Fatchett receives accounts of atrocities in E. Timor

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)