DATE=9/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR WEDNESDAY (L&S)
NUMBER=2-253316
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=DILI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: There has been more violence in East Timor as
counting of ballots from Monday's referendum on
autonomy or independence for the territory gets
underway. VOA Correspondent Nick Simeone in Dili
reports election monitors are warning the results of
the vote could be jeopardized by pro-Indonesia
militias.
TEXT: Armed militias who oppose possible independence
for East Timor are again intimidating local people, as
well as United Nations staff who are hoping to have
all ballots from Monday's referendum counted by the
end of the week.
Following the killing of an Indonesian employee of the
United Nations on voting day, two more local U-N
employees are now missing. U-N spokesman Yasuhrico
Ueki says militia activity outside the capital Dili,
is preventing an investigative team from reaching the
area where the employee was killed.
// YASUHRICO ACT //
The local law enforcement authorities are unable to
maintain public security. They failed to maintain law
and order.
// END ACT //
// OPT FOR LONG // And here in the capital Dili,
gunfire and intimidation appears to be on the
increase, with the return of armed militias to the
streets. Indonesian police seem unwilling to stop
pro-Jakarta militias from setting up roadblocks and
intimidating local people, as well as international
election observers. On Tuesday, an Australian
observer was beaten outside the capital Dili by
militia men who accused his group of favoring East
Timorse independence. // END OPT //
All of this is leading election monitors to sound
warnings about East Timor's future, especially if, as
expected, Monday's referendum results in a strong show
of support for independence -- nearly a quarter
century after the disputed territory was annexed by
Indonesia.
// REST FOR LONG //
The American non-governmental organization, the Carter
Center, is calling the balloting free and fair, saying
the process thus far represents a valid and legitimate
expression of the wishes of the East Timorese people.
But the process is far from complete and the Atlanta-
based election monitoring group is warning it could be
jeopardized by renewed and uncontrolled militia
activity.
And in another expression of concern, 37 election
monitors from Australia are now calling for the United
Nations to dispatch armed peacekeepers to East Timor
to prevent more killings of civilians. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/FC/PLM
01-Sep-1999 00:29 AM EDT (01-Sep-1999 0429 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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