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DATE=1/31/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N TIMOR INQUIRY REPORT (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258647
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Indonesia's former top military officer, 
General Wiranto, has been dismissed from the cabinet 
following release of a United Nations report on 
widespread violations of human rights in East Timor 
last year after the independence referendum.  V-O-A 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations on the findings of the U-N inquiry.
TEXT:  U-N spokesman John Mills summarized the 
commission's report by saying the human rights 
violations in East Timor were widespread and involved 
elements of the Indonesian armed forces.
            /// MILLS ACT ///
      These violations included systematic and 
      widespread intimidation, killings and massacres, 
      humiliation and terror, destruction of property, 
      as well as violence against women and 
      displacement of people. The Commission found 
      evidence that, as well as supporting and 
      directing the militias in the violence, there 
      was also direct involvement by members of the 
      Indonesian armed forces and knowledge and 
      approval by the top Indonesian military command.
            /// END ACT ///
Mr. Mills went on to quote the commission's report as 
recommending the establishment of an international 
tribunal to hold criminal trials.
The Indonesian government is strongly opposed to such 
a tribunal. In a letter to the United Nations 
Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab says the 
Indonesian judicial system is fully capable of 
dispensing justice. Mr. Shihab says it is consistent 
with international law to first exhaust national 
remedies before establishing an international 
tribunal.
U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan has taken no position 
on an international tribunal for East Timor, saying 
simply that the commission's report merits "careful 
consideration."
The initial consensus among U-N diplomats seems to be 
that there will be no international tribunal as long 
as the Indonesian government is serious about 
investigating and prosecuting those guilty of human 
rights violations in East Timor (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/gm 
31-Jan-2000 17:10 PM EDT (31-Jan-2000 2210 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.