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East Timorese Militia Surrenders 907 Firearms
East Timorese militia fighters group (militia) living in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province have surrendered as many as 907 firearms, 5 grenades and 907 bullets as of Sunday to the local security authority, a report reaching here Monday said.
Police Chief in Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, Superintendent S.M. Simatupang, revealed that of the surrendered 907 firearms, 888 units were hand-made rifles while the remaining 19 were organic ones.
Coordinating Minister for Social, Politics and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that " These achievements will be reported to the U.N. Security Council (UNSC)," adding Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab will submit the achievements to the UNSC on October 11-12.
Indonesia has been under a strong pressure from the U.N. as well as international community to deal with the pro-Jakarta East Timorese militia group. The group was seriously suspected to has been responsible for the murder of three international workers early this month.
The UNSC passed its resolution No. 1319 on September 8, urging the Indonesian government to disarm and disband the militia or facing possible international sanctions.
Indonesia has taken steps in response to the U.N. and the U.S demands. It set a deadline for the militia to hand over their firearms to the security authority on Sunday but then it was extended for another three days.
Commander of the Regional Udayana Military Command Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri suspected that there are at least 1,000 firearms units possessed by the militia elements. But in terms of the number of the automatic firearms by military standard "it is not quite high."
Meanwhile, Chief of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) Lieut. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said the TNI has seized 250 rifles from East Timorese refugees but he disclosed there are still at least 800 rifles possessed by them.
There are still about 130,000 East Timorese refugees who are living in Indonesia, most of them in East Nusa Tenggara province bordering with East Timor.
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