E. Timorese told to avoid violence

JAKARTA (JP): The international community called on the East Timorese to avoid violence in settling their disputes, while jailed leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao called for the presence of a United Nations (UN) peace keeping force in the territory, following his earlier threat that his followers were ready for a war against pro-Indonesian groups.

In New York, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan was "seriously concerned by reports from East Timor and hopes that all acts of violence and intimidation will stop".

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned on Tuesday that the situation in East Timor was volatile following an escalation of violence in the troubled province.

Downer said he had repeatedly urged the Indonesian government not only to ensure arms would not be provided to progovernment civilian militias but also to disarm people in the province.

"There has been a reasonable amount of restraint exercised but there has to be more restraint exercised than has been the case up until now," Downer told Reuters.

The U.S. State Department expressed concern, describing Xanana remarks as a "dangerous and troubling" development.

The Japanese government also expressed concern.

"We are hoping that any political differences can be solved through peaceful negotiations among the parties (concerned). This case cannot be the exception to the principle which we abide by," said Akitaka Saiki from Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's office.

In a two-page statement, released on Monday evening, Xanana said he had instructed his followers to undertake a general popular insurrection against armed militia groups who continue killing proindependence supporters.

Xanana said he lost his patience following reports that Armed Forces (ABRI)-backed civilian militias opened fire on people in Maubara, Liquica regency, on Monday, leaving four killed.

"The situation has reached an intolerable limit in East Timor. Therefore I am compelled to authorize the Falintil guerrillas to undertake all necessary actions in defense of the population against the unprovoked and murderous attacks of armed civilians and ABRI," said the leader of the National Resistance Council for an Independent East Timor (CNRT). Falintil is under CNRT's umbrella.

Catholic priest Marcal Dias Ximenes said ABRI should be held responsible for Monday's incident that claimed two lives, not four as claimed by Xanana. Marcal identified the fatalities as Francisco and Felix.

The priest also blamed the military for the killing of Adolino Magalaens, 23, in Lasao, Ermera regency, on Tuesday afternoon.

"The military can not find a scapegoat for this incident," said the priest.

Xanana, who previously insisted on using peaceful means in his struggle for an independent East Timor, deplored the international community for providing empty promises to his people.

"We receive many promises of aid and cooperation for a future independent East Timor when what we need is unequivocal and immediate support to put an end to bloodshed and violence," said Xanana in a statement.

Xanana's angry remark came just a few hours after President B.J. Habibie summoned several ministers to discuss the draft of the Indonesian autonomy proposal for East Timor.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said after the meeting that the government had not finished its final draft, to be presented during the tripartite talks with Portugal under the auspices of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan later this month.

Xanana's lawyer Johnson Panjaitan said his client's supporters in East Timor strongly pressed Xanana to issue a war order because ABRI continues supplying arms to their opponents.

"They can no longer stand the brutality of the militias ... Xanana said the current situation is very serious (because) people are facing systematic killings," Panjaitan said on Tuesday.

Xanana's supporters reminded their leader not to forget their sufferings from his well equipped detention house in Central Jakarta, said Panjaitan.

Xanana believes that a UN presence is the only way to ensure a peaceful direct voting process to determine the future of East Timor in July.

Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Habibie's advisor on foreign affairs, regretted Xanana's statement, saying it might endanger peaceful efforts to settle East Timor's problems.

"What we need now is a situation conducive to the implementation of the UN-sponsored direct balloting on the autonomy package in July," Dewi told Antara.

East Timor Military Commander Col. Tono Suratman said he agreed with Catholic leaders' appeal for disarmament of the conflicting parties. However, he said it was impossible for ABRI to disarm itself as demanded by the church.

"If we are also disarmed then who will be responsible for security here?" he said. (prb/33)