No cease-fire with Fretelin

DILI, East Timor: The military yesterday denied foreign press reports that the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) and the Fretilin separatist rebels have agreed to a cease-fire.

"There is no cease-fire ... impossible. This is in line with the President's policy," said Maj. Gen. R. Adang Ruchiatna, chief of the Udayana regional military command overseeing security in East Timor, Nusa Tenggara and Bali.

Adang reiterated ABRI's promise to offer clemency to Fretelin guerrillas who come down from the mountains and voluntarily surrender.

He confirmed reports concerning the government's plan to withdraw more troops from the former Portuguese colony which integrated with Indonesia in 1976.

"Phased withdrawal of troops is an old policy and has been regularly implemented," he told journalists. (yac/pan)