DATE=9/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TIMOR PEACEKEEPING / L-O
NUMBER=2-253475
BYLINE=BRONWYN CURRAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: International negotiations are under way for
an armed, multi-national peacekeeping force to be sent
to East Timor. But Indonesia is continuing to resist
the prospect of foreign peacekeepers, before it
relinquishes control of the province -- planned for
November. Foreign diplomats have taken their concerns
about the violence directly to Indonesian President B-
J Habibie and senior ministers. But -- as Bronwyn
Curran reports from Jakarta -- not all of them are
pushing for peacekeepers.
TEXT: Since the announcement of East Timor's
landslide vote for independence, Saturday, Australia
has taken a lead role in negotiating for the rapid
deployment of armed peacekeepers in its independence-
minded neighbor. Australia's foreign minister has put
forward the possibility of his country heading up an
interim United Nations force, which could be deployed
well before Indonesia's new consultative assembly
convenes, later this year.
Australia's ambassador to the United Nations has been
seeking international support for a coalition of
countries willing to take part in such a force.
Although negotiations are already underway in New
York, there is still no agreement from Indonesia or
the U-N Security Council, which would have to approve
the move before any troops can be sent in. Australia
says Jakarta is resisting the idea until the new
government addresses the issue in November. Australian
diplomats say their country could send troops,
immediately, but cannot go in alone.
He says there are other countries Canberra would like
to see participate, who would need more time to get
into position and organize themselves.
Although the United States has condemned the violence
in East Timor, it appears to be resisting the
deployment of international peacekeepers. U-S
Ambassador to Indonesia Stapleton Roy says he has been
urging alternative ways of restoring security. He is
among several ambassadors who have met with President
Habibie since the escalation of terror that followed
the ballot announcement. However, he says the topic
of armed peacekeepers was not discussed.
// ROY ACTUALITY //
No, that was not the purpose of our discussion.
It was to explore any ideas that could be
helpful. We were not there to make a proposal
for armed peacekeepers. We were there to explore
how to assist Indonesia with its responsibility
to maintain a good security environment there
and how the international community could be
helpful.
//END ACTUALITY//
Ambassador Roy says the United States believes
responsibility for ending the chaos in East Timor
should continue to stay with Indonesia.
//ROY ACTUALITY//
The United States position is that Indonesia has
undertaken an obligation to maintain good
security in East Timor and we look to them to
carry out that obligation, that is our position.
// END ACTUALITY//
The ambassador also met with soon-to-be freed East
Timor Resistance leader Xanana Gusmao. From his
prison house in Jakarta Mr. Gusmao has made urgent
pleas for the deployment of international peacekeepers
in East Timor --saying the territory is facing a new
genocide. Ambassador Roy says diplomats have been
discussing solutions that would benefit all sides --
including countries that have close relationships with
Indonesia.
// ROY ACTUALITY //
One that benefits Indonesia; the people of East
Timor; and those countries which are friends of
Indonesia, who have put great importance on our
relationship with Indonesia. So I was exploring
with him ways that could advance those goals..
// END ACTUALITY
Indonesia has announced Xanana Gusmao will be released
from prison in time to return home to East Timor,
Wednesday. The former guerilla leader has been
imprisoned in the Indonesian capital since his capture
in 1992. In January, he was moved from Cipinang Pison
to house arrest at a central Jakarta detention
complex. There are fears for his safety. Once he
reaches East Timor, the security of the man who has
led East Timor's 23-year fight against Indonesian
rule, will be in the hands of unarmed U-N personnel.
(SIGNOFF)
Neb / wd / wd/RAE
05-Sep-1999 11:16 AM LOC (05-Sep-1999 1516 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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