The Taoiseach is to visit the Army Ranger Unit assisting in peace enforcement in East Timor. It was confirmed last night that Mr Ahern will stop off in East Timor for five hours on March 9th en route to Australia for a state visit. ail approval was required to allow the rangers to Mr Ahern is due to visit Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. He will meet senior politicians including the premiers of Victoria and New South Wales, and the Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard.
He will also attend the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 11th. Mr Ahern will fly to Washington on March 15th for St Patrick's Day celebrations.