Prointegration groups soften stance on UNAMET activities

JAKARTA (JP): Prointegration militia groups in apparent realization that they cannot continue their hostile attitude toward the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) have taken a less confrontational stance in several subdistricts.

In Raimea, Suai regency, the prointegration Mahidi militia left a UN voter registration booth after loitering outside the post for several days.

The Raimea post was one of five in southwest East Timor forced to close last weekend because of concerns about militia violence.

"Today is a quiet day," Nicolas Fleury, a district electoral officer from Switzerland, told AFP on Thursday outside the small white building where about 50 people sheltered from the sun under a torn canopy.

They were waiting their turn to register for the late August referendum which will determine whether East Timor will remain a part of Indonesia or become independent.

Unable to open for the first two days of voter registration, the Raima post began operations last Sunday under the eyes of the Mahidi militiamen, UNAMET said.

"The first day we showed up there was also tension," one worker said. He added that UNAMET staff were never threatened and the militia members disappeared after a couple of days.

In Cassa village, where Mahidi has urged a boycott of the voter registration, a UNAMET worked said no one showed up to register last Sunday.

The situation quickly changed after a Mahidi commander met with UNAMET police commissioner Alan Mills.

Meanwhile, the body of a prointegration youth killed during a clash with a proindependence group on Thursday was found in Bazartete, Liquica regency.

East Timor Police spokesman Capt. Widodo identified the victim as Joao Nunes, 25. He was stabbed to death when a group of 20 youths ambushed a wedding party in the remote village.

According to Widodo, the proindependence supporters were looking for Thomas, an outspoken pro-Indonesian youth. Thomas escaped after the attackers opened fire on the villagers.

They proindependence supporters beat villagers, shot and seriously wounded two youths, identified as Celestino Lette and Paulino de Carvalho, and grabbed Joao Nunes, who worked as a bus driver.

Widodo said Nunes was stabbed in his chest, head, hands and legs. The proindependence supporters then buried the body near the village.

"Police have identified the 20 youths and we will soon arrest them in accordance with the law," Widodo said.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Peace and Stability in East Timor (KPS) opened an office in Liquica on Saturday, just one day after it opened an office in Baucau regency.

Commission coordinator B.N. Marbun hoped KPS offices would be opened in 12 regencies across the province this month. KPS is working with UNAMET during the referendum process, he said.

"For the first phase, we are going to open eight offices which will work with eight UNAMET offices," Marbun said. "We hope to open all the offices later this month."

The International Federation for East Timor, meanwhile, said despite improving security in the province, many people were still afraid to register for next month's direct ballot because of the presence of paramilitary posts near the registration booths.

"Paramilitary groups frequently engage in displays of force and have placed banners across streets, at least two of which are in front of Indonesian military installations," the federation said. (prb)