DATE=8/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR RALLY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253099
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=DILI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Tens of thousands of independence supporters
rallied Wednesday in the East Timorese capital Dili,
in the closing days of the territory's political
campaign. There is less than one week remaining before
the United Nations supervised autonomy referendum on
East Timor's political future. But as Patricia Nunan
reports from Dili, human rights officials say it is
almost inevitable violence will mar the ballot.
___________________
Text: /// ACT CROWD SOUND ///
Crowds of East Timorese shout in support of the
territory's independence leaders. Thousands of people
turned out for the rally in the East Timorese capital
on Wednesday. The independence supporters formed
convoys of trucks, motorcycles and bicycles and drove
around the city, urging people to vote against
autonomy, in next
week's United Nations-supervised autonomy referendum.
Hundreds of people carried photos of Independence
leader Xanana Gusmao. Others carried pro-independence
banners or flags of the East Timorese resistance army.
The largely peaceful atmosphere was marred slightly
when independence supporters clashed briefly with
backers of integration with Indonesia. The two groups
threw stones at each
other outside the home of a pro-Indonesia militia
leader. Police quickly brought the situation under
control.
The ballot is intended to help bring an end to
fighting between East Timor's independence faction and
the pro-Indonesia militias, which are
backed by the Indonesian military. People will choose
whether to accept or reject a plan to allow East Timor
to remain within Indonesia with wide-ranging autonomy.
If the plan is rejected, East Timor would move towards
becoming an independent nation.
But ballot observers say an outbreak of violence in
East Timor following the vote is almost inevitable.
Russell Anderson of the non-governmental group, the
International Federation for East Timor, is among
human rights activists who are fearing the worst.
/// ANDERSON ACT ///
In all the areas people are going out and talking to
militia, to pro-autonomy people and they're all
threatening a massive bloodbath after the vote if it's
for independence.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Anderson says the pro-autonomy groups are
receiving weapons from the Indonesian military.
/// ANDERSON ACT ///
One of our observers saw the Indonesian police pull up
before a militia rally and start handing out machine
guns to the militia.
///END ACT ///
The Indonesian government has repeatedly pledged to
ensure security for the referendum, and promised to
rein in the militia groups.
Meanwhile in the Indonesian capital, independence
leader Xanana Gusmao has called for a general amnesty
for all political crimes committed in East Timor, if
the territory wins independence.
Mr. Gusmao is held under house arrest in Jakarta on
charges of subversion, but he is considered a key
player in East Timor peace talks.
Mr. Gusmao says the plan would include an amnesty for
members of pro-Indonesia militia groups.(Signed)
NEB/MPN/FC/PLM
25-Aug-1999 05:58 AM EDT (25-Aug-1999 0958 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
