DATE=8/31/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / TUESDAY (L)
NUMBER=2-253286
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=DILI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: With vote counting in the United Nations
supervised referendum on East Timor set to begin,
militias opposed to seeing the territory break away
from Indonesia are continuing to disrupt the process
and threaten U-N staff. Correspondent Nick Simeone
has the latest from Dili.
TEXT: All ballot boxes are now back in Dili, under
lock and key. Counting is set to begin Wednesday.
But the security situation in East Timor appears to be
deteriorating, with anti-independence militias back
out on the streets and Indonesian police unable or
unwilling to do much to control them.
United Nations spokesman David Wimhurst says a 17
vehicle U-N convoy was held hostage for a while
Tuesday, preventing it from leaving the Emera region
by roadblocks erected by pro-Jakarta militias.
// WINHURST ACT //
The 150 people on board, 100 international and
50 local staff basically had to take shelter in
the UN headquarters in Glenoe, while the
militia were controlling the town.
// END ACT
The militia later backed down and the stand off was
resolved without incident. But armed militias blamed
for killing and intimidating the population into
voting to remain part of Indonesia are on the streets
again here in the capital Dili, stopping vehicles
including those driven by international election
monitors.
Despite an agreement reached before Monday's
referendum not to disrupt the process, some pro-
Jakarta militia leaders now say they will not
cooperate with a commission set up to ensure the
entire process goes smoothly.
International election observers, including Chuck
Costello, from the Carter Center in Atlanta, remain
concerned about what might happen next.
// COSTELLO ACT //
We do have reports today of some renewed militia
activity. Some of our people encountered
roadblocks when they were returning to Dili and
so the concern about violence after the
balloting and the need for Indonesian police to
fulfill their responsibilities remains of great
concern to us.
// END ACT //
Indonesia invaded and annexed East Timor nearly a
quarter century ago. Monday's referendum marked the
first time that the former Portuguese colony had a say
in whether to remain a part of Indonesia or become
independent. Final results from the ballot are not
expected until the end of the week at the earliest.
Then it will be up to both the pro- and anti-
independence factions to decide whether they will
accept the results. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/KL
31-Aug-1999 07:48 AM EDT (31-Aug-1999 1148 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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