Militia leader admits role in East Timor mayhem

JAKARTA (JP): The leader of the prointegration militias in East Timor conceded on Tuesday that his people were involved in the campaign of terror and destruction in the territory following the Aug. 30 self-determination ballot.

"Those who were involved in the violence were the people who had gone all out to defend the red-and-white flag. They were angry because they were defeated in the ballot," Joao da Silva Tavares told reporters after being questioned by the government- sanctioned Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) in East Timor.

Tavares, who failed to appear before the commission last week, refused, however, to answer questions on whether the Indonesian Military (TNI) was also involved in the East Timor atrocities.

Tavares led the now disbanded Indonesian Integration Fighters (PPI), which comprised 13 militia groups across East Timor.

Former East Timor Police chief Brig. Gen. Timbul Silaen, who was questioned later in the day, also refused to answer questions on alleged links between the militias and the military.

The commission, in its midterm report, claimed that based on preliminary investigations and witness accounts, TNI was directly or indirectly involved in the violence perpetrated by militias.

Former TNI chief Gen. Wiranto, who was questioned last week, has denied the allegations saying that the violence was an emotional outburst which was neither premeditated nor controllable.

Wiranto, who is now coordinating minister for political affairs and security, and Timbul are among a number of top military officers suspected of having prior knowledge that the East Timor violence would occur.

Other officers to be questioned this week include Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Brig. Gen. Glen Kairupan, former division commanders in East Timor Col. Sunarko and Col. Tatang Zaenuddin and former battalion commanders in East Timor, Maj. Jacob Joko Sarosa and Maj. Yakraman Yagus.

Commission secretary Asmara Nababan said later in the day that Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar Makarim and former foreign affairs minister Ali Alatas were scheduled to be questioned next week.

Asmara said Alatas was summoned to clarify alleged unfair practices by United Nations officials who administered the ballot on the future of East Timor. (byg)