The Sunday News

KIWIS GO TO WAR

Leads with report that Kiwi SAS commandos are today braving landmines and the threat of bloodthirsty militiamen as New Zealand goes to war. An advance guard of crack SAS troops is already in East Timor - and more than 300 New Zealand soldiers fly out tomorrow to join them.

Also on front a report that broken hearted Rachel Hunter has ditched her two-timing lover Michael Weatherly.

The editorial strongly supports the decision to send peace-keepers. "The Indonesians began the killing. It is up to the peacekeepers to stop it even if it costs New Zealand lives. That is the tragic price of democracy and the unshackled freedom that goes with it.

Sunday Star Times.

Soldiers plan for worst
Troops ordered to shoot to kill

The paper leads with a report that NZ soldiers leave for East Timor tomorrow, facing one of their most dangerous missions since the Vietnam War. Defence force chief Air Marshal Carey Adamson admits they are "expecting the worst".

The front-page photo shows Lance corporal Daniel Brooks marrying Katrina van Dam in a rushed ceremony yesterday, before leaving for Darwin.

FOCUS: Making Peace: As an ANZAC peace-making force is rushing into East Timor Patrick Smellie asks what are we getting ourselves into. He discusses the "intelligence vacumme" over what is going on in East Timor and concludes that this whole episode is likely to have a very wide ranging impact on NZ's relationship with Asia at large.

Playing with a stacked Deck: Peter Lalor of the Daily Telegraph profiles General Wiranto, bridge player and Indoneisan political survivor. "General Wiranto is now playing his end-game with the same cool detachment his team plays bridge," he says.

Also on the front page:

- a report that police are re-investigating the 1987 murder of Red Fox Tavern publican Christopher Bush and may arrest a man already charged with another serious offence. 40 police have been working on the case for five weeks following new information.

- Mauri Pacific leader Tau Henare would be dumped from his far north seat if an election were held today, according to the first comprehensive opinion poll in the seat. In the poll Henare with 21% came a distant second to Dover Samuels on 43%. NZ First's Anaru George polled third on 17%.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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