| Subject: AP: EU warns of pro-Indonesian militias on
East Timor Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 12:03:46 -0400 From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org> EU warns of pro-Indonesian militias on East Timor 07/19/1999 Associated Press Newswires Copyright 1999. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - Foreign ministers from the European Union on Monday urged Indonesia to curb the "intimidatory behavior" of pro-Indonesian militias prior to East Timor 's vote on independence or autonomy. During a two-day open debate on foreign policy questions, primarily on the lessons to be learned from the Kosovo crisis, the EU foreign ministers adopted a statement on East Timor , expressing hope and concern. The Council of foreign ministers warned that "fully satisfactory security conditions for the peaceful implementation" of the balloting do not exist yet, but applauded the United Nations for beginning voter registration. "The coming weeks are crucial for the consultation to take place in a secure environment devoid of violence or other forms of intimidation," they said. "The Council continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in the territory, in particular the intimidatory behavior of the pro-integration militias. ... "The Council urged the Indonesian authorities to live up to their obligations ... and to ensure that the necessary security conditions will be there before and during the ballot in East Timor . "The Council is convinced that this is in the long-term interest of Indonesia itself," they added. Back to July Menu |