E Timor wishes to participate in Asean mily exercises

Visiting East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has expressed his country`s wish to participate in the joint military exercises of Indonesia and other ASEAN member states.

In the first phase of its participation, East Timor would take part in the joint military exercises as an observer, Xanana said at a meeting with Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief General Djoko Santoso at the TNI Headquarters here on Wednesday.

In addition, the East Timorese military was also looking forward to cooperating with its Indonesian counterpart in conducting joint exercises to face natural disasters and so on, Xanana said.

Xanana was at the meeting accompanied by Foreign Minister Zacarias Aibano Da Costa and Armed Forces Chief Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak.

General Djoko Santoso meanwhile said, as a matter of principle, the TNI would implement what had become a political decision of the government.

"Of course, it (any cooperation between the two militaries) ...