamilton; Constable Ian McMillan, Gisborne.