FED: Howard to contact Indonesia over East Timor clashes

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-1999
FED: Howard to contact Indonesia over East Timor clashes

CANBERRA, April 18 AAP -Prime Minister John Howard is to tell Indonesian President BJ
Habibie of his concern over escalating violence in East Timor.

Reports overnight said at least 30 people were killed and many more injured in violence
yesterday following a parade by pro-Indonesian militias in the East Timorese capital, Dili.

Witnesses said around 1,500 militiamen went on the rampage in the city following a morning
show of strength outside the governor's office.

Mr Howard said today the incident was very worrying to the Australian government and he
would be contacting the Indonesian president about it.

"You have to wonder whether these pro-integration militiamen have not been getting some
kind of permissive response from the Indonesian army," he told the Nine Network.

Mr Howard said he was constrained from saying too much about the latest clashes in the
restive Indonesian province due to diplomatic concerns.

"But I have to say we are particularly concerned about what has happened in the last few
days and there is growing evidence (of a permissive attitude by the army), and I will be
taking those matters up with the Indonesian government," he said.

The latest fighting in East Timor has cast doubt over the outcome of an independence ballot
promised by Jakarta and scheduled for later this year.

MORE rft/kr

KEYWORD: INDON TIMOR HOWARD (CARRIED EARLIER)

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