EAST TIMOR UPDATE

August 26, 1999
		Ian Williams of Independent Television News reports on the growing violence in East Timor as the region prepares for a vote on independence.

Online NewsHour Special Report: East Timor Independence Online Backgrounder: Behind East Timor's conflict with Indonesia. Oct. 25, 1996: Online Forum: Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta responds to viewer questions. Nov. 13, 1996: A discussion with Jose Ramos-Horta. Oct. 11, 1996: Two East Timorese dissidents win the Nobel Peace Prize. .Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Asia.   United Nations Mission in East Timor Indonesian Embassy in Washington The East Timor Action Network U.S. Embassy in Jakarta Carter Center	MARGARET WARNER: United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called on the Indonesian government in Jakarta today to put a stop to the violence in East Timor. Several people have been killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of East Timorese independence, just days before a referendum on the territory's future.We have more from Ian Williams of Independent Television News.
	Behind the East Timor situation
	IAN WILLIAMS: The violence erupted as the pro-Indonesia rally filled into a staunchly pro-independent part of Dilli, the East Timorese capital. There were running battles on the streets. Militias loyal to Jakarta unleashed guns, knives, and homemade bombs. Their opponents replied with rocks and swords. The violence looked premeditated and the police again seemed unable or unwilling to stop them. At least three people were killed. This comes three days before a United Nations-sponsored vote in which the East Timorese are to choose between autonomy or outright independence from Indonesia. And it deals a cruel blow to U.N. efforts to stop the violence. Earlier some ten thousand people had attended a pro-Jakarta rally in Dilli, their last before Monday's vote. They have been addressed by militia leaders who warned of massive fighting but fear fire if the votes go for independence as is widely expected. By late this afternoon, the officers of the main pro-independence group had been burned and trashed -- as the homes belonging to supporters of a break with Jakarta.