DATE=9/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/INDONESIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266285
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Defense Secretary William Cohen will
convey to Indonesian leaders what is being described
as a "strong message" about ongoing insecurity in East
and West Timor. V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida
reports from the Pentagon Mr. Cohen embarks on an
Asian trip next week.
TEXT: A senior Defense Department official says Mr.
Cohen has been directed by President Bill Clinton to
raise with Indonesian leaders U-S concerns about the
lack of security in both East and West Timor.
Referring to the killings this week in West Timor of
three United Nations aid workers, one of them an
American, the official condemns Indonesia's failure to
provide security for ongoing relief operations in the
region.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says
this threatens to destroy international good will
towards Indonesia at a time when, in his words, "it
needs it the most."
The latest killings in West Timor, an Indonesian
province, are blamed on militiamen opposed to East
Timor's independence.
Mr. Cohen leaves on a nine-day, six-nation Asian tour
next Wednesday. He travels to the Philippines and
Singapore before stopping in Indonesia. Later he goes
on to Thailand, South Korea and Japan. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/JP
08-Sep-2000 16:54 PM LOC (08-Sep-2000 2054 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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