Australian commandos sent to East Timor

CANBERRA, May 25 (Reuters) Australia sent commandos to East Timor's capital today ahead of the deployment of 1,300 troops to help restore law and order in the tiny nation.

Violence in the capital Dili has left at least six people dead in recent weeks and the arrival of Australian forces marks the second time Canberra has joined a UN-led mission to try to bring peace to East Timor.

Australia led a UN-backed intervention force in 1999 to quell violence by pro-Indonesian militias after East Timorese voted for independence from Jakarta. An estimated 1,000 people died in the violence.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the forward deployment of commandos had the full support of East Timor's government, which has formally asked Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal for police and military support.

''These Australian forces will take immediate action to secure the perimeter of Dili international airport,'' Howard told Australian Parliament, adding the deployment followed a ''significant'' deterioration of security around Dili.

Five people were killed and hundreds fled their homes when sacked East Timorese military policemen and government troops clashed in Dili late last month. A sixth person was killed on Tuesday when the violence reignited.

Howard said sustained fighting had broken out between the two groups in recent days, with reports of a number of casualties.

Two navy ships were already heading towards East Timor, and the deputy defence chief was sent to Dili today to finalise details of the deployment.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the Australian embassy in Dili had reported gunfire and people fleeing the city today.

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