Precedence: bulk HUNDREDS RALLY FOR END TO VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR Thursday May 13 6:01 AM ET DILI, East Timor (Reuters) - Hundreds of people marched through East Timor's capital Dili Thursday to call for an end to killings in the troubled territory, witnesses said. Catholic priests and nuns joined civilians waving banners that read ``No Violence'' in the peaceful protest, which started at Dili's main cathedral and which witnesses said included as many as 2,000 people. ``We are calling for an end to the violence in East Timor, that's the reason why we took to the streets today,'' said a man who participated in the rally. Indonesian police watched the protest and there were no reports of violence. Clashes between East Timorese in favor of remaining part of Indonesia and those who want independence have intensified in recent months after Jakarta abruptly changed its policy toward the predominantly Catholic territory in January. Jakarta has said it would grant East Timor independence if the former Portuguese colony rejects an offer of wide-ranging autonomy within Indonesia in a ballot scheduled for August 8. Four people were killed this week in clashes between warring groups. Scores have been killed this year, many in attacks by armed pro-Indonesia militias that have at least tacit support from the Indonesian army. Wednesday, hundreds of East Timorese gathered in Dili to pray for peace in territory, during which Bishop Carlos Belo urged the rival groups to put down their arms. Indonesia has promised to clamp down on the violence ahead of the U.N-brokered independence vote on August 8, but it shows few signs of abating. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed at the following year. The United Nations still regards Lisbon as the administering power in the territory of 800,000 people. ---------- SiaR WEBSITE: http://apchr.murdoch.edu.au/minihub/siarlist/maillist.html
