12 Killed in East Timor Violence
DILI, Indonesia — Anti-independence militiamen attacked rival East Timorese separatists and burned their homes Saturday. The violence erupted hours after thousands rallied in East Timor’s capital to demand that the territory remain part of Indonesia.
At least 12 people were killed, said Col. Suhartono Suratman, East Timor’s Indonesian military chief.
Residents feared that the toll may be higher as gangs roamed the streets after dark, unchallenged by uniformed forces that usually maintain tight security.
The issue of whether to remain part of Indonesia or break away has polarized East Timor’s 800,000 residents.
The violence threatens a U.N.-sponsored peace process for the territory. East Timor has been plagued by guerrilla warfare and human rights abuses since Indonesia invaded the Portuguese-ruled territory 24 years ago.
In Washington, State Department spokesman James P. Rubin said in a statement that the United States was deeply disturbed by the reports.
“We urgently call on the Indonesian security forces in the strongest possible terms to bring the pro-integration militia groups under control and fulfill their responsibilities to protect all persons in East Timor,” Rubin said.
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