Indonesia opened its first trials into the violence...

Indonesia opened its first trials into the violence that swept East Timor in 1999, trying to convince a sceptical international community that those responsible for the carnage will be held accountable.
The trials of 18 suspects, including three generals, have been plagued by frequent delays and widespread doubts that justice would be served after the violence surrounding East Timor's vote to break from Jakarta's rule in August 1999.
The first defendants to take the stand in separate but packed hearings of the special human rights court were the territory's ex-police chief Brigadier General Timbul Silaen, and Abilio Soares, former governor of East Timor. Prosecutors accused both Soares and Silaen of crimes against humanity for allowing pro-Jakarta militias to go on the rampage killing and wounding pro-independence East Timorese on at least four separate occasions from April to September 1999.
Both trials were adjourned until March 21.
Five other suspects, all military members, face trial on March 19, while no date has been set yet in the cases of the remaining 11 suspects. A lawyer from the defence team representing all 18 suspects has said none was guilty of any of the charges.
There has been some confusion over the maximum penalty the two men might face if found guilty and although new human rights legislation states capital punishment most analysts say they would likely only get prison terms.