World condemns West Timor killings<\/p>\n
NEW YORK (JP): The United Nations Security Council has
\nstrongly condemned the killing of three UN workers in West Timor
\nand urged Indonesia to disarm militias who have terrorized East
\nTimorese refugees and aid workers there.<\/p>\n
The Security Council met in an emergency session and condemned
\nwhat it called \"an egregious and contemptible act on unarmed
\ninternational staff\".<\/p>\n
Security Council president Moctar Ouane, speaking on behalf of
\nthe 15 member council, called the security situation serious and
\ndemanded all sides take steps to ensure the security of UN High
\nCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) staff.<\/p>\n
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan during a meeting with
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid also raised concern at the situation.<\/p>\n
A statement by Annan's office said he told the President that
\nthe security situation was \"unacceptable\", and that Annan
\n\"strongly condemns the murders by rampaging militia members in
\nWest Timor\".<\/p>\n
United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright joined the
\nchorus of condemnations saying she was \"deeply disturbed by these
\ndeaths and injuries and I deplore this unprovoked attack on
\nunarmed civilians doing humanitarian work\".<\/p>\n
AFP reported that she had met with President Abdurrahman Wahid
\nand had \"emphasized the need to disarm and disband the militias
\noperating in West Timor. Indonesian military forces responsible
\nfor maintaining order are failing in this most basic duty.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile East Timorese leader Jose Alexandre \"Xanana\" Gusmao
\nalong with his top advisor Ramos Horta, also met with Abdurrahman
\nto discuss the latest development.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Indonesian journalists after the meeting, Gusmao
\nalleged that military hardliners from the Army Special Troops
\n(Kopassus) and anti-democracy elements might be behind the
\nincident.<\/p>\n
Gusmao said the international community should assist the
\nPresident in his effort to restore democracy and reiterated his
\nbelief that Abdurrahman was very sincere in helping East Timorese
\nreach independence.<\/p>\n
\"We have known the military for more than 24 years. We think
\nthere are some officers from Kopassus who still want to
\ndestabilize the process of democratization in Indonesia,\" Gusmao
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
In Brussels, the European Commission also condemned the
\nincident and called upon Indonesia to quickly ensure the safety
\nof humanitarian staff.<\/p>\n
\"They were barbaric killings by any standards,\" External
\nAffairs Commissioner Chris Patten told reporters.(prb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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