Subject: UPDATE: Militiamen Attack U.N. Headquarters
In E.Timor
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 06:50:50 EDT
From: Joyo@aol.comAssociated Press September 1, 1999
Militiamen Attack Outside U.N. Headquarters In East Timor
DILI, Indonesia (AP)--Hundreds of anti-independence militiamen blocked the street
outside the U.N. headquarters in East Timor's capital Wednesday, setting on fire a nearby
house and shooting cars driving into the U.N. compound.
A taxi carrying journalists to the scene was fired on and had its rear window smashed
by militiamen.
The violence came as the United Nations began counting ballots Wednesday in East
Timor's historic referendum, a vote that was expected to approve the territory's
independence from Indonesia.
It wasn't clear if the militiamen had broken into the compound. Dark smoke billowed
from the raging fire near the complex. Indonesian soldiers stood by, but didn't intervene
to stop the rioting.
Earlier in Dili, hundreds of armed anti-independence militiamen gathered in the
capital's streets, and at least one person was killed.
Dozens of militiamen fired weapons near the entrance of the U.N. headquarters in Dili.
A U.N. security officer confirmed that about 150 people - including U.N. officials and
journalists - had taken shelter in an auditorium in the compound.
Wednesday's attack was the most serious against the United Nations since the world body
took over organization of the vote in May. U.N. workers were attacked before the vote. One
was killed Monday, and two are feared dead - victims of attacks just after the vote.
Gunshots rang out Tuesday night in one town, and residents accused the militants of
killing a family of eight. In Dili, police said a teen-ager was shot to death.
The violence followed Monday's relatively peaceful referendum on independence. The
outbreak raised fears that the territory could slide back into lawlessness as
pro-Indonesia militias - sensing defeat - try frantically to take control of whatever they
can.
The militias, believed to be backed by Indonesia's military, have accused the United
Nations of rigging the vote to encourage independence. The referendum gave East Timorese
the option of breaking away from Indonesia, or remaining part of it with autonomy.
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