EAST TIMOR: DILI: FOOTAGE OF DESTRUCTION IN CAPITAL

(9 Sep 1999) Indonesian/Nat Dramatic footage from the capital of East Timor show Indonesian soldiers herding pro-independence supporters out of town as militias loot and burn. The pictures were taken the same day Catholic Bishop Carlos Belo, an advocate for East Timor's independence, fled the island. Before he left, the Nobel Peace laureate expressed hopes that East Timor could one day find peace and freedom. A rare glimpse of the chaos in East Timor. As buildings burned across the city, armed militiamen rampaged through shops and homes, collecting their booty in piles on street corners. The compound which used to house more than 50 U-N vehicles now stands empty and charred. Hundreds of civilians are sequestered nearby inside the besieged U-N compound, while others are staying here at the police headquarters. Many have fled to Dili from outlying villages where they say the destruction and violence has been far worse. Some of the violence seen last week has abated since Indonesia declared martial law on East Timor. But there are signs many of the Indonesian soldiers are supporting the militias, in an apparent bid to punish the populace which overwhelmingly supported independence in the August 29 U-N referendum. The armed forces are furious with President Habibie for allowing the referendum to go ahead and fear it could inspire other independence-minded provinces like Aceh and Irian Jaya. As supporters of East Timor's independence were seen fleeing in droves, many with their hands held over their hands... ...Indonesian police and soldiers could be seen directing their departure. Few foreign aid workers are left on the island. These Red Cross left on Monday, and there are plans by the U-N to evacuate most of its remaining staff in Dili. Meanwhile there are fears for the fate of hundreds of East Timorese who had taken refuge in the home of Nobel Peace laureate Bishop Carlos Belo. Belo left East Timor on Monday after militia's attacked his home. Before leaving on a flight to Australia, Belo expressed hopes that East Timor would one day find the road to peace and reconstruction. SOUNDBITE: (Indonesia) "We will still fight for peace, reconciliation and hopefully the Timorese people can stand together and only through peace can East Timor be rebuilt." SUPER CAPTION: Bishop Carlos Belo of Dili, Nobel Peace Laureate Soon after Belo left with police escort, armed soldiers were seen entering his compound. Amid the chaos, a few people work to maintain what order they can. The badly equipped fire brigade fights a city ablaze, armed only with buckets and tanks of water. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...