New Zealand peacekeepers were among the first on the ground when UN peacekeepers went into Dili, East Timor, yesterday. Scoop's comprehensive coverage continues...

Scoop Today Special - NZ Peacekeepers In Timor

Calm In Dili As First Peacekeepers Arrive

- 1pm NZT 19/9/99: CNN's Maria Ressa is reporting from Dili Airport where the situation appears calm as UN peacekeepers arrive. The first to arrive were 12 Australian commandoes aboard a C130 transport. They consulted with Indonesian military commanders about securing the airport. More flights have since arrived. Looting in the capital stopped two days ago according to aid workers though the city remains deserted.

Shipley Farewells Kiwi Peacekeepers

- New Zealand's soldiers going to East Timor will be a beacon of hope for a beleaguered, weary people, Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said yesterday at the farewell of Kiwi troops. A second flight to Darwin has just left Ohakea this morning. See... Peacekeepers A Beacon Of Hope, Says PM [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00391.htm

Kiwi Troops Fully Equipped For Self Defence – PM

- Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said that New Zealand troops on peacekeeping duties in East Timor would be fully equipped and authorised to defend themselves and those they have a duty to protect. See… Peacekeepers Have Means Of Protection, Says PM [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00382.htm

War Crimes Investigations Given As Long As It Takes

- Rumblings are beginning in Jakarta over reports that a British-led team of 50 UN investigators are expected to arrive in East Timor this week to begin a war crimes inquiry. John Howard reports. See… No Time Limit On War Crimes Investigation [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00170.htm

Once Upon A Time...

- United Party Leader Peter Dunne's speech in the debate on sending peacekeepers to East Timor was in the form of a story about a small island nation... See... Once upon a time there was a small island nation.. [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00166.htm

Treading On Toes – The US Business Interests In Indonesia

- "We have myriad business interests in Indonesia," said US State Department spokesperson, James Rubin, when explaining his government's reluctant involvement in East Timor. But could taking more responsibility for our own regional defence mean we could also step on the toes of United States regional business interests? John Howard reports. See… Treading On Toes - US Business In Indonesia [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00168.htm

Is East Timor Out Of Control?

- In the Headlines wire Scoop's Alastair Thompson surveys the limited sources of information currently available on the situation in East Timor and attempts to reconcile what is clearly a very complicated crisis. See… Scoop News Analysis: East Timor - The End Game [1] . Meanwhile FAIR-L (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) has issued a warning to journalists reporting on the crisis. See… Is East Timor Really "Out Of Control"? [2] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00157.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00156.htm

British Jets To Indonesia

- British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, has been forced to accept that three high performance Hawk jets will shortly be delivered to Indonesia, despite assurances that no more British arms would be sent to the regime. Meanwhile, it is being reported that President B. J. Habibie has broken off all communications with Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard.

Indonesia To Prosecute US Journalist

- Benny Mateus, the chief justice of Nusa Tenggara Province province intends to prosecute U.S. journalist Allan Nairn for two technical violations of Indonesian immigration law, a local immigration official in Kupang, West Timor has informed Nairn. See… Indonesian Regime to Prosecute U.S. Journalist [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00136.htm

Troops As Human Shields

- Libertarianz Defence Spokesman Robert Winefield deplores the cross-party decision to send troops to East Timor, where peacekeeping will essentially mean providing human shields to the Timorese populous. See… NZ Troops Are Human Shields! [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00086.htm

Papakura’s Contribution To Timor Force

- Papakura will be making its contribution to keeping the peace in East Timor," said Hunua MP Warren Kyd. See… Troops To East Timor [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00389.htm

ACT On How To Farewell To Kiwi Troops

- I see from the media that the Prime Minster of Australia, John Howard, has gone today to Darwin to farewell the Australian troops who will shortly be embarking on the potentially very hazardous peacekeeping mission to East Timor. See… A Farewell To The New Zealand Troops [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00380.htm

© 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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