First police officers of rapid response team arrive in East Timor
1 March 2000-- An advance party of 15 Portuguese police officers who will form the
core of the Rapid Response Unit of the UN mission's police component arrived
today in Dili.
The
officers are part of the 120-strong Portuguese contingent which is expected to
be deployed by March 13 by the United Nations Transitional Administration in
East Timor (UNTAET). They will be joined later by a second contingent, from Jordan,
whose strength is also 120.
The
officers serving with the Rapid Response Unit will carry sidearms and short
rifles, and are expected to respond to major security threats and other
large-scale emergencies.
