---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- ANTARA, September 27, 1999 E Timor : UN URGED TO INVESTIGATE AUSSIE SOLDIER'S ATROCITIES Canberra, Sept 26 <Antara> - The United Nations should form an independent institution to investigate into reports on killing and torture by the Australian members of the UN-approved International Force in East Timor <Interfet>, an observed said. "I think that all kinds of serious incidents in East Timor, both affecting pro and anti-integration group should be investigated by an independent institution or UN body," military analyst of the Australian National University <ANU> Alan Dupont said here Sunday. Eight members of pro autonomy group were battered recently while another was burnt to death. Report said that the torture and killing were committed by some Australian soldiers. Dupont considered it understable if Indonesia as well as other Southeast Asian countries felt that Australian troops have been overacting in treating militiamen in East Timor. Reffering to pictures aired by TV stations, he said he had noticed overacting movements and attitude of the Australian soldiers as they kept pointing their rifles at alleged militiamen even if they were already tied. Due to such actions, he said, it was obvious that ASEAN countries were not happy with it as such actions could damage the image of Australian in the South East Asian region. He therefore suggested Interfet to be more sensitive in facing the situation in East Timor to avoid negative image toward Australia as well as accusations of racialist attitude of white people. On the other hand, the Australian troops itself should show that they not acting alone in Interfet, as the UN mission is actually a multinational forced of 15 countries. Not Australia Dupont has felt from the very beginning that it would be better if an ASEAN member country, rather than Australia, would lead the Interfet mission in East Timor. There was no need for Australia to take such an aggresive role in Interfet, since the presence of the multinational force in the former Portuguese territory is basically aimed at creating peace and stability in the territory, not an Australian intervention. On how long the Australian troops should be present in the troubled territory of East Timor, Dupont expressed his hope that they should stay there only two or three months, after which they should be replaced by civilian peace mission in accordance with the mandate of the UN Security Council. However, he said, it would all depend on the ability of Interfet to build stability in the troubled territory. Dupont said not agree with a plan of Australian Prime Minister John Howard to make Australia's role in Interfet as a "stepping stone" for Howard who wished to make Australia a UN representative in the region. It was not a wise policy because it would also mean that Howard wishes to become an enemy to its neighbouring countries, he said. U.LCB-01/NN07/INT-NG/22:49/ri2/23:14/TB06) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 30 Sep 1999 jam 09:15:06 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
