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DATE=6/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-TIMOR REFUGEES (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263901
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The top United Nations official in East Timor 
has (Thursday) issued another appeal to the government 
of Indonesia to crack down on militia groups operating 
in West Timor.  VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports 
from the United Nations.  
TEXT:  Sergio Vieira de Mello told reporters that, 
although the security situation in East Timor is 
generally good, there is still a problem of periodic 
incursions by militia groups from West Timor, part of 
Indonesia.
The anti-independence militia groups terrorized East 
Timor last September following the vote against the 
territory's continued association with Indonesia. 
During that time many East Timorese fled to West 
Timor. Mr. Vieira de Mello said the militias continue 
to operate in and around the West Timorese refugee 
camps where they are engaging in intimidation and the 
spreading of misinformation in an effort to discourage 
refugees from returning to East Timor.
The U-N official said the Indonesian military has 
taken some action against the militia groups but that 
it has not gone far enough.
            ///Vieira de Mello act///
      The Indonesian military has taken measures. They 
      have arrested some of them (militias), they have 
      confiscated weapons and they are preventing them 
      from training in or around the camps. But we 
      would like the Indonesian military to go one 
      step further which is to disarm them completely 
      and remove them from the camps.
            ///end act///
Mr. Vieira de Mello, who is in New York for 
consultations, said he is convinced that Indonesian 
President Abdurrahman Wahid is sincere in his pledge 
to crack down on the militia groups but that 
implementing that decision has apparently not been 
easy. He also said the Indonesian government should 
start to re-settle those refugees who do not wish to 
return to East Timor. 
Mr. Vieira de Mello, who heads the U-N Transitional 
Administration in East Timor, repeated his estimate 
that the territory should be ready for independence 
sometime in the second half on next year.(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/KBK
29-Jun-2000 15:20 PM EDT (29-Jun-2000 1920 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.