W. Timor Militias Begin Handing Over Weapons
Militiamen in West Timor surrendered hundreds of weapons Saturday in the first step of what Indonesia and the international community hope will be a total disarmament.
Despite the weapons hand-over in West Timor, Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid warned that the situation in the province remained volatile.
In Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, Wahid accused security forces of wrongly releasing six people, both Indonesian soldiers and militiamen, suspected of killing three U.N. foreign aid workers in Atambua in West Timor on Sept. 6.
“We have to show the world that Indonesia is serious to solve the problems, including the killing of three U.N. officials in Atambua,” he said.
Wahid swore in a new police chief and ordered him to take tough action against the militias, which many claim are covertly supported by elements within Indonesia’s military.
Wahid raised the possibility of direct foreign military intervention in West Timor unless order is restored.
“There are rumors that 800 U.S. Marines are ready to be sent to Atambua to help guard the U.N. people,” he said.
The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta denied the existence of any such plan.
In Atambua, 12 militiamen arrived at a local police station with three cars packed with weapons.
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