DATE=9/8/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-TIMOR (L)
NUMBER=2-253612
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton administration is urging Indonesia
to move quickly to restore order in East Timor or
allow an international peacekeeping force into the
territory to end the post-independence referendum
violence. V-O-A's David Gollust has more from the
White House.
TEXT: White House officials say they have seen no
improvement in the security situation in East Timor
despite the declaration of martial law there. And they
say if the trouble continues it will undermine outside
support for Indonesia's economic recovery.
Clinton National Security Adviser Sandy Berger told
reporters here, Indonesia is undergoing a fragile but
tremendously important economic and political
transformation, which cannot help but be harmed by
runaway violence in the territory:
///BERGER ACTUALITY///
The ability of the international community to
continue to be of economic assistance to
Indonesia will be affected by the stability in
the country. And that in turn is a function of
their ability to get control of the situation of
East Timor. So it's not a question of making
threats. It's a question of articulating,
stating, what is simply a practical fact of
life, which is that it would be very hard for
the international community to continue to be of
assistance if there is a chaotic situation in
Timor.
///END ACT///
Mr. Berger said the United States would be prepared to
support an international peacekeeping presence in East
Timor but appeared to rule out involvement by American
troops - saying the Asian regional players should have
the dominant role. He rejected parallels between the
U-S led NATO intervention in Kosovo and the situation
in East Timor, saying if there will be a security
force in East Timor invited in by the Indonesians, it
should be led by Asians:
///BERGER ACTUALITY TWO///
Because we bombed in Kosovo doesn't mean we
should bomb Dili. I think we have to recognize
that Indonesia is in Asia, that the Indonesians
will respond much better to a solution here that
is dominated by the Asians and not dominated by
the United States. And that in this situation,
our appropriate role is to be very active but in
a supportive role
///END ACTUALITY///
Mr. Berger said the Indonesian government deserves
credit for holding the independence vote in East Timor
and promising to abide by its results, and should not
squander the goodwill generated in the world community
by allowing the post-referendum bloodshed to continue.
Indonesia, he said can not assert sovereignty in East
Timor in the transition period while abdicating its
responsibility to protect its people from violence.
(Signed)
NEB/DAG/ENE/JO
08-Sep-1999 16:08 PM EDT (08-Sep-1999 2008 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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