New Neighbour, New Challenge: Australia and the Security of East Timor

Launch of an Australian Strategic Policy Institute Major Policy Report 

Former Deputy Prime Minister and East Timor Election Observer, the Hon. Tim Fischer, launched New Neighbour, New Challenge: Australia and the Security of East Timor, in Canberra today. 

Mr Fischer said this Report ‘highlights a special priority where others would be wise to pick up the need for police security, to carry out law and order on the ground. 

….So as we salute our newest neighbour East Timor we do so with this very thoughtful paper which I think will add to the information and consideration of priorities.’ 

New Neighbour, New Challenge: Australia and the Security of East Timor is the first publication produced by the recently established Australian Strategic Policy Institute – ASPI. 

The Report makes recommendations on Australia’s security relationship with an independent East Timor, and covers:

• Australia’s strategic interests in East Timor;
• East Timor’s security problems; and
• The current state of East Timor’s security institutions and international assistance.

ASPI’s Strategy and International Program, headed by Dr Elsina Wainwright, prepared the Report with the assistance of three contributors – Alan Dupont, Professor James Fox, and Ross Thomas. Dr José Ramos Horta and Professor Hadi Soesastro wrote discrete sections providing the East Timorese and the Indonesian perspectives.

Date: Monday, 20 May 2002 
By: Australian Strategic Policy Institute