Goff on visit to East Timor

Defence Minister Phil Goff left for East Timor yesterday and was to stop in Darwin to see President Jose Ramos Horta who is recuperating after an assassination attempt last month.

Mr Goff said he would spend three days visiting New Zealand troops in East Timor and would also talk to Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Acting President Fernando Lasama and call on Opposition Leader Mari Alkatiri.

Dr Horta, with whom Mr Goff has worked for a long time, is out of hospital but remains in Australia recovering from the February 11 attack.

Mr Gusmao was also ambushed in an attack but escaped unharmed.

Mr Goff said the attacks demonstrated the fragility of the situation in East Timor.

While in Timor, he will also meet leaders of the International Stabilisation Force and the United Nations head of mission.

- NZPA