---------------------------------------------------------- The US government makes available 55.000 GREEN CARDS (permanent residence visa) in a random lottery. Visit http://www.us-immigration.org for details on how to play the GREEN CARD LOTTERY -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Indonesia Daily News Online http://www.indo-news.com/ Free Email @KotakPos.com visit: http://my.kotakpos.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------- The Indonesian Observer, Tuesday, September 12, 2000 RI pledges to disarm militias in West Timor JAKARTA(IO) - The government pledged yesterday to disarm militias in West Timor after last week's murders of three UN workers, as President Abdurrahman Wahid complained that the international community targeted only Indonesia when it comes to the refugee question. National Police Chief Gen. Rusdi-harjo further said that police will use the the country's criminal code (KUHP) as the legal basis for disarming the militias. "Following the incident in Atambia, we will use the penal code because it allows the confiscation of illegally-kept firearms and other weapons," Rusdiharjo said after greeting President Wahid who returned to Jakarta from the US yesterday. The UN, in a ruling covered by Resolution No 1319, last week urged the Indonesian government to disarm and disband the militia in East Nusa Tenggara province, following the attack on the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Atambua last Wednesday. Meanwhile, Wahid, speaking to members of the International Crisis Group (IGC) here said the international community should not only blame Indonesia for what happened with the refugees in a number of areas of conflict, but should also render practical assistance. Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent legal practitioner who joined the meeting, said Wahid hoped the international community would provide aid to help settle the refugee problem. "President Wahid has stressed that the international community has demanded that the refugee question be settled," Lubis said. Atambua was the center for international relief efforts for more than 120,000 East Timorese still living in refugee camps across the border, after their homeland voted one year ago to secede from Indonesia. Comprehensive response Coordinating Minister for Social, Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia will make a comprehensive response to the UN resolution. Speaking after attending a Cabinet meeting chaired by Wahid here on Monday, Yudhoyono added that Indonesia wants to settle the problems in Atambua in an objective manner and as soon as possible. He stressed the refugee and militia problem in East Nusa Tenggara is not merely the responsibility of the government, "because the root of the problem comes from East Timor". The government, Yudhoyono said, will continue to pursue the killers of the UNHCR staff members and former pro-integration fighter, Olivio Mendoza Moruk, whose murder reportedly triggered the attack. Rusdiharjo said the Indonesian Defense Forces and the national police had discussed, at both central and regional levels, the logistics needed to disarm the population, including the West Timor-based militias. "Concrete action" includes strengthening troops in West Timor to restore security, and to confiscate weapons, Rusdiharjo added. The government has sent two batallions - 1,200 men - consisting of both police and soldiers to Atambua to restore order, as well as to prevent the violence from spreading to other regions. More troops would be deployed in the near future, officials said. A team of 10 army and police officers dispatched to Atambua to investigate the murders have since detained 15 people for questioning, Rusdiharjo said. "Although we do not yet have any [formal] suspects, perhaps some of those currently being questioned may turn out to be suspects," he added. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 13 Sep 2000 jam 08:46:30 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
