Dili, Sept 25: International peacekeepers in East Timor have embarked on their first major crackdown against pro-Jakarta militiamen, as thousands of Indonesian troops pull out of the territory. Australian soldiers say they have arrested a number of "hardcore" militiamen and one militia leader during a big security sweep of the capital Dili. Helicopters hovered overhead for hours covering troops on the ground as they carried out house to house searches.The operation, involving around 1,000 soldiers, was a deliberate show of strength to intimidate the militiamen and persuade East Timorese hiding in the hills that it was now safe to return."You can't run, you can't hide, justice is here," said force spokesman major Chip Henriss-Anderssen. The operation is expected to continue for several days.
`First day of peace'
The pro-Jakarta militias unleashed a bloody campaign of violence three weeks ago after East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence. Reports say they have massacred thousands ofindependence supporters, torched buildings and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing from their homes. The show of force by the peacekeepers came as the Indonesian army, which has supported the militias, accelerated their withdrawal from the territory, East Timorese gathered in the streets to jeer the soldiers as they left - a departure that marks the end of 24 years of military occupation.
"We are so happy they are going because they have killed so many of our people for so many years," said Alfredo Soares." Today is the first day of peace," added student Mari-Peter da Costa. "The military today went back to their country. We hope our people...can come home."
Barracks torched
Before leaving, the army had systematically set fire to barracks, police stations and government buildings. Reports said Dili's imposing colonial governor's residence was among buildings which went up in flames on Friday. The commander of Indonesian forces in East Timor said he would formally hand over responsibility for theterritory next week. He said 7,000 troops should have left by the end of Friday and the remaining 4,500 would gradually pull out over the next month.
Baptism in blood
With the departure of the troops, the East Timorese who had fled into the hills to escape the militia violence began to return to the capital. Some arrived carrying mattresses on their backs, but many have no homes left to return to.
In a damning report released on Friday, the human rights group Amnesty International said tens of thousands of people had been forcibly deported from East Timor by the Indonesian army."We should be celebrating the birth of an independent nation, but instead we are witnessing a baptism in blood," it added.It also reported that 36 men fleeing Dili on ships had been killed and dumped overboard as part of the terror campaign. Jakarta violence In Jakarta, the army suffered another humiliating blow when the Indonesian Government postponed the implementation of a controversial law giving it sweeping newpowers.The decision followed two days of rioting which left six people dead and scores injured.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.