The New York Times

Tuesday, September 14, 1999

List of Countries Planning Timor Aid

By The Associated Press

A list of some of the countries that are considering contributing troops to a U.N.-mandated international peacekeeping force for East Timor:

AUSTRALIA -- Indonesia's neighbor is expected to lead an international force from the closest staging point, Darwin, Australia. It has 4,500 troops on standby, plus a supply ship and a troop-carrying catamaran equipped for commando operations.

UNITED STATES -- President Clinton says the U.S. would supply planes and pilots to transport troops from other nations and would help with logistics, communications and intelligence. U.S. officials might have a ``command and control'' role to play.

PORTUGAL -- East Timor's former colonial power has pledged 1,000 troops, two frigates, a C-130 transport plane and four helicopters.

PHILIPPINES -- The nation has committed itself to sending between 500 and 1,000 troops, but final numbers will depend on what's decided by the United Nations.

NEW ZEALAND -- A New Zealand frigate and a supply ship have headed toward East Timor, vanguard of a possible contingent of 350 peacekeepers.

BRITAIN -- Britain has offered to send 270 troops from the Royal Gurkha Rifles based in Brunei.

CANADA -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien says as many as 600 Canadian troops can take part, focusing on delivering aid.

FRANCE -- France is sending a frigate, currently based in the South Pacific, toward East Timor and says it is ready to participate in an international force.

THAILAND -- The supreme command says the army, navy and air force are prepared to join, but the only staff immediately ready are a team of 30 military medics and relief workers.

SINGAPORE -- The nearby country has said it will take part in a collective effort, with the details to be worked out.

MALAYSIA -- Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said Malaysia is "quite willing" to send peacekeepers.

CHINA -- The communist nation has indicated a willingness to send troops in a peacekeeping operation for the first time since Cambodia in 1991-93.

RUSSIA -- Like China, Russia has pledged to assist a force if Indonesia and the U.N. Security Council approve it.

SOUTH KOREA -- The ruling party is proposing the government consider contributing to a peacekeeping force.