Indonesia warned against funding East Timor autonomy debate

15 June 1999 - ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio News

The United Nations in East Timor has warned that Government money must not be used to fund either side of the the territory's autonomy debate.

New claims have emerged about Government involvement in a fledgling autonomy movement.

Several documents obtained by journalists suggest East Timor's Governor has approved the use of Indonesian Government funds to promote the pro-autonomy case.

The money, several million dollars, had been allocated for social safety net programs.

Instead, it is now to be spent on publicising the argument for East Timorese voting to stay part of Indonesia at the ballot planned for August 8.

The document suggests some of the money is to be spent financing security guards drawn from one of the territory's most feared militias.

© 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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