Two pro-Indonesian militiamen have been killed in the East Timorese capital Dili. These latest killings occurred just hours after the United Nations mission in East Timor received a pledge from the leaders of rival militias to ban weapons outside designated areas. Indonesia's military has said that it cannot give a 100% guarantee of maintaining security in East Timor ahead of tomorrow's independence vote. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs says, however, that there should be enough international observers to curb widespread violence tomorrow. David Andrews is in the capital Dili as part of an EU delegation.
Mr. Andews said this afternoon that the situation remains volatile, in spite of an agreement aimed at ending violence ahead of tomorrow's referendum on the territory's future. Under the accord, pro-Indonesian and pro-independence factions have promised to keep their armed men within designated areas during the voting, and to accept the result of the referendum.
However, David Andrews, who is heading an EU observer group in East Timor, said that he did not want to predict how effective the deal would be. The deal was worked out by United Nations negotiators and was agreed by East Timorese guerrillas, who have been fighting for full independence and militiamen who want the territory to remain part of Indonesia.
