Security concerns plague Timor-Leste

DILI, Timor-Leste, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had some blunt words for Timor-Leste saying the nation must not depend on Australia or the U.N for its security.

Downer visited Dili Monday for talks with Timor's Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda on the violence that has troubled Timor-Leste for five months and the escape of 57 prisoners from jail last week.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp. said that Downer's message was clear: Timor-Leste must get on top of its security problems rather than depend on international assistance from Australia and the United Nations.

Downer said that Australia "obviously continues to be concerned about the security situation, the outbreaks of violent incidents, although the advice I have is that the situation is somewhat better than it has been -- so we're pleased about that."

Ramos Horta expressed optimism that his country will soon be able to overcome security problems and maintained that, despite the mass jail break, Timor-Leste was more stable and peaceful now than it was two months ago.