DATE=4/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248061
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / GUSMAO CALL
BYLINE=JENNY GRANT
DATELINE=DILI, EAST TIMOR
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE LEADER XANANA GUSMAO HAS DECLINED
TO RETRACT THE CALL TO ARMS THAT HE MADE LAST WEEK. BUT AT THE
SAME TIME, HE IS URGING CALM IN THE TROUBLED TERRITORY. FROM
EAST TIMOR'S CAPITAL, DILI, JENNY GRANT REPORTS THERE ARE FEARS
THE TERRITORY'S ECONOMY WILL BECOME ANOTHER CASUALTY OF VIOLENCE.
TEXT: IN A STATEMENT READ BY HIS ATTORNEY IN JAKARTA, MR. GUSMAO
SAYS EAST TIMOR'S POPULATION HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO INTIMIDATION
AND MURDER BY PRO-INDONESIAN MILITIA GROUPS. HE ADDS HE IS
OBLIGED TO CONTINUE TO ASK HIS SUPPORTERS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
LAST WEEK, MR. GUSMAO, WHO HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM JAIL INTO HOUSE
ARREST IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN PEACE TALKS, ISSUED A CALL TO
ARMS. THE JAKARTA GOVERNMENT HAS THREATENED TO RE-IMPRISON HIM,
IF IT IS NOT RETRACTED.
IN WEDNESDAY'S THREE-PAGE STATEMENT, MR. GUSMAO SAYS THE VIOLENCE
IN EAST TIMOR IS AIMED AT BLOCKING NEGOTIATIONS ON THE
TERRITORY'S FUTURE. WITHOUT A CALM ENVIRONMENT, MR GUSMAO SAYS,
THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS IS MEANINGLESS.
IN THE STATEMENT, MR. GUSMAO ACCUSES THE INDONESIAN MILITARY OF
SUPPORTING THE PRO-JAKARTA MILITIAS. BUT HE EXTENDS AN
INVITATION FOR DIALOGUE TO INDONESIA'S POLITICIANS AND MILITARY.
INDONESIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, ALI ALATAS, SET OUT PLANS TUESDAY
FOR AN INDEPENDENT RIGHTS COMMISSION TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE
BLOODSHED. THE COMMISSION IS TO TRY TO MEDIATE BETWEEN SIDES
SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE AND THOSE WHO WANT INTEGRATION OF EAST
TIMOR WITH INDONESIA.
IN EAST TIMOR, FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS SMUGGLED A TRUCKLOAD OF FOOD
(WEDNESDAY) TO SOME OF THE THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE FLED
THE AREAS OF WORST VIOLENCE, BEHIND THE TOWNS OF LIQUICA AND
MAUBARA, WEST OF DILI.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS SAYS MILITIA GROUPS
HAVE PREVENTED ACCESS TO THOSE AREAS BY ISSUING DEATH THREATS TO
ITS FIELD WORKERS.
IT IS FEARED THE VIOLENCE IN THE TERRITORY COULD HAVE DAMAGING
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR ITS BIGGEST AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY --
COFFEE.
SAM FELLIACI OF THE U-S BASED NATIONAL COOPERATIVES BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION SAYS THE COFFEE HARVEST, WHICH BEGINS IN TWO WEEKS,
WILL BE DISRUPTED THIS YEAR. HE SAYS TRUCKS CARRYING THE HARVEST
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE SAFELY THROUGH AREAS EXPERIENCING UNREST.
SOME COFFEE FARMERS TOLD V-O-A THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO JOIN
LOCAL PRO-INDONESIA MILITIAS IN THE ERMERA AND LIQUICA AREAS.
MR. FELLIACI SAYS MANY COFFEE FARMERS HAVE FLED THE VIOLENCE AND
ARE WAITING IN THE MOUNTAINS TO RETURN TO PICK THEIR COFFEE.
IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO COME BACK IN TIME FOR THE EXPECTED BUMPER
HARVEST, IT WILL MEAN LOST INCOME FOR SOME OF EAST TIMOR'S
POOREST RESIDENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/FC/RAE
14-Apr-99 7:18 AM EDT (1118 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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