| Subject: Pro-Jakarta
militias prepare to attack UN-backed force Channel NewsAsia [Singapore] 16 October 1999
Pro-Jakarta militias prepare to attack UN-backed force
Heavily armed pro-Jakarta militias in West Timor say they
are intending to launch more attacks against the UN-backed international force across the
border in East Timor.
On Friday, scores of militiamen went through training
exercises in West Timor in preparation for a planned offensive in East Timor.
Dozens of militiamen on Friday had gathered at a training
ground in West Timor's Salele district to join a military exercise.
Dressed in Indonesian military uniforms,some in camouflage,
and armed with automatic weapons, the militiamen did target practise and rehearsed a
patrol.
The militiamen said it was the last exercise before heading
across the border into East Timor's southwestern Kovalima district - where they say they
intend to recapture territories around the town of Suai.
"We ask you all to be ready to fight and die for
integration. We also have the right to have East Timor, and the world must acknowledge
that, not just recognising the pro-independence," said a militia commander during the
military exercise.
Pro-Jakarta forces have demanded East Timor be split
between them and pro-independence supporters despite an August referendum in which an
overwhelming number of East Timorese voted for independence.
Indonesia has so far done nothing to prevent militia
activities in West Timor despite its pledge not to let the Indonesian province be used as
a sanctuary for the militias.
Many of the pro-Jakarta militias and their leaders fled to
West Timor, where Indonesia's rule over East Timor is not disputed.
Indonesia allowed foreign soldiers into East Timor last
month after its own soldiers and police failed to control the militias, who went on a
bloody rampage of killing and arson following the vote.
Tension has been high in the Western border region between
East and West Timor - three pro-Jakarta miltiaimen were killed in a skirmish with foreign
troops in East Timor on Saturday, one week after an Indonesian policeman was killed in
another clash along the border.
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