U.N. FORCE APPROVED

September 15, 1999
		With hundreds killed in East Timorese militia attacks -- and tens of thousands seeking refuge in the mountains -- the United Nations has approved a multinational force to restore peace to the region. -- Posted 12:30 PM ET

Online NewsHour Special Report: East Timor Independence Online Backgrounder: A look at East Timor's stormy history. Sept. 14, 1999: An newsmaker interview with Madeleine Albright. Sept. 13, 1999: Two United Nations representatives discuss the creation of an East Timor peacekeeping force. Sept. 13, 1999: Indonesian President B.J. Habibie says he will allow international forces into East Timor. Sept. 10, 1999: Three experts discuss the international reaction to the militia violence in East Timor. Sept. 9, 1999: Samuel Berger on the East Timor crisis. Sept. 8, 1999: An interview with 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Asia.     United Nations Mission in East Timor Indonesian Embassy in Washington National Council of Timorese Resistance U.S. Embassy in Jakarta Carter Center

A United Nations multinational force now has approval to enter East Timor to restore peace and return fleeing refugees to their homes, following a unanimous vote overnight that members called uncharacteristically swift. Australian troops will lead the peacekeeping force that has authorization to take "all necessary measures" to restore peace to the region -- and prepare East Timor for its move toward independence from Indonesia. Pro-Indonesian militiamen, backed by Indonesian soldiers, began a rampage on East Timor after results of the U.N.-supervised ballot were announced Sept. 4. The vote was overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia. The force will consist of approximately 7,000 troops, according to news reports from the United Nations. Secretary General Kofi Annan hopes some of those troops can be on the ground in East Timor by the weekend. "We are under no illusions -- this is a dangerous mission," said Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. "There are risks involved for the multinational force, but I think the international community sees these risks as worth taking to bring peace to East Timor." Meanwhile, officials in Australia say air drops of food and other supplies can begin as soon as Thursday for the tens of thousands of East Timorese who have fled to the mountains. Indonesian officials say the U.N. force will be in command on the ground, with Indonesian troops likely playing an advisory role. But leaders in Indonesia also hope that Asian nations participating in the force will have a leadership role. In a speech to the Security Council, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said it was "imperative that the multinational force conduct itself in an impartial and neutral manner so that its presence in East Timor will be credible." President Clinton said the United States will provide planes and pilots to transport troops from other nations and will help with logistics, communications and intelligence. The Defense Department is also planning to send 300,000 meal packages for refugees.