DAILY CATHOLIC     MONDAY     May 3, 1999     vol. 10, no. 86

NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

To print out entire text of Today's issue,
go to SECTION ONE and SECTION TWO and SECTION THREE

PORTUGAL WARNS OF WORSENING SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR

          LISBON (CWNews.com) - A special Portugese envoy to Indonesia warned on Thursday that the former Portugese colony of East Timor is in danger of wholesale panic and unrestrained violence in coming weeks.

          Special envoy Ana Gomes told reporters upon return from a visit to the Timorese capital Dili that there is general panic at rampant violence by pro-Indonesia militia groups opposed to independence. The province is scheduled to hold a referendum, not set for August, on independence or greater autonomy within Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world. Hundreds of people have been reported killed in recent weeks by the militias, which are allegedly armed and supported by Indonesia's army.

          Indonesia invaded mainly Catholic East Timor in 1975 and annexed it the following year in a move not recognized by the United Nations. The Indonesian government has said it will attempt to disarm the militias and invited international observers to help set up and provide security for the vote.


Articles provided through Catholic World News and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and International Dossiers, Daily Dispatches and Features at ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

May 3, 1999       volume 10, no. 86
NEWS & VIEWS

DAILY CATHOLIC

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