---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Precedence: bulk U N I T E D N A T I O N S N A T I O N S U N I E S UNAMET (UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN EAST TIMOR Misi Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa Di Timor Timur Briefing Summary for Friday, 20 August 1999 UNAMET Spokesman David Wimhurst began today's briefing informing correspondents that in the early hours yesterday in Suai a number of Laksuar militia members were harassing people in the market area who had attended the CNRT rally the day before. An incident ensued some time later when three students in the area were attacked by the same group of militia who pursued them. The IDPs in the compound got involved by trying to assist the students,and rock throwing by both groups ensued. During this period two UNAMET DEOs, who were in the area, sought shelter in the school compound and were later escorted back to UNAMET by Polri officers. The back window of the DEOs vehicle was smashed in, although the occupants were unharmed. There was also an incident in Manatuto yesterday when some UNAMET MLOs were threatened by militia who were pointing weapons at their vehicle and at the driver who had to retreat to a nearby house. The Indonesian police fired shots in the air. The CNRT office there was also attacked. The UNAMET MLOs were eventually able to leave safely. A correspondent asked if UNAMET knew the cause for the recent wave of violence. Mr. Wimhurst said UNAMET had been given assurances by the Indonesian authorities that they would try to create a secure environment and believed that the authorities do want the ballot to go ahead peacefully. Unfortunately, he added, the orders are not always transmitted down the chain of command. UNAMET was taking the proper steps in discussion with the authorities to try to reduce this wave of violence. The Spokesman was asked if there was anything else that UNAMET could do to reduce the violence. He said the Indonesian police were responsible for the security situation and that UNAMET hoped that after the visit of the Indonesian Task Force to Maliana, Suai and Viqueque that action would be taken. A correspondent asked if UNAMET saw the handing in of weapons by the militia as a significant development. The Spokesman said UNAMET viewed the initiative to hand in weapons as positive. The weapons that have been handed in by Aitarak will be stored at Aitarak headquarters. UNAMET CivPol have been given assurances that they can visit that site at any time to inspect that the weapons are still there and they will be doing so on a regular basis. In Baucau 55 weapons were handed in and in previous handovers 103 weapons were turned over at the first cantonment ceremony in Atabae and then 54 in Ainaro. There is still no final count on the weapons handed in yesterday in Dili. A correspondent asked if the weapons handed in represented a good portion of the weapons in the militia's possession. The Spokesman said that was difficult to determine although UNAMET was told all their weapons had been turned over. He added, UNAMET will be observing carefully to see that that is the case and hopefully the Indonesian police will be doing the same and will take action to arrest and disarm those who are seen carrying weapons. The Spokesman was asked whether UNAMET was concerned that there was very little campaigning being done on the pro-independence side, perhaps because of fear. He said the CNRT did mention that they would not be holding major rallies or big public events. A correspondent asked what time the popular consultation would be open. Mr. Wimhurst said all of the 700 plus polling stations will be opening at 6:30 a.m. on 30 August and will be closing at 4:00 p.m. In response to a question Mr. Wimhurst said, UNAMET expected the final count on the votes to be ready within one week of the ballot and that the ballot boxes will all be transported back to Dili where they will be counted in one location. UNAMET staff, he said, will be in charge of counting and UNAMET's Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Jeff Fischer, will be overseeing the entire process. He added, in the event that some people are still waiting on line at 4:00 p.m., UNAMET will re-open the polling station the next day to handle the overflow of voters. ---------- SiaR WEBSITE: http://apchr.murdoch.edu.au/minihub/siarlist/maillist.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 24 Aug 1999 jam 12:28:12 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
