Military

DATE=10/18/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=TIMOR INTIMIDATION L-ONLY

NUMBER=2-268102

BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN

DATELINE=JAKARTA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

//EDS: May be used as an alternate to the Gary Thomas CR Ogata-Timor ///

INTRO: U-N officials say militias in West Timor are still intimidating refugees who fled widespread violence after East Timor voted for independence last year. One anti-independence militia member, involved in the rampage believed to be orchestrated by the military, says his life is in danger for offering to name names. Patricia Nunan has more from Jakarta.

TEXT: United Nations officials in East Timor say anti-independence militias are virtually holding refugees "hostage" in the Indonesian province of West Timor -- where they still maintain control of refugee camps.

UN spokesman Peter Kessler says that intimidation by the militia groups continues to prevent many of the more than 100-thousand East Timorese

refugees living in the camps from returning home.

Foreign aid workers withdrew from West Timor last month after militias killed three UN staffers leaving the refugees at the mercy of the militias. Despite assurances from the Indonesian government that the situation is now under control, UN officials say West Timor is still too dangerous to resume operations.

Anti-independence militia groups virtually destroyed East Timor after the territory voted for independence from Indonesia in August of last year.

The Indonesian government is continuing its investigation into the violence, including the military's role in arming and supporting the militias.

/// OPT /// Originally the inquiry was scheduled to be finished by Tuesday. So far, Indonesian officials have named 23 suspects in their investigation. /// END OPT ///

Meanwhile, a militia-leader claims his life is in danger since he threatened to go public with the names of military personnel involved in arming and training the militia groups.

Joanico Cesario, leader of the Saka militia, says he is being tracked by military and police intelligence agents since he discussed disclosing the information. The police and military deny the charges.

Mr. Cesario and other militia-leaders threatened to provide the names in exchange for the release of notorious militia leader Eurico Guterres, now

in detention in Jakarta.(signed)

NEB/HK/PN/JO/PLM