AUS: Reports of Deaths Baseless and Unfounded

The Hon. John Moore, MP
Minister for Defence

Friday, 1 October 1999 MIN 298/99

REPORTS OF DEATHS BASELESS AND UNFOUNDED

Reports INTERFET troops were responsible for the death of 10 people in Dili earlier week are reprehensible and I have been advised that they are totally without foundation.

The Government views with great concern reports that the Indonesian people are being told Australian INTERFET troops burnt to death 10 people whose charred remains were found near the capital Dili this week.

The claims made in the Jakarta-based newspaper Terbit is the latest attack in what appears to be a campaign of disinformation designed to discredit the UN-mandated peacekeeping mission.

ENDS

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