The United Nations is trying to establish whether three of its local staff in East Timor were killed in a stand-off with militia's opposed to the territory's independence from Indonesia. An Australian, who was in the territory to observe yesterday's elections, said an incident took place near the town of Gleno, in the west of the territory, where 150 observers and UN staff had been prevented from leaving. The UN said this had been resolved, but it could not confirm the deaths.
Over 400,000 people cast their votes in yesterday's ballot for independence in East Timor. However, reaction to the massive turnout has been dampened by reports of the deaths. The UN electoral advisory body, who organised the vote, said today that 98.6% of those registered cast their vote in yesterday's elections. It is widely expected that the vote will result in a victory for independence campaigners. However, Dili has remained tense after the vote, with the latest violence being blamed on pro-Indonesian groups.
Tim Fischer, the head of the Australian government's delegation in East Timor, said that he had been told that three UNAMET staff were killed near the Ermera area. However a duty policeman in the area denied there had been any deaths since Monday's murder of a UNAMET poll worker. UN spokesman David Wimhurst has also been unable to confirm reports that three local UNAMET staff had been killed during the siege. Indonesian police plan to send reinforcements to East Timor to boost shaky security before the announcement of the result of the vote. Ballot boxes have been flown by helicopters to Dili for central collation. The final results are expected around next Tuesday.
