DATE=8/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - E-TIMOR (L-O)
NUMBER=2-253274
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States has labeled the referendum
(Monday)on independence for East Timor a success. But
officials say Indonesia still has a responsibility to
maintain order in the province as the votes are being
counted. From the State Department, Correspondent
Kyle King reports.
TEXT: U-S officials say it is extraordinary that so
many registered voters in East Timor cast their
ballots in Monday's U-N administered referendum.
Most reports show about 90-percent of the province's
registered voters took part in the referendum. State
Department spokesman James Foley called the vote a
success.
Although there were some incidents of violence, the
referendum was relatively free of the attacks and
intimidation carried out by anti-independence militias
during the campaigning.
One U-N worker was killed and two others were wounded
in incidents the State Department deplored.
As the vote count gets underway in the coming days,
Department spokesman James Foley says it will be up to
the government of Indonesia to maintain security.
// FOLEY ACT //
We note that in these next phases, vote counting
and transition, that Indonesia maintains the
responsibility for maintaining order. We remain
concerned about the potential for violence, in
particular the government of Indonesia should
prevent armed militia from resuming their
activities.
// END ACT //
Mr. Foley called the referendum an important step in
the transition of East Timor to a new status. He said
the United States calls for all sides exercise
restraint and to accept the results of the referendum,
regardless of the outcome. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/RAE
30-Aug-1999 15:47 PM LOC (30-Aug-1999 1947 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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