DILI, Indonesia -- More violence broke out in East Timor Friday despite angry United Nations demands that Indonesian security forces rein in anti-independence militiamen ahead of a referendum on the territory's future.
About 800 militiamen attacked the village of Memo, near the militia-controlled town of Maliana. Earlier, pro-independence supporters clashed with a smaller group of paramilitaries driving through the village in a convoy.
Gunshots were heard later and dark smoke rose from fires in Memo as militiamen poured into town. Militants armed with homemade guns and knives blocked access to journalists and threatened a UN liaison officer.
In the provincial capital of Dili, the UN mission chief accused Indonesian police of doing nothing to stop a deadly militia rampage a day earlier.
Ian Martin condemned the bloodshed, and said it was the world body's "firm intention'' to hold the ballot as planned on Monday.
Police said six people were killed when militias and supporters of Indonesian rule swept through Dili, the territorial capital, and fired on crowds of pro-independence supporters. Activists for the separatist side said nine people died.
Witnesses accused police officers of helping gun-toting militiamen attack their rivals, who retaliated by throwing rocks.
Dili was quiet on Friday. Many shops and offices were closed, and most residents stayed off the streets.
Among the dead was Adilino da Silva, 23. Friends and family wept at his freshly dug grave 500 meters from where they say police shot him in the head.
"We will all come to the polling booth on Monday,'' said Jose Ramos, a boyhood friend. "We are not afraid because we are sure independence will win.''
The plebiscite will give East Timorese a choice between staying part of Indonesia as an autonomous region and full independence.
Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975, triggering years of guerrilla warfare and human rights abuses. Up to a quarter of East Timor's population of 800,000 died from the fighting, disease and famine that followed the invasion.
Indonesia loyalists leaders have warned that a civil war could erupt if East Timor votes for independence.
Martin demanded that Indonesian police arrest and remove weapons from gangs who "threaten and kill.''
Francisco Lopes da Cruz, an anti-independence campaigner, denied that the violence was all on one side. He accused independence supporters of shooting first, saying their rivals returned fire in self-defense.
In Jakarta, imprisoned separatist leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana'' Gusmao called on his guerrillas not to attack anti-independence gangs.
He pleaded for the UN to send in armed peacekeepers to replace unarmed police advisers and military observers stationed across the half-island territory.
Instead, the Security Council was expected to approve Friday an increase in the police adviser contingent from 280 to 460. A military liaison group will be boosted from 50 to 300.
Gusmao condemned Indonesia for breaking a UN agreement to guarantee law and order before and after the ballot. He accused the Indonesian military commander, General Wiranto, of being behind the violence.
"We speak of peace. They speak of war. We extend an invitation to reconcile. They respond with violence,'' he said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.