---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- The Australian 24 Aug 99 Indonesian military promises neutrality >From DON GREENLEES in Dili THE new Indonesian military commander in East Timor has pledged to ensure public safety and protect UN staff and international observers after fears of intensifying violence in the countdown to next Monday's ballot. Colonel Muhamad Noer Muis, appointed two weeks ago amid charges authorities were failing to rein in armed militia, also played down the need for any additional security measures in the period after the East Timorese vote on their future. "TNI (the military) and the police are responsible for the situation here, to protect the people of East Timor, including personnel from UNAMET (the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor) and other foreigners," he said. "However, if something happens after the ballot, in phase two, then whoever wins will have to talk (to the other side). Either way, the most important thing is we ensure the situation is secure and safe." His comments came as US senator Tom Harkin called at the weekend for a peacekeeping force to prevent a possible "bloodbath" in the territory after the vote. UN officials have repeatedly expressed concern in recent days over an upsurge in attacks on pro-independence supporters and UN personnel in the countryside, blamed on militia members. Despite concerns over safety, independence supporters yesterday held one of their first public rallies in Dili, driving through the streets of the capital in a rowdy convoy. The pro-independence National Council for East Timorese Reconciliation (CNRT) claims to be avoiding big public gatherings for fear of attacks by pro-integration militia. But Colonel Muis said he could not determine the source of the violence, claiming to have received complaints from both sides. "There are many problems when the pro-integrationists try to campaign. In some areas, the pro-integrationists until now can't campaign at all because of the situation, being threatened by the independence side," he said. In contrast, most independent observers, including UN officials, maintain the majority of violent acts have been committed by members of militia groups. Colonel Muis, who has performed five tours of duty in East Timor with the Indonesian army, said while the military would remain "neutral" and respect the outcome of the ballot, an independent East Timor faced huge problems because of a shortage of human resources and weak infrastructure. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 23 Aug 1999 jam 23:10:50 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
