DATE=9/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TIMOR - PENTAGON
NUMBER=2-253602
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Defense Secretary William Cohen says the
United States has no plans to send peacekeeping troops
to troubled East Timor, but may provide other kinds of
support for an international force. Mr. Cohen also
says Indonesia could face serious economic
consequences if it fails to stop violence directed at
East Timorese supporters of independence from
Indonesia. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from the
Pentagon.
Text: Defense Secretary William Cohen says the United
States and many other nations are urging the
Indonesian government to quickly stop the violence in
East Timor that has killed scores of people and
prompted tens of thousands to flee the area.
Pro-Indonesia militias are attacking independence
supporters. The overwhelming majority of East Timor
residents voted in a U-N referendum in August to move
toward independence in August.
So far the 23-thousand Indonesian troops stationed in
East Timor have failed to stop the assaults, and in
some cases have even supported them.
/// COHEN ACT ///
The international community has a number of
levers we can pull on. There are serious
financial consequences to be sure. In the event
the Indonesian government is seen as being
either ineffective or in complicity with the
militia operating in East Timor now.
/// END ACT ///
//OPT// Mr. Cohen says the international community can
get Jakarta's attention by reducing its current
support for Indonesia's battered economy. He says
instability will hurt Jakarta's efforts to attract
foreign investment or expand exports. //END OPT//
Mr. Cohen says the United States must "be selective"
about where it commits forces and has no plans to send
peacekeeping troops to Indonesia, and calls such
discussions premature.
/// COHEN ACT ///
The United States can not be and should not
be viewed as policeman of the world. We act
where it is in our national interest to act and
where we can act effectively.
/// END ACT ///
Top defense officials say the United States is
consulting closely with Australia and other nations
concerned about East Timor. They say if a
peacekeeping force is organized, approved by the
United Nations and invited into Indonesia by the
government in Jakarta, the U-S is likely to offer help
with moving heavy equipment, improving communications,
or sharing intelligence rather than deploying ground
troops. (Signed).
NEB/JR/JO
08-Sep-1999 12:31 PM EDT (08-Sep-1999 1631 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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