| Subject: RT: Xanana backs ballot delay Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 08:56:01 +0000 From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org> Received from Joyo Indonesian News: also: Jakarta loyalists welcome Timor vote delay E.Timor's Gusmao says backs ballot delay JAKARTA, June 23 (Reuters) - Detained East Timor guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao said on Wednesday he backed a U.N. decision to delay a historic vote on independence scheduled for August. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said in a report the delay would be about two weeks from the original August 8 date. ``All parties involved in this process, and obviously the U.N. Secretary General, are unanimous in considering that the existence of conditions of security and tranquillity in East Timor is a prerequisite and a sine qua non condition for the holding of a free, fair and democratic consultation,'' Gusmao said in a statement. The United Nations says violence in East Timor is its primary concern and that it expects the security situation to improve as its officials fan out across the territory. It has blamed pro-Jakarta militias for much of the violence that has killed dozens and displaced thousands this year. The militias are accused of using violence and terror to try and force East Timorese to reject the option of independence. Gusmao expressed full confidence in the assessment of U.N. officials in how to implement the May agreement paving the way for the ballot, ``particularly in relation to the date of the popular consultation.'' Gusmao, officially still commander-in-chief of Falintil resistance forces to Indonesian rule, is under house arrest in Jakarta. He has emerged as a leading figure in attempts to resolve the future of the territory and is seen by many as the likely first leader of an independent East Timor. -------------------- FOCUS-Jakarta loyalists welcome Timor vote delay DILI, East Timor, June 23 (Reuters) - Pro-Indonesian groups in East Timor joined forces on Wednesday to campaign against independence, saying they would benefit from a two-week delay in an August ballot on self-rule for the territory. The three main pro-Jakarta groups formally came together at a ceremony the same day the first contingent of 50 U.N. volunteers arrived in East Timor to oversee the historic vote. The groups' leaders pledged to assist in improving security. Pro-Jakarta forces have been accused of intimidation and blamed for a wave of terror which has killed dozens. ``These three groups will give a positive contribution to the United Nations to create a conducive, stable and peaceful situation for the ballot,'' said Lopes da Cruz, leader of the newly formed United Front for East Timor Autonomy. Da Cruz is also the Indonesian government's envoy with special responsibility for East Timor. On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced a delay in the vote for security and logistical reasons. The original date of August 8 was set in an agreement with Portugal, East Timor's former ruler, in May. But Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said Indonesia's view was that any delay could only be ordered after a current visit to East Timor by a special U.N. envoy. Alatas insisted security was improving in the troubled territory. ``Such a decision, evaluation will only be made by the secretary-general upon the return of Ambassador Jamsheed Marker from his present trip,'' Alatas said. ``We believe the security situation is constantly improving. We are quite sure that by the time of August 8 or far before it, the security situation will be fully conducive.'' Annan's report said the vote would be delayed by about two weeks, but did not set a new date. Pro-Jakarta figures in Dili said they were happy with the move. ``For us it is no problem, it will give us more time to prepare,'' said spokesman Basilio Araujo. The U.N. Mission in East Timor, which is organising the vote, said on Wednesday there was still debate about whether to hold the vote on a Saturday or a Sunday. Jakarta proposed moving the original date from August 8 on the grounds it was a holy day in predominantly Catholic East Timor. The United Nations says violence in East Timor is its primary concern and that it expects the security situation to improve as its officials fan out across the territory. The 50 U.N. volunteers who arrived on Wednesday are the first of about 400 volunteers expected to converge on East Timor for the vote. Dozens of U.N. police advisers arrived on Monday. The United Nations has blamed pro-Jakarta militias for much of the violence that has killed dozens of people and displaced tens of thousands this year. The militias are accused of using violence and terror to try to force East Timorese to reject the option of independence. Wednesday's ceremony merged the Forum for Unity, Democracy and Justice, the East Timor People's Front and the Pro-Integration Force. Around 200,000 East Timorese have died of war, starvation and disease since Indonesia's 1975 invasion. Indonesia's 1976 annexation of East Timor as a province has never been accepted by the United Nations which still recognises Lisbon as the administering power. Back to June Menu |