Today's Story Line:

No one questions that militia groups in East Timor have been on a rampage of death and destruction. But how to prove it? In the first public admission to a US journalist, one militia man tells of witnessing a massacre of 10 people, including two nuns, just over a week ago.

Russia's generals are banging the war drums as troops moved into Chechnya on Saturday. Public opinion favors the action, despite the drubbing Russian forces took in a 1994-96 war with the same rebels. Quote of note: "Our mistake was that we gave up and left Afghanistan 10 years ago.... Now's the time to draw the line." - a former Russian soldier.

Why Canada's police are disclosing more information to the public about cases in progress.

- David Clark Scott, World editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB.. *HITCHHIKING WITH THE UN: Today's story from East Timor was made possible by the United Nations. The UN allowed Monitor correspondent Cameron Barr to jump aboard a helicopter in Dili, ride to Fuiloro and back in time to write his story today. Journalists in Dili finagle endlessly to get on these helicopters, because they are the easiest, safest, and most time-efficient way to get out into the countryside. And yesterday's trip was a journalistic "gold mine," says Cameron. It yielded rare interviews with militia members. And during a stopover in the city of Baukau he had the opportunity to talk to the local Roman Catholic bishop - one of East Timor's most sought-after interviews - as well as the commander of the international force in East Timor, Lt. Gen. Peter Cosgrove. Keep waving that thumb, Cameron.

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