New Zealand has confirmed its support for an extended United Nations mandate in East Timor.

The details of the New Zealand presence are still to be confirmed, but it is likely the small Defence Force presence, plus police and prisons support, will continue for another year.

The current UN mandate in East Timor expires on May 20.

This week UN Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed extending the mandate for a further 12 months as requested by the Dili government. The fledgling
administration is concerned that withdrawal of the UN presence may trigger renewed political violence it's not yet able to handle.

New Zealand's involvement is now mainly in the training and organisational role for government services, particularly in the police and prison services, plus a handful of military advisers -- now down to about six -- helping to build the country's security forces.

There are a number of New Zealand-linked aid organisations operating in East Timor.

A spokesman for Foreign Minister Phil Goff yesterday confirmed New Zealand's support for continuing the UN mandate, and for ongoing assistance.

The detail was to be confirmed, he said, once the formal outcome from the UN Security Council meeting on May 10, and the request for New Zealand
involvement, was received.

"The Government considers this a positive development," the spokesman said.

Defence Force spokesman Squadron Leader Ric Cullinane said the the current plan -- until it's changed by the Government -- is to pull out the current
New Zealand military serving in East Timor by June.

From 1999 to 2002 New Zealand mounted six consecutive six-month deployments at battalion strength -- our most numerous overseas operation since Korea.

The Australian government welcomed Mr Annan's suggestion, and a spokesman for Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said officials had already
started informal discussions with the UN on possible contributions.

Dili and Canberra are arguing their maritime border in the Timor Sea.

It's currently along what Australia regards as its continental shelf, rather than midway between the countries, and puts major undersea oil and gas reserves on the Australian side of the line.

East Timor has asked the New Zealand government to help settle the issue, but Wellington is reluctant to get involved.

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