DATE=8/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / SATURDAY / L
NUMBER=2-253214
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=DILI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: At least four more people have been killed in
violence in East Timor linked to Monday's United
Nations-supervised referendum on whether the 800
thousand residents of the disputed territory want to
remain part of Indonesia. Correspondent Nick Simeone
has the latest on what has been a violent run-up to
the vote.
TEXT: These last few days before Monday's referendum
are supposed to be a cooling-off period, bringing an
end to campaigning by groups for and against
independence. But,the United Nations says villages
and towns outside East Timor's capital are still being
terrorized by anti-independence militias who do not
want to see East Timor become a separate country. The
United Nations says, in Los Palos, pro-Jakarta gangs
firebombed the office of the main umbrella group
favoring independence. In another town, militias
destroyed more than a score of homes. The U-N
spokesman here is David Wimhurst.
///WIMHURST ACTUALITY///
This seems to be the last attempt by the militia to
destabilize the situation before we go to the polls on
Monday.
///END ACTUALITY///
The Indonesian Government agreed to guarantee security
for Monday's vote, but there has been little sign that
police are getting the upper hand. U-N Secretary
General Kofi Annan is issuing another appeal, through
his representative here, reminding Indonesian
authorities of the need to fulfill their security
commitments. Many shops in the capital were closed
Saturday, with owners apparently nervous about the
overall security situation. Many people here are not
confident the government can guarantee peace in the
coming days. Reports reaching Dili from outlying
areas say many people have either fled or gone into
hiding, fearing that violence will continue through
referendum day and beyond -- especially if, as
expected, the vote registers a strong show of support
for independence. (Signed)
NEB / NS/ DWJ-t / wd
28-Aug-1999 04:38 AM LOC (28-Aug-1999 0838 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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