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DATE=8/30/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / ANNIVERSARY  (L)
NUMBER=2-265963
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Thousands of East Timorese are marking the 
first anniversary of the territory's vote for 
independence from Indonesia, by remembering the 
people who died in years of fighting there. As 
Patricia Nunan reports from Jakarta, the threat 
of attack by anti-independence militia groups 
remains a concern.
TEXT: In an emotional mass, East Timor's 
spiritual leader and Nobel peace laureate, Bishop 
Carlos Belo, asked the thousands of people 
packing Dili's main cathedral to pray for those 
who died for East Timor's freedom.  He also asked 
them to forgive East Timor's enemies -- including 
the leaders of anti-independence militias and the 
Indonesian generals believed to be supporting 
them.
East Timorese leaders - including the man many 
believe will be the first president of the 
independent nation, Xanana Gusmao - are giving 
speeches to mark the anniversary.
It was one year ago that the overwhelming 
majority of East Timorese voted to break free of 
24 years of Indonesian rule - which began when 
Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 
1975. 
Celebrations however were short-lived.  Anti-
independence militia groups reacted by launching 
a murderous campaign of terror across
East Timor -- killing hundreds of people. 
Hundreds of thousands fled their homes for the 
safety of the jungle or over the border in West
Timor.  With most of its towns and villages 
destroyed, East Timor was left in ruins. 
International peacekeepers restored calm to the 
territory -- but the threat of attacks by militia 
groups remains. 
On Tuesday, the head of the U-N mission in East 
Timor, Sergio de Mello, warned that if 
peacekeepers encounter any militiamen refusing to 
surrender, "drastic action" would be taken 
against them. 
That warning coincided with the latest in a 
series of clashes near the border with West Timor 
Peacekeepers exchanged fire with militia, but no 
injuries were reported. Two peacekeepers and 
several militiamen have died in recent weeks in 
confrontations. 
Security has been beefed up for the anniversary 
celebrations. U-N checkpoints line roads leading 
into the capital, and extra peacekeepers have 
been sent to areas where militia groups are 
believed to be hiding. 
Meanwhile, Indonesian Attorney General Marzuki 
Darusman has promised in the next day or so to 
release the official list of suspects in the 
investigation of the Indonesian military's role 
in militia violence. 
Analysts say some of the Armed Forces' top brass 
-- including the former minister of defense, 
General Wiranto -- are likely be named. (signed)
NEB/HK/PN/GC/JO
30-Aug-2000 01:13 AM LOC (30-Aug-2000 0513 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.