East Timor militias hand over arms

By Fabiola Desy Unidjaja

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Militias here officially began handing in their weapons on Sunday as top police officials warned they would conduct massive sweeping operations in three days to apprehend those who remained belligerent.

Two piles of firearms were neatly stacked in a well-arranged ceremony in the border town, witnessed by the nation's highest officials.

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri arrived to briefly examine the stacks of weapons, mostly homemade rifles. She did not meet with the alleged militia members who handed in the weapons.

Accompanying her were Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Lt. Gen. (ret) Surjadi Sudirdja, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesian Military chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and newly sworn-in National Police chief Gen. Bimantoro.

The government's urgent action to disarm came amid international pressure following the killing of three United Nations workers by a mob which stormed the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Atambua earlier this month.

The attack was reportedly sparked by the murder of ex-militia leader Olivio Moruk.

"After the meeting on Sept. 14, we decided the disarmament would be in two parts: First we would use a persuasive method but after three days, from now, we will start the second phase to hold a massive raid for weapons," Susilo said referring to a meeting between the government, the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and militias.

Susilo said the planned raids would be coordinated by the police with military backup to anticipate any possible resistance.

According to official figures, a total of 34 military-standard rifles, 888 homemade rifles, five grenades, nine rocket launchers and 997 rounds of ammunition have been handed over by militia at Belu Police station.

Susilo stressed that the disarmament of the militias was an important step to restoring the country's blemished image. He also said this action would be a key evaluation point by the international community.

Confusion

The well-scripted event was tarnished, however, when just minutes after Megawati left the venue, several militiamen stormed the station and grabbed several of the rifles back.

Police and military officers on the scene did nothing to stop them as everyone seemed taken by surprise at the sudden turn of events.

The incident was reportedly provoked by notorious militia leader Eurico Guterres.

Led by Susilo, officials seeing off the Vice President returned to the scene to sort out the matter, including the return of the rifles.

Eurico admitted that he was offended as security officers did not allow him to participate in the ceremony or to meet the Vice President, although it was his men, he claimed, that gave up the weapons.

Susilo called the occurrence a "minor misunderstanding" and said it was not an indication the government was unable to control the militias.

"Any effort to hamper the disarmament is against the national interest and the government calls on the people to stop such acts from happening," Susilo said in front of Eurico and noted militia leader Juao Tavares.

Eurico then flew with the entourage back to Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab is slated to brief the UN Security Council on the government's latest move to disarm the militias, on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.

"After the briefing, maybe the Indonesian government can accept a UN delegation to come to the country, not to investigate but merely to see the improvement that we have made to solve the refugee problem and the Atambua incident," Susilo added.

The UN Security Council had intended to send a team to Indonesia to discuss the implementation of the resolution, which demanded disarmament.

The Indonesian government, however, has since said that such a mission was at this time "inappropriate".

"In general, the UN respects our position if Indonesia, within a certain time limit, can prove that some action has been taken," Susilo said.

Susilo added that the government would also seek clarification on the presence of United States Marines along the border of East Nusa Tenggara.

"I will meet U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard on Monday to ask about the matter. We cannot say that this is a threat to us until we hear an official explanation from the U.S. government," he remarked.