PORTUGAL IS SENDING 120 PARAMILITARY POLICE TO HELP RESTORE ORDER IN EAST TIMOR, A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, AP REPORTED. SECURITY MINISTER ANTONIO COSTA SAID A FIRST GROUP OF 40 POLICE, INCLUDING 15 FROM A SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT, WOULD DEPART FOR THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY NEXT WEDNESDAY. THE REST OF THE CONTINGENT WOULD BE IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRY BY JUNE 23, COSTA SAID. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN GAVE HIS BACKING TO THE PORTUGUESE OPERATION EARLIER IN THE DAY. PORTUGAL HAD REQUESTED U.N. GUIDANCE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO SEND THE PARAMILITARY POLICE WHO WERE ON STANDBY FOR DEPLOYMENT IN EAST TIMOR, WHERE RENEGADE TROOPS ARE BATTLING GOVERNMENT FORCES. THE PARAMILITARY POLICE SERVED WITH A U.N. FORCE IN EAST TIMOR BETWEEN 2000 AND 2002 AND ALSO PARTICIPATED IN PEACEKEEPING PATROLS IN IRAQ.