Indonesian loyalists in East Timor said yesterday they were heading for Jakarta to seek arms, fearing civil war if the restive territory gained independence.
They said they would travel to the Indonesian capital to appeal for weapons as hundreds of separatists rallied in East Timor's tense capital, Dili.
Mr Basilio Dias Araujo, a pro-Jakarta activist who works in the governor's office in Dili, said: "We will travel to Jakarta today to ask for arms to protect ourselves.
"Also, on Tuesday, about 100 people will follow suit."
But some pro-independence activists accused pro-Jakarta gangs of stockpiling guns and killing youths who refused to join them.
"The pro-integration group is armed and locals, especially the youngsters, have been intimidated and forced to join the militia or be killed if they refuse to do so," independence activist Mr Amandio Araujo said. The pro-independence protesters toured the streets of Dili yesterday on trucks and motorcycles, shouting "Viva Timor Leste" (Long Live East Timor). There were no reports of trouble.
Indonesia said last week it might consider letting the former Portuguese colony go - abruptly reversing 23 years of staunch opposition to East Timorese independence.
The Indonesian government said the top legislative body, the People's Consultative Assembly, might consider independence after the June 7th national election if East Timorese rejected an offer of autonomy giving them control over most of their affairs.
Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed it in 1976, a move not recognised by the UN.
Pro-Indonesian groups fear independence could spark a return to the civil war that followed Portugal's sudden withdrawal in 1975.
Some pro-independence leaders have urged Jakarta not to leave the eastern half of Timor island too quickly.
The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, said yesterday that autonomy was still the best option for East Timor.
"On the other hand, if in the end East Timor does become independent, we will obviously have to live with that," Mr Downer told the BBC in London.
The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr Ali Alatas, said Indonesia would not suddenly walk out of East Timor as Portugal had done.
"I categorically reject the views of some who have given their comments as if we were just going to pack up and leave in the same way Portugal did in August 1975 - in a very irresponsible way," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, has announced the Government's intention to assist in the dispatch of UN monitors to East Timor to oversee a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Indonesian troops, Joe Humphreys reports.
A spokeswoman for the Department said it would give personnel or financial assistance, depending on what was desired by the United Nations.