Subject: ETISC: Only a fully fledged UN armed
peacekeeping force can prevent Timor bloodbath
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 13:56:28 +0930
From: "East Timor International Support Center" <etio@ozemail.com.au>
Organization: East Timor International Support Center
East Timor International Support Center (ETISC) PO Box 651, Nightcliff, Darwin NT0814,
Australia
MEDIA RELEASE Fri, Aug 27, 1999
Only a fully fledged UN armed peacekeeping force can prevent Timor bloodbath
.........................................
The United Nations must intervene immediately in East Timor.
ETISC urges UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to publicly call, before the announcement
of the Aug 30 vote results, for the withdrawal of all Indonesian military forces from East
Timor and facilitate the deployment of an armed peacekeeping force to the troubled
territory.
The UN must also demand that the Indonesian police, currently in charge of security in
East Timor, immediately disarm all militia groups.
A dark cloud of fear hangs over East Timor's capital, Dili, just before the East
Timorese people vote, on Monday, for independence or to remain with Indonesia. Yesterday's
bloody violence, which left at least six people dead, raises serious concerns about voter
intimidation and the post-ballot period. There is credible evidence to indicate that the
Indonesian security apparatus is behind the militias in their orgy of violence and mayhem.
Witnesses in Dili told ETISC that the militias went on their rampage after hearing an
inflammatory speech by mayor Armindo Mariano calling on the pro-autonomy faction to take
control of Dili and ensure "the Indonesian flag remains on Indonesian
territory." Mariano is claimed to have also requested Indonesian troops to take part
in the pro-Indonesia rallies and assist the militia groups.
An ETISC staff member, in Dili, reported that about 300 militia stormed the office of
the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) in a wild rampage -- shooting and
throwing stones.
The worst trouble seemed to occur in Kuluhun. At least 3 pro-independence supporters
were killed and seven injured -- two of them seriously. Eyewitnesses told the ETISC staff
member that the Brimob part of the Indonesian police were doing the shooting. A young man
aged 23 - Adelinu de Jesus da Silva -- was shot by Brimob in the back of the head. He was
carried by his family back to his home in Becora.
Dili residents are currently all indoors armed with bows and arrows and machetes. Many
have fled the city for the outskirts where there is a strong UNAMET (United Nations
Assistance Mission in East Timor) presence.
The Indonesian military intelligence who are behind all the militia activities have
obviously decided that the presence of UNAMET and hundreds of Westerners in Dili is not
going to stop them from intimidation and murder in their last ditch efforts to prevent the
East Timorese people from choosing independence.
Only a fully-fledged armed UN peacekeeping force can, now, prevent a bloodbath in East
Timor.
For further information please contact Sonny Inbaraj in Darwin at +61-8-89484458 OR Dr
Andrew McNaughtan in Dili at +62-812-9299849
'EAST TIMOR ON THE NET' For the latest updates, news and views on East Timor and
Indonesia Visit http://www.easttimor.com maintained by the East Timor International
Support Center Hon Chairman: Jose Ramos-Horta Nobel Peace Laureate 1996
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