Subject: Fwd: AFP:Ominous threats to UN mission in
E.Timor: UN special envoy
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 13:26:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Ede <michael_ede@yahoo.com>Subject: AFP:Ominous threats to UN
mission in E.Timor: UN special envoy Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 02:21:00 EDT From:
Joyo@aol.com To: "undisclosed-recipients:;"@igc.org
Ominous threats to UN mission in East Timor: UN special envoy
DILI, East Timor, Aug 16 (AFP) - Ominous threats have been made to United Nations
personnel organizing the August 30 ballot on East Timor's future, the UN's special envoy
said here Monday.
The revelation by Jamsheed Marker, personal representative of UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan, came as barbed wire was being erected on the walls around the Dili regional office
of the UN Mission in East Timor (UNAMET).
"We heard, not fully substantiated, but nevertheless ominous reports of some
threats to personnel on the day of the ballot," Marker told a press conference.
He was speaking at the end of a three-day visit to this former Portuguese territory
whose people are to choose either autonomy under Indonesian rule or independence in this
month's ballot.
Marker declined to elaborate on the threats, but on Monday morning workers were
installing the razor wire on the UNAMET office walls to add to barbed-wire barricades
already in place in the driveway.
The UN envoy said the reports were being discussed with Indonesian authorities
"because I'm sure this does not have official sanction."
"UNAMET is not going to be put off course one degree by any rogue element ... We
have a job to do and we will do it," he said.
Marker also said he planned to return to Dili, the capital of East Timor, a day or two
before the ballot.
"On the 30th we intend to have a very vivid UN presence all over the island.
"Most of my senior colleagues and myself will probably spend the whole day in
helicopters going from one polling centre to another and to make sure that the proper
conditions prevail, and to be able to respond to any situation that might arise."
During his latest visit to the territory, Marker visited the towns of Suai, Maliana and
Viqueque.
He noted "definite signs of improvement in the security situation" but he
said "disturbing elements" remain. Among the problems, he said, is a refugee
camp that has been set up at a church in Suai.
He also called "deplorable" a recent armed attack on civilians in Viqueque
and said he was committed to the ballot going ahead "under reasonably peaceful
conditions."
"The fact that so many East Timorese came out to register is a moral obligation of
immense order," he said.
Commenting on meetings in Jakarta last week, at which he was given assurances by the
Indonesian military and government of their interest in the referendum going ahead
peacefully, Marker said they were positive -- but that the realities were harsh.
"We are realistic enough to know that in terms of the harsh realities, especially
what has happened over the past 30 years, the ride will not be as smooth as we wish or
like," he said.
"This realization enables us to make the necessary provisions and take the
necessary measures to ensure that the process goes ahead."
Campaigning for East Timor's historic ballot began on Saturday with activists on both
sides vowing to work for a peaceful campaign, after months of violence blamed largely on
pro-Indonesian militias.
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