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EAST TIMOR:
Journalists flee militia-controlled Dili
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Title -- 2342 EAST TIMOR: Journalists flee militia-controlled Dili
Date -- 6 September 1999
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media
Watch
Source -- PMW/AAP, 5/9/99
Copyright -- PMW/AAP
Status -- Unabridged
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JOURNALISTS FLEE MILITIA-CONTROLLED DILI
DILI, East Timor (PMW): Foreign journalists covering the historic vote for independence in East Timor have now mostly left the territory as Indonesian troops and armed anti-independence militia control the streets of the capital, according to Australian Associated Press news agency.
AAP reported on 5 September 1999 that journalists had almost all left Dili, having travelled in convoy and under guard to the airport to travel on board specially chartered aircraft.
"Roughly 200 left today, with virtually all news organisations and television crews pulling out after the orchestrated violence on Saturday," said the AAP report.
The violence followed the announcement that 78.5 per cent of the territory had voted for independence in the United Nations-sponsored referendum.
The Hotel Mahkota, previously home to many observers and foreign journalists, is almost abandoned, according to the AAP report.
"Militia have been taking potshots at it for the past 24 hours," the report said.
"The auditorium where only yesterday UN mission chief Ian Martin announced the result of the ballot to hundreds of journalists and UN officials is empty, the windows showing bullet holes from yesterday's attacks.
"Martin himself was seen running through the foyer of the hotel clutching a few belongings, but reassured reporters that UNAMET was not leaving Dili.
"The two dozen or so remaining journalists - including seven Australians - are mainly holed up in the Tourismo Hotel.
"It is well-guarded and considered one of the safest places to be. Such considerations are, of course, relative."
+++niuswire
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