Indonesia arrests 23 militia members
By MARK DODD DILI
Indonesian security forces have arrested 23 hardcore militiamen including
the
notorious leader of the gang involved in the 1999 massacre in East Timor's
Suai cathedral.
Diplomatic sources told The Age that the arrests occurred between Thursday
and Sunday in the West Timor border town of Atambua after rioting by Laksaur
militia members. The 23 militiamen, including gang leader Igidio Mnanek,
are
members of the Laksaur gang.
In a blunt warning that more action might follow, the Indonesian army
commander in charge of West Timor, Major-General Willem da Costa, was
quoted
on Monday as saying: "We will no longer tolerate delinquent refugees
(militias)."
Authority for the crackdown by the Indonesian Army could have come only
from
a senior command level.
There are many reasons for the arrests but rising crime in West Timor
attributed to militia gangs is believed to be a significant factor. A
desire
to restore severed relations with the United Nations is also a strong
possibility.
The United Nations Security Council has called on Indonesia to demobilise
and
disarm the militia gangs while Jakarta is keen to have better relations
with
East Timor. Improved security in West Timor could result in the return
of UN
staff evacuated last September after the murder of three UN staff following
militia-led riots in Atambua.
Mr Mnanek was cited as a ringleader behind the riots. He is sought by
UN
prosecutors for his role in the Suai cathedral attack that killed 200.
Yesterday, Indonesian police flew to the south-west town of Suai to gather
evidence about the killing last year of New Zealand peacekeeper Leonard
Manning, who was shot dead in a militia ambush.
The UN Transitional Administration in East Timor has identified Private
Manning's alleged killer and asked for his extradition.
The arrests of the 23 militiamen coincide with a rise in fears for the
safety
of 1250 East Timorese refugees who have not been seen or heard of since
requesting repatriation home in an Indonesian Government census in West
Timor
last month.
The number of refugees who opted for repatriation was likely to be more
than
3700, if children under the age of 17 were included, said Bernard Kerblatt,
chief of operations for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in East
Timor.
Yesterday Mr Kerblatt expressed fear that the refugees may be facing
violence
or intimidation by anti-independence militias controlling the camps. He
called on Indonesian authorities to guarantee the safety of all East Timorese
refugees who requested repatriation during the June 6 census.
Reports of infighting among militia clans across East Timor is causing
concern about the safety of tens of thousands of refugees under their
control.
Reconciliation talks involving independence leader Xanana Gusmao have
also
raised fears that refugees will be used as pawns in negotiations with
militia
leaders facing arrest for 1999 war crimes in East Timor.