Prointegration groups soften stance on UNAMET activities

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)