First troops to leave Timor early next week

JAKARTA (JP): One thousand troops are to begin leaving East Timor next week in what is expected to be the start of a gradual reduction of forces in the province.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif confirmed yesterday that the first batch of Indonesian troops, amounting to approximately one battalion, would embark from Dili seaport Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists at the Armed Forces' Merdeka Barat headquarters in Central Jakarta, Syamsul said the withdrawal was part of a gradual reduction of soldiers deployed in East Timor.

He did not say how many troops would eventually be withdrawn or over what period of time, but stressed that more would follow.

When pressed, Syamsul refused to say whether the 1,000 troops would eventually be replaced.

President B.J. Habibie told visiting Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo last month that the military presence would steadily be scaled down in the tiny province of 800,000 people.

Indonesia officially claims the garrison in East Timor is 5,000, roughly five battalions. But independent military analysts say the actual number could be up to twice as many if armed local militias, special forces on rotation, riot police and other partial units are counted.

The government maintains the military presence is required given the continued security disturbances in the province.

The former Portuguese colony was integrated into Indonesia in 1976. However the United Nations still recognizes Lisbon as the administrating authority.

A small but active rebel separatist group continues to roam the hills fighting a guerrilla war.

Soon after taking power in May, Habibie proposed a special status for East Timor as part of a framework for finding a permanent solution to the territory's status.

UN special envoy Jamsheed Marker said during a visit to Indonesia earlier this week said that a reduction of troops in the territory was an important step toward creating a more conducive climate to reaching a permanent solution.

Tuesday's withdrawal comes ahead of a planned meeting between the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers in New York slated for the first week of August. (imn)