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From Solid-Net, the network for Solidamor or Solidarity for East in East Timor 1 October 1998

Jakarta, Solid-Net

A major move of Indonesian troops to East Timor is now underway, according to a Solid-net source. The moves have been spotted by a US military satellite. According to the source, these troops will shortly launch an offensive against the basis of the armed resistance, FALINTIL, which still maintains a number of positions in the forests.

These moves were recently reported by Yeni, a Solidamor activist, after a recent visit to East Timor. She collected data showing that there have been large-scale moves of Indonesian troops into East Timor, including the following units:

three Brimob (police crack force) companies, 94 'mental guidance' Brimob personnel 61 'health guidance' Brimob personnel, the 443 infantry battalion from Kostrad, the 744, 745 and 406 battalions from Kostrad, one naval battalion one Kopassus battalion.

These moves show that the Indonesian government still refuses to search for a peaceful solution to the question of East Timor. This show of force could jeopardise the efforts to reach reconciliation now underway among the people of East Timor.

TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign 111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 8HW, UK Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322 email: tapol@gn.apc.org Campaigning to expose human rights violations in Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh

Join us to celebrate TAPOL's 25th anniversary on 20 October 1998. Contact us for ticket details.

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