The Jakarta Post, 6/5/2006 5:45:03 PM
Indonesia says accusations of involvement in East Timor
violence could harm ties
JAKARTA (AP): President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono criticized East Timor's prime
minister on Monday for accusing former members of militias linked to Jakarta of
involvement in recent violence in East Timor's capital of Dili, and said the comment
could harmbilateral ties.
At least 30 people have been killed in weeks of unrest in Dili that began when Prime
Minister Mari Alkatiri fired 600 soldiers in March and deteriorated into chaos in the
streets of the capital.
It is the worst violence in the country since its bloody breakaway from Indonesian
control in 1999, when pro-Indonesian militias devastated much of the territory.
"I regret the statement by East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, which could
become a new problem between the governments of Indonesia and East Timor,"
Yudhoyono told reporters.
On Saturday, Alkatiri told The Associated Press that former militia members were
apparently involved in the violence.
"I was told that some actions -- the burning of houses and other violence, civil unrest
-- some ex-militias are involved, militiass of 1999," Alkatiri said.
Yudhoyono said Indonesia respects East Timor's sovereignty and does not want to
interfere in its domestic problems.
"We have maintained our proper distance in order to avoid any speculation that could
link Indonesia with the recent problems faced by East Timor," he said. (***)
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