Direct reports from Dili are that large numbers of residents are being told
that they must leave their houses because they are to be set on fire, with
them in them if necessary. Every road is blocked by militias in Dili. The
people are fleeing to Atambua where they are being beaten and some tortured.
There are reports that Bishop Belo's house has been a place of sanctuary
for thousands of residents, who have been told to leave and Belo told
unless they do the house will be attacked. His secretary is said to have
been killed.
At the lunchtime rally in Melbourne, attended by several thousand
spontaneous demonstrators, a delegation met with Foreign Minister Downer.
The delegates were half East Timorese with unions and church
representatives as well.
Downer was sympathetic but maintained the line that the Indonesians would
have to agree. He said the Security Council would not agree otherwise.
However, he believed that acceptance of a coalition of willing nations was
growing both at the UN and amongst the Indonesian leadership.
He said that Xanana Gusmao would be a welcome visitor to Australia
post-release if he wanted to come. He said that
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