DILI, EAST TIMOR, SEPT 1: Ballot counting began in East Timor on Wednesday as election euphoria gave way to sporadic violence and fears of further tension at the funeral of Aitarak militia leader's relative killed last weekend when driving through the Becora area, a pro-Independence hold.Besides, at least one person was killed as clashes erupted between the pro-Jakarta militiamen armed with automatic weapons and independence supporters. It was unclear which side the dead person came from.The latest clash with independence supporters under scores mounting international fears that the violence could spiral out of control in East Timor.New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Don Mckinnon said that in a worst case scenario, if violence escalated, a non-UN intervention in the territory was possible.He said likely participants in such a peacekeeping operation included New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the United States. But Australia swiftly denied it would join a non-UN peacekeeping force in East Timor. "Just for everyone who still has not got the message, Australia has no intention of invading Indonesia," said a Foreign Ministry spokesman.Australia was the only Western power to recognise Jakarta's 1976 annexation of the former Portuguese colony, whose people voted on Monday on whether to opt for independence or autonomy within Indonesia.The Australian spokesman was responding to a Reuters report quoting Mckinnon as saying foreign non-UN intervention in East Timor was possible if violence escalated after the vote, expected to produce a majority in favour of independence."The worst that could happen is absolute chaos by the end of the week," Mckinnon told Reuters, adding that the chances of getting a United Nations mandate for intervention were very low.While Indonesia insists that it has the situation under control, time and again Indonesian security forces have stood by while violence flared.Indonesia, whose often brutal 23-year rule in East Timor has never been internationally recognised, has been repeatedly warned by the West that it must tame the militia.There have been reports that Jakarta could lose desperately needed aid if it does not.The militia, with the backing of Indonesia's military, have for months waged a vicious campaign of intimidation in which hundreds have been killed in a bid to cow independence supporters.Pro-Independence supporters on Wednesday set up a road block near the UN offices and about 200 people took shelter inside the UN compound, including a number of foreigners.
