FED: Australia becoming more hopeful on Timor ballot

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-1999
FED: Australia becoming more hopeful on Timor ballot

A Senate inquiry has heard Australia is becoming more hopeful that this month's East Timor
autonomy ballot will proceed, with signs the security situation in the province is improving.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary JOHN DAUTH says Australia made 120
complaints to Indonesia about its failure to ensure the security of the East Timorese people
since the April agreement to hold the ballot.

Most of the violence has been blamed on paramilitaries backed by the Indonesian military,
TNI.

But Mr DAUTH says there are now signs that Indonesia is finally heeding Australia's
repeated complaints.

He's told the inquiry there's growing evidence TNI are taking a less engaged approach with
the militias.

Mr DAUTH says he's now more confident the August 30 ballot could proceed after twice being
delayed by the United Nations because of violence, mostly caused by the militias.

AAP RTV ss/mfh/am/jn

KEYWORD: TIMOR AUST (CANBERRA)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.