Indonesia invites Interfet to conduct joint patrol along border
Indonesia invites Interfet to conduct joint patrol along border
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto
offered to let the Australian-led International Force for East
Timor (Interfet) conduct a joint patrol with Indonesian troops
along the border to avoid possible future mix-ups and hostility
between the two forces.
Wiranto also asserted that he would not tolerate
prointegration militias establishing a strong hold on the
Indonesian half of Timor Island.
In his address to newly dispatched troops from the Army's
Strategic Reserves in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, he stated that
Indonesia would not allow its territory to become a haven for
militias wishing to launch attacks in East Timor.
"I believe that this area should be secured from activities
which tend to trigger armed conflicts," the general said during
an impromptu visit to Kupang and Atambua.
His visit comes on the heels of a border incident between
Indonesian and Interfet troops in which an Indonesian policeman
was killed on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said in Jakarta on Tuesday that
the government would officially lodge a complaint to the United
Nations for Interfet's intrusion into Indonesian territory on
Sunday.
"Our protest will be mainly lodged to the UN," Alatas said.
To avoid future confusion, Wiranto on Tuesday ordered troop
commanders in the border area to notify their Interfet
counterparts before undertaking a military operation. He also
expressed hope the international contingent would return the
courtesy.
To all soldiers stationed in the area, Wiranto called on them
to assist East Timorese refugees who wished to return to their
homeland.
He told them to prove to the world that Indonesian soldiers
were educated and civilized.
"So that TNI will not always be accused of creating problems
or assisting rebellion," he said.
Despite his conciliatory tone, Wiranto however asserted that
TNI would not tolerate foreign infractions on Indonesian soil.
"This territory is our pride. We should defend it with our
blood and life, that is our oath," Wiranto pointed out.
Meanwhile, Udayana Regional Military Commander Maj. Gen. Adam
Damiri reported to Wiranto that troops had seized 156 guns,
12,706 rounds of ammunition, 99 boxes of bullets, 117 handmade
guns, 335 sharp weapons and 31 grenades in various sweeps in the
past few weeks, according to Antara.
TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudradjat in Kupang on Tuesday denied
suggestions that the Indonesian Military was backing militias and
soldiers who had joined up to engage in guerrilla operations in
East Timor.
He called on the media to not be easily influenced by militia
leaders who claimed that they had the backing of TNI.
However, Sudradjat did concede that 347 soldiers formerly
stationed in East Timor had not reported back.
"Up to now, I note there are about 347 TNI soldiers who are
indigenous East Timorese who have not reported back. If they
don't do so within a month they will be considered deserters."
Separately, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet Tallo said on
Tuesday that there were still over 271,000 East Timor refugees in
the province.
He said only 37,057 of the refugees had registered to be
resettled outside East Timor, while the rest insisted on
returning to their homes. (yac/prb)