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DATE=7/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251768
TITLE=U-N / TIMOR TALKS (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE UNITED NATIONS HAS SCHEDULED A NEW ROUND OF TALKS 
AIMED AT IMPROVING SECURITY CONDITIONS IN EAST TIMOR.  THE TALKS,
INVOLVING OFFICIALS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, INDONESIA AND 
PORTUGAL, ARE SET TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.  V-O-A'S U-N
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT:  THE TALKS ARE BEING CALLED IN AN EFFORT TO SALVAGE A 
U-N-SPONSORED AGREEMENT GIVING EAST TIMOR RESIDENTS AN 
OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE.  DOUBTS ABOUT THE 
FEASIBILITY OF THAT AGREEMENT HAVE SURFACED AMID INCREASING 
VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY AGAINST U-N STAFF IN EAST TIMOR.  THE DATE
FOR A VOTE IN THE TERRITORY HAS ALREADY BEEN POSTPONED ONCE.  U-N
OFFICIALS SAY FURTHER DELAYS, AT THE VERY LEAST, MAY BE 
NECESSARY.
THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS WAS ANNOUNCED BY U-N SPOKESMAN MANOEL 
DE ALMEIDA E SILVA.
                 /// DE ALMEIDA E SILVA ACT ///
         THEY ARE EXPECTED TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE 
         PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS, INCLUDING SECURITY ASPECTS.
         THEY WILL ALSO GO OVER PEACE AND RECONCILIATION EFFORTS,
         AS WELL AS DISCUSS POST-BALLOT ISSUES.
                         /// END ACT ///
MOST OF THE VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR HAS BEEN BLAMED ON PRO-JAKARTA
MILITIAS, WHICH ARE OPPOSED TO THE U-N SPONSORED BALLOT BECAUSE 
THEY BELIEVE IT WILL RESULT IN INDEPENDENCE FOR THE TERRITORY.  
EAST TIMOR WAS A PORTUGUESE COLONY UNTIL 1975, WHEN IT WAS 
INVADED BY INDONESIA.  THE VOTE CURRENTLY SET FOR LATE AUGUST 
WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY 
UNDER INDONESIAN RULE.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOLD THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR, AMID SIGNS THAT INDONESIAN 
SECURITY FORCES ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT AND TRAINING TO THE 
MILITIAS.  THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT HAS PLEDGED TO WORK FOR 
PEACE.  BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE GOVERNMENT PRIVATELY 
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS CONVINCING SECURITY 
FORCES TO SEVER THEIR TIES WITH THE MILITIAS.
U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE LATER 
THIS WEEK WHETHER A FURTHER POSTPONEMENT OF THE VOTE IN EAST 
TIMOR WILL BE NECESSARY.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RRM
14-Jul-99 2:22 PM EDT (1822 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.