WA: Navy divers return home from Timor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-1999
WA: Navy divers return home from Timor

PERTH, Dec 5 AAP - The first group of navy clearance divers to be stationed in Timor
flew home to WA today.

The contingent had been deployed to support the Australian peacekeeping missing in East Timor.

Navy spokesman Vic Jeffery said the group's activities in Timor included conducting
beach clearance operations and clearing all of the major ports and beach landing sites.

"They were also involved in two clandestine operations which were carried out under
the cover of darkness in Aidabeleten and in the Oecussi enclave located within West Timor,"

Mr Jeffery said.

He said one of the major tasks the divers were required to complete was to utilise
their battle damage skills to assist a merchant ship which had fouled a mooring cable.

Mr Jeffery said although the officers had not openly admitted they were in fear of
their lives in Timor, he said they had been in a number of `scary' situations.

"Obviously they are relieved to be home safely and are glad that it all went OK," he said.

Mr Jeffery said the group was replaced in Timor by a Sydney contingent who will take
on a caretaker role in the region.

AAP ajm/bdm

KEYWORD: TIMOR DIVERS

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