Associated Press
June 1, 1999

Dili, Indonesia - The head of the U.N. team in East Timor began his mission in the troubled territory today, insisting bloodshed must end ahead of a landmark independence vote. Ian Martin is to head a team of 600 civilian U.N. personnel and 280 foreign police advisers to oversee the Aug. 8 ballot in which Timorese will vote for either autonomy within Indonesia or independence.

If autonomy within Indonesia is rejected, East Timor will be set on the path toward independence. The territory has been torn by violence between militia groups opposed to and in favor of independence. The United Nations has demanded that Indonesian security forces restore order.

''An end to violence is essential to a fair campaign and ballot,'' Martin told reporters after arriving in Dili, capital of the former Portuguese colony that Indonesia invaded in 1975 and later annexed. ''We are here to ensure a peaceful environment for both sides to campaign in and for a peaceful ballot,'' he said. ''We will be working with the Indonesians to make sure the Indonesian commitment is fulfilled.''

U.N. polling officials are fanning out across remote parts of East Timor despite threats from anti-independence militiamen. About 200 voter registration and polling stations are to be established by June 17. Some 4,000 Timorese also will be hired to assist the mission.

The woman who is a favorite to become Indonesia's next president, Megawati Sukartoputri, made a campaign stop in East Timor's capital and echoed the call for an end to the violence. The head of the Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle, considered the likely big winner in Monday's parliamentary election, earlier this year opposed independence for East Timor. Megawati has since reversed course and said that while she favors autonomy, East Timorese should make their own decision.

Thousands of supporters, chanting ''Mega for president'' and ''Long live Mega,'' drove in a mile-long convoy of vehicles and motorbikes to Dili's main soccer stadium for a rally attended by Megawati. Most fell silent when she preceded her speech by singing the Indonesian national anthem. ''We have to be proud to make the process of East Timor's solution peaceful, since it is impossible for the act of violence to resolve the problem of East Timor,'' she told the crowds in a speech. ''I hope the ballot process will be conducted properly and the Timorese can decide their own future.''