DATE=12/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR GRAVES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257582
BYLINE=RON CORBEN
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations has reported the
discovery of human remains in a mass grave in
East Timor. Ron Corben reports from our
Southeast Asia Bureau in Bangkok, the find comes
as U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan is to decide
whether to call for an international war crimes
tribunal for those responsible for the violence
in the troubled region.
TEXT: The United Nations says its police in East
Timor have uncovered human remains in a mass
grave that may contain as many as 54 victims. A
U-N spokesman in New York, Fred Eckhard, says a
final toll will not be ready until forensic
experts examine the site. The head of the East
Timor U-N Transitional Authority, Sergio Viera de
Mello, said last week international forensic
experts are set to arrive in January to help in
investigations of mass graves
The grave site, at the village of Passabe, covers
some 300 meters by 500 meters. It is a further
grim reminder of the terror that stalked East
Timor in the wake of the August 30th independence
vote.
Already 230 bodies have been found since the
international peacekeepers arrived in September
to restore order. Aid workers fear the number of
deaths could run into the thousands, as a result
of the wave of violence, destruction, and killing
by anti-independence militia gangs. Human rights
groups and U-N investigators say militias had the
backing of Indonesia's military.
The discovery of the remains comes as a U-N
investigative team, which visited East Timor last
month, is due this week to make its report to U-N
Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Mr Annan will then decide whether to recommend
that the Security Council establish an
international war crimes tribunal for the
bloodshed in East Timor.
The Indonesian government is already carrying out
its own inquiry into the atrocities in the
devastated territory. It has so far questioned
several generals, including former armed forces
chief General Wiranto and local military
commanders. (SIGNED)
NEB/RC/FC/KL
29-Dec-1999 02:41 AM EDT (29-Dec-1999 0741 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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