Militiamen vent their anger on civilians
Violence is continuing to escalate in East Timor this evening, following yesterday's announcement that the territory had overwhelmingly voted in favour of independence in last Monday's referendum. Unofficial reports say that up to 150 people may have been killed in the violence so far, while tens of thousands have fled their homes.
In the East Timorese capital, Dili, United Nations staff and 1,500 refugees are trapped in the UN compound. Reports from the capital say that Pro-Indonesian militias, helped by the Indonesian Army are continuing to fire shots at the complex. At least three UN vehicles have been shot at and the city's airport is also under siege.
The United Nations has agreed to investigate complaints about its conduct of the referendum. Electoral commissioners appointed by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, are travelling to the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, ahead of a special news briefing tomorrow. The move followed a meeting between the commissioners and the Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in Dili.
