DATE=7/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251821
TITLE=U-N -- TIMOR TALKS BEGIN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A NEW ROUND OF TALKS ON EAST TIMOR'S FUTURE BEGAN TODAY,
(THURSDAY), INVOLVING SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM INDONESIA, PORTUGAL
AND THE UNITED NATIONS. THE TALKS, TAKING PLACE AT U-N
HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK, ARE AIMED AT REDUCING TENSION AND
VIOLENCE SURROUNDING A COMING POLL IN THE TERRITORY. MORE FROM
OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.
TEXT: THE TWO-DAY TALKS OPENED WITH ONLY BRIEF PUBLIC COMMENTS
FROM THE PORTUGUESE AND INDONESIAN OFFICIALS INVOLVED. BOTH
SIDES WELCOMED U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S DECISION,
ANNOUNCED LATE WEDNESDAY, TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REGISTERING
VOTERS IN EAST TIMOR ON FRIDAY.
U-N SPOKESMAN MANOEL DE ALMEIDA E SILVA SAYS THE TALKS ARE
FOCUSING ON THREE ISSUES CONCERNING EAST TIMOR: THE CONSULTATION
PROCESS AS IT STANDS NOW, EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH PEACE AND
RECONCILIATION, AND POST-BALLOT ISSUES. HE SAYS MR. ANNAN'S
OFFICE HAS PREPARED A PAPER ON THOSE ISSUES TO SERVE AS A GUIDE
FOR THE TALKS.
/// DE ALMEIDA E SILVA ACT ///
THE SECRETARIAT HAS PREPARED A PAPER TO SHARE WITH THE
TWO DELEGATIONS AND I AM SURE THEY WILL HAVE TO GO BACK
TO THEIR CAPITALS TO DISCUSS THAT.
/// END ACT ///
UNDER A U-N SPONSORED AGREEMENT SIGNED BY INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL
IN MAY, INDONESIA HAS AGREED TO HOLD A POLL IN WHICH EAST TIMOR
RESIDENTS WILL CHOOSE BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY UNDER
INDONESIAN RULE. EAST TIMOR WAS A PORTUGUESE COLONY UNTIL 1975,
WHEN IT WAS INVADED BY INDONESIA.
THE AGREEMENT HAS TRIGGERED WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE IN THE TERRITORY,
MUCH OF IT AGAINST NEWLY ARRIVED U-N ELECTION MONITORS. U-N
OFFICIALS SAY PRO-JAKARTA MILITIAS OPPOSED TO INDEPENDENCE ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENCE. THEY SAY THERE ARE STRONG
INDICATIONS THAT INDONESIAN SECURITY FORCES ARE SUPPORTING THE
MILITIAS.
THAT VIOLENCE IS EXPECTED TO BE AT THE CENTER OF THE CURRENT
DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN PORTUGUESE AND INDONESIAN OFFICIALS IN NEW
YORK. U-N OFFICIALS HAVE WARNED THEY MAY HAVE TO POSTPONE THE
POLL, NOW SCHEDULED FOR LATE AUGUST, IF INDONESIA DOES NOT BRING
AN END TO THE VIOLENCE. THE POLL HAS ALREADY BEEN POSTPONED ONCE
BECAUSE OF SECURITY CONCERNS.
THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS HE WILL DECIDE IN EARLY AUGUST --
HALFWAY THROUGH THE 20-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION PERIOD -- WHETHER A
FURTHER POSTPONEMENT OF THE POLL IS NECESSARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/RRM
15-Jul-99 3:57 PM EDT (1957 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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