Australia wants free and independent elections in Timor-Leste

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Radio Timor-Leste, April 16, 2011 language source: Tetun

Australian Defense Minister, Steven Smith said Australia wants to see a free and independent election in Timor-Leste and its outcomes should be acceptable to all sides in the country.

Smith made the comments after meeting with President Jose Ramos Horta at the Palace of the Government on Friday (15/4).

Smith also appreciated the current security situation of the country which has returned to normal and is possibly contributing to successful elections next year.

Smith stressed that Australia will continue supporting security in the country before and after the elections that will be held in 2012.

He added that security situation of the country is currently in a transitional phase; therefore security and defense authorities in the country should contribute to the elections, so that it could contribute to the UN, ISF and the Government’s decision about security in the country.

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