---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- ANTARA, October 12, 1999 E. Timor : WIRANTO ESCORTS BATTALION 342 TO BORDERLINE Kupang, E. Nusa Tenggara, Oct 12 ANTARA) - Chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI), Gen. WIranto on Tuesday has escorted Air-bone infantry of Battalion 342 of the Elit Strategic Reverse Force (Kostrad) to borderline with East Timor, to secure the region following the cross-border raid against an Indonesia post. Wiranto said, the TNI troops sent to the borderline will carry out special task, and not for a combat or other territorial duty. The special task of the force is to create peace in the area, seize all weapons brought by pro-integrationist or others, and conduct a joint patrol with the International Force for East Timor (Interfet) in borderline of East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor. The TNI unit will also help the evacuation of refugees to East Timor, in addition to other humanitarian operations. On Sunday, the Interfet launched a crossborder raid against an Indonesia border post in Motain village. The raid has caused one personnel of Mobile Brigade killed and three others injured. The incident was reportedly caused by confusion of International troops over the map. However, Indonesia has deplored the raid and conveyed its protest to the UN. The task to restore the situation, Wiranto said, is needed to avoid another misunderstanding between TNI, refugees and Interfet. The mopping-up operation is aimed at eliminating international impression that TNI has supplied weapons for pro-integration group. The operation is also aimed at preventing East Nusa Tenggara from being used as a new war arena. According to chief of Udayana Regional Military, Maj.Gen Adam Damiri, from the mopping-up operation, the authority has seized 156 guns, 12,706 ammunition, 99 boxes of bullets, and 117 hand- made guns, 335 sharp weapons and 31 grenades. Security personnel also seized 33 cars owned by UN mission in East Timor. Those cars will be returned to UNAMET. Damiri said that TNI will build its post along the borderline between East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor. JOINT PATROL Another task for the TNI troops is to conduct a joint patrol with the Interfet along the borderline. "We ask the Interfet for a joint patrol, to create peace in East Timor," Wiranto said. The General has asked the TNI units to show the multinational troops that the Indonesian military is highly-educated, honoured, not arrogant and conscious. He also asked the troops to be united with local civilians. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 18 Oct 1999 jam 05:25:27 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
