Specter of hunger looms outside Dili CNN's Maria Ressa, who accompanied the U.N. team on the Indonesian-controlled tour of Dili, said hundreds of buildings had been burned or looted, including U.N. food supplies warehouses. East Timorese told her of cases of brutality and mass killings. The reports could not be verified because travel outside Dili was restricted. Thousands of East Timorese are now facing the threat of starvation. The U.N. said a serious food shortage was developing in the mission town of Dare, in the hills outside Dili, where it is believed 30,000 refugees are sheltering.
Humanitarian assistance is halted because aid workers are no longer safe.
East Timor has received no international aid since the recent outbreak of violence. Prior to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Auckland, New Zealand, U.S. President Bill Clinton said he was suspending all military sales to Indonesia because of its failure to keep its commitment to restore order in East Timor. Preliminary discussions include logistical, communications and intelligence personnel. Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa, Correspondent Richard Roth and Reuters contributed to this report. All Rights Reserved.