E. Timor security bleak: UNPKF

E. Timor security bleak: UNPKF

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The United Nations Peacekeeping Force
(UNPKF) in East Timor voiced its negative outlook over local
security conditions after the UN mission withdrew on May 20, an
Indonesian Military officer said on Wednesday.

"The UNPKF is pessimistic after assessing reports on security
in East Timor," said Col. Moeswardi Moesanip of the Wirasakti
Military Command.

"There are also rumors circulating that there are security
problems along the border," he added on the sidelines of an
intern command meeting between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and
the UNPKF in Denpasar, Bali.

Present at the meeting were Udayana Military Commander Maj.
Gen. Supiadin A.S., UNPKF chief Lt. Gen. Khairuddin Mat Yosuf,
Brig. Gen. Bras Marcos of the United Nations Military Observers
(UNMO) and East Timor Defense Force (FDTL) chief Brig. Gen. Taur
Matan Ruak.

The Udayana Military Command oversees the provinces of Bali,
East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara, while the Wirasakti
Regional Military Command oversees East Nusa Tenggara province,
which borders East Timor.

Moesanip said the TNI and the UNPKF had agreed not to act on
any rumors, as this would only add to border problems.

"The TNI also expects the UNPKF to be able to manage the
situation in East Timor to prevent any upheaval after their
withdrawal.

"We emphasized that any problems in East Timor would affect
Indonesia," he said.

East Timorese refugees fled to Indonesia soon after civil war
broke out following former colonizer Portugal's exit in 1975, and
also during the violence following the UN-sanctioned referendum
in 1999. -- Antara