DATE=9/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TIMOR / GUSMAO (L ONLY))
NUMBER=2-253541
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
Intro: East Timorese independence leader Xanana
Gusmao has made a plea for international assistance to
stop the bloodshed in East Timor. Armed militia
groups are rampaging throughout the territory,
reportedly killing hundreds of people and forcing
thousands of more to flee. As Patricia Nunan reports
from Jakarta, Mr. Gusmao, a former guerrilla leader
was released from house arrest on Tuesday, as martial
law was declared in East Timor.
Text: Xanana Gusmao says the situation in East
Timor is "hopeless" and the people are facing
more destruction. Mr. Gusmao wants the immediate
assistance of the international community.
///GUSMAO ACT ONE///
I appeal to the friendly countries to take
immediate measures to help us. To save
lives. To save my people.
///END ACT///
East Timor has been virtually overrun by armed
militia groups that are fighting to prevent the
territory from separating from Indonesia.
Hundreds of people are believed to have been
killed, and thousands forced to flee their homes.
The violence erupted after the United Nations
announced that almost 79 percent of East Timorese
voters decided the territory should separate from
Indonesia in the UN-supervised autonomy
referendum held last week. The vote was intended
to end 24 years of bloodshed in East Timor,
sparked when the Indonesian military invaded the
former Portuguese colony in 1975.
Mr. Gusmao says after 24 years, the East Timorese
people are ready for peace.
///GUSMAO ACT TWO///
My people proved during 24 years their
determination to achieve their freedom
because only with freedom we can create
peace and prosperity.
///END ACT///
The Indonesian military declared martial law in
East Timor at midnight on Tuesday in an effort to
control the situation. But some residents say
the Indonesian military has been assisting the
militias. Witnesses say Indonesian soldiers
escorted militia men when they attacked the home
of Nobel Laureate Bishop Carlos Belo, which they
burned down. At least 39 people were killed in
the incident. Bishop Belo was not injured.
Mr. Gusmao is the head of the Falintil guerrilla
army -- and spent 18 years fighting in the jungle
before his arrest by the Indonesian government in
1992. But he says Falintil guerrillas will not
retaliate against the militias, because he does
not want the situation to degenerate into civil
war.
Mr. Gusmao says he has no plans to return to East
Timor until the situation becomes more calm.
A delegation from the UN Security Council is
expected to arrive in Jakarta on Wednesday, in
order to determine whether UN peacekeepers should
be deployed to East Timor. (Signed)
NEB/PN/LTD/KL
07-Sep-1999 10:09 AM EDT (07-Sep-1999 1409 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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