Groups of militias, opposed to independence and in favour of continuing links with Indonesia, are held responsible for most of the recent violence in East Timor.

Eurico Guterres, the man who has emerged as the self-appointed leader of East Timor's anti-independence militias, has a clear - and frightening vision - of the territory's future.

"If East Timor becomes independent, it will become a sea of fire," he told a rally of his supporters earlier this year.

The militias have denounced the referendum as "garbage" and have accused the UN of blatant bias.

There are fears that Guterres's vision of the future is being borne out by events.

Backed by Indonesia

But who are these militias capable of instilling such fear in the population?

Eurico Guterres weeps at a comrade's funeral

There are believed to be at least 13 such groups operating in East Timor, the most prominent headed by Guterres.

Some have been in existence for a number of years: when it invaded East Timor in 1975 Indonesia recruited and armed groups of East Timorese to support rule by Jakarta.

Over the years, these militias were used to help in the fight against Falintil, the pro-independence guerrillas.

But many have come into being only since the surprise announcement of a referendum on the territory's future by Indonesia's President Habibie in January this year - a move strongly opposed by many senior elements in the Indonesian military.

The key to the control of the militias is the Indonesian military, which is ultimately responsible for security in East Timor.

But some say the military, opposed to Mr Habibie's referendum, have no interest in curbing the militia's activities.

That the militias have received arms, training and instructions from the Indonesian military is beyond question.

Timorese support for militia

Even before the post-referendum violence, at least 1,000 civilians are believed to have been killed as a result of militia attacks over the past year.

Jonathan Head reports on the evidence of collusion between the militias and the military

In the worst single incident 57 people were shot and hacked to death in a churchyard 30km west of Dili in April.

Militia support - strongest in the west of the territory - comes mainly from those Timorese who joined the Indonesian civil service and other Jakarta bodies who see their livelihood - and even their lives - threatened by any move towards independence.

There are also those who have suffered Falintil violence and intimidation.

The red berets, sunglasses and armoury of Guterres's militia are a feared sight round the territory but there are no accurate figures on how many are involved in his and other groups.

One problem in dealing with the militias is that they appear to have no unified command structure.

Some regard themselves as soldiers - others seem little more than thugs out to promote anarchy.