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------- Australian Broadcasting Commission Newsbulletin UN prepares for E Timor ballot amid mounting violence
In East Timor the United Nations is preparing hundreds of polling booths for voting in the referendum that could lead to independence from Indonesia. The UN says the vote will go ahead as planned tomorrow, despite a mounting death toll from violence in the final days of campaigning, which has so far reached nine. As United Nations personnel deliver ballot boxes to 850 polling stations across the troubled territory, independent observer groups have raised concerns about how many people will stay away from voting because of fears of violence. In Dili, hundreds of people have fled their homes and sought refuge in churches and government centres, following clashes on Thursday between rival pro and anti-independence factions which left five dead. The United Nations has blamed armed pro-Jakarta militias for the violence. The Red Cross has sent in 100 tonnes of emergency food and supplies for displaced persons. Criticised for allowing violence to continue unchecked, Indonesian police are now stopping motorists and conducting weapons searches.
Maliana
The UN says it will not be evacuating staff from a troubled town in the territory's west, despite new levels of intimidation from armed militiamen. But the UN has demanded increased security for personnel at Maliana. Armed militias have stepped up an intimidation campaign ahead of tomorrow's ballot. In Maliana UN civilian police officers were effectively trapped in their residence for an hour as the militia fired semi-automatic and other weapons in the area. Apparently the measure allowed the pro-Indonesia group to attack nearby independence supporters without UN interference. The UN's chief civilian police officer flew into the town to speak with staff and guarantee them greater security. After the meeting, he insisted Monday's vote would not be delayed in the region and UN staff would remain at the compound in the town's centre. --- Howard tells Habibie ADF is on standby over Timor By AAP 29aug99
3.20pm (AEST) CANBERRA: Prime Minister John Howard has told Indonesian President BJ Habibie that Australia's Defence Force is ready to move into East Timor if Australian lives come under threat after tomorrow's historic autonomy ballot. Mr Howard today called President Habibie to again express concern about the violence in East Timor by pro-Indonesian militia which is threatening to wreck tomorrow's ballot. A spokesman for Mr Howard says they've had an extensive discussion about the situation in East Timor. He says the prime minister emphasised the importance of a fair ballot and stressed the need for adequate security to allow that to happen. Australians monitoring the ballot with the UN and journalists have been attacked and received death threats because of their perceived sympathies for East Timor's independence. This prompted the government to put the Australian Defence Force on alert to head to East Timor if violence erupts after the ballot. The spokesman says Mr Howard told Habibie that it's essential Australians be protected. Today's phone call is one of more than 100 requests Australia has put directly to the Indonesian leadership about the need for better security on East Timor.