NORTHEAST ASIA PEACE AND SECURITY NETWORK 
*****   SPECIAL REPORT   *****
****** East Timor Analysis #6 ********

September 7, 1999

This is the sixth in an ongoing series of articles on the crisis in East Timor.  This report is a statement from 
US Senator Jack Reed, Democrat-Rhode Island, who just returned from a trip to East Timor.

---------------------------------

Press Release by US Senator Jack Reed, Democrat-Rhode Island

Statement by Senator Jack Reed On Election in East Timor
Saturday, September 4, 1999 

"This week the people of East Timor have demonstrated that the vote is 
indeed more powerful than the army and the forces of intimidation.  While 
I am pleased that the election was held and the results reflect the will 
of the people, I am deeply disturbed by the violence that continues to 
escalate in East Timor.  As agreed to by the government of the Indonesia, 
it is the responsibility of Indonesian military forces to provide 
security for all East Timorese.  Failure to protect the people and United 
Nations workers will have a severe detrimental impact on Indonesia's 
relations with the United States and the international community.  It 
will also significantly increase the likelihood of the introduction of 
international forces."

"The government of Indonesian should also understand that the United 
States will act swiftly to protect U.S. citizens and will cooperate with 
the international community to take any steps necessary to protect United 
Nations personnel."

Reed recently traveled to East Timor where he was briefed by officials of 
the United Nations in Dili and the western towns of Malianos and Suai on 
the preparation for the August 30th vote.  He also met with East Timorese 
officials and spoke with members of both the pro-independence and pro-
integrationist movements.