Troops withdrawn from E. Timor have not been replaced: ABRI

Troops withdrawn from E. Timor have not been replaced: ABRI

DILI, East Timor (JP): East Timor Military Commander Col. Tono
Suratman bore witness on Thursday evening that, contrary to
recent media reports, there has been no deployment of new troops
in the province to replace 1,400 combat troops withdrawn in
August.

Tono challenged both national and foreign journalists to visit
the territory and prove the reported new deployment. He said he
would provide helicopters to transport them to visit any
regencies to check the accuracy of his statement.

"I swear to God that I do not lie. The reports are baseless,"
Tono said.

Local residents believe that the Armed Forces (ABRI) has been
increasing the number of troops in the province, especially in
Baucau, Manatuto, Viqueque and Los Palos, allegedly as part of
preparations for a fresh assault against 200 Fretilin separatist
fighters.

In a meeting with Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung in
Dili last week, Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo conveyed
the public's allegations that ABRI had secretly sent fresh combat
troops to the country's youngest province.

"I have honestly explained, the remaining troops here are only
for territorial and health operations," Tono asserted.

He also denied that he had a plan to begin a fresh campaign
against separatist guerrillas in the province.

"I am very proud that there has not been any armed contact in
the last few months. That is because we have not seen them
intimidating people," the colonel said.

Tono's claim was confirmed on Thursday by the chairman of the
Movement for Reconciliation and Unity for East Timorese People,
Manuel Viegas Carrascalao.

"The guerrillas in the forests have taken a correct decision
not to shoot arbitrarily at outsiders and civilians," Carrascalao
said.

Tono said people might have misinterpreted what they believed
were signs of increasing ABRI activities in East Timor. He said
the Armed Forces were just preparing to celebrate their 53rd
anniversary on Oct. 5.

East Timor was integrated into Indonesia as the country's 27th
province in 1976. The United Nations, however, still recognizes
Portugal as the administering power in its former colony.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and his counterpart
Jaime Gama from Portugal agreed in August to hold further
discussions on a proposal by President B.J. Habibie to grant the
province special status.

Separately, Carrascalao disclosed on Thursday that the Fourth
All Inclusive Intra-East Timorese Dialogue (AIETD) will be held
in Krumbach, Austria.

The UN Secretary General's special envoy for East Timor
Jamsheed Marker will open the four-day meeting which starts on
Oct. 27.

The meeting will be attended by both pro-integration and pro-
independence leaders. There were 35 participants in last year's
meeting.

The meeting agreed on the establishment of an East Timor
cultural center but failed to agree on the center's structure,
funding and legal status. (33/prb)