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DATE=8/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR - INDONESIA (L-O)
NUMBER=2-252723
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The Indonesian government has agreed to a plan 
to reinforce the U-N presence in East Timor.  The 
United Nations is supervising a special autonomy 
referendum in the disputed territory to determine 
whether it should become an independent nation.  As 
Patricia Nunan reports from Jakarta, the decision by 
the Indonesian government comes amid talks with the U-
N and East Timor's former colonial ruler, Portugal. 
TEXT:  Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas says the 
government has agreed to a proposal from U-N Secretary 
General Kofi Annan to more than double the number of 
U-N civilian police in East Timor.  But Mr. Alatas 
emphasized the U-N mandate in East Timor has not 
changed -- and the reinforcements do not represent a 
peacekeeping force. 
Mr. Alatas says the number of U-N police could be 
raised from 280 to 410.  The number of military 
liaison officers will also increase from the 50 
presently deployed to about 300.  But neither the 
number nor the date of deployment for the 
reinforcements has been decided. 
Top Indonesian officials are meeting with United 
Nations representatives and East Timor's former 
colonial ruler Portugal this week in Jakarta.  They 
are discussing the future of East Timor after the 
autonomy referendum. 
Human-rights officials and observer groups including 
the "Carter Center" run by former President Jimmy 
Carter have made repeated calls for U-N peacekeepers 
to be deployed in East Timor.  They say peacekeepers 
are necessary to prevent continued violence by pro-
Indonesia militia groups in East Timor. 
Human-rights groups say the militias, which are 
fighting for East Timor to remain a part of Indonesia, 
are trying to intimidate voters. 
The East Timorese people will be asked to decide 
whether the territory should remain with Indonesia 
under a special plan for wide-ranging autonomy.  If 
they reject that plan, the Indonesian government says 
it may grant East Timor independence.
The August 30th autonomy referendum is an attempt to 
bring peace to East Timor after 24-years of bloodshed, 
which began when Indonesian troops invaded in 1975.   
(SIGNED)
NEB/PN/RAE
12-Aug-1999 10:47 AM EDT (12-Aug-1999 1447 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.