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Volunteers
from New Zealand’s helicopter detachment at Suai clean and
restore a Holbelis Village school that had been badly damaged
by the anti-independence militia.
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These vigorous steps undertaken brought instant dividends. Our military information shows that militia activities in East Timor have been drastically reduced since UNTAET-PKF added more bite to its operations. From its peak of 150, the strength of the militias has dwindled to less than 50. This in turn facilitated the resettlement of refugees. About 2,200 returned to East Timor from September to date. It is, however, lamentable that the operations of the PKF have resulted in the death of six militia members in the same period.
It is even more encouraging that the Indonesian government has responded constructively to UN Resolution 1319. It invited a mission of the Security Council to visit Jakarta on 27 November. Indonesia’s Representative to the UN reiterated Jakarta’s commitment towards Resolution 1319. He also highlighted Jakarta’s efforts to the resettlement of refugees, the investigation of the Atambua incident and the disarming of militias.
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Security
from militia violence is a constant concern. New Zealand Army
troops patrol a dry creek bed in Cova-Lima district.
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