Timor joint patrol plans denied

Timor joint patrol plans denied

DILI, East Timor (AP): The commander of the United Nations
Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) peacekeeping
force denied on Friday that he had agreed to an Indonesian Army
proposal to join forces at the border with East Nusa Tenggara.

Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos said Indonesia's Udayana Military
Command chief Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri proposed a joint
observation post and joint patrols in an effort to prevent
prointegration militiamen from crossing the border.

"(But) I never made a statement that I accepted this
proposal," de los Santos told reporters.

As earlier reported the Indonesian Military (TNI) and UNTAET
peacekeeping force vowed on Thursday to join forces in stopping
cross-border attacks. Kiki suggested that the two sides conduct
joint patrols and exchange liaison officers along the
international boundary line.

The UN has been critical of TNI's inaction in dealing with
militiamen, who fled to Indonesia's western half of Timor when
international troops secured East Timor six months ago.

At a meeting between the two generals this week, Indonesia
pledged to deploy a battalion of reinforcements along the border
in an attempt to stop militia activity.

Meanwhile, the UN has ruled out using East Timorese freedom
fighters as scouts to help them patrol the border region, despite
complaining of the rugged terrain and other difficulties involved
in operating in the area.

Guerrillas of the Falintil proindependence movement fought
numerous actions in the area during their 24-year war against
Indonesian occupation. The rebels have been confined to base
camps since the UN-sponsored Aug. 30 referendum because they have
declined to be disarmed by the peacekeepers.

"They have the capability (to assist) because they are
familiar with the terrain, but then again they cannot leave their
cantonment area with their firearms. We are doing the best we
can," said de los Santos.