Military tightens security in East Timor

Military tightens security in East Timor

DILI, East Timor: Security forces will not tolerate any provocations ahead of next month's intra-East Timorese dialog in Austria, a local military chief warned on Monday.

The military will take stern actions against anyone fomenting disorder and unrest, said chief of the Udayana military command Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna P., who oversees security in East Timor, Nusa Tenggara and Bali.

"We don't want to see anyone try to undermine public order," he said at a celebration of the 16th anniversary of Dili's Wiradharma military resort.

The military will tighten security, especially prior to the All-Inclusive Intra-East Timorese Dialog scheduled for April 24- 26 in the Austrian city of Salzburg. Separate talks on East Timor will be held in New York between Indonesia, Portugal and the UN of May 19.

Next month's meeting was made more controversial after the Indonesian government and pro-integration leaders criticized UN Secretary General Boutros-Boutros Ghali for determining the list of participants without consulting them.

Last week, about 5,000 people gathered in Dili to show their support for East Timor's integration into Indonesia and to speak out against Boutros Ghali's policy.

"We (the military) have to make sure that irresponsible individuals will not try to make moves to attract world attention," Adang said.

He stressed that Indonesia must make the meetings a success and do whatever is necessary to strengthen East Timor's integration into Indonesia so as to find a permanent solution to the East Timor question.

The local military chief said security in East Timor is currently "stable and under control" despite the activities of Fretilin rebels scattered throughout the jungles.

"If they surrender we will treat them well. But they will be finished if they continue to rebel," he said. (yac/pan)