DATE=4/13/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248001
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / VIOLENCE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JENNY GRANT
DATELINE=DILI, EAST TIMOR
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDONESIA HAS CALLED FOR A CEASEFIRE IN EAST TIMOR AND
THE CREATION OF A COMMISSION TO END THE VIOLENCE. AS WE HEAR
FROM JENNY GRANT IN EAST TIMOR'S CAPITAL DILI, THE CALL COMES
AMID REPORTS OF NEW BLOODSHED AND INCREASED MISERY FOR VICTIMS OF
THE CONFLICT.
TEXT: AFTER MEETING IN JAKARTA WITH PRESIDENT B-J HABIBIE,
FOREIGN MINISTER ALI ALATAS SAID LEADERS FROM GROUPS BOTH
OPPOSING AND SUPPORTING EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE WOULD BE PART OF
THE NEW PEACE BODY. BUT HE SAID ALL PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT MUST
CALL FOR A CESASEFIRE, AS A FIRST STEP.
MR. ALATAS SAYS THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, WHICH WILL INCLUDE
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CENTRAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS, WILL
TRY TO NEGOTIATE A HALT TO THE BLOODSHED.
IN THE MEANTIME, THERE WERE REPORTS OF FRESH VIOLENCE IN EAST
TIMOR. AMONG THE INCIDENTS, CHURCH SOURCES SAY FORCES FROM A
PRO-INDONESIA MILITIA IN MALIANA, 70 KILOMTERS SOUTHWEST OF THE
CAPITAL, ON MONDAY ATTACKED 14 HOUSES BELONGING TO MEMBERS OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TIMORESE RESISTANCE, WHICH SUPPORTS
INDEPENDENCE.
IN THE VILLAGES OF DAIS AND HOLBELIS, 100 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF
DILI, CHURCH SOURCES SAY 10 PEOPLE WERE CAPTURED AND TORTURED BY
A PARAMILITARY GANG SUPPORTED BY INDONESIAN SOLDIERS ON SUNDAY.
PRO-INDEPENDENCE FALINTIL GUERRILLAS ON MONDAY SHOT AND KILLED A
SENIOR CIVIL SERVANT AND AN INDONESIAN SOLDIER IN THE TOWN OF
CAILAKO IN BOBONARO, SOME 80 KILOMETRES SOUTH WEST OF DILI.
RESISTANCE LEADER XANANA GUSMAO LAST WEEK ORDERED THE GUERILLAS
TO TAKE ALL MEASURES NECESSARY TO DEFEND CIVILIANS AGAINST
MILITIA ATTACKS.
MEANWHILE, THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO FLED TO THE MOUNTAINS
FOLLOWING A MASSACRE LAST WEEK IN LIQUICA, 30 KILOMETERS FROM
DILI, ARE NOW FACING FOOD SHORTAGES AND A HEALTH CRISIS.
DR. NELSON MARTINS OF CARITAS, THE CATHOLIC RELIEF ORGANIZATION,
SAYS SOME THREE THOUSAND REFUGEES ARE HIDING IN THE MOUNTAINS
BEHIND LIQUICA AND THE TOWN OF ERMERA AFTER A SERIES OF ATTACKS
ON THE CIVILIAN POPULATION BY MILITIA GROUPS.
// ACT MARTINS //
NOW ALL THE REFUGEES ARE LIVING UNDER BAD CONDITIONS. I HAVE
RECEIVED A REPORT FROM SOME NURSES WHO RAN WITH THEM THAT THERE
ARE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND FOOD SUPPLY PROBLEMS, A LACK OF FOOD AND
MEDICINE.
// ACT ENDS //
DR. MARTINS SAYS MANY OF THE REFUGEES WHO ARE IN THE VILLAGE OF
LEOREMA HAVE SERIOUS MACHETE AND BULLET WOUNDS. HE SAYS MANY HAVE
ALREADY DIED DUE TO INFECTIONS AND BLOOD LOSS.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS SAYS IT HAS BEEN
UNABLE TO ENTER THE AREA FOLLOWING DEATH THREATS FROM
PARAMILITARIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/GC/KL
13-Apr-99 7:46 AM EDT (1146 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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