February 18, 1999
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross has issued a stark warning to Indonesia about a potential bloodbath in East Timor. Cornelio Sommaruga says the situation could spiral out of control and appealed to all sides in the divided province to show moderation. "Don't make the situation more difficult and dangerous from the humanitarian point of view", he said. Mr Sommaruga issued the warning as the ICRC sought permission to increase its operations in Indonesia, saying the worsening conditions require stepped-up monitoring.
The ICRC also appealed to pro and anti independence groups in the divided province to show moderation as the fate of East Timor is decided.
Situation tense
The Red Cross warning came amid increasing concern over clashes between the two sides. There are a number of paramilitary groups operating on both sides of East Timor's independence struggle, some known to be well armed.
Human rights organisations and pro-independence activists in the region have accused the Jakarta government of giving guns to Timorese loyalists. Though the government has denied this, the Indonesian military has admitted supplying weapons to official local units supporting the army.
Australia enters Timor debate
The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, has announced that he will discuss the future of East Timor during his meetings with Indonesian leaders next week. Mr Downer is leading a ministerial delegation to a two-day forum between the two countries in Bali on Wednesday. He said that after that meeting, he would travel to Jakarta for talks with President Habibie, armed forces commander General Wiranto and leading opposition figure Amien Rais.
He said he would also visit the detained resistance leader, Xanana Gusmao, who has been moved from jail to house arrest.
