Pro-Government Militias

Besi Merah Putih (Indonesia)

Name assigned by coder:	no
PGM ID Number:	337
Country:	Indonesia
Date formed:	Feb. 3, 1999
Details of Formation:	pro-integration militia formed 'soon after Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas announced Jakarta will consider granting independence to East Timor'
Date dissolved:	Dec. 2, 1999
Details of Termination:	1999-12-02 Transition Government
Successor group(s):	none
Private Military Company?	no
Government Relation:	type1
Government Link(s):	state/military institution
Training and Equipment	yes
Shared Information and Joint Operations	yes
Shared personnel	yes
Types of Material Support:	military
State Sponsor(s):	none
Other Connection(s):
Membership:	village/rural; adolescents; former rebels
Location:	Maubara, Liquisa, Dili (East Timor); West Timor
Force Strength:	[2890, unknown]
Target(s):	civilians; unarmed political opposition, government critics; ethnic group; international peacekeeping force; journalists
Purpose(s):	protect national borders and integrity; intimidation of ethnic/religious groups; intimidation of civilians
Other Information:	also active in West Timor refugee camps