DATE=2/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / EAST TIMOR (L)
NUMBER=2-259256
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan is in East Timor to
assess the devastation wrought by the spasm of militia
violence last year. U-N peacekeepers are to assume full
administrative control of the territory next week. As VOA
correspondent Gary Thomas reports, the task of rebuilding
is enormous.
TEXT: Arriving in East Timor Thursday, Secretary General
Kofi Annan saw for himself the physical and emotional
devastation left by the vented outrage of those who refused
to accept last August's vote for independence.
Mr. Annan went to the town of Liquica, where some of the
worst violence by pro-Jakarta militias took place. He laid
a wreath at a church where at least 50 people are believed
to have been murdered. He described the scene as
"shocking" and said he has only begun to see how extensive
the destruction was in the town.
Mr. Annan's 24-hour visit is intended to boost the morale
of the East Timorese ahead of the official takeover by U-N
peacekeepers from a multinational Australian-led force.
Across East Timor, virtually no basic facilities and
services remain intact and whole towns are little more than
burned-out hulks. U-N administrators face a Herculean task
of rebuilding. Millions of dollars in reconstruction aid
has been promised, but has been slow to arrive.
Mr. Annan flew to the East Timorese capital of Dili from
Jakarta, where he held talks with Indonesian leaders on
reconstruction in East Timor and accountability for those
who fanned the brutality there.
More than 100-thousand people who fled the violence are
still in refugee camps in neighboring West Timor, where
they are still subject to intimidation by remnants of the
pro-Jakarta militias. Speaking in Jakarta Wednesday, Mr.
Annan said the United Nations would work with Indonesian
authorities to ensure their safe return.
// ANNAN ACT //
We are going to be working closely with the government
through the (U-N) High Commission for Refugees. And I also
had a meeting with the Minister of Defense who are going to
work with us to ensure that there are no militia elements
and those who are intimidating refugees are brought under
control and that we can assist in getting the refugees
back.
// END ACT //
A U-N report has recommended setting up a special tribunal
to try cases of atrocities in East Timor. Mr. Annan
praised Indonesia's initial efforts to bring human rights
violators to justice, and said credible prosecutions in
Indonesian courts will eliminate any need for a special
tribunal. (signed)
NEB/GPT/FC
17-Feb-2000 06:16 AM EDT (17-Feb-2000 1116 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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