Subject: RadRen: Bishop says Indonesian secret
services back militias
Date: Sat, 01 May 1999 08:54:31 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" fbp@igc.apc.orgBBC Summary of World Broadcasts
Bishop says Indonesian secret services back militias
Radio Renascenca, Lisbon, in Portuguese 0800 gmt 28 Apr 99
Text of report by Portuguese Renascenca radio on 28th April Dom Ximenes Belo [bishop of
Dili and Nobel Peace laureate in 1996] has accused the Indonesian secret services of being
involved in the wave of violence which has hit East Timor recently. According to the
bishop, at least 100 people have died in the last few weeks. Anabela Morais reports:
[Morais] In an appeal issued by the Eclesia Agency, the bishop of Dili said the
involvement of the Indonesian secret services and of a number of military commanders in
the recent wave of violence was visible. Dom Ximenes Belo recalled that President
Habibie's announcement that the Timorese could choose autonomy or independence had been
welcomed with great happiness in the territory - but this had been short-lived because
self-seeking groups interested in keeping the status quo immediately started to arm the
Timorese, starved of power and money. This led to the emergence of armed civilian groups,
paramilitary groups and militias, the bishop's message said.
As for the resistance, the bishops says it is completely broken up as its members have
sought refuge in other areas of Indonesia. In the message the bishop appealed to the
church and the Portuguese in general for spiritual, moral and financial support for the
homeless, the wounded and the starving.
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