National Radio Midday Bulletin

SECURITY COUNCIL: The UN Security Council has met behind closed doors to discuss a peacekeeping force to go to East Timor. No decisions have yet been made but a brief is expected to be circulated soon.

MISSION: A UN mission just back from Dili say it is clear there was collusion between the military, police and militia in killing Timorese and trashing the city.

REFUGEES: All refugees at the Dili UN compound have now been evacuated with just a few staff remaining to prepare for the peacekeeping force.

CHINESE: The Chinese President Jiang Zemin is in Wellington to meet with Jenny Shipley at Government House. Protests are going on outside by Tibetan activists. It was the first visit to New Zealand by a Chinese president.

CLINTON: Bill Clinton is settling into the Millbrook resort. Today is a relaxing day for the President. He was met by Roger Sowry and Burton Shipley is playing golf with Clinton today.

ROAD BLOCKS DOWN: Life in Central Auckland is returning to normal as the leaders leave and the public return. The road blocks are coming down but a few delays are expected this afternoon as the last leaders get to the airport. There were only seven arrests during the conference.

REGIONAL PRISON: A new youth prison is to be built near Kaikohe, Clem Simich said today. The decision has delighted Whangarai residents who didn’t want it in their town.

WATSON: The family and lawyers of Scott Watson say the media coverage of him after his conviction has been inappropriate. An appeal will be filed later this week. They are concerned the coverage will impact on future legal action.

ONE TREE HILL: The tree on the hill was attacked by a chainsaw wielding man this morning, at around 10am. Four people are being spoken to by police.

SLOW PROGRESS: The State Services Commission is re-surveying government agencies on Y2K readiness as some are not doing as well as expected. The Commission says this is disappointing.

BANNED FROM BUILDING SITE: A woman has complained to the Human Rights Commission after being banned from a hospital building site because she is a woman due to Maori protocol.

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