DATE=9/3/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRITAIN / EAST TIMOR (L)
NUMBER=2-253432
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Britain is sending a special envoy to
Indonesia to discuss the deteriorating security
situation in East Timor. V-O-A Correspondent Laurie
Kassman in London reports Britain says Indonesia is
responsible for security in the territory.
TEXT: British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook is
dispatching a close aide to Indonesia to consult with
officials there about how to end the violence in East
Timor. The envoy also will travel to Australia and,
if security permits, to East Timor.
Mr. Cook says he has consulted with the top U-N
official in East Timor and with Indonesia's foreign
minister, Ali Alatas. He does not rule out the need
for an international force in East Timor but says
Indonesia is responsible for security there.
/// COOK ACT ONE ///
I have emphasized to Mr. Alatas that
responsibility for order and safety in East
Timor rests with the government of Indonesia and
with their security forces.
/// END ACT ////
Mr. Cook says a British destroyer in the South China
Sea is on standby in case it is called on to help.
Violence fueled by pro-Indonesia militias has clouded
the referendum on independence in East Timor. Many
residents, foreign observers, and reporters have fled.
British Foreign Secretary Cook says the crisis in East
Timor will top the agenda for this weekend's meeting
of European Union foreign ministers. He insists the
international community must be ready to help East
Timor make a peaceful transition to independence.
/// COOK ACT TWO ///
We are determined that this exciting moment in
the history of East Timor will not be derailed
by the tragedy of events we witnessed recently
and will not be prevented by further
bloodshed.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Cook says he will be consulting with U-N Secretary
General Kofi Annan as well as officials in New Zealand
and Australia about the scope of international support
for East Timor's move toward independence. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/JWH/JO
03-Sep-1999 12:31 PM EDT (03-Sep-1999 1631 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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