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JAKARTA - Indonesia is to open its border with East Timor to allow humanitarian aid to reach some 130,000 people affected by recent violence. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced the move at a meeting with his East Timorese counterpart in the Indonesian island of Bali. Meanwhile, the leader of East Timor's rebels has said his group has disarmed.
At least 21 people are thought to have died in unrest sparked by the sacking of hundreds of soldiers. The Indonesian president said Jakarta would open its land border with East Timor to allow assistance through. East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao thanked Mr Yudhoyono for his help and expressed his hope that East Timor would not need similar help in the future.
Rebels disarm
Earlier, rebel leader Major Alfredo Reinaldo insisted that any further violence would not come from members of his units. He turned over his own M-16 rifle to Australian peacekeeping troops on Friday, as well as about 20 other weapons belonging to his followers. Speaking in Bali, Mr Gusmao said Mr Reinaldo - who continues to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri - was not to blame for the outbreak of violence.
Mr Alkatiri sacked the 600 soldiers in March after they deserted, complaining of discrimination. "Major Alfredo is not the one who initiated the problem, we have many other issues to think about," Mr Gusmao said. Violence across the tiny country prompted the despatch of about 2,500 peacekeeping troops from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal.
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