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