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1 1 (November 5, 1999)

handle is hein.crs/crsahfs0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS20360 Updated November 5, 1999 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web East Timor: Humanitarian Emergency and International Assistance Lois B. McHugh Foreign Affairs Analyst Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary Following a vote for independence from Indonesia on August 30, violence and property destruction by anti-independence militias forced many East Timorese from their homes.' Failure by the Indonesian military to contain the violence finally forced the Indonesian government to allow international intervention. INTERFET, the U.N. international force for East Timor began arriving the weekend of September 18 and humanitarian workers came with them. The humanitarian programs are still evolving as the population begins to return, and reconstruction needs are still being assessed. This short report provides background on the crisis, looks at the assistance needs, and the U.S. response. It will be updated as the situation develops.2 Background After voting by approximately 80% to 20% for independence from Indonesia, East Timor was wracked by violence at the hands of East Timorese militia who are supporters of continued Indonesian rule and are reportedly armed and trained by the Indonesian military. By September 28, the bulk of the Indonesian military forces had left East Timor with the last forces leaving on October 31 after the vote for independence was accepted by the Indonesian legislature. The security situation is still difficult due to continuing militia activity, particularly in western East Timor, which shares a border with West Timor, 'For information on this crisis, see CRS report RS20332, East Timor Crisis: U.S. Policy and Options. For information on the U.S. military role, see CRS Issue Brief 94040, Peacekeeping: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement. 2This report draws on information from several web sites which provide daily updates on the situation in East Timor. These include web sites of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (www.unhcr.ch/news/media/timor/latest.htm) and the United Nation's Relief Web (www.reliefweb.int). U.S. assistance reports, voluntary agency activities, press coverage, and U.N. situation reports are all available on the Reliefweb site. Congressional Research Service + The Library of Congress

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