DATE=9/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UNITED NATIONS / JAKARTA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253590
BYLINE=BRONWYN CURRAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A United Nations Security Council team has
begun negotiations with Jakarta on ways to end the
bloodshed in East Timor. As Bronwyn Curran reports,
the team met with Foreign Minister Ali Alatas after
arriving in the Indonesian capital Wednesday. But so
far there appears to be no change in Indonesia's
refusal to allow international peacekeepers into the
province, before November.
TEXT: The U-N team, headed by five Security Council
ambassadors, spent more than two and half hours
meeting with Mr Alatas at Jakarta's Foreign Ministry.
Emerging from the meeting, the delegation's chairman -
- Ambassador Martin Andjaba on Namibia -- said they'd
had a frank exchange of views with Mr Alatas.
He refused to divulge details though, saying the
delegation was still to meet with President B-J
Habibie. The President has agreed to see them
Thursday.
It's understood the delegation is hoping to persuade
Indonesia to allow an armed peacekeeping force into
East Timor, where hundreds have been killed and
thousands driven from their homes since the vote for
independence.
But Minister Alatas says international peacekeepers
weren't discussed.
/// 1st ALATAS ACT ///
There was no proposal to accept international
forces, not from this. There has been no
proposal yet, so please keep the story in the
right proportion, as to peacekeping forces, I've
always explained time and time again, namely
that during the second phase in which we are in
now, Indonesia, according to the agreements also
that have been signed, remains responsible for
security so let's keep it that way.
/// END ACT ///
Foreign Minister Alatas says the 11-member delegation
conveyed their own messages and a message from the
Secretary-General expressing concern about what is
happening in East Timor. Mr. Alatas says foreign
governments have been sending similar messages to
Jakarta in the last few days.
Meanwhile, he says the martial law imposed by
presidential decree Tuesday has already begun taking
effect.
/// 2nd ALATAS ACT ///
It is quite early at this stage but we have been
Told that Dili is quiet now. There have been
arrests. Six people have been arrested but, of
course, this is very early in the day. The new
commander Major General Kiki Shanakiri has just
arrived now, as far as I know, with his group in
East Timor and we hope that by tomorrow we will
have some more concrete news.
/// END ACT ///
Mr Alatas rejected suggestions Indonesia is under a 48
hour ultimatum from the United Nations to quell the
violence, or face international action. He said he
was aware of the Secretary General's comments Tuesday
-- that Indonesia had two days to prove martial law
could work - but he said that he did not consider
them a deadline.
The U-N delegation is also meeting several Jakarta-
based diplomats Wednesday.
The five Security Council ambassadors heading the
delegation represent the Netherlands, Namibia, the
United Kingdom, Slovenia and Malaysia.
They're hoping to meet freed East Timorese
independence leader Xanana Gusmao and military
commander General Wiranto during their visit, which
could take up to three days. (SIGNED)
NEB/BC/KL
08-Sep-1999 13:37 PM EDT (08-Sep-1999 1737 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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