No cease-fire with Fretelin

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)