BRITAIN / EAST TIMOR (L ONLY)


DATE=8/30/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / EAST TIMOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253254
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Britain, which played an active role in East 
Timor's bid for independence, has welcomed today's so-
far peaceful poll.  Britain was asked by the United 
Nations to help support the referendum. Correspondent 
Laurie Kassman has more from London.
TEXT:  Britain's Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has 
praised the high turnout in East Timor and the 
relatively peaceful polling that has taken place.
Confident of a positive response to the U-N supervised 
referendum, Mr. Cook says the international community 
must be ready to help East Timor through the 
transition to independence.  He told British radio 
that this will include eventually replacing many of 
the Indonesian administrators in East Timor.
            ///COOK ACT///
      Many of the administrators and key personnel in 
      East Timor are Indonesians.  We would hope to be 
      able to work with Jakarta for as many of them to 
      remain until East Timor is able to take over its 
      own affairs.
            ///END ACT//
Mr. Cook says it is important that East Timor's 
independence is carried out in a peaceful and orderly 
manner and is respected by Indonesia.
            ///COOK SECOND ACT///
      There is already a resolution, which was passed 
      within the Security Council, to step up the U-N 
      mission in East Timor, with more military and 
      police presence.
            ///END ACT///
Turnout for the crucial referendum was high despite 
threats of violence by pro-Indonesia militia.  If 
approved, East Timor's independence will end 23 years 
of Indonesian rule, often marked by brutal repression. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/kl 
30-Aug-1999 08:46 AM EDT (30-Aug-1999 1246 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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