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Australia to probe E Timor deaths Australia to probe E Timor deaths
(8 minutes later)
Australian police have launched a war crimes investigation into the deaths in East Timor in 1975 of the "Balibo Five" group of journalists.Australian police have launched a war crimes investigation into the deaths in East Timor in 1975 of the "Balibo Five" group of journalists.
In 2007, an Australian coroner found that they were executed by Indonesian special forces in the town of Balibo.In 2007, an Australian coroner found that they were executed by Indonesian special forces in the town of Balibo.
It is believed they were killed to stop them revealing details of an impending Indonesian invasion of East Timor.It is believed they were killed to stop them revealing details of an impending Indonesian invasion of East Timor.
Indonesia maintains the men were killed in crossfire. An official said Jakarta had no intention of reopening the case. Indonesia has always claimed that the five were killed in crossfire during the battle for the town.
Successive Australian governments have accepted Indonesia's version of events.
In June, East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta - a Timorese resistance commander at the time - accused Indonesian soldiers of having tortured and deliberately killed the journalists.In June, East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta - a Timorese resistance commander at the time - accused Indonesian soldiers of having tortured and deliberately killed the journalists.
"Allegations of war crimes committed overseas give rise to complex legal and factual issues that require careful consideration by law enforcement agencies before deciding to investigate," the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement."Allegations of war crimes committed overseas give rise to complex legal and factual issues that require careful consideration by law enforcement agencies before deciding to investigate," the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement.
Hard-hitting movieHard-hitting movie
The AFP said that if sufficient material was uncovered to show "criminality or a real possibility of criminality", it would ask Australia's chief prosecutor to consider whether war crimes charges should be laid. If sufficient material was uncovered to show "criminality or a real possibility of criminality", the AFP said it would ask Australia's chief prosecutor to consider whether war crimes charges should be laid.
"The standard of proof in a criminal proceeding is high, and differs from that of a coronial inquiry," it added."The standard of proof in a criminal proceeding is high, and differs from that of a coronial inquiry," it added.
The inquiry follows the recent release of a hard-hitting movie, Balibo, depicting the deaths of Australians Greg Shackleton and Tony Stewart, Britons Brian Peters and Malcolm Rennie and New Zealander Gary Cunningham. The inquiry follows the recent release of a hard-hitting movie, "Balibo," depicting the deaths of Australians Greg Shackleton and Tony Stewart, Britons Brian Peters and Malcolm Rennie and New Zealander Gary Cunningham.
The film shows them being shot on the orders of Indonesian army officers.The film shows them being shot on the orders of Indonesian army officers.
But Indonesia Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told the BBC that for his country, the case was closed and the government would not reopen it.
He said an investigation would be very difficult anyway, as many of the witnesses to the events may no longer be alive.
The Indonesian government has not received notice from the AFP about the investigation and is seeking clarification on the issue.
An Australian coroner's investigation determined that the five men were murdered as they tried to surrender to Indonesian soldiers in the border town of Balibo.
The coroner recommended war crimes charges against several Indonesian special forces officers, including Yunus Yosfiah, a captain at the time who rose to the rank of general and served as information minister in the late 1990s.
He has admitted being involved in the Indonesian attack on Balibo, but denies involvement in the journalists' deaths.
Indonesian troops invaded East Timor shortly after Portugal withdrew in 1975, ending 450 years as its colonial ruler.Indonesian troops invaded East Timor shortly after Portugal withdrew in 1975, ending 450 years as its colonial ruler.
At least 100,000 people are estimated to have died as a result of Indonesia's 25-year occupation, which ended with East Timor's independence in 2002.At least 100,000 people are estimated to have died as a result of Indonesia's 25-year occupation, which ended with East Timor's independence in 2002.