DATE=8/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / SUNDAY / L
NUMBER=2-253224
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=DILI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In East Timor, groups fighting for and against
independence are promising not to disrupt Monday's
United Nations / sponsored referendum on the future of
the disputed territory. The vote has been twice
postponed because of violence, but -- as correspondent
Nick Simeone reports from the East Timorese capital,
Dili -- rival factions are making a very public show
of support for the referendum process.
TEXT: The United Nations brought the top leaders on
both sides of the independence question together
Sunday. This was to show the public each is committed
to letting the referendum go ahead peacefully -- even
though reports reaching Dili suggest violence and
intimidation by anti-independence gangs continue in
areas outside the capital.
A senior commander of the pro-independence faction and
the rival leader of a pro-Jakarta militia embraced
before the cameras and scores of journalists, Sunday.
They pledged to ensure neither side's supporters will
be armed on balloting day and to allow Indonesian
police to arrest anyone who is. That pledge was
emphasized by Eurico Guterres -- leader of one of the
largest militias opposing independence. He spoke to
reporters, through a translator.
///INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
We give our full support to the police to carry out an
operation to confiscate all arms that are carried in
public.
///END ACTUALITY ///
His group had threatened to continue fighting, if
Monday's referendum ends in a strong show of support
for independence.
Voters will be asked to either accept or reject an
Indonesian government offer of wide-ranging autonomy
for the territory. If they reject it, the outcome
would be interpreted as a vote in favor of
independence.
Sunday's meeting between the rival factions comes
after weeks of violence, leading up to the vote. It
was one of the mos- public displays of support for the
referendum by either side, yet.
But, the key question remains whether commitments
given by factional leaders here in Dili will be obeyed
by fighters outside the capital -- many of whom are
still believed to be well armed, raising the
possibility people will be frightened away from the
ballot box. That has been a key concern of the United
Nations. In a message to all sides, U-N Secretary
General Kofi Annan again stresses to the Indonesian
government it has the responsibility of ensuring
security on voting day. He delivered that message
through the chief of the United Nations mission here,
Ian Martin.
///MARTIN ACTUALITY///
The international community expects all concerned to
accept the outcome of the popular consultation and to
continue and intensify efforts for reconciliation, so
as to build a peaceful future for East Timor. I
expect the Indonesian government to honor its
undertakings and instruct its security forces to
ensure an environment free of coercion or any other
form of intimidation.
///END ACTUALITY ///
The referendum is being put to voters to end the
territory's long-running civil war. (signed)
NEB/WTW/NS/DWJ / wd
29-Aug-1999 02:42 AM LOC (29-Aug-1999 0642 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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