Indonesia condemns killing of soldier in East Timor

4:00 PM

BANGKOK - Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab today condemned the killing of a New Zealand soldier in East Timor by suspected pro-Jakarta militia.

Private Leonard William Manning, 24, was shot on Monday when New Zealand troops tracking militia fighters in the rugged border area near Suai - not far from the border with Indonesia's West Timor - were fired upon.

Mr Shihab said Indonesia would help investigate the incident.

"Actually we deplore the incident and we would like to see this accident not happen again, so we will also do our part to investigate," he told reporters on the fringes of the 10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial meeting in Bangkok.

Asked if Indonesia would actively pursue the killers, he said: "Yes let us see first who is the actor."

Mr Shihab said the situation in West Timor could be helped by getting refugees, especially ex-military personnel, out of the camps.

He said that some refugees wanted to go to East Timor, but needed shelter and security, which he said was a "collective responsibility not only on us but also on the part of the United Nations."

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said today he would express New Zealand's concerns to Mr Shihab during the ASEAN meeting of foreign ministers.

"Dr Shihab and Indonesia must take responsibility for law, order and security in and around refugee camps in West Timor," he said before leaving for Bangkok.

Mr Goff indicated he would be seeking an assurance that pro-Indonesian militia will disarm and disband.

"New Zealand is concerned about the slow progress being made to resettle East Timorese from refugee camps in West Timor."

He said the militia could not exist without the refugee camps, therefore it was essential that refugees were relocated.

New Zealand Army Brigadier Jerry Mateparae said Private Manning's body had been stripped of his weapons and equipment, when it was found after the confrontation near the West Timor border.

Medical advice confirmed Private Manning had been killed during initial contact with the militia.

Brigadier Mateparae said there was also indication that Private Manning's body had been abused in some way.

However, he would not elaborate.

Meanwhile, Private Manning's body would be flown to Darwin at about seven o'clock tonight.

It has not been confirmed when the body would be brought back to New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has extended her sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of Private Leonard Manning, saying his death highlighted the dangers of the work being performed by New Zealand troops in East Timor.

- REUTERS, IRN