(3 Sep 1999) Natural Sound
Hundreds of Indonesian troops have arrived in the territory's capital, Dili, on the eve of the announcement of the results of East Timor's historic consultation.
If, as expected, the East Timorese have approved a split with Indonesia, many fear that could produce a nearly unprecedented, murderous backlash by pro-Jakarta loyalists.
And the Indonesian authorities have decided to send 14-hundred more soldiers and an additional 400 specially trained police officers to the violence-wracked region.
Indonesia's Armed Forces Chief General Wiranto decided to dispatch two brigades to Dili after getting word that the results of the vote would be made public on Saturday.
Wiranto learned of the timing of the announcement from Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas.
The United Nations Assistance Mission to East Timor, UNAMET, was originally going to announce the results early next week.
No reason has been given for moving up the announcement.
However, it could be due to pro-Indonesian paramilitary groups attacking pro-independence supporters throughout the territory.
Daily attacks have been witnessed in Dili since Wednesday, some with deadly results.
Two local U-N staff workers were killed in Maliana late on Thursday, and the rest of the UNAMET personnel had to take shelter in a police station before returning to Dili.
The two army brigades - from Kupang in West Timor - will likely fall under police command in the security accord agreed between the U-N, Indonesia and concerned parties in East Timor.
The military has been accused of arming and training the pro-Indonesian militias.
But the U-N has called for the military to help the police, because of the latter's ineffectiveness.
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