DATE=9/28/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - TIMOR - PLANNING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254441
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesia has agreed to an acceleration of
planning for the hand-over of East Timor to a United
Nations interim administration. The agreement was
reached in talks today (Tuesday) between Indonesia,
Portugal and the United Nations. V-O-A's U-N
correspondent Max Ruston reports.
TEXT: The talks brought together the foreign
ministers of Indonesia and Portugal in a meeting that
U-N officials say resulted in moderate progress. The
talks focussed on the period leading up to the formal
hand-over of East Timor to a U-N interim
administration.
The hand-over is expected to take place in November,
after Indonesia's legislature ratifies the results of
East Timor's August 30th referendum, in which 80
percent of the territory's residents voted in support
of independence.
Widespread violence in the territory following the
election has raised questions about the feasibility of
waiting until November for the hand-over. The
Indonesian military -- blamed for much of the violence
-- has already handed over responsibility for security
to an Australian-led international force, INTERFED.
Independence leaders say Indonesia has lost any
authority to administer the territory, even for a
short period of time.
But Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, speaking
at U-N headquarters, says the civil administration of
the territory will remain in Indonesia's hands until
the formal hand-over to the United Nations.
/// ALATAS ACT ///
In security terms, de facto it is the INTERFED
who is in charge of security. Am I clear? De
facto they are in charge of security, because we
have handed over the task, we have withdrawn our
martial law and on the civil side we are still
in charge. OK? Is that clear?
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Alatas says planning for the hand-over is being
accelerated.
The talks at the United Nations also resulted in an
agreement to allow Red Cross and U-N humanitarian
workers to visit refugee camps in West Timor, a part
of Indonesia. The camps have been described by some
East Timorese as concentration camps, where pro-
Jakarta militia members have been allowed to commit
atrocities. Mr. Alatas denounced those reports as
lies and said international humanitarian workers are
welcome to visit the camps. (Signed)
NEB/MPR/TVM/PT
28-Sep-1999 21:13 PM LOC (29-Sep-1999 0113 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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