DATE=10/11/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=U-S / EAST TIMOR
NUMBER=5-44467
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=DILI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is playing only a supporting
role in East Timor. The lead part in restoring order
and security in the territory has been taken by
Australia and New Zealand. VOA correspondent Gary
Thomas, who is in East Timor, found that is just fine
with the men and women serving aboard the U-S-S
Belleau Wood.
TEXT: The crystalline waters off the coast of East
Timor's capital, Dili, rarely see boats much larger
than fishing craft, but in these troubled times for
East Timor even the fishing boats are not to be
seen. There is instead a much more massive vessel
anchored some two kilometers from Dili's damaged port.
/// SFX SAILORS ABOARD VESSEL ///
The U-S-S Belleau Wood has arrived, bringing its
massive re-supply capability to the peacekeeping
effort in East Timor. The ship carries 15 U-S Marine
helicopters, including four of the largest in the
Western world, as well as a crew of 18 hundred sailors
and marines. Each of the four big helicopters is
capable of ferrying 15 tons of food, fuel and
firepower.
Right now it is the Australian troops who need the
supplies. Virtually everything for the troops of the
international force for East Timor, or INTERFET, must
be brought in. East Timor's infrastructure was
totally destroyed by marauding pro-Jakarta militias
after the August vote for independence from Indonesia.
Helicopter pilot Captain Tom McCauley says the
Australian troops he met Sunday in East Timor were
pleased to be getting support:
/// 1st McCAULEY ACT ///
They are really excited about the capabilities
that the helicopters have. Once we tell them
what kind of tonnage we can move, they are
really fired up (enthusiastic). They were
asking, "Can you move this, this and this."
Hopefully, we will be able to play a
contributing role here.
/// END ACT ///
Captain McCauley is one of the few of the Belleau
Wood's crew to come ashore in Dili. Speaking on the
noisy hangar desk of the ship, he says the devastation
and poverty he saw ashore made a deep impression on
him:
/// 2nd McCAULEY ACT
It is actually very humbling. We complain
sometimes about being on a boat, but then we see
these people who are left with nothing. As
everyone pulled out of the country, they left
nothing standing for these people. It is nice
to be here in the sense that we are having an
impact --helping these people to get going again
(to begin to rebuild their lives).
/// END ACT ///
The United States is trying to avoid any direct combat
role, leaving that for the Australian-led
peacekeepers. The commander of the Belleau Wood,
Captain Tom Parker, says the U-S helicopters will be
barred from going too close to the border with West
Timor, where the pro-Jakarta militias and their
Indonesian army patrons are. U-S forces, he says, are
not looking for a fight:
/// 1st PARKER ACT ///
We are not here to cause trouble. We are not
here to get in the way. We are not here
looking for a fight. We are here to help out
with the humanitarian efforts.
/// END ACT ///
In response to a question, he says that the
helicopters are prepared to extract peacekeepers from
trouble should the Belleau Wood be requested to do so,
but, he adds, he would have to obtain clearance from
higher up the chain of command (clearance from his
superiors). (Signed)
NEB/GT/KL
11-Oct-1999 09:44 AM EDT (11-Oct-1999 1344 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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