| Subject: RT: Carter Says Indonesia Trying To Derail
Timor Vote Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1999 09:25:23 -0400 From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org> Received from Joyo Indonesian News: Reuters 12.01 a.m. ET (404 GMT) August 11, 1999 Carter Says Indonesia Trying To Derail Timor Vote DILI, East Timor — Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter Wednesday accused Indonesian officials of trying to sabotage this month's East Timorese ballot on independence. "Some top representatives of the government of Indonesia have failed to fulfil their main obligations with respect to public order and security, and in many cases, have actively sought to undermine the popular consultation process,'' a statement from the Carter Center quoted him as saying. East Timorese are to vote on August 30 on whether they want independence or increased autonomy within Indonesia. The statement, issued in East Timor, said Carter Center observers had collected mounting evidence "that Indonesian military and other government agencies are supporting, directing and arming pro-integration militias to create a climate of fear and violence.'' Elements of the powerful Indonesian military are deeply unhappy with the prospect of independence for East Timor, fearing it would encourage separatist groups elsewhere in Indonesia. Militia groups opposed to independence have imposed a reign of terror in much of the troubled territory and the Carter Center was also critical of the Indonesian police, who are responsible for security, for not doing enough to curb them. "The Indonesian police have consistently failed to take the steps necessary to maintain law and order, and in some cases have colluded with pro-integration militias.'' Indonesia's harsh 23-year rule of East Timor has never been recognized by the United Nations which is organizing the vote. U.N. officials have repeatedly complained of attempts to intimidate its staff in the territory. Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for substantial increases in the number of international civilian police advisers and military liaison officers after the vote, saying the situation at that time would be "rather delicate.'' Back to August Menu |