Subject: ABC: Pressure mounts for peacekeepers in
East Timor
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 01:10:15 +1000
From: bfmedia@pop.peg.apc.org (BUSHFIRE MEDIA)ABC - The World Today
Pressure mounts for peacekeepers in East Timor
The World Today - Friday, September 3, 1999 12:10
COMPERE: But we start the program this Friday, as we have most days of this week, in
East Timor. Overnight murderous militia mobs hacked to death two more locally engaged UN
staff, Indonesian police allowing them to complete their nasty work by burning down the
houses of the dead men as the families fled in terror.
Little wonder that international pressure is mounting for Indonesia to accept that an
international peacekeeping force is the only way to bring stability to East Timor. It's
widely expected that the militia violence can only increase over this weekend, when the
results of the ballot are likely to be announced. There's intense diplomatic activity
today in anticipation of an overwhelming vote in favour of independence.
In Canberra our chief political correspondent, Matt Peacock:
MATT PEACOCK: The Prime Minister, John Howard, on commercial radio 3AW today echoed the
hints from his Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, that Indonesia is coming under considerable
pressure to accept a peacekeeping force sooner rather than later.
JOHN HOWARD: Once the ballot is over then it may well be that there is a different
attitude on the part of the Indonesian Government, and there already have been some
indications to that effect. But this thing has to be handled intelligently.
We are, of course, following it day by day, hour by hour - minute by minute almost. -
and Alexander Downer has been in regular contact with his Indonesian counterpart. So
overall we remain hopeful.
We are disturbed at the violence that has been apparent over the last 48 hours. We
regret deeply the loss of life of apparently three UN workers. We remain concerned but not
alarmed about the safety of Australians. I don't want to overstate that, but I don't want
any Australians to think that we are in any way complacent.
MATT PEACOCK: Indeed, says Mr Howard, he made his views on that point very clear to
President Habibie.
JOHN HOWARD: I have personally made it very clear to the Indonesian President in the
discussion I had with him last weekend that if any Australian lives were lost or any
injury were done to Australians, that would have horrendous consequences for the
relationship between our two countries. I am worried about them, but I've been worried
about them for a number of weeks.
We hope that the latest indications that the Indonesian authorities are taking more
seriously their responsibilities continue, that there is a greater determination by the
Indonesians to bring the situation under control. They have a responsibility to protect
lives, to protect unarmed UN personnel, unarmed UN police.
MATT PEACOCK: And if they don't, says Mr Howard, then Australia is prepared to evacuate
its citizens.
JOHN HOWARD: We are ready to do so. I do not believe the situation has reached that
point and it would be alarmist and inappropriate of me to suggest it has reached that
point. But we are ready and we will of course execute any evacuation plan if that becomes
necessary. I don't believe it will, I hope it doesn't, and it's in everybody's interest
that the situation be kept fully under control.
COMPERE: The Prime Minister, John Howard, with our chief political correspondent, Matt
Peacock, in Canberra.
© 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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