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DATE=4/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248161
TITLE=U-N / TIMOR POLL (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EAST TIMOR SAYS 
(THURSDAY) HE IS DETERMINED NOT TO ALLOW RECENT VIOLENCE TO SET 
BACK PLANS FOR AN AUTONOMY POLL IN THE TERRITORY LATER THIS YEAR.
V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT:  U-N SPECIAL ENVOY JAMSHEED MARKER SAYS PREPARATIONS ARE 
UNDERWAY FOR U-N MEDIATED MEETINGS BETWEEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS 
OF PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA NEXT WEEK ON THE FUTURE OF EAST TIMOR. 
MR. MARKER SAYS HE HOPES TO FINALIZE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO
COUNTRIES THAT WOULD ALLOW EAST TIMOR'S RESIDENTS TO VOTE ON A 
PROPOSED AUTONOMY PACKAGE FOR THE TERRITORY.
RECENT VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR BETWEEN ADVOCATES AND OPPONENTS OF 
INDEPENDENCE HAS RAISED CONCERNS THAT THE PROPOSED AUTONOMY POLL 
COULD BE DELAYED.  MR. MARKER SAYS HE IS DETERMINED TO AVOID ANY 
SUCH DELAYS.
                       /// MARKER ACT ///
         I INTEND TO GO FORWARD.  WE JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE 
         SITUATION IS ON THE GROUND.  BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT 
         THERE.  I WILL SHORTLY BE GOING THERE MYSELF TO MAKE OUR
         ASSESSMENTS.  CLEARLY OUR INTENTION IS TO PROCEED.  AT 
         THIS POINT, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF RECOMMENDING TO THE 
         SECRETARY-GENERAL THAT WE BACK OFF.
                         /// END ACT ///
DIPLOMATS SAY THE POLL COULD TAKE PLACE AS EARLY AS JULY, BUT 
THAT NO FIRM ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN AGREED ON YET.  MR. MARKER 
SAYS A UNITED NATIONS PRESENCE WILL BE NEEDED TO LAY THE 
GROUNDWORK FOR THE POLL.  HE SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS WILL START 
PREPARING FOR THAT STEP AS SOON AS PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA REACH 
FINAL AGREEMENT ON THE AUTONOMY PROPOSALS.  DIPLOMATS SAY IT IS 
LIKELY THE UNITED NATIONS WILL SEND AN UNARMED OBSERVER FORCE TO 
THE TERRITORY TO HELP ORGANIZE THE VOTE.
EAST TIMOR WAS A PORTUGUESE COLONY UNTIL 1975 WHEN IT WAS INVADED
BY INDONESIA.  INDONESIA ANNEXED IT THE FOLLOWING YEAR.  THERE 
HAVE BEEN REGULAR CLASHES BETWEEN EAST TIMORESE SEPARATISTS AND 
THE INDONESIAN MILITARY SINCE THAT TIME.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WFR
15-Apr-99 4:21 PM EDT (2021 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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