Fatchett receives accounts of atrocities in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor (JP): At the end of a half-day visit here on Monday, British Junior Foreign Office Minister Derek Fatchett concluded that much has still to be done before any agreements can be implemented.

Exposed to differing views regarding the direct ballot, planned for Aug. 8, and the impending presence of the United Nations police force, Fatchett said there was a "long way to go between signing the agreement and its implementation".

He expressed doubt about a peaceful balloting process after visiting the Motael clinic, which is treating victims of the violence which occurred in Dili on April 17.

He said he witnessed "atrocious injuries... from a bygone era", referring to slash wounds from machetes. He said he found it hard to understand this level of violence, saying it was damaging chances of reconciliation in East Timor.

He commended the clinic staff, who were working with "bare essentials" and themselves under threat of violence.

Dili Police chief Col. Timbul Silaen assured Fatchett police would act on reports from clinic management of death threats against the violence victims.

Fatchett added that the military and police had promised to provide access for relief organizations to reach the needy.

Non-governmental organization representatives conveyed to Fatchett their demands that the civilian militia be disarmed.

Church sources told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that from April 11 to April 24 -- three days after last Wednesday's signing of the peace pact -- 18 people had been confirmed dead in Suai, Covalima. Ten people were tortured and nine more were missing. Twenty-two homes and two kiosks were set on fire.

However, military commander Col. Tono Suratman said only one had died in a clash between prointegration and proindependence groups.

In his address to the NGO forum, Fatchett, accompanied on the tour by British Ambassador Robin Christopher, said, "I understand the difference between an agreement signed in New York and life on the ground".

"We'll do what we can to try to make sure that what happens on the ground is as close, if not totally in line, with what is there in the international agreement," he said.

The direct ballot was the only way to lift people out of their misery, Fatchett said.

He said the Indonesian government was expected to maintain its commitment, meaning the police and Armed Forces would have to ensure equal protection and freedom for all parties in the conducting of the ballot.

However, the NGOs said in a statement that "from its reputation of 23 years in East Timor, no one can believe that the military can be neutral".

Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and military commander Col. Tono Suratman told Fatchett separately that while they were only acting on orders, they both personally would rather that a direct ballot not be conducted for fears of further unrest.

Tono also said he preferred that UN police did not come, saying that, unlike in Kosovo, the security problem here was internal. He said he preferred "a small UN team" to make public what the government meant by wide-ranging autonomy.

After meeting with Fatchett, prointegration leaders said they rejected the direct ballot plan. "If the United Nations continues to impose it on us we will see what the consequences will be," an executive of the Forum for Unity, Peace and Justice, said.

Manuel Lorenco Mario Viare Soares and Aitarak prointegration militia leader Eurico Guetterres were among those who met with the British delegation.

Manuel said a ballot would bring further suffering to the people after 23 years of being under Indonesian rule. People were mostly illiterate and politically immature, he said.

"Don't try to come here with weapons," Manuel said. "We'll fight anybody trying to force us."

The United Kingdom is one of six countries asked by Habibie to be involved in overseeing the implementation of the UN agreements.

Fatchett also visited Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, who conveyed his gratitude for Britain's commitment to help oversee the agreements. Belo said he supported the presence of the UN police. (33/anr)