I may have missed something here but it is (For once) the UN displaying the leadership qualities lamentably missing of late not the Australian government. Australia being a member of the UN happens to be physically in the best position to react quickly - they have been conspicous by their abscense in other recent UN "parties" held around the world. If you had looked closely at the pictures of the Hercules transports landing in Dili the first troops off were in fact UK SBS(Special Boat Service) and Royal Marine Commandos in Landrovers heading to secure the main port - without which NO heavy equipment could be landed and the whole enterprise doomed to failure. As for the comment re. the standard of equipment that the Aussie forces have - I understand the level of run down that has happened in the ADF in the recent past but the Aussie boys coming off the Hercs were extremly well equiped with probably the most uptodate kit available. They are certainly better equipped than the 250 Gurhkas that followed them. Having said all this the Aussies ARE there - I know they will do a good job in very difficult circumstances so they deserve our support and wishes for thier safe keeping. I can't help but feel that the rest of the world - UK and Oz in particular - have been exploiting and profiteering from the people of East Timor - that this current bout of crocodile tears is nauseatingly hypocritical at best. Bev Lawton