Martin, left, talks with Wiranto Wednesday about security concerns in East Timor VIDEO CNN's Maria Ressa reports violence could derail a vote on independence Windows Media 28K 80K

July 7, 1999
Web posted at: 4:45 a.m. EDT (0845 GMT)

JAKARTA,Indonesia -- Pro-Jakarta East Timorese leaders on Wednesday threatened to boycott a planned U.N.-run vote on independence, accusing the world body of siding with the independence movement.

"We may not cooperate with the U.N. in terms of participating in the ballot. We may ask our supporters not to take part in the ballot," said Basilio Araujo, a senior official with the loyalist Forum for Unity, Democracy and Justice told reporters.

Araujo said the United Nations mission, UNAMET, was biased in favor of Fretilin and other pro-independence groups, headed by jailed guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao.

"UNAMET is caught up in Fretilin's political game," he said.

The United Nations is overseeing a vote planned for August 21 or 22 to choose between independence or autonomy within Indonesia, whose 23-year rule is not internationally recognized.

Pro-Jakarta militias have attacked and threatened U.N. personnel in the former Portuguese colony and have killed dozens of East Timorese in a bloody anti-independence campaign.

Indonesia said on Wednesday it would send 1,200 extra police into East Timor following a wave of violence, much of it directed at U.N. staff deployed there to organize an independence ballot.

"We will send 1,200 police to strengthen and to maintain security in East Timor for all parties including the United Nations," military spokesman Brig. Gen. Sudradjat told reporters, adding they would go in as soon as possible.

He was speaking after talks between armed forces commander Gen. Wiranto and the U.N. head of mission in East Timor, Ian Martin.

Martin rushed to Jakarta on Tuesday to complain about a spate of attacks against U.N. staff by pro-Jakarta militias which have been conducting a campaign of terror ahead of the ballot, set for August 21 or 22, in the Indonesia-controlled territory.

"I came to Jakarta in order to express at the highest level the very serious concerns of the United Nations regarding the security situation in East Timor," Martin told reporters after the meeting.

"I have asked for a number of further measures to be taken, including action against those responsible for attacks...but more generally for action to be taken to ensure that pro-integration militias are no longer able to operate in a way that is threatening to our personnel and to others."

The militias have killed dozens of civilians in a bloody anti-independence campaign and have attacked and threatened U.N. personnel in the former Portuguese territory where Indonesia's rule is not internationally recognised.

Martin said Wiranto had given strong assurances to improve security in East Timor, including providing additional vehicles to the police.

"What is important for us is that we see real changes on the ground. I now want to go back to East Timor and see that those are really reflected in...reality," he said.

The United Nations earlier warned the referendum could again be delayed unless Indonesia brought the violence under control in East Timor.

Jamsheed Marker, the U.N. Secretary-General's personal envoy to East Timor, said in Canberra the world body was looking "very carefully" at whether voter registration could begin next Tuesday after the continued unrest.

The vote was originally expected on August 8, but U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan last month delayed the ballot because of the lack of security.

Sudradjat urged those backing independence for East Timor to lay down their arms, saying the loyalist militias had already handed over their weapons.

Sudradjat again denied the military was backing the armed militias which have waged a bloody anti-independence campaign that has killed dozens and sent thousands fleeing their homes.

He said the military was still sticking to the agreed schedule for the ballot.

"We still have time to prepare the security situation," he said.

Reuters contributed to this report.