E. Timor Factions To Disarm

In a bid to salvage an independence referendum, East Timor's bitterly opposed factions agreed Friday to lay down their weapons.

The peace deal follows stern warnings from the United Nations and the international community that continuing violence in the troubled territory could stymie the vote.

There has been speculation that the U.N.-sponsored ballot could be delayed to ensure that people can vote safely and without intimidation.

Fighting in the former Portuguese colony, which was invaded by Indonesia in 1975, has increased with the approach of the Aug. 8 ballot that will let East Timorese choose between independence and autonomy within Indonesia.

The autonomy and independence factions are scheduled to give up their guns and sharp weapons by July 5. An April peace pact that did not address the thorny issue fell apart.

Asked at a news conference about guarantees the factions would disarm, Indonesian military Chief Gen. Wiranto said: "It is a moral responsibility by all sides, because they have agreed and signed the agreement." Wiranto, like many Indonesians, uses only one name.

The deal was signed by jailed East Timorese guerrilla leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao; Leandro Isaac, leader of a pro-independence umbrella group; Joao Tavares, head of an anti-independence militia; and Domingos Soares, a local government leader who opposes independence.

It calls for stopping any activity that could lead to disturbances ahead of the ballot, including "every form of hatred, intimidation, violence, terrorism and acts of disinformation."

"Politically, we want to create a situation where the East Timorese people can accept the result," Gusmao said.

Gusmao, who is serving a 20-year sentence under house arrest in Jakarta, said that if the pro-autonomy forces win the referendum, "I will become a farmer."

The Indonesian government has said it will free Gusmao after the balloting and many see him as a potential leader of an independent East Timor.

Meanwhile, Ian Martin, head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in East Timor, said that Indonesian soldiers were seen helping militiamen attack pro-independence rivals.

U.N. spokesman David Wimhurst quoted Martin as saying that a U.N. team saw militias "accompanied and directed" by the Indonesian military.

Speaking from Dili, East Timor's capital, Wimhurst said the militiamen and soldiers were seen burning houses and assaulting an old man Tuesday in Leotela, a village in Liquica district about 25 miles west of Dili.

Local military chief Col. Suhartono Suratman denied any involvement by Indonesian soldiers in the incident.

Martin claimed the militiamen also have ambushed teams from the United Nations, International Red Cross and local officials involved in negotiations for their release.

"There were no active Indonesian soldiers, but retired ones who joined" a local civilian defense force, Suratman said. "They did noambush the mission."

He neither confirmed nor denied the looting and arson.