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Indonesia denies East Timor troop build-up

Confidential Indonesian documents confirmed as authentic by Western diplomatic sources, show there were 18,000 Indonesian military personnel in East Timor as recently as mid-August, when the authorities said the total was 12,000.

The figures also show that a large proportion of these troops are specifically for combat, despite a pledge by Indonesia to withdraw all such troops several months ago.

But Indonesia - which is trying to negotiate a UN-sponsored peace deal with Portugal, East Timor's former colonial master - claims it has reduced troop numbers.

The head of the Indonesian armed forces, General Wiranto, dismissed the figure given in the leaked documents as a lie.

He accused those disseminating such information of being irresponsible and trying to disturb the peace process in East Timor.

Official figure remains mystery

However, speaking to journalists at his headquarters, the general gave no figures for the troops currently in East Timor.

"Information such as that is misleading and is only engineered by irresponsible parties to disturb the comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the East Timor problem," he said.

But East Timor's military chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel Supadi, was reported as saying that the number of troops in the troubled territory stands at 15,000 after 1,000 men were withdrawn in July and August.

He told the Associated Press news agency this includes 5,000 engineers, troops engaged in community development work and medical teams.

More than 200,000 dead

Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 after invading the island the previous year. As a result of 23 years of occupation, more than 200,000 Timorese have been killed by soldiers, disease or hunger.

After the removal of President Suharto earlier this year, the new Indonesian Government, under BJ Habibie, said it wanted to pursue a new policy towards East Timor.

There was to be a greater emphasis on the search for a political settlement, and troop withdrawals to ease tensions.

Relevant Stories

Indonesia's hollow claims (29 Oct 98 | Asia-Pacific)
East Timor still fighting for freedom after Suharto (28 Oct 98 | Asia-Pacific)
East Timor leader doubts troop pullout (14 Oct 98 | Asia-Pacific)
East Timor - Key facts and background (14 Jun 98 | SPECIAL REPORT)

Internet Links

Timor Today
Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
Free East Timor

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