DATE=5/10/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249162
TITLE=EAST TIMOR/ VIOLENCE
BYLINE=JENNY GRANT
DATELINE=DILI, EAST TIMOR
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AT LEAST ONE MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED MONDAY IN THE EAST
TIMOR CAPITAL DILI, IN THE SECOND DAY OF PRO-INDONESIAN MILITIA
VIOLENCE. FROM DILI, JENNY GRANT REPORTS THE VIOLENCE FOLLOWS
RAISED EXPECTATIONS THAT A UNITED NATIONS POLICE FORCE WOULD
SOON BE PATROLLING THE TROUBLED TERRITORY.
TEXT: IN THE DILI SUBURB OF SANTA CRUZ 150 MILITIAMEN CARRYING
HOME MADE GUNS FORMED A CORDON TO BLOCK OFF LOCAL ROADS.
IN THE STREETS BEYOND THE CORDON, LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO SAY THEY
SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE GUARDED THEIR HOMES WITH KNIVES AND SWORDS.
ONE MAN SAID THE FIGHT WAS UNFAIR, NOTING THAT WHILE THE MILITIAS
HAVE GUNS AND PISTOLS, LOCAL RESIDENTS CANNOT PROPERLY DEFEND
THEMSELVES.
TRUCK LOADS OF MILITIAMEN WEARING RED AND WHITE BANDANAS, TO SHOW
THEIR SUPPORT FOR INTEGRATION WITH INDONESIA, CRUISED AROUND THE
TOWN ON TRUCKS.
THE RED AND WHITE IRON AND AITARAK PARAMILITARY GROUPS CONTINUED
TO THREATEN JOURNALISTS WITH GUNS.
SOME PARAMILITARIES MINGLED WITH INDONESIAN SOLDIERS AND WERE
DRIVEN AROUND ON MILITARY TRUCKS.
RESIDENTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF DILI STAYED INSIDE THEIR
HOMES AS TENSIONS ROSE DURING THE DAY.
THE VIOLENCE FOLLOWS SHOOTINGS ON SUNDAY IN THE MARKET AREA,
WHICH LEFT ONE YOUNG BOY DEAD.
THE UNITED NATIONS CHIEF POLICE ADVISOR OM RATHOR TOLD V-O-A EVEN
THOUGH A UNITED NATIONS BROKERED AGREEMENT ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY
HAS BEEN SIGNED, THE U-N CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO PREVENT THE
VIOLENCE.
MR RATHOR SAYS INDONESIAN POLICE ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENFORCING THE LAW IN EAST TIMOR.
// SINGING - FADE UNDER //
EARLIER STUDENTS SANG OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST TIMOR, IN A
DEMONSTRATION FOR PEACE. THE STUDENTS ENDED THE GATHERING WHEN
THEY FOUND OUT THAT A U-N POLICE CONTINGENT WOULD NOT BE ARRIVING
MONDAY.
THE LOCAL PRESS HAD RAISED HOPES THAT A MASSIVE U-N FORCE WAS TO
BEGIN PATROLLING IN DILI ON MONDAY.
STUDENTS, TRADERS AND DRIVERS -- WHO ARE PINNING THEIR HOPES FOR
SECURITY ON THE UNITED NATIONS -- ALL EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT
THAT THE POLICE DID NOT ARRIVE.
MR RATHOR -- WHO HEADS A TEAM ASSESSING SECURITY FOR THE AUGUST
BALLOT -- SAYS POLICE WILL NOT BEGIN ARRIVING FOR ANOTHER TWO
WEEKS, AND ONLY THEN IN SMALL GROUPS.
ONE U-N OFFICIAL WENT ON THE LOCAL RADIO IN EAST TIMOR TO TRY TO
CLARIFY THE SITUATION TO CALM TEMPERS IN THE CITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/FC/PLM
10-May-99 4:25 AM EDT (0825 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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