September 1999 Military News

Text: Special Envoy Briefs Congress on Congo Peace Efforts USIA 30 September 1999 -- Ambassador Howard Wolpe, U.S. special envoy to the Great Lakes region,briefed Congress September 21 about ongoing peace efforts to stop thewar in Congo/Kinshasa.
Text: Assistant Secretary Taft Sept. 30 Remarks on East Timor USIA 30 September 1999 -- The Indonesian Government must ensure that the international humanitarian community has full and secure access to refugees and displaced people, according to Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julia Taft.
Text: Assistant Secretary Koh Sept. 30 Testimony on East Timor USIA 30 September 1999 -- Resolution of the situation in East Timor must be a top priority for the international community, including governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations, according to Harold Hongju Koh, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor.
JAPAN / AUM CULT Voice of America 30 September 1999 -- A former member of the Aum Shinri Kyoreligious cult was sentenced to death Thursday. 35-year old Masato Yokoyama is the first person to receive the death penalty for the 1995 Tokyo subway attack that killed 12 people.
PRESS BRIEFING BY UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 30 September 1999 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, told correspondent at a Headquarters press briefing today that she hoped to establish an international commission of inquiry for East Timor “as a matter of urgency”
COHEN/JAKARTA Voice of America 30 September 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen met with political leaders and human rights activists in Jakarta today (Thursday) to discuss the crisis in East Timor. From the Indonesian capital, Mr. Cohen called on Indonesia's government to rein in its military.
E. TIMOR REBELS Voice of America 30 September 1999 -- A group of guerrilla independence fighters has come out of the jungle in East Timor and offered to work with international peacekeepers to restore order to the territory. Some of the rebels had not been in the capital for decades.
COHEN / INDONESIA Voice of America 30 September 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen says the Indonesian government realizes the success of the country may hinge on how Jakarta deals with the crisis in East Timor. Mr. Cohen's comments followed meetings with Indonesia's president and military chief. Mr. Cohen called the reaction to his meetings "positive."
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA Voice of America 30 September 1999 -- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says Russian ground troops are operating inside Chechnya, three years after Moscow withdrew forces from the region in defeat. Chechen officials are threatening to strike back if Russia mounts a full-scale invasion.
Holbrooke Outlines U.S. Four-Point Agenda to Help Africa USIA 29 September 1999 -- Discussing what Secretary-General Kofi Annan called Africa's "combination of accomplishments and unresolved problems, opportunities seized and chances missed," the Security Council September 27 held a ministerial-level session on the continent and what the international community and Africans themselves can do to see that their lives are freer, safer, and more secure in the coming century.
Text: Amb. Holbrooke at UNSC Open Meeting on Africa Sept. 29 USIA 29 September 1999 -- U.S. Representative to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke, addressing a U.N. Security Council open meeting on Africa September 29, outlined a four-part U.S. agenda by which he said the United Nations can "do whatever is possible to support and foster" the ambitions of African people.
HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR’S SITUATION REPORT EAST TIMOR CRISIS 29 September 1999 -- Local officials report that as many as 70,000 persons may have entered Dili during the past two days and that 30,000 more displaced may arrive in the near future. The influx has been spontaneous and relatively orderly, with the majority of people returning directly to their homes. The condition of the returnees appears to be good although most people lost their assets during the crisis.
U-N - EAST TIMOR Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- The United Nations says it is preparing to take up civilian duties in East Timor, including the delivery of water and electricity for the territory which was devastated by a wave of violence. Much of East Timor's infrastructure was destroyed when anti-independence militias swept through the territory, killing thousands and setting fire to buildings and homes.
Text: Defense Secretary Cohen's Australia "Today" Show Interview USIA 29 September 1999 -- Countries in the Asia-Pacific region must do their share for peace, U.S. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen said in a September 29 interview on Australia's "Today" Show during his trip through theregion.
Text: State Department on Murder of Religious Officials in Timor USIA 29 September 1999 -- The United States condemns the murder of nine religious officials and staff who were fired upon by a unit of the Indonesian military while driving between Los Palos and Bau Cau in East Timor, the State Department said in a September 29 statement.
Text: U.S. to Provide $5.1 Million for East Timor AssistanceUSIA 29 September 1999 -- The United States will be providing $5.1 million in humanitarian assistance to victims of the recent violence in East Timor, Deputy State Department Spokesman James Foley announced September 29.
Text: Statement of Defense Secretary on Indonesian Army Sept. 30USIA 29 September 1999 -- The United States will not consider restoring normal military relations with Indonesia until the Indonesian military restores order in East Timor and takes reforms underway by protecting human rights and operating under civilian control, Defense Secretary William Cohen said.
Romero Testifies on Key Issues Facing Americas USIA 29 September 1999 -- Although the Western Hemisphere faces many challenges,the countries of the region have arrived at a "promising juncture,"says Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric affairs, Peter Romero
Text: State Dept.'s Romero Testifies on Western Hemisphere Issues USIA 29 September 1999 -- The United States is committed to working with the Colombiangovernment as it implements an ambitious plan to combat illegal drugtrafficking and myriad associated problems, Acting Assistant Secretaryof State Peter Romero told a congressional committee September 29.
U-N - EAST TIMOR - INTERVENTION Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- The United Nations is facing criticism for its failure to prevent the latest violence in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor. U-N officials are defending the organization. But they also say compromises were made in order to secure Indonesia's agreement to allow the vote last month on East Timor independence. The United Nations dealt with the apparently difficult choices it faced on the issue of East Timor.
U-N - TIMOR - PLANNING Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- Indonesia has agreed to an acceleration of planning for the hand-over of East Timor to a United Nations interim administration. The agreement was reached in talks today (Tuesday) between Indonesia, Portugal and the United Nations
JAKARTA/PEACEFUL PROTESTS Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- Hundreds of university students held an anti-violence protest in Jakarta Wednesday. The students were not the only ones in Jakarta's streets Wednesday pushing for political reform.
DILI REFUGEES Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- As security continues to improve in East Timor, INTERFET, the U-N peacekeeping force says it expects an influx of returnees to the territory's capital, Dili. Some of the refugees are being moved into a sports stadium where aid agencies can provide better care for them.
COHEN-JAKARTA Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen says Washington is sending more helicopters, troops and a large ship to help the peacekeeping force in East Timor. The announcement comes as defense officials say pro-Indonesia militias may be planning attacks on the Australian-led peacekeeping troops in the troubled territory. Mr. Cohen will warn Jakarta Thursday that such attacks could have serious consequences
U-S - INDONESIA Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- The United States and Indonesia disagree over the seriousness of the refugee situation spawned by the crisis in East Timor, as well as the need for a United Nations commission of inquiry to examine human rights violations there. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had what was described as an intense meeting on East Timor with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in New York Wednesday.
SRI LANKA ATTACK Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- The United Nations, says the Sri Lankan government has confirmed 22 Tamil refugees were accidentally killed when government planes bombed the country's north earlier this month.
TURKEY / KURDS Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- At least five-thousand Turkish troops backed by helicopter gunships have crossed into northern Iraq in pursuit of rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or P-K-K.
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- Russian warplanes have conducted another day of air strikes on breakaway Chechnya, even as Russian aid workers begin building camps for refugees fleeing the bombs.
SRI LANKA ATTACK Voice of America 29 September 1999 -- The United Nations, says the Sri Lankan government has confirmed 22 Tamil refugees were accidentally killed when government planes bombed the country's north earlier this month.
PRESS CONFERENCE BY AUSTRALIA 29 September 1999 -- The international force in East Timor had been very successful so far in helping to restore peace and security to many parts of the territory, Alexander Downer, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, told correspondents.
PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR EAST TIMOR 28 September 1999 -- In response to questions about UNAMET having prior information about possible attacks by anti-independence forces as far back as July, Mr. Martin said there were constant reports and, indeed, public statements by pro-autonomy and militia leaders that there would be violence in the event of a pro-independence outcome in the ballot.
PRESS CONFERENCE ON EAST TIMOR BY XANANA GUSMAO AND JOSE RAMOS HORTA 28 September 1999 -- The multinational force in East Timor must rapidly expand to start building peace and security in the territory, East Timorese leaders Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta told correspondents at a press conference, sponsored by Portugal, at Headquarters this afternoon.
ANGOLA / FIGHTING Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- In Angola, the UNITA rebel movement continues to deny reports that it has lost one of its major strongholds to advancing government troops.
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- Tens of thousands of refugees are fleeing Chechnya, as Russian jets continue air strikes on the breakaway region.
U-N-H-C-R / CHECHEN REFUGEES Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- The United Nations refugee agency, U-N-H-C-R, reports that around 50-thousand people from Chechnya have fled to the neighboring republic of Ingushetia.
CONGRESS-INDONESIA Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- Several pieces of legislation are pending in the U-S Congress dealing with the crisis in East Timor. A Senate Committee is backing a bill that calls for a cut-off of all U-S assistance to Jakarta, except humanitarian aid. House of Representatives is focusing on the Australian-led international peace keeping force.
Texts: Amb. George Moose Statements on East Timor USIA 28 September 1999 -- The United States supported the call for the special session of the UN Human Rights Commission because of its deep concern over the human rights crisis in East Timor and the threats posed to the outcome of the UN-sponsored free and fair vote by the violence that swept East Timor since that vote, said Ambassador George Moose, the U.S. delegate to the special session.
Byliner: Humanitarian Aid for the Timorese -- No Time to Lose USIA 28 September 1999 -- The humanitarian crisis in Timor has produced an outpouring of concern worldwide for the well-being of Timorese, approximately 140,000 of whom have taken refuge in West Timor. Irrespective of questions of politics, religion or place of refuge, the urgent plight of these people must concern us all.
COHEN-AUSTRALIA-TROOPS Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- U-S Defense Secretary William Cohen says Washington will consider sending more help to the Australian-led peacekeeping force in East Timor. But he made it clear that help is not likely to include combat troops. Mr. Cohen's comments came in an interview on Australian television.Mr. Cohen is beginning meetings with Australian officials.
E. TIMOR PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- Troops from INTERFET, the United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor, have carried out what spokesmen call another successful anti-militia operation in outlying territory.
U-N / TIMOR AID Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R, says it hopes to gain access soon to tens of thousands of East Timorese refugees who have fled or been deported to West Timor. The agency says it has made some progress with the authorities in West Timor in persuading them that United Nations aid workers be allowed to assist the East Timorese refugees
INDONESIA / AUSTRALIA RELATIONS Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- Relations between Australia and its nearest Asian neighbor, Indonesia, have deteriorated sharply since Australia assumed leadership of the multi-national peacekeeping force in East Timor.Australia says Indonesia is deliberately trying to discredit it.
AUSTRALIA - INDONESIA Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- Australian officials lashed out Tuesday at Indonesia, saying there is a campaign to discredit Australia's leadership of the multi-national peacekeeping force in East Timor. The comments come after a series of Indonesian media reports, claiming Australian troops are torturing pro-independence militia men.
E TIMOR RAIDS Voice of America 28 September 1999 -- United Nations troops conducted two raids on East Timorese militia strongholds Monday. The raids come amid reports that pro-Indonesia militias plan to launch a guerilla war against the multi-national peacekeeping force
Text: FAO's Special Alert on East TimorUSIA 28 September 1999 -- Ongoing violence in East Timor is hampering humanitarian and fooddistribution operations and exacerbating the food shortage and healthproblems among thousands of refugees and displaced people, the UnitedNations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a special newsalert on East Timor September 28.
Transcript: Albright/Gusmao September 26 Remarks on East TimorUSIA 27 September 1999 -- The continuing humanitarian crisis in East Timor and the growingtragedy of East Timorese refugees in West Timor are of acute concernand demand immediate attention, Secretary of State Madeleine Albrightsaid in September 26 remarks in New York.
Points from the Daily Briefing Monday 27 September 1999 -- Security is tense as the last phase of TNI withdrawal from Dili is being conducted over the next 24 hours. However, people continue to return to the city on a daily basis.
COHEN - INDONESIA INVESTIGATION Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen says he will urge Indonesian leaders to investigate recent killings in the troubled territory of East Timor. Mr. Cohen spoke with reporters on the flight to South East Asia where he will soon hold talks with leaders of Indonesia's opposition, government, and military.
CLINTON-INDONESIA Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- President Clinton is taking a conciliatory approach toward Indonesia, saying he hopes it will emerge from the current crisis over East Timor to play a positive role in Asia's future.
EAST TIMOR / HUMAN RIGHTS Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- The United Nations Human Rights Commission has adopted a resolution by a wide margin calling for an international inquiry into violations of human rights in East Timor. This was the fourth emergency session held by the Commission in its 53 year history.
INDONESIA / MILITARY Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- Indonesia's military has been forced to withdraw from East Timor and its effort to impose new nationwide security measures has been suspended. Now, in the face of public protests and in advance of an upcoming presidential election, the military is fighting to preserve its authority.
SENATE-INDONESIA Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- The U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voted to cut off nearly all aid to Indonesia in reaction to the violence in East Timor.
PINOCHET TRIAL Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- The extradition hearing of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet has opened in London.
U-N - SIERRA LEONE PEACEKEEPING Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is calling for deployment of a six-thousand person peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone.
SRI LANKA - U-N Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister has blasted the United Nations for its statement issued last week on civilian casualties in the country.
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- Chechen leader Aslan Maskhadov has appealed for an urgent meeting with President Boris Yeltsin as Russian warplanes rained bombs on the breakaway republic's capital for a fifth day.
AFGHAN FIGHTING Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- Afghanistan's Taleban movement says it has made strategic gains against opposition forces in the northern part of the country, capturing two key towns after three days of bloody fighting.
U-N - AFGHANISTAN Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- A United Nations report released today (Monday) denounces Afghanistan's Taleban leadership for increases in fighting, drug production and human rights abuses in that country.
Multilaterals To Provide Colombia With Massive Loan PackageUSIA 27 September 1999 -- A group of multilateral lending institutions has agreed to provide Colombia with $4,200 million in loans for the next three years in support of a program to "restore confidence and reinvigorate the Colombian economy," the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced.
ALBRIGHT - TIMORVoice of America 27 September 1999 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has met in New York (Sunday) with East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao. In a statement to reporters, she demanded that the Indonesian government stop what she called collusion between the Indonesian military and anti-independence militias.
E. TIMOR SECURITYVoice of America 27 September 1999 -- A multinational peacekeeping force in East Timor has effectively taken over security from the Indonesian armed forces. But the commander of the peacekeeping mission, General Peter Cosgrove says Indonesia still has security responsibility in the troubled territory. The Australian military is apparently downplaying the transfer of power out of deference towards Jakarta.
E. TIMOR ATROCITIES Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- Recent media reports point to a lack of evidence of many of the atrocities and mass killings alleged to have taken place in East Timor. Humanitarian aid officials and refugee protection experts expect more evidence to come to light as peacekeepers are able to secure more of the territory.
E. TIMOR HANDOVER Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- The Indonesian military has formally handed over control of security in East Timor to the leaders of the multi-national peacekeeping force. The handover marks Indonesia's first step towards moving out of the territory since it invaded East Timor 24 years ago.
CLINTON-INDONESIA Voice of America 27 September 1999 -- President Clinton says he hopes Indonesia will emerge from the current crisis over East Timor to play a positive role in Asia's future.
EAST TIMOR / RUINED TOWNS Voice of America 26 September 1999 -- United Nations aid teams surveyed towns across East Timor on Sunday and found many of them to be deserted and in ruins. The devastation is worse than they expected.
Transcript: Albright/Gusmao September 26 Remarks on East Timor USIA 27 September 1999 -- The continuing humanitarian crisis in East Timor and the growing tragedy of East Timorese refugees in West Timor are of acute concernand demand immediate attention, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said in September 26 remarks in New York.
JAKARTA CALM Voice of America 25 September 1999 -- The streets of the Indonesian capital were quiet Saturday following two days of deadly protests over a new security law. At least six people were killed and more than one-hundred injured.
RUSSIA/CHECHNYA Voice of America 25 September 1999 -- Russian warplanes have bombed the Chechen capital, Grozny, for a third consecutive day -- destroying the breakaway republic's television center and knocking out telephone lines.
INDONESIA PROTEST Voice of America 25 September 1999 -- The streets of the Indonesian capital were calm Saturday after two days of protests against a new security law.
Text: Statement of Multinational Humanitarian Mission to E. Timor USIA 24 September 1999 -- During its recent visit to the East Timorese capital of Dili, the Multinational Humanitarian Mission was shocked to observe the widespread physical destruction of homes, commercial facilities and public buildings.
TIMOR - PENTAGON Voice of America 24 September 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen heads to Indonesia next week to urge the military and government there to restrain violence in the troubled territory of East Timor, and to cooperate with the U-N peacekeeping mission that is now moving into place. The Australian-led force is beginning to calm the deadly strife in the East Timor capital, Dili.
INDONESIA / PROTEST Voice of America 24 September 1999 -- Four people were reported dead Friday in Jakarta, after two days of bloody protests over the Indonesian parliament's approval of new powers for the military. The riots are the worst in the country since the start of the year, leaving more than 100 people injured.
EAST TIMOR / SECURITY HANDOVER Voice of America 24 September 1999 -- The head of the Indonesian military in East Timor says he will formally hand over control of security of the territory to the multi-national peacekeeping force -- led by Major General Peter Cosgrove -- next week. The East Timorese capital, Dili, the announcement comes as Indonesian troops continue to withdraw from the troubled territory.
EAST TIMOR / HUMAN RIGHTS Voice of America 24 September 1999 -- Two Nobel Peace Prize winners from East Timor have accused the Indonesian army of genocide and war crimes against the territory's people. They are urging the United Nations to investigate what they called atrocities against innocent men, women, and children.
EAST TIMOR / EXPULSIONS Voice of America 24 September 1999 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R, says it has evidence that people in East Timor have been forcibly expelled. The agency says interviews with people in the East Timorese capital, Dili, indicate, what it calls, an alarming pattern of well planned forcible removals of East Timorese to other parts of Indonesia.
Text: Summary of Sept. 24 UNHCR Briefing on Timor, Sierra LeoneUSIA 24 September 1999 -- Interviews conducted by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees revealed that removal of East Timorese to other parts ofIndonesia has been "well-planned" and "well-organized," particularlyintended to separate families, according to UNHCR Spokesman KrisJanowski.
Transcript: Special Defense Department Briefing on East TimorUSIA 24 September 1999 -- The multinational peacekeeping force for East Timor led by Australia has restored "a measure of order" in the capital city of Dili and has started to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced Timorese, according to the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Pacific forces (CINCPAC). In a special Defense Department briefing at the Pentagon September 24, Admiral Dennis Blair said: "We are not leading the effort; we are supporting it."
EAST TIMOR: 'DAUNTING,' 'DANGEROUS' PERIOD AHEAD USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 24 September 1999 -- The rapidly unfolding events in East Timor-- with several shooting incidents reported yesterday involving armed pro-Jakarta militias and Australian peackeepers-- and unrest in Jakarta, where crowds protested the passage of a new security bill giving broad powers to the military, continued to rivet the attention of editorialists around the world. Most commentators foresaw a "daunting" and "dangerous" period ahead for the Australia-led peacekeeping force, and viewed the death this past Wednesday of a Dutch journalist as an especially graphic "warning" from the militias that "they don't want anyone prying around."
EAST TIMOR INCIDENTS Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Australian troops in East Timor came under fire Thursday, for the first time since international peacekeepers were deployed there to restore order.
EAST TIMOR / THURSDAY Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- The commander of the international peacekeeping force in East Timor says the deployment of troops to the territory has been accelerated. The commander made his comments just three days after the Australian-led peacekeeping force landed in the capital to restore order after weeks of violence by pro-Indonesia militia groups.
EAST TIMOR / HUMAN RIGHTS Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- The United Nation's top human rights official, Mary Robinson, has called for the establishment of an international Commission of Inquiry to prosecute those accused of human rights violations in East Timor. Ms. Robinson denounced what she said were massacres, forced deportations and destruction of property after residents of East Timor voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from Indonesia.
INDONESIA / AUSTRALIA Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia has strongly defended his nation's policy toward East Timor.The Australian diplomat's comments come at a time of mounting criticism in Indonesia over Canberra's leading role in the United Nations peacekeeping forces in East Timor
U-N PEACEKEEPERS ON EAST TIMOR Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- The arrival of United Nations peacekeepers on the troubled island territory of East Timor is a major focus of foreign newspaper editorials this week.
INDONESIA PROTESTS Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Thousands of students clashed with police in Indonesia Thursday during demonstrations against a new security law that grants greater powers to the military. The military says the law will encourage more democracy and reform.
CLINTON - SHEVARDNADZE Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- The U.S. and Georgian Presidents reviewed the situation in the Caucasus as Russia intensified its campaign against separatist rebels by bombing the airport in the Chechen capital, Grosny.
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Russian forces have bombed the airport at Chechnya's capital, Grozny, killing at least one person. This is the first Russian attack on the Chechen capital since the region's civil war ended in 1996.
AFGHAN FIGHTING Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- In Afghanistan, the Taleban and opposition Northern Alliance are making conflicting claims about military gains in the northwest of the country.
Fact Sheet: USAID on East Timor Relief, Sept. 23USIA 23 September 1999 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development released the following fact sheet September 23 detailing the international aid efforts focused on East Timor in the aftermath of violence and civil unrest.
Text: UNICEF Aid to East TimorUSIA 23 September 1999 -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is working to re-establish its presence in East Timor after being driven from the region by violence earlier this month.
RUSSIA / CHECHNYA Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Russian forces have bombed the airport at Chechnya's capital, Grozny, killing at least one person. This is the first Russian attack on the Chechen capital since the region's civil war ended in 1996.
INDONESIA / PROTEST Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Thousands of students clashed with police in Indonesia Thursday during demonstrations against a new security law. Critics say the law will increase the military's power.
EAST TIMOR / THURSDAY Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- The commander of the international peacekeeping force in East Timor says the deployment of troops to the territory has been accelerated. The commander made his comments just three days after the Australian-led peacekeeping force landed in the capital to restore order after weeks of violence by pro-Indonesia militia groups.
EAST TIMOR INCIDENTS Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Australian troops in East Timor came under fire Thursday, for the first time since international peacekeepers were deployed there to restore order.
INDONESIA / AUSTRALIA Voice of America 23 September 1999 -- Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia has strongly defended his nation's policy toward East Timor. The Australian diplomat's comments come at a time of mounting criticism in Indonesia over Canberra's leading role in the United Nations peacekeeping forces in East Timor.
U-N - CHINA - SOVEREIGNTY Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- China says it is opposed to calls by some countries for the United Nations to be more active in humanitarian intervention. China's foreign minister challenged those calls today (Wednesday) in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.
RUSSIA - DAGESTAN Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- A senior Russian security official says troops have sealed off the breakaway Chechnya region, but have no plans for a ground invasion. Instead, the Russian strategy is based mostly on NATO-style air strikes against suspected rebel positions.
WORLD COURT / PAKISTAN Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- Pakistan has started legal proceedings against India at the World Court in the Netherlands over the shooting down in August of a Pakistani naval aircraft. All 16 people on-board were killed when the plane was shot down by India's air force. Pakistan now wants India to take both legal and financial responsibility for the incident.
SOMALIA FIGHTING Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- New outbreaks of fighting in Somalia have left more than two dozen people dead. The violence comes as international relief agencies stop all activities in southern Somalia following last week's murder of an aid worker.
PAKISTAN/HONOR KILLINGS Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- Amnesty International says Pakistan has the world's worst record for killing women who are believed to have betrayed the honor of their families. The London-based political group released its report in Washington (Tuesday 9/21) on the increasing use of so-called `honor killings.'
U-N PEACEKEEPERS TO EAST TIMOR Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- The arrival of United nations peacekeeping troops in yet another of the world's trouble spots, this one, the south Pacific island of East Timor, is drawing a good deal of comment in the U-S press.
Text: UNHCR Briefing on E. Timor USIA 22 September 1999 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Sadako Ogata hasreceived assurances from Indonesian President B.J. Habibie and other top officials that UNHCR staff will have secure and unimpeded accessto Timorese who are in need of assistance, according to Spokesman KrisJanowski.
Text: September 21 Presidential Determination on East TimorUSIA 22 September 1999 -- President Clinton issued a Presidential Determination on East Timor September 21 that directs the Department of Defense to provide services, military education and training to support the efforts and enhance the capabilities of countries participating in the multilateral force to restore peace and security to East Timor.
WEST TIMOR REFUGEES Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- VOA NEWS spoke by telephone to a VOA reporter about the refugee situation there after so many people fled the violence in East Timor the past two weeks.
EAST TIMOR JOURNALIST Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- The commander of the multi-national peacekeeping force in East Timor has warned that the territory's pro-Indonesia militias could resume their violent attacks. Despite expanded operations by international troops, East Timor remains a dangerous place.
INDONESIA ACTIVIST Voice of America 22 September 1999 -- As thousands of East Timorese refugees continue to pour into other parts of Indonesia, many are describing in vivid detail the violence they left behind. And they are calling for the perpetrators to be brought before an international war crimes tribunal.
Administration Sees Renewed Hope For Colombia USIA 21 September 1999 -- The situation in Colombia remains perilous, but the Clinton Administration is optimistic that the strategy developed by Colombian President Andres Pastrana called "Plan Colombia" will address the Andean nation's economic, security, and drug-relatedproblems.
Text: State Dept.'s Rand Beers Testifies on Colombia USIA 21 September 1999 -- A top State Department official is alerting members of Congress to the "critical" situation in Colombia, where the government of President Andres Pastrana faces a battle against guerrilla groups and the narcotraffickers to whom they are closely linked.
Text: Pentagon Official Brian Sheridan Testifies on Colombia USIA 21 September 1999 -- Pentagon assistance to Colombia will maintain its "sole focus" on counterdrug support and "under no circumstances will U.S. military personnel participate or accompany Colombian forces engaged in operations of any sort," Department of Defense (DoD) official Brian Sheridan told members of the U.S. Senate September 21.
Text: Southcom's Wilhelm Testifies on Colombia USIA 21 September 1999 -- The key to peace in Colombia is to deprive that country's guerrilla forces of the "illegal revenues they receive from narco-traffickers," which "in turn will pave the way" for a negotiated settlement to Colombia's four-decades-old insurgency, says Charles Wilhelm, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Southern Command.
INDONESIA / U-N Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata has completed a three-day visit to Indonesia, where she toured refugee camps in West Timor and met with Indonesian leaders. Before leaving Indonesia (on Tuesday) Ms. Ogata spoke with reporters about the situation in Timor and the role the United Nations will play.
GUSMAO - AUSTRALIA Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao says he has no intention of setting up a government in exile, in the northern Australian city of Darwin. Mr. Gusmao's announcement comes as hundreds of peacekeepers continue to leave Australia for their mission to restore order in East Timor.
EAST TIMOR AND INDONESIAN POLITICS Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- The international peacekeeping troops that are arriving in East Timor could be stepping into the middle of a growing dispute between Indonesia's political factions. The dispute centers on the fact that some politicians and military leaders might not be reconciled to the fact that East Timor's people have voted overwhelmingly to break away from Indonesia and form an independent nation.
INDONESIA POLITICS Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- Indonesian President B-J Habibie has defended his handling of the crisis in East Timor and blamed Australia for blowing the problem out of proportion. The crisis has forced Mr. Habibie into a fight for his political life.
EAST TIMOR / HUMAN RIGHTS Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- The United Nations Human Rights Commission plans an emergency meeting Thursday to examine charges of human rights violations in East Timor.
EAST TIMOR AID Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R, says Indonesian authorities have promised to provide security for United Nations aid workers and unlimited access to everyone in East Timor who needs help.
EAST TIMOR: SUPPORT STEADY DESPITE 'DAUNTING UNKNOWNS' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 21 September 1999 -- Overseas media reaction to events in East Timor was again heavy, with most commentators focusing on the "daunting" "unknowns" facing the UN-sanctioned peacekeeping forces, the first wave of which landed in Dili yesterday without incident. Writers in Japan, China, the Philippines, Germany, Poland-- and one in Indonesia-- foresaw the possibility of a "bloody mission" ahead, and held that confrontations between the Australia-led peacekeepers and pro-Jakarta militias were "entirely possible."
SRI LANKA - AMNESTY REPORT Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- The human rights watchdog group, Amnesty International, has condemned the killing of more than 50 ethnic Sinhalese villagers last week, by Tamil Tiger rebels in eastern Sri Lanka.
RUSSIA CAUCASUS Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- The leaders of two southern Russian republics bordering breakaway Chechnya have held an unauthorized meeting with the Chechen president amid growing fears of a new Caucasian war. Russia, angered by bombs that killed hundreds of civilians, is continuing a military buildup along the Chechen border.
BURUNDI KILLINGS Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- In Burundi, 13 civilians and five rebel fighters are dead after a round of Hutu attacks over the last few days. The new casualties come as peace talks aimed at stopping Burundi's civil unrest are adjourned.
ANGOLA / UNITA Voice of America 21 September 1999 -- The UNITA rebel movement in Angola says the recent killing of one of its parliamentary deputies was an assassination.
BRAZIL-EAST TIMOR Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- Brazil has dispatched a contingent of military police to East Timor to join the multinational peacekeeping force trying to restore order in the former Portuguse colony.
TIMOR / POLITICAL FALLOUT Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- Indonesian reaction to the deployment of the peacekeeping force in East Timor has so far been muted. However, the crisis in East Timor -- and the government's handling of it -- have raised some troubling questions about the country's difficult transition to democracy.
Fact Sheet: USAID on Relief Effort in E. Timor Sept. 20USIA 20 September 1999 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development released a fact sheet September 20 detailing the public and private relief effort getting underway in East Timor.
Text: ICRC Launches E. Timor Relief EffortUSIA 20 September 1999 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) began a relief mission into violence-wracked East Timor on September 17. The ICRC is flying in food and other supplies from an aid base established on Java.
Text: U.N. Agency Air Drops Food Packages in E. TimorUSIA 20 September 1999 -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is introducing a new relief technology in its campaign to get food to an estimated 30,000 East Timorese who are hiding in the mountains to escape recentviolence.
RUSSIA BOMBINGS Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- Russia has been the scene of a series of terrorist bombings, which have claimed more than 300 lives in Moscow and at least one other city.
COLOMBIA REBELS Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- The kidnapping last week of 12 foreigners in Ecuador has created yet another international scandal for the Colombian guerilla group that is believed to be responsible.
INDONESIA - HUMAN RIGHTS Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata met privately with Indonesian President B-J Habibie today as the first United Nations peacekeeping forces arrived in East Timor. Mrs. Ogata said that the Indonesian government gave security assurances for the safety of the nearly two hundred thousand refugees who fled from East Timor to West Timor.
E. TIMOR FORCE Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- The first Troops from the multi-national peacekeeping force for East Timor have begun their long awaited deployment, with a dawn landing in Dili.
EAST TIMOR DEPLOYMENT Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- Hundreds of international peacekeepers landed in the East Timorese capital Dili, Monday to restore order in the unstable province. The commander of the mission says troops met with little resistance but added East Timor is still a volatile place.
INDONESIA - DEPLOYMENT Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- International peacekeepers have begun their mission of securing the East Timorese capital, Dili Monday. A "pool" reporter from the Australian Broadcast Coporation, is in Dili and reports the troops met little resistance from anti-independence militia groups believed to be behind the violence.
CONGO / REBELS Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- Rebels in Congo have done a better job at gaining ground in the civil war than they have done gaining the trust of civilians. Rebels are trying to improve their image.
PEACEKEEPRS / LAUNCH Voice of America 20 September 1999 -- The international peacekeeping force for East Timor launched its mission Monday from the northern Australian city of Darwin. Roughly 22 hundred British and Australian troops make up the first wave of peacekeepers that was mandated to restore stability to the territory, which has been ravished for more than two weeks by militia groups opposed to independence for East Timor.
EAST TIMOR: INTERFET ENTERS 'HARM'S WAY' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 20 September 1999 -- The deployment now underway of international peacekeeping forces-- under Australian leadership-- to the East Timorese capital, Dili, produced an outpouring of editorial comment from around the world, with the most heavy coverage emanating from East Asia and Europe. With the exception of media in Jakarta, the overwhelming majority of observers held that the International Force for East Timor's (Interfet) mission was "necessary" but fraught with danger for the troops involved.
'TERROR IN RUSSIA': 'CAN DEMOCRACY STILL SURVIVE?' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 20 September 1999 -- The recent wave of bomb attacks in Moscow and other Russian cities-- alleged by officials there to be the work of Chechen-based Islamic militants currently fighting Russian forces in the north Caucasus-- shifted the attention of Russia-watchers from Russiagate and other financial scandals to the country's fight against terrorism.
TIMOR FORCE Voice of America 19 September 1999 -- Troops from a multi-national peacekeeping force are flooding into the violence-torn province of East Timor.
E. TIMOR / PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- Nine warships carrying troops from the multi-national peacekeeping force for East Timor are now heading toward the violence ravaged province, where the Indonesian army has been pulling its soldiers out.
EAST TIMOR - HORTA Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- East Timorese Independence leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jose Ramos Horta says the Clinton administration has assured him the United States is committed to independence for the island nation. Mr. Ramos Horta met with White House and Congressional officials in Washington today/Friday and later addressed a rally by supporters of East Timor.
KYRGYZSTAN/CLASH Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- Seven soldiers in Kyrgyzstan have been killed and several others injured in a clash with a band of Islamic militants attempting to cross into the country from neighboring Tajikistan. Government officials in Kyrgyzstan believe the militants are trying to reach Uzbekistan in order to destabilize the secular government there.
CONGO / CEASEFIRE Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- There's more trouble for the three-week-old ceasefire in Congo's civil war. Each side is accusing the other of violating the accord.
RUSSIA / CAUCASUS Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- The Russian Air Force continues its campaign to strike at what it describes as rebel bases inside Chechnya. Meanwhile, Chechen officials say Russian troops have crossed into Chechen territory
CHILE / SPAIN Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- Relations between Chile and Spain worsened even more this week after Spanish authorities rejected a Chilean proposal to let an arbitration panel decide the fate of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
LANKAN KILLING Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- In an attack on three villages in eastern Sri Lanka, Tamil Tiger rebels are reported to have killed at least 51 Sinhala civilians.
CAMBODIA / U-N Voice of America 18 September 1999 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has rejected a proposed joint tribunal with the United Nations to bring leaders of the Khmer Rouge movement to trial for atrocities during their 1970's rule. The United Nations now faces the difficult choice of whether to participate in the trials, which some observers fear will be influenced by present-day Cambodian politics
ASIA / PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- Australia Friday called for upon its Asia-Pacific neighbors to help in the multinational peacekeeping mission to East Timor. Countries in the region begin to mobilize troops for deployment.
EAST TIMOR / AID Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- The Australian Air Force has begun airlifting food aid to East Timor, where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes by anti-independence militiamen.
EAST TIMOR / PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- Some Indonesian troops have begun to withdraw from violence-ravaged East Timor, where the first international peacekeepers are expected to arrive Saturday.
NEW ZEALAND / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- The first New Zealand troops participating in the United Nations multinational peacekeeping force in East Timor left for Australia, Friday, to prepare for deployment. The first wave of Special Air Services troops number a mere 50, but they are the forerunner of what could be New Zealand's biggest military action in three decades.
UNHCR / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, is travelling to Indonesia Friday. The High Commissioner will meet with top officials in the capital, Jakarta, to convey her concern about the situation of the East Timorese people.
RUSSIA / EXPLOSION Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- Officials say an explosion in a Saint Petersburg apartment building that killed two and injured at least three others is not linked to a series of apartment bombings in Russia, but the blast comes amidst growing unease that the Russian government is unable to protect its citizens.
U-N - TIMOR AIDVoice of America 17 September 1999 -- United Nations officials in New York say they are making progress in delivering emergency relief supplies to displaced people East Timor. Air drops of food and other supplies began today (Friday) and are scheduled to continue through next week.
INDONESIA / PEACEKEEPERSVoice of America 17 September 1999 -- The United Nations has moved into its second day of flying emergency relief supplies to refugees trapped in East Timor. Thousands of people are feared dead in a fortnight of strife and hundreds of thousands of others are facing food shortages in the territory, where pro-Indonesia militias have virtually taken over.
EAST TIMOR AIDVoice of America 17 September 1999 -- Airdrops of food aid have begun in East Timor, where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes by anti-independence militiamen.
CLINTON-TIMORVoice of America 17 September 1999 -- The Clinton Administration is warning pro- Jakarta militiamen in East Timor against carrying out their threats to attack the Australian-led U-N peacekeeping force that will soon be moving into the territory.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL AIRDROPS IN EAST TIMOR 17 September 1999 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said that the first humanitarian airdrops were completed successfully in East Timor today, with the delivery of desperately needed food and blankets to tens of thousands of people hiding in the mountains from political violence.
PRESS BRIEFING ON HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN EAST TIMOR 17 September 1999 -- Clearly, the biggest questions for provision of assistance on the ground would be security and logistics. The United Nations was looking for donor governments to provide the logistical capability to deliver such assistance. Overland delivery promised to be difficult.
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL 17 September 1999 -- Militias are reported to be seeking out pro-independence activists and taking them away to an unknown fate.
Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in East Timor September 17, 1999 -- The first half of September has seen a dramatic increase in human rights violations in East Timor. Since the popular consultation results were announced on 3 September 1999 armed pro-integration militia members have erected roadblocks throughout Dili and controlled the streets. Militia members were terrorizing and murdering unarmed civilians; burning houses; displacing large numbers of people; as well as intimidating, threatening, and attacking personnel of international organizations.
ANGOLA/FIGHTING Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- A senior official of Angola's UNITA rebel movement claims government troops have launched a major offensive against the rebels' main strongholds in the country's Central Highlands
RUSSIA - POLITICS Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- Lawmakers in Russia's upper house of parliament say they fully support the government's tough anti-terrorist measures following a series of apartment bombings in Russia and rebel activity in Dagestan and Chechnya. Lawmakers voted not to debate a motion to recommend the resignation of President Boris Yeltsin.
RUSSIA / EXPLOSION Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- Officials say an explosion in a Saint Petersburg apartment building that killed two and injured at least three others is not linked to a series of apartment bombings in Russia, but the blast comes amidst growing unease that the Russian government is unable to protect its citizens.
COLOMBIA - FARC - ECUADOR Voice of America 17 September 1999 -- Colombia's principal guerrilla group, the FARC, has denied U-S accusations that its members kidnapped 12 foreigners in Ecuador last week. The denial comes as Ecuadorean authorities continue searching for the missing people.
RUSSIA - EXPLOSION UPDATE Voice of America 16 September 1999 -- Rescue workers are searching for survivors after an explosion shattered an apartment building in southern Russia, killing at least 17-people, and injuring 150. This is the fourth major explosion to hit Russia in two-weeks.
Habibie: Indonesia Has No Objection to Australia Leading Multinational Forces Embassy of Indonesia 16 September 1999 -- Indonesian President B.J. Habibie said the government has no objection to Australia leading the multinational forces in East Timor because the country is not at hostility with any one.
AUSTRALIA / INDONESIA Voice of America 16 September 1999 -- Australia is playing down Indonesia's cancellation of a 1995 security treaty which allowed for the sharing of information between the two nations over perceived military threats.
AUSTRALIA / TIMOR Voice of America 16 September 1999 -- Australian military officials are set to begin air drops of food and other supplies to starving refugees into East Timor, where many people are still hiding from anti-independence militias.
CHINA / PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 16 September 1999 -- Although Chinese soldiers will not be taking part in the United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor, China says it will send civilian police to help with the U-N mission.
INDONESIA / SITREP Voice of America 16 September 1999 -- The Indonesian government has cancelled a security agreement with Australia because of what it describes as Australian interference in Indonesian affairs, over East Timor.
TIMOR - PROTESTS Voice of America 16 September 1999 -- Domestic opposition to the Indonesian government's policy on East Timor, has again spilled into the streets of Jakarta, and much of the anger is now being directed at President B-J Habibie.
EAST TIMOR: 'UNSC GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR INTERVENTION' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 16 September 1999 -- Overseas commentary on East Timor remained heavy in the wake of the UN Security Council's unanimous authorization early yesterday of a UN peacekeeping mission to the violence-wracked province. The nature and role of the peacekeeping mission-- and particularly Australia's role in it-- were the primary preoccupations of Asian commentators. In Europe and elsewhere, observers focused on the UNSC vote-- with almost all judging it to be a "welcome," albeit "belated" development.
Text: Clinton Statement on UNSC Approval of E.Timor Peackeeping Force USIA 16 September 1999 -- Aboard Air Force One - President Clinton says the United States "is prepared to contribute" to the UN-authorized multinational peacekeeping action in East Timor and is "discussing with our Australian allies and the Congress an appropriate U.S. role."
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING OF OFFICE OF SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL 16 September 1999 -- The militia were still very much in evidence on the streets of Dili, however, where 15 fires were counted today. Our people said they didn't know there was anything left to burn, they said. Looting was continuing, and long convoys of trucks could be seen carrying the loot in the direction of West Timor.
TOP UN OFFICIAL IN EAST TIMOR ASSESSES CONDITIONS IN BAUCAU SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL September 16, 1999 -- The militia were still very much in evidence on the streets of Dili, however, where 15 fires were counted today. Looting was continuing, and long convoys of trucks could be seen carrying the loot in the direction of West Timor.
Media Conference by the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie in Darwin Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence Thursday, September 16, 1999 -- Now we have a mandate from the United Nations to mount operations I can talk in a little more detail about what we intend to do about the appalling events in East Timor.
The situation in East Timor Security Council S/PV.4045 Provisional Fifty-fourth Year, 4045th Meeting Wednesday, 15 September 1999 - The position of Portugal on the tragic situation in East Timor was made abundantly clear to the Security Council last Saturday; so was the firm and unequivocal condemnation by the international community of the crimes perpetrated against the East Timorese people.
Text: President Clinton's Sept. 15 Christchurch Press ConferenceUSIA 15 September 1999 -- The United States and New Zealand stand together in their efforts to bring an end of violence to East Timor, says President Clinton.
Transcript: Albright September 14 Interview on Lehrer NewshourUSIA 15 September 1999 -- The U.S. role in the peacekeeping force being assembled for East Timor will be to do what the United States does best -- logistic support, communication, and strategic lift, according to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Text: House Resolution 292 on East TimorUSIA 15 September 1999 -- The House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific passed a resolution September 15, condemning the violent efforts of East Timor militias and elements of the Indonesian military to overturn the results of the August 30 East Timorese vote forindependence.
U.S. Presses for Quick UN Security Council Action on East Timor Sept. 14USIA 15 September 1999 -- The United States is pressing the UN Security Council to speed action on the resolution authorizing an international security force for East Timor.
RUSSIA / CAUCASUS Voice of America 15 September 1999 -- Russian security authorities have launched a massive manhunt for the people responsible for bombings at two Moscow apartment buildings that killed more than 200 people. A tough new anti-terrorist campaign will be extended into Russia's troubled Caucasus region.
WFP READYING NEW AIR DROP TECHNOLOGY FOR EAST TIMOR 15 September 1999 – The United Nations World Food Programme today announced it is preparing to air drop emergency food into East Timor, using for the first time the innovative "snow drop" technology that will deliver food safely and efficiently to the tens of thousands of desperately hungry people hiding in the mountains.
ANGOLA SITREP Voice of America 15 September 1999 -- United Nations officials in Angola say the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country remains critical. The release of four South Africans held in an Angolan jail for 20 months on charges of aiding the rebel movement UNITA.
ECUADOR HOSTAGESVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- Military troops from Ecuador and Colombia continue combing Ecuador's northeast Amazon region for 12 foreigners abducted on Saturday. Commander of Colombia's Military Forces, General Fernando Tapias (TAH pyahs) says that everything points to it as a kidnapping by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC.
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 15 September 1999 - We have made no decisions on what and whether to ask Congress for more assistance for Colombia. We have been undergoing a comprehensive policy review, to ensure that we develop the most effective strategy to deal with the myriad problems Colombia faces: not only the drug problem, but the crime problem, the economic problems and the human rights violations.
Cohen Offers U.S. Help to Combat Terrorism By Linda D. Kozaryn American Forces Press Service 15 September 1999 -- Hours after a bomb blast destroyed an eight-story apartment complex here Sept. 13, Defense Secretary William S. Cohen publicly condemned the attack and offered U.S. help.
BRAZIL-EAST TIMOR Voice of America 15 September 1999 -- Brazil plans to send a small contingent to participate in the multinational peacekeeping force to restore order in East Timor.
INDONESIAN ARMY - FOLLOWING ORDERS Voice of America 15 September 1999 -- When armed militias rampaged in East Timor after the referendum results showed overwhelming support for independence, Indonesian army units stationed in the territory seemed either unable or unwilling to stop the carnage. Were those soldiers and officers rogue army elements who ignored the orders of their superiors?
INDONESIA / PROTEST Voice of America 15 September 1999 -- Police in Jakarta have clashed with demonstrators protesting military abuses in East Timor. Bronwyn Curran reports from the Indonesian capital, around two dozen people were injured in the clashes.
INDONESIA - ARMYVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- A Singapore newspaper says Indonesia's top military commander may resign his post so he can make a run for the presidency.
CLINTON EAST TIMOR UPDATEVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- President Clinton is anticipating the deployment of U-N peacekeepers in East Timor soon.
E. TIMOR / AIDVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- Passage of the U-N resolution authorizing an international peacekeeping force for East Timor is expected to help speed aid deliveries to hundreds-of-thousands of internally displaced refugees who are without food and clean water.
EAST TIMOR / SITREPVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- United Nations officials in the East Timorese capital, Dili, say pro-Indonesia militias appear to be preparing to withdraw from the city. The preparations by the militias come as the Security Council in New York has reached agreement authorizing a peacekeeping mission to East Timor.
CLINTON - EAST TIMORVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- President Clinton is stepping up his call to Indonesia to stop the violence in East Timor and allow crucial humanitarian assistance to be distributed to those in need.
INDONESIA REFUGEESVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- Many East Timorese are living in a constant state of fear as rumors that members of pro-Indonesian militia groups - believed to be responsible for the recent violence - have gone to Jakarta to look for pro-independence supporters. This is a report about one activist, who has moved four times since arriving in Jakarta just over a week ago.
Q&A: EAST TIMOR / PEACEKEEPERSVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- Australian troops leading the peacekeeping mission are getting ready to go into East Timor from the northern Australian city of Darwin. Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter Anne Barker answers questions about the preparations in Darwin.
U-N - TIMOR RESOLUTIONVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- Australia says it has been asked to lead a multi-national security force in East Timor. The announcement comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to formally authorize deployment of the force.
U-N TIMOR RESOLUTION APPROVEDVoice of America 15 September 1999 -- The United Nations Security Council has (Wednesday) authorized deployment of a multi-national force in East Timor. The Australian-led force will attempt to end a wave of violence in the territory.
RESOLUTION 1264 (1999) Adopted by the Security Council at its 4045th meeting on 15 September 1999 -- Authorizes the establishment of a multinational force under a unified command structure, pursuant to the request of the Government of Indonesia conveyed to the Secretary-General on 12 September 1999, with the following tasks: to restore peace and security in East Timor, to protect and support UNAMET in carrying out its tasks and, within force capabilities, to facilitate humanitarian assistance operations.
REPORT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL MISSION TO JAKARTA AND DILI S/1999/976 - 14 September 1999 -- Reports by the Secretary-General to the Security Council during phase I of the popular consultation described the impunity with which pro-autonomy militias were allowed to carry out violent activity. But the scale and thoroughness of the destruction of East Timor in the past week has demonstrated a new level of open participation of the military in the implementation of what was previously a more veiled operation. This open military role has now been legitimized by the invocation of martial law. It was apparent to the Mission that this activity could not have occurred without the involvement of large elements of the Indonesian military and police. One aim of this was to rid the Territory of any international presence, including UNAMET, humanitarian workers and the media, thereby limiting outside observation. Another was to implement a coordinated, forced relocation programme in which tens of thousands of East Timorese have been moved to West Timor. There were consistent reports of the direct involvement of large elements of TNI and the police in this forced relocation campaign. The organized and coordinated nature of this campaign, the Territory-wide effort to force out UNAMET and other international presences and the lack of adequate response to militia violence despite the overwhelming superiority of TNI and the police all support the view that militia activities were organized and supported by parts of TNI. The involvement of large elements of the Indonesian military and police in East Timor in organizing and backing the unacceptably violent actions of the militias has become clear to any objective observer and was acknowledged publicly by the Minister of Defence on 11 September.
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 14 September 1999 -- EAST TIMOR -- Situation remains very serious. US continues to be concerned about safety of UNAMET personnel. Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese have been displaced. Discussions continue in New York at the UN on a security force to put into East Timor. UN Human Rights High Commissioner Mary Robinson working to establish commission of inquiry. US considering air drops for East Timor as a short-term solution. US citizen Allan Nairn apprehended this morning by Indonesian military. He may be deported tomorrow.
RUSSIA / EXPLOSION Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says international saboteurs are behind two apartment blasts in Moscow that killed more than 210 people.
RUSSIA / FEAR Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- Police in Moscow have turned up several-tons of explosives during a building to building search that began after bombs destroyed two high-rise apartment blocs, killing more than 200 people. Muscovites are adjusting to the new reality of living with terrorism.
SIERRA LEONE / REFUGEES Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The U-N Refugee Agency says the Liberian government has not granted permission to transfer thousands of Sierra Leonian refugees to safer camp sites. The refugees were forced out of their camps in Northern Liberia last month by fighting between government and rebel forces.
INDONESIA - U-S MILITARY Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The U-S House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly (419 to zero) to send a strong critical message to Indonesia's military -- and to the Pentagon Tuesday. The House wants to put even tighter restrictions on contacts between the U-S Military and Indonesian Armed Forces -- after some of Jakarta's troops attacked civilians in East Timor.
Text: UNHCR Briefing on E. Timor, Liberia, Kosovo Sept.14USIA 14 September 1999 -- Evidence of mass deportations in East Timor is causing alarm at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). According to notes from a September 14 briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, spokesman Kris Janowski says the U.N. refugee agency is adamant that citizens shouldn't be forced to leave East Timor; and those taken against their will already must be allowed to return.
BELO /VATICAN Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Belo from East Timor says it is the duty and responsibility of the international community to uphold the result of the territory's recent independence referendum. The Bishop spoke in the Vatican one-day after discussing the East Timor situation with Pope John Paul.
CLINTON - INDONESIA Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- President Clinton says it appears talks between Indonesia and the United Nations on the composition of an international peacekeeping force for East Timor are going well. Mr. Clinton is monitoring developments from Queenstown, New Zealand, where he spent a day of relaxation Tuesday
E. TIMOR / EVACUATION Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The United Nations has closed its besieged compound in East Timor after evacuating about 13-hundred frightened refugees from the violence torn capital of Dili.
E. TIMOR / INDONESIA Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The latest spasm of violence and killing to rock the province of East Timor has focused world attention on a long simmering problem. It has also triggered an emotional debate inside Indonesia that some people fear could tear the country apart.
EAST TIMOR EVACUATION Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The United Nations has evacuated its besieged compound in the East Timorese capital Dili Tuesday. U-N personnel have been trapped in the compound for almost two weeks, as pro-Indonesia militia groups rampaged through East Timor, looting, killing and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee.
EAST TIMOR EVACUATION Q&A Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The United Nations closed its compound in the strife-torn capital of East Timor Monday. Some 13 hundred East Timorese and most of the remaining U-N staff were evacuated to Darwin, Australia. Victor Beattie of VOA NEWS NOW in Washington spoke to Rafeal Epstein, a journalist with the Australian Broadcast Corporation in Darwin about the latest on the situation.
PEACEKEEPERS FOR EAST TIMOR Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The United States press is reacting with almost unanimous approval in its editorial columns to news that Indonesia has agreed to a force of international peacekeepers to regain order in East Timor.
U-N - TIMOR FORCE Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- Members of the United Nations Security Council say (Monday) they hope authorize an international force for East Timor within days for possible deployment by the end of the week.
UNHCR / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 14 September 1999 -- The United Nations refugee agency says the refugee crisis in East Timor has reached dramatic proportions. The refugee agency says hundreds of thousands of East Timorese may have been uprooted from their homes.
Transcript: Clinton September 12 Photo Opportunity Remarks (on Timor)USIA 13 September 1999 -- The United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan have a common interest in stability and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, common concerns about events in East Timor, and a commitment to try to find a common ground on economic issues as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and at the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle, according to President Clinton.
Text: Ambassador Holbrooke's UNSC Remarks on East TimorUSIA 13 September 1999 -- "Indonesia's government must allow an international security presence ... to enter immediately in order to create conditions necessary for the U.N. process to move forward," U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said September 11.
Transcript: Remarks by President Clinton on East TimorUSIA 13 September 1999 -- President Clinton welcomed the statement of Indonesian President Habibie inviting the United Nations to send a security force into East Timor, calling it a "a real tribute to the determination of the friends of the people there, the Australians, the New Zealanders here, all the people here at APEC who express solidarity."
UGANDA FIGHTING Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- Hundreds of people are dead in Uganda after three-days of ethnic clashes -- the attack was by the Bokora tribe against members of the Matheniko tribe.
E-U / FOREIGN MINISTER Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- E-U Foreign Ministers have declared (Monday) an arms embargo against Indonesia for four-months and have suspended military cooperation with that government.
UNHCR / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- The U-N High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata is urging a speedy deployment of international peacekeeping troops in East Timor.
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 13 September 1999 -- EAST TIMOR -- UN Security Council will meet today. Indonesian and Australian foreign ministers are in New York today. US seeks rapid passage of a resolution authorizing a multinational force. US role is expected to be in transport, logistics, communications and intelligence. US is considering humanitarian air drops of food and supplies.
Armed Intervention Is The Only Answer For East Timor By José Ramos-Horta International Herald Tribune September 13, 1999 -- More than 200,000 people have been driven from their homes by the military and the so-called militia gangs they sponsor. More than 100,000 East Timorese have been deported to various parts of Indonesia by truck, on foot and by ship to try to reverse the outcome of the self-determination plebiscite organized by the United Nations.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FRED ECKHARD SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL UN HEADQUARTERS, September 13, 1999 -- There is a strong preference, including on the part of the Secretariat, for a multinational force because it is simpler and quicker. A peacekeeping force would be recruited by the United Nations -- the military leadership would be appointed by the United Nations and the logistical support -- transport, housing, food, all the rest -- would be supplied by the United Nations, and the cost would be divided among the Organization's 185 (soon to be 188) Member States. For a multinational force, the Council authorizes a group of nations, and usually specifies the lead nations to organize a force and carry it out. The logistics then are handled by the lead nation and the costs are borne by the contributing countries.
HUMAN RIGHTS HIGH COMMISSIONER WELCOMES INDONESIAN DECISION ON PEACEKEEPERS IN EAST TIMOR AND RECOMMENDS INTERNATIONAL PROBE 13 September 1999 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson today welcomed the Indonesian Government’s decision to accept international peacekeepers for East Timor and recommended the establishment of an international commission of inquiry as a step towards “establishing accountability for the grave violations committed in the territory”.
E.TIMOR - MARY ROBINSON Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- U-N Human Rights High Commissioner Mary Robinson says preliminary evidence indicates the Indonesian military carried out a systematic campaign of terror in East Timor. Thousands of people are believed to have been killed in the territory.
RWANDA BISHOP Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- A Roman Catholic bishop accused of genocide and crimes against humanity goes on trial Tuesday in the Central African nation of Rwanda.
RUSSIA BLAST Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- Another powerful bomb has exploded in Moscow, demolishing an apartment building and killing at least 34 people. Many others are believed buried in the rubble.
SRI LANKA FIGHTING Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- A fresh offensive by government troops in Northern Sri Lanka has claimed more than 160 lives.
ANGOLA / U-N Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- Human Rights Watch, has issued a new report sharply critical of the failed U-N peacekeeping mission in Angola.
CLINTON WRAP Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- The Clinton administration is hailing what they describe as an easing in tensions in Asia as a result of several recent developments. President Clinton attended a trade summit in Auckland, New Zealand.
CLINTON -INDONESIA Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- U-S officials say hundreds of American troops are expected to be involved in a U-N peacekeeping operation in East Timor that will help restore order and implement an independence referendum.
U-N - TIMOR Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- Indonesia's willingness to accept a U-N- backed international peacekeeping force has brought calls for a swift deployment to the violence torn province.
EAST TIMOR PEACKEEPER REACT Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- In Indonesia, there has been mixed reaction to the announcement by President B-J Habibie that the government would accept U-N peacekeepers in East Timor. Some Indonesian government officials have questions about which countries should be allowed to participate in the peacekeeping force.
EAST TIMOR / PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- Pacific-rim countries are pledging their support for Indonesia's decision to allow U-N peacekeepers into East Timor. Australia's defense minister says troops could be sent in as early as the end of this week.
E. TIMOR RIGHTS Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- U-N Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson says Indonesian President B-J Habibie is considering the establishment of a joint U-N Indonesian panel to look into human rights abuses in East Timor.
E. TIMOR / AID Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- U-N Human-Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson says humanitarian aid must be brought immediately to refugees in East and West Timor, where many are reported to be facing starvation.
CLINTON - TIMOR Voice of America 13 September 1999 -- President Clinton has welcomed Indonesian President B-J Habibie's decision to allow an international peacekeeping force in East Timor to restore order in the territory. Mr. Clinton is attending an Asia-Pacific Economic summit.
EAST TIMOR Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- Indonesian officials are coming under mounting pressure to allow an international peacekeeping force into violence-ravaged East Timor Province. But so far, officials have shown little willingness to accept international demands.
E.TIMOR PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- Indonesian President B-J Habibi announced that he would accept a U-N peacekeeping force in East Timor. The government has some hesitation about which countries should join the peacekeeping force.
E. TIMOR / PEACEKEEPERS Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- Indonesia has reversed its policy and agreed to allow an international peacekeeping force in to help restore order in the violence-torn province of East Timor.
PRO-INTEGRATION FIGHTERS ORDERED TO STOP RAMPAGING Embassy of Indonesia September 12, 1999 - The commander of the East Timor Pro-integration Forces (PPI), Joao da Silva Tavares, said Friday evening he had ordered his 53,000 men to end their rampaging actions in all parts of the territory.
U-S INDONESIA Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- The United States has welcomed Indonesian President B-J Habibi's announcement asking for the assistance of a U-N Peacekeeping Force to help halt violence in East Timor and to help implement the August 30th independence referendum.
LANKA WAR Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- More than 70-Tamil Tiger rebels and soldiers have been killed in fresh fighting in northern Sri Lanka's.
RUSSIA/CAUCASUS Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- Russian military officials say they expect to establish control over two villages, Chabanmakhi and Karamakhi, held by Islamic militants in Dagestan. Militants have withdrawn from positions in the western Novolakskoye area, but Russia claims fighting still continues in the region.
APEC DAYWRAP Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- Pacific Rim leaders officially started the world's biggest annual summit, Sunday. they sat down to talk trade and finance, amid concerns over East Timor and other regional conflicts.
RUSSIA-DAGESTAN Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- A Russian helicopter gunship was downed in Dagestan during continued fighting between Russian forces and Islamic insurgents in the southern Russian region. The president of neighboring Chechnya has declared a state of emergency following what he says is the Russian bombardment of Chechen villages.
E. TIMOR Voice of America 12 September 1999 -- five member U-N Security Council delegation is scheduled to meet with Indonesian officials later today (Sunday) in a last ditch effort to convince the government allow an international peacekeeping mission into East Timor.
CLINTON - INDONESIA Voice of America 11 September 1999 -- President Clinton is considering providing U-S logistical support for a U-N peacekeeping force in East Timor -- if Indonesia asks for such a mission and the United Nations approves.
CLINTON - TIMOR Voice of America 11 September 1999 -- President Clinton has welcomed Indonesian President B-J Habibie's decision to allow an international peacekeeping force in East Timor to restore order in the territory. From Auckland, New Zealand, where Mr. Clinton is attending an Asia-Pacific Economic summit
CLINTON - INDONESIA Voice of America 11 September 1999 -- President Clinton has raised the possibility of sending U.S. military personnel to East Timor to support a UN peacekeeping force there, if Indonesia asks for such a mission and the United Nations approves. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports form Auckland, New Zealand, where the President is attending a Pacific Rim trade summit.
CLINTON - INDONESIA Voice of America 11 September 1999 -- President Clinton is in New Zealand for a trade summit that is expected to be overshadowed by the violence in East Timor. In his strongest statement to date, Mr. Clinton accused the Indonesian military of direct involvement in the violence that has wracked the territory since last month's pro-independence referendum vote.
EAST TIMOR Voice of America 11 September 1999 -- Indonesia's top military leader has -- for the first time -- left open the possibility of an accelerated international peacekeeping mission to the embattled territory of East Timor. General Wiranto made the comments to a U-N Security Council delegation assessing the situation in East Timor - which has been engulfed in violence since residents voted for independence from Indonesia almost two weeks ago.
HIZBALLAH TERRORISM IN ARGENTINA Voice of America 11 September 1999 -- This month, authorities in Argentina issued an arrest warrant for Imad Mugniyah. He is wanted for the March 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Twenty-two people were killed and more than two-hundred forty were wounded in that attack.
The Situation in East Timor Security Council 4043rd Meeting, Saturday, 11 September 1999, , 2.30 p.m. -- The events that have unfolded so far have shocked us and at the same time have outraged the rest of the world. We keep wondering how it is possible for a so-called militia to cause such widespread humanitarian destruction in such a short time? How could armed killers rampage throughout East Timor so easily?
The Situation in East Timor Security Council 4043rd Meeting, Saturday, 11 September 1999, 11 a.m. -- Unhappily, no sooner had the result of the ballot been announced than East Timor began a descent into chaos. The scale of the violence, death and destruction has been far beyond what any international observers anticipated. As I said in my press conference yesterday, what is happening in East Timor may well fall into various categories of international crime.
Statement on East Timor by the United Nations Secretary-General to the Security Council 11 September 1999 - The scale of the violence, death and destruction has been far beyond what any international observers anticipated. As I said in my press conference yesterday, what is happening in East Timor may well fall into various categories of international crime. The individuals who have ordered and carried out these crimes must be held accountable.
KOFI ANNAN SAYS TIME HAS COME FOR INDONESIA TO SEEK INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S HELP TO BRING ORDER AND SECURITY TO EAST TIMOR 11 September 1999 Press Release SG/SM/7127 SC/6725 -- Unhappily, no sooner had the result of the ballot been announced than East Timor began a descent into chaos. The scale of the violence, death and destruction has been far beyond what any international observers anticipated. What is happening in East Timor may well fall into various categories of international crime. The individuals who have ordered and carried out these crimes must be held accountable.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT September 10, 1999 - It is now clear that the Indonesian military is aiding and abetting the militia violence. This is simply unacceptable. The actions of the Indonesian military in East Timor stand in stark contrast to the commitments they have given to the international community.
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE OF SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN 10 September 1999 Press Release SG/SM/7124 -- Indonesia had the responsibility to maintain order and security in the Territory during and after the ballot until the results had been accepted by the new Indonesian Parliament. Regrettably, Indonesia has failed to fulfil that responsibility, even with the introduction of martial law in the last 72 hours.
Text: Sept. 10 Remarks by National Security Advisor Berger USIA 10 September 1999 -- The United States supports an international peacekeeping force for East Timor, and President Clinton has told allies the United States "would provide support to such a force," according to National Security Advisor Sandy Berger.
RUSSIA/EXPLOSION Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- Rescue workers have finished their search for bodies as security officials investigate the cause of an apartment block explosion that killed 90 people. Officials are trying to determine if the blast was an act of terrorism or an accidental detonation of explosives.
EGYPT - SECURITY Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- Egypt's Interior Minister has replaced the head of state security, as part of a larger security reshuffle. This comes after the attack (Monday, September 6) on President Hosni Mubarak.
September 9 Congressional hearing on East Timor CrisisUSIA 10 September 1999 -- Responding to escalating mayhem in East Timor following the August 30 vote for independence, the House subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Senate subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs held a rare joint hearing September 9 to discuss U.S. policy toward Indonesia and East Timor.
ANNAN - TIMOR Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- At the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan strongly urged Indonesia to accept an international peacekeeping force to stop what he calls East Timor's descent "into anarchy" following the territory's August referendum on independence.
EAST TIMOR / SITREP Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- The United Nations has begun evacuating much of its remaining staff from its besieged compound in the East Timorese capital, Dili. A handful of U-N employees will remain behind in East Timor, which has been virtually over-run by pro-Indonesia militia groups.
INDONESIA / MILITARY Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- The head of the Indonesian Armed Forces says he would consider accepting a United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor -- but says now is not the time. The Indonesian government has come under mounting international pressure to allow peacekeepers into East Timor -- which has been virtually overrun by armed militia groups.
TIMOR WRAP FRIDAY Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- Hundreds of United Nations staffers have been evacuated from East Timor. The crisis in East Timor is beginning to raise questions over whether President Habibie or the Indonesian military is calling the shots in Jakarta.
U-N-TIMOR UPDATE Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- The United Nations Security Council will hold an open meeting today (Saturday) to discuss the violence in East Timor.
AUSTRALIA / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- Australia has announced it will scale back its defense relations with Indonesia, in response to the situation in East Timor. However the Australian government is taking care not to cut defense aspects which could jeopardize the United Nations mission in East Timor.
VENEZUELA AT THE CROSSROADS Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez came to power last December in a landslide election. He promised a "peaceful social revolution" to a country tired of corruption and widespread poverty. The opposition-controlled congress is calling the action an unconstitutional power grab.
RUSSIA / DAGESTAN Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- Russian troops captured one of several villages in Dagestan seized last Sunday by Islamic militants. Heavy fighting continues in other villages held by insurgents in Russia's southern Caucasus region.
AFGHAN DRUGS Voice of America 10 September 1999 -- A new report by the U-N Drug Control Program (UNDCP) says Afghanistan has produced more opium -- the raw material used to make heroin - this year than any other country in the world.
EAST TIMOR: 'CLINTON DOCTRINE DYING ON THE STREETS OF DILI' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 10 September 1999 -- Not since the crisis in Kosovo has a single issue-- the situation in East Timor-- provoked such a steady outpouring of editorials in papers from around the world. As it has since the results of the referendum on autonomy for East Timor were released just a week ago, commentary has remained heavy. The vast majority of writers continue to express extreme dismay over the world's "inaction" vis-a-vis the plight of the East Timorese, who are facing mass deportation, slaughter and widespread arson and looting at the hands of armed militias-- reportedly acting with impunity despite Jakarta's imposition of martial law in the province earlier this week.
Text: Pickering September 9 Testimony on East Timor Crisis USIA 09 September 1999 -- The United States "calls for an immediate stop to the killing and destruction in East Timor," says Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering.
CLINTON-TIMOR Voice of America 09 September 1999 -- President Clinton is expressing increasing frustration over Indonesia's approach to the East Timor crisis, and sharpening his warnings about the consequences if Jakarta fails to either curb the violence or invite outside help to do so.
Transcript: White House Briefing on Clinton APEC Trip USIA 09 September 1999 -- "The people of East Timor have voted overwhelmingly and bravely for independence. The Indonesian government deserves credit for holding the vote. It has said it would respect the outcome, and now it must be respected. Meanwhile, Indonesia has the responsibility to protect the people of East Timor from violence.
Transcript: Pentagon Regular Briefing, Thursday, September 9, 1999 USIA 09 September 1999 -- We have a military-to-military relationship with a variety of countries around the world. Each is tailored to that particular nation, but with Indonesia, as it is with many other countries it had been exercise planning, exercise execution, typically on humanitarian aid, civil defense, issues of that nature. But that has now been suspended in light of the current situation.
U.S. Suspends Military-to-Military Contacts With Indonesia USIA 09 September 1999 -- The United States suspended all military-to-military contacts with Indonesia on September 9 due to the violence in East Timor. Rear Admiral Craig Quigley told reporters at the regular Pentagon briefing that "we are suspending our military-to-military relationship with the Indonesian military in light of the current activities."
APEC MEETING Voice of America 09 September 1999 -- Foreign ministers and senior officials from Asia-Pacific nations and Britain met Thursday in Auckland on the fringes of an economic forum, to figure out how to help restore peace in East Timor. They say they will offer support and assistance to United Nations' peacekeeping efforts and they want Indonesia's government to know that help is readily available.
APEC / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 09 September 1999 -- Foreign Ministers and senior officials from Asia-Pacific nations and from Britain met Thursday in Auckland -- on the fringes of an economic forum -- to figure out how to help restore peace in East Timor. They say they want to see the violence end as soon as possible, but did not offer any new proposals toward a solution.
CONGRESS-INDONESIA Voice of America 09 September 1999 -- The United States is suspending military ties with Indonesia. The aim is to pressure Jakarta to bring an end to the crisis in East Timor.
E. TIMOR MILITARY Voice of America 09 September 1999 -- One of Indonesia's retired generals has added his voice to calls for an international peacekeeping force for East Timor. Former Lieutenant General Hasnan Habib says Indonesia's military is incapable of ending the militia-led violence, even under martial law.
EAST TIMOR - INDONESIA Voice of America 09 September 1999 -- A look at the tragic turn of events in East Timor and whether anything short of a military invasion can restore peace.
PRESS CONFERENCE BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA 9 September 1999 -- The deep disappointment of pro- autonomy factions over the referendum’s outcome, coupled with UNAMET’s failure to respond satisfactorily to reports of irregularities before and during the vote, could have triggered militia efforts to undermine the result.
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 09 September 1999 -- EAST TIMOR Security Situation / US View and National Security Interest / Indonesia's Relation with the International Community at Risk / US Financial and Military Assistance / Effect on Investment Climate / UN Security Council Delegation
Gov't of Indonesia: UN will not send forces to East Timor 8 September 1999 -- The Foreign Minister of Indonesia, as reported in the Kompas daily, stressed today that no UN forces will be deployed in Indonesia. This force, he said, could be deployed in phase 3, that is, the phase after the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly has taken a decision on the popular consultation, but Indonesia will continue to be responsible for security during phase 2.
Masters/Wolfowitz see relations surviving Timor crisisTranscript: September 8 Worldnet on U.S.-Indonesian Relations -- The United States and Indonesia have to approach the East Timor crisis "as partners," said one-time U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Edward Masters, who stressed that the best approach for the United States, the world's third most populous country, in dealing with Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, was to treat Indonesia as an equal.
PRESS CONFERENCE BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF PORTUGAL 8 September 1999 -- - The Indonesian military was in control of East Timor, and had formed and identified with the militias. Portugal was calling on the United Nations to sever all links with the Indonesian military and to impose sanctions on it. Portugal considered the Indonesian military to be outlaws and criminals who should stand trial.
APEC / E. TIMOR UPDATE Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- The situation in East Timor is dominating preparations for the upcoming Asia-Pacific summit, in New Zealand. Foreign ministers from the APEC nations are preparing to meet Thursday to discuss ways to end the violence.
U-S-TIMOR Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- The Clinton administration is urging Indonesia to move quickly to restore order in East Timor or allow an international peacekeeping force into the territory to end the post-independence referendum violence.
UNITED NATIONS / JAKARTA Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- : A United Nations Security Council team has begun negotiations with Jakarta on ways to end the bloodshed in East Timor. But so far there appears to be no change in Indonesia's refusal to allow international peacekeepers into the province, before November.
OUTRAGE OVER EAST TIMOR Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- In the United States, the tone of editorials demanding some kind of armed intervention by the United Nations, or some of its member states, is becoming more strident. Several papers are counseling extreme caution about any sort of intervention without Indonesian approval, which has not been forthcoming.
CONGRESS-INDONESIA Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- Members of the U-S Congress are speaking out Some lawmakers are calling for immediate sanctions on Indonesia.
EAST TIMOR: 'DELAY WILL LEAD TO BUTCHERY' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 08 September 1999 -- The rapidly unfolding situation in East Timor-- where anti-independence militias continue to rampage in the capital, Dili, and throughout the province with apparent impunity-- provoked an outpouring of editorial comment from East and South Asia, Europe, the Western Hemisphere and Africa. Analysts expressed extreme dismay over the plight of the pro-independence East Timorese, whom they saw as being "abandoned" by the international community as it debates what action to take on East Timor. Despite Jakarta's imposition of martial law in the province, sentiment was strong that the Indonesian government had lost a good measure of credibility in its handling of post-referendum events in East Timor.
EAST TIMOR SITREP Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- Thousands of refugees have begun streaming out of East Timor, to flee violence by armed militia groups rampaging throughout the territory. International relief workers say the refugees now face food and water shortages and continued terror by pro-Indonesia militiamen.
RAMOS-HORTA-EAST TIMOR Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- As the U-N Security Council meets to consider what to do about East Timor, an independence leader has called for international intervention in the territory and economic sanctions against Indonesia. Jose Ramos-Horta was in Washington to urge American leadership to take action to prevent what he said is -- impending genocide
TIMOR - PENTAGON Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- Defense Secretary William Cohen says the United States has no plans to send peacekeeping troops to troubled East Timor, but may provide other kinds of support for an international force. Mr. Cohen also says Indonesia could face serious economic consequences if it fails to stop violence directed at East Timorese supporters of independence from Indonesia.
U-N TIMOR EVACUATION DELAY Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- The United Nations has delayed for 24 hours its decision to evacuate its staff in East Timor to Australia.
U-N / E. TIMOR Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- A senior delegation from the United Nations Security Council has arrived in the Indonesian capital Jakarta to discuss ways to end the bloodshed in East Timor. Armed militia groups which are opposed to East Timor's separation from Indonesia have virtually overrun the territory, which voted for independence in a U-N supervised referendum last week.
RUSSIA / DAGESTAN Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- Russian forces are stepping up an offensive in the southern Dagestan region, one day after President Boris Yeltsin angrily demanded prompt measures to crush a Muslim insurgency. Dagestani leaders are also expressing impatience with the slow pace of the fighting.
CONGO-BENIN REFUGEES Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- For the cease-fire in Congo to work, Rwanda's government says President Laurent Kabila must agree to hand-over suspects from Rwanda's 1994 genocide. Former Rwandan soldiers are to be disarmed as part of the latest peace plan.
CONGO / RWANDA GENOCIDE Voice of America 08 September 1999 -- For the cease-fire in Congo to work, Rwanda's government says President Laurent Kabila must agree to hand-over suspects from Rwanda's 1994 genocide. Former Rwandan soldiers are to be disarmed as part of the latest peace plan.
Robinson Calls For Human Rights Commission Emergency Session on East Timor USIA 07 September 1999 -- The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged that a special session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights be convened to examine the "extremely serious" situation in East Timor.
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing 07 September 1999 -- EAST TIMOR -- Armed pro-integration militia groups are forcing the displacement of thousands of people, attacking concentrations of internally displaced persons, attacking the homes and offices of prominent community leaders, and intimidating foreigners, including United Nations personnel. Many have been killed. Indonesian military and police forces have allowed - and in some cases participated in - these abuses.
UN Mission Will Urge Indonesia to Accept Foreign Peacekeepers on Timor USIA 07 September 1999 -- The UN Security Council has sent a five-man mission to Jakarta to confer with the Indonesian government regarding the violence in East Timor following the UN-supervised referendum in which the region's inhabitants voted overwhelmingly for independence fromIndonesia.
U.S. Expects Indonesia to Protect People of East Timor USIA 07 September 1999 -- President B.J. Habibie of Indonesia has promised to provide the necessary security to the people of East Timor, Bacon said. "We expect him to use his military to meet that part of his pledge."
EAST TIMOR: 'A NIGHTMARE THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED' USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report 07 September 1999 -- The weekend's events in the East Timorese capital of Dili and elsewhere in the province-- where bands of armed, pro-Jakarta militias have rampaged for four straight days following the announcement Friday of last week's referendum on autonomy-- provoked an outpouring of editorials from nearly all quarters of the globe. Indonesian opinion aside, editorialists in all regions placed the blame for the killings of pro-independence Timorese firmly on the Indonesian government, which, they held, had done nothing to "rein in" the militias. In debating what steps to take next, the overwhelming majority of commentators favored the deployment, "sooner, rather than later," of an armed UN peacekeeping force to East Timor.
EAST TIMOR -- MARTIAL LAW Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- The Indonesian military has defended its imposition of martial law in East Timor, saying it is needed to restore order. The military is rejecting suggestions that the decision is aimed at quashing independence supporters in the territory. It is also ruling out any acceptance of international peacekeepers until November, when East Timor's vote for independence will be formally approved.
EAST TIMOR - MARTIAL LAW Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- The Indonesian military has imposed martial law in East Timor, after armed militia groups spent days rampaging through the territory, killing hundreds and forcing thousands out of their homes.The military has been accused of aiding the militia groups.
EAST TIMOR: THE PRESSURE TO RESTORE ORDER GROWS Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- Human-rights groups and others concerned about the situation East Timor are faulting the United Nations, and governments involved in East Timor's independence referendum, for failing to act against the explosive violence that followed last week's historic vote. Pressure is growing for the international community to intervene, if Indonesia fails to stop what East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao says may be a genocide unfolding in the disputed territory.
GUSMAO RELEASE Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao is free. He has been released from seven years in jail in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta and handed over to the United Nations. Mr. Gusmao is now in the British Embassy, deciding his next move.
TIMOR / GUSMAO Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- East Timorese independence leader Xanana Gusmao has made a plea for international assistance to stop the bloodshed in East Timor. Mr. Gusmao, a former guerrilla leader was released from house arrest on Tuesday, as martial law was declared in East Timor.
U-N - HOLBROOKE - TIMOR Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- At the United Nations today (Tuesday), officials are awaiting the report of a Security Council fact-finding delegation before making any decision about supporting intervention in East Timor.
U-N / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- The United Nations refugee agency (U-N-H- C-R) estimates that more than 30-thousand people have been displaced within the East Timorese capital, Dili by militia attacks. The Agency says it has no idea how many people have been displaced from other parts of the territory, or how many may have fled to the western part of the island.
U.S. - TIMOR Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- The United States is waiting to decide whether it will contribute troops to an international peacekeeping force for East Timor until a UN Security Council team dispatched to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta completes an assessment of the situation.
CHIAPAS PROPOSAL Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo has launched a new effort to end the conflict with guerrillas in the southern state of Chiapas, which began with an armed uprising by the Zapatista Army for National Liberation in January of 1994 and has remained at a standoff ever since.
EGYPT / MUBARAK Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- Egyptian newspapers are downplaying Monday's attempt on the life of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak. The attack has some Egyptians worried over what would have happened if Mr. Mubarak had been killed.
RUSSIA / DAGESTAN Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- Russian President Boris Yeltsin has lashed out at military leaders for failing to stop Islamic rebels from advancing into Dagestan. Moscow correspondent Mr. Yeltsin is calling for quick and tough measures to expel the militants from the southern Russian region.
CONGO REBELS Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- Rebels in Congo say president Laurent Kabila has broken last week's cease-fire with two attacks against rebel positions. Rwanda says there is still time to save the deal, but the international community needs to move fast.
COLOMBIAN APPEAL Voice of America 07 September 1999 -- Colombia's former defense minister and (former) army commander told reporters in Washington today (Tuesday) that his government's peace negotiations with leftist guerrillas are tantamount to treason. General Harold Bedoya says he agrees with the head of the U-S anti-drug effort, Barry McCaffrey, who has denounced the close ties between Colombia's guerrillas and drug traffickers.
EAST TIMOR VIOLENCE UPDATE Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- The situation on the ground in the East Timorese capital, Dili, is worsening just days after a referendum showed the majority of people there do not want to be a part of Indonesia. Amid the sharp escalation of violence at least 25 people have been killed in the past 24 hours.
GUSMAO RELEASE Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- Soon-to-be-freed East Timor resistance leader Xanana Gusmao is refusing to return to East Timor. Mr Gusmao has told the Indonesian government he wants to be released in the capital Jakarta, because it is too dangerous to return to his terrorized homeland.
INDONESIA - U-N Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- The United Nations has rejected claims by Indonesia that it has failed to investigate alleged irregularities in last week's referendum that resulted in a landslide vote for East Timor independence.
RED CROSS / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross, I-C-R-C, says it has evacuated its staff from East Timor to Australia. The move follows the storming of its compound in the capital, Dili, by armed militia opposed to independence for the territory.
TIMOR / EXODUS Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- In East Timor, militiamen and soldiers of the Indonesian army are joining together in an effort to drive thousands of East Timorese from their homeland. The forced exodus comes a week after East Timorese voted overwhelmingly to break away from Indonesia.
CENTRAL ASIAN INSURGENCY Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- Perhaps as many as a thousand Islamic militants have seized five mountain villages in Southern Kyrgyzstan and taken several hostages, including four Japanese geologists. In its worst crisis since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan has called on neighboring countries for help, as well as Russia.
ERITREA/ETHIOPIA Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- A peace plan designed to end the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is on hold after Ethiopia rejected some of the terms Saturday. Eritrea calls Ethiopia's rejection the equivalent to a declaration of war.
RUSSIA / DAGESTAN Voice of America 06 September 1999 -- Russia's Security Council is to hold an urgent session on the rapidly spreading conflict in th