(2 Jun 1997) Indonesian/Nat
Indonesia is stepping up security in the troubled province of East Timor following a week of rebel attacks that has left 42 people dead.
Jakarta officially has five full battalions of troops as well as other units in East Timor numbering around 5-thousand men.
The military presence in the province is much more pronounced than in neighbouring provinces with much larger populations.
Military control of the long disputed region of East Timor was handed to a new commanding officer at a ceremonial parade in the capital Dili on Saturday.
The former Portuguese colony - now a province of Indonesia - has suffered a turbulent week with an outbreak of rebel attacks across its territory.
A wave of attacks in the past six days has left up to 42 dead, according to military sources.
The worst incidents have been near Baucau, a small town 150 kilometres (95 miles) from the Timorese capital.
Army officers say as many as 17 people were killed in the latest attack, as rebels threw a hand grenade into a police truck, then opened fire.
The Fretilin rebels have fought for independence since the Indonesian invasion in 1975.
The rebels strike mostly at night.
The Fretilin stepped up their violent campaign for independence on the eve of last week's parliamentary elections, which swept the ruling Golkar party back into power.
Human rights organisations and Timorese exiles fear the recent attacks may prompt reprisals from the already unpopular military.
The military are accused of widespread abuses, including beatings, disappearances and killings of locals.
Major-General Rivai is in charge of four Indonesian regions including overall authority for East Timor.
He admits mistakes have been made at times, but denies the allegations of widespread abuse.
Rivai accuses the Fretilin rebels of terrorising the population, especially during the past election campaign.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
"In East Timor there are still armed rebels, but not many. There are also groups of "Clandestines" and some Timorese who are not happy with Indonesia's development (programme). That is why they provoke and terrorise the people, and it is because of the terror and provocation that Indonesia's forces need to keep a high presence."
SUPER CAPTION: Major-General A Rivai, Indonesian Army
Indonesia has poured millions of dollars into the infrastructure in East Timor.
But many Timorese claim that the military controls large sections of the economy, including construction, transport and the island's largest export: coffee.
This in its turn is said to deny the local population the benefits of economic development.
But one of East Timor's elected members of parliament disputes the claim.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
"I think all business companies here are operated by civilians. There's no military involvement in business here in East Timor. It is only an issue. They want to accuse the military people here because they don't like Indonesia, they don't like the military and they want to accuse Indonesia in this matter."
SUPER CAPTION: Salvador J Soares, member of parliament for East Timor
As security forces continue their operations across the territory, searching for their elusive opponents, the Fretilin rebels have once again melted into the population, leaving the military little choice but to nervously await the next contact.
But the Fretilin say the army has always underestimated the strength and ability of its forces.
In the wake of the past week's bloodshed, it is a mistake these soldiers are unlikely to repeat.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
