Australian troops accused of sexual abuse in East Timor

Australian troops accused of sexual abuse in East Timor
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

SYDNEY, JANUARY 17: A group of Australian soldiers in East Timor have been accused of terrorising local girls they were sent to protect, their commander admitted on Monday.

A series of incidents said to have occurred over several nights late last year has embarrassed the Australian military and started a major investigation to identify involved men.

Major-General Peter Cosgrove, commanding officer of the Australian-led peacekeeping force in East Timor said on Monday that "fairly strong steps" were being taken to find the culprits.

He described the sexual harassment of the young women as regrettable, but very isolated, adding: "Nonetheless, it's something we treat very seriously."

"We have apologised, of course, to the young women involved by saying we are aghast at this, as are 99.9 per cent of the people who would be here," Cosgrove told ABC radio from Dili.