Annan condemns violence in E Timor

UNITED NATIONS, SEPT 2: The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Kofi Annan have strongly condemned violence in East Timor and deman...

UNITED NATIONS, SEPT 2: The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Kofi Annan have strongly condemned violence in East Timor and demanded Indonesia arrest those responsible for it even as counting for the historic referendum on the future of the region continued.

Officials at the world body, however, scotched Wednesday8217;s reports that a UN peacekeeping force was being considered for East Timor in view of the deteriorating law and order situation and the sympathy of Indonesian security forces towards pro-autonomy groups.

Several countries, including New Zealand and Portugal, East Timor8217;s former colonial master, called for UN action to stop the bloodshed as at least three people were killed and thousands fled the province. UN chief spokesman Fred Eckhard, however, told reporters on Wednesday that there was little scope that a UN peacekeeping force would be sent to East Timor. quot;It doesn8217;t sound to me like the bandwagon is moving in that direction.quot;

Indonesia is responsible for the security and there is no intention at this time to ask for change, he said when asked if Annan was considering recommending a peacekeeping force for the territory.

The referendum last Monday was on whether East Timor should become independent or remain with Indonesia with wide-ranging autonomy.

The militiamen leading the violence are believed to be backed by Indonesian military and wore headbands with Indonesia8217;s national colours, reports reaching here from Dili said.

Diplomats here said the situation was so volatile that it would require a well-armed strong force if the UN desired to intervene as they would have to fight hostile elements in a guerrilla war like atmosphere.

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But they also expressed apprehension that the situation might be leading towards a prolonged conflict irrespective of the result of the referendum to decide whether East Timor should become independent or remain a part of Indonesia with wide-ranging autonomy.

They said the vote taken on Monday was likely to favour independence but were not sure how the situation would develop.

The council members condemned quot;in the strongest termsquot; the spate of violence that has occurred in Dili since Monday.

In a statement, Ambassador Arnold Peter Van Walsum of The Netherlands, council president for September, said the members underlined the need for popular consultation process and its follow up to be completed in an atmosphere of peace and security without further violence.