Word: referendum
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Indonesian army officers have treated East Timor its personal fiefdom over 25 years, and they're not about to let go quietly. Although polling day was peaceful for the most part in Monday's U.N. referendum on independence for territory occupied by Indonesia since 1975, a pro-indepence result could see an escalation in the political violence that claimed dozens of lives in the run-up to the vote. "Anti-independence militias armed and supported by members of the Indonesian military have been simply going out and killing people," says TIME correspondent Massimo Calabresi. The militiamen have warned that...
...much as one third of the population is estimated to have been killed in the Indonesian army?s campaign to forcibly integrate East Timor. International pressure has forced Indonesia to agree to allow the referendum and to abide by its results, but members of the military began organizing the anti-independence militia to intimidate voters soon after the poll was announced. "It?s impossible to tell whether the Indonesian government is being disingenuous with the West about its intentions or whether they?re simply unable to control the military in East Timor," says Calabresi. "But violence is expected to intensify...
...battleground over gay rights is more likely to move to Vermont. The supreme court there must soon decide if the state's constitution allows gay marriage. A referendum in Hawaii rejected it last year, but in liberal Vermont, the state's justices are more likely to declare in favor. Vermont would then be the first jurisdiction anywhere in the world to allow fully equal marriage rights to homosexual couples. To reverse it, opponents need to go through a two-year process to change the state's charter. During that time, hundreds or perhaps thousands of gay couples could...
...MICHIGAN Gun opponents plan a referendum on concealed weapons; lawmakers nix an N.R.A.-friendly conceal-carry bill...
...UTAH Anti-gun forces are pushing a referendum on concealed weapons; poll says 80% think only police should have guns in schools...