(9 Sep 1999) English/Nat
Pressure is mounting on Indonesia to allow foreign troops to restore law and order, amid international condemnation of the violence in East Timor.
Nations such as Australia and New Zealand have offered troops for such a force - but want Indonesia to give a green light on outside military help.
Un Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned that collective pressure will be needed if Jakarta is to agree to intervention.
Annan made it clear that the UN was pressing ministers in Jakarta to impose law and order over a very short timescale - or stand aside and allow international action.
The Indonesian government has declared martial law but the violence does not seem to abating.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think the attitude of the Indonesian government is that it will be capable of bringing law and order into East Timor, that the martial law is just taking force and that with a bit of time they will be able to bring the situation under control. You will notice that the APEC minister's meeting in Auckland also discussed this issue and supported the efforts that are being taken here at the UN to find a solution. In my discussions with President Habibie and the Indonesian authorities and the council, I have indicated that if they are not able to bring the situation under control in a relatively short time, all efforts must be made to convince them to accept help from the international community in maintaining law and order and that we can not allow the chaotic situation in East Timor to continue. Reports from our people indicate that last night was relatively quiet - perhaps the most quiet so far - but it is only one day at a time; we can not say that the situation has changed dramatically. But I have indicated that we may thin out our staff, but we will keep our premises in East Timor"
SUPER CAPTION: Kofi Annan, U-N Secretary General
The Security Council is hoping the five ambassadors sent to Jakarta will convince Indonesia to invite an international military force to help restore order.
But Indonesian leaders have ruled out replacing Indonesian police and soldiers now in East Timor with foreign troops.
On the issue of how long the Indonesian government should be given to restore order Annan was very vague.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I don't think it should be open ended, I don't think it should be extended. Initially I had told them we needed to review the situation in 48 to 72 hours and obviously we do not have a satisfactory situation yet and the council is completely seized of the issue"
SUPER CAPTION: Kofi Annan, U-N Secretary General
Also at the United Nations on Thursday the Indonesian Ambassador rebuked all claims that Indonesia had failed to restore order in the troubled territory.
He said reports coming out of East Timor were very encouraging.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The situation today is much better compared to yesterday. No more arson or burning or looting was reported in the territory and the conflicting parties have agreed to stop their action. Minister Alatas today also informed that Indonesia has asked the international community especially the United Nations to give an opportunity to Indonesia for the return of security and order in East Timor. Alatas was optimistic that the security situation in East Timor could soon return to normal as there was no burning or looting in the last twenty four hours"
SUPER CAPTION: Makarim Wibisono, Indonesian Ambassador
He said the military had managed to restore basic needs such as electricity and telecommunications.
According to the ambassador the Indonesian army had already resupplied the UN premises in Dili.
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