Ahern gives pledge on East Timor violence

Political and military leaders sought, and obtained, an undertaking from the Taoiseach yesterday that he would raise renewed militia activity in East Timor with the US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, and at the EU Council meeting in Lisbon in two weeks.

Mr Ahern said that he was very concerned at the renewed incursions and activity by pro-Indonesian militia along the western border. It had heightened tension and might inhibit refugees from returning to their homes in East Timor.

A uniform message was given to the Taoiseach in meetings with independence leaders Mr Xanana Gusmao and Mr Jose Ramos Horta, and in briefings by top military personnel serving with the United Nations Mission to East Timor (UNAMET) during his trip to the region yesterday.

It was listed as a private visit by his hosts, the Australian government, and Mr Ahern arrived in Melbourne today to continue his official engagements.

Mr Horta, effectively the foreign affairs spokesman for East Timor following September's referendum on independence, told the Taoiseach there had to be a concerted effort at the EU and in Washington to send another warning to the Indonesian government that "they will not allow their territory to be used as a staging ground for aggression against another state and the United Nations".

Mr Ahern was also met by Mr Sergio de Mello, special representative of the transitional administrator, on arrival in Dili from Darwin. He reported that the militia incidents had started after the historic visit of Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid to East Timor last week.

Mr de Mello also told the Taoiseach that they were setting up a judicial system in East Timor and needed international lawyers to work with them. Mr Ahern undertook to discuss the matter with the Attorney General, Mr Michael McDowell.

The Taoiseach and his delegation spent most of yesterday morning on a helicopter tour of the ravaged area. Most buildings and homes in Dili and the countryside have been burnt out. There is no water supply and food is scarce.

Mr Ahern paid a visit to members of the Irish Army Rangers wing at their base near Taroman. He was told by them that the new attacks since the beginning of this month were to test the resolve of the UN. The platoon members were on orange alert for the previous 36 hours.

The Irish visitors were then taken by Army jeep to visit a local school.

Before departing East Timor, Mr Ahern met Irish volunteers working in the region. The administration officer of the city of Dili is Mr John Ryan, from Kilkenny. He also met Mr Noel Maloney, the head of Concern; Mr Ken Byrne, head of GOAL; and the representatives of the Irish Red Cross in the region, Mr Paddy McManus, Mr Liam Browne, Mr Kevin Kelly and Ms Margaret Conway.