FED: East Timor leader says he can't support war on Iraq
MELBOURNE, April 2 AAP - East Timorese president Xanana Gusmao today said he couldnot support Australia's involvement in the war against Iraq, on humanitarian grounds.
Mr Gusmao, who is visiting Melbourne, said he hoped the war would have a "quick andgood end" but he could not support it given the devastation experienced in his own country.
"As a human being, I would not support (it)," he told reporters.
"We came from a war. We know the consequences, the psychological and social impacts.
"It is time for the international community to get together and start planning forbetter assistance to avoid social and economic impact on the population."
The former resistance leader said he was reluctant to enter the war debate, given hisappreciation for Australia's involvement in East Timor's independence.
"Don't put me against my friend (Australian Defence Force Chief) Peter Cosgrove," MrGusmao joked.
East Timor's Foreign Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jose Ramos-Horta, saidin February he supported war against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to liberate oppressedIraqis.
AAP svm/ce/tnf/bwl
KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST GUSMAO (PIX AVAILABLE)
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