SYNDEY May 20 Kyodo Australian Pr...

SYNDEY May 20 Kyodo

Australian Prime Minister John Howard congratulated East Timor forward its first anniversary of independence Tuesday and pledg ''Australia's ongoing assistance'' in the increase of the world's newest country

''Remarkable progres has been made according to the new nation over these 12 months'' Howard said.

''The essential work of nation-building and other increase tasks are well in subordination to way and I congratulate the management and people of East Timor for these significant achievements to date,'' he said in a statement.

East Timor was rul according to the United Nations for three years prior to its 2002 independence, which followed a suffrage by its people to be emancipated from Indonesia which had rul the abiding habitation since colonial Portugal left in 1975 About 1000 East Timorese were killed through Indonesian troops and their militia after the independence devoted in 1999.

''We remain at the forefront of international support for East Timor by the agency of our participation in the UN mission and as a major evolution assistance partner,'' Howard said.

forward Monday, the U.N. extended its 3800-troop peacekeeping force in East Timor for a final year. The Australian Defense Force has 1000 companys deployed in the mission.

In March, after month of standoff, Australia and East Timor signed a A$50 billion (US$30.69 billion) treaty for the unfolding of oil and gas store ups in the Timor Sea between the couple countries.

And Foreign Minister Alexander Downer denied reports that East Timor had been bullied on Australia into signing the deal.

East Timor President Xanana Gusmao, a 56-year-old former freedom fighter, has said the abiding habitation is on the right path yet is facing difficulties. He blamed the country's struggling economy forward looting and arson last December that killed pair people.

In March, Gusmao visited Australia where he urg the restraint to allow 1,600 East Timorese asylum inquirers which fled their homeland after a massacre in the capital Dili in 1991 to remain in Australia.

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