Australian troops accused of compromising political neutrality in Timor-Leste

Francisco Guteres Lu-Olo, one of Timor-Leste's two presidential candidates, has said the actions of Australian soldiers during the presidential campaign have compromised the Australian military's claims of political neutrality.

Lu-Olo, the Fretilin party president, has accused Australian forces of political interference and intimidating his supporters, Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio reported Monday.

He will compete in a run-off election with Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta, who is favored to win the presidency in Wednesday's second round of voting.

Lu Olo accused Australian forces of deliberately disrupting his campaign events to intimidate his supporters.

At one rally, he claimed an army helicopter landed close by and armed soldiers in full combat rig moved among the crowd.

But Australian commander Mal Rerden has denied any troops entered the rally and said troop movements are not scheduled around political events.

Source: Xinhua