Devastation worse than imagined — Annan

"International tribunal for the Indonesian generals, perpetrators of the crimes in East Timor," read one. "Stop impunity," read a second."We will never forget the extreme violence that erupted (after the August 30 vote for independence)," Annan told them. "I want to express my most profound revulsion at the murder, mayhem and destruction of last September. I wish we could have prevented or contained it. But your cries of agony were heard around the world. I know it seemed like a very long time before help arrived. But an international force did come to East Timor to restore order.

Now the United Nations is here."He also appealed to the people of Dili to embrace reconciliation between those who voted to remain with Indonesia, and those who voted overwhelmingly for independence. "All of you must work together to make this a strong nation," he said, repeating his calls to people who have become restless because of the slowness of aid to rebuild their homes, to have patience. At a press conference later, before leaving for Australia, Annan was asked whether the May 5 agreement, under which the vote was held with Indonesian troops responsible for security, was flawed.

"It is easy in hindsight to be wise … I think we need to be careful not to turn on those who come to help, and say that things went wrong," he said. "I think the important message is that the international community did not throw up its arms when the conflict began and the killing began and say what do we do, but mobilized an urgent force to come in.” “We are appalled at the violence that took place here, and those that are responsible are going to be brought to trial," he said, adding that he had won assurance from the "highest level" in Jakarta that the trials would take place. "We are waiting for Justice to be done," he said.