East Timor – East Timor And Apec – Apec Policing – Scott Watson Trial – Mark Todd Triumph

EAST TIMOR: A flight for life. The UN is tonight sending diplomats to Indonesia as its staff flee East Timor. The violence has now reportedly claimed 100 lives. NZ government welcomes the decision to send the UN mission to Jakarta.

EAST TIMOR: As we go to air the situation is deteriorating. Around 2000 people have been ordered out of the Red Cross HQ to the beach. Dutch Journalist in Dili says it is a tragedy. Australia is tonight evacuating scores of UN and Australian personnel from East Timor. Five hercules aircraft in the mercy airlift. Australian government insists it will not send in armed peace-keepers unless there is a nod from the UN and the Indonesian government. Indonesian Government too fears the militias and ministers did not leave the airport when visiting today for fear for their lives. Foreign Affairs minister Ali Alitas at a press conference says the Indonesian President has asked the military and police to keep the peace. East Timor’s independence leader is calling for action at the UN. Jose Ramos Horta says the people of East Timor must be protected by the UN.

EAST TIMOR AND APEC: The crisis is now threatening to overshadow APEC this coming weekend. Student in Palmerston North wants the East Timor situation discussed officially at APEC. But the government says the agenda for APEC has been set. However it will be discussed in the margins. Canadians are pushing for a top level meeting at the ministerial meeting. Helen Clark says the leaders must discuss it to. Maire Leadbeater says that APEC will stand condemned if it does not discuss East Timor.

APEC POLICING: APEC pressure on police. Policing APEC will cost $15.5 million. 2400 officers will police Auckland. 1700 of the police are heading to their new accommodation today. Smallest country to hold an APEC is holding the largest. 2.5 biscuits will be allocated to each officer each coffee break.

SCOTT WATSON TRIAL: Crown has summed up its case saying Watson was motivated by lust to have sex with Olivia Hope. A “chillingly malevolent” man invited the couple to his boat luring with them an offer of a bed. Ample time was available to Scott Watson to cover his tracks. Key issue was identity, the crown lawyer said.

MARK TODD TRIUMPH: Equestrian Mark Todd has one his fifth Burleigh title. Blyth Tait has broken his leg. A British rider lost his life at the same fence. Captain Mark Phillips who designed the course says that it is bad luck.

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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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