---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Sydney Morning Herald 18/08/99 EAST TIMOR Shots in Dili streets as militia taunt Timorese By MARK DODD, Herald Correspondent in Dili Indonesia marked its independence anniversary in East Timor yesterday in a gala ceremony that may be its last in the troubled territory, which is less than a fortnight away from the United Nations-organised ballot on self-determination. Hours before the start of the ceremony, autonomy supporters drove through central Dili on a shooting spree, firing at two pro-independence offices and outside the residence of Mr David Wimhurst, the spokesman for the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET). "We heard the very loud shots outside our house. They loosed off a burst on automatic," Mr Wimhurst said. He had radioed the report to UN security shortly after 5am and Indonesian police were notified. Mr David Ximenes, one of the leaders of the pro-independence National Council for Timorese Resistance (CNRT), blamed Indonesian Kopassus special forces for the attack. "I'm sure he was Kopassus. One of our people saw him. He had long hair and was dressed in black," Mr Ximenes said. Inside the central Dili office of the CNRT, located on Jalan October 15 (October 15 Street), Mr Ximenes pointed to a bullet hole in the first-floor window. The bullet had continued through a plywood office partition but caused no injury. Mr Ximenes produced two 5.56-millimetre brass shell casings, collected outside the building, of a type fired from an Indonesian-made SS1 or M-16A1 assault rifle commonly used by the military. At midday, a convoy of motorcycles and trucks carrying pro-autonomy Aitarak militia drove past the CNRT office, provoking jeers from both sides. Several militia members could be seen to have pistols under their shirts. Mr Ximenes appealed for his supporters not to provoke any violence during the tense stand-off. By 12.30pm, some seven hours after the shots were fired, 20 Indonesian police arrived outside the CNRT office to begin their investigation. At a second CNRT office on the Dili waterfront, security staff were busy chattering into walkie-talkies calling for more staff to reinforce the office. "It was Aitarak with TNI [military] pushing from behind. We have received information Aitarak want to attack this office and tear down our flag," a CNRT security officer said. "We are taking extra security precautions but we are unarmed so all we can do is call you journalists or the UN." Asked why he did not call the police, the CNRT official replied: "Polri [police] never show up and sometimes they only come and watch." UNAMET has repeatedly called on the rival independence and autonomy parties to respect each other's views and ensure the 14-day political campaign period that began last Saturday is peaceful. Meanwhile, red and white flags flew outside most shops and homes in central Dili yesterday as a mark of respect for Indonesia's Independence Day holiday. In the morning, Governor Abilio Soares reviewed a colourful Independence Day parade which may be the last ever to be held in East Timor. Asked if he thought he would witness another Independence Day parade, Governor Soares said he was confident of there being celebrations in future. The Indonesian Government task force spokesman, Mr Dino Djalal, said: "If it's autonomy, we will have this again, of course, because East Timor will be part of Indonesia." Major-General Adam Damiri, the commander of Indonesia's Eastern Zone, said security was improving in the lead-up to voting day. "The situation is getting better and more conducive. Falintil [independence guerillas] are in cantonment and have disarmed," he said. "The pro-integration forces are doing the same." Story Picture: Face of protest ... A pro-Indonesia supporter wears a defiant mask and symbol during a flagraising ceremony to mark the 54th Indonesian Independence Day at the Governor's office in Dili yesterday. Photo by AFP ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 17 Aug 1999 jam 20:20:58 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
