WEST TIMOR: MEGAWATI REFUSES TO SPEAK TO GANG MEMBERS скачать в хорошем качестве

WEST TIMOR: MEGAWATI REFUSES TO SPEAK TO GANG MEMBERS

(24 Sep 2000) Indonesian/Nat XFA Militiamen scuffled with security forces in West Timor Sunday after Indonesia's visiting vice president refused to speak with gang members about what would happen to them if they disband. The incident took place after the militias surrendered hundreds of weapons - part of a campaign by the government to end violence in the territory. Militiamen attacked policemen, grabbed 13 automatic rifles they had earlier surrendered, then threatened to shoot security officers. Security forces managed to push them back and no one was injured. Later, however, the militiamen marched on a local police station, demanding that the authorities return their arms. The police refused and a tense standoff followed: "Give us back our weapons" several of the militiamen shouted. One of the militiamen said the gangs would stop handing in their weapons unless Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri and her government discussed their future. The clash happened near a U-N office where three foreign aid workers were slaughtered by a militia mob on September 6. The killings sparked an international outcry and Indonesia is now under intense pressure to clamp down on the militiamen. The militia gangs are intent on destabilising U.N.-administered East Timor's transition to self-rule and preventing 120,000 East Timorese refugees living in squalid camps in West Timor from returning home. East Timor voted last year to break away from Indonesia, setting off a wave of violence by anti-independence gangs. Last week, U-S Defence Secretary William Cohen warned that Indonesia risked losing international financial assistance if it fails to immediately disband the armed gangs. By Sunday, the militias had surrendered 34 automatic rifles, nine grenade launchers, about 1,000 homemade weapons and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Indonesia's government has promised to use force to disarm the militias after Tuesday. SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian) Rough translation "Why don't you just kill me now?" SUPER CAPTION: Eurico Guterres, pro-Indonesian guerrilla leader #WestTimor #Megawati Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...