UN prosecutors demand arrest of Indonesian general

[dArKeR]

AP , DILI, EAST TIMOR
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004,Page 5

UN prosecutors yesterday urged East Timor's legal authorities to issue an international arrest warrant for Indonesia's former military supremo, saying he was responsible for war crimes committed by Indonesian forces in their former province in 1999.

General Wiranto, who commanded Indonesia's military during East Timor's violence-wracked secession in 1999, plans to run in Indonesia's presidential elections in July. He was indicted in February last year in East Timor in connection with the violence, but court officials have yet to issue an international warrant for his arrest.

Wiranto -- who resides in Indonesia -- has denied the accusations against him, saying they are part of a conspiracy to undermine his presidential bid.

Indonesian authorities have also said they would not hand over Wiranto or other officers accused of East Timor war crimes, even if there were an international arrest warrant. But if such a warrant were issued, it would mean Wiranto could not travel to a third country without risking extradition.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/03/24/2003107551