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)