TV1 6pm News Monitor

Indonesia backdown - Golf on US President's Mind - Assault on Auckland Tree

INDONESIA BACKDOWN

Indonesia backdown over makeup of East Timor peace-keeping force with no conditions - seems Australia to lead force within days but seen by Indonesia as biased - UN withdraws from East Timor compound leaving 12 in residence at Australian consulate building - 1300 refugees, including UN workers, air-lifted to Australia - still dangerous in East Timor - force cannot come soon enough say refugees.

Peacekeepers likely to find Dili ghost-town - up to half million East Timorese gone - TNI and militia changed uniforms to confuse - BBC says secret documents reveal militia's financed by Indonesian government - anarchy orchestrated - army still out of control.

NZ Frigate Te Kaha waits in Darwin - UN officer says could be two to three weeks before sailing to East Timor.

PRESIDENTIAL GOLF

Rigour's of international politics were left behind as President Clinton played 18 holes of golf at Milbrook Resort near Queenstown - then played another 4 holes of twilight golf - no winner declared - Arrowtown resident's wait for visit but only mother-in-law Mrs Rodham arrives to look at $4,500 black opals - Chelsea's where-abouts unknown - likes privacy - but locals overjoyed with visit - Burton says golf was interesting - Clinton says Burton hits ball further than many golf pro's - back to work for bilateral talks with PM tomorrow - Helen Clark will meet later - Clinton will give major speech on environment at Antarctic Centre in Christchurch.

ASSAULT ON LONE PINE TREE ON ONE-TREE HILL

Another life-threatening gash inflicted by chainsaw teeth on historic tree - four people face charges - sightseer heard and saw attack - second time attacked - first attacked in 1994 by Maori activists - reasons for attack now given that school or church closed down - replacement already being sought following first attack - evaluation now whether to repair or replace.

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