Power sharing in East Timor urged

The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, said yesterday the opposing factions in East Timor should share power after…

The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, said yesterday the opposing factions in East Timor should share power after the August 30th ballot on independence.

However, Mr Downer, in the East Timor capital for a 24-hour visit, said that in spite of what he called an improving security environment, there were "enormous risks ahead" before, during and after the UN-run ballot.

"It is an important part [of reconciliation] that whatever happens in the ballot, the two sides in the argument have the capacity to share power," Mr Downer told reporters after opening an Australian consulate in Dili.

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