DATE=9/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / L
NUMBER=2-253750
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesian officials are coming under
mounting pressure to allow an international
peacekeeping force into violence-ravaged East
Timor Province. But so far, officials have
shown little willingness to accept international
demands. From Jakarta, V-O-A's Kyle King
reports.
TEXT: A five member U-N Security Council team
is expected to meet with President B-J Habibi
later Sunday, to make a last-ditch appeal to the
government to allow international intervention
in East Timor.
The U-N team traveled to the province Saturday
to see the results of the violence carried out
by pro-Jakarta militias in the wake of the
overwhelming vote for independence on August
30th. One member of the team described East
Timor as a "living hell."
The commander of Indonesia's armed forces,
General Wiranto, had raised hope the government
might give in to international pressure and
allow a U-N sponsored peacekeeping force to
restore security in the territory.
The general said he was ready to recommend to
the government an international peacekeeping
force be allowed into the province ahead of the
November time-frame was spelled out in the
agreement to hold the last month's independence
referendum.
But Indonesia's U-N ambassador rejected idea in
New York late Saturday, following a Security
Council debate, later suspended until the five
man U-N team returns to brief the council on its
mission. The Indonesian ambassador says the
time is not yet right for international
intervention.
President Habibi has scheduled an emergency
meeting with General Wiranto and other top
officials for today (Sunday).
// REST OPTIONAL //
Meanwhile, President Clinton has suspended all
military sales to Indonesia and said the United
States is reviewing economic and commercial
programs with Indonesia.
East Timorese resistance leader Jose Ramos-Horta
has called for a boycott of Indonesian holiday
resorts to protest the violence in East Timor.
The Nobel laureate told reporters in Australia
many hotel chains in the resort of Bali are
owned by the Indonesian military, which has been
accused of supporting pro-independence
militiamen.
In another development, United Nations Human
Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson has cancelled
a planned visit to East Timor. She had been
expected to visit the territory before holding
talks with President Habibi in Jakarta. The
former Irish president has called for the
establishment of an international tribunal to
investigate reports of military and police
involvement in the human rights abuses in East
Timor. (signed)
Neb/kbk / wd
12-Sep-1999 00:19 AM LOC (12-Sep-1999 0419 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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