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Kazi Mahmood KUALA LUMPUR (Islam Online) - Bowing to both local and international pressure, Indonesia announced it has begun to disarm pro-Jakarta East Timorese militias blamed for the murder of three U.N. aid workers in West Timor. "The disarmament is being carried out. The militias voluntarily handed over their weapons," armed forces First Lieutenant Adolfo Tilma said, conceding the process was in the early stages, and that only "a small number of weapons" had been submitted to security authorities. The militias earlier said they would not give up their arms and that their war for integration of the East Timor into the Indonesian Republic was still on. They also refused to be placed on different Islands around West Timor to start a new life. Tilma said "We don't know the number of weapons, which have been handed over by the militias, but they [the militias] have told us that they are ready to be disarmed." Military spokesman Air Vice Marshal Graito Usodo earlier said a four-day operation would begin at the end of this week. Indonesia is facing threats of international sanctions if the situation in West Timor is not handled delicately, with an end to violence and abuses. Members of the Indonesian army have been questioned for their alleged role in the murder of the three U.N. relief workers. They face court trial if they are found to have assisted or participated in the murders. Indonesia has accused the United States of meddling in West Timor, saying that the U.S. and other outside forces, possibly Australia, were involved in the deterioration of the situation in the region. Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has also accused occult forces of attempting to undermine his government and presidency with the Timor issue. |
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