East Timor votes for independence. In recent weeks, these attacks have moved to larger towns such as Liquisa, where foreign observers could report on army and police complicity. Militias then went on a rampage, killing an estimated 13 to 50 and wounding many more. The response of the Indonesian authorities was to convene the militias, now empowered as an official self-defense force, at a rally in front of the Governor's office where Guterres' leadership was officially recognized. The situation may deteriorate further.
Confusion prevails at all levels.
A small army unit now guards Bishop Belo's home. During the mayhem in Dili, some army units protected civilians, others joked with the killers, still others did nothing. Diplomatic sources in Jakarta report dissension among both military and civilian leaders. Habibie himself appears to have wavered, troubled to see pro-secession movements gain momentum in the regions of Irian Jaya and Aceh. Yet he must be sensitive to global opinion since he needs foreign capital to bolster the sagging economy.