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AAUSTRALIAN JOURNALISTS UNDER THREAT AFTER EAST TIMOR RALLY
Fri, 30 Apr 1999
Australian journalists and photographers left a pro-integration rally in
East Timor today after their East Timorese translator received death
threats from armed militiamen. The translator was a pro-independence student
activist.
Atambua is a small town about 70 kilometres south-west of Dili, right in the
heart of pro-integration country.
The hometown of a militia commander and chief, Atambua was the location
today for a 1,000 strong pro-integration rally.
While at the rally, the student was taken away, to be found half an hour
later by journalists.
He had been beaten and he had received death threats from militiamen.
The military advised the journalists to take their translator and go and
they headed for Dili under military escort.
Contradiction
Indonesia's Ambassador-at-large for East Timor, Lopez D'Cruz, says if the
East Timorese vote against autonomy they will not necessarily be granted
independence.
Mr D'Cruz has supported East Timor's integration with Indonesia since 1975.
He now works as an ambassador for Indonesian policy in East Timor and his
statements contradict that of his President, BJ Habibie.
"If they did not accept autonomy as a compromise solution, we will try to
continue, you know, as a 27th province of the Republic of Indonesia."
Industrial action
Meanwhile, unions have endorsed widespread industrial action involving
services between Australia and Indonesia, in response to the killings in
East Timor.
Union leaders met in Melbourne today to discuss a coordinated response to
the bloodshed.
The ACTU endorsed wider action, including industrial action against
Indonesian interests if violence continues.
Victorian unions plan to disrupt postal, telecommunications, airline and
shipping services between Australia and Indonesia.
Trades Hall Secretary, Leigh Hubbard, says both governments are not doing
enough to stop the bloodshed in the lead up to the referendum on autonomy.
"Most unions would agree if there's further violence from today on that
would very much strenghten the resolve of unions to take some form of
action," he said.
The meeting also endorsed fundraising for medical and food supplies and
further protests.
� 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Updated: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 at 8:46 PM (AEST
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