U.S., Europe talk tough; Indonesia's neighbors vow help

U.S., Europe talk tough; Indonesia's neighbors vow help

JAKARTA (JP): The United States and Europe exerted more pressure on Indonesia over East Timor on Monday as many of Jakarta's Asian neighbors pledged troops an international peacekeeping force in the former Portuguese colony.

U.S. President Bill Clinton pointedly said Indonesia should have no say over the composition of the force, Reuters reported.

"Perhaps they should have some parallel presence even, but they should not be able to say who is in or not in the force and what the structure... will be, otherwise it will raise all kinds of questions about whether there will be integrity in the force and it will also delay the implementation" he said in Auckland.

"It's important to get the details worked out and to get this force in a hurry in a way that it can be effective," he added.

Clinton hinted that Washington, which cut military ties and suspended arms sales to Jakarta because of the carnage in East Timor, would return to a more helpful stance if the peace-keepers deploy quickly.

"If that happens, then we can resume our work with the people of Indonesia, the world's fourth largest country, to help their transition to democracy and the restoration of prosperity there."

Clinton however said United States participation in a UN peacekeeping force would be limited.

"What we have been asked to do so far relates to... transportation, communications, intelligence and the possibility of some engineering work," he said.

"All of that would require some presence on the ground in East Timor, but no one has asked (us) for any combat troops."

"We're talking here about hundreds, not thousands, and not necessarily all of them would be based in East Timor," U.S. National Security Adviser Sandy Berger said separately.

British Foreign secretary Robin Cook said in London that it was not up to Indonesia to decide which countries should take part in the UN peacekeeping force.

"If Indonesia is serious about a UN peacekeeping force and a UN peacekeeping force that can get there quickly, then Australia has to play a leading role," Cook said, adding that peacekeepers should be ready to start work in about a week.

UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said he hoped Indonesia would not present "insurmountable obstacles" to the formation of a peacekeeping force, as potential contributors were ready to move.

"If Indonesia is just a little bit flexible, I'm sure we'll be able to put a force together," Eckhard told BBC radio.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also said he did not expect Indonesia to start imposing conditions.

Australia has 2,000 troops on 24-hour alert near the northern city of Darwin, 690 km (430 miles) from East Timor, and plans to provide 4,500 troops overall. Britain will provide 250 Gurkhas and the U.S.has said it will offer several hundred troops.

Malaysia has agreed to participate in a UN peacekeeping mission in East Timor, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said.

"The secretary-general of UN asked us whether we can constitute a force. We have already said yes," Mahathir said.

Singapore said it could give medical, logistics support and military observers, Defense Minister Tony Tan said.

"The government is now looking into how Singapore can contribute to an international peacekeeping mission in East Timor in line with what we have pledged to the UN Standby Arrangements," Tan, also deputy prime minister, told reporters.

Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said the government may send at least 500 soldiers to East Timor.

Mercado said President Joseph Estrada had ordered him to send a Philippine contingent to East Timor "now that the Indonesian government has issued such a request for an international force."

"We cannot put an exact figure on it but it could be a minimum of one battalion," he said. "We are ready anytime, it's a matter of being deployed."

Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan was to fly to Indonesia on Monday to discuss details of an international peacekeeping, a senior Thai official said.

Thai government spokesman Akapol Sorasuchart said details of the force had yet to be worked out but should be known "within a few days". He said Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia were likely to provide the majority of the troops.

"In time of need like this, I think we need to listen to each other's opinions and expectations," said Surin. "Everyone in the ASEAN family would like to be supportive and helpful to our friends in Indonesia."

South Korea's Foreign and Trade Affairs Ministry said the country might join the UN peacekeeping force.

"We will participate in such international efforts to the extent of our capability," he said.

Vietnam said it had no experience in international peacekeeping operations and declined to say whether it would join UN peace efforts in East Timor.

Cambodia is ready to participate in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor, co-Defense Minister Prince Sisowath Sireyrath said Monday.

"If Indonesia asks for Cambodia to extend this kind of help, Cambodia will be most happy to participate," he told reporters.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said China was studying whether to contribute troops.

Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said his country would "fully cooperate" to bring peace back to the region.

Obuchi did not elaborate on how Japan intends to contribute, but Japanese officials said it was unlikely Tokyo would provide personnel for a UN-led operation.