Brasília, May 3, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - In the second week of May, Brazil will send an additional 75 Army troops to the United Nations (UN) Peace Mission in East Timor. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is preparing a document on the matter to submit to a vote in the National Congress. Congressional consent is required every time the government decides to send members of the armed forces abroad.

The Brazilian Ministry of Defense confirmed the extension of the Brazilian mission, which currently comprises a contingent of 50, in East Timor. According to the Ministry, they are rotated every six months. The assignment of additional troops was in response to a UN request to replace military security forces from other countries.

In addition to policing UN mission headquarters, the Brazilian soldiers are in charge of ostensibly policing areas of military concentration, guarding public buildings, and escorting government officials.

Translator: David Silberstein