UN mission in East Timor reports militia defections
12 September -- The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today reported defections of several militia members who had surrendered to UN peacekeeping forces.
In Ermera district, south-west of Dili, two militiamen turned themselves in yesterday, telling the UN they were members of a group of 10 that had entered East Timor on 31 August. The defectors, who were on the brink of starvation, were being treated at the UN Military Hospital in Dili, the UN Mission said. Another four militia members surrendered to UN forces in Manufahi district, south of Dili. They were part of group of 38 men who had crossed the border into East Timor on 31 August.
After meeting the two soldiers from Ermera on Monday, UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello said that the defections were clear evidence that the UN Mission's strategy was working. UNTAET has been carrying out an extensive campaign to encourage militia members to hand over their weapons in return for guaranteed security and assistance in resettlement.
Meanwhile in Dili, the Transitional Cabinet decided to approve the establishment of a national defence force for East Timor. The decision is based on an option put forward in an independent study by King's College London, calling for a defence force based on fighters from FALINTIL, the armed wing of the National Council of East Timorese Resistance. The proposed force would consist of a professional regular corps of 1,500 supported by another 1,500 volunteer reservists.
In another development, UNTAET announced today that Mr. Vieira de Mello would no longer represent Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Olympic Games in Sydney, due to the volatile security situation in West Timor, as well as the planned visit of a Security Council delegation to the region. The Secretary-General will now be represented by his Chief of Staff, Iqbal Riza.
In Geneva today, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held a memorial service for its three staff killed by militia in Atambua, West Timor, last week. Another memorial service will be held Wednesday in Dili, with Mr. Vieira de Mello and Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao.
