UN, U.S. still upset over Timor security

UN, U.S. still upset over Timor security

JAKARTA (JP): The United Nations and U.S. officials said on
Saturday that they were still concerned over poor security and
rampant violence in East Timor both ahead of and after the self-
determination ballot planned for August.

The concerns were aired even as pro-Indonesia groups
celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the 1976 integration of the
tiny territory into Indonesia.

Speaking to journalists after presiding over a meeting between
Indonesian and Portuguese officials at UN headquarters in New
York, UN special envoy to East Timor Jamsheed Marker said the UN
Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) was anticipating "some form of
increased security", in the province.

"I am concerned about the sort of hiatus that's going to exist
between the time of the counting of the ballot and the
announcement of the results -- which won't take long -- and the
subsequent action that is to be taken by the governments," he
told reporters after the talks.

According to AP, when asked whether a UN peacekeeping force
was being considered, he said the UN was not excluding any
options.

Marker claimed that Indonesia and Portugal had reacted
positively to new UN proposals to beef up security in East Timor
immediately after the ballot.

"We anticipate some form of increased security after the
vote," said Marker.

In Jakarta, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas described
the meeting between foreign ministry senior official Nugroho
Wisnumurti and his Portuguese counterpart Fernando Neves as a
part of UN efforts to anticipate the implementation of the ballot
results. For instance, there were questions about the next UN
steps if the majority of voters agreed to remain part of
Indonesia or if they wanted an independent state.

"It has been actually stipulated in the May 5 agreement
(between the two countries)," Alatas said after attending the
installment of Adm. Widodo A.S. as Indonesian Military (TNI)
deputy commander and Vice Adm. Sutjipto as navy chief of staff at
the State Palace.

According to the agreement, if the majority of the people
agree to remain part of Indonesia, the government will initiate
the constitutional measures necessary for the implementation of
the autonomy framework.

Then Portugal will initiate within the UN the procedures
necessary for the removal of East Timor from the list of Non
Self-Governing Territories of the General Assembly and the
deletion of the East Timor question from the UN agendas.

If proindependence groups win the direct vote, Indonesia then
will take constitutional steps to eliminate its link with the
territory. The UN secretary-general will then initiate the
procedure enabling East Timor to begin the process of transition
toward independence.

The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate, Jose Ramos-Horta, has
said that he would prefer East Timor be governed by the UN for
few years until the people were fully prepared to govern
themselves.

"It is only his own view," Alatas said on Saturday.

In Dili, visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Stanley
Roth reiterated his hope that Indonesia would step up its efforts
to curb rampant intimidation and violence ahead of the ballot.

"There still needs to be more progress before one can have
confidence that it's (the registration and voting process) going
to work, particularly in dealing with the climate of
intimidation," Roth told AFP after a 30-minute meeting with East
Timor Governor Jose Abilio Soares.

Roth has warned that Indonesia's relations with the
international community, including the U.S., would be severely
affected if it failed to halt violations. He clearly held
prointegration militias the most responsible for the violence.

Meanwhile, the governor led a ceremony marking Integration Day
outside his office. The event was attended by about 500 civil
servants and pro-Indonesia militias, including the Aitarak group
which raised banners reading "Integration Dead or Alive".

Soares said autonomy was the most just and realistic solution
for East Timor and all parties should accept it.

"This is a positive opportunity to build and design a better
future for East Timor," Soares said.

UNAMET spokesman David Wimhurst said that some of the 200
registration centers were closed on Saturday in a bid to
anticipate possible clashes between pro- and anti-independence
supporters.

"Because of the big festivities for Integration Day in Balibo,
three registration centers are not open on the advice of the
Indonesian Police," Wimhurst said.

Balibo is a small town in Bobonaro regency near East Nusa
Tenggara, where a dozen East Timorese clan leaders signed a
declaration in July 17, 1976 stating that East Timor would become
Indonesia's 27th province.

Meanwhile, Japan Broadcasting Corp. NHK reported that Japanese
foreign minister Masahiko Komura planned to visit Indonesia later
this month, where he would also raise the East Timor issue during
talks with President B.J. Habibie.(27/33/prb)