Senator ALSTON (Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) (3:05 PM) —Last Monday, Senator Faulkner asked me a series of questions in relation to US military personnel involvement in the East Timor crisis. I seek leave to incorporate a supplementary answer.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

On Monday, 20 September 1999, Hansard page 8359, Senator Faulkner asked me, as acting Leader of the Government in the Senate;

(1) Can the Minister confirm that up to 6,500 US military personnel will be in Australia over coming weeks to participate in exercise Crocodile 99?

(2) On what date did the government first formally seek United States participation in the International Force for East Timor?

(3) Did the government at any time seek the commitment of US combat troops; if so (a) when; and (b) how many?

The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question.

(1, 2 and 3) The government is fully satisfied with the contribution that the United States is making to the multi-national force in East Timor.