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DATE=9/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US / EAST TIMOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266577
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// Re-running w/clarification in introduction ///
INTRO:  A four-vessel U-S Naval Task Group (EDS: In 
the Navy, Task groups make up a Task Force) has left 
East Timor after a three-day visit.  V-O-A Pentagon 
Correspondent Alex Belida reports the group's mission 
was a humanitarian one, but the show of force 
coincided with U-S complaints about continued 
insecurity on Timor island.
TEXT:  Pentagon officials deny any connection between 
what they say was the naval group's long-planned visit 
to East Timor and the latest militia violence in West 
Timor.
However a Defense Department spokesman acknowledges 
the group's visit sent a message that the United 
States cares very much about East Timor's 
transformation to independence.
The four vessels, including a guided missile cruiser, 
carried some four-thousand sailors and marines.  U-S 
military officials say as many as 700 were ashore at 
various times to conduct humanitarian and civic 
assistance activities.
These activities included the distribution of food aid 
and building materials.  Some U-S personnel went 
ashore to operate medical and dental clinics.  The 
Pentagon says the operation was strictly intended to 
support the East Timorese people and was not linked to 
activities of the United Nations peacekeeping mission 
in the former Indonesian-held territory.
Last week, militia opposed to East Timor's 
independence killed three U-N aid workers, one of them 
an American.
The incident in the Indonesian province of West Timor 
prompted a senior U-S Defense Department official to 
condemn Indonesia's failure to provide security for 
ongoing relief operations on Timor Island.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 
this threatens to destroy international goodwill 
toward Indonesia at a time when, in his words, "it 
needs it the most."
U-S Defense Secretary William Cohen is scheduled to 
visit Indonesia on his current Asian tour.  Mr. Cohen 
has been directed by President Clinton to raise with 
Indonesian leaders U-S concerns about the lack of 
security in both East and West Timor.  (Signed)
NEB/BEL/JP
15-Sep-2000 18:32 PM EDT (15-Sep-2000 2232 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.