`Dili veterans' cover APEC

Two U.S.-based journalists who were present during the tragic incident in the East Timor capital of Dili in November 1991 will return to Indonesia this week to cover the APEC meetings.

Allan Nairn and Amy Goodman, whose reports about the Dili incident were criticized by the Indonesian government as distorted and unfair, have been granted visas by the Indonesian embassy in Washington, according to the Antara news agency.

"The embassy has informed us that there are no bans against foreign journalists intending to cover the APEC meeting," Harry Kandau of the Indonesian consulate in New York said, adding that the consulate has accepted their visa applications.

Nairn is covering as a correspondent for the Multinational Monitor magazine while Goodman will be covering as a correspondent for Pacifica Radio, he said.

David Jenkins, a senior Australian journalist whose writings in the past have offended the Indonesian government, has arrived to cover the APEC meeting. (emb)