UN criticizes RI over handling of militias

UN criticizes RI over handling of militias

JAKARTA (JP): Despite goodwill from the Indonesian government
and leaders of East Timor, a United Nations senior official on
Wednesday criticized Indonesia for failing to fully implement
Security Council resolution 1319.

"There are problems in the implementation of the Security
Council resolution 1319 which urges the Indonesian government to
disarm and disband the militias," said Harri Holkeri, president
of the UN General Assembly.

"There is concrete will on both sides to cooperate," he said,
"but on certain issues, such as the security question and
disarming militias, there are some different opinions about what
order those things are to be done."

Holkeri told a press briefing that the Indonesian government
plays an essential role in disarming and disbanding the militias,
without which it is impossible for UN workers to continue their
job at the border.

"Without disarming those paramilitary troops it is not
possible (for the UN workers) to continue (their mission) in West
Timor in a peaceful way," he remarked.

Some 400 workers from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) and other relief agencies fled West Timor following the
murder of three relief workers in Attambua, West Nusa Tenggara,
on Sept. 6 last year.

The murder, which took place during a militia attack, sparked
international outrage and prompted the issuance of Security
Council resolution 1319 that urged Jakarta to disarm the
militias.

"The return of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other
international aid agencies is not possible under current security
conditions. They need more security than exists there today,"
Holkeri said.

He further stated that the legal procedure of the case is a
test case on how the Indonesian political system works and not
just a symbolic action of the government.

Holkeri, who ended a visit to East Timor and Indonesia late on
Wednesday, said "huge (security) problems" remain. "However,
during my meeting with Indonesian leaders I have noticed a very
positive attitude towards cooperation with the UN over these
problems."

Holkeri said a security assessment team from the UN Security
Council is due to visit Timor in February. The date of the visit
was still being negotiated between the UN and Indonesia.

He also said the UN Security Council will hold a special
meeting in New York on Friday to discuss the extension of the UN
Transitional Administration in East Timor mandate in East Timor.
(dja)