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DATE=3/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - EAST TIMOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260453
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In East Timor - which gained its independence 
from Indonesia last year - the main problems are 
unemployment, crime, and the continued activity of 
armed militia groups. That's the assessment a top 
United Nations official, as we hear in this report 
from V-O-A correspondent Breck Ardery.   
TEXT:  The U-N Security Council heard a report from 
Hedi Annabi, Assistant Secretary-General for 
Peacekeeping, who said high rates of unemployment in 
East Timor are causing unrest and lawlessness. 
However, he noted that the U-N Administration in East 
Timor has begun or is planning 18 infrastructure 
projects that will provide jobs quickly.
There are currently almost one-thousand U-N police on 
duty in East Timor, and Mr. Annabi said plans to build 
an indigenous police force are proceeding, with the 
first group of recruits scheduled to begin training at 
the end of this month.
But an ongoing problem, according to the U-N official, 
is the continuing activity of militia groups in West 
Timor, part of Indonesia. The militias are reported to 
be intimidating refugees and crossing the border into 
East Timor.  Mr. Annabi says the U-N Transitional 
Administration in East Timor - or UNTAET (Un-tet) - 
has determined the militia groups are receiving 
support from the Indonesian military.
            /// ANNABI ACT ///
      Elements of the Indonesian armed forces continue 
      to tolerate and even support the militias in 
      West Timor. On the ninth and 10th of March, 
      UNTAET's force commander and the political 
      director of the mission visited Jakarta to 
      discuss the incursions by the militias from West 
      Timor with the Indonesian authorities. They 
      received firm assurances that stern action would 
      be taken against militia activity including 
      military training in and outside the refugee 
      settlements in West Timor.
            /// END ACT ///
However, Mr. Annabi appeared to indicate that the 
Indonesian government does not yet have complete 
control over all elements of its military.
            /// REST OPT ///
United States representative Nancy Soderberg says the 
continued activity of the militia groups is most 
disturbing.
            /// SODERBERG ACT ///
      We, the United States and other members of the 
      (Security) Council, have repeatedly urged the 
      Indonesian government to disarm and disband the 
      militia groups.  We have been given assurances 
      that these steps would be taken, yet we have yet 
      to see decisive action.
            /// END ACT ///
Ms. Soderberg suggested the Security Council hold a 
special session to discuss reports that some elements 
of the Indonesian military continue to assist the 
militias, including the supply of arms and equipment. 
(Signed)    
NEB/UN/BA/LSF
21-Mar-2000 17:05 PM EDT (21-Mar-2000 2205 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.