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.