Subject: ETISC: Massive troop buildup in East Timor
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1998 19:36:39 +0930
From: "East Timor International Support Center" <etio@ozemail.com.au>
Organization: East Timor International Support CenterEast Timor International Support
Center PO Box 651, Nightcliff, Darwin 0814, NT, Australia http://www.easttimor.com
URGENT ALERT Mon, Oct 5, 1998
Massive Indonesian troop buildup in East Timor
On Saturday 3 October, 2 battalions of Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) troops numbering
around 2,000 men advanced on and encircled Taur Matan Ruak, the vice- commander of the
armed Resistance Falintil, and his company of guerrilla fighters.
It is believed that the encirclement was unsuccessful due to the guerrillas' superior
knowledge of the terrain, however small detachments of ABRI troops continue to be deployed
in order to identify the whereabouts of the guerrillas. Armed confrontation is likely to
take place in the coming days.
The 2,000 troops engaged in the encirclement operation appear to have left from the
Baucau region on Thursday and Friday of last week and headed towards the central part of
East Timor with the intention of annihilating the resistance forces. As they passed
through the town of Rai-Mean (above Laleia), the ABRI soldiers reportedly detained seven
local people and intimidated others in Uai Mori in the territory's northern coast.
ETISC has been informed through reliable sources inside East Timor that up to 8,000
Indonesian soldiers have entered the territory since August (including 3 battalions which
entered via the land border - Kupang/Kefa/Atambua) and that the much publicised recent
withdrawal of 1,000 troops was part of regular troop rotations.
As reported elsewhere, residents have recently reported an increased military presence
in the towns of Manatuto, Viqueque, Baucau and Los Palos regencies.
ETISC urges the international community to depatch monitors, immediately, to the
troubled territory of East Timor to verify the actual withdrawal of Indonesian troops.
This latest news confirms the absence of good will and commitment on the part of the
Habibie regime to refrain from the use of force and violence in reaching a solution to the
East Timor conflict.
Fpr further information please contact Maria Ceu Federer at +61-8-89855678 OR Sonny
Inbaraj at +61-8-89485333/ 0418-821960 (mobile)
'EAST TIMOR ON THE NET' For the latest updates, news and views on East Timor and
Indonesia Visit http://www.easttimor.com maintained by the East Timor International
Support Center Hon Chairman: Jose Ramos-Horta Nobel Peace Laureate 1996
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