The New York Times

Friday, October 29, 1999

Indonesian Troops Ready To Leave East Timor

By Reuters

DILI, East Timor (Reuters) - The last Indonesian troops in East Timor could depart within 48 hours, ending a 24-year occupation of the territory, a spokesman for the multinational force there said Friday.

``They still haven't given us a confirmed date but we're anticipating it will be potentially within the next 48 hours,'' Colonel Mark Kelly told reporters in Dili.

``(The precise departure time) may in fact be declared to us this afternoon.''

An Indonesian ship was docked in Dili Friday loading equipment, including trucks full of desks, chairs and filing cabinets, in preparation for the final withdrawal.

Kelly said a second ship was expected Friday or early Saturday morning. C-130 Hercules transport aircraft also will be used to haul troops and gear back to Indonesian soil.

About 1,000 Indonesian soldiers and police remain in East Timor, the remnant of a force that invaded the territory in 1975 shortly after its former Portuguese colonial masters had quit.

About 25,000 Indonesian forces have already withdrawn from East Timor since Australian-led INTERFET troops landed here nearly six weeks ago with a U.N. mandate to restore order.

MILITIA RAMPAGE

East Timor erupted in violence in September when pro-Jakarta militias went on a rampage after people here voted overwhelmingly on August 30 in favor of independence from Indonesia.

The Indonesian parliament has since ratified East Timor's secession. A U.N. transitional administration (UNTAET) will govern here for the foreseeable future, ushering East Timor to full independence and self-government.

The withdrawal of the last Indonesian forces will be an important milestone in that process.

Colonel Kelly confirmed Friday that plans were afoot for a ceremony to mark the departure of the Indonesian forces once a time has been fixed.

Xanana Gusmao, commander of the pro-independence Falintil guerrilla force said he was prepared to attend.

``If they want me there, yes. We regret very much the policy of the government but we don't want to show any feelings of revenge or hatred to Indonesia,'' he said.

``I think that morally, diplomatically and politically they have been punished enough...we want a friendly relationship and we want peace, above all peace,'' Gusmao said.

Some Indonesian forces who withdrew at the beginning of INTERFET's tenure here burned barracks and other vital facilities as they pulled out. The INTERFET spokesman said he had no worries on that score at this time.

He said Indonesian troops had been very cooperative in allowing INTERFET troops to assume responsibility for the security of key infrastructure assets around Dili, including barracks.

Indonesian troops still in Dili are seldom seen outside their barracks areas. Those shuttling to and from the port area have been cursed and stoned by local youths on occasion. INTERFET now provides an escort for those trips.