Asia-Pacific leaders meeting in Auckland, New Zealand gave an initial welcome to Indonesia's decision to allow foreign peackeepers into East Timor and were due to consult further on the details of such a force.
The forum, led by US President Bill Clinton, had piled intense pressure on Jakarta. Mr Clinton and Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard, who has led efforts to stitch together a force for East Timor, led the praise for Mr Habibie's decision. But US National Security Adviser Mr Sandy Berger sounded a note of caution.
"We are encouraged by the statement made by Habibie. But it is important to see how it will be implemented. We will keep a close eye on what happens on the ground in the days ahead," he said.
