| Subject: RT: Portugal condemns attacks on East Timor
U.N. base Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 09:08:33 +0000 From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org> Portugal condemns attacks on East Timor U.N. base 01:05 p.m Jun 29, 1999 Eastern RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (Reuters) - Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned an attack on a U.N. compound in East Timor and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. ``I want to start by manifesting in the name of the Portuguese government our profound indignation at the attacks on U.N. installations in East Timor,'' Guterres told reporters during a European Union-Latin American summit in Rio de Janeiro. ``We consider this a very serious act and we are naturally committed to working intensely with the United Nations to set up the necessary conditions so that a referendum in East Timor can take place amid real security and not become a farce.'' At least seven people were injured when some 100 opponents of independence for East Timor -- a former Portuguese colony annexed by Indonesia -- stoned a U.N. compound on Tuesday, witnesses and U.N. officials said. The attack, just as warring East Timorese were holding peace talks in Jakarta, occurred in a stronghold of pro-Jakarta militias that have led a wave of intimidation and killings in the territory this year. Indonesian officials and militia leaders said the violence was spontaneous and did not involve the militias. The violence followed a visit by a special U.N. envoy to the former Portuguese colony and came amid moves to determine whether a planned August vote on independence from Indonesia can go ahead. It was the first attack on U.N. personnel since U.N. officials began arriving in May under an accord between Jakarta and Lisbon. Guterres demanded that Indonesian authorities conduct a thorough investigation. ``It's obvious that finding those responsible matters,'' he said, reiterating Portugal's commitment to the welfare of the people in East Timor. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, just after the Portuguese colonial administration left. Jakarta annexed the territory the following year in a move never recognised by the United Nations or most other countries. Dozens have died there since January when Indonesia reversed its policy of 23 years and said it would consider giving the territory independence if an offer of wide-ranging autonomy was rejected. The ballot is planned for August. Back to July Menu |