Independence advocates say 10,000 or more may have died. Satellite photos show spots of flames all across East Timor. At this point, the violence may be dying down with little left to plunder or burn, and U.N. staff still in Dili say militiamen seem to be headed for West Timor with their loot. Where they will go from there is a big question. Many refugees in West Timor are actually families of militiamen, and they may head back to East Timor.
Militia leaders talk of carving out a pro-Indonesia enclave in East Timor.
As for other refugees, independence advocates fear that the military and militia deliberately set out to clear East Timor of most of its pro-independence population, and will not allow them back. The claim appears to be underpinned by Jakarta. Above this capacity, willing or not, we will have to resettle them out of East Nusa Tenggara. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.