UNAMET Spokesman David Wimhurst informed correspondents of an incident which occurred in Los Palos overnight when militia destroyed the CNRT offices there. Shots were fired by the Indonesian police to prevent the militia activity and roadblocks were set up. One man is confirmed to have been killed – the Lurai (sp), the traditional leader. His wife and son are now missing.
In Maliana, also last night, there was sustained automatic gunfire that pinned down the CivPol and MLOs in their house. The gunfire was not directed at their house but it prevented them from leaving. The target seems to have been the Don Bosco area where students are located. There were no fatalities although there appear to have been some injuries.
The Spokesman then mentioned the availability of the Security Council resolution, which was adopted in New York the night before. The resolution extends the UN Mission in East Timor until 30 November 1999. It also endorses the proposal of the Secretary-General that in the interim phase UNAMET shall incorporate the following elements: an electoral unit, for the eventual elections that will take place in either outcome; a civilian police component of up to 460 personnel to continue to advise the Indonesian police and to prepare for the recruitment and training of the East Timorese police force; a military liaison component of up to 300 personnel to undertake the necessary military liaison functions; a civil affairs component to advise the Special Representative in monitoring the implementation of the agreements; and, a public information component to continue its work.
The Secretary-General has a message which has been published in the local Suara Timor Timur and will be recorded later today by the Special Representative for television and radio.
Lastly, the Spokesman informed correspondents of the media guidelines for polling day. He said, members of the media may only enter a polling centre to record voting if they are accompanied by staff from the public information office. PIO staff will be available for that purpose in Maliana, Liquica and at various sites in Dili.
A correspondent asked the Spokesman if he had any information on incidents in Comoro (section in Dili) last night. He said the overall situation in Dili was said to have been quiet overnight and no incidents were reported to have taken place in Comoro.
A correspondent asked if UNAMET felt that pro-independence campaign activities were conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. The Spokesman said the CNRT was not able to campaign freely. The level playing field UNAMET sought to establish, he said, was not created in some areas. The CNRT office in Los Palos has been destroyed and others have been attacked and destroyed during the course of the campaign.
A correspondent asked the Spokesman if he had any information on an incident in Memo (area near Maliana) last night. He said following the pro-autonomy rally in Memo yesterday four cars and 23 houses were destroyed. It is reported that three people were killed, yet that has not been confirmed.
A correspondent asked if there was any information on an attack of a school in Maliana. Mr. Wimhurst said the attack in Memo last night was actually centred around an area where students lived. The Indonesian police were deployed to the compound after receiving advice from CivPol.
In response to a question, the Spokesman said UNAMET’s Civilian Police Commissioner and senior UNAMET staff are travelling to Maliana and Los Palos today to look at both of these incidents and also to discuss with the local police the security arrangements that will be necessary for polling day.
A correspondent asked what the results of yesterday’s discussions between UNAMET and Indonesian authorities were. The discussions that took place yesterday, the Spokesman said, were with the Commander of the Indonesian police in East Timor and with UNAMET Police Commissioner Alan Mills on what happened in Dili the day before. They also discussed the arrangements for the protection of polling sites throughout East Timor. Those plans have now been made although he could not discuss them publicly. He did say there would be a security cordon established around the polling sites.
In response to a question, the Spokesman said there has been a pattern recently of people leaving areas that have come under attack or where acts of intimidation have occurred, including in the eastern part of Dili.
A correspondent asked if there was any way people whose houses were burned, particularly those in Memo yesterday, will be able to vote on Monday considering that their registration papers may have been destroyed. Mr. Wimhurst said UNAMET has urged those who have registered to vote to keep their registration cards in a safe place. If, however, they have been lost, people can still present themselves at the polling stations with the documents that they used to register and they will be able to vote.
A correspondent asked what explanation UNAMET had for the Indonesian police not being able to control Thursday’s violence. The Spokesman said it was inadequate.
A correspondent asked what contingency plans UNAMET had in place if people were prevented from voting due to security concerns. The Spokesman said UNAMET plans on reopening any polling station that is closed down on 30 August to continue voting on the 31st.
A correspondent asked the Spokesman if he could confirm a report that an Indonesian flag has been hoisted above a UN compound in Maubisse in place of a UN flag. He said he could not confirm that. Under Indonesian law, he said, all public buildings must carry an Indonesian flag. UNAMET has made representations to Indonesian authorities that only the UN flag can be hoisted above UN compounds.
In response to a question, the Spokesman said there have been more assurances given by the Indonesian authorities. There is a senior delegation from the TNI currently in Dili and they have given further assurances.
