More militiamen enter E. Timor: UN
More militiamen enter E. Timor: UN
DILI, East Timor (AP): Growing numbers of armed anti- independence militiamen are infiltrating East Timor, raising fears of more attacks on UN forces, a peacekeeping officer said on Tuesday.
UN peacekeeping spokesman Norwegian Col. Brynjar Nymo said frightened villagers reported seeing at least 10 militia gangs, numbering about 120 fighters, operating in East Timor after crossing from Indonesian West Timor in recent weeks.
Clashes between the pro-Jakarta groups and peacekeepers have become more frequent recently and there is growing speculation that sections of Indonesia's military have been arming and training the gangs.
The United Nations has repeatedly complained that militiamen are using West Timor as a base for border incursions.
Security in East Timor's capital of Dili and along the border was tightened ahead of the Aug. 30 first anniversary of a UN- sponsored ballot that led to the half-island territory's secession from Indonesia.
Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975.
Security was also beefed up for a meeting of independence leaders in Dili who were taking their first steps toward self- rule and the end of UN administration of the territory.
Last year's independence vote triggered a rampage of destruction by anti-independence militias backed by Indonesia.
Tens of thousands of people fled the mayhem for refugee camps in Indonesian West Timor. The violence ended when international forces landed in East Timor in September.
Most refugees have since returned to East Timor, but about 80,000, mainly militiamen and their families, remain the camps.
While there are concerns that some militia groups are bent on creating more havoc, others might be considering a peaceful return to their villages, Nymo said.
One gang contacted a local Roman Catholic priest who told UN civilian police that the men wanted to return to East Timor, he said. "This a welcome twist," Nymo said.
He said many militiamen had long heard false rumors of UN atrocities in East Timor and wanted to see for themselves before deciding whether to return.