DATE=6/29/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251236
TITLE=TIMOR VIOLENCE / U-N REACT (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE HOLDS THE
INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ATTACK (TUESDAY) ON A
U-N COMPOUND IN EAST TIMOR. THE ATTACK IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES
OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS IN THE TERRITORY, AS IT PREPARES FOR A VOTE
ON ITS FUTURE. U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: MR. ANNAN SAYS HE DEPLORES THE ATTACK ON THE U-N MISSION
IN MALIANA, EAST TIMOR, IN THE STRONGEST TERMS. HE SAYS STAFF AT
THE U-N MISSION -- KNOWN AS UNAMET -- HAVE REPORTED THAT
APPROXIMATELY 100 PEOPLE, APPARENTLY PRO-JAKARTA MILITIA MEMBERS,
ATTACKED THE OFFICE WITH ROCKS AND STONES, INJURING SEVERAL
PEOPLE.
U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MR. ANNAN HOLDS THE INDONESIAN
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ATTACK.
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HOLDS THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT,
WHICH HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR BRINGING LAW AND ORDER TO
THE TERRITORY, ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALLOWING SUCH AN ATTACK
TO OCCUR, AND DEEMS ANY ASSAULT ON UNAMET PERSONNEL OR
PROPERTY COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. HE CALLS ON THE
INDONESIAN POLICE TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND TO
BRING THE PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE.
/// END ACT ///
THE STATEMENT IS MR. ANNAN'S STRONGEST TO DATE CONCERNING
INDONESIA'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER IN EAST
TIMOR. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS MOUNTING EVIDENCE THAT
INDONESIA IS NOT DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN TO STOP THE VIOLENCE,
AND MAY IN FACT BE ENCOURAGING IT. INDONESIAN OFFICIALS HAVE
DENIED THOSE SUGGESTIONS.
UNDER A U-N MEDIATED AGREEMENT SIGNED MAY FIFTH, INDONESIA AGREED
TO LET EAST TIMOR'S RESIDENTS VOTE ON THEIR FUTURE. AS PART OF
THAT AGREEMENT, INDONESIA PLEDGED TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF
PEACE AND SECURITY BEFORE THE VOTE, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR
AUGUST.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE AGREEMENT REQUIRES THE INDONESIAN
GOVERNMENT TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THE LATEST ATTACK ON U-N
PERSONNEL AND TO PUNISH THOSE FOUND RESPONSIBLE.
DIPLOMATS SAY THERE IS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR EAST TIMOR'S
PRO-INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT. BUT THEY SAY THERE IS ALSO A DEEPLY
ENTRENCHED AND WELL-ARMED SECTOR OF THE POPULATION THAT IS
ADVOCATING LIMITED AUTONOMY UNDER INDONESIAN RULE. THEY SAY
VIOLENCE IS INEVITABLE, BUT THAT EVERY ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE TO
KEEP IT TO A MINIMUM.
EAST TIMOR WAS A PORTUGUESE COLONY UNTIL THE MID-1970'S WHEN IT
WAS INVADED AND LATER ANNEXED BY INDONESIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RAE
29-Jun-99 2:22 PM EDT (1822 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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