Documents on from PeaceNet and Connected Computer Networks Volumes 41-42: November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996

Published by: East Timor Action Network / U.S. P.O. Box 1182, White Plains, NY 10602 USA Tel: 914-428-7299 Fax: 914-428-7383 E-mail PeaceNet:CSCHEINER or [email protected] These documents are produced approximately every two months and mailed to subscribers. For additional or back copies, send US$30 per volume; add $5 for international air mail. Discount rates: $15 for educational and non-profit institutions; $8 for U.S. activists; $11 international. Subscription rates: $180 ($90 educational, $48 activist) for the next six issues. Add $30 ($18 activist) for international air mail. Further subsidies are available for groups in Third World countries working on East Timor. Checks should be made out to “ETAN.” The material is grouped by subject, with articles under each category in approximately chronological order. It is also available on IBM-compatible diskette, in either Word for Windows or ASCII format. Reprinting and distribution without permission is welcomed. Much of this information is translated and supplied by TAPOL and BCET (London), Task Force Indone- sia (USA), CDPM (Lisbon), CNRM, Free East Timor Japan Coalition, East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign, AKSI (Australia), ETIC (Aotearoa), Australians for a Free East Timor (Darwin) and other ac- tivists and solidarity groups, but they are not responsible for edi torial comment or selection.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE INVASION -- TWENTY YEARS LATER...... 11 AUSTRALIAN NEWS ON BALIBO KILLINGS AND TORTURE VIDEO ...... 11 OFFICER LINKED TO MURDER OF BRITONS WAS TRAINED IN UK...... 11 EX-AUSTRALIAN PM DEN IES INVASION COMPLICITY ...... 12 EAST TIMOR’S INDEPEN DENCE DAY ...... 12 NEW AUSTRALIAN INQUIRY INTO TIMOR KILLINGS...... 22 NZ FOREIGN MINISTER ASKED TO SUPPORT THE AUSTRALIAN ENQUIRY...... 22 NEW STRAINS OVER EAST TIMOR DEATHS ...... 23 TIMOR VICTIM ROGER EAST: ‘ONE KILLED WAS AN AUSTRALIAN’...... 23 PROBE INTO KILLING OF JOURNALISTS IN TIMOR NETS WITNESSES ...... 25 DAY OF FEAR & FURY ...... 26 THE UNTOLD STORY OF EAST TIMOR ...... 29 EAST TIMOR’S HISTORY FROM SPICE TO CONFLICT...... 30 TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE SKY WENT BLACK...... 31 EAST TIMOR INVASION: 20 YEARS...... 31 VOA - TIMOR ANNIVERSARY...... 32 EAST TIMOR STILL WITH US ...... 32 DON’T LET WIPE OUT EAST TIMOR...... 33 INDONESIA’S BRUTAL ATTACK ON TIMOR UNRESOLVED AFTER 20 YEARS...... 34 TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF INDONESIA’S INVASION OF EAST TIMOR...... 34 EAST TIMOR: TWENTY YEARS LATER, THE REBELS FIGHT ON...... 35 THE VOICE OF THE LIURAI OF OSSU ...... 35 Page 2 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

FORGOTTEN GRABS...... 36

SANTA CRUZ MASSACRE REMEMBERED...... 36 HAUNTING MEMORIES FROM SANTA CRUZ ...... 36 AI CALLS FOR CONCRETE ACTION...... 37 RESISTANCE BURNS BRIGHT AS MASSACRE IS REMEMBERED...... 38 DILI MASSACRE HAUNTS EVERY NOVEMBER...... 39 SOLDIER IS IDENTIFIED...... 39

EVENTS IN EAST TIMOR...... 40 OBJECTIVE: DESTRUCTION ...... 40 NAZI-STYLE HOUSEHOLD LISTING IMPOSED IN TIMOR...... 40 EAST TIMORESE VIDEOTAPES ALLEGE TORTURE...... 41 NEVER JUST SIT BACK AND LET THINGS HAPPEN ...... 41 IN OCCUPIED EAST TIMOR...... 42 ALL OPTIONS IN EAST TIMOR BAD FOR ABRI ...... 43 ‘INSTIGATOR’ UNDER ARREST...... 43 MANY ARRESTS IN DILI ...... 43 BRITISH-MADE WAR PLANES MENACE EAST TIMOR ...... 43 OBSERVERS: EAST TIMOR REPRESSION WORSE...... 44 TIMOR CAPITAL TENSE AHEAD OF MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY...... 44 TIMORESE SAY HARASSED DURING MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY...... 44 DILI QUIET AS MASSACRE REMEMBERED...... 45 EAST TIMOR MARKS MASSACRE...... 45 INDONESIA ARRESTS FOUR ON TIMOR DEATHS ANNIVERSARY ...... 46 EAST TIMOR UNPOPULAR FOR TRANSMIGRATION ...... 46 MY RECENT TRIP TO EAST TIMOR...... 46 SHOTS FIRED AT RED CROSS...... 48 NAMES OF DETAINED TIMORESE YOUTHS ...... 49 ETCHRIET REPORT ON ARRESTS AND TORTURES IN EAST TIMOR ...... 50 XANANA’S DRIVER GETS 6 YEARS ...... 50 EAST TIMOR STILL DECADE OR MORE AWAY FROM PEACE...... 51 TIMOR REBELS STILL ACTIVE 20 YEARS AFTER INVASION ...... 51 EAST TIMORESE FIGHT LOSING ECONOMIC BATTLE ...... 52 ETCHRIET REPORT...... 52 MOST RECENT PROTESTERS RELEASED ...... 53 ABRI SUPPORTS BELO’S CALL TO RESPECT LOCAL CULTURE...... 53 INDONESIA SAYS NOT TO ADD TROOPS IN EAST TIMOR ...... 53 INDONESIA SAYS TWO TIMOR REBELS “SURRENDER” ...... 54 INDONESIA SAYS HAS SPENT $832 MILLION IN EAST TIMOR...... 54 46 INDONESIAN SOLDIERS GO ON TRIAL IN TIMOR...... 54 SOLDIERS, CIVILIANS SAID KILLED IN TIMOR CLASHES ...... 54 MOVES AFOOT TO SET UP INDON COMMISSION BRANCH IN EAST TIMOR ...... 55 EAST TIMOR INVITES INVESTMENT IN MARBLE MINING...... 55 INDONESIAN TROOPS CAPTURE EAST TIMOR REBEL IN BOBONARO ...... 55 SIX EAST TIMORESE SHOT, TWO DETAINED IN VIQUEQUE ...... 56 ABRI ESCALATED FIGHTING, INDONESIAN TROOPS KILLED IN VIQUEQUE ...... 56 RIOT IN BECORA PRISON ...... 57

RELIGIOUS ISSUES...... 58 A CHANGED CHURCH: TWO DECADES OF STRUGGLE IN EAST TIMOR HAS MADE FRIENDS AND ENEMIES.58 GOVERNOR’S INSTRUCTION (ON MOSQUES) OPPOSED ...... 59 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 3

GOVERNOR’S INSTRUCTION TO BE WITHDRAWN...... 59 FORUM FORMED TO EASE CATHOLIC/MUSLIM TEN SION ...... 60 SOEHARTO: EAST TIMOR GIVEN NO SPECIAL TREATMENT...... 60 RELIGIOUS PROVOCATIONS IN WESTERN TIMOR...... 61 TIMOR DIVIDED BY VATICAN...... 61 EAST TIMOR DIOCESE: NO DECISION YET ...... 62 INDONESIAN GETS FOUR YEARS JAIL OVER TIMOR RIOT...... 62 SECOND PRISON OFFICIAL JAILED OVER TIMOR RIOT...... 62

AHI NAKLAKAN DELEGATION DEPORTED FROM EAST TIMOR ...... 63 DELEGATION TO LAY WREATH AT SANTA CRUZ CEMETERY...... 63 INDONESIA BARS DELEGATION FROM FLYING TO DILI ...... 63 INDONESIANS STOP PEACE PILGRIMAGE TO EAST TIMOR...... 64 AHI NAKLAKAN PARTICIPANT PROFILES...... 65 WHAT IS APCET? ...... 67 STATEMENT FROM REED BRODY IN BALI ...... 67 REPORT FROM DR ANDREW MCNAUGHTON IN BALI ...... 68 SOLIDARITY MESSAGES ...... 68 INDONESIA SPIKES GROUP’S JOURNEY ...... 69 EAST TIMOR SECURITY TIGHTENS AHEAD OF ANNIVERSARY...... 69 INDONESIA “DISHONEST” IN BLOCKING TRIP...... 70 MILITARY DEFENDS BAN ON VISITS TO EAST TIMOR ...... 70 MANILA RIGHTS GROUPS CONDEMN JAKARTA...... 70 INDONESIA DEPORTS RIGHTS ACTIVISTS FROM EAST TIMOR ...... 71 ‘PEACE PILGRIMS’ SAY EAST TIMOR MISSION SUCCESSFUL ...... 71 EAST TIMOR GOVERNOR SAYS ACTIVISTS WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT...... 72 DELEGATION EXPELLED FROM EAST TIMOR ...... 72 SBS - DATELINE TO COVER PILGRIM DELEGATION ...... 73 TRANSCRIPT OF KINGHAM INTERVIEW BY MIKE CAREY ...... 73 GUS DUR: I’M NOT AFRAID TO GO TO EAST TIMOR ...... 74 GREEN IRISH MEP QUIZZES INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR ON EAST TIMOR BAR ...... 75 OFFICIAL CIRCULAR BANNING TOURISTS FROM EAST TIMOR...... 75 INDONESIA SAYS IT LIFTS EAST TIMOR TRAVEL BAN...... 75

U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER VISITS ...... 75 TOP UN RIGHTS ENVOY TO VISIT INDONESIA, EAST TIMOR ...... 75 INDONESIA SAYS UN VISIT TO IMPROVE RIGHTS RECORD...... 76 UN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER VISITS EAST TIMOR ...... 76 SIX ARRESTED TRYING TO REACH AYALA LASSO ...... 76 U.N. CALLS FOR STRONGER INDONESIAN RIGHTS BODY...... 77 UN OFFICIAL URGES TALKS TO SOLVE TIMOR CONFLICT...... 77 LASSO BEGINS TIMOR VISIT...... 77 TIMORESE RAISE RIGHTS ISSUES WITH U.N. OFFICIAL ...... 78 UN RIGHTS OFFICE IN EAST TIMOR BLOCKED ...... 78 UN RIGHTS CHIEF SAYS “GRAVE VIOLATIONS” IN EAST TIMOR...... 78 GOVERNMENT ON PROTESTS DURING AYALA LASSO’S VISIT...... 79

ABILIO ARAUJO VISITS EAST TIMOR & ...... 80 ABILIO TO SPEND XMAS IN DILI?...... 80 ABILIO ARAUJO MEETS SUHARTO...... 80 DOING BUSINESS WITH SUHARTO ...... 80 INDONESIA TO BUILD 27 MW POWER PLANT IN EAST TIMOR...... 81 Page 4 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

ABILIO ARAUJO’S MEETING WITH SUHARTO ...... 82 ABILIO ADMITS SUBJECTED TO GREAT PRESSURE IN ...... 82 ABILIO ARAUJO CONCERNED ABOUT TIMOR’S DEVELOPMENT...... 82 I WANT TO MEET WITH XANANA...... 83

TRYING TO GET OUT...... 84 TIMORESE EXILES FACE FRESH HURDLES IN PORTUGAL...... 84 TERROR FUELS ASYLUM-SEEKING BIDS...... 84 PRD/SPRIM STATEMENT ON EMBASSY OCCUPATIONS...... 85 CHRONOLOGY OF EMBASSY INVASIONS BY EAST TIMORESE ...... 85 ADITJONDRO SOLIDARITY MESSAGE...... 86 EAST TIMORESE FORCED TO DEMONSTRATE FOR INDONESIA...... 86 EMBASSIES IN JAKARTA REASSESS SECURITY ...... 87 AI: GOVERNMENTS SHOULD DO MORE TO PROTECT ASYLUM-SEEKERS...... 87 INTELLIGENCE CHIEF: EMBASSY FENCE SCALING BY EAST TIMORESE YOUTH TO DIMINISH IN 1996...... 88 INDONESIA STUDYING WISHES OF SOME TO RETURN ...... 88 JAKARTA EMBASSIES ON ALERT FOR TIMORESE INCURSIONS ...... 88 TIMOR: MEMORIES OF THE HORROR ...... 89 CHRONOLOGY OF EMBASSY ASYLUM BIDS BY EAST TIMORESE...... 89

TO ...... 90 EAST TIMORESE STORM EMBASSIES ...... 90 EAST TIMORESE STAGE SPECTACULAR EMBASSY PROTESTS ...... 90 EAST TIMORESE PETITION RUSSIAN EMBASSY...... 91 EAST TIMORESE IN EMBASSIES NOT YET SEEKING ASYLUM ...... 92 RUSSIA CALLS JAKARTA EMBASSY SIT-IN “UNACCEPTABLE” ...... 93 INDONESIA SAYS TIMOR PROTESTERS FREE TO LEAVE ...... 93 TIMORESE SPEND COLD NIGHT AT EMBASSIES IN JAKARTA ...... 93 TASS: TIMOR “DISSIDENTS” ARE STILL IN COMPOUNDS...... 94 TIMORESE WANT TO LEAVE THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY...... 94 EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE CHAMPIONS STILL IN RUSSIAN EMBASSY...... 94 GLIMMER OF BREAKTHROUGH IN EAST TIMOR PROTESTS ...... 94 PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC UNION (PRD) UPDATE ...... 95 TIMOR PROTESTERS QUIT RUSSIAN EMBASSY TO INSULTS ...... 96 RUSSIAN EMBASSY EAST TIMORESE AND INDONESIAN SUPPORTERS ABDUCTED BY POLICE...... 96 INDONESIA POLICE CONTINUE TO QUIZ TIMOR PROTESTERS ...... 97 CDPM CHALLENGES DUTCH AND RUSSIAN GOVERNMENTS ...... 97 SUCCESSFUL INDONESIAN/EAST TIMOR ACTIONS IN JAKARTA ...... 97 FATE OF THE 32 UNCLEAR ...... 98 FOUR EMBASSY TIMORESE ARRESTED IN MALANG...... 98 RENETIL DENOUNCES RETALIATION AGAINST STUDENTS ...... 98

TO THE ...... 99 EIGHT ASYLUM SEEKERS AT DUTCH EMBASSY...... 99 DUTCH EMBASSY REJECTS ASYLUM FOR EIGHT TIMORESE...... 99 EIGHT ASYLUM SEEKERS LEAVE TO PORTUGAL...... 99 EIGHT TIMORESE ARRIVE IN LISBON ...... 100 OVER 50 EAST TIMORESE AND INDONESIANS IN DUTCH EMBASSY...... 100 EAST TIMORESE YOUTH PETITION TO DUTCH GOVERNMENT...... 100 EAST TIMORESE PROTESTS TRIGGER VIOLENCE AT EMBASSY ...... 102 PRD AND EAST TIMOR ACTIVISTS CHRONOLOGY AT THE DUTCH EMBASSY DECEMBER 7 1995 ...... 103 PRD UPDATE ON DUTCH EMBASSY OCCUPATION ...... 104 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 5

TIMOR PROTESTERS STAY PUT IN DUTCH MISSION ...... 104 OCCUPATIONS END...... 105 POLICE ARREST DUTCH EMBASSY OCCUPIERS ...... 105 POLICE FREE EAST TIMORESE PROTESTERS ...... 106 INTERVIEW WITH TWO ACTIVISTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN DUTCH EMBASSY SIT-IN ...... 106 PROTESTORS FROM JAKARTA DUTCH EMBASSY IN INCREASING DANGER...... 109 STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE TIMORESE OUTSIDE DUTCH EMBASSY, LISBON ...... 110 RENETIL STATEMENT ON DUTCH PARLIAMENT PROTEST...... 111 OCCUPATION PARTY-OFFICE MINISTER VAN MIERLO ...... 111 DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER ‘OUTRAGED’ BY ARRESTS...... 111 THE 32 ARRESTS AND ARMY-DEPLU CONFLICT...... 112 VAN MIERLO SHOULD DEMAND STATEMENT FROM ALATAS...... 112 DUTCH NOW SAY THERE WERE NO ARRESTS...... 112 OCCUPIERS DISCUSSED IN DUTCH PARLIAMENT...... 112 TIMOR TRAUMA: DIPLOMATIC ROW ERUPTS OVER VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS...... 113 DUTCH AMBASSADOR TO REPLIES TO LETTER ...... 113

TO JAPAN...... 114 ASYLUM SEEKERS IN JAPANESE EMBASSY...... 114 PETITION PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN BY THE YOUTH OF EAST TIMOR...... 114 JAPANESE EMBASSY REACTIONS ...... 116 SOEHARTO SAYS EAST TIMORESE CAN FREELY LEAVE THE COUNTRY ...... 116 JAPAN HIDES REAL REQUESTS?...... 117 PORTUGAL TO RECEIVE MEMBERS OF INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT...... 118 TWENTY-ONE IN JAPANESE EMBASSY LEAVE TO PORTUGAL ...... 118 EAST TIMOR IN THE JAPANESE MEDIA...... 118 TEN ARRESTED TRYING TO ENTER JAPANESE EMBASSY...... 119 AI ON EAST TIMORESE ARRESTED IN JAKARTA ON 12 JANUARY...... 119

TO ...... 120 FIVE EAST TIMORESE JOIN FLOOD OF REFUGE-SEEKERS...... 120 MORE EAST TIMORESE SEEK ASYLUM, OTHERS TO LEAVE ...... 122

TO NEW ZEALAND ...... 122 FIVE EAST TIMORESE SEEK NEW ZEALAND ASYLUM ...... 122 EMBASSY INCIDENT: END IN SIGHT ...... 123 ETIC AUCKLAND APPEALS TO NZ GOVERNMENT FOR ASYLUM PLEDGE...... 123 FREEDOM IN SIGHT FOR EAST TIMORESE...... 123 NZ RENEGES ON RESPONSIBILITY TO EAST TIMORESE ASYLUM SEEKERS...... 123 TIMORESE GIVEN SAFE HARBOUR BY PORTUGUESE...... 123 TIMOR REFUGEES...... 124 NEW ZEALAND FIVE ARRIVE IN LISBON ...... 124 EAST TIMORESE MEN INJURED INSIDE NZ EMBASSY COMPOUND? ...... 124 LETTER FROM ETIC TO NZ FOREIGN MINISTER...... 124 NZ COMPLAINS OVER EMBASSY FRACAS...... 125 EAST TIMORESE ‘JUMPER’ TELLS OF BEATING...... 125 ETIC URGES GOVERNMEN T ACCEPT REFUGEES ...... 126 ETIC/NZ: SUPPORT FOR ASYLUM IN NZ GROWING...... 126 NZ: FIRST CHOICE FOR NEW LIFE ...... 126 ASYLUM REFUSAL ‘BREACHED LAW’ ...... 127 FIVE EXPECTED TO ASK FOR NZ REFUGE...... 127 MCKINNON ASKED TO GIVE CLEAR ANSWER ABOUT THE FIVE ASYLUM SEEKERS...... 127 Page 6 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

TO AUSTRALIA...... 128 TWENTY EAST TIMORESE BOAT PEOPLE CAPTURED ...... 128 AI URGENT ACTION ON CAPTURED BOAT PEOPLE...... 129 NAMES OF BOAT PEOPLE ARRESTED BY INDONESIAN MILITARY ...... 129 JAKARTA ROW BREWS AS EAST TIMORESE WIN ASYLUM ...... 130 EAST TIMORESE TO FACE TRIAL OVER ESCAPE ATTEMPT ...... 130 INDONESIAN GOVERNMEN T ON BOAT ASYLUM-SEEKERS ...... 131 TWO EAST TIMORESE WOMEN SEEK ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY ...... 131 STATEMENT BY THE WOMEN IN AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY ...... 132 AUSTRALIA TO STUDY EAST TIMORESE WOMEN’S DEMAND, MINISTER ...... 133 ASYLUM FOR TIMORESE UNLIKELY ...... 133 ASYLUM SEEKERS FLEE A CONSTANT THREAT OF RAPE...... 133 TWO TIMORESE WOMEN MISTREATED BY AUSTRALIA...... 133 SUPPORT GROUP CLAIMS WOMEN ILL-TREATED AT AUST EMBASSY ...... 133 25 ARRESTED ON BOAT TO AUSTRALIA...... 134 TIMOR ARRESTS: ALATAS SLAMMED ...... 135

TO POLAND ...... 135 12 EAST TIMORESE IN POLISH EMBASSY...... 135 12 TIMORESE SEEK ASYLUM AT POLISH EMBASSY...... 135 YET MORE POLITICAL ASYLUM SEEKERS IN JAKARTA ...... 136 TWELVE TIMORESE LEAVE POLISH EMBASSY FOR EXILE IN PORTUGAL...... 136 TWELVE OF POLISH EMBASSY ARRIVE IN LISBON ...... 136

MARTINHO PEREIRA ARRESTED AND RELEASED...... 136 EAST TIMORESE SOCIAL WORKER’S ARREST AND DISAPPEARANCE...... 136 AI URGENT ACTION FOR MARTINHO PEREIRA ET. AL...... 137 FAMILY PLEADS FOR MARTINHO PEREIRA ...... 138 AI UPDATE ON SURABAYA AND EMBASSY ARRESTS...... 138 INDONESIA LEGAL BODY PROTESTS ARREST OF TIMORESE...... 139 MARTINHO PEREIRA RELEASED ...... 139

EVENTS IN INDONESIA...... 140 RED MENACE: WARNINGS OF A COMMUNIST REVIVAL GET PERSONAL...... 140 JAILED JOURNALIST TO RECEIVE AWARD...... 141 STATEMENT BY SPRIM...... 141 STATEMENT BY STUDENT SOLIDARITY FOR INDONESIAN DEMOCRACY (SMID) ...... 142 INDONESIA ATTACKS CRITICS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT...... 142 INDONESIAN ACTIVISTS CALL FOR MILITARY WITHDRAWAL ...... 143 INDONESIA DEPORTS FRENCH HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST...... 143 INDONESIA “WILL NEVER RETREAT” OVER EAST TIMOR ...... 143 GJA - WHY WAS PT SRITEX TARGETED? ...... 143 HOW MUCH FREEDOM?...... 145 ABRI TAKES ON THE INTERNET ...... 147 MOSLEM GROUP TO DEFEND INDONESIA ON INTERNET...... 147 INDONESIAN MILITARY DEATH THREATS AGAINST JOSÉ RAMOS HORTA ON INTERNET ...... 147 XANANA SPEAKS FROM PRISON...... 148 TIMOR GROUP PROTESTS AGAINST RED CROSS, ACTIVIST...... 150 INDONESIANS DETAINED IN LATEST JAKARTA CRACKDOWN ...... 151 TRANSMIGRATION EASES POVERTY BUT THREATENS ENVIRONMENT...... 151 INDONESIA OUT NOW! MOVEMENT STARTS ...... 152 AI: INDONESIA FAILS TO PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS ...... 153 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 7

INDONESIA SAYS AMNESTY RIGHTS REPORT BIASED ...... 153 AUTONOMY WILL HARDLY GET ON JAKARTA AGEN DA...... 154 ANNOYED BY ALATAS ...... 154 INDONESIA TO REOPEN MISSION IN CUBA ...... 155 MAN WITH THE RIGHT MATES (GJA ON BENNY MURDANI) ...... 155 XANANA GUSMÃO HARASSED BY INTEL ON EVE OF LONDON MEETING...... 156

EVENTS IN WEST PAPUA ...... 156 INDONESIAN MINING PROJECT POSED ‘UNREASONABLE HAZARD’ ...... 156 JAKARTA JOINS THE ROW OVER GRASBERG...... 157 FREEPORT MCMORAN: A TIMELINE...... 158 NCHR WON’T INVESTIGATE FREEPORT ...... 159 ABRI SET ON WEST PAPUAN BLOODBATH: JOSÉ RAMOS HORTA’S GOOD OFFICES OFFER ...... 159

YEAR-END REVIEWS...... 159 ANTARA: INDONESIA PURSUES ACTIVE DIPLOMACY IN 1995 ...... 159 UPI 1995: EAST TIMOR HAUNTS INDONESIA...... 160 INDONESIA ORDERED 35 FOREIGNERS OUT OF EAST TIMOR IN 1995 ...... 161 SUHARTO: NEED TO FOCUS THE MIND ON SETTLING DISPUTES ...... 161

INDONESIAN AND PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN LONDON...... 161 INDONESIA SAYS ASYLUM BIDS WILL STRAIN TALKS...... 161 AKASHI ASSISTING EAST TIMOR TALKS...... 162 ALATAS ON TIMOR TALKS IN LONDON ...... 162 NEW INDONESIAN - EAST TIMOR TALKS?...... 162 LISBON SEEKS TO EXPAND EAST TIMOR TALKS ...... 162 UN EAST TIMOR TALKS UNLIKELY TO BREAK GROUND...... 163 EXILED EAST TIMOR LEADER SCEPTICAL ON UN TALKS...... 163 FOREIGN MINISTER WILLING TO GO TO JAKARTA...... 163 AI: LONDON TALKS IMPORTANT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 164 VOA REPORTS ON AI STATEMENT...... 164 TIMOR: GAMA’S DEBUT, XANANA BACK ON AGENDA...... 165 SECRETARY-GENERAL HOLDS SEVENTH ROUND OF TALKS ON EAST TIMOR...... 165 COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SEVENTH ROUND OF TALKS ...... 165 LUSA ON GAMA-ALATAS TALKS ...... 166 SEEKING A FURTHER ROUND...... 166 PORTUGAL, INDONESIA MAKE LITTLE HEADWAY OVER EAST TIMOR ...... 166 XANANA GUSMÃO MUST PLAY LEADING ROLE, SAYS PORTUGUESE FOREI GN MINISTER ...... 167 PORTUGAL-INDONESIA TALKS COLLAPSE AS JAKARTA REFUSES TO RELAX ITS GRIP ...... 167 DATES, XANANA, AND THE REST...... 168 INDONESIA, PORTUGAL FAIL TO AGREE IN LONDON MEETING...... 168 SEVENTH ROUND OF UN TALKS ...... 169 FORMALITIES OVER FOR GAMA AND ALATAS...... 169 MR. AKASHI DENIES REPORTS OF “APPOINTMENT AS PERSON IN CHARGE OF EAST TIMOR” ...... 169 “PROGRESS” IN THREE-SIDED TALKS ON EAST TIMOR ISSUE, SAYS MR. AKASHI ...... 170

EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA...... 170 EAST TIMORESE REFUGEE SANCTUARY NETWORK FORMED ...... 170 STATEMENTS FROM SANCTUARY NETWORK SUPPORTERS ...... 170 AUSTRALIA IRKED BY CHURCH’S SANCTUARY OFFER...... 171 SPIRITED TESTAMENT TO THE EAST TIMORESE STRUGGLE...... 171 INDONESIAN FORCES TRAIN IN AUSTRALIA ...... 172 2,000 COMMEMORATE DILI MASSACRE IN MELBOURNE...... 172 Page 8 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

NOVEMBER 12 RALLY IN MELBOURNE...... 173 DILI MASSACRE REMEMBERED...... 173 RALLIES MARK 1991 DILI MASSACRE...... 174 GJA: AFTER THE BAMBOO CURTAIN HAS BEEN PULLED DOWN AGAIN...... 174 RECENT ACTIVITIES IN DARWIN ...... 176 ETCHRIET JOB OPENING IN MELBOURNE...... 176 FRETILIN RELAUNCHED IN PERTH ...... 176 DARWIN HUNGER STRIKE AND RECENT ACTIVITIES OF DECEMBER 7...... 176 DARWIN INDONESIAN CONSULATE HUNGER STRIKE...... 177 JAKARTA TO SEND CIVILIAN ENVOY TO AUSTRALIA...... 177 WIRYONO SASTROHANDOYO, RI AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRALIA...... 177 IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MILITARY OR CIVILIAN, BUT A CHOICE BETWEEN FASCISTS OR DEMOCRATS 178 AUSTRALIAN PROTESTERS BURN INDONESIAN FLAGS...... 179 INDONESIA TO PROTEST STRONGLY OVER FLAG BURNINGS...... 179 DARWIN COURT APPEARANCES ON FLAG-BURNINGS ...... 179 LAUNCH OF BOOK ON AUSTRALIA’S FAILINGS OVER EAST TIMOR ...... 179 AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA: EAST TIMOR ISSUE WON’T RUIN RELATIONS ...... 180 NATIONAL PICKETS AT ALL INDONESIAN CONSULATES IN AUSTRALIA...... 181 20 YEARS OF EAST TIMOR’S OCCUPATION...... 181 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TRADE UNION EAST TIMOR SUPPORT GROUP...... 182 PORTUGAL URGES EVANS TO TALK ON TIMOR...... 182 EVANS SAYS HE OPEN FOR PORTUGAL TALKS...... 183 AUSTRALIA, STEP UP COOPERATION ...... 183 SHANE STONE HITS OUR INDON ATTITUDES ...... 183 DARWIN: CHIEF MINISTER DEFENDS SUHARTO...... 184 RAMOS HORTA: LET US ESCALATE THE STRUGGLE!...... 184 CALL FOR EAST TIMOR DAY OF SOLIDARITY ...... 185 PUBLIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE IN , JUNE 1996 ...... 186

AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA SECURITY PACT SIGNED ...... 186 KEATING HAILS AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA DEFEN CE TREATY ...... 186 TEXT OF AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA SECURITY AGREEMENT...... 187 VOA ON SECURITY TREATY ...... 187 INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA TIES STRENGTHEN WITH TIME...... 187 AUSTRALIA SIGNS SECURITY DEAL WITH INDONESIA ...... 188 STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF AUSTRALIA...... 189 FOET(WA) CONDEMNS SECURITY TREATY...... 190 NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO INTERVIEW ON INDO-OZ SECURITY PACT ...... 190 SECURITY PACT SIGNED ...... 192 JAMES DUNN ON THE TREATY...... 192 DOES AUSTRALIA HAVE NO SHAME?...... 193 HANDS ACROSS THE TIMOR SEA...... 193 INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA: SECURITY ON ALL FRONTS - SAVE HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 194 REVEALING GEN. VIEWS ON AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA SECURITY ...... 195 COMMENT FROM JUAN FEDERER: ...... 196 TREATY FORMALISES BACKING FOR JAKARTA GENERALS...... 196

EVENTS IN AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND)...... 197 SOUTH TO INDONESIA ARMS SALES QUESTIONED...... 197 TIMOR HOPING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SPIN-OFF ...... 197 NZ PRESSES INDONESIA’S SUHARTO ON TIMOR RIGHTS ...... 197 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 9

CUT MILITARY TIES WITH INDONESIA, NZ RALLY SAYS ...... 197 FINALLY, A MEETING WITH RAMOS-HORTA...... 198 TIMORESE SHOCK AT ‘THUG’ TIE...... 198 TIMOR APPEAL FAILS TO CHANGE NZ’S STANCE ON INDONESIA...... 199 HORTA VISITS NEW ZEALAND ...... 199 ALLIANCE SEEKS INQUIRY INTO TIMOR SHOOTING...... 199 MOTHER WANTS GOVERNMENT HELP FOR TIMOR INQUIRY ...... 200

EVENTS IN ASIA...... 201 KOREA CONFERENCE DISCUSSES EAST TIMOR ...... 201 MALAYSIAN RIGHTS GROUP DEMANDS TO DROP BURMA INVITE ...... 203 EAST TIMOR REFUGEES BIDING TIME IN MACAO ...... 204 THAILAND TO BAR RAMOS-HORTA ...... 205 RAMOS HORTA ASKS LISBON TO PROTEST...... 205

APEC MEETS IN OSAKA - EVENTS IN JAPAN ...... 206 EAST TIMORESE TO OSAKA NGO MEETINGS ...... 206 PRESIDENT SUHARTO TO OSAKA APEC ...... 206 APEC OBSERVER STATUS FOR EAST TIMOR! ...... 206 INDONESIA BLASTS PORTUGAL...... 206 ALATAS: FENCE-CLIMBI NG NO LONGER A PROBLEM...... 207 VOA: APEC PROTESTS ...... 207 TIMORESE ACCUSES JAKARTA OF HARASSMENT...... 207 SALVADOR XIMENES JOINS INTEL TEAM ON APEC ...... 207 MAIREAD MAGUIRE MEETS WITH JAPANESE PM ON EAST TIMOR AND NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 208

EVENTS IN EUROPE...... 208 ARMS TRADE NEWS: FRANCE AND GERMANY...... 208 DEC. 7 INITIATIVES IN BRUSSELS ...... 209 CARMEL BUDIARDJO’S RIGHT LIVELIHOOD AWARD SPEECH ...... 209 CORTO MALTESE AND EAST TIMOR ...... 210 “PRONK [DUTCH MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT] AGAINST ARMS DEAL...... 210 COMMISSION SUGGESTS CHANGE TO PORTUGAL’S POSITION (ON ASEAN ACCORD) ...... 211 GAC (OF ) TO PREPARE FOR BANGKOK SUMMIT...... 211 RAMOS HORTA & SEN. CLAIBORNE PELL AWARDED 1ST UNPO HR PRIZES ...... 212

EVENTS IN PORTUGAL...... 212 NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE...... 212 ALMEIDA SANTOS WANTS GREATER ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE RESISTANCE ...... 213 PORTUGAL ACCUSES INDONESIA OVER TIMOR EXILES ...... 213 NEW PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT BODY TO SUPPORT ET EXILES ...... 213 PORTUGUESE GUILT OVER TIMOR...... 213 PORTUGAL REJECTS INDONESIAN NATO ROLE IN BOSNIA...... 214 LISBON TO INCREASE PRESSURE ON JAKARTA...... 215 PORTUGAL’S SOARES SAYS INDONESIA “DICTATORSHIP” ...... 215 TEN TIMORESE FAMILIES TO RETURN TO EAST TIMOR...... 215 10 ANTI-COLONIAL EAST TIMORESE FIGHTERS TO ARRIVE JAN 5...... 215 TIMORESE ON THEIR WAY BACK ...... 216 MINISTER DINES WITH TIMORESE REFUGEES ...... 216 PORTUGAL ACCUSED OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS...... 217 NEW PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT WILL KEEP EAST TIMOR QUESTION ALIVE...... 217 TIMORESE ARRESTED BY JAKARTA AS THEY ATTEMPT TO FLEE TO AUSTRALIA...... 218 DOM DUARTE’S BOYCOTT ...... 218 Page 10 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

GAMA IN MANILA...... 218 SOARES GETS CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM XANANA...... 218 TIMOR TO RECEIVE RTPI (PORTUGUESE TV) ...... 218 RTPI BEGINS BROADCASTS TO EAST TIMOR...... 219 INDONESIA QUERIES PORTUGAL’S SATELLITE TV MOTIVES ...... 219

EVENTS IN BRITAIN...... 219 BRITAIN’S HELP TO JAKARTA CONDEMNED BY LABOUR MP...... 219 JOB OPENING IN LONDON ...... 220 HAWKS OVER EAST TIMOR; BRITAIN ARMS INDONESIA...... 220 BRITAIN BACKS JAKARTA DENIAL OF TIMOR TERROR CLAIMS...... 223 BRITAIN APPROVES SALE OF FIGHTERS TO INDONESIA ...... 224 RESISTING THE GIANT: DAYSCHOOL ON BAE ...... 224 WOMEN DISARM HAWK JET WITH HAMMERS ...... 224

EVENTS IN IRELAND...... 225 DUBLIN VIGIL IN SUPPORT OF IRISH PEACE PILGRIMS...... 225 NORRIS URGES VISIT TO TIMOR REBEL LEADER...... 225 SANTA TO DECOMMISSION WARPLANE AT BRITISH EMBASSY ...... 225 ROLE OF IRELAND STRESSED AS UN TALKS BEGIN...... 226 HORTA INTERVIEWED ON RTE ...... 226

EVENTS IN CANADA...... 226 ISABEL GALHOS SINGS EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE SONG AT INDONESIAN EMBASSY IN OTTAWA ...... 226 CANADA STATEMENT TO UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON EAST TIMOR ...... 227 BISHOP BELO WINS THE JOHN HUMPHREY FREEDOM AWARD ...... 227 UNIONS CALL FOR ARMS EMBARGO...... 229 CANADIAN EAST TIMOR ADVOCATES THRASH TRADE TRIP...... 229 PM URGED TO TAKE A HARD, PUBLIC POSITION AGAINST MISTREATMEN T OF EAST TIMOR ISLANDERS . 230 CANADA CAN BE BOUGHT! ...... 230 CANADIAN TRADE MISSION TO INDONESIA DRAWS FIRE OVER HUMAN RIGHTS...... 231 CANADIAN RUSE FREES ACTIVIST...... 231 WHAT PROFIT TRADE IN HUMAN RIGHTS?...... 232 INDONESIA PACTS MAY TOTAL $2.7 BILLION...... 233 INDONESIAN CANADA AMBASSADOR INTIMIDATES ET REFUGEE MOTHER ...... 234 OTTAWA EAST TIMOR ACTIVIST SAYS DIPLOMAT THREATENED HER FAMILY...... 234 CANADA DEMANDS MEETING AFTER INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS REFUGEE ...... 235

EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES...... 236 THE EAST TIMOR QUESTION AND U.S. INTERESTS IN THE PACIFIC REGION ...... 236 EAST TIMORESE POLITICAL PRISONERS WRITE U.S. CONGRESS...... 237 ORGANIZING WHERE THE MONEY IS...... 238 SUHARTO COMES TO TOWN ...... 239 SUPPORTERS OF EAST TIMOR PROTEST INDONESIA’S OCCUPATION OF REGION...... 240 IS IT SAFE YET? PROMOTING THE SUHARTO REGIME IN AMERICA TODAY ...... 240 REPORT ON US-INDONESIA SOCIETY LAUNCHING IN JAKARTA ...... 242 INTERFAITH SERVICE TO COMMEMORATE EAST TIMOR MASSACRE VICTIMS...... 242 UPCOMING EAST TIMOR EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES...... 243 SIXTEEN ARRESTED AT INDONESIAN CONSULATE IN SAN FRANCISCO...... 244 SANTA CRUZ MEMORIAL EVENT IN LOS ANGELES...... 245 REPORT ON NOV. 12 COMMEMORATION IN SEATTLE...... 246 DERCO INDUSTRIES TO SUPPLY C-130 PARTS TO INDONESIA...... 246 SEN. ROBB ON EAST TIMOR ...... 246 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 11

US NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES RESOLUTION ON EAST TIMOR ...... 247 SEND CLINTON A MESSAGE...... 247 U.S. CAN HELP EAST TIMOR ...... 248 DON’T ABET TIMOR WOES ...... 248 EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT INTRODUCED IN U.S. CONGRESS ...... 248 PORTLAND ACTIVITIES, DECEMBER 7...... 250 FREEDOM HOUSE: EAST TIMOR AMONG WORST...... 250 US CONGRESS NOT VERY WELL INFORMED OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN INDONESIA...... 250 INDONESIA PLANS TO LAUNCH ITS PASSENGER JET IN 2002 ...... 250 TIME EXPLAINS NON-COVERAGE OF ET ...... 251 NEW YORK DEMO PROTESTS AUSTRALIA’S EAST TIMOR POLICY ...... 251

RESOURCES...... 251 XANANA ON CD...... 251 “DEATH OF A NATION” AVAILABLE ON VIDEO ...... 251 INDONESIA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 800 NUMBER...... 252 STOP THE HAWK DEAL NEWSLETTER ON WWW ...... 252 “20”: WWW INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FOR EAST TIMOR...... 252 “EYEWITNESS” LAUNCHED IN LONDON ...... 252 REVIEW: GENERATIONS OF RESISTANCE...... 253 CONTROVERSY OVER MICROSOFT ENCARTA ON EAST TIMOR ...... 253 INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PHOTOGRAPH ON POSTER ...... 254 INDONESIA DAILY NEWS DATABASE ONLINE...... 254 NEW WEB SITES ON EAST TIMOR ...... 255 THORN IN THE FLESH OF SOUTHEAST ASIA...... 255

nalists in E Timor 20 years ago. The latest THE INVASION -- TWENTY push followed yesterday’s claims by 4 for- OFFICER LINKED TO YEARS LATER mer E Timorese soldiers that the 5 were de- MURDER OF BRITONS WAS liberately killed by Indonesian forces. In NY the Indon Ambassador was “un- TRAINED IN UK moved” [ABC] claiming an [Indon] investi- AUSTRALIAN NEWS ON Independent on Sunday, 5 November 1995. gation into the matter was completed. In BALIBO KILLINGS AND By Hugh O’Shaughnessy, Christopher Bel- Australia the Democrats want to know what lamy and Matthew Brace TORTURE VIDEO the Australian government of the time knew about the killings. The Greens said it “was The first part only, on page 1. Excerpts from soc.culture.australian. Aussie about time” the Australian government got News from Latrobe An Indonesian army officer whose men serious into looking into what happened. brutally murdered two Britons, two Austra- ALP Left back-benchers said with the co- lians and a New Zealander 20 years ago, has TIMORESE ALLEGE INDONESIA operation of the Indon government they since been given a year’s training at a top PLANNED JOURNO KILLINGS 20 might get to the bottom of the matter, but British military college, the Independent on YEARS AGO without that co-operation there was no pos- Sunday has learned. Oct 27 Canberra. Former E Timorese sibility. Relatives of the dead Britons - both soldiers have rejected a Foreign Affairs in- For Affairs rep Alex Downer said the newsmen reporting on Indonesia’s 1975 in- vestigation into the killing of 5 journalists in Australian Embassy in Indon should do vasion of East Timor - yesterday expressed E Timor 20 years ago. The soldiers, who at more “forensic work” than has been done to shock and anger at the discovery that the time were assisting Indon forces, have this stage. “Let’s have a look at the mate- Mohammad Yunus Yosfiah, now a major- told ABC News the Indon officers had rial,” he told ABC TV. “Let’s work out general in the Indonesian Army, was al- planned to kill the news people all along. where we go from there.” lowed to spend a year at the prestigious They say they have received legal advice Australian For Affairs Min Gareth Evans Royal College of Defence Studies in 1989. and because of fears for their own safety said the Australian government can’t unilat- In 1979 he was a special forces major in they say they will only give evidence to a erally mount an investigation in another the Indonesian marines [sic - this should be full judicial inquiry. A government rep said country. The Dept. of For Affairs said they the red-berets, then called RPKAD] when officials were “considering their options.” were making “contact” with the E Timorese his troops murdered the group of journal- Oct 27 Canberra. There are fresh calls for soldiers who spoke to ABC TV yesterday, ists, working for Australian television sta- a Senate Inquiry into the murder of 5 jour- to “find out more details.” Page 12 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. tions, at the tiny East Timorese frontier vil- no politician. But I think the whole thing “What you say about my knowledge or lage of Balibo. stinks.” complicity (about the invasion) is not true,” The five, including Britons Brian Peters, John Foster, general secretary of the Na- Whitlam told a questioner at a National a 29-year old cameraman, and Malcolm tional Union of Journalists, said yesterday Press Club address. Rennie, a 28-year old reporter, were killed in that he would write to the relevant Govern- “I had no intelligence that any landing cold blood although they were wearing civil- ment departments demanding more informa- was contemplated in (the East Timor capi- ian clothes. They had taken no part in the tion on the affair. tal) Dili – from the air or the sea,” Whitlam desperate East Timorese defence of their “If this proves to be true, we will make said. territory against the invading Indonesians. protests to Parliament and say that the guy Whitlam has previously rejected charges The house they were using as their tem- should be extradited and the Government that in two meetings with Indonesian Presi- porary base was clearly identified with a should take immediate action,” he said. dent Suharto months before the invasion he drawing of an Australian flag and the word The 1975 murders were committed at the had signalled Australia would not oppose ‘Australia.’ The four died shouting: “Aus- very beginning of Indonesia’s savage occu- Indonesian rule of East Timor. tralians!” pation of the former Portuguese colony, Indonesia invaded East Timor in October After their death, men from Yosfiah’s which continues to this day despite wide- 1975, annexing it as a province in 1976, in a unit photographed the bodies with auto- spread international condemnation. So far, move not recognised by the United Nations, matic weapons in a bid to manufacture evi- Indonesian rule has cost the lives of an esti- which regards Portugal as the administrative dence suggesting that they had been combat- mated 200,000 East Timorese. power. ants. The invaders then doused them with In London yesterday, neither the Foreign Australia recognises Indonesian sover- petrol and burned them. The Indonesians Office for the Ministry of Defence would eignty over East Timor. gave some of their charred bones to the Aus- comment on the affair. Whitlam also said he twice warned Aus- tralian government a few weeks later. The full story on page five extends across tralian television journalist Greg Shackleton In 1989, it has now emerged, Yosfiah was five columns with photos of the class of offi- of the worsening situation in East Timor invited to Britain to study at the Royal Col- cers with Yosfiah at the Royal College of De- just days before he went to the territory and lege of Defence Studies, and spent a year in fence Studies in 1989, and photos of the was killed, along with four other Australian- London as an honoured guest of the Gov- murdered British journalists and Brian Pe- based reporters. ernment, working with senior officers, in- ters’ sister Maureen Tolfree. “I said you ought to be aware that the cluding British commanders from the Falk- Portuguese have gone out and nobody exer- lands war. EX-AUSTRALIAN PM DENIES cises authority there and nobody could look It is not clear how much was known after you,” Whitlam said. about his background, but Colonel Yosfiah, INVASION COMPLICITY “I gave all I knew...I warned him,” he as he was in 1989, could not have been cho- said. CANBERRA, Nov 8 (Reuter) - Former sen without the recommendation of the Brit- Whitlam’s government has been criticised Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam ish Embassy in Jakarta and the cooperation for initially covering up the deaths of the on Wednesday said he had no knowledge of of the Ministry of Defence. five newsmen and then failing to tackle the Indonesia’s planned invasion of the former Maureen Tolfree, sister of Brian Peters, Indonesian government over the killings. Portuguese colony of East Timor, which said yesterday: “It doesn’t matter if it’s East Timor witnesses say the reporters occurred a month after he lost power in twenty years ago. I couldn’t believe he had were killed by Indonesian soldiers. Jakarta 1975. been here in England. Whether the Govern- says the men were killed in cross-fire. ment knew about him ... I don’t know. I’m

EAST TIMOR’S INDEPENDENCE DAY 2. With regard to Indonesia’s East Timor solidarity groups, Indonesian activists should IMHO be given high marks, since in their daily ac- From Paul Salim, Nov. 25. Abridged, tables omitted. tivities they really have to risk their lives under the threat of the Dedicated to my fellow Indonesians, my East Timorese friends, ruthless Soeharto Regime. and my friends around the world To commemorate the 20th anniversary of East Timor’s independ- ence, I would like to show you how international publications have Dear readers: reacted to the tremendous efforts by the East Timor solidarity groups East Timor declared Independence on 28th November 1975, around the world as mentioned in Table 1 above. but has been under the Indonesian rule since the invasion on 7th As a matter of fact, several mainstream media still show that East December 1975. A brief account of East Timor since 1975 has Timor is the 27th province of Indonesia. We also have difficulty to been described elsewhere (ref. [1]). Several solidarity groups find some maps which do not incorporate East Timor into Indonesia, working for East Timor’s right to self-determination have since especially for publishers such as Reader’s Digest, Oxford University been set up around the world and their headquarters in the na- Press, Time Magazine, and any other mainstream publishers. How- tional level are summarized in Table 1 [omitted here]. ever, other international publications do not follow the mainstream There are two interesting facts seen in Table 1: ones, but show what East Timor really is, such as the following publications: 1. East Timor solidarity groups in national level have been set 1. “Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae,” a yearbook published by Li- up not only in the West, but also in developing countries. breria Editrice Vaticana (Rome), never incorporates East Timor into Among 75 groups, 56 groups (75%) are in the West, and 4 Indonesia, groups (i.e., ELSAM, INFIGHT, PIJAR, and PPBI) are in 2. “Amnesty International Reports” published annually by the Indonesia. Amnesty International have been titled “Indonesia and East Timor” since 1981, which means East Timor is not a part of Indonesia. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 13

In addition, there have been other publications which changed their policy quite recently and now show that East Timor is a separate state, or at least East Timor is an Indonesian colony or still under Portugal. This change is worth noting and will be shown in detail in this article which will be divided into several parts according to the names of the publications as follows: 1. “Third World Guide 1995/96” ==> see Parts I and II 2. “The International Yearbook and Statesmen’s Who’s Who 1995/96” ==> see Part III 3. “Political Handbook of the World” ==> see Part IV 4. “Freedom in the World” ==> see Part V 5. “Geographical Distribution of Financial Flows to Developing Countries” ==> see Part VI Some readers may be surprised, if I raise a question, “Do you know the National Holiday of East Timor??.” The answer can be found in Parts I and III, both of which come from two different sources. Finally, this article will be closed with Part VII which shows very interesting discussions on East Timor and will be titled “East Timor: An Untold Story.” This part contains several new things which you have not seen in previous publications. For example, one reference in this part comes from the Roman Catholic church in the , and, as far as I remember, has never been touched in the study of East Timor. In addition, one of the paragraphs in this part will be filled with my current research on East Timor’s political economy. Hope you enjoy my article. Paul Salim References [1] Budiardjo, C., 1994, East Timor - A Colonized Nation, New Internationalist, 253, pp. 18-19. [2] ETAN/US’s reports updated in September 1995, and available at “gopher.igc.apc.org” [3] Private Communications or recent Internet News. Page 14 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Third World Guide 1995/96 Long before the arrival of Vasco da Gama, the Chinese and Arabs is the result of documentation, research, writing, editing and de- knew Timor as an “exhaustible” source of precious woods which were sign work done by the “Instituto de Tercer Mundo” (Third exchanged for axes, pottery, lead and other goods of use to the local World Institute) with the following address: inhabitants. Instituto de Tercer Mundo Timor’s traditional Maubere society consisted of five major catego- Juan D. Jackson 1136, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay ries: the Liurai (kings and chiefs), the Dato (lesser nobles and warri- Phone: 598 2 496192 Fax: 598 2 419222 ors), the Ema-reino (freemen), the Ata (slaves) and the Lutum (no- E-mail: [email protected] madic shepherds). In 1859, Portugal and the Netherlands agreed to divide the territory The country report with regard to East Timor can be found in between them. The Portuguese kept the Eastern part, under an accord pages 221 and 222 in “Third World Guide 1995/96” which reads ratified in 1904. Resistance to colonialism included armed insurrections the following: in 1719, 1895 and 1959, all of which were put down. Passive resis- tance by the Maubere enabled their culture to survive five centuries of EAST TIMOR - TIMOR LESTE colonialism. It fared better than the forests of precious woods: species Population: 821,000 (1994) like sandalwood were exhausted very early, or replaced with coffee Area: 14,870 Sq. Km plantations, which are still Timor’s economic mainstay. Capital: Dili The independence movement began later than in other Portuguese PROFILE colonies in Africa, but in the mid-1970s a national liberation front was formed, bringing together nationalist forces and all sectors of society. Environment: In April 1974, when the clandestine struggle against colonial rule Located between Australia and Indonesia, East Timor com- had already grown and gained broad support, the “Carnation Revolu- prises the eastern portion of Timor Island, the dependency of tion” took place in Lisbon. With the fall of the fascist colonial regime Oecusse, located on the northwestern part of the island, the is- in the metropolis, the political scene in Timor changed and the patri- land of Atauro to the North, and the islet of Yaco to the East. otic movement was legalized. In September, the Revolutionary Front Of volcanic origin, the island is mountainous and covered with for the Independence of East Timor (FRETILIN) was created. dense rainforest. The climate is tropical with heavy rainfall, The new Portuguese government promised independence but the which accounts for the extensive river system. The southern re- colonial administration favoured the creation of the Timor Democratic gion is flat and suitable for farming. Union (UDT), which supported the colonial status quo and “federa- Society: tion” with Portugal. At the same time, the Indonesian Consulate in Peoples: The Maubere people result from the integration be- Dili, Timor’s capital, encouraged a group of Timorese to organize the tween Melanesian and Malayan populations. In 1975, there was Timor Popular Democratic Association (APODETI) which wanted a Chinese minority of 20,000 as well as 4,000 Portuguese, 3,000 full independence from Portugal, and supported integration with Indo- of whom were in the armed forces. 200,000 people are estimated nesia. to have died as a result of the Indonesian occupation. There are A period of conflict ensued between Portuguese neo-colonialist in- 6,000 Maubere refugees in Australia and 1,500 in Portugal. terests, Indonesian annexationists and the independence movement. In Religions: Most of the population profess traditional relig- August, the UDT attempted a coup d’état causing FRETILIN to issue ions. 30% are Catholic a call for general armed insurrection, and the Portuguese administration Languages: Tetum is the national language. There are several withdrew from the country. FRETILIN attained territorial control and dialects. Indonesian occupation has banned the use of these lan- declared independence on November 28, 1975, proclaiming the Democ- guages in education, and virtually all the teaching is done in Ba- ratic Republic of East Timor. To this day, however, Portugal’s with- hasa, the Indonesian language. A minority also speaks Portu- holding of official recognition continues to have important diplomatic guese. and political implications. The State: PART II Official Name: República de Timor Leste On December 7, 1975, Indonesia invaded the new republic. A few Capital: Dili, 60,150 inhabitants in 1960 hours earlier, US president Gerald Ford had visited Jakarta where he Government: The country has been occupied by Indonesia had probably learned of, and endorsed, Suharto’s exp ansionist plans. since its independence. Mario Carrascalão is the governor, named FRETILIN was forced to withdraw from the capital, Dili, and from the by the government of Indonesia. Xanana Gusmão, head of the major ports. On June 2, 1976, a so-called “People’s Assembly,” made National Liberation Armed Forces for Convergence, is responsi- up of UDT and APODETI members, approved Timor’s annexation as ble for the reorganization of the structures of the revolutionary a province of Indonesia. However, this illegal resolution was not rec- movement; Currently in prison in Jakarta. He was succeeded at ognized by the United Nations Decolonization Committee, which still first by Antonio Gomes da Costa; currently Konis Santana is regards Portugal as the colonial power responsible for Timor. taking his place. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of East Timor established National Holiday: November 28, Independence Day diplomatic relations with numerous former Portuguese colonies and socialist states. Demography: In December 1978, FRETILIN president Nicolau dos Reis Lobato Urban: 13% died in combat. Despite this great loss, the liberation movement reor- Density: 48 inhabitants per sq. km. ganized and continued resistance. According to reliable sources, Indo- Annual growth: 0.7% (1970-86) nesia has adopted a policy of extermination on the island, to date kill- Communications: 5 radio receivers per 1,000 inhabitants ing off nearly 20 per cent of the population. (1988). Tactics used in the war have varied. In 1978, in a peculiar decision, Energy Consumption: 46 kgs of Coal Equivalent per capita the Front organized the massive surrender of civilians, who then yearly, 91% imported (1990). moved into the Indonesian-controlled cities. Young men were armed and trained by the Indonesian army in an attempt to “Timorize” the East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 15 war and set the Maubere against each other. But acting on the six countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations FRETILIN instructions, now well-armed and equipped recruits, (ASEAN). Portugal also requested a meeting of the UN Security rebelled and re-joined the revolutionary forces. The Front be- Council, criticizing them harshly because they did not react to Indone- came active in both the countryside and the cities. sia as they had to Iraq on the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Indonesia’s responses to the war were erratic. In 1983, A visit to the island by Portuguese members of parliament, sched- FRETILIN commander-in-chief, Xanana Gusmão, signed a uled for the first days of November 1991, was cancelled after the In- ceasefire with the chief of the expeditionary force, Colonel Pur- donesians refused to allow entry an Australian journalist accompany- wanto. However, President Suharto objected to this agreement, ing the delegation. and the guerilla war continued. Opposition leaders accused the US, Australia, the Netherlands, Ja- The region is well renowned for its mineral reserves, and in pan and other countries with important economic interests in Indone- April 1985, an international consortium was formed to explore sia, of cooperating with Jakarta in its attempt to play down the geno- oil and natural gas reserved in Timor territorial waters off the cide and silence the international press. coast of Australia. Late in 1991, Portugal reported that Jakarta and Canberra had In 1988 FRETILIN sought closer ties with the Timor Democ- signed a contract with twelve companies to extract around a billion bar- ratic Union (UDT), and established a coordinating body, the Na- rels of oil from the sea around Timor. The list of companies is led by tional Convergence. This union helped Portugal to actively re- Royal Dutch Shell (British and Dutch capital), and Chevron (US). sumed its role. The internal structure of the nationalist move- They are followed by six Australian companies, Nippon Oil (Japan), ment was reorganized, to become politically independent and and transnational corporations; Phillips Petroleum, Marathon, and the more locally based. Gusmão was confirmed as commander-in- Enterprise Oil Company. Meanwhile, representatives of the Austra- chief of Timor’s liberation army. lian government have announced that they will not support the sanc- Portugal won an important diplomatic victory when the tions against Jakarta. European Parliament and the European Commission (the execu- In Timor, the leaders of Nationalist Convergence urged Portugal to tive organ of the European Economic Community) adopted a break negotiations with Indonesia and to take the harsher measures position on the East Timor issue. They defended the Maubere needed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, through UN interven- people’s right to self-determination, recognized the need for a tion. Nationalist Convergence expects that conditions to put pressure negotiated settlement, and condemned the Indonesian occupa- on the Indonesian government will be more favourable in 1992, when tion. Portugal takes up the EEC Presidency, both at EEC, and UN, level. In October 1989, the United Nations Human Rights Sub- The Timorese demand compliance with the UN resolutions: the with- commission passed a motion condemning Indonesian occupation drawal of occupation troops, and a referendum to decide on the coun- and repression in East Timor. The disturbances had spread try’s political future. throughout the island, above all in Dili where students took to In March 1992, the ship “ Expresso” left Port Darwin, in the streets, burned cars and destroyed the houses of several In- Australia. On board were human rights activists from over 23 coun- donesian officers. tries, and well-known Portuguese politicians, including president Ra- Repression increased after this. The island had long forbidden malho Eanes. “The Peace Boat,” left with the aim of commemorating entrance to foreign correspondents, isolating Dili from the rest of the Dili massacre of November 1991. The Indonesians authorities im- the world. There are no telephone lines out of the country; nor mediately announced that the ship would be diverted from the its are there any diplomatic representatives in the capital. course to a nearby island; where the government would decide which When Pope John Paul II visited Dili in October 1989, a group members of the committee would be authorized to enter Timor. of young people unfurled a FRETILIN banner twenty meters According to reports published in early 1994, every Saturday the from the altar where mass was celebrated. Of the 80,000 people mothers of the dead, imprisoned without trial or “disappeared” gather who attended the ceremony, 13,000 are calculated to have been in Dili’s main square to pray and voice their protest. members of the Indonesian security forces. The young protest- On March 11, 1993, the United Nations Human Rights Commis- ers shouted independence slogans while the army waded in to sion reported continuous violations of basic human rights and re- prevent them. Reporters accompanying the Pope, some of quested permission to enter the country the country to investigate de- whom had their cameras confiscated, witnessed at first hand the nunciations of torture, summary executions and religious discrimina- political oppression operating in East Timor, and were able to tions; the request was denied. In the meantime, since April 1992, Aus- inform the rest of the world. tralia has replaced the United States as the country’s main military Repression has however continued: every family is required training partner. Portugal, in turn, adopted a more dynamic role during to hang a list on their door naming the family members living in the trials of FRETILIN commander José “Xanana” Gusmão, and his the house, and the list can be checked at any time by occupation successor, Antonio Gomes da Costa, who was given a life sentence in forces. Thousands of Maubere women have been compulsorily 1993. sterilized, and Tetum, the national language, is banned from In August 1993, after much international pressure, Gomes da schools. The transmigration policy enforced by the Indonesian Costa’s sentence was reduced to 20 years. The Jakarta government authorities is reducing the Maubere people to the status of a mi- also agreed to the creation of an independent Human Rights Commis- nority in their own country. Also mass graves have been discov- sion responsible to the Supreme Court, as well as opening the country ered in different parts of the country, containing corpses which to a visit from 25 foreign journalists in April 1994. showed signs of having suffered mass execution at the hand of Part III the occupation forces. In early November, during a massive peaceful funeral proces- “The International Yearbook and Statesmen’s Who’s Who: sion accompanying the body of a young man who had been mur- 1995/96” was published by Reed Information Services with the dered, the army opened fire on the crowd, 200 people were following address: killed, and countless more were injured. Media coverage in this Reed Information Services, event caused the Portuguese government to appeal to the EEC Windsor Court, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, countries to break trading relations with Indonesia. Indonesia has West Sussex RH19 1XA, England a preferential trading agreement with the EEC, being a member of Tel (01342) 326972, Fax (01342) 335720, Page 16 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Telex 95127 INFSER G ET’s Independence Day - Part IV The profile of East Timor is found in page 479 in that book “Political Handbook of the World” is published for the Centre for which regards East Timor as a Portuguese colony, and reads as Social Analysis (CSA) of the University of New York at Binghamton, follows: New York 13902-6000. The CSA has been regarding East Timor as an EAST TIMOR annexed territory of Indonesia since its publication of “Political Hand- CAPITAL: Dilly (Dili) book of the World: 1977” in page 182. The most recent “Political GOVERNOR: Mario Carrascalão Handbook of the World: 1994-1995” touches East Timor in pages 399- CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT: East Timor, the 400, and reads as follows: eastern half of the Timor Island came under Portuguese control EAST TIMOR - AN ANNEXED TERRITORY OF INDONESIA in 1904. The rest of the island was ceded to the Indonesians by the Dutch in 1949. Administered by Portugal for nearly four centuries, East Timor oc- In East Timor, the process of decolonization has been crip- cupies approximately half of the island of Timor, at the eastern tip of pled by the civil war that broke out in 1974 between three po- the Malay Archipelago; the western half, with the exception of the litical movement - the Timor Democratic Union (UDT), the former Portuguese enclave of Ocussi Ambeno, has historically been Revolutionary Front for the Independence of East Timor Indonesian. The area of East Timor is 5,763 square miles (14,925 sq. (FRETILIN) and the Timor Popular Democratic Association km) and its population numbers 778,000 (1991 estimate). Principal (APODETI). exports are coffee, copra, rubber and wax. In 1974, the Portuguese were forced to leave the territory, fol- After the 1974 coup in Portugal, Australia and Indonesia announced lowing a failed coup by the Timor Democratic Union. The that they favoured annexation of the territory by Indonesia but that FRETILIN subsequently declared the independence of East they would respect the desires of the Timorese people. In September Timor. 1974, Dr. Mario Soares, the Portuguese foreign minister, met his Indo- On 7th December 1975, Indonesia intervened and occupied nesian counterpart, Adam Malik, at New York, and the two agreed the territory, causing the death of over 200,000 civilians. Portu- that the Timorese should decide their own future, Portugal offering to gal asked the United Nations to intervene and the Security conduct a referendum on the subject in 1975. Council demanded the withdrawal of the Indonesian forces. Within East Timor, the Timorese Democratic People’s Association In spite of the strong military presence by the Indonesians (“Associação da Populaca Democrática de Timor” - APODETI) had and an intensive programme of transmigration transferring Indo- campaigned for autonomous status within Indonesia, while the Democ- nesian citizens to East Timor, Indonesia has not been able to ratic Union of Timor (“União Democrática de Timor” - UDT) had ad- curb resistance to her rule among the East Timorese. Indonesia vocated looser ties to Portugal and eventual independence. In January has been held responsible for widespread human rights violations 1975, the UDT and the left-wing Revolutionary Front for an Inde- against the East Timorese. pendent East Timor (“Frente Revolucionário de Timor Leste Inde- To this day, Portugal and the United Nations have not recog- pendente - FRETILIN) agreed to unite in opposition to integration nized the Indonesian annexation. Portugal is considered by the with Indonesia, but the alliance broke up four months later. On August United Nations the Administering Power over the territory, until 11, the UDT launched a coup against the colonial administration at the East Timorese are able to exercise their rights freely. Dili, the capital, while FRETILIN mounted an insurrection of its own Nevertheless, Indonesia refuses the Portuguese access to the four days later. On November 28, FRETILIN declared the formation territory, as she also denies the East Timorese a free referendum of a “Democratic Republic of East Timor,” but on December 7, an in- to exercise their right to self-determination. In order to find a vasion by Indonesia, in support of a pro-Jakarta alliance that included global, just and internationally accepted solution to the problem, APODETI, the UDT, and several smaller parties, drove FRETILIN Portugal and Indonesia agreed in September 1992 to resume talks from Dili. By the end of the year, Indonesia had annexed Ocussi Am- under the auspices of the UN Secretary General. beno and had occupied virtually all of East Timor, which was formally POLITICAL PARTIES: In 1988, the National Convergence, a absorbed on July 17, 1976. The action was not recognized by Portugal, coalition between the Revolutionary Front for the independence which remained committed to self-determination for the Timorese, and of East Timor and the Timor Democratic Union, was formed. was repeatedly condemned by the UN General Assembly. At the May Xanana Gusmão is head of the National Armed Forces for the 1982 election, East Timor for the first time chose four DPR represen- Liberation of East Timor (FALINTIL). tatives, all of whom ran as candidates. AREA AND POPULATION: Timor, of which East Timor is While major guerilla activity persisted through 1977, resistance by a part, is a large island in the Malay Archipelago, off the north- remaining FRETILIN elements has since been restricted to remote ar- west coast of Australia, about 700 km from Port Darwin. East eas. Meanwhile, a major international relief effort, financed largely by Timor includes the territory of Ocussi-Ambens, which extends the United States and administered by the Red Cross and the Catholic for about 60 km to a depth of 25 km along the middle of the Relief Services, was initiated in the fall of 1979 to avert mass starva- northern coast of Indonesian Timor. The total area of the prov- tion. The effort was terminated at Indonesia’s request in December ince is 14,925 sq. km and the population in 1992 was an esti- 1980, by which time the crisis had abated. Estimates placed the death mated 750,000. toll during 1975-1979 at 100,000 or more, although lack of access by Tetum is the national language of East Timor, with Bahasa be- the outside world made it difficult to verify not only the number of ing used in most schools. fatalities but allegations that Indonesia had engaged in genocide and the NATIONAL HOLIDAY: 28 November, Independence Day. systematic destruction of croplands in order to starve the islanders FINANCE: Budget figures for 1969 were: Revenues 136,008 into submission. In August 1983 a new anti-FRETILIN offensive was contos; Expenditures 170,359 contos. launched involving 20,000 Indonesian troops, with continued fighting PRODUCTION, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE: The reported through mid-1984; by 1985, however, the guerrillas appeared main products are coffee, copra, palm oil, rice, wax and hides. In to have retreated, and Jakarta’s primary goals in East Timor focused 1970 there were in the province 127,148 buffalo, 114,152 on education, agriculture, and infrastructural development. horses, 43,033 sheep, 217,011 goats and 224,268 pigs. During 1987, Lisbon was reported to have adopted a more flexible EDUCATION: There are 105 primary schools with 6,269 attitude toward negotiations over East Timor in an effort to achieve a pupils and a technical school with over 100 pupils. settlement that would lead to the reestablishment of diplomatic rela- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 17 tions with Jakarta. It indicated, however, that it would continue Status: Not Free to oppose Indonesian claims to sovereignty over the territory. In OVERVIEW: December 1988, Jakarta accorded East Timor “open territory” Tensions in East Timor in late June 1994 after two Indonesian sol- status after it was determined that FRETILIN was “no longer a diers trampled on a sacred wafer being used in a church service in the security threat.” Nevertheless, in October 1989, the government village of Remeksio, near Dili, the capital. cracked down on anti-Indonesian protesters during a visit by This, and continued clashes between the 5,000 Indonesian troops Pope John Paul II, the subsequent detention and alleged torture and the remnants of the FRETILIN (Revolutionary Front for an Inde- of 40 people eliciting strong US condemnation and a renewed pendent East Timor) guerrillas, who are estimated to number less than Portuguese call for an independent referendum. 200, underscored the persistent resistance to Indonesia’s annexation of On November 12, 1991, Indonesian troops fired on an esti- this former Portuguese colony in 1976. mated 3,500 demonstrators who had assembled peacefully at During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit Dili to pay homage to a student killed in a clash with police two held in Bogor, Indonesia in November 1994, a week of anti-Indonesian weeks earlier. Between 60 and 180 persons were slaughtered be- demonstrations rocked Dili. Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, the fore the troops moved in to beat up the survivors, with some territory’s religious leader, said police detained and beat some 135 300-400 subsequently reported to have been tortured and/or exe- demonstrators. Police conducted house-to-house searches to find any- cuted. The massacre having drawn worldwide condemnation, one suspected of involvement. Meanwhile, a group of twenty-nine President Suharto appointed a seven-member commission, Timorese held a twelve day sit in at the American embassy in Jakarta, headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, to investigate Indonesia, to raise international awareness of the territory’s plight. the incident. A month later, in a preliminary report that was un- characteristically critical of the armed forces, several officers POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES: were charged with having gone “beyond the limit of propriety” Since 1976 Indonesian annexation of East Timor, the government and Suharto ordered dismissal of East Timor’s two principal and military have committed widespread rights abuses against dissi- commanders. In February 1992, as Portugal moved to bring the dents and ordinary citizens. Up to 200,000 Timorese died from 1975- matter before the Geneva-based Human Rights Commission, the 1979, when FRETILIN fought for independence. Freedoms of speech, Indonesian military discharged three senior officers for “mis- press, assembly and association are nonexistent. Police continue to takes” and “negligence” in the province, with others receiving carry out arbitrary detentions and arrests. In May 1984 police arrested lesser penalties. The following November, Fretilin’s former mili- two East Timorese for staging protests in front of a hotel housing tary commander, José Alexandre (“Xanana”) Gusmão, was cap- twenty-eight foreign journalists. On 23 June a court sentenced three tured in a western suburb of Dili and in May 1993 was sen- activists to twenty months each for staging a demonstration coinciding tenced to life imprisonment for a variety of offences that in- with a conference on East Timor being held in Manila. On 27 June a cluded leadership of a separatist rebellion. On November 2, court jailed two East Timorese for three years each for raising the 1993, Konis Santana was reported to have taken over as Fre- FRETILIN flag the previous July. tilin’s military commander. There are credible reports that dissidents are tortured and held in- On April 14, 1994, in the first reported public expression of communicado. In February 1994 the government denied imprisoned dissent since the 1991 massacre, a small group of protestors call- FRETILIN leader José Gusmão permission to meet with the inde- ing for Gusmão’s release and freedom for East Timor mounted a pendent Legal Aid Foundation. The authorities occasionally detain demonstration at Dili that was quickly dispersed by security people without charge and then require them to report to police on a forces. regular basis. Foreign journalists must obtain special passes to enter Part V East Timor, which are granted infrequently, and kept under constant surveillance. The government allowed foreign journalists greater access “Freedom in the World” is an annual publication of the during the November APEC summit, although police briefly detained Freedom House with the following address: two American reporters. Freedom House, 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005. The government has closed schools that refute to use the national Although FRETILIN proclaimed an independent East Timor Bahasa Indonesia as their primary language. According to José Ramos on November 28, 1975, the Freedom House had not yet recog- Horta, an exile-based Timorese leader, the Indonesian government is nized East Timor as a colony until its publication in 1991 titled moving as many as 1,000 Indonesians from other parts of the archipel- “Freedom in the World: Political Rights and Civil Liberties 1990- ago into East Timor each week. A New Zealand parliamentarians dele- 91.” Probably the Freedom House opened its eyes and have re- gation that visited the territory in November reported that over the garded East Timor as Indonesian colony since the visit of Pope past five years upwards of 100,000 Indonesians had been encouraged John Paul II there in October 1989, when East Timor was an by financial inducements to move to East Timor. The majority Roman “open territory” for the first time since the 1975 invasion and Catholic population faces frequent harassment on religious grounds. In several foreign journalists witnessed Indonesian atrocities there. July 1994 Bishop Belo told Reuters that “Christians are constantly The most recent publication of the Freedom House titled being arrested, beaten and intimidated by police.” “Freedom in the World: The Annual Survey of Political Rights ET’s Independence Day - Part VI and Civil Liberties 1994-95” explains East Timor in pages 640- “Geographical Distribution of Financial Flows to Developing Coun- 641 and reads as follows: tries” is an annual publication of the Organisation for Economic Co- Related Territories Reports of Indonesia operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. It is interesting to note EAST TIMOR that the OECD never published East Timor as a separate country from Polity: Dominant party (military-dominated) 1975 to 1991. But, after the massacre in the Santa Cruz cemetery on Economy: Capitalist-statist November 12, 1991, the OECD published East Timor as a separate Population: 778,000 country under the name “Timor” in its 1992 publication and repeated Ethnic Groups: Timorese, Javanese, others in its 1993 publication under a slightly different name “Geographical Political Rights: 7 (lowest rating) Distribution of Financial Flows to Aid Recipients.” The contents of Civil Liberties : 7 (lowest rating) Page 18 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

the 1993 publication for “Timor” can be found in page 185 and Table 4 - Total Grants (Millions of US$) read as follows: 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 “TIMOR” DAC COUNTRIES: Nomenclature: Japan 0.3 CEC = Commission of the European Communities Portugal 0.1 0.1 DAC = Development Assistance Committee TOTAL 0.3 0.1 0.1 ODA = Official Development Assistance MULTILATERAL: TC = Technical Co-operation Definitions: CEC 0.1 0.6 ODA is financial flow to developing countries and multilateral TOTAL 0.1 0.6 institutions, and meets the following tests: TOTAL 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.1 1. it is administered with the promotion of the economic de- Note: Total Grants from DAC Countries = Total TC (Technical velopment and welfare of developing countries as its main objec- Co-operation) Grants in the 8th row of Table 5 below. tive, and 2. it is concessional in character and conveys a grant element Table 5 - Disbursements (Millions of US$) (i.e., interest rate, maturity [ interval to final repayment ] and 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 grace period [ interval to first repayment ]) of at least 25 per DAC COUNTRIES cent. COMBINED Grants is transfers, in money or in kind, of which no repay- PRIVATE SECTOR NET -5.4 55.2 -11.2 ment is required. Direct Investment 62.3 TC Grants is grants involving the supply of human resources Portfolio Investment -11.2 (teachers, volunteers, and experts) or actions targeted on human Export Credit - -5.4 -7.2 resources (education, training, advice). Direct Investment is the purchase of a physical operating ALL DONORS unit, such as newly built houses, plant, equipment, and invento- COMBINED ries (note: the investor may actually operate the business). TC GRANTS 0.3 0.1 0.1 Portfolio Investment is the purchase of securities, such as ODA COMMITMENTS 6.4 stocks and bonds (note: the investor helps finance a business and simply holds pieces of paper that represent a share of owner- ship or the debt of the firm). ET’s Independence Day - Part VII (END)

Table 2 - Total Receipts Net (Millions of US$) EAST TIMOR: AN UNTOLD STORY 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 written by Paul H. Salim DAC COUNTRIES: This part will hopefully be the climax of my seven-part article, and France 55.2 will be divided into 4 (four) interesting paragraphs on East Timor: -1.2 1. a discussion on 200,000 people killed in East Timor since Indo- Japan -4.2 0.3 -11.2 nesian invasion on 7th December 1975, Portugal 0.1 0.1 2. forced profession of faith, TOTAL -5.4 0.3 55.3 -11.1 3. harrassments towards the Catholics, MULTILATERAL: 4. the political economy of East Timor with a subject on the com- CEC - 0.1 0.6 parison of East Timorese prosperity during the Portuguese and Indo- nesian rules. TOTAL 0.1 0.6 TOTAL -5.3 0.9 55.3 -11.1 Regarding 200,000 victims Note: Total Receipts Net = Total ODA Net in Table 3 below + Amnesty International reported that the number of people who Private Sector Net in the 3rd row of Table 5 below. have died in East Timor since Indonesian invasion directly as a result of the armed conflict are as high as 200,000, about a third of the pre- invasion population [4]. The figure could come from a discrepancy Table 3 - Total ODA Net (Millions of US$) between the 1970 Portuguese census (which recorded a population of 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 609,477) and the 1980 Indonesian census (which recorded a popula- DAC COUNTRIES: tion of 555,350). Japan 0.3 A closer look of the number of East Timorese victims shows the Portugal 0.1 0.1 facts that: TOTAL 0.3 0.1 0.1 1. in February 1976, 60,000 persons had been killed in East Timor MULTILATERAL: since August 1975, as reported by the UDT’s chair-person, Lopez CEC 0.1 0.6 da Cruz [5], TOTAL 0.1 0.6 2. in April 1977 (before the worst bombardment and famine had be- TOTAL 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.1 gun), the then Indonesian Foreign Minister, Adam Malik, admitted Note: Total ODA Net = Total Grants in Table 4 below between 50,000 and 80,000 East Timorese people had died [4]. So, by April 1977, I can say that 80,000 East Timorese had been killed. But, how can 80,000 change to 200,000? This is an interesting question to be addressed here. The Roman Catholic church in the Vatican City publishes a year- book of the church around the world. The title of the yearbook is East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 19

“Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae.” The yearbook contains sev- Source C: Kantor Statistik Propinsi Timor Timur-Dili, “Timor Timur Dalam Angka” eral information such as total population of a region, catholic (1981 and 1990) population, number of priests and so on. First, the reliability of population recorded in the yearbook Human rights records in East Timor during that time also speak for should be tested with the World Bank’s record, as shown in themselves [4]: Appendix I. The reliability check shows that population in the 1. Since August 1983, 34 people had been arrested in Viqueque, 125 Vatican yearbook is very reliable within an error of plus-minus in Baucau, 600 in Dili. Many of those arrested are reported to have 1.6%. been “disappeared.” They included Father Domingos Soares, a priest Second, let’s compare East Timor populations recorded by from Ossu, Viqueque, the Vatican yearbook, the Portuguese government, and the Indo- 2. On August 8, 1983, 200 people in the village of Kraras, Vique- nesian government (see Table 6). It is interesting to see that the que, had been killed by Indonesian soldiers reportedly in reprisal for Vatican yearbook gave an estimate of 720,000 people in 1978 the killing of 16 Indonesian soldiers. The surviving villagers fled to the and 790,000 people in 1982, even after the Indonesian census mountains near Babileu, and were pursued by Indonesian soldiers. reported a population of 555,350 in 1980. This discrepancy of Many of those captured are said to have been executed. The rest of the around 200,000 people is worth noting because of two reasons: villagers were “re-settled” in Klaterek Mutin, where they were ordered 1. the Indonesian census was not precise, since 200,000 people to stay but not permitted to build shelter or grow food. probably remained in the jungle in 1980 and were not reached 3. in March 1984, approximately 100 men living near the village of by Indonesian census officials. Hauba, near Bobonaro, were executed by Indonesian troops. 2. the killings of 80,000 people (or over) since 1975 did not ap- Since arbitrary killings indeed occurred in East Timor as part of the pear in the census, probably because the killings had been Operation Clean-Sweep, the “disappearance” of 170,000 people in conducted in a slow rate from 1975 to 1977. 1983 as shown in Vatican’s yearbook is probably correct, and deserves However, Table 6 shows a surprising figure that East Timor further investigation. If this number is correct, the number of East population has slumped from 790,000 recorded on 31st Decem- Timorese killed since 1975 is not 200,000, but at least 250,000 (= ber 1982, to 620,000 recorded on 31st December 1983. This 80,000 as stated by Adam Malik in 1977 + 170,000 as reported by means that East Timorese population has been reduced by Vatican in 1983). 170,000 by only a SINGLE year. Is this information believable? Forced Profession of Faith The Vatican yearbook is unable to answer this question, since According to the Portuguese census in 1970 (see Table 7 below), it contains only statistical data. But, if one carefully sees Indo- the Catholic population was only 153,280 out of total 609,477 popu- nesian offensives against Fretilin laid out by the Amnesty Inter- lation (see Table 6 above). It means that in 1970 only 25 per cent national [4], one will know the real horror. In August 1983, a population was Catholic, while the majority professed indigenous East cease-fire established the previous March between Indonesian Timorese religions - animism. and Fretilin forces broke down. Many troops were called into Illegal integration of East Timor into Indonesia on July 17, 1976, the territory as the Indonesian forces began an offensive - Opera- deserves attention, because the Soeharto regime in Jakarta was estab- tion Clean-Sweep (“Operasi Sapu Bersih”) - aimed at eliminating lished after the so-called Gestapu “coup” in the evening of 30 Septem- Fretilin as a fighting force. Announcing the new operation in Au- ber 1965. The Soeharto regime’s official statement with regard to the gust 1983, the commander of the Indonesian armed forces, Gen- “coup” is that the Communist Party and its alleged followers, along eral Leonardus Benjamin Moerdani, stated: “This time, no fool- with the People’s Republic of , were behind it. Although the in- ing around. We are going to hit them without mercy.” volvement of the aforementioned parties is still open to question, Gen-

eral Soeharto in a hurry banned the Communist Party and other Table 6. Population of East Timor “communist” activities in Indonesia. Since 1966, though no law was Year Population (in Thousands) written, all Indonesian citizens have been required to declare their relig- Source A Source B Source C ion (i.e., they are not allowed to be atheists !). In addition, the permit- 1970 609.477 ted religions have been selected by the government, as follows: Islam, 1977 704. Catholics, Protestant, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. 1978 720. Therefore, indigenous East Timorese religions are illegal, and since 1980 555.350 17th July 1976 the East Timorese people have been forced to choose 1982 790. one of the permitted religions. The proof of this can be seen in the In- 1983 620. donesian census (see Source C in Table 7) in 1980 for Catholic popula- 1984 640. tion in East Timor. 1985 660. 1986 680. 1987 690. 1988 710. 1989 720. 1990 750. 747.557 1991 744. 1992 799. Source A: Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Lisboa, “Annuario Estatistico - Territorios Ultramarinos,” vol. II (1973) Source B: Libreria Editrice Vaticana-Rome, “Annuarium Statisticum Eccle- siae,” in various years. Page 20 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Table 7 - Catholic Population in East Timor 3. that, because of two points above, only chapels were permitted to be built since 1976, and the number has swelled from 68 (in 1978) Year Catholic Population (in Thousands) to 275 (in 1992); of course, the reason is that the East Timorese Source A Source B Source C Catholics are permitted to practice their religions, but 1970 153.280 DISCOURAGED to see their priests. 1977 199 Meanwhile, the Soeharto regime through the Central Bureau of Sta- tistics in Dili has made numerous false propaganda that parish 1978 208 churches in East Timor has increased from 25 (in 1981) to 55 (in 1980 446.444 1990). For clarity, please see Table 8 below. 1982 345 1983 393 Table 8. Pastoral Centres in East Timor 1984 471 Source B Source C 1985 513 Year Parish Chape Total Parish Chape Total 1986 535 Churc l Churc Churc l Church 1987 535 h h h 1988 566 1977 87 1989 583 1978 19 68 87 1990 632 676.402 1981 25 28 53 1991 632 1982 21 165 186 25 64 89 1992 676 1983 21 181 202 Sources A, B, and C are explained under Table 6. 1984 21 155 176 26 30 56 1985 21 179 200 38 119 157 Although Vatican recorded around 226,000 as Catholics in 1986 21 220 241 41 132 173 1980 (see Source B in Table 7), the Indonesian official figure 1987 21 220 241 41 132 173 showed 446,444, or almost double the real number. Why did it happen? It happened NOT because the Vatican record was in- 1988 24 205 229 44 178 222 correct, but because the East Timorese were forced to lie in front 989 24 206 230 46 197 243 of the Indonesian census officers, or otherwise they would be 1990 24 229 253 55 300 355 called communists and would be arrested or even executed by the 1991 24 229 253 Indonesian military. 1992 25 275 301 In Indonesia, these incidents occur everywhere. There are In- Sources B and C are explained under Table 6. donesian terms such as “Islam KTP” or “Katholik KTP,” each of which means that one “professes” Islam or Catholic ONLY in Another example of harassment against the Catholics in East Timor his identity card (note: KTP = identity card), and that one never is the number of priests per Catholic population. Table 9 shows once actually practices his religion declared in his KTP. again that there is no problem for the East Timorese to go to church. In The Indonesian census datum in 1980 was repeated in 1990 fact, there are more churches for one Catholic in East Timor than for where once again the number of the Catholics in East Timorese one Catholic in the Philippines, whose majority of population is also was recorded as high as 676,402, compared to only 632,000 ac- Catholics like East Timor. Please check Table 9 below that one church cording to Vatican (see Table 7). The misleading census data in East Timor is built for roughly 2500 Catholics, while one church in were merely intended by the Soeharto Regime to convince the the Philippines for 9000 Catholics. world that there have never been any harassment against the Catholics in East Timor. In fact, harassment against the Catho- Table 9. Statistical Indices in Catholic Churches lics in East Timor have been widespread as shown in the follow- (Source B as explained under Table 6) ing paragraph. East Timor Philippines Harassment against the Catholics One example of harassment against the Catholics in East Year Catholics per Catholics per 1 Catholics per 1 Catholics per Timor is on the number of churches. As you know, there are two 1 church priest church 1 priest kinds of churches, one called parish churches where there was 1977 2287 6030 9739 8041 residence of priests, and the other called chapels where there was 1978 2390 6303 7938 7776 no such residence. The distinction between the two is that the 1982 1855 9583 12099 8639 Catholics usually go to parish churches to meet priests for what- 1983 1946 11228 11190 8692 ever reasons, but they cannot go to chapels for the same pur- 1984 2676 12730 11113 8804 poses except for Sundays during the masses. 1985 2565 13500 10417 8859 So, the Vatican data on the number of parish churches since 1986 2220 10288 9270 8877 1977 are very disturbing, because the number of parish churches in East Timor only increased from 19 (in 1978) to 25 (in 1992). 1987 2220 10288 9557 8847 This situation gives three evidences: 1988 2472 10291 8168 8995 1. that it is difficult to build parish churches in East Timor, 1989 2535 9264 10604 9174 2. that the East Timorese priests have been isolated in a small 1990 2498 9575 9236 9157 number of parish churches; the reason is that the Indonesian 1991 2498 9575 8475 9014 military does not want to see the priests in contact with their 1992 2246 10400 7777 8812 own people (note: the East Timorese priests have so far been vocal on the human rights abuses by the Indonesian military and On the contrary, one priest in East Timor should serve roughly on the illegal integration of East Timor on 17th July 1976). 10,000 Catholics, while their counterparts in Philippines serve only East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 21

9000 Catholics. This means that the Soeharto regime has been the world has been useless in improving the prosperity of the East trying to limit the number of priests in East Timor so that the Timorese since 1975. East Timorese people can hardly pay a visit to them who have With regard to point 2 above, it seems to me that the pouring of fi- been critical to the Indonesian rule in East Timor. nancial aid to East Timor never reaches the majority of the East The Political Economy of East Timor Timorese, but probably it only benefits the owners of the capital. Who benefits from the financial aid, and how much benefits have they with- The Soeharto regime of Indonesia has also made propaganda drawn from East Timor since 1975? I cannot answer these questions on the amount of central government allocations to East Timor. now, but I leave them for future research. Nevertheless, it is clear that For example, in 1985 US$ 16.66 million was injected by Jakarta today the East Timorese are not so prosperous as when they were to East Timor, and it amounted to US$ 18.45 million in 1990 [6]. colonized by the Portuguese before the Independence Day on 28th Also, the US was reported to have quadrupled its aid to East November 1975. Timor to US$ 4.1 million in 1994 and US$ 4.5 million in 1995; the Australian government also poured US$ 2.21 million in References 1993-94 [7]. [4] Amnesty International, “East Timor Violations of Human The question to be answered here is whether this financial aid Rights,” Amnesty International Publications, London (1985) has contributed prosperity to the East Timorese people. Usu- [5] Lawless, R., “The Indonesian Takeover of East Timor,” Asian ally, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is used to Survey, 16(10), 956 (1976) show the prosperity of a nation. The GDP per capita for East [6] Aznam, S., “In But Out,” Far Eastern Economic Review, p. 22, Timor during Portuguese and Indonesian rules is presented in 25th February 1993. Appendix II. However, IMHO, the GDP per capita cannot give [7] Cohen, M., “Windows to the World,” Far Eastern Economic a clear picture whether or not a nation has improved its prosper- Review, p.22, 11th August 1994. ity. Because of that reason, I propose a slightly different eco- nomic analysis which will be based on the purchasing power of APPENDIX I East Timorese GDP per capita. Appendix III shows the price A Reliability Test (Population in Millions) history of rice in East Timor from 1959 to 1990. I choose rice Country Population in Population in Difference, because it is the staple food of the East Timorese people. 1992 from 1992 from % Taking the ratio between the GDP per capita in Appendix II “Annuarium “World De- 100{(1)/(2)- and the price of rice in Appendix III, I find the amount of rice Statisticum velopment 1} equivalent to East Timorese GDP per capita which is presented Ecclesiae” (1) Report” (2) in Table 10 below. Bangladesh 119.23 114.4 4.2 P.R.C. 1166.28 1162.2 0.4 Table 10. The GDP per capita of East Timor Hong Kong 5.90 5.8 1.8 870. 883.6 -1.5 Year The GDP per capita (Kg of Rice) Indonesia 191.17 184.3 3.7 1959 573 Japan 124.34 124.5 -0.1 1960 588 ET under Portugal Rep. Korea 43.66 43.7 -0.1 1972 725 Lao PDR 4.47 4.4 1.6 1983 476 18.79 18.6 1.0 1984 494 119.11 119.3 -0.2 1985 512 Philippines 64.26 64.3 -0.1 1986 523 ET under Indonesia Saudi Arabia 15.92 16.8 -5.2 1987 508 Singapore 2.82 2.8 0.7 1988 542 Thailand 57.76 58.0 -0.4 1989 573 Yemen 12.53 13.0 -3.6 1990 606

Table 10 shows that the GDP per capita of the East Timorese was equivalent to 573 kg of rice in 1959, and increased to 588 kg of rice in 1960, and finally reached 725 kg of rice in 1972 (3 years before Indonesia launched an invasion). So, I can say that, had Indonesian invasion not occurred, East Timor could have raised its prosperity beyond 1000 kg of rice per capita per year in years ahead. Since 1975, the East Timorese have been far from being pros- perous. In fact, they have been made LESS prosperous under the Indonesian colonialism than under the Portuguese rule. Let’s ex- amine that average East Timorese earnings were only 476 kg of rice in 1983, and then increased to 606 kg of rice in 1990. These figures show that: 1. the East Timorese were LESS prosperous from 1975 to 1990 during the Indonesian rule, than from 1959 to 1975 during the Portuguese rule. 2. the pouring of financial aid to East Timor by the Soeharto regime of Indonesia, USA, Australia, and any other countries in Page 22 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

APPENDIX II APPENDIX III The Price of 1 Kg of Rice in East Timor The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of East Timor Under Indonesia Year Sour The Price Annual The Price Year Source GDP per capita ce of 1 Kg of Inflation of of 1 Kg of Rice under Food Rice(Rupi Under Portugal Under Indonesia Portugal Prices, % ah) (Escudo) (Rupiah) (Escudo) 1959 [a] 2150 1959 [a’] 3.75 1960 [a] 2207 1960 [a’] 3.75 1972 [a] 2720* 1963 3.75** 1983 [b] 136856 1981 [b’] 248.75 1984 [b] 156425 1982 [c’] 5.91 263.45*** 1985 [b] 176068 1983 [c’] 9.09 287.40*** 1986 [b] 201754 1984 [c’] 10.20 316.71*** 1987 [b] 247066 1985 [c’] 8.53 343.73*** 1988 [b] 286698 1986 [c’] 12.15 385.49*** 1989 [b] 321086 1987 [c’] 26.04 485.87*** 1990 [b] 363848 1988 [c’] 8.90 529.12*** *computed on constant price 1963 1989 [c’] 5.96 560.65*** Sources: 1990 [c’] 6.99 599.84*** [a] de Sousa Saldanha, J.M., “The Political Economy of East **assumed that the price of rice did not change Timor Development, Table 5.1,”p. 186, Pustaka Sinar Harapan, ***computed from the 1981 price corrected with inflation of the re- Jakarta (1994) spective year [b] Central Bureau of Statistics-Jakarta, “Regional Income of Sources: Provinces in Indonesia by Industrial Origin: 1983-1990,” p.147 [a’] Instituto Nacional de Estatistica, “Anuario Estatistico do Ul- (1992) tramar,” p. 143 (1960) [b’] Kantor Statistik Propinsi Timor Timur, “Timor Timur Dalam Angka,” Tabel IX.3.1 (1981) [c’] Kantor Statistik Propinsi Timor Timur, “Timor Timur Dalam Angka,” Tabel 9.4.4 (1990)

NEW AUSTRALIAN INQUIRY The Indonesians claimed the men had mony on ABC Television in October 1995 been caught in crossfire during a battle with from two former pro-Indonesian soldiers INTO TIMOR KILLINGS rebel Fretilin fighters. who said that the Indonesian planned the The New Zealand Herald, 30 Nov 1995. by But last month, a former East Timorese murders and later dressed the bodies in Fre- Greg Ansley Governor revealed that two soldiers who tilin uniforms before burning them. were part of the raiding force said the jour- This evidence adds to that of others such CANBERRA - The Australian Govern- nalists, who had appeared on the veranda as that of a former Governor of East Timor ment has set up a new inquiry into the kill- with hands above their heads, were ordered Mr Guilherme Gonçalves, former Australian ing of a New Zealander and five other jour- inside and then shot. consul Mr James Dunn, as well as former nalists in East Timor 20 years ago. Defence analyst Mr Michael Darby. There New allegations from within Indonesia NZ FOREIGN MINISTER ASKED TO have been repeated claims that Australia said the men were killed deliberately by In- SUPPORT THE AUSTRALIAN knew the truth about the killings from its donesian troops during the annexation of the ENQUIRY monitoring from Darwin of Indonesian mili- former Portuguese colony. tary radio communications. The decision announced yesterday by the Press Release from East Timor Independ- ence Committee, Nov. 28, 1995 Worse may come out at the enquiry – Foreign Minister, Senator Evans, has the that Australia knew of the danger its jour- potential to further strain relations with Ja- The East Timor Independence Commit- nalists were in and did nothing to warn karta. tee has called on the Minister of Foreign them. The journalists themselves clearly A New Zealand cameraman, Gary Cun- Affairs, Mr McKinnon to give New Zealand knew they were in danger - at least of cap- ningham, was working with an Australian support to the new enquiry into the deaths ture - they had daubed their hut with the television crew when Indonesian soldiers of five journalists at Balibo in October 1975, Australian flag - and reports say they faced raided the village of Balibo on October 1975. two months before the Indonesian invasion the Indonesian guns calling out that they With two Australians, Greg Shackleton, of East Timor. A New Zealander, Gary were Australian. aged 27, and Tony Stewart, 21, and two Cunningham was among the five killed. The enquiry will highlight the extent of Australian-based British journalists, Mal- Australia has managed to defy pressure Australian complicity in Indonesia’s infiltra- colm Rennie, 28, and Brian Peters, 29, Cun- to conduct such an enquiry for twenty years tion and later full-scale invasion of East ningham had taken refuge inside the house in despite the continual drip feed of new evi- Timor - the international scandal that has which they were staying. dence against Indonesia’s claim that the men been described as the ‘big wink.’ New Zea- were caught in the cross fire. They are now land won’t escape scrutiny - Gary Cunning- responding because of damning new testi- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 23 ham was a New Zealander - and New Zea- journalists Gary Cunningham, Brian Peters, “When those five young fellows went land like Australia has acquiesced in Indone- Malcolm Rennie, Greg Shackleton, Tony missing he tried very hard to get in (to East sian genocide. New Zealand should face its Stewart and Roger East were in fact mur- Timor),” recalls Mrs Bowie, 69. failures and past betrayal of the East dered by the invading Indonesian forces. “He said those people have been be- Timorese and at least two of its own citi- The Sherman inquiry is supported by the trayed. Those were his exact words. He said zens (Gary Cunningham and Kamal Bamad- shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Alex- they were AJA (Australian Journalists’ As- haj) - and join the enquiry with resources, ander Downer, who said it was incumbent sociation) members and nobody’s doing information and documentation. on the Government to ensure there was a anything.” The East Timor Independence Commit- full and independent investigation of the On November 9, 1975, he filed a story tee is conveying these views by letter to Mr new evidence, and by Democrat Senator from Dili on how the five TV journalists McKinnon - and no doubt the matter will be Vicki Bourne, a long-time campaigner for a died, based on an interview with Fretilin high on the agenda of José Ramos-Horta full judicial inquiry. soldiers who’d abandoned Balibo as Indone- (CNRM Special Representative and resis- But Mrs Shirley Shackleton, the widow sian forces moved in. A cameraman was tance leader) when he meets with Mr of one of the journalists, said she feared the shot and wounded, he wrote. The other four McKinnon on the 8th of December. inquiry would become part of the continuing were lined up outside a house and were For further information: Maire Lead- cover-up over the deaths. screaming “Australians! Australians!” be- beater, +09 849 3890 or day +09 828 5100. Announcing the decision, Senator Evans fore they too were shot. anticipated claims that he had abandoned his A month later, East was killed in similar NEW STRAINS OVER EAST TIMOR earlier resistance to an inquiry. circumstances. He was last seen by Austra- DEATHS Senator Evans said East Timorese inside lians at Dili’s Turismo Hotel on December By Geoffrey Barker, Australian Financial and outside of Australia claimed to have 6, the eve of the Indonesian invasion. The Review. 30 November 1995 new evidence about the deaths, and the remaining Australians evacuated that day Government had said it would follow up the but East stayed on – something he’d told his The Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator claims if they were compelling and credible. family and friends he’d do before he left Evans, has risked new strains in Australian- Senator Evans said Mr Sherman would Darwin. Indonesian relations by announcing a limited start his inquiry in February and report to “We’d say what are you going to do independent inquiry into the deaths of five the Government no later than the end of when the Indonesians invade, as it was ob- Australian journalists in East Timor 20 May. He would gather any new evidence vious that they would,” recalls Ken White, a years ago, in a pre-election bid to boost and the Government would decide whether former Northern Territory News journalist support for Government foreign policy. further action was required. who knew East as press officer for the Senator Evans’s decision to appoint the A spokesman for the Department of For- Darwin Reconstruction Authority. retiring National Crime Authority chairman, eign Affairs referred all questions about Mr “He’d say, ‘I’ll go up to the hills with Mr Tom Sherman, to evaluate alleged new Sherman’s inquiry to Senator Evans’ office. Fretilin and try to get the story of what evidence about the deaths was taken with- The Department reportedly knew little happens out to Australia.’” out reference to the Department of Foreign about the initiative. For whatever reason, he did not leave Dili Affairs and Trade, which distanced itself before December 7, when Indonesian troops from the move last night. landed by sea and air. The inquiry is part of a pre-election TIMOR VICTIM ROGER EAST: “He chose to stay; he planned to go campaign by the Government to project ‘ONE KILLED WAS AN bush, but they dropped out of the sky, it “popular” foreign policy. AUSTRALIAN’ was so quick, what could he do?,” says Mrs Last Sunday the Prime Minister, Mr Bowie. According to former diplomat Jim Keating, announced the so-called Canberra MELBOURNE, Dec 1 AAP - He was Dunn, author of an authoritative account of Commission of international statesmen to dragged to his death, his hands bound with the Indonesian takeover, East was inter- campaign against nuclear weapons. On wire, shouting that he was an Australian. In cepted by Indonesian troops possibly after Tuesday Senator Evans’s office confirmed a last act of defiance, he refused to turn his trying to send a final dispatch to Australia. he would not make a controversial visit to back and instead faced his captors as they A squad of Fretilin soldiers who came into the military regime in Burma. shot him. Dili in an attempt to get East out, was For Senator Evans the East Timor in- This, according to eyewitness accounts, wiped out in a skirmish with Indonesian quiry might also have been driven by the is how Roger East met his death on the Dili troops. fact that one of his opponents in the outer waterfront on December 8, 1975. According to witnesses interviewed in Melbourne electorate of Holt will be De- Twenty years after the Indonesian inva- Portugal in 1980 by Dunn and the Austra- mocrat Mr Jim Aubrey, a long-time East sion of East Timor, Roger East – adventurer lian journalist , East was captured Timor activist. and knockabout journalist – remains the for- and taken to the Dili wharf, where Indone- Although Holt is a safe Labor seat, it has gotten Australian victim of the takeover. sian troops carried out systematic mass kill- a small East Timorese community and Sena- “It does hurt,” says his sister Glenise ings of civilians immediately after the inva- tor Evans is campaigning hard to maintain Bowie. “It’s almost as if he’s the man who sion. the winning margin of the retiring member, never was.” The witnesses – some of whom now live Mr Michael Duffy. Much of Australia’s interest in East in Melbourne – also gave evidence on the Indonesian authorities, who insist the Timor stems from the deaths of five Austra- killings in an Amnesty International report journalists died accidentally in cross-fire lian television journalists killed in Balibo on on East Timor, published in 1985. during the invasion of East Timor, said in October 16, 1975. One of them, identified by a nom de Jakarta last night that Senator Evans’s in- East, aged 52, was the sixth victim, killed plume, was interviewed by the late Michele quiry was not welcomed. just a month after he left Darwin for East Turner for her 1992 book of personal testi- East Timorese living in Australia and Timor, partly motivated by the desire to monies from East Timor. Portugal claim to have new evidence that uncover what happened in Balibo. Page 24 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

The witness told how he was forced to ROGER EAST, JOURNALIST OF THE desire to find out what happened to the five help the Indonesians dispose of bodies dur- OLD SCHOOL television journalists killed in Balibo in Oc- ing the killings of December 7 and 8. tober 1975 were factors in his decision to go Australian Associated Press, By Tom Hy- “One killed ... was an Australian man,” to East Timor. land the witness told Turner. “The soldiers push “He’d come to my home and we’d talk. him. He was talking to them saying, ‘Not MELBOURNE, Dec 1 AAP – Roger When the situation in East Timor got bad, Fretilin, Australian.’ East, the sixth Australian journalist killed in he said he’d like to go over there. “He spoke English ... he wore brown East Timor 20 years ago, was a child of the “He was also well aware of how the shorts, a cream shirt and sunglasses ... he Depression, a former sailor, an adventurer Timorese helped our blokes in the Second had short hair turning grey. He looked a and defender of the underdog, according to World War.” He went as a freelancer and strong man. They push him, telling him to those who knew him. was encouraged by the Fretilin independ- face the sea. He refuses to do this. The In- He was born in Merrylands in the Par- ence movement to set up an East Timor donesians just fire at him. He falls straight ramatta district west of Sydney on February news agency. into the sea.” 5, 1923, one of a family of four. His mother “I think his sympathies lay with Fretilin, A witness interviewed by Dunn saw a died when he was young. “It was already but he was not blatantly biased,” says European matching East’s description on Depression times and he had a rugged up- White. the morning of December 8, “being dragged bringing,” according to his sister Glenise “It’s a tragedy really, he was murdered to the wharf by three Indonesian soldiers.” Bowie, 69. but he tends to be overlooked.” Doug “The captive’s hands were bound with He grew up in the NSW bush, in Inverell Helleur agrees: “Roger never gets a bloody wire,” Dunn wrote, “but he continued to and Gilgandra. Mrs Bowie recalls that at one mention.” struggle while the soldiers kicked him and time he fainted in school from hunger. When prodded him with their bayonets. And dur- he was about 16, he joined the Navy and THE FORGOTTEN AUSSIE OF DILI ing his ordeal East apparently hurled a con- was discharged before the end of the World Sunday Times, 3 December 1995. Abridged. stant stream of abuse at his captors.” War II. By Nick Carter He refused to turn and face the sea as he He got his first job as journalist in Even after two decades, John the waiter stood on the wharf and shouted at his cap- and them moved to Ballina in northern can still remember the order he took 20 tors: “I am not Fretilin; I am an Australian.” NSW. “He had a great sympathy for the years ago for Roger East’s last supper in The killing, says Dunn, was carried out underdog, but editors didn’t give him much Dili’s Turismo Hotel. by members of the Indonesian Army’s Bat- of a go,” says his sister. Within 36 hours East was dead, executed talion 501. He wandered the world in the 1950s and by Indonesian special forces less than 1km Twenty years on, there’s is a bitter irony 1960s, reporting from Cyprus, the Middle from the hotel, according to eyewitnesses. for East’s family in the federal government’s East, , Africa and North America. East, 51, was to become Australia’s for- announcement of an inquiry into “new evi- In the early 1960s, he was back in Aus- gotten sixth victim of the East Timor inva- dence” about the and East. tralia working for the ABC in Sydney. sion, the journalist who went to investigate The evidence on East’s death, for in- Former ABC reporter Doug Helleur re- the killing of five other Australians at stance, has been on the record since 1980. members East as “a dear fellow.” “We be- Balibo, only to die himself. His brother Bill, 76, says he’s “pretty came very close,” says Helleur, a former Last week, almost 20 years to the day browned off” about how the family has been correspondent in Tokyo and later head of since his execution, the Australian Govern- “fobbed off” by politicians over the years. Radio Australia’s Japanese section. ment ordered East’s death to be investigated “This new stuff that’s come out about how “He was always ready to stick his neck as part of an inquiry by Tom Sherman into the other journalists died, it’s identical to out for the underdog. I felt very drawn to the killing of the Balibo five. what Roger found out when he was over this man because he had a lot of compas- In Sydney, East’s sister, Glenise Bowie, there. It’s not new,” Bill says. sion.” Helleur recalls East as a “short, expressed amazement that after 20 years Glenise Bowie ponders why Roger – stocky man, a very very fit little fellow, as without even a whisper of protest to Indo- who had travelled the world as a journalist, tough as nails.” nesia, the Australian Government was fi- reporting from the Middle East, Africa and East, says Helleur, was a reporter of the nally acknowledging her brother’s death. North America – is never remembered, least old school: “He was a very serious journal- “I’m glad Roger is being recognised at of all by the news media. ist. He talked about how you owed a duty last,” she said. “He was there to tell what happened,” to the public to tell the truth. Friends of East Timor want the inquiry she says. “He was down to earth: didn’t give a also to consider the sworn testimonies given “He was politically motivated. He felt stuff for the hierarchy, just tell the truth, 15 years ago by East Timorese witnesses tremendous compassion for what was hap- that’s the kind of bloke he was. which provide convincing evidence that East pening – their right to self-determination. “He wrote it as it was.” Unable to con- was summarily executed by Indonesian spe- “He gave his life for something he be- form or settle, East worked for a time as a cial forces. lieved in. As an AJA member, you’d think Country Party press secretary in Queen- “Wherever there was a hot spot, it he’d be remembered. “I hope some day he’ll sland before moving to Darwin after Cy- wouldn’t matter if it was by tram, steamer, get some recognition. He went with honour, clone Tracey. Former Northern Territory or by bloody walking, he’d get there,,” his and I wish that’d he’d just be remembered News journalist Ken White got to know brother Bill East recalled last week from his as a person.” East as press officer for the Darwin Recon- home in Coonamble, NSW. –––––––––- struction Authority in 1975. “I’d describe him as an old style journo,” “He didn’t know what it was to be says White. afraid. That was how he lived and that was “I found him a very competent journo, how he died.” but he found most jobs too dull.” White By now he had become the de facto press says East’s defence of the underdog and his officer for the Fretilin government. In a let- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 25 ter to his brother Bill written a week before tober 16 that year, where they had gone to tied behind. They turned him toward the his death, he spoke of his plans to follow verify reports of clandestine Indonesian sea, and the man turned back. He talked or retreating Fretilin soldiers into the hills. He border raids. argued with the Indonesians. They hit him would become their mouthpiece to the out- Jakarta maintains that the five were killed with guns, but he kept talking. I didn’t un- side world in the expected guerilla was in crossfire between warring Timorese fac- derstand (what he said). against the invaders. tions. But new evidence by former Indone- “They used automatic weapons. It “I believe if he could have gone into the sian collaborators contradict this, saying the wasn’t just one soldier, it was three or four interior, his reports could have dramatically five were executed in cold blood – accounts who fired. There were many killed. The pier changed events,” said Jim Dunn, a former that tally with the testimony of Timorese had lots of blood,” he said. The other wit- Australian ambassador to East Timor who refugees now living in exile in Australia and ness, Chong, said he was part of a work left Dili shortly before the invasion. Portugal. gang conscripted by Indonesian soldiers on “The outside world would have known According to several published accounts the day of the invasion. The gang was given more of what went on after the invasion and – including reports by Amnesty Interna- the task of clearing from the pier the bodies might have acted to stop it.” tional and one prepared by the former Aus- of those who didn’t fall into the sea once [according to Paul Spottiswood, the pilot tralian consul to East Timor, James Dunn – they had been shot. sent to ‘rescue’ him:] “He said, ‘I can’t the sixth journalist, Roger East, was also He said the gang was told to tie stones or leave these people. I’m the only one they executed by Indonesian soldiers. This re- metal pipes to the bodies of those gunned have left. We’ve sent messages around the portedly occurred on the pier of Dili harbor down, and drop the corpses into the harbor. world and we haven’t had one answer,’” on December 8, 1975, the day after the In- Once the soldiers had finished killing the Australia has yet to protest at the cold- donesian invasion began. scores of captives they brought to the pier, blooded execution of one of its citizens by One of the Timorese witnesses, who most of the work gang was also gunned its nearest neighbor. identified himself only as Chong, said down, he said. “It was a very sordid episode, a bizarre through an interpreter that he was among a Just as the last of them were to be exe- and macabre way for the invading Indone- group to be executed along with East, but cuted, an Indonesian officer arrived and sians to behave,” said Mr. Dunn. escaped. pulled three of them out of the line-up, Pilot Spottiswood, the last Westerner to The second witness, a refugee recently Chong said, and ordered them to dig graves see East alive, says the injustice of the past arrived in Australia from East Timor, asked near the Hotel Timor for a number of Indo- two decades has only increased his admira- that his name not be revealed. He said he nesian soldiers killed in the invasion attack. tion for the stand East took. also saw East gunned down at the pier, and On the following day, when the work “He had guts when it came to East that he would assist the inquiry if his iden- gang had finished digging the graves of some Timor. And that is more than you can say tity could be protected. 60 Indonesian soldiers, another young Indo- for our politicians.” The Australian government investigation, nesian officer who had been put in charge of This was a full-page article. No photos. I’ve headed by retiring National Crime Authority the work gang allowed them to return home, left out a lot which repeats info which has chairman Tom Sherman, is to start in Febru- he said. The other two members of the work already been posted. ary and report to the Labor government of gang have also resettled in Australia, but Prime Minister Paul Keating by May, 1996. have declined to give evidence. PROBE INTO KILLING OF There has never been an official explana- Amnesty International reports corrobo- JOURNALISTS IN TIMOR NETS tion of East’s death, nor an inquiry con- rate aspects of the account, and say the or- WITNESSES ducted by either the Australian or Indone- ganization has “specific information about a sian governments. As late as 1980, Austra- number of reported massacres of non- by Wilson da Silva, American Reporter Cor- lian authorities told journalists they were combatant civilians in the capital on 7 and 8 respondent, Dec. 5. still “seeking an early reply” to their re- December in the harbor area in the Comera MELBOURNE, Australia – Two wit- quests for information into the fate of East, district, and in the vicinity of the military nesses to the killing by Indonesian soldiers 52, a freelance journalist from the northern barracks in Vila Verde.” of Australian journalist Roger East in East Australian city of Darwin. A 1985 Amnesty report, prepared for Timor 20 years ago have said they are pre- Konneng Lay, a representative of the the 10th anniversary of the invasion, lists pared to give evidence to an unprecedented Timorese community in Australia, said that the names of 28 people reportedly executed federal government inquiry announced last there were a total of six Timorese refugees at the pier, including East. week. now living in Australia who witnessed the Former consul Dunn was on the last The inquiry, announced by Australian killing of East. He said a number of people flight out of Dili a few days before the inva- Foreign Minister Gareth Evans on Novem- still living in East Timor also witnessed the sion. He has since interviewed a number of ber 29, will probe the deaths of six Austra- events of December 8, 1975, when scores of survivors who escaped to Australia and Por- lian-based journalists in the Indonesian- others detained by Indonesian forces were tugal after the invasion, and published some occupied territory of East Timor in late also executed at the pier. of the most detailed accounts of the events 1975, when Indonesian forces invaded the The second witness told The American surrounding the invasion. former Portuguese colony. Reporter that on that day, he and a group of “He was dragged, according to eyewit- It was called after strong public pressure, friends, carrying a white shirt mounted on a nesses, by a group of soldiers,” Dunn said. and threats by minor parties in the Austra- branch, surrendered to Indonesian soldiers “He was cursing them, and they occasion- lian Senate – who hold the balance of power patrolling the beach. They were told to sit ally whacked him with a rifle, towards the in the chamber – to hold a public inquiry near the pier. Two hours later, he watched wharf. They got him to stand at the end so into the deaths, which have never been soldiers arrive with a white man and scores that when the bullets hit him, he would fall properly explained. of Timorese prisoners. into the sea. But he turned around and Five of the men – two Australian, two “He had a white shirt and khaki-brown shouted: ‘I’m Australian, I’m Australian, British and one New Zealander – died in the shorts,” the second man said of East. “He I’m Australian.’“ Timorese hinterland town of Balibo on Oc- wore thongs and glasses. His hands were Page 26 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

East’s sister, Glenise Kathleen Bowie of the sky over Dili, flying in low through the That persuaded many Indonesian gener- Sydney, said she hoped the new inquiry cool, bluish mist of a tropical dawn disgorg- als that it was time for a full-scale invasion. would shed light into her brother’s death, ing 350 paratroops. Now, as scattered fire- To their dismay, President Suharto kept the and perhaps lead to some justice 20 years fights continued across a city strewn with dogs of war on a fairly tight lease, limiting later. corpses, soldiers from Battalion 502 of the his approval to Special Forces attacks on “I’d like to see it explained, I’d like to see elite green beret Army Strategic Reserve half a dozen towns, including Balibo, where them identified ... and maybe imprisoned,” (Kostrad) herded terrified residents into a five Australia-based newsmen were killed. said the 69-year-old retiree. “It’s so horren- small park on the esplanade. On December 3, after Fretilin’s unilateral dous. Nothing can ever justify it ... they For Isabel Lobato, 24, wife of Fretilin declaration of independence, itself a desper- were war crimes. It was just cold-blooded leader Nicolau Lobato, it was the end of the ate response to Indonesian pressure, the murder.” road, betrayed by an informer, she was President approved a full-scale invasion. Bowie said it had taken a long time for brought before one of the officers of Battal- Jakarta saw Fretilin as irredeemably left- the death of her brother to receive the public ion 502, beside herself with fear and clutch- wing. It feared ‘Cuba on its doorstep.’ attention accorded to the five Australian- ing her 2 year old son, José. According to Indonesia had decided on an invasion. based television reporters who were killed Isabel’s oldest sister, Laura Barreto, the But what kind was it to be? In the months two months earlier. Kostrad officer ordered the immediate exe- leading to December, Major General Benny She said that while she said had finally cution of the slight young woman, whose Murdani, then 43, the head of military intel- accepted his death after many years, “there husband had been sworn in only 10 days ligence, had been pressing for a sudden was never any confirmation, no passports earlier as the first Prime Minister of an in- knockout blow by the elite red beret Kopas- or papers. There was nothing to confirm dependent East Timor. sandha (Secret Warfare Force Command). that he’d gone. ‘Isabel was on her knees pleading with This was no surprise. A man of gruff self- “I think (Foreign Minister Evans) has a the Indonesians not to take her,’ says Laura assurance who had been given responsibility duty to Australians to make these people Barreto, her voice trembling with emotion as for Indonesia’s clandestine operations face what they did. If they’re going to trade she sits in a small apartment in Lisbon against East Timor, Murdani was Indone- and be friends with them, they’ve got to where she now lives. ‘But they took her sia’s most outstanding Special Forces offi- admit it,” she said. anyway.’ cer. He believed that a 264-man Kopas- East’s older brother, Bill East, 76, a Soldiers from Battalion 502 dragged the sandha force could parachute into the heart farmer in central north young woman, who had thrust her young of Dili - landing in front of the Governor’s state, said that it astounded him that the son into the arms of her aunt, to the nearby office - and hold the city and airport for 12 government was taking an interest 20 years docks where, earlier that morning, they had to 20 hours, enough time for reinforcements after the event. lined up and shot more than 20 people. to be thrown in. “It’s 20 years now, and what they’ve They ended Isabel Lobato’s life with a burst ‘The idea is to drop right into the heart of endeavoring to do, I don’t know,” he said. of automatic weapons fire as her husband, in the enemy,’ General Murdani told the Her- “They didn’t give a bugger then.” another part of Dili directed Fretilin’s with- ald. Murdani admits the strategy posed Vicki Bourne, a senator of the Australian drawal into the mountains. Half a dozen risks. ‘But the advantage is that you have Democrats minor party, said they would East Timorese men witnessed her death. surprise. Your location cannot be predeter- press the Australian government for appro- ‘They saw Isa being shot and watched as mined by the enemy. You have 200 to 250 priate action once a report is delivered next her body tumbled into the sea,’ said Laura men. Fifty might be behind the enemy, 20 to year. Baretto. his right, another 10 to his left. And all with Portugal partially withdrew from East In Australia, governments have tried not automatic rifles. It’s a formidable force, a Timor in August, 1975, following a civil war to let events like this disturb our relation- formidable force ! It’s like 264 Bren guns.’ between leftist and loyalist Timorese ship with Indonesia. When Australia re- To Murdani’s lasting chagrin, the plan- groups. The leftist Fretilin party, which cently hosted the first Indonesian combat ning staff did what it had done many times won the clash, declared independence from unit ever to take part in joint exercises in in the past; it equivocated. Instead of a Portugal in November, triggering an all-out this country, the unit selected, out of nearly quick airborne attack, the ABRI leadership invasion by Jakarta, which feared a leftist 100 infantry battalions in the Indonesian opted for an ambitious and unwieldy com- government on its border. Armed Forces, was Battalion 502 from bined attack. Each service was to awarded a Indonesia’s annexation the following year Kostrad, which was pulled out of Timor in slice of the action, for ‘political’ as much as is not recognized by the United Nations, disgrace after a mere 10 days. military reasons. which still regards Portugal as the adminis- In East Timor, the events of December 7 Under the final invasion plans approved tering authority. 1975 are less easily forgotten. Indonesia’s by President Suharto, a naval bombardment Along with East, killed were Australians brutal attack on a small territory which would begin at 4.45am. This would be fol- Greg Shackleton and Tony Stewart, Britons wanted to go its own way still colours the lowed an hour later by a parachute drop in- Malcolm Rennie and Brian Peters and New way many East Timorese look on Indonesia. volving 264 Kopassandha commandos and a Zealander Gary Cunningham. In many ways, East Timor was a disaster company of 170 to 200 mean from Battalion waiting to happen. The Portuguese had done 502 of Kostrad’s 18th Airborne Brigade. DAY OF FEAR & FURY nothing to prepare the local elite members As Kopassandha secured three key ob- for self-government and when talks on the jectives - the airport, docks and radio station Sydney Morning Herald, Dec 2 1995. By future of the territory broke down in mid- - a Marine Corps Battalion Landing Team David Jenkins, Asia editor 1975, a short but unusually savage civil war would move in from the sea, landing near reconstruction of invasion based on inter- erupted, resulting in 1500 deaths. Although Kampung Alor, a small Arab quarter west of views. fanned in part by Jakarta, the civil war re- the town. They would be accompanied by sulted in the eclipse of the political grouping PT-76 amphibious tanks, which would It had been 26 hours since the Indonesian favouring Indonesia. swim ashore. The remaining two companies Air Force C-130 transports had appeared in East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 27 of Battalion 502 would then be ferried in by Because their people were going to land, scream over the intercom, the pilot banked small transport planes. they wanted a bombardment 60 minutes sharply right. The aircraft which had just A combined operation was about the last beforehand. So the whole element of sur- passed over the Motael church, was now thing Indonesia should have undertaken. In- prise is gone. Because their people were go- heading out to sea, away from the Fretilin donesia’s defence forces had not seen any ing to land, they wanted a bombardment 60 gunfire. But the co-pilot failed to switch off significant combat for more than 10 years. minutes beforehand. So the whole element the green ‘jump’ light. With the exception of Kopassandha and of surprise is gone. So when our boys Unaware of the danger, the Kostrad men some Kostrad units, units were poorly jumped out of the planes, they could have in the queue continued to hurl themselves trained, led and equipped. Before 1975, shot from below. But I was not the opera- out into the slipstream. More than 30 came most Indonesian defence exercises had been tions officer. I would not have planned this. down into the harbour, where they struggled single service. I would tell the Navy to shut up.’ with the quick-release catches on both their None of this seemed to trouble the plan- It had been dark as the C-130s roared parachute harnesses and kit bag cords. Oth- ning team in Jakarta. ‘Should an invasion be down the runway at Kupang, with the moon ers were disabled when they landed on coral decided upon,’ the US State Department still in its first phase and providing little formations. It was a severe blow to the In- reported on Dec 1, ‘the Indonesians esti- illumination. But now, 45 minutes into the donesians. mate that Fretilin can be forced to capitulate flight, the sun was rising on a peerless sum- The memory of the Indonesian attack in 3 to 4 weeks.’ That estimate, like so mer morning. Although the rainy season had was imprinted on the minds of everyone in many others about East Timor, proved to be begun, flooding rivers and turning unsealed Dili that day, ’I opened the door and saw hopelessly optimistic. roads into horror stretches of mud, the im- the parachutes,’ said Laura Barreto. ‘It On Saturday, December 6, as tense Indo- mediate forecast was for clear skies. seemed like rain. All of Dili was covered.’ nesian paratroopers milled around the out- ‘Surprisingly we didn’t have any rain,’ Terrified of what was to come, she returned skirts of Kupang, Laura Barreto rode her said Lt. Gen. Dading Kalbuadi, a Red Beret home and hid under her bed. ‘We were not bicycle to the Motael church near the Dili colleague of Murdani, who had directed the expecting parachutes. They fell all around waterfront. Dili was infested with fear. The covert border war and who observed the the house. One actually hit the house.’ day before, six Indonesian warships had parachute attack from a naval vessel. ‘It was The combined operation ran into trouble bombarded Fretilin troops at the Loes river, like Hawaii on Dec 7, 1941 when the Japa- from the start. Some of the Green Beret’s only 60km west of the city. A full-scale in- nese attacked Pearl Harbour. That was also from Battalion 502, which was under the vasion seemed imminent. Many of the esti- December 7 and the weather was also nice ! command of Major Warsito, had dropped mated 18,000 people in the city had moved ‘ into the sea and drowned. Others exchanged to the hills. As the five aircraft approached the drop fire with the Indonesian Marine Corps bat- Like many of those who had chosen to zone, flying well out to sea, with Dili off to talion, which was advancing inland from the stay on, Laura Baretto was seeking comfort the right, the flight crews had an unob- beach. in prayer in the red-tiled Portuguese church. structed view of the city. They could see In combat for the first time, Indonesian ‘I saw an aeroplane, very high ‘ she remem- the warships a short distance offshore and troops sprayed automatic weapons fire in bers. ‘There were lots of rumours that smoke drifting up from the foothills, where all directions, filling the tree-lined streets something was going to happen.’ the shells had exploded among the eucalyp- with spent brass casings. Not surprisingly, A widow who worked in the Ministry of tus. they soon found themselves short of ammu- Finance, Laura Baretto was the eldest Each aircraft was crammed with about 80 nition. Nor was more at hand; the fierce re- daughter of the liurai (traditional ruler) of men, faces smeared with camouflage cream. sistance put up by Fretilin prevented sup- Bazartete, a coffee growing region in the Each man was laden down with a parachute, ply transports from reaching the beach. Nor hills west of Dili. She spent that night at her AK-47 rifle and up to 36kg of equipment, did the Indonesians save their fury for Fre- house in the centre of Dili, behind the Banco including ammunition and food for 2 days, 2 tilin; ‘The soldiers who landed started killing Nacional Ultramarino. With her were 15 water bottles, shovel, machete, first-aid kit everyone they could find,’ the late Apos- members of her extended family, a cross sec- and parts for the units heavy weapons. tolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dili, tion of the East Timorese elite, including one When the C130s were about 15km east of Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes (‘the of her sisters Olimpia and Olimpia’s hus- Dili, they made a 180 degree turn to the Bishop’) recalled in 1983. ‘There were band, José Gonçalves. Five days earlier, right. This brought them onto their drop many dead bodies in the streets - all we José had been sworn in as Minister for Eco- zone run-in course. By the time they passed could see were the soldiers killing, killing, nomic Coordination in the Fretilin Govern- the designated drop zone entry point about killing’ ment. 10km east of the city, the pilots had estab- Two decades later, senior Indonesian in- Many in the family, like Laura, were un- lished drop altitude (1,250 feet), drop air- telligence officers make no secret of the fact able to sleep and waited anxiously for the speed (110 knots) and stable flight condi- that a combined operation of this scale was dawn when they could make their escape. tions. As the lead aircraft approached the beyond Indonesia’s capacity at that time. Those hopes were dashed when the big In- designated release point near the Turismo Nor do they gloss over the poor perform- donesian naval guns opened up, on schedule, Hotel, the jumpmaster gave the command, ance, indiscipline and brutality of some at 4.45 am. The house, which made of brick, ‘Go.’ units. ‘These troops had no discipline at rocked as shells slammed into the hills, cut- Had Murdani had his way, the parachute all,’ Murdani acknowledged in 1993. “They ting off any escape, at least for the time be- drop would have come as a complete sur- shot one another. Overall, it was totally em- ing. prise to those on the ground. In the event, barrassing.’ ‘They lobbed some of the projectiles into the naval gunfire had woken the town. As In Jakarta on the first day, spokesmen the city, but it didn’t cause any damage at the sky began to fill with billowing green- clung to the threadbare story that Indone- all,’ said Murdani, ‘It was just to cover the and-khaki silk, Fretilin defenders opened up sian ‘volunteers’ were helping the East landing. This is a mistake, you see. If you with small arms fire. A bullet struck the Timorese reunite with their Indonesian conduct an airborne operation, there should Kostrad jumpmaster, who was mortally brothers. In fact, the pro-Indonesian be no movements, no warning and all that. wounded. Panicked by the man’s dying Timorese were simply window-dressing; Page 28 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. they landed from ships five hours after the into the sea,’ he told author Michele Turner dani. ‘And it was these people who went parachute drop. Nor was their much broth- in 1984. ‘We are trembling, we are nearly around town pointing their fingers at peo- erly love; the Indonesian troops behaved gone mad, but we don’t know what to do, ple. I think it was a matter of settling old with great brutality. just do whatever the Indonesians want.’ scores. Some of them had been detained by Murdani says he was under no illusions One of the dead was an Australian, al- Fretilin.’ that Fretilin would fight hard, ‘I expected most certainly Roger East. ‘The soldiers For their part, former members of Apo- that resistance would be very tough,’ he push him,’ said ‘Mr Siong,’ ‘He was talking deti lay the blame for the killing at the feet said. ‘Because they were all trained by the to them saying, ‘Not Fretilin, Australian.’ of the Indonesian army. ‘The Indonesians Portuguese, indoctrinated by the Portuguese He spoke English ... He wore brown shorts, just decided [the Timorese] were all ene- about how near Indonesia was. They didn’t a cream shirt and sunglasses ... He has short mies,’ said an Apodeti source. care for Indonesians. Their allegiance was to hair turning grey. He looks a strong man. The second part of the answer has to do the Portuguese. So it was only natural that They push him, tell him to face the sea. He with the indiscipline and cruelty of the In- they stood up and fought us. Because we refuses to do this. The Indonesians just fire donesian forces. Soldiers seemed to go out were pictured by the Portuguese as a sort of at him. He falls straight into the sea.’ of their way to alienate the East Timorese, imperial army. Aggressors! Muslims! - Of all the Indonesian troops in Dili in even many of those in Apodeti who had nese!’ those first terrible days, the men of Battal- looked on them as liberators. At first, said The attack on Dili was to prove unex- ion 502 were the worst. They gunned down Monsignor Costa Lopes, people had wel- pectedly costly for the Indonesians who Timorese. Incensed by their behaviour, comed the Indonesians. Fretilin had been lost 37 men including 2 majors and 2 cap- Murdani pulled the unit out. Battalion 502 guilty of serious human rights abuses and tains on the first day. One of the majors was was sent back to East Java in disgrace. many people thought that Indonesia would from Koppasandha. Almost all the casual- None of this seemed to have any negative free them from their oppression. ‘But when ties were from Battalion 502. At the time impact on the career of the battalion com- the Indonesians came and did this, oh, the Jakarta told the world that only one of its mander, Major Warsito, who retired as a people were greatly disillusioned,’ he said, men were killed. major-general and who is now the Governor ‘They take all our things. They do not re- Early on Day 2, Laura Barreto and her of Nusa Tenggara Barat, the province which spect our women. They say they are our family left the house, which was less than covers the Lombok-Sumbawa area. brothers. They are not our brothers. If they 200 metres west of the Governor’s office. Why was the ‘liberation’ of East Timor were, they wouldn’t treat us like this.’ Waving a white flag, they set out for the so brutal? Part of the answer is to be found Not long after Isabel Lobato was killed Motael church. They did not get far. The in the nature of East Timorese society. In by Green Beret troops, an Indonesian intel- streets were swarming with Indonesian sol- the period after the outbreak of civil war in ligence officer, Colonel Sinaga, began search- diers who forced them to join several hun- August 1975, East Timorese society was ing for her and other members of her family. dred other people in a square near the har- deeply fissured along clan, class and ideo- Isabel and her sister Olimpia might have bour. logical lines. In the hothouse atmosphere of been married to Fretilin Cabinet ministers, ‘Everything was confused,’ said Laura the times, with Indonesia breathing down but Olimpia’s husband, José Gonçalves, Barreto, ‘There were troops and tanks eve- the necks of the parties, fanning group and was the son of the pro-Indonesian Raja of rywhere. Many Timorese had been killed. class rivalries, Timorese turned on one an- Atsabe and Sinaga had promised the Raja he There was still shooting. There were lots of other with a sometimes murderous inten- would ensure their safety. corpses and because they had been dead a sity. After spending two weeks under house long time, they were already bloated. I saw a Fretilin might have enjoyed widespread arrest, the family was set free. Two year old truck arriving with the bodies of Indonesian support, but it was not universally loved. José Lobato, who was adopted by José and soldiers. Local Chinese were forced to dig Nor did it eschew violence. Fretilin leaders Olimpia Gonçalves, now lives in Jakarta, graves for the Indonesian troops.’ imprisoned, tortured and quite often killed where he is studying computer engineering. In an interview at his home in 1980, their political opponents, especially those His father, Nicolau, who led the Fretilin re- Monsignor Costa Lopes told me that Indo- associated with Apodeti, the small political sistance movement for three years, was nesian troops had marched more than 20 party which sought integration with Indone- killed in a shoot-out with Red Beret troops troops to the docks simply because they sia. on the last day of 1978. had Fretilin flags painted on their walls. The When the Indonesians arrived in Dili on ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– victims had been lined up on the edge of the Dec 7, bringing the surviving Apodeti lead- wharf and shot. Their bodies tumbled into ers in their saddlebags, the payback killing In a separate article, David Jenkins writes the harbour. began. Vengeance begat vengeance. As Isabel that Battalion 502 came to Australia for the ‘In the beginning there were terrible ex- Lobato was murdered in Dili, her husband Kangaroo 95 defence exercises held in Au- cesses.’ he said,’ It’s not true [as some al- was across town at the Taibesse barracks gust. During those exercises, they jumped lege] that they took 100 people to the jetty. ordering sick and malnourished Apodeti from RAAF C130 transport planes in an ‘at- But it was more than 20. Some were Chi- prisoners to carry 27kg ammunition boxes tack’ on the town of Wyndham in West Aus- nese.’ up into the mountains. The prisoners were tralia accompanied by units from 3rd Battal- A Chinese shopkeeper known as “Mr frequently kicked, punched and whipped. ion, Royal Australian Regiment. 502 is one Siong” was one of six people who witnessed They were denied food. In the weeks that of 14 airborne battalions in the Indonesian the shooting. According to him, about 37 followed, Fretilin massacred several large armed forces. These days, according to one people were murdered at the docks as Green groups of Apodeti prisoners, using guns and Western military attaché, 502 is a ‘quality Beret troops took their revenge. Some fell knives. unit.’ into the sea when they shot, others fell on In this atmosphere, Indonesians maintain, the wharf. many Timorese were only too ready to get ‘There were a lot of iron pipes on the their own back. ‘I heard that when our wharf and we must tie the dead bodies on to troops landed, a few Muslims from Kam- them with parachute rope and throw them pung Arab went to meet them,’ said Mur- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 29

COMMENT FROM JIM DUNN, DEC. Indonesia, driving the Portuguese out in the Meanwhile, Indonesia declared that it had 5: process. no territorial ambitions on East Timor or By the middle of the 17th Century, the anywhere else but it would accept its inte- I would like to take up David Jenkins on a Portuguese held only the eastern half of the gration with Indonesia if that was the wish couple of points here. I don’t think it is fair island of Timor but they held it tenaciously. of the East Timorese people. to say that Fretilin killed their opponents In 1859, a formal boundary was established Five political parties sprang up in East other than during the brief civil war or some by treaty defining the Dutch-controlled Timor. The three largest were the União time after the invasion. During the Fretilin West Timor and Portuguese-controlled East Democrática Timorese (UDT) which fa- interregnum Fretilin authorities were gener- Timor which was governed as part of the vored gradual independence while maintain- ally well behaved and fairly disciplined. colony of until 1896 when East ing a privileged relationship with Portugal, Apodeti prisoners were quite well fed, sot Timor became a separate colony with its the Frente Revolucianaria de Timor Leste they should not have been malnourished own governor. By then there was a great Independente (Fretilin) which called for im- when the Indonesians attacked. As for tor- deal of social unrest in East Timor and fi- mediate independence and overhaul of the ture, we saw little evidence of it during the nally, in 1910, an armed rebellion broke out. entire, social and economic structure of East interregnum, and we had free access to any It took the Portuguese a year and a half to Timor, and the Associacao Popular De- part of East Timor and to the prisons where suppress it. mocrática de Timor (Apodeti) which fa- UDT prisoners were incarcerated. During the World War II, the Japanese vored the integration with Indonesia on the army ousted the Dutch and the Portuguese ground that East Timor was really one with THE UNTOLD STORY from the island of Timor. The rigors of Indonesian West Timor and the separation OF EAST TIMOR Japanese military rule led to famine on the of the two Timors was merely an accident island. By the time the Japanese surrendered of colonial politics. Indonesia Media Network - 2 Dec 95. IMN to the Allied forces, at least 40,000 people UDT started out as the biggest of the po- is an ICMI operation, as described in the had died in East Timor– many of them be- litical parties but soon Apodeti began to article “Moslem group to defend Indonesia cause of the help they gave to anti-Japanese challenge its popularity. UDT then formed a on Internet” in the Events in Indonesia sec- forces. short-lived coalition with Fretilin and ru- tion of this issue of East Timor Documents. Independence Struggle mors soon spread that the Portuguese had IMN can be found at agreed to transfer power to the coalition. Soon after that, Indonesia had to fight a http://www.imn.co.id/analysis/political/9512/ Soon Apodeti leaders and supporters were revolutionary war which culminated in 02/ subjected to a campaign of terror waged by Dutch agreement to its independence on 27 the Fretilin and secretly abetted by the Por- East Timor or Timor Timur is the eastern December 1949. At the same time, the peo- tuguese authorities on the island. Diplomatic half of the island of Timor which, at about ple of East Timor waged a similar struggle efforts by Indonesia and other countries to 34,000 square kilometers, is a size smaller for independence which the Portuguese head off the spread of violence on the island than the state of Maryland. It is Indonesia’s forces harshly put down. For three decades were to no avail in the face of Fretilin’s in- 27th province. more, the Portuguese would rule over East transigence. The story of East Timor so often re- Timor which they no longer termed a colony ported in the international media fails to but an “overseas province” of Portugal. Por- Civil War provide a complete picture. The people of tugal formalized this in an amendment to the On 20 August 1975, using weapons sup- East Timor have endured pain for genera- Portuguese constitution. But that did not plied by the Portuguese, Fretilin forces tions: Colonial rule, revolutions, mistaken stop the United Nations from condemning seized Dili, the capital of East Timor. Civil government policies and internal conflict Portugal for refusing to allow its colonial war had broken out. Instead of restoring or- have exacted a great toll. subjects the right to self-determination. der, the Portuguese authorities abandoned But East Timor’s story is still largely un- On 25 April 1974, the Portuguese mili- East Timor on 26 August 1975. While the reported. It is the story of a people’s strug- tary overthrew the government in Portugal civil war threatened to spill over to Indone- gle against an ancient colonial power, the and soon after declared that the Portuguese sian territory, on 28 November 1975, the chaos that ensued when the colonial power colonies of Asia and Africa, including East Fretilin unilaterally proclaimed independ- simply abandoned them after leading them Timor, would be accorded their democratic ence. The following day, Apodeti, UDT and to the brink of civil war, their integration rights. The people of East Timor were al- other political groups proclaimed independ- with Indonesia, and the continuing quest for lowed to form political parties and start the ence and simultaneous integration with the stability and development after integration. process which would lead to a referendum Republic of Indonesia. On 7 December History on 13 March 1975. In that referendum the 1975, with Indonesian military assistance, Long before the arrival of Dutch and Por- people of East Timor would choose one of they retook Dili from Fretilin forces and 10 tuguese colonizers, the Indonesian archipel- three options: to become an autonomous days later proclaimed a Provisional Gov- ago, including the island of Timor, had been territory under Portuguese rule, to become ernment. Both the Provisional Government part of the Sri Wijaya and Majapahit em- an independent country within or outside, a of East Timor and the Indonesian Govern- pires. Portuguese warships first came, to the Portuguese commonwealth, or to join the ment sought UN participation in oversight archipelago in 1509, and began to occupy Republic of Indonesia as its 27th province. of the decolonization process but the UN Java. In the last quarter of the 15th century, Shortly after, however, Portugal showed did not choose to act. So the Provisional the Portuguese were finally able to conquer signs of reneging on its commitments. In Government proceeded to constitute an some of the outer islands including Timor. October 1974, the Portuguese Minister for elected People’s Assembly. The traditional rulers of these islands sought Interterritorial Coordination, Dr. Antonio do Integration Almeida Santos, was asserting that an inde- the help of the Dutch in expelling the Portu- On 31 May, in open session witnessed pendent East Timor would be unrealistic guese only to find themselves in the clutches by members of the diplomatic Corps accred- because, in its weak economic condition, it of another colonizer. From then on the ited to Jakarta and the international press, would soon be recolonized by other powers. Dutch vigorously expanded their hold on the People’s Assembly voted to request Page 30 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. formally that Indonesia accept the decision Malang, Jakarta and Denpasar. Sanitation The Portuguese set up a trading outpost of the people of the territory for integration and rural development programs are, also on the eastern half of Timor island, strad- with the Republic of Indonesia as its 27th being carried out. dling a shipping route between Australia and province. On 17 July 1976, President Soe- In the three national elections since East- the huge island of New Guinea, early in the harto formally proclaimed East Timor Indo- Timor became a province of Indonesia, the 16th century. nesia’s 27th province. Then the reconstruc- East Timorese elected their own representa- They found the island a plentiful source tion and rehabilitation of East Timor tives not only to the provincial legislature of sandalwood, prized for its aroma and me- promptly began. but to the national parliament as well. Eight dicinal oil. At the time of integration, the living representatives speak for East Timor in the A division of the island in the 19th cen- standard of most of the population of East People’s Consultative Assembly, the body tury gave Portugal the east, while Holland, Timor was substantially lower than the rest which elects the President of the Republic. the colonial power in the rest of the old East of Indonesia apart from Irian Jaya. More Peaceful political opposition has been en- Indies islands, was given the remainder. than 70 per cent of the, population was illit- couraged. From time to time, public demon- Japanese and Australian troops fought erate,. Many were isolated in remote villages strations staged by a small group advocating fierce battles on the Portuguese half of with no roads or means of communicating separatism have been carried out in Dili and Timor during World War Two, in which up with the outside world, agriculture was on a other parts of the province. One such dem- to 60,000 East Timorese were killed. primitive subsistence basis. onstration turned into a bloody incident on The Allies feared Japan would use the is- To provide not only for basic human 12 November 1991. President Soeharto and land as a base to launch an invasion of Aus- needs in East Timor but also to lay a foun- other leading Government officials tralia. dation for future development, Indonesia promptly condemned the bloodshed and, After the war, Portugal rehabilitated the has poured six times as much resources on a after due process, those responsible for it, coffee and sandalwood plantations but left per capita basis to East Timor as to any of including military officers and enlisted men, the island largely undeveloped. its other provinces. In 1991, East Timor were severely punished. After a military coup toppled the dicta- received some $199 million in Indonesian Today, East Timor, as part of a country torship of Antonio Salazar in Portugal in Government grants, almost a hundred times that has become one of the economic suc- April 1974, the new leftist government more than the average yearly development cess stories of Southeast Asia, looks to a sought to discard remnants of the country’s expenditure for East Timor during the final future that is a far cry from its colonial past empire. years of Portuguese rule. The number of when it was merely exploited for the benefit It hastily withdrew from East Timor, schools has grown from 47 elementary and comfort of a distant colonizer. It is now roughly the size of Northern Ireland, spark- schools, two middle schools, one high beginning to tap its mineral and agricultural ing civil war. school and no college at the end of Portu- potential, to build modern infrastructures Indonesia declared East Timor its 27th guese rule to 579 elementary schools, 90 and establish commerce and industry for the province on July 17, 1976, seven months middle schools, 39 high schools and three benefit of the people of East Timor. It will after the invasion, having pushed Fretilin colleges. When the Portuguese left, East take a great amount of energy, resources and insurgents into the hills. Timor had two hospitals and 14 clinics with commitment to achieve their development The United Nations has never recognised a total of three doctors and two dentists. aspirations, but they have all these. the takeover and still regards Portugal as the Now it has 10 hospitals and 197 village They have a long way to go but they administering power. health centers staffed by 104 doctors, six have come a long way too. Fretilin guerrillas mounted regular attacks specialists and 14 dentists, assisted by more on Indonesian troops for years after the in- than 1,500 paramedics. In 1974, it had only EAST TIMOR’S HISTORY vasion from their hideouts in the rugged, 20 kilometers of paved roads. Since then FROM SPICE TO CONFLICT mountainous interior. 3,800 kilometers of roads have been built, Up to 80 percent of the Timorese aban- including 428 kilometers of paved highways JAKARTA, Dec 6 (Reuter) - Twenty doned, or were forced to leave, their homes and 18 bridges. years ago on Thursday, Indonesia invaded during the fighting, witnesses and human Agriculture in East Timor has become mainly Roman Catholic East Timor after rights activists said. more productive. In 1976 only 8,005 tons of civil war erupted on the tropical spice island Today, the government and foreign mili- paddy were harvested; by 1990, paddy following the withdrawal of Portuguese co- tary sources put the number of Fretilin guer- production has grown to 55,000 tons. This lonial authorities. rillas at around 200. is largely the result of the repair of old irri- Indonesian airborne and ground troops On November 12, 1991, witnesses said gation systems and the building of new toppled the leftist Fretilin party, which had Indonesian troops in Dili, East Timor’s ones. The Indonesian Government has also established a de facto government and issued capital, killed up to 200 protesters marching promoted crop diversification and encour- an independence proclamation. to the grave of a Timorese activist killed by aged commercial fishing in the province. Human rights groups said up to one third troops. New industries have also been established of the population, or about 200,000 people, An Indonesian commission of inquiry on including printing, soap manufacturing and died during the invasion and subsequent December 26, 1991, revised the official toll electrical equipment assembly. fighting and famine in East Timor. from 19 to “about 50” and said the protest- Training The invasion took place just after a visit ers acted belligerently and showed liberation banners. On November 20, 1992, Indonesia Special vocational training courses have by then U.S President Gerald Ford to Ja- captured Fretilin leader Xanana Gusmão, been introduced in the schools in anticipa- karta, capital of mainly Moslem Indonesia then in his mid-40s. tion of an increase in infrastructures which and some 2,000 km (1,250 miles) west of He was sentenced to life imprisonment will allow the province to further industrial- East Timor. on charges of rebellion and possession of ize. Education is emphasized: in 1989, more Indonesia’s President Suharto said later firearms in May, 1993, after a controversial than 1,500 East Timorese students obtained he could not tolerate “a Cuba in our back- trial. It was later commuted to 20 years. university scholarships, most of them in yard.” East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 31

In November 1994, on the third anniver- nesian forces... We are going to be killed... EAST TIMOR INVASION: sary of the Dili massacre, 29 Timorese stu- SOS,” the Fretilin government radio pleaded. dents climbed the railings of the U.S em- Even the Indonesian commander, General 20 YEARS bassy in Jakarta for a sit-in to demand Benny Murdani, later acknowledged the “The Guardian,” newspaper of the Socialist Gusmão’s release. The break-in coincided mess, although he referred only to poor mili- Party of Australia, 6 Dec. 1995 with the third anniversary of the massacre tary coordination and not to reports of and was only days before Indonesia hosted atrocities. We are celebrating East Timor’s Inde- a summit meeting of Asia-Pacific economic “These troops had no discipline at all. pendence Day, stated Jacinta Azevedo, in leaders at Bogor, near Jakarta. The students They shot one another. Overall it was to- her opening address to the 20th Anniversary later won asylum in Portugal, as did more tally embarrassing... From a military point Dinner organised by South Australia Cam- than 40 other Timorese who staged a series of view we cannot feel very proud of this paign for an Independent East Timor of break-ins in embassies – the British, operation,” he was quoted by his biogra- (CIET) in Adelaide on November 25. Dutch, Japanese and French – in late 1995. pher, Julius Pour, as saying. Jacinta spoke of her long years of exile in In January 1995, East Timor was under the Unexpected resistance by the Fretilin Australia following the invasion of East human rights spotlight again after the kill- government added to the casualties. Timor by Indonesian forces 20 years ago. ings of six East Timorese by soldiers near According to Pour, out of 274 Kostrad, “I want to eventually return to a free Liquisa. Two soldiers were later jailed. or Strategic Reserve, troops killed over five East Timor,” she said, “and celebrate Inde- Demonstrations erupted in several towns years in East Timor, 35 died on the first day pendence Day there where I will be able to later in the year, blamed largely on ethnic of the invasion, including two majors. breathe the free air and listen to the birds and religious tensions. But the brutality of the invading force sing.” caused many more East Timorese casualties, She urged the Australian Government to TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE hardening many who otherwise appeared pressure the Suharto regime over the blatant human rights abuses taking place in East DILI SKY WENT BLACK resigned to Indonesian rule. Most foreigners had fled a few days ear- Timor. “I will be continuing to fight for jus- tice in East Timor,” she said, and to rousing by Jeremy Wagstaff lier. One journalist remaining behind, Aus- tralian Roger East, was executed on the first applause, demanded “Viva East Timor!” JAKARTA, Dec 6 (Reuter) – Eloise, an day of the invasion, along with women and Shirley Shackleton provided a fascinating elderly resident of the sleepy East Timor children, exiled Timorese leader José Ramos account of her personal involvement in the capital Dili, awoke on the morning of De- Horta, wrote in his book “Funu.” fight for an independent East Timor follow- cember 7, 1975, to noise, darkness – and a According to British historian John Tay- ing the murder of her journalist husband, nightmare. lor, 500 ethnic Chinese were killed on the Greg Shackleton, shortly before the Indone- “We woke and heard this big noise of same day, many of them shot on the wharf sian invasion. planes and saw parachutes and planes cov- and thrown into the sea. Other Timorese “He died trying to get the truth out of the ering the light – it became dark because of were killed in the street or in their homes, region,” she stated. them, so many,” she was quoted by Michele by bullets, bayonets or hand-grenades. Shirley was particularly critical of the Turner as saying in her book, “Telling East Author Turner quoted Siong, an ethnic racist attitude of the Indonesian regime to- Timor.” Chinese shopkeeper, as saying: “People ward the East Timorese and the Australian What Eloise was seeing was Operation came in groups of two or three or four, Government’s aid programmes to the region. Lotus, the codename for Indonesia’s mas- stood on the wharf and were shot. One “Its aid programme to East Timor,” she sive invasion of the tiny territory of East group after another coming and coming, explained, “is being used to support Indone- Timor, which had declared its independence killed and thrown in the sea.” sian, not Timorese people. after Portugal’s withdrawal. Looting was widespread, with everything “The present Clean Water programme for Delaying its plans until U.S. President from cutlery and windows to cars and trac- Dili is not intended to improve the lot of Gerald Ford had completed a formal visit to tors removed. Churches were ransacked. Timorese people but assist the transmigra- Jakarta, Indonesia went ahead with plans to Those who could, fled with the Fretilin tion policies of the Suharto regime for Indo- absorb East Timor by force with an attack soldiers and officials into the interior, begin- nesians into the region.” in the early hours of December 7. ning a dogged resistance which in varying Shirley spoke movingly about the “pre- It had already infiltrated troops across forms has lasted to this day. sent climate of fear and terror” in East the land border with West Timor and did It was hard too, for those who were not Timor. “The injuries sustained by many not expect significant resistance from the there. young Timorese men are horrific,” she said. nascent Fretilin administration. Guilherme Gonçalves, cajoled into signing Andy Alcock, President of the South As the paratroopers landed, the killings a declaration appealing for intervention by Australian CIET, summed up the year’s started. Indonesia, was in Jakarta preparing to speak activities, read greetings from a large number Historians and witnesses chronicle a day at the United Nations on Jakarta’s behalf of fraternal organisations and thanked those of botches and bloodshed as an unprepared when he heard the invasion went ahead. who had supported the struggle. and at times ill-disciplined army of some “I was very sad at the time, and I had no Live music for the dinner was provided 10,000 men ran through the capital, killing, idea they would invade like that. I could not by Trade-Winds. raping and torturing civilians and firing on concentrate after that: in the United Nations A photographic display provided a each other. I did not hear what anyone said,” he said. graphic reminder that the struggle for an in- “Indonesian forces have been landed in dependent East Timor continues and that Dili by sea... They are flying over Dili the resistance movement is as strong as ever dropping out paratroopers... A lot of people and determined to win. have been killed indiscriminately... Women The 20th anniversary of the Indonesian and children are going to be killed by Indo- invasion of East Timor has been marked by demonstrations, speeches, the burning of Page 32 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Indonesia’s flag and other forms of protest velopment projects in East Timor has raised versary of an invasion that led to even in other Australian cities in the last few the standard of living and boosted the local greater carnage than the tragedy in the Bal- days. economy. kans passed Thursday with little notice. But But, social, economic, and religious ten- the consequences of Indonesia’s December VOA - TIMOR ANNIVERSARY sions continue to lie at the heart of problems 1975 invasion of the former Portuguese col- in East Timor. In a VOA interview last year ony of East Timor are still with us. The Voice of America, 12/6/95. By Dan Robin- in Dili, catholic bishop Carlos Belo spoke of children of those who perished in the first son, Bangkok what he called the oppressive nature of the wave of savage repression are at this mo- Intro: Thursday is the 20th anniversary Indonesian military presence: ment being beaten and tortured. of the Indonesian military invasion of the “They do not like to understand – Over most of the last two decades, East former Portuguese colony of East Timor. the political, social, and religious as- Timor has received only sporadic worldwide During the past year, VOA southeast Asia pects. For them, integration is already attention: in 1991, when Indonesian troops correspondent Dan Robinson has reported finished. This is Indonesia, an Indone- massacred more than 250 people in a church from the East Timor capital – Dili. He tells sian way of thinking and doing. Noth- cemetery, an event filmed by British televi- us the situation in the troubled territory re- ing else.” sion and broadcast around the world, and mains tense with no end in sight to the In Jakarta, Indonesian officials know the again last year, when East Timorese stu- problems that have plagued East Timor East Timor situation is a headache, a stone dents occupied part of the U.S. Embassy since the start of Indonesian rule: in their shoe. Bubbling dissatisfaction that compound in Indonesia during a visit by Text: In the early morning of December often turns into rioting and a military re- President Clinton. On Thursday, in recogni- 7, 1975 Indonesian naval, air and infantry sponse brings more international criticism of tion of the anniversary of the invasion, pro- forces invaded East Timor to end what Ja- Indonesian policies. independence Timorese occupied part of the karta still officially describes as chaotic and Bangkok bureau chief of the far eastern Dutch and Russian embassies in Jakarta. tragic circumstances accompanying the economic review, Michael Vatikiotis, Bang- But for the most part, the public knows lit- process of de-colonization. kok bureau chief of the far eastern economic tle of what is happening in East Timor. Fretilin, the Timorese independence or- review, was based in Indonesia for four East Timor, an area located off the north ganization had established a de-facto gov- years. In a recent panel discussion, he sug- coast of Australia, and about the size of ernment in the wake of the withdrawal of gested the international focus on East Timor Connecticut, deserves the special sympathy Portuguese administrators. makes Indonesians resistant to understand- of Americans, because, the United States In Jakarta, President Suharto warned he ing the situation there: provided the arms and diplomatic support would not permit what he called another “The role of the army in East for that 1975 invasion. President Ford and Cuba in Indonesia’s backyard. In what In- Timor may be very highly criticized Secretary of State Henry Kissinger were in donesian military officials later acknowl- internally. But very often people feel Jakarta the day before, and they made no edged was a badly disorganized operation, it is something they should deal with. objection to the Indonesian action, though it 10-thousand troops swarmed into Dili. In other words, by raising the sover- was illegal under international law and has In the chaos that followed, and amid rebel eignty issue, very often the nationalis- never been recognized by the United Na- resistance, Indonesians and Timorese were tic instincts of Indonesians which run tions. Longtime efforts in Congress finally killed. Some Indonesian soldiers shot each very high, begin to cloud their judg- have stimulated pressure to address the other in the confusion, and some others ment on what kind of human rights tragedy in East Timor. killed or raped civilians. situation exists there.” If the public is troubled about Bosnia, it In the years after the invasion, and the On the eve of the 20th anniversary of In- should also be concerned over East Timor. formal annexation of East Timor in 1976, donesia’s invasion, the visiting UN high About 250,000 people of a population of 4 human rights groups say as many as 200- commissioner for human rights, Jose Ayala million have perished in Bosnia since 1991, thousand people died in the remote territory Lasso, met local community leaders as well while in East Timor, it is estimated that about two-thousand kilometers east of Ja- as Jakarta-appointed government and mili- 200,000 of a population of less than karta. tary officials. 700,000 died from the combined effects of The United Nations never recognized In- Local activists appealed for more UN the Indonesian assault between 1975 and donesia’s annexation. Under international help to end human rights violations. Mr. 1979, many in a war)induced famine com- law, Portugal is considered the administering Ayala Lasso earlier urged local authorities to pared with some of the worst catastrophes power. improve the dialogue with Timorese. in recent history, including starvation in Other countries, such as the United Indonesia’s official news agency reported Cambodian under Pol Pot. States, do not recognize a legitimate act of (Wednesday) 18 people were killed in East “It defies imagination that so many peo- self-determination took place, but do not Timor during the past three months. The ple have perished in such a small place as dispute Indonesian control. figure included two pro-independence rebels East Timor,” said Mairead Corrigan Ma- Indonesia alleges Portugal continues to of the 200 or so Jakarta acknowledges are guire, who won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize fan the flames of unrest in East Timor. The still active. for her work in Northern Ireland, where two countries began UN sponsored talks 3,000 people have died in the violence since this year aimed at a possible political solu- EAST TIMOR STILL WITH US 1969. East Timor has sparked public tion, but there has been no significant pro- concern in Ireland, in part because of the gress. Boston Sunday Globe, “Focus” Section, De- Irish historical experience of occupation by Recently Indonesian president Suharto cember 10, 1995. By Arnold S. Kohen, who a powerful neighbor. ruled out any change in East Timor’s status, is writing a book on East Timor and inter- Today, tension and oppression have a saying it already receives special treatment. national policy. vise)like grip on East Timor. I visited there The Indonesian government says hun- With the world’s attention focussed on in September, during some of the most seri- dreds of millions of dollars devoted to de- the Bosnian peace agreement, the 20th anni- ous upheavals since the Santa Cruz massa- cre of 1991. “This place is like a concentra- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 33 tion camp,” said a priest who could not be Clinton, who has raised the issue with Indo- Moynihan, Ford’s U.N. Ambassador, identified. nesian President Suharto, can increase his bragged: “The Department of State desired At a Mass one day at the home of Ro- support for United Nations peace talks and that the United Nations prove utterly inef- man Catholic Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, try to convince Indonesian government to fective in whatever measures it undertook. himself considered for the Nobel Peace Prize take concrete steps in pursuit of a peaceful This task was given to me, and I carried it in 1995, there was a crippled boy, his face solution. Experts say there is growing rec- forward with no inconsiderable success.” black)and)blue with caked)up blood from a ognition in Indonesia that changes must be Such success translated into increased beating by security forces. Traumatized and made if Jakarta is to rid itself of what has human suffering within East Timor. At the barely willing to speak, he said he had been come to be a debilitating injury to the coun- height of the assault, Indonesian forces en- in a police station with 30 other young peo- try’s international reputation. gaged in “indiscriminate killing on a scale ple who had been stripped naked and simi- In the meantime, international pressure unprecedented in post-World War II his- larly assaulted. could save lives. All official buildings in East tory,” an Australian government reported “We have been going from prison to Timor today are adorned by idealized por- noted. By the early 1980s, over 200,000 prison ) I don’t know where he is ) and the traits of Indonesia’s vice president, Try Su- East Timorese–about one-third of the pre- police won’t tell us,” said one desperate trisno, former commander of the army. I invasion population–had died as a result of parent searching for his child. He took a was reminded of his statement after the Indonesia’s aggression. Today, the occupa- considerable risk simply in talking to a for- Santa Cruz massacre: The young victims tion and the repression continue. eigner. Nearby, dozens of young people tak- “were delinquents who needed to be shot While Indonesia remains largely unknown ing refuge in a courtyard, several with head and we will shoot them.” I was told by au- to most Americans, U.S. foreign policy and wounds inflicted by Indonesian police. thoritative diplomatic sources that, in the corporate leaders have long appreciated that “They’re taking everything from us,” absence of growing international pressure nation’s economic and strategic value. What said one man. “All most Timorese have now led by the United States, Indonesian forces Richard Nixon called “by far the greatest is the skin on their bones.” Indonesian set- would simply kill the young resisters of prize in the South-East Asian area” is today tlers brought into East Timor are taking the East Timor, as they have killed so many of one of the Clinton administration’s ten “big scarce jobs and opportunities. As in Tibet, their elders. All the more reason why distant emerging markets.” invaded by the Chinese in 1950, the settlers East Timor should have more than a little Such attractiveness helps explain U.S. seem to be there to swamp the East meaning for us. support for Suharto’s crimes. As a State Timorese in their own country. Department official explained in 1976 in “It’s a slow annihilation,” said another DON’T LET INDONESIA WIPE “more or less condoning” Indonesia’s inva- priest, who reported that as many as 80 OUT EAST TIMOR sion of East Timor, “We regard Indonesia as percent of the native East Timorese in some a friendly, non-aligned nation–a nation we areas suffer from tuberculosis, while Indo- by Matthew Jardine, LOS ANGELES do a lot of business with.” nesian authorities make it difficult for many TIMES. Thursday, December 7, 1995. Despite 10 U.N. resolutions condemning people to obtain medicines. Commentary Section, Column Left the Indonesian invasion and calling for Ja- The disparity between the two sides karta’s immediate withdrawal, the United could not be more clear. On the one hand, On Dec. 7, 1941, Imperial Japan attacked States has never seriously contested Indone- unarmed young people who have little more the U.S. naval fleet at Pearl Harbor. While sia’s annexation of East Timor. On the con- than ideals to sustain them. The other con- Americans were commemorating this date trary, successive U.S. administrations have sists of heavily armed elite units of Indone- 20 years ago, Indonesia invaded the newly- provided Jakarta with hundreds of millions sian mobile brigade riot police. I saw count- independent country of East Timor–with of dollars in military and economic assis- less trucks filled with machine)gun toting U.S. weaponry and approval. Dec. 7 is a tance since 1975. army troops, both uniformed and in plain- day of double infamy. As a presidential candidate, Bill Clinton clothes, some wearing ski masks in broad Since the invasion of the former Portu- called U.S. policy toward East Timor “un- daylight in the oppressive tropical heat )) an guese colony, Indonesia has used every in- conscionable.” And, indeed, his Administra- open reminder of those in East Timor who strument of oppression–from torture and tion has taken some noteworthy steps to have “disappeared” without a trace. Spies censorship to starvation and direct military challenge traditional U.S. complicity such as working for Indonesian forces are every- assault–to destroy East Timorese society banning small arms sales to Indonesia. But where. and wipe out all resistance to the occupa- Indonesia’s economic and strategic impor- In a telephone conversation this week, tion. tance has exposed the limits of Clinton’s Bishop Belo, a courageous moderate who Whether by coincidence or design, Presi- concern for human rights and international has worked hard to deter violence in the ter- dent Ford and Secretary of State Kissinger law. His Administration has provided al- ritory, said the situation remains the same. were visiting Indonesian dictator Suharto in most $300 million in economic assistance to During the past few months, dozens of Jakarta, Indonesia during the two days prior Indonesia over the last three years and has young East Timorese have entered embas- to the 1975 invasion. There is little doubt also sold and licensed the sales of tens of sies in Jakarta seeking political asylum. The that the U.S. gave Suharto the green light to millions of dollars in weaponry to Indone- personal histories of almost all of these invade. Speaking on the question of East sia. The Administration is now about to sell Timor at a Jakarta press conference Kiss- young people tell the story of East Timor Jakarta 20 F-16 fighter jets. today: Many, if not most, have lost parents inger stated that, “the United States under- Given the importance of Indonesia, today in the war, and most have been beaten or stands Indonesia’s position.” According to the world’s fourth most-populous country tortured. the State Department, about ninety percent and a major center of multinational corpo- Involvement of the Clinton Administra- of the weapons used during the invasion rate activity, powerful interests will ensure tion in Bosnia and Northern Ireland has were U.S.-supplied. that changing U.S. policy will be difficult. helped smooth the way for peace agree- The U.S. also ensured that the United Such a situation only makes strong and ments. There are signs that over time, the Nations did not take any meaningful steps principled leadership on the part of Presi- same might work in East Timor. President against Indonesia. As Daniel Patrick dent Clinton all the more vital. Page 34 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

An immediate suspension of all U.S. eco- the attack would be launched on December needed to overcome the resistance to inte- nomic and military aid and arms sales to In- 6th. The news startled the embassy, for gration. donesia would send a strong signal to Indo- President Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger Even in the UN support for Indonesia nesia that the U.S. will no longer be its part- were to be in Jakarta on December 6th. seemed to be gaining ground, but thanks to ner in crime. Jakarta would be under intense However, the problem was easily resolved: the stand of small states the issue remained pressure to withdraw from East Timor in the assault was conveniently delayed 24 on the agenda. In 1982, the General Assem- the face of such clear U.S. resolve. hours to ensure that Air Force One was well bly authorised the Secretary General to ini- Barring radical change in Indonesia or clear of Indonesian territorial waters. tiate contacts between Portugal and Indone- East Timor, only decisive action by Wash- Everything, it seemed, was on the side of sia with a view to securing an acceptable ington and its Western allies can pressure the invaders. Timor was an insignificant, settlement. This initiative spawned a frus- Indonesia to allow East Timorese self- remote, and little-known place in a world trating series of talks which is still going on, determination. Dec. 7 should serve as a re- otherwise preoccupied. The Americans were with Indonesia steadfastly refusing to give minder of the tragedy of war and as a cata- licking their wounds after their ignominious any ground on the fundamental question of lyst to end U.S. complicity in one of mod- withdrawal from and Watergate, self-determination. ern history’s ugliest chapters. while Europeans-East and West- were ab- In the early 1990’s, when the outlook for Matthew Jardine is a writer and re- sorbed with initiatives to ease cold war ten- progress was bleak, three unrelated events searcher on human rights and the author of sions, such as the Helsinki Accords. gave a great stimulus to the Timor question, East Timor: Genocide in Paradise (Odonian Asians had little interest in East Timor. forcing the Suharto regime on the defensive, Press, 1995). The Indians regarded it as a kind of Goa, at a time when Indonesia began seeking a while Indonesia’s ASEAN (Association of leadership role in the international commu- INDONESIA’S BRUTAL South East Asian Nations)partners took nity. These were the Gulf War, the libera- ATTACK ON TIMOR little persuading to go along with integration. tion of the Baltic States, and the Dili massa- As for the two countries with the closest cre of November 1991. The first two high- UNRESOLVED AFTER 20 interest in events in Timor, lighted the unacceptability of the annexation YEARS Portugal was in a paralysing political cri- of small states by large neighbours, while sis, while Australia was still reeling from the the Santa Cruz massacre and Jakarta’s re- The Irish Times, 7th December 1995. By shock of Gough Whitlam’s sacking. In any sponse drew attention to the Timorese James Dunn. case the Whitlam government’s preference struggle for independence and the harsh WHEN INDONESIA INVADED EAST TIMOR for East Timor’s integration into Indonesia character of Indonesian military rule. THE WORLD STOOD BY AND DID NOTHING, enjoyed bipartisan support. Thus, internationally the plight of the JAMES DUNN EXAMINES THE REASONS WHY As for the United Nations, in 1975 it was Timorese has become something of a Cause AND WHETHER THINGS HAVE CHANGES 20 a victim of debilitating pressures of Cold Celebre, enjoying greater support around the YEARS ON. War politics, otherwise the outcome might world than at any other time. Although the For twenty years now the East Timor have been different. But Indonesia’s inva- issue still holds little appeal for the eco- question has been increasingly troubling the sion was perceived as not being harmful to nomic rationalists, it has attracted attention international political conscience, and with the national interests of either the Ameri- in many of the smaller states, especially Ire- very good reason. The 20th anniversary of cans or Russians. True, the UN General As- land, where the Timor question is correctly the assault on Dili offers us an opportunity sembly condemned the invasion and called identified as a fundamentally important is- to reflect on how this saga has unfolded, and on the United Nations Security Council to sue of principle, as well as a profoundly on where it stands today. The invasion take action, but the US effectively neutral- disturbing violation of those human rights of dashed Timorese hopes for an independent ised the council’s response, although the crucial importance to our civilisation. future, transforming their lives into another, question was to remain on the general as- and infinitely more oppressive, form of co- sembly agenda. TWENTIETH ANNIVERSAR Y lonial subjugation. Moreover, along the way From the very outset the invading forces OF INDONESIA’S INVAS ION they suffered catastrophically from the bru- behaved with extraordinary brutality to- tality of the invaders, and a dismal lack of wards the civilian population. In the first OF EAST TIMOR week more than 2,000 Timorese were killed, international support. JAKARTA, December 7 (Itar-Tass) – some in public executions, other simply The facts speak for themselves. today, Exactly twenty years have elapsed since the gunned down by Indonesian forces. A num- there should be more than one million East day when Indonesian troops invaded East ber of massacres similar to the incident at Timorese. That there are fewer than 700,000 Timor, a former Portuguese colony. Para- the Santa Cruz cemetery in November 1991 exposes a massive population loss. In rela- troopers and marines were landed at Dili, occurred. At Lakmanas in mid 1976 more tive terms it is over three times greater than the administrative centre of that territory, at than 1,000 East Timorese were slaughtered the cost of three years of bitter conflict in dawn on December 7, 1975. Thereby, Indo- by troops and public executions took place Bosnia-Herzegovina. nesia had intervened in the civil war on East at a dozen other villages. While Indonesian military intervention Timor between the advocates and oppo- In August, 1983, more than 300 people actually began two moths earlier, the attack nents of its independence. were shot at the small village of Creras (Kra- on Dili on December 7th, 1975, has come to Indonesian leaders said at that time that ras). At the time information about these signify the beginning of the invasion of the their country “does not want to have a sort atrocities did come out of Timor but none of former Portuguese colony. Though a clear of Cuba in its backyard.” The Revolutionary those powers with the influence in Jakarta violation of the UN Charter, it was anything Front for the Independence of East Timor was listening. The Australian government but unexpected, not least to the Western (FRETILIN), which headed the struggle for supported Indonesian in the UN, while the friends of President Suharto’s regime. Ac- independence, was tagged as a “left-wing Americans actually expedited the delivery of commodating American intelligence officials group of Communist orientation.” Hence, military aid that the Indonesian military in Jakarta were, in fact, forewarned by their the invasion was an offspring of the “cold Indonesian counterparts a week earlier that East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 35 war.” In the summer of 1976, the territory publicised the plight of the island, with spe- Meanwhile, the resistance campaigners was turned into the 27th province of Indo- cial support from groups in the former colo- have had to resort to “spectacular action” to nesia “at the request,” it was claimed, “of nial power, Portugal. call the world’s attention to the plight of the the bulk of the territory’s population.” Hos- The 1994 AI annual report described the Island, like when the 29 young people tilities between the regular army and the Indonesian action which left 210,000 of the sought asylum in the US embassy in Jakarta guerrillas have claimed the live of dozens of 650,000 Timorese inhabitants dead as “un- during President Bill Clinton’s visit last year thousands of East Timorese since then. The punished genocide.” and this morning’s update of the act. resistance of the scattered and small Meanwhile, the Timor archbishopric and Today’s action coincides with the visit of FRETILIN detachments is continuing to Timorese refugees in various nations ac- the United Nations High Commissioner for this day. cused the Indonesian regime of settling Human Rights, Jose Ayala Lasso to the Jakarta’s annexation of East Timor is Muslim populations on the island in order Timorese reporter and poet José Alexandre sharply criticised by international human to outnumber the previous Catholic major- Xanana Gusmão serving a 20 year prison rights organisations and the governments of ity. sentence in Java. many democratic states. Despite the denunciations, the “Timor Xanana Gusmão has led the anti- Many East Timorese found asylum in drama” only broke onto the international Indonesian guerrilla movement from 1975, foreign diplomatic missions this autumn. consciousness on Nov. 12, 1991, when the and though he was captured in Dili in 1992 Dozens of young people were deported to machine-gunning of 273 independence cam- he is still recognised leader by the CNRM Portugal, which the international community paigners in the Timorese capital Dili, was and other independence fighters. still regards as a country entitled to adminis- witnessed by two US reporters and filmed Meanwhile, East Timor is in limbo. Un- ter East Timor. by a British cameraman. der international law, the United Nations Today, a large group of East Timorese, The shocking images of the Indonesian sees Portugal as “administrative power” numbering 47 people, including two women, army opening fire on unarmed civilians, over the island, until the independence proc- have climbed into the compounds of the many of whom were children and young ess can be completed with a referendum the Russian embassy in Jakarta. Itar-Tass was adults, caused an impact throughout the Indonesians refuse to authorize. told by a Russian diplomat that they called world. Jakarta justifies the invasion as it “liber- for the arrival of representatives from the José Ramos-Horta, coordinator of the ated the island from 450 years of Portuguese Untied Nations and International Red Cross National Resistance Council (CNRM) in colonialism,” claiming that “Indonesia has at the embassy so that they could declare Indonesia, told IPS that the repression re- done more for the development of Timor in their stand on East Timor. U.N. High Com- lated to this event finally cost more than two decades than Portugal did in four and a mission for Human Rights José Ayala Lasso 700 lives in East Timor, though it market “a half centuries.” is now in Jakarta. great leap forward in world consciousness.” However, the CNRM state that Indone- About sixty East Timorese found asylum According to Ramos-Horta, the images of sia “never supported the anti-colonial bat- at the Dutch embassy here today. These the slaughter meant that countries “with tle” during the extreme-right Portuguese dic- actions were timed for the 20th anniversary important economic interests in Indone- tatorship (1926-1974), adding that if the of the invasion, which falls due today. They sia...with democratic regimes which are an- Island had wanted to be annexed the Indone- are intended without doubt to attract the swerable to public opinion...(could not) con- sians “would not have had to kill 210,000 world community’s attention to the East tinue to say Timor simply did not exist.” people.” Timor problems. Indonesia “is a vast market of 180 million “The independence of East Timor, a people, rich in natural resources and with people geographically close, but culturally, EAST TIMOR: TWENTY great influence in the region,” he said, “(this) religiously and ethnically distant from the YEARS LATER, THE REBELS means that the majority of the democratic Indonesians, cannot be paid for with 100 industrialised countries work on the theory kilometres of surfaced roads and four public FIGHT ON that business is simply business, and human buildings,” said Ramos-Horta. rights are a separate issue.” The UN action, the Western govern- by Mario Dujisin “We mustn’t forget that between 1964 ments’ pressure on Jakarta and the “war” LISBON, Dec 7 (IPS) - This Thursday and 1965, Indonesian President Ali Suharto waged on Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali morning, on the twentieth anniversary of the executed 1.5 million Indonesians to Alatas by the media worldwide can all play Indonesian invasion of East Timor, 107 strengthen his dictatorship” without arous- their part to strengthen the CNRM’s young Timorese and Indonesian objectors ing international opposition, he added. chances. sought asylum in the Russian and Dutch Ramos-Horta explained that one of the Meanwhile the 800-strong guerrilla force embassies in Jakarta, calling the attention of main problems blocking international sup- continue to hound the 22,000 Indonesian international television back to the island’s port for his campaign was the oil rich Timor troops in the dense Timorese jungle, and the plight. Sea, as “the interests of the Australian, invasion celebrates its twentieth birthday. On Dec. 7, 1975, a mere week after inde- Japanese and Dutch Shell oil companies pendence, the Indonesian army invaded, an- have forced these countries, supposedly THE VOICE OF THE LIURAI nexing the island as its twenty-seventh great defenders of human rights, to act as OF OSSU province six months later. accomplices to Indonesia.” Since that date the genocide which wiped He said that Germany, Denmark, Spain, From http://www.uc.pt/Timor/ossu.htm out a third of the population, the torture, the United States, France, Italy and the cultural and religious repression, or forced are also on the “list of At he beginning of the century, the Liurai settlement of Muslims have been unending, honour of cynic nations, declaring them- of Ossu presented the invader with a and a well supported guerrilla group still selves democratic defenders of human rights, weapon venerated by the Mauberes and, as stalks the mountains of East Timor. but refusing to condemn the methods of the he did so, declared that he would never again Amnesty International (AI) and other Indonesian dictatorship.” go to war. human rights groups have continuously Page 36 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

The forest of the Mauberes have always FORGOTTEN GRABS the current Indonesian-approved governor been sacred temples and repositories of se- puts the figure at over 100,000. In 1991 the crets. For at least five hundred years for- Editorial, The Economist, Jan. 27, 1996 Indonesian army shot about 100 people dur- eigners from many countries have traversed ing a demonstration in the capital, Dili. In- these places without ever understanding The world should not accept the illegal donesia maintains 6,000 troops there – a them. For however much they have seen or occupation of Western Sahara and East clear indication that it still holds the island heard, it is never sufficient for them to gain Timor by force. an insight into the inner life and customs of TWENTY years ago, two obscure pieces This sort of imperialism goes against the the Mauberes. They would have to be able of land on opposite sides of the world were grain-and the trend. The past few years have to see and to hear far more, and above all to grabbed by their neighbours. In January seen more self-determination, even for small understand the light of the voices. 1976, Moroccan forces took over Western peoples, not less. Nation-states the size of A thousand Maubere secrets and plans Sahara, a slice of the western Sahel that had Eritrea and Estonia show that size is no have been guarded for centuries by families, been ruled by Spain. The previous month, longer considered essential to viability. The priests, liurais and other chiefs, only to be East Timor, half a small island in the South cold-war fears of communist destabilisation revealed in time of need. All the Mauberes Pacific had been swallowed up by Indonesia are long gone. They no longer supply pre- know of these things, and have even re- as Portuguese rule collapsed. texts for local bullies to oppress, nor reason counted them down the ages; but no for- The world did not like the annexations. for western governments to turn a blind eye. eigner has ever been able to penetrate to the But Morocco and Indonesia had powerful The ugly little thefts of Western Sahara and depths of Maubere history. friends and neither territory provided the East Timor defy the most fundamental prin- This is why almost nothing is known of West with oil. So the world did not go to ciples in the democratic rule-book the Mauberes, and why the true significance war. It did not even manage to organise a The world cannot go to war every time a of many, many secrets, even those revealed referendum, either in western Sahara or in despot grabs a piece of land. But if princi- by the people, has still not been fully ex- East Timor, though it did huff and puff and ples are to be invoked on those occasions plained. convene a lot of meetings. Now it looks as when the seizure is resisted - in Kuwait or Like that gesture made by the Liurai of though its indifference may turn to accep- in the Falklands – then they should not be Ossu. tance. The double AnschIuss is becoming forgotten on the other occasions. The de- Some seventy years ago, the Liurai de- permanent. mocratic world should not tacitly accept the cided to present the invader with a rifle ven- When Spain withdrew from Western Sa- actions of Morocco and Indonesia in their erated by the Mauberes. After all the cus- hara, Morocco and Mauritania divided up stolen territories. It should press, at a mini- tomary rituals, the Liurai of Ossu, sur- the territory between them. As thousands of mum, for a fair referendum in each. rounded by his chiefs and priests, requested Saharawis fled, Polisario, the country’s in- that the said weapon be brought from the dependence movement. took up arms sacred forest where it had been kept for against the invaders. Morocco built a huge SANTA CRUZ MASSACRE many years - a single-barrel rifle over two and heavily defended wall of sand around REMEMBERED and a half metres long. His act appeared to the territory. Reluctantly, it conceded the be one of homage to the invader, and his principle of a referendum, to be held in words those prompted by genuine humility: 1992. A:2,000-strong UN force was even HAUNTING MEMORIES “We no longer need arms.” sent to supervise it, though it did not stop “Why not?,” replied the invader. Morocco trying to flood the territory with FROM SANTA CRUZ “Because we shall never again go to war.” its own citizens and to have them listed as LUSA, Nov 10. By Antonio Martins Neves. This war taken up by the priests and voters. The referendum, however, has not (translated, slightly edited) chiefs: happened. “We no longer need arms because we Last month disagreements about who Four years later, Aviano Faria still wakes shall never go to war.” should be eligible to vote brought registra- up in the middle of the night screaming, Other liurais, chiefs and priests assuredly tion to a halt. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the thinking he is still lying among the corpses echoed the sentiment: UN secretary-general, proposed that the in the cemetery, or later among the corpses “We no longer need arms because we rules be changed: instead of two sheikhs, already in the morgue. Still on Tuesday, the shall never again go to war.” one appointed by each side, vetting the vot- Timorese young man awakened his room- But words of this nature were always ut- ers, he suggested that one should be enough. mates at the University residence in Lisbon, tered outside the forest, never within it. For With Polisario complaining that that would screaming, reliving once again the nightmare inside the forest the people only sang the allow Morocco to fix the vote, the Security he went through on 12 November of 1991. freedom. Council rejected the idea. But this week Mr The traumas Aviano Faria carries with him Even today, girls and boys, men and Boutros-Ghali suggested forcing the two are very apparent, despite his smiling and women, sing of freedom in the forest. sides to agree on a voter-registration proce- tranquil expression. Although he attends And there are those who claim that they dure by threatening to withdraw the UN Portuguese classes, he speaks Portuguese can still hear, amid the rustling of the trees, force. The Security Council is to decide with great difficult, which he attributes to the Liurai of Ossu singing his song of free- soon on whether to do so. great difficulty in concentrating. dom. The UN is even less engaged in East “I tried to free myself from the scenes Timor. When the Indonesians invaded, they that I witnessed, but I haven’t succeeded. said they were saving it from civil war and They are always here,” he says, touching his communism. In the massacres that followed, head. however, thousands died: the local Catholic Aviano Faria, now 24 years old, was at bishops reckon that, in total, violence and the cemetery entrance when the Indonesian famine have claimed the lives of 200,000 soldiers started shooting. He only had time Timorese, a third of the population. Even to drop on the floor, and he saw falling at East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 37 his feet his companions who had been on As soon as he heard the soldiers steps cers that they would return, they left a secu- top of the wall and were gunned down. getting farther, Aviano got up. “It seemed rity deposit of about US$1,400 (200,000 “I dropped on the floor and I played that I just felt normal all of the sudden.” escudos). Once in Bangkok, they went to dead. I was trampled by many people at- Aviano started searching for survivors. And the Portuguese embassy. They arrived in tempting to escape to inside the cemetery, there were some. “Some asked me for wa- Lisbon on February 27, 1994. women and children screaming.” Those who ter.” But then he heard the military boots couldn’t pass the barrier formed by the dead again and he dropped on the floor again. AI CALLS FOR bodies, were gunned down. “I had never When he realized they were coming back to CONCRETE ACTION seen such killing, not even in movies.” finish off any survivors, by hitting them on While shooting their guns, the soldiers the head again, Aviano got up, astonishing This News Service is posted by the Interna- shouted “ungrateful! ungrateful!,” express- and frightening the soldiers. tional Secretariat of Amnesty International, 1 ing the usual accusation made of the “What are you doing?” shouted one of Easton Street, London WC1X 8DJ (Tel +44- Timorese, that they are ungrateful for the them. The youth then improvised the strat- 71-413-5500, Fax +44-71-956-1157) development that the Indonesians brought egy that would save his life. “I implored: to the territory. before you do anything to me, hear me first. News Service 216/95; AI Index: ASA According to Aviano Faria, the shooting I was in the cemetery not to protest but be- 21/53/95, 9 November 1995 lasted for 15 minutes. “It was like a shower cause I am an informer sent by the Indone- As East Timor marks the fourth anniver- of bullets, shots came from every side.” Yet, sian commands.” sary of the Santa Cruz massacre in Dili this Aviano was not shot. The soldiers asked for his informer card, weekend, Amnesty International is renewing Once the shooting stopped, the soldiers but Aviano said he had lost it, with his wal- its call for the Indonesian government to immediately started collecting the bodies. let, in the shooting, and challenged the sol- fully and impartially investigate the massa- They beat the wounded with batons and diers to accompany him to the military cre and hold those responsible for the kill- rocks to finish them up. command where his collaborator files were. ings to account. “When my turn came, they searched me They appeared to believe him, and they “The tragic result of the government’s over, and as I wasn’t wounded nor had any then forced him to take 5 pills which he failure to take any concrete action is that traces of blood, one of the soldiers shouted never found out what they were. He man- political killings and “disappearances” con- ‘this one is pretending to be dead.’ They aged to take just two, which he later through tinue in East Timor,” Amnesty International told me to get up, but I remained still, face- up by sticking his finger in his throat after said today. down, almost without breathing.” Immedi- the soldiers finally took him to the infir- This year alone, at least 13 civilians have ately after, Aviano was sure he was about to mary. been killed by members of the security be killed when one of the soldiers shouted He was hospitalized for over a month, forces. At least five people are believed to “Let’s kill him.” “I thought I was going to during which he was interrogated and tor- have been “disappeared.” The real figures be shot. I was ready to die and I was pray- tured six times. “They treated us like slaves. may be higher – independent human rights ing.” But instead of shooting him, the sol- During interrogation, they put a gun in my monitors are restricted in their access to diers kicked and hit him with the guns, on mouth, they hit me in the stomach and on East Timor and even foreign journalists have the body and head. “I started bleeding the head, they crushed my fingers with the faced restrictions on entry to East Timor. through my mouth, nose, and ears. I felt my legs of a chair they sat on, and they burned On 12 November 1991, Indonesian sol- strength vanishing, but I didn’t black out.” my penis with cigarettes. diers opened fire on a peaceful procession at The soldiers then through Aviano into a Finally, they forced him and the other the Santa Cruz Cemetery in Dili. As many truck together with the bodies. “Some were wounded who escaped the massacre, to sign as 270 were believed to have been killed and still moving, but others were dead.” Aviano a declaration stating they accepted the inte- up to 200 are still missing. Most were shot thought they were all to be buried in a com- gration of East Timor into Indonesia, the while attempting to flee and others were mon grave, as had happened in other occa- Jakarta-appointed government, being volun- beaten and stabbed. sions. But instead, the bodies were taken to tary informers, and that they were repen- Despite evidence to the contrary, the In- the floor of the morgue of the military hos- tant. donesian government continues to claim that pital in Dili. Once released, the nightmare continued, the response by the army to the peaceful “In the hospital there was further killing. always being followed, and with home vis- demonstrators at Santa Cruz was an aberra- The soldiers said for those who could hear its. “They wanted me to speak out in favor tion and that the government has satisfacto- to raise up a hand to be taken to the infir- of the Indonesian government, and to be an rily investigated the killings and “disappear- mary. One of my friends raised up his hand informer. They forbade me of returning to ances.” and they went to get a large rock and hit him school.” In a report released in 1994, a United Na- in the head with it. They killed him.” Aviano was therefore forced to enter a tions (UN) expert, the Special Rapporteur Aviano continued to pretend he was clandestine life, in which he remained for on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execu- dead. The soldiers then beat those they two years, until on December 1993, with tions, found that members of the Indonesian thought were alive until they seemed dead, false papers and Muslim dress, Dili emigra- Armed Forces (ABRI) were responsible for they opened the morgue water taps, and tion authorized him to travel to Jakarta. He killings in the massacre and that the re- they left locking the doors but leaving the remained in Jakarta for about one month, sponse was “a planned military operation lights on. time enough to collect money for a plane designed to deal with a public expression of On top of the only table on the morgue ticked to Bangkok. He again eluded authori- political dissent in a way not in accordance lied the body of a youth that Aviano later ties, with forged documents and again pass- with international human rights standards.” learned was New Zealand student Kamal ing himself as a Muslim. He went to Bang- Echoing the findings of many interna- Bamadhaj, who he had seen earlier among kok with a nurse who worked at the military tional organisations, including Amnesty In- the crowd in the cemetery just before the hospital at the time of the massacre, with ternational, the report concluded that the soldiers started shooting. the pretext that they were going on a busi- “conditions that allowed the Santa Cruz kill- ness trip. To convince the emigration offi- ings to occur are still present. In particular, Page 38 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. the members of the security forces respon- and “disappearances” have still not oc- goes around in groups of four, often in civil- sible for the abuses have not been held ac- curred. ian clothes, sometimes reportedly even in countable and continue to enjoy virtual im- “It will take more to end political killings women’s clothing, bursting into houses punity.” and “disappearances” in East Timor than seeking those who lead the increasingly bit- Indonesia has not formally responded to one highly publicised trial,” the organization ter opposition to the Indonesian occupation. the report of the Special Rapporteur nor said. “Those are suspicious motorcycles,” said given any commitment to implement his Amnesty International is urging that con- one leading Timorese the other night. Indo- recommendations. Neither has the govern- crete measures be implemented to ensure nesians, easily identifiable by their lighter ment fully implemented the recommenda- that members of the security forces who complexions and their straight hair, are tions of a 1993 UN Commission on Human commit violations are consistently held to feared by the darker-skinned curly-haired Rights resolution calling on the government account. Timorese. The sense of anxiety in Dili’s to fully account for those killed and “disap- “Only then will the government send a darkened streets, empty despite the fact peared” – a call which was renewed in a clear message to members of the security that no curfew is formally in force, can al- statement of the Commission in 1995. forces that no violations will be tolerated,” most be touched. Since November 1991, there have been Amnesty International said. Two decades after the Indonesians continuing reports of political killings and marched in, the spirit of resistance in burn- “disappearances.” In January 1995, distur- RESISTANCE BURNS ing bright. A third of the present popula- bances in the East Timor town of Baucau BRIGHT AS MASSACRE tion, the Timorese old and young, have resulted in the military opening fire on riot- nothing to lose. They are rallying to a cause ers. Independent sources said that at least IS REMEMBERED which seems to gain momentum as the years two people died as a result and up to 15 pass. Independent on Sunday, November 12 1996. may have been wounded in what appeared At the quayside, scene of many execu- By Hugh O’Shaughnessy. slightly abridged to be excessive use of lethal force by the tions of Timorese by the Indonesians in military. The military said that they fired in Two of the Indonesian air force’s fleet of 1975, two landing craft ride at anchor, hav- the air to disperse the crowd but because it British-built Hawk warplanes made a low ing delivered the troops and vehicles which was dark, their bullets may have hit indi- pass over Dili, the capital of occupied East the occupiers are using to overawe the viduals. Five men are believed to have “dis- Timor, on Friday morning. The message to population. A hundred metres away, beside appeared” in Dili in January after being ar- the people below was obvious: there was to a banyan tree guarded by Indonesian police, rested by the military. In February, police be no trouble this weekend. a small gunboat, the Balibo, keeps watch. It announced an inquiry into the fate of the Today, Sunday, is the fourth anniversary is certainly not clear that military force will five, but their whereabouts remain un- of the massacre by Indonesian troops and ever succeed in ending Timorese protests. known. police of more than 200 Timorese demon- The political dynamics of the situation do Six civilians were killed by the military in strating against the foreign takeover of their not favour the Indonesians. Liquiça, East Timor in January. The military country. The killing, courageously filmed by On my first visit here in 1991, active re- originally claimed that the six were guerrillas British cameraman Max Stahl, was on TV sistance was confined to the Fretilin [sic] killed during fighting, but an inquiry by In- around the world in 1991 and changed the guerrillas in the hills, the brave but forlorn donesia’s National Commission on Human course of Timorese history by showing an remains of a tiny army which the newly Rights revealed that the six were civilians Indonesian atrocity as it was happening. proclaimed republic of East Timor pitted unlawfully killed. In July, two men were This weekend the Indonesians are warn- against the troops of a country of 150 mil- shot and killed by the army in Vermasse, ing that they will not hesitate to do the same lion people in 1975. It had somehow sub- Baucau district, after an army officer had again if necessary. The troops and police in sisted with no foreign assistance, capturing been shot. There has been no inquiry into riot gear in the streets, the warships at the and often buying arms and ammunition from the killings. In August, two men were shot quayside and the armour on patrol make the the Indonesian soldiers. while out hunting deer. Soldiers fired on the point forcefully enough. This time, how- Today, four years later, the Timorese as two after they ignored calls to stop. ever, the Indonesians are trying to make sure a whole, with young people in the lead, are “These killings and “disappearances” are they are not observed. As the week went seizing the initiative if only out of despair. entirely consistent with a pattern of viola- by, foreign visitors, businessmen, hitch- Fretilin [sic] is still alive but is not the force tions which results from a lack of system- hikers and journalists – this correspondent it once was. The unremitting pressures of atic and thorough investigation of human included – were tracked down by Indonesian the occupation have obliged ordinary rights violations,” Amnesty International agents and expelled. Nevertheless, there was Timorese to become more active or see their said. time enough to take the political tempera- country taken away from them and their Those violations which are investigated ture in this tense and unhappy city sur- cultural identity obliterated. are usually those which are subject to inter- rounded by a ring of hills burnt brown by Under the Indonesian strategy of “trans- national and domestic scrutiny, placing the hot sun of a tropical summer. migration,” initiated to relieve the extreme greater pressure on the government to take “We are in the middle of an intifada,” said pressure of population in the Indonesian some form of action. Even then, such inves- one Timorese. “And the protesters are get- heartland of Java, more than 100,000 immi- tigations have failed to meet international ting younger and younger. It is down to the grants have settled, taking what good agri- standards. nine and 10-year-olds now.” The local resis- cultural land exists and displacing Timorese Of those political killings reported this tance leaders in this former Portuguese col- from business. Javanese have also flooded year, only the killing of the six civilians in ony are making up their minds how far to into the towns, taking over shops and of- Liquiça has been investigated. Two soldiers encourage the children with their stones fices, administering the schools and colleges, are currently serving prison sentences of against the heavily armed Indonesians in which the Indonesians say with some pride four and a half years after being tried for their steel-plated vehicles. are educating the locals in a way the Portu- their role in the killings. Full and impartial The nights have become a time of terror guese colonialists never bothered to do. investigations into other political killings for the Timorese as the occupying army East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 39

But in these schools the language of in- however Portugal responded to their de- Alatas also took a swipe at Lisbon, ac- struction is not Portuguese nor yet the na- mands. cusing Portugal of “inaction” in diplomatic tive language Tetum, but Bahasa Indonesia. According to the anti-Indonesian resis- efforts to reach a solution to the East Timor The world’s largest Muslim population tance movement, the move was designed to issue. is at the same time attempting to Islamicise call attention to “the forgotten drama of “We need two hands to clap and so far the Timorese, who have rallied ever more Timor” on the eve of the just ended summit we’ve only been clapping with one. The fervently to the Catholic Church, their only of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation other hand is almost motionless,” Alatas effective champion against the occupying (APEC) forum in Osaka Japan. said, adding that Indonesia was keen to con- forces in recent years. But the government denies the persecu- tinue U.N. mediated discussions. The drive against Christianity has been tion charges and says the actions are purely The outspoken Dili-based Bishop Carlos increasingly provocative in recent years. “political” in nature, but analysts say that Felipe Ximenes Belo, has in the meanwhile Indonesian government agents have taken more than politics, it may be a case of eco- urged the government to examine the reasons communion at the altar rails and spat out the nomics. behind the new wave of Timorese seeking to host, have publicly wiped their penises on “There are no reasons for them to seek leave the country. the consecrated bread and have verbally mo- asylum because they have never been under Sociologists here say the problems are lested young nuns. any pressure or torture, or wanted be the largely economic. The Timorese reaction has, as expected, security forces,” said Ghaffar Fadyl, the The rate of unemployment among been explosive. With Xanana in prison the Indonesian foreign ministry’s Director for Timorese graduates is high and the problem only remaining Timorese leader is Bishop Information in an interview with the daily is aggravated by the increasing number of Carlos Filipe Belo, who was on the shortlist ‘Jakarta Post.’ traders who have recently settled in East last month for the Nobel Peace Prize. His The government points to its diminished Timor. role is a difficult one. Under pressure from military strength in East Timor. It says Ja- “The government should concentrate on Indonesia not to speak out against the occu- karta has reduced its battalions from ten to providing jobs and training for the Timorese pation, he is not able to count on the loyalty six with only one involved in military opera- youths whose expectations have been raised of the Indonesians among his clergy nor in- tions with the rest being members of the by the increased educational facilities in deed on the wholehearted support of the engineering corps assigned to build and im- Timor so that the political problem there Vatican, which is keen not to blight the prove roads. becomes more manageable,” said a sociolo- prospects of the small but influential minor- Jakarta says it is also actively pushing gist in Jakarta. ity of Catholics in Indonesia. for U.N. mediated dialogues with the anti- Their land at risk, their economic life in integrationist Timorese groups in and out- SOLDIER IS IDENTIFIED jeopardy, their language and religion under side of Indonesia, as well as with Portugal in threat, the ordinary Timorese see no alterna- search of a political solution. The New Zealand Herald 12 December tive to protest, conscious that their calls will Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 1995 NZPA increasingly be heard in the outside world. when Portugal’s pull out of the former col- SYDNEY - Two Timorese refugees in Despite the continuing menacing pres- ony sparked violence between rival Melbourne can identify the Indonesian sol- ence of Indonesian troops, the Timorese Timorese political factions. dier who fatally shot New Zealander Kamal intifada cannot help but get more serious East Timor – an island in the Java archi- Bamadhaj during the Dili massacre, an aid and more committed. pelago where the Portuguese had installed worker who met Mr Bamadhaj in Timor themselves in the mid-16th century – was said yesterday. DILI MASSACRE HAUNTS formally annexed by Indonesia in 1976 – an As a result, the aid worker, Mr Bob JAKARTA EVERY NOVEMBER annexation the United Nations has not rec- Muntz, who used Mr Bamadhaj as an inter- ognised. preter in East Timor in November 1991, last By Yuli Ismartono Since then, the Indonesian authorities week formally asked the Australian Gov- have used their military might to suppress ernment to extend an inquiry into the deaths JAKARTA, Nov 22 (IPS) - The 1991 the pro-independence movement. Dili massacre remains a monkey in Indone- of five Australian journalists in Timor in According to a 1994 report by the inter- 1975 to include Mr Bamadhaj’s death. sia’s back despite the Jakarta government’s national human rights watchdog Amnesty efforts to improve its human rights image, Mr Bamadhaj, aged 20, a student at Sy d- International, “two decades of unpunished ney University, had a New Zealand mother and its diplomatic drive to find a solution to Indonesian genocide” have cost the lives of the 20-year-old East Timor issue. and was travelling on a New Zealand pass- one third of East Timor’s 650,000 inhabi- port when he went to Timor. For while the authorities have court- tants. martialled the officers found guilty of the But analysts here say that the Indonesian There is more material on investigating killings of several protesters during the pro- authorities have softened their stance on Kamal Bamadhaj’s killing in the New Zea- independence demonstrations four years East Timor. Indeed, the government says it land section of these Documents. ago, anti-Jakarta Timorese embarrass the will not arrest or deter any East Timorese government every November when they seeking to leave the country. stage actions tied to the anniversary of the The asylum-seekers are simply youths bloody incident. trying to get a free airline ticket out of the During the past two weeks, Timorese country, charged Indonesian Foreign Minis- students have climbed over the fences of the ter Ali Alatas. Japanese and French embassies, claiming “It’s a game and its getting a little bit bor- persecution by the authorities and demand- ing,” he told reporters in Osaka. “Nobody is ing to be flown to Western countries. persecuting them and one by one every em- Japan refused to grant political asylum to bassy has rejected their (demands for) asy- the individuals ranging in age from 19 to 25, lum.” Page 40 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

peoples in Indonesia. Our young people are on its side for the past ten years. Mos- EVENTS IN EAST TIMOR the only ones who are persecuted. Our lem sympathy and support for the Resis- young people are the only ones who cannot tance is likely to suffer considerably as a find work. Only our young ones find it hard result. OBJECTIVE: DESTRUCTION to get places in training colleges. By con- However, there is a different version to tinually renovating and increasing the num- CDPM’s “Timor Leste,” October 1995. the generally held view. It is that they have bers of soldiers (four days ago we saw In- Translated from Portuguese stopped designing strategies to maintain donesian troops disembarking from 4 large East Timor’s integration with Indonesia be- October witnessed further violent con- vessels), the Indonesian Government pur- cause none of the numerous strategies em- frontations in East Timor between young sues its policy of implanting white collar ployed until now has produced any lasting Timorese and Indonesian security forces. and agricultural workers (who are always results. They have, therefore, decided to According to Jakarta, the cause of the trou- said to be already resident in East Timor) to continue to impose a single strategy, which ble was not “ethnic” but “criminal.” take over the best jobs and land.” is to create one situation in order to respond Destruction of Timorese Identity Different, but not contradictory versions to another. In a war situation, the victories “Everything that happens in Timor Renetil (National Resistance of Students and defeats of either side depend entirely on should be considered from this angle: when- of East Timor) has been playing a leading the quality of tactics and strategies imple- ever an initiative is taken by Indonesia, the role in the fight to liberate the Timorese. For mented. Based on this concept, Indonesia objective is always to destroy the ethnic, this reason, we ask Domingos Sarmento, has already clearly lost the war in East cultural and even religious identity of the head of RENETIL’s delegation in Portugal, Timor - both politically and militarily. The Timorese people - no matter how veiled this to report on the following recent events: Indonesian generals’ main concern is, there- aim may be. Today it is crystal clear that “The most viable strategy for Suharto is fore, how to explain this shameful defeat to the Indonesian Government and army are to create one situation in order to resolve a their own people, and how to extricate determined to promote an image of the different situation. themselves from East Timor, because leav- Timorese as being a people fighting itself.” Perhaps one of the Jakarta Government’s ing Timor would, probably, be the end of This was how a Resistance source in East most troublesome tasks is to have to con- the so-called Indonesian nation. Timor described the current situation in the tinually try to convince the international The potential threat to the Indonesian territory. community, and particularly Indonesian so- generals now comes from their very own “The Indonesian secret services are cur- ciety, about East Timor. people, so they have to create the condi- rently engaged in organising groups to set The regime has employed all kinds of tac- tions which would enable them to leave against other groups in order to get some of tics in East Timor, but none has had any Timor. The only viable way is to create a the young Resistance members to surface, lasting effect. situation which would result in their own so that they can arrest them and then say to There are two different, but not contra- people demanding their withdrawal. That the world that the Timorese would quickly dictory interpretations of the situation re- means, creating situations of economic, so- eat each other if the Indonesians were to cently created in East Timor. The version cial, ethnic and religious disintegration in withdraw from East Timor. which was recently created and propagated East Timor, which would lead to the Indo- In order to dismantle our people’s tradi- throughout the territory by the Indonesian nesian people itself calling for the with- tional family structure and create an atmos- military, putting religion at the root of the drawal its troops from Timor - just as phere of insecurity, the Indonesians are in- conflict, aims: Americans demanded the withdrawal of vent the most extravagant ways to change 1. To counter calls from the Indonesian their soldiers from Vietnam.” the traditional social fabric, such as: people themselves, echoed in their par- New paramilitary groups. They have just liament, to end diplomatic relations with NAZI-STYLE HOUSEHOLD recruited and quickly trained 2,000 young Australia, because of the flag burning in- LISTING IMPOSED IN TIMOR Timorese (mostly illiterate and unmoti- cidents, which took place during Indone- vated) to be sent right to the front, preced- sian independence celebrations, in protest EU considers special mission to Dili ing the Indonesian battalions, in the hunt for against human rights violations by the the Commander of the Resistance in the Diario de Noticias, 17 October 1995. By Suharto regime. Carlos Albino Translated from Portuguese bush; 2. To prevent Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo, Massive relocation of Timorese civil ser- Bishop of Timor from being awarded the Lisbon – The Indonesian authorities are vants outside their own country: after a Nobel Peace Prize. By creating this reli- imposing the practice of house lists (a brief training period, 2,000 young Timorese gious conflict situation, Indonesian gener- method used by the Nazis) on the Timorese. civil servants were sent to villages in Java. als were attempting to give the world the All over Timor, but particularly in Dili, Many of them were single women, between impression that the Bishop was intoler- the Timorese are being forced to have lists 20 and 30 years old. At the same time, ant of other religions and did not, there- affixed to the doors of their homes, indicat- waves of Javanese civil servants and Indo- fore, deserve the award. ing the names of all the residents therein. nesians from poor social backgrounds are Reports of this practice, similar to that used being brought into Timor. 3. The artificial flight of a number of trans- on the Jews by the Nazis in Germany, were migrants to Kupang, capital of West To further their aim, the Indonesians fa- confirmed yesterday by Fretilin leader cilitate school attendance for the colonisers’ Timor, which was given excessive cover- Roque Rodrigues, and Adalberto Alves, who children, while putting obstacles in the way age in the Indonesian press, was a situa- escaped from the territory four years ago. of education for Timorese children. One tion created by the military in an attempt The house lists are numbered, and show clear objective emerges from all of this: to to justify their increasing presence in the the names of those that belong to each annihilate our people’s identity and authen- territory. household. Every house must have its re- ticity, and stamp out the characteristics 4. Another aim, which has almost been suc- spective list affixed to the door. Roque Rod- which differentiate the Timorese from other cessful, is to win back the sympathy of rigues said that during the raids carried out the Moslems, which the Resistance had East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 41 by the army, anyone who is found in a EAST TIMORESE If medicines are available, they have to be house and who does not appear on the re- bought, and people just do not have the spective house list is immediately arrested. VIDEOTAPES ALLEGE money to take care of their health. Adalberto Alves added that the lists are TORTURE The majority of the population, at least signed by the Desa or local authority, a in the city of Dili, are either suffering with body presided by a civilian but which has (fwd) Aussie News from Latrobe Tuberculosis or in conditions in which they two voting members (one from the army and Oct 27 Darwin. Pro-independence sup- are likely to contract it. For the past 20 the other from the police). porters for E Timor have release smuggled years, since the people have been living in According to Roque Rodrigues, most of video tape they claim shows victims of In- this situation, no large-scale vaccination the recent arrests were effected after indi- don torture. They say they believe the tape programme has been carried out, and neither viduals were found not to appear on the list was taken in the aftermath of the demon- has there been any study of the popula- of the house in which they were found. The strations and arrests in Jakarta following last tion’s state of health (although there have Fretilin representative reported that 200 year’s APEC meeting. been some attempts to carry out vaccina- Timorese were now in detention. He also The E Timorese community is reluctant tions, particularly of children, in some ar- confirmed that five had been killed and 17 to ID the source of the footage but claims it eas). seriously wounded. was shot recently by the Indon military. Venereal Diseases are rapidly spreading According to a LUSA dispatch, (which They allege it shows 100s of E Timorese because of the unrestrained entry of prosti- cited Dili residents as its source) the number prisoners in Dili who have suffered torture tutes, who are tolerated and exploited by the of Timorese recently arrested could be as and brutality. Many appeared battered. authorities. Most Timorese civil servants many as 400. “They are still arresting peo- Some where in their teens. They say the who, because of their work, have to travel a ple, both during the day and at night, and prisoner’s wounds were inflicted at the lot to Jakarta or other cities in Indonesia, the number of people in detention could hands of Indon troops. frequent brothels. Venereal disease is then now have reached about 400,” according to A group of 5 asylum seekers gave the brought back with them to Timor and one source, who said it was “impossible” to most detailed account yet of their own tor- passed on to their families. Prostitutes are give an accurate number of those killed, ture claims. even supplied, free of charge, to Timorese wounded and arrested. The same source told civil servants when they stay in hotels in of a young man, Gastao Mendonca, who NEVER JUST SIT BACK AND Indonesia. (...) was chased yesterday morning by the po- LET THINGS HAPPEN The existence of the armed resistance lice. He was shot in the hand and in both cannot be denied or overlooked. Although legs but “in spite of his wounds, he managed From ‘Timor Leste’ (CDPM monthly bulle- armed resistance is not active to the extent to reach the International Red Cross delega- tin published in Lisbon), November 1995. that it constitutes a real danger to the secu- tion. Because of his condition, he had to be Translated from Portuguese Abridged rity of the Indonesian military (the entire transferred to the civilian hospital. Soldiers Timorese territory is, in fact, controlled by broke in, pulled him from the doctors who Following are some reflections from a Indonesian military forces)..., the armed re- were treating him, and dragged him away,” source (unidentified for security reasons) sistance is definitely present and is well or- said the same source. with a good understanding of the situation in ganised. Morale is high among its warriors. Meanwhile, the EU is planning to send a East Timor. Their convictions are so deep-rooted that group of politicians on a fact-finding mis- “For 20 years, the Timorese have been they are prepared to fight to the death to sion to Timor, in the context of the worsen- living in a socio-political situation which achieve their goal - our country’s Independ- ing situation in the territory. The matter was they neither requested nor have accepted.” ence. discussed yesterday at a meeting of the Constant Stress Neither can the existence of an active and Council of Ministers’ Asia specialists. “All honest and sensible people who ra- well organised underground resistance net- The Spanish presidency of the Asia tionalise normally realise that the present work be denied. Children, young people, Group agreed to finalise preparations for the situation is still far from normal. The people and adults from all walks of life, from cities mission, and request reports from European are not relaxed, or at peace. They live in to the remotest villages, all go to make up diplomatic missions in Indonesia. Later, the constant fear of arrest and interrogation. the underground movement. If part of the presidency of the EU will decide on whether They do not feel free: there is no freedom of network is dismantled by Indonesian police, a new statement on Timor should be passed expression, no freedom of association, no it very quickly re-establishes itself with new by the General Affairs Council. freedom of movement within the territory or members, who just emerge spontaneously. A group of Timorese, which will include to and from the outside. One of the most serious problems, with José Ramos Horta leading a Resistance dele- For some years now, Timor has been the the most alarming effects, for us at the mo- gation consisting of Alfredo Silva (UST), target of invasions by people from the other ment is that affecting our people’s cultural Luis Cardoso (CNRM), Roque Rodrigues islands. The result: because they are allowed identity. Here is a simple illustration of it. (Fretilin) and Carlos Lopes (Timorese stu- to be more freely active, and are protected Until 1975, the Timorese people used to be dents’ organisation), will be received today by the powers that be, they prosper, take told: “You are Portuguese. You should feel by Jaime Gama. Tomorrow, the same dele- over the best positions, and our people are proud and love your country.” In their gation (which has a further meeting sched- being left on the sidelines... hearts, people were never convinced of this, uled for today at the Foreign Office with Many schools have been opened, pri- but they accepted the situation, as it af- diplomat Quartin Santos) is to meet with mary and secondary, but education stan- forded them a peaceful way of life, without José Lamego, the future second in command dards are poor. Many young people leaving any great upheavals. From 1974 onward, at the Foreign Office. secondary school today hardly know how they began to feel that they could be them- to read and do simple arithmetic. (...) selves, i.e., be what they really felt they New hospitals and clinics have opened, were, with the characteristics of a distinct but patient care is extremely inadequate. If nation (...) doctors are available, there are no medicines. Page 42 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

After 1976, the Timorese were told “You tious scenarios. Specific solutions to spe- I found the Timorese people to be in- are Indonesian, you must love your coun- cific problems must be sought. credibly gentle, softly spoken, kind and cu- try.” In the end, the Timorese began to ask We Timorese will have to come up with rious, with eyes that made you realise a lot themselves “Who are we? What are we? the answers ourselves, and not wait until went on behind them. Much communication And they still have not been able to find the someone hands them to us on a plate. (...) with the Timorese was unspoken. It was answers - or have not been given a chance We must never just sit back and let things obvious they weren’t free to say what they to. The resulting serious identity crisis could happen around us. The initiative must come needed to say, in some cases due to language well lead to the destruction of the people’s from us. Indonesian leaders are saying the barriers but more often fear of the military. personality, and to social chaos, circum- very same thing (though not in so many The military presence is always obvious. stances permitting. words, so as not to lose face), which means During dinner at one of the stalls on the The problem is not about rebelling that they have realised that they cannot main road, we witnessed four military against the present situation. The problem solve the problem themselves.“ trucks drive by, loaded with soldiers is: how can I, a Timorese, grow, educate equipped with machine guns, shields and myself, and live my life now in the least IN OCCUPIED EAST TIMOR helmets. I don’t know whether they were on traumatic way possible, under these circum- their way to crush a demonstration or were stances? Green Left, 6 Nov. 1995. By Lou Oshoy just driving by to be seen. Colonialist Mentality Having completed Death in Dili minutes It is the soldiers’ duty to look out for “trouble” in the community. This could be “The religious situation is a reflection of before landing in East Timor, I arrived feel- in the form of a group of Timorese youth the socio-political state of affairs. The peo- ing a little uneasy. With a mind full of mili- “hanging out” together on the street past the ple’s faith is still steadfast and deep-rooted, tary intimidation, death and fear, I set out curfew of 8pm. Portuguese is no longer al- but the dangers are tremendous: Islam, with on the nine-hour night bus from Kupang to lowed to be spoken. all its own particular merits which influence Dili. The first contact we had with the mili- Censorship is everywhere. The only the religious life of a simple people; the con- tary was at a bus checkpoint on the road. songs heard are love songs. One particular tinuing decline of human, Christian values; a The four uniformed soldiers were incredibly night we sat with some Timorese on the wa- tired and exhausted clergy, ... polite as they checked our passports and terfront, talking as best we could, laughing The presence of innumerable religious inquired about our intentions in Timor. I do and singing songs we all knew. Once we had congregations, (male and female), that come not trust the smiles of men with machine exhausted the Beatles and Bon Jovi, we from Indonesia, whose members do not have guns. asked them if they would sing their the slightest idea about what introducing “Are you journalist?,” came the regula- Timorese national anthem. Our friends fell true culture is about. For them, introducing tion question. silent; some of them left. They have seen culture is synonymous with Javanisation - “No, we are on our honeymoon,” came too much to be careless. the language, liturgy, hymns, etc. They all the regulation reply. On the other hand, some cannot be in- have a colonialist mentality, an attitude of We heard this question at least three timidated and would rather sacrifice their superiority, and impose their own criteria. times a day during our 10 days in Dili. I own life than see the struggle die. We visited One rarely finds one of these religious wondered how long it would take a visitor the university, where a lot of the demonstra- workers from Indonesia who is critical of not knowing anything about the situation to tions are organised. It is no coincidence that what was done, or what is being done in start feeling a little suspicious. the gate to the military barracks lies directly East Timor, or one who genuinely seeks to On arriving in Dili, we went to check into opposite the entrance to the university. As work, with a helpful and honest approach, a hotel. There seemed to be no problem until we entered, a young man of about 22 ap- with the local Church and its members. we mentioned we were from Australia; sud- proached us and asked, “Do you know What actually happens is that these people denly there were “no rooms available.” about our problems here in Timor?” We in question either close in on themselves and Opposite the Hotel Dili, where we were were surprised by his directness and deter- form ghettos, or alienate themselves from able to stay, is the ocean. Grounded on the mination. “Do you want to help us?” religious reality, or ridicule the people’s shore are huge rusting boats; in 1975 they That evening the young man was in our simple faith. (...) carried the invading Indonesians. Today hotel room telling us in broken English how We cannot just allow time to pass, and they are used for jumping and fishing from, he had been arrested for being involved in a sit back waiting, passively... Neither can we but they serve as a gruesome reminder of 25 protest. The fact that he had been tortured, reassure ourselves by saying that nowadays years ago. punched and electrocuted he did not even young people no longer think the way over Land of crosses it is indeed. The graves mention until we specifically asked. Torture 40 year-old adults think - that is a grave are everywhere, seemingly unnoticed by the by the military is almost a part of life for mistake to make. It will be those very young world. Close to a third of the indigenous the Timorese, and when they do speak of it, people who, in the future, when they realise population has been killed since the inva- it is in a surprisingly matter of fact tone. just what they had to live through and what sion. We were told stories of massive pits Our friend also mentioned that his father they were made to exp erience, will be the dug by the Indonesian military during the and uncle were among the mourners killed at first to condemn those who taught them... invasion, and even these supposedly were the massacre of 1991. He had escaped When the children of today realise, in a few not big enough to hold all the bodies. through a curtain of gunfire. Even in his years time, how absurd their lives have We spent a lot of our time by the water- desperation his tone remained gentle and been, they are going to become the fiercest front, trying to look like tourists and speak- humble. of rebels. ing or just sitting with the many people who We visited Santa Cruz cemetery to re- Solutions? A serious study of the real would approach us. It didn’t take us long to trieve a video tape belonging to a contact in situation must be carried out. Although it be able to recognise Indonesian Intelligence. Darwin. He had managed to leave it under a requires courage, a spade must be called a They usually stood out because of the headstone before being arrested and de- spade, and there must be no inventing ficti- amount of gold they wore or because of their overly inquisitive manner. ported back to Australia. He had instructed us that the particular headstone was in- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 43 scribed with the word “Jazz.” We arrived to Inspired by the people’s pride and un- ‘INSTIGATOR’ UNDER discover at least half of the headstones car- breakable determination, I left East Timor ried the same inscription. The atmosphere feeling overwhelmed. I was suddenly aware ARREST didn’t make our search any easier, but we of what a beautiful thing freedom of speech The New Zealand Herald, 10 Nov. 1995 somehow managed to find the tape and left. is and how easily we take it for granted. Santa Cruz is crawling with Intel, and we Mostly I came to realise that East Timor is JAKARTA, AFP - Indonesian police say were soon approached by a “friendly” man very much the responsibility of the Austra- they have arrested an East Timorese who and his children, who was asking a lot of lian people. On behalf of the Timorese peo- was one of the main instigators of unrest questions of my travel companion, who was ple we can protest and demonstrate and be last month in Dili, the troubled enclave’s a few metres ahead. recognised, without the fear that they inevi- capital, Antara news agency said in Jakarta Soon an old man by the name of Pedro tably experience. yesterday. approached me. His face and eyes told me Antara quoted the East Timor Police he had seen a lot. “Be careful of that man,” ALL OPTIONS IN EAST Chief, Colonel Andreas Sugianto, as saying in Dili that Francisco Xavier had been ar- came a fast warning which I just managed to TIMOR BAD FOR ABRI catch. rested on Monday on the island of Roti, off West Timor. After leaving Dili, we arrived in Itam- Republika, 4 November 1995. Abridged makau. We delivered mail and medicines to a Colonel Sugianto identified him as the man we had been told was the coordinator Syarwan Hamid rebuts view that ABRI is brother of Bobby Xavier, a leader of one of of a lot of Fretilin activity in the area, not an doing nothing in East Timor the two gangs of youths involved in the easy job considering he lives six kilometres Social-Political Affairs Assistant-Chief of clashes, in which two people were killed and from a military base. ABRI, Major General Syarwan Hamid has at least two dozen injured. Bobby Xavier Coming from Australia, it is difficult to rebutted claims that ABRI is doing nothing already is under detention. understand the amount of repression experi- to handle the unrest in East Timor. “We are Colonel Sugianto said on Tuesday that a enced by the Timorese. You sometimes feel looking for a solution to a very complex total of 35 people were to be put on trial for part of a bizarre spy movie. Sometimes the situation,” he said. suspected involvement in the unrest that has actions of the Timorese seem extreme, but Problems in East Timor were not black rocked East Timor since September, includ- when it is a matter of survival, they cannot and white. The options faced there are be- ing the October clashes. be too careful. The man I just mentioned tween bad and bad. “If there were a choice The October clashes erupted after secu- was walking us, at dusk, towards a Catholic between good and bad, it would be easy, but rity officials detained youths allegedly in- boys’ college, where he said it would be safe both options are bad,” he said. volved in religious disturbances in Dili in for us to stay. The noise of a bemo could be He said ABRI members bear a heavy September, sources in Dili have said. heard and before it had even registered with burden and must act with great caution. us, our friend had put his umbrella over his “The people sent there are not all equipped MANY ARRESTS IN DILI head, about-faced and was already 10 metres with a proper territorial understanding, as is in the other direction. He did not rejoin us the case with ABRI members.” This is why TAPOL Report, Nov. 11. until the vehicle had disappeared once more. things happen unpredictably because people According to the BBC World Service, At the college we were welcomed, given do things without considering the local cul- confirmed by our own contacts in Dili, fresh towels and invited to share the dining ture. many young people have been rounded up room with the priest every meal time. After It’s wrong to blame the security appara- in Dili today, Saturday. The mass arrests are two days he came to our rooms early one tus every time something goes wrong, he taking place to prevent any actions in the morning and told us he had been questioned said. “They bear a heavy psychological bur- East Timor capital tomorrow, 12 November, by the police and we should leave to avoid den because they are separated from their the fourth anniversary of the Santa Cruz trouble. wives for about a year,” he said massacre when at least 273 people were Our next stop was an orphanage and He refused to answer questions about shot dead and many more people went convent where we were welcomed, to our ABRI’s position with regard to a governo- missing. surprise, by a Californian sister - not to rial instruction regulating the building of Sources say that those arrested were also mention 200 screaming children who ran places of worship. “If anyone has problems subjected to beatings by the security forces. toward us, excited to see western visitors. with the governor’s instruction, they should No reports are yet available from other The sister took us into her office, com- take it up with the Interior Ministry. parts of the country. plete with the regulation photo of a very In connection with the governor’s in- young President Suharto. Above the photo struction, about a hundred students from BRITISH-MADE WAR PLANES was a crucifix. She laughed about how the Universitas Islam Indonesia held a demon- MENACE EAST TIMOR police had insisted Suharto’s picture was to stration in Tamansiswa, Yogyakarta to pro- be the highest thing on the walls, but she test against the instruction. The instruction The Independent on Sunday, November 12 had refused to place it above the figure of was in conflict with the Constitution and 1996. By Hugh O’Shaughnessy. very slightly Jesus. with Pancasila, they said. They want the abridged She told us about the 200 orphans they Interior Minister to take firm action against Kupang, West Timor – Two British- cared for, all between the ages of 2 and 15, the governor. all having lost one or both parents in the made Hawk airplanes of the Indonesian Air war. She was incredibly grateful for the Force in close formation swooped low over small amount of medicine we could give her. Dili, the capital of occupied East Timor, at It is obvious that the survival of these chil- 8:40 on Friday morning. It was the first re- dren is not first on the Indonesians’ agenda, cent sighting of the aircraft and it occurred and the sister said it was very difficult to get as Indonesian forces were in the streets hold of even the most basic medicines. Page 44 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. warning the local population against staging Indonesian officials flatly denied these rumours of protests to take place tomor- any protests. reports. row,” one resident said. Today is the fourth anniversary of the “No arrests have been made and so far no Police and military officials were not massacre by Indonesian troops and police of one has been beaten,” said Col. Ateng Su- available for comment. several hundred unarmed Timorese protest- mantri, deputy chief of police in East Seven foreigners, including one British ing against the Indonesian occupation. Timor. journalist and two Danish tourists, were British protesters against the sale of the “I think it is obvious what the activists expelled from East Timor on Friday. Hawks to Indonesia have been given infor- have been up to. They want to make Indo- The official Antara news agency said the mal British government assurances that the nesia look bad in the eyes of the world, and expulsions were part of efforts to prevent government of General Suharto would not they will fail, “ he said. demonstrations or violence marking the an- use the aircraft against the Timorese. In 1975, Portugal officially withdrew niversary of the Santa Cruz massacre on The Hawks appear to have flown from from East Timor. The country quickly de- November 12, 1991. Kupang, capital of West Timor, where an clared independence, announcing the forma- The incident took place when troops unusual level of military activity has been tion of a legislative assembly. shot dead at least 50 people taking part in a registered in recent days. But the Indonesian military invaded East procession to mourn the death of a pro- The streets of Dili have been filled with Timor in 1976, annexing the country later independence activist at the Santa Cruz Indonesians in riot gear. Foreigners have that year. cemetery. been forcibly evacuated from the territory Indonesian soldiers fired on hundreds of Residents in the predominantly Catholic and those wishing to visit have been pre- East Timorese at a funeral for a pro- territory, a former Portuguese colony, said vented from flying in. These measures have independence activist in the province’s capi- earlier security had been tightened after the raised fears that the occupation forces may tal city, Dili, on Nov. 12, 1991. expulsion of the seven foreigners on Thurs- repeat the acts of four years ago. The Indonesian government admitted that day and the barring of eight others who were Yesterday Indonesian troops armed with 50 protesters were killed in the Dili massa- members of a so-called peace pilgrimage. automatic weapons and riot police were de- cre, but international human rights groups Aid worker Sarmento said it was still un- ployed throughout the city, as crowds gath- put the figure at more than 200. clear if there would be a special ceremony in ered at the Santa Cruz Cemetery. The seven observers expelled from East churches on Sunday. The large Indonesian order for Hawks is Timor Thursday included human rights ac- “I don’t know. It’s been four years and seen as important to the profitability of ver- tivists from Australia, Germany, Namibia each time the anniversary falls churches are satile aircraft built by British Aerospace. and the United States. always guarded. This makes people afraid to The Hawks can be used in a number of roles Several other dignitaries, including Japa- go to church,” he said. which range from pilot training to the nese Bishop Aloisius Nobuo Soma, were Officials at the Motael church, the big- launching of bombs and rockets. The com- removed Thursday from a chartered plane gest Catholic church in East Timor, were not mercial importance of the Hawk contract is bound for East Timor while the plane was in available for comment and a Catholic nun seen as one of the main reasons for Britain’s the East Java capital city of Surabaya. contacted by Reuters she had no idea of any unwillingness to put pressure on the Indo- special service. nesian government. TIMOR CAPITAL TENSE “Just wait and see tomorrow,” she said. AHEAD OF MASSACRE In Jakarta, activists plan to hold a cere- OBSERVERS: EAST TIMOR mony to mark the massacre at a park on ANNIVERSARY REPRESSION WORSE Sunday night. Jakarta still faces armed and political re- By Lewa Pardomuan SINGAPORE, Nov. 11 (UPI) - Indone- sistance to its rule almost 20 years after it sian soldiers are “systematically” beating JAKARTA, Nov 11 (Reuter) - East invaded the territory in December 1975, an- and arresting suspected independence sup- Timor’s capital Dili was tense on Saturday nexing it the following year. porters in the province of East Timor, for- ahead of the anniversary of the 1991 killing The United Nations does not recognise eign observers told reporters in Singapore on of unarmed demonstrators, with rumours of Indonesia’s rule in East Timor and regards Saturday. protests spreading among residents frus- Portugal as the administering power. U.N. human rights consultant Reed trated by enhanced Indonesian security The London-based human rights group Brody said Indonesian military squads have presence. Amnesty International said in its report is- been going from home to home “systemati- “It’s tense here, as usual. Security has sued on Saturday said it renewed its call for cally beating young Timorese men with been tightened and there is a strong presence the Indonesian government to fully and im- sticks, hitting them in the kidneys, liver, and of security officers in many parts of the partially investigate the Dili massacre. back of the neck, presumably so as to leave city,” Florentino Sarmento, a prominent “The tragic result of the government’s as few scars as possible.” community leader and aid worker, told failure to take any concrete action is that Brody said the beatings were meant to Reuters by telephone from Dili. political killings and disappearances con- send a message on the eve of the four-year “During the night, since last October, tinue in East Timor,” it said. anniversary marking the massacre of dozens plainclothed security officers have been eve- of East Timorese civilians at a pro- rywhere and armoured military vehicles are TIMORESE SAY HARASSED passing along the city streets. It’s too independence rally in the former Portuguese DURING MASSACRE colony. much,” he said. The beatings were meant to “intimidate Other residents said police started to ANNIVERSARY check residents’ identity cards on Friday or physically incapacitate people before DILI, East Timor, Nov 12 (Reuter) - Nov. 12., so they cannot protest,” said and ordered youngsters not to make gather- ings, even in front of their houses. Residents in East Timor’s capital Dili re- Brody, who was among seven observers ported widespread harassment on Sunday as expelled from East Timor Thursday. “They are checking the people’s identity cards since yesterday. And there are also security was tightened on the anniversary of East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 45 the 1991 killing of unarmed protesters by were guarded by security officers in plain demonstrators in 1991, had to pass scrutiny Indonesian troops. clothes. by dozens of soldiers and plainclothes po- They said there were no incidents over- “The churches are guarded by plain- lice to lay flowers on graves. night despite rumours of protests marking clothed security officers and along the All main entries to Dili were closely the massacre four years ago, when troops streets you can find them riding on pick- guarded by police and soldiers. The tight shot dead at least 50 people taking part in a ups, spying on people. I don’t understand security measures followed rumours of pos- procession to mourn the death of a pro- why they are doing this,” said Florentino sible rallies to mark the massacre in East independence activist at the Santa Cruz Sarmento, a prominent community leader Timor in which between 50 and 200 people cemetery. and aid worker. died. “They have (police) checked people’s Residents in the predominantly Catholic But “nothing has happened so far and identity cards, searched bags and pockets. region said churches were filled with people, hopefully later on, since the situation is un- Plainclothed security officers guard the but there were no special services to com- der control,” said Colonel Andreas Sugianto, churches and roam along the city streets us- memorate the cemetery shooting. chief of the East Timor police command. ing pick-ups to spy on people,” Florentino Plainclothed security officers were out in Sarmento, a prominent community leader force at the Santa Cruz cemetery, residents EAST TIMOR MARKS and aid worker, told Reuters. said. MASSACRE “I don’t understand why they are doing East Timor’s parliamentarian Manuel this. It’s harassment,” he said. Carrascalão said Dili was quiet on Sunday DILI, Indonesia (sic) Nov 12 (AP) - Other residents said churches were filled afternoon with only a few cars and people Dozens of soldiers and police staked out an with people but added there were no special on the street. East Timor cemetery Sunday, trying to services to commemorate the incident. “There is no demonstration, despite the block memorials on the fourth anniversary Seven foreigners, including one British fact there were rumours that protests would of the massacre of independence demonstra- journalist and two Danish tourists, were be staged between November 10 and 12. I tors. expelled from East Timor on Friday ahead guess the city will remain calm today be- Earlier this week, the government ex- of the Sunday anniversary. cause of the heavy security,” he said. pelled or barred foreign activists who The official Antara news agency said the The Moslem-oriented Republika news- planned to mark the anniversary in East expulsions were part of efforts to prevent paper reported on Sunday that East Timor’s Timor, a former Portuguese colony annexed demonstrations or violence marking the an- governor Abilio Soares had ordered the by Indonesia in 1976. niversary of the massacre. Timorese not to hold special events to Between 50 and 200 people were killed Indonesia’s rule in East Timor, which it commemorate the massacre. when troops opened fire at an independence invaded in 1975 and annexed the following “The governor has banned the ceremony rally Nov. 12, 1991, at the Santa Cruz burial year, is not recognised by the United Na- to commemorate the incident on November grounds. tions. The U.N. considers Portugal as the 12, except if it is held by the victims’ fami- On Sunday, visitors laid flowers on the administering authority. lies,” the paper said without further elabo- graves under the eyes of dozens of soldiers rating. and police. Police also stood watch outside TIMOR CAPITAL QUIET DURING Seven foreigners, including one British churches. MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY journalist and two Danish tourists, were Opposition leaders outside Indonesia say by Lewa Pardomuan expelled from East Timor on Friday ahead the government arrested 150 to 400 people of the anniversary. Jakarta, Nov 12 (Reuter) – East Timor’s beforehand to discourage demonstrations The official Antara news agency said the Sunday. capital Dili was quiet on Sunday, despite expulsions were part of efforts to prevent reports of widespread harassment as secu- Troops and soldiers guarded the main en- demonstrations or violence marking the an- tries to Dili, the East Timor capital. rity was tightened during the anniversary of niversary of the Santa Cruz massacre. the 1991 killing of unarmed protesters by “All of us were asked to open up our In Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, activists shirts, bags, while they checked our pock- Indonesian troops. planned to commemorate the massacre in a Dili residents said there were no incidents ets,” said Bernando Fernandes, frisked Sun- park on Sunday night. day morning as he entered the town. overnight. The United Nations does not recognise There had been unconfirmed reports that East Timor Gov. Abilio Soares banned Indonesia’s rule in East Timor and regards communal activities to commemorate the protests were planned for Sunday, four Portugal as the administering power. years after troops shot dead at least 50 peo- massacre, the Islamic newspaper Republika ple taking part in a procession to mourn the said. death of a pro-independence activist at the DILI QUIET AS MASSAC RE Only observances by victims’ families Santa Cruz cemetery. REMEMBERED would be permitted, and then only religious But East Timor’s police chief, Colonel services, the governor said, according to the Andreas Sugianto, told Reuters by tele- DILI, AP - With troops maintaining tight newspaper. phone from Dili the city was under control security, the fourth anniversary of the kill- Authorities denied a report that a truck and no incident had taken place. ing of East Timorese pro-independence driver was arrested 75 miles east of Dili “The situation is pretty good here. Noth- demonstrators by Indonesian soldiers with a load of ammunition. ing has happened and there is no problem at passed without incident yesterday. “Nothing has happened so far and hope- all,” he said. He declined to give other de- Residents of Dili went to churches as fully later on, since the situation is under tails. usual for weekly services, but mostly on control,” said Col. Andreas Sugianto, chief Residents earlier said they felt harassed foot. No taxis were on the streets. Plain- of the East Timor police command. because police checked their identity cards, clothes officers were seen around. The Indonesian government said security searched bags and pockets and churches Worshippers visiting the Santa Cruz concerns demanded that they bar foreigners cemetery, where troops opened fire on before the anniversary. Page 46 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

“We can’t tolerate anyone who under- Security had been tightened in the lead- However, western provinces of Indonesia mines our integrity and stability,” said Min- up to the anniversary, with plain clothes were more popular with transmigrants, such ister of Defense and Security Affairs Edi security officials seen in and around the as the island of Sumatra, which had attracted Sudrajat. cemetery. more than 2,000 families, Antara said. The United Nations still considers Portu- Residents complained of harassment on Officials involved in the transmigration gal the administering authority in East Sunday. They said police checked identity program had mounted a “go east” campaign Timor, a territory it had colonized for more cards, searched bags and pockets while the to try to encourage more families to choose than four centuries. city’s churches were guarded by security the nation’s eastern provinces. officers in plain clothes. East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in INDONESIA ARRESTS Indonesia invaded East Timor on Decem- 1975, and was annexed the following year in FOUR ON TIMOR DEATHS ber 7, 1975 and annexed the former Portu- a move not recognised by the United Na- guese colony the following year, a move tions, but recognised by Australia. ANNIVERSARY never recognised by the United Nations, which regards Portugal as the administering DILI, East Timor, Nov 13 (Reuter) - In- MY RECENT TRIP power. donesian security forces arrested four peo- TO EAST TIMOR During September and October East ple in East Timor during the anniversary of Timor was hit by a series of riots and dis- the 1991 killing of unarmed protesters by By JJ in Darwin, Dec. 22. turbances blamed on ethnic and religious Indonesian troops, police said on Monday. tensions which saw two people killed, doz- My friend and I flew to Kupang from East Timor police chief Colonel Andreas ens injured and more than 200 detained. Darwin on November 18th 1995 with a Sugianto told reporters that security forces Police said last week they would take 35 vague plan to checkout the whole island of arrested the four and confiscated a banner people to court over the rioting in early Oc- Timor, though my special interest was East and flag of the Fretilin resistance movement tober. Timor having been involved with the Dar- during a day-long operation on Sunday. Jakarta’s rule in East Timor is mostly win fight for this occupied country since the He did not give further details, such as visibly opposed by a small band on lightly Dili massacre in 1991. We had been in Ku- the names of those arrested or why they armed guerrillas in the hills and a vocal pang for 2 days when we ran into a woman I were detained. group of activists in exile overseas. knew who visits Timor twice a year to buy There had been unconfirmed reports that handicrafts (and so encourage the local arti- protests were planned for Sunday, four sans) to sell at her stall at the markets in years after troops shot dead at least 50 peo- EAST TIMOR UNPOPULAR Darwin. She had just returned from Dili but ple taking part in a procession to mourn the FOR TRANSMIGRATION not on her own volition. She and a friend death of a pro-independence activist at the had gone by boat from Alor, a small island local Santa Cruz cemetery. By Gordon Feeney, AAP South-East Asia off Timor, to Dili where she expected to But Dili was quiet on Sunday, residents Correspondent meet her usual trading partners. But Immi- said, JAKARTA, Nov 15 AAP - East Timor gration wouldn’t have it. They were told “It was very quiet and there were no had become a very unpopular destination they would have to leave ASAP which was people on the streets during the day,” one for Indonesian families involved in the gov- in their case a boat next morning at 5am. resident said on Monday. ernment’s transmigration program, the offi- They were given a copy of the letter which “The city of Dili was quiet like a small cial Antara newsagency reported today. was recently printed on E-mail saying visi- village,” he added. Antara said up until September this year, tors could return when conditions were In an apparent attempt to prevent dem- only one family was willing to start a new “pleasanter.” They weren’t allowed out of onstrations marking the anniversary, immi- life in East Timor out of 5,121 families from the harbour, had to sleep on the boat even gration authorities expelled a number of for- Central Java ready to join the transmigration though the women was 6 months pregnant. eign visitors from East Timor last week and program. She was finally given permission to go to prevented others from entering the territory. East Timor has been hit by a series civil town briefly to get something to eat. They “If we had foreigners here, then people disturbances in recent months, blamed on were told East Timor would probably be would demonstrate,” Sugianto said. ethnic and religious tensions and transmi- closed till the end of the year. So she was The Dili-based newspaper Suara Timor grants have been the subject of a number of not optimistic about our chances of getting Timur (Voice of East Timor) on Monday attacks. in as we only had 3 weeks holiday. quoted the head of the office in The transmigration program is intended We spent a few days in Kupang practis- East Timor, Y.S. Triswoyo, as saying 18 to ease population pressures on over- ing our Indonesian and getting used to being foreigners were expelled from East Timor crowded islands such as Java by moving in another culture. We crossed to the island before the anniversary. families to more sparsely populated areas. of Semau to go snorkelling and stay in a re- Seven of those expelled last Thursday Since the 1950s, an estimated 4.5 million sort. There we met an Australian nurse were members of a peace pilgrimage which people have been moved under the transmi- based in Kupang but formerly based in Dili. planned to hold a prayer meeting at the gration program. She had been in Dili just before the 12th to Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili. Antara reported today that data from the do a clinic but had been made to leave as It is not known who the other people Central Java Transmigration Office showed well. We also met a Japanese guy who said were, although a British journalist and two of the 5,121 families in this year’s program, he’d just spent 5 days in East Timor before Danish backpackers were also expelled on a total of 210 were willing to go to Irian having to leave. Had he been let in after the Friday. Jaya province. 12th cause he was a non-westerner we won- Another eight members of the peace pil- Three provinces on the island of Sulawesi dered? grimage group were refused permission in had attracted 214 Central Java families, On the Monday the 27th we bussed to Surabaya and Bali to board aircraft bound Antara said. Soe where we again ran into the woman for Dili last week. buying crafts. We told her we were going to East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 47 try to get into East Timor. She predicted She played the scatty tourist. A young East the next morning but we weren’t. We saw that we would get to the border, be interro- Timorese asked us for financial help so that many people standing in the hospital gated for a few hours and then get turned he and his friends could get to Jakarta. They grounds and found out that they were rela- back as she knew this had happened to oth- hoped to get into an embassy and ask for tives of the 4 Indonesian civilians who died ers. So on Wednesday we headed off not asylum. We talked to his father who told us from the attack in the market the previous very optimistically towards the East. At that although he and his wife knew if their night - 2 men and 2 women. We spoke with Atambua we had to change buses. We were son got out of the country they may never someone who had been at a meeting with the used to paying for our transport at the end see him again that was preferable to him guerrillas the previous day. He said they had of the trip but we discovered before we left staying in Dili with his passionate hatred for said nothing about a raid being planned so he that everyone on the bus to Dili had already the Indonesian occupiers as he could end up was uncertain about who might have done paid and had a ticket. We went into the dead. I was told that the East Timorese were the killings. shop that was selling tickets but they united in their hatred of the Indonesian oc- We toured around the area that day hav- wouldn’t sell us one. They said we could cupiers. I met a member of the clandestine ing to register at Lautem and Com but there pay when we got there. So again no one was movement who has already spent a dozen was no trouble. Our English speaking friend optimistic about us getting in. years in gaol. He is constantly under surveil- told us he had been stopped and questioned Our first checkpoint was Atapupa I lance and worried that he may be caused to by the police the previous night after talking think? Everyone on the bus had to hand have an accident. He talked about how im- to us and he was again this night as well. their ID over but we had to get off the bus portant it is that the movement survive. He When we returned to the losmen we met up and be interviewed by the military. I felt was very upset about another member Hen- again with an English man who had been the very nervous. My friend has the gift of the rique Belmiro being gaoled the day before next tourist to be allowed into East Timor gab, is attractive and smokes Australian for 6 years. Henrique had already served a after us. He told us there had been a number cigarettes so she was a real hit. She handed previous gaol sentence. I heard of Intel’s of phone calls to our Dili Losmen the night round cigarettes while we talked of all the efforts to destabilise the movement by ru- before about our whereabouts - it seems In- places we had been in West Timor. They mour-mongering. tel were checking up on us. On the 5th De- could see by our passports that we had been Some comments on the Indonesian-run cember we caught a bus to Tutuala with 2 in Timor for 10 days already and I feel this tourist industry. Firstly of course you can’t Timorese friends (and it seems a couple of was an advantage. After about 20 minutes of ever know if you are going to get in. And if Intel on the bus). We saw truckload after “chat” and form-filling we were told OK, you do you constantly wonder if you are open truckload (7 or 8) of soldiers driving got back on the patiently waiting bus and going to be kicked out. My friend and I this road many with their rifles held up continued on. We were thrilled to have got found the tourist office, a large newish ready to fire. We found out that a guerilla through the first hurdle but the second ar- building, shut. A local bashed on the door from the mountains named Valente had been rived very quickly. Again only us off the for us and finally someone who had obvi- killed that morning in the area. The soldiers bus, questions, cigarette sharing, great inter- ously just woken up let us in. He had to had thought he was Konis Santana and the est in my friend’s marital status and 15 search in a back room to find one brochure Indon military bigwigs had flown in. We had minutes later on our way again. The third about East Timor that was full of propa- to register at a few military bases that day, checkpoint only needed our passports ganda e.g. that the East Timorese had asked one time sitting very close to a stack of which they must have read thoroughly cause to integrate with Indonesia. There were no about 50 rifles. We were informed by it took 10 minutes and we were though. maps or other info. I went to the Damanon Timorese that there were thousands of peo- Once we realised we were in East Timor and bank to cash my travellers cheques - they ple living in the mountains resisting the In- on our way to Dili we felt rather stunned said sorry we don’t cash Australian TCs. donesians. They were constantly on the that we had made it. Then they decided to offer me an exchange move to avoid capture. We heard that in Our next sight of the military was in the rate of 1020 rupes. I had been getting 1660 August the guerrillas had burnt down a taxi to our losmen in Dili.. We saw an open in Kupang. I just laughed. Fortunately I was mosque at Vikeke. On arriving at our fancy truck packed with soldiers holding their ri- able to find a friendlier bank. losmen at Tutuala (an old Portuguese man- fles driving along the main road. Rather My friend and I caught a bus to Los Pa- sion) we were soon visited by the military. frightening. We had not seen anything like los where we had to register with the police They wanted our details and we had to pro- this in West Timor. At the losmen we were station. Later we met a young English vide the paper and pen. We saw 4 navy told we were the first tourists to come in for speaking East Timorese who told us about ships sailing off Tutuala and heard again a while, though we did see some other his father spending 12 years in the moun- about the second boatload of Timorese who Westerners at a restaurant who we were told tains as a guerilla and his mother being im- had tried to escape to Darwin only to be worked for the Red Cross. I was also told prisoned on Atauro. His father had died an captured. It was obvious the Indon navy there were people from France who were early death from illness contracted during wasn’t going to let another one through. Parliamentarians for East Timor but some- those years. He was struggling with the de- Next day we bussed back to Dili. one else disputed this. cision of whether he could do more for his On the 7th I spent the day wandering While in Dili a number of people took the country by staying and having a fair chance around Dili. I was discretely spoken to by a risk of making contact with us. I had the of being killed or leaving the country and teenager who asked if I was a journalist. I name of one person only to contact and be- working from outside. think I disappointed him by saying no. But cause that person was away I didn’t get to That night we heard that someone had he asked if he could talk to me and we ar- meet them till the day before I left. We were been shot. We were told to go to bed early ranged that he visit me at my losmen the warned who were Intel checking on us as by a family member of the losmen we were next morning. I saw the military base next they did regularly coming into our losmen to staying at, he mentioned “mati” (dead) and door to the university and another around buy a drink and “chat.” One man (non- Fretilin. We locked our door and window the corner. I walked past Santa Cruz ceme- Timorese) told my friend he was just back and took a while to go to sleep, my friend tery and decided to go in and have a look. I from a conference in London on East Timor waking later to the sound of repeated gun hadn’t wanted to do that earlier in my stay and what did she think about the politics. fire. I was sure that we would be sent out as I suspected it might cause trouble. I was Page 48 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. right. I found out after I got back to the los- Indonesian military occupation with banners Cross for his own safety. “They suggested men that Intel had been there asking why I after the ceremony. I believe dozens were that I should not be seen alone in a car with was taking a photo at Santa Cruz. That arrested. I heard that people who had tried the ICRC delegate and that we should dis- night the person visiting for a “chat” asked to meet the UN Human rights Commis- continue our practice of going for walks on if I was a journalist as I was about to write a sioner who had been in town for one day the beach.” letter. were also arrested. Back at the losmen I saw Simeon Antoulas, a Swiss official with I went visiting with a East Timorese the young man who wanted to talk ride past the Red Cross in Indonesia, confirmed the friend who was taking a risk being seen out one time when I was outside but he was ob- incident. “A shot was fired in the direction with me and heard the news of the young viously too afraid to come in. Probably of the ICRC vehicle,” he said by telephone people piling into the Dutch and Russian wisely so. Two more Australians arrived at from Jakarta. “There was one shot on one embassies in Jakarta from Timorese people the losmen off a boat. The young man asked occasion. The other incident ... involved listening to short-wave radio. They were me where was Santa Cruz cemetery where stone-throwing. Nobody was hurt,” he said, very excited and proud. They were also the Dili massacre occurred. I told him but declining to comment further. very appreciative of the protests going on also told him that it had been reported that East Timor, which Indonesia annexed in around the country in Australia. The same I’d taken a photo there just so he knew the 1976 in a move not recognised by the excitement at the next place and visitors of situation. I flew out to Kupang that after- United Nations, has been wracked by vio- theirs also enthusiastically commenting. I noon and soon after my arrival was told that lent clashes in the past few months between can see how important short-wave is to the another military base was to be set up in authorities and Timorese youths who op- East Timorese. When I returned to my los- Kupang. I wondered if the Indons would pose Indonesia’s rule. Since late September, men there was a letter waiting for me. I announce that they were moving battalions 39 young Timorese men have occupied the quote: out of East Timor only to expand the force British, Dutch, Japanese and French embas- “ MISS J.... in nearby Kupang. sies seeking asylum, which they were even- Greetings from young genera- I returned form Timor with the strong tually granted by Portugal, the territory’s tion of all East Timorese. Sorry impression that the East Timorese will former colonial ruler. our English is poor and we do never accept the Indonesian occupation of The anniversary two weeks ago of the hope you understand. their country and determined to continue Dili massacre, when up to 200 Timorese Our group been trying hard to my support of their fight. civilians in a funeral procession were gunned meet you but always unsuccess- down by Indonesian soldiers, was accompa- ful because we saw you were al- SHOTS FIRED AT RED nied by four days of unrest and the arrest of ways followed by spies well (dis- CROSS 120 youths, according to news reports. guised) everywhere you go, and Kingham, who has almost a decade of ex- even in the place where you live. by Wilson da Silva, American Reporter Cor- perience working in Indonesia, said the Ge- We keep an eye on you...... respondent. Nov. 27, 1995 neva-based ICRC had also started receiving We will keep on trying and threatening phone calls and had its roof show up some future of our aspi- MELBOURNE, Australia – Red Cross pelted with stones. ration to a quick process of our vehicles in the Indonesian-ruled territory of Intimidation was experienced by all for- country. Could you help us to take East Timor have been shot at in the past eign aid workers, and has increased to new picture of pamphlet in a closed month, and intimidation of aid workers and levels in the past few months, he said. Har- room somewhere? We try to avoid civilians intensified, according to a Red assment included “vehicles sabotaged, at- more demonstrations for while on Cross official and an Australian aid worker tempted forced entry, night patrols, knock- the roads because we are well who returned home this month. Robert ing on windows all night, disconnecting guarded by military. Our aspira- Kingham, 45, a Melbourne-based aid worker telephones, withholding mail, withholding tion and idea for the pamphlet is: who had been working in East Timor since meals. You name it. January and returned to Australia two 1. INTEGRATION? EXTERMINATION “That’s the kind of harassment you’re weeks ago, said the harassment – at times IS BEING DONE TO OUR PEOPLE IN likely to experience, as well as (being given) official, at times not – was so intense that he OUR OWN COUNTRY. WHAT IS THE some threat that things might be difficult for was forced to abandon his aid program and CHOICE? you,” he said. “If you threaten someone, return home. 2. SOEHARTO AND THOSE AR MY they will submit – that’s the sort of mental- “It’s impossible to be there and not to be GENERALS IN ONE BED ARE ity. It’s very ‘Wild West.’“ harassed,” said Kingham, the first Australian BETRAYERS OF INDONESIAN PEOPLE Kingham speaks fluent Indonesian and non-governmental aid worker allowed into AND LAW , BLIND TO DEMOCRACY AND has worked in 20 Indonesian provinces for East Timor since Indonesia’s invasion of the WORST KIND OF DICTATOR IN THE both non-governmental agencies and the In- former Portuguese territory in 1975. WORLD. donesian government. He had been conduct- Of particular concern, Kingham said, was 3. THEIR TROUBLED AMBITION IS ing an English-language training program for an incident last month in which a vehicle of HARD TO END. about 200 Timorese and Indonesian stu- From our Group No Name” the International Committee of the Red dents, at the invitation of the Indonesian Cross (ICRC) was shot at in broad daylight I didn’t get to take the photos so have government, and stayed in an apartment at a reproduced the letter instead with very mi- while driving through East Timor’s capital, government compound in Dili. nor modifications for clarity. Dili. But he says that throughout his stay he On the 8th a public holiday in East “This is unprecedented,” Kingham told was harassed, particularly following rioting Timor Bishop Belo ordained 3 new The American Reporter. “They [the Red in Dili in September, when angry Timorese Timorese priests in front of a large congrega- Cross] feel the situation has deteriorated ... youths blockaded roads with burning tires tion. I heard the opportunity to protest drastically.” and torched shops and stalls. couldn’t be missed and a couple of hundred Mr. Kingham said he was warned by of- Thereafter, the intimidation intensified people expressed their feelings about the ficials to distance himself from the Red and his pupils were pressured not to attend East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 49 classes. Harassment became so intense he training programs. They said it places par- “You get quite used to it – full riot gear, was forced relocate to the Turismo Hotel on ticipants under suspicion and it places you every truck with a grenade thrower at least, the other side of town. under suspicion.” usually rifles and sidearms and truncheons. Meanwhile his students, mostly local Kingham confirmed reports in the past This is all the time,” he said. “There’s a cli- government civil servants, stopped turning few weeks of riot police patrolling day and mate of suspicion and fear. People don’t go up. “It was basically felt that people who night, and stopping in houses to intimidate out at night, people do not socialize, be- were involved in English-language training young Timorese with beatings, in order to cause of the volatility. Apparently since may be under suspicion. It was very diffi- discourage demonstrations or other out- I’ve left, it’s become far more prevalent.” cult, in fact impossible, to get people to- breaks of dissent. See interview with Kingham in the Ahi Nak- gether as a group,” Kingham said. “Routine checking of identity cards and lakan section of these documents entitled “I left on advice of local government offi- knocking on doors at all sorts of hours is “SBS - Dateline to Cover Pilgrim Delega- cials who were Timorese, who said this is considered normal,” he said. He described tion.” not the time to be talking about language beatings as “routine and normal.”

NAMES OF DETAINED TIMORESE YOUTHS Name ag domicile condition arrest e date From ETCHRIET, November 29, 1995 Antonio da Silva Becora knifed and 12 Oct 95 shot EAST TIMORESE DETAINED FOLLOWING CIVIL Manuel da Silva “ knifed “ UNREST IN OCTOBER 1995 Freitas Background: Following widespread civil disturbances in Dili Luis Ximenes “ knifed “ last month, the Indonesian military undertook extensive door to Varela door searches, arresting an estimated 500 East Timorese, the ma- José Celestino Sta Cruz shot in the “ jority of which are youths. Most were said to have been mis- Soares back treated. No official statements about the detention of these peo- Domingos da Sta Cruz knifed in back “ house ran- ple have been issued. Some have been released on condition they Costa sacked report every day to police headquarters in Dili-Comoro. Most of Eber Amilcar Sta. Cruz knifed in back “ the detainees have not been charged or brought to trial so far. Abel Some will be tried shortly, even if the charges are still unknown. Luis Soares Sta Cruz knifed in back “ The widespread disturbances which rocked East Timor last Domingos da Vila Verde bullet shot into “ September and October had their origin in the incitement of East Silva Alves leg Timorese youths by the Indonesian military, following a new Donasio Amaral 19 Vila Verde arrested at 16 Oct 95 Verde court strategy aimed at dividing the East Timorese youth. Rumours Vila hostel were spread that East Timorese anti integration leaders have Manual da Silva 23 Vila Verde arrested at 19 Oct 95 been financed by the military intelligence and foreign agencies, to Cepeda (Nel- home act as double agents. The local Indonesian military commander, son) Colonel Simbolon, held a press conference with Indonesian jour- Eusebio Barreto 19 Matadouro arrested at 19 Oct 95 nalists last August, where he said “I will use the Timorese to Gusmão home destroy the Timorese.” Recent events clearly evidence his at- José Antonio 36 Vila Verde arrested at 19 Oct 95 tempts in this direction. Galucho home The following are some names of people arrested last month, including information on the mistreatments they suffered, ac- Salvador da 19 Vila Vered knifed in neck 12 Oct 95 cording to information supplied by East Timorese Resistance Silva sources dated 7 November 1995. Some may have been released Manuel da Silva 22 Vila Verde arrested at 19 Oct 95 since. home Justino Afonso 34 Sta Cruz house at- 12 Oct 95 tacked and ransacked

The following people are said to be scheduled to stand trial shortly: Antonio Fernandes (Abel) Vila Verde Aleixo da Costa (Cobra) Bidau José Manuel Fernandes West Lahane Boby Xavier Vila Verde Januario Vila Verde José Kai Vila Verde Joaquim Alin (Quinito) Vila Verde Okolau- (younger brother of Boby Xavier)

Page 50 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Action requested: It is necessary to obtain clear statements kept under adequate conditions. International human rights or- from the Indonesian authorities about the status of the above ganisations should be allowed access to the detainees, so as to people, and about the many more arrested last month. record their accounts of treatment received. Cases of mistreat- Those still in detention must be charged and brought to ment should be taken up with the Indonesian authorities. Quali- proper trials, and be given adequate opportunity of defense. The fied observers should monitor the trials scheduled to begin International Committee of the Red Cross must be allowed ac- shortly. cess to them while they are in detention, and ensure they are

ETCHRIET REPORT ON MINISTER OF JUSTICE M. Haji FEAR OF TORTURE Utoyo Usman S.H., Menteri Kehakiman, JI. ARRESTS AND TORTURES IN Urgent Appeal from OMCT/SOS Torture, H.R. Rasuna EAST TIMOR Dec. 4. Case IDN/TMP 041295 Said Kav. 6-7, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia. Fax : + 62 21 525 3095 The International Secretariat of East Timor Centre for Human Rights Infor- CHIEF OF NATIONAL POLICE Maj. OMCT/SOS Torture requests your mation, Education and Training Gen. (Pol.) Banurusman Atmosumitro, Ka- URGENT intervention in the following polri, Markas Besar Kepolisian RI, JI. situation in Indonesia and East Timor HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT N-:8 /95; 1 Trunojoyo 13, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Se- DEC 95 Brief description of the situation: latan, Indonesia. 1. ETCHRIET has received information Antenna International, a member of our Telegrams : National Police Chief, Ja- from East Timor sources about the deten- network, has expressed its grave concern karta, Indonesia tion and severe mistreatment of nine East over the alleged detention and severe mis- MILITARY COMMANDER REGION Timorese civilians on 10 November 95 by treatment of nine East Timorese civilians. IX/UDAYANA(covers East Timor, Indonesian SGI intelligence forces, in the These people were arrested on 10 Novem- amongst other areas) Maj. Gen. R. Adang village of Leohat, Soibada, Manatuto Dis- ber 95 by Indonesian SGI intelligence forces, Ruchiatna, Pangdam IX/Udayana, Markas trict. in the village of Leohat, Soibada, Manatuto Besar KODAM IX/Udayana, Denpasar, The victims are: District. Bali, Indonesia. Telegram : Pangdam 1. José Velho, 32, farmer The victims are: José Velho (32) farmer, IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. 2. Valente da Cruz, 47, ex Sub-district Head Valente da Cruz (47), ex Sub-district Head, Geneva, 04 December 1995 3. Odengo, 27, unemployed Odengo (27), unemployed, Delfim (29), un- Kindly inform us of any action taken 4. Delfim, 29, unemployed employed, Martinho Lima (35), João da quoting the exact number of this appeal in 5. Martinho Lima, 35 Costa (37), Domingos S. da Cruz (39), your reply. 6. João da Costa, 37 Domingos Berquelho (34), Almarrindo (28) Ben Schonveld Programme Officer 7. Domingos S. da Cruz, 39 It is alleged that after their arrest these OMCT/SOS-Torture 8. Domingos Berquelho, 34 people were tortured. Methods included Case Postale 119 9. Almarrindo, 28 beatings with iron bars, application of elec- Rue de Vermont 37-39 After being arrested, these people have tric shocks, beatings and other methods. CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland been tortured through beatings with iron According to the most recent information Tel:4122 733 3140, Fax:4122 733 1051 bars, application of electric shocks, beatings the detainees are being held in isolation. and other torture forms. The detainees have been kept in isolation Action requested: Please contact the Indo- XANANA’S DRIVER so far, and some are in a very bad condition. nesian authorities urging them to: GETS 6 YEARS East Timorese sources request international i. Put an immediate end to the practice of action to secure their release. torture and take the appropriate measures to Abridged. 2. A second report received from East guarantee the physical and psychological DILI, East Timor, Dec 1 (Reuter) - A Timor refers to the capture in late Novem- integrity of the above mentioned persons; driver who worked for the jailed East ber of one East Timor Falintil resistance ii. Immediately release the above men- Timorese resistance leader, Xanana Gusmão, fighter, code named Nixon, currently being tioned detainees in the absence of valid was sentenced to six years and two months kept at SGI military intelligence headquar- charges. If such charges exist bring them be- in jail on Friday for trying to separate the ters at Colmera in Dili. It is presumed that fore a competent and public civilian tribunal territory from Indonesia. he is being subjected to torture, in line with and guarantee their procedural rights at all “The defendant, Henrique Belmiro Da common practice. times. Costa, is guilty of attacking the government The same message refers to the present iii Ensure a full, impartial and exhaustive and trying to separate East Timor from In- large increases in numbers of Indonesian enquiry into the facts concerning the alleged donesia,” said presiding judge Augustinus military stationed in East Timor. mistreatment of the 9 detainees, identify Rungngu when sentencing Da Costa at the ETCHRIET requests appropriate action those responsible for any mistreatment, Dili district court. by international human rights organisations bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil He said Da Costa, 40, was the coordina- to protect the above people from the serious and/or administrative sanctions provided by tor of an anti-integration movement in Dili dangers they are facing. legislation; and that he once supplied ammunition to the iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for rebels operating in East Timor’s jungles. human rights and fundamental freedoms in Government prosecutors earlier asked the accordance with national laws and interna- court to sentence the defendant to 20 years tional standards. in jail. Addresses: East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 51

EAST TIMOR STILL Now, residents say, Timorese from ernment recognising that the war in East schoolchildren to the elderly are protesting. Timor is unwinnable,” said the independ- DECADE OR MORE “After 20 years it has been proven that, ence movement’s Pinto. AWAY FROM PEACE even in 200 years, Indonesia will not con- quer the Timorese heart and mind,” said By Jeremy Wagstaff TIMOR REBELS STILL Constâncio Pinto, a former clandestine ACTIVE 20 YEARS AFTER JAKARTA, Dec 1 (Reuter) – Few peo- leader and now U.S. representative of the ple predicted at the time that Indonesia’s main East Timorese independence move- INVASION effort to absorb East Timor would still be ment. by John Owen-Davies going on 20 years after a chaotic pre-dawn This disaffection runs deep. Even men raid on the sleepy seaside capital of Dili on such as Guilherme Gonçalves, former gover- JAKARTA, Dec 3 (Reuter) – In one of December 7, 1975. nor and a signatory of the 1975 Balibo dec- the world’s longer-running conflicts, Fretilin The Indonesian military believed it could laration, which provided the justification for guerrillas have been opposing Indonesian complete the invasion of the tiny half- Indonesia’s invasion, is now a fierce advo- rule in the former Portuguese colony of East island, some 2,000 km (1,250 miles) east of cate for independence. Timor since an army invasion 20 years ago. Jakarta and north of Australia, within three “All Timorese have the same idea, that The conflict, in a remote, rugged area weeks. we don’t want to integrate with Indonesia,” north of Australia and about the size of Now, two decades and at least 200,000 he said in a recent interview. Northern Ireland, is relatively low-key. lives on, observers from both inside and Some Indonesians have recognised the International spotlights have been outside East Timor and Indonesia make a need for change. clamped more firmly on Indonesian human more cautious forecast: one way or another, Limited but growing awareness of the rights abuses, including the massacre of up resolution of the conflict is at least a decade problems of East Timor and nagging interna- to 200 protesters in Dili, East Timor’s capi- away. tional criticism have prompted embryonic tal, in 1991. “On present patterns, I expect several public discussion and debate within military In terms of scale, the conflict pales decades of misery and suffering in East institutions. Juwono Sudrsono, Indonesian against Nigeria’s 1967-70 Biafran war of Timor before a resolution emerges,” said academic and vice-governor of the Defence secession, in which up to one million people Australian academic Gerry van Klinken of College, said Jakarta must adopt a special died, and the Kurds’ autonomy fight in the Griffith University. approach to East Timor beyond millions of Middle East. It was 20 years ago this week that ill- dollars of development aid. “We must rec- Foreign military sources say the Timor prepared and poorly disciplined Indonesian ognise East Timor is a special area without struggle is likely to drag on in the absence of troops, already operating in the border ar- giving it undue prominence by giving it local a political solution, and because of logistical eas, landed by sea, air and land in Dili, to autonomy. In the long run it is a question of woes and Fretilin’s apparent ability to re- begin an orgy of violence that set the tone treating each East Timorese as a full-fledged generate. for a years-long war. Indonesian at a pace that is acceptable to In July, Colonel Mahidin Simbolon, the Instead of buckling under the might of them culturally,” he said in an interview. military commander of East Timor, on an their much larger neighbour, inhabitants of While this may fall short of the demands island bordering only Indonesia’s West the former Portuguese colony fled to the voiced by many East Timorese, it may be Timor, said rebels resisting Jakarta’s rule hills and resisted the invasion with surpris- the best they can hope for. President Su- would never be wiped out. ing resilience. Some 200,000 people died or harto has ruled out any change in the terri- “But their strength, their numbers, their were killed in the years after the invasion – tory, arguing that East Timor already enjoys ability and their activities can be decreased... proportionately more than those who per- special attention and status. They have already been in the forest 20 ished in Pol Pot’s Cambodia at the same And, for all the rhetoric, academics say years. As people, they also have limits to time, historians say. international pressure remains insignificant. their ability and health,” he told reporters in And while reports of killings have de- U.N.-sponsored talks between Indonesia Dili. clined in the past year or so in apparent re- and Portugal – still regarded by the U.N. as The foreign military sources generally sponse to lingering international concern, a East Timor’s administering power – have so agree with government figures of around 200 toxic mix of ethnic, political, religious and far failed to make ground. Fretilin guerrillas, and the sources put the economic tensions continues to simmer in “Frankly speaking, the international number of Indonesian troops at between East Timor, observers say. pressure is very weak, because Western 7,000 and 10,000. “The human rights situation in East powers are only paying lip service to up- “I think Fretilin does not want to get too Timor is very bad by any absolute standard. holding human rights in East Timor. Hence, big. They want equilibrium, where they can Severe beatings and torture are routine and pressure for Indonesia to withdraw is very remain an irritant but not be a drain on those there is no sign that this is changing,” said unlikely in the near future,” said Indonesian supporting them,” one foreign attaché said. one American with close ties to the terri- academic George Aditjondro, currently ex- The sources said there were an estimated tory. iled in Australia. 3,000 or more so-called clandestines – un- What has changed is the nature of resis- Most conclude the pressure for change armed people who provided safe-havens and tance to Jakarta’s rule. While the early will continue to come from within East help for the rebels across Indonesia. 1990s saw a significant shift towards the Timor, as clandestine, guerrilla and exile A key to the conflict continuing is seen territory’s youth as the vanguard of resis- groups continue their war of attrition with as the support of some young people for tance, frustration has broadened into social Indonesia. hardliners against the integration of largely unrest that has become almost routine. And while they may be wrong, they see Roman Catholic East Timor with mainly For the past year, East Timorese towns time as on their side. Moslem Indonesia. have been hit by rioting, usually sparked by “Is Indonesia likely to withdraw from “Fretilin seems to be able to draw in the perceived insensitivities of Indonesian East Timor? I would say yes, but it takes young people to regenerate, unlike the officials or migrant traders. time. It is a matter of the Indonesian gov- Communist terrorists (CTs) fighting the Page 52 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

British in Malaya in the 1950s,” another signed originally by the Russians in World agriculture to mines and energy and rural foreign attaché said. War Two. development. “ABRI (Indonesia’s armed forces) Indonesian government literature says the probably cannot defeat Fretilin without EAST TIMORESE FIGHT allocation of funds resulted in higher out- many, many casualties. LOSING ECONOMIC BATTLE puts of rice and corn, along with a variety of “Fretilin’s people are self-trained, which cash crops in East Timor, where some three- makes them very resilient. The conflict is by K.T. Arasu quarters of the estimated 850,000 popula- likely to go on for as long as Fretilin can tion live off the land. take in fresh faces,” the source added. JAKARTA, Dec 6 (Reuter) - In some “Sure, there has been a lot of money be- Another source said: “It was clear from ways, the 20-year struggle of the poorly- ing spent in East Timor, but is it benefiting protests in Dili in October involving kids in equipped band of guerrillas fighting for East East Timorese?” asked East Timor Univer- their teens that problems, including no jobs Timor’s independence from Indonesia mir- sity’s Maia. and ethnic dissent, still have a lot of legs in rors an uphill struggle by East Timorese to “Indonesia has been boasting to the them. wrest control of the territory’s economy. whole world about East Timor’s economic Resistance started when some members Similar to the rebels who lack the sophis- growth, but I think less than 50 percent of of Fretilin, a leftist political party that ticated weaponry used by rebels elsewhere, the money invested here has benefited East fought in a civil war after the Portuguese left such as the Tamil Tigers fighting for a home- Timorese,” he said. Of grave concern to East early in 1975, fled to the interior following land in Sri Lanka, the general East Timorese Timorese has been the influx of migrants Indonesia’s invasion on December 7, 1975. population lacks capital. from islands neighbouring East Timor who Indonesia said later it intervened to sup- “I am sceptical that the East Timorese have been accused of nabbing the few trade port pro-integration parties that has sought will be able to take charge of their econ- opportunities that exist in the predomi- its help. omy,” Armindo Maia, acting rector of the nantly Christian half-island. It named East Timor, 2,000 km (1,250 East Timor University, told Reuters from The influx has led to several clashes, miles) from Jakarta, its 27 province in July the capital, Dili. “East Timor’s economy is mostly between East Timorese and Moslem 1976. The United Nations still regards Por- dominated by migrants and the well- Buginese from southern Sulawesi, who are tugal as the administering power. connected,” he said. “There must be policy said to have better business acumen and The foreign sources say Indonesia’s army changes (by Indonesia) to ensure East capital. suffers from a lack of equipment, limited Timorese can play a significant role in the “It is no secret that the migrant popula- anti-guerrilla experience and some poor affairs of their economy.” tion is a source of resentment among East training, while Fretilin has no viable bases Indonesia invaded East Timor, 2,000 km Timorese,” Lindsay Evans, who heads an outside East Timor. (1,250 miles) from Jakarta, on December 7, Australian aid project in Dili, told Reuters. “All successful guerrilla wars have been 1975, after the Portuguese left the territory But he said there was much potential in fought with borders to cross and bases out- following over four centuries of colonial developing East Timor’s economy, espe- side. The CTs in Malaya used Thailand but rule. cially by improving the marketing chain of they became ossified because of no regenera- The United Nations does not recognise its agricultural produce. tion,” one said. Indonesian rule in East Timor and considers “They grow good quality coffee, pea- There are no accurate figures for the Portugal the administering authority. nuts...and live cattle,” he said. “But these number of Fretilin rebels killed in the past The world body, however, has been host- seem to have a limited market in East Timor two decades, during which an estimated ing talks between the two countries to seek and should be sold in other places like Java 200,000 people have died in fighting, or a political solution to the conflict. Island,” he said. from famine or disease. Since officially making East Timor its Evans, whose project is to improve the East Timor’s has an estimated 850,000 27th province in July 1976, Indonesia has quality of human resources and help farmers people, including an influx of Moslem and poured hundreds of millions of dollars into deal with soil erosion and water conserva- other migrants from Java and elsewhere. the territory, building schools and much- tion, said he has seen farmers’ productivity, Fretilin suffered a setback in 1992 when needed infrastructure partly, to help capture especially in the more fertile south, rise sig- its leader, Xanana Gusmão, was captured the hearts and minds of the populace. nificantly since his assignment began about and jailed for life after a controversial trial. According to latest official Indonesian one-and-a-half years ago. President Suharto later reduced the term to data, per capita income in East Timor rose He said he has also seen more competi- 20 years. to 410,534 rupiah (US$180) in 1991 from tion in the coffee sector, the territory’s sin- Reports of contacts between troops and 132,454 rupiah ($58) in 1983. gle biggest export commodity, with more guerrillas in East Timor’s mountains have Per capita income in Indonesia in 1991 buyers coming into the market, breaking a been relatively few in recent years. was just over one million rupiah ($438). monopoly that existing until some two The foreign sources said they had uncon- East Timor’s economy grew by an aver- years ago. firmed reports of groups of about 50 guerril- age 10.41 percent in 1991, the latest figure “Now, a grower can carry two bags of las moving across mountains. available, compared with 5.94 percent for coffee on the bus and take it to anywhere it “The Western military would consider the whole of Indonesia in that year. wants to sell it,” he said. In the last five-year economic programme this a major threat. ABRI must be prepared to saturate an area on a reconnaissance ba- between ending April 1994, Indonesia pumped more than 900 billion rupiah ($395 ETCHRIET HUMAN RIGHTS sis,” one source said. REPORT “As in all conflicts of this kind, a certain million) into East Timor. staleness is creeping in,” he added. On instructions from Indonesia’s Presi- dent Suharto, an additional 93 billion rupiah HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT N-:9/95 Date: The sources said they believed Fretilin’s 13 Dec 95 basic weapons were the U.S.-designed M-16 ($40 million) was allocated in the same five- rifle, the older M-14 and the SKS rifle, de- year period on special projects, ranging from A number of arrests, mistreatment and disappearances of East Timorese, victims of East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 53 the Indonesian security forces, have been kicked with military boots until their shins He asked, therefore, that as residents in reported during the first half of December. were injured (Joaquim) and burnt with ciga- East Timor one should try to understand the Both the visit to Dili by United Nations rette butts (Wilson, Puto), and even burnt in local customs and traditions. Human Rights High Commissioner Ayala their genitals with cigarette lighters (Janio). The celebration was also attended by Lasso, and the demonstrations marking the As of midday 13 December, all detained In- ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung. 20th anniversary of the invasion of East donesians and East Timorese have been re- Col. Simbolon said that the ABRI chief Timor on 7 December, have been focal leased except for Carlito Belo Soares, and himself totally agreed with Monsignor points. Armanda Soares, detained in Kodim Jakarta Belo’s appeal. 1. Reports of arrests in connection with Pusat 0501/85. A third, unidentified, person “I was instructed by Gen. Tanjung to the Ayala Lasso visit vary. ETCHRIET has is believed to be detained at take necessary steps implementing the call. received six names of people detained. Five (commando forces) headquarters. “If necessary, the province’s local dialect of them were carrying a message from the ‘Tetun’ will be required to be taught to all East Timorese Resistance for the High MOST RECENT who do not speak it,” Simbolon said. Commissioner. They are: Rui N. Lopes, PROTESTERS RELEASED José Valdo de Araujo, both students from INDONESIA SAYS NOT TO Maliana, Caetano and Teodoro Soares, stu- JAKARTA - SOLO UPDATE from PRD via ADD TROOPS IN EAST dents from Cailaco, and Cipriano Cardoso, AKSI, 13 Dec 1995 from Atabae. On 3 December a police patrol TIMOR also arrested a man called Ainuco near Dili’s The latest news we have received as of JAKARTA, Dec 26 (Reuter) - Indonesia Santa Cruz cemetery. No further informa- 1.30pm Jakarta time, is that all detained In- has no plans to increase its military pres- tion about the whereabouts of the above donesians and East Timorese have been re- ence in East Timor but it will take steps to people has become available. leased except for three people: end the separatist movement in the former 2. On Monday 4 December, at approxi- (1) Carlito Belo Soares Portuguese colony, the official Antara news mately 11.00 am, East Timorese social (2) Armanda Soares agency said on Tuesday. worker Mr Martinho Pereira (38) was ar- These two people are detained in Kodim Indonesian armed forces chief General rested by Indonesian military intelligence Jakarta Pusat 0501/85. Feisal Tanjung was quoted by the agency as operatives at the wharf in Surabaya, after A third person is believed to be detained saying the six battalions stationed in the ter- arriving from Dili, East Timor, on his way at KOPASSUS (commando forces) head- ritory were sufficient for local needs. to Jakarta. The arrest was witnessed by fel- quarters but has not been identified. “Armed forces troops in East Timor con- low travellers disembarking from their pas- One person of the four who jumped a sist of six battalions and this number is senger ship. There has been no information bus carrying East Timorese from the Dutch enough to help the local government and the about Pereira’s whereabouts since his arrest. Embassy has reported in safely. There is no local people,” he told Antara in the East Martinho Pereira was born on 12 November news yet of the other four. At this point Timor capital Dili. 1957. From 1975-1978 he was active with there is no information that the other three Six battalions consist of 960 soldiers. the Resistance in the mountains of East are not safe. Foreign military sources last month put Timor. He was first arrested in Dili in 1983, All people arrested during the PRD Solo the number of troops posted in East Timor, and sentenced in 1984 to four years in jail demonstration have also been released. 2,000 km (1,250 miles) east of Jakarta, at for anti-integration activities, serving his between 7,000 and 10,000. sentence in Jakarta’s Cipinang prison until ABRI SUPPORTS BELO’S Tanjung said five battalions were in- 1987. CALL TO RESPECT volved in helping the local government in 3. On 7 December close to 200 East LOCAL CULTURE development projects while another was Timorese and Indonesian opponents to the posted to protect Timorese from internal Indonesian occupation of East Timor staged From Indonesian government news service and external threats, protests action in Jakarta. One group of 19 (ANTARA), 26 December But Tanjung said the military would people was arrested as they prepared to Dili, E Timor - East Timor Regional Mili- eliminate Fretilin rebels fighting for inde- enter the French and Thai Embassies. Other tary Commander Col. Simbolon said the pendence from Indonesia, which invaded the groups entered the Embassies of Russia (58 Armed Forces (ABRI) supports Catholic territory in 1975 and annexed it the follow- people) and the Netherlands (55 people). Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo call on ing year. The group in the Russian Embassy left the Christmas eve to respect and understand the “We don’t have any targets on when the next day. After police questioning, those culture and traditions of the local people Fretilin guerrillas will vanish. What becomes from outside Jakarta were put on buses to here. our target is that they have to be elimi- Central and East Java. In Semarang four “ABRI supports and understands Mon- nated,” he said. Antara had no further de- (some reports say five) jumped the bus, signor Belo’s call,” Simbolon said here tails. fearing they were being taken for detention Monday. A dwindling band of Fretilin guerrillas, at the Surabaya police. One of them has The bishop, in a joint Christmas celebra- now reported to number about 200, has since reported to be well. The whereabouts tion here with the Corps of Civil Servants fought for independence in East Timor since of the remaining ones are still unknown (as (Korpri), ABRI and the public, asked eve- the Indonesian invasion of the territory. of midday 13 December). The group in the ryone to respect and put efforts in under- Antara quoted East Timor’s outspoken Dutch Embassy was expelled on 9 Decem- standing the local people’s customs and tra- Bishop Carlos Belo as saying in Dili on ber, after the Embassy had been attacked by ditions. Monday that a new approach was needed to a group of government-sponsored demon- Belo said that a strong nation is one that win the hearts of the East Timorese youths, strators. Members reported being inten- “faithfully preserves and develops the lan- who often protested against Indonesia’s rule sively questioned during 24 hours at South guage and culture of its people.” in their homeland. Jakarta police headquarters, with no food or drink provided during this time. Some were Page 54 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

“The new approach is not made by giv- fects of agitation” initiated by exiled East According to official figures, Indonesia ing them all sorts of advice or guidance, but Timorese leader José Ramos Horta and Por- has six battalions, about 5,000 men, sta- by going along with them and understanding tugal. tioned in East Timor, although foreign mili- their wishes,” he said without elaborating. He said people in East Timor were in- tary attaches in Jakarta believe the real Indonesian rule in East Timor is not rec- creasingly aware of the “misery” of youths number could be double that figure. ognised by the United Nations, which re- who had sought political asylum in Portugal In June last year, a first lieutenant and gards Portugal as the administering author- after entering embassies. private first class were sentenced to four- ity. and-a-half and four years in jail for their INDONESIA SAYS HAS SPENT parts in the killing of six civilians near INDONESIA SAYS $832 MILLION IN EAST TIMOR Liquisa in East Timor in January 1995. TWO TIMOR REBELS JAKARTA, Dec 30 (Reuter) - Indonesia SOLDIERS, CIVILIANS SAID “SURRENDER” said it has spent 1.9 trillion rupiah ($832 KILLED IN TIMOR CLAS HES abridged million) on development projects in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor JAKARTA, Jan 15 (Reuter) - Up to JAKARTA, Dec 28 (Reuter) - Two re- over the past 20 years, the official Antara seven Indonesian soldiers and two civilians bels in the former Portuguese colony of East news agency reported on Saturday. in East Timor have been killed in what local Timor surrendered to Indonesian troops this Soedarto, head of the East Timor Re- Timorese and other sources said on Monday month, the official Antara news agency said gional Development Board (Bappeda), was was the latest in a series of clashes between on Thursday, quoted as saying the funds had been in- government forces and guerrillas. “A rebel named Maubano, alias Luis da vested in nine priority areas, including agri- Police sources, a local parliamentarian Costa, 36, surrendered in Los Palos on culture, processing industries, and diplomats said the soldiers and civilians Wednesday, while another person named and mining. were shot dead on January 9 when their ve- Makikit, alias Matheus da Silva, 35, was Soedarto said economic development in hicle was attacked by guerrillas in Leoruka intercepted at Atsabe on December 15,” it East Timor was 12.5 years behind other in Viqueque regency, 180 km (112 miles) quoted Colonel Mahidin Simbolon, the mili- provinces in Indonesia because the Jakarta east of Dili. tary commander in East Timor, as saying. government had begun its five-year devel- Diplomats said the attack was the latest Simbolon presented Maubano to local opment plans in 1969 and East Timor was incident in a number of clashes between the reporters in the East Timor capital of Dili incorporated into Indonesia’s fold only in army and guerrillas of the National Council on Thursday. 1976, of Maubere Resistance (CNRM), who now The captured rebel reportedly said he had He said East Timor’s economic growth number in the hundreds after years of fight- once been an aide to Xanana Gusmão, for- had averaged 9.95 percent over the past 17 ing Indonesian rule in the former Portuguese mer leader of the East Timorese Fretilin re- years, above Indonesia’s growth average of colony. sistance movement, who is now serving a 7.74 percent. “The army seems to be going deeper into 20-year jail sentence, the countryside not to provoke but to make Simbolon said Fretilin now numbered 202 contact with the guerrillas and destroy people with 94 weapons and was increas- 46 INDONESIAN SOLDIERS GO ON TRIAL IN TIMOR them,” one diplomat based in Jakarta said. ingly weak, having split into several small Military spokesmen were not immedi- groups. JAKARTA, Jan 8 (Reuter) – Forty-six ately available to comment on the reports. Another Antara report quoted M.W. Pat- Diplomats estimate there are between tipeilohy, head of the East Timor attorney- Indonesian soldiers charged with criminal actions and legal violations were due to be 7,000 and 10,000 Indonesian troops in East general’s office, as saying 61 people were Timor fighting against some 200 guerrillas in prosecuted in East Timor in 1995 for vari- tried by a military court in East Timor, the official Antara news agency reported on a sporadic war since the army’s 1975 inva- ous disturbances, sion. He said the cases of 16 protesters outside Monday. “The trials of the 46 soldiers will begin in The foreign ministers of Indonesia and the University of East Timor and of two Portugal, still regarded by the United Na- soldiers who shot six civilians in January, as the open on Monday in Dili,” Captain Djoko Purwadi, head of information in the tions as the territory’s administering power, well as 16 others allegedly involved in a were due to meet under U.N. auspices in reign of terror by masked “Ninja” gangs in East Timor military region, told Antara on Saturday. London on Tuesday as part of long-running Dili in February, had been concluded. talks on the territory. He added that the cases of 27 people in- Military officials in Dili were not avail- able to confirm on Monday if the trials had Residents said the situation in East volved in rioting in September and October, Timor continued to deteriorate, with youths blamed on religious and ethnic tensions be- started. Purwadi said the soldiers were being tried fleeing the territory or into hills. tween mainly Roman Catholic East “They have left the city in the hundreds, Timorese and immigrants from mostly Mos- for various offences including opposing their superiors, desertion, criminal actions and either to join the guerrillas or to flee the lem Indonesia, would be processed next country through Jakarta,” one said. month. violating traffic regulations. “The trials of the 46 soldiers of the East Five East Timorese were due to leave the Indonesia’s main intelligence agency ex- New Zealand embassy in Jakarta for exile on pects the number of East Timorese youths Timor military region is natural as every citizen who breaks the law must face sanc- Monday, bringing to 50 the number who invading foreign embassies in Jakarta to have been given refuge in Portugal after scal- abate in 1996, Antara reported. tions which is appropriate for their actions,” he said. ing the fences of foreign embassies in Jakarta It quoted Soebidyo, head of the state in- since September. telligence coordinating agency (Bakin), as The report did not give any details about the nature of the crimes or those who had A resident in Dili, 2,000 km (1,500 miles saying the decrease was expected as the east of Jakarta), said guerrillas also took 10 youths become aware of the “negative ef- committed them. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 55 soldiers hostage during the January 9 clash. Dr Muladi said raising the issues with the EAST TIMOR INVITES “The incident took place in the afternoon commission was preferable to raising them when the armed forces officers who were with the Catholic church or with the Inter- INVESTMENT IN conducting a patrol were stopped by the national Committee of the Red Cross, which MARBLE MINING Fretilin (guerrillas),” he said without giving operated an office in East Timor. details. Jakarta, January 23, 1996, Reuters A military spokesman was not available HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN East Timor, which has known marble de- to comment on the incident. DILI posits totalling some 25.4 billion cubic me- Diplomats said East Timor in recent Diario de Noticias, 25 January 1996. Trans- tres, is seeking investors to develop marble months had come under much tighter mili- lated from Portuguese, Abridged mines, the official Antara news agency re- tary control. ported on Tuesday. Since October, contact by the army and Lisbon – According to a Timorese source, José Bonifacio Dos Reis Araujo, head of guerrillas, previously kept to a minimum, contacted yesterday by LUSA in the capital East Timor’s investment coordinating had increased casualties on both sides, in- of East Timor, the Indonesian National Hu- agency, was quoted by Antara as saying a cluding the December killing of four Indone- man Rights Commission (INHRC), a pro- recent survey found that there were marble sian immigrants by guerrillas in the town of government body, is to open a delegation in deposits in almost all parts of the former Los Palos, they said. Dili. Portuguese colony. In the same month, guerrillas surprised The decision was made public by an The agency said good quality marble de- and killed two soldiers taking a bath near INHRC delegation, headed by Clementino posits were found in a total of 3,500 hec- Viqueque, in what diplomats said appeared Amaral, who is currently visiting Dili. tares (8,645 acres) in the Ermera regency to be a reaction to the government’s bid to The INHRC delegation will be based in and in 4,125 hectares (10,188 acres) in the flush out guerrillas from their mountain the Associacao Comercial, Agricola e Indus- Covalima regency. strongholds. trial de Timor building, located in the Rua Antara said East Timor also had deposits Antonio de Carvalho, near the Governor’s of gabbro rocks totalling 2.5 billion cubic palace and the Indonesian military district metres, which could be used to build foun- MOVES AFOOT TO SET UP command post. INDON COMMISSION dations for houses and roads and as decora- “Authorisation came from Jakarta, and tions. BRANCH IN EAST TIMOR the local government provided the premises José Bonifacio said the East Timor ad- for the delegation,” the source in Dili told ministration was hoping to boost invest- by Gordon Feeney, AAP South-East Asia LUSA. ments in the mining sector. Correspondent [abridged] Residents in the Timorese capital of Dili Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 af- JAKARTA, Jan 23 AAP – Members of also reported to LUSA that, as from yester- ter the Portuguese colonialists left, and an- Indonesia’s official human rights commis- day, they have been able to receive signals nexed it the following year. The United Na- sion were this week in East Timor preparing from Asiasat-2, the satellite launched on 28 tions does not recognize Indonesian rule in to set up a long-mooted branch of the com- November 1995, which will relay RTPi pro- the territory, where a small band of guerril- mission, the official Antara newsagency said grammes to Asia and the Pacific from 28 las is fighting for independence. today. January onward. The three members of the national com- “We have finally managed to get good re- INDONESIAN TROOPS mission on human rights were due to hold a ception of the long-awaited Asiasat-2 series of meetings with government, military transmission,” said one of the Timorese in CAPTURE EAST TIMOR and Catholic church leaders in the troubled Dili, contacted by telephone from Macao. REBEL IN BOBONARO territory to discuss the new branch. (...) The commission, set up in 1993 by RTP, which will be transmitting (from 11 JAKARTA, Jan 23 (Reuter) – Indone- President Suharto, was greeted with early am Lisbon time) special programmes to sian troops on Tuesday captured a member scepticism by many observers who believed mark its arrival in East Timor, will be dis- of the Fretilin guerrilla movement fighting it would be little more than an instrument of tributed on band C, whose footprint covers Jakarta’s rule in troubled East Timor, the the Indonesian regime. the whole of Asia, and the Middle East to official Antara news agency said. However, the commission has gained Australia. It can reach over 60 percent of the It quoted East Timor’s military spokes- widespread credibility with a series of world’s population in 53 countries. man Captain Djoko Purwadi as saying strongly-worded decisions that have shown There will be a ceremonial inauguration of Gusmão Olivio was arrested on Tuesday it to be willing to criticise both the govern- transmissions, which will include an exhibi- morning in a house in Bobonaro regency, ment and the military. tion of East Timorese craft and perform- 140 km (87 miles) southwest of the capital In March last year, the commission ac- ances by a group of musicians from the ter- Dili. cused the military of human rights violations ritory. Speakers at the ceremonial opening He said a squad of 15 soldiers were in- over the shooting by soldiers of six East will include Prime Minister Antonio Guter- volved in the arrest, seizing a gun and am- Timorese in the Liquiça district in January res, Minister Jorge Coelho, RTP Chair- munition. last year. woman Manuela Morgado, and a represen- The agency said at least four members of One of the commission members visiting tative of the Timorese community in exile. the movement had surrendered to Indone- East Timor this week, Dr Muladi, recently sian authorities so far this year. said the setting up of the East Timor branch SIX GUERRILLAS CAPTURED was “very urgent.” He said a number of East Timorese had translated, edited lost trust in the state apparatus and would Jakarta, Jan 25 (LUSA) - The Indonesian be able to raise their concerns with the army captured Wednesday six Timorese planned new commission branch. guerrillas in Bobonaro, announced today the Page 56 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Antara news agency, citing ET’s military Indonesian Military Command in East Report on some recent occurrences. commander, Colonel Simbolon. According to Timor, Captain Joko Purwadi, said that five 1. Lospalos the same source, the captured group be- Timorese guerrillas had been killed on 26 longed to the Fretilin, and was headed by January, near Dilor, Viqueque, about 200 On 22 November at 5:00 am, the villagers Inacio Naroman. The other five men were kms south-east of Dili. Two M-16 machine of Rasa and Naulo were woken up by gun identified only as Bonifacio, Florindo, Leo- guns, an SP-1 and ammunition had been ap- shot noises of an armed confrontation be- baldo, and Carlito. The six were unarmed prehended following the incident. tween Indonesian troops and East Timorese and fell into an ambush set up by the Indo- The sixth victim was killed on 25 January fighters. Neither side reported losses or in- nesian army, when they were on their way by Indonesian troops during an operation in jured. That evening, the Indonesian troops to a village in Bobonaro to obtain logistic Atsabe, Ermera, about 45 kms. to the south- conducted house searches in those villages, support and food for the guerrilla. Colonel west of Dili. fearing infiltration by Falintil members. The Simbolon presented the six men to the press The Indonesian news agency also re- searches were carried out in a most intimi- in Dili, and stated they will not be punished ported that over the past ten months 27 dating manner. because they surrendered without resis- Timorese guerrillas had either surrendered or On November 27, ABRI members am- tance. been captured. bushed a Falintil fighter, Luis dos Santos, between the two villages of Rasa and Naulo, SIX EAST TIMORESE SHOT, ABRI ESCALATED FIGHTING, also capturing a FKC rifle and bullets. Luis INDONESIAN TROOPS KILLED IN dos Santos is detained at military intelli- TWO DETAINED IN VIQUEQUE gence SGI headquarters in Dili. VIQUEQUE CNRM Media Release, 30 January 1996 2. Baucau New Zealand Herald, 29 Jan. 1996, p.1. Four Indonesian troops killed, nine in- On 21 December 1995, a youth by the jured in Viqueque by East Timorese Falintil name of Duarte Belo was beaten mercilessly DILI, AFP - Six alleged pro- by an member of the battalion 745 until independence rebels were shot dead and two guerrillas, as ABRI steps up East Timor operations: mouth he bled profusely from the mouth. detained by the military in East Timor, the No reasons were given for the brutal treat- official Antara news agency reported yes- A report from the East Timorese Clan- destine Resistance, dated 15 January, just ment. terday from Dili, the troubled territory’s On 26 December 1995, Kopassus (Sp e- capital. received by CNRM, indicates that the Indo- nesian occupation forces (ABRI) have in- cial Forces) members stationed in the village Captain Joko Purwadi, a spokesman for of Loi-Lubo, Vemasse, organised a Christ- the military commander in East Timor, said creased their military operations aiming to eliminate the East Timorese Falintil armed mas party in order to attract participation that a military team shot dead five alleged by local youths. By late night some Kopas- rebels from the independence movement resistance forces in the operating mountains. This is leading to an increase in casualties. sus members created disorder and arrested Fretilin in the Viqueque area on Friday and Alfredo Sebastião da Costa, 25, from the another team fatally shot one alleged rebel Four ABRI troops have been killed and nine injured recently. village of Uai-Dare and Bento Pereira, 21, and detained two others in the Ermera region from Kaideno-Ossoala, after accusing them on the previous day. At the same time in the villages, Indone- sian military intelligence personnel (INTEL) of disturbing the party. The Kopassus The military also seized eight firearms, members responsible are 2nd lieutenant including four M-16s, from the alleged Fre- have tightened security in all strategic points including the suburbs of Dili. Since last Sep- Muhamad Hassan, and private Lorenzo. tilin members, Captain Purwardi said. On 2 January 96, the Indonesian military About 20 people were in the military tember under the supervision of the brutal Brigadier General Prabowo Sugianto, Presi- started annihilation operations in the areas team in Viqueque, which is on the eastern of Baguia, Laga, Quelikai and Vemasse, con- coast about 200km southeast of Dili, Cap- dent Suharto’s son in law, these forces have been receiving special training in the locality stantly intimidating civilian population of tain Purwadi said, without giving details these areas. An unofficial curfew from 5:00 about the second team in Ermera, about of Aileu. In the current offensive campaign, ABRI pm to 5:00 am has been imposed by the lo- 70km southwest of Dili. cal military officials. The alleged rebels killed in Viqueque were troops are divided into groups of ten men who launch night time attacks. At the same At Baucau airport there are 4 helicopters identified as Serlau, Mau Sino, Bento Calma, and a jet fighter ready to provide assistance José Pendek and Robido Onok. time, INTEL members arrest, at their homes, anyone they suspect of supporting to the operational troops. Their registration The man shot to death in Ermera was are: Bell Helicopter HS 5070, Bell Helicop- identified as Kristofa. the Resistance. During day time ABRI troops hide in bushes near villages, in par- ter HS 5075, Bell Helicopter HS 5078, Bell Fretilin has fought Indonesia since its Falcon HA 5702, Sky Hawk A 4 troops invaded the former Portuguese col- ticular near the water sources, while INTEL ony of East Timor in 1975. personnel monitor villager movements, aim- 3. Viqueque Jakarta unilaterally declared East Timor ing to detect any incursion of the East In January, Falintil members in the its 27th province a year later. Timorese Resistance fighters. While inten- Viqueque region shot dead four Indonesian sive military operations are conducted in the troops and injured nine. The latter are now CASUALTIES IN THE RESISTANCE mountains, strict security controls are kept being treated at the Wira Husada Military Diario de Noticias, 26 January 1996. Trans- in strategic access roads in and out of vil- Hospital in Dili. lated from Portuguese, Abridged lages and bigger cities. Movements of young people are intensively monitored, especially Indonesia’s official news agency, Antara, at night time. When the military find young reported yesterday that six Timorese people strolling at night, these are immedi- guerrillas had been killed by Indonesian ately arrested and beaten for no obvious rea- soldiers in two recent incidents in the sons, and then sent home. Viqueque and Ermera regions. The spokesperson for the Indonesian Military East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 57

RIOT IN BECORA PRISON monitors and foreign journalists are cur- Tuesday’s incident was the latest to oc- rently being denied access to East Timor, cur in East Timor which was rocked by a Amnesty International AI EX012/96 occupied by Indonesia since 1975. string of violent riots in September and Oc- INDONESIA Safety fear RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send tober in which at least two persons were AI Index: ASA 21/08/96, 30 January 1996 telegrams/ express/ airmail letters in Ba- killed and dozens injured. East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, Prisoners in Becora Prison, Dili hasa Indonesia or English or your own language: was annexed by Indonesia in 1976 after Ja- Amnesty International is concerned for karta invaded the territory, sparking wide- - urging the authorities to launch an inde- the safety of prisoners in Becora Prison, spread international criticism and local dis- pendent and full inquiry into the shooting of Dili, the capital of East Timor, after a prison sent. Armindo Soares; riot during which one prisoner was shot The United Nations does not recognize - urging the authorities to ensure that any dead. Indonesia’s move and regards Portugal as prisoner to be questioned concerning the riot The riot is believed to have begun around East Timor’s administrative power. 8am on 30 January, but there are conflicting and the alleged escape attempt is provided reports about its cause. Initially the authori- with full access to independent legal counsel ONE KILLED, 10 ESCAPE IN EAST and representatives of the International ties stated that the riots were caused by “a TIMOR PRISON RIOT Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); misunderstanding” between the prisoners 1/30/96 and officials when prisoners from one block - seeking assurances that none of the wanted to gain access to another block. prisoners in Becora prison will be subjected JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - One However, the authorities apparently later to any form of torture or ill-treatment. prisoner was killed and 10 escaped Tuesday stated that the riot was a result of an escape APPEALS TO: after a riot in East Timor’s main jail led to a attempt by 10 prisoners, two of whom had CHIEF OF POLICE FOR EAST TIMOR: mass breakout attempt, a justice ministry already been caught. The authorities are re- Lt. Col. Andreas Sugianto [Salutation: official said. ported to have claimed that the remaining Dear Lt. Col. Andreas Sugianto ] “It was a revolt with the purpose of es- eight have not yet been recaptured. Kapolda Timor Timur caping from the prison. About 100 prison- It is believed that up to 40 people, in- Dili, East Timor (Indonesia) Telegrams: ers were involved,” said Benny Mathaus, cluding six prison guards, were wounded Kapolda, Dili, East Timor head of the justice ministry’s office in the during the riot, nine seriously. Eight of the capital Dili. AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO MINISTER OF It was not clear whether the riot was wounded are believed to be in the prison FOREIGN AFFAIRS: health clinic while another six have been linked to broader unrest in the former Portu- transferred to hospital. It is not clear how Ali Alatas S.H. guese colony, ruled since 1975 by Indonesia the injuries occurred, although it is known Menteri Luar Negeri against a backdrop of lingering civilian and that the riot police, brought in to quell the Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No.6 armed resistance. riot, used tear gas. Jakarta, Indonesia Mathaus, whose department oversees the Amnesty International is concerned for Fax: +62 21 345 0517/360 517 prison system, told Reuters the prisoners of Becora jail in Dili’s activities when they ri- the safety of the prisoners considered to be RIOTS ERUPT AT EAST TIMOR the ringleaders of the riot and those caught oted. after allegedly attempting to escape. Politi- PRISON “They attacked the guards with stones so cal and criminal detainees are frequently tor- JAKARTA, Jan. 30 (UPI) – At least one the buildings in the prison were severely tured in Indonesia and East Timor, and Am- inmate was killed Tuesday and dozens of damaged. The guards, of which there were nesty International is urging that any actions others were injured when fiery riots broke only nine, were forced to shoot from above taken by the authorities in investigating the out at East Timor’s Dili prison, an official them,” Mathaus said by telephone. riots and alleged escape attempt do not re- said. “One man tried to take a gun from a sult in torture or ill-treatment. Benny Mathias, head of the justice office guard. He was given two warning shots and Police authorities have admitted that one in Dili, confirmed to United Press Interna- he did not want to retreat. He was shot to prison inmate, Armindo Soares, was shot tional that one inmate, identified as Armindo overpower him, not kill him, but the bullets dead by riot police, allegedly as he at- da Silva Martin, 20, was dead after he was severely wounded him and he died,” he said. tempted to steal a police weapon. The au- shot by a security guard. He did not give any details about the thorities stated that warning shots were “The man was against the prison guards dead man. fired but that these were ignored by the and tried to grab a gun,” Mathias said. Mathaus said 10 prisoners escaped but prisoner. Given a pattern of police killings Inmates set fire to two blocks of cells in two were quickly recaptured. The remaining of criminals in suspicious circumstances in an attempt to attract the attention of the eight, whom he said were mostly Timorese Indonesia, Amnesty International is urging prison guards, Mathias said. men, were still on the run nine hours after the authorities to ensure that there be an Mathias said eight people were hospital- the breakout. He said 40 prisoners and six independent and full investigation of the ized with serious injuries while 30 others guards were slightly injured in the incident, shooting. suffered slight injuries when security guards and six people were admitted to hospital. moved in with rubber clubs. The jail has 257 inmates, some of whom are BACKGROUND INFORMATION About 100 of the prison’s 257 inmates political prisoners. Dili’s Becora prison holds around 200 were involved in the disturbance, Mathias political and criminal detainees. Both politi- said. cal and criminal detainees are at risk of tor- At least 10 prisoners escaped during the ture and ill-treatment in police and military melee, but two were apprehended, Mathias detention, although the risk of such treat- said, adding the escape apparently had been ment is significantly lower once detainees planned for sometime. are transferred to prisons. Human rights Page 58 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Despite 10 U.N. resolutions condemning solidarity movement has developed– RELIGIOUS ISSUES the invasion and calling for Jakarta’s imme- especially since the November 12, 1991 diate withdrawal, the United States has Santa Cruz Massacre when Indonesian never seriously contested Indonesia’s an- troops fired upon a peaceful, pro- A CHANGED CHURCH: TWO nexation of East Timor. Indeed, successive independence demonstration at a cemetery DECADES OF STRUGGLE IN U.S. administrations have provided Jakarta in Dili, the East Timorese capital, killing EAST TIMOR HAS MADE with hundreds of millions of dollars in mili- hundreds of men, women, and children. tary and economic assistance since 1975. Eyewitness accounts by Western journalists FRIENDS AND ENEMIES. Resource-rich Indonesia, today the and a smuggled video of the massacre led to SOJOURNERS, November-December 1995, world’s 4th most populous country, has an international outcry. In response to by Matthew Jardine. long attracted the hungry eyes of the power- grassroots pressure the U.S. Congress cut ful. What Richard Nixon called “by far the off IMET funding in 1992. “It has never been worse here. There are greatest prize in the South-East Asian area” Until the massacre, there was a virtual more restrictions than ever before. No one is today one of the Clinton administration’s media blackout in North America on the can speak. No one can demonstrate. People 10 “Big Emerging Markets"–countries that situation in East Timor and seeming blind- disappear.” These are the recent words of the United States must cultivate to ensure ness on the part of churches. As Rev. John Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, the head of the interests of U.S.-based capital. Chamberlin, the National Coordinator of the Catholic church in East Timor. During the presidential campaign, Bill East Timor Religious Outreach explains, On December 7, 1975, Indonesia invaded Clinton called U.S. policy toward East “To an extent rarely recognized, the agenda the newly-independent country of East Timor “unconscionable.” And, indeed, his of the religious community is set by the Timor–with U.S. approval and weaponry. Administration has taken some noteworthy secular, mainstream media. During the years Since that time, well over 200,000 East steps to challenge traditional U.S. complic- of slaughter in East Timor, there has been Timorese–about one-third of the pre- ity with Jakarta’s occupation. almost total silence on the part of U.S. and invasion population–have died as a result of In mid-1993, for example, Clinton’s State Canadian churches, making them complicit Indonesia’s bloody occupation. Department blocked a proposed sale by the in the crimes.” The Indonesian authorities have de- Jordanian government of four U.S.-made F- But this situation is slowly changing. Re- stroyed or driven underground all independ- 5E fighter jets to Jakarta. In early 1994, the cently national church bodies of the Presby- ent East Timorese institutions with the ex- State Department banned small arms sales terian Church (USA) and the United Meth- ception of the Church–a beacon of hope for to Indonesia and recently added helicopter- odist Church have passed resolutions con- East Timor’s embattled indigenous popula- mounted weaponry to the ban. demning the Indonesian occupation and call- tion. The Church has become a key player But Jakarta’s continuing economic and ing for an embargo of all U.S. weapons sales in the contest between the Indonesian mili- strategic importance has exposed the limits to Indonesia. And in January 1996, Bishop tary and East Timor’s vast resistance of Clinton’s concern for human rights and Melvin Talbert–who has played a major movement, often incurring the ire and deep international law. His Administration has leadership role in helping to publicize the suspicion of the Indonesian authorities. provided almost $300 million in economic situation in East Timor to Protestant cir- Since the break up of Portugal’s colonial assistance to Indonesia over the last three cles–will assume the presidency of the Na- empire, two decades of struggle for self- years. During that period, the U.S. has also tional Council of Churches in the United determination in tiny East Timor have dra- sold and licensed the sales of tens of mil- States. matically altered the Church. Traditionally lions of dollars in weaponry to Indonesia. Such developments can only encourage conservative and aligned with the indigenous And now the Clinton administration is on the East Timorese. According to Bishop and colonial elite, the Roman Catholic the verge of reappropriating International Belo, “Contact with the outside world is church today identifies with the needs and Military Education and Training (IMET) very, very important. . . . It gives us hope, wishes of the poor East Timorese majority. funds to Indonesia. In addition, the admini- and some of us protection. . . . Keep speak- Whereas only one-third of the indigenous stration is trying to unload 17 F-16 fighter ing, everyone must keep speaking about us.” population was Catholic in 1975, today the jets to Indonesia. Recently Secretary of Such solidarity has proven vital to Belo. figure stands at about 90 percent. State Warren Christopher urged Jakarta to He might very well be dead without it. Belo In 1983, Carlos Belo assumed leadership buy the aging planes. Jakarta is still unde- has survived a number of assassination at- of the Catholic church. Despite his reputa- cided, but Adm. William Owens–vice chair- tempts and Indonesian intelligence closely tion as conservative and amenable to Indo- man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff–expressed monitors all his moves. His phones are nesian interests, Bishop Belo refused to be optimism about the sale during a recent visit tapped, his fax machine is monitored. silent about ongoing Indonesian atrocities in to Jakarta. His courage has earned him great respect the territory. The U.S. is certainly not alone in its and many admirers. In 1994, he was one of In 1989 he sent a letter to then U.N. Sec- complicity. Canada, Australia, Japan, the the finalists for the Nobel Peace Prize. In retary-General Perez de Cuellar, stating “We United Kingdom and many other Western 1995, many saw Belo as the lead candidate are dying as a people and as a nation.” He European countries provide Jakarta with for the prestigious award, his nomination called upon the world body to oversee a ref- significant material aid and varying amounts championed by a number of prominent erendum on self-determination in the terri- of diplomatic cover. Such behavior dis- people, including former recipients tory. Belo’s efforts greatly angered the au- tresses Bishop Belo. “They are lying about Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa thorities and met with death threats. what has happened to us. . . . Their lies and and Mairead Maguire of Northern Ireland. LOCATED 400 MILES north of Austra- hypocrisy are in the cause of economic in- Within East Timor, however, the situa- lia at the eastern end of the Indonesian ar- terests. We ask the people of the world to tion remains as bad as ever. Torture, extra- chipelago, East Timor is the victim of a understand this, and not to forget that we judicial executions, and rape of women are world order that has long privileged power are here, struggling for life every day.” routine. “In just about every village I went over principle. FORTUNATELY MANY throughout to I was . . . meeting up to 5 or 6 women the world have not forgotten. A significant who stated that they had been raped in the East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 59 past,” reports Australian nurse Simon De uty Chairman Marzuki Darusman told Ja- Before issuing his order to Abilio Soares, Faux who recently spent two months in karta by phone, Yogie had been summoned by Vice Presi- East Timor working as a volunteer with the Governor Abilio José Osorio Soares’ de- dent Try Sutrisno who, the day before had Salesian order. De Faux also testified that he cree No 78/1995 provides that applicants been visited by Hasan Basri, chair of the treated many torture victims and that he for permits for the establishment of houses Ulemas Council, MUI who had told Try of received many credible reports from women of worship have to enclose a recommenda- his dissatisfaction with the governor’s in- complaining of getting unauthorized and tion from the local Catholic priest. Marzuki struction. unwanted abortions at Indonesian-run hos- was commenting on the latest development Complaints against the Instruction began pitals. in the rehabilitation programme for mosques with an article written by Muhammadiyah What the people of East Timor want is in East Timor. The programme is being held chair, Amien Rais, in Republika entitled ‘It quite simple. As Rev. Arlindo Marcal, up because of permits and funding con- doesn’t make sense’ on 26 October. Accord- Moderator of the Protestant Church of East straints, chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas ing to Hasan Basri, many mosques were Timor, explains, “The East Timorese people Council Hasan Basri, said on Monday, cit- damaged during riots in East Timor in Sep- should be provided the opportunity to de- ing a report of the council’s East Timor of- tember but efforts to repair them have been cide for themselves whether they really fice, Basri said the office has encountered hampered by this Instruction. [Note that want to be integrated into Indonesia or not.” difficulties in rehabilitating damaged National Commission for Human Rights As we observe the fiftieth anniversary of mosques and mushalla (small prayer Deputy Chair, Marzuki Darusman said re- the founding of the United Nations, East houses). “They have to wait for a permit cently that the Instruction is not related to Timor stands out as a tragic example of the from the local Catholic priest,” he said. repairing houses of worship, only to the failure of international institutions to pro- Marzuki said yesterday it is the people construction of new ones.] tect the most basic of human rights. Rather living in the area surrounding a proposed News of Minister Yogie’s decision was than to retreat into national isolation, East house of worship who have the authority to welcomed by Hasan Basri who expressed Timor challenges us to recognize our com- provide a recommendation on any applica- satisfaction at the speed with which the mon humanity and create a world in which tion. He said that although the decree is le- government has responded to complaints human rights, cultural diversity, and interna- gitimate, the local administration should not from the Muslim community, especially tional law are respected. Church groups can be too strict in the implementation. He also those living in East Timor.. He would soon play a leading role in this struggle. called on the people to avoid turning the be sending a message of gratitude to Vice Matthew Jardine is a writer and researcher administrative case into a political issue or President Try Sutrisno for his help in re- on human rights issues and author of East linking the decree with the recent rioting. storing calm for Muslims in East Timor. Timor: Genocide in Paradise (Odonian “The decree was issued in July while the From Timor itself, other opinions have Press, 1995). riots took place two months later,” he said. been expressed. Pastor Debrito from the He added that for the repair of mosques no parish of Balide, East Dili believes that the Taking Action such recommendation is required. Governor’s Instruction is very necessary. In Activities related to East Timor are Discrimination in relation to the estab- conforms with the needs of a society where planned for the next two months across lishment of houses of worship has mong the majority of the people are Catholic. ‘No Canada and the United States. For more in- been a problem in Indonesia Christians in one need suspect priests of any antipathy formation contact: predominately Muslim areas have often towards the existence of other religions in East Timor Religious Outreach, 1600 complained of difficulties in building East Timor. The Bishop himself, said Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94109; churches. A Joint Decree of the Ministers of Debrito, supported the construction of the phone and fax: (415)474-6219. Home Affairs and Religious Affairs issued An-Nur Mosque in Kampung Alor. East Timor Action Network/U.S., PO in 1969 stipulates that regents and mayors Acting Rector of the University of East Box 1182, White Plains, NY 10602; phone: should take into consideration city planning, Timor, Armindo Maia, suggested that repeal (914) 428-7299; fax: (914) 428-7383; email: local conditions and suggestions from local of the Governor’s Instruction should be [email protected]. Ministry of Religion offices. postponed. ‘The Governor’s position re- East Timor Alert Network/Canada, PO For several days, Republika has been carry- garding religious affairs is at present very Box 562 Station P, Toronto M5S 2T1; ing reports of calls by Muslim organisations complex. On the one hand he confronts the phone and fax: (416) 531-5850; email: etan- for the repeal of Governor Abilio Soares’ views coming from the grassroots while on [email protected]. decree No 79/1995, claiming that it is ham- the other hand, he must comply with orders pering the repair of mosques damaged in from his superiors,’ said Maia. He admitted GOVERNOR’S INSTRUCTION recent incidents in East Timor. that the Instruction works in favour of the (ON MOSQUES) OPPOSED majority religion. ‘But what’s wrong with GOVERNOR’S INSTRUCTION TO BE that if it helps to lessen tension among the Jakarta Post, 2 November 1995. Abridged WITHDRAWN East Timorese?’ The National Commission on Human Republika, 9 November 1995. Abridged The Interior Minister should try to un- Rights urged the East Timor administration derstand the realities in East Timor, said Minister for the Interior Yogie Memed Maia. ‘East Timor cant be compared with yesterday to review a ruling compelling non- has ordered the governor of East Timor, Catholics to obtain a recommendation from other provinces in any way. We don’t want Abilio Soares, to revoke his Instruction No to become a special region. All we ask is to the local Catholic parish priest before they 79, 1995 which stipulates that the building can build a house of worship. be treated in a special way for the time be- of houses of worship in East Timor must ing, if people at the Centre are really serious “The gubernatorial decree should be re- have the endorsement of the local parish viewed in order not to prolong misunder- about reaching a solution to the question of priest. The Instruction does not conform East Timor,’ he said. He said he could as- standing between the various religious com- with a Joint Decision of the Interior and Re- munities in East Timor,” Commission Dep- sure people that the Instruction would not ligious Affairs Ministers, according to obstruct the development of other religions. Yogie. Page 60 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

‘If anyone does create obstacles, we should economy, whose per capita gross domestic SOEHARTO: investigate such complaints,’ he said. product (GDP) is the lowest among Indone- sia’s 27 provinces. EAST TIMOR GIVEN NO FORUM FORMED TO EASE “Cases of violence in East Timor stem SPECIAL TREATMENT CATHOLIC/MUSLIM TENSION from (the people’s) struggle to catch up with rapid economic changes and from their From Jakarta Post, Nov. 29(?) By Yuli Ismartono envy of migrants, who control the local President Soeharto declared yesterday economy,” said scholar and Catholic priest that East Timor will not receive special JAKARTA, Nov 7 (IPS) - Indonesian Frans Magnis Suseno at a recent seminar. treatment in any area, including the estab- authorities hope tensions between the pre- The situation prompted President Su- lishment of religious organizations. dominantly Catholic people of East Timor harto himself to recently call for peaceful Such Moslem organizations as Muham- and Muslim migrants from other islands will coexistence among the various religious madiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama may now ease with the setting up of an inter-religion communities. He said the diversity of relig- “move” and open branches in the predomi- forum in the Timorese capital of Dili. ion should not divide the people and under- nantly Roman Catholic province, Soeharto A wave of violence has swept East mine national unity. was quoted as saying by Amien Rais, Timor in recent months, triggered by a re- “Our goal is a nation in which all citizens, chairman of the 28 million member Mu- mark in September by a Muslim official de- regardless of their religion, ethnicity or race, hammadiyah. scribing Catholicism as a “nonsense relig- can improve their welfare, physically and Speaking to reporters after meeting Soe- ion.” spiritually,” he told the national congress of harto, Amien said that there is no written East Timorese rioted, burning cars on the the Indonesian Bishops Assembly meeting regulation against establishing Moslem or- streets, mosques and Protestant churches. in Jakarta last week. ganizations in East Timor. They also set fire to markets owned by Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, who heads “Muhammadiyah can open (branches) in traders from Sulawesi and harassed other the assembly of 36 bishops and archbish- East Timor,” Amien said in response to the migrants, forcing hundreds to seek refuge in ops, said Catholics must set aside differ- Ministry of Home Affairs’ recent sugges- neighbouring West Timor. ences and find common ground with follow- tion that Moslem organizations not open This prompted the government to estab- ers of other religions to ensure unity and branches, at least for the time being, in East lish a consultation forum recently, compris- stability. Timor. ing representatives of the Roman Catholic His call came amid proposals by the Na- “Opening branches there is not meant to Church, the Indonesian Community of tional Commission on Human Rights for a propagate Islam among Catholic believers, Churches representing the Protestants, the review of a regulation in East Timor requir- but to help Moslems there, especially mem- Indonesian Council for Muslim Ulemas, the ing non-Catholics to secure the approval of bers of Muhammadiyah, maintain their Indonesian Hindu Council and the Dharma a local Catholic parish priest before building faith,” Amien said. Buddha Foundation. a mosque. Currently there are no proper Moslem Academics and religious leaders attending “The governor’s decree should be re- organizations in East Timor and Amien a seminar last week called for mutual under- viewed in order not to prolong misunder- quoted the President as saying that steps standing and increased tolerance, fearing the standings between the various religious will have to be taken to ensure the peaceful conflict would spread to other parts of the communities in East Timor,” the commis- establishment of any new branches. country if it was not properly quelled. sion’s deputy chairman, Marzuki Darus- The youngest province has long been Indonesia’s constitution guarantees free- man, told the ‘Jakarta Post’ newspaper. rocked by racial and religious tensions. A dom of religion among its 190 million citi- He cited reports of the Indonesian Coun- number of riots took place in September zens, 90 per cent of whom are Muslims. cil of Muslim Ulemas complaining of diffi- after a Moslem prison-warden made deni- There are about six million Roman Catholics culties experienced by their members in re- grating remarks about Catholicism. Similar in Indonesia, more than 800,000 of them in pairing damaged mosques in East Timor. tension, however, also exist between Catho- East Timor. But critics say a similar situation applies lic followers and Christians. The former Portuguese colony was an- to Christians when they want to build Following the riots, Dili Bishop Felipe nexed by Jakarta in 1976 but the United Na- churches or houses of worship in predomi- Ximenes Belo reportedly suggested that tions does not recognise Indonesian sover- nantly Muslim areas. Not surprisingly, the East Timor be declared a special Roman eignty over the territory. Indonesian Bishops’ Conference has asked Catholic region. A great number of people Religious differences have always been a that the criteria for obtaining church-building have reacted strongly to the suggestion, sensitive issue in Indonesia, whose people permits also be simplified. which Belo later denied making. come from diverse cultural and ethnic back- Such issues will be the focus of the new “It’s impossible to turn East Timor into grounds. inter-religious forum established in Dili. a special region for Catholicism,” Soeharto But analysts say the recent violence in Given the extreme sensitivity of the matter, said yesterday as quoted by Amien Rais. East Timor is not just based on religion but government officials and parliamentarians “No special treatment.” rather a part of the people’s discontent to- are asking religious leaders to prevent the “There’s something strange.....the devel- wards the Jakarta government. forum from becoming political. opment in Indonesia has often been praised Despite the dwindling numbers of sepa- Said Samuel Alex Petruz, deputy chair- by the international world, but when it ratist guerrillas, there is still some opposi- man of the East Timor provincial legislative comes to East Timor, the image becomes tion to integration with Indonesia, which council: “It should not be a place for poli- poor,” Soeharto said. continue to be a source of instability in the ticking, it’s a communication forum for dif- Soeharto blamed the condition on the re- area. The military’s strong-arm tactics in ferent religious groups to solve problems.” lentless campaign by certain parties abroad preserving the peace have also not endeared which continue exploiting the question of them to the locals. East Timor. The sensitive situation is also aggravated “There’s no such thing as referendum in by the slow development of the East Timor our book,” Soeharto said, adding that the East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 61 process of East Timor’s integration into In- According to reports received by Publico, Timor. Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo had, at one donesia is complete. the Vatican’ has made considerable progress time, asked for an auxiliary Bishop to share in its decision to create a second “or even a the workload, but the Vatican did not look RELIGIOUS PROVOCATIONS third” Catholic diocese in East Timor. When kindly on that option: as a rule, an auxiliary IN WESTERN TIMOR the decision is implemented, the current Bishop is only appointed for large cities Apostolic Administrator of Dili, Ximenes and, in principle, there ought to be a theol- From Alan Dermody ,Nov. 30 Belo, will become Bishop of Baucau (east- ogy college in the respective diocese - which ern part of East Timor), and the Timorese is not the case in East Timor. Reports from Atambua in West Timor, capital will have a new Bishop. The priest The initial reaction of the priest chosen speak of deliberate provocations of Catho- who is said to have accepted the new posi- to take Ximenes Belo’s place in Dili was lics in this border region with East Timor. tion is apparently East Timorese and close negative, in accordance with guidelines from These acts follow a series of similar insults to Bishop Ximenes himself. However, pre- the presbyterial council (Bishop’s advisory of Catholic religious symbols in areas of mature publication of his identity could lead body). However, he later agreed to accept, East Indonesia and East Timor in recent his non-appointment (in line with the Vati- so as to avoid a pro-Indonesian person being months, making a pattern clearly noticeable. can’s usual practice). chosen. On Sunday 24 November in the morning Speaking on the telephone, Ximenes Belo The transfer of Bishop Belo to the new mass at the Catholic Cathedral of Atambua, was reluctant to comment on the news, and Baucau diocese does have a practical justifi- a member of another faith took the holy referred enquiries to the Vatican. He did, cation: most of the approximately 20 priests communion host, spat it on the floor and however, confirm that he himself had invited in the area which would be under his juris- trampled upon it. to the territory Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, diction would be Salesians. This would not He was taken into the sacristy by the Chairman of the Justice and Peace Pontifical be the case in the part that would be under priest to protect him from the angry congre- Council, who is a kind of permanent ambas- Dili, where most of the clergy would be di- gation. After mass, people broke into the sador for the Pope to countries in difficult ocesan or belong to other religious orders. church and beat the host profanator to situations. In recent years, the Cardinal has First impressions suggest that the death. visited countries such as the former USSR, changes in the ecclesiastic administration of That afternoon and evening a crowd of Cuba and China, and opened communication East Timor would benefit Indonesia. How- several thousand people marched in protest channels between the Vatican and the re- ever, in the territory itself, they are seen in a to the Atambua Bishop’s residence (Bishop spective governments. different light: the division would mean hav- Paing Ratu), who asked them to disperse. Etchegaray’s visit to East Timor could ing two Bishops to defend the rights of the During the demonstration at least one take place towards the end of next February. Timorese, unless of course the Vatican were other person was killed. Reports on this Could the visit be an opportunity for the to make the “tremendous mistake” of ap- incident vary. He is said to have been a Vatican to get first-hand information on the pointing someone pro Indonesian. “The member of the military, supposedly killed situation there? Mnsgr. Belo’s reserved re- people would not have the slightest respect when a tree branch on which other specta- ply to this question put to him by Publico for him and, effectively, the only Bishop tors of the demonstration had climbed, fell was “I invited him here for one or two days would continue to be Mnsgr. Ximenes.” on him. Another version mentions him as a to talk and meet with the priests.” There is no guarantee that the existence member of the police, who was struck by a The Cardinal’s visit could be a final stage of two Bishops would result in the constitu- tree branch after coarsely dealing with a nun. before the Holy See advances with its deci- tion of an autonomous Episcopal confer- On Monday Atambua was reported to be sion on the second diocese. Father José ence. Ximenes Belo is “Apostolic Adminis- calm, with a massive presence of military, Pacheco da Silva, Proctor of the Salesian trator” of Dili, and has no link to the Indo- arresting people. It has been impossible to Order (religious order to which Ximenes nesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Even establish telephone communication with Belo belongs), believes that “if Cardinal if there were two Bishops, the Vatican Atambua. All lines are out of order, accord- Etchegaray is going to Timor, it is to find might prefer to continue with the present ing to Indonesian telephone company per- out about the situation there.” He also said situation. Neither does Canon Law establish sonnel. there might even be “a third diocese,” and a fixed rule in this case. It refers to an Epis- that a “suitable opportunity” for making copal conference for the territory of a “same TIMOR DIVIDED BY VATICAN such a decision is awaited. It was not possi- nation.” According to Canon 448, in excep- ble to obtain confirmation of the date of tional cases, and providing that “the circum- Publico, 20 December 1995. Translated Etchegaray’s visit to Timor. Etchegaray is stances of the people or things dictate,” from Portuguese currently away, and only expected to return there may be an Episcopal conference for a CREATION OF NEW DIOCESE in early January. territory “of lesser or greater size” than a FORCES BISHOP BELO OUT OF DILI Ximenes wanted an assistant country. In Africa and Asia, for example, various Catholic Episcopal conferences con- Lisbon – Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo, the Ap- According to Father Pacheco da Silva, if a gregate the Bishops from different countries. ostolic Administrator of Dili, is to leave the “third diocese” were created, it would be Very recently, some Catalan Bishops sup- Timorese capital and transfer to the diocese located near West Timor - possibly Ma- ported the idea of setting up their own of Baucau, newly created by the Holy See. liana. Although a decision to divide the terri- autonomous conference, independent of the Bishop Belo’s substitute in Dili has already tory into two or three dioceses (instead of Spanish conference. This idea, however, was been chosen, and received by the Nuncio in the present single diocese based in Dili) is rejected by the Vatican. Jakarta. The move is now just matter of a interpreted as a victory for Indonesia, it According to Bishop Ximenes Belo (in- “suitable opportunity,” which could be the could turn against the regime at a later stage. terview in Publico, 20 May 1995), the Cardinal Etchegaray’s visit to the territory It was Indonesia that put pressure on the Timorese Church is currently in a period of in late February, on the invitation of Mnsgr. Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio (ambassador) in “growth, activity, liveliness and youthful- Belo. Jakarta to agree to create a second diocese, ness.” The approximately 700,000 Catholics with a view to “divide and conquer” East are served by a group of around 80 priests Page 62 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

(of which 29 are Timorese) and 220 nuns, We have not yet seen any news report traders from the southern part of Indone- spread over 30 parishes, 66 missionary sta- about a decision by the Vatican to split the sia’s Sulawesi island. tions, and 98 pastoral centres. East Timor diocese into two. TAPOL Religion and ethnicity are sensitive issues According to a religious source, the in East Timor, which Indonesia invaded in Church is badly lacking in resources. For EAST TIMOR DIOCESE: NO 1975 and annexed the following year in a example, there are no basic materials such as DECISION YET move not recognised by the United Nations. missals and bibles - at least in Portuguese. TAPOL Report, 4 January 1996 East Timor’s Roman Catholic Bishop Two years ago, the Bishop of Macao made Carlos Belo has said the rioting was due to Although the Portuguese media has been a gift of one thousand bibles to the people the Indonesian government’s failure to ad- full of reports since before Christmas to the of the territory, but they were never dress religious and ethnic tensions. effect that Vatican has decided to split the unloaded: the Indonesians say that books in Police earlier said about 20 people would East Timor diocese into two, I have been Portuguese are not allowed into East Timor. be brought to court in connection to the informed by the Portuguese embassy in The Timorese are certain that the bibles September rioting. London that the Vatican has not yet taken a have all been thrown into the sea. decision on the matter. The same source believes that there may MALIANA JAIL WARDEN According to press reports, the priest be another explanation for Indonesian influ- SENTENCED who will take over as the Bishop of Dili is ence over the Vatican - the fact that Jakarta Fr Basilio, a Timorese who is currently at a AFP, Jakarta (from Brisbane Courier Mail, has a very strong pressure group working in seminary in Evoro, Portugal. Nov 24, 1995) Rome (in comparison with the apparent ab- It is known that Cardinal Etchegaray, sence of the Portuguese state and episco- Former Maliana jail warden, Sanusi who heads the Pontifical Council for Peace pacy), keeping the Vatican informed of the Abubakar (35), was found guilty of insulting and Justice and who has special responsibil- “other version” of events in the territory. religion in public by a state court in Ma- ity for Vatican relations with ‘trouble Being a lone Bishop, Ximenes does not have liana, 138 km west of Dili and sentenced to spots,’ is due to visit East Timor before the the same clout as an Episcopal Conference almost 5 years jail. [heading to article says end of February. That visit is the result of a would have. In the latter case, information ‘Four years for riot remark’] request to the Vatican from Bishop Belo. It would have to be channelled through Portu- Chief judge, Sinansius Misnan, said the is not clear whether the decision about the gal or by the Portuguese Church. The source court had decided on the guilty verdict after diocese will be taken before or after that. went on to say that information, even false hearing testimonies from 12 witnesses, who information, helps considerably to build up said that Abubakar openly insulted Catholi- a picture, INDONESIAN GETS cism. FOUR YEARS JAIL Prosecutor Wayan Dana Arianta asked for 5 years, the maximum sentence for the VATICAN, JAKARTA WEAKENING OVER TIMOR RIOT CHURCH crime. DILI, East Timor, Nov 23 (Reuter) - An Reports of Abubakar’s remarks sparked BBC Monitoring, 29 December 1995, cour- 2 days of violent riots in September in Dili tesy TAPOL Indonesian prison official was sentenced to four years and 10 months in jail on Thurs- and other areas. Six police officers and at The East Timorese resistance movement day for insulting another religion in an inci- least 16 civilians were injured. More than today accused the Vatican of joining forces dent which sparked widespread rioting in 800 Muslim settlers have since left East with Indonesia in an attempt to weaken the troubled East Timor. Timor. East Timorese church and its Bishop, Xi- A district court in Maliana, 80 km (50 menes Belo. Speaking by phone from Sy d- miles) west of Dili, found Sanusi Abubakar SECOND PRISON OFFICIAL ney, Fretilin (sic) spokesman Ramos Horta guilty of insulting another religion. JAILED OVER TIMOR RIOT told Portuguese TV that neither he nor Dili “The defendant is guilty of insulting an- Bishop Ximenes were happy with the Vati- other religion,” presiding judge Sinasius JAKARTA, Jan 16 (Reuter) - An Indo- can’s decision to transfer Belo to a new dio- Misnan said when sentencing Abubakar in a nesian prison official was sentenced to four cese to be set up in Baucau, around 100km heavily-guarded trial session. years in jail on Tuesday for insulting an- east of Dili. Youths in the mostly Roman Catholic other religion in an incident which sparked ‘It is obvious that Indonesia and the former Portuguese colony rioted in Maliana, widespread rioting in troubled East Timor, Vatican have exactly the same intentions, to Dili and Viqueque in September when news the official Antara news agency reported. weaken the diocese of Dili, to weaken Belo,’ of the derogatory comments against Catholi- It quoted presiding judge Takarias (eds: Horta said. ‘Bishop Belo has already said cism made by Abubakar spread through the one name) as handing down the verdict that that he does not agree with the division of Indonesian-controlled territory. the 30-year-old Zakarias Sake, a prison offi- East Timor into more than one diocese be- Meanwhile, on Wednesday Dili district cial in the East Timorese town of Maliana, cause of the present unrest in the territory. court started the trial of three East Timorese was guilty of insulting another religion. He said that what is needed right now is to youths accused of assault and property de- “The defendant is guilty of insulting an- name another bishop, a deputy bishop for struction during the September riots in the other religion,” Takarias was quoted as say- Dili, someone who may assist Bishop Belo,’ capital. ing at the Maliana district court 80 km (50 Horta said. The charge of assault and destruction car- miles) west of the East Timorese capital of We oppose totally any decision by the ries a maximum sentence of two years in jail. Dili. Vatican which may satisfy Indonesian pres- Police estimated the damage from the ri- Youths in the predominantly Catholic sure, Indonesian political pressure,’ he said, oting, which included the burning down of former Portuguese colony rioted in Maliana, adding that Fretilin (sic) would be contacting Dili’s main Komoro market, at around two Dili and Viqueque last September when the Vatican immediately in order to discuss billion rupiah ($800,000). news of the official’s derogatory comments the issue. Komoro is among the several markets in against Catholicism spread through the In- East Timor dominated by Moslem Buginese donesian-controlled territory. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 63

The same court sentenced another Indo- arch Maha Ghossananda; Australian Bishop had been barred from boarding the flight on nesian prison official, Sanusi Abubakar, to Hilton Deakin; Irish Senator David Norris; the tourist resort island of Bali. four years and 10 months in jail last No- European Parliamentarian Patricia “None of us can get through. They won’t vember on similar charges. McKenna; British Lord Eric Avebury; U.S. let us through. They wouldn’t give us a rea- Police estimated the damage in the riot- Human Rights activists Reed Brody and son why, they said that it was to do with ing, which included the burning down of Brian Brown; Filipinas composed of award- immigration,” McKenna said from Denpasar Dili’s main Komoro market, at around two winning writer Ms. Ceres P. Doyo, Muslim airport in Bali. billion rupiah ($800,000). Komoro is among Princess Bai Saphia and Dr. Maria Lurenda An official of Merpati Airlines confirmed several markets in East Timor dominated by H. Suplido; African MP Daniel Botha and that eight people were prevented from Moslem Buginese traders from the southern Australian performer Paul Stewart. boarding their plane. Military officials were part of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island. More than 200 people were massacred not immediately available for comment. Religion and ethnicity are sensitive issues by Indonesian troops during a peaceful fu- The move comes three days before the in East Timor which Indonesia invaded in neral march on November 12, 1991. The fourth anniversary of the so-called Santa 1975. Indonesia proclaimed the territory its tragedy, which was recorded in video, ig- Cruz massacre, when troops opened fire on 27th province the following year in a move nited anew worldwide condemnation of the demonstrators at a funeral in the capital Dili, not recognised by the United Nations. occupation of East Timor by Indonesia and killing at least 50 youths. renewed calls for the latter’s withdrawal The incident provoked an international from the predominantly Catholic country. outcry and focused attention on Indonesia’s AHI NAKLAKAN Indonesia had earlier stoically diverted in- rule in the former Portuguese colony since DELEGATION DEPORTED ternational opinion away from its invasion its 1975 invasion. of East Timor since 1975. The United Na- The eight delegates also included Senator FROM EAST TIMOR tions has never recognized the Indonesian David Norris from Ireland, Bishop Soma annexation, but has yet to implement its from Japan, Anglican minister Ann Batten own resolutions calling on the Suharto re- from New Zealand, and Paul Stewart, an DELEGATION TO LAY gime to leave the territory. Only Australia Australian musician and a brother of a jour- WREATH AT SANTA has officially recognized Indonesia’s action nalist killed in East Timor in 1975. CRUZ CEMETERY in exchange for a joint exploitation with Ja- Other New Zealanders, including Maori karta of oil reserves in the Timor Gap. rights worker Naida Pou, and several Japa- Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor Press Ahi Naklakan aims to demonstrate a uni- nese were in the delegation. Release. Nov. 8, 1995 fied call for peace and justice in East Timor. Members of the delegation said they A simultaneous lighting of candles and Other expected actions emanating from this were planning an informal visit to Dili be- vigil around the world-to be sparked from activity include simultaneous demonstra- fore Sunday’s anniversary. inside East Timor-will culminate this year’s tions outside Indonesian embassies and the McKenna quoted officials as saying there commemoration of the fourth anniversary of placing of the “Ahi Naklakan” candles out- was “trouble” in Dili but said they declined the Dili massacre. The symbolic flame will side its premises. The campaign will climax to give details. emanate from a light flown out of East on December 10, International Human “You can’t go there, there’s trouble Timor by group of International luminaries Rights Day. December 7 also marks the there,” she quoted officials as saying. who will pray and lay a wreath at the Santa 20th year of the Indonesian invasion. Indonesian officials barred local human Cruz cemetery in Dili on November 9. APCET coordinator Gus Miclat says rights activist Poncke Princen from boarding Dubbed “Ahi Naklakan” (East Timorese that “Ahi Naklakan” not only symbolizes a flight to Dili from Denpasar on Wednes- term for “light), the world wide vigil calls the thousands of lives sacrificed in the East day, apparently for similar reasons, Princen for the immediate release of all political Timorese struggle for self-determination, but said. prisoners in East Timor and Indonesia in- also embodies their blazing hope of eventual Eight East Timorese youths left for Por- cluding resistance leader Xanana Gusmão. It liberation. tugal late on Wednesday after seeking asy- also calls for the implementation of the Ge- for reference: Gus Miclat, Coordinator lum in the Dutch embassy 24 hours earlier, neva protocols in the bloodied territory. The APCET the third such move in a year. action is also demanding that the United Na- #2 Matulungin Street, Central District INDONESIA THWARTS EAST tions intervene more forcefully and allow Quezon City, Philippines. TIMOR ‘PEACE PILGRIMS’ the International Red Cross, Red Crescent Phone/fax 63-2-921-6774. Email and other impartial groups into the former [email protected] By Jim Della-Giacoma Portuguese colony. JAKARTA, Nov 9 (Reuter) - Indonesia More than a dozen personalities from INDONESIA BARS prevented foreign activists from commemo- different countries led by the Chairperson of DELEGATION FROM rating the 1991 killing of unarmed protesters the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor in East Timor on Thursday by expelling (APCET), Bishop Aloisius Nobuo Soma, FLYING TO DILI seven and barring eight from entering the went to Dili today on a private visit. They JAKARTA, Nov 9 (Reuter) - Indonesian territory, officials said. are expected to pray at the Sta. Cruz ceme- The so-called peace pilgrimage by Ameri- tery and light the Ahi Naklakan flame. They officials prevented several foreign dignitar- ies, including a Japanese bishop, an Irish can, Japanese, Australasian and European will also meet with local leaders and call on individuals highlighted the issue of East the Suharto government for a dialogue. senator and a European member of parlia- ment, from boarding a flight to East Timor Timor, which was invaded by Indonesian Bishop Soma was joined by Indonesian forces in 1975 and has been ruled with an Muslim leader Haji Abdurrachman Wahid; on Thursday, a delegation member said. Patricia McKenna, a European MP from iron hand since. Indonesian-Dutch human rights leader “I asked them to leave and I would have Poncke Princen; Cambodian Buddhist patri- Ireland, told Reuters by telephone that the eight, on an unofficial tour to the territory, used force if they refused,” Y.S. Triswoyo, Page 64 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

East Timor’s immigration chief, told Reuters “I think we experienced in a very mild flight for Dili, East Timor but was asked to by telephone from Dili. way for 24 hours what the people of East deplane from my Sempati flight at the air- The incidents follow the departure of Timor experience all the time,” he said. port by the Indonesian government,” Soma eight East Timorese youths for Portugal on Triswoyo said he feared that the groups said in a statement. Wednesday after seeking asylum in the could undermine stability, adding their ac- During the Dili massacre, Indonesian sol- Dutch embassy in Jakarta 24 hours earlier. tivities were not compatible with their diers opened fire on demonstrators at a fu- A member of the expelled group, Reed status as tourists. neral in East Timor’s Santa Cruz cemetery, Brody, told Reuters by telephone after ar- “I know that they are trying to collect in- killing dozens of protestors. riving in Bali that the group included Namib- formation. It is not natural that tourists are The government admitted that 50 people ian MP Daniel Botha and American, Ger- collecting information,” Triswoyo said. “It were killed in the incident, but international man, Australian and Filipino activists. would be better for them not to have come human rights groups put the death toll at “We were told no tourist would be al- this time.” more than 200. The incident sparked inter- lowed in Dili before the 12th of November national outcry and focused attention on and we would have to leave for security rea- INDONESIA EXPELS E TIMOR Indonesia’s nearly 20 years of rule in the sons,” Brody, adding that only six members VISITORS former Portuguese colony. of the expelled group were on the flight. By Sukino Harisumarto Immigration officials in Jakarta confirmed Residents in Dili reported increased mili- the expulsions, saying the visitors were in tary security in the town before the anniver- JAKARTA, Nov. 9 (UPI) – Indonesian East Timor with unclear reasons. sary on Sunday of the 1991 Santa Cruz security authorities Thursday exp elled Rahardi Suroprawiro, director of control massacre, when troops shot dead at least 50 seven foreigners from East Timor and pre- and execution for the immigration office, people who were taking part in a procession vented the several other dignitaries from told the state-run Antara news agency that to mourn the death of a pro-independence boarding a flight to the troubled province the move was taken because of fears the activist. three days before anticipated demonstra- visitors could be in danger if there are dem- The expelled six were Botha, Americans tions marking the anniversary of the massa- onstrations commemorating the fourth anni- Brody and Brian Brown, Australian Abo- cre in Dili. versary of the Dili massacre. riginal poet Lionel Fogerty, an Australian Immigration officials said there was a fear Suroprawiro said the foreigners’ presence doctor Andrew McNaughton and an Austra- for the visitors’ safety if violence erupts could incite East Timor residents to protest lian journalist travelling with the delegation. during the commemoration of the Nov. 12, the massacre. Officials said seven had been expelled. 1991, massacre in which dozens of protes- Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo, mean- Brody said another three, who could not tors were killed during a funeral. while, said the immigration office had au- be found by authorities on Thursday morn- Reed Brody, an attorney from the United thority to expel the foreigners. ing, were to be expelled overland. States, told United Press International by “The immigration has its own reason to Their expulsion followed the earlier bar- telephone from the Indonesian tourist city do the move...maybe the foreigners’ pres- ring of eight dignitaries from boarding a of Bali that he and his six colleagues were ence in East Timor was not in line with the flight in Bali to Dili. Officials told them it expelled from East Timor after a brief 24- existing procedures,” Adiwijoyo said. was for their own safety, one of the group, hour stay in the former Portuguese colony. European MP Patricia McKenna, told He said 15 Indonesian security police told them to leave the beach they were visit- INDONESIANS STOP PEACE Reuters from Bali. PILGRIMAGE TO EAST The eight also included Senator David ing. Norris from Ireland, Bishop Soma from Ja- “This morning, we were lectured by head TIMOR pan, Anglican minister Ann Batten from of (Dili) immigration who told us to make Press Release from Asia-Pacific Coalition New Zealand, and Paul Stewart, an Austra- sure only to behave as tourists, if not, we for East Timor, 9 November 1995 lian musician and a brother of a journalist will be picked up one by one,” Brody said. killed in East Timor in 1975. “But then at about 11:30 Thursday, An international peace pilgrimage to East The Indonesian foreign ministry said in a Triswoyo, the head of the immigration in Timor was prevented by Indonesian au- statement it regretted several “foreign digni- East Timor told us that we would all have to thorities from proceeding from Bali today. taries” had been prevented from boarding a leave and that no tourist would be allowed The group was led by Japanese Bishop plane. in Dili before the 12th of November. We and Aloisius Nobuo Soma, Honorary Chairper- The statement said the decision was the other tourists would have to leave now son of the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East made because of continuing activities by for security reasons,” Brody said. A group Timor (APCET) which initiated the aborted anti-integration groups in creating disorder led by Japanese visit. Soma’s party included Irish senator in East Timor. Brody, an American human Bishop Aloisius Nobuo Soma, who is David Norris, European Green Party par- rights lawyer, said his group arrived in Dili also Honorary Chairperson of the Asia- liamentarian Patricia McKenna, Maori on Tuesday and Wednesday and had been Pacific Coalition for East Timor (APCET), leader Naida Pau, New Zealand Greenpeace under surveillance the entire time. was prevented from leaving on their char- leader and Anglican minister Rev. Ann Bat- “When we went to the beach on tered plane from East Java’s capital of Sura- ten, Australian performer Paul Stewart and Wednesday night to try and find somewhere baya for East Timor. Soma’s British interpreter. A Japanese jour- to talk we were surrounded by at least 15 The party had planned to lay a wreath nalist tagging along was likewise stopped. riot police and virtually forced back into our and pray for the victims of the Nov. 12, The party was already inside their Ga- hotel,” he said. 1991 Dili massacre, but the flight was can- ruda flight for Dili this morning when Indo- Brody said the group was disappointed celed after Indonesian officials told them nesian officials asked them to deplane. They they were unable to hold an ecumenical ser- that as of Thursday, East Timor officially were told that East Timor was officially vice in the Santa Cruz cemetery but their was closed. closed starting today. experience would draw attention to the “I arrived today (Thursday) at the Sura- Indonesian authorities have in the past plight of East Timorese. baya airport with the intention to board a declared that East Timor, which they forci- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 65 bly annexed in 1975, was open to anyone faithful in Japan, I feel it a duty incumbent We have likewise prayed for the brave wishing to visit. They claimed that every- upon me to go to the Santa Cruz cemetery Indonesian people who continue to struggle thing was normal in their “27th province.” and offer prayers there where the actual in- for their own freedoms. But the United Nations has never recog- cident took place. And as we pray, we have today also nized Indonesian authority over the former I hereby express great regret that the car- brought out from East Timor a blazing light Portuguese colony. Only Australia has offi- rying out of my work of the Catholic of peace, the Ahi Naklakan. cially accepted Jakarta’s sovereignty in ex- Church has been prevented in this way by As we speak this light will simultane- change for a joint oil exploration of the the Indonesian Government’s deporting me ously burn all over the world until Decem- Timor Gap that separates the island from and I hereby protest this action. ber 10, Human Rights Day. East Timorese the Australian continent. Aloisius Nobuo Soma exiles, their friends and supporters will light The peace pilgrimage planned to lay a 9 November 1995 torches and candles and some will place wreath and pray for the victims of the No- The following statements were issued them outside Indonesian embassies, vember 12, 1991 Dili massacre. Almost 300 before the group was prevented from car- churches or parks. people were killed in that carnage which the rying out their pilgrimage: Ahi Naklakan will be kept aflame until world saw on video. Suharto releases all political prisoners; ap- Statement of the East Timor Ahi Nak- East Timorese exiles and their supporters ply the Geneva protocols in the conduct of lakan Pilgrim Group all over the world are organizing protest ac- the conflict and allow the International Red We are pilgrims of peace. tions and vigils outside Indonesian legations Cross/Crescent and the United Nations to Together, we journeyed to East Timor to in their respective locales. set up regular monitoring stations inside lay a wreath and pray for the victims of the They are likewise pressing for the release East Timor. 1991 Dili massacre and for all those who of all political prisoners in East Timor and These humble demands of the East have been killed or blighted by the 20 year Indonesia, the application of all Geneva pro- Timorese, if positively responded to, can be occupation of this gentle nation by the tocols in the territory and the monitoring of a first step in the process of healing, in the armed forces of Indonesia. independent international agencies. quest for lasting and genuine peace. We went in peace and we come out in Soma’s party was planning to rendez- May the Ahi Naklakan continue to shine peace, re-affirming our commitment to a vous with an earlier group that succeeded in in all the dark corners of this world and in peaceful and honorable solution to the dis- entering Dili earlier. the depths of our hearts forever. cord in this strife-torn country. STATEMENT ON BEING DENIED For peace has been elusive in East Timor. AHI NAKLAKAN PARTICIPANT And the people there continue to live in vio- ENTRY TO DILI, EAST TIMOR PROFILES lent circumstances. By Aloisius Nobuo Soma, Retired Bishop Lately, young East Timorese have been CAHAYA PILGRIM TOUR Emeritus of the Diocese of Nagoya, Japan; summarily arrested, and like before, some AHI NAKLAKAN Chairperson, Asia-Pacific Coalition for East have never been heard of again. participant personal profiles Timor (APCET) This is but a reprise to the tragedy that IRELAND: I arrived today, November 9, at the Sura- has befallen virtually every East Timorese 1. Senator David Norris, prominent Irish baya Airport with the intention to board a family who have lost someone or a friend politician, on the Irish Foreign Affairs Par- flight for Dili, East Timor but was asked to since Suharto’s forces invaded them in 1975. liamentary Committee which advises the deplane from my Sempati flight at the air- But what is disturbing is that the Suharto Irish Government on foreign policy. Senator port by the Indonesian Government. regime is trying to sow more discord by Norris is world authority on James Joyce, I am a Japanese Catholic Bishop and a claiming that the recent disturbances are re- and has toured the world lecturing on this close friend of the leader of the Catholic ligiously inspired. subject. He is noted author, broadcaster and Church in East Timor, Bishop Belo. The This is a blatant and desperate lie. playwright. He has broadcast and published purpose of my trip to East Timor was to Our group included respected Indonesian internationally on a variety of literary, social pray for the souls of the victims of the ter- Muslim leaders. We all saw that the prob- and legal topics. Senator Norris is Chairman rible Santa Cruz massacre that took place on lem is rooted not in ethnic or religious prem- of the James Joyce Cultural Center, Trustee November 12, 1991. ises but in the complete disregard of the ba- of the James Joyce Foundation, and Life According to investigations by respected sic human right of the East Timorese people member of the University of Dublin Phi- international human rights organizations, the to determine the course of their lives. A losophical Society. Senator Norris is also a precious lives of 273 youths were taken by growing movement of Indonesians are sig- Committee Member of the Irish Council of Indonesian troops in this incident. Yet the nificantly, albeit belatedly, finding out this Civil Liberties. He was awarded the Walter Indonesian Government has still not re- truth. Wormser Harris Prize Gold Medal for Eng- vealed the truth about what happened, and And as we remembered the dead in Santa lish Literature. to this day we do not know the full reality. Cruz cemetery, we likewise prayed for the 2. Euro Parliamentarian Mrs Patricia Of particular concern is the fact that the living. McKenna, Vice President of the Greens in bodies of the victims have never been re- We prayed that those who continue to the European Parliament. Elected as Ire- turned to their families, and the youths who struggle for peace may continue to be ener- land’s first Green MEP in 1994 by a large went missing after the incident, almost the gized by the historical inevitability of jus- vote, she sits on committees dealing with same number as those who were killed, are tice. EU legislation on the environment, fisheries largely still unaccounted for to this day. We prayed that governments, specially in and women’s rights. Among her parliamen- Surely, any human being would be natu- the region which have been fraternally silent tarian victories are securing support for a rally moved to mourn such a terrible tragedy over the two-decade genocide should surface ban on driftnet use in fisheries, and jointly that claimed the lives of so many people and from their quiet complicity and exert their writing various motions against nuclear test- to want to offer prayers for them. But as a influence in mediating a peaceful solution to ing adopted by the European Parliament. Catholic Bishop representing many Catholic the conflict. Patricia McKenna has a history of several Page 66 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. years involvement in the free East Timor setting up the ‘Oan Kiak’ scholarship to tions to the UN Secretary General on behalf campaign. She has heavily criticised EU help East Timorese orphans. of Asian Bishops and other church leaders. countries such as Britain and Germany for 6. Lionel Fogarty, is one the most ac- He established and chaired the Persian their supply of weapons to Indonesia. claimed Aboriginal poets and writers in the Gulf Refugees Relief Committee, and made NEW ZEALAND: new wave of Black Australian literature. He investigative missions to the Middle East in has published seven anthologies of poems. the early 1990s. He has visited Central and 3. Reverend Ann Batten, one of the first He has been at the forefront of Black politi- , as well as East Timor on NZ women ordained in the Anglican cal struggle since the early 70’s. His words survey tours. Church. In NZ she is politically active in have given shape and depth to the innermost Bishop Soma is the Honorary Chairper- Maori self-determination issues. She is also realities of his people. son of the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East active in social justice issues, including the Lionel is one of the few Black political Timor (APCET) established in Manila in Anti-Nuclear and Independence movement, leaders who has held to a broader sense of 1994. He was awarded the Asahi Shimbun as well as anti-racism issues in NZ, and political struggle. He has spoken out on a Welfare Prize in 1991. women’s equality. She is a member of variety of issues, keeping himself conver- Bishop Soma travels with two compan- Greenpeace, and has a strong background in sant with the struggles and tragedies of op- ions-Journalist Yuzuru Oshihara who has the support of Maori environmental issues. pressed peoples around the world. He trav- prior experience in the region and interpreter Rev Batten is also a Labor parliamentary els widely, speaking about his land and S. Lewia candidate for Auckland. Her most recent people. Lionel has followed closely the action was to organise a charter “Women’s UNITED STATES plight of the people of East Timor. Peace Flight” to Tahiti to protest against 10. Mr Brian Brown, Director of Projects 7. Andrew McNaughton, a Darwin med- French nuclear testing and to support the at Freedom House in New York. ico for the past 3 years and a member of Tahitian pro-independence movement. She 11. Mr Reed Brody, Human Rights spe- “Australians For A Free East Timor, An- attained high media profile both in NZ and cialist, consulting with UN Human Rights drew has thrown himself into advocacy for Tahiti as a result of this action. agencies. Directed UN HR missions to El human rights for East Timor, including visit- 4. Naida Pou, Maori Activist. During the Salvador, International Human Rights Law ing and being ejected by the Indonesian mili- last decade, Naida Pou has been active to Group, Former Executive Secretary of In- tary for filming demonstrations, and creating advance the social, economic and political ternational Commission of Jurists etc. a photo exhibition of WW2 military in- status of the Tangata Whenua (indigenous) volvement in East Timor by Japan and Aus- GERMANY people of Aotearoa, as equal partners in the tralia which led to 60,000 largely unrecog- 12. Jürgen Meier, Secretary General Waitangi founding treaty of New Zealand. nised deaths then. German-Asia Foundation, activist with the She has sought to promote sovereign power Greens in Germany. and cultural integrity of her people. NAMIBIA: In the past five years her focus has been 8. Daniel Botha Former Member of the INDONESIA: on the health system, where she has devel- Parliament, Namibia. Mr. Botha was Dep- 13. Haji Abdurrachman Wahid is Chair- oped strategic directions for Maori Health uty Whip of SWAPO at the Namibian Na- person of the Nahadlatul Ulama, the largest within Auckland Health care, the largest tional Assembly from 1990 to present. He Moslem organization in Indonesia with a health institution in New Zealand and the was a member of the Namibian Constituent membership of 35 million. Nahadlatul largest single organization in the country. Assembly in 1989. Prior to the assembly, he Ulama, and particularly Gus Dur, as Haji Naida is also involved in work aiming to was for five years a lecturer of Religious Wahid is commonly known, have resisted reform the justice system. She is chairper- Studies at the University of Namibia. He is cooption by Suharto. In 1994, Suharto failed son of the Auckland District Maori Council, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church in his interventions aimed at preventing Gus regional Maori representative body. Her (Protestant).Mr. Botha is currently on a Dur from being re-elected to the Chair of position as Commissioner on the Waitangi fellowship at the Center for Studies in Relig- N.U. Gus Dur is known for his liberalism Fisheries Commission is of great importance ion and Society, University of Victoria, and tolerance of other groups and religious. towards ensuring future equitable fisheries Canada. He is also actively involved in Last year, he defied a government ban for- resource distribution for the Maori people. South-South solidarity exchanges. bidding Indonesians to visit Israel, and went AUSTRALIA JAPAN: there to participate in a conference on ecu- menical understanding. He is also the chair- 5. Paul Stewart has actively been in- 9. Bishop Aloisius Nobuo Soma. The man of Forum Demokrasi, a pro-democracy volved in the campaign for an independent former Bishop of the Diocese of Nagoya, organization grouping various prominent East Timor since his brother Tony Stewart Japan, has been in charge of the Japanese people of different religions, political orien- 21, was killed along with four other Austra- Catholic Council for Justice and Peace since tation and ethnic background in Indonesia. lian based journalists by Indonesian troops 1974. Bishop Soma has had an active in- 14. Haji Johannes Cornelius Princen, in Balibo in 1975. He has attended many volvement in Justice and Peace issues, pre- born on November 21, 1925, in Den Haag, rallies and organize numerous fund raisers senting petitions to the second and third UN Holland became an Indonesian citizen in and benefits for the cause in the past 20 Special Session on Disarmament (SSD) on 1948 after assisting in the struggle for Indo- years. disarmament and abolition of nuclear weap- nesian independence. Haji Princen, raised A member of noted Australian rock band ons. and educated in Holland, was imprisoned in The Painters and Dockers, he was one of the An ex-Japanese soldier in the Pacific with 1943-44 by Germany. After prison, he was main organizers of “The All In The Family” a horror of war has long been active in peace recruited by the Dutch Army and sent to compilation CD released 12 months ago and humanitarian issues in Japan, the Mid- Indonesia. In 1948, H. Princen joined the which features top Australian rock acts dle East, the Americas, the UN and East Indonesians in the colonial revolution Midnight Oil and others. Sold in large num- Timor. against Holland. On October 5, 1949, Indo- bers both in Australian and Internationally, Bishop Soma has appealed on behalf of nesia’s first president, Soekarno, awarded the CD has raised close to $40,000 which at East Timor before the UN Special Commit- him a Guerrilla Star. He was converted to Bishop Belo’s request has gone towards tee on Decolonisation, and presented peti- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 67

Islam in 1953 and entered the Indonesian negotiations held under the auspices of King Inquirer and its Sunday magazine. The Phil- Parliament in 1956. Sihanouk in North Korean capital of Py- ippine Daily Inquirer is one of the two ma- From 1958-59, Princen was imprisoned ongyang, and to a second round of negotia- jor Philippine dailies enjoying the largest by President Soekarno for his criticism of tions held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to help circulation. Ms. Doyo had been connected the president. seek an end to that country’s long standing with religious groups before and is very well In 1966, H. Princen established the Insti- civil war. respected as a columnist critical of the tute for the Defense of Human Rights in Maha Ghosananda authored the book status quo and an advocate of human rights, Indonesia where has had since been the Di- “Step by Step: Mediations on Wisdom and justice and peace. rector. From 1966-72, H. Princen was im- Compassion” (1992). He was granted the Ms. Doyo has joined many fact-finding prisoned several times for his involvement 1992 Rafto Foundation Prize for Human and medical missions in the Philippine coun- in the student movement. In 1970, H. Prin- Rights in Bergen, Norway, and was nomi- tryside since the dark days of Marcos’ mar- cen joined in establishing the Indonesian Le- nated for the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize by tial rule. She is also a recipient of the Catho- gal Aid Foundation. >From 1974-76, H. R.I. Senator Claiborne Pell, Chairperson of lic Mass Media Award for Journalism given Princen was imprisoned in connection with the US Senate Foreign relations Committee. by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the the Malari Incident. THE PHILIPPINES: Philippines. In 1978, H. Princen acted as defense 16. Myrna D. Arceo is a professor at the lawyer in the case of Tanjung Priok. In WHAT IS APCET? women’s St. Scholastica’s College for the 1991, H. Princen was forced to meet regu- APCET is a coalition of about 50 local, last 20 years. She teaches Theology of Lib- larly with military command for intensive national, sub-regional, regional and interna- eration and Women’s Studies. At the same interrogations relating to the demonstration tional organizations and institutions in- time, she has been working with interna- of East Timorese students after the Novem- volved in solidarity initiatives on East tional solidarity groups. From 1990 to 1992, ber 12, 1991 massacre in the Santa Cruz Timor. she served as director of the international cemetery in Dili, East Timor. It is an offshoot of the much-ballyhooed solidarity network desk of the Association Princen affectionately called Poncke, has Asia-Pacific Conference on East Timor held of Major Religious Superiors of the Philip- played an active role in the political devel- in Manila last May-June, 1994. pines (AMRSP). She is also a consulting opment on Indonesia and continues to be a Japanese Bishop Emeritus Aloisius No- member of Synapses, a Chicago based jus- strong advocate for greater democratic rights buo Soma is APCET’s Honorary Chairper- tice and peace organization. in Indonesia. son. It has a Steering Committee composed Myrna is also active with the women’s of the following: Max Lane (Australia); CAMBODIA: artists group, Kasibulan and a street children Freddie Gamage (Sri Lanka); Boonthan 15. Venerable Samdech Preah Maha Gho- program, Bahay Tuluyan, concurrently Verawongse (Thailand); Renato Constan- sananda, known as “The Gandhi of Cambo- serving as board of member of both organi- tino, Jr. (Philippines); Rachland Nashidik dia” was elected as Supreme Patriarch of zations. Her reflections on justice and peace (Indonesia); Kiyoko Furusawa (Japan); Cambodian Buddhism by assembly of and liberation have been published and Maria Pakpahan (Indonesia/Women) and monks in Paris, France in 1988. He was be- translated internationally. A mid lifer, she Gus Miclat who is its current Coordinator. stowed the title of “Samdech Preah” of Su- explores now an integration of justice and The APCET secretariat is based at the preme Patriarch by King Sihanouk in 1992. healing, particularly for women. Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) in In 1957, he received his doctoral degree from Myrna’s published works include the Philippines. Nalanda University, with the title of “Maha “Nirilisan: The Story of Women’s Empow- Ghosananda,” 14 years after being initiated erment,” 1989; “Filipina Encounters the into Cambodian monkshood. Palestinian Struggle,” 1990; “Faith and the STATEMENT FROM REED Maha Ghosananda entered hermitage in Intifada: Palestinian Christian Voices,” BRODY IN BALI southern Thailand in 1965, and in 1978 1992; and “Spirituality and Justice: An en- greeted the first influx of Cambodian refu- counter with Mother Earth,” 1994 among Statement from Reed Brody, one of the U.S. gees entering Sakeo camp following the ex- others. people on the Ahi Naklakan delegation that pulsion of Khmer Roughe regime from 17. Maria Lurenda H. Suplido, MD was was kicked out of East Timor yesterday. He power. From 1978 to 1980, he established a student leader and editor of university gave this to me over the phone at 7:30 pm Buddhist temples in each refugee camp on student publications while she was studying Bali time ( 6:30 am EST) on Thursday, Nov. the Thai-Cambodian border. In 1980, he for a medical degree at the University of the 9: represented Khmer nation in exile as con- Philippine College of Medicine. As an ecumenical delegation, we went to sultant to the United Nations Economic and She is currently a member of the Execu- East Timor to hold a service in commemora- Social Council and in the same year co- tive Committee and Board of Directors of tion of the victims of the 1991 Dili massa- founded Inter Religious Mission for Peace. the International Physicians for the Preven- cre. Although we were prevented from car- In 1992, Maha Ghosananda initiated and tion of Nuclear War, recipient of the Nobel rying out the ceremony at the Santa Cruz since led the annual Dhamayieta peace walk Peace Prize in 1985. She is also a member of cemetery, we were able to light candles and through war torn Cambodia. He was named the Medical Action Group, a non govern- to say prayers at the statue of Christo Rey. honorary leader of Ponlou Khmer, citizens’ ment organization of doctors and other Equally important, in our 24 hours, were coalition, which was granted permanent health professionals dedicated to concern of able to experience, in a very small way, seats to the Constitutional Assembly. At human rights. what the East Timorese people must face the assembly, he presented proposals for Lolit will be joining Initiatives for Inter- every day under Indonesian occupation. We inclusion of articles guaranteeing protection national Dialogue next year, working on the were constantly followed by Indonesian of human rights in the Constitution and for organization’s Global Education and Train- security. At one point, we were surrounded non violent resolution of the continuing ing Program. by police in full riot gear, and we were ex- Cambodian conflict. In 1994, he led a con- 18. Ma. Ceres P. Doyo is a columnist pelled from East Timor although we had tingent of highest ranking monks to peace and feature writer of the Philippine Daily done nothing wrong. Page 68 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

We also met with many East Timorese those who were killed were not returned is THERE IS NO SILENCE DEEP who bravely told us of the escalating repres- one injustice that is heaped on many injus- ENOUGH sion of the past weeks – of riot squads sys- tices in your beloved East Timor. On this NO BLACKOUT DARK ENOUGH tematically breaking into people’s houses, the 4th anniversary of the killings at the NO CORRUPTION THICK ENOUGH beating people in the kidneys, liver, and Santa Cruz cemetery my thoughts and NO BUSINESS DEAL BIG ENOUGH backs of their heads in an attempt to intimi- sympathies are with you all. I can assure NO POLITICIAN BENT ENOUGH date or incapacitate them from coming out. you that each day that passes the world is NO HEART HOLLOW ENOUGH We will each be bringing back candles wakening up to the situation of the Maubere NO GRAVE WIDE ENOUGH TO that we lit in East Timor to light candles all people. Here in Northern Ireland and BURY YOUR STORY AND KEEP IT over the world in solidarity with the people throughout the whole of Ireland many peo- FROM US of East Timor. ple are with you in your struggle for peace Love from a short distance, Bono and justice. I look forward to working with REPORT FROM DR ANDREW you in the future to ensure that the world Some people were extremely brave. They MCNAUGHTON IN BALI does not forget the plight of the East got in. they performed the ceremony. The 9 November 1995 Timorese. might of the Indonesian army, which is one of the largest and most excellently equipped Andrew flew to Dili from Darwin for a FROM BONO AND DAVID NORRIS armies in the world, could not stop the light- couple of days and was hassled most of the ing of this small candle, which is a very gen- time. He was meeting with 6 other people Source: R.T.E. Television, Dublin. The Late tle act. One of the people gave me the can- on the Cahaya Pilgrim tour on a Dili beach Late Show., Nov. 21. dle. and so far from actually extinguishing last night and they were surrounded by riot N.B. The Late Late Show is Ireland’s top TV the Flame, they actually fanned the Flame police and forced to leave. show. It is also the longest running TV chat and I hope to have the opportunity to pre- Immigration met with them today and show in the world. It is also transmitted in sent it to President Mary Robinson.” told them the situation was volatile in Dili Britain by Channel 4. Last Friday Senator around the 12th November and they were David Norris, recently barred by the occu- COALITION FOR PEACE advising tourists to leave but they had the pation forces, from entering East Timor, (PHILIPPINES) 12 NOVEMBER 1995 choice to stay. One hour later Immigration was a guest on the show. His biography has told them they had been advised by Jakarta just been published called ‘The Cities of Greetings of Peace! that no tourists were to be in East Timor David.’ The below comments were used by Today we commemorate the fourth anni- from the 8th November till after the 16th. him on the show. versary of the Dili massacre, in which around three hundred of your countrymen Andrew and co. rang Jakarta and tried to get Senator David Norris “If I could add permission to stay but couldn’t. and women burying a slain activist were something here. It is prompted by seeing themselves gunned down and bayonetted to They told Immigration in Dili they my good friend Patricia McKenna, Member wanted to visit the large statue of Christ death by Indonesian soldiers in the Dili of the European Parliament in here. She and cemetery. It was also the sixteenth year of that the Indons were building on Crocodile I have just returned from Indonesia from Head, a peninsula near Dili. Immigration the Indonesian occupation of your country: where we were trying to get into East this year marks the second decade. agreed and drove them there saying they Timor. It’s a tragic situation there, where could stay for 15 minutes. The group per- You have suffered so much death under 200,000 people out of a population of this occupation and in the course of your formed a candle lighting ceremony lighting 640,000 were murdered by the Indonesians. 20 candles and Lionel Fogarty an Australian struggle to regain your freedom; you are be- We were there to commemorate a massacre reaved of almost a third of your people in Aboriginal poet read some of his poetry and there, in Dili, in which 300 people were shot sang a song in his native language about in- the past twenty years. Yet, or, perhaps, all dead by the Indonesian military in a grave- the more so because of this, in the face of digenous peoples around the world uniting. yard. The East Timor Ireland Solidarity The ceremony lasted 30 mins and was this darkness you continue to assert your Campaign gave me a message from Bono of claim to the light of life and of liberation. partly filmed. They were driven back to Dili U2 to be read in the cemetery. I did not get then flown to Bali. Today you light your freedom torch and in. We were taken off the plane and detained begin your vigil of Ahi Naklakan. With the All members of the group experienced but I read the message in the airport and enough oppression from Intel to have a bet- Asia Pacific Coalition for East Timor asked people to transmit it across the world. (APCET), we, too, light our candles and ter understanding of the situation in East Three American women burst into tears Timor. torches, in memory of your dead who illu- when they heard the message it was so minated the path during the dark night, in powerful. SOLIDARITY MESSAGES solidarity with your burning desire for free- dom, and to signal the dawning of your lib- Nov. 9, 1995 TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF EAST eration, and, in spirit, begin to keep vigil TIMOR with you for that dawn. FROM MAIREAD MAGUIRE, NOBEL On behalf of myself Bono and the band We join APCET in their demands for the release of all political prisoners, the immedi- PEACE LAUREATE U2, on behalf of most scribes and poets, most music, film and object makers both ate application of international law in your TO THE HEROIC EAST TIMORESE here in Ireland and around the world: Please country, and the admission – for the estab- PEOPLE be sure that we know of your struggle and lishment of stations or for regular visits – of from the Community of the Peace Peo- that even if we are not allowed to see you, international agencies such as the Interna- ple, Belfast, Nov 9. know that we hear of you and that when we tional Committee of the Red Cross and the It is with regret that I am unable to be don’t hear from you we think of you...all Red Crescent, Amnesty International, and with you for the commemoration of the Dili the more... the United Nations– especially on the occa- massacre this year. Unfortunately I have sion of the latter’s half-century anniversary. prior commitments. That the remains of East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 69

We are honored that Filipinos were nity, the United Nations and other intern- pelling another foreign journalist and several among the participants in a tour of your governmental bodies to take concrete steps tourists, visitors said on Friday. country, to witness the lighting of your Ahi to deter Indonesia from continuing its subju- The tightening follows the expulsion of Naklakan, and condemn the Indonesian gov- gation of the East Timorese people. Ja- seven foreigners on Thursday and barring of ernment’s harassment of that solidarity ac- karta’s illegal annexation of East Timor goes eight others who were members of a so- tivity. against the wishes of the people of East called peace pilgrimage from entering the We are torn by that government’s con- Timor and is a mockery of UN resolutions territory. tradictory roles in two situations demanding recognizing the right to self-determination of “At least three other people, two of them a just and lasting peace: a warm and effec- the East Timorese. Danish tourists, have been asked to leave as tive mediator in the peace talks between our (Sgd.) Renato Constantino, Jr. For the well,” Hugh O’Shaughnessy, a journalist government and the Moro National Front Steering Committee with the Independent, told Reuters from the and a foreign interventionist in the govern- 10 November 1995 East Timor capital of Dili on Friday. ance of your country. c/o PCISP 3B Potsdam St., Cubao, Que- O’Shaughnessy, who is travelling on a We therefore make this additional call to zon City, PHILIPPINES fax: +63-2- tourist visa, said he had been told to leave the Indonesian government: In the light of 9120346 Dili for security considerations. your peacebuilding role in the Mindanao Others expelled on Thursday said three region of our country and elsewhere and INDONESIA SPIKES Filipinas from their group were being put on your founding and dynamic long-time lead- GROUP’S JOURNEY a flight to Bali later on Friday. ership of the Non-Aligned Movement, ear- Immigration officials were unavailable on nestly reflect on and reconsider your posi- The New Zealand Herald, Nov. 10, 1995 Friday to confirm the expulsion of the latest tion in East Timor and whether your inter- group of foreigners. ests in our region might not be better served JAKARTA, NZPA - Indonesian officials Reed Brody, one of the seven expelled on by ending your occupation of that country prevented a delegation of foreign dignitaries, Thursday, said authorities were intent on and building a new relationship with her including at least two New Zealanders, from ensuring all foreign visitors had left East people. boarding a flight to East Timor yesterday, Timor ahead of Sunday’s anniversary of the That would require a re-imagining of your says a delegation member. 1991 Santa Cruz massacre, when troops politics, but, as we approach the third mil- The New Zealanders in the group were shot dead at least 50 people who were tak- lennium, we are all, as nations and as peo- the Rev Ann Batten, an organiser of a 60- ing part in a procession to mourn the death ples, called to re-imagine almost everything. strong anti-nuclear group to Tahiti last of a pro-independence activist. In closing, we say to the East Timorese month and a Labour Party list candidate, “We were told no tourist would be al- people: May your Ahi Naklakan light the and a Maori rights campaigner, Naida Pou. lowed in Dili before the 12th of November way to your freedom and rally other strug- Patricia McKenna, from Ireland, said the and we would have to leave for security rea- gling peoples of our world to see it through group of eight, on an unofficial tour to the sons,” Brody said on Thursday. to the dawns of their own just and lasting territory, had been barred from boarding the Brody said the seven expelled and put on peace. flight on the tourist resort island of Bali. a flight to Bali with him included Namibian Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel “None of us can get through. They won’t member of parliament Daniel Botha and Secretary-General, Coalition for Peace. let us through. They wouldn’t give us a rea- American, German, Australian and Filipino son why. They said that it was to do with activists. PHILIPPINE SOLIDARITY FOR EAST immigration,” Patricia McKenna said from “We have the rights of sovereignty,” Ma- TIMOR AND INDONESIA - PHILSETI Denpasar Airport in Bali. jor-General Abdul Rivai, the commander of An official of Merpati Airlines confirmed Press Statement, Nov. 12, 1995 the Udayana military region which includes that eight people were prevented from East Timor, told reporters in Jakarta on Fri- The Indonesian government is doing it boarding their plane. Military officials were day. again! It has declared East Timor closed not available for comment. “If through visiting foreigners can stimu- starting Thursday, November 9. It has The move comes three days before the late certain actions then we can expel them,” stopped an international delegation of peace fourth anniversary of the so-called Santa Rivai said. and solidarity workers who were going to Cruz massacre when troops opened fire on He declined to comment on whether all East Timor to lay a wreath and pay respect demonstrators at a funeral in the capital, visiting foreigners were being asked to leave to the Dili massacre victims - both the living Dili, killing at least 50 youths. East Timor ahead of Sunday. and the dead. The incident provoked an international Rivai spoke at a Heroes Day ceremony The Indonesian government hopes to outcry and focused attention on Indonesia’s where Defence Minister Edi Sudradjat in- shut off East Timor once again from the rest rule in the former Portuguese colony since ducted 13 East Timorese men into the Indo- of the world. But previous attempts have its 1975 invasion. nesian League of Veterans for their parts in a shown that it cannot isolate East Timor and 1959 rebellion against the Portuguese gov- the issue of its people. EAST TIMOR SECURITY ernment at Viqueque in East Timor. We, in the Philippine Solidarity for East TIGHTENS AHEAD OF Some of the men, who were exiled to An- Timor and Indonesia, a national solidarity ANNIVERSARY gola, later return to join the pro-integration formation of more than 60 people’s organi- Apodeti party. zation and NGOs, deplore this most recent By Jim Della-Giacoma [abridged] “Your struggle, either in Viqueque in June action of the Indonesian government. We are 1959 or during other events in the process concerned that such measure indicates the JAKARTA, Nov 10 (Reuter) - Indonesia has beefed up its security presence in East of integration, is part of the struggle of In- continuing intransigence of the Indonesian donesia as a whole,” Sudradjat said. government on the East Timor issue. Timor ahead of the weekend anniversary of the 1991 killing of unarmed protesters, ex- Residents in Dili have reported increased We strongly urge the Philippine govern- military security in the town before the an- ment as well as the international commu- niversary. Page 70 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

O’Shaughnessy said the city was quiet Edi denied however that the order had The minority Moslem community in but tense. come from his office or the Armed Forces East Timor have complained that the de- The Indonesian foreign ministry said on office. crees has prevented them from repairing the Thursday foreigners were being kept from A number of ‘foreign dignitaries’ were mosques, orphanages, and schools that were travelling to East Timor for their own safety barred from flying to Dili, capital of East damaged during last September’s racial riot because of continuing activities by anti- Timor, on Thursday, while seven others, in Dili and other cities in East Timor. integration groups. who were already in Dili, were asked to leave the province. MANILA RIGHTS GROUPS INDONESIA “DISHONEST” IN Among the foreigners ordered to leave CONDEMN JAKARTA BLOCKING TRIP Dili were Daniel Botha, a Namibian parlia- mentarian, Americans Reed Brody and Brian MANILA, Nov. 10 (UPI) - A coalition BRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuter) - Indonesia Brown, Australian aboriginal poet Lionel of Philippine human rights groups Friday was guilty of “appalling dishonesty” for Fogerty, and Filipinos Maria Suplido and condemned Indonesia for barring an interna- using immigration rules to block a visit by Myrna de Arceo. tional peace pilgrimage, including three Fili- ‘peace pilgrims’ to East Timor, members of These foreigners were believed to be pinos, from commemorating the 1991 mas- the European Parliament said on Thursday. planning to join a ceremony to mark the sacre of East Timorese people in Dili. The parliament’s Green group said it had fourth anniversary of an incident in which “We deplore this new evidence of Indo- complained to the assembly’s president af- East Timor protestors clashed with Indone- nesian high-handedness, their paranoia about ter Irish Euro-MP Patricia McKenna and sian troops. The Nov. 12, 1991, incident left keeping what is obviously no longer a se- seven other dignitaries were barred from 50 dead, according to an official investiga- cret,” said Renato Constantino Jr., chairman boarding a flight from Bali to Dili where tion. of the Philippine Solidarity for East Timor they planned to commemorate Indonesian Edi condemned the foreigners motives in and Indonesia. troops’ 1991 killing of unarmed protesters visiting East Timor. “It means that they are He said the pilgrimage had not been in- in the disputed territory. interfering in another country’s domestic tended to provoke trouble, but to acknowl- “The Greens have made a com- affairs,” Edi said, adding. “We can’t tolerate edge the victims of Indonesia’s illegal occu- plaint...arguing that it is intolerable for a anyone who undermines our integrity and pation in 1975. (Euro-MP) to be stopped from promoting stability,” Antara reported. On Thursday, Indonesian immigration of- human rights,” the Greens said in a state- Rahardi Suroprawiro, director for super- ficials blocked 15 dignitaries, already aboard ment. vision and operation at the Directorate Gen- a plane bound for the East Timorese capital Indonesian authorities also expelled seven eral of Immigration, said that, given the of Dili, from leaving Bali. The party in- others from East Timor, breaking up a so- situation in East Timor, the decision to bar cluded Irish Senator David Norris and Euro- called peace pilgrimage by American, Japa- foreigners from visiting East Timor was pean Green Party parliamentarian Patricia nese, Australasian and European individuals. taken in the interest of the foreigners’ McKenna. “Indonesia is trying to suppress any kind safety. About 10 other participants, including of scrutiny of its human rights record since The military authority in East Timor has the Filipinos, were reportedly taken from it invaded East Timor in 1975,” McKenna also defended the policy to momentarily their hotel room in Jakarta and were believed said in the statement. close East Timor to foreign visitors, whose made to join the party in Bali for deporta- “How can its leaders expect to be taken presence could create trouble. tion. seriously when they say they have done Maj. Gen. A. Rivai, chief of the Udayana “We are very concerned about the safety nothing wrong in Timor but are still refusing Command, said in Denpasar, Bali, that as a of the delegation,” Constantino said. international monitors, human rights groups sovereign state, Indonesia has the right to The Asia Pacific Coalition on East Timor and journalists from going there and carrying take measures it deems necessary to main- or APCET, an international human rights out investigations?” tain stability. group, condemned the move and worried “The officials we talked to admitted to us “If we had let them in, it is possible that over the fate of the Filipinos who were ap- that there was no immigration problem and their own safety could be endangered be- prehended. that you don’t need a special visa to go from cause they could become the target of peo- Japanese Catholic Bishop Aloisius No- one part of Indonesia to what they claim is ple’s anger. So, the measure was taken in the buo Soma, APCET’s chairman, who was to another part,” McKenna added. interest of their own protection,” Rivai said, lead the pilgrimage, worried over their fate. The Indonesian foreign ministry said in a Antara reported. “We do not know their status now. We statement the barring order was made be- In another development Governor Abilio do not know if they were under arrest, if cause of continuing activities by anti- José Osorio Soares said on Thursday that he they were detained,” Soma said. integration groups in creating disorder in would review a decree concerning the estab- APCET has scheduled for Saturday a East Timor. lishment of houses of worship he issued last press conference in Singapore where Soma July, which has been widely criticized by and the delegation were expected to attend. MILITARY DEFENDS BAN ON Moslem leaders in Jakarta as “discrimina- It said member organizations from differ- tory.” VISITS TO EAST TIMOR ent countries including Japan, Philippines, Abilio was quoted by the Jawa Pos as Malaysia, Thailand, United States, Great Jakarta Post, November 11, 1995 saying that that he would not “revoke” the Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada decree, as ordered by Minister of Home Af- were expected to picket the Indonesian Em- JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense fairs Moch. Yogie S.M. but only “review” bassies in their respective countries on and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat de- it. Monday and Tuesday. fended yesterday the immigration author- The decree requires non-Catholics to ob- The demonstrations will be highlighted ity’s decision on Thursday to bar foreigners tain permission from the local Catholic par- by candle lighting ceremonies and prayer from visiting East Timor. ish priest before they can build, or repair, offerings for the 273 victims of the Nov. 12, their houses of worship. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 71

1991 massacre by Indonesian troops against enough. No business deal big enough. No “They drove me to the karaoke last East Timorese demonstrators. politician bent enough. No heart hollow night,” laughed journalist McGregor, adding Soma said the bodies of the victims were enough. No grave wide enough to bury your that despite the tight security he was able to not returned to their families, and “almost story and keep it from us,” said Bono in his ship his pictures as well as his reports via the same number of those killed” are still statement. another foreigner deported earlier. missing. Indonesian soldiers opened fire and killed In a related development, Indonesian De- East Timor was a former Portuguese col- more than 270 East Timorese protesters in fense Minister Gen. Edi Sudrajat also con- ony until Indonesia invaded in 1975 and an- front of the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili dur- demned the foreigners’ motives in visiting nexed it. Resistance by the East Timorese ing an anti-Indonesia rally on Nov. 12, 1991. East Timor, “It means that they are interfer- people had been and continues to be met An Australian student was killed in the ing in another country’s domestic affairs. with an iron fist. massacre but a British cameraman was able We cannot tolerate anyone who undermines Constantino, who also stands as to record the shootings and broadcast the our integrity and stability.” APCET’s Manila representative, urged the killings worldwide, creating international The military-led Indonesia invaded the Philippine government and the United Na- outcries against Indonesia. former Portuguese colony in 1975 and tions “to take concrete steps to deter Indo- International activists like Irish senator claimed the territory as its province one nesia from continuing its subjugation of the David Norris, Maori leader Naida Pou, Abo- year later. East Timorese people.” riginal poet Lionel Fogerty, Namibian legis- lator Daniel Botha, New Zealand’s first fe- ‘PEACE PILGRIMS’ SAY INDONESIA DEPORTS male Anglican minister, Rev. Ann Batten, as EAST TIMOR MISSION RIGHTS ACTIVISTS FROM well as journalists including Hugh O’Shaugnessy of the London Observer, SUCCESSFUL EAST TIMOR Wilson da Silva of the Melbourne Sunday By Chris Johnson Age and John McGregor of The Australian by Andreas Harsono, American Reporter were among those expelled from Dili. SINGAPORE, Nov 11 (Reuter) - A Correspondent, Nov. 13. “It illustrates very clearly how afraid the group of politicians and activists prevented DILI, East Timor – Indonesia expelled Indonesians are of people observing what is by Indonesia from commemorating the 1991 more than two dozen foreign activists from going on in this territory. It will confirm the killing of unarmed protesters in East Timor East Timor while stepping up its military worst fear of the outside world as we ap- said on Saturday their mission to the terri- presence in the internationally disputed area proach the fourth anniversary of the Santa tory had been a success. by setting up checkpoints on major thor- Cruz killings,” said O’Shaugnessy, who was Seven members of the multinational oughfares and warning foreigners not to be- expelled on Friday after having an argument “peace pilgrimage” flew on Tuesday and come involved in its domestic affairs. with an immigration official who politely Wednesday to the East Timor capital Dili, A spokesman for the Indonesian immi- asked his “kind understanding to leave East which has been ruled by Indonesia since its gration office said that the foreigners had Timor” but refused to use the word of “ex- army invaded in 1975, but were later de- been asked to leave East Timor on the pulsion.” ported by immigration officials. grounds that their presence might encourage Nine of the foreigners were already inside Another eight members of the group, in- local people to stage protests in commemo- the airplane on Thursday from Surabaya, cluding Irish Senator David Norris and ration of the massacre of 270 protesters at 500 kilometers east of Jakarta, to Dili when Catholic bishop Aloisius Soma from Japan, Dili. Indonesian officials asked them to leave the were barred from boarding a plane to Dili in “The immigration authorities are fully plane in Denpasar on the island of Bali. the Indonesian resort island of Bali on empowered to supervise the movements of Fourteen others were expelled from Dili on Thursday. foreigners and expel them, if necessary, in Thursday and Friday. But Irish European MP Patricia accordance with the law,” said Rahardi Su- Five of the activists, however, managed McKenna said the measures taken by Indo- roprawiro in Jakarta. to climb Hill Fatucama of Dili to light can- nesian forces against the visitors showed According to Roman Catholic Bishop dles at the foot of the “Christ the King” that Jakarta’s hold on East Timor was tenu- Aloisius Nobuo Soma of Japan, the expelled statue, a Dili landmark which is the second ous. foreigners, including himself, are a group of tallest statue of Christ on earth, second only “The visit has been a success,” McKenna international activists who were on a pil- to one above Rio de Janeiro. told Reuters after a news conference. “Some grimage to lay a wreath and pray for the vic- Aboriginal poet Fogerty sang an Aborigi- of us didn’t get in and we are disappointed. tims of the massacre. nal song and repeatedly said, “This city has But the fact that they (the Indonesian gov- “I regretted that the carrying of my work no love,” pointing to Dili below the hill. ernment) needed to bar us for ‘security rea- of the Catholic church had been prevented Back in Dili, Indonesian soldiers clad in sons’ proves they don’t really have control by the Indonesian government’s deporting jungle camouflage are guarding checkpoints of East Timor and it is not part of Indone- me,” said Bishop Soma, who is the honorary in a number of tense areas such as Comoro, sia. chairman of the Manila-based Asia Pacific Becora, Matadoro and areas surrounding the “Does this group look like a threat to Coalition for East Timor, which organized campus of East Timor University. anyone’s security?” the pilgrimage. Plainclothes officers of the feared Satuan She said each delegate would now return He said that the pilgrimage is also sup- Tugas Intelijen (SGI), an intelligence unit home to argue for parliamentary condemna- ported by world figures like Nobel peace under the direct command of officials in Ja- tion of Indonesian rule in the former Portu- laureate Mairead Maguire and singer Bono karta, were seen briefing foreigners staying guese colony. of the U2 rock band, who had each written at the Portuguese-era Hotel Turismo on the “There will be a special debate in the letters to be read in the wreath-laying cere- beach of Dili, saying that the foreigners European parliament in the second week of mony. should report wherever they go to their re- December with a motion saying that until “There is no silence deep enough. No spective guards. the situation in East Timor is resolved, no blackout dark enough. No corruption thick Page 72 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

European country should supply weapons eigners were expelled from the East Timor ple, he said, “They can better use that to Indonesia,” she said. capital but he believed the Indonesian mili- money to finance some East Timorese here Reed Brody, one of those expelled from tary had a strong reason to deport the for- to continue their post-graduate studies in Dili on Thursday, told reporters that Indo- eigners. Australia.” nesian police had followed the visitors “If there is an action there must be a reac- Plainclothes officers of the feared Satuan throughout their brief stay, on one occasion tion. I’m afraid the reaction would be a Tugas Intelijen (SGI), an intelligence unit rounding them up on a beach at night. bloody one.” under the direct command of officials in Ja- Despite this, the local Timorese popula- Indonesian soldiers opened fire and killed karta, were seen in the Santa Cruz cemetery tion had openly welcomed them, showing more than 250 East Timorese protesters in a on Sunday where around one hundred local their support for independence from Indo- rally in front of the Santa Cruz cemetery on people whose family members were killed in nesia at every opportunity. November 12, 1991, of which the foreigners the massacre laid wreaths and prayed for the Residents in Dili have reported increased as well as the locals planned to commemo- victims. The plainclothes officers also military security in the run-up to Sunday’s rate on Sunday, but banned by the Indone- guarded churches, recreation parks along the anniversary of the 1991 Santa Cruz massa- sian authorities. Dili beach and others spied on people from cre, when troops shot dead at least 50 The Indonesian authorities deported pickup trucks. youths taking part in a procession to mourn fourteen foreigners from East Timor last The military-led Indonesia has in the past the death of a pro-independence activist. week which include an Aboriginal poet, a declared that East Timor, which they forci- The peace pilgrims had hoped to lay a Namibian legislator, three Filipinos and two bly annexed in 1975, was open to anyone wreath at the site of the massacre and pray American human rights consultants. An- wishing to visit. They claimed that every- for the victims and their families. other eight activists, including an Irish sena- thing was normal in their “27th province.” Brody said Jakarta had been made more tor and a Catholic bishop from Japan, were But the United Nations has never recog- nervous by the approaching 20th anniver- barred from boarding a plane for Dili at the nized Indonesian authority over the former sary of Indonesia’s invasion on December 7, Indonesian resort island of Bali. Portuguese colony. Only Australia has offi- 1975, which has never been accepted by the The group failed to lay a wreath at the cially accepted Jakarta’s sovereignty in ex- local population. Santa Cruz cemetery but five of them man- change for a joint oil exploration of the “Repression has escalated in recent aged to visit the 27-meter “Christ the King” Timor Gap that separates the island from weeks with house raids, police beatings and statue on the Fatucama Hill, a Dili landmark the Australian continent. a wave of new arrests to intimidate people whose height is second after the Rio de Ja- and physically prevent protests,” Brody neiro bronze figure, lighting candles and DELEGATION EXPELLED said. sending their solidarity message called “Ahi FROM EAST TIMOR The United Nations does not recognise Naklakan,” a Timorese term for the light of Indonesia’s rule in East Timor and regards peace, to the East Timorese people. Green Left #211, November 15, 1995 Portugal as the administering power. Japanese Bishop Aloisius Nobuo Soma, the chairman of the Manila-based Asia Pa- BALI, Indonesia - On November 8, an in- cific Coalition for East Timor, which organ- ternational ecumenical delegation was ex- EAST TIMOR GOVERNOR pelled from East Timor. The delegation, SAYS ACTIVISTS WOULD ized the pilgrimage, regrouped the deported activists and conducted a joint press confer- which included Namibian MP Daniel Botha, HAVE BEEN HURT ence in Singapore on Saturday, saying that Brian Brown of Freedom House, Australian Indonesian authorities had harassed the for- Aboriginal poet Lionel Fogerty, Australian by Andreas Harsono, American Reporter eigners wherever they go and questioned doctor Andrew McNaughton, Irish Senator Correspondent, Nov. 16 local people spotted with the foreign activ- David Norris and Bishop Soma of Nagoya, DILI, East Timor – East Timor Governor ists. Japan, was organised by the Asia Pacific Abilio José Osorio Soares hailed the expul- Reed Brody of New York said the police Coalition on East Timor (APCET). The fol- sions of foreigners who were planning to lay broke up their meeting on Wednesday night lowing statement was issued from attorney a wreath at the site of the 1991 Dili massa- on a Dili beach after spied the participants and human rights campaigner Reed Brody, cre, saying that the organizers could better who were having their dinner in a Portu- one of the US participants. spend their money to build schools and to guese restaurant. He said an immigration As an ecumenical delegation, we went to give scholarships to the East Timorese stu- official, obviously under the command of East Timor to hold a service in commemora- dents rather than financing such a “provoca- the military, had instructed the foreigners to tion of the victims of the 1991 Dili massa- tive” visit. leave Dili the following morning. cre. Although we were prevented from car- “There will certainly be victims if the Governor Osorio Soares, however, said rying out the ceremony at the Santa Cruz foreigners were permitted to visit the Santa that the pray is political in nature and cemetery, we were able to light candles and Cruz cemetery,” said Osorio Soares in an needed to be forbidden because “it would to say prayers at the statue of Christo Rey. exclusive interview with the American Re- create suffering among East Timorese peo- Equally important in our 24 hours, we porter during his flight from Dili to Jakarta ple who had already had enough suffering.” were able to experience in a very small way over the weekend, adding that the ongoing “That’s not the right path to help East what the East Timorese people must face every day under Indonesian occupation. We bloody conflict between the pros and cons Timorese people. The organizer can spend of East Timor independence will certainly their money better if they use it to fight ig- were constantly followed by Indonesian be renewed over the wreath-laying cere- norance and poverty among the East security. At one point, we were surrounded mony. Timorese,” he said, adding that currently by police in full riot gear, and we were ex- Indonesian security agents followed and 200 East Timorese students are waiting for pelled from East Timor although we had harassed this correspondent throughout his scholarships to continue their studies. done nothing wrong. visit to Dili. Osorio Soares said the organizer must We also met with many East Timorese According to the Indonesia-appointed spend a lot of money to finance the foreign- who bravely told us of the escalating repres- governor, he was not in Dili when the for- ers to come to the territory. Citing an exam- sion of the past weeks - of riot squads sys- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 73 tematically breaking into people’s houses, tematic approach to a Timorese solution. As MC: What of the ICRC? Was it intimidated beating people in the kidneys, liver, and Kingham claims, neither are the Indonesians too? backs of their heads in an attempt to intimi- shy about their attitude. “On Indonesian RK: In recent months the ICRC vehicle has date or incapacitate them from coming out. Independence Day (August 17) Simbolon been shot at twice, during the month of Oc- We will each be bringing back candles held a press conference for Indonesian jour- tober. This is unprecedented though it was that we lit in East Timor to light candles all nalists when he made the statement I will an issue that I was advised about by local over the world in solidarity with the people use the Timorese to destroy the Timorese.” government officials who were Timorese. of East Timor. When asked about the severity of the They suggested that I should not be seen situation Kingham replied, “It is continuous, alone in a car with the ICRC delegate and SBS - DATELINE TO COVER it is bad, it is worse, every indication has that we should discontinue our practice of PILGRIM DELEGATION been over the last few months that it is go- going for walks on the beach. ing to continue to get worse.” MC: Why is it happening? Press release from SBS TV (Australia) Kingham claims that the Australian Gov- “DATELINE” program, November 18, ernment is well aware of what is going on in RK: With the replacement for the regional 1995 East Timor. “Yes, the Australian Govern- military commander, Colonel Simbolon, ment knows about it,” he says. “I have re- from the elite forces Kopassus - there seems “I will use the Timorese to destroy the ported it to the Australian Embassy though to have been a scaling up of the military Timorese” says the new Indonesian military sections of the Embassy have tended to presence and a more systematic approach to commander in East Timor. Reports of esca- dismiss my claims as paranoia...the concern a ‘Timorese solution,’ if you like. lating intimidation of Timor independence from the Embassy seemed to be that I On Indonesian independence day, Simbolon supporters and foreigners - shootings, beat- would speak to you, the press, about this.” held a press conference for Indonesian jour- ings, detentions and disappearances, are the Also featuring in Carey’s report are nalists where he made the statement “ I will order of the day. comments from members of the interna- use the Timorese to destroy the Timorese.” On DATELINE on Saturday, November tional delegation on their return from Dili. Indonesian journalists asked if they could 18, Mike Carey reports on the recent events Carey speaks to Bishop Aloisius Nobuo print this and he said ‘You can put it in the surrounding the fourth anniversary of the Soma, former Bishop of the Diocese of Na- biggest headlines you can manage in your Dili massacre. goya, Japan; Lionel Fogarty, Aboriginal paper’ and none of them did. This month an international delegation at- Poet; Paul Stewart of the Australian band tempted to enter East Timor to light re- That’s the clearest indication there has been Painters and Dockers whose brother Tony to a more systematic approach to incitement membrance candles in the Santa Cruz ceme- was killed by Indonesian troops in 1975; tery where in 1991 Indonesian troops and to the encouragement of differences Senator David Norris, prominent Irish poli- among Timorese to create unrest. opened fire on unarmed demonstrators - kill- tician; Rev. Ann Batten, first New Zealand ing over 200 people. Freelance journalist women ordained in the Anglican Church; MC: Well in general how bad is it? There Wilson da Silva captured on film events sur- and Reed Brody, human rights specialist seems to have been people detained in re- rounding the commemoration of the massa- consulting with United Nations human cent months - there have been examples cre. As seen in this report the delegation rights agencies. of people been beaten and that sort of managed to light their candles on a nearby thing. hill - despite the efforts of the Indonesia TRANSCRIPT OF KINGHAM RK: It is continuous, it as bad, it is worse - security forces to stop them. INTERVIEW BY MIKE CAREY every indication over the last few months is Robert Kingham is an Australian aid Much of this program included already re- that it is going to continue to get worse. worker who has lived and worked in Indo- Numbers that can be confirmed of deten- nesia for the best part of the last nine years, ported material, particularly press confer- ence by Reed Brody, Bishop Soma, David tions have certainly escalated. But it is not a the last nine months of which he spent in question of there being an incident - it is a East Timor. In this exclusive DATELINE Norris etc. - footage was shown of the dele- gation visiting the statue of Christ the King continuous thing. You work with people report Kingham explains in graphic detail who disappear. the events which led to his leaving Dili this in Dili, of young Timorese school children in MC: Has that happened to you? week. He spoke to Mike Carey in Singapore Dili etc. This posting contains interview with before returning to Australia. Robert Kingham. RK: Yes, Kingham was warned by a plain clothes MC: Robert Kingham until recently worked - program shows a photo of a young man’s official that he may experience some intimi- for a major Australian NGO in Dili. He face. He has been very badly beaten with dation owing to the presence of foreigners in returned to Melbourne after a campaign severe bruising particularly on his forehead Dili inciting unrest. This did occur, and it led of intimidation made his aid work impos- and across his nose. to Kingham leaving Dili. The International sible. So what sort of intimidation scares MC: Robert Kingham took this photo of Tito Red Cross is also a target. .”..In fact in re- a long time aid worker into leaving East who’s just 20 years old. His story is typi- cent months the ICRC vehicle has been shot Timor? cal. He was beaten with iron bars, then at twice, during the month of October...this RK: I had a visit from an un-uniformed offi- detained. Soldiers, he said, stood on his is unprecedented,” says Kingham. It was cial who suggested that the presence of for- chest. He was taken to the military hospi- suggested to him by local officials that he eigners in Dili had incited some unrest and tal. He was visited by the Red Cross dele- “should not be seen alone in a car with the that I may experience some troubles with gate, after which he was interrogated and ICRC.” my duties and also with a nighttime patrol accused of implicating the military and Kingham explains that with the replace- of some uniformed officials, inches away being ungrateful for the treatment he had ment of the regional military commander, from doors and windows, attempted forced received. He was beaten again until he Colonel Simbolon of the elite forces, there entry, disconnected telephones and tele- vomitted blood. Then he was moved to has been a dramatic increase in Indonesian phone line so that I couldn’t phone out. the regional police detention centre where military presence in Timor and a more sys- This went on from 1am to 5am. he was again beaten. Page 74 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

On September 11 he was visited by the Melbourne but the concern of the embassy and replied that what I wanted to show was Red Cross and on the 12th he was re- seemed to be that I would speak to you, to that we shouldn’t be afraid in this way. If leased with a medical certificate. Amnesty the press about this. we happened to meet any anti-integration International does not know if Tito is It destroys the notion of a happy little people, we could just say we don’t agree alive or dead. Timor. I have worked in Indonesia for a long with what they are saying, couldn’t we? If You wouldn’t think this was the case. We time. I believe that the relationship between we isolate ourselves and refuse to meet with don’t hear a lot about it Australia and Indonesia is indeed extremely people, we will go on failing in our diplo- matic efforts. RK: We don’t hear about it. On a scale of important and I have worked very hard conflicts around the world it is reasonably within both Indonesia and Australia for this. I actually appreciate the things Mbak Tutut unspectacular - also perhaps reportage of But I do not believe that kowtowing and [Suharto’s eldest daughter] has been doing. this in Australia is not encouraged. But beat- being hypocritical - the difference between She had the courage to finance the meeting ings, extra-judicial punishment and ill- our rhetoric and our action - is anyway to of East Timorese in Vienna... [Here, Gus treatment - these are people who have not win the hearts and minds of the Indonesian Dur is mistaken. The East Timorese meet- been charged with any crime - happens and people or the Indonesian Government, ings funded by Tutut were held in the UK. there is visible evidence of this. whom in my experience respect backbone The meeting in Austria was funded by the and consistency. UN.] ...even though her decision to do so MC: What about the number of people ar- was rather odd. But what was important rested in the last few months? Have you GUS DUR: I’M NOT AFRAID was bringing the East Timorese in, whether got any idea how many people have been TO GO TO EAST TIMOR Fretilin, Apodeti or even the separatists. detained or arrested? Negotiations are the best way to find a solu- RK: The recent round in October it is said, Tiras, 23 November 1995. Slightly abridged tion to the question of East Timor. I appre- it is estimated by the ICRC to be around ciate things like that even though it means 500, undercover unofficial estimates say Gus Dur is the popular name by which Ab- taking risks. I’d like people to know that around 600 and that is certainly greater than durrachman Wahid, chair of the 39-million Mbak Tutut is not the only one. But this the September numbers which were reliably strong Nahdatul Ulama organisation, is doesn’t mean that I agree with everything around 120. known. she does, it’s only in this respect, ha, ha.... But that’s just Dili. That doesn’t account Q: What are the details about your planned Q: Could it have been that you cancelled for regional centres and whether people are visit to East Timor? your trip because of the phone calls from officially released from detention. There A: I was invited to go by an association in the two generals? have been people who have been sent home, Manila, the purpose being to say a prayer A: No, not at all. All they did was ask. beaten, with a certificate of good health but for peace in East Timor. For such a thing, They didn’t forbid me from going there. no release certificate. That means that they I’m only too willing to go. The plan was for will never be registered as a detainee. Q: But for some Muslims, the question of me to leave together with Princen on 7 No- East Timor is still very sensitive... I do not believe after my experience that an vember morning but on that day, my wife individual can work effectively without bi- had a recurrence of a problem with her leg A: Whether it’s sensitive or not, we must lateral protection and that an individual be- and I had to take her to hospital. This is get used to behaving normally. Don’t politi- ing there in the guise, in the role of an NGO, why I wasn’t able to go but Princen went as cise everything. A morally justified act need which is to build bridges of understanding planned not provoke reactions from anyone as long between peoples, to work alongside local as we are certain that what we are doing is Q: Was he prevented from going in Den- right. communities cannot happen effectively pasar? when people I worked with closely in the Q: But the point about you is that you are the government offices would walk past me in A: On 7 November, as soon as he arrived, he leader of a huge number of people (umat) the street and not acknowledge me. phoned me to say that he would not be able not all of whom understand your moral to leave for Dili because he had been refused position on this. The following day, they would apologize permission. Actually, I had received several saying, ‘But I’m sorry, I cannot talk to you phone calls from armed forces officers and A: Well, it’s precisely because I have such a in public.’ from the intelligence. I told them I was not following that I should have the courage to There is no way I would go into a local involved in anything political. I had been take the first step (be a pioneer). Just see. kampung, a local village because it would asked to pray for peace and for that I would The NU has taken a good stand. The MUI endanger people. go. I wanted to show that East Timor is still (Majelis Ulema Indonesia) is making a lot of MC: Does the Australian Government know a part of Indonesia and that I wasn’t afraid fuss about East Timor, about Christmas about this? to go there. greetings. And it’s not only me. There are others, like the late Kyai Siddiq, Kyai Ilyas, RK: Yes, the Australian Government knows Q: But your participation could be inter- Kyai Sahal, and others. You could say that about it. I have reported it to the Australian preted as support for people wanting to they are the moderates, in inverted commas. embassy, though sections of the embassy demonstrate on 12 November. have tended to dismiss my claims as para- Q: Aren’t you afraid that this could be used A: No, not at all. It was just a prayer for to oust you from the NU? noia. In the time that I was relocated in the peace. To strive for peace means acknowl- Tourismo Hotel, there was minimal contact edging that there has been a terrible tragedy A: They wont get away with it. Let them do from the Australian embassy. I couldn’t and much loss of life there over the past 20 what they like. The fact is that they are not phone out easily. No operator was receiving years, and on top of that, all the recent acting in conformity with the rules. If they any reverse charge call, home country dial events, the social conflicts caused by reli- want to push me out, they must do it phones were down and phone cards were gious and ethnic factors. through an extraordinary congress. And that not being sold. I had one phone card left. can only take place at the request of two- In fact, I was phoned by two major- thirds of the branches submitted in writing My own organization was phoning in from generals. I was asked [he didn’t say what], East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 75 and with the endorsement of the Central occupation. More info. Patricia McKenna fourth anniversary of 1991 Santa Cruz mas- Council. They haven’t been able to meet 00 32 2 2845140 sacre on the 12th. this condition till now. In fact, a lot of Travel agents and airlines had refused to branches are calling for these people to be OFFICIAL CIRCULAR take bookings from foreigners wishing to expelled. I don’t agree with that. It should BANNING TOURISTS travel to Dili or told prospective clients all be left to society to punish them for what flights were full. they are doing. Just see, if they talk and no FROM EAST TIMOR one takes any notice, it’s far better than the DEPARTEMEN KEHAKIMAN R.I. organisation using sanctions against them. KANTOR WILAYAH TIMOR TIMUR U.N. HIGH KATOR IMIGRASI DILI COMMISSIONER VISITS GREEN IRISH MEP QUIZZES Jl. de Colmera 18 Telp. 21862 INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR DILI - 88110 ON EAST TIMOR BAR CIRCULAR NUMBER: W27.Fa - TOP UN RIGHTS ENVOY IL.01.10-731 TO VISIT INDONESIA, Press Release by Patricia McKenna M.E.P., Dear Lady and gentleman tourists/visitors, EAST TIMOR Nov. 23 Based on article 42 immigration act num- Dublin green MEP, Patricia McKenna ber 9 of 1992, Republic of Indonesia immi- GENEVA, Nov 21 (Reuter) - Jose Ayala today challenged the Indonesian ambassador gration authority for East Timor announce Lasso, the United Nations High Commis- to the EU about why she was denied entry to all foreign tourists or visitors who intend sioner for Human Rights, will visit Indone- to East Timor earlier this month. The am- to visit Dili, that recent situation of Dili is sia and East Timor next month at the invita- bassador, Mr. Pudji Koentarso, gave a not good enough for foreigners’ tourism nor tion of Jakarta, a U.N. spokeswoman said “hopelessly inadequate” explanation, she visit intentions. on Tuesday. said. Looking forward to your own good in He is expected to meet “representatives Addressing the European Parliament’s visiting this country, you are requested not of all different views” during his December development committee, Mr. Koentarso to visit Dili or East Timor until the next 4-8 mission, she said. It will be followed by first said he knew nothing of the incident. pleasant time that will be announced by our a trip to Cambodia from December 9-12. He then contradicted himself by saying that head office in Jakarta later. In the meantime “His exact programme is still being foreigners had been refused access to East you are please to visit and enjoying your worked out,” spokeswoman Therese Ga- Timor earlier this month and those already journey to other parts of Indonesia. staut told a news briefing as four East in Timor had been expelled “as a preventive If we found foreign tourists or visitors in Timorese who had sought sanctuary in the measure” because riots were feared on the Dili or East Timor area, with all of our re- French embassy in Jakarta left the com- anniversary of the 1991 Santa Cruz Massa- spectfulness we have to please them to pound for the airport and political asylum in cre, in which over 271 pro-independence leave as soon as possible. Portugal. demonstrators were killed. Your kind and good cooperations are It was not clear whether Ayala Lasso “This is a clearly ludicrous explanation as very very appreciated. would be allowed to see imprisoned rebels, the delegation I belonged to was a peace pil- Thank you. including guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmão, grimage, who wanted to go to East Timor to Dili, November 17, 1995 who is in a Jakarta jail. Gusmão was cap- express our solidarity with it’s oppressed Chief of immigration authority for East tured in November 1992 and sentenced to people,” said Ms. McKenna. “The idea that Timor 20 years in prison after a controversial trial. riots would have been caused because of our Johanes S. Triswoyo But a U.N. source told Reuters: “The presence there is ridiculous..” NIP 040017237 High Commissioner has received assurances The delegation which to which Ms. (by the Indonesian government) that he will McKenna belonged included Senator David INDONESIA SAYS IT LIFTS EAST be able to see all the people he wants to Norris, Bishop Soma from Japan and the TIMOR TRAVEL BAN see.” East Timor has remained a major focus brother of an Australian journalist killed in [abridged] East Timor in 1975. for rights groups and activists since troops Ms. McKenna also questioned the am- JAKARTA, Nov 24 (Reuter) - Indonesia shot dead up to 200 demonstrators in a Dili bassador about yesterday’s arrest and de- said on Friday it had lifted a travel ban on cemetery in late 1991. tention of 20 people fleeing East Timor for foreigners who wished to visit the former Since late September, 39 East Timorese Australia in a boat. The ambassador refused Portuguese colony of East Timor. have left their Indonesian-ruled homeland by to indicate if these people have been charged “Starting from today (foreigners) may en- seeking sanctuary in embassies. with any recognisbale offence and if they ter,” Yohannes Triswoyo, head of immigra- Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 af- will be released. tion in East Timor, told Reuters by tele- ter the departure of the territory’s Portu- “Indonesia is showing huge hypocrisy in phone from the East Timor capital of Dili. guese colonisers and annexed it the next detaining these people, as its foreign minis- Triswoyo said foreigners with good in- year. The move was never recognised by the ter, Ali Alatas, said recently that people tentions were welcome in East Timor as United Nations and Portugal says it is still were free to leave East Timor if they tourists or visitors. East Timor’s administering authority. wanted.” “Foreigners that create riots, create some- Ayala Lasso will report back on his find- The ambassador similarly refused to say thing bad... we’ll just send them out,” he ings to the U.N. Commission on Human if Indonesia would allow a delegation from said. Rights, which opens its next annual session the European Parliament and TV companies A ban has been in place since about No- in Geneva in mid-March. to visit East Timor and carry out investiga- vember 10 when all foreign visitors were The 53-member Commission, the U.N.’s tions on events over the past two decades of asked to leave East Timor ahead of the main human rights forum, last February ex- pressed its deep concern over “continuing Page 76 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. reports of violations of human rights in East Commissioner of Human Rights with the ARRESTS OF EAST TIMORESE Timor.” purpose to promote and to protect human INTENDING TO MEET UN HUMAN At that time the Commission welcomed rights,” Lasso said. RIGHTS HIGH COMMISSIONER the government’s pledge to invite the High He said he had received the cooperation AYALA LASSO Commissioner and said it expected to exam- of the government “to see whomever I ine his report at its next session. Jakarta’s want” and “to meet with whomever I men- CNRM Media release, 5 December 1995 invitation was seen as a way of avoiding an tion.” At least six East Timorese hoping to official resolution of censure. The 48-year-old Gusmão is serving a 20- meet UN Human Rights High Commissioner In Cambodia, Ayala Lasso is expected to year sentence for guerilla activities in the Jose Ayala Lasso, on a brief 25 hour visit to sign a memo of understanding with the gov- fight for independence of East Timor, which Dili today, have been arrested by the Indo- ernment regarding the office of the U.N. was annexed by Indonesia nearly two dec- nesian military. Centre for Human Rights, according to U.N. ades ago. Five of them were carrying a message sources. The Centre employs eight experts East Timor, 1,250 miles (2,000 km) east from the East Timorese Resistance for the who monitor human rights there. of Jakarta, has remained a political thorn for High Commissioner. The message, whose Indonesia since Jakarta annexed the former contents have not been disclosed, has been INDONESIA SAYS UN VISIT TO Portuguese colony in 1976, following a confiscated. The arrested are: Rui N. Lopes, IMPROVE RIGHTS RECORD bloody invasion that toppled the eight- José Valdo de Araujo, both students from [abridged] month-old Democratic republic of East Maliana, Caetano and Teodoro Soares, stu- Timor set up by left-wing Fretilin guerrillas. JAKARTA, Nov 26 (Reuter) - Indone- dents from Cailaco, and Cipriano Cardoso, The United Nations has not recognized sian foreign minister Ali Alatas said next from Atabae. On Sunday morning a police Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor and month’s visit by the United Nations High patrol also arrested a man called Ainuco near regards Portugal as the administrative Commissioner for Human Rights would Dili’s Santa Cruz cemetery. power. help the country improve the implementa- These facts once again point to the hy- Indonesia has endured constant interna- tion of human rights, the official Antara pocrisy and lack of credibility of the Indo- tional criticism over its handling of East news agency reported on Sunday. nesian government. Prior to this unwelcome Timor, particularly after its troops opened “Indonesia is keen to improve the im- visit, forced upon Indonesia by the United fire on pro-independence demonstrators in plementation of human rights, and he (Jose Nations Human Rights Commission last the capital province of Dili on Nov. 12, Ayala Lasso) is the most senior U.N. offi- March, as a means of avoiding a highly criti- 1991. cial in charge of human rights,” he was cal resolution for its gross human rights vio- The government admitted in an official quoted as telling reporters on Friday night. lations in East Timor, Indonesian Foreign report that 50 people were killed in the bar- Lasso’s five-day visit to Indonesia, Minister Alatas claimed that Mr Ayala rage, but international human rights groups which starts on December 4, is at the invita- Lasso would be free to meet with all sectors put the death toll at more than 200. tion of Jakarta. of East Timorese society. In recent months, a growing number of Alatas said Lasso, whose visit would in- The reality, however, is the opposite. It East Timorese youths have entered foreign clude a two-day trip to East Timor, would is standard practice with official visits by embassies in Jakarta, seeking asylum. To come to Indonesia in his capacity as a U.N. international dignitaries to the occupied ter- date, 43 youths have been granted asylum in human rights official and not to conduct an ritory for tight security to be put in place Lisbon. investigation. throughout Dili to intimidate the local popu- lation from attempting to establish contact UN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER SIX ARRESTED TRYING TO with the foreign visitors, or to demonstrate REACH AYALA LASSO rejection of the oppressive Indonesian rule. VISITS EAST TIMOR Dili sources (also LUSA News Agency From LUSA, Dec 4 – Six people were ar- 04/12 report) inform that there are large JAKARTA, Dec 3 (UPI) – United Na- rested in East Timor this weekend, who car- numbers of plain clothed military patrolling tions High Commissioner on Human Rights ried a message to UN High Commissioner Dili streets. Even access to the Mahkota Jose Ayala Lasso said Sunday his visit to Jose Ayala Lasso visiting the territory this Hotel, where the High Commissioner has Indonesia and the troubled East Timor prov- week, according to sources of the resistance been placed by his Indonesian hosts, is ince was to promote and protect human in Dili. The contents of the message are not strongly controlled, making it virtually im- rights, not to conduct an investigation. known. The six are Rui N. Lopes and José possible for ordinary East Timorese to ap- Lasso met with Foreign Minister Ali Valdo de Araujo (both students in Maliana), proach the UN Human Rights delegation. Alatas and was scheduled to meet with Caetano and Teodoro Soares (students in Tight military control also makes it very jailed East Timor independence leader Cailaco), Cipriano Cardoso, a resident of difficult for the East Timorese to demon- Xanana Gusmão and influential Catholic Atabea, and Ainuco, who was arrested in strate during the visit. As LUSA mentioned, Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo. the vicinity of Santa Cruz. Dili resistance a demonstration is planned, but organisers “I come to Indonesia and East Timor to sources report that their attempts at any will only be able to decide at the last minute speak about human rights issues,” Lasso expression of dissent have been frustrated whether to hold it. said, adding his discussions with Alatas by the strong security measures in Dili. CNRM hopes that, despite its brevity, were “fruitful.” [Ayala Lasso confirmed to LUSA earlier the obstacles placed in his way by the du- “The point we have raised are those men- that he intends to visit Xanana Gusmão dur- plicitous Indonesian occupation authorities, tioned in reports of the U.N. and certainly ing his visit to Indonesia] and the limited possibilities for contact with the question related to East Timor,” Lasso East Timorese people, Mr Ayala Lasso’s said. He was scheduled to leave Monday for visit to East Timor may still be of some util- a two-day visit of East Timor. ity to the people of East Timor. “I have not come here for an investigation CNRM calls upon Mr Ayala Lasso to mission. I have come here as the High investigate, as a matter of urgency, the situa- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 77 tion of those arrested, and in all probability effective mechanism for redressing human Ayala Lasso also held talks with local severely mistreated, for attempting to con- rights violations,” Amnesty said in a briefing police and military officials and members of tact him. note, a copy of which was received by the local parliament. He was scheduled to Reuters on Monday. attend a dinner with several Timorese lead- U.N. CALLS FOR STRONGER Miriam Budiardjo, vice-chairperson of ers. INDONESIAN RIGHTS BODY Indonesia’s commission, told Reuters that On Wednesday he was also due to meet members had told Ayala Lasso they felt outspoken East Timor Catholic bishop Car- By Jim Della-Giacoma their independence was not an issue. los Belo. “We ourselves do not feel we are in any Ayala Lasso, speaking through an inter- JAKARTA, Dec 4 (Reuter) - The U.N. way impeded by being created by a presi- preter, said he asked authorities to work High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jose dential decree,” Budiardjo said after the together with the East Timorese to solve Ayala Lasso, urged Indonesia on Monday to meeting. She also said the body was suffi- problems that had lasted for 20 years. strengthen its government-appointed na- ciently funded. “The problems can be resolved through tional human rights commission to boost its “In a way it is better, because having dialogue...and the dialogue should be on hu- effectiveness. been established by a presidential decree it man rights. This is important,” he said Ayala Lasso, on a six-day official visit to means our findings will be heard because we without elaborating. Indonesia and troubled East Timor, told re- are made by the president,” she said. He said he had asked governor Soares porters after meeting six members of Ja- “We have proven that this is right. We whether the government had given proper karta’s commission he hoped the body have made statements in which we have dif- compensation to the victims of the so-called could be a “model of dynamism, efficacy fered from the government,” she added. Santa Cruz massacre in 1991. and action.” Earlier this year, the commission released Soares later told reporters the request for He arrived in Jakarta on Saturday for a findings alleging that Indonesian soldiers compensation had been forwarded to Jakarta visit that coincides with the 20th anniver- summarily killed six East Timorese villagers but there had been no response. sary on December 7 of Indonesia’s military in January. A number of East Timorese leaders ear- invasion of East Timor. It also supported allegations by the local lier told Reuters they were seeking a dia- Indonesia annexed East Timor, as its 27th Roman Catholic Church and activists’ that logue with Ayala Lasso on human rights province, in July 1976. The United Nations the military had killed at least 16 villagers in issues and the large military presence in the however still regards Portugal as the admin- Irian Jaya, bordering Papua New Guinea. territory but said they were not sure if such istering power of the territory. Clementino Amaral, an East Timorese a meeting would take place. Ayala Lasso, due to start a two-day visit commission member, said he told Ayala “What I have now is an invitation for a to East Timor on Tuesday, said he spoke Lasso the commission would open a branch dinner tonight with Ayala Lasso along with with Foreign Minister Ali Alatas on Sunday in the former Portuguese colony next year. several other people,” East Timor parlia- and with the commission about strengthen- “I told him that indeed there are still vio- mentarian Manuel Carrascalão said. ing the body. lations of human rights in East Timor but, “I expect a special dialogue to address the “It will be very important to have a legal since this commission was founded, they issues of human rights violations and the basis for the commission,” the Geneva- had started to decrease,” he told reporters. excessive military presence. If we can’t do based Ayala Lasso said. “In the Portuguese period, the violations that, then the visit will mean nothing,” he U.N. human rights officials have pointed of human rights were much greater than said. out in the past that the fledgling 25-member now, only at that time the world did not Ayala Lasso said an issue discussed with commission, formed in 1993, exists under a take so much attention of what was happen- the security officers was the fate of the 35 presidential decree rather than an act of par- ing there,” he said. East Timorese who tried to flee the territory liament. by boat last month to northern Australia. “It is very important to have the com- He said he was told that five of them mission with enough resources to let (it) UN OFFICIAL URGES TALKS TO SOLVE TIMOR CONFLICT were being questioned for being the alleged work as actively as possible (and) to have leaders while the rest had been released. the findings, resolutions and recommenda- tions of the commission followed up in such [slightly abridged] a way that they could be become a more and Dili, East Timor, Dec 5 (Reuter) - The LASSO BEGINS TIMOR VISIT more effective element in the policy of hu- visiting U.N. High Commissioner for Hu- Voice of America, 12/5/95. By Dan Robin- man rights of Indonesia,” he said. man Rights called on the Indonesia- son, Bangkok Alatas on Sunday rejected calls by Ayala appointed East Timor government on Tues- Lasso’s commission for a re-investigation of day to step up dialogue with local people to Intro: A United Nations human-rights of- the 1991 massacre in Dili, East Timor’s help solve human rights problems in the ter- ficial has begun a two-day visit to the trou- capital, of civilians by Indonesian troops. ritory. bled territory, East Timor. VOA correspon- Jakarta said 50 people died. Human “I’ve asked the East Timor government dent Dan Robinson reports the visit comes rights activists and others put the figure at to solve human rights problems by holding just before the 20th anniversary (December up to 200. dialogues with the local people,” Jose Ayala seventh) of the Indonesian military invasion London-based Amnesty International Lasso told reporters after talks with gover- of the former Portuguese colony: said the commission had helped a limited nor Abilio Soares. Text: UN Human Rights Commissioner number of human rights violations to receive The city was calm at the start of Ayala Jose Ayala Lasso flew to Dili – about two public attention but full and impartial inves- Lasso’s two-day visit, which coincides with thousand kilometers east of Jakarta – after tigations into violations were not being done the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion talks with Indonesian government officials in Indonesia and East Timor. of the former Portuguese colony on Decem- In Jakarta, he met members of the gov- “Limitations on the commission’s power ber 7. ernment-sanctioned National Human-Rights and functions prevent it from being a truly Page 78 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Commission and urged its activities be Senior police and military officers also at- UN RIGHTS OFFICE IN strengthened. tended the meeting. Members of the Commission visited East Ayala Lasso’s two-day East Timor visit, EAST TIMOR BLOCKED Timor, earlier this year, in the wake of which ends on Wednesday, coincides with 13 December 95 shootings of civilians by Indonesian troops. the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion Results of an investigation allege soldiers of the territory on December 7. GENEVA (AP) – Indonesia has agreed to summarily killed villagers. “I told him about human rights violations let the United Nations open a human rights However, the Commission has been criti- here and how the situation needs improve- office in its capital, but blocked a request for cized by Amnesty International and other ment,” East Timor parliamentarian Manuel one in the disputed territory of East Timor. human rights groups for not doing enough Carrascalão, one of the four leaders who met The U.N. High Commissioner for Human about the situation in East Timor. It has an- Ayala Lasso, told Reuters on Wednesday. Rights, Jose Ayala-Lasso, was allowed a nounced plans to open an office in Dili in “I also expressed my hope the United rare visit to East Timor last week, and said 1996. Nations will help improve the state of af- Wednesday that despite some improve- In Dili, Mr. Ayala Lasso was expected to fairs in East Timor,” he said by telephone. ments the overall situation in the territory meet the leader of the Catholic community Carrascalão and aid worker Florentino remained bleak. in East Timor – Bishop Carlos Belo – as Sarmento had earlier expressed doubts they “There are very grave violations of hu- well as Jakarta-appointed Governor Abilio would be able to hold talks with Ayala man rights in East Timor,” including torture, Soares. Lasso. illegal imprisonment and denial of free A Reuter news agency report quoted lo- The other leaders who met Ayala Lasso speech, Ayala Lasso told a news conference. cal figures in Dili as saying they hope to were Armindo Maia, acting rector of the Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 in meet Mr. Ayala Lasso, but were still uncer- state-run East Timor University, and Ar- a move still regarded as illegal by the United tain if they will be permitted to do so. lindo Marçal, a Protestant priest. Nations. Alleged abuses in the territory have Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas is Ayala Lasso is scheduled to meet East drawn worldwide criticism. quoted as telling Mr. Ayala Lasso in Jakarta Timor’s outspoken Bishop Carlos Belo in During his visit, Ayala Lasso held talks (Monday) Indonesia does not accept a call Dili on Wednesday. with Indonesian government officials and by the UN Human Rights Commission to “It was Ayala Lasso’s own initiative to human rights activists, and met imprisoned re-investigate the 1991 Dili massacre. see us that night. The meeting was actually East Timorese pro-independence leader José In that incident, Indonesian soldiers killed scheduled for today. We know he has a very Alexandre Gusmão. He said Gusmão was in 50 people after opening fire on a funeral tight schedule on Wednesday which made it good health and relatively good spirits de- procession in Dili. Human-rights groups and impossible for him to see us,” Carrascalão spite a 20-year jail sentence. journalists who were present say the death said. Indonesia agreed to Ayala Lasso’s visit toll may have been much higher. Indonesia’s human rights record came to escape embarrassing condemnation by the Indonesian troops invaded East Timor under renewed scrutiny when government U.N. Human Rights Commission. December Seventh, 1975, and annexed the troops opened fire on civilians holding a UN RIGHTS CHIEF SAYS “GRAVE troubled territory in July of the following pro-independence protest at a cemetery in VIOLATIONS” IN EAST TIMOR year. The United Nations does not recog- Dili in November, 1991. nize Indonesia’s control of East Timor and Jakarta says 50 people were killed but by Robert Evans, [abridged] considers Portugal the administering power. human rights activists and others put the GENEVA, Dec 13 (Reuter) – United Na- Over the past year, East Timor has been figure at up to 200. tions High Commissioner for Human Rights hit by rioting – sparked by resentment of Aid worker Sarmento said that during the Jose Ayala Lasso, just back from a visit to the continuing Indonesian military presence meeting with Ayala Lasso he called for Indonesia, said on Wednesday he believed and social issues such as migration. United Nations help. there were “very grave” rights violations in Indonesian president Suharto recently re- “I told him we want the United Nations East Timor. iterated Jakarta’s resistance to any change in to bridge the differences between East But he said although the Indonesian gov- the status of the territory. Talks between Timorese and Jakarta,” he said. ernment had refused to allow him to open an Portugal and Indonesia, begun earlier this “East Timorese who are against integra- office in Dili, the Timorese capital, it had year, have made no significant progress. tion with Indonesia feel their rights are being agreed he could post a representative in Ja- violated by the authorities in Dili,” he said. karta who would be able to visit the former TIMORESE RAISE RIGHTS “Jakarta thinks integration is a pure mili- Portuguese colony. ISSUES WITH U.N. OFFICIAL tary occupation while Timorese think inte- “In my opinion there are very grave hu- gration is a process of getting freedom,” he man rights violations in East Timor. We By Lewa Pardomuan said. could see that from the general environ- Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 ment... and from conversations I had with JAKARTA, Dec 6 (Reuter) - East and annexed it the following year, a move Timorese leaders expressed concerns over several groups,” Ayala Lasso told a news not recognised by the United Nations. conference. human rights issues to the U.N. High Com- Ayala Lasso had earlier on Tuesday missioner for Human Rights, Jose Ayala He said he had learned that torture was called on the Indonesia-appointed East used against political detainees. “The fact Lasso, during an impromptu meeting at his Timor government to step up dialogue with hotel room on his visit to the former Portu- that people who express views opposing Timorese to help solve human rights prob- the government risk imprisonment is a grave guese colony. lems. The talks on Tuesday night were hastily violation of human rights in itself,” he arranged by Ayala Lasso in the East Timor added. capital Dili after a dinner hosted by the In- Ayala Lasso, a former Ecuadorian diplo- donesia-appointed governor, Abilio Soares. mat, made an official five-day visit to Indo- nesia earlier this month and spent two days East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 79 in East Timor where he saw local leaders LASSO SAID ‘VIOLATIONS’ RIFE IN He said he felt that the Indonesian au- who want independence, as well as officials. EAST TIMOR thorities had taken some steps that were He was allowed to visit jailed East positive on the overall rights situation in the Reuter, in Jakarta Post, 14 December 1995 Timorese guerrilla chief Xanana Gusmão, country, including the establishment of a serving a 20-year-sentence for leading the Comment from TAPOL: UN Human Rights national commission on human rights. armed resistance to the Indonesians, and Commissioner Lasso’s consent to the idea of He said he had been assured by reliable found him concerned about the survival of having a UN human rights office in Jakarta people in the legal profession that the com- his people under Indonesian rule. to oversee the human rights situation in East mission was independent but it suffered When he asked him how he was, Ayala Timor means that he has accepted Jakarta’s from a shortage of funds. He had urged the Lasso said, Gusmão replied: “As well as a sovereignty claim over East Timor, in clear government to pass a law giving it a firm man deprived of liberty can feel.” violation of the UN’s position on East juridical basis. He said Gusmão gave him a message, Timor’s status. If this is how things eventu- The UN official said demonstrations whose contents who declined to reveal, for ally happen, this could be the most conten- against him in Jakarta had not unduly con- U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- tious part of his findings and decisions. Nor cerned him although on one occasion clearly Ghali who is sponsoring talks between In- should we take at face value his acceptance aggressive protesters surrounded his car and donesia and Portugal and between Timorese of assurances about the National Commis- banged on it. ‘The police were more or less factions on the area’s future. sion’s independence. Take the Timika inves- there. I never felt in danger,’ he added. Ayala Lasso said he had asked the Indo- tigations: The Commission went farther nesian government to allow him to open an probably than the regime would have like. GOVERNMENT ON However, there were obviously constraints office in Dili, but had been told this would PROTESTS DURING AYAL A run against Jakarta’s stand on East Timor’s upon it to avoid implicating Freeport in the status – that it is now part of Indonesia. atrocities. To this day, its intentions to exam- LASSO’S VISIT Instead, he said, the Indonesian authori- ine the role of Freeport have not borne fruit. News and Views INDONESIA: News Bytes, ties agreed after some discussion to an office Geneva – UN High Commissioner for published by the Indonesian Embassy in in Jakarta and promised that the official who Human Rights Jose Ayala Lasso said yes- Washington, and available on the WWW at would run it would be able to travel to Dili terday he believed there were ‘very grave’ http://www.newsIndonesia.com/other/news_ and carry out investigations without inter- human rights violations in East Timor. bytes.html ference. But he said the Indonesian government The government had also pledged that it had agreed he could post a representative in Recent Events in Indonesia, December would allow non-governmental organisations Jakarta who would be able to visit the for- 31, 1995 from outside to carry out their own inquiries mer Portuguese colony. Youthful demonstrators invaded Ja- inside Indonesia on human rights, he added. ‘In my opinion there are very grave hu- karta’s foreign embassies in December to He did not say which groups this might ap- man rights violations in East Timor. We protest, both “pro” and “con,” the ongoing ply to. could see that from the general environ- East Timor issue. The Australian, Dutch, Ayala Lasso said he felt the Indonesian ment... and from the conversations I had and Russian embassies were affected. The authorities had taken some steps that were with several groups,’ Ayala Lasso told a protest in the Australian embassy was positive on the overall rights situation in the news conference. sparked by burnings of the Indonesian flag country, including the establishment of a Ayala Lasso, a former Ecuadorian diplo- in Australia, which irked Indonesian patri- national commission on human rights. mat, made an official five-day visit to Indo- ots. He said he had been assured by reliable nesia earlier this month and spent two days Demonstrators with opposing views people in the legal profession that the com- in East Timor where he saw local leaders. clashed at the Dutch embassy, causing mi- mission was independent, but it suffered He was allowed to visit East Timorese nor injuries to several Dutch diplomats. Riot from a shortage of funds. He had also urged separatist leader ‘Xanana’ Gusmão, serving police ended the three-day sit in, escorting the government to pass a law giving it a firm a 20-year sentence for leading an armed re- the youths to buses. All 112 demonstrators juridical basis. bellion against Indonesian rule in East agreed to leave the Dutch and Russian em- The U.N. official said demonstrations Timor. He said Xanana gave him a message, bassies. They were questioned and released against him in Jakarta, both when he visited whose contents he declined to reveal, for within the mandatory 24 hours. The Rus- Gusmão when he went to parliament, had UN Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali who is sian embassy denounced the occupation as not unduly concerned him although on one sponsoring talks between Indonesia and an unacceptable infringement of diplomatic occasion clearly aggressive protesters sur- Portugal and between Timorese factions on rights. rounded his car and banged on it. the area’s future. Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas “The police were more or less there. I Lasso said he had asked the Indonesian said protestors to Indonesia’s rule were free never felt in danger,” he added. He declined government to allow him to open an office to leave, like the 43 others who have gained to say whether he believed the protests in Dili, but had been told that this would run political asylum in Portugal. However, asy- were organised by the government itself. against Jakarta’s stand on East Timor - that lum did not appear to be the objective of the it is now part of Indonesia. latest group of “fence jumpers,” who Instead, he said the Indonesian authori- seemed more bent on attracting international ties agreed after some discussion to an office attention. in Jakarta and promised that the official who The incident coincided with the last day would run it would be able to travel to Dili. (Dec. 7) of a 6-day visit to Indonesia by The government had also pledged that it U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights would allow non-governmental organisations Jose Ayala Lasso. Lasso’s tour included from outside to carry out their own inquiries two days in East Timor. The seventh round inside Indonesia on human rights, he added. of the U.N.-sponsored tri-partite talks to Page 80 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. arrive at an internationally acceptable solu- sion said self-determination could also be a Q: Can you say something about your meet- tion to East Timor is scheduled for January concept within a state. Commission mem- ing with President Suharto? 1996 between Foreign Minister Ali Alatas bers asked whether the clause in the Portu- A: It was a great honour for me to meet and his Portuguese counterpart, with U.N. guese Constitution which treats East Timor President Suharto yesterday. My meeting Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali as a Portuguese colony (sic) could be re- with His Excellency President Suharto was presiding. pealed but were told that none of the four an event of very great importance to me. major Portuguese parties was prepared to During that one-hour meeting, I learnt a take such an initiative. great deal about history. I also learnt to re- ABILIO ARAUJO VISITS They concluded that there were still spect President Suharto’s role as the leader EAST TIMOR & SUHARTO many misunderstandings between Portugal of a great state and nation. and Indonesia. The Araujo team suggested During our meeting, President Suharto ex- that the Commission prepare a ‘joint writ- pressed his support for reconciliation be- ing’ (? Kompas uses the English words) on ABILIO TO SPEND tween all East Timorese citizens and at the the legal position of the two countries. The same time, he also open his arms wide to all XMAS IN DILI? Commission undertook to do this. East Timorese who want to contribute their Referring to the many criticisms from Suara Merdeka, 15 November 1995. thoughts to developing East Timor. I told Portugal about development in East Timor, Abridged him that this was something that gave me the Commission asked the Araujo team to very great pleasure indeed. President Suharto has proposed that the convince Portuguese businessmen that for- anti-integrasi leader, Abilio Araujo should be eign investment is the cornerstone of devel- I told the President that I am not very good invited to Dili to see for himself the religious opment in East Timor. at light conversation I also told the President harmony between various groups in Indone- that I can’t make any promises but that I sia, in the province (of East Timor). 7 January: will go on doing whatever I can, especially Lopez da Cruz announced this after This item consisted of an interview of with those East Timorese who have confi- meeting the President to report on the repa- Abilio Araujo the day after he had a one- dence in me. In particular, I told President triation of ten fighters for integration in hour meeting with President Suharto. Before Suharto to go on loving East Timor. I will do 1959 who are expected to return (sic) to In- this meeting, his group had been received by everything in my power to ensure that the donesia soon. a number of ministers including the foreign people of East Timor can fit in with the ‘The President agreed to grant “grasi” [!] minister, the research and technology minis- rhythm of world developments. After my to Dr Abilio and said it would be good for ter Habibie, the education minister, as well return, I will tell my friends in Lisbon and him to spend Christmas together... so that as leaders of the businessmen’s organisation, the Portuguese Foreign Minister about my he could return and explain the situation to Kadin. Some of the answers have been meeting (with President Suharto). abridged. his friends in Portugal,’ said da Cruz. Q: How do you yourself see the problem? (‘grasi’ means ‘a pardon’). Q: After meeting our leaders and seeing In- A: I think that there are still problems. That Further according to da Cruz, the new donesia for yourself, what is your im- is why we must work together, hand in Portuguese government has decided to re- pression? hand, to create mutual trust. I think that main neutral on the question of East Timor A: My impression of Indonesia and in par- and will not side with either the pro or anti- many people want to see a solution. If we ticular of Jakarta is very positive. This visit all love East Timor, we must all put aside integration groups. It is also willing, accord- of mine has opened up a new stage in my ing to da Cruz, to hold dialogue with all personal interests and open ourselves up to understanding of Indonesia, the people as dialogue. Timorese, including those who are Indone- well as the state. I have seen a great deal of sian citizens. development activity in Indonesia. I am sure DOING BUSINESS I have a lot to learn from Indonesia. WITH SUHARTO ABILIO ARAUJO MEETS Q: What do you think is the best solution for SUHARTO the question of East Timor? Publico, 6 January 1996. By Joaquim T. de Kompas, 5 and 7 January 1996 A: I continue to support government efforts Negreiros, Abridged to reach a solution through tripartite dia- Abilio Araujo is one of a consortium to The following are translated extracts from logue between Indonesia and Portugal under construct a dam in East Timor. two articles in Kompas, reporting on the UN auspices. Three years ago, I said that visit to Indonesia by ex-president of Fretilin, reconciliation between East Timorese would Lisbon – In Jakarta, Abilio Araujo met Abilio Araujo: make an important contribution to a solu- yesterday with Suharto. Officially, the tion. meeting is yet another in the Timorese “rec- 5 January: onciliation” process. However, beneath the Abilio Araujo accompanied by special Q: Is reconciliation the best way? political statements, business dealings are ambassador Lopez da Cruz, the Indonesian A: For me as an East Timorese who knows underway - business such as Indonesia’s ambassador in London, J.E. Habibie, Anto- only a little about the history of East Timor dam building project in East Timor. nio Maria Araujo and Rogerio Pereira, [the [it seems strange that Abilio should have Abilio Araujo, who continues to refer to delegation is described as a ‘Portuguese anti- said this; there may be errors in Kompas’s himself as Fretilin’s representative in Portu- integration delegation’] met with members translation of his replies which must have gal, currently in Jakarta and received today of the National Commission for Human been spoken in English] in the pre-colonial by Suharto, is one of a group of Timorese Rights. era, the colonial era and the present day, I constituting a consortium which will be su- Members of the ‘Portuguese group’ consider that stability is the primary neces- pervising the construction of the Ira Lalaro asked questions about the possibility of sity in East Timor in order to create social dam, a considerable Indonesian business un- self-determination for the people of East harmony. dertaking in East Timor. Timor. Charles Himawan of the Commis- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 81

The project was discussed last April in Yesterday, Publico tried repeatedly to INDONESIA TO BUILD 27 MW Amsterdam during a meeting called and contact Abilio Araujo and Francisco Lopes POWER PLANT IN EAST TIMOR chaired by the Indonesian Ambassador to da Cruz in Jakarta, as well as Manuel Til- London, J. E. Habibie. Brother of the influ- man in Macao. It proved impossible to Reuter World Service, January 19, 1996 ential Minister of Science & Technology in speak to any of these members of the con- Comment: Is this the “mega-project” cen- Suharto’s government, Habibie had already sortium, so the question of whether the Ira tering on the building of a hydroelectric dam played an important role in the so-called Lalaro dam would be among the subjects to at Ira Lalara Lake that Abilio Araujo went reconciliation meetings which, not by coin- be raised by Abilio Araujo in Jakarta went to Jakarta to negotiate earlier this month? cidence, were also held on British soil. unanswered. The idea for a comprehensive development It is also no coincidence that the dam What is certain, however, is that Abilio scheme, centering on a hydroelectric plant in building consortium includes the names of Araujo was received yesterday by Suharto Los Palos was developed by potential Japa- the two most prominent figures in the “rec- in the Indonesian President’s official resi- nese investors and others in the Japan- onciliation” process: Lopes da Cruz, Su- dence. The audience, which earlier this week Timor Association when East Timor was harto’s roving ambassador who headed the was denied by the Indonesian Minister of still a quiet Portuguese colony. A Japanese delegation from Timor to the “reconcilia- Information, lasted about one hour, and was development consultant firm drew up de- tion” meeting, and Abilio Araujo, who led the highlight of a series of meetings attended tailed development plans (in English and the delegation of Timorese exiles. by Abilio, who also met with the Ministers Portuguese.) Specifics on the hydroelectric Lopes da Cruz and Abilio Araujo were at of Foreign Affairs, Plan Co-ordination, Sci- project are part of a 70-page project report the Amsterdam meeting. In addition to ence and Technology (brother of the Am- (Digest), Feb. 1975, which I have. Other Habibie, the following were also present: bassador to London), and Education and aspects of the project are “development in Timorese Manuel Tilman, resident in Macao Culture. He also met with the Chairman of agriculture and stockbreeding, fishing and also linked to the “reconciliation” proc- the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and industries, as well as processing plants for ess; Manuel Macedo, as leader of the Portu- Industry. their secondary products...as well as sight- gal-Indonesia Friendship Association, and A further meeting with Minister Ali seeing business and living water system.” Paulus Tannos, Company Chairman of Alatas will mark the end of his visit. Yester- Summa Dinamika Energy, chosen by the day, after the audience with Suharto, the – Jean Inglis Indonesian Electric Company to construct delegation led by Abilio Araujo issued a JAKARTA, Jan 19 (Reuter) - Indonesia the dam. statement listing the main items discussed said on Friday it planned to build a 27 In the minutes of the meeting (which with the Indonesian President. Top of the megawatt (MW) hydropower plant in East Publico had access to), Lopes da Cruz, list was Suharto’s support for the continua- Timor, tripling capacity in a territory that Araujo and Tilman emerge as members of tion of “reconciliation” and the wider intra- has yet to offer all its citizens round the the consortium which will supervise the Timorese dialogue, and for the recognition of clock electricity. project. The name of Abilio Osorio Soares, the “historic and socio-cultural peculiarities” The official Antara news agency quoted Governor of East Timor, and absent from of the Timorese. the local head of the state-run electricity the Amsterdam meeting, also figured as one Reports of new arrests in East Timor firm PLN, Heri Siswanto, as saying on of the consortium. also reached the outside world yesterday. Thursday that an environmental impact The minutes referred to a previous meet- This time, according to a local source quoted analysis was being conducted ahead of the ing held in London - presumably when one by the LUSA agency, twelve Timorese were plant’s construction on Iralalaro lake, near of the “reconciliation” meetings was being arrested, accused of organising illegal meet- the eastern tip of Timor island. held there - and describes the people in- ings. According to the same source, seven of He was speaking in the territory’s capital volved in the project as “being mainly con- the detainees were later released, but the five Dili. cerned about playing an active role in the who remain in detention are said to be un- The plant, expected to be completed by development of the East Timor region.” dergoing torture in Dili. 2003, would provide enough power for do- According to the Minutes, “the meeting mestic consumption and to attract new in- concluded that all the participants would dustries to the area, Indonesia’s poorest, he agree to help and to actively participate in said. the development of the Ira Lalaro dam pro- Indonesia has ruled the East Timor since ject.” invading the former Portuguese colony in The consortium, formed by a representa- 1975. The United Nations does not recog- tive of Summa Dinamika Energy, and by a nise its rule and Jakarta faces dogged oppo- company to be formed by Lopes da Cruz, sition by guerrilla bands and clandestine Abilio Osorio, Abilio Araujo, and Manuel groups. Tilman, and open to “other prominent Present power in East Timor amounts to members” who may join, would be in charge 11 MW, Antara said. of supervising the project and attracting in- Siswanto said in March 1995 that five vestments for the dam construction. out of 13 regencies in East Timor received J. E. Habibie was “requested” to agree to 24-hour electricity, with the rest having be an Advisor to a Supervisory Group, power for up to 12 hours a day. whose job it would be to recommend which More recent figures were not immedi- companies would work with Abengoa (an- ately available. other Indonesian private company, de- scribed as one of the main contractors) on the dam construction engineering studies. At the President’s residence Page 82 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

ABILIO ARAUJO’S that Jakarta considers him an indispensable When asked to describe his position vis- interlocutor in the Timor issue. à-vis the East Timor issue, he said he sup- MEETING WITH SUHARTO In response to questions about the criti- ported a reconciliation contributing to a tri- Diario de Noticias (DN), 8 January 1996. cism from the Resistance, Araujo said he partite process. By Abel Coelho de Morais. Translated from thought the time had come for “the other The tripartite meeting between Indonesia, Portuguese, Abridged side to think about” whether or not it is se- Portugal and the United Nations Secretary rious about finding a solution, or whether it General as facilitator, is scheduled on Janu- Lisbon – “I believe that the present situa- just wants “to make Timor a way of life.” ary 16. tion in East Timor could be improved and, On the financial aspects of his trip, perhaps, even really changed,” said Abilio Araujo admitted that he had gone to Jakarta ABILIO ARAUJO Araujo, speaking by ‘phone from Jakarta to to negotiate important business: “agro- CONCERNED ABOUT DN about his meeting with President Su- industrial projects, the construction of a ce- harto last weekend. ment factory, which Timor does not have,” TIMOR’S DEVELOPMENT According to the Timorese politician and investments in the tourist trade and the A Capital, 12 January 1996. Original Lan- businessman, there is willingness in Indone- marble industry. The building of a hydro- guage Portuguese, Abridged sia “to find a solution” for East Timor, as electric dam at the Ira Lalara lake, in Los well as the hope that “Portugal co-operates Palos, was at the centre of these talks. The Lisbon – Timorese politician, Abilio in the search for that solution.” The meeting dam, which would be served by a sizeable Araujo, thinks that priority should be given with Suharto took place at the President’s subterranean watercourse, was described as to development in East Timor, even if that official residence, the Sandalwood Palace, a “mega-project” by Araujo, who added that means that Indonesia’s occupation of the and was also attended by the Indonesian the “geological studies of the area” are al- territory continues. In an interview with the Ambassador to London, Lopes da Cruz, and ready underway. LUSA agency, two days after he returned the President’s official interpreter. It lasted from a visit to Indonesia, during which he for “one hour and five minutes” (according ABILIO ADMITS SUBJECTED was received by President Suharto, Araujo to Araujo, official circles viewed this as an admitted that he had changed his views on exceptionally long meeting). Abilio Araujo TO GREAT PRESSURE IN the question of Timor. also met with Ali Alatas, and said that, on PORTUGAL After years, as Chairman of Fretilin, of his return, he would be reporting back on calling for self-determination for the former that meeting to Jaime Gama (new Portu- From Antara (Indonesian Government), 7 Portuguese colony, the politician- guese Foreign Minister). January 1996 entrepreneur now thinks that independence Araujo admitted that when he had set off Jakarta – Anti-integration leader Dr “in the absence of development would be on his trip he had been “extremely worried” Abilio Araujo admitted he received a great like going into reverse.” because of Jakarta’s growing opposition to deal of pressure in Portugal linked to his “Right now, the country that is able to the “intra-Timorese meetings.” However, he visit to Indonesia since the end of December develop East Timor is Indonesia, which is said that Suharto had assured him that “if 1995. already there,” said Araujo. He explained the they (the meetings) were the wish of the “Before I arrived here, many urged me to U-turn in his views by saying that the talks Timorese, the meetings would continue.” cancel the visit,” he told the press in Jakarta between Portugal and Indonesia on the terri- The next such meeting will be held after the Sunday. tory could drag on for “another 10, 15 or 20 forthcoming Ministerial meeting between Abilio has met with President Soeharto years.” Portugal and Indonesia, under the auspices on Friday and quietly also with a number of Araujo said that his having abandoned the of the UN, due to take place in London on Indonesian government authorities such as fight for independence did not mean he had 16th of this month. the foreign minister, the minister for re- decided to support the territory’s integra- Araujo explained he had not made state- search and technology, the minister of edu- tion with Indonesia. “Nowadays, I do not ments to the Portuguese or Indonesian press cation and culture, the minister for invest- address such questions (integration or inde- because he was “caught in the crossfire” and ment, the National Development Planning pendence), but see things in a different, did “not want to get involved in arguments” Agency, the Indonesian Chamber of Com- broader perspective.” He saw a need to put which could reduce the impact and damage merce and Industry and the National Com- greater emphasis on developing East Timor the political and economic interests in ques- mission for Human Rights. than on the decision about its political tion.” Flanked on the occasion by Indonesian status. Concerning the contradictory reports Ambassador to Great Britain JE Habibie and Araujo himself is determined to promote coming from various corners, the Timorese Indonesian Ambassador at Large Lopez da development there, which is why he is back- politician attributed them to sectors in the Cruz, he also said his current visit to Indo- ing the construction of the Lospalos dam Jakarta Government or to circles close to the nesia was not made under the pressure from project... He also intends to get other pro- main wings, namely the “military” and certain people. jects underway (for example, production of “technocrats,” who are seeking to influence “Nobody is forcing me,” he said, adding tomatoes for export), and challenges other the direction in which the regime is heading. that he did not represent anybody. Timorese entrepreneurs and specialists to On the other hand, it is clear that He said he was deeply impressed with invest in the territory. Araujo’s approximation to Jakarta has con- what he saw during his visit, the very first “I want to catapult Timor onto the same tributed to diminish the protagonism of oth- one, in Jakarta. level as other more developed countries in ers outside Timor who have maintained a He said he reserved his visit especially to the region,” such as Singapore, Thailand, and privileged relationship with Indonesia. Ac- meet President Soeharto, and had no time to Malaysia, he said. ... “I don’t care whether I cording to Araujo, the high-level treatment see East Timor, the 27th Indonesian prov- give the advantage to Indonesia. What I do afforded to his group and the “very cordial ince which has dominated his talks with In- care about are the Timorese.” atmosphere at all the meetings,” are indica- donesian authorities. The businessman said he was prepared to tions of the role he can play and evidence sacrifice his political career in exchange for East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 83 the construction of the hydroelectric dam, 1993 and, in that respect, all my meetings am one of those who believes that such which has led him to associate with some with the Indonesian authorities were with a meetings should take place in Timor. leading figures of the Indonesian regime, view to appealing to Jakarta to allow the DN: Would the participation of Xanana in such as the Indonesian Ambassador to the intra-Timorese dialogue to continue. The such meetings be possible? UK, Habibie (brother of the Minister for authorities and the President himself assured Science and Technology), and the Governor me that the dialogue would continue. Also, AA: I hope so, and I shall be doing whatever of East Timor, Abilio Osorio. with regard to the demands which came out I can to ensure Xanana is present at the Araujo emphasised, however, that priori- of the reconciliation meetings, Indonesia’s meetings. tising development in East Timor could not policy of transmigration to Timor has now DN: What is your view of the human rights be disassociated from respect for human been cancelled. I was assured that, given the situation in East Timor? rights, as he believed the two concepts were special circumstances and the situation in AA: I still think that there are cases of hu- inseparable. .... the territory, the Government has refrained man rights violations, when troops enter With regard to his meeting with Suharto, from promoting it. people’s houses at any time they like with .. Araujo said he had been given the Presi- DN: What can the Timorese hope to achieve impunity. That is one of the matters I raised dent’s assurances that “measures to im- from the intra-Timorese dialogue? in Jakarta, and the central commands have prove the situation in the territory were go- AA: ... the approximation of Timorese lead- already assured me that they would be tak- ing to be taken.” He declined to go into de- ing steps to avoid it happening. tails, however, until after his meeting on ers around issues - such as the “Timorisa- tion” of public, social, political and eco- DN: Was the subject of human rights raised Friday with Portuguese Foreign Minister with Suharto? Jaime Gama. He would only say that he in- nomic life - on which they could reach con- formed Suharto about the strategy which, he sensus. AA: Yes, in a general way ... But I do not believed, would create a suitable atmosphere DN: Is that subscribed by all those taking wish to go into any detail now. in which development in East Timor could part in the meetings? DN: You mentioned Xanana Gusmão: are thrive. The basis for said strategy would be: AA: Those who are here on the outside, and you in touch with him? pacification, demilitarisation, Timorisation those within (Timor) all talk in private AA: Not directly. When I was in Jakarta, I of the administration, and reconciliation. about it. Until now, however, we (and I in- passed on my best wishes to him through On the subject of demilitarisation, Araujo clude myself here) have not been able to mutual friends, and he wrote me a very nice considered Indonesia’s military presence in synthesise a single, coherent thought about letter. ... East Timor to be “exaggerated to an ex- those issues. That is why I believe the dia- treme,” because the real number of troops is DN: Do you plan to meet with Xanana when logue has an important role; there are objec- you go back to Indonesia? actually “far greater than the official num- tives which I feel are shared by everyone: ber.” safeguarding the physical integrity of the AA: I am going to try to arrange a meeting Timorese, and maintaining the cultural iden- with Xanana next time I am in Indonesia. In I WANT TO MEET tity of the Timorese. fact, I would like the main purpose of that visit to be to meet with him and discuss the WITH XANANA DN: Is that it? Do you think that the most ground we are breaking. that can be expected from Indonesia is re- Diario de Noticias, 17 January 1996. By spect for human rights and preservation DN: Are the Indonesian authorities likely to Abel Coelho de Morais. Translated from of cultural identity? Can the expectations consent to such a meeting? And won’t Portuguese, Abridged be raised? some sectors of the regime be displeased if it ever did take place? Lisbon – Abilio Araujo is preparing a fur- AA: I think we can legitimately expect ther trip to Indonesia, and wants to meet more. However, we have to start some- AA: .. I do not think that the Indonesian with Xanana Gusmão. He says there are where. authorities will be putting obstacles in the way, and if they were to do so, they would “currents” within the Jakarta regime that are DN: Is any issue being put forward that seeking “a solution” for Timor. have to be justified. With regards the other goes beyond cultural identity and human sectors within the regime, I think that if we “The Indonesian Government accepts rights? that Xanana is part of the solution to the are all determined that Xanana play his role problem of Timor,” said Abilio Araujo, dur- AA: Once we get consensus on those issues, in this process, my meeting with him would ing an interview with Diario de Noticias we can then raise them with Indonesia. In really be a contribution towards finding a (DN), just hours before Foreign Minister Jakarta I realised that there is an underlying solution. Jaime Gama revealed that he was prepared desire to improve or even change the situa- DN: Is there a place for Xanana in the to meet the Timorese Resistance leader in tion. However, that depends largely on the search for a political settlement? And is Jakarta. Xanana Gusmão ought to take part Timorese. We must remember that, until his place recognised by Indonesia? some time ago, two radically opposed posi- in the reconciliation meetings, said Araujo, AA: In Indonesia Xanana is seen as a person adding that he had received Indonesia’s as- tions existed - integration and referendum. It is between these two irreconcilable posi- with a past which is worthy of respect, and surances that an end has been put to its pol- that is an asset. For that very reason, he icy of transmigration to Timor. tions that I am seeking a third way, in order to find a force which can generate new en- cannot be left out of a solution to the prob- DN: How would you describe the outcome of ergy. lem of Timor. your trip to Indonesia and meeting with Suharto? DN: Should that new energy be extended to all the Resistance leaders? Abilio Araujo (AA): On balance it was ex- tremely positive ... Indonesia respected the AA: The information I have suggests that terms and framework of my visit. The trip they will be the same ones as were in Aus- was embarked upon within the scope of the tria. But we need to have further meetings. I reconciliation meetings that I initiated in Page 84 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

bon’s housing market is notoriously tight route after entering the British, Dutch, TRYING TO GET OUT and apartments are very expensive. Japanese and French embassies. In addition to the practical hurdles, the “I am not surprised these youngsters During this period, there was a tremen- refugees are haunted by what they have left choose to go to foreign embassies, as people dous escalation in the number of East behind. in their position are generally in a hopeless Timorese trying to get out – either by “They have very little contact with situation,” Maia told Reuters last week. entering embassies in Jakarta or by boat friends and family in Timor because the In- Diplomats say chronic unemployment in to Australia. In an effort to put these ar- donesians impose restrictions and they the territory, where government jobs and ticles in some order, they are arranged don’t want to make life difficult for their small businesses are dominated by outsid- according to which embassy the people relatives,” Cardoso said. ers, means many young people have little went into. Articles which are not em- “(They) are constantly living with the prospect of finding work. bassy-specific appear below. war just over their shoulders, always think- The asylum-seekers are mostly well- ing about it.” educated by East Timor standards, including TIMORESE EXILES He rejected Indonesian claims the asy- a number of university students. lum-seekers were economic refugees: “These people are without hope and all FACE FRESH HURDLES “Without exception all want to return.” they are dreaming of is a job and a girlfriend. IN PORTUGAL The dramatic embassy break-ins have They do not want to change house everyday helped to draw the world’s attention to the to avoid the police,” a European diplomat By Samantha McArthur plight of the territory but Cardoso stressed said. He added that voluntary exile in Portu- LISBON, Nov 18 (Reuter) - Five East fear, not publicity, was the motivation. gal looks attractive despite the cost of leav- Timorese youths who flew into Lisbon on “They come because they are afraid, per- ing one’s family and homeland. Saturday join a group of exiles who face the secuted,” he said. Luis Cardoso, a Timorese exile in Lisbon, uphill struggle of resettling in Portugal while Portugal pulled out of East Timor amid said one could not compare the difficulties haunted by the conflict that they have fled. its own post-revolutionary chaos in 1975 faced by new arrivals adapting to Portugal Usually speaking little or no Portuguese, and Indonesia swiftly invaded, annexing the with life under Indonesian rule in East they need to find work and somewhere to territory a year later. Timor. live as well as adapt to big differences in The United Nations has never recognised “There, (in East Timor) people have been climate and food. the Indonesian occupation and regards Lis- uprooted from their land, they go hungry “The biggest obstacles are the language bon as the administering power. and are oppressed and frightened. After so and the difficulty of finding work,” Luis Whatever the difficulties faced by much suffering how could we grumble about Cardoso, a Timorese refugee himself and Timorese adapting to Portugal, Cardoso problems here?” he told Reuters. spokesman for the exiles in Lisbon, told says there is no comparison with living un- Indonesia has maintained a dispropor- Reuters. der Indonesian rule. tionately heavy presence in East Timor, “Of course, if you have experienced In- “There people have been uprooted from 2,000km (1,240 miles) east of Jakarta, since donesian occupation you’re just happy to their land, they go hungry and are oppressed its December 1975 invasion as it still faces a be here and you don’t think too negatively,” and frightened. After so much suffering how small group of pro-independence rebels as he added. could we grumble about problems here?” well as regular social unrest. The latest arrivals, who say they are flee- Last month residents described how sol- ing political persecution in their Indonesian- TERROR FUELS diers fired repeatedly into the air as they controlled homeland, join 49 others who ASYLUM-SEEKING BIDS conducted door-to-door searches at night in came to Portugal via Jakarta’s British, Dili for suspects after days of rioting. Maia Dutch and U.S. embassies in the past two By Jim Della-Giacoma said regular street-side searches and ID years. checks continued last week. The five youths scaled the French em- JAKARTA, Nov 19 (Reuter) - A combi- Diplomats said the recent entry by activ- bassy fence on Thursday – just hours before nation of terror and despair mixed with a ists was different than the 12-day occupa- 21 others arrived in Portugal having left the dash of political opportunism seems to be tion of the U.S. embassy compound by 29 Japanese embassy after a similar break-in. fueling the wave of East Timorese young Timorese last November during a Asia- Portugal, the old colonial power in East men seeking political asylum, Timorese and Pacific Economic Conference meeting. Timor, says it will not turn away a single diplomats say. “They don’t seem to be making a great Timorese. Indonesian officials deride the men as political case out of it anymore,” said one Most of exiles arrive speaking only their dropouts looking for a free ride to Portugal, diplomat. native Tetum and they need special language but a prominent East Timorese said the Those who participated in the last three tuition to take up places in schools and uni- problem is directly related to the military break-ins quickly accepted Portugal’s stand- versities. crackdown on the island in the wake of riot- ing offer of asylum for all East Timorese and During this time the state provides ac- ing in September and October. left for Lisbon around 36 hours after enter- commodation, food and a monthly grant of “The situation here in East Timor is one ing the missions. of terror, tension and persecution,” Armindo 17,500 escudos (120 dollars) which is stan- While Indonesia declared East Timor its dard for Portuguese students. Maia, vice-rector at the East Timor Univer- 27th province in July 1976, this is not rec- “It is when they finish studying and try sity, said by telephone from Dili, the capital ognised by the United Nations which re- to get jobs that we run into problems,” Car- of the former Portuguese colony. gards Portugal as the administering power. doso said, admitting they occasionally en- Maia spoke to Reuters hours before the On Friday the head of the Catholic counter prejudice. latest batch of five Timorese men left the Church in East Timor, Bishop Carlos Belo, “Finding accommodation when they start French embassy in Jakarta for Lisbon. Since called on the government to examine the to have families is very tricky,” he said. Lis- late September 39 Timorese men, aged be- causes behind the recent asylum seeking tween 19 and 26, have left by the same bids. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 85

Belo told local reporters the Indonesian PPBI (Centre for Labour Struggle), SMID East Timorese jump a fence into the U.S. government could not just turn a blind eye (Student Solidarity for Indonesian Democ- embassy compound. November 12 was the to the problems in East Timor. But on the racy), STN (National Peasants Union), third anniversary of the massacre by sol- same day Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali JAKKER (Peoples Art Network) and diers of up to 200 East Timorese in Dili. Alatas, speaking in Japan, blamed Portugal SPRIM (Indonesian People’s Solidarity November 24 - After 12-day sit-in in for encouraging the most recent wave asy- Struggle with the Maubere People) jointly front of world’s media, the 29 protestors lum seekers. with East Timorese are currently occupying leave for asylum in Portugal. “It’s a game and it’s getting a little bit the Dutch and Russian Embassies. 1995 boring. Nobody is persecuting them, every- SPRIM’s program includes the following September 24 - Five East Timorese body knows that, and one by one, every demands: youths enter the British embassy and ask embassy has rejected their requests for asy- 1. withdrawal of all Indonesian military and for political asylum. lum,” Alatas said. police from East Timor September 29 - The five asylum-seekers 2. a referendum on independence in East leave the British embassy for Portugal. PRD/SPRIM STATEMENT ON Timor November 7 - Eight East Timorese run EMBASSY OCCUPATIONS 3. repeal of the five repressive political laws through the gate of the Dutch embassy and of 1985. seek political asylum, only days before the STATEMENT BY INDONESIANS IN Wilson, fourth anniversary of the Dili massacre. SOLIDARITY WITH EAST TIMORESE National Coordinator, SPRIM November 8 - Helped by the Interna- PEOPLE (SPRIM) AND PEOPLES tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), DEMOCRATIC UNION CHRONOLOGY OF the eight leave for asylum in Portugal after little more than 30 hours in the Dutch em- 7 December, 1995 EMBASSY INVASIONS The reality in East Timor, is not that bassy. which is promoted by the Suharto Regime, BY EAST TIMORESE November 14 - Twenty-one East that the integration of East Timor into Indo- Timorese climb a fence into the Japanese JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuter) - A total of embassy shortly before the start of the an- nesia was a process of self-determination by nearly 100 East Timorese staged break-ins the people of East Timor. This propaganda nual Asia-Pacific economic summit in at the Dutch and Russian embassies in Ja- Osaka, Japan. is a lie because to this day, in reality, the karta on Thursday. Indonesian government under the Suharto November 15 - The Japanese embassy The following is a chronology of similar group leaves for Portugal, which says it will Regime has carried out military intervention incidents, involving mainly East Timorese against the people of East Timor in pursuit accept all East Timorese asylum-seekers. seeking political asylum in Portugal, East November 16 - Five East Timorese break of their own interests that is East Timorese Timor’s former colonial ruler: integration into Indonesia. This has meant into the French embassy and seek refuge in 20 years of brutal oppression, which is re- 1986 Portugal “or another country which could jected by the East Timorese people them- - Four East Timorese claiming to be give them political asylum.” selves. members of Fretilin (the Revolutionary November 17 - The five in the French In reality the United Nations has already Movement for an Independent East Timor) embassy leave for Portugal. Foreign diplo- passed a resolution rejecting all of the Su- break into Dutch embassy, wanting to go to mats fear speed with which recent asylum harto regime’s actions, and have held nego- Portugal. The bid fails. bids have been resolved will encourage fur- tiations between the governments of Indo- 1989 ther attempts. November 20 - Four East Timorese enter nesia and Portugal; in which the UN ac- June 19 - Six East Timorese seek asylum knowledged Portugal as the sovereign power French embassy. Portugal accuses Indonesia at the embassies of Japan and the Vatican. of encouraging asylum bids to remove op- in East Timor. The Suharto regime however, Their demands for asylum are unsuccessful has never shown any genuine conviction and ponents and ease internal pressure in East and they all leave the embassies within three Timor. has never been serious about resolving the days. issue of East Timor. Aside from this, other November 21 - The French embassy four countries have “adapted” themselves to the 1993 head for Lisbon on a now set route, with issue of East Timor (such as the UN which June 23 - Seven East Timorese students ICRC help. Alatas says the asylum bids are is not consistent). enter the Finnish and Swedish embassies. instigated from abroad. Lisbon calls such The terrible conditions experienced by June 24 - The four students in the Fin- claims “absurd.” the people of East Timor, caused by the nish embassy give up their demands for asy- December 7 - Fifty-eight break into the Suharto regime, are not very different from lum and leave following government assur- Dutch embassy and about 40 enter the Rus- the conditions faced by the people of Indo- ances of their safety. sian embassy on the same day 20 years ago nesia; where the freedom to organise, ex- July 2 - The three East Timorese in the that Indonesian forces invaded East Timor press opinion both verbally and in writing Swedish embassy abandon asylum bid after after the Portuguese left. which and so on, as a criteria indicates that receiving a government letter saying they there is no peoples’ sovereignty in Indone- would not be prosecuted. sia. In this case because Suharto’s regime December 29 - The seven who broke into applies a packet of five repressive political the Finnish and Swedish embassies in June laws who’s nature is extremely undemo- fly to Portugal. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas cratic. said they were allowed to go on humanitar- Because of this, in view of the conditions ian grounds. mentioned above, today, we, from the or- 1994 ganisation PRD (Peoples’ Democratic Un- November 12 - As Indonesia prepares to ion) supported by the national trade union host an Asia-Pacific economic summit, 29 Page 86 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

ADITJONDRO Finally, I appeal to all my younger col- matter related to security in Cimandiri and leagues in Indonesia, who are still loyal to training for four days - 18 to 22 November. SOLIDARITY MESSAGE the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees in Our arrival from Bukit Sentul was not of our December 7, 1995 its Preamble the right of every nation on own volition but was an order from BAIS. earth to independence, to support the acts When we gathered at Cimandiri on 19 No- STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH of their young colleagues in the Dutch and vember we were given Rp 15,000 as pocket THE EAST TIMORESE AND Russian embassies. What they are demand- money - freely, before we even did any- INDONESIAN YOUNG PEOPLE IN ing is completely constitutional. So, let us thing. THE DUTCH AND RUSSIAN all join hands to end the unconstitutional act The text of the petition and banners were as EMBASSIES IN JAKARTA of the Suharto regime and its fascist sup- follows: porters, which for twenty years have at- As an Indonesian fighting for democrati- 1. RAMOS-HORTA SOLD HIS tempted to deny a people their right to self- zation in Indonesia and the liberation of East COUNTRY FOR MONEY determination and independence. Timor from the fascist Indonesian occupa- 2. THE EAST TIMORESE YOUTHS Perth, 7 December 1995. tion forces, I strongly support the actions WHO OCCUPY EMBASSIES ARE On the 20th anniversary of the unconsti- taken by my younger colleagues in the TRAITORS tutional invasion and occupation of Indone- Dutch and Russian embassies in Jakarta. The text of the memorandum, the peti- sia’s neighbour, East Timor. I also strongly support their demands, tion and the banners were the initiative of George Junus Aditjondro namely the cessation of all terror in East BAIS and not of the East Timorese youths (an Indonesian citizen living in self- Timor, the release of all East Timorese po- in Jakarta. They intentionally used the East imposed exile) litical prisoners, the withdrawal of all the Timorese youths and all plans and coercive Indonesian armed forces from East Timor, actions were the result of BAIS manipula- and the involvement of the great East EAST TIMORESE FORCED tion and propaganda. If the members of the Timorese leader, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, TO DEMONSTRATE FOR security force had refused action would have in all the negotiations to restore the right of INDONESIA been taken against them, they would have the East Timorese people to self- been fired from their work and compelled to determination. find a sponsor to organise political asylum The courage shown by these young East Statement by four East Timorese or they would have been kidnapped and Timorese and Indonesian people is really youths forced into holding a pro- killed. admirable, knowing that the Indonesian oli- Indonesia demonstration before the The demonstration was attended by 160 garchic-military regime would not make their participants of whom only a few were from lives easier, if they leave the diplomatic Central Parliament Building, Jakarta, on 20 Nov. 1995 East Timor, the majority being outsiders: sanctuaries of the two embassies into the 1. Makasar (Sulawesi) - largest propor- Jakarta sidewalks. The act of the young In- From CNRM, Dec. 7. tion of participants donesian democrats is a proof to the world, The following statement was issued by four 2. Kupang - approximately 20 people that the Suharto regime can not continue to East Timorese from Jakarta forced by BAIS 3. Flores fool all its own people, all the time. on 20 November to demonstrate against 4. Bima I strongly appeal to the Russian govern- ETese asylum seekers at National Parlia- 5. Ambon ment to support the demand of the joint ment Jakarta. Video taped interviews of the 6. Batak Indonesian-East Timorese young people in same have been circulated to international 7. Jakarta natives the Russian Embassy, to negotiate with TV networks. Transcript of text is appended. 8. Java spokespersons of the Indonesian regime 9. Under 20 people were from East within the safety of the embassy com- GOD ALMIGHTY BE PRAISED Timor, and even so the participants were pound. The reason for this is that the Rus- This is a true statement that we submit coerced and paid. The name of the East sian government itself has just recently for consideration. Timorese youth that opposed the demon- painfully learned from the heroic struggle of We are making this statement because we stration from beginning to end are as fol- the Baltic people, that colonialism is did not have the opportunity to be inter- lows: doomed to collapse. viewed by journalists and therefore were 1. Elitario Dos Santos Cruz (22) I also strongly appeal to the Dutch gov- unable to inform on facts that have come to 2. Adolfo Dos Santos Neves (23) ernment to support likewise demands of the our knowledge. 3. Crispin Matos Gomes (23) joint Indonesian-East Timorese young peo- We hereby state that: 4. Venancio Oliveira (24) ple in the Dutch embassy. This is to proof, * THE ACTION WAS SPONSORED BY They are the one who opposed [the ac- whether an former colonial master can in- THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF tion] from beginning to end. Their reason deed be a champion of human rights on the BAIS, AMONG OTHERS: was that they did not understand the back- international scene, as the Netherlands have ground nor the objectives [of the demonstra- attempted to show on various occasions. In 1. Brigadier General Jeki Anwar (Head of BAIS- Military Secret Intelligence) tion]. Furthermore their objective [BAIS] particular I appeal to the current Dutch for- was to show the world that the East eign minister Kooymans to offer his media- Comment: used a private vehicle, police number plate he was the 1421 with false Timorese youths want to retain integration. tion service in these negotiations between However the real objective was to create the young Indonesians and East Timorese number plates. Also, he was the author of the petition and text of the banners dissent among the East Timorese. The name and the Indonesian government, having wit- of the East Timorese - or Intel - supporting nessed himself a “sample” of the brutalities 2. Colonel Supit Johanes 3. Colonel Gatot this action, are: of Indonesian troops in East Timor during 1. Ahmad Alkatiri the notorious Dili massacre. Comment: He made the first telephone call to the East-Timorese security at Bukit 2. Teodorus Sentul on 18 November; he said there was a 3. Martinu Fernandez East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 87

4. Alberto Dos Santos themselves who prepared the banners and bassy break-ins by people such as East These are the ones who will be sent on posters carried by the demonstrators. Na- Timorese. duty to East Timor to persuade and/or to tive East Timorese present numbered only “But neither have we ever condoned the accompany members of SGI (Intel) to Ja- around 19 people. The rest hailed from Ja- acts of those pro-integration activists who, karta to take part in a similar action before karta, Sulawesi, Kupang or the Moluccas. as a reaction to the actions of the first the Parliament building. According to infor- (Eliterio) groups, have also committed the unlawful mation received, East Timorese youths 7 act of breaking into the Dutch embassy 0:31:22 - Zacky and Supit told us that if years of age and over will be treated as in compound,” he said. we didn’t do as they told us, our families 1995 [sic] (mass kidnapping and killings). Diplomats on Tuesday questioned back in East Timor would be in trouble. It’s whether there was any collaboration be- This is our statement. We thank you for these kinds of threats made against us and tween pro-Indonesian protesters and some your attention. our families that has prompted us to seek officials. “There seems to be no real deter- The signatories: the protection of foreign governments mined effort on the part of the police to through their embassies here in Jakarta. Notes from the editor of Solidarity stop them going into the embassies,” one 0:36:50 - If those who have requested Struggle of the People of Indonesia and said. political asylum in recent weeks are not trai- of East Timor (SPRIM) At the Dutch and the Australian embas- tors in your view, then why did you get in- 1. a.l. (in the original text) = among them; sies, witnesses said the pro-Indonesians ar- volved in the pro-integration demonstration? ket. (in the original text) = comments rived in air-conditioned buses. Satuan Pengaman or SATPAM is trans- (Venancio) Witnesses at Tuesday’s Australian em- lated as Security Because we were forced to do so. They bassy protest said around 100 police and 2. Copied from the original with no threatened us with weapons and offered us soldiers with riot shields and sticks did not changes - please do not change the content, money, i.e. Rp 15,000. It was all a big lie appear to use any great force to curb the the language, the words, the syntax etc. designed to repair the terrible image which invasion. 3. The original was typed on a manual Indonesia has earnt for itself. Jakarta’s military spokesman, Lieuten- typewriter 0:44:10 - Were all those East Timorese ant-Colonel Didi Supandi, said the security 4. The original was not signed involved in the pro-integration demonstra- forces did try to restrain the crowd but it Three of the authors of this statement have tion in agreement with you? was too numerous. “The security forces been interviewed and [the interview has (Crispin) cannot hit them because they are Indonesian citizens,” he told Reuters. been] recorded on 8mm. handy cam. Yes, all of the native East Timorese par- One participant told reporters he had Video ticipating in the demonstration are anti- been paid 17,500 rupiah ($7.70) to take part b) THREE YOUNG MEN (Left: Venan- integration. Like us, they were forced to be in the demonstration. Supandi said he had cio Middle: Eliterio Right: Crispin) involved. They were subjected to the same no information on this. threats. (Crispin) But diplomats said whether or not some 0:26:40 - On 18 November 1995 we were government agencies were involved in organ- called up by the head of security at the EMBASSIES IN JAKARTA ising the counter-demonstrations, their ac- place where we work as security guards and REASSESS SECURITY tions did not represent official policy. told that we were to be involved in a meet- ing. When we got to the meeting place on by Jim Della-Giacoma, [abridged] AI: GOVERNMENTS SHOULD the evening of 19 November, we were ad- JAKARTA, Dec 12 (Reuter) – Diplo- DO MORE TO PROTECT dressed by a number of officials from mats said on Tuesday they were reassessing BAIS/BIA (Intelligence Agencies), headed the security of their embassies in Jakarta ASYLUM-SEEKERS by Brigadier General Zacky Anwar, and in- following a spate of invasions by pro- and Amnesty International News Service, 18 De- cluding Colonels Gatot and Supit Johannes. anti-government protesters but there were cember Zacky said to us that he needed our help for limits to what they could do. one hour only with a certain activity, with- About 30 pro-Indonesian government News Service 248/95, AI INDEX: ASA out giving details. He told us that if we were protesters briefly invaded the Australian 21/66/95 asked, we were not to mention the names of embassy compound on Tuesday during a As representatives from European Union those coordinating the activity. When I protest over the burning of Indonesian flags (EU) governments meet with Association of asked Zacky Anwar what exactly it was in Australia. They also demonstrated sup- South East Asian Nations Ambassadors in that we were going to do, he refused to an- port for East Timor’s integration. Madrid tomorrow, Amnesty International is swer. Because we asked the question, our European Union diplomats were due to calling on EU governments to ensure that names were noted down in a book and we meet on Tuesday evening for a debriefing their embassies in Indonesia do more to pro- were threatened with a pistol. They told us hosted by the Dutch, whose compound was tect Indonesian and East Timorese human that if we cooperated, if later we have wives invaded by two groups last Thursday. rights and political activists. and children, or if we are sick, we are guar- “The security aspect is very touchy and “Appeals for help from activists who anteed of assistance with housing, financial very important and now we realise where need protection have been completely ig- support etc. We replied that we weren’t the limits are and you cannot do very nored by the representatives of the Dutch interested in their money, that we already much,” one diplomat said. Government in Jakarta,” Amnesty Interna- had jobs. We refused to take the money (Rp “Basically the security of an embassy is tional said today. “The government should 15,000) offered to us. Then on 20 Novem- the obligation of the host country and they do more to protect these activists who are ber, we were taken from Jalan Cimandiri, should take care of this.” under threat of being arrested, harassed and Jakarta, to the Parliament building to par- Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said at the ill-treated by the security forces.” ticipate in the pro-integration demonstration weekend that Indonesia never condoned em- they had planned. It was the Intel staff Page 88 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Protests have been taking place in Jakarta the East Timorese leave, prior to any claim INDONESIA STUDYING since 7 December – the 20th anniversary of for asylum being heard. the Indonesian invasion of East Timor – WISHES OF SOME TO when more than a hundred demonstrators INTELLIGENCE CHIEF: RETURN entered the Dutch and Russian embassies in EMBASSY FENCE SCALING Jakarta. Within two days, they were forced ANTARA Press Cable, via Indonesian De- to leave the safety of the embassy buildings, BY EAST TIMORESE YOUTH partment of Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 1996 and were handed over to Indonesian police TO DIMINISH IN 1996 Deputy Chairman of the East Timor Leg- who entered the embassy compounds. They islation Samuel Alex Petruz said in Dili, were questioned for 24 hours and some of From ANTARA (Indonesian Government), Tuesday (Jan.2) that the government must those detained were allegedly ill-treated in 29 December. carefully consider the wishes of some East police custody. Jakarta - The cases involving East Timorese youths previously requesting po- In an appeal on 8 December, Amnesty Timorese, like the recent scaling of foreign litical asylum in Portugal to return to their International expressed concern that even if embassy fences in Jakarta, are predicted to home country. all the demonstrators were released from diminish in 1996, head of the National Intel- He made the statement when asked to custody, they remained at risk of harass- ligence Coordinating Body Soedibyo told comment on the wishes of some East ment and further detention. The organiza- reporters prior to a plenary cabinet meeting Timorese youths who have requested politi- tion’s concerns have been borne out by re- here Thursday. cal asylum through foreign embassies in Ja- cent events. He said East Timorese, including their karta to return to Indonesia. Petrus Haryanto, an Indonesian activist youth, have become increasingly aware of “Even though those asylum seekers have who entered the Dutch Embassy, was ar- the destructive effects of the propaganda expressed regrets, I personally think it is not rested on 11 December by plainclothes mili- and agitation launched by Portugal and the necessary to accept them again,” he said. tary officers at a clinic in Jakarta where he Ramos Horta group. Now they can always express their re- was seeking medical assistance. He was held The society in Timtim has become in- grets, but on another occasion they may in military detention but was released on the creasingly aware that the young East well repeat their action by again “scaling” morning of 12 December. Petrus and another Timorese who sought asylum in Portugal are the fences of foreign embassies in Jakarta, he Indonesian are believed to have now been now desolate. “Portugal turned out not to be added. issued with a summons under a charge of their saviour. Integration still proved the There are still many people in East “insulting the President.” On 15 December, best,” he said. Timor who are faithful to the integration the military announced that 32 of the pro- Soedibyo said that politically in 1995 principle and love Indonesia. Therefore, testors had been arrested and were being many people who wanted to participate in there is no need to spend so much attention held for questioning in Surabaya. development have chosen to set up mass to the wishes of a small number of young “These cases show that the Indonesian organisations. irresponsible people who have discredited authorities are continuing to harass and vic- “From a positive point of view, this re- the reputation of the country, Petruz said. timise activists involved in the embassy flects the desire of the society to take active “They should be responsible for their protests. The Dutch Government showed a part in development,” he added. difficulties of living in a foreign country. callous disregard for their security in hand- This condition was favourable to all sides After all, they are the ones causing all their ing the protestors over to the Indonesian and will facilitate communication in solving present problems,” he said. authorities on a disingenuous assurance that problems in a rational and objective fashion. However, about the four families now re- they would only be questioned for 24 He nonetheless admitted that there were siding in Portugal and wish to return to their hours,” Amnesty International said. certain groups in society pursuing negative homeland, Petruz said, they must be wel- Amnesty International has been informed emotional attitudes. But with the intellectual comed because they were involved in the that the Dutch Government appears to have capabilities and experience gained from the 1959 Viqueque Incident which gave inspira- ignored a request for asylum from 26 East past, these destructive attitudes would tions to the decolonization process in East Timorese while in the embassy. The East eventually be overcome by the government. Timor. Timorese claim that they requested asylum Soedibyo said that in 1996 the global is- “They should be considered heroes be- before they left the embassy. sues which will still concern Indonesia are cause they have always been loyal to the “The Netherlands is a signatory to the human rights and the environment. state and nation of Indonesia,” he said. Refugee Convention. It has a duty to pro- Ramos Horta and Portugal will continue tect people who request asylum,” Amnesty their agitation, but its effects on the East JAKARTA EMBASSIES ON International said. Timorese society would continue to decline, ALERT FOR “By ignoring the request and allowing for he added. the East Timorese to be taken from the em- He also called for continued alertness TIMORESE INCURSIONS bassy in police custody, the Dutch authori- against elements undermining the Pancasila JAKARTA, Jan 16 (Reuter) - Foreign ties may have placed the group at greater state ideology and those trying to revive embassies in Jakarta were on alert on Tues- risk,” Amnesty International said. communism. day for more incursions by East Timorese According to the Dutch Government, the As regards the economy, the government political asylum-seekers, diplomats said. security of the embassy was threatened with its extensive experience will keep They said Indonesian police told at least when pro-Indonesian demonstrators entered prices well under control to maintain peace two embassies that up to 100 Timorese the embassy and attacked embassy staff and and calm in the society, he said. might try to invade their missions to coin- pro-independence activists on 8 December. cide with talks in London on the troubled The Dutch Government has stated in par- former Portuguese colony. liament that because the security of the em- “We are battening down the hatches here. bassy was threatened, it was imperative that Police have said about 100 East Timorese East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 89 might be involved. It may not happen,” one and, after International Red Cross media- shot in the back during the Santa Cruz mas- Western diplomat said. tion, it was Lisbon that became their final sacre. 21-year-old Martinho Gonçalves said Most embassies in Jakarta have increased destination. that every day he was forced to walk on top security by erecting barbed wire on fences What was different about their case was of thorns. 27-year-old Alfredo Rodrigues since the latest spate of invasions started in the fact that they were women. With the aid who, since he was five, lived in the bush September. of an interpreter, Odilia spoke about the with the guerrillas, told how he was cap- Indonesian security forces have increased difficulties which would explain why the tured in Los Palos after being shot five their presence outside missions. asylum seekers who invade embassies have, times. On Monday five East Timorese youths until now, always been men. Although “the In addition to these, and the other refu- left for Portugal via Amsterdam after seek- consequences are worse for women when gees who have arrived recently, there will be ing sanctuary in the New Zealand embassy they are arrested,” they nonetheless “fight a further five who asked for asylum last Fri- compound in Jakarta’s Menteng residential for liberation,” she said. There is the day at the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta. district. Timorese Women’s Popular Organisation, According to the Red Cross, they too Two East Timorese women left for Por- to which Odilia and Maria belonged, that should be leaving tomorrow for Portugal. tugal on Friday after spending two nights in raises money and material to help the armed NOTE FROM CDPM: Australia’s embassy. struggle. The press conference at the Timor Centre Indonesia and Portugal return to the ne- Meanwhile, in the Timor Centre in Lis- was, in fact, jointly organised by the CDPM gotiating table for the seventh time in Lon- bon, the Commission for the Rights of the and the Timorese Resistance Representation don on Tuesday to discuss the future status Maubere People (CDPM) organised a press in Portugal. of East Timor, which Indonesia invaded in conference* with five young Timorese refu- On 13 January, coverage was given to the 1975 after the former Portuguese colonial- gees. They all arrived in Lisbon late in 1995, press conference by three Portuguese TV ists had left. after having taken part in the occupation of channels (SIC, Channel 1 and TV1) in their The United Nations still regards Portugal foreign diplomatic representations in Ja- evening News programmes. as the administering power in East Timor. karta. Before seeking asylum, they had all A total of 50 East Timorese have been been involved in activities against the Su- granted refuge in Portugal since September harto regime, and all had been arrested on CHRONOLOGY OF EMBASSY after entering the Dutch, British, Japanese, more than one occasion. They had all been ASYLUM BIDS BY EAST French, Australian and New Zealand embas- interrogated, tortured, and imprisoned with- TIMORESE sies. out trial. Two showed the marks left by tor- The bids for political refuge by youths ture on their bodies to the people gathered JAKARTA, Jan 29 (Reuter) – The fol- mainly from Dili, East Timor’s capital, were at the press conference. lowing is a chronology of recent break-ins at aimed partly at highlighting the plight of the 22-year-old Carlos Borromeu was the foreign embassies in Jakarta by East East Timorese. one out of the five who was most visibly Timorese, mainly students, seeking asylum. overcome. The reason, he said, was that 1993 “sometimes, when we talk about our experi- TIMOR: MEMORIES June 23 - Seven East Timorese students ences, people do not believe us.” He was OF THE HORROR enter the Finnish and Swedish embassies. fifteen the first time he was arrested, during Those in the Finnish mission leave the next the visit of Pope John Paul II to Dili. After Publico, 14 January 1996. By Filipe Santos day, while those in the Swedish embassy that, he was re-arrested six times - including Costa. Translated from Portuguese leave the building on July 2 after govern- in the aftermath of the 12 November Santa ment assurances for their safety. Lisbon – On the day two women refu- Cruz massacre, in which his own brother December 29 - The seven who broke into gees arrive in Lisbon, other recently arrived was killed. the Finnish and Swedish embassies in June Timorese reveal details of their own arrests “Twenty years are not twenty days or fly to Portugal. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and torture. twenty months. It is a very long time to be said they were allowed to go on humanitar- The two first Timorese women to seek suffering,” he said in reply to a reporter’s ian grounds. asylum at an embassy in Jakarta arrived question about the forthcoming negotiating yesterday in Lisbon. Tomorrow, another round between Portugal and Indonesia in 1994 group of refugees will be leaving the New London. “There have already been several November 12 - As Indonesia prepares to Zealand Embassy for Portugal. They share rounds, which produced no specific results.” host an Asia-Pacific economic summit, 29 similar experiences, as the accounts of five In ‘95, the Indonesians did worse things East Timorese jump a fence into the U.S. refugees confirmed yesterday when they than on 12 November. Without specific re- embassy compound. November 12 was the talked about the torture to which they were sults (from the negotiations), ‘97 will be third anniversary of the massacre by sol- subjected while in detention. even worse,” he said. diers of up to 200 East Timorese in Dili. Maria do Nascimento was three-years- A pattern emerged from the testimonies November 24 - After 12-day sit-in in old when Indonesian troops invaded the of the refugees: torture, that always com- front of world’s media, the 29 protestors Eastern part of the island of Timor where mences by the prisoner being held with his leave for asylum in Portugal. she lived. Odilia Vitor was five at the time. hands in the air, while Indonesians beat him 1995 They were to be the first two women who, on the back and chest - never on the face September 24 - Five East Timorese 20 years later, would manage to escape from where marks would be more visible. 23- youths enter the British embassy and ask East Timor, after seeking asylum in an em- year-old Valdemar da Conceição said they for political asylum. They go to asylum in bassy in Jakarta. As has happened in the applied electric shocks to his penis, and Portugal on September 29. cases of all the other Timorese (until yester- then made him sit on a chair, with his feet November 7 - Eight East Timorese run day, all men) who took the same action, the placed under the legs of the chair. He through the gate of the Dutch embassy and embassy (in this case the Australian Em- showed the marks of beatings on his back, bassy) refused to grant them refugee status and a large hole left by a bullet, when he was Page 90 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. seek political asylum, only days before the EAST TIMORESE STAGE fourth anniversary of the Dili massacre. TO RUSSIA SPECTACULAR EMB ASSY November 8 - Helped by the Interna- PROTESTS tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Because of the simultaneity of the Dutch the eight leave for asylum in Portugal after and Russian Embassy incursions, many By Jim Della-Giacoma little more than 30 hours in the Dutch em- articles discuss both. They are put with JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuter) - East bassy. the Russian section, for consistency. Timorese protesters stormed the Dutch and November 14 - Twenty-one East Russian embassies in Jakarta’s main busi- Timorese climb a fence into the Japanese EAST TIMORESE STORM ness district on Thursday in a spectacular embassy shortly before the start of the an- EMBASSIES mass protest against Indonesian rule of their nual Asia-Pacific economic summit in homeland. Osaka, Japan. The next day they leave for JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 7. (AP) – A Dutch diplomat said 58 protesters asylum in Portugal after Lisbon accepts More than 100 East Timorese stormed the forced their way into his country’s em- them. Dutch and Russian Embassies just before bassy, while a Russian official said there November 16 - Five East Timorese break dawn Thursday, occupying the buildings were about 40 in his mission. into the French embassy and seek refuge in and demanding that an independence peti- The break-ins, with protesters climbing Portugal “or another country which could tion be delivered to a U.N. representative. over embassy fences, took place before give them political asylum.” The protests marked the 20th anniversary dawn and marked the day almost 20 years November 17 - The five in the French of Indonesia’s invasion of the former Portu- ago to the hour in 1975 when Indonesian embassy leave for Portugal. Foreign diplo- guese colony. forces invaded East Timor after its former mats fear speed with which recent asylum Vladimir Kalinin, an official at the Rus- Portuguese colonial masters had departed. bids have been resolved will encourage fur- sian Embassy, said the 47 youths at his In East Timor, 2,000 km (1,250 miles) ther attempts. Embassy were calm as they awaited word east of Jakarta, a police official said Dili, the November 20 - Four East Timorese enter that the petition had been given to the U.N. capital, was “safe and controlled ... every- French embassy. Portugal accuses Indonesia representative in Jakarta. He said they had thing is normal.” of encouraging asylum bids to remove op- scaled a wall before dawn, surprising guards. Jakarta police told Reuters a planned raid ponents and ease internal pressure in East “We only want a referendum for East on the French embassy early on Thursday Timor. Timor and we shall stay here until we get was thwarted and that 19 people were ar- November 21 - The French embassy four referendum, even to the last drop of our rested. They gave no details. head for Lisbon on a now set route, with blood,” one protester told reporters. About 70 protesters claiming to be East ICRC help. Alatas says the asylum bids are Indonesia annexed the territory after its Timorese staged a pro-Indonesia demonstra- instigated from abroad. Lisbon calls such troops intervened in a civil war that broke tion outside the Dutch embassy about six claims “absurd.” out in 1975. The Revolutionary Front for an hours after the break-in, witnesses said. December 7 - On the 20th anniversary of Independent East Timor has been fighting The protesters, with banners, shouted Indonesian invasion of East Timor, 112 East since then for independence. It was unclear “Open the gate” and “We won’t leave until Timorese and their Indonesian supporters whether the protests Thursday were related they (East Timorese in the mission) come enter the Russian and Dutch embassies as a to that group. out” as police kept a close watch. protest against Jakarta’s rule in East Timor. The United Nations recognizes Portugal, From the Russian and Dutch compounds, All leave under police escort within days. A which ruled East Timor as a colony for more protesters waved banners saying variously: last minute request by more than 20 than 400 years, as the territory’s adminis- “Free East Timor” and “Referendum in East Timorese for asylum is refused by the trative power. Timor.” Dutch. The protesters also asked to meet with They shouted “Free Xanana Gusmão” 1996 the U.N. High Commissioner for Human from the Russian embassy. January 10 - Two East Timorese women Rights, Jose Ayala Lasso, who is in Jakarta Gusmão, 47, is the imprisoned leader of enter Australian embassy asking for asylum discussing human rights problems with lead- East Timor’s Fretilin rebels who seek inde- in Australia. They go to Portugal two days ers. pendence. He was jailed for life in 1993 but later. Another 58 Timorese youths had already President Suharto later reduced the term to January 12 - Five East Timorese men forced their way into the Dutch Embassy 20 years. jump the fence of the New Zealand embassy early Wednesday with similar demands, and Some protesters shouted through the rail- leaving on January 15. police said they detained 13 East Timorese ings that they were Indonesian, not January 25 - Twelve East Timorese enter youths who were trying to force their way Timorese. A security official described them the Polish embassy asking for asylum in into the French embassy Thursday. as student activists. Poland. Protesters in Australia and the Philip- The break-ins were the biggest of their January 29 - Four East Timorese youths pines also marked the invasion anniversary. kind by East Timorese and could embarrass enter the French embassy in the third such Several U.N. resolutions have called for government officials. incident in three months, hours before the Indonesia to withdraw from East Timor. They occurred on the last day of an offi- 12 in the Polish embassy are due to leave In November 1991, several hundred East cial visit to Indonesia, including East Timor, Timorese protesters calling for independ- by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human ence were killed by Indonesian troops, and Rights, Jose Ayala Lasso. numerous abuses have been reported since “We cannot give any comment right now. then by human rights activists. That is correct, 58 people are in the com- pound,” a Dutch diplomat told Reuters. He did not say whether the protesters wanted political asylum but added that ne- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 91 gotiations between the embassy and the In- have been raped and killed. And on this day, eigner who witnessed the massacre also fell donesian government had started. too, we have realised that it seems that there victim to the ruthlessness of the Indonesian An embassy guard said they had entered is not one nation in the world, not one gov- armed forces. the embassy compound by using each other ernment in the world, including that of Rus- On this day we have chosen to hold our as steps to scale the fence. sia, which has been able to understand our demonstration in Your Excellency’s Em- A Russian embassy official, who esti- aspirations, to understand our suffering and bassy with the hope that by doing so we mated the number in his embassy at around to understand the reality we have faced over will be able to more freely and peacefully 40, said: “They are sitting calmly in the our journey of the last 20 years. And be- prove to the whole world, including to the compound after handing us ‘a commitment’ cause of all this, we have decided to enter government and people of Russia, that we to be delivered to the local office of the the Russian embassy. Our aim is to convey have survived, that we still are convinced of United Nations.” He gave no further details. to his excellency the Russian ambassador our right to self determination, and that we He said they had jumped over the em- our realities, our hopes and our demands. still do not accept the integration of our na- bassy’s wall, which was “unfortunately We hope that you, Mr Ambassador, will tion into the territory of the Republic of low,” at 3.00 a.m. (2000 GMT Wednesday). understand our position and will pass on Indonesia. We continue to reject integration This was about one hour ahead of the this petition to the United Nations and to for the following reasons: Dutch embassy invasion. the Russian government, and that this peti- 1. Integration was the product of the ag- Henry Fournier, head of the Geneva- tion will then receive the consideration it is gression and the manipulations of the Soe- based International Committee of the Red due according to international law. harto regime; Cross (ICRC) in Jakarta, told Reuters he Long before we took the decision to jump 2. The United Nations has never recog- had not been contacted yet by the Dutch or the fence of your country’s embassy, we nised Indonesia’s claim to East Timor; the Russians. realised that if we did so we would be ac- 3. The Soeharto regime’s aggression and He said details were sketchy on the pur- cused by the mouthpieces of the Suharto invasion of East Timor has been condemned pose of the East Timorese action. “There regime as people without shame, people in United Nations resolutions; seems to be no word on what they want. who only want to go overseas without pay- 4. The United Nations continues to rec- There has been no mention of asylum,” he ing, people with no sense of nationalism or ognise Portugal as the administering power said. patriotism, and all such accusations rou- in East Timor, and as the party competent The ICRC had arranged passages to Por- tinely made by Ali Alatas. We realised all of to conclude the process of decolonization tugal for a total of 43 East Timorese in- this. there; volved in break-ins at the British, Dutch, And at the same time, Your Excellency, 5. Because of all the above facts, the French and Japanese embassies between we realised that entering your embassy in problem of East Timor is an international September and last month. this way, by jumping over the fence, would problem, which must be resolved interna- Indonesia named East Timor its 27th disturb the tranquillity and the smooth ad- tionally. province in 1976 but the United Nations ministration of your embassy. We realised His Excellency, the respected Ambassa- still regards Portugal as the territory’s ad- all of that, and we thought that Your Excel- dor, ministering power. lency and your staff would not be too Permit us to explain the problems we happy to accept our presence. However, we have been facing and to explain the practices EAST TIMORESE PETITION have been forced to take this action, namely: which have been employed by the Soeharto RUSSIAN EMBASSY 1) Regardless of any economic, political, regime, before we present our demands. military and strategic interests, the govern- A - INTEGRATION: THE PRODUCT ment of Russia has a moral responsibility to OF MANIPULATIONS BY THE PETITION FROM THE YOUNG MEN respect and actively participate in all efforts SOEHARTO REGIME for the resolution of conflicts between coun- AND WOMEN OF EAST TIMOR When and wherever they are, Soeharto tries and states. We are convinced that if all PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNMENT and Ali Alatas never miss an opportunity to the states of the world were to truly live in OF RUSSIA claim that integration reflects the aspirations accordance with the principles of interna- of the people of East Timor; that integration tional law, then peace and justice would 1. INTRODUCTION was the product of a process of self deter- prevail throughout the world. And the prin- This day marks twenty years since the mination. ciples of international law give us the right invasion of our homeland by the troops of Our position is clear. Integration has to self determination; at the same time not a the aggressor, the Suharto regime. This day never been the aspiration of our people. In- single UN resolution has legitimsed the ag- marks twenty years of our struggle for in- stead it was the product of a military inter- gression and integration of East Timor. dependence, our struggle against the troops vention which unfolded in stages - in 1974 2. In Indonesia, where the Suharto regime of the Suharto regime. And for all of these the Soeharto regime began with Operasi is so cruel, so repressive and so disrespect- twenty years of struggle, we and our people Komodo (Komodo Operation), which was ful of its own laws, let alone international have been hunted, tortured, killed, arrested followed in 1975 by Operasi Seroja (Seroja law, it is not possible for us to hold a dem- and exiled. And for all of these twenty Operation) and which culminated with the onstration opposing the regime openly and years, our suffering, our unending suffering, open military intervention of December 7 publicly. If we did so, we would certainly has been forgotten by the nations of the 1975. After our country was occupied by be arrested, tortured and killed, as has hap- world, including Russia. the troops of the Soeharto regime, Soeharto pened to so many of our comrades who And for the last twenty years we have ordered the formation of a puppet parlia- have gone before us over the last twenty exhausted all our means of struggle to show ment, which along with the Provisional years of our struggle for freedom. To make to the whole world, to the international or- Government of East Timor which the regime quite clear what we mean, we remind Your ganisations, that our country has been occu- formed, presented a petition to the regime Excellency of the Santa Cruz massacre of pied illegally, that our people have been requesting the amalgamation of East Timor 1991, where it was not just our brothers and massacred inhumanely, that our mothers into the territory of the Republic of Indone- sisters who were killed, but where a for- Page 92 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. sia. All of these measures of Soeharto have not just Indonesia and Portugal. Because of III. OUR POSITION since, bit by bit, been laid bare by the un- this, since 1975 the United Nations has at- We hereby affirm that : folding of history itself. The climax came in tempted to resolve this problem. the meeting between East Timorese which As a product of all the efforts made by 1. Whatever the excuses for it, we do not took place in Austria, where Guilherme the UN Secretary General, a tri-partite accept integration! Maria Gonçalves who at that time had par- meeting between Portugal, the Secretary 2. In view of the political developments ticipated in the Provisional Government of General and Indonesia took place. The tri- in the Middle East, and the signing of a East Timor and was a chairperson of the partite talks produced a great deal, but only peace accord in the Balkans, we demand the Puppet Parliament, openly stated that he on paper. One of the resolutions adopted by international community acknowledge that withdrew his consent to the petition. He the meeting was for meetings between the the war in East Timor is twenty years old took this principled stand because at the foreign ministers and East Timorese people, and it is time that it ended! time he signed the petition he was forced to and for the need to broaden meetings be- 3. The demonstration staged on 20 No- do so, and because the outcome of integra- tween East Timorese themselves. All of vember by a handful of Indonesians posing tion has so greatly disappointed all parties these kinds of meetings have been held. But as East Timorese is proof of the bad faith of in East Timor. no prospects for the resolution of the prob- the Suharto government in seeking a solution This statement by Guilherme Gonçalves lem of East Timor has emerged. This is to the East Timor problem. has opened up all which had previously caused by: IV. OUR APPEAL been tightly wrapped and concealed by Soe- 1. The Soeharto regime has never been se- We appeal: harto’s propaganda. We ask: if the people of rious and has never indicated any good faith 1. To the people of Russia to support East Timor wanted to integration, why has about finding a resolution. This is clearly our struggle! it been necessary to have so many arrests, indicated by its reluctance to implement all 2. To the western powers to give every so much killing and torture? UN resolutions on East Timor, and by the support to Portugal in its efforts to seek a B - ‘DEVELOPMENT’ - A SPECIOUS fact that it has never implemented any of solution to the problem of East Timor. ARGUMENT the points of the resolutions which it has 3. To all nations of the world to comply itself agreed to, whether these be in the tri- As well as arguing that ‘integration is the with all resolutions passed on East Timor partite meetings or in the meeting between will of the people,’ Soeharto has tried to and to withdraw all forms of support East Timorese in Austria. legitimise his annexation of East Timor by granted to the Suharto regime! 2. The apathy and lack of seriousness using arguments about ‘DEVELOPMENT.’ ONLY IN THIS WAY IS WORLD with which the countries of the world, in- For Suharto, ‘DEVELOPMENT’ is an ar- PEACE, JUSTICE AND SOLIDARITY cluding your own country, show towards gument which can be used to legitimise the AMONGST THE NATIONS OF THE the East Timor problem. murder and massacres which have occurred WORLD REALISABLE!!!!! In our view, the support which certain in East Timor. Soeharto has forgotten the countries, including your own, have given most basic and central problems concerning EAST TIMORESE IN the Soeharto regime, has made Soeharto even ‘development.’ These include: more rigid in his views, and has encouraged EMBASSIES NOT YET 1. Who is ‘development’ for? Who car- him to become even more brutal in his de- SEEKING ASYLUM ries out ‘development’? termination to maintain East Timor as Indo- 2. What intrinsic values does ‘develop- nesia’s 27th province. And his view is con- By Jim Della-Giacoma ment’ hold, and what is its use to the people fronted by that of our own, which is that we of East Timor, if it is set against the ap- JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuter) - More than will continue our struggle. And so, there will proximately 300 000 people who have lost 100 East Timorese and their supporters never be peace, and more victims will con- their lives, and the many more whose whole were holed up in the Dutch and Russian tinue to fall. history, religion and culture has been pushed embassies after spectacular invasions on And who is responsible for all of this? aside for the last 20 years? Thursday but there was no indication that Our answer is clear: the international com- 3. Without the Suharto regime, why they wanted to leave Indonesia. munity, including your own country, is couldn’t the people of East Timor be able to The raids, which diplomats said involved morally responsible!!! develop their own country, in accordance 105 people, triggered rowdy pro-Indonesian with their own desires and hopes. II. OUR DEMANDS protests later in the day outside both em- We are not put off by this talk of On the basis of all of the above, now is bassies in Jakarta’s main business area. ‘DEVELOPMENT’ and we will not accept the time for us to make our demands. We Both embassies were stormed at around it as a theory to legitimise us becoming hereby demand: the same time 20 years ago, in 1975, that slaves and becoming alienated from our own 1. That the government of Russia sup- Indonesian forces invaded East Timor sev- society. If Soeharto wants his port our struggle; eral months after its former Portuguese mas- ‘DEVELOPMENT,’ he should just take it 2. That the government of Russia pres- ters had left. and give it to his own family. For us, free- sure the Soeharto regime to: Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the pro- dom is more important, and the value of - Cease all terror in East Timor and re- testers were free to leave Indonesia – like 43 freedom cannot be measured by the stan- lease all political prisoners; others who won political asylum in Portugal dards of Soeharto’s ‘DEVELOPMENT.’ - Withdraw its armed forces from East after staging similar break-ins in recent months. C- THE PROBLEM OF EAST TIMOR Timor; - Free all political prisoners as proof that “If they want to leave Indonesia, please. MUST BE RESOLVED But this time, we have not heard that de- INTERNATIONALLY the Suharto regime is truly committed to implementing the points agreed upon during mand...We are still studying what they We have already stated that the problem the Intra-Timorese dialogue; want,” he told reporters. of East Timor is an international problem. - Agree to involving Xanana Gusmão in Henri Fournier, head of the Jakarta office This is because the parties in conflict are all negotiations; of the Geneva-based International Commit- Indonesia and the international community, tee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said: “Nobody East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 93 has talked to me about a request for asy- RUSSIA CALLS JAKARTA there were 47 in his mission. The Russians lum.” earlier put their figure at “around 40.” The East Timorese, with Indonesians EMBASSY SIT-IN “We are still studying what they want. If from elsewhere, entered the embassies by “UNACCEPTABLE” we don’t know what they want, what can climbing over perimeter fences in a mass we do?” Alatas said. action against Indonesian rule of troubled MOSCOW, Dec 7 (Reuter) - Russia de- He said he had heard they wanted a meet- East Timor. nounced the occupation of part of its em- ing with Ayala Lasso, who leaves Indonesia A Dutch diplomat said 58 were in his bassy in Jakarta by East Timorese protest- on Thursday night after a six-day visit, in- embassy and that talks had started between ers on Thursday as an unacceptable in- cluding a trip to East Timor. the mission and the Indonesian government. fringement of diplomatic rights. Ayala Lasso, with Alatas, refused to A Russian diplomat said there were 47 in “We regard as unacceptable the penetra- comment. his mission. The Russians earlier put their tion onto embassy territory. This goes The embassy break-ins were launched on figure at “around 40.” against generally accepted international the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s military “We don’t want political asylum but we norms,” foreign ministry spokesman Mik- invasion of East Timor following the depar- want a referendum in East Timor,” one pro- hail Demurin told reporters. ture of its former Portuguese masters. tester shouted to reporters through the iron He declined to comment, however, when perimeter fence of the Russian embassy asked if Russia would take steps to remove the 50 or so demonstrators who broke into TIMORESE SPEND COLD compound. NIGHT AT EMBASSIES IN The Russian diplomat said the protesters its compound in the Indonesian capital in in his embassy, including two women and the early morning. JAKARTA some non-East Timorese, had asked to meet The East Timorese break-ins were JAKARTA, Dec 8 (Reuter) - The more the U.N. High Commissioner for Human launched 20 years to the day, and almost to than 100 mainly East Timorese protesters Rights, Jose Ayala Lasso, due to end a six- the hour, since Indonesian forces invaded who have invaded the Dutch and Russian day visit to Indonesia on Thursday. East Timor after its former Portuguese colo- embassies in Jakarta spent a cold night at Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman nial masters left. the missions but had not yet asked for asy- Ghaffar Fadyl tacitly ruled this out, saying: Some 58 East Timorese and their sympa- lum, officials said on Friday. “Mr Ayala Lasso is here at the invitation of thisers also broke into the Dutch embassy in The protesters were provided with food, the Indonesian government and he will fol- Jakarta on Thursday. drink and cigarettes by staff of the Russian low the programme which has already been Indonesia has refused to hold a referen- and Dutch embassies and are expected to set out for him.” dum in East Timor, 2,000 km (1,250 miles) meet with officials from the International Police, meanwhile, said a planned raid on from Jakarta, on the territory’s future. Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) later the French embassy early on Thursday was It says East Timor was incorporated le- on Friday. thwarted and that 19 people were arrested. gitimately into Indonesia following a vote “Yes, they spent the night here and we They gave no details. by tribal leaders in 1976, the year it pro- gave them food, drink and also cigarettes,” About 70 protesters claiming to be East claimed the territory as Indonesia’s 27th said an official at the Russian embassy, Timorese staged a pro-Indonesia demonstra- province. where 57 of the protesters are holed up. tion outside the Dutch embassy after the The Russian embassy break-in was in the Another 58 are at the Dutch embassy. break-in, witnesses said. hands of the diplomats on the ground who Both groups entered the embassies’ The protesters, with banners, shouted were in contact with the Indonesian authori- compounds before dawn on Thursday, the “Open the gate” and “We won’t leave until ties, Demurin said. 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s military they (East Timorese in the mission) come invasion of the former Portuguese colony of out” as police kept a close watch. INDONESIA SAYS TIMOR East Timor on December 7. A similar protest was held outside the PROTESTERS FREE TO But unlike previous occasions when East Russian embassy. LEAVE Timorese had entered embassy compounds, Protesters inside the two compounds the two groups have not asked for asylum. waved banners saying variously: “Free East JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuter) - Indonesian Violence flared at the Dutch embassy late Timor” and “Referendum in East Timor.” Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said on Thurs- on Thursday when pro-Indonesia counter- They shouted “Free Xanana Gusmão” day that East Timorese protesters holed up demonstrators broke into the mission, injur- from the Russian embassy. in the Dutch and Russian embassies in Ja- ing a number of diplomats, witnesses said. Gusmão, 47, is the imprisoned leader of karta were free to leave the country. The Dutch embassy official said ambas- East Timor’s Fretilin rebels who seek inde- But Alatas told reporters the protesters sador Paul Reitze Brouwer was among those pendence. He was jailed for life in 1993 but had made no clear demands so far. injured when the protesters hit the back of President Suharto later reduced the term to “If they want to leave Indonesia, please. his head with sticks. He gave no further de- 20 years. But this time, we have not heard that de- tails. The break-ins were the biggest of their mand,” he said after accompanying the visit- A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokeswoman kind. ing U.N. High Commissioner for Human told Reuters in The Hague on Thursday that The ICRC had arranged passages to Por- Rights, Jose Ayala Lasso, at a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador Johannes Kadaris- tugal for a total of 43 East Timorese in- President Suharto. man had been summoned to the ministry volved in break-ins at the British, Dutch, The protesters stormed the two embas- and told of the Netherlands’ concern over French and Japanese embassies between sies before dawn on Thursday in a spectacu- the assault. September and last month. lar mass action against Indonesian rule of Russian foreign ministry spokesman their homeland. Mikhail Demurin on Thursday said his A Dutch diplomat said 58 were in his country denounced the occupation of the embassy, while a Russian diplomat said Page 94 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. embassy as an unacceptable infringement of of the Russian embassy here on Thursday, with a view to finding a way out of the cur- diplomatic rights. want to leave it, but their safety must be rent situation. Prominent human rights “We regard as unacceptable the penetra- guaranteed,” Itar-Tass was told by Human champion, Director of the Independent Hu- tion on to embassy territory. This goes Rights Champion, Director of the Independ- man Rights Institute Princen of Holland, against generally accepted international ent Human Rights Institute Princen, who is who is very well known in Indonesia, has norms,” he told reporters. very well known in Indonesia. He had talks had talks with the East Timorese a short The protesters at both embassies have with the East Timor “dissidents” on the ter- while ago. A meeting with him was de- called for a referendum in East Timor and a ritory of the Russian embassy today morn- manded by the “dissidents,” who want the repeal of what they called repressive politi- ing and later described them as “favourable.” authorities to guarantee their personal safety cal laws. Princen said that he planned to meet when they leave the Russian territory. The Indonesia has refused to hold a referen- shortly the commander of the Jakarta mili- International Red Cross representative in dum in East Timor, 2,000 km (1,250 miles) tary area in order to secure safety guarantees Jakarta has avoided meeting the “dissidents” from Jakarta, on the territory’s future. for the East Timorese and to prevent an- for the time being, saying that he had “no The United Nations does not recognise other incident like the one that occurred on instructions” on this score from Geneva. Indonesian rule in East Timor and regards Thursday evening at the Dutch embassy, Portugal as the administering authority. where a fight broke out between the sup- GLIMMER OF porters and opponents of East Timor’s an- BREAKTHROUGH IN EAST TASS: TIMOR “DISSIDENTS” nexation by Indonesia in 1976. Dutch dip- TIMOR PROTESTS ARE STILL IN COMPOUNDS lomats tried to intervene. Some of them were injured, including the Dutch ambassa- By Lewa Pardomuan JAKARTA, December 8 (Itar-Tass) – dor. “The action of the East Timor protesters, Princen plans to establish contact with JAKARTA, Dec 8 (Reuter) - The first who forced their way into the territory of the representative of the International Red glimmer of a possible breakthrough to end the Russian embassy here on Thursday, was Cross in Jakarta. “I shall try to make him spectacular East Timorese protests in the intended to draw the world community’s protect all those who are now on the terri- Dutch and Russian embassies in Jakarta attention to the problem of East Timor,” tory of the Russian embassy after they emerged on Friday when a leading human one of them told Itar-Tass today. leave its bounds,” Princen stated. rights activist met some of the demonstra- There are now 58 East Timorese and Safety guarantees for the group that tors. young people from other areas of Indonesia broke into the Russian embassy “have al- Johannes Princen told reporters the 57 on the compounds of the Russian embassy. ready been received from Foreign Minister holed up in the Russian embassy since early They claim to be representatives of the Ali Alatas and from the police authorities.” on Thursday were willing to leave, provided “Union of People’s Democracy,” which is However, Princen believes that “this is ob- they had security guarantees. behind this protest action. Chairman of the viously not enough – reliable guarantees are There was no immediate sign of move- Union’s Presidium Budiman said that they needed.” ment in the Dutch embassy. A diplomat “demand a referendum on East Timor to Contacts with the human rights cham- said he saw no quick fix for the 55 people determine its future.” pion were among the demands voiced by the protesting against Indonesian rule of East Indonesia claims that such a “choice” was East Timorese, who want to get personal Timor in the mission. made in 1976, but it has never been recog- safety guarantees from the authorities. The Other embassies were on alert for more nised by the international community. representative of the International Red possible break-ins by East Timorese and “It is necessary,” Budiman added, “to Cross in Jakarta today avoided meeting the their sympathisers, as well as protests by make the Indonesian government fulfil the East Timorese, which is among their de- members of a pro-Indonesian group who principles earlier agreed by it with Portugal mands, referring to “lack of instructions” on injured four Dutch diplomats on Thursday and the United Nations. This refers primar- this score from Geneva. after forcibly entering their embassy. ily to the ending of terror against the people Princen, head of the Jakarta-based Insti- of East Timor, withdrawal of Indonesian EAST TIMOR tute for the Defence of Human Rights, said after leaving the Russian embassy he was troops from that territory, and release of INDEPENDENCE political prisoners.” uncertain whether the protesters there “By breaking into the territories of the CHAMPIONS STILL IN would leave. Russian and Dutch embassies,” Budiman RUSSIAN EMBASSY “They told me that they are willing to said, “the East Timorese are striving to tell leave provided the government gives them the world out loud about the Indian govern- JAKARTA, December 8 (Itar-Tass) – A the necessary security,” he said. ment’s failure to honour these principles.” group of 58 East Timorese and young Indo- Princen said the East Timorese could be They also want concrete steps by all the nesians from other parts of the country, in- handed over to the Geneva-based Interna- indicated sides to resolve the East Timor cluding two women, are still on the territory tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) problem. of the Russian embassy in Indonesia. They and for the Indonesians among them to be “We are not seeking political asylum. We have spent the night outside under the roof taken to the independent Legal Aid Insti- of the embassy’s parking lot. A dozen of are pursuing a common goal – to democra- tute, another rights’ group. tise Indonesia,” the activist stated. police cars and vans are parked outside the Unlike previous embassy break-ins, dip- bounds of the embassy. One car is con- lomats said there had been no requests for stantly posted in the gap between the two political asylum and some of the protesters TIMORESE WANT TO LEAVE barriers, forming a path to the embassy. The were non-Timorese. THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY situation was calm this morning both on the All 43 East Timorese involved in four territory of the embassy and outside it. other embassy break-ins since September JAKARTA, December 8 (Itar-Tass) – Russian diplomats are exerting vigorous were granted asylum in Portugal, East “The East Timorese, who scaled the fence efforts and establishing various contacts Timor’s former colonial master. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 95

“They have not requested political asy- (and is now therefore under arrest), who still ists. The bus has also disappeared, and at lum,” one Dutch diplomat said. Asked if the remains outside and who was arrested be- this moment PRD is attempting to trace protesters could be there for some time, he fore or during the attempt. them, as there is a fear that they may be at said: “That is what we are afraid of.” Report from the Russian Embassy, 8 De- risk. He said there were 55 protesters in his cember, 1995 1. ACTIVISTS IN THE RUSSIAN mission’s compound – not 58 as initially On the morning of December 7, 58 PRD EMBASSY reported on Thursday. He said 25 were and East Timorese activists entered the INDONESIAN ACTIVISTS: from East Timor, 29 from the main Indone- Russian Embassy in Jakarta. What follows 1. Romanus sian island of Java and one from Irian Jaya, is a chronological report. 2. Raymond bordering Papua New Guinea. Mid-day - PRD activists were still in the 3. Ronald A Russian diplomat said there were 57 embassy building, while the pro-integration 4. Robert P protesters in his embassy compound. There youths were sill outside shouting abuse. 5. Rony was no clear ethnic breakdown, but most of While they were there, the activists slept on 6. Romulus them were believed to be from East Timor, 7. Roby mats and banners which had been erected in 2,000 km (1,250 miles) east of Jakarta. 8. Agustinus the embassy. The two embassies were invaded before 9. Aloysius Throughout the day they encountered dawn on Thursday, the 20th anniversary of 10.Andreas pressure from embassy staff who requested Indonesia’s military invasion of East Timor 11.Antonius that they soon have to leave the embassy on December 7 after the Portuguese left. 12.Angel building. Although on the previous day the Violence flared at the Dutch embassy late 13.Beni embassy staff had explicitly stated that they 14.Benard on Thursday when the pro-Indonesia would provide complete protection to the 15.Dody counter-demonstrators broke into the mis- PRD and East Timorese activists. 16.Uud sion. Negotiations were held between H.J.C. 17.Beni A Dutch diplomat said four colleagues, Princen with the PRD and East Timorese 18.Didien including Ambassador Paul Brouwer, were activists. An agreement as reached that they 19.Ujang injured by protesters with sticks. would leave the embassy an go the Indone- 20.Naning “They are in no danger but some have se- 21.Hari sian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) offices rious wounds that needed hospital treat- 22.Mamok at Jl Diponegoro, Central Jakarta. ment,” the diplomat said. 23.Aris 6.00pm - A Pluit Jaya company bus A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokeswoman 24.Fajar driven by Ajat arrived at the Russian em- said in The Hague on Thursday that Indone- 25.Heri bassy. Police prevented the bus from enter- sian Ambassador Johannes Kadarisman had 26.Haris ing and apparently the embassy staff agreed been summoned and told of the Nether- 27.Bimo Petrus with police on this. Protests by Dita Sari 28.Yohanes lands’ concern over the assault. that the bus must be allowed to enter the 29.Dandi Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman embassy grounds were not heeded by either 30.Rauf Mikhail Demurin denounced the embassy the security personnel or the embassy staff. 31.Ichak occupation. “We regard as unacceptable the The PRD and East Timorese then left the 32.Chacha penetration on to embassy territory. This embassy building, going directly to the bus 33.Anang goes against generally accepted international which was parked in front of the gate. When 34.Inyo norms,” he told reporters in Moscow. 35.Budiman they passed the crowd of pro-integration The protesters at both embassies have EAST TIMORESE: youths, the shouts of abuse became even called for a referendum in East Timor and a 1. Mariano S. Lopez louder, and vulgar acts followed: the bus repeal of what they called repressive politi- 2. Ermenegildo Lopez was pounded and the activists spat at. The cal laws. 3. Ernilio Freitas Quitas activists who had, from the beginning, Indonesia has refused to hold a referen- 4. Antonio Viera clearly held a peaceful action did not react to dum in East Timor on the territory’s future. 5. Leojildo Dos Santos this, directly getting on board the bus. The The United Nations does not recognise 6. Arsenio Pereira Da Silva embassy staff immediately closed the gate 7. Marito Dos Santos Indonesian rule in East Timor and regards after all the activists had left the embassy 8. Carmilio Amaral Portugal as the administering grounds. 9. Florensio De Jesus Amaral Outside the agreement began, five police 10.Thornas Alfredo Candara PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC carrying clubs climbed on top of the bus. 11.Leonel M.R. Lopez UNION (PRD) UPDATE The bus left the embassy in the direction of 12.Mario Soares the YLBHI offices as agreed. Dita Sari and 13.Carlos De Jesus. S 14.Esa De Querios Translation of a report received by AKSI H.J.C. Princen lead the bus in a separate 15.Arnero Ximenes from the Peoples’ Democratic Union (PRD) vehicle. When they were near the Hotel In- on the Morning of December 8, 1995. 16.José Maria L. Delima donesia, the bus separated itself and disap- 17.Bendito Jovo M.F. Delima Also included is a list of East Timorese peared. It is known for certain that the bus 18.Jorge Manuel F. Dasilva and Indonesian activists who were planning was heading for the Jakarta Raya Police 19.Juvencio Donato Da Costa to enter the Russian Embassy on the morn- Head Quarters, which was not part of the 20.Marino De Jesus Sousa M ing of December 7. Due to the fact that di- agreement reached by the embassy staff, 21.Jaime Camacho rect communication to and from the embas- H.J.C. Princen and the activists. 22.F. Soarez Peraira sies remains difficult, it remains unclear at At the time of preparing this report no 23.Eustaquio S.P. Guterres this time which of these people have suc- information has been obtained on the where- 24.Isaura Da Cruz ceeded in entering the embassies as planned abouts of the PRD and East Timorese activ- 25.Leonito Riberio 26.Eusebio Guterres Page 96 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

27.Mario Pires They were driven in a convoy directly to RUSSIAN EMBASSY EAST 28.Amaro Soarez Jakarta’s police headquarters. A police 29.Horacio source said on Thursday they would go first TIMORESE AND INDONESIAN 30.Justino to a police station “to register.” He gave no SUPPORTERS ABDUCTED 31.Nuno details. BY POLICE 32.Joaquim It was not clear if the same group of 33.Bernardino people who entered the Dutch embassy on CNRM Media Release, 9 December 1995 34.Julio 35.Eusebio Thursday were responsible for hurling abuse On 7 December, the 20th anniversary of 36.Gil Madeira Viegas (arrested this morning, and stones at those who left the Russian Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor, 113 presumably close to the Russian Embassy) mission. East Timorese and Indonesian youths en- 37.Roger Unlike previous embassy break-ins, dip- tered the Dutch and Russian Embassies in 38.Paulo (1) lomats said there had been no requests for Jakarta, to protest against the illegal occupa- 39.Bendito political asylum and some of the protesters tion of East Timor. They demanded a seri- 40.Paulo (2) were non-Timorese. ous discussion with Indonesian authorities 41.João All 43 East Timorese involved in four regarding the demilitarisation of the terri- 42.Ezequel other embassy break-ins since September tory, an end to human rights violations, and 43.Nelson. P were granted asylum in Portugal. 44.Napoleon respect for the East Timorese people’s right A Dutch diplomat said there were 55 in of self determination. Indonesia responded 45.Johan his mission’s compound – not 58 as initially 46.Justino by inciting a group of (mostly East Indone- reported on Thursday. He said 25 were 47.F. Sergio sian) thugs, posing as East Timorese, to 48.Nasario Dasilva from East Timor, 29 from the main Indone- trespass into the Dutch Embassy in viola- 49.Domingos Batista sian island of Java and one from Irian Jaya, tion of most basic diplomatic conventions, 50.Manuel Thomas Amaral bordering Papua New Guinea. and attack the protesters, staff members 51.Vicente Matos Belo (including the ambassador), and cause mate- 52.Eugenio Sarmento E. TIMOR PROTEST AT RUSSIAN rial damage. The 55 (29 Indonesian, 26 East 53.Fernando Antonio da Costa EMBASSY ENDS Timorese) protesters remain in the embassy, 54.Marilia Oliveira da Costa JAKARTA, Dec. 8 (UPI) – Fifty-eight adequately cared for. 55.Leonito Ribero protesters vacated the Russia nation to mark The 58 youths who entered the Russian 56.Luis Nascimento de Jesus the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion Embassy (48 East Timorese, 10 Indone- 57.Delfim Markes 58.Alfredo Dos Santos to East Timor. sians), and were initially promised protec- 59.George Gama “Yes, they left the embassy at sunset,” tion, came under strong pressure from the 60.Fernando Freitas an embassy official confirmed. embassy staff to leave. Outside the fence, a 61.José Manuel M. Freitas The 58 youths – 46 East Timorese and group of thugs kept on shouting abuse at the 62.Luis Afonso 12 Javanese – stormed the Russian Embassy youths during the day. Well-known Indone- 63.José Miguel B. Ximenes in the pre-dawn hours Thursday, while an- sian Human Rights lawyer H.J.C. Princen 64.Atanasio Bareto other 55 sought refuge at the Netherlands was called in to negotiate with the youths in 65.Silvano Dos Santos Embassy. the embassy, and an agreement was reached 66.David Monteiro Witnesses said that after leaving the em- on 8 December, that they would leave for 67.Marito Dos Santos bassy, the 58 youths boarded a bus and the Indonesian legal Aid Foundation 68.Carlos were taken to Jakarta police headquarters (YLBHI) not too far away, after Princen 69.M.S. De Araujo for questioning. obtained promises from the Indonesian mili- 70.Paula Fonseka Dozens of anti-riot police with rattan tary that the youths’ security would be 71.Arlindo Diaz Sanches 72.Emilio clubs and supporters of the Indonesian gov- guaranteed. 73.Camilio ernment were waiting outside the gates of At 18.00 hrs on 8 December, a hired bus 74.Delio Nunes the embassy. The government supporters arrived at the Russian Embassy to pick up denounced the protesters and attacked some the East Timorese and Indonesians. Police TIMOR PROTESTERS QUIT of them. did not allow the bus to enter the grounds, The 58 left the embassy after negotia- so the youths had to pass the group of pro- RUSSIAN EMBASSY TO tions between Indonesian authorities and Indonesian thugs outside, who abused them, INSULTS embassy officials that also involved human made obscene gestures and spat at them, rights activist H.J.C. Princen. pounding their bus. As soon as the group By Jim Della-Giacoma [abridged] An embassy official said Princen was had left the Embassy and boarded the bus JAKARTA, Dec 8 (Reuter) - To shouts called to mediate when the youths sought which was supposed to take them to the of “traitors” and “dogs,” 57 East Timorese guarantees of their safety if they left the YLBHI, five police armed with clubs, in- protesters and their sympathisers holed up embassy compound. sisted to board it as well, despite the pro- in the Russian embassy in Jakarta since However, it was not clear whether the tests of Princen and PRD leader Dita Sari Thursday left on Friday and were driven to protesters, especially the non-East that this was contrary to the agreement. The a police station, witnesses said. Timorese, would be taken to court. bus then left for YLBHI, with Princen and Onlookers hurled stones at the protest- Dita Sari leading the way in separate vehi- ers, who resent Indonesian rule of their re- cles. mote territory, as they walked through a The bus never reached YLBHI. It was hi- corridor of riot police from the embassy’s jacked by the police on board. The bus, and front gate to a waiting public transport bus, its East Timorese and Indonesian passengers they said. have since disappeared. They are suspected East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 97 to be at Indonesian military intelligence Indonesia has refused to hold a referen- fore, to be held responsible for whatever headquarters in Jakarta, but this has not dum in East Timor on the territory’s future. happens to the young people who occupied been confirmed at the time of writing (some Sources close to the Timorese in the the two Embassies. 30 hours after being last seen). H.J.C. Prin- Dutch embassy said on Friday night there Holland is no longer fit to represent Por- cen has publicly denounced the deception were no plans for them to leave soon. tuguese interests in Indonesia. Portugal, the and breach of agreement by the Indonesian Unlike previous embassy break-ins, dip- Administering Power of East Timor, cannot military. lomats said there had been no requests for not allow Timorese - Portuguese citizens - CNRM deplores this dishonourable act political asylum and some of the protesters to be treated in such a way. Neither should by the Indonesian military. It once again were non-Timorese. Portugal tolerate the refusal of help to oth- shows the duplicity and lack of credibility All 43 East Timorese involved in four ers - citizens of a dictatorship - who have of the Suharto regime authorities, which is a other embassy break-ins since September expressed their solidarity with a people, basic reason for the lack of proper resolu- were granted asylum in Portugal. illegally invaded and colonised, who are tion of the East Timor issue. The United Nations does not recognise fighting for their rights. CNRM calls for appropriate action to Indonesian rule in East Timor and regards protect the well being of the East Timorese Portugal as the administering authority. SUCCESSFUL and Indonesian youths so crudely abducted INDONESIAN/EAST TIMOR by Indonesian authorities. Based on past CDPM CHALLENGES DUTCH ACTIONS IN JAKARTA experience, there is all reason to assume that AND RUSSIAN they are exposed to severe mistreatment. GOVERNMENTS By James Balowski, Green Left, Dec. 13 INDONESIA POLICE In successful joint actions, Indonesian Commission for the Rights of the Maubere and East Timorese activists have managed CONTINUE TO QUIZ TIMOR People (CDPM, a Portuguese solidarity for the first time to focus the spotlight - in PROTESTERS group) communiqué, 12 December 1995. the Indonesian press and public - on their Translated from Portuguese, summarized. demand that Indonesia withdraw from East JAKARTA, Dec 9 (Reuter) - Indonesian Timor. The joint actions began on December police on Saturday continued to question 57 Is Holland fit to carry on representing Portugal’s interests? 7 in the Dutch and Russian embassies in East Timorese and their supporters who Jakarta. broke into the Russian embassy, a police The struggle for Timorese self- The 58 activists, who entered the Rus- official said. determination has entered a new phase. sian embassy on December 7, were arrested “The questioning has not finished yet be- when they left the next day. They were later cause we lacked police officers,” an official Dutch and Russian governments are re- sponsible. released, and the Indonesian leaders of the from the Jakarta police headquarters told action were able to hold a press conference On the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s Reuters by telephone. in Jakarta. The East Timorese were taken to invasion of East Timor, the fight for self- He said half of the protesters, who left inter-city bus stations and set back to their determination in East Timor entered a new the embassy on Friday, had been questioned campuses in East Java. phase as young Indonesians joined forces and that the interrogations would continue Twenty nine Indonesian and 27 Timorese with Timorese and peacefully occupied the on Saturday. activists in the Dutch embassy were ar- Russian and Dutch Embassies, to remind the The official declined to give further de- rested on December 9 when Dutch diplo- international community of its responsibili- tails. mats allowed Indonesian police into the ties. The CDPM praises the courage, politi- A leading human rights activist, Johannes compound. They were still in custody on cal vision and determination of these young Princen, said he planned to meet again a 55- December 10, but are expected to be re- people. member group of East Timorese who broke leased also. Another nine people, including This act of solidarity by young Indone- into the Dutch embassy on Thursday. seven activists, were arrested attempting to sians reflected the extent to which the Su- The protesters broke into the Dutch and enter the embassies. They are still being de- harto regime is being increasingly openly Russian embassies before dawn on Thurs- tained. challenged from within, and the important day, the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s Budiman Sudjatmiko, president of the role East Timor has played in the struggle invasion of the former Portuguese colony of People’s Democratic Union (PRD), told for democracy in Indonesia. East Timor. Green Left Weekly after his release that the When the UN High Commissioner for The protesters from the Russian em- PRD would not give up on its campaign Human Rights refused to meet the young bassy left to a hail of abuse from onlookers against the Indonesian government’s occu- Indonesians and Timorese, he missed an as they walked through two lines of riot po- pation in East Timor. “We will continue this opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of lice to the bus just outside the main gates. struggle and the struggle for democratisation the systematic human rights violations per- Stones were hurled at the protesters, who in Indonesia, including the repeal of all re- petrated in both countries. were branded “traitors” and “dogs” by an pressive political laws. We are now demand- The reaction of the Dutch Government, angry group of about 20 men. ing that all our members and East Timorese through its Ambassador in Jakarta, was dis- Princen, head of the Jakarta-based Insti- friends still detained be released immedi- graceful and casts a shadow of shame across tute for the Defence of Human Rights, said ately.” the entire European Union. Such behaviour the Timorese were still inside the Dutch The PRD, which coordinated the em- was a slap in the face for international law embassy. bassy occupations, was formed in 1994 and and humanitarian principles. Officials from the embassy were not im- is an umbrella organisation supported by the The Dutch and Russian Governments mediately available for comment. Centre for Labour Struggle (PPBI), Student cannot plead ignorance of Indonesia’s sys- The protesters at both embassies had Solidarity for Indonesian Democracy tematic violation of human rights, both at called for a referendum in East Timor and a (SMID), National Peasants Union, the Peo- home and in East Timor. They are, there- repeal of “repressive political laws.” ples Art Network and the Indonesian Peo- Page 98 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. ple’s Solidarity Struggle with the Maubere agreement for them to be taken by bus to RENETIL DENOUNCES People (SPRIM). For several months PRD the nearby Indonesian Legal Aid Founda- and its affiliated organisations have been tion. Police prevented the bus, which arrived RETALIATION AGAINST building an East Timor solidarity campaign at 6pm, from entering the embassy grounds STUDENTS in Indonesia. and forced the demonstrators to walk In a pre-recorded video interview sent to through the abusive crowd of youths out- translated, abridged, edited Green Left Dita Sari, the PPBI general secre- side. Lisbon, Jan 23 (LUSA) - The RENETIL tary explained that the December 7 embassy Contrary to the agreement, five police in Lisbon received a communiqué from its sit-ins were a part of a campaign to raise forced their way onto the bus just before it members in Jakarta denouncing retaliations awareness among Indonesian workers, stu- departed. The bus did not reach its destina- by the Indonesian authorities against the dents and farmers about the similarity be- tion. Instead, it veered off just before the Timorese students who entered the Dutch tween their struggle for greater freedoms and Indonesia Hotel and took the protesters to and Russian embassies in Jakarta on De- the repression and violence experienced by army intelligence headquarters. They were cember 7. The communiqué denounces the the East Timorese. “The bullets which rid- released the next day. capture in mid-December of five Timorese dle the bodies of Maubere patriots are the First posted on the Pegasus conference living in Malang, who reportedly are still same bullets which kill Indonesian pro- greenleft.news by Green Left Weekly. Cor- detained, accused of having attacked four democratic activists,” she said. respondence and hard copy subscription Javanese youths, who allegedly had been Both embassy break-ins began around inquiries: [email protected] recruited to persuade the Timorese students 4.20am. Shortly after, large numbers of mili- to commit common crimes. tary and police surrounded the embassies. A FATE OF THE 32 UNCLEAR The others of the 150 Timorese and In- number of other Timorese activists, not as- donesian people who participated in the sociated with the PRD occupations were TAPOL Report, 18 December 1995 embassies actions are said to have been noti- arrested on the same day. Amnesty Interna- According to a lawyer from the Legal Aid fied to present themselves at the police sta- tional reported that one person was arrested Institute (LBH) in Surabaya, the army has tions of the cities where they live. Two of on his way to Jakarta and another outside said that the 32 people arrested last week those youths, Arlindo Sanches and José the Thai embassy. Fifty others are believed for having taken part in the occupations of Soares, were pressured to renounce to any to have been arrested outside the French the Dutch and Russian embassies have been future actions, and were released condition- Embassy. released. But the lawyer has been unable ally. Unlike other recent embassy break-ins, confirm this and has not been able to dis- In Jakarta, another 26 Timorese are under the protesters did not request political asy- cover the whereabouts of any of the 32 or constant surveillance by the authorities, lum. Dita Sari told Green Left Weekly that speak to any of them. while four others, who worked for security this was quite intentional. “The actions It is understood that a lawyer from the firms, were fired after they denounced being were specifically designed to pressure the Surabaya LBH hopes to visit Martinho subjected to pressure by the military to take government to address our demands and to Rodrigues Pereira this week, perhaps tomor- part in actions in favor to integration of ET promote an awareness in Indonesian society row. Pereira is being accused of having mas- into Indonesia. of the plight of the East Timorese people.” terminded the embassy occupations on 7 The communiqué also reports the forced Placards and banners erected at the embas- December is likely to face serious charges in recruitment of Timorese to infiltrate among sies took up similar demands. court. student activists, with the objective of caus- Around mid-afternoon on December 7 ing disturbances among them, thus providing pro-government thugs had arrived at both FOUR EMBASSY TIMORESE the authorities with an excuse to arrest embassies and began yelling pro-integration them. slogans and abusing and threatening the ac- ARRESTED IN MALANG The communiqué also refers that Lopes tivists inside. Many were armed with da Cruz, ET’s roving ambassador, is pro- TAPOL Report, Dec. 27. knives, clubs and sticks. Although there moting a series of colloquia and dialogs were no incidents at the Russian embassy, The Legal Aid Institute in Surabaya has among the Timorese youths studying in In- violence erupted at the Dutch embassy after confirmed that four East Timorese were ar- donesia, apparently with the objective to youths began by throwing rocks and then rested in the East Java city of Malang by prepare some leader of the Timorese resis- forced their way into the building to search the Malang police force on 26 December. tance for future political manoeuvres. for the activists who, by then, had been They are still in the hands of Malang police. Translator’s comment: I know the report is taken inside by the embassy staff. During All four were involved in embassy actions in confusing, and I’m not sure what the last the ensuing confrontation, eight activists and Jakarta on 7 December. sentence means, but... the original is equally four embassy staff were injured. The names of the four are: confusing. The first incident took place while secu- 1. Amonsio Amaral (involved in the rity personal stood by. A second attack, at Dutch embassy action) 5pm, resulted in more injuries. Again, police 2. Marito de Santos (involved in the Rus- took no action. sian embassy action) Foreign minister Ali Alatas initially dis- 3. Ferminio (involved in the Russian em- missed the incidents, but later said that “it bassy action, surname not known) did not need to have happened.” He did not 4. Arsenio (involved in the Russian em- comment on the security forces’ lack of ac- bassy action, surname not known) tion. Further details of the four individuals and On December 8, the duplicity of the In- the events leading up to their arrest are ex- donesian regime was revealed again. Under pected shortly. pressure from embassy staff, activists nego- tiated with the military and reached an East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 99

According to a communiqué by the Por- An Indonesian official who requested TO THE NETHERLANDS tuguese Foreign Ministry, the Dutch em- anonymity said that five of the asylum bassy in Lisbon has guaranteed that the asy- seekers were workers and the other three Because of the simultaneity of the Dutch lum seekers would receive the best possible were students. The youths were identified and Russian Embassy incursions, many treatment, and that the Portuguese govern- by the Indonesian authorities as: Antonio da articles discuss both. They are put with ment will be kept informed of every step of Costa Rangel, 21 years old., Ivan Manuel the Russian section, for consistency. the matter. Soares, 20, Nixon Alves da Cruz, 19, José Meanwhile the eight have reportedly ex- Luis, 20, José Freitas da Cruz, 22, Alvaro de EIGHT ASYLUM SEEKERS pressed intention of being repatriated [sic] Deus Martins, 24, José Leong, 22, and AT DUTCH EMBASSY to Portugal. Vasco da Conceição, 25. Translated from the Portuguese, abridged DUTCH EMBASSY TIMORESE ASYLUM-SEEKERS TO LEAVE Macao, Nov 7 (LUSA) - Eight East REJECTS ASYLUM FOR Timorese males entered the Dutch embassy EIGHT TIMORESE By Jim Della-Giacoma in Jakarta in the early afternoon today and JAKARTA, Nov 8 (Reuter) - Eight East asked to be granted political asylum by the Kompas, 8 November 1995. Abridged Timorese men who sought asylum in the Dutch government, the vice-chief of the em- The Dutch embassy announced Tuesday Dutch embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday will bassy, Dick den Haas, told LUSA over the that a request for asylum from eight leave for Portugal via Amsterdam on phone. The eight referred the possibility of Timorese youths who entered the embassy Wednesday evening, an official of the Inter- obtaining asylum from a different European on Monday has been rejected. The matter national Committee of the Red Cross country, including Portugal. has now been handed on to Portugal which (ICRC) said. “They asked for protection and we have has said it is willing to receive the eight Henri Fournier, head of the ICRC delega- already informed the Dutch government Timorese. Their departure will be handled tion in Jakarta, told Reuters that Dutch and about this case, which raises a new question by the ICRC. Indonesian authorities had approved a plan for us,” said Dick den Haas. The diplomat Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson to fly the eight to Amsterdam under ICRC said that the Indonesian government had Ghaffar Fadyl told Kompas: ‘If they want supervision at 7.30 p.m. (1230 GMT) on been informed also. “They alleged that their to leave, go ahead. They say they’re being Wednesday. position in Indonesia is not safe, that they hunted down but the fact is that they “These gentlemen are going to leave to- are persecuted and have no freedom,” said aren’t.” night,” Fournier said. the diplomat. “We now await instructions The Dutch embassy spokesperson said “On the request of the Dutch government from the Dutch government and will look the eight men arrived at the embassy at and with the full acceptance of the Indone- after them until the we learn of the deci- 12.30 Monday and immediately asked for sian authorities, the ICRC has been asked to sion,” said Dick den Haas, adding that the asylum. The matter was under discussions facilitate the immigration to Portugal of question will have to be dealt with between until 9 pm. He refused to say anything these eight persons from East Timor,” he the Dutch and Indonesian governments. about their identities. said. This is not the first time in that East According to a source in the embassy, the The Portuguese government, the former Timorese request political asylum from the eight Timorese, all in their early twenties, colonial power in East Timor, had pledged Dutch embassy. In 1986, four East forced their way into the embassy. Security to accept them, he added. Timorese students made this request, and officials were busy handling a crowd of The eight youths ran through the gates of left the embassy two days later, after the people applying for Dutch visas and were the embassy soon after midday on Tuesday, Indonesian authorities guaranteed they unable to hold back the eight. Once inside seeking asylum in the Netherlands. would be safe. the premises, Dutch officials took them to According to an embassy spokesman, the Berlin, Nov 7 (LUSA) - The Dutch For- one side and thereafter, guarding around the eight said they were on the run from the In- eign Minister will make a decision relative to embassy was intensified. No one was al- donesian military. They spent the night on the [above] asylum request “in the next few lowed to get anywhere near where the eight the embassy premises after being given food days,” Djoeke Koekkoek, responsible for were located. and drink. the Asia-Pacific issues in the Ministry, told Major-General Abdul Rivai, the com- LUSA over the phone. Koekkoek stated EIGHT ASYLUM SEEKERS mander of the Udayana military district that the Minister had already established which includes East Timor, denied the eight contacts with the Portuguese and Indonesian LEAVE TO PORTUGAL were being chased by authorities. authorities in order to resolve the question Translated from the Portuguese, abridged “There is no such story that the eight quickly. who are seeking political asylum are being According to news agency Associated Berlin, Nov 8 (LUSA) - The eight chased by security officials,” Rivai was Press, 10 police officers remained in surveil- Timorese asylum seekers who took refuge in quoted by the official Antara news agency lance outside of the Dutch embassy after the Dutch embassy in Jakarta, will leave to as telling reporters in East Timor’s capital, closing hours. Lisbon today, Djoeke Koekkoek of the Dili, on Wednesday. Lisbon, Nov 7 (LUSA) - The Foreign Dutch Foreign Ministry told LUSA today. Timorese sources said they believed the Ministry of Portugal has already agreed to Koekkoek revealed that the departure is be- eight had arrived in Jakarta recently from receive the eight asylum seekers in Portugal. ing organized by the International Red East Timor. The Minister has instructed the Portuguese Cross. “The eight Timorese are very pleased Antara named the eight, confirmed by permanent mission in Geneva for that it re- with this solution,” stated Koekkoek, adding other sources, as Alvaro Martins, 27, Anto- quests collaboration by the International that “they really wanted to leave Indonesia, nio da Costa Rangel, 21, José Luis L, 20, Red Cross to organize the possible recep- and staying in the Dutch embassy was not a Vasco da Conceição, 25, Nixon João do tion of the eight. solution.” Page 100 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Alves, 22, Ivan Manuel Soares, 20, José Only one of the youths has family in tives of the Indonesian regime discuss their Freitas da Cruz, 20, and José de Leong, 22. Portugal – a sister who has come long ago – demands on Timor. They are also asking There have been several similar attempts but they all have many friends here. that prominent human rights lawyers be to seek refuge involving embassies in Jakarta The group who requested asylum from witnesses to the meetings. recent years. the British embassy about 2 months ago Please note that at some point the Indo- In September, five East Timorese sought awaited the eight at the airport, and their nesians will have to leave the Embassy. refuge in the British mission. encounter was very emotional. The sad ex- Please send messages of support to the Nearly all such asylum seekers have pressions of the youths were at that mo- East Timorese and SPRIM Indonesians in ended up in Portugal. ment transformed, with smiles mixed with the Embassy. Send messages to your local Indonesia, which has ruled East Timor tears. Dutch and Russian Embassies or telephone since an invasion nearly 20 years ago on De- Around their neck the youths wore a direct to Jakarta. (Dutch embassy 62-21- cember 7, 1975, had said it would not bar black ribbon, “in mourning for their friends 5251515. Russian Embassy 62-21-322162) the eight from leaving but denied their who disappeared,” explained Luis Cardoso. claims, and those of other Timorese, of per- These youths, who had also participated EAST TIMORESE YOUTH secution and human rights abuses. in the Santa Cruz procession in 1991, will PETITION TO DUTCH now stay at the University Residence of the EIGHT TIMORESE Mosteiro, in Santos-o-Novo [Lisbon], GOVERNMENT where the other Timorese who arrived re- ARRIVE IN LISBON PETITION FROM THE YOUNG MEN AND cently are also hosted, Manuela Machaz of WOMEN OF EAST TIMOR, PRESENTED the Social Security Ministry told journalists. Translated from the Portuguese, full text TO THE GOVERNMENT OF According to Machaz, the youths will have NETHERLANDS Lisbon, Nov 9 (LUSA) - The 8 Timorese free room and board, and the usual monthly who requested political asylum from the stipend. 7 December 1995 Dutch embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, and Later on, they will attend Portuguese 1. INTRODUCTION. Today it is arrived in Lisbon today, consider that escap- classes, and will decide whether they wish twenty years since the invasion of our ing East Timor is, right now, the only alter- to continue with their studies, or a different homeland by the troops of the aggressor. native for Dili’s youth. alternative. This day marks twenty years of our struggle Antonio Rangel, 21 years old, spokes- Besides Manuela Machas, a representa- for independence against the army of the person for the group, speaking with transla- tive of the Foreign Ministry, a representa- Suharto regime. And for all of these twenty tion aid from Luis Cardoso, CNRM leader, tive of the Portuguese Red Cross, and oth- years of struggle, we and our people have told journalists that the pressure in Dili is ers, were at the airport. The trip was ar- been hunted, tortured, killed, arrested and enormous and young people have no choice ranged by the International Red Cross. exiled. For all of these years our endless suf- but to flee. fering has been forgotten by all the nations Rangel explained that the group left Dili OVER 50 EAST TIMORESE of the world, including the Netherlands . on the 4th, and arrived in Jakarta on the 7th, Today we have exhausted all our means at which time it requested asylum from the AND INDONESIANS of struggle to show to the whole world and Dutch embassy. Along their course, they IN DUTCH EMBASSY to the international organisations, that our were “always accompanied” by Indonesian nation has been occupied illegally, that our military. From AKSI National Secretariat, Dec. 7, people have been massacred inhumanely, Rangel states that 30 youths left Dili, but 1995. For info: PO Box 458, Broadway, that our mothers have been raped and then that the whereabouts of the other 22 are not NSW 2007, Australia Phone: 02 690 1230. killed. And on this day, too, it seems that known. Rangel reports that gunshots are Fax: 02 690 1381. E-Mail: there is not one country in the world, in- heard in Dili every night, and that neither he [email protected] cluding the Netherlands, that has been able or the others in his group had slept in their This is to confirm that Wilson, Secretary- to comprehend our aspirations and our suf- homes for many nights. General of Pusat Perjuangan Buruh Indone- fering or to understand the reality we have “There almost are no Timorese youths in sia (Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggles) lived for the last 20 years. Because of all Dili, many have fled to the mountains and and Petrus Haryadi, Secretary General of this, we decided to “OCCUPY” the Dutch others have stepped into the clandestinity,” Solidaritas Mahasiswa Indonesia untuk De- embassy with the aim to convey to Your said Rangel, adding that many youths have mokrasi (SMID - Indonesian Students in Excellency the Ambassador of the Nether- been arrested and some must have been Solidarity with Democracy) are in the Dutch lands our reality, our hopes and our de- killed for their destinations are unknown. Embassy with several other Indonesians and mands with the certainty that you, Mr Am- To Antonio Rangel, “it is the intention of many East Timorese (estimated total 52). bassador, will understand our position and the Indonesian army to eliminate the Wilson is also national coordinator of will forward this petition to the United Na- Timorese youth,” hence many try to flee SPRIM (Solidaritas Perjuangan Rakyat In- tions and to the government of the Nether- East Timor. “There are many Timorese donesia untuk Maubere) (Indonesians in lands for their consideration in accordance to youths who want to come to Portugal,” he Solidarity Struggle with the Maubere Peo- international law. said, adding that “Portugal is the one who ple). Long before we took the decision to has the responsibility to receive the Budiman Sudjatmiko, President of Per- “JUMP” the fence of your country’s em- Timorese.” satuan Rakyat Demokratik (PRD - Peoples bassy, we realised that we would be accused The eight youths have all completed their Democratic Union), is in the Russian Em- by the Suharto regime to be shameless peo- high school education bassy with other Indonesians and East ple whose only desire is to get a free ride and intend to pursue their studies in Por- Timorese. overseas, people with no sense of national- tugal, if possible. Neither the East Timorese or Indonesians ism or patriotism, and all similar accusations are asking for asylum at this point. But they routinely made by Ali Alatas. We realised are demanding a meeting with representa- all this. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 101

On the other hand, Your Excellency, we in East Timor, and as the only party compe- Timor by using the guidelines of the also realised that “THIS ACTION OF tent to conclude the process of decoloniza- ‘DEVELOPMENT’ theory. For Suharto, JUMPING OVER YOUR EMBASSY’S tion of East Timor; ‘DEVELOPMENT’ is the means of legiti- FENCE” would disrupt the tranquillity and 5. Because of all the above, the East mising the murders and massacres which the smooth administration of your embassy. Timor question becomes an international have occurred in East Timor. We realised all of that, and we thought that problem, which must be resolved at an in- Soeharto has forgotten the most basic and Your Excellency and your staff would not ternational level;. fundamental problems of ‘development,’ be overjoyed with our presence. However, Your Excellency the Ambassador such as: we have been compelled to take this course Before we submit our demands, allow us 1. Who is ‘development’ for? Who car- of action because: to relate to you all the problems we have ries out ‘development’? 1) The Netherlands is a member country been facing and to explain the practices em- 2. What intrinsic values does ‘develop- of the United Nations. Regardless of any ployed by the Soeharto regime. ment’ hold, and what are the benefits for the economic, political, military and strategic A - INTEGRATION: THE RESULT OF people of East Timor, if set against the ap- interest, the government of the Netherlands THE SOEHARTO REGIME’S proximately 300 000 people who lost their is morally bound to respect and actively MANIPULATIONS lives, and the many more who have been participate in seeking resolutions of con- dispossessed of their history, religion and Whenever and wherever they are, Soe- flicts among countries and nations. We are culture for the past 20 years? harto and Ali Alatas never miss an opportu- convinced that if all the nations of the world 3. Couldn’t the people of East Timor de- nity to claim that integration was the aspira- were to truly live by the principles of inter- velop their own country, in accordance with tion of the people of East Timor; that inte- national law, then peace and justice would their own desires and hope, without the in- gration was the outcome of a process of self prevail throughout the world. It is the prin- tervention of the Soeharto regime? determination. ciples of international law that give us the We are not going to argue over Our position is quite clear: integration right to self determination; because not a ‘DEVELOPMENT’ and we will not accept never was the aspiration of our people. In- single UN resolution has legitimsed the ag- it as a theory to legitimise the enslaving and stead it was the outcome of a staged military gression and the integration of East Timor. alienation of our own people. If Soeharto intervention - in 1974 the Soeharto regime 2. In Indonesia, where the Suharto regime wants his ‘DEVELOPMENT,’ he should launched Operasi Komodo (Komodo Opera- is so cruel, so repressive and so disrespect- just take it and give it to his own family. For tion), followed in 1975 by Operasi Seroja ful of its own laws, let alone international us, freedom is more important, and its value (Seroja Operation) and which culminated law, it is not possible for us to hold a dem- cannot be measured by the standards of with the open military intervention of De- onstration “THAT OPPOSES” the regime Soeharto’s ‘DEVELOPMENT.’ cember 7 1975. After East Timor was occu- openly and publicly. If we were to risk it pied by the troops of the aggressor, the C- THE EAST TIMORESE QUESTION we would certainly be arrested, tortured and Soeharto regime, Soeharto ordered the for- MUST BE RESOLVED AT killed, as has been the case for so many of mation of a puppet parliament, which along INTERNATIONAL LEVEL our friends who have died over the last with the regime-backed Provisional Gov- We have already stated that the East twenty years in the name of our struggle for ernment of East Timor, presented a petition Timorese question is an international matter. freedom. To make ourselves quite clear we to the regime requesting the integration of This is because the parties in conflict are would like to remind Your Excellency of the East Timor into the territory of the Repub- Indonesia and the international community, Santa Cruz massacre of 1991, where it was lic of Indonesia. All of these Soeharto’s not just Indonesia and Portugal and it is for not just our brothers and sisters who were practices have since, bit by bit, been laid this reason that since 1975 the United Na- massacred, but where also a journalist of bare by the unfolding of history itself. The tions has attempted to resolve this problem. Dutch descent, Kamal paid with his life climax came at the meeting between East As a result of the UN Secretary Gen- only because he was witness to our demon- Timorese representatives held in Austria, eral’s efforts, a tri-partite meeting between stration.. where Guilherme Maria Gonçalves who at Portugal, the Secretary General and Indone- Because of all that has passed, on this that time was active in the Provisional Gov- sia took place. The tri-partite talks were day we have chosen to hold our demonstra- ernment of East Timor and was the leader of very fruitful, but only on paper. One of the tion in Your Excellency’s Embassy with the the Puppet Parliament, openly stated that points of the tri-partite resolution was to hope to freely and peacefully prove to the he withdrew his consent to the petition. He hold meetings between the foreign ministers whole world, including to the government took this stand because at the time he signed and East Timorese people, and for the need and the people of your country that we are the petition he was forced to do so, and be- to extend the meetings between East still alive, that we still are convinced of our cause the outcome of integration has been a Timorese themselves. All of these kinds of right to self determination, and that we still great disappointment to all East Timorese. meetings have been held. However, no do not accept the integration of our nation This statement by Guilherme Gonçalves prospects for the resolution of the problem into the territory of the Republic of Indone- has opened up all which had previously of East Timor have been forthcoming be- sia and that we shall continue to reject it been tightly wrapped and concealed by Soe- cause: because: harto’s propaganda. We ask again: if the 1. The Soeharto regime has never been se- 1. Integration was the result of the ag- people of East Timor did freely choose inte- rious and has never shown any good will gression and the manipulations of the Soe- gration, why has it been necessary to arrest, toward negotiating a solution to the prob- harto regime; to kill and to torture? Or is there another lem. This attitude is clearly indicated by its 2. The United Nations has never recog- reason? reluctance to implement all UN resolutions nised Indonesia’s claim over East Timor; on East Timor, and by the fact that it has 3. The Soeharto regime’s aggression and B - ‘DEVELOPMENT’ - AN never intended to implement any of the invasion of East Timor has been condemned ARGUMENTATIVE THEORY points of the resolutions which it itself in United Nations resolutions; Other than the theory that ‘integration agreed to, whether these be in the tri-partite 4. The United Nations continues to rec- was the will of the people,’ Soeharto has ognise Portugal as the administering power also tried to legitimise the annexation of East Page 102 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. meetings or in the meeting between East 1. To the people of the Netherlands to business district, was thwarted around the Timorese representatives in Austria. support our struggle! same time and 19 people were arrested. 2. The apathy and lack of seriousness 2. To the West to continue to support They gave no details. shown by the countries of the world, includ- Portugal in its endeavour to find a solution Human rights activists put the number of ing your own, towards the East Timor prob- to the problem of East Timor. arrests during the day at 30. lem. 3. To all nations of the world to comply A Russian diplomat told Reuters the In our view, Soeharto’s attitude and the with all resolutions passed on East Timor number in his embassy later rose to 57. support which certain countries, including and to withdraw all forms of support to the “Eleven more people penetrated into em- your own, have given his regime, have made Suharto regime! bassy territory from the back yard during Soeharto even more unyielding in his views, ONLY IN THIS WAY IT WILL BE the morning,” he said. Foreign diplomats and have encouraged him to act with even POSSIBLE TO HAVE PEACE, JUSTICE said the mix of people, including non-East more brutality in his determination to retain AND SOLIDARITY AMONGST ALL Timorese, could protract negotiations to get East Timor as Indonesia’s 27th province. THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!! the protesters out of the embassies. This attitude will always be conflicting with The signatories : A group calling itself Indonesians in Soli- our own - that we will continue our struggle. [not given] darity with East Timorese People (SPRIM), Hence there will never be peace, and more which claimed part responsibility for organ- victims will continue to fall. EAST TIMORESE PROTESTS ising the break-ins, demanded the with- And who is responsible for all this? We TRIGGER VIOLENCE AT drawal of Indonesian military and police say that the international community, in- from East Timor. cluding your own country, is morally re- EMBASSY Its demands, issued in a statement, in- sponsible!!! cluded a referendum on Timorese independ- by Mantik Kusjanto, [slightly abridged] II. OUR DEMANDS ence and a repeal of what it called repressive JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuter) – Violence political laws. It said 123 East Timorese and In view of the facts as summarised above, flared in Jakarta on Thursday following a 61 Indonesians took part in the embassy it is now time for us to make our demands. spectacular invasion of two embassies by break-ins. We hereby demand: 115 mainly East Timorese when a rival U.N. High Commissioner for Human 1. That the government of the Nether- group broke into the Dutch mission in the Rights Jose Ayala Lasso ended a six-day lands support our struggle; Indonesian capital, witnesses said. visit to Indonesia, which included two days 2. That the government of the Nether- They said pro-Indonesian protesters in East Timor, by holding talks with jailed lands pressure the Soeharto regime to: briefly entered the Dutch embassy after East Timorese resistance leader Xanana - Cease all terror in East Timor and re- shouting abuse at 58 East Timorese and Gusmão. lease all political prisoners; their sympathisers holed up there since “I met Gusmão this afternoon and had a - Withdraw its armed forces from East early morning. conversation with him but I could not elabo- Timor; Some of them entered the embassy build- rate,” Ayala Lasso said when asked if Gus- - Free all political prisoners as proof that ing in a break-in that lasted for about 20 mão had asked him for help. the Suharto regime is truly committed to minutes, the witnesses said. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the pro- implementing the resolutions agreed upon A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokeswoman testers in the embassies were free to leave during the Intra-Timorese dialogue; told Reuters in The Hague two Dutch dip- Indonesia – like 43 others who won political - Agree to involving Xanana Gusmão in lomats were injured when the counter- asylum in Portugal after staging similar all negotiations; demonstrators broke into the embassy in break-ins. 3. We demand that the Dutch govern- Jakarta. Henri Fournier, head of the Jakarta office ment send a parliamentary mission to inves- The spokeswoman declined to identify of the Geneva-based International Commit- tigate the killing in 1975 of a New Zealand the diplomats or specify the nature of their tee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said: “Nobody journalist and of 5 Australian journalists in injuries. She said Indonesian Ambassador has talked to me about a request for asy- Balibo. Johannes Kadarisman had been summoned lum.” III. OUR POSITION to the ministry and told of the Netherlands’ We hereby affirm that : concern. DUTCH EMBASSY IN JAKARTA I. We reject integration, whatever the rea- Kadarisman had guaranteed that the In- ATTACKED AND DAMAGED BY son! donesian authorities would allow the pro- PRO-INTEGRATION YOUTH testers to leave the embassy unhindered, she 2. In view of the political developments The following is a translation of a chronol- in the Middle East, and the signing of a said. The protesters had not to her knowl- edge asked for asylum in the Netherlands, ogy sent to AKSI by the Indonesian Center peace accord in the Balkans, we demand that for Labour Struggle (PPBI). the international community acknowledge she added. that East Timor has been at war for twenty The East Timorese break-ins were Political Attaché wounded in attack years and it is time it ended! launched 20 years to the day, and almost the Today, December 7, 1995, scores of ac- 3. That the demonstration staged on 20 hour, since Indonesian forces invaded East tivists from the Peoples’ Democratic Union Timor after its former Portuguese colonial November by a handful of Indonesians pos- (PRD) and East Timorese youth launched ing as East Timorese is further proof that masters left. an action at the Dutch Embassy in Jl. H. R. Suharto is as contemptible as ever and has The counter-demonstrators invaded the Rasuna Said, Jakarta. They entered the em- no interest in seeking a solution to the East Dutch embassy about 12 hours after 58 bassy building, requested dialogue be held Timor problem. people, mainly East Timorese, entered the with the Indonesian government, UN repre- IV. OUR APPEAL building at night, shortly after 47 people sentatives, the International Red Cross, East forced their way into the Russian embassy. We appeal: Timorese representatives and H.J.C. Princen Police said a raid on the French embassy, as mediator. situated like most others in Jakarta’s main East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 103

The issues to be discussed in this dia- PRD AND EAST TIMOR ACTIVISTS Because of the stress of these brutal logue are: CHRONOLOGY AT THE DUTCH actions, a SMID activist, Ima, collapsed 1. A referendum on self-determination for EMBASSY DECEMBER 7 1995 unconscious. Three women activists the people of East Timor; from SMID were quickly moved to a 2. The withdrawal of the repressive 1985 4.20am - 25 PRD and around 50 East safe place. The crowd of youths contin- political laws; Timorese youths entered the embassy by ued to chase activists inside the em- 3. Freedom to enter/leave any countries. leaping over the gates. bassy building, without respect for em- The final point refers to the asylum bid 6.00am - Embassy staff came out and met bassy regulations. While chasing the ac- by large number of East Timorese. with the activists on the embassy tivists they shouted abuse and searched The government immediately sent fully grounds. the offices they passed. armed troops to guard the embassy. The 7.00am - The Dutch Political Attaché, Ed- A physical confrontation between was also a reaction from around 200 youths ward Hoek met with activists. activists and the pro- integration youths (suspected to be members of the Pancasila 7.15am - Edward Hoek requested that the could not be avoided. With out weap- Youth – although this cannot be absolutely activist not shout while they were in the ons, the PRD and Timorese activists confirmed). Upon arriving at the embassy, embassy grounds. who had in fact held a peaceful demon- they threw rocks at the windows and dam- stration were forced to defend them- aged property inside. The troops guarding 7.45am - Posters were unfurled. selves. Nine people were injured, includ- the area were not seen to take any action. 8.05am - Banners were erected. ing the Dutch Political Attaché who was The safety of PRD and East Timorese 8.25am - Embassy staff requested the ban- able to protect them from the attack by activists in the embassy building were ners be taken down. the crowd. threatened by a physical attack against them 8.28am - The PRD representative requested 1. Edward Hoek (Political Attaché), by the crowd of youths. What follows is a dialogue. wounded by a rock thrown by the complete PRD report, directly from the 8.35am - Banners were unfurled again. pro-integration crowd; Dutch Embassy in Jakarta. 8.40am - Two foreign journalist were ac- 2. Ima (SMID), collapsed uncon- At around the same time, around 50 other scious; PRD and East Timorese activists entered costed by security forces who were on guard. 3. Natalino (East Timorese), the Russian Embassy in Jl. Thamrin, Ja- wounded by a blow to the hand; karta. The sat in ranks on the floor of the 8.45am - Putu (East Timorese), Wilson embassy building. After waiting several (PPBI), and Petrus (SMID) ended their 4. Soares (East Timorese), cut on the minutes they were received by embassy dialogue with embassy staff. The result: right leg by flying glass; staff who stated that they would provide representatives from the International 5. Edgar (East Timorese), wounded in full protection, as one of the embassy obli- Red Cross, the United Nations Devel- the left arm and bused from a beat- gations. The head of the embassy also pro- opment Program (UNDP), PRD and East ing; vided medicines and food for the activists. Timorese activists with hold further dis- 6. Leopoldo (East Timorese), right The Russian Embassy has already con- cussions. hand wounded by flying glass and tacted the Indonesian Department of For- 8.55am - An army truck arrived, and addi- a knife; eign Affairs and requested that a resolution a tional troops were deployed on guard. 7. Andi Arief (SMID), wounded by soon as possible. There has been no con- The activists moved to the swimming flying glass; crete reaction from the Department up until pools at the rear of the embassy building 8. Yanto (SMID), left leg torn by fly- now. Outside the embassy grounds scores because it was heard that the action ing glass; of security personnel are visible, along with would be challenged. pro-integration youths. This crowd is con- 9. Natalino Mota, wounded in the 11.00am - Lunch was prepared by embassy head by a rock. tinually yelling, shouting abuse and are only staff. observed by the security personnel. All of these violent acts by the pro- 2.15pm - Around 200 youths (suspected of The demands of the PRD and East integration crowd were carried out being of Eastern Indonesian) who were Timorese activists are the same as those INSIDE THE DUTCH EMBASSY yelling pro-integration slogans and who entered the Dutch Embassy. They also BUILDING. Aside from the wounding threatening the activists, approached the said that they will remain there, if their de- suffered by the activists, the embassy embassy. Outside is was suspected that mands are not fulfilled. also suffered material damage as a result the leapt over the locked fence and at- Around the same time, about 50 other ac- of the violence. tacked the activists who were resting at tivists entered the grounds of the French This occurred the middle of these ne- the time. The activist were quickly Embassy. This action failed because they gotiations between Wilson (PPBI), brought into the embassy offices. The were arrested by security forces. There fate Petrus (SMID), and Putu (East pro-integration crowd carried knives, is not known this time, and there is extreme Timorese representative) with Mr clubs, sticks and rocks and shouted concern that they are physically at risk. Kemp (UNDP representative), Mr abuse. They began to pelt and smash the Note: PRD is an umbrella organisation Fornier (International Red Cross repre- embassy windows with rocks. Soon after made up of members of Student Solidarity sentative), and embassy staff. Because they forced their way into the building, for Indonesian Democracy (Solidaritas Ma- of the attack, both UN representative searching though all of the rooms, and hasiswa Indonesia untuk Demokrasi, decided to leave the embassy and the disturbing embassy staff working there. SMID), the Centre for Labour Struggle negotiations broke down. (Pusat Perjuangan Buruh Indonesia, PPBI), All of this occurred under the scru- The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali the National Peasants Union (Serikat Tani tiny of police and security forces. They Alatas meanwhile, gave an interview at Nasional, STN), and the Peoples Art Net- only stood by and watched the acts of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Jl work (Jaker). destruction, without taking any steps Pejambon, Jakarta. He failed to re- whatsoever to prevent it. sponded seriously to this incident. Page 104 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

“That’s a ordinary occurrence. An Security personnel from the South Ja- 21.Fernando Sanches that’s just usual,” as broadcast by the karta Police could be seen guarding the em- 22.Juvinal Da Costa current affairs program Seputar Indone- bassy, but took no action to prevent actions 23.J. Jaime F. Soares sia on RCTI television at 7pm. by the pro-integration youths. 24.Amancio C.R. Amaral 5.15pm - The crowd resumed their attack. 10.00pm - A large part of the pro- 25.Nidia S.P. Matos Physical confrontation could not be integration crowd could be seen in front of 26.Thomas Alfredo 27.Mario F.S. Barreto avoided, and many more victims fell. The the embassy grounds, shouting abuse at the 28.Leonel S. Barreto security personnel, did not prevent the activists and threatening the Portuguese 29.Diamantino Dos Reis violent acts, instead stood in the grounds government. Words similar to that used by 30.Julio De Ribero behind the embassy, encircling the the other group in front of the Russian em- 31.Antonio Soares grounds. bassy. 32.Natalino Vatubai 7.15pm - Embassy staff made a protest to The crowd then appeared to approach 33.Elvis N.N. Oliveira Ali Alatas who answered only that the gates preparing to enter the embassy, 34.Rui Leao Pereira President Soeharto guaranteed the secu- repeating the violent attack and damage to 35.James Soares rity and safety of the Dutch embassy and the embassy as they had done on the previ- 36.Afonso Da Costa those inside, and requested that the PRD ous day, December 7. 37.Joshua 38.Rogerio Moniz activists along with the East Timorese However up to this time there are no in- dications of an attack. Outside the embassy 39.John Travolta quickly leave the embassy. There was no 40.Puto reaction from the Department of Foreign grounds a number of police could be seen on guard. PROTESTERS WHO WILL ENTER Affairs about the damage which occurred. THE DUTCH EMBASSY OUTSIDE OF Wilson (PPBI), Petrus (SMID), and 2. ACTIVISTS IN THE DUTCH EMBASSY, From AKSI THE MAIN GROUPS: Putu (East Timorese) were called by Mr 1. Janio Rui Dos Santos Dias Ximenes INDONESIAN ACTIVISTS: Hoek who informed them of President 2. Nevio Sarmento 1. Eko Soeharto’s response. He also asked the 3. Hermingardo Albano Soares 2. Suyat 4. Natalino De Araujo three representatives to consider this re- 3. Iwan 5. Natalino F. Mota sponse. 4. Otto 6. Mario Soriano Barreto 7.35pm - The PRD and East Timorese ac- 5. Jimmy 7. Leonel Soriano Barreto 6. Nuggy tivists refused to leave the embassy until 8. Diamantino De Oliveira Da Costa 7. Syamsul their demands were fulfilled. 9. Julio Ribeiro At the time this chronology was 8. Danang 9. Johan compiled, all of the activists remained in 10.Agus TIMOR PROTESTERS STAY the embassy building and were preparing 11.Budi PUT IN DUTCH MISSION themselves for further attacks. The em- 12.Winarso bassy grounds have been encircled by 13.Didit By Lewa Pardomuan thousands of police, soldiers from the 14.Andi Arif JAKARTA, Dec 9 (Reuter) - The out- army and plain-clothed security person- 15.Barni nel. 16.Pius come of Indonesia’s East Timor protest 17.Meggi drama appeared finely balanced on Saturday Jakarta, December 8, 1995 as police quizzed demonstrators who left Dita Sari, PPBI General Secretary 18.Muggi 19.Imma the Russian embassy and defiant colleagues 20.Haris stayed in the Dutch mission, diplomats said. PRD UPDATE ON DUTCH 21.Tuti While temperatures rose on day three of EMBASSY OCCUPATION 22.Syafii K the saga, police ringed the Dutch mission to 23.Petrus Haryanto prevent raids by pro-Indonesia demonstra- The following is a translation of a report 24.Wilson tors who broke into the main building and received by AKSI from the Peoples’ Democ- EAST TIMORESE: injured four diplomats on Thursday, report- ratic Union (PRD) on the Morning of De- 1. Carlito Soares Belo ers said. cember 8, 1995. 2. Eliterio Dos Santos Cruz At Jakarta police headquarters, most of 3. Joaquim Dos Santos the 57 East Timorese and their sympathis- On December 7, 1995, 47 PRD and East 4. Vanancio Oliveira ers who left the Russian embassy on Friday Timorese activists entered the Dutch Em- 5. Crispin Matos Gomes bassy in South Jakarta. They presented a 6. Tonnio Ximenes Granadeiro were still being interrogated. The exact num- complete set of demands and began negotia- 7. Cesar Maria De Jesus Rego Mesquita bers were unclear. tions with embassy staff and representa- 8. Pedro De Oliveira “Until now, questioning is still going on. tives of international organisation in Jakarta. 9. Antonio De Oliveira Camara It is too early to say if they will be released The following is a report of the latest devel- 10.Edio Mario Daniel today,” police spokesman Lieutenant- opments on the situation of the PRD and 11.Fransisco R. Faria Colonel Imam Heryatna said. East Timorese activists in the embassy. 12.Antonio Soares He said they would be released after 4.00pm - A number of negotiations were 13.Austreberto J.M. Ferolira questioning but gave no time. By law, peo- held between PRD and East Timorese activ- 14.Gaundencio De ConceiCao ple can be held without charge for 24 hours. ists with embassy staff. The activists con- 15.Leopoldo Dos Santos Maia “If they are arrested, the Dutch have a 16.Marcos Moniz tinued to requests that all of their demands problem. The 55 in that embassy will not 17.Crisodio M. Araujo want to move until they have firm guaran- be fulfilled. Meanwhile outside the embassy 18.Rui Gil tees of safety,” said one diplomat close to grounds, pro-integration youths shouted 19.Domingos S. Canelas abuse and threats. 20.Fransisco D. Sarmento the crisis. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 105

Unlike previous embassy break-ins by Embassy. Both groups stormed the embas- that no torture took place. PRD President, East Timorese, there have been no requests sies on Thursday, the 20th anniversary of Budiman, who was in the Russian Embassy for political asylum. Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor. has since been speaking to the press. A fur- “As long as they are within our premises, The protesters ousted today were seen ther press conference will be held today by we have the responsibility for them,” one leaving Dutch embassy in two white buses, PRD. Dutch diplomat said. accompanied by 40 soldiers and policemen. PRD and East Timorese activists will be In all, 112 East Timorese and their Indo- “They were taken to the police headquar- maintaining pressure in Jakarta to ensure the nesian sympathisers, protesting against In- ters, like those youths from the Russian Dutch Embassy group is also released. donesia’s rule of East Timor, stormed the Embassy,” said Lt. Col. Silvanus Wenas. There are also a number of other East Dutch and Russian missions on Thursday – Dutch diplomats refused comment. The Timorese and Indonesians who were ar- the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion Dutch previously criticized the Russians for rested attempting to get into the Embassies of the former Portuguese colony. allowing the police to remove the protesters, or who have been picked up in their homes At police headquarters, protesters from and had vowed not to let that happen in and at bus and train stations. the Russian mission, who arrived by bus their own compound. PRD has appealed that protest actions around 6.00 p.m. (1100 gmt) on Friday, Lawyers from the Institute for the De- take place in Australia and around the world were red-eyed and lying on a waiting room fense of Human Rights said they were still on Tuesday 11 December. floor, witnesses said. trying to meet with the group ousted from They had agreed to leave the Russian the Russian embassy after being denied ac- DISGRACEFUL DUTCH EMBASSY embassy after mediation by Johannes Prin- cess Friday. Police said the protesters were ACTION cen, a leading Indonesian human rights activ- in good health. CNRM Media Release, 11 December ist, and an apparent safe-conduct guarantee. The protesters reportedly were not seek- Princen also visited the Dutch embassy ing asylum. The escape from detention by Indonesian on Friday. A source close to the protest said authorities on Sunday night (10 December) later: “They have not yet decided what to POLICE ARREST DUTCH EMBASSY of Wilson, the leader of the PRD group of do but they are still sticking to their de- OCCUPIERS Indonesian supporters of East Timorese rights who had staged a protest action at the mands.” From AKSI News Service, 10 December Dutch diplomats said the 55 in their mis- Dutch Embassy in Jakarta, has allowed the Following extensive and intensive nego- sion appeared more hardline than those who true story to emerge. tiations with the Dutch Embassy and law- left the Russian embassy. Wilson provided a detailed account of the yers from the Indonesian Legal Aid Insti- Sources close to the protesters said the experience in the Dutch Embassy of group tute, the Dutch Embassy invited Indonesian original plan was for the East Timorese in of 29 Indonesian and 26 East Timorese who police into the grounds to arrest the Indone- the two groups to stay for 20 days, while had entered the compound on Thursday 7 sian and East Timorese protesters inside the the other Indonesians would stay for five December to protest against the 20 year ille- Embassy. The Dutch Embassy had shifted days. gal Indonesian occupation of East Timor, the talks into their cultural centre claiming The protesters from the Russian em- demanding a resolution of the problem. Ex- that it was not diplomatic territory and bassy, who originally threatened to set fire cerpts follow. therefore that the police could come inside. to themselves if their demands were not On Saturday morning protesters were The Indonesian leaders and members of met, left the mission to abuse from pro- transferred to the second floor of the em- the Peoples Democratic Union (PRD) and Indonesia onlookers. bassy, after government-supported thugs, the East Timorese activists refused to the A similar group of some 20 people gath- like those who had invaded the embassy on last to voluntarily comply with the Dutch ered outside the Dutch embassy fence and 8 December, reappeared outside the gates Embassy’s actions. The PRD has lodged a rattled the main gate on Saturday. “Open armed with knives, metal rods etc. The em- formal protest to the Dutch Embassy re- the doors,” “Come on out,” they yelled at bassy staff took much fright from the clear garding their intimidatory behaviour towards the protesters inside. sympathy shown to the thugs by the Indo- protesters. Reporters said riot police with sticks nesian police and military guarding the em- The protesters - 29 members of PRD and later stood in front of the gate. They were bassy. 26 East Timorese - were then forcibly taken among about 60 police and army members By 13.00 the protesters were told by Po- away to military intelligence headquarters, guarding the perimeter fence. litical Counsellor Mr Hoek that the Ambas- although the Indonesian government is con- Violence flared late on Thursday when sador and the Dutch Foreign Minister would tinuing to say they were taken to police counter-demonstrators broke into the mis- not tolerate the demonstrators to remain in headquarters. It is expected that after ques- sion. The Dutch said four people, including the embassy, and that they would be evicted tioning by military intelligence they will be Ambassador Paul Brouwer, were injured by in order to safeguard the security of the em- taken to police headquarters. protesters with sticks. bassy staff. In response the protesters Amongst the Indonesian leaders in the started a hunger strike, demanding the em- Dutch Embassy re Wilson, Secretary- bassy to guarantee their security. OCCUPATIONS END General of Indonesian Centre for Labour At 18.00 the protesters were met by AP, Dec. 9, 1996. [abridged] Struggles(PPBI); Petrus Haryadi, Secretary- Human Rights lawyer Mr Princen, the General of Students in Solidarity with De- Dutch Ambassador, the Political Counsellor, JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – Police re- mocracy in Indonesia (SMID) and Andi and a Indonesian Legal Aid lawyer, Mr moved 55 East Timorese demonstrators Arief a PRD and SMID leader from Jogja- Rambun. They asked the protesters to from the Dutch Embassy today after they karta. leave, saying they would guarantee their se- had holed up there for nearly three days to Meanwhile, the Indonesian PRD leaders curity. Given the fate of those who had be- protest Indonesian rule of their homeland. and members and the East Timorese who lieved ‘security guarantees’ at the Russian The move came a day after police re- had been abducted from the Russian Em- Embassy earlier, they refused to accept. moved 58 other protesters from the Russian bassy have been released. PRD sources state Page 106 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

At 19.00 the Dutch Ambassador with the LUSA (Dec 11) reports that both Wilson night. The two interviewed are Puto (an Political attaché, accompanied by a large and Puto escaped from the bus, and cites East Timorese activist) and Bebek, a PRD group of Indonesian military and police statements by Puto to France Presse. Puto (Persatuan Rakyat Demokratik, Democratic faced the demonstrators, asking that they doesn’t know the whereabouts of the other Peoples’ Alliance) activist from a town in leave ‘voluntarily.’ They decided not to. 53. Puto states that during the police inter- Java. After this the Ambassador opened the em- rogation, the 55 were physically attacked Q: Can you start by telling the story of what bassy gates to Indonesian riot police and and tortured, including cigarette burns, and happened in the leadup to your entry into military. intelligence operatives, who forced not allowed to sleep during the 24 hours. He the embassy? the protesters into waiting buses. stated “Requesting asylum is now the only Having no other alternative, the 55 alternative we have. We don’t feel safe here P: We had long been organising for a big ac- youths left under full police escort to police because we will continue to be prosecuted tion on December 7, because this is a very headquarters in South Jakarta. A Dutch Em- by the authorities.” significant date for us. It commemorates the bassy official, Mr Theo Pieters, accompa- twentieth anniversary of the forcible and nied them, leaving them shortly after they brutal entry of Indonesian troops into East POLICE FREE EAST Timor. For the last twenty years, we have reached their destination around 20.00 hrs. TIMORESE PROTESTERS Throughout the night all group members been unable to forget this. So many of our were photographed, finger printed, and people have suffered, have been tortured Hongkong Standard 11 Dec. 95; and have lost family members. So we knew statements were taken. No food was sup- http://www.hkstandard.com plied. The next morning, the activists staged that on this December 7 we would have to a small ceremony on the occasion of human JAKARTA: Indonesian police freed 55 hold a big action, to show to the world that rights day. East Timorese protesters and sympathisers East Timor still lives and is struggling for its At 11.00 am they were charged as sus- last night, 24 hours after they ended a three- rights. pects under section 167 of the Indonesian day occupation of the Dutch embassy in B: We also wanted to show that from penal code (carrying maximum 4 year jail Jakarta. amongst the Indonesian people there are penalty), after being threatened with a sub- Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel those who want to accompany and support version charge (carrying life penalty). Some Imam Heryatna said the protesters were the East Timorese people in their struggle among them, particularly leaders Wilson and freed after questioning. for independence. Puto, were tortured with burning cigarette “They were released after we recorded P: Yes, we have found that there are Indone- butts during interrogation. After being their details. But the objective of their ac- sian people who also love democracy, so charged, the group continued to be held for tions was not clear,” he said. “No legal ac- much so that they have been prepared to further interrogation until evening time tion will be taken against them.” join our action, and support us in our strug- At 20.00 hrs (at the end of the legal 24 The release ends a saga that began before gle to make East Timor an independent and hour detention period), Mr Pieters of the dawn on Thursday when a total of 112 East sovereign state. Timorese and their Indonesian sympathisers Dutch Embassy reappeared to witness the B: Yes. but although it is true that in Indo- group’s alleged transport by bus to Pulo staged a daring invasion of the Russian and Dutch embassies in central Jakarta. The pro- nesia many support the struggle of the East Gadung bus station, from where they were Timorese people in their hearts, but they do supposedly going to be sent home. The testers’ demands included the withdrawal of military forces from East Timor, 2,000 not indicate this support in the real work youths were not happy about being taken they carry out. Now we’ve seen that organi- away in this manner, and asked Mr Pieters kilometres east of Jakarta, and a referendum in East Timor on its political future. sations like SMID (Solidaritas Mahasiswa to accompany them to the bus terminal. He Indonesia untuk Demokrasi, Student Soli- refused. Indonesia has refused a referendum on East Timor. darity for Democracy in Indonesia), PPBI At this point group leader Wilson es- (Centre for Indonesian Worker’s Struggle), caped from the bus, and was immediately The embassy break-ins coincided with the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s military Jaker (Jaringan Kebudayaan Rakyat, Peo- chased by intelligence personnel. He man- ple’s Culture Network), SPRIM (Solidaritas aged to avoid them and reach safety. Noth- invasion of East Timor, shortly after the Portuguese colonialists left. Indonesia made Perjuangan Rakyat Indonesia - Maubere - ing further has been heard from the remain- Indonesian - Maubere Peoples’ Solidarity ing group members, and its is feared they the territory part of its sprawling archipel- ago a year later. The United Nations still Struggle) and STN (Serikat Tani Nasional, have been taken to Barkostranas or BIA National Farmers’ Union) combined in the military intelligence headquarters for further regards Portugal as the territory’s adminis- tering power.- Reuter umbrella organisation PRD, these are the questioning. Such questioning is notorious first to really prove their commitment by for the extensive use of torture. joining together in political action with the CNRM deplores this sequence of events, INTERVIEW WITH TWO East Timorese. So this was a historic action. and asks international human rights agencies ACTIVISTS WHO Q: Can you describe your entry into the to take all appropriate actions to protect the PARTICIPATED IN DUTCH Dutch embassy on the morning of De- East Timorese and Indonesian activists from cember 7? further mistreatment and torture. It demands EMBASSY SIT-IN that the Dutch Embassy assumes responsi- P: We already had a tight network, con- From AKSI (Action Solidarity Indonesia) nected by couriers, through which we had bility for its regrettable handling of this News Service, 12 December 1995 tragic affair, seeking to locate the 54 missing decided that at 4 am we must go into the youths, and monitoring their situation so as The following is a translated transcript of embassy. Those who were going in were to protect them from the usual well docu- an interview with two participants in the divided into a number of groups. Some were mented violence of Indonesian military au- action at the Dutch embassy December 7-9, at the east of the embassy, some to the thorities. 1995. It was made on the evening of Mon. west, and then at the assigned time, a signal December 11, in a safe house in Jakarta and –– was given that we should start to move. was transcribed and translated that same And so we quickly jumped the fence, those East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 107 who were short jumped up on the shoulders Q: There was a couple of demonstrations by guarded so tightly by a very large number of of the bigger ones. Some of us got caught on a pro-integration group at the embassy. troops? Second, many of them were wit- the fence and were injured as we crossed What were these like? nessed climbing the fence by stepping up over. Although a few members of the secu- P: At that time, we saw that the situation onto the shoulders of soldiers. Third, they rity forces were present, they were unable outside was becoming very serious. The arrived at the embassy site, and then de- to prevent us entering. But police patrols ambassador suggested that we go to the back parted it, in a high quality, air conditioned were coming past, and those activists who section of the embassy compound. So those bus (bis patas ac). They left from polda (the came slightly late were not able to get into pro-integration people came into the em- regional police headquarters) and returned to the embassy. Quite a few of them had to run bassy grounds when we had already shifted polda. and scatter. to the back part of the embassy. This was P: And indeed, they were mostly not East B: Speaking for myself, my own stomach about 10 am, and it happened when we were Timorese, but also included a mixture of was gouged by the fenceposts of the em- resting, when some of us were bathing. people from Flores, Ambon and Kupang. bassy, because my foot got caught between About thirty of them jumped the fence into Their leaders were also not East Timorese. the bars, forcing me down onto the tips of the embassy compound, where they held a Also, the mass media said that those people the bars. Some got caught and were hanging demonstration, shouted abuse and threw who participated in the pro-integration ac- there on the fence, but we all eventually got rocks at us, although none of us were hit at tions were East Timorese who studied in through. A friend of ours Petrus (see second this time. They stayed in the embassy com- Jakarta. But we checked among those of us document), who is sick, had difficulty get- pound for about one hour, but they weren’t who do study in Jakarta or other parts of ting over the fence, but eventually he suc- so brutal this first time. After that, at about Java, and not a single one of them knew ceeded. 4 o’clock, there was a much bigger action by them. This is despite the fact that the com- Q: And then what happened? them. About 200 of them jumped into the munity of East Timorese students in Java is embassy compound. very close. P: When we went in, from 4 am until 7 am, we held a demonstration. Then some of the Q: Did the security forces assembled outside Q: How did you manage to keep your spirits political staff of the embassy came to talk the embassy try to stop them? up while you were in the embassy, after with us. They asked us what our demands B: They did not, indeed they encouraged these attacks for example? were. We had three demands: the with- them. At that time, we were in the embassy B: We simply kept at the forefront of our drawal of all military troops from East garage, resting. after our lunch, waiting for minds the aims of our mission, of our strug- Timor; the release of all East Timorese po- our delegation, including Puto, who were gle, that together we were joining in struggle litical prisoners, both in and outside of East inside the embassy participating in negotia- to advance our joint interests. We kept alive Timor; and self determination via a referen- tions. And then we were attacked. We tried our spirits, by telling funny stories, by sing- dum. to resist, and a physical clash took place. ing songs, we did all kinds of things to make B: It was a new feeling to be able to demon- This was witnessed by the permanent UN sure that our spirits did not fade. One par- strate with impunity in front of the soldiers representative to Indonesia, Jan Kamp - in ticular thing which made all of us be able to and police outside of the fence. We taunted fact he had to run to save himself. He saw keep our spirits high, was the role of one them and all they could do was stare at us the Dutch ambassador being wounded in the particular woman comrade who when at and walk up and down. We held up our head. Blood was streaming from his wound - first she managed to jump the fence was in posters, and would suddenly point them he had been hit by a thrown rock by a steel very high spirits, but at the time of the at- down the road in one way or another. This pipe. We all saw how brutal and violent tack by the pro-integration group she suf- would make them panic, because they went these people were. They smashed the win- fered a great shock and trauma. But shortly to great efforts to prevent journalists from dows of the embassy. Three other members thereafter, she recovered and was in very getting pictures of us. They seized the cam- of the embassy staff, in addition to the am- high spirits again. This made it much easier eras off every journalist who passed by. bassador, were wounded. for the rest of us - that she, who had been in Some tried to take photos of us from the Q: Were any of the East Timorese or PRD such great terror, was in such good spirits. end of the road, but they seized the cameras demonstrators wounded? P: The other thing which enabled us to of them too. P: Six people were hit by rocks and others maintain our spirits was the fact that were Q: Did these negotiations with embassy staff were hit by broken glass. One of our com- so solid and unified as a group. This feeling go on for long? rades, from Solo, was hit by a rock in the of unity gave us a great strength, a great spirit. P: From the start, we wanted to talk with back, and he lost all physical sensation the UN representative [High Commissioner down his right side and found it difficult to Q: So there was no friction, no suspicion for Human rights] Ayala Lasso, with Prin- move his arm. between the groups of East Timorese and cen [respected human rights activist], the Q: Were there any indications that this pro- Indonesian protesters in the embassy? International Red Cross, and with a repre- integration group who entered the em- B: There was nothing like this, we all knew sentative of the Indonesian government. We bassy were backed up by the Indonesian and trusted our leaders, we knew that we were successful in speaking to two of these: security officials who were present? were being led by the right people, people the embassy invited Princen and a represen- we believed in, people we had chosen. There P: They were very clearly backed up by tative of the UN in Indonesia, Jan Kamp ABRI. Some, we believe were even forced to was no suspicion, only unity, and every- [UNDP]. But no representative of the Indo- participate. thing went according to our plans. When we nesian government came to speak to us, I first jumped the fence, we all hugged each think that they were scared to face us, be- B: We were convinced that this action had other, the East Timorese and the Indone- cause they knew that what we would say been engineered by the security forces for a sians. We hugged, we were crying, so we all would be the truth. number of reasons. First, how was it that really felt, including the East Timorese that they were able to get into the embassy when we were joined in the same struggle, that we at that very time the embassy was being were solidly united. That was a great experi- Page 108 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. ence. And then, after the attack by the pro- bassy, after having their security guaranteed ambassador and by the Indonesian security integration group, we decided to form a se- by foreign minister Alatas, Suharto himself, apparatus. curity team to guard our group and to keep and Wiranto, the commander of the Jakarta B: The ambassador told us that we had to watch. This was formed spontaneously and military region - but then what happened? leave, because he said that no matter what the Indonesians and East Timorese took Our comrades, who came out of the Russian happened that we would have to leave that equal part, equally stepped forward to vol- embassy by bus and who asked to be taken night. We could leave in a good way, or they unteer. This was another experience which to the office of the Legal Aid Institute, were would just extract us, using physical force, heightened our level of unity, our sense of instead taken to the Regional Police head- they would attack us in the embassy. solidarity. quarters (Polda). This made us even more Q: The ambassador said this? P: Those East Timorese activists who took convinced of the need to keep going, and part in the action, but who had not been made us decide to go on hunger strike. B: Yes, he said this in our last meeting. fully involved in the preparations, were Q: After that, was there another meeting P: In fact, it’s not really right to refer to the amazed by what they saw : “how could this with the embassy staff? last time we spoke to the ambassador as a happen?” they thought. They were greatly ‘meeting’ - we were being forced to accept P: There were no more meetings. Indeed, the what he put to us at this time. Indeed, the moved and very happy, and found a new embassy was completely empty. From 10 belief that there are Indonesian people who security forces were already there in the am on the Saturday morning, there were ab- room, at the time we held our ‘meeting’ with support our struggle and who love democ- solutely no embassy staff present - right up racy. In East Timor itself, we don’t really him. They were already in the same room. to the time we were taken out. Even the em- And at that time, we requested asylum. know that we have supporters in Indonesia, bassy security guards were not present. because there we think of ourselves as radi- Q: Who entered the room first, the security cal and nationalist. Now we are convinced Q: And so the final meeting? forces, or the ambassador and Princen? that our Indonesian friends really support P: This took place at about 4 pm, after the B: Princen was in the room first. At this our struggle, and that they really do not like Indonesian security personnel came into the time we knew that the security forces were their regime, that they see that the situation embassy grounds. It lasted about five min- coming into the building. Princen told us in Indonesia is far from all right. And so utes, and was attended first by Princen and that the ambassador had the right to have us now we believe that our joint struggle, this then by the Dutch ambassador. At that forcibly removed. We told Princen that we new unity must be increased and expanded. point, we requested asylum. wanted to request asylum and he told us B: And we really felt this sense of solidar- Q: You made this request to the ambassa- that he would transmit our request to the ity, of comradeship during our action in the dor? international red cross and to the UN. As embassy - even through such things as shar- P: Yes, to the ambassador. We requested the security forces entered the room, Prin- ing jokes (such as when the Dutch ambassa- political asylum from the ambassador. Prin- cen left. But the ambassador, he came into dor told us not to smoke in his air- cen also agreed to this. But as soon as he the room at the same time as the security conditioned rooms by saying ‘smoke - nee’) left, the security forces began to force us forces, he was accompanying them. Q: During those three days in the embassy, out. P: This was the time when we wanted to how did you view the role of the Dutch Q: Were the security forces already present enter into dialogue, and when we requested ambassador and embassy staff? at the time of this last meeting? asylum. But the ambassador said that we no longer had the opportunity to do that, that P: They told us that they supported the P: Yes, they were in the same room, on the we had to get out, our only choice left was struggle of the East Timorese people and second floor of the embassy building. that they did not support integration. They to leave the embassy. B: They were as close as you and I, not just said this from the start. a few metres away, but a few centimetres. Q: What time did all of this take place? Q: But in the end, they allowed Indonesian Q: How many security forces were present? B: It was about 7 or 7:30 pm - some time security forces into the embassy grounds? between 7 and 8 pm. And they didn’t even B: There were about two hundred, inside the P: We feel that they gave in to the pressure care that some of our comrades were sick, building. Those who were in the building from the Indonesian regime, because they they didn’t care about that. were police, but in the embassy yard there told us that they supported the struggle of were army soldiers. Q: Who didn’t care? The people from the the East Timorese and that they did not embassy? Q: Were you dragged out? want integration. P: Yes, the people from the embassy gave B: At that time, I acted as interpreter, the P: No, we were forced out, they were be- no attention to those of us who were sick. hind us and pushed us out. This was despite embassy people clearly said that they sup- Q: What was wrong with those who were ported the struggle of the East Timorese. the fact that at that very time, we were in the middle of a meeting, a dialogue with the sick? Q: When the security forces were allowed P: Some had very bad fever, others were into the embassy grounds, were you Dutch ambassador and his political staff, we were at that very time requesting political suffering from the wounds they sustained warned beforehand that this would hap- when attacked by the pro -integration pen or not? asylum. The ambassador said that now was not the time to request asylum, that now we group. P: We were not told, were not warned. This had to get out of the embassy. Q: When you were forced out, where were was because in the negotiations which took you taken, what happened? place that morning, we had decided that we Q: Who requested asylum, was it all the East wanted to stay on, we wanted to keep go- Timorese who were present? P: We went downstairs, and buses were ing. We held a hunger strike from 12 o’clock P: Yes, all 26 of us. And we also requested waiting for us and we were taken directly to - to indicate that we wanted to stay on in that the safety and security of our Indone- Polres Jakarta Selatan (the South Jakarta the embassy, because we had heard that our sian comrades would be guaranteed, by the Police base). comrades had come out of the Russian em- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 109

Q: What happened that night, how were you Q: What did your guards do? made it clear to us in the questions they all treated? B: They didn’t really react, just kept quiet, asked us during our interrogations. P: We were interrogated, our finger prints maybe they were amazed. Q: Are there plans to keep developing this were taken, our photos taken. Q: And what happened when you left? kind of cooperation between Indonesian and East Timorese activists? Q: Was violence used? P: It was about 9 o’clock. As we left, we P: We were all forced to speak, each of us saw that three of our friends were immedi- P: Yes, this was a kind of test case, a begin- was interrogated separately, and were sur- ately handcuffed and taken away, we don’t ning. Future actions will be bigger. rounded by big groups of interrogators. We know where to. [At the time of transcrip- B: Actually we had already tried such a joint were interrogated at gunpoint, they held pis- tion of this tape it appears that these three action before. On November 12 this year we tols to us. One person was kicked by sol- are no longer in detention] The police told held an action to commemorate the Dili diers wearing military boots, until his shins us that there were two buses ready to take Massacre in Jakarta. But this one at the em- were all torn open. This was Joaquim. An- us away to a bus station, but what we saw bassies was on a much larger scale. other person, called Janio, was forced to waiting for us was a military truck. So we take his trousers down and his genitals were did not want to go into this. Some of us PROTESTORS FROM burned with a cigarette lighter. We wit- managed to escape and jump onto public JAKARTA DUTCH EMBASSY nessed this. Two people’s identity cards are buses. We don’t know what happened to still being held there - one East Timorese everybody else, we split up and scattered. IN INCREASING DANGER and one Indonesian. B: But each person was followed by at least CNRM Media Release, 12 December 1995 Q: What kind of information were the inter- three intelligence agents, using motorbikes Twenty Indonesian and East Timorese rogators looking for? (trail bikes). We all ran away, Puto had to jump into a river. youths (ten each) who last week demon- P: They were asking, especially the East strated at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta, Timorese, who brought them to Jakarta, P: Yes, we were all running, we were being continue in refuge at a Catholic students who provided them with money, who coor- chased. We ran down into a small street hostel (not a church as such, as we initially dinated the action, how it was organised, which ended at a big river, so I and some reported) in East Jakarta (telephone +6221 where they slept in Jakarta and so on. They friends jumped into it. It was about two me- 786 7699). were trying to break open our networks. tres deep. This got me worried because I Priests have so far been able to protect Q: Were the Indonesians and East Timorese was with a woman comrade who was quite them from the two truckloads of police, interrogated differently? short, and when I turned around it seemed military and paramilitary elements of the that she was no longer there. So I had to re- P: Yes, they asked us different questions ‘Pancasila Youth’ the organisation that at- trace my steps and look for her, and I was tacked the Dutch Embassy last week, which about our political and organisational affilia- very happy when I found her. We put great tions. are encircling the hostel. The Embassy of value on our solidarity. the Holy See has so far declined to comment B: Indeed the interrogators had two separate B: So we all split up and ran. I myself, on the matter. lists of questions, one for the East changed buses seven times between Blok M The protesters are, however, very afraid Timorese, one for the Indonesians. And we and Manggarai. Because in every bus we got for their security, and have been in contact were divided into two groups. into there would be at least one intelligence with the International Red Cross. The East Q: What about your own interrogations? agent waiting for us and watching. Timorese have reiterated their request for P: I was interrogated non-stop for 24 hours. Q: Now at this point, how do you evaluate political asylum made while in the Dutch I was not given food or drink. And I was not the action. Was it a success? Embassy last Sunday. just interrogated by just one person at a P: Yes we feel it was very important in Other members of the group, originally time, there would be ten, five, six interrogat- terms of our campaign and in terms of its comprising 55 demonstrators, are in hiding ing me at any one time throughout the 24 international impact. This is the first time from the authorities at various Jakarta loca- hours. that we’ve held an action together with In- tions. Some have been re-arrested (Except Q: Which organisations were the interroga- donesian activists who love democracy, in for Indonesian PRD member Petrus Hary- tors from? particular with PRD, SMID, STN, PPBI anto’s confirmed re-arrest, details are as yet and Jaker. We feel very proud that on the unclear for the remainder). Many have asked P: They were all there - police, all of ABRI, their families to evacuate their houses, Bakorstanas (National Stability Coordina- twentieth anniversary of the invasion that we have successfully held such a big action. which are being watched by police and mili- tion Agency), BIA (Military Intelligence tary personnel. According to a PRD report, Agency). They were all there. We feel very happy. In particular we are very happy about the international attention a group of East Timorese sent by the police Q: I heard that while you were in detention - especially that people overseas now know to Surabaya by bus on Sunday night is said at the police base, you held a demonstra- that there are Indonesians who are also un- to have disappeared. Five members are re- tion to commemorate Human Rights day? happy with their regime, who recognise how ported to have fled during a stop in Sema- P: Yes, we did this because it was the tenth rotten the regime is. rang, after they found out that the bus was headed for the Surabaya police headquarters, of December, Universal Human Rights day. B: We also judge it a success because we When we first went into the Dutch em- according to PRD sources. We have not have heard that our action prompted solidar- been able to confirm this so far. bassy, we had hoped to celebrate that day in ity actions in a number of countries. the embassy. So, in the police base, we re- The situation shows that Indonesian as- membered what day it was and wanted to P: It was a very great action. We saw our- surances given by President Suharto and commemorate it in some way. So we held an selves how the ABRI people asked them- Foreign Minister Ali Alatas the demonstra- action, we sang songs of struggle, read out selves: ‘How is it possible that our own tors would be safe, and Dutch Embassy poetry, had speeches. people [i.e. Indonesians] participate in such claims that the matter had been peacefully an action?” Some of them said this to us, or resolved, are not credible. Page 110 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Concerns grow for the safety of East Mnsgr. Martins referred to the “hypoc- anniversary of the Indonesian invasion of Timorese social worker Martinho Pereira, risy” of a civilisation that is capable of insti- East Timor - a former Portuguese colony in arrested in Surabaya upon returning from tuting and celebrating Human Rights Day, the Java archipelago. Dili on 4 December, apparently suspected while at the same time, succumbing to inter- A group of Timorese independence cam- linked to the embassy actions. M. Pereira ests dictated by politics and economic con- paigners supported by Amnesty Interna- has since disappeared. siderations. The Bishop of Setubal said he tional (AI) and several Portuguese NGOs CNRM hopes that the group of peaceful had not yet been in contact with Mnsgr. have been on permanent vigil outside the Indonesian demonstrators will not be further Ximenes Belo, although he was sure that the Dutch embassy in Lisbon since Saturday, victimised, and that the Netherlands Gov- Bishop of Dili would be sympathising with protesting their indignation at the action. ernment will honour the request for political this struggle. One of the protest leaders said that sev- asylum presented to them by the East The Prelate was of the opinion that there eral of the 59 activists “have been tortured Timorese at the Jakarta Dutch Embassy last had been only a limited response by the and the Indonesian police ‘keep themselves Sunday. CNRM also hopes that the Catho- Portuguese Government, and that not entertained’ stubbing cigarettes out on their lic Church will be able to protect the be- enough had been done “by any of us for chests.” sieged youths, and seek an end to their per- such an obvious cause as the Timorese AI figures from 1994 state that the Indo- secution. struggle.” nesian invasion and annexation of the island Young Socialists (JS) leader, Sergio Sousa in 1975 cost around 210,000 of the island’s STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE Pinto, who also joined the protesters out- 650,000 inhabitants’ lives, and led to the TIMORESE OUTSIDE DUTCH side the Embassy, told LUSA that the JS repression of Catholic worship and teaching had always sympathised with the Timorese in Portuguese. EMBASSY, LISBON cause. He said that the fact that Portuguese The Dutch version of the arrest of the ac- MPs in the Assembly of the Republic were tivists on Saturday states that the protesters 9 Dec. 1995 Translated from Portuguese on the side of the Timorese in their struggle left the embassy “of their own free will,” We, young Timorese who are assembled bore “great political significance.” He went but the Timorese resistance said “the televi- here outside the Dutch Embassy in Lisbon, on to say that the JS was hoping that “this sion coverage shows different.” have decided to stage a silent vigil/assembly Socialist Government will make strong Meanwhile, the Portuguese government, until next Monday, 11 December, in protest headway towards the resolution of the only described the situation in East Timor about the way in which the Dutch Ambas- problem.” as “deplorable” without mentioning that sador to Jakarta delivered the young Lisbon City Council Chairman, João they had called on the government in the Timorese, who had gathered at the Embassy Soares, went along yesterday to the Dutch Hague to “respect the will of the Timorese there, into the hands of the Indonesian secu- Embassy in Lisbon to express his “solidar- to seek refuge in the embassies.” rity forces. ity” with the Timorese cause. The Bishop of Setubal in southern Portu- We fear for the lives of our compatriots. In addition to other sympathisers with gal, Monsignor Manuel Martins, joined the We hold the Dutch Government responsible struggle of the Timorese, organisations such protest in Lisbon, “to support the humani- for whatever happens to the young people as Amnesty International, the Women’s tarian and just cause of these young now in detention, and we shall be requesting Democratic Movement, and the Amilcar Timorese.” the Dutch Ambassador to Lisbon to relay Cabral Centre for Information and Publica- He criticised the Netherlands saying “the our concerns to his Government. tion (CIDAC), also attended the silent pro- hypocrisy of a civilisation capable of creat- test outside the Embassy. ing a Human Rights day while succumbing DUTCH EMBASSY IN LIS BON TO Religious movements expressed their to interests dominated by political or eco- MEET TIMORESE TODAY AFTER 3 support for the Timorese students by sup- nomic objectives.” DAYS OF SILENT PROTEST plying them with meals. Marcello Rebelo de Sousa, in the leader- Diario de Noticias, 11 December 1995. NOTE : Following their audience with the ship of the opposition Social Democratic Translated from Portuguese Dutch Ambassador, the young Timorese Party (PSD), said the “deplorable Dutch said they considered the diplomat’s response behaviour” is due to this country “consider- Lisbon – The group of young Timorese, ing the relations with its former colony more who have been staging a silent protest out- to have been inadequate. They have, there- fore, decided to resume their vigil outside the important than those with a fellow Euro- side the Dutch Embassy in Lisbon since last pean Union (EU) member (Portugal).” Saturday, are to be received today by the Embassy until next Friday, when they hope to meet again with the Ambassador. “Democracy is one of the EU principles Ambassador. However, their protest is due and its nations must defend this, but the to continue right up until the time of their ANTI-DUTCH PROTEST STEPPED- Netherlands, while dealing with an ‘enemy meeting. UP IN LISBON dictatorship’ and above all a regional power, The demonstrators are demanding that like Indonesia, has forgotten democracy,” he the European Union adopt a position with LISBON, Dec 11 (IPS) - The Nether- added. regard to the arrest of the Timorese who had lands was harshly criticised this weekend by “They have forgotten their respect for been protesting inside the Dutch Embassy Timorese exiles, nongovernmental organisa- the founding principles, for human rights tions (NGOs), the Catholic church and poli- in Jakarta since Saturday, and who were and international law putting their political, only released yesterday after being interro- ticians in Portugal for its “hypocritical” and strategic and economic convenience first,” he gated by Indonesian security forces. “deplorable” behaviour in Indonesia last concluded. The Bishop of Setubal, Mnsgr. Manuel Thursday. A Timorese delegation had an hour-long Martins, joined the protesters to show his On this occasion, the Dutch embassy in meeting with the Dutch ambassador in Lis- support for “the action being taken by these Jakarta handed over 59 East Timorese bon this Monday, but came away unsatis- young Timorese, who are fighting for a hu- youths and Indonesian activists to the Indo- fied with the response, stating that the am- manitarian and just cause.” nesian police after they took refuge in the bassador’s explanations were inadequate and embassy last Thursday to mark the 20th East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 111 that the Netherlands should assume the re- threat of an violent eviction by the Indone- The today present East-Timorese are po- sponsibility for its actions. sian army. litical refugees themselves and are active Because of this we demand the following members of Renetil. RENETIL STATEMENT ON from the Dutch parliament (Tweede RENETIL is an organisation of young DUTCH PARLIAMENT Kamer): East Timorese who fight for independence 1. An inquiry of the competence of min- of East Timor. She originates from young PROTEST ister Van Mierlo regarding his foreign- East Timorese which study on Java and policy. Bali. In the course of time many had to flee Press Release from Renetil (East Timorese 2. An enquiry into the competence of because of their activities. To countries like Student organization), The Hague, Dec. 12 ambassador Brouwer regarding his manage- Portugal, where most of the activists are. 1995 ment of the demands for asylum and his be- They are not active on East Timor itself. Today, as a protest against the past de- haviour during the occupation. Last Tuesday (12-12-95) and today (Fri- velopments regarding the occupation of the 3. An investigation of the treatment of day 15-12-95) they are active in the Nether- Dutch embassy in Jakarta, some members of the people arrested. lands to raise their protest against the course the East Timorese organisation RENETIL 4. The guarantee that the agreement be- of events concerning the treatment of the and sympathizers (people from the Moluc- tween Van Mierlo and Alatas concerning the youths who on 07-12-95 occupied the cas, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Hol- security of the released arrestees will be ful- Dutch embassy in Jakarta. land) will enchain themselves in the building filled. of Dutch Parliament in The Hague. 5.An inquiry of the reliability of Ali DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER We are furious and shocked, because am- Alatas, before using his information in the ‘OUTRAGED’ BY ARRESTS bassador Brouwer and minister Van Mierlo future. as well didn’t seem to have any problems 6. To sharpen the policies regarding hu- TAPOL report, 16 December 1995 with the extradition of peaceable activists to man rights the Dutch government, as a the Indonesian police. trade-partner of Indonesia. Speaking on Dutch radio last night, the The group of 55 youths of East Timorese Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo described the arrest of 32 East Timorese in and Indonesian ancestry, who on the 7th of OCCUPATION PARTY- December occupied the Dutch embassy in Surabaya yesterday as ‘an outrage.’ Speak- Jakarta, wanted to bring to attention, in a OFFICE MINISTER VAN ing in Madrid where he is attending the peaceful way, the 20th anniversary of the MIERLO European Union summit, he said he felt that Indonesian occupation of East Timor. The he had been deceived by Indonesian Foreign occurring disturbances on the embassy- RENETIL Press statement, Dec. 15, c/o In- Minister Ali Alatas who gave the Dutch grounds are due to the members of the ‘Pe- fogroup Schism Government assurances that the East muda Pancasila,’ who as a contra- Today, Friday December 15th, action Timorese who were asked to leave the demonstration entered the terrain of the em- will take place, enforced by young East Dutch embassy in Jakarta last week would bassy to maltreat the activists. The demand Timorese people (assisted by Dutch, not be harmed. He was responding to the for asylum by the East Timorese youths in Moluccan, Papuan and Indonesian people). arrest of 32 Timorese in Surabaya, all of Portugal was neglected by the Dutch ambas- At two o’clock p.m. the party office of whom were among those who staged a sit-in sador, whilst this would be undoubtedly D’66 will be occupied. They have chained at the Dutch Embassy from 7 till 9 Decem- granted by the Portuguese government. themselves inside the building, awaiting the ber. In fact, four of the 32 people arrested We hold minister Van Mierlo responsible press. They have chosen this location to put are Indonesians. for the following matters: pressure upon the D’66 and to question Van Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime 1. The scantiness of security for the per- Mierlo’s political integrity. Gama, also in Madrid for the summit, held a sonnel of the embassy as well for the peace- The purpose is that today a press con- press conference attended by the interna- ful, young protestors on the terrain of the ference will be held to let the present East tional press, at which he expressed his gov- embassy. The embassy didn’t give any pro- Timorese speak out. They have regular con- ernment’s dismay at the turn of events. He tection against the attack of the nationalist tacts with their friends in Jakarta and there- said that it was the responsibility of the organisation ‘Pemuda Pancasila.’ fore are well informed about the last devel- Dutch Government to ensure that the Indo- 2. Not taking seriously the demand for opments. nesian Government honours its assurances asylum, which caused damage to the secu- We have big doubts if these facts will about the safety of the group. He also said rity of the above mentioned youths. come forward in the so called inquiries that the Portuguese Government is ready to 3. The unquestioned acceptance of the which the Indonesian minister Ali Alatas is grant asylum to all the 55 people, including false promises of the Indonesian minister of going to make. Minister van Mierlo still de- the Indonesians, who staged the sit-in at the foreign affairs, Ali Alatas, while in the re- clares to have implicit faith in the inquiries. Dutch Embassy. cent past he proved unreliable regarding hu- That minister Van Mierlo trusts these in- It is understood that this issue will be man rights. We point at his lies concerning quiries blindly, testifies to his negligence. discussed at the EU summit today in Ma- the Dili-massacre (East Timor, 1991). We wonder very hard if he is capable to ful- drid in one of the sub-groups which is deal- (Alatas then stated that there would be fill his duties in the future. ing with political affairs. The arrests are “only” nineteen deaths, whilst in reports of * First, we demand of the Dutch govern- clearly a serious embarrassment for the Amnesty International a number of 270 ment an independent inquiry and no Indone- Dutch Government and could turn this issue deaths occurred.) sian meddling! into a major diplomatic dispute between the 4. Van Mierlo said he was very pleased * Second, we urge the Dutch press to EU and Indonesia. about the outcome of the occupation, in publish the names of the arrested and/or Whatever the intentions of Ali Alatas is which the protestors left “voluntary” the “disappeared” Timorese since this proves giving such assurances, this incident again terrain of the embassy. This choice is how- that the promises of Ali Alatas are not highlights the fact that the government in ever hardly “voluntary,” in respect of the based on true facts. Jakarta is powerless to control the military Page 112 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. with regard to anything relating to East of the Indonesian invasion of East Timor. DUTCH NOW SAY THERE Timor. They both took part in the brief occupation In the Netherlands, there is certain to be a of the D66 office, [a government party of WERE NO ARRESTS build up of pressure on the Dutch Govern- the Foreign Minister] in The Hague. TAPOL Report, 19 December 1995 ment in the next few days, to insist on the Van Mierlo should ask for a written immediate release of everyone arrested in statement from his Indonesian counterpart Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo Surabaya. and then publish it in Parliament and the told the Dutch Parliament today, answering press; this would bring greater pressure on oral questions in the House, that he had THE 32 ARRESTS AND ARMY- Indonesia, they said. They also think that been informed that there were no arrests in Surabaya of any students who had taken DEPLU CONFLICT Van Mierlo should send an embassy official to Surabaya, where the arrests have taken part in the occupation of the Russian and Dutch embassies in Jakarta. He said that the TAPOL Report, 17 December 1995 place, to monitor the actions of the army. ‘Van Mierlo should make sure that someone Dutch embassy had been informed by Colo- According to our sources, there is strong from the Dutch embassy is present during nel Ibrahim (whose status was not men- evidence to suggest that the decision of Ma- interrogations so as to provide safety guar- tioned, possibly the spokesperson of the jor-General Imam Utomo, Military Com- antees for the detainees.’ The two Timorese East Java military command) that there had mander of East Java, to arrest the 32 activ- said they were quite sure the detainees been no arrests. ists who had staged a sit-in at the Dutch would be tortured. He told Parliament that the embassy had Embassy from 7-9 December was a deliber- ‘The occupation of the Russian and not made contact with any of the East ate move to embarrass Foreign Minister Ali Dutch embassies did not come as a surprise Timorese and said contact would be diffi- Alatas. The army was apparently not at all to us. We knew it would happen on 7 De- cult, presumably because they are scattered happy with assurances he gave to the Dutch cember,’ said Romano. But what he did not in a number of towns. ambassador that the protesters would not be know was that Indonesians would also take He also said that the Dutch Government harassed. Another grievance of theirs relates part. Ever since the Dili massacre, more and will assist seventeen East Timorese who to the recent visit to East Timor of UN High more Indonesians have become aware of the have expressed the wish to leave Indonesia Commission José Ayala Lasso which they situation in East Timor. for Portugal. The departure will be handled see only as a distraction from their task of Speaking from experience, both Romano by the International Red Cross. maintaining security. and Bano said that the East Timorese par- The Foreign Minister also said that the Sources in Surabaya confirmed on Satur- ticipants in the actions will certainly lose LBH had informed the embassy that it was day that the 32 were still in military cus- their scholarships. The Indonesians could in touch with three East Timorese involved tody. suffer an even worse fate because they will in the embassy occupations but their identi- The current conflict between the Dutch be seen as traitors, they said. ties were not known. and Indonesian governments which surfaced Van Mierlo should know that the Indo- This affair still needs a great deal of clari- when Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo nesian military never keep promises. In fication to ascertain whether indeed the ar- spoke of his ‘outrage’ at the 32 arrests, is 1986, João Freitas da Camara, chair of Re- rests did not take place. The East Java mili- front-page news in the Dutch press. On Fri- netil, applied for asylum at the Dutch em- tary commander gave credence to the story day, a group of East Timorese and Indone- bassy. He was told, according to Romano, by making the announcement himself. Are sians staged a sit-in at the office of D-66, that it would be better for him to finish his we now expected to believe that this was the party of the Foreign Minister, to register studies first. The embassy would keep an just a ruse by Imam Utomo to embarrass their protest at the way the Dutch embassy eye on him and Hans van den Broek, the Alatas? Now, the military commander has forced the 55 students to leave the embassy. then Foreign Minister, received a guarantee gone silent and it has been left to another In Strasbourg, Portuguese MEPs have ta- from his Indonesian counterpart that Ca- officer to ‘explain,’ does this mean that the bled a resolution at the European Parliament mara would be safe. commander has been reprimanded from on strongly censuring the Dutch Government But in 1991 he was arrested and sen- high, from Suharto perhaps? This appears for its handling of the whole affair. tenced to ten years in prison. The same to be yet another example of the turmoil happened to a Timorese who went to Japa- within the regime caused by their inability VAN MIERLO SHOULD nese embassy asking for asylum. ‘What is to handle the East Timor question. DEMAND STATEMENT happening now is just a repetition of what In a few days, Suharto is scheduled to make a Christmas Day visit to East Timor FROM ALATAS has happened before,’ said Romano. The East Timorese who are now in The and is due to be accompanied by erstwhile Het Parool, 18 December 1995. By Anja Netherlands are quite convinced that the Fretilin ‘leader’ Abilio Araujo. That visit Franken, Abridged counter-demonstrations outside embassies will need extremely tight security operations were organised by the police. ‘The demon- and the army will be expected to be on top The Indonesian police and army do not form for the occasion. feel bound by promises given by Foreign strators get money and material from the police and are trying to discredit the resis- Minister Alatas, which is why we expected OCCUPIERS DISCUSSED IN the arrest of those involved in the occupa- tance,’ he said. The Timorese have been told tions of the Russian and Dutch embassies., by an Indonesian human rights activist at DUTCH PARLIAMENT said East Timorese Luciano Romano, 23, present studying in The Netherlands that From: [email protected] (Frank Wil- who has been visiting the Netherlands for a several of the counter-demonstrators have lems). Some impressions from a visit to the few weeks. Luciano and Bano, 20, are both admitted that they were paid to take part by Dutch parliament during question-hour members of Renetil, the national resistance the police. Tuesday 19 Dec. 95: organisation of East Timorese students, and they came to the Netherlands to take part in Question by Marijnissen (Socialist Party): the commemoration of the 20th anniversary The occupiers of the Dutch embassy are East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 113

reported to have been released and ar- van Mierlo: Personal contact is not neces- sioner for human rights, Jose Ayala Lasso. rested again, what is their current status, sary as there are other means to get in- The Indonesians were already seething be- where are they and in what condition? formation. Amnesty International may cause Portugal had vetoed the possibility of Will the Dutch embassy contact them to have stated that we endangered the East Jakarta contributing troops to the NATO- give them an opportunity to apply for Timorese people, but they have endan- led peace force in Bosnia –- even before it asylum? Has the minister been too credu- gered themselves by the occupation of had decided whether to do so. lous to accept the Indonesian promise the embassy, establishing the situation Ties between Indonesia and the Nether- that the occupants would not be ar- where the embassy was forced to evict lands have only just got back on track after a rested? them, in the interest of their own safety. tiff that developed in March 1992 over The Hague’s threat to withhold aid because of van Mierlo (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I ------the 1991 massacre of Timorese protestors in have asked from Madrid for a confirma- Last Friday, an office of D’66, the politi- the East Timor capital of Dili. President Su- tion of the message that the East- cal party of van Mierlo, was occupied by harto reacted angrily by refusing to accept Timorese were arrested and reminded the East Timorese, Moluccans, Papua’s and any further development assistance from Indonesian ambassador of the promises Dutch. Bob van de Bos, spokesman for Indonesia’s former colonial master. made by Alatas for the Indonesian gov- D’66 said he would not say Indonesia is a Coming this time on the 20-year anniver- ernment. There was no confirmation of nation at war because of the East Timor sary of the Indonesian invasion of East the arrest by the Dutch embassy. On conflict. By doing so, Dutch commercial Timor, the occupations are part of a new Saturday a deputy from the embassy was interests could be harmed. I asked him how. tactic that began with sit-ins at the Swedish sent to Surabaya. Yesterday the ANP re- Could he not call the conflict a war, because and United States embassies last year. Since ported the East-Timorese were released, a nation at war cannot get any Dutch mili- then, more than 50 Timorese have been while the arrest was still not confirmed. tary assistance or supplies according to granted political asylum by the Portuguese This morning it became clear that there rules for export? He confirmed this. after intruding into the Dutch, Japanese and have been no arrests at all. A representa- So, to justify arms trade and military re- French missions. tive spoke with colonel Ibrahim, the mili- lations with Indonesia, the East Timor con- The latest wave of invaders, however, tary commander of Surabaya. A group of flict is not a war, according to Dutch politi- left the embassy compounds voluntarily and 32 has gone to Surabaya on their own ac- cians. were later freed after police questioning. cord, as they live and study there. There Also different was the fact that about half of have been no arrests, but their houses TIMOR TRAUMA: them were non-Timorese linked to a little- were visited by officials to find out if known radical group called the People’s they had arrived. These 32 are free, this DIPLOMATIC ROW ERUPTS Democratic Union, known as the PRD. was officially confirmed by the Indone- OVER VIOLENT While analysts remained cautious about sian government this morning. I have DEMONSTRATIONS reading too much into this development be- asked LBH to contact the East Timorese cause of the fringe nature of the group, the to let them know they can apply for asy- Far Eastern Economic Review, 21 Decem- petition the protesters presented at the lum if they want, and that Portugal is ber 1995. By John McBeth in Jakarta. Russian embassy went beyond the Timor willing to accept them. Alatas has not Watched by two platoons of policemen, issue and referred to “repressive political breached any agreements. Alatas will in- demonstrators twice stormed over the fence laws whose nature is extremely undemo- vestigate the affair in and around the em- into the Dutch embassy in Jakarta. Their cratic.” bassy. aim: to disrupt a sit-in by other activists Up to now, Indonesians have generally Marijnissen: Has the report that there were protesting at Indonesia’s occupation of East adopted a nationalist view of Indonesia’s no arrests been verified by LBH? Is the Timor. In the third such melee, Dutch Am- annexation of East Timor. But while few embassy going to make contact by itself? bassador Paul Brouwer was struck on the question Jakarta’s avowed sovereignty over Isn’t there a need for an investigation by, head with a pipe and two other diplomats the enclave, frustration is beginning to for example, the United Nations as an in- were hurt trying to intervene. emerge over the way the issue continues to vestigation by the Indonesian government Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas haunt Indonesia in international forums and will be unreliable? later apologized to Brouwer for the Decem- the government’s failure to resolve the im- ber 7 incident. Nonetheless, the occupation passe. van Mierlo: The report was officially con- of the Dutch and Russian missions by 113 firmed by the embassy on behalf of the Timorese and non-Timorese activists, and DUTCH AMBASSADOR TO Indonesian government. It was also con- yet the accompanying counter protest, have firmed by LBH, who spoke with 3 of the added yet another dimension to Jakarta’s GERMANY REPLIES TO East Timorese. They told him they were most niggling diplomatic issue. LETTER treated well at the police-station and that The incident also led to a sharp diplo- they went through Surabaya to Malang. matic exchange with Lisbon after Portuguese Last December Watch Indonesia! sent a let- There is no reason to doubt their condi- President Mario Soares criticized Indone- ter to the Dutch Embassy in Germany, to tion. I see no reason for a investigation sia’s handling of the occupations. “Indone- find out the Dutch Government’s position by UN. sia is a dictatorship and so a dialogue with towards the occupation of the Dutch Em- bassy in Jakarta and towards the fact that Dijksma (Labour Party): Has there been any them is difficult,” he was quoted as saying Indonesian military was allowed to enter the personal contact with the occupants? during a visit to Macau. Embassy grounds (as you probably will re- Amnesty International reported that the Alatas described Soares’ remarks as “a member). What follows is a translation of Dutch embassy endangered the East typical attempt at securing cheap propa- our letter and the answer we got (original in Timorese people by handing them over ganda points.” He accused Portugal of en- German, unauthorized translation). to the Indonesian police. couraging the intrusions to coincide with the visit of the United Nations high commis- Watch Indonesia! e.V. Page 114 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

East Timor Group ... Postfach/P.O. Box 106 107 Concerning your letter I would like to TO JAPAN 69051 Heidelberg make the following comments. Deutschland/Germany After the occupation of the Dutch Em- To the Ambassador of the Kingdom of The bassy in Jakarta it was the prior aim of the ASYLUM SEEKERS IN Netherlands Dutch Government to find a peaceful solu- JAPANESE EMBASSY Straesschensweg 10 tion through talks, without any use of vio- 53113 Bonn lence and with guarantees of the Indonesian (From LUSA, Nov 14) Germany authorities for the occupants. 21 East Timorese men requested asylum 11 December, 1995 The occupation of the embassy was ab- from the Japanese embassy in Jakarta to- Dear Mr Ambassador, solutely peaceful in its character until day, according to embassy officials. Accord- counter-demonstrators appeared in front of We learned that members of the East ing to Y. Kato of the embassy Information the entrance of the embassy. From the be- Timorese independence movement and section, the 21 jumped over the embassy ginning of the occupation onwards, but even members of the Indonesian democracy walls at 7:30 AM, and asked for protection. more urgently after the appearance of the movement occupied the Russian and the A source from the Japanese Foreign Minis- counter-demonstrators, the Indonesian au- Dutch embassies in Jakarta to remember the try told LUSA that the Tokyo government thorities were requested to protect the em- 20th anniversary of the illegal occupation of is studying the case, but that the embassy bassy. Unfortunately the reactions to these East Timor, which is against international officials are still talking to the 21 to learn requests were completely insufficient. law and human rights. exactly what their objectives are. When the counter-demonstrators entered By now the Dutch and the Russian em- the embassy-grounds for the fourth time, 22 TIMORESE IN JAPANESE bassy gave in to terror of armed gangs of the Ambassador and his staff stood very thugs, which showed up in front of the em- EMBASSY courageously between the two groups as a bassies tolerated by the Indonesian police TAPOL Report, 14 November 1995 human shield, and were even injured. But and military guarding the embassies. They when it turned out that the counter- Twenty-two East Timorese entered the expelled the activists by opening the embas- demonstrators would not stop their actions, Japanese embassy in Jakarta this morning sies to the police and military who forced it became clear that this meant a permanent seeking asylum. They presented the follow- the protestors into waiting buses. Instead of threat to the security of the occupants and ing petition to the Japanese Government. continuing to put pressure on the Indone- to the staff of the embassy. These security Nineteen names are attached, but apparently sian government to protest against these matters were most important for the Dutch three more Timorese joined the group. The threats, the Dutch Ambassador left the ac- Government’s decision that they would no names are not yet known. tivists to their fate. We protest deeply longer tolerate the occupation of the Em- against the handing over of these young PETITION PRESENTED TO THE bassy. people. At December 7th the Dutch Foreign GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN BY THE Security guarantees given to the human Minister got Ali Alatas’ personal guarantee YOUTH OF EAST TIMOR rights lawyer H.J.C. Princen and members that after leaving the Embassy the occu- of YLBHI were not fulfilled. Up to now His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in pants would only be subject to usual ques- nobody knows the whereabouts of the ac- Jakarta tioning and afterwards would be released tivist and we are deeply concerned that they within 24 hours. As an employee of the I - Introduction might have been handed over to the Indone- Dutch Embassy in Jakarta was able to find sian Intelligence Service. We urge your gov- Your Excellency, Mr Ambassador, and out, this promise was fulfilled. The em- ernment to stand up against the Indonesian honourable functionaries of this Embassy, ployee accompanied the occupants to the government and monitor the release, the se- we come to you today to bear witness to police station, after these had voluntarily curity and the safety of the young activists. the barbarities and atrocities committed by left the Embassy, and attended some of the Besides we also urge you to take a firmer the Suharto regime against our people, and interrogations which took a correct course. stand concerning the East Timor Conflict. at the same time to request that your gov- The next day he went again to this police The East Timor Conflict is not an Indone- ernment grant us political asylum. station and witnessed the release of the sian-Portuguese Conflict, but a conflict be- Your Excellency, group. None of persons in question told him tween Indonesia and the International On 7 December 1975 East Timor was in- that they had been treated incorrectly. Community. We therefore urge your gov- vaded by Indonesian troops. Since then our ... ernment to call upon the Indonesian gov- people have been heroically struggling According to recent information all of the ernment to democratically open their coun- against the Indonesian invasion, aggression, persons that took part in the occupation of try. Maintaining the current authoritarian occupation and integration of our Homeland. the Dutch Embassy are free. This was con- rule in Indonesia will worsen the situation. We continue our struggle because we con- firmed formally by the Indonesian Ambas- We thank you in advance for all the at- sider self-determination and national inde- sador in Den Haag. tention you will attach to the present letter, pendence are our rights in accordance with The Netherlands that act as a protecting as well as the answers you will accept to international law and the norms and princi- power for Portugal in Jakarta will continue provide us. ples prescribed by the Charter of the United their policy to support the efforts of the With highest esteem Nations. United Nations which serve to find a solu- Watch Indonesia! East Timor Group Our resistance struggle against Indone- tion of the East Timor question. sia’s presence in East Timor is founded ANSWER: The Ambassador of the Netherlands upon the right of peoples to self- Royal Embassy of The Netherlands determination and upon those resolutions of Straesschensweg 10 the UN General Assembly and its Security 53113 Bonn Council which strongly condemn the Indo- Bonn, December 20, 1995 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 115 nesian invasion and its subsequent incorpo- more than 250 East Timorese young people. Born: Dili, February 10 1972 ration of East Timor. We are included among their number, and Parents: Leonardo de Jesus; Clohlde Barreto Throughout the twenty years of this he- carry on our skin and in our flesh the legacy Ximenes de Jesus roic struggle for national liberation, our peo- of the Indonesian regime’s inhumanity. Education Senior High School (graduated) ple, our youth have been the victims of the II - Petition reprisals of the Indonesian aggressors. The Raimundo Castro de Araujo Convinced of the necessity for your Ex- Born: Dili, January 23 1972 world has attempted to close its eyes to the cellency’s government to review its political Parents: Placido de Araujo; Maria de Oliveira struggle and sacrifices of our people, prefer- stance in relation to Jakarta’s invasion and Education Senior High School (graduated) ring to heed the false testimonies of Jakarta integration of East Timor, and trusting that and to act in the interests of the Govern- your government, in this era of globalisation, José Antonio Arranhado ments and States. The Santa Cruz Massacre is capable of balancing economic interests Born: Ermera, August 25 1972 of 12 November 1991 was further proof to with the need to respect the rights of peo- Parents: Joquin Arranhado; Esperenca da Cruz the world of the atrocities being committed Arranhado ples to self-determination, we demand: against our people by the tyrannical and Education Senior High School (graduated) 1. that the government of Japan recognise militaristic government of Indonesia. the right of the people of East Timor to self- For the past twenty years of sacrifice, Crimildo Agusto Fatima S. Abrate’s P. determination; death, uncertainty, loss of life and forced Born: Dili, January 9 1975 2. that the government of Japan, in con- migration, of hunger and disease, we have Parents: Filisberto Fatima Pinhero; Isabel Ta- formity with the resolutions of the General come to witness daily the hypocrisy of the tima Pinhero Assembly and Security Council of the UN, Education University Student governments of the world. The UN has con- which refer to the case of East Timor as an demned, condemns and must continue to international problem involving Indonesia Teodozio Baptista Ximenes condemn the Indonesian invasion and occu- and the world community, put pressure Born: Dili, April 4 1976 pation of East Timor. However, to date it upon Jakarta to cease its acts of reprisal, Parents: João Baptista Ximenes has failed to resolve the problem of East withdraw its troops from East Timor, im- Education Senior High School (graduated) Timor in accordance with the principles and plement without pre-conditions all UN spirit of its own resolutions, principally due Egas José Dias Q. Momteiro resolutions and all points agreed upon in the to the implicit and explicit support for its Born: Dili, October 28 1971 tri-partite and intra-Timorese dialogues, and aggression which Indonesia has enjoyed Parents: Helena Dias Q. Monteiro force Jakarta to enter into dialogue with the from a number of governments, including Education Senior High school (graduated) National Council of Maubere Resistance your own. (CNRM) to seek a solution to the East Your government’s position in relation to José Bernadino Conceicco Timor problem; the integration of East Timor into Indonesia Born: Venilale, March 8 1973 3. that the government of Japan grant Parents: Cidriano da Silva Conceicco; Berna- constitutes in itself disrespect for the uni- concrete support to Portugal and the UN in dino Guteres versally recognised principles contained in their efforts to explore means of solving the Education Senior High School (graduated) the UN Charter, and has been one of the conflict, given that the problem of East factors which has encouraged Jakarta to con- Timor is an international one and not the Arthur George Da Costa M. R. tinue to commit its acts of atrocity against a responsibility of Portugal and Indonesia Born: Dili, February 27 1973 defenceless people, serving also to weaken alone; Parents: Filomena Da Costa the efforts and work of the Portuguese gov- Education Senior High School. (graduated) 4. that your government put pressure on ernment to find a solution to the East Timor Jakarta to free all East Timorese prisoners problem. Paulo da Costa of conscience and to enter into dialogue with Considering the potentially significant Born: Dili, March 28 1973 Xanana Gusmão, the leader who most genu- role which your government could come to Parents: Bengamin Melo Ribeiro; Florena da inely represents the interests and sacrifices play in finding a solution to the East Timor Costa of the people of East Timor; problem and in putting an end to the sacri- Education Senior Economic High School In conclusion, we ask that you transmit (graduated) fices and suffering of the Maubere people, the contents of this petition to your gov- we resolved to enter your Excellency’s em- ernment and to the people of your great na- Paulo Alin bassy with the objective of highlighting to tion. Born: Dili, March 27 1971 the world, and specifically to your own Signed, the petitioners: Parents: Joaquim Olivera Alin; Isabel Nunis government, the full extent of the atrocities The following asylum seekers have all Alin and reprisals being committed against our been active in clandestine organisations and Education Senior High School (graduated) people and our Homeland. As is well- Estevco Margal Do Rosario Ximenes the struggle for human rights in Dili, and known, for international political consump- Born: Dili, April 9 1976 have all frequently come into contact with tion, Jakarta agreed to engage in the process Parents: Estevco Ximenes; Ursula Ximenes the military apparatus, which is why they of tri-partite dialogue involving the UN and Education Senior High School (graduated) are now seeking asylum. the Portuguese and Indonesian Foreign Min- Biographical information (except where isters, and in the all-inclusive intra-Timorese Vicente Barreto Ximenes De Jesus noted, all are Catholic and single): dialogue. However, when it has come to im- Born: Dili, April 16 1976 Parents: Leonardo De Jesus; Clotilde Barreto plementation, Jakarta has always flagrantly Martinho Da Costa Ximenes Ximenes De Jesus disregarded the resolutions which have come Born: Dili, July 23 1976 Education Junior High School (graduated) out of these meetings and continues to sow Parents: Francisco Da Costa Ximenes; Ursula the seeds of terror in Timorese society. Our M F De Sousa Luis Filipe De Olivereira Arranhado presence here today is testimony to such Education Senior High School Born: Dili, November 11 1976 terror which in August and September alone Parents: Filipe Dos Santos Arranhado; resulted in the detention and ill-treatment of Carlos Barreto Ximenes de Jesus Francisca De Oliveira Arranhado Page 116 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Education Senior High School (graduated) TIMORESE BREACH JAPANESE Four years ago this week, security forces EMBASSY FENCE shot at a procession in a cemetery in dill, the Silivino De Oliveira territory’s capital, killing at least 50 pro- Voice of America, 11/14/95. By David But- Born: Dili, January 1 1971 independence East Timorese. Parents: Domingos Da Costa Oliveira ler, Bangkok Education Senior High School (graduated) More than 20 young people from East SOEHARTO SAYS EAST Timor scaled the perimeter fence at the Carlos Borromeu Japanese embassy in the Indonesia capital TIMORESE CAN FREELY Born: Dili, October 10 1973 of Jakarta Tuesday and asked for asylum in LEAVE THE COUNTRY Parents: Domingos Carvalho; Carolina Gomas Education Senior High School (graduated) Japan. David butler reports from our South- east Asia bureau in Bangkok that Indonesian News report from the Indonesian govern- ment (Kantor Berita Antara), Nov. 14. Guido Xavier Canelas authorities said within hours of the incident Born: Dili, October 24 1976 the youths are free to leave if any country Jakarta - President Soeharto said here Parents: Francisco Xavier Canelas; Julieta grants them asylum. Tuesday that the 21 East Timorese young- Ximenes sters who entered the Japanese Embassy Education University Student Text: the youths scaled the fence of the compound to seek political asylum here ear- embassy in Jakarta’s central business dis- lier on the day can leave freely, stressing Silivino De Sousa trict shortly after 7:30 in the morning local that after all an uncertain future awaits them Age: 24 years old time. One of them later told reporters they in their country of destination. Parents: Thomas De Sousa; Senhorinha arrived in Jakarta from East Timor Monday. Lopez da Cruz, ambassador specially Education Senior High School (graduated) He said they are seeking asylum in Japan. tasked to handle East Timor affairs, quoted Marital status: Married The breaching of the Japanese embassy Soeharto as saying that “The road is widely

Nelson Frangisco do Rego Tuesday is the largest of three such inci- open for the East Timorese to go to or seek Born: Dili, July 29 1974 dents in recent weeks and several others in asylum in any other country.” Parents: Francisco Alexio recent years. Five East Timorese penetrated Twenty-one East Timorese youngsters Education Senior High School security to enter the British embassy in entered the Japanese Embassy compound at September and eight others entered the about 07.30 local time Tuesday in an at- JAPANESE EMBASSY Dutch embassy last week. Both groups tempt to seek political asylum. were granted asylum in Portugal, the former It was the second time in a week and the REACTIONS colonial power in East Timor, after Britain fifth time in two years that East Timorese From Jean Inglis, FETJC, Nov. 14 and the Netherlands rejected the asylum re- have sought asylum from a foreign mission quests. in the capital city. Our purpose is to appeal to the world One year ago this month, 29 East Foreign Ministry spokesman Ghafar regarding the East Timor issue. Timorese sought asylum in the American Fadyl said everything is part of a pattern Asahi Shimbun news embassy in Jakarta. They, too, eventually that aims to embarrass Indonesia in the run- went to Portugal. up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Coopera- Hashimoto (can’t read the second name), A spokesman for the Indonesian foreign tion (APEC) Leaders Meeting (AELM) in a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said ministry said the youths in the incident at Osaka Sunday. at a press conference on the 14th that (the the Japanese embassy on Tuesday timed Japan is the host of the third AELM. government) “wants to respect the wishes their asylum bid to coincide with prepara- Ambassador da Cruz, after reporting the of the twenty-one.” He indicated that the tions for the meeting of the Asia pacific case to the Head of State, also told newsmen government was considering accepting them economic cooperation forum – APEC – in that Soeharto said it is only an illusion that in Japan or allowing them to go to a third Osaka this weekend. The invasion of the the East Timorese’s life in their home coun- country. He indicated that the incident American embassy a year ago was also try is miserable. “would not give rise to any difficult prob- timed to coincide with an APEC summit Asked whether the youngsters simply lem” and that happened with the East meeting. want a free ride to go abroad, da Cruz said, Timorese who sought asylum in the British The spokesman said that, as in the previ- “It is likely to be the case.” and Dutch embassies. ous incidents, the youths would not be Da Cruz said he has reported to the Regarding what the government will do if stopped from going anywhere. President the formation they want to come to Japan, he said, “we The Japanese foreign ministry confirmed of a new government in Portugal which will deal with that in line with immigration the presence of the East Timorese in the he said was quite “neutral” in its position control (policy?) and the law regarding refu- embassy. But spokesmen in Tokyo gave no toward the so-called East Timor issue. gee recognition, but that law does not cover indication whether they would accept their “The President said that every develop- persons seeking refugee status overseas, so request for asylum. If Japan turns down the ment should be given sufficient attention so they would have to somehow come to Japan asylum bid, it is likely that Portugal will that the tripartite dialog among Jakarta, Lis- first.” accept the East Timorese. bon and the UN Secretary-General’s Office Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 will bear fruits,” he said. (Jiji) At a press conference this evening, and annexed it in 1976, many countries and East Timor was a Portuguese colony for Foreign Ministry spokesman shirts and the United Nations do not recognize Indo- more than 400 years. were all young East Timorese men. Eighteen nesia’s claim to sovereignty in the territory. It joined Indonesia as the country’s 27th had come from East Timor, two from Sura- Relations between the largely catholic in- province in 1976, a year after the majority baya, East Java, and one from Jakarta. Seven digenous East Timorese on the one hand and of its people exercised their self- were students. One (or some?) of them seem the Indonesian security forces and settlers determination rights by issuing the Balibo to know that Japan does not receive asylum on the other are strained. Declaration. seekers. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 117

The ambassador further said that Abilio the world, which will not let East Timor fall little or no effect on the APEC summit Araujo, formerly known as a staunch anti- into oblivion. meeting nor on Prime Minister Murayama’s integrationist, intends to pay a courtesy call meeting with President Suharto in Osaka. on President Soeharto in December. JAPAN HIDES REAL The youths’ actual request however, “The courtesy call will be conducted in REQUESTS? handed to the Embassy officials in a two- the spirit of Christmas,” he said, adding that page “Petition to the Government of Japan he does not know if Araujo will be accom- From Jean Inglis, FETJC, Nov. 15 by the youth of East Timor” is evidently panied by other former anti-integrationists. being suppressed. Far from a mere request “What I do know is that it will be Araujo As the below indicates, there seems to be for personal safety by the twenty-one alone who might be received by the Presi- little, if any attention to the East Timorese youths, it asks that the government of Japan dent,” he said. “asylum seekers” political requests. At least 1) recognise the right of the people of East one Japanese journalist in Jakarta seems to Timor to self-determination, 2) pressure COMMENT FROM MARIZA be ignorant of any political requests at all. Indonesia to withdraw its troops from East CABRAL, NOV. 15: For various reasons (swamped by the Timor, abide by the UN resolutions on East Speaking Tour schedule, etc., unable to ac- Timor, and enter into dialogue with the East Re: Lopes Da Cruz statement that the cess the foreign journalists in Osaka, etc.) Timorese resistance to seek a solution, 3) new government in Portugal was quite we are having a difficult time publicizing the support Portugal and the United Nations in “neutral” youths requests. If you can get in touch their diplomatic efforts to solve the issue, 4) For anyone who might think there is a with journalists in Osaka or Jakarta from seek the release of East Timorese political shred of truth in Lopes da Cruz’s statement, your country, we would be most grateful. prisoners, including leader Xanana Gusmão. the new Portuguese Prime Minister himself, Also if you contact the Japanese embassy, The Free East Timor Japan Coalition Antonio Guterres, has profusely referred to please try to find out if they have (or admit supports the youths demands and urgently East Timor as a National Issue, at the fore- to having) the youths “Petition to the Japa- appeals to the Japanese Government to 1) front of his agenda, and made an emotional nese Government” and if they will release address the issues raised, 2) commence ef- pledge for his own personal commitment in the names of the 21. forts to seek a solution to the pressing issue his victory speech after election. The new Embassy fax: 62 21 325 460 Tel: 62 21 of East Timor in the bilateral meetings at the Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, indeed had a 324 308, 324 948, 325 396 APEC summit in Osaka between PM Mu- poor record on East Timor from a previous Incidentally, I was told that the general rayama and President Suharto, 3) obtain the Socialist government, however has dispelled secretary of the Diet Forum of East Timor, assistance of the International Red Cross in concerns since he called meetings with Re- OKASAKI Tomiko met today with PM the negotiations with the youths in the Em- sistance leaders even after his formal ap- MURAYAMA Tomiichi in Osaka and bassy and allow that organization to convey pointment. After his meeting with Jaime stressed that the root cause of the asylum the full demands of the youths to the inter- Gama, on October 17, José Ramos Horta incidents is the East Timor issue itself and national community via the normal channels, stated that he found a “total syntony” be- urged him to bring it up with Suharto. including the mass media. tween the concerns of the Resistance and Also, yesterday, over one hundred Japa- Free East Timor Japan Coalition, tel: those of the future foreign minister, who nese and foreign NGOs meeting at the 0823-22-0962, 06-370-8304; fax: 0823-22- was clearly “strongly committed to East APEC NGO Forum in Osaka unanimously 2684, 06-370-8314 Timor’s self-determination and the dialog adopted a statement to the Japanese Gov- (The coalition is composed of eleven with the representatives of the East ernment, requesting it to protect the 21 East grassroots organizations campaigning in Ja- Timorese people.” Timorese and to give them asylum as they pan for a just settlement of the East Timor Today, Nov. 15, the Portuguese Parlia- request and expressing the hope that “Prime issue. It is currently sponsoring a nation- ment held a special session to commemorate Minister Murayama will address the root wide speaking tour of four East Timorese, the fourth anniversary Sunday of the Santa cause of the question of East Timor and the including CNRM co-chairperson José Cruz massacre. The Prime Minister ap- right to self determination of the people of Ramos-Horta, and Domingos Sarmento pealed to the international community for East Timor in his talks with President Su- Alves, the leader of the twenty-nine that it acts to “restore legality in East harto” later this week. Timorese youths who entered the US em- Timor.” Guterres reiterated Portugal’s PRESS RELEASE Nov. 15,1995 bassy in Jakarta during last year’s APEC commitment to seeking “a just, global, and meeting.) internationally acceptable solution for East TOKYO SUPPRESSING TIMORESE ATTENTION: East Timorese Spokes- Timor” which should be done “through ne- YOUTHS’ REAL DEMANDS person in Osaka! gotiations under the auspices of the UN Sec- retary-General,” and which “must respect East Timorese in Jakarta Embassy Seek José Ramos-Horta, co-chair of the Na- the legitimate rights of the East Timorese Japan’s Political Clout : “Tokyo, Help End tional Council of Maubere Resistance, will people, in conformity with the UN Charter the Occupation of our Homeland!” speak at 7PM tonight, Nov. 15 in Osaka and relevant Resolutions.” Guterres also Press reports say that on November 14 and meet members of the media and NGO referred the need for investigation into the twenty-one East Timorese climbed the fence community. The session is sponsored by Santa Cruz massacre, for liberation of the to the Japanese Embassy and asked for po- the Osaka East Timor Association and will East Timorese political prisoners, and stated litical asylum. be held at El Osaka, 3-14 Kitahama Higashi, that “Portugal will never miss an opportu- Foreign Ministry officials of Japan and Chuo-ku (tel:06-942-0001) For information, nity to continually denounce this state of Indonesia have indicated that the “asylum contact the Association. (Tel:06-370- affairs in every appropriate international request” will be handled amicably for all 8304/Fax: 06-380-8314) forum.” Guterres noted that East Timor is sides and with dispatch, and the Portuguese also in the International agenda, with strong government has indicated that it is ready to voices of denounce and protest throughout receive the twenty-one youths. Japanese diplomats say the youths’ action will have Page 118 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

PORTUGAL TO RECEIVE The NRC’s coordinator abroad, José The group of young men from East Ramos-Horta, said Tokyo’s refusal of po- Timor arrived in Jakarta Monday. They MEMBERS OF litical asylum was “expected,” because Ja- scaled the perimeter fence of the Japanese INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT pan “contributes more than 60 percent of embassy in downtown Jakarta during the total international aid to Jakarta, some 5.2 morning traffic rush (hour) on Tuesday. LISBON, Nov 15 (IPS) - Portugal will billion dollars a year.” The foreign ministers of Indonesia and receive the 21 members of the East Timor In a telephone interview with IPS from Japan met Wednesday in Osaka, Japan, independence movement who took refuge in Tokyo, where he travelled to try to soften where both are preparing for this weekend’s the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, the Por- the Japanese government, Ramos-Horta de- annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic tuguese government announced Wednesday. nied rumours circulated by the press that forum – APEC. Japan refused to grant political asylum to the 21 members of the NRC had asked Por- A Japanese foreign ministry spokesman the individuals who occupied its embassy tugal for political asylum. told reporters Japan does not have the legal yard in Jakarta on Tuesday, but agreed to “Both at a national level and according to framework to accept asylum seekers. protect them until they left Indonesian terri- international law (a Dec. 22, 1975 U.N. Se- The 21 young East Timorese, aged be- tory. curity Council resolution), the Timorese are tween 19 and 25, were escorted by two rep- The members of the independence Portuguese, meaning they cannot ask for resentatives of the international committee movement had urged the Japanese govern- political asylum from their own country. of the red cross to Jakarta’s international ment to recognise “East Timor’s right to “Western countries, that do big business airport Wednesday. They were put on a self-determination” as established by the in Indonesia, take it out on Lisbon. They flight to Amsterdam and will go on to Lis- United Nations. refuse to grant asylum to the Timorese, bon. The young people, ranging in age from 19 while failing to recognise Portugal’s adminis- Tuesday’s breaching of the Japanese em- to 25, were driven to the Jakarta airport on trative role there, which was designated by bassy is the largest of three such incidents in Wednesday in a special bus provided by the the United Nations,” said Ramos-Horta. recent weeks. There have been others in re- Japanese Embassy, which was granted safe- cent years. Five East Timorese penetrated conduct by the Indonesian Foreign Minis- TWENTY-ONE IN JAPANESE security to enter the British embassy in try. They should reach Lisbon on Thursday, EMBASSY LEAVE TO PORTUGAL September and eight others entered the following stop-overs in Tokyo and Amster- LUSA, Nov 15 - The 21 Timorese Dutch embassy last week. dam. youths who took refuge in the Japanese em- Both groups were granted asylum in Por- According to the anti-Indonesian resis- bassy will leave to Portugal in the next 48 tugal – the former colonial power in East tance movement, the move was designed to hours, announced today Henry Fournier, Timor – after Britain and the Netherlands call attention to “the forgotten drama of delegate of the International Red Cross in rejected their asylum requests. One year ago Timor” on the eve of the annual summit of Jakarta. this month, 29 East Timorese sought asy- the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation The Indonesian Foreign Ministry re- lum in the American embassy in Jakarta. forum (APEC), in which U.S. President Bill vealed that Minister Ali Alatas, in Osaka for They, too, eventually went to Portugal. Clinton is participating in Japan. the APEC summit, met this morning with A spokesman for the Indonesian foreign When the last APEC summit was held a the Japanese Minister Yohei Kono to find ministry said the youths in Tuesday’s inci- year ago in Jakarta, 29 Timorese students “a satisfactory solution.” dent at the Japanese embassy timed their occupied the U.S. Embassy, drawing the A Japanese diplomat, who requested asylum bid to coincide with preparations attention of the world press to the situation anonymity, revealed that the East Timor with this weekend’s APEC meeting in of the former Portuguese colony. problem was addressed today in the Kono- Osaka. The invasion of the American em- On Dec. 7, 1975, one week after pro- Alatas meeting. the Japanese minister having bassy a year ago was also timed to coincide claiming its independence from Lisbon, East underscored the need to proceed with the with an APEC summit meeting. Timor - an island in the Java archipelago UN-sponsored dialog to seek a peaceful so- Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 where the Portuguese had installed them- lution. and annexed it in 1976. Many countries and selves in the mid-16th century - was in- (later report:) The 21 Timorese arrive in the United Nations do not recognize Indo- vaded by Indonesia. Lisbon Thursday afternoon, according to the nesia’s claim to sovereignty in the territory. But the United Nations refused to recog- Portuguese Red Cross, who was contacted Tension is strained between the largely nise Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor in by the ICRC in Geneva that announced the catholic indigenous East Timorese on the 1976, and designated Portugal as administra- arrival at 2:10 PM in a KLM flight with a one hand, and Indonesian security forces tor of the territory until a referendum on its stop in Amsterdam. and settlers on the other. Four years ago this autonomy, which has not been authorised week, security forces opened fire on a pro- by Jakarta, could be held. JAPAN EMBASSY VISITORS LEAVE cession in a cemetery in Dili, the territory’s In a communiqué issued Wednesday in FOR PORTUGAL capital, killing at least 50 pro-independence Lisbon, the Timorese National Resistance East Timorese. Council (NRC) urged Japan to “give con- Voice of America, 11/15/95. By David But- ler, Bangkok crete support to the United Nations and EAST TIMOR IN THE Portugal in their efforts to seek a solution to Twenty-one young men from East Timor the conflict.” who broke into the Japanese embassy in JAPANESE MEDIA According to a 1994 report by the inter- Jakarta Tuesday left Indonesia Wednesday From Geoffrey Gunn, Nov. 16. national human rights watchdog Amnesty en route to asylum in Portugal. David Butler International, “two decades of unpunished reports from our Southeast Asia bureau in While the story of the 21 East Timorese Indonesian genocide” have cost the lives of Bangkok on the latest of several recent cases asylum seekers who entered the Japanese one third of East Timor’s 650,000 inhabi- of young East Timorese seeking asylum Embassy in Jakarta on 14 November has tants. abroad. now done the rounds, some of you out there - none the least the asylum seekers - might East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 119 be wondering how this event has been por- version of the Asahi Shimbun (17 Octo- departure from Indonesia. To say that NHK trayed in the Japanese media, indeed, how ber)(all the majors have regional versions) skirts controversy and misses the point this “problem” has been handled by the ran with an interview with myself on condi- would be an understatement. Japanese bureaucracy? tions inside East Timor, “Be informed about Finally, the Japan Times (15 November) Basically over the last two days, the East Timor’s independence struggle” along appears not to have even rated the issue as story has been carried in the three mass cir- with photograph of Baucau market, linked newsworthy. But this should not surprise. culation dailies in Japan, the Mainichi, with the East Timorese speaking tour now In any case the value of the Japan Times is Asahi, and Yomiuri, along with their respec- in Japan and upcoming visit to Nagasaki by that it recycles interesting editorials from tive English language versions. There is an Domingos Sarmento, leader of the US Em- other newspapers. element of luck or good timing in this, as 13 bassy occupation group at the time of the Such was “East Timor needs all the sup- November was a press “holiday,” a virtual APEC conference in Bogor in November port it can get.” no-news day in Japan and these papers did 1994...... The East Timorese are emerging as not appear on that day. While most of the above-mentioned the Vietnamese of the South Pacific, people Perhaps the most prominent print media Japanese language pieces fail to offer back- willing to take endless punishment to keep report on the event to hand was “Seeking ground on the East Timor problem in inter- alive their dream of becoming a liberated exile in Japan; 23 East Timorese in Em- national context, a couple of recent articles country. And like the Vietnamese in their bassy” in Mainichi Shimbun (15 November in the Japanese press stand back from the struggle against the French and the Ameri- 1995). This article presented the basic facts tendency to marginalise the East Timor is- cans, the East Timorese need all the help of the matter while pointing out the timing sue entirely. Noteworthy is the article by they can get from the rest of the world” of the Embassy occupation coinciding with Fukuda, “Continuing troubles in East (The Nation, Bangkok, 12 November) . the APEC summit. Alone among the print Timor, growing antipathy connected with media reports, the Mainichi article also car- the nation, religion... Suharto government TEN ARRESTED TRYING TO ried a photograph of the jubilant East taxing its brains for counterplan” (Asahi ENTER JAPANESE EMBAS SY Timorese inside the Embassy compound. Shimbun, 19 October 1995). This piece car- The English-language Mainichi Daily News ries a map of East Timor (distinguished translated, abridged, edited on the same day carried an AP report from from Indonesia) as well as accurate back- Jakarta mentioning that an asylum request ground information on East Timor as a terri- Sydney, Jan 12 (LUSA) - A group of 10 had been made to Japanese Ambassador tory under Indonesian military occupation East Timorese youths tried to enter the Watanabe along with key points in the peti- not recognised by the UN. This article also Japanese embassy in Jakarta, but was pre- tion. It also carried the comment by a Japa- describes the Dili massacre as such, a mas- vented from doing so by the Indonesian se- nese Embassy staffer that the Japanese gov- sacre. curity forces, who arrested most of the ernment “has never given political asylum to Also, noteworthy is Ruriko Hatano, “4 youths, a source in Jakarta told LUSA. At anyone.” This article was also accompanied years since the massacre of the inhabitants least two youths escaped. The same source by a photograph taken within the Embassy [of East Timor]. Intensification of religious told LUSA that at least one of the youths compound. confrontation. Occupation army aggravates who escaped is one of those who entered The same day the Yomiuri Shimbun car- distrust” (Yomiuri Shimbun, 2 November the New Zealand embassy. ried a postage stamp-size piece entitled 1995). A rare Japanese report filed from The 5 East Timorese in the NZ embassy “Japanese Embassy Exile request, Jakarta, Dili, Hatano’s prominently positioned arti- were being chased by the security forces 21 East Timorese.” This paper offered two cle, along with map, and two photographs when they entered the escalated the fence. follow-up stories on 16 November noting (Bishop Belo and street scene in Dili), also Two of them are wounded, one of which by the meeting between Indonesia Foreign Min- comes with appropriate background and getting caught in the fence. The five were ister Ali Alatas and his Japanese counter- context. prevented from entering the embassy build- part, Yohei Kono, in Osaka as to the Finally, the media coup de grace, as it ing by embassy security. Outside the em- “peaceful” management of the Embassy were, for the group of 21 might be two bassy are Indonesian soldiers, including ele- problem. No allusion was made in this arti- cameo performances played out on Japanese ments of the special military forces Kopas- cle to any broader contextualization of the television, namely NHK evening news on sus. East Timor problem. The English language respectively the 14th and 15th of Novem- Regarding the two Timorese women in version of this paper (minuscule circulation ber. This is a rare media event, indeed, in the Australian embassy, while there is no and directed at foreigners in Japan) deemed Japan, possibly the first NHK news “fea- official word yet, governmental sources have the issue important enough to front-page ture” on East Timor since the visit of a dele- confirmed to LUSA that the two will leave two wire service reports (AP and Reuters) gation of Japanese MPs in mid-1994. Yet to Portugal. (15 November) and a single wire service re- both of these reports, no longer than about port on 16 November, also on the front 30 seconds, were relegated to the bottom of AI ON EAST TIMORESE page. The Daily Yomiuri, of course, is the the news and neither offered any political ARRESTED IN JAKARTA paper that in 1994 published an op ed piece context. The first, the dialogue of which I ON 12 JANUARY on East Timor written by one Irawan missed altogether, doubtless numbed by the Abidin, inter alia claiming only six deaths in preceding 20 minute analysis of Aum Shin- AI Index: ASA 21/06/96, 18 January the Dili Massacre. I would like to think that rykyo, offered panoramic shots of Dili. The 1996 this paper has since “atoned” for its error on second, coming between a report on dino- EXTRA 08/96 Arbitrary detention / Fear this matter. saur eggs and the weather report, showed of ill-treatment Surprisingly, the Asahi Shimbun ap- graphic video of the group of 21 inside the INDONESIA / EAST TIMOR peared to have passed over the question en- Japanese Embassy compound with the ba- · Fernando Gomes tirely on the 15th although the bare facts nal comment that they were seeking inde- · Dominggos Cortereal were reported in a tiny column in this paper pendence for East Timor and that the Indo- · Carlos Antonio on the 16th. Parenthetically, the Nagasaki nesian authorities would not object to their · Lucio Quintao Page 120 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

· Manuel Lelo Dutch and Russian embassies in December Faxes: +62 21 345 0517/360 517 · Nelson Guterres 1995, but were ultimately forced out of the PLEASE SEND APPEALS · Elsa Camila Viegas (f) embassies into police custody. A request for IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send ap- · Leonildo da Costa asylum by some of the East Timorese in the peals after 20 February 1996. · Fransisco Dutch Embassy was apparently ignored. · Bernardino Both groups were subsequently held in po- · Lisio Fatima Gonçalves Soares lice custody for around 24 hours and then · Rosito Soares TO FRANCE · Alexander da Cunha released but have since come under intensive · Plancido Hugo Bovida surveillance by the Armed Forces (see · Luis de Jesus EXTRA 157/95, ASA 21/64/95, 7 Decem- FIVE EAST TIMORESE Amnesty International is concerned for ber 1995 and follow-ups). JOIN FLOOD OF the safety of 15 East Timorese arrested in RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send REFUGE-SEEKERS Jakarta on 12 January 1996 whose exact telegrams/ faxes/ express/airmail letters in whereabouts remain unknown. Bahasa Indonesia, English or your own by Muklis Ali At around 8.30am on 12 January, a group language: Jakarta, Nov 16 (Reuter) – Five East of seven East Timorese, Fernando Gomes, - urging the authorities to clarify the Timorese scaled a metal fence into the Dominggos Cortereal, Carlos Antonio, Lucio whereabouts of the 15 East Timorese; French embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, the Quintao, Manuel Lelo, Nelson Guterres and - seeking assurances that all those de- fourth such group to seek refuge in a foreign Elsa Camila Viegas, were allegedly arrested tained are being treated humanely in accor- mission in two months. in front of the Japanese Embassy. It is be- dance with international standards; that they Witnesses said the five, apparently asy- lieved that they were arrested by police who are being given access to lawyers of their lum-seekers, entered the embassy around 11 suspected that they would enter the Japa- choice; that their relatives are informed of a.m. (0400 GMT) from a busy main road nese Embassy and seek asylum. The seven their whereabouts; and that the International near the Japanese embassy, where 21 are now believed to be in police custody, Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is al- Timorese had sought asylum earlier this but it is not known exactly where they are lowed regular unrestricted access to their week. being held or whether they have had access place of detention; “We cannot confirm whether they are to legal counsel of their choice. - requesting that, unless they are charged seeking asylum. We are still awaiting further Also on 12 January, eight other East with recognizably criminal offences, they be confirmation from the embassy,” a police Timorese, Leonildo da Costa, Fransisco, immediately released; official said by telephone. Bernardino, Lisio Fatima Gonçalves Soares, - seeking assurances that no one will be Foreign Ministry spokesman Ghafar Rosito Soares, Alexander da Cunha, Plan- subjected to arrest simply for engaging in Fadyl told the official Antara news agency cido Hugo Bovida and Luis de Jesus, were peaceful opposition activities to Indonesian on Wednesday he had been informed by the arrested at around 11.30am in Grogol, West rule in East Timor. French embassy the five were not seeking Jakarta. It is not known exactly where they APPEALS TO: asylum but asking to be sent to Portugal, were arrested, but it is believed that on 6 East Timor’s former colonial power. January five of the group had previously MILITARY COMMANDER FOR “Therefore it is clear they have an eco- attempted to enter the Bulgarian Embassy REGION X/JAKARTA RAYA: (covers nomic motivation. The Indonesian govern- to seek asylum. It is thought that the eight Greater Jakarta) ment will be consistent with its stance, that are being held at the District Military Com- Maj. Gen. Wiranto [Salutation: Dear is, to have an open door and we will not mand (KODIM) in West Jakarta but it is Maj. Gen. Wiranto] stop those who want to leave Indonesia,” he not known whether they have had access to Pangdam X/Jakarta Raya said. independent legal counsel. Markas Besar KODAM X/Jaya He said the men aged between 19 and 26 Amnesty International is concerned that Jl. Mayjen Sutoyo years, four of who came from East Timor’s the 15 may have been arbitrarily arrested, in Jakarta, Indonesia capital, Dili, and one from the nearby town that they do not appear to have been for- Telegrams: Pangdam X/Jakarta Raya, Ja- of Ermera. He said they were drop-outs and mally charged and have been held longer karta, Indonesia unemployed. than the 24-hour legal limit for detention CHIEF OF NATIONAL POLICE: Fadyl said there was a strong indication without charge. Moreover, the organization their trip from East Timor, 2,000km (1,240 fears that as long as the detainees are denied Maj. Gen. (Pol.) Banurusman Atmosumi- tro [Salutation: Dear Major General] miles) east of Jakarta, was paid for by par- access to representatives of the International ties who wanted to tarnish Indonesia’s in- Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Kapolri Markas Besar Kepolisian RI ternational image. He did not elaborate. independent legal counsel, they are at French officials declined to comment on heightened risk of ill-treatment in custody. Jl. Trunojoyo 13 Kebayoran Baru the latest break-in, less than 24 hours after BACKGROUND INFORMATION Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia 21 Timorese, who had been holed up in Ja- East Timorese suspected of opposition Telegrams: National Police Chief, Jakarta, pan’s embassy, left for Portugal. All East Timorese seeking refuge in em- to Indonesian rule of East Timor are at risk Indonesia of arbitrary detention and torture. Those AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE bassies in the past three years have been arrested are often held incommunicado de- FOLLOWING: granted asylum in Portugal, still regarded by tention, further increasing the risk of torture the United Nations as East Timor’s admin- and ill-treatment. In recent months, at least MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: istering power. 50 East Timorese have left Indonesia for Ali Alatas S.H. The recent defections by East Timorese – Portugal after seeking asylum in foreign em- Menteri Luar Negeri 34 in two months – have alarmed embassies bassies in Jakarta. Another 112, both Indo- Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No.6 caught between embarrassing host Indonesia nesians and East Timorese, entered the Jakarta, Indonesia East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 121 and incurring the wrath of vocal East Timor The same group also demonstrated at the told Reuters before a colleague stopped him lobbies. French embassy, where four East Timorese from speaking further. “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of had dashed in hours earlier, the second The youths’ asylum bids have been em- them,” one diplomat said on Thursday, group to seek refuge in the embassy in less barrassed Indonesia, which has been quick hours before five entered the French em- than a week and the fifth sanctuary bid at to let them leave but has denied their claims bassy. Jakarta embassies in two months. of human rights abuses in East Timor. The International Committee of the Red “It’s true. The French officials told me Portugal, which ruled troubled East Cross (ICRC), which has taken on the re- that another four are inside at the moment,” Timor until 1975, just before a bloody In- sponsibility for resolving the stand-offs, has Ahmad Alkatiri, leader of the pro- donesian invasion in the same year, has said refined its handling to the point where the integration East Timorese, told journalists it is happy to take all East Timorese seeking last two groups left their sanctuary in the after meeting French officials inside the em- refuge. Dutch and Japanese embassies less than 36 bassy. –- hours after forcing entries. Embassy officials declined comment but Portugal, which ruled East Timor until Foreign Ministry spokesman Ghaffar Fadyl Additional paragraphs from another ve r- 1975, has said it is happy to take all East told Reuters the ministry knew of the inci- sion of this Reuters article: Timorese seeking refuge. dent, adding the four were seeking asylum in It was the second pro-Indonesian protest The rash of break-ins coincide with do- Portugal. by youths claiming to be East Timorese to mestic anniversaries, such as the November “We are informed about the incident and be staged in Jakarta in less than a week. 12, 1991, army killing of at least 50 demon- we find out the East Timorese are students. About 20 men protested in front of the strators in Dili, as well as this week’s annual We are still looking for more information French embassy on Friday when five summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Coop- about them,” he said. Timorese, who had earlier sought sanctuary eration (APEC) group in Osaka. Carrying Indonesian flags and singing the there, left for in Portugal. During last year’s APEC meeting in In- Indonesian national anthem, the pro- Few details were immediately available donesia, 29 Timorese stole headlines by oc- Indonesian protesters, who said they were about the latest embassy break-in but a po- cupying a corner of the U.S. embassy com- students and workers, earlier marched on lice officer said the four had just entered the pound, the largest group to seek asylum in parliament and called East Timorese who mission, on a busy road in central Jakarta. A one attempt. sought asylum overseas “traitors.” Timorese source said the four had entered Indonesia invaded East Timor, after the “We are ready to defend the integration overnight. former Portuguese colonialists left, on De- (with Indonesia). Asylum seekers are trai- A leader of the pro-Indonesian demon- cember 7, 1975. It proclaimed the territory tors,” read their banners. strators said the four entered the embassy its 27th province in July 1976. Alkatiri, leader of the protesters, told re- late on Sunday, but had only been noticed Indonesia has shrugged off previous asy- porters on Monday that Timorese who by embassy officials on Monday. The em- lum bids. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas was sought political asylum were people who bassy declined to comment. quoted on Thursday as saying in Osaka, wanted a better life but were unwilling to The spate of embassy break-ins is be- Japan, that such cases no longer constituted work hard. lieved aimed at focusing world attention on a serious problem. Some 39 East Timorese have gained asy- East Timor around the fourth anniversary “We no longer see it as a serious case be- lum in Portugal after bursting into the em- on November 12 of a massacre of civilians in cause the pattern is already clear,” he told bassies of Britain, the Netherlands, Japan the territory. The bids have been an embar- the official Antara news agency. and France since late September. rassment for Indonesia, which has been Other asylum bids in the past two One Western diplomat said on Monday quick to let the asylum seekers leave but has months include eight East Timorese who ran his embassy would do its best to discourage denied their claims of human rights abuses in into the Dutch embassy a week ago, and five the Timorese into coming, but added public East Timor. who entered the British embassy in late pressure in his country was such that the Ahmad Alkatiri, leader of the protesters, September. embassy could not turn them onto the told reporters on Monday the Timorese All of them initially asked for asylum in street. who sought political asylum were people the country of the embassy they entered but “Their presence in an embassy is very who wanted a better life but were not will- quickly accepted Lisbon’s standing offer to disruptive,” he said. ing to work hard. “Those who sought for accept all such asylum seekers. “But the basic question is who has an in- political asylum are East Timorese who are terest in the flow of these East Timorese. Is too lazy to work. It’s is true there are peo- MORE TIMORESE SEEK REFUGE it to say to Western embassies you are ple who are against the integration, but it is By Lewa Pardomuan (Updates with ministry sticking up for East Timor – now have some only a small part,” he said. and diplomat comments) of your own medicine? Or is it done to dis- Alkatiri denied the protesters were paid. credit senior government officials?” he “It is not true. They came to me and asked JAKARTA, Nov 20 (Reuter) - More asked. me to bring them to parliament,” he said than 100 youths staged pro-Indonesia dem- East Timorese sources said the military, without elaborating. onstrations around parliament and in front angry at the escapes, had mobilised youths But a number of protesters said they of the French embassy on Monday, only to present a pro-Indonesian front. were given 15,000 rupiah ($6.60) to join the hours after four East Timorese sought refuge Some of Monday’s demonstrators said protest and many looked bewildered and in the embassy. they were paid or forced by security offi- only mumbled when their colleagues sang At Indonesia’s parliament, youths claim- cers to join the protest. patriotic songs. ing to be from East Timor protested against “The truth is that we all suffer in East One female protester said some of the a wave of high-profile asylum bids by East Timor,” said one of the protesters, who had youths came from the nearby Flores island Timorese and declared support for Indone- earlier shouted in favour of Indonesia. and East Nusatenggara province on the sian rule. “I was forced by the security officers to western half of Timor island, whose people join this protest. I don’t like it at all,” he bear similar features as the Timorese. Page 122 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

The features of several others suggested Diplomats believe ongoing harassment of tary, who suspect them of harbouring in- they were from the main Indonesian island young people by Indonesian authorities in tending asylum seekers. of Java. “I am an Indonesian national,” said East Timor is forcing many to go into hiding The present situation makes the likeli- one, when asked if he was a Timorese. outside the territory or consider making an hood of further attempts by desperate East asylum bid. Timorese to enter foreign embassies in Ja- MORE EAST TIMORESE “They probably don’t have an idea about karta most likely, unless the oppressive SEEK ASYLUM, OTHERS TO how things were in East Timor and how situation in the territory occupied by Indo- things are in Portugal. They just want a free nesia improves. Only strong concerted in- LEAVE ride,” Fadyl said. ternational pressure on the Suharto dictator- ship is likely to produce any meaningful by Jim Della-Giacoma [abridged] change. JAKARTA, Jan 29 (Reuter) - Four East TO NEW ZEALAND Timorese sought political refuge in the TIMORESE SCALE NZ EMBASSY French Embassy in Jakarta on Monday, just FENCE hours before 12 others in the Polish em- FIVE EAST TIMORESE SEEK The New Zealand Herald, 13 January 1996. bassy were due to leave for asylum in Por- NEW ZEALAND ASYLUM by Bernard Orsman, Front page tugal. Diplomats expected a speedy resolution CNRM Media Release, 13 January The New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta to the French embassy problem given that was last night interviewing five East Five young male East Timorese students Timorese men who scaled a perimeter fence the mission was able to send East Timorese at Dili’s University have entered the New involved in previous bids to Portugal within and entered the embassy grounds about 4 Zealand Embassy in Jakarta to flee from pm (New Zealand time). 48 hours. harassment and pursuit by the Indonesian It was the third such incident at the The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr military in East Timor, on account of their McKinnon, said it appeared the men were French embassy in as many months. anti-integration activities. “They are aged between 17 and 18, all making a political statement and seeking a The five, who are said to have left Dili way out of Indonesia. from East Timor and they are asking for recently, are: asylum in Portugal,” Indonesian Foreign However, Mr McKinnon said it would José Celano de Freitas Soares not be known if the men were seeking po- Ministry spokesman Ghaffar Fadyl told Francisco Vicente Guterres Reuters. litical asylum until they had been inter- Isaac Correia da Silva viewed. “They are boys, not men, who are Filomeno das Neves probably misinformed and have some illu- He said he understood the incident posed José Soares no threat to embassy staff. An official at the sion about the better living conditions in Two of them are reported to have Portugal,” Fadyl said, adding only one car- embassy said two of the five East Timorese slightly injured themselves when entering “visitors” sustained small injuries after ried an identity card. the Embassy. A further 10 East Timorese A French embassy official confirmed the jumping over the fence about 10 am local have been arrested by Indonesian authorities time. four were inside her embassy but declined to while attempting to enter the Japanese Em- give details. The official said the five, apparently bassy in Jakarta, also to seek protection from Dili, the capital of East Timor, were “I don’t want to comment but I can just from the Indonesian military. confirm what you already know that we taken to an area behind the main embassy These latest actions, which can be ex- building in the residential area of Menteng. have four,” Martin Dorance, deputy head of pected to be followed by others still, repre- mission, told Reuters. Earlier in the day, a police officer said, sent efforts by a large number of East about 10 East Timorese youths were ar- “Maybe some comment will come from Timorese youths to seek to escape growing Paris as usual,” she added, declining to give rested in front of the Japanese Embassy repression by the Indonesian occupation where they had aimed to seek asylum. further details. forces in East Timor, which has sharply in- Timorese sources said the four youths Two East Timorese women entered the creased in the second half of 1995. Many Australian Embassy on Wednesday to ask entered the compound about 10.45 a.m. youths have fled the occupied territory in (0345 GMT). It was not immediately for asylum, the first such bid by female East recent months, heading primarily for Jakarta Timorese. known if they jumped the two-metre (6.6- with the intention to seek the protection of foot) spiked metal fence of the compound in Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 foreign embassies, and their assistance to and annexed it the following year in a move central Jakarta’s main thoroughfare. flee Indonesia. “We still sticking to the same policy that not recognised by the United Nations. There is a large number of East Timorese Mr McKinnon, who said it was not diffi- they are free to go but they don’t have to youths at present in hiding at various loca- resort to jumping over fences,” Fadyl said. cult to get into the New Zealand Embassy tions in Java, intensely pursued by the In- compound, declined to say how the Gov- “Nobody will stop them if they want to go donesian military to prevent them from en- to Portugal through the normal procedures.” ernment would respond if the five men tering embassies, thus exposing their plight, sought political asylum. One diplomat told Reuters on Monday and that of the East Timorese people in gen- that some 200 other East Timorese had fled But he noted that when East Timorese eral, to the outside world. The young people intimidation in their homeland and would had sought political asylum at other embas- in hiding in Java are under great difficulties, sies in Jakarta, Portugal - the former rulers seek similar refuge if able to. facing an alien and unsupportive environ- “Indonesia does not like it but there is in East Timor - had offered asylum. ment, and generally lacking financial re- “No other country has given asylum to nothing they can do about it unless they sources to adequately sustain themselves. want to make a big fuss and bring attention East Timorese people apart from Portugal.” Many East Timorese youths domiciled in The New Zealand Ambassador to Indo- to the issue,” another Western diplomat Java are under great pressure from the mili- said. nesia, Mr Tim Groser, was last night return- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 123 ing to Jakarta from an unspecified location FREEDOM IN SIGHT FOR men for asylum in New Zealand has added in Indonesia to deal with the incident. yet another black mark to its record of EAST TIMORESE ignoring requests from East Timorese peo- NZ MEDIA ON ASYLUM SEEKERS New Zealand TeleText, 14 January 1996 ple.Speaking for the Auckland East Timor New Zealand Channel One main 6.00 Independence Committee, Maire Leadbeater evening news, Jan 12, first item reported The five East Timorese youths holed up said: “Only one month ago Foreign Affairs New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Mr in the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta Minister, Don McKinnon turned down re- McKinnon saying the five East Timorese at could be heading for freedom soon. quests from East Timorese leader José the Jakarta embassy had asked for “a num- Red Cross chief delegate Henri Fournier Ramos Horta for an end to New Zealand ber of things” in negotiations with Ambas- says the group had sought political asylum military links with Indonesia. Now faced sador Groser, but he was not prepared to in New Zealand, but after the New Zealand with five victims of Indonesian repression say what was discussed. New Zealand sup- Government had discussions with officials our Government has decided to pass the porters of the East Timorese have called on in Lisbon, decided to accept a proposal to buck to Portugal.” the government to help. Colin Iles (ETIC resettle in Portugal. “We believe that New Zealanders should Wellington) said the East Timorese were The Red Cross is hoping to arrange for feel shame that the Government has chosen very much at risk and the government the men to fly to Portugal, but because it is yet again the path of political exp ediency should accept responsibility, as hundreds of the weekend, arrangements may be delayed rather than make a moral response to a des- East Timorese have fled under increased until tomorrow. perate appeal from five young men who have risked all to ask for our help.” pressure recently. Mr McKinnon said “I TV COVERAGE IN NEW ZEALAND haven’t heard anything about a crackdown “These young men are all understood to in East Timor at all.” From Lee Snow, 14 January 1996 have left Dili recently and to be part of the Channel Three reported the Ministry of New Zealand channel One 6.00 evening large number of East Timorese youths who Foreign Affairs was not revealing the results news first item reported on “Refugee Rou- are in hiding in Java, intensely pursued by of discussions. The five East Timorese will lette,” saying the five East Timorese youths the Indonesian military to prevent their remain in the compound until a decision is seeking asylum were preparing to leave for seeking asylum in Embassies. At least one made about their requests. Portugal. They had wanted to settle in New of the five had previously been part of a Zealand but the government said no. There group which tried to enter the Japanese Em- EMBASSY INCIDENT: END IN were shots of the Dili massacre and Maire bassy. They have been victims of persecu- tion in East Timor and now have nowhere to SIGHT Leadbeater (ETIC Auckland), representing human rights groups angered by the gov- turn except to Governments like our own New Zealand TeleText, 13 January 1996 ernment’s decision, said New Zealand con- that they hope will have concern for human 8.00pm tinues in a policy of weak-kneed appease- rights.” ment. Foreign Minister McKinnon said it “It is hugely ironic that New Zealand has The International Red Cross has con- was naive to expect asylum to be granted, implicitly acknowledged that Portugal still firmed it is making arrangements for five saying if residency were “granted to anyone has responsibility while at the same time East Timorese holed out in New Zealand’s jumping into the embassy, we’d be flooded continuing to give de facto recognition to the embassy in Indonesia. Chief delegate Henri by people.” Indonesian annexation. The United Nations Fournier says the men will be leaving the Channel Three reported Mr McKinnon regards Portugal as still having legal adminis- embassy in Jakarta within the next two was accused of taking the soft option over trative responsibility for its former colony. days. He says it seems the group had sought the asylum seekers, with trade relations tak- Will New Zealand now recant for refusing to political asylum in New Zealand but came ing precedence over human rights. Mr support the ten United Nations resolutions to a gentlemen’s agreement to accept a new McKinnon said he was satisfied with Red condemning Indonesia’s invasion and occu- life in Portugal instead. Cross plans for safe passage for the five pation of East Timor?” East Timorese, and it was “convenient for For further information: Maire Lead- ETIC AUCKLAND APPEAL S us to have Portugal willing to take them.” beater, 849-3890 or 828-5109(wk) TO NZ GOVERNMENT FOR Civil Liberties spokesman Colin Wilson said The men have been named as: José ASYLUM PLEDGE “He wouldn’t act on an abuse of human Celano de Freitas Soares, Francisco Vicente rights if it leapt up in front of him.” Helen Guterres, Isaac Correia da Silva, Filomena The Sunday Star-Times (Auckland), 14 Todd, who is presently in New Zealand Das Neves and José Soares. January 1996 seeking a government inquiry into the re- cently released findings on the death of her TIMORESE GIVEN SAFE Timor Plea son Kamal Bamadhaj during the 1991 mas- HARBOUR BY PORTUGUESE The Government should offer immediate sacre, was told by Mr McKinnon that any asylum to the five youths who entered the investigation would be one-sided. The New Zealand Herald, 15 January 1996. New Zealand embassy in Jakarta, Auck- Lead story, p.1. by Bernard Orsman land’s East Timor Independence Committee NZ RENEGES ON says. The five, who scaled the 2m-high pe- NZ Govt. defends embassy role rimeter wall around the embassy on Friday, RESPONSIBILITY TO WELLINGTON- Five young East were now in grave danger as a result of their EAST TIMORESE Timorese men holed up in the New Zealand actions, said the group’s spokeswoman ASYLUM SEEKERS Embassy in Jakarta have been talked out of Maire Leadbeater. seeking political asylum in New Zealand and ETIC Press Release, 14 January 1996 have been granted safety in Portugal from New Zealand by refusing to accept the the Indonesian military regime. request of the five young East Timorese The actions of the New Zealand Ambas- sador in Jakarta, Mr Tim Groser, have been Page 124 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. criticised in New Zealand, with the Alliance the Indonesian military to prevent their Together with José Soares arrived Fran- accusing the Government of putting its seeking asylum in embassies.” cisco Vicente Guterres, José de Freitas friendship with President Suharto ahead of The Alliance spokesman on foreign af- Soares, Isaac Correia da Silva and Filomeno any concern for the Timorese people. fairs, Mr Keith Locke, said embassy staff das Neves. All five were students at the The East Timorese Independence Com- should have been more compassionate and University of Dili and would like to con- mittee claimed the five had only recently left invited the five men to settle in New Zea- tinue their studies in Portugal. None of the the East Timor capital of Dili, were in hid- land. youths has family in Portugal, and they will ing, and had “risked all to ask for our help.” But Mr McKinnon said it was “naive to stay in a hostel with other Timorese youths. The five are expected to leave Indonesia say just because people jump into our em- Awaiting the youths at the airport was today or tomorrow for Portugal after scaling bassies they are automatically entitled to the representative of Social Security, and the a two-metre fence at the New Zealand Em- residential status in New Zealand.” coordinator of the Interministerial Commis- bassy about 4pm (New Zealand time) on He said this could lead to “tens, hundreds sion charged with overlooking and improv- Friday. and it could go into the thousands” of peo- ing the living conditions and integration of A total of 43 East Timorese have been ple jumping into New Zealand embassies. the Timorese refugees in Portugal. The two granted refuge in Portugal - the territory’s young women who came from the Austra- former colonial ruler - since last September TIMOR REFUGEES lian embassy Saturday were also awaiting after entering the Dutch, British, Japanese the five. and French embassies. Two East Timorese Publico, 16 January 1996. Translated from flew to political asylum in Portugal on Fri- Portuguese EAST TIMORESE MEN day after two nights in the Australian em- The five Timorese, who took refuge in INJURED INSIDE NZ bassy. the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta were EMBASSY COMPOUND? The Geneva-based International Commit- supposed to fly out of the Indonesian capi- tee for the Red Cross has organised for the tal yesterday, bound for Lisbon via Amster- ETIC Media Release, 17 January 1996 departure to Portugal of all the refugees. It is dam. However, according to the ICRC dele- making arrangements for the five men at the gate, Henri Fournier, in Jakarta, their depar- The East Timor Independence Commit- New Zealand embassy. ture was delayed (because of the weekend). tee has received a report from a Lisbon news The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr The Embassy was closed to the public yes- service that 3 of the 5 young men who en- McKinnon, said last night that the five men terday due to presence of the refugees, but tered the New Zealand Embassy ground on had asked to come to New Zealand but read- an Embassy employee said that the situa- the 13 January were injured while _inside_ ily agreed when another option was put to tion ought to be back to normal today. the Embassy compound, by Indonesian them to go to Portugal. The names of the five young Timorese, guards. The Committee has written to For- “They certainly were not denied point who had originally asked to be granted asy- eign Affairs Minister McKinnon to obtain blank asylum status here[New Zealand].” lum in New Zealand, are: José de Freitas confirmation that this report is accurate and He said there were strong historic links Soares, Francisco Vicente Guterres, Isaac to ask for assistance that the matter will be between Portugal and East Timor and the Correia da Silva, Filomeno das Neves, and appropriately investigated, and dealt with. men were likely to feel more comfortable José Soares. They were all students at the One of the young men arrived with a there than being part of a very small handful University of Dili, before fleeing to Jakarta broken arm strapped to his chest - and of East Timorese in New Zealand where from East Timor in December 1995. graphically described his fears that the In- they undoubtedly would run into language donesians want to ‘kill every Timorese youth.’ difficulties. NEW ZEALAND FIVE Besides, Mr McKinnon said, Portugal We believe that this new information - if still considered East Timor its own territory ARRIVE IN LISBON it is accurate - casts further doubt on the and offers automatic citizenship to anyone assurances given by the Ministry of Foreign translated, abridged, edited from the island. Affairs that they were happy to accept the Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 Lisbon, January 16 (LUSA) - The five option of going to Portugal rather than to and annexed it the following year in a move Timorese youths who entered the grounds New Zealand. If these young men were in not recognised by the United Nations or of the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta ar- physical danger even inside our Embassy Portugal. New Zealand, like most of the rived in Lisbon today. José Soares had his compound how could they make calm and world, recognises the de facto annexa- arm broken, tied to his chest, and reported unpressured decisions? tion.[sic] his arm was broken by Indonesian guards For further information: Maire Lead- A spokeswoman for the East Timor In- inside the embassy grounds. Another youth beater 849-3890 or 828-5109 (day). dependence Committee, Marie Leadbeater, had his wrist broken in the confrontation last night named the five men as José Celano with the Indonesian guards inside the em- LETTER FROM ETIC TO NZ de Freitas Soares, Francisco Vicente Guter- bassy grounds, and yet another was slightly FOREIGN MINISTER res, Isaac Correia da Silva, Filomena Das wounded. José Soares reported that an In- Neves and José Soares. donesian doctor went to provide treatment The 17th January letter from ETIC’s Maire She said the National Council for at the embassy, but they were afraid and Leadbeater to New Zealand Foreign Minis- Maubere Resistance - an umbrella grouping refused treatment. ter Mr McKinnon summarises the injuries to of East Timorese people opposed to Indo- The main objective of their action, ac- the East Timorese in the NZ Embassy as nesian rule - had put details of the five cording to José Soares, was to denounce the reported in LUSA, asking for confirmation men’s asylum bid on the Internet. lies by the Indonesian government relative and finishes: to East Timor and human rights violations in “These young men are all understood to “There is now a clear picture emerging of have left Dili recently and to be part of the the territory. Soares states that the Indone- sians want to “kill every Timorese youth.” five young men who were in a state of great large number of East Timorese youths who fear and apprehension when they were in- are in hiding in Java, intensely pursued by East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 125 terviewed by the New Zealand Ambassador. Foreign Affairs has now altered its ac- friends had wanted to come to New Zea- They were in no fit state to stand up for count of what took place in Jakarta a week land. They still wanted to and hoped they themselves and remind the New Zealand ago, conceding that one of the five East could eventually. Government of its responsibilities to asy- Timorese men might have broken his arm at Mr Guterres said the embassy staff had lum seekers and refugees. the time. treated them well, especially the ambassa- If the reports are true then the New Zea- The head of the South-east Asia division, dor, Mr Tim Groser, and the military atta- land Government owes these young men a Mr Win Cochrane, said he did not know if ché, Colonel Peter Fry. profound apology. There must be urgent the Indonesian military member broke the But after scaling the embassy fence on steps to investigate this matter in full and man’s arm or whether it was injured when Friday last week, they had been told that ensure that in future the New Zealand Em- he scaled the perimeter fence. The intruder New Zealand did not take people seeking bassy compound is a safe place for all who did, however, inflict a head injury on one of political asylum. It would not send them enter it. the men and this had required a stitch. back to Indonesia but would send them to -Maire Leadbeater, for the East Timor The Ambassador, Mr Tim Groser, con- Portugal, which has offered to take an Independence Committee veyed New Zealand’s protest in person to a unlimited number. senior member of the Indonesian Foreign New Zealand paid for the flights. GUARDS INJURED REFUGEES, Affairs Department. Mr Guterres said the five were students REPORTS SAY The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr at the University of East Timor in Dili but The New Zealand Herald, 18 January 1996. McKinnon, said last night that the Indone- they were also part of a Timorese pro- p. 1 by Audrey Young sians were told the entry “was quite unac- independence group. ceptable.” They “just noted it.” In 1994, they had been interrogated by Three of the East Timorese men who The intruder was dressed in plain clothes the Indonesian military every three months. sought asylum in the New Zealand Embassy and rushed into the compound after five But last year it had been every week. in Jakarta last week were injured by Indone- young men scaled the fence - an increasingly Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the Min- sian guards inside the compound, according common occurrence in Western embassies in ister of Foreign Affairs, Mr McKinnon, said to reports received by the East Timor Inde- Jakarta. He was ordered off the premises. it was New Zealand’s policy not to accept pendence Committee. Plain-clothed members of the Indonesian requests for asylum resulting from embassy The five men arrived in Portugal on armed forces are regularly stationed outside occupations. The five men were told that. Tuesday, says a LUSA news service report Western embassies to keep a surveillance on Asked how they could have got asylum, sent to the New Zealand committee. potential fence leapers. she said that was hypothetical because they A committee spokeswoman, Maire Mr McKinnon’s account of the incident, did not persist in pursuing their claim for it. Leadbeater, has asked the Minister of For- made after he received full written reports Mr Gutterres said they had wanted to eign Affairs, Mr McKinnon, to investigate. yesterday, contradicts Mr Cochrane’s ver- walk through the gates legitimately but had “If the reports are true, then the New sion and prompted the Alliance to claim a not because many members of the Indone- Zealand Government owes these young men “hush-up.” sian military were outside and would have a profound apology.” On Wednesday, Mr Cochrane had dis- stopped them. The reports were strongly denied last missed as “unbelievable” and “obviously He said he thought that East Timor was night by a senior Foreign Affairs official. untrue” reports from Portugal that one of not just Portugal’s problem, but an interna- The LUSA report says one of the five ar- the men had arrived in Lisbon with a broken tional one and New Zealand had “a duty to rived in Lisbon with a broken arm strapped arm injured in the compound. receive us, to protect us.” to his chest, another with a broken wrist and It appears the embassy did not supply The asylum-seekers had decided on New a third was “slightly wounded.” Foreign Affairs in Wellington with full de- Zealand because of its record on human The head of the Southeast Asia Division tails until it was questioned by the media rights. of Foreign Affairs, Mr Win Cochrane, said about the Lisbon reports. He cited the New Zealand student Mr last night that the story was untrue. Kamal Bamadhaj, killed in the 1991 Dili But the men were involved in the scuffle EAST TIMORESE ‘JUMPER’ TELLS massacre, as a reason for choosing New Zea- with an Indonesian soldier shortly after they OF BEATING land. “His name is famous in Dili.” entered the embassy. The New Zealand Herald, 20 January 1996. Mr Guterres thought New Zealand’s rea- “But that person was ordered off the by Audrey Young son for refusing entry was that it would cre- embassy grounds and that was the end of it. ate problems between Jakarta and Welling- One of the East Timorese men who “He was not supposed to be there. When ton. jumped into the New Zealand Embassy in these three went over the gates he took it on He said one uniformed Indonesian soldier Jakarta last week seeking asylum says they himself to dash through from the street and 20 in civilian dress had rushed into the were told that New Zealand does not take through the main gates. He was ordered off compound when the five got in. They beat political refugees. the premises and he went.” and kicked them and told them to get out. And he says that some of them were in- The soldiers left as soon as Colonel Fry NZ COMPLAINS OVER EMBASSY jured when about 20 plainclothed members appeared. One of the five Timorese was left FRACAS of the Indonesian military rushed after them with a broken wrist, one a broken hand and into the embassy grounds - not just one sol- The New Zealand Herald, 19 January 1996. one with a head wound. dier, as the embassy has reported. p. 1 by Audrey Young Mr Guterres’ version of events contrasts Mr Francisco Guterres, aged 27, was one with that of Foreign Affairs. Originally, the WELLINGTON - New Zealand has for- of five East Timorese students who were ministry said no one was hurt but it now mally complained to Indonesia about the eventually flown to Portugal this week in- says one man did break his wrist and one intrusion into its embassy grounds of a man, stead of New Zealand. plainclothed Indonesian soldier entered the thought to be an Indonesian soldier, who But speaking to the New Zealand Herald embassy over the fence because the gate was assaulted East Timorese asylum seekers. from Lisbon yesterday, he said he and Page 126 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. closed. A formal protest has been lodged “The Auckland East Timor Independence that New Zealand does not take political with the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. Committee would be pleased to help the refugees when there is an active New Zea- A spokeswoman for the Lisbon group young men to settle in New Zealand and land programme to take refugees from many the Commission for the Rights of the undertakes to work with other human rights other war-ravaged countries? If there is a Maubere People said about 80 East or church groups to sponsor them and pro- policy not to take asylum seekers who enter Timorese men from embassy occupations vide for their needs as refugees.” New Zealand Embassies why was the New had arrived in Portugal since 1993. For further information: Maire Lead- Zealand public not told about this? New beater: +64 9 849-3890 or 828-5109. Zealand must live up to its responsibilities under UN Refugee Conventions.” ETIC URGES GOVERNMENT ETIC/NZ: SUPPORT FOR ASYLUM ACCEPT REFUGEES Further information: Maire Leadbeater IN NZ GROWING 09-8493-890 or wk:828-5109 ETIC Media Release, 21 January 1996 East Timor Independence Committee Media NZ: FIRST CHOICE FOR NEW LIFE Release, 19 January 1996 Support is growing for the five young The Dominion (Wellington daily), 20 Jan. Discussions held with one of the asylum East Timorese men to settle in New Ze a- 1996. by Catriona MacLennan seekers: East Timor Independence land Five East Timorese men who sought asy- Committee urges Government to accept The East Timor Independence Commit- lum in New Zealand’s embassy in Jakarta the five East Timorese asylum seekers tee has had a very positive response from had been pressured to go to Portugal and in New Zealand. approaches to church, student and human still wanted to come to New Zealand, one of The Auckland East Timor Independence rights networks about the situation of the them said last night. Committee believes that the Government five young East Timorese men who entered Speaking from Lisbon, Francisco Gutter- has gravely mishandled the case of the five the New Zealand Embassy. The group has res said he and four others had been told by East Timorese asylum seekers and must had offers of practical help and support New Zealand embassy staff in Jakarta that now make amends by allowing the young with its sponsorship offer by people eager relations with Indonesia would be jeopard- men to come to New Zealand. The Commit- to make amends for their treatment in the ised if they were granted asylum. tee has written to Mr McKinnon and of- New Zealand Embassy and its compound. “They told us (New Zealand) law did not fered to sponsor the five young men and Speaking for the East Timor Independ- permit them to receive people who want to take responsibility for assisting them to set- ence Committee, Maire Leadbeater said “We seek asylum. They refused us because if the tle in New Zealand. are optimistic that the Ministry of Foreign Government of New Zealand received us, it Spokesperson for the Committee, Maire Affairs will offer these men the chance to means that maybe has some influence on Leadbeater said “Early this morning I had settle here, as we requested in a letter to Mr New Zealand and Indonesia.” the privilege to talk by phone call to Lisbon McKinnon on Friday. Contrary to the ear- Mr Gutterres said the men, who were to one of the five, Francisco Vicente Guter- lier impression given by Foreign Affairs students in Dili, had not been able to pursue res who spoke relatively fluent English. He these young men have a strong desire to their studies and had been required to report described again how two of his companions come here and would fit in easily in New to military authorities every three months. were injured inside the Embassy compound Zealand. Portuguese is now little spoken or Last year they had been required to re- by the Indonesian military. Francisco em- even understood among the generation of port weekly, and from September onward phasised, not only that he and his compan- young people who have had to grow up un- they had been hiding from the authorities, ions asked to come to New Zealand, but der Indonesian occupation - whereas some sleeping at different houses. that they still wish to settle here. He told have been able to learn English to a good “We were not free to make dialogue with me that he and his friends look upon New standard. These young men are not Euro- our friends or to study. The military know Zealand as a supporter of human rights and pean - they are Pacific people whose native we are (involved in political) activity in East also that they associate New Zealand with language Tetum has close linguistic similari- Timor and always looked for us. We always Kamal Bamadhaj the young New Zealander ties to Maori. My colleagues in the interna- moved so the military did not find us.” who died in the 1991 Dili massacre. Kamal tional East Timor solidarity movement tell Mr Gutterres said the men had chosen worked for and cared for the East Timorese me that other young East Timorese refugees New Zealand because of its good human people and this is something that they have have had a stressful time learning to cope rights record. not forgotten.” with vast cultural and lifestyle differences as “We know the Government of New Zea- “Following this conversation I have they try to adjust to life in metropolitan land is one nation that defends human rights. growing fears that these young men were Lisbon.” We hope that the New Zealand Government given very little option apart from to accept “No doubt they would face readjust- receive us, but in fact when we enter the the option of a hasty transfer to Portugal. I ments in New Zealand also but I am confi- New Zealand ambassador refuse us. It understand that the young men were told dent that they would receive a very warm makes us a little sad why they did not re- that accepting them in New Zealand would reception here and that New Zealanders ceive us.” harm New Zealand’s relations with Indone- would open their hearts and homes to He said the men had also believed New sia. It also seems that the young men did not them.” Zealanders were concerned about East choose New Zealand arbitrarily - this was a “I have spoken by phone to one of the Timor, because they knew of the death of plan formed over a period of time.” group in Portugal, Francisco Vicente Guter- New Zealander Kamal Bamadhaj in the 1991 “Suggestions from Foreign Affairs that res. The facts about the assault on the Dili massacre. the young men would feel more at home in young men by Indonesian military inside Mr Gutterres said he still hoped to be al- Portugal for cultural and language reasons our Embassy grounds are now becoming lowed to immigrate to New Zealand. “Espe- seem a thin and patronising excuse to avoid clear. However, there remains a mystery cially, if the Government of New Zealand our responsibilities under the relevant about the way in which the young men were will permit us, we want to study there and United Nations Convention relating to refu- talked out of their plan to come to New gees.” Zealand. How could they get an impression East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 127 prepare ourselves for our nation of East land Parliament, the government has imple- in their imaginations and hopes they were in Timor,” he said. mented a policy which is illegal in terms of New Zealand, it said. “We are ready if the Government of New the convention,” he said. Mr Robson said Mr McKinnon had un- Zealand make our passports.” “As the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta dertaken that if a request to come to New East Timor Independence Committee is New Zealand territory the asylum re- Zealand was lodged by the man, it would be spokeswoman Maire Leadbeater said last quests should have been considered. No considered in the normal way. night she had written to Foreign Minister comment was available yesterday from Mr The Alliance would ask for application Don McKinnon offering to sponsor the men McKinnon, but his office earlier issued an fees to be waived, and special consideration and provide accommodation for them in extract from an international law text dealing of the men’s humanitarian situation. New Zealand. with asylum. “We think it would be the height of in- A spokeswoman for Mr McKinnon said It says that asylum is only a temporary famy to say the men were not in danger be- the minister was not aware the men still measure. “Thereafter, the refugee must be cause they were no longer in Indonesia but wanted to come to New Zealand. surrendered to the territorial authorities if in Portugal. Consideration has to be given to “As far as we know, and as far as the they so request,” the book says. their desire to come to New Zealand and embassy reported, they readily agreed to go “It is the head of the mission concerned their humanitarian situation.” to Portugal.” who initially determines whether the cir- A spokeswoman for Mr McKinnon said New Zealand’s ambassador in Jakarta, cumstances are such as to entitle him to the minister had explained to Mr Robson Tim Groser, had not discussed asylum with grant asylum... Even where circumstances and Mr Anderton that New Zealand’s pol- the men. exist in which a right to grant asylum exists, icy was not to offer political asylum to “His staff did, and told them it was a the head of mission is under no legal obliga- people who entered embassy grounds. matter of policy that New Zealand did not tion to exercise that right.” “We still, as far as I know, haven’t re- accept requests for political asylum which Alliance foreign affairs spokesman Keith ceived any request from them to come here arose through occupations of embassies,” Locke has written to Mr McKinnon with an through the usual channels,” she said. she said. Official Information Act request for all The spokeswoman said the men could “Their objective was to get out of Indo- communications between the embassy and still seek political asylum. nesia as quickly as possible. After reflecting ministry on the issue, after conflicts about “The whole aim of doing it from Jakarta on the issue, the five decided of their voli- injuries to the five men and how many In- was to get to somewhere safe, which they tion that they wished to go to Portugal.” donesian soldiers pursued them into the em- now are,” she said. She said reports that 20 Indonesian sol- bassy. “The whole logic behind asking to come diers, rather than one, had stormed the New East Timor Independence Committee to New Zealand was simply that if you Zealand embassy grounds in Jakarta and spokeswoman Maire Leadbeater said jump over [the New Zealand] embassy beaten up the men did not accord with re- church, student and human rights groups in walls, you don’t jump over saying “We ports from embassy staff. New Zealand were keen to sponsor the men. want to go to Portugal.”

ASYLUM REFUSAL FIVE EXPECTED TO ASK FOR MCKINNON ASKED TO GIVE ‘BREACHED LAW’ NZ REFUGE CLEAR ANSWER ABOUT THE The Dominion, 23 January 1996. by Ca- The Dominion, 31 January 1996. by Ca- FIVE ASYLUM SEEKERS triona MacLennan triona MacLennan East Timor Independence Committee Media New Zealand was breaching international Five East Timorese men who sought ref- Release, 31 January 1996 law by not accepting asylum requests aris- uge in the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta The East Timor Independence Commit- ing from embassy occupations, Alliance were expected to apply to come to New tee has written to the Minister of Foreign deputy leader Matt Robson said yesterday. Zealand, Alliance deputy leader Matt Affairs to ask for urgent clarification of the Mr Robson said Alliance MPs would Robson said yesterday. Government’s response to the plea of the seek an urgent meeting with Foreign Minis- Mr Robson and Alliance leader Jim An- five East Timorese asylum seekers to come ter Don McKinnon to clarify the asylum derton met for half an hour with Foreign to New Zealand. policy after the entry of five East Timorese Minister Don McKinnon to discuss the po- The letter is attached. men into the New Zealand embassy in Ja- sition of the men and the conflict over ac- For further information: Maire Lead- karta. counts of their arrival at the embassy. beater 09 849-3890 (day: 828-5109) The men were flown to Portugal after be- The men are now in Portugal but one of ing told New Zealand did not accept asylum them, Francisco Guterres, said from Lisbon Rt Hon Mr D. McKinnon requests resulting from embassy occupa- that they had chosen New Zealand because Minister of Foreign Affairs tions. of its good human rights record and they Parliament Buildings One of them, Francisco Guterres, said still wanted to come here. Wellington from Lisbon on Friday that they still wished A faxed message received yesterday from to come to New Zealand. Mr Guterres acknowledged that New Zea- Dear Mr McKinnon Mr Robson, an special- land could face difficulties with Indonesia, We understand from media reports today ist, said that New Zealand was obliged un- over the position of the men, but said New that there is a possibility that New Zealand der the United Nations Convention on Zealand was known for defending human will agree to accept the five young men who Refugees to consider refugee status for all rights. sought asylum in the New Zealand Embassy who requested it once they were on New The message said they were waiting for in Jakarta. Zealand territory. the New Zealand Government to help them. We have been in touch with the men and “With this blanket policy in force, which Even though their bodies were in Portugal, with their support people in Portugal. The has never been discussed by the New Zea- young men would like to come to New Zea- Page 128 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. land but are already struggling with the task who have interviewed them while they were On Wednesday Foreign Minister Alatas of adjusting to life in Portugal. Since they in an Australian immigration detention reiterated his accusation that Portugal was are very uncertain of the official response of camp, have diagnosed the refugees as suffer- encouraging the Timorese to seek political the New Zealand Government to their situa- ing deep trauma as a result of torture. asylum abroad to discredit Indonesia. tion they are uncertain how to proceed. The In recent weeks, following a sharp dete- Meanwhile, a resident in Dili said some young men sought asylum after military rioration of the situation in East Timor, Timorese had arrived by boat earlier this persecution and they now need some cer- there has been a flood of youths fleeing the week in Darwin. tainty about their immediate future. occupied territory by seeking sanctuary in I enclose part of a statement prepared by foreign embassies in Jakarta, and obtaining INDONESIA CAPTURES 27 EAST one of the five about his views of New Zea- safe passage to Portugal under International TIMORESE BOAT PEOPLE land. We would be very grateful if you Committee of the Red Cross auspices. Since JAKARTA, Nov 22 (Reuter) - Indone- would clarify for us as quickly as possible last September more than 40 young East sian security forces have captured 27 East whether the young men can come to New Timorese have entered the British, Nether- Timorese trying to flee by boat to northern Zealand and what steps they should take in lands, Japanese and French embassies. Australia, security officials in East Timor Portugal. Indonesia cynically accuses the desperate said on Wednesday. One of our Wellington colleagues, Colin fugitives to be seeking ways to get free Lieutenant Saimo (one name) told Iles will be in touch with your office in a travel overseas under false pretences. It also Reuters the Timorese – including women few days to discuss this matter, and ascer- claims to be placing no obstacles to their and children – had been captured off the tain your response. departure. In fact, the opposite is true. This coast, 2,080 km (1,300 miles) east of Ja- Signed week a demonstration by youths in the ser- karta, early on Tuesday. Maire Leadbeater for ETIC vice of the authorities was organised in Ja- “We’ve sent them back to Dili by mili- karta, to insult refuges and call them traitors tary truck,” he said. to the homeland. Foreign observers were The capture coincides with the departure TO AUSTRALIA struck by the intense secret intelligence and on Tuesday of four East Timorese for asy- police presence outside the all the foreign lum in Portugal. In the past two months 43 embassies in which the East Timorese were youths who have sought refuge in embassies TWENTY EAST TIMORESE seeking refuge in Jakarta. in Jakarta. BOAT PEOPLE CAPTURED CNRM expresses its grave fears about Indonesia invaded East Timor almost 20 the safety of the 20 boat people captured years ago and has faced local opposition and CNRM Media Release, 22 Nov. 1995 last Monday. Based on past experience, it international criticism over its hardline rule Sources in Dili inform that on Monday would not be surprising if they have been of the former Portuguese colony. night (20 November) a boat carrying about massacred in cold blood by the Indonesian A priest in the town of Viqueque told 25 East Timorese was detained by Indone- military, aiming to cover up the embarrass- Reuters the boat people had given them- sian military authorities at Be-Aco, Vique- ment of people fleeing the territory. A selves up after being spotted by a naval pa- que, on the eastern end of East Timor. Some credible investigation is required, as a total trol vessel and two military aircraft, which twenty of the boat passengers were denial of this incident by the Indonesian au- had forced them to come ashore at the port attempting to flee the territory, heading for thorities is quite likely. of Beasso, near Viqueque. Darwin in Australia. The group is reported Several other passengers left the boat, to include 13 males, 5 females and 2 young 27 TIMORESE CAPTURED AT SEA which departed Dili on Saturday, as it girls. Names are as yet not available. AP, 22 November 1995, Abridged hugged the East Timor shoreline between The boat left Hera near Dili on Saturday TAPOL Comment: If East Timorese are free Dili and Beasso, he said. 18 November at 19.00 hours, and was to leave the country, why capture these He said the refugees, some of whom had stopped near Be Aco, Viqueque, on Mon- ‘would-be’ refugees] been carrying flags belonging to East day night. The military, reportedly in two Timor’s independence movement, had been helicopters, arrested the passengers, who Dili – Indonesia’s navy has captured 27 interrogated by local military after landing in have disappeared. No report about their East Timorese trying to sail away from their Beasso. capture has been issued by the authorities troubled homeland to seek sanctuary in East Timor police chief Colonel Andreas so far. Australia, officials said Wednesday. Sugianto confirmed their capture. Last June 18 people fled East Timor for A woman civil servant in the East Australia is currently considering Darwin in Australia, and asked for refugee Timorese local government and some chil- whether to grant asylum to 18 East status. Indonesia is exerting strong pressure dren were among those detained in three Timorese who sailed across the 400-mile on the Australian government to refuse the boats intercepted Tuesday by navy patrols, (640-km) wide strait to Australia earlier this request, in an attempt to minimise embar- said a navy official who was contacted in year. rassment. Indonesia claims the refugees have Viqueque. It has ruled out granting political asylum no reason to flee the occupied territory, He said two groups of the would-be refu- to most of some 1,300 East Timorese who where they are treated well, and that their gees were captured in Beassu and Com, have arrived in Australia since August 1994. coastal towns near Viqueque, and the third motives are not legitimate, aiming merely to Some cases are still under review. better their economic prospects. The refu- group was found on a boat near Jako, a tiny gees, in turn, have provided extensive ac- island off the eastern tip of East Timor. counts to the Australian media of the torture In recent weeks, after a number of youths they have been subjected to by the Indone- sneaked into foreign embassies to seek asy- sian military. Australian TV has shown im- lum, the government has repeatedly said ages of the scars on the refugees’ bodies, that East Timorese are free to leave the evidencing torture. Professional counsellors country. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 129

AI URGENT ACTION ON - urging the authorities to clarify the Ministry claimed in November that “all East whereabouts and identities of those de- Timorese” are free to leave if they so desire. CAPTURED BOAT PEOPLE tained; Escape attempt: On 18 November at UA 263/95 Arbitrary detention / Fear of - urging the authorities to release the 19.00 hrs a boat called ‘Tasi Diak’ left Hera, torture group unless they are to be charged with a near Dili, with a load of passengers who AI Index: ASA 21/58/95, 23 Nov. 1995 recognisably criminal offence; hired it claiming to wish to visit the nearby - seeking assurances that they are not be- Indonesian island of Kisar to the east. Their EAST TIMOR At least 20 unnamed ing subjected to any form of torture or ill- intended destination was Australia. The East Timorese treatment in detention; group, including women and children, ar- A group of East Timorese, believed to in- - seeking assurances that they have full rived in Kom, Lautem Regency on 19 No- clude four women and nine children, de- access to lawyers of their own choice and to vember in the morning, where the boat tained as they were attempting to leave East the International Committee of the Red docked. One crew member deserted. Some Timor to seek asylum in Australia, are Cross (ICRC). youth on the boat went to find him, and feared to be at risk of torture and ill- APPEALS TO: were threatened by the local population. treatment in detention. The group have been The boat then left for Tutuala with three reported as carrying East Timorese inde- MILITARY COMMANDER REGION remainder crew members. Near Jaco island pendence flags, an act which could increase IX/UDAYANA: (covers Bali, Lombok, they came across a passenger ship, beached the risk of ill-treatment. Nusa Tenggara and East Timor) the ‘Tasi Diak’ as a security measure, and At least 20 and maybe as many as 27 Maj. Gen. H A Rivai [Salutation: Dear hid for some time. That evening, still at Tu- people, whose identities remain unknown, Major-General] tuala, seven youths among the passengers were arrested by security forces after being Pangdam IX/Udayana fled into the bush. The remaining passengers spotted by a naval boat near Viqueque on Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana continued their journey to Australia on the the night of 20 November 1995. They were Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia high sea. reportedly attempting to travel by boat to Telephone: +62 361 228 095 After leaving East Timor waters late at northern Australia to seek asylum. Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Den- night, they came across four ships which After being questioned by local military pasar, Bali, Indonesia made red and yellow light signals to them. authorities in Viqueque, they are believed to AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE The ‘Tasi Diak’ was overflown by two heli- have been transferred to the East Timorese FOLLOWING: copters, while a submarine approached mak- capital, Dili, in a military vehicle. It is not SECRETARY GENERAL, NATIONAL ing manoeuvres to hinder the boat’s further known whether they are now being detained COMMISSION ON HUMAN progress. Its skipper then changed course in military or police custody. East Timorese RIGHTS: for the south coast of East Timor, claiming that fuel wan water were running out. They Police chief, Andreas Sugianto was reported Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa reached the beach of Be Aco after a further on 22 November as confirming that the Sekretaris Jenderal, Komisi Nasional Hak nine hours, on Tuesday 21 November in the group had been arrested. Azasi Manusia (KOMNAS HAM) morning, where the crew went ashore to Amnesty International is concerned that Jl. Pemuda No. 104 fetch fuel. Questioning of the crew members the group appear to have been arbitrarily Arawamangun by the local military command led to the detained, apparently because they were at- Jakarta Timur, Indonesia tempting to leave East Timor and seek asy- denunciation of the passengers motives, lum. Please send appeals immediately. Please do plus false accusations that they were carry- not send appeals after 7 January 1995. ing the anti integrationist Fretilin flag, that BACKGROUND INFORMATION the group included Falintil guerrillas, and East Timorese suspected of opposing In- NAMES OF BOAT PEOPLE resistance documents. The passengers were donesian rule are frequently subjected to ARRESTED BY arrested and taken to the Viqueque military torture and arbitrary detention. Since Sep- command (KODIM 1630) and subjected to tember, over 200 people have been arbitrar- INDONESIAN MILITARY intense questioning the remainder of the 21 ily detained after rioting broke out in Dili November and the following night, during From ETCHRIET (East Timor Centre for and other towns, most of whom were re- which time they were deprived of any food Human Rights Information, Education and leased without charge. Most of the detainees and drink. On 22 November, the detainees Training), 26 November 1995 were released without charge, but many were taken to Baucau and then to Dili. Six claimed to have been tortured or beaten Background: The situation in East Timor youths and six children were taken in a mili- while in detention. has been reported to be seriously deteriorat- tary truck of the battalion 4610 (plate DF In recent months, greater numbers of East ing in recent months, since the appointment 5874). A group of married couples was Timorese have sought asylum mainly by of Col. M. Simbolon as the head of the local taken in a Hino vehicle of the Viqueque mili- entering foreign embassies in Jakarta. An- Indonesian occupation forces. One of the tary command KODIM 1630 (plate DF other group of 18 is seeking asylum in Aus- consequences has been a spate of refugees 3136). tralia after travelling from East Timor by fleeing the territory. Some 43 East Timorese List of detained: Due to security reasons boat. The group claim to have suffered tor- youths have sought refuge in foreign embas- it has been impossible to obtain a complete ture and political imprisonment in East sies in Jakarta, more than one thousand have list with all personal details of the detained Timor. entered Australia as tourists, seeking refugee passengers of the ‘Tasi Diak’ boat. The fol- RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send status after arrival. In May, 18 people, in- lowing names have been provided by credi- Please telephone or send tele- cluding a baby, arrived in the Australian city ble sources in East Timor: grams/express/airmail letters in Bahasa of Darwin, the closest foreign point to East 1. Domingos Savio Correia (Tirilolo, Bau- Indonesia or English or your own lan- Timor. Faced with the highly embarrassing cau), guage: publicity about the Jakarta foreign embassy 2. Ivo Correia (brother of above) refuge requests, the Indonesian Foreign Page 130 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

3. Maria Auxiliadora Amelia Alves (Vila JAKARTA ROW BREWS AS would face persecution if they returned to Verde, Dili) East Timor will further strain diplomatic 4. Atanasio da Luz, (Bemori, Dili) EAST TIMORESE WIN ties with Jakarta. 5. Maria Teresa Ribeiro (Bemori, Dili) ASYLUM It comes only a day after the Govern- 6. José Maria da Costa (Baucau) ment ordered an independent inquiry into 7. Filomena de Araujo (Motael, Dili) The Australian, December 1 1995, By Maria the deaths of 6 Australian-based journalists 8. Celestino da Silva Barros (Motael, Dili) Ceresa & Cameron Stewart 9. Zulmira de Araujo (Vila Verde, Dili) in East Timor 20 years ago. The inquiry will 10. Alexandre(?) de Jesus (Vila Verde, Dili) Comment: earlier articles in the Sydney examine recent claims by East Timorese liv- 11. José Aniceto Nunes (Vila Verde, Dili) Morning Herald pointed out that different ing in Australia and in Portugal that Indone- 12. Raimundo de Jesus (Motael, Dili) members of Refugee Review Tribunal have sian troops murdered the journalists - a 13. Alvaro Castro de Jesus (Vila-Verde, Dili) taken different positions on the Portuguese claim denied by Jakarta. 14. Paulino Gama(?) (Vila Verde, Dili) nationality issue this year. So it might be that The investigation, which has no specific 15. Domingos Gomes (Quintal Mascarenhas, other members hearing later cases might terms of reference, will take private evidence Dili) take different positions. between February and May next year from 16. Adelino de Araujo Verdial (as above) Relations between Australia & Indonesia people claiming to have new evidence relat- 17. Maria Fatima Pereira (Vila-Verde, Dili) ing to the deaths in Balibo. 18. Luis Pereira Soares (Vila-Verde, Dili) suffered a further setback yesterday when Although the Government had effectively 19. José Caetano Simoes (Baucau) the Refugee Review Tribunal granted asy- 20. Jaimito de Carvalho (Motael, Dili) lum to a family of 8 on the grounds that avoided having a Senate or judicial inquiry 21. Carmen Corte-Real (Quintal Mascarenhas, they would face grave danger of persecution forced by the Democrats, the decision to Dili) if they returned. have an investigation is believed to be aimed 22. Arsenio Corte-Real (brother of above) Indonesia has previously warned that at the East Timorese community and its 23. Amelia Alves (Vila-Verde, Dili) Australia should reject asylum claims from supporters in Australia. 24. Domingos Alves (Vila-Verde, Dili) East Timorese because it says that they face 25. Ameu (Baucau, Dili resident) no danger of persecution in East Timor and EAST TIMORESE TO FAC E 26. Agostinho (Viqueque, Dili resident) 27. Americo (Manatuto, Dili resident) so do not qualify as refugees. TRIAL OVER ESCAPE This list does not include the names of: The Federal Government has attempted ATTEMPT 1. The pilot who deserted at Kom-Lautem; to sidestep a diplomatic row with Jakarta by advising the independent Refugee Re- JAKARTA, Dec 1 (Reuter) - Indonesia 2. The seven youngters who escaped to the view Tribunal that many East Timorese will try three members of a group of 27 East bush in Tutuala; could not be granted asylum in Australia Timorese who tried to flee the troubled ter- 3. Three children. because they were Portuguese nationals and ritory for northern Australia by fishing boat Note: Carmen Corte-Real ( N-21) is the should seek protection from Portugal. last week, East Timor’s police chief said on wife of one of the boat people who reached The tribunal accepted the Government’s Friday. Australia last May. She was with her 10 argument but in this case ruled that because “The three men will be tried on charges month old son, Arsenio. one family member - a 3 year old girl - was of cheating and threats,” Colonel Andreas Action requested: Based on past experi- born in Jakarta not East Timor she had no Sugianto said by telephone from Dili, capital ence, and on the intense hostility shown by automatic access to Portuguese nationality. of East Timor. He gave no other details. Indonesian authorities towards East Therefore to keep the family together, refu- According to Indonesian law, cheating Timorese who shame the Indonesian regime gee status in Australia was granted to all and threats carry a maximum jail term of by fleeing abroad, it can be expected that the eight members of the family. nine years. detainees will face severe punishment. We The tribunal found that one of the family The 27 East Timorese were captured on ask for everything possible to be done to members had been at the Santa Cruz ceme- November 21 off the coast, 2,080 km (1,300 protect these people. The contradiction be- tery during the 1991 Dili massacre and the miles) east of Jakarta, after being spotted by tween the treatment they are receiving, and family’s action in harboring a 17 year old a naval patrol vessel and two military air- the recent claims by the Indonesian Foreign man placed it ‘in grave danger of political craft. Minsitry that no obstacles will be placed in persecution in East Timor.’ Sugianto said the people, including the way of East Timorese wishing to leave, But acceptance of the Government’s ad- women and children, rented the boat for a need to be highlighted. vice by the tribunal on the key question of journey to West Timor but the three men nationality is likely to lead the tribunal to forced the crew to change course for north- reject sanctuary in Australia for many of the ern Australia. 1350 East Timorese asylum seekers because “We have released 24 people but still are under the international refugee convention questioning the three who are accused of they can seek protection from Portugal. being the leaders,” Sugianto said. However the tribunal and the Federal The incident coincided with the departure Government argue that each of the 64 cases of four East Timorese for asylum in Portu- involving East Timorese yet to be reviewed gal. Forty-three East Timorese have sought will be considered on a case by case basis. refuge in foreign embassies in the past two A spokesman for the Minister of Immi- months. gration, Senator Bolkus, and the Minister Australia is considering whether to grant for Foreign Affairs, Senator Evans declined asylum to 18 East Timorese who sailed last night to comment on the ramifications across the 400-mile (640-km) strait earlier of the tribunal’s decision. this year. The tribunal’s public acceptance of Canberra has ruled out granting political claims by the East Timorese that they asylum to some 1,300 East Timorese who East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 131 have arrived in Australia since August 1994. tralia because they were afraid of persecu- donesian military (ABRI) and his head was Some cases are still under review. tion and death threat perpetrated by the In- cut off. It was exhibited in 4 villages, and Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 donesian army. then hung at a sports field. All villagers were and annexed it the following year in a move The Indonesian embassy argues that forced to look at it and threatened to have not recognised by the United Nations. those people went to KISAR for a tradi- their heads cut of if they opposed ABRI. tional ceremony. As a Timorese I would like The head was then burned in public, while INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT to say that it was a pure lie. We never had blood still streamed out through the neck. ON BOAT ASYLUM-SEEKERS any particular relationship with the people At 18 I joined a clandestine organisation, of Kisar. If we look at the names of the mainly involved in fundraising for the Falin- From Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, people who were arrested on the boat they til resistance. I worked in the preparation of Dec. 27. came from different areas, from the East and a demonstration for the visit of a Portuguese the South of East Timor. They have no fam- Parliamentary delegation in 1991, and was at Incident in East Timor ily ties whatsoever. How could it possible the Santa Cruz cemetery on 12 November. I Introduction for such a heterogenic group to celebrate a saw ABRI murder people and rape women, traditional ceremony. In East Timor, tradi- many of which had to flee home naked. Following is an official explanation of the tional ceremony often celebrate within a Indonesian military behave like animals, Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C. community that shares the same tradition not like people. on the November 19, 1995 incident in which and belief. I signed a petition for the International several East Timorese hijacked a boat and Women’s Conference in Beijing in Septem- tried to force the crew to sail to Australia. TWO EAST TIMORESE ber 1995, and am still active in resistance –– WOMEN SEEK ASYLUM work. In the morning of November 18, a group ODILIA VICTOR, 25: of East Timorese chartered a boat named IN AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY Born 28 July 1970, resident of Bairro “Tasi Diak” with the aim of going to the CNRM Media Release, 11 January Pite Dili, daughter of Orlando Victor and island of Keiser to perform a traditional Maria A Vieras. High School graduate. ceremony. At approximately 9.00 in the On 10 January 1995, two young East I was 5 years of age at the time of the in- evening, one of the passengers forced the Timorese women, Maria T. Sarmento and vasion. I remember troops parachuting and crew of the boat not to anchor at KEISER Odilia Victor entered the Australian Em- mortars shelling Dili. We did not flee as my but rather sail straight to Australia. bassy in Jakarta to seek asylum. The sharp older sister was pregnant. When the boat reached the island of escalation of Indonesian military repression In 1978 my father was arrested and ac- Beno, it hit a reef, and two of the crew against East Timorese in the last few cused of helping the Falintil. He was taken members, named Francisco Freitas (age :31 ) months, prompted the two women plus a to the Tropical hotel where people were and Beri Almeida (age: 17) were able to flee this friend -who was unable to make it into detained and tortured in many forms includ- the boat. Five of the passengers chased and the embassy- to flee East Timor and seek ing with hot water. Our family fell upon tried to capture them. Nevertheless the two security overseas. They initially had hard times, we had no food or milk. One crew members were able to reach the nearest planned to enter the Australian Embassy week after my father’s detention, ABRI village and members of the community re- last December, but conditions at the time members came and forced my older sisters ported the incident to the local authorities. made it impossible for them to carry out to satisfy their sexual desires, as a way to On November 19, the authorities were able their plans. At that time they made a video get father released. One sister got pregnant to apprehend four of the five while one got taped interview for distribution overseas in as a result. Her son is now in Dili. away. At 9.30 p.m., local security officers which they refer, from personal experience, In 1979 father was freed, yet for several were able to detain the boat and its passen- to the brutality of the Indonesian military years our sister was forced to continue serv- gers for further investigation as it docked to occupation forces against the East Timorese ing the Indonesian soldiers. Therefore I load provisions at the island of Beaco population. This includes widespread tor- started hating the Indonesians. I joined the Viqueque . During the detention, they are ture and the common practice of rape of 12 November protests and helped make well treated and their rights under the law women. banners. I felt frightened that I may be sub- are protected. Following is an abridged translation (from ject to the same fate as my sisters. Yet I also The detention was based on the fact that Bahasa Indonesia) of the personal data they felt a strong calling in my heart to fight for they have taken hostage of the boat’s crew provided in late November. the freedom of East Timor. members and forced them to sail to Austra- MARIA TRANSFIGURACAO DE JESUS When we entered Santa Cruz, ABRI lia. This case is a purely criminal matter and (23): started shooting at us. With some friends we is being processed in accordance with the Born 6 August 1972, resident of Vila were able to jump over the back fence and prevailing laws of Indonesia. Verde Dili. Daughter of Bernardo Carvalho run away to safety. We heard from friends Sincerely, and Ermelinda Jesus. High School graduate, about the rapes and killings at the cemetery Aleida M. Palenewen working as an administration clerk. I lost my that followed. Attaché, Press & Information two older brothers when Indonesia invaded. I then joined OPMT (Organisation for Comment from Constâncio Pinto y father was arrested and tortured for the Timorese Woman), and raised funds for The explanation provided by the Indone- months, until he fled the prison. We then Falintil and assisted East Timorese youths sian embassy regarding the East Timorese fled to Viqueque where we lived in 1976-77. in danger from the military. boat people is purely fabricated by the In- We then fled to the bush, and were captured Since the Ninja attacks of early 1995 the donesian government to deceive the Interna- in 1979 and returned to Viqueque where we Indonesian military Intelligence (SGI) have tional community opinion. lived until 1984, then moving to Dili. my photograph, and I fear persecution. I It is unquestionable that those Timorese In 1983 I witnessed a horrifying incident. hope to continue the struggle for our free- boat people were trying to escape to Aus- A Falintil guerrilla was captured by the In- dom. Page 132 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

TRANSCRIPT OF VIDEO INTERVIEW A few of our women friends were raped Many East Timorese women are used WITH THREE YOUNG EAST in the little shelter in the cemetery that day. held to ransom to get the men to surrender TIMORESE WOMEN SEEKING Over 15 of them died there, and others like their struggle. ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIA us managed to flee, wearing only our under- Many East Timorese women are forced (Interviews conducted in Jakarta late No- wear. to become pregnant by the occupiers. Many vember 1995. The women originally planned In 1975, we were only 5 years old, but East Timorese women are made to give birth to enter the embassy in early December 95, already we had begun to learn the meaning to children whose father is uncertain. Many but this was impossible at the time). Two of of suffering. East Timorese women have been forced into the women (Maria Transfiguração Sarmento (Maria) prostitution after being forced to lose their virginity. Many East Timorese mothers are and Odilia Victor) have entered the Austra- The clandestine women’s organisation forced to helplessly witness the rape of lian Embassy in Jakarta on 10 January 1996 we’re involved in has the objective of assist- their daughters. Many East Timorese seeking asylum in Australia. The other one ing the resistance with money, clothing, women hear powerlessly about the arrests, was unable to make it into the embassy and medicine etc. is currently in hiding. torture, and murder of their beloved fathers, husbands, and children. (First woman) STATEMENT BY THE WOMEN IN AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY In our national resistance movement What brought us here to Jakarta was the women have an important involvement side fact that our lives and well-being are con- From CNRM, 12 January (abridged and by side with the men. We are deeply in- stantly under threat in East Timor due to edited translation of original) volved because we are certain that we shall our involvement in the clandestine front. To all governments respectful of human win. They always follow us everywhere. If we rights, We ask all governments who respect hu- go to church, they follow us to see if there’s to all non-government organisations de- man rights, non government organisations a meeting of the resistance going on there. fending human and women’s rights, and women in the world to condemn the Particularly for women, life is unbearable in to all women, invasion of East Timor by the dictatorial East Timor. In the name of the women of East Timor regime of Indonesia, and issue the following On 12 November 1991 I was one of the we send this appeal to you and inform you demands: women who participated in the pro- of the violations of the human rights which 1. That a United Nations organised refer- independence demonstration. At the time, I have befallen us for the last 20 years. endum is held in East Timor. was carrying a poster with Xanana’s picture We begin by thanking you deeply for 2. The withdrawal of all Indonesian mili- on it. As I passed in front of the Kodim your support for our appeal for a better fu- tary troops and their equipment from East (district military command) headquarters, ture for the women of East Timor, and the Timor. the soldiers called out to me to stop. They right of self determination of our beloved 3. The sending of an international peace chased after me because I wouldn’t stop. East Timorese nation. keeping force to the territory. They beat me. There were about six of them We state in all honesty that for the last 4. Freedom for all East Timorese political who attacked me with knives and weapons, 20 years since the 7 December 1975 inva- prisoners since 1975, and the highest Leader after they had ripped the poster out of my sion, the women of East Timor have en- of the East Timorese Resistance Xanana hands. They shouted at me “you’re a bad dured suffering, oppression, torture, rape, Gusmão, so that inter Timorese meetings girl” and stripped me of my clothes. I man- and murder from the Indonesian military may acquire a true relevance. aged to run away and a friend of mine gave occupiers. As is well known, in the last few 5. Respect for the Catholic Church of me a banner she was carrying to cover my months the situation has sharply deterio- East Timor. body. Although I was covered with blood rated, causing many young East Timorese to We ask for pressure the Australian Gov- and wore only the banner on my body, I flee their homeland and seek the protection ernment to accept our request for political continued with the procession to the St of embassies of foreign countries in Jakarta. asylum. Cruz cemetery. We reached the cemetery at The same applies to us. We are the first We write this letter for publication about 8 am. Then the police and army ar- East Timorese women to come to a foreign throughout the world. The human rights vio- rived and started shooting. There were many embassy to seek protection from mental and lations taking place in East Timor should be victims. physical intimidation. We also put forward internationally condemned. We were rounded up, all of us women, a set of demands and appeal to all govern- We ask all governments respectful of inside the little shelter inside the cemetery. ments respectful of human rights, all non- human rights, all non-government organisa- The soldiers fired some shots and cried out government organisations, women’s organi- tions defending human and women’s rights, “Stay where you are! Don’t move!.” All of sations, and women in particular, that the and all women of the world to forward this the women were ordered to close our eyes. time has come to defend the value the dig- letter to all people who are concerned about We obeyed them. Then they ordered us to nity, status, and honour of the women of human rights violations taking place in East undress down to our underwear, and they East Timor, and defend the human rights Timor, and support the right of self deter- began to touch and grope our bodies. I was enshrined in the Universal Declaration of mination of the East Timorese people. only wearing the banner covered with my Human Rights of the United Nations. Our struggle will continue on all fronts. own blood. Some of the women were raped, For the last 20 years thousands of East Long live the women of East Timor but we managed to flee and to seek protec- Timorese women have lost fathers, hus- Long Live East Timor. tion in the homes of the people in the sur- bands, brothers and their beloved children, 20 December 1995 rounding area. They gave us clothes. Many who have died as martyrs for the defence of signed by Maria Transfiguração Sarmento of the women had been shot and were badly their homeland in the face of the brutality of and Odilia Victor. injured. They couldn’t run away, so they the Indonesian military. were raped by the soldiers ...... Many East Timorese women are raped in (Maria) their homes, on the street, in prisons, in the villages and in the bush. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 133

AUSTRALIA TO STUDY EAST Odila Victor would be at risk if they were treatment and at one stage were forced to forced to return to their homes in Dili. He drink water from the toilet in the Embassy TIMORESE WOMEN’S said that Ms Sarmento had been wounded in to cope wit hunger. They were not given DEMAND, MINISTER the leg during the 1991 Dili massacre and food for close to 24 hours. Embassy offi- both women had since been subject to har- cials attempted to get them to leave the ANTARA, Via Indonesian Embassy in US, assment by Indonesian troops. But he ac- compound by a variety of ruses. Finally, the 11 January. knowledged that their action was also de- Australian Government called upon the In- Canberra - Australian Foreign Minister signed to highlight the ‘hypocrisy’ of the ternational Committee of the Red Cross Ad-interim Senator Bob McMullan on Australian Govt’s recognition of Indonesia’s (ICRC) to sponsor the women’s move to Thursday here said his government would sovereignty over East Timor and to capture Lisbon. Enquiries indicate that neither the study the demand of the two East Timorese public attention in Australia. Portuguese Government which agreed to women to live in Australia. Ms Sarmento & Ms Odila have remained accept the women nor the ICRC were told In his brief statement to the press, he inside the embassy since they entered the the women had specifically sought asylum said that the two women’s demand to live in building shortly after 11am on Wednesday. in Australia. Australia would be handled properly in line Government officials confirmed that the Mr. Collaery said Australia has either with the Australian laws. women stayed overnight on Wednesday in sponsored or joined in the making of numer- McMullan is also Australia’s Minister the company of a female embassy officer. ous international agreements dealing with for Trade. the rules of international law on asylum. The two East Timorese women, identi- ASYLUM SEEKERS FLEE A “The legal principles to which Australia fied as Maria Guracho Sarmento (23) and CONSTANT THREAT OF adheres in conference are entirely different Odilia Victor (25), both residents of Dili, from those which it applies in practice. entered the Australian embassy in Jakarta at RAPE There has long been a tradition highly devel- about lunch time on Wednesday “seeking oped in some areas of the world, such as in Sydney Morning Herald, Jan 12 1996 - for political asylum.” Latin America, where the grant of asylum summarized. By Tony Wright, political cor- In the “The Australian” newspaper here by one state does not imply an unfriendly respondent on Thursday, it said that the incident is put- act to another. Successive Australian Gov- ting the country in an “awkward position” Australian Democrat’s spokesman, Sena- ernments have shown a gutless approach on since the Keating administration is presently tor Sid Splindler, said that Australia should this issue. For many years countries such as processing the other cases of the East grant asylum to show the world that it had Austria, Italy, Canada, United States, Swe- Timorese who will be sent to Portugal. not forsaken human rights principles. It is den and Norway maintained effective trade understood that the two women have sought and diplomatic relations with countries from ASYLUM FOR TIMORESE asylum because women in East Timor live where asylum seekers had fled. Australia’s under constant threat of rape. UNLIKELY pride in it’s treatment of asylum seekers is Opposition spokesman, Mr Alexander misplace. It has a miserable and hypocritical The Australian, Jan 12, 1996. By Don Downer, said the women should be proc- approach to those who truly seek asylum. Greenlees essed as other asylum seekers are. This has Two young women anxious to protect already been promised by the Acting Minis- themselves and to speak of the plight, par- The Australian Government is almost ter for Foreign Affairs, Senator McMullan. ticularly of women in East Timor, where certain to reject an application for asylum Indonesia’s Ambassador at Large on East rape, torture, infant mortality and other hu- by two East Timorese women who have Timorese issues, Mr Lopes da Cruz, said man rights abuses deserve condemnation, taken refuge in the Australian Embassy in the asylum seekers were free to go wherever were treated like a nuisance. We call for a Jakarta but may still consider granting them they wished. full and independent enquiry into the treat- refugee status. ment of Maria Sarmento and Odilia Victor. Embassy officials have raised the cases TWO TIMORESE WOMEN We also seek an immediate response from with the ICRC which has helped settle the MISTREATED BY AUSTRALIA the International Committee of the Red fate of other East Timorese who entered Cross as to Senator McMullan’s claim that embassies in Jakarta in recent months. De- East Timor Relief Association (AUSTRALIA) the women had not first asked to go to Aus- spite pleas from federal MPs and East media release, 22 January 1996 tralia. Timorese activists yesterday to grant the women asylum, senior government sources Bernard Collaery, General Legal Counsel Editor’s note: suggested that such an outcome was im- to the East Timor Relief Association said Benard Collaery acted as Chairman of the probable. Although Australia has a large today that an investigation into the treat- Federal Government’s Refugee Determining humanitarian refugee program, asylum has ment by the Australian Government of two body in the 1980’s. In 1983 he completed a only been granted on three occasions (to East Timorese women asylum seekers who documentary examination of Australia’s Russian defectors Vladimir & Evodkia Pet- entered the Australian Embassy at Jakarta asylum practices, the report of which was rov in 1954 and ballerina Heidi Gerche in on January 10, 1996 was continuing, classified secret and never released. He was 1980). “On January 11 January 1996 Acting A.C.T. Attorney General 1989/91. A hand- If the East Timorese women were to gain Foreign Minister, Senator Bob McMullan written statement by the women in Tetum entry to Australia, it would more likely be said that the women had not sought political and translation is attached. as refugees. However Australia maintains asylum in Australia and were going that other would-be East Timorese refugees voluntarily to Portugal. Enquiries of the SUPPORT GROUP CLAIMS WOMEN are eligible for Portuguese nationality and women in Lisbon indicate that both women ILL-TREATED AT AUST EMBASSY therefore may not be accepted by Australia. asked for political asylum in Australia CANBERRA, Jan 23 AAP - Two East In Darwin, Mr José Gusmão, spokesman (using the words suaka politik in Bahasa Timorese women seeking asylum at the for CNRM, argued that Maria Sarmento and Indonesia). Instead they were denied food Australian Embassy in Jakarta were forced and proper treatment and at one stage were Page 134 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. to drink from a toilet to quench their thirst He said the women had entered the em- they claimed was for a trip to a nearby is- and stop hunger pains, an East Timorese bassy “seeking protection and asylum.” land. support group has claimed. “Australia was mentioned and they were East Timor Relief Association general then allowed to stay in embassy premises HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION counsel Bernard Collaery also claimed Aus- while resolution of situation was reached.” SHARPLY DETERIORATING tralian officials had not informed the Portu- They had been advised of their options and ET HR Centre Urgent action appeal No. 4, guese government or the International embassy staff had discussed the situation Jan 27, 1996 Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that with the ICRC and other relevant bodies the women had sought asylum in Australia. including the Portuguese government. The 1. Arrest by Indonesian military of 25 He told ABC’s AM program today that Indonesian government had also been kept East Timorese youths attempting to flee by the women had used the precise words informed. boat to Australia. needed to claim political asylum and were “During their discussions with the em- Background: A sharply deteriorating hu- left in great anxiety and doubt for 24 hours. bassy the women volunteered their prepar- man rights situation has been noticeable in “They state that they received no food edness to go to Portugal. They weren’t recent months in the territory of East for close to 24 hours. They took water from forced or coerced into choosing Portugal,” Timor, under illegal Indonesian military oc- the embassy toilet to drink to allay their the spokesman said. cupation. Increased military harassment of hunger pains and they were left in a circum- It is understood that no East Timorese the urban civilian population, particularly stance that doesn’t give any credit to an who have sought asylum at Australian and young people suspected of clandestine anti- Australian Embassy,” he said. other embassies in Indonesia have been Indonesian activities has prompted large He understood embassy officials had of- granted political asylum. numbers of youths to seek to flee the terri- fered to feed the women outside the em- ICRC head in Indonesia, Henri Fournier, tory by any means. Many have gone to Ja- bassy. confirmed today the Red Cross had been karta, where over 50 have entered foreign “They were invited to go downtown as it alerted about the women who had seemed diplomatic missions to seek asylum. They were. They were invited to go back to East happy to travel to Portugal. have left for Portugal under ICRC auspices. Timor with an official,” he said. “I believe that these two women were at Others have attempted to flee by sea to the “Clearly the embassy attempted by a va- the time very happy to go to Portugal,” Mr nearby Australian city of Darwin. Two such riety of means to get the women to leave the Fournier told ABC’s AM program. attempts are publicly known to have taken embassy compound. This is a gutless, “They in fact signed a letter acknowledg- place in recent months. In May a group of hypocritical approach to a protection re- ing they were voluntarily leaving the em- 18 people was successful, while in Novem- quest.” He called for an independent inquiry bassy for Portugal under the auspices of the ber 25 people failed in their attempts, and into the treatment of the women, Maria Red Cross.” were seized by the Indonesian military, and Sarmento and Odilia Victor during their time He said he could not answer for officials subjected to severe mistreatment. Mean- at the embassy a fortnight ago. at the embassy on the issue of whether the while, both Indonesian President Suharto But the ICRC said today it had been in- women had received adequate food and and his Foreign Minister Alatas, faced with formed of the asylum request and that the drinking water. the embarrassment of the flight of East women had been told, and had accepted, “But as far as I am concerned I would Timorese from the annexed territory, have that a faster way to leave Indonesia was to say that I am pretty much shocked at this made public claims that all East Timorese go to Portugal. kind of statement. I don’t want to elaborate are free to leave if they so desire, even sug- And the Department of Foreign Affairs I am just telling you that I am shocked by gesting their departure is welcome if they and Trade has denied the women were ill- this statement,” he said. He said like many are unhappy under Indonesian rule. treated. other governments concerned with the issue At the same time, harassment of East In a statement issued by the East Timor of asylum seekers, Australia had dealt prop- Timorese villages by the large numbers of Relief Association the women are quoted as erly with the issue. military in the territory continues, as two saying they went almost a day before being reports illustrate. given food. 25 ARRESTED ON BOAT TO Baucau boat flight “When we asked where can we get water AUSTRALIA The latest group to be known to have at- to drink, they told us to drink from the toi- tempted to flee East Timor consists of let,” the statement says. translated, edited twenty five mostly very young high school “On the night of the 10th, all night long, youths (aged 15 to 21years), including they punish us by not giving us any food. Lisbon, Jan 23 (LUSA) - The Indonesian authorities detained Saturday 25 Timorese women, who had left Baucau on Friday 19 “We kept on drinking water from the toi- January in a fishing boat. They were inter- let to help us cope with hunger.” youths, preventing their escape by boat to Australia, Adalberto Alves, of the Timorese cepted by members of the Indonesian But a DFAT spokesman said they were Armed Forces at Tutuala East Timor on 20 treated humanely. resistance in Portugal, told LUSA today. Citing resistance sources, Alves said January while attempting to travel from “They were fed and had a female em- Baucau to Darwin in Australia. bassy officer in attendance throughout and some of the youths are detained in Baucau, although most of them were taken to Dili by According to an eyewitness report, the were granted access to toilet facilities in the helicopter for interrogation. detained were taken to Dili by Indonesian public area,” he said. military from Lospalos at 14.00 hrs on He denied the women had been forced to The youths range from 15 to 21 in age, and include five girls. The 25 left Baucau on Monday 22 January. They were tied up and drink water from the toilet. showed signs of torture. “No-one has any idea where that came the 19th and were detained by the coast pa- trol the next day. A name list of the detained follows: from,” he said. 1. Zeferino do Rosario de Sa, student, from “The embassy staff at no time threatened Alves stated that the youths used suborn Dei-U, Baucau nor had any intention of evicting the women of a boat guard of the Baucau District Mili- 2. Alfredo Freitas Belo, 20, student, Buto- from the embassy.” tary Command to obtain the boat, which Falo, Laga. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 135

3. José da Costa Belo, 17, student, Laga the safety of the 25 youths attempting to 4. Januario A. Soares, former student, Dei- escape by boat. TO POLAND Uake, Baucau Similarly, the three people detained at 5. Filomeno da Costa, student, Dei-Uake, Leguidoe can be expected to be subjected to Baucau. 12 EAST TIMORESE IN 6. Lito da Silva, student, Dei-Uake, Baucau. continuing mistreatment. 7. Saturnino Gama, 17, studen,t Laga. The East Timor Human Rights Centre POLISH EMBASSY 8. Antonio Freitas,17, student, Laga. requests all recipients of this appeal to ur- 9. Adriano Cipriano da Silva,Buruma / Bau- gently make any appropriate representa- translated, edited cau. tions to Indonesian authorities to ensure Jakarta, Jan 25 (LUSA) - Twelve East 10. Simao Ribeiro, Central Baucau. that these victims of the Indonesian military Timorese youths entered the Polish em- 11. Alito da Silva, Buruma / Baucau. are not harmed further, are immediately re- bassy in Jakarta at noon time today, having 12. Nelio Nascimento Esteves,student, Cen- leased, and that no reprisals are subse- climbed a tree and jumped over the embassy tral Baucau. quently taken against themselves or their walls at a time when a single security guard 13. José Agusto de Carvalho,student, Bahu families. Baucau. was at the gate. 14. João Zacarias, student, Uai-Tama / Polish diplomat Jacek Grabowski said Quelica. TIMOR ARRESTS: ALATAS the twelve were interviewed and all of them 15. Zeca da Costa, 22, Flamboyan / Baucau. SLAMMED requested political asylum, however he re- 16. João Brito Gama, 17 student, Uatalae/ fused to say how the matter is to be dealt Laga. Northern Territory News, 25th Jan 96. By with. 17. Tome Aparicio Gama, 22, student, Laga. Geraldine Green ------18. Aggostinho da Costa, Kota Baru / Baucau. 19. Marcos da Silva ( shi’ps captain ), Bu- East Timorese activists yesterday ac- Jakarta, Jan 26 (LUSA) - The Polish em- ruma/Baucau. cused Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali bassy in Jakarta today contacted the Inter- 20. Norberto da Costa, Baucau. Alatas of hypocrisy following the arrest of national Committee of the Red Cross 21. Sonia da Silva Soares,18, student, Tirilolo 25 East Timorese who tried to leave the ter- (ICRC), concerning the 12 East Timorese / Baucau. ritory. youths who entered the embassy Thursday, 22. Maria Teresa Ximenes, Uai-Lili Fatumaca Darwin-based Australians for A Free spokesperson Jacek Grabowsky announced. / Baucau. East Timor president, Rob Wesley-Smith Grabowsky said the ICRC was in indirect 23. Albertina X. da Costa, studant, Bau-Oli /Bahu /Baucau. made the comments following the arrests by contact with Lisbon concerning the condi- 24. Isaura Belo, student, Uai-Lili /Fatumaca Indonesian authorities, of the East Timorese tion of the 12. /Baucau. when they tried to leave the territory on a Grabowsky said the twelve presented a 25. Maria Evangelina, student, Canossian Sis- boat bound for Australia. written request for asylum in Poland, but he ters College, Baucau. Lisbon pro-resistance leader Adalberto revealed nothing more. East Timorese Clandestine Resistance Alves said the East Timorese, aged between Grabowsky said the youths spent the sources reported the following incidents at 15 and 21, left the town of Baucau last Fri- night in the embassy’s reception room and Leguidoe: day and were arrested on Saturday by a were provided food and drink. “They are all A) Capture and detention on 16 January coastguard patrol. He said some of the East right,” he said. 96 of Domingos de Jesus Xavier, 20; Juliana Timorese were held in Baucau but most of Several military trucks were seen at dawn Pereira, 40; Martinha Pereira, 17; all from them were taken by helicopter to the East today in the streets near to the Polish em- Leubuto/ Berleu in Lequidoe, Aileu. Timorese capital Dili, where they were bassy. The three have been accused of harbour- questioned. 12 TIMORESE SEEK ASYLUM AT ing and hiding Falintil resistance guerrillas at Arrests: their homes. They are reported to have been POLISH EMBASSY Mr Wesley-Smith said the arrests flew in severely tortured and beaten by a Policeman The New Zealand Herald, 26 January 1996 named Afonso, and the local military head the face of talks, under the auspices of the there. The two women are furthermore re- UN Secretary-General, between Mr Alatas JAKARTA, Reuter - Twelve East ported to have been raped by the two offi- and his Portuguese counterpart in London Timorese youths scaled a fence at the Polish cials. The three were still in detention by 22 about two weeks ago. Embassy in Jakarta yesterday, diplomats January, the date of the report. He said Mr Alatas had said “East and witnesses said. B) In the Fatrui Lau and Berleu hamlets Timorese people are free to go if they don’t “They were polite and well-behaved and in Leguidoe, every night newly arrived In- want to stay.”. asked for asylum,” one diplomat said. donesian military force their way into the Mr Wesley-Smith said: “But the Indone- The youths scaled the two metre-high houses of the local population for inspec- sian military continues its arrests of those fence of the embassy on a busy street in tions. This has been taking place since 15 that do try to leave.” central Jakarta at about noon local time. January, when some 50 Indonesians arrived “Mr Alatas must realise that Suharto has At least 50 East Timorese have in recent and set up camp at a location called Hatu- no influence on the military in East Timor.” months secured passage to Portugal after Mera, close to the local Church and food Mr Wesley-Smith said he believed there was seeking refuge in foreign embassies. gardens of the people, who are put under no other alternative but to send United Na- The last batch, five Timorese who sought great stress by these actions. tions peacekeepers to the territory immedi- sanctuary inside the New Zealand Embassy ately. on January 15, arrived in Portugal two days Action requested: “Far from the positive aura of the Lon- later under the auspices of the International Based on past experience of the brutal don talks, the situation has never been Committee for the Red Cross. treatment given to people embarrassing the worse,” he said. Indonesian authorities by attempting to flee East Timor, there is every reason to fear for Page 136 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

YET MORE POLITICAL TWELVE TIMORESE LEAVE Timorese problem will be resolved some day. ASYLUM SEEKERS IN POLISH EMBASSY FOR JAKARTA EXILE IN PORTUGAL MARTINHO PEREIRA Diario de Noticias, 26 January 1996. Trans- 1/29/96, [abridged] ARRESTED AND lated from Portuguese, Abridged JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - Twelve POLISH EMBASSY OCCUPIED BY East Timor youths, who jumped into Ja- RELEASED GROUP OF TIMORESE karta’s Polish embassy last week left for asylum Monday in Portugal, hours after The Polish Embassy in Jakarta was the four more sought refuge in the French em- EAST TIMORESE SOCIAL place chosen for yet another “invasion” by a bassy, witnesses said. group of Timorese seeking political asylum. WORKER’S ARREST AND The 12 who entered the Polish embassy An Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesper- DISAPPEARANCE last Thursday by jumping the fence were son described the scenario as having become due to leave for Portugal via Amsterdam “routine and bothersome.” Urgent Action from ETCHRIET (East Monday under the auspices of the Swiss- Twelve Timorese took refuge yesterday Timor Centre for Human Rights, Infor- based International Committee of the Red in the Polish Embassy after jumping over mation, Education, Training), 6 Decem- Cross (ICRC). the walls of the diplomatic mission. ber 1995 Until now, the Polish Embassy’s staff BACKGROUND: have refused to give any information about TWELVE OF POLISH On Monday 4 December, at approxi- what the Timorese have asked for. EMBASSY ARRIVE IN LISBON Lately, many Timorese who feel they are mately 11.00 am, East Timorese social in danger from the Indonesian authorities translated, abridged, edited worker Mr Martinho Pereira (38) was ar- rested by Indonesian military intelligence and want to leave the country have resorted LISBON, Jan 30 (LUSA) - Antonio operatives at the wharf in Surabaya, after to entering embassies in Jakarta. Soares, spokesperson for the group of arriving from Dili, East Timor. Pereira was The previous “invasion” took place on twelve who sought refuge in the Polish em- on his return to Jakarta, where he resides 12 January, when five Timorese entered the bassy and arrived in Lisbon today denied with his wife and some of his 10 children, New Zealand Embassy. A further ten were the statement by the Indonesian foreign after a private visit to East Timor. arrested by the police when they tried to do minister that the Timorese may leave who The arrest was witnessed by fellow trav- the same at the Japanese Embassy. want to leave Indonesia. “It is a lie of the ellers as they were disembarking from their In all the cases, the refugees were refused Indonesian government. They had said that passenger ship. The persons who reported political asylum by the countries whose before, but when you want to leave they the incident had been within 1 metre from embassies they occupied, but they agreed to don’t give you permission,” he said. Pereira at the time he was approached by be taken in by Portugal, with the mediation Speaking to the journalist upon their arri- several unidentified, military-like men, and of the ICRC. val, Antonio Soares clarified that the twelve taken to an office at the wharf. Neither his Portugal is still considered by the UN as did not leave East Timor together, and only wife nor any one else close to him have had administering power of East Timor, a non- joined in Jakarta to plan their entry in the any information about Pereira’s where- autonomous territory, occupied militarily Polish embassy. “One group left Timor in abouts since his arrest. by Indonesia since 1975. Given that Portu- December, another two groups left in Janu- Martinho Pereira was born on 12 No- gal is administering power, the Timorese ary, then we were in hiding in Jakarta and vember 1957. During the years 1975-1978 may choose to have Portuguese citizen- we only met to plan the entry in the em- he was active in the mountains of East ship... bassy,” he said. He reported they well Timor with the Resistance to the territory’s Polish diplomat Jacek Grabowski said treated well at the embassy, where they illegal occupation by Indonesia. He was first that the young Timorese were all inter- stayed from January 25 through 29. arrested in Dili in 1983, and sentenced in viewed and all requested political asylum. In East Timor they could have been ar- 1984 to 4 years in jail for anti-integration He refused, however, to give further details. rested just from having a meeting. The entry activities. He served his sentence in Cipi- Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesper- in the embassy was intended to “tell the nang prison, Jakarta, until 1987. son, Ghaffar Fadyl, said that this was “yet world” of what is going on in East Timor, In the last two days, since Martinho another attempt to give Indonesia a bad im- said Soares. Their action was not organized Pereira’s arrest and disappearance, several age in the eyes of the international commu- by the resistance, he emphasized, because other East Timorese in Jakarta have re- nity. ...” “the people don’t need to receive orders ported unusual activities in their immediate Attempts to leave East Timor take on from the resistance, everyone fights.” Luis surroundings. They have received strange many forms: a group of 23 Timorese, cap- Cardoso, of the Timorese resistance in Por- telephone calls, and are aware of visits to tured last week by the Indonesian authori- tugal stated that “the resistance is the entire their neighbours by intelligence operatives, ties, are being interrogated by local police. people of East Timor.” seeking information on themselves. This has They were caught after allegedly trying to The youngest in the group is 16 and the been distressing for these young people, escape by forcing a captain of a boat to take oldest, Antonio Soares, is 37, and he speaks who are staying away from their homes and them to Australia. fluent Portuguese, contrary to the large ma- families to protect themselves from abduc- jority of the Timorese who have arrived in tion by Indonesian security personnel. Portugal. “In Timor we still speak Portu- guese among us,” he said. ACTION REQUESTED: Antonio Soares misses his wife and five We request human rights organisations to children. The oldest of his children is 15, the undertake all appropriate actions so as to youngest is 6. He is hopeful that the clarify the whereabouts of Martinho Pereira, East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 137 and protect him from the mistreatment by French embassy, some 58 and 47 others also CHIEF OF NATIONAL POLICE: Maj. Indonesian military that can be expected remain at the Dutch and Russian embassies Gen. (Pol.) Banurusman Atmosumitro based on past experience. He should be im- respectively. It is believed they are seeking a Kapolri mediately released, or proper charges laid in meeting with Indonesian government repre- Markas Besar Kepolisian RI accordance to due legal process. sentatives, as well as the UN High Commis- Jl. Trunojoyo 13 sioner on Human Rights, who until late 7 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Indone- AI URGENT ACTION FOR December was in Indonesia. None of the sia MARTINHO PEREIRA ET. AL. groups is seeking asylum. Amnesty Interna- Telegrams: National Police Chief, Jakarta, tional fears that when they eventually leave Indonesia AI Index: ASA 21/64/95 the embassies, they may be subjected to Salutation: Dear Major General arbitrary arrest and detention - and hence be COMMANDER OF THE ARMED EXTRA 157/95 Arbitrary detention / Fear at risk of torture or ill-treatment - for exer- FORCES (ABRI) of torture / Fear for safety cising their right to freedom expression and General Feisal Tanjung association as guaranteed under international 7 December 1995 Panglima ABRI human rights standards and Indonesia’s con- INDONESIA/EAST TIMOR Martinho Markas Besar ABRI stitution. Pereira and 12 others in East Timor Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No 13 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Up to 20 protesters at the French and Thai Jakarta Timur, Indonesia Embassies in Jakarta Since 1975, when Indonesian forces in- Telegrams: Commander Armed Forces, vaded East Timor, Amnesty International General Tanjung, Jakarta, Indonesia In separate incidents over recent days, has continued to document serious human Salutation: Dear General some 30 individuals associated with East rights violations by Indonesian security COPIES TO: Timor are reported to been taken into cus- forces in the territory, including imprison- MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS tody by the Indonesian authorities. Given ment, torture and ill-treatment, “disappear- Ali Alatas S.H. that opponents of Indonesian rule in East ance” and extrajudicial execution. These vio- Menteri Luar Negeri Timor and those seeking to publicise the lations have been directed mainly against Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No.6 human rights situation there are at risk of opponents of Indonesian rule. Although the Jakarta, Indonesia torture, there is serious concern for the organization does not take a position on Faxes: +62 21 345 0517/360 517 safety of all those in detention. East Timor’s political status, it believes that and to diplomatic representatives of In- On 4 December, former political prisoner any political solution or discussion must be donesia accredited to your country. Martinho Pereira, who is East Timorese, informed by a full understanding of the hu- PLEASE SEND APPEALS was arrested by military personnel on his man rights situation in the territory. The IMMEDIATELY. Check with the Interna- way to Jakarta, after arriving in Surabaya, organization further believes that those en- tional Secretariat, or your section office, if East Java, by boat. He was returning from a gaging in peaceful acts of opposition to In- sending appeals after 10 January 1996. visit to Dili, East Timor’s capital. His exact donesian rule should be able to do so in an whereabouts are unclear; his family have not atmosphere free from the threat of intimida- OMCT/SOS - CONCERN FOR been allowed to visit him; and he is not tion and arrest. known to have had access to a lawyer. Am- MARTINHO PEREIRA RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send nesty International is gravely concerned that OMCT: Indonesia 7 December 1995. Case telegrams/ faxes/ express/airmail letters in he may be tortured or ill-treated in an at- IDN/TMP 071295 tempt to force him to disclose details of his Bahasa Indonesia or English or your own activities. language: The International Secretariat of Twelve other East Timorese are also re- - urging the authorities to clarify the OMCT/SOS Torture requests your ported to have been arrested in connection whereabouts of Martinho Pereira and the 12 URGENT intervention in the following with the visit to East Timor by the United other East Timorese; situation in Indonesia and East Timor Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Hu- - urging the authorities to clarify the cur- Brief description of the situation: man Rights. No further details are available rent situation of the 19 arrested at the Antenna International, a member of our on the 12, but Amnesty International is French embassy in Jakarta; network, has expressed its grave concern for concerned for their safety, in view of the - seeking assurances that all those de- physical and psychological integrity follow- fact that those who seek to draw interna- tained are being treated humanely in accor- ing the presumed arrest of Mr Martinho tional attention to the situation in East dance with international standards; that they Pereira. Timor are frequently at risk of arbitrary ar- are being given access to lawyers of their On Monday 4 December, at approxi- rest - and in many cases torture - for engag- choice; that their relatives are informed of mately 11.00 am, East Timorese social ing in wholly peaceful actions. Activities their whereabouts; and that the International worker Mr Martinho Pereira (38) was ar- such as the dissemination of human rights Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is al- rested by Indonesian military intelligence information are seen by the authorities as lowed regular unrestricted access to their operatives on the wharf in Surabaya, after seeking to tarnish Indonesian’s image abroad place of detention; arriving from Dili, East Timor. Mr Pereira and are not tolerated by the authorities. -requesting that, unless they are charged was returning to Jakarta, where he lives with Amnesty International is also concerned with recognizably criminal offences, they be his wife and children, after a private visit to for the safety of about 19 individuals, ar- immediately released; East Timor. rested as they were protesting outside the - seeking assurances that no one will be The arrest was witnessed by fellow trav- French Embassy in Jakarta and currently subjected to arrest simply for engaging in ellers as they were disembarking from the being held in police custody. One other per- peaceful opposition activities to Indonesian ship. son is believed to have been arrested by the rule in East Timor. According to witnesses, Mr Martinho military outside the Thai Embassy. In gath- APPEALS TO: Pereira was approached by several unidenti- erings coinciding with the protests at the fied men (believed to be members of Indone- Page 138 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. sian Military Intelligence) and taken to an ETCHRIET URGENT ACTION: FAMILY PLEADS FOR office on the wharf. Since this event there SURABAYA ARRESTS has been no further information on his MARTINHO PEREIRA N-:03/95 15 Dec. 95 whereabouts. This document was posted in Bahasa Indo- Martinho Pereira was born on 12 No- Martinho Pereira and 32 East Timorese nesia on 17 December. Translated by vember 1957. During the years 1975-1978 and held by East Java military TAPOL. he was active in the mountains of East According to an Antara newsagency re- Timor with the Resistance to the occupation Carla S. Alberto Pereira, the oldest son of port quoted by Reuters today, the Indone- Martinho Rodrigues Pereira, the social of East Timor by Indonesia. He was first sian military in East Java arrested a group of arrested in Dili in 1983, and sentenced in worker who was arrested by the army in 32 people comprised of East Timorese (26) Surabaya on 4 December, has made a plea 1984 to 4 years in jail for anti-integration and Indonesians(6), who had taken part in activities. He served his sentence in Cipi- for help to the National Commission for the recent protests at the Dutch and Russian Human Rights. nang prison, Jakarta, until 1987. In the last Embassies in Jakarta. East Java Military two days, since Martinho Pereira’s disap- The letter, dated 14 December, states Commander Army Major General Imam that Martinho left Jakarta for East Timor on pearance, several other East Timorese in Utoyo also confirmed the arrest at the Sura- Jakarta have reported unusual activities in 3 November to pay a visit to relatives. He baya wharf on 4 December of Martinho left Dili for home on 2 December by ship, their immediate surroundings. They have Pereira (38) by military authorities. received strange telephone calls, and are aboard the Dobon Solo. According to an Major General Utoyo accused Martinho eye-witness, he was arrested at 11am by aware of visits to their neighbours by intelli- Pereira (MP) of being the ‘brains’ behind gence operatives, apparently requesting in- army officers when the ship docked at Tan- the embassy demonstrations, adding that his jung Perak harbour. He was taken from the formation on these people. arrest was a preventive measure. The secu- This climate of fear has forced many of ship and did not return when the ship set rity apparatus had also tried to arrest anti- sail to continue the voyage to Jakarta. He these people to go into hiding to protect integrationist East Timorese students that themselves from abduction by Indonesian was expected to arrive back in Jakarta on 5 had travelled on the same ship as MP to December but the family have heard nothing security personnel. participate in the Jakarta actions. Various The conditions of the disappearance of about his whereabouts since the time of his roadblocks on the East Java/Central Java arrest. Mr Martin Perrier raise grave concerns for border proved unsuccessful to stop them as his personal safety. The Pereira family appeals to the Na- they travelled by rail, the Commander tional Commission for help in settling this Action requested: added. matter. Martinho heads a family of eight Please contact the Indonesian authorities The commander’s statement presents children and is responsible for the livelihood urging them to: MP as an active anti-integrationist Resis- of his wife and children. His presence with i. Immediately ascertain the whereabouts tance member, experienced in mobilising the family is essential. The Commission is of Mr Martinho Pereira and take appropri- East Timor anti-integration youth protest- urgently requested to ascertain the where- ate measures to guarantee his physical and ers. The Intelligence Assistant for the East abouts of Martinho Pereira so as to enable psychological integrity.; Java Command, Col. Riswan, added that the family to visit him. The Commission is ii. Immediately release Mr Martinho military intelligence questioning had con- asked to ensure that he is treated in accor- Pereira in the absence of valid legal charges. firmed police findings that the actions were dance with the laws in force. If such charges exist bring him before a sponsored from abroad and an Indonesian competent and public civilian tribunal and solidarity group. AI UPDATE ON SURABAY A guarantee his procedural rights at all times. From past experience it can be inferred iii Ensure a full, impartial and exhaustive that such accusations would have exposed AND EMBASSY ARRESTS the detainee to harsh treatment. enquiry into the facts concerning the arrest AI EX157/95 INDONESIA Arrests and disappearance of Mr Martin Pereira, Credible sources have assured identify those responsible, bring them to ETCHRIET that Martinho Pereira was not AI Index: ASA 21/67/95, 19 December 1995 trial and apply the penal, civil and/or admin- in any way involved in the organisation of istrative sanctions provided by law; the demonstrations, even if he may have Further information on EXTRA 157/95 iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for considered participating in them. Furthe r- (ASA 21/64/95, 7 December 1995) and human rights and fundamental freedoms in more, his detention did in no way impede follow-up (ASA 21/65/95, 8 December) - accordance with national laws and interna- the demonstrations from taking place. He is Arbitrary detention / Fear of torture / tional standards. being unjustly victimised by the Indonesian Fear for safety Geneva, 07 December 1995 military authorities. INDONESIA / EAST TIMOR Kindly inform us of any action taken ETCHRIET appeals for all appropriate Martinho Pereira and 12 other East quoting the exact number of this appeal in actions to be taken to protect the well being Timorese your reply. of Martinho Pereira and of the other 32 de- 32 protestors at the Dutch Embassy in Ja- Ben Schonveld, Programme Officer tained by the Indonesian military, and se- karta OMCT/SOS-Torture cure their rapid release. We hope to be able Case Postale 119 to provide further information regarding de- at least four protestors at French and Thai Rue de Vermont 37-39 tention locations tomorrow. Embassies CH-1211, Geneva and new names: Petrus Haryanto Tel:4122 733 3140 Fax:4122 733 1051 Budiman Arbitrary arrests of those involved in the embassy protests in Jakarta are continuing. Amnesty International fears that anyone East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 139 detained is at risk of torture and ill- and another Indonesian, Budiman, have re- Pereira’s family to represent him, tried to treatment. ceived summons from the police in relation confirm the report, it said. On 15 December, the military announced to charges of “insulting the President.” The official Antara news agency earlier that Martinho Pereira had been arrested in FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: quoted Utomo as saying the 38-year-old Surabaya on 4 December, as the alleged Please send telegrams/telexes/ faxes/ ex- Timorese was arrested on suspicion of mas- “ring-leader” of the embassy demonstra- press/ airmail letters in English or Bahasa terminding the break-ins. tions. Amnesty International is seriously Indonesia or in your own language: concerned that he has not been granted ac- - urging the authorities to clarify exactly MARTINHO PEREIRA cess to independent lawyers and that he the identity of those detained in Jakarta and RELEASED should have immediate access to representa- East Timor; tives of the International Committee of the - seeking assurances that those remaining According to a Reuter report of 9 Janu- Red Cross (ICRC). There is no further in- in detention, including Martinho Pereira, are ary 1996, Martinho Rodrigues Pereira, who formation on the whereabouts of the 12 being treated humanely in accordance with was arrested in Surabaya on 4 December on other East Timorese arrested in connection international standards; that they are being his way back to Jakarta from Dili, has been with the visit to East Timor by the United given access to lawyers of their choice; that released,. Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Hu- their relatives are informed of their where- According to his friends he was released man Rights. abouts; and that the International Commit- five days ago after being interrogated by the On 7 December, a pro-Indonesian dem- tee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is allowed army on suspicion of ‘master-minding’ the onstration - largely thought to have been regular unrestricted access to their place of embassy break-ins on 7 December. organized with the connivance of the au- detention; ‘He has been released and is now in Ja- thorities - entered the Dutch embassy and - requesting that, unless they are charged karta. He said he had been interrogated by attacked pro-independence demonstrators with recognizably criminal offences, they be the military and was given an airplane ticket and embassy staff. On 9 December, the pro- immediately released; to fly to Jakarta,’ one of his friends told independence protestors were forced to - seeking assurances that no one will be Reuter by phone. leave in the custody of police who entered subjected to arrest simply for engaging in A lawyer at the Surabaya Legal Aid Insti- the embassy compound. Prior to departing peaceful opposition activities to Indonesian tute, which followed the case since his ar- from the embassy, however, East Timorese rule in East Timor. rest, said the 38-year-old Jakarta resident protestors state that they had requested had been released. asylum from the Dutch Government. The INDONESIA LEGAL BODY The Jakarta-based Legal Aid Institute latter has since stated in Dutch parliament protested last week over what it said was that it could not consider the claim, because PROTESTS ARREST OF Pereira’s disappearance since his arrest in the security situation in the embassy was TIMORESE Surabaya. The Institute’s statement, sent to imperative and should take precedence. The the armed forces commander, General Feisal pro-independence protestors were taken to [slightly abridged] Tanjung, accused the military of arbitrarily Jakarta Police Headquarters where they JAKARTA, Jan 5 (Reuter) - Indonesia’s arresting Pereira. were questioned before being released after main legal aid body has protested what it 24 hours. However, the whereabouts of said was the disappearance of an East AI: MARTINHO PEREIRA AND around 20 of those believed to have left the Timorese man suspected of being behind OTHERS RELEASED police station in a bus, was not clear. embassy break-ins in Jakarta last month, it AI Index: ASA 21/04/96, 10 January 1995 On 15 December, East Java Regional said in a statement on Friday. Further information on EXTRA 157/95 Military Commander, Major-General Imam More than 100 East Timorese and their (ASA 21/64/95, 7 December 1995), and fol- Utomo, announced that 32 of the protestors Indonesian sympathisers broke into the low-ups ASA 21/65/95, 8 December and in the Dutch Embassy had been rearrested in Dutch and Russian embassies in Jakarta on ASA 21/67/95, 19 December 1995- Arbi- Surabaya and were being questioned. How- December 7 in a protest which coincided trary detention / Fear of torture / Fear for ever, the whereabouts and identities of the with the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s safety 32 remain unclear. invasion of the territory. The protestors in the Russian Embassy - The Legal Aid Institute statement, sent INDONESIA / EAST TIMOR who had been forced to leave the embassy to Armed Forces commander General Feisal Martinho Pereira and 12 other East on 8 December - were reportedly held in Tanjung, accused the military in East Java of Timorese police custody for 24 hours before being arbitrarily arresting Martinho Rodrigues released. Amnesty International has no fur- 32 protestors at the Dutch Embassy in Ja- Pereira. karta ther news on the protestors detained at the The statement, obtained by Reuters, said French and Thai Embassies, although at at least four protestors at French and Thai Pereira’s whereabouts were unknown since Embassies least four are believed to remain in deten- he was arrested on arrival in Surabaya, capi- tion. tal of East Java, from the Timorese capital Amnesty International has received con- Petrus Haryanto, an Indonesian activist of Dili on December 4. firmation that Martinho Pereira, arrested on who entered the Dutch Embassy, was ar- “Chief of the Bakorstanasda (security 4 December 1995 in Surabaya, East Java, rested by plainclothes officers at a medical agency) of East Java Major-General Imam was released from military custody on 5 clinic in Jakarta where he was seeking medi- Utomo has been quoted by some newspa- January. cal assistance. He was believed to have been pers as saying that Pereira was arrested in He had been arrested by the authorities detained at the Sub-District Military Com- connection with his anti-integration activi- who suspected him of being responsible for mand (Koramil) in Ciladuk, Jakarta, but was ties,” it said. embassy demonstrations in Jakarta. Fears released on the morning of 12 December. But the military later denied the reports for his safety were compounded by the fact His arrest was carried out without a war- when the institute, which was asked by that the authorities did not confirm whether rant. Since then, it is believed that Petrus he was being detained or clarify his precise Page 140 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. whereabouts, leaving him at risk of ill- the anti-communist battles of the mid- Soeyono doesn’t have a habit of treading treatment and torture. In addition, lawyers 1960s, that’s clearly troubling. softly. The general, who was Suharto’s ad- who had obtained power of attorney were The military, for its part, may be using jutant in the late 1980s and is the son-in-law not permitted to meet with him. No further the perceived communist threat to protect of Women’s Affairs Minister Mien Sugan- appeals are requested on behalf of Martinho its privileged political role, analysts say. dhi, was made chief of staff in a surprise Pereira. But army leaders claim that their concern two-step promotion from the Central Java None of those who entered the embassies was triggered by a string of recent incidents: regional command earlier this year. Since are still in detention. However, the where- renewed violence in East Timor, riots in the then, his public comments have earned him a abouts of the 12 detained in East Timor is wake of a Sumatra earthquake, and mob reputation for shooting from the hip. unclear, so appeals can continue on their rampages in Jakarta following the murder of His latest outburst seems to have caught behalf. a Muslim family by a Christian neighbour. even the army by surprise. Though they are In addition, some recently published deeply suspicious of Pramoedya, military writings have caused official disquiet. Au- sources acknowledge there is no concrete EVENTS IN INDONESIA thorities believe Pramoedya’s latest work, evidence to support the charges either Silent Song of the Mute, as well as writings against Pakpahan or his father, who So- by former Sukarno aide Oei Tjoe Tat and eyono contends led a PKI-incited labour RED MENACE: WARNINGS OF once-exiled army general Suhario Padmodi- strike in northern Sumatra in the early A COMMUNIST REVIVAL wiryo, present a revisionist version of the 1960s. GET PERSONAL events surrounding the alleged 1965 com- Official discomfort with Soeyono’s munist coup attempt. In the eyes of the claims is evident in statements by Susilo Far Eastern Economic Review, 2 November military, the street unrest and intellectual Soedarman, the coordinating minister for 1995. By John McBeth in Jakarta ferment are linked in a potentially dangerous political and security affairs, and other sen- pattern. ior figures. Justice Minister Oetojo Oesman Ten-year-old Ruth Damai Hati thinks the Amid that climate of suspicion, Pramoe- warned against “looking for ghosts behind world of her dad. “My father is a good man dya, Aditjondro and Pakpahan make easy every tree.” And retiring Supreme Court and very brave,” she says shyly, as labour targets. Pramoedya, who won the 1995 Justice Bismar Siregar said if the allegations activist Muchtar Pakpahan disappears into Magsaysay Award for literature, led the were based solely on suspicion, as was a back room of his small Jakarta home to oppressive leftists cultural organization common in the 1960s, “then my heart cries change into a clean shirt. “He’s brave be- Lekra in the early 1960s and remains unre- out.” cause he risks himself. Even if he’s in pentant. Aditjondro moved to Australia More than half a million people were prison, his spirit remains strong.” while under investigation for allegedly in- killed in nine months of bloodletting after That admiring view isn’t shared by the sulting President Suharto, a criminal charge. the military foiled what it said was a coup Indonesian army chief of staff, Lt.-Gen. So- Pakpahan was accused by the govern- staged by the PKI on September 30, 1965. eyono. After weeks of warnings about a ment of fomenting the June 1994 Medan The incident and its aftermath led to the fall communist threat by President Suharto and riots, but was acquitted recently by the Su- of President Sukarno and the emergence of other senior officials, Soeyono on October preme Court. He vehemently denies the lat- the little-known Army Strategic Reserve’s 17 bluntly accused the independent trade- est charges. “I’m a nationalist and I believe commander, Gen. Suharto, as the nation’s union leader of being a communist. Pakpa- in Pancasila and the 1945 constitution,” he leader. han, the general charged, was following in says, referring to the state ideology. “I’m Certainly, methods of dealing with dis- the ideological footsteps of his father, a dirt- not a communist.” sent have grown relatively less sophisticated poor farmer who died when his son was 11. A fortnight before Soeyono’s outburst, in the past year. Some analysts trace this to The general used the same brush to tar sociologist Franz Magnis-Suseno called on the 1993 downfall of former Defense Minis- self-exiled academic George Aditjondro and authorities to stop what he called “the des- ter Benny Murdani and the subsequent scal- internationally recognized author Pramoe- picable habit” of accusing individuals and ing-down of the intelligence apparatus he dya Ananta Toer, naming them as figures non-governmental organizations that defend once headed. “You can say what you like behind the so-called “formless organiza- human rights of being “infected” with com- about Benny,” says one, “but he was good tions"–- a term associated with the outlawed munism. at what he did.” Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). British political scientist Michael Leifer The government’s spate of warnings Soeyono’s accusations set off alarm bells weighed in at a recent Jakarta conference: against organisasi tanpa bentuk (OTB, or among Indonesian intellectuals, who fear “There is a danger of governments assuming formless organizations) draws on quarter- that the government is increasingly portray- a fixed mind-set so that the very phenome- century-old fears. The term comes from a ing its political opponents as enemies of the non of opposition, which is one dimension 1968 self-criticism by the PKI central com- state. And though Soeyono is a presidential- of the concept of civil society, may be per- mittee, which listed the mistakes that led to palace insider, some senior officials and offi- ceived in terms of disloyalty to the state and the party’s downfall and then went on to cers hint he may have gone too far by nam- even incompatible with the virtues of Pan- lay down general guidelines for its eventual ing names. casila.” revival. Although government warnings about Abdurrachman Wahid, leader of the 35- Communism does not appear to be the communism are not uncommon, the current million-strong Muslim organization only target of the government’s campaign, campaign is unprecedented in its force. It Nahdlatul Ulama, sees the recent spate of however. Indonesian military sources say appears to be directed mainly at members of government warnings as a ploy. “It’s easy the term OTB can also be applied to right- Indonesia’s swelling younger generation, to find a common enemy when you’re in wing extremists –- meaning certain Muslim who perhaps understandably feel that com- trouble, so I think we should expect this,” organizations. munism is a thing of the past. For an ad- says Wahid, a frequent government critic. “I Soedibyo, chief of the civilian intelligence ministration whose legitimacy is rooted in see it as a way to divert attention from the agency Badan Koordinasi Intelijen Nasional internal problems of the government.” (Bakin), has been the only government offi- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 141 cial to openly address the subject. In an in- printing articles on subjects formerly con- ments, including the upcoming Asia Pacific terview with the weekly Tiras magazine, he sidered off-limits, Parekh says. Among the Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in pointed to the difficulty of tracking groups subjects being covered more thoroughly than Japan. who use religious activities as a cover. before were arms deals made by top Indone- Taufik, however, seems not to have been Bakin, he added, is investigating the emer- sian officials and the ongoing Indonesian discouraged by his jail sentence. gence of a new group in western Java pro- Army occupation of East Timor, which Ja- “Journalists should tell the truth and moting the proclamation of an Islamic state. karta annexed in 1976. only the truth,” he said during his trial. “I’m “It seems like the extreme-right wing is “One of the reasons (for the banning) prepared to be jailed just for the truth.” becoming stronger because the religiousness was that their reporting on East Timor was of our people in the countryside is on the a little too blunt for the government,” says STATEMENT BY SPRIM rise and this is not being channeled through John Miller, New York coordinator of the the right institutions,” Soedibyo said. “They East Timor Action Network. (Solidaritas Perjuangan Rakyat Indonesia are instead snared by specific groups who In response to the bannings, Taufik last Untuk Maubere) Solidarity Struggle with the take them in the direction of a political atti- year helped form the Alliance of Independ- Maubere People (SPRIM), via AKSI (Action tude that is extreme-right wing.” ent Journalists (AJI), an alternative to the Solidarity Indonesia) news service, 11 No- If all this talk about OTBs isn’t confus- government-sponsored Indonesian Journal- vember 1995 ing enough, the current controversy has ists Association (PWI). He also continued The following is a translation of statements spawned yet another acronym in a country to take on sensitive topics in an AJI- were received by AKSI on 11 November that is already drowning in alphabet soup. published newsletter, Independen. 1995 in commemoration of the November 12 No longer does KGB stand for Komitet Go- Among Independen’s more controversial Dili massacre. sudarstvennoy Besopasnosty, the Soviet articles was one suggesting that Indonesian intelligence agency. Now it means kounis Information Minister Harmoko “has man- This year, 1995, is two entire decades of gaya baru –- Indonesian for “new-style aged to acquire shares in quite a lot of publi- the regime’s oppression of the communism.” cations in Indonesia,” Parekh says. people of East Timor. In this time, more The government struck back, arresting than 200,000 Timorese have been slaugh- Taufik and AJI colleague Eko Maryadi along tered by the regime. Killings, torture and JAILED JOURNALIST TO rape continue to be perpetrated on the peo- RECEIVE AWARD with an office assistant, Danang Kukuh Wardoyo on Mar 16. It said Independen did ple of East Timor. Four years ago, on November 12 1991, by Farhan Haq not have a valid license. Taufik and Maryadi have both received 32-month jail sentences, hundreds of East Timorese youths went to NEW YORK, Nov 2 (IPS) – The Com- while Wardoyo was sentenced to 20 the Santa Cruz cemetery to pay their re- mittee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a U.S.- months. spects to a youth killed by the military a based media watchdog, hopes Indonesian Since then, CPJ executive director Wil- week earlier. The result was 180 youth shot journalist Ahmad Taufik can be in town here liam Orme noted in a letter last week to U.S. dead by the Indonesian military, and to this Dec 6 to receive the group’s International President Bill Clinton, Indonesian authori- day it is still unclear where they were bur- Press Freedom Award. ties have pressed news organisations to ied. This incident showed the international But for now, that hope seems dim. dismiss reporters who belong to AJI. The community that the issue of East Timor has Taufik was sentenced on Sep 1 to 32 arrests and threats, he wrote, have “contrib- not been resolved. months in jail after being charged with pub- uted to a climate of fear for many Indone- This also showed the strength of the East lishing an unlicensed newspaper and violat- sian journalists.” Timorese people’s desire for self- ing a law forbidding the expression of “free- Some U.S. lawmakers agreed. A letter to determination. The regime’s lie that the dom of hostility, hatred or contempt toward Clinton sent by 28 members of the House of people of East Timor desire integration with the government.” Representatives before his meeting with In- Indonesia is revealed by the people’s strug- Taufik is expecting to hear later this donesian President Suharto last Friday cited gle for independence which continues to this month the Indonesian courts’ response to an the jail sentences against Taufik and day. appeal he has filed against the September Maryadi. Four years after the Santa Cruz tragedy, ruling. The CPJ hopes that, by that time, “Freedom of expression is under attack after continuous international pressure on enough international attention can be fo- by the Indonesian government,” the law- the New Order regime, the regime continues cused on his case to prod the courts to re- makers wrote. “Over the past year, semi- to oppress the people of East Timor. Sensi- verse its conviction. nars held by Indonesian non-governmental tive political issues are used by the regime “Our hope is that the award will bring in- organisations have been broken up by the to create unrest as a tool to legitimise its ternational attention to this particular case, police, (and) gag orders issued against con- military presence. SPRIM demands that: and what it indicates about the state of troversial speakers.” 1. The Indonesian government puts an end press freedom in Indonesia,” Vikram Parekh, Clinton did discuss human rights issues to the war in East Timor. the CPJ Asia coordinator, says. with Suharto in their Friday meeting, a State 2. The Indonesian government withdraw all Parekh notes that, since June 1994, when Department official said. But he was unable of its troops from East Timor. three leading Indonesian weeklies – including to confirm whether the Taufik case specifi- 3. The Indonesian government forms an Tempo, for which Taufik worked – were cally came up. autonomous government for the Maubere banned by the government, reporting on a Parekh says he has heard that the U.S. people. number of issues has been restricted. State Department sent an observer to “I think it’s an attempt to crack down on 4. Respect the right to self-determination Taufik’s trial. But Washington has generally through a referendum as soon as possible. reports of autocracy and cronyism” in the downplayed human rights concerns with 5. And in order to facilitate this, withdraw Indonesian government, he says. Indonesia, one of Washington “big emerging current restrictive political laws. The three banned weeklies – Tempo, Da- markets” (BEMs). Many sources say the tuk and Editor – all tested the waters by talks last week centred on economic agree- Page 142 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

ONE STRUGGLE, ONE STATEMENT BY STUDENT INDONESIA ATTACKS TRANSFORMATION! SOLIDARITY FOR INDONESIAN CRITICS OF ITS Jakarta, November 12, 1995 DEMOCRACY (SMID) SPRIM Coordinator DEVELOPMENT Wilson (Solidaritas Mahasiswa Indonesia Untuk Demokrasi) [slightly abridged] WITHDRAW REPRESSIVE Jakarta, Nov 15 (Reuter) – Indonesian People of East Timorese, continue your POLITICAL LAWS AND FREEDOM Planning Minister Ginanjar Kartasasmita on struggle FOR THE MAUBERE PEOPLE NOW! Wednesday attacked his country’s critics In 1995 the Indonesian people celebrated saying misinformation abroad could threaten To all journalists, 50 years of independence. This is not so for the nation’s development programmes. On November 12, 1991, hundreds of East the people of East Timor who are also Ginanjar said he was also concerned that Timorese youths and students where shot forced to join the celebrations. Because this the so-called misinformation had originated by the military at the Santa Cruz cemetery, year is the second decade of oppression of from information supplied by local non- and their bodies taken away in trucks. It is the people of East Timor by the New Order government organisations. still unknown where they were buried. This regime. It is thus very difficult for most East “For me, criticism is okay, but criticism incident showed the international commu- Timorese people to celebrate Indonesian is different from sabotaging our develop- nity that the issue of East Timor is unre- independence. The people of East Timor ment,” Ginanjar told reporters after meeting solved as claimed by the Indonesian gov- were forced to become part of Indonesia by President Suharto. ernment. Despite diplomatic efforts to con- military oppression, by tyranny and slaugh- “Because if foreign aid is stopped it will vince the world that East Timor is integrated ter, resulting in the deaths of more than have an impact on our development,” he into Indonesia the UN continues to regard 200,000 East Timorese. said. East Timor as a disputed territory. Offers to The New Order regime does not want Ginanjar said he had a tape of allegations, carry out a referendum under the auspicious change and those who think differently are broadcast in the United States, that Indone- of the UN have not been carried out by the met with violence, legitimised on the sia used military supervision to force Indonesian government. grounds of state and national security. They women to join family planning programmes. Four years after the Santa Cruz tragedy, will not even acknowledge that the people There were other accusations that the In- little has changed. Although the government of East Timor desire self-determination and donesian government was a military dicta- claims East Timor is “open,” restrictions continue an international campaign claiming torship, he said. continue such as the recent banning of the that integration is the desire of the East “There is no military dictatorship in In- human rights activist HJC Princen who Timorese themselves, even though they see donesia. It is not true that Indonesian wished to meet with Bishop Belo and the themselves that the people of East Timor women have been forced to join family Governor of East Timor. continue to struggle against the New Order planning under armed military guard,” he Unrest is increasing. The riots last month regime. added. are an indication of this and cannot be sepa- The struggle by East Timorese youth has Ginanjar said the programme makers rated the issues of independence and self- not been given up. On November 12, 1991 were trying to stop foreign aid being given determination for the people of East Timor when youths went to the Santa Cruz ceme- to Indonesia, but the country still needed though a democratic referendum under the tery to pay their respects to a youth killed this assistance. auspicious of the UN. What is the meaning by the Indonesian military a week earlier. “If they make efforts to stop the funds it of development while the people of East The result was 180 youth shot dead by the means they will stop our development for Timor live in fear. As said by Xanana, what Indonesian military. the people,” he said, adding Indonesia the people of East Timor desire is their right Four years after the Santa Cruz tragedy, needed more infrastructure to reduce pov- as a free nation to be acknowledged. after continuous international pressure on erty. In support of the people of East Timor’s the New Order regime, the regime continues Indonesia has received pledges of $5.3 struggle, SPRIM will hold a candle lighting to oppress the people of East Timor. Sensi- billion in aid in 1995 from donor countries ceremony to commemorate four years since tive political issues are used by the regime and financial institutions, including United the Santa Cruz massacre on Sunday, No- to create unrest as a tool to legitimise its States and the World Bank. vember 12 at the Indonesian National Uni- military presence. SMID demands that: This was slightly more than the $5.2 bil- versity starting at 5.00pm. 1. The Indonesian government puts an end lion it received in 1994. This is an invitation to all Indonesian to the war in East Timor. “We will use foreign aid, with soft-loan people who are struggling against oppres- 2. The Indonesian government withdraw all conditions and no political bindings, in line sion and who support the struggle of the of its troops from East Timor. with our capability to repay it. If these con- East Timorese people under the slogan: 3. The Indonesian government forms an ditions are changed, we will certainly not ONE STRUGGLE, ONE autonomous government for the Maubere use this type of aid,” Ginanjar said. TRANSFORMATION. people. Indonesia has firmly rejected past at- WILSON 4. Respect the right to self-determination tempts to link aid to its human rights record. SPRIM Coordinator through a referendum as soon as possible. Indonesia is regularly criticised interna- –– tionally for its labour rights record as well as 5. And in order to facilitate this, withdraw its sometimes brutal rule in the troubled current restrictive political laws. province of East Timor, a former Portuguese ONE STRUGGLE, ONE colony, which it invaded in 1975 and an- TRANSFORMATION! nexed the following year. Jakarta, November 12, 1995 Petrus H. Hariyanto General Secretary, SMID East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 143

INDONESIAN ACTIVISTS singing of “For you, my country."(Padamu INDONESIA “WILL NEVER Negeriku). CALL FOR MILITARY RETREAT” OVER EAST AKSI National Secretariat: PO Box 458, WITHDRAWAL Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia Phone: 02 TIMOR AKSI News Service, Nov. 17 690 1230. Fax: 02 690 1381. E-Mail: JAKARTA, Nov 27 (Reuter) - Indonesia [email protected] On Sunday November 12, public protest will never retreat from its position on East Timor, the official Antara news agency on commemorations of the 1991 massacre in INDONESIA DEPORTS Dili were organised for the first time in Ja- Monday quoted State Secretary Murdiono karta despite threats from general Hartono, FRENCH HUMAN RIGHTS as saying. the army chief of staff. ACTIVIST “Murdiono said that Indonesia will never About 90 people attended a commemora- retreat from its political decision on East tion organised by Indonesian People in Soli- JAKARTA, Nov 23 (Reuter) - Indonesia Timor even though the youngest province darity with the Maubere People (SPRIM) deported on Thursday a prominent French has given Indonesia a lot of jobs to do,” it on the University of Indonesia campus. human rights activist detained after attend- said in a dispatch from the Sumatran town Also at the commemoration was the chair- ing the trial of an Indonesian legislator ac- of Padang. man of the Peoples Democratic Union cused of defaming President Suharto, a local He was speaking at the National Conven- (PRD) and Haji Princen, director of the In- human rights lawyer and officials said. tion on the Nation’s Agenda on Saturday, stitute for the Defence of Human Rights. Jusfiq Hadjar, an Indonesian French na- Antara said. It did not say what Murdiono’s Under the banner, full independence for tional who lives in the Netherlands, was de- exact words were. East Timor, SPRIM and PRD both called tained by police on Wednesday along with Indonesia has faced continued interna- for the immediate cessation of all war activi- four other activists at a restaurant near the tional concern and local resentment for its ties, the withdrawal of all Indonesian mili- court where former legislator Sri Bintang nearly 20-year rule over the former Portu- tary forces, including police, from East Pamungkas was being tried. guese colony. Timor and the right for the East Timorese “He has already departed,” Luhut Pan- Murdiono accused Portugal of being “too for self-determination. In accord with the garibuan, director of the Legal Aid Institute, provocative” towards Indonesia even though appeal by the Asia Pacific Coalition on East told Reuters. it did nothing for East Timorese people dur- Timor, the commemoration included a can- “He was taken straight from the immigra- ing its rule, the Antara dispatch said. dle lighting ceremony in memory of the al- tion office to the airport. There was no ex- Indonesia is due to hold another round of most 300 people who died at the Santa Cruz planation,” Pangaribuan said. U.N.-sponsored talks with Portugal on the ceremony in 1991. SPRIM, co-ordinator, An immigration official at Jakarta’s future of the territory in January. Wilson, began the ceremony with all other Soekarno-Hatta international airport, who The United Nations still recognises Lis- participants also joining in lighting candles. asked not to be named, told Reuters Hadjar bon as East Timor’s administering power. A highlight of the ceremony was a speech was deported on Garuda Indonesia flight Antara quoted Murdiono as saying that by a Maubere youth who had been GA 964 which left for Singapore at 2.30 pm Indonesia did not annex the territory but had wounded at the Dili massacre and who gave local time (0730 GMT). responded to its request for integration with a graphic description of the event. During He said Hadjar was being deported on the its larger neighbour. the speeches, plain clothes intelligence order of the Director-General of Immigration Indonesia bases the legitimacy for its agents approached the gathering and de- Major-General Pranowo, but he said there 1975 invasion and subsequent annexation on manded copies of all the statements and was no reason given for the expulsion. the so-called Balibo declaration, in which speeches. Statements were read out by Haji A diplomat at the French embassy said several Timorese figures requested Indone- Princen, Dita Sari, President of the Indone- earlier he was being deported because of sian assistance. sian Centre for Working Class Struggle problems with immigration matters and his Several have since withdrawn their sup- (PPBI), Petrus, Secretary-General of Stu- involvement in human rights activities while port for the document. dents in Solidarity with Democracy in Indo- in Indonesia. nesia (SMID) and a representative of the Hadjar is a vocal critic of the Indonesian GJA - WHY WAS PT SRITEX National Peasants Union. The well-known government, particularly on Internet bulletin TARGETED? dissident poet and dramatist, Wji Thukul, boards. Activists said it was not inconceiv- read anti-militarist poems at the commemo- able his detention was related to his Internet Why was PT Sritex targeted by the Indo- ration and a statement on behalf of artist writings. nesian pro-democracy/pro-East Timor members of SPRIM. After a presentation of Pangaribuan said the four Indonesian ac- movement? tivists detained with Hadjar were released recent SPRIM publications to an East By George Aditjondro, Nov. 13, 1995 Timorese representative, the commemora- after interrogation on Wednesday night. tion ended with a march out of the campus An official at police intelligence told ON Monday, December 11, 1995, in the with people singing “We Shall Overcome” Reuters on Thursday morning that Hadjar wake of the Human Rights Week celebra- and “For you, the people"(Padamu Rakyat). had earlier been handed over to immigration tions, 14,000 workers and student activists Later in the evening 30 student members and officials after being interrogated and held demonstrated in Solo (Surakarta), Central supporters of PIJAR (Centre for Democ- overnight. Java. Thins industrial action was organized ratic Action and Reform) held a 30 minute This is the third delicate human rights by the People’s Democratic Union or PRD candle lighting ceremony in Central Jakarta. problem faced by France’s Jakarta mission (Persatuan Rakyat Demokratik), to protest They too demanded withdrawal of Indone- in the last two weeks. Two groups of East against the extremely distressing work con- sian military from East Timor and the reso- Timorese asylum-seekers entered the em- ditions in PT Sritex (Sri Rejeki Isman) textile lution of the conflict under United Nations bassy compound on Monday and last week factory in Sukoharjo, Central Java, which is auspices. The ceremony ended with the before travelling to exile in Portugal. notabene the largest integrated textile fac- tory in Southeast Asia. The organizer of the Page 144 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. industrial action, PRD, had also been in- prides itself of being the largest integrated right for those designs. Practically speaking, volved in the actions at the Dutch and Rus- textile factory in Southeast Asia. every time Harmoko appears on the state sian embassies, a week before. This may Apart from criticizing the aging Indone- TV screens addressing a Golkar crowd in lead people to ask: what is the connection sian ruler in front of a foreign public, this is any village in Indonesia, he is not only cam- between the pro-East Timor demonstrations the “mortal sin” that led to Sri Bintang’s paigning for Golkarhe is also promoting at those two embassies in Jakarta, and the dismissal from the parliament earlier this Sritex, paid for by the TVRI subscribers. PRD-led industrial action in Solo? And in a year. Bambang Warih Kusuma, another MP The company also monopolizes the produc- narrower sense, what has PT Sritex to do but from the ruling party, Golkar, had also tion of military jungle uniforms as well as with the struggle for self-determination in been dismissed from the parliament around primary and secondary school uniforms. East Timor? the same time, after disclosing the credit Although Harmoko’s name is not offi- In a broader sense, as the demands of the scandals of PT Kanindotex, another large cially listed in any of the records of the East Timorese activists and the PRD mem- textile factory in Central Java with close ties companies established by Lukminto, the bers in the embassies have indicated, last with the Indonesian regime. Fortunately for name of a younger brother of the Golkar week, the East Timorese and Indonesian Bambang, coming from the ruling party and chairman, Noor Slamet Asmoprawiro, is peoples are suffering from the same yoke: not having expressed his criticisms in public listed in two of Lukminto’s companies. The the repressive military-bureaucratic capital- rallies abroad, he has so far been spared first one is PT Golden Cahaya Video, a istic regime of Suharto. But in a narrower from police interrogation, unlike Sri Bintang. video production company established in sense, PT Sritex was probably also “cho- Sri Bintang’s accusation 1985 with a capital investment of Rp 20 sen” because it has definitively some “East million, equally divided by Lukminto and In March 1994, during the height of the Timorese connections.” First of all, PT Noor Slamet. Two years later, Noor Slamet public outcry over the misuse of state bank Sritex has been the first Indonesian factory brought his business partner, the former film credits by 37 large business groups, the out- to respond to Mrs. Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana actress Nuke Mayasaphira into a new joint spoken Islamic parliamentarian had added (Mbak Tutut)’s call to open trade with Por- venture with Lukminto, namely PT Mer- fuel to the fire by pointing his finger at the tugal, and hence on February 14, 1994, decindo Permai, a food and beverages com- Solo-based textile factory in a speech at the shipped 15 tons of cotton yarn to Manuel pany. In 1987, however, the business trio Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta. Macedo’s textile factory in Ermesindo, Por- sold the company to its current owners. After denials by Sritex spokespersons as tugal. Secondly, PT Sritex has also re- Noor Slamet Asmoprawiro, who recently well as a harsh rebuke by the local military sponded to Mbak Tutut’s campaign to re- passed away, has taken his female business commander, the Sritex case was shelved. move radical elements of the young East partner into other ventures, viz an outdoor In November last year the issue resur- Timor generation by employing them in fac- advertisement company and Bisnis Maritim, faced, after the governor of Bank Indonesia, tories in Indonesia. In 1991, Sritex had re- one of the 10 media of Harmoko’s Pos Kota the central bank, admitted in a hearing with cruited 100 young East Timorese workers, Group. Sri Bintang’s commission in the parliament, mostly women, of whom only thirty have that PT Sritex was involved in some credit Suharto family remained. irregularities with Bank Dagang Negara Besides being close to the Harmoko fam- A special correspondent of the Mel- (BDN), an Indonesian state bank. The mag- ily, Lukminto is also close to Suharto’s eld- bourne-based INSIDE INDONESIA maga- nitude of credit at issue was Rp 1 trillion est daughter, Mbak Tutut. Hence, Sritex has zine has given a brief picture of this com- (nearly US$ 500 million). But again, the taken part in Mbak Tutut’s drive to employ pany. It maybe useful to remind the readers news story was promptly ‘killed’ by au- young East Timorese workers in Indonesian to that article, which has also circulated in thorities of the Department of Information. factories, and to export the fruits of their the Internet before, to see the connection Why should the Information Department toil to East Timor’s official metropole, Por- between the struggle for the right of self- officials kill the Sritex story, which they had tugal. On February 14, 1994, the first ship- determination in East Timor and the struggle not done in the case of the Eddy Tanzil- ment of 15 tons of cotton yarn from Sritex for democratization in Indonesia. Bapindo case? The answer would seem to was cleared by customs at the Port of George J. Aditjondro (Perth, 13 Nov. 95) lie in family connections between Sritex and Leixoes in Portugal. It was ordered by ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Golkar chairman and Minister for Informa- Manuel Joaquim Rodrigues Madeco, a Por- tion, Harmoko, and the Suharto family. tuguese businessman who heads the Indone- SRI BINTANG’S MORTAL SIN Buddy-buddy sian-Portuguese Friendship Association. The raw material was to be turned into cloth Lukminto (formerly Loo Kie Hian), the Inside Indonesia, June 1995: 5-6 for making, among other, shirts and sheets in majority shareholder of PT Sri Rejeki Isman Why are the Indonesian authorities cur- Macedo’s textile factory in Ermesindo. Textile Factory, in short, Sritex, has had a rently treating one of Indonesia’s finest Ironically, although they had contributed very close relationship with Harmoko since (former) MPs, Dr Sri Bintang Pamungkas, to Mbak Tutut’s pro-integration (and pro- childhood. Born in Kertosono, Nganjuk, as a crook? Escudo) campaign, the East Timorese work- East Java, on June 1, 1946, Lukminto comes The official reason is, as stated bluntly ers do not enjoy the same religious freedom from the same home town as Harmoko, who by those in power, that he instigated public as their Muslim co-workers. The poor girls was born there on February 7, 1937. A for- rallies against President Suharto in Ger- are not free to attend the Sunday mass in mer Confucian, he allegedly converted to many, last April (as if the German activists Sukoharjo, the textile mill town, since they Islam during the process of obtaining a large themselves could not do that). A more im- have to report for work on 0 7:00 pm. In loan from BDN, and has used the name portant reason, and one the Indonesian me- contrast, Muslim workers are free to say “Mohammad” in addition to his chosen dia are suppressing, is that Sri Bintang was their sholat prayers during work hours as Javanese name. the first Indonesian MP to expose the credit well as attend the Friday jemaah prayers in As a result of his long-lasting friendship scandal of PT Sritex, an Indonesian-owned the company’s musholla. Of the 100 East with the Golkar chairman, all yellow Golkar textile factory near Solo, Central Java, which Timorese workers which arrived three years batik shirts have to be ordered from Sritex, ago, only 30 have stayed. which in September 1994 obtained a copy- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 145

Small beginnings sure what to do, before walking over to talk not ready for democracy and freedom of From a small textile shop in Pasar Kli- to his lawyers. In the gallery, a few activists speech. It would only lead to chaos.” won in the heart of the city of Solo, Sritex shouted abuse at the judges, but the show of Former home affairs minister Rudini be- has grown into a conglomerate of 16 compa- defiance did not last long. After eight days, lieves that economic growth dictates that a nies, involved in trading, textile and paper the trial of Indonesia’s youngest political balance has to be struck between freedom production, tourism, and other services, prisoner was over. and control. “All countries have some com- based in Surabaya, Solo, Yogya, Magelang, “I am very disappointed,” Wardoyo told bination of security approach and prosper- Jakarta, and Hongkong, with a Rp 140 bil- Asiaweek in the court room. “I am not a ity approach,” he says. “The question is lion (about US$ 70 million) worth of assets criminal. All I did was sweep the floors and how long the military should be in a domi- and Rp 175 billion (about US$ 87 million) make the coffee.” The pathos of his case nant position.” Anyhow, he says, democ- worth of sales turn over. Last year, it was was underlined a week later when the two racy is growing. “There has been a lot of already rated among Indonesia’s hundred journalists he was accused of assisting, progress in freedom of speech over the past largest conglomerates by the Economic & Ahmad Taufik and Eko Maryadi, appeared 10 years, but it will take time before we can Business Review Indonesia. in the same court. Watched by a packed gal- enjoy, and handle, the level of freedom of, In spite of belonging to the hundred larg- lery of sympathizers, the members of the say, the U.S. or western Europe.” est conglomerates in Indonesia, Sritex’s la- rebel Alliance of Independent Journalists While political control at the top levels of bour and environmental records have been were each sentenced to 32 months’ impris- society may be loosening, acceptance of the very poor. Early last year, when members onment - setting off pandemonium in the status quo is still taught in classrooms and of the Indonesian parliament inspected the corridors as protesters taunted security mosques in villages and towns across the factory, it was found that only one third of guards. country. One graduate recalls her compul- the 12,000 workers were covered by the As Suharto’s presidential term ap- sory social work in a village in Java. “I was government’s worker insurance scheme, proaches its end, Indonesia waxes and horrified to hear the preacher telling every- Astek. Apart from that, there were still wanes between openness and authoritarian- one they had to accept their position in life, workers who received daily wages of Rp ism. A period of press freedom that began in accept the fact that they could never have 1,600 (about US$ 0.75), far below the re- 1992 ended last year when three publica- anything more. They were telling people quired Central Java minimum daily wage of tions, including the respected Tempo that the rich were born to be rich, and they Rp 2,600 (about US$1,25). Even Central newsweekly, were closed. This year, a suc- were born to be poor.” Java governor Soewardi had criticized Sritex cession of political arrests has gone hand-in- Indoctrinated or not, most Indonesians for its poor waste control system and its hand with moves to improve the human do accept the state of the nation’s politics, lack of participation in alleviating the pov- rights of former political prisoners and to and have few arguments with it. In the main, erty of the surrounding communities. scrap a system that required any gathering their lives are better than they were a decade So, what was wrong with Sri Bintang’s of more than five people to be licensed by ago and their daily tasks are little affected attempt to disclose the misuse of public the police. In Indonesia, knowing how far by lofty concepts of freedom or democracy. funds by Sritex, which is a proper task for protest - or even criticism - can go without A young Indonesian journalist now working every parliamentarian as well as the parlia- tempting arrest is an elusive skill. for the BBC in Britain agrees: “Seeing Indo- ment as a body, which, according to Article Just a few years ago, things were more nesia from London makes it look all bad, a 23 of the 1945 Indonesian constitution, has clear-cut - and more bloody. I recall arriving succession of problems. But when you get to uphold the people’s budgetary power in a village in East Timor shortly after the home, you see it in a different perspective. over the executive branch of the govern- day in 1991 that troops killed as many as For most people, things are not so bad.” ment? Unfortunately, Suharto believes that 100 demonstrators in the capital, Dili. As I For all that, visiting regions such as Aceh, exposing the business connections of the watched, the military were carrying out in- on the northern tip of Sumatra, where a Harmoko family is a mortal sin. As Har- tensive searches of vehicles. While it is true separatist movement was bloodily sup- moko’s major protector, Suharto wants to that a close encounter with armed soldiers pressed in the late 1980s, is an oddly dis- punish Sri Bintang Pamungkas, just as he can be unnerving for anyone, the look of concerting experience. At times of trouble in punished Tempo for coming too close to the sheer fear in the eyes of one woman as she these areas, smiles are rare and people watch Habibie family’s business connections in the got down from a bus told me more about you pass with guarded expressions on their German Navy ships deal. what had been going on than any eyewitness faces. Are they frightened that being account ever could. friendly with strangers might be misunder- HOW MUCH FREEDOM? Some people have tried to explain why stood by the ever-present military? What- the troops behaved in the way they did in ever is going through their minds, it is clear Asiaweek Feature, Nov. 17 Dili; others have said the killings can never they do not like what is happening to their be forgiven. But one thing is certain: that lives. Indonesia is moving at its own pace to- day still represents the darkest moment for Those Indonesians who persist in fight- ward democratic reform. But political civil rights in post-independence Indonesia. ing the system, however respected they activists sometimes pay a heavy penalty All that happened before and has happened may be, can expect it to fight back. Sri Bin- for going too fast for the government since is measured against it. So, how does tang Pamungkas, until earlier this year a par- By Keith Loveard in Jakarta 1995 compare with 1991? liamentarian with the Muslim-based United TWENTY MONTHS IN PRISON for These days, many Indonesians are un- Development Party, faces trial on charges of helping two dissident journalists distribute doubtedly concerned about the state of hu- insulting Suharto. The accusations spring material offensive to the government. As the man rights. Others feel that tough govern- from a visit the president made to Germany sentence was handed down in Jakarta’s Cen- ment action is the price that has to be paid last April, when he was met with violent tral Criminal Court on Aug. 24, Danang Ku- for national unity. “There are so many dif- protests. On his return to Jakarta, Suharto kuh Wardoyo looked stunned. The 18-year- ferent groups and so many different views said his government would take stern meas- old office boy stood silent for a minute, un- among us that there has to be some limit to ures against any Indonesians involved in the freedom,” says a Jakarta worker. “We are incidents. Pamungkas, who was in Germany Page 146 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. at the time on a lecture tour, is accused of local people were brave enough to show a seminar last year. “In prison, I made helping to organize the demonstrations and their faces. Gusmão was sentenced to life friends with all the robbers, murderers and of calling Suharto a “dictator” during a lec- imprisonment in 1993, later reduced to 20 rapists, and they were all protecting me,” he ture. While he agrees he did witness one of years. In a 1993 case in Jakarta in which he says. “All the hoodlums too. Now if I have the protests, he denies any involvement in unsuccessfully challenged the need for per- any trouble, all I have to do is get in touch organizing them. Last month he was named mits for meetings, Pangaribuan came out of with their friends.” Permadi was jailed for by army chief of staff Lt.-Gen. Suyono as the court building to find three of his car seven months by a JogJakarta court, and one of 15 people behind an “organization tires had been slashed and acid had been then released days after the sentencing last without form” linked to the banned Com- thrown over the paintwork. He acknowl- August. He is now awaiting appeal. Thou- munist Party of Indonesia. Pamungkas has edges that his wife, who is a law lecturer, sands demonstrated outside the court when privately acknowledged he expects to go to sometimes suggests it would be better for he was sentenced. prison for up to six years. him simply to be a well-paid commercial Like Fatwa, Permadi sees his arrest and Conditions for political prisoners are lawyer. But he says his family has been able trial as a deliberate attempt to remove him usually better than for ordinary criminals. to adapt psychologically to the constant from the public stage. In an interview with Veteran journalist Mochtar Lubis, jailed by pressure and now considers it normal. the Sunday edition of Media Indonesia, both the Sukarno and Suharto regimes, re- A.M. Fatwa says intimidation was for a produced under contract by former employ- calls being approached by the prison gover- long time a factor in his life. A leading mem- ees of Tempo, he said his trial was a con- nor during one of his incarcerations and ber of the progressive Muhammidiyah Is- spiracy. “I’ve been told this by a number of asked if he had trouble with his teeth. lamic organization, he was also an outspo- sources, including senior military and police “When I told him there was nothing wrong ken activist with the Petition of 50 - a officers. They said the word was that Per- with my teeth, he told me there should be, prominent grouping of government critics madi had to be tried for whatever reason because then I could have a weekly visit to who in 1980 called on Suharto to justify his that could be found, so long as he was my dentist. Every week after that, I was rule before Parliament. After being subjected tried.” He believes the aim of his prosecu- taken home for an afternoon to see my fam- to a number of bans, including limitations on tion was to sideline him until at least the ily.” Other prominent prisoners have also traveling, Fatwa was routinely pulled in by next elections in 1997. received special facilities. Subandrio, former the intelligence services and held for as long The soothsayer told the newspaper: “I deputy prime minister and foreign minister as a week. He was finally jailed in 1984 for do not want a revolution, but if demonstra- under Sukarno, lived in his own cottage on being the instigator of a Petition 50-backed tions are stopped and petitions are refused, the grounds of Jakarta’s Cipinang Jail until “white paper” criticizing the official version a revolution will certainly occur. That is the his release in August. of anti-government riots at the Jakarta port law of nature, the law of God.” Permadi’s But activists who have worked against of Tanjung Priok. In that incident, about 100 comments led publisher Surya Paloh to vol- the unity of Indonesia can expect no such local demonstrators were gunned down by untarily close the Sunday paper for a treatment. Luhut Pangaribuan, a director of soldiers. Sentenced to 18 years’ imprison- month, in a bid to forestall what many be- the Legal Aid Institute who has defended ment, Fatwa was released in 1993 after what lieved would be a revocation of his license. many critics of the government, says that he describes as an improvement in the po- Two weeks later, in a discussion with when he visited Aceh last year, he discov- litical climate, paired with submissions to Asiaweek, Permadi had no qualms about ered prisoners who had been held for years the president by then minister of religion repeating his prediction. “Nobody wants a without trial. Others who were brought to Munawir Sjadzali. revolution, but if the government never pro- trial had suffered physical mistreatment dur- It is generally believed Fatwa was singled vides an answer to the aspirations of peo- ing detention. Human rights sources allege out for prosecution because of his popular- ple, there will be one.” that other Aceh militants simply disap- ity with Muslims at a time when many were While many of Indonesia’s most promi- peared. “Only the lucky ones get as far as increasingly dissatisfied with the govern- nent political prisoners are now free again, court,” says one activist. ment. He says: “There was a plot to arrest, their places behind bars have been taken by Many lawyers believe the creation of an try and sentence me heavily, as a form of a new generation of dissidents. Best known independent judiciary is a more important shock therapy not only to me personally, abroad is Fretilin leader Gusmão, but there prerequisite to genuine freedom than any but also to the people as a whole, and espe- are also hundreds of separatists from Aceh, move at this stage toward greater democ- cially to Muslims.” The activist is nervous Islamic idealists from Lampung and a new racy. “Before the judges try a case, the deci- about talking to the press, since his release wave of journalists and pro-democracy ac- sion is already in their pockets,” says Pan- is conditional on his good behavior. But that tivists, many of them from Jakarta itself. garibuan. “The courts are easily controlled does not stop him sometimes speaking can- Also in detention are a number of soldiers. by the government. From the beginning, we didly about what happened to him. “I and They have been either sentenced or are wait- always knew it would be difficult to win a my family were the victims of terror,” he ing to go before a court martial for allegedly political trial.” But a few recent cases - no- says. “I tried to express the aspirations of using unnecessary force in incidents this tably last week’s defeat of the government the people for justice, and there was a risk year in Irian Jaya and East Timor. That the in the Administrative Appeal Court over the involved in that. I had to accept that risk. military should be held accountable this way revocation of Tempo magazine’s publishing There’s no point in being sorry about it, or is seen as a definite sign of progress on the license - suggest that some judges are now in being sick at heart at what happened to civil rights front. This, though, will be little more prepared to be independent. me. Nor I do feel any need for revenge.” consolation for Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, The work of lawyers is made more diffi- Political soothsayer Permadi says he en- who is serving his 20-month sentence in Ja- cult by intimidation. When Pangaribuan rep- joyed his five months in jail, before and dur- karta’s Salemba prison, in the company of resented Fretilin leader Xanana Gusmão, ing his trial on charges - trumped up, he the capital’s petty criminals. who for more than a decade had fought In- says - of insulting Islam. Permadi, who donesian troops in East Timor, the Dili claims to be able to forecast the political courtroom was invariably packed with mili- future of Indonesia, was accused of describ- tary intelligence officers in plain clothes. No ing the Prophet Muhammad as a dictator at East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 147

ABRI TAKES ON THE ous anti-Indonesia groups through the Inter- INDONESIAN MILITARY DEATH net. INTERNET THREATS AGAINST JOSÉ RAMOS “There are many stories that we feel are HORTA ON INTERNET not featuring what the real situation in Indo- The following is taken from the forthcoming CNRM Media Release, 4 January 96 issue of TAPOL Bulletin, December 1995 nesia is,” Parni Hadi, chief editor of IMN, told Reuters. Indonesian state-sponsored terrorism The Indonesian armed forces, ABRI, has Both foreign and domestic human rights against the people of East Timor and oppo- announced its intention to ‘wage a war of activists, environmentalists, student groups nents of the Suharto dictatorship is set to words’ on the Internet because of its anxie- and those opposing Indonesian rule in East increase this year. CNRM has received a ties about the anti-Indonesian articles and Timor use the Internet in a sometimes vig- disturbing email letter from an Indonesian information circulating on various networks. orous debate and lobbying effort against the with likely links to the military intelligence, According to Marshall S. Diharto who has Indonesian government. announcing the formation of a ‘Sparrow been put in charge of the Internet project, IMN (http:www.imn.co.id) was formally Unit’ “to eliminate all East Timor people activists who have been very busy circulat- launched on December 7 at ICMI’s congress from our land.” Killing CNRM Special Rep- ing damaging material include George Adit- by a beaming President Suharto as he pub- resentative José Ramos Horta is said to be jondro, Paul Salim and Jusfiq Hadjar whose licly “surfed” the Internet and found a pic- the Sparrow Unit’s main aim. objective, he says, is to ‘corner’ senior gov- ture of himself in traditional Javanese dress. After realising the extent of the uncen- ernment officials. Said Lieut. General So- Hadi said the event was unprecedented in sored information flow on the true situation eyono, ABRI chief-of-staff (who has been Indonesia’s tightly-controlled media because in Indonesia and East Timor, which circu- making the running on the OTB campaign - Suharto effectively launched a new elec- lates globally on the Internet, last August see separate item), their activities can be tronic publication which is yet to be li- the Indonesian Military announced the in- described as ‘agitational and propaganda’ censed. tention to set up a task force to “fight on aimed at destroying national unity. ‘We “There is no law, regulation or ministerial the Internet battle front against campaigns need to take action to counter-balance their decree concerning the Internet and now by Indonesian detractors threatening na- work with positive information.’ It will be a IMN has been declared open by the Presi- tional stability.” ‘war of information,’ he said. For TAPOL dent,” said Hadi, the chief editor of Repub- Since October, frequent opinion articles Bulletin readers with access to the Internet, lika. and comments on other postings, reflecting we are happy to announce the two home ICMI is a non-government group in name the bigotry of the Indonesian military, pages that will be available for your perusal: but Suharto is the chairman of its board of started to appear on the electronic confer- Hankam.gov.net for the Defence Depart- patrons and the association and nine cabinet ences. Many of them were authored by ment, and ABRI.mil.net for the Armed ministers sit on ICMI’s executive board. someone calling himself by the unlikely Forces. You will find information there Hadi, known to be close to Information name of Antonio Merlin, the purported au- about the structure and personnel of both Minister Harmoko, said he hoped there thor of the 3 January letter to CNRM, bodies, photographs(!), ranks, duties and would be no Internet regulation. which we quote unedited. responsibilities, plus an account of defence “Until now I have not seen any signs or policy, the history of the armed forces and From: [email protected] signals. Even Harmoko, when he saw our (Antonio Merlin) lots more besides. All of it will be yours, in first presentation, smiled all the way,” he Subject: Announcement Letter both Indonesian and English, for the cost of said. a phone-call. [Forum Keadilan, 4 December] Hadi said the new venture also hoped to Dear Sir, As an organisation that has been using the make a profit by selling advertising space. I’d like to inform you, that we Internet for the past six years - which only Republika was Indonesia’s first newspa- the Indonesian who doesn’t like shows how we NGOs have outstripped the per to go on-line in August through local East Timor people has been build regime - TAPOL welcomes our new spar- provider Radnet (http:/www.rad.net.id). our new fighter to eliminate all ring partners. Like many others on the But by translating some of its daily output East Timor people from our land. Internet, we look forward to downloading into English Hadi hopes to pitch its product We don’t like them because these contributions which could save us a to a wider international audience. they are tend to be a traitor and great deal of time and effort currently spent Hadi said ICMI represented the voice of like to use our people to be a trai- looking up information about officers, their the majority of Indonesia’s more than 190 tor of their country. Our new unit ranks and their functions. million people, of which around 90 percent will be called ‘Sparrow Unit,’ and starting to kill by the end of Janu- MOSLEM GROUP TO DEFEND are Moslem. “I cannot deny we are the voice of the ary 1996. We will supported by INDONESIA ON INTERNET Indonesian people, the 88 percent who are The Indonesian Progressive Mili- by Jim Della-Giacoma Moslem, but if you say that we are the tary Unit. Our primary goal is to kill J. Ramos Horta, so please to tell JAKARTA, Dec 14 (Reuter) – A politi- voice of the government that is not com- him to be careful by the end of cally well-connected group of Indonesian pletely wrong or completely right,” Hadi January 1996. intellectuals is planning to counter criticism said. Thanks. of the archipelago on the Internet with its “I think you cannot say Republika is a own cybervoice – the Indonesian Media government voice, but we have to quote and Given the well proven use of state spon- Network (IMN). carry some version of the government’s sored terrorism by the Indonesian military The Association of Indonesian Moslem views,” said Hadi, an official of the govern- in the East Timor occupation war, of which Intellectuals (ICMI), headed by Research ment-sanctioned Indonesian Journalists As- the infamous ‘ninja’ campaigns against the and Technology Minister Jusuf Habibie, sociation. civilian population and the attack on the aims to blunt the impact of attacks by vari- Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta last De- cember are recent examples, this latest threat needs to be taken seriously. It again reflects Page 148 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. the despair of the Indonesian Military at its main behind on the invasion day, Roger they were unlikely ever to see again. When a failure in East Timor in the face of the East East, an Australian, was executed by the friend asked him, “Are you going to get mar- Timorese people’s determined efforts to Indonesians. ried (again)?” he replied, “No ... a tough and continue their 21 year struggle for their right Xanana was made leader of the resistance prolonged war is ahead of us, we realise of self determination and freedom from a movement Fretilin, in 1981. With his beard that...” brutal foreign occupation. CNRM has taken and beret, he looked strikingly similar to Xanana was captured in a safe house on measures to protect the safety of its over- Che Guevara and, like him, became a Pim- the outskirts of Dili on November 20 1992 seas based personnel from terrorist actions pernel figure, eluding capture for more than after one of his drivers was tortured. He was covertly sponsored by the Suharto dictator- a decade. In their frustration, the Indone- found in a concealed room beneath the ship. sians deployed a tactic known as “the fence floorboards. Interrogated day after day, he of legs.” They forced tens of thousands of was confined in a small cell with a convicted XANANA SPEAKS FROM old people, women and children to march criminal suffering from (highly infectious) PRISON through the jungle in all conditions, “sweep- Hepatitis B and who, on pain of death, was ing” the undergrowth for guerrillas and call- to report everything he said. At the same Guardian Magazine, London. Dec. 2 1995. ing on them to surrender. time, hundreds of young East Timorese However, what Xanana and his men were rounded up and forced to declare their Here is the text of the Xanana interview as it heard were voices warning them in the allegiance to Indonesia by drinking each appeared in the Guardian Magazine. This Timorese language, Tetum, which the Indo- other’s blood, taken from them with a single interview was also published in the Nation nesians didn’t understand. “You are in dan- syringe and squirted into a bowl mixed with (USA, Dec. 25), Irish Times (Dec. 5), Afton- ger,” they shouted. “Quick. Run now. We wine. Such public acts of humiliation, often bladet (), Manchester Guardian will cover for you. “ Thousands of civilians conducted near a church with a priest made Weekly (Dec. 10) and other places. were caught and punished for this, often to attend, have been turned into rituals of Introduction and interview by John Pilger: with death, demonstrating that the guerrillas defiance, with people quietly chanting, in In East Timor there is a single, recurring were, and remain, immensely popular and their own language, Xanana’s words: “We sound. It interrupts the silence of the night the locus of a movement that has repeatedly resist to win.” and the early morning. It is a name spoken regenerated itself. “The old men embraced Today the resistance consists of mainly under the breath, a whisper - “Shananaa ...” me,” wrote Xanana in his diary. “They cried young people who were infants when Watching the sun rise over the oil town of out, ‘Son, carry on the fight! Don’t ever sur- Xanana went into the mountains and whom Suai, I was approached by a man who, render.’ We were moved by this and swore the Indonesians believed they had “re- without looking at me, held a furtive conver- to die for the homeland.” In classic fashion, socialised.” Last July I made contact with sation ending with, “Shananaa ...” On the the guerrillas have relied on ambush; on sev- Xanana in prison through an underground verandah of a hotel in Dili, the capital, an eral occasions frightened Indonesian units network which, since his “trial” in an Indo- old man nervously asked me to phone his have tried to negotiate an “amnesty” for nesian kangaroo court three years ago, has daughter in Darwin, then offered the familiar themselves. ensured that he continues as chairman of the whisper and departed. In 1970 Xanana married Emilia, “in a reg- National Council of Maubere (Timorese) That was two years ago. These encoun- istry office, after insulting the priests!” he Resistance. Strategy documents, poetry and ters were remarkable for the courage they wrote in his diary. They have a son, Nito, Christmas cards have all been smuggled out. epitomised - just to be seen talking to a for- and a daughter, Zeni, now both in their In messages sent from London in code, I eigner was to invite arrest. But the name twenties and living in Australia. Nito’s only proposed an interview on videotape. Within being whispered as a password of hope be- memory of his father is riding on his shoul- a fortnight I received a hand-written note: longed to a man who 10 months earlier had ders, each of them with an ice cream. “Dear JP I agree ...” It was signed “X.” I had been caught and locked away, perhaps for While Xanana was in the mountains, said in my message that 1 was concerned the rest of his life. Kay Rala Xanana Gus- Emilia was terribly abused. Once, with the about what might happen to him when the mão, known as Xanana (the “X” is pro- children watching, a pistol was rammed into interview was made public; that we could be nounced “Sh”), Commander of the Forces of her mouth and the trigger pulled. In 1990, under no illusions about the Jakarta regime’s the East Timorese National Liberation Front after long negotiations, she was allowed to vindictive talents. His reply to me echoed (Falintil), has been the symbol of East leave for Australia. On the day she was the statement he had read out at his “trial” Timorese resistance since 1981, and remains driven to the airport, hundreds of school- until the judge ordered him silenced. “As a so in his cell in Cipinang prison near Jakarta. children appeared out of the fields along the political prisoner in the hands of the occupi- If a people’s history of the 20th century route and stood with their heads bowed in a ers of my country, “ he told the court, “it is is ever written recording the true distinction defiant gesture of respect for her. When her of no consequence at all to me if they pass a of those who led ordinary people against the plane landed in Bali she found a crumpled death sentence here today. They are killing onslaughts of power and greed, at the risk of note in her pocket which read, in verse: my people and I am not worth more than their own survival, Xanana’s name will join You leave us not forever [their] heroic struggle...” Addressing any those of Mandela, Gandhi and Ho Chi We do not forget, concern, he replied that any risk was his Minh. At 49, his own life mirrors a national You have helped Timorese women keep right to take and his responsibility alone. struggle and suffering which, until a few their dignity and hope, As that message arrived in London, he years ago, were consigned to historical Xanana remains and is not alone, was suddenly moved to solitary confine- oblivion by the “international community” So you can leave us. ment. The previous occupant of his new and most of Western journalism. Go! Shout like Winnie Mandela! cell, Indonesia’s former foreign minister, Few images and reported words reached Subandrio, spent almost 30 years there. the outside world when Indonesian para- In his diary, Xanana noted that the resis- Smuggling in a video camera was now out of troopers landed in East Timor on December tance passed a resolution “allowing indi- the question. Instead, a miniature tape re- 7, 1975. The only foreign journalist to re- viduals, under certain conditions, to marry corder reached him, along with my coded twice” if they were separated from wives questions. His response is a personal record East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 149 of the East Timorese holocaust and of a re- and naval gunships. Three days later we back into mind. We could feel the voices of sistance movement that has survived solely witnessed the sacking of the city, the plun- the dead... on its popular base, without outside help. It dering of everything from taps and bathtubs Another journey to the West of Matebian. is also a document of defiance; he calls Su- to window panes and doors. In the cemeter- Six weeks of pain and daily fighting. I harto, his jailer, a murderer and warns that ies they desecrated tombs, ripping from couldn’t sit down, I couldn’t stay standing unless the question of East Timor’s self- them gold rings and crucifixes. Everything up and I couldn’t bear to lie down. I used to determination is resolved, it could ignite an was loaded on to cargo vessels while frigates roll around on the ground as if possessed. uprising in Indonesia itself. shelled the coast. How I cried! Many is the time I wanted to He also offers Indonesia terms of recon- The killing was indiscriminate. They mur- commit suicide. I couldn’t stand that terrible ciliation that would allow the world’s fourth dered hundreds of people on the first day, kidney pain. I used to drink huge amounts largest nation to reclaim some international including the journalist Roger East. Like of tea made from leaves, peelings and roots. respect worthy of its own struggle for inde- him, many people were brought to the har- The sympathy in the eyes of the warriors pendence against the Dutch. He distills his bour where they shot them one by one, as offended me. I would avoid the ineffective- anger for “complicit foreign governments,” the Nazis did. Anyone, women, children, ness of words. I tried all possible and imagi- such as the British, Indonesia’s biggest arms the elderly, anyone who dared venture out- nary cures, I put up with the boiling steam supplier, and the “cynical” Keating govern- side their homes was shot down. They and leaves heating my arms. I was van- ment in Australia. smashed down doors, firing their weapons quished, beaten. Not that I really believed I had asked him to send me some of his inside at anybody and anything. They that the steaming remedy would warm up poems, knowing that this had helped to sus- smashed up churches, leaving them full of my kidneys ... I just needed to believe some- tain him during his years in the mountains. urine and faeces. thing in order to keep me going. Although he replied that “I consider myself JP: What happened as the months turned JP: Were you able to see your family and neither a poet nor a writer,” the verse he into years and the world remained silent? under what conditions? sent is spine-tingling. Listening to the tape, which is 60 minutes long, it is clear he is XG: Between 1977 and 1978 large numbers XG: I was unable to... speaking in a small and empty space. To- of people surrendered. Their men had been JP: Is there a poem of yours that expresses wards the end he is rushing and speaking murdered, their scanty possessions pillaged something of the East Timorese struggle? and their women raped. In Uatulan, for in- more closely to the microphone, presuma- Xanana sent one called “Generations” bly for fear of being caught He ends with a stance, all those who could read and write personal message to me - “um grande were massacred, and in some villages only abraço” - a big hug - and signs off with his women remained. In those years the Indone- Names without faces title, “Commandante.” The following is our sian troops would tie people up and leave Hearts stabbed conversation, conducted literally a world them outdoors, naked and exposed to the with memories apart, thanks to others I cannot, alas, ac- harsh heat and the cold of the night while, of the tears of children knowledge. little by little, they would cut pieces from shed for their parents . .. their skin, their arms and legs. They often cut off their penises or their ears, which the More than death JP: Tell me about growing up in East Timor. victims were then forced to eat. Each village made them utter their last word What memories do you have of peace? had a detention centre which held the able- in every tear the cruel spectacle . . . XG: I was born in Manatuto one year after bodied men and women. At night their bod- the whimpering of a mother the Japanese withdrawal. My father was a ies were disposed of. From 1980 we tried to without energy primary school teacher, and I had to enter tell the world about this, but no one was upon her body are etched the [Catholic] seminary. I worked as a fish- listening. It is this which the murderer Su- the blemishes of anguish erman, wharfside worker and draftsman un- harto calls “returning to the people of East depleted til I finally got a job in the civil service, Timor their human rights!” The rags which was the ambition of all the assimi- which cover her JP: What were the conditions you and your lados (those regarded as “assimilated” with in tatters men had to endure during the 17 years the Portuguese). My entire youth was a dif- in the din of her own flesh you were in the mountains? ficult experience which I tolerated by virtue cruelly scorned of a will to win in life. XG: We were constantly on the move and by the Indonesian soldiers The Portuguese legacy was a strong part of exposed to heat and heavy rains. We suf- one by one our cultural identity. But for some of the fered a lack of food, medicine and clothing, on top of her “educated,” as those who had spent time as we stayed just ahead of the enemy. It behind a school desk were called, the strug- was not uncommon to be on the march for Inert, the body of a woman gle to uproot ourselves from our native cul- three weeks, sleeping two hours a night and becomes a corpse ture often caused a crisis of conscience. chewing dried meat and coconut. insensitive to the justice [In his diary Xanana wrote:] I climbed the of the dagger JP: How do you remember the day of the hill. Sad silence, desolation, grass spreading which has liberated her from life Indonesian invasion and the weeks and its cover over short-cuts and paths, strug- months that followed? gling to smother the cabbage and potatoes, and in the meantime... XG: I was on the Lois river with our troops, the only sign a human hand had ever been blows of the rifle butt who were trying to stop the advance of the there. Every ridge, every stone, every brook resound Indonesians after their assault on Balibo and and tree had witnessed such tremendous in the tear drops their murder of five Australian journalists. suffering. The seven of us marched in si- of the very same children We were stunned by the sheer number of lence. All the scenes of past months rushed aircraft. Dili was under attack from the air A father pays the price Page 150 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. for the last “no” of his life force of the small territory which 50 years the British people should do. Show the re- and... ago saved Australian soil... and it recognises gime that it will never be free of public dis- the criminal 20-year occupation as the best plays of repudiation for as long as the ques- the tears dried option for us. [The Australian government tion of East Timor remains unresolved. replaced by the sweat of the struggle ... was the first to defy the United Nations and JP: You are now on your own in solitary JP: How significant is the supply of Western recognise Indonesian sovereignty over East confinement, could you describe your cell, arms to Indonesia? Timor, in 1985. Keating and Evans have tied and the possessions you are allowed to much of Australian foreign policy to “doing have? XG: Extremely significant. In the early business” with Suharto. In the past year, the years American Bronco and Skyhawk air- Australian military has been integrated into I am under the supervision of military intel- craft relentlessly bombed and machine- Indonesia’s war effort in East Timor, train- ligence. Everything I do is recorded every gunned the camps and wells of the refugee ing the same units of special forces that have day; everything: the hour I wake up, what I population. And the new aircraft sold by committed some of the worst atrocities and do then, and the hour I go to bed. I am not Britain will invariably be used in East welcoming to Canberra, as an honoured permitted to mix with other East Timorese Timor. As for the denials that the Hawks guest, the general responsible for the massa- prisoners or with other so-called “subver- will not be used against us, the Western cre of 270 unarmed demonstrators in Dili in sive” inmates. I am only allowed to receive powers, concerned primarily with profits, 1991.] Red Cross visits twice a year. If my family have made these lies the condition for the wish to visit me at other times they are not continuing sale of arms and ammunition. JP: Has the East Timorese resistance any allowed. Intelligence officers visit me regu- The British Government must accept its suggestions for a solution? larly and ask me stupid questions. I am in a share of moral responsibility for the war in XG: We propose a process that gives eve- cell three metres by four metres with an East Timor. The imminent sale of 24 Hawks ryone the right to debate integration [with outside area 10 metres long. I can see the provides Jakarta with precisely the ap- Indonesia], autonomy or independence, sun through the iron bars. I don’t have a lot proval it requires that it may continue to based on the UN’s understanding of East of possessions, as you can appreciate. [He persecute and murder with impunity. [The Timor’s legal-political status. After a period has been offered exile but has refused it until sale, by British Aerospace, follows a “soft” of time we propose a plebiscite to be carried all East Timorese political prisoners are re- loan to Jakarta of 80 million which Britain’s out under international supervision. If the leased.] Overseas Development Minister Lynda East Timorese freely opt for integration, we JP: Like any human being in such confine- Chalker delivered in person last May. De- will make every effort to maintain a climate ment, your spirit must ebb and flow. spite Amnesty’s report that repression and of peace and understanding. But if the peo- When you are not at your strongest, what violence were worse in East Timor than at ple decide upon independence, Indonesia restores you? any time since the Santa Cruz massacre, she must be prepared to respect this. The re- announced that “human rights have im- gime is now aware that the case of East XG: The memory of my people’s sacrifices proved in Indonesia.”] Timor is a far greater threat to its credibility and an awareness that no sacrifice I could than any other domestic problem. Until a make could compare with the sea of blood JP: What do you say to Australia’s Prime that has washed over my homeland. And so Minister Paul Keating and Foreign Min- few years ago Indonesian society was closed. Now human rights are better under- I do my best to overcome my own difficul- ister Gareth Evans when they argue that ties... Australia has no choice but to form a stood, thanks to the revelation of their viola- close “partnership” with Jakarta? tions in my country. JP: For those who have never been to East Timor, could you describe its beauty and XG: Never have I encountered in the whole There are also signs that Suharto is no longer sure of who his friends are, now that most the particular memory of it you have in world two more cynical and insensitive La- your mind and heart? bour party politicians as Messrs Evans and of the old guard have returned. Not all of Keating. The Australian Labour Govern- them can be made ministers, and the new XG: Would I say that my country is beauti- ment has shown itself to be without princi- generation of generals are now anticipating ful? Perhaps yes and perhaps no. The thing ples. To the point where Canberra has even their share of benefits from the regime, that enchants me is the primitive harmony stooped to kow-towing to the Suharto re- which has already begun to promote the idea of the relationship which exists between gime, this is truly a disgrace. They are trai- of the immortality of Suharto. If the Indone- human beings and the natural world. And tors of the conscience of the Australian sian opposition fails to recognise that the how beautiful it is to feel an instinctive people. time has come for mass-mobilisation and fondness for the cool of the mountains risk-taking, it will die out. which are not blue, no, they’re not blue. It is JP: But what about the historical debt that the fragrance that hangs in the air, close to the Australian people are said to owe the JP: What can people all over the world do to help bring about freedom in East Timor? the earth, that is blue. And how beautiful it East Timorese? is to feel the peace which invades the soul as XG: I belong to the generation which grew XG: Go out on the streets and protest in the body brushes through the dense foliage up immediately following the Japanese oc- front of the nearest Indonesian Embassy, as of the woods, the sensation of a concealed cupation. As a child I knew that East Timor they do in Australia. Put the lie to Indone- freedom. fought to ward off Japan’s invasion of the sian claims that the problem of East Timor Australian continent. Yet Australia claimed is a domestic one for Indonesia. During the African colonial wars, [the Portuguese dicta- TIMOR GROUP PROTESTS victory! If there is a military threat to Aus- AGAINST RED CROSS, tralia today, it comes from Indonesia. Logi- tor] Marcelo Caetano was mobbed in the cally, East Timor would serve as a bulwark streets of London and forced to return to ACTIVIST against Indonesia in the defence of Australia. Portugal like a bandit fleeing from the police. [abridged] But no! Due to its fear of an Indonesian in- Actions such as these are worth more than a vasion, every Australian government since million letters written to Suharto or UN Sec- Jakarta, Dec 4 (Reuter) – More than 20 1975 has given its approval to the taking by retary-General Boutros Ghali. This is what youths staged pro-Indonesian protests on East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 151

Monday against the International Commit- tors in Dili, the capital of troubled East More than 60 percent live in Java, Bali and tee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and an activist, Timor. Lombok, which comprise less than a quarter denouncing their “interference” in the terri- It will also overlap, on Thursday Decem- of the total land area. tory. ber 7, with the 20th anniversary of Indone- “A majority of those resettled were poor “Don’t sell East Timor for money!” read sia’s military invasion of East Timor after families and had no land to till,” said Indo- one of the banners displayed during the pro- its former Portuguese colonialists left. nesian Minister for Transmigration Siswono test against Dutch-born human rights activ- Many foreign embassies in Jakarta have Yudohusodo. He said 95 percent of the ist Poncke Princen in front of his Institute boosted security, some with barbed wire, people resettled had significantly improved for the Defence of Human Rights in east following a spate of break-ins by a total of their incomes. Jakarta. 43 East Timorese political asylum seekers The government plans to enlist transmi- Some protesters said the group was made since September 24. grants to cultivate 30,000 hectares of idle up of East Timorese. However, others told All of the Timorese were granted asylum land in 16 provinces in the coming year in an Reuters they were paid 20,000 rupiah in Portugal. effort to expand food producing areas. ($8.70) each by the military to join the pro- Supandi said those arrested since No- Among an estimated 600,000 of fallow test. vember 11 including 537 alleged gamblers, land in Indonesia, the largest is found around “We are forced to join the protests and 509 people without identity cards, 251 southern Sumatra, measuring some 15,000 only seven of us are from East Timor. The drunkards and 56 petty criminals. hectares, followed by 3,000 hectares in re- others come from Flores (island) and West He said two Colt pistols with ammuni- mote Irian Jaya. Timor,” one protester said. tion, 83 knives, 3,606 bottles of alcohol and Agriculture Minister Sjarifudin Baharsjah The protest lasted about 30 minutes and more than 3,000 barbiturate pills were taken recently announced plans to convert 1.3 mil- included a brief dialogue with Princen, an from detainees, now in police custody. lion hectares of swamps in central Kaliman- Indonesian citizen, before the 26 protesters tan into rice fields and forestry estates. boarded a bus and went to the ICRC mis- TRANSMIGRATION EASES He said the 217-million-dollar project, sion in a southern suburb. POVERTY BUT THREATENS which is expected to be completed in 10 No arrests were reported in both pro- years’ time, will involve private companies tests, which were watched by police and ENVIRONMENT for part of the funding and transmigrants to plainclothes military officers. Princen is farm the land. By Yuli Ismartono among the most outspoken Indonesian ac- Officials say transmigration also helps to tivists on East Timor issues. JAKARTA, Dec 4 (IPS) - Population re- conserve the country’s tropical rainforests A total of 43 East Timorese have sought settlement projects have succeeded in allevi- by moving squatters to permanent settle- political asylum in foreign embassies in Ja- ating poverty in some developing countries, ments outside the forest areas, but critics karta since September 24. All were granted but critics of Indonesia’s transmigration say in fact it wipes out indigenous cultures asylum in Portugal, the territory’s former programme denounce it as a threat to the and harms flora and fauna. colonial master. nation’s social and ecological balance. Environmentalists estimate up to 12,000 The youths at Monday’s protest de- Participants at a recent international con- sq km of Indonesian forests are lost every nounced what they called the ICRC’s inter- ference here on population resettlement year partly because of the widespread clear- ference in helping the asylum seekers leave. agreed that despite problems of funding and ing of woodland for settlements for new mi- implementation, such projects have helped grants. INDONESIANS DETAINED IN ensure a more equitable distribution of re- The programme has also encroached on sources in some countries. LATEST JAKARTA the country’s 25.5 million hectares of wet- “My government is currently intensify- land, much of it undisturbed till a few years CRACKDOWN ing land reforms to resettle 1.4 million land- ago. With many of the resettlement sites less workers and unemployed people,” said failing because the land is unsuitable for ag- JAKARTA, Dec 4 (Reuter) - More than Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Raul riculture, the programme has led to the de- 1,500 people, including alleged gamblers and David do Valle. velopment of peat swamp areas for fuel and drug traffickers, have been detained in Ja- Namibian Minister of Resettlement and food resources. karta during the latest Indonesian military Land Rehabilitation Richard Kapelwa Ka- “Peat swamp forest is a unique ecosys- crackdown on underworld activities, a mili- badjan said resettled people in his country tem and once lost, can never be replaced,” tary spokesman said on Monday. are given four to seven hectares of land for warned a representative of the Indonesian The crackdown – codenamed “Operation agriculture, plantations and fish breeding. environmental group Skephi. Cleansing” – was launched on November 11 In war-torn Cambodia, resettlement pro- Many migrants also complain of lack of with over 4,000 soldiers and police. grammes are focused on relocating hundreds government assistance once they settle in Lieutenant-Colonel Didi Supandi, a of thousands of refugees and displaced peo- their new lands. They find themselves spokesman for the Jakarta military com- ple from the 12-year civil war that ended in stranded in remote and uncleared areas, mand, said 1,551 people had been held so 1993 following United Nations-sponsored without any infrastructure or facilities to far in the sprawling capital of about 10 mil- multi-party elections. support their new ventures. lion inhabitants. Indonesia’s transmigration programme, And often, the settlers must contend “This crackdown aims at making Jakarta launched in 1952, has moved 7.2 million with the local population of the designated safer, as well as reducing the number of people from the densely populated islands transmigration areas, whose culture and tra- crimes. The activity will continue for an in- of Java, Bali and Lombok to the sparsely ditions differ greatly. The settlers are often definite period of time,” he told Reuters. populated islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, viewed with suspicion, of attempting to The operation started one day before the Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. ‘colonise’ their lands. fourth anniversary of the massacre on No- The programme is aimed at redistributing A programme to move some 10,000 peo- vember 12, 1991, of up to 200 demonstra- Indonesia’s 190 million people more evenly ple from Java and Sumatra to Siberut island around the archipelago’s 13,700 islands. four years ago was greeted with protests Page 152 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. from the Mentawi people. Village elders Embassy occupations by the Peoples De- that fought Dutch colonialism and created feared the influx of outsiders encouraged to mocratic Union, however, are the first real the Indonesian nation. Today they are be- intermarry with the Mentawi might lead to open acts of defiance by a pro-democracy ginning to force themselves back into the the gradual disappearance of their 3,000- group. The actions have put its demands of mainstream. Apart from the emergence of year-old culture. Indonesian withdrawal of all police and mili- the PRD, there has been the inability of the Violent disputes between settlers and lo- tary forces from East Timor and for a refer- government to stop the gradual rise of radi- cal communities sometimes take place when endum on independence into the Indonesian cal Sukarnoism. Megawati Sukarno is now land ownership comes into conflict with media and over the cable TV broadcasts into the president of the Indonesian Democrat traditional laws. Indonesia. Party, some of whose members have already Not surprisingly, some transmigrants Moreover, the Peoples Democratic Un- publicly endorsed the PRD’s campaign for a eventually go back to their place of origin ion itself represents a new trend in Indone- repeal of all repressive political laws, includ- rather than continue their hard struggle in a sian politics. It is an organisation that brings ing those banning new political parties. In strange and unwelcoming land. together organised support amongst trade the last three weeks, leaders of several of The government denies claims that it is unionists, students, farmers and artists. For other supposedly extinct political groups coercing people to move to the outer is- the last 20 years opposition to the Suharto have announced their reformation, using dif- lands. “Transmigration in Indonesia is vol- government has been restricted to the cam- ferent names but the same acronyms. untary. People participated freely in the puses and to dissatisfied former elements of All these trends are, of course, facing se- programme to improve their situation,” said the government. Some of these people later vere repression by the government. Leaders Siswono. formed community based welfare and hu- of PRD are regularly detained and their ac- Despite the programme’s flaws, critics man rights groups but none attempted to tivities harassed. Although all the protesters admit transmigration remains one of the organise broad memberships in ongoing from last weeks Dutch and Russian Em- most effective tools to distribute the popu- campaigns against government policy. The bassy protests have been released from po- lation more evenly, and hence promote re- formation of PRD in May, 1994 marked the lice custody, it is reliably reported that mili- gional development. beginning of a new stage in Indonesian poli- tary and police agents are attempting to The Jakarta conference called on the in- tics. It immediately took the lead in pushing round up as many East Timorese activists ternational community to increase its con- forward the public campaign against last as they can find. However, it will be increas- tribution towards population resettlement. year’s bannings of Indonesia’s three major ingly difficult for the government to hold Said Siswono: “The concept of population newsweeklies, Tempo, DeTik and Editor. back the process of Indonesia’s pluralistic resettlement has been widely accepted, but Yesterday (Monday 11 December), the political traditions reemerging. Widespread it cannot be implemented in full because of a PRD launched another action in the form of discontent with massive gaps between rich shortage of funds and technology.” a strike and rally of over 12,000 textile and poor and the absence of basic democ- workers in the Central Javanese city of Solo. ratic freedoms is forcing many young people INDONESIA OUT NOW! The rally was dispersed with at least 40 to seek out vehicles for expressing their dis- MOVEMENT STARTS people arrested. The action will be sup- content. This is especially the case amongst ported by the PRD’s national affiliates, the the literally millions of young people who FROM AKSI, NEWS SERVICE, 12 Decem- Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggles and have flooded into the country’s sprawling ber 1995 Students in Solidarity with Democracy. industrial areas working for $2 a day in This follows a string of other actions, in- semi-militarised factory conditions. An abridged version of this article appeared cluding a six day strike, a demonstration and The recent Embassy protests reveals the in the December 12 Sydney Morning Herald march of 14,000 workers in July just out- potential for discontent on these issues to titled “Dissent alive in Indonesia” side Jakarta.. link up with concerns about government By Max Lane The emergence of PRD and its willing- policy on East Timor. The Suharto govern- 40 Indonesian leaders and members of the ness to support East Timorese independ- ment therefore faces the prospect of not Peoples Democratic Union (Persatuan ence is part of a deeper process of change in only dealing with increasing opposition to Rakyat Demokratik - PRD) joined 60 East Indonesian society. Numerous political par- its invasion of East Timor in the interna- Timorese in sit-ins on the Dutch and Rus- ties, trade unions and other organisations tional community and in East Timor. It now sian embassies on December 7. This dra- developed deep roots in Indonesian society faces a new battle front on East Timor - in matic action signals the start of a movement beginning in the 1920s. After independence Indonesia itself, amongst its own discon- in Indonesia amongst Indonesians demand- in 1945, Indonesia experienced a period of tented people. The actions in Jakarta over ing that the Suharto government withdraw 20 years of dynamic, sometimes volatile, the last few days do not signal an immediate from East Timor. It also signals an escala- political pluralism. In the 1960s this gave threat to Suharto’s rule, but do indicate that tion in the militancy of the democratic rise to big conflicts over issues such as land things will not be so easy for him and his movement in Indonesia generally. for the millions of landless peasants and the government in the months ahead. Support for the East Timorese cause in role of foreign business. In 1965 these con- These developments also expose the Indonesia has been slowly increasing over flicts came to a head and the Indonesian bankruptcy of the Australian government’s the several years, especially since the 1991 military, under general Suharto, seized policy on East Timor. Behind assurances Dili massacre. This has been reflected in the power. Almost all of the long standing po- that Canberra takes up human rights issues outspokenness of academic critics such as litical parties, trade unions, farmer organisa- with Jakarta is the fact that Foreign Minis- Dr George Aditjondro as well as critical tions were either physically suppressed or ter Evans has made it clear again and again stances taken by a number of community taken over by the government, depending on that in his view the annexation of East and human rights organisations. For at least how radical they were. Timor by Indonesia is “irrevocable.” Now two years now, there has existed a Joint However, the political outlooks that he needs to address this not only to the East Committee on East Timor bringing together these organisations represented - from left Timorese and their Australian supporters a range of community organisations. The to right - remained deeply rooted in Indone- but also to the most active section of the sian society. They were the organisations democratic movement in Indonesia itself. In East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 153 this respect, the Australian government is Others at risk include labour activists, “The Indonesian Government should en- more and more revealed as an ally of the Su- those opposed to development projects, and sure an end to human rights violations harto government vis-à-vis the democratic religious activists or alleged supporters of against women and that particular mecha- opposition in Indonesia. separatist movements. Women activists nisms are put in place to enable women to As the old dynamic, pluralist Indonesia seeking to defend the human rights of others report human rights violations. The govern- starts to re-emerge in a new 1990s version, are also at risk of harassment and imprison- ment should also ensure that members of the with demands for democratic change and ment. security forces who violate women’s rights withdrawal from East Timor at centre stage, Two labour and human rights activists are brought to justice,” Amnesty Interna- it will become clearer and clearer that inde- were arbitrarily detained and questioned on tional said. pendence for East Timor is inevitable. It is 22 November in Jakarta, merely for associ- only a question of time and the cost in hu- ating with another known human rights and INDONESIA SAYS AMNES TY man life and suffering. Current Australian democracy activist. An East Timorese RIGHTS REPORT BIASED government policy by supporting Jakarta woman, Felesmina dos Santos Conceição, JAKARTA, Dec 13 (Reuter) - Amnesty only prolongs the suffering. was released from prison in October, after International said on Wednesday Indonesian serving four years of a five-year sentence for women, particularly activists, were the tar- AI: INDONESIA FAILS TO distributing military documents containing get of rape, torture, execution and other PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS an interview with the East Timor Governor rights violations by security forces. Jakarta and information about the schedule and ac- called the report biased. commodation of a Portuguese parliamentary AS INDONESIA COMMEMORATES In a report released in Sydney entitled delegation to East Timor. THE ROLE OF WOMEN THE “Women in Indonesia and East Timor, Women seeking to protect their social GOVERNMENT STILL FAILS TO Standing Against Oppression,” Amnesty and economic rights are frequently subjected PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS alleged the practice of torture was not overt to human rights violations including arbi- government policy but “has become institu- From: Amnesty International News Service, trary detention, torture and imprisonment. tionalised within the security forces.” 13 December, News Service 236/95 “It is only when the rights of women not The report by the London-based rights AI INDEX: ASA 21/60/95 to be arbitrarily detained, tortured, killed, or group was denied by Indonesian Foreign “disappeared” are guaranteed that women’s Ministry spokesman Ghaffar Fadyl, who As Indonesia approaches Hari Ibu on 22 socio-economic rights and their right to de- December – the day on which it commemo- said it was “biased” and the allegations were velopment can be achieved,” Amnesty In- not new. rates the country’s first women’s congress – ternational said. Amnesty International today is calling on “Amnesty International has always been The shame frequently felt by those engaged in the distortion of facts on human the Indonesian Government to stop violat- women who are raped and sexually harassed ing the human rights of women in Indonesia rights in Indonesia,” Fadyl said. in military and police detention means that The Amnesty report said women most at and East Timor. these violations are often not reported. “There is a striking gap between the In- risk were those involved in land disputes, “A greater responsibility should be Islamic or other religious activities or those donesian government’s pronouncements on placed on the Indonesian Government to the protection of women’s rights at the in- criticising central rule over the provinces of ensure transparency in all forms of security Aceh, Irian Jaya and East Timor. ternational level and the grim realities on the detention – all women in detention should ground,” the organization said. It listed a number of allegations of im- have access to lawyers of their own choice prisonment, rape, torture and execution of Amnesty International today released its and women guards should be present at all first report on violations against women in women in Indonesia in the 1990s. times.” Amnesty International said. “There is a striking gap between the In- Indonesia and East Timor. The report Women suffer violations because mem- documents cases of political imprisonment, donesian government’s pronouncements on bers of the security forces are not held to the protection of women’s rights at the in- restrictions on labour activists, rape and tor- account for their actions. The widows in ture of women in detention, ill-treatment of ternational level and the grim realities on the Aceh and East Timor whose husbands were ground,” Amnesty spokeswoman Nalyni suspected prostitutes, extrajudicial execu- killed or “disappeared” by the security tions and the death penalty. The report also Mohamed said in releasing the report. forces have never been told by the govern- “Women who challenge the Indonesian looks at how impunity enjoyed by members ment what happened to their husbands or of the Indonesian security forces contributes authorities frequently suffer human rights received compensation. They still live in a violations, including arbitrary arrest, rape, to human rights violations against women. climate of fear, making them reluctant to talk The Indonesian Government has de- torture and extra-judicial executions,” she to outsiders. said in Sydney. fended the right of women to enjoy “inalien- Other women who suffered rape, torture, able human rights as recognised by the in- Fadyl said the report showed Amnesty’s imprisonment and unfair trial for their al- ignorance of what Indonesia was doing to ternational community” in an international leged links to the Indonesian Communist human rights meeting. Sadly, these rights do promote the advancement of women. Party in the 1960s, still bear the scars of He said Indonesia had set up 62 study not seem to been recognized by the Indone- their torture and treatment. They conceal sian Government itself. centres for the advancement of women as their identities because of continuing restric- well as the promotion and protection of “Women in poor, isolated communities, tions on former prisoners yet those who with limited access to independent lawyers their rights, and its efforts had been praised committed the violations were never brought by United Nations bodies. or human rights groups are frequently at risk to justice. of human rights violations,” Amnesty Inter- “Indonesia is one of the leading countries Two months after governments adopted in Asia promoting and protecting women’s national said. “This makes them particularly a Platform for Action to protect women’s vulnerable to abuse by security forces and rights,” he added. rights at the UN Conference on Women in Amnesty said it had received 40 testimo- less likely to report violations or seek jus- Beijing, the responsibility on the Indonesian tice.” nies from women describing torture since Government is even stronger. 1993. Methods included electric shock, ciga- Page 154 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. rette burns, sleep and food deprivation, and said that whatever considerations the gov- cumstances that are not adding fuel to the beatings with iron bars, wood and bottles. ernment had about solving the East Timor fire – like the resettlement of thousands of “Torture is frequently used to obtain in- issue, the possibility of special status, let Indonesians to East Timor. formation, to intimidate detainees and to alone autonomy or independence, was not The apparent aim of the resettlement obtain confessions,” Amnesty said. on the cards. programme is to increase the ratio of Mus- Amnesty said that since the Indonesian Up to now, Jakarta has tried military lims to Christians. Currently, Catholics invasion of East Timor in 1975, independ- force, economic assistance and even reset- make up 95 per cent of the 800,000 people ence supporters had been routinely tortured tlement programmes to quell the protests of living on East Timor, but in recent years by Indonesian military personnel. Timorese activists seeking independence 25,000 Muslims have been making a home “In East Timor women are raped with from Indonesia, but none have worked. on the province annually. impunity,” Amnesty said. Military might has seen violent crack- Timorese complain that the influx is fur- downs in recent years – the worst being the ther undermining the economic situation on AUTONOMY WILL HARDLY 1991 Dili massacre which resulted in several the province, where unemployment is ram- GET ON JAKARTA AGENDA deaths and international condemnation of pant. the Jakarta regime’s human rights record. Timorese economist João Mariano de By Yuli Ismartono Every November, Timorese activists Sousa Saldanha says that any political ef- mark the anniversary of the bloody army forts by the Indonesian government to inte- JAKARTA, Dec 13 (IPS) - It is now 20 crackdown with various demonstrations – grate East Timor, will fail if economic and years since Indonesia invaded East Timor most recently, they have been focused on social development are not taken into ac- and just as the subsequent annexation is still foreign embassies as a means of gaining in- count. not recognised by the world community, so ternational attention for their plight. Timorese member of parliament Salvador have Jakarta’s efforts at integration failed to Last week, students staged similar tactics Ximenes Soares made a similar observation win over the independence movement. in marking the 20th anniversary of the inva- in an interview with the ‘Far Eastern Eco- But political observers say that while sion – their demonstrations at the Dutch and nomic Review.’ Timorese activists continue to embarrass the Russian embassies coinciding with the visit He also said that the provincial governor Jakarta government through various protest of U.N. envoy on Human Rights Ayala should be given the authority to levy taxes actions, they discount any possibility that Lasso. and accept direct foreign aid, and that East President Suharto will in the foreseeable fu- What was significant about last week’s Timor should be allowed to adopt its own ture bow to their demands for independence, demonstrations was that they were joined educational system. autonomy or even special administrative by non-Timorese youths who described But this would amount to giving East status. themselves as members of the People’s De- Timor a form of special administrative The idea of allowing the former Portu- mocratic Union in support of the Timorese status, which observers say, is not on Ja- guese colony special administrative status cause. karta’s agenda now, or for the future. has at various times in the past been raised Their demands were not for political asy- by political figures in the Indonesian capital Comment from Charlie Scheiner, lum. Rather they sought: the withdrawal of ETAN/US: and is again a subject of debate following a Indonesian troops from East Timor, a refer- “worst being the 1991 Dili massacre series of student protests. endum to determine the territory’s political which resulted in several deaths ???” “This (special administrative status) status, and a repeal of repressive politically There is a well-researched list of 271 would make sense given the different lan- related laws that have been in force on East names of people who were killed in the Dili guage, religion and traditions of the Timor since 1985. Massacre. Even the Indonesian government Timorese,” said an Indonesian academic. And while mainland support for the admits to 50. Tetum, a local dialect is widely spoken in Timorese activists remains outwardly small, East Timor, and this has marked differences the timing of last week’s protest was par- Comment from Constâncio Pinto: (For- from the Malay-based Indonesian language ticularly awkward for the Jakarta govern- mer Secretary of the Executive Commit- which became Jakarta’s lingua franca after ment and Foreign Minister Ali Alatas was tee of CNRM in the underground move- Indonesia gained its independence from the forced to admit that the integration process ment and the organizer of the 12 No- Netherlands in 1945. was far from complete – even 20 years on. vember, 1991 peaceful demonstration) On the religious front, while more than “It’s obvious they are part of a campaign Yes it is true that there is a list of 271 90 per cent of Indonesia’s nearly 200 mil- to challenge Indonesia by a minority in East killed at the Santa Cruz Massacre in 1991, lion people profess the Islamic faith, Chris- Timor who refuse to accept the reality of 20 but this does not include the names of those tian leaders have suggested another reason years of integration,” Alatas told reporters. people who were massacred at the Military why Jakarta might give East Timor special Shortly after East Timor gained inde- hospital and others in Hera and Bemos. status, is because of the comparatively large pendence from Portugal in 1975, it was in- As someone who compiled the above list Catholic community on the province. vaded by Indonesia which formally annexed I admit that up to 400 people were killed by But observers say the Indonesian gov- the territory in 1976 – a landgrab that the the Indonesia army from November 12 to ernment will not entertain the idea since it United Nations refused to recognise. December, 1991. could open a Pandora’s box given the fact Human rights organisations claim that as that the archipelago is made up of thousands many as 200,000 people out of a total of islands with different ethnic populations INDONESIAN ARMY population then of 650,000, may have been ANNOYED BY ALATAS who may subsequently demand similarly killed by the Indonesian armed forces during special status if the Timorese activists were the invasion and annexation. given their way. NRC-Handelsblad, 16 December 1995. By Political observers say that in addition to Dirk Vlasblom, [Slightly abridged] “We are an archipelago of 13,000 islands the historical grievances that remain over inhabited by peoples with cultural origins,” Jakarta’s invasion and subsequent annexa- A report filed last night by Antara had noted a local political commentator, who tion of East Timor, there are prevailing cir- the effect of a time-bomb. Major-General East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 155

Imam Utomo, commander of the East Java INDONESIA TO REOPEN for the December 7, 1975, invasion of East military command seized the occasion of a Timor – he gave Mr. Sung and his younger farewell ceremony for retired officers to an- MISSION IN CUBA brother Hendro the job of supplying logis- nounce, in a display of professional pride, [abridged] tics support to the troops. that his men had arrested the key people Once the troops settled down under the involved in the actions at the Dutch and JAKARTA, Dec 20 (Reuter) - Indonesia command of General Murdani, Dading Kal- Russian embassies. will reopen its diplomatic mission in Cuba buadi and Sahala Rajagukguk (now Indone- The announcement shattered the credibil- following an improvement in ties, especially sia’s Ambassador to India), the Sung broth- ity of Foreign Minister Ali Alatas who had over East Timor, the official Antara news ers’ fortune grew in leaps and bounds. promised the embassy occupiers that they agency reported on Wednesday. They set up PT Denok, a company would only be questioned by the Jakarta Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, quoted by which used the occupation to get the mo- police and then be released. A police Antara, said Cuba had opposed Indonesia nopoly over the entire East Timor coffee spokesperson had announced that ‘if the on East Timor but changed its attitude by trade. Another Sung brothers’ company, PT embassy did not make any charges, there supporting Jakarta at the 49th meeting of Salazar Coffee Plantations, took over the would be no reason to prosecute the peo- the Human Rights Commission in Geneva in deserted Portuguese-owned coffee planta- ple.’ 1993. tion [in the] district of Ermera. It is questionable whether the men in uni- “Now it is about time to have our own From this lucrative start, the Sung broth- form have any regrets for embarrassing office in Havana, especially that Cuba ap- ers set up more than a dozen other compa- Alatas. For years, they have been annoyed pointed its ambassador to Indonesia in nies in East Timor. including monopolies by all the efforts made by Alatas to clean up 1992. It is based on the principles of recip- over the production of marble and sandal- Indonesia’s image by removing the East rocity that we should also open our own wood oil. Timor stain. It was Alatas who in October mission there,” Alatas said on Tuesday. Another company produced high-value 1991 invited a delegation of Portuguese par- Antara said Indonesia closed its perma- carvings from East Timor’s marble and san- liamentarians to visit Dili. At the last min- nent mission in Havana in 1985 for financial dalwood. ute, the invitation was declined much to the reasons. Since then, Indonesia’s ambassador Two civil engineering companies set up disappointment of people in East Timor to Mexico has also been responsible for by the brothers won the lion’s share of all When the whole thing exploded and the uni- Cuba. infrastructure projects in East Timor. They formed men started shooting at the rioters, Alatas, speaking at the installation of In- operated a real estate project, Marina de- we became caught up in an inquiry commis- donesia’s charge d’affaires to Havana, said: partment store, cinema and two hotels. sion and a military tribunal, many army of- “The latest stance of the Cuban government The group established its own shipping ficers argue. with regard to the East Timor issue has be- company, PT Pelayaran Nee Diak, and a From then on, Alatas brought one UN of- come increasingly favourable to Indonesia. trading arm, PT Batara Indra, which eventu- ficial after another to East Timor, the most “Our relationship has also become in- ally became the group’s holding company. recent being the Ecuadorian Jose Ayala creasingly intensive as fellow members of The whole cluster of companies is now Lasso, UN High Commissioner for Human the Non-Aligned Movement,” he added. called Batara Indra Group. Rights, which caused a great deal of commo- As well as profiting from the abandoned tion and it was left to us to maintain law and MAN WITH THE RIGHT Portuguese coffee plantation, the group was order, say the fellows in the barracks. In the MATES (GJA ON BENNY allowed to take over a former Portuguese past few months, East Timorese have been MURDANI) stadium, former Chinese and Portuguese climbing over embassy fences and then ‘re- shopping centres, warehouses and hotels. warded’ with free passages to Portugal - but Without political backing from the com- Benny Murdani’s cukong from the military point of view, this is just manders of the Indonesian troops in East asking for trouble. THE WEST AUSTRALIAN, January 3, Timor, it would have been impossible to get The slogans yelled by loyalist youngsters 1996. By George Aditjondro all these preferential business opportunities. calling the Russian and Dutch embassy oc- Former Immigration Minister Gerry During this time the Sung brothers cupiers ‘traitors’ was music to the ears of Hand has upset Labor Left colleagues by changed their Chinese family name to the security officers. The inquiry which forging a partnership with Robby Sumam- Sumampow – after the then Indonesian po- Alatas has promised to (Dutch Foreign pow, the Indonesian businessman who con- lice commander. Minister) van Mierlo should determine trols the Christmas Island casino. This re- In return, Alex, son of the late Maj.-Gen. whether those slogans were in fact designed port profiles Mr. Sumampow and the po- W.F. Sumampow, was given a 15 percent by the generals themselves. If this proves to litical patronage behind his success. share in PT Gunung Kijang [one of the be true, they will be held responsible for the TWENTY years ago, Robby Sumampow Group’s civil engineering contractors], and counter-actions waged on Dutch territory was a practically unknown businessman – groomed to become the group’s chief execu- the original purpose of which was probably still living under the Chinese name of Sung tive. intended to scare off future embassy occu- Fung Liang. Alex Sumampow, who has spent the past piers but which ended up in acts of violence But even before he changed his name, 20 years in East Timor, now heads the against Dutch diplomats. Mr. Sumampow, born in Solo, Java, on No- group in Timor. holding the position of One thing is certain: the safety guarantees vember 9, 1944, could find the right contacts treasurer of the Indonesian ruling party’s provided by the diplomats have been – the people who knew people. branch and head of the Indonesian provincial spurned by the military. While Alatas is One of those contacts was, and remains, Chamber of Commerce. He has often repre- trying so hard to protect Indonesia’s image General Benny Murdani, who two decades sented the group in business tours and exhi- abroad, for the military, everything must ago was a rising star in the Indonesian army. bitions in the Northern Territory [Darwin, serve a higher goal, internal security. So, when General Murdani – now retired Australia]. – was assigned by President Suharto to Despite Alex Sumampow’s public profile command the Seroja Operation – codename in East Timor, this second-generation New Page 156 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Order conglomerate is actually run by Har- George Aditjondro is an exiled Indonesian the East Timor problem, and the lack of tanto, a Sino-Indonesian businessman head- academic based in Perth credibility of Foreign Minister Alatas’ ing Batara Indra’s “representative office” in –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– statements. Resistance Commander Xanana Jakarta. P.S.: The same edition of the WEST Gusmão continues to be referred to as a HOWEVER, the Tanah Abang office is AUSTRALIAN and the SYDNEY “common criminal,” (e.g. an Alatas ‘Gatra’ only the appendix of Batara Indra’s real MORNING HERALD of December 30, magazine interview as recent as 1 January). headquarters, since the two brothers actu- 1995, mentioned that Robby Sumampow Xanana Gusmão has indicated in the past ally spend more time in their multi-storey and Benny Murdani have set up a company that he will refuse to cooperate with Indo- office in Jakarta’s Chinatown [which in Perth in September 1995, called Taruma nesian prison authorities interrogations re- stretches from Jalan Pecenongan No. 15 Australia Pty. Ltd. Its directors include garding political matters while he remains back-to-back to Jalan Batu Tulis Raya No. former Indonesian Air Force commander, classified, and is referred to, as a “common 51]. Air Vice Marshall Teddy Rusdi, former di- criminal.” From this building they launched PT rector of Indonesian’s national airline, Ga- CNRM condemns the Indonesian treat- Motorollain Corporation, the first Indone- ruda, Mr. Moehammad Suparno, as well as ment of Commander Xanana Gusmão, and sian private company to receive a clearance former tourism and transport minister in the raises its concerns about his well being in from the armed forces to deal in radio pagers previous South Australian Labor govern- the light of these latest and ill-timed harass- in the late 1970s. ment, Barbara Wiese. So, this shows that ment. It was also from this Chinatown office the “Indonesian” way of closely linking CNRM asks the United Nations Secre- that Robby Sumampow managed Tommy business and politics has now been “ex- tary General Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Suharto’s clove monopoly board BPPC. ported” to Australia. GJA the Portuguese Foreign Minister Mr Jaime When Robby Sumampow began to man- Gama, to strongly raise the situation of the age his Christmas Island casino from this East Timorese Leader in their meeting with Chinatown office, Tommy Suharto’s airline XANANA GUSMÃO Minister Alatas on Tuesday, and to press company, Sempati Air. got the monopoly to HARASSED BY INTEL ON EVE for Gusmão’s immediate and unconditional fly Indonesian VIPs from Jakarta to Christ- OF LONDON MEETING release. mas Island. By its actions Indonesia is once again ex- Apart from business relations with Mr. CNRM Media Release, 15 January posing its lack of true commitment to the Suharto’s youngest son, Robby Sumampow Resistance leader Xanana Gusmão har- search of a genuine solution to the East also has business relations with Mr. Su- assed by Indonesian military intelligence on Timor problem, and is threatening the con- harto’s second son, Bambang Trihatmojo, in eve of London UN-sponsored ministerial tinuation of the current process of talks. North Sulawesi. talks For Comment : José Ramos Horta in Meanwhile, the fortune of the Sumam- East Timorese Resistance Leader Xanana London tel +44 181 771 2904 pow brothers’ business empire in East Gusmão, serving a 20 year sentence in a Ja- Timor has declined drastically – overshad- karta jail, is set to be interrogated on Mon- owed by a new group, Anak Liambau, a day following accusations of having sent out EVENTS IN WEST PAPUA joint venture involving Mr. Suharto’s and interviews from prison to the international son-in-law [and the family of Indonesian- media. Xanana has been strictly prohibited There have been many developments in appointed governor José Abilio Osorio- by the Indonesian authorities -who pretend West Papua during this period, including Soares]. he is a “common criminal"- from any unau- an escalation of pressure and awareness East Timor, however, was only a step- thorised contacts with the outside world. on Freeport-MacMoRan, and the OPM ping stone for the Sumampow brothers to CNRM learned from contacts close to taking several Indonesian and foreign accumulate their wealth. members of the Indonesian Armed forces hostages. There is no way to include They have since opened the Christmas (ABRI), about a document issued by the even a significant sampling of informa- Island casino and have an estimated personal Correctional Institutions Directorate Gen- tion in East Timor Documents. wealth of US$ 161 million. eral raising concerns about the political con- Theirs is a typical Indonesian New Order sequences of statements allegedly supplied INDONESIAN MINING rags-to-riches story: if you have close con- by Xanana Gusmão to the media. The PROJECT POSED nections with the army and the First Family document is said to recommend his transfer and don’t mind sacrificing the poor people to a more isolated area of the prison, for- ‘UNREASONABLE HAZARD’ you have a long way to go. merly occupied by top level Suharto regime By Pratap Chatterjee There is nothing wrong with having a political prisoners, such as recently released business partner provided the partner does former Indonesian Deputy Prime Minister WASHINGTON, Nov 3 (IPS) – The not have a sinister East Timor background, and Foreign Minister Subandrio and General world’s largest gold mine, located in Indone- which contradicts the reputation of Gerry Omar Dhani. sia and operated by Freeport McMoRan, a Hand and the Labor Left as staunch sup- According to the source, Xanana will be Louisiana-based company, is causing “an porters of East Timor’s right to self- questioned by prison and military intelli- unreasonable or major environmental, health determination. Mr. Hand’s stance is in line gence on Monday 15 January, the eve of the or safety hazard,” according to a U.S. federal with Prime Minister Paul Keating who has 7th round of the (so far quite unproductive) agency. accepted Jakarta’s claim over the territory. talks between Portuguese and Indonesian At midnight Tuesday, the Overseas Pri- So it is hardly surprising that members of Foreign Ministers under the auspices of the vate Insurance Corporation (OPIC), the the Labor Left and unions in Victoria, Mr UN Secretary General, scheduled for Lon- U.S. government agency that insures U.S. Hand’s home State, have called for his resig- don on Tuesday. companies overseas against the “political nation from the party’s top decision-making This latest situation once again highlights risk” of nationalisation, unrest or war, an- body. the incoherence of Indonesian approaches to nounced that it was canceling a five-year- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 157 old, 100-million-dollar insurance policy for age from overburden and tailings; the con- Last week, Indonesian president Suharto the mine. centration, mobilisation and bioavailability made a personal appeal to U.S. President Activists are now calling on a World of toxic metals in the tailings; the degrada- Bill Clinton, when they met at the White Bank affiliate which also insured the opera- tion of surface and groundwater quality ... House. While in Washington, Suharto was tion to follow suit. The Multilateral Invest- and the mismanagement of solid and hazard- also feted at a dinner hosted by James ment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) sold a 50- ous wastes at the site.” Moffett, Freeport’s chief executive. million-dollar policy to Freeport in 1990. In addition, the project has caused “in- Three reports have also been issued this “OPIC has done the right thing. We are creased sedimentation ...caused by the dis- year on serious human rights abuses, includ- calling on the World Bank, which has also charge of higher percentages of coarser grain ing torture and murders, near the Freeport guaranteed Freeport’s mine, to follow their tailings.” project. The first two were issued in April example immediately,” said Danny Ken- On Oct 31, O’Sullivan sent a second let- and September by the Australian Council nedy, an activist with Action for Solidarity, ter to the company to confirm the policy’s for Overseas Aid (ACFOA). The third re- Equality, Environment and Development (A cancellation. He also informed the company port, by the Indonesian government’s own SEED) Australia. that OPIC would return the 971,885.24 dol- human rights commission, confirmed many A MIGA spokesman, however, said no lars that Freeport had paid for the insurance of the incidents cited in the ACFOA re- decisions have yet been made. “We have premium for 1996. ports. communicated with OPIC and we are await- Freeport defends itself. The company While the abuses were reportedly carried ing a response from them,” said Gerald claims that it “is in compliance with Indone- out by the Indonesian Army, investigators West, senior adviser to MIGA, who refused sian environmental regulations and has re- say that Freeport permitted the army to use to speculate on the possibility of MIGA ceived all necessary approvals from the gov- some of its facilities. Freeport, which runs canceling its insurance. ernment of Indonesia after detailed reviews its own security service on site, has denied The mine is located in the western half of of its operations” according to Greg Probst, any involvement. the island of New Guinea which was re- Freeport’s official spokesman. named Irian Jaya by Indonesia when it took “Freeport believes that OPIC lacks a le- JAKARTA JOINS THE ROW over the island in 1967. Freeport set up its gal basis for canceling this coverage and, OVER GRASBERG mine shortly after the invasion and was therefore, the coverage remains in effect. granted permission to expand operations in Resolution of this dispute has been submit- The Australian, 9 November 1995. By Da- 1990. ted to arbitration,” added Probst. mon Frith. Slightly abridged. “OPIC has discovered as a result of a The Indonesian government was recently monitoring visit in Jul. 1994 that Freeport’s sued in Jakarta by WALHI, an Indonesian The Indonesian Government has stepped expansion of the project ... has caused sub- environmental group, for failing to follow into a potentially damaging public-image stantial adverse environmental impacts national environmental laws when it issued battle between the massive Grasberg cop- which compel OPIC to deny all further cov- mining permits to Freeport. per-and-gold mine in Irian Jaya and a US erage of the project,” wrote Robert C. Emmy Hafield of WALHI says that the insurance firm that has withdrawn country O’Sullivan, a lawyer for OPIC, in a Oct 10 OPIC decision confirms the group’s find- risk insurance from the project. letter to the company. The letter was ob- ings. “We now want to set up an independ- The US firm, Overseas Private Invest- tained by IPS Friday. ent environmental monitoring system near ment Corp, is the equivalent of the Austra- Alison Rowen, an OPIC spokeswoman, their operations especially to monitor water lian Government’s Export Finance and In- told IPS that the agency would not comment quality in the local rivers. The company it- surance Corp which provided $US250m in on its grounds for canceling the insurance. self has an extensive system but it won’t country risk insurance to the Lihir gold pro- O’Sullivan was not in his office Friday to release the data to us,” she said from Ja- ject in Papua New Guinea. answer telephone calls. karta. On Sunday OPIC withdrew a $100m When Freeport applied for the insurance Freeport originally responded to the country risk policy from the Grasberg pro- policy, the company stated that maximum WALHI lawsuit by sending a letter to the ject, citing human rights issues and an ex- ore production at the mine would be 52,000 U.S. Agency for International Development pansion plan that has raised environmental tonnes a day. During the July 1994 visit, (US AID), which funds WALHI. The letter, concerns. however, OPIC consultants discovered that written by Paul Murphy of Freeport, com- An escalation of the dispute will be bad Freeport’s production had increased to plains about the lawsuit and the fact that news for CRA Ltd. which is likely to as- 100,000 tonnes a day and that the company WALHI is affiliated with radical environ- sume control of RTZ’s 12 per cent interest was planning to increase this to 160,000 mental groups like Earth First! and Friends in the project once the announced $27b tonnes a day. of the Earth. merger between the two mining giants is “If OPIC had understood that the ore and USAID, however, approved a new grant completed. tailings (mining waste) production levels to the group for 250,000 dollars. The agency The Indonesian Government has signalled would be at such high levels, the agency has given about 1.1 million dollars to its intention to request a formal explanation clearly would not have issued the policy,” WALHI over the last 11 years, according to from OPIC as to why it has withdrawn its according to O’Sullivan. sources. insurance cover. The Government said it had no interest in The production increase has resulted in The OPIC decision, which had been ru- the “massive deposition of tailings in the moured for two weeks, was fought by pow- defending Freeport McMoRan Cooper and Ajkwa river and the sheet flow tailings that erful lobbyists in Washington. Former Sec- Gold Inc., the operating company, but only has degraded a large area of lowland rainfor- retary of State Henry Kissinger, called the to question the negative political implica- est between the Ajkwa and Minajeri rivers,” State Department to stop the cancellation, tions of the withdrawal. says the OPIC letter. according to the Los Angeles Times. The Indonesia’s US ambassador, Arifin Sire- The O’Sullivan letter explains that the newspaper reported that Kissinger and his gar, said if the reasons behind the cancella- environmental problems include, among oth- consulting firm received 600,000 dollars tion involved environmental and human ers, those “associated with acid mine drain- from Freeport in 1994. rights issues, then Indonesia had been Page 158 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. slapped in the face. ‘Indirectly, they (OPIC) 1990 Moffett earns $8.82 million from April, 1995 Australian Council for Overseas are signalling that Indonesia tolerates those Freeport. Compensation expert Graef Aid (ACFOA) releases a report detailing alleged violations,’ he said. Crystal names him the fifth most over- dozens of human rights abuses at Indone- paid CEO in the U.S. sian mine, implicates Freeport security FREEPORT MCMORAN: June 7, 1990 The PUD rebellion. Austin personnel in the attacks. A TIMELINE City Council votes against Freeport sub- Apr. 17, 1995 New York Times reports that sidiary FM Properties’ 4,000-acre real several Indonesian journalists are arrested Austin Chronicle, Nov. 14 estate project on Barton Creek. on charges of “insulting the government,” 1936 Dutch explorer-geologist Jean Jacques October 17, 1990 Officials from half a a crime punishable by up to seven years Dozy discovers Ertsberg (Dutch for “ore dozen environmental groups send letter in prison. mountain”) in Papua New Guinea. His to Freeport, asking about problems with May, 1995 Freeport suit against City of discovery is recounted in a paper which mine tailings. Letter cites findings from a Austin, asking for $75 million in dam- was promptly ignored. United Nations Development Report ages, goes to federal court. Six-member 1959 Forbes Wilson, exploration chief for that says company has “continuously jury finds for Freeport, but awards them Freeport Sulphur Co., learns of Ertsberg dumped untreated copper mine tailings” only $113,000. from Dozy’s report, visits site. into a tributary of the Ajkwa River. August, 1995 Catholic Church of Jayapura Freeport responds, saying that “envi- releases report on abuses at the mine, 1961 Jim Bob Moffett graduates from UT ronmental concerns are certainly a signifi- with a bachelors degree in geology. corroborates many of ACFOA’s find- cant part of our operations considera- ings. 1965 Suharto seizes power in Indonesia. At tions.” least half a million are killed. Sept. 11, 1995 Dr. Steven Feld resigns his Sept. 17, 1991 New discoveries of ore at the position as an ethnomusicologist at UT 1967 Freeport becomes first company to Grasberg deposit cause Freeport to dou- in protest of Chancellor William Cun- sign a contract under Indonesia’s new ble estimates of mine reserves. Value of ningham’s association with Freeport. foreign investment law. gold, copper and silver in mine estimated Sept. 22, 1995 Indonesian Commission on 1968 Moffett, along with UT boosters Ken at $50 billion. Human Rights releases report confirming McWilliams and Mac Rankin, Jr., form Nov. 1991 Some 200 civilians are shot to human rights abuses, and asking that “the McMoRan Oil & Gas Co. The three later death in a cemetery by Indonesian mili- scope of operation activities between the strike it rich in South Texas oil fields. tary while attending the funeral of an- provincial government and the armed 1972 After years of building infrastructure, other citizen who died at the hands of the forces with PT Freeport Indonesia be de- Freeport Sulphur begins mining at Erts- Indonesian military. American journalists fined clearly.” berg, immediately has problems with are present and stories are run in the NY Sept. 26, 1995 The Texas Observer sends a weather and problems of mining at Times, Christian Science Monitor and list of questions to all of the members of 13,000 feet above sea level. Wilson elsewhere. CBS News runs footage of the UT Board of Regents regarding Cun- writes that the company was “deeply in shooting. The Austin Chronicle faxes ningham’s association with Freeport. It the red” due to low copper prices. press reports to Cunningham. He refuses includes copies of the ACFOA and 1975 Indonesian military invades East to comment. Catholic Church reports. Chairman Ber- Timor. An estimated 200,000 Timorese Feb. 1992 National Wildlife Federation nard Rapaport responds for the entire die in conflict with Indonesian military. spanks Freeport, after company runs TV board, saying “I do not believe further Suharto regime later prevents journalists ads claiming that it had won an award review is in order.” from entering the former Portuguese col- from NWF. Freeport cancels ad. After Oct. 10, 1995 OPIC sends letter to Free- ony. flap, Moffett refuses to give interview to port, explaining that the company’s $100 1977 Amungme tribal people steal dyna- a local TV reporter, saying that she million insurance policy is being can- mite, blow up slurry pipeline at the mine. doesn’t “understand the way corporate celled. Letter says mine poses “unrea- Military crackdown kills as many as 900 America works.” sonable or major environmental, health or local villagers. June 1994 Suharto closes down four oppo- safety hazards.” 1980 Freeport and Indonesian government sition publications, including Tempo, an Oct. 20, 1995 Austin Chronicle files Free- start relocating local tribal people in the influential newsweekly. dom of Information Act request with lowlands. June 1994 Scientists from Overseas Private OPIC. Agency refuses to comment on in- 1980 Moffett becomes CEO of McMoRan Investment Corporation, a federal surance issue. Oil. agency, visit Freeport mine, take water Midnight, Halloween 1995 OPIC coverage 1981 McMoRan merges with Freeport samples, investigate environmental prob- of Freeport mine expires. lems at mine. Minerals – a company twice as big as Nov. 1, 1995 OPIC confirms that insurance McMoRan. Dec. 1, 1994 UT Board of Regents decides has been cancelled. 1987 UT President William Cunningham to name new building on the Forty Acres after Moffett. Nov. 1, 1995 UT Geological Society cancels begins serving on Freeport’s board of di- dinner planned to honor Moffett, citing rectors. Dec 25, 1994 Demonstration by local tribal Moffett’s “scheduling conflict.” 1988 Freeport named top corporate polluter people near the mine. Military attacks, at least three civilians are killed. Nov. 2, 1995 LA Times and NY Times run by EPA. stories on cancellation. Freeport says it 1989 UT Geology Department signs $1 mil- Feb 23, 1995 “Son of PUD” deal proposed will take issue to arbitration. Austin lion agreement with Freeport to do ex- by Freeport is voted down by the Austin American-Statesman buries four inch ploratory work at the Indonesia mine. City Council. Freeport lobbyists begin story on page A6. In New Orleans, pushing Austin-bashing legislation at the where the Times-Picayune runs the wire Legislature. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 159

story on front page, Moffett storms into ABRI SET ON WEST PAP UAN Jaya, certain to result in large human suffer- the newspaper offices, demanding that it ing and bloodshed of innocents, only serving run a correction. “He denied that OPIC BLOODBATH: JOSÉ RAMOS Suharto’s son in law to further professional had cited environmental reasons for can- HORTA’S GOOD OFFICES credits. celling their insurance,” said a source at OFFER José Ramos Horta reiterates his offer of the paper. good offices to help to peacefully resolve Nov. 3, 1995 Times-Picayune runs excerpts CNRM Media Release, January 20, 1996 the Irian Jaya hostage issue with the OPM from the OPIC letter on the front page. The hostage drama in the Indonesian West Papua fighters. Feld calls for Cunningham to resign im- province of Irian Jaya involving 4 British, 2 mediately from Freeport’s board and to Dutch and 8 Indonesian citizens, held by cancel the UT Geology Department con- OPM West Papua fighters since last week, YEAR-END REVIEWS tract with the company. could soon develop into a bloodbath. The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) having so Nov. 6, 1995 Austin Chronicle requests in- ANTARA: INDONESIA terview with Cunningham. Again, he re- far failed to solve the problem are losing fuses. their patience, as once again their lack of PURSUES ACTIVE Nov. 8, 1995 Daily Texan reports that competence becomes publicly evident. DIPLOMACY IN 1995 Freeport has withdrawn a $600,000 grant ABRI’s Irian Jaya Commander yesterday from Loyola University, following “anti- announced a strong ultimatum to the OPM From ANTARA (Indonesian Government), Moffett protests.” kidnappers, threatening a full ABRI action if 29 December. Year-end Review: the hostages are not released this weekend. Jakarta - While a free and active foreign To avoid the widespread violence which NCHR WON’T INVESTIGATE policy has been Indonesia’s creed ever since can be expected from an ABRI attempt to it proclaimed independence in 1945, with FREEPORT ‘resolve’ the hostage problem, CNRM Sp e- President Soeharto attending four summit cial Representative José Ramos Horta last meetings in 1995, the year is likely to go Jakarta Post, 22 December 1995. Abridged week made an offer to the governments of down in history as one of the country’s The National Commission for Human the United Kingdom and the Netherlands of busiest in the diplomatic front. Rights yesterday rejected an appeal by Irian his good services to assist in the peaceful The first heads of state/government gath- Jaya students to look into allegations that resolution of the problem The East ering that President Soeharto attended was PT Freeport Indonesia played an active role Timorese Resistance has no structural or that of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the killings of civilians in (Timika) earlier other links to the Free Papua Movement, in Cartagena, Colombia, in October. this year. OPM, yet personal rapports and under- At the summit, Indonesia handed over The commission’s report implicated standings exist between. these fellow vic- the NAM chair which it held for the past Freeport, an American copper and gold min- tims of Indonesian military oppression. three years to the host, Colombia. ing company but only to the extent that OPM leaders respect the East Timorese Re- It was in Cartagena that Indonesia was some of the killings occurred in the com- sistance and the CNRM leadership for the repeatedly praised for its achievements dur- pany’s area of operation and that some of way it has maintained the struggle for the ing its chairmanship (1992-1995), especially its facilities had been used. rights of the East Timorese people over in directing the Movement to a non- Clementino do Reis Amaral, a member of these two decades of exposure to brutal confrontational approach to enable it to the commission, who met with the twelve military occupation by Indonesia. In par- concentrate more on cooperation programs students, said his organisation had neither ticular, José Ramos Horta is widely re- among its members. the capacity nor the authority to follow up spected by West Papuans for his diplomatic Also in October, the Head of State went its finding on the allegations of human rights skills and his professional teaching activities to New York for the 50th anniversary cele- violations. in peaceful conflict resolution. bration of the United Nations where he gave ‘It is under the authority of the Irian Jaya With the agreement of OPM members, a speech that called for the reformation of provincial administration and local police to José Ramos Horta has made himself avail- the world body. conduct a follow-up investigation,’ able to talk to the abductors so as to secure After both trips, came Osaka, Japan, the Clementino said. ‘You have the right to the safe release of the hostages, and avoid venue of the meeting of the Asia-Pacific know the result but you have got to go to the bloodshed, mostly of innocent civilians, Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s the local administration and police because that experience has shown inevitably ac- leaders, in November. we have submitted our report to them.’ companies ABRI’s involvement. The offer The APEC Meeting, although it was not He denied that the commission was pro- was acknowledged with interest by both officially called a summit, was attended by tecting Freeport. He admitted that the com- governments, but has not been taken up so most of the top leaders of the 18 member- mission’s team, during their trip to Irian far. Instead, the murderous Brig. General APEC forum. Jaya, used Freeport’s helicopter but this in Prabowo Subianto, Suharto’s son in law, Despite previous skepticism, the Osaka no way affected the impartiality of the re- who bears such great responsibility for Meeting managed to come up with a more port. He said the Freeport helicopter was ABRI atrocities and violence in East Timor, concrete step towards the trade and invest- the only mode of transport available to take on which he based his rapid rise through the ment liberalization era in the Asia-Pacific the team to remote areas during the course military ranks, has been put in charge of the region in 2010 (for the developed APEC of its investigation. Irian Jaya hostage military rescue operation. members) and in 2020 (for the developing With the experience accumulated in two ones). decades of tragic East Timor history, CNRM appeals for pressure on the Indone- ASEAN Summit sian government to prevent ABRI from The last month of 1995 was marked by launching an ultimately futile action in Irian the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Page 160 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. which saw the signing of the Southeast Asia when Jakarta withdrew the nomination of under the guidance of U.N. Secretary- Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) retired Lt. Gen. HBL Mantiri – because of General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. not only by the seven members of the As- his past statements about East Timor – to Jakarta has already ruled out holding a sociation (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, the post of Indonesian ambassador to Aus- referendum on self-rule in East Timor, main- Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thai- tralia. taining that a vote 19 years ago proved the land and Vietnam), but also Cambodia, Laos, The withdrawal left the post vacant for majority of territory’s people want to re- and Myanmar. six months until Jakarta announced in De- main part of Indonesia. Observers viewed the signing as a prelude cember that Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, a sen- “There is no referendum in our diction- to the establishment of a united Southeast ior career diplomat, will be its new envoy to ary...because it is already finished,” Suharto Asia at the beginning of the 21st century. Canberra. said. After all, the three other Southeast Asian The signing of the Agreement of Main- A flood of East Timorese youths climb- countries are now making serious prepara- taining Security between Jakarta and Aus- ing the walls of foreign embassies in Jakarta tions to become full-fledged members of the tralia capped the busy diplomatic year of to seek political asylum further clouded ASEAN, they said. 1995, as it was the first agreement of such prospects for the talks. The students were Earlier in March, President Soeharto at- kind Indonesia ever established with any allowed to leave by Indonesia and were sent tended the UN Summit on Social Develop- country. to Portugal. ment in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he It remains to be seen whether the year Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Gut- spoke on various issues concerning prob- 1996 will be as busy as 1995 in terms of teres accused Indonesia of creating condi- lems and challenges faced by most develop- diplomatic activities. tions “for a generalized exit of Timorese ing nations. Most analysts believed that as the 1997 with the object of easing internal pressures.” The year 1995, apart from the summits, General Elections gets closer it is likely that Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas holds significance also from the foreign pol- everything will be more inward-looking. blamed the exodus on Lisbon and said it un- icy point of view as the country joining the derscored Portugal’s unwillingness to re- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) UPI 1995: EAST TIMOR solve the East Timor issue. for a two-year tenure. HAUNTS INDONESIA “We need two hands to clap and so far The country’s non-permanent member- we’ve been clapping with one,” he said. ship at the UNSC prompted Foreign Minis- UPI 1995 Yearend Feature, by Sukino “The other hand is almost motionless, ex- ter Ali Alatas to say that Indonesia should Harisumarto cept for sending students to embassies.” be considered for a permanent seat at the Jakarta has spent a considerable amount Council if it was going to be expanded. JAKARTA (UPI) – Twenty years after of money trying to lure Indonesian settlers As the year approached to its end, how- Indonesia seized East Timor, simmering dis- to East Timor and to improve the territory’s ever, no important step had been made to- sent in the former Portuguese colony con- infrastructure and economy. wards any effort to expand the Council, tinues to haunt Jakarta and tarnish its image But East Timorese dissidents maintain mainly because the Permanent Five (Russia, on the world stage. the efforts have done little to improve their China, France, Britain, and the US) are still Continuing protest in the territory lives. “We, the East Timorese people, re- in full control with their veto rights. against Indonesia’s occupation – highlighted main poor while the newcomers get fatter While various international forums be- by East Timorese youths scaling the gates and fatter,” one activist said recently, came a success story of the country’s for- of foreign embassies in Jakarta to seek po- It has also failed to stabilize life in East eign policy in 1995, the so-called East litical asylum – and outrage over alleged hu- Timor, or to improve Indonesia’s interna- Timor issue remained an unsolved problem. man rights abuses have stoked international tionally criticized human rights record in the In June, East Timor’s pro and anti- criticism of Indonesia, territory. integration camps met in Austria under the Even Indonesian President Suharto ac- “Since November 1994, there have been All-Inclusive East Timor Dialog (AETD) knowledged recently that while the coun- increased, and sometimes violent, demon- scheme. try’s swift economic development has re- strations against Indonesia’s occupation of The dialog turned out a statement in ceived praise around the globe, the reaction East Timor,” human rights watchdog Am- which the two camps expressed agreement to its policies in East Timor “is very unfa- nesty International said in a recent report, to continue their meetings in the coming vorable. “ Some of the violence stems from tension year. A Portuguese colony for more than 400 between East Timorese and Indonesian set- years, Roman Catholic East Timor was in- Fence scaling tlers, or in the activities of the territory’s vaded by Indonesia – the world’s most separatist Fretilin rebels, whom the military Meanwhile, some East Timorese youths populous Muslim nation – in 1975 and in- says have killed at least 16 people in recent continued to scale the fences of foreign em- corporated as its 27th province a year later, months. bassies in Jakarta in an effort to seek for Human rights groups say the invasion But Amnesty and other groups allege the asylum in Portugal. and subsequent anti-insurgency campaigns government has continued to take a brutal Foreign Ministry officials, however, kept killed some 200,000 people – one-third of hand in cracking down on even peaceful pro- on describing the move as “an old game that East Timor’s population. The United Na- test in East Timor. no longer attracts anyone’s attention.” tions does not recognize the annexation and “The authorities have responded to the In January, Alatas met with his Portu- continues to regard Lisbon as the territory’s unrest with arbitrary detention, including guese counterpart José Manuel Durão administrative center, detention of peaceful protesters, beatings, Barosso in Geneva, Switzerland, for the Diplomats expect little progress to come torture and in some cases shooting,” the fifth tripartite dialog held under the auspices out of tripartite talks between Indonesia, Amnesty report said. “There have also been of the UN Secretary General to seek for a Portugal and East Timor on the disputed reports of suspected extrajudicial execu- solution of the East Timor issue. territory’s status. The seventh round of the tions.” However progress remained slow, and effort is scheduled for January in London Indonesia has dismissed criticism of its the East Timor issue became another debacle human rights record in East Timor, saying East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 161 rights abuses occur the world over and that ing the territory. He declined to identify developing countries shouldn’t be held to them. INDONESIAN AND standards set by the industrialized West, Timorese exiles said the group included PORTUGUESE FOREIGN In December, Alatas said Jakarta also had Namibian Member of Parliament Daniel no plans of complying with a U.N. request Botha and American, German, Australian MINISTERS MEET to reopen the investigation into a massacre and Filipino activists. IN LONDON of pro-democracy activists in the East Timor capital of Dili four years ago, SUHARTO: NEED TO FOCUS The government has said some 50 pro- THE MIND INDONESIA SAYS ASYLUM testers were killed in the incident and that BIDS WILL STRAIN TAL KS the troops opened fire to protect themselves ON SETTLING DISPUTES against an unruly mob. Australian Associated Press JAKARTA, Nov 22 (Reuter) - Indone- Human rights groups allege the soldiers sian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said on fired unprovoked into crowds of protesters JAKARTA, Jan 1 AAP - Indonesia’s Wednesday that recent political asylum bids and put the death toll at between 100 and President Suharto has used a year-end ad- by people from East Timor had been set up 200 people, dress to call on the nation to avoid the sort by Portugal and would strain U.N.- of “social flare-ups” that occurred during sponsored peace talks on the territory in INDONESIA ORDERED 35 1995. January. “All flare-ups, whatever the reasons be- FOREIGNERS OUT He told reporters five mass asylum bids hind them, either economic, social, cultural, by a total of 43 East Timorese youths in OF EAST TIMOR IN 1995 religious or political reasons, that had hap- Jakarta were engineered by exiles, activists pened, constituted a setback in our nation as and the former colonial power, Portugal, JAKARTA, Dec 22 (Reuter) - Indone- a whole,” President Suharto said last night. sian authorities ordered 35 foreigners to undermining commitments by the two sides He was quoted by the official Antara to show restraint before the talks. leave East Timor in 1995 for disturbing newsagency as saying the nation must “fo- peace in the troubled former Portuguese col- The countries’ foreign ministers are meet- cus our mind” on settling past disputes, and ing in London in January for talks under ony, the official Antara news agency re- avoiding their recurrence. ported on Friday. U.N. auspices on the future of East Timor, Although President Suharto did not refer ruled by Portugal before Indonesia invaded “During 1995, a total of 35 foreigners re- to East Timor by name, the former Portu- ceived immigration sanctions and were or- 20 years ago. guese colony was hit by repeated unrest, “How can we imagine they will show re- dered to leave East Timor for various activi- riots and vandalism during 1995, partly ties that breached local security and order straint because we keep seeing demonstra- blamed on ethnic and religious tensions. tions, even burning the Indonesian flag? rules,” it quoted East Timor’s head of immi- Violence was reported between the pre- gration, Yohannes Triswoyo, as saying. “This is their plan to undermine us, and dominantly Roman Catholic indigenous it is clear it will affect the atmosphere of the On November 24, Indonesia lifted a 14- population and mainly Muslim migrants day travel ban on foreigners visiting the ter- talks,” he said. from other parts of Indonesia, resettled in Usually prickly ties have worsened in re- ritory, some 2,000 km (1,250 miles) east of the province under the government’s trans- Jakarta and to the north of Australia. cent weeks after Portugal provided exile for migration program. all youths who clambered into foreign mis- All foreign visitors were asked to leave Tensions in East Timor increased with East Timor on November 10 ahead of the sions in Jakarta seeking asylum abroad. the marking of several anniversaries associ- Indonesia, about to mark 20 years of rule fourth anniversary of the so-called Santa ated with Indonesia’s 1975 invasion of East Cruz incident. over East Timor, faces lingering international Timor. criticism and widespread local resentment, Indonesian troops opened fire on a group In other unrest, parts of central Java were of pro-independence protesters at the Santa especially among the tiny territory’s youth. hit by anti-Chinese rioting in November, Security forces said on Wednesday they Cruz cemetery near the East Timor capital after an ethnically Chinese man ripped Dili on November 12, 1991, killing up to captured 27 East Timorese trying to flee to pages from the Islamic holy book, the Ko- Australia by boat early on Tuesday. 200 people, according to rights activists and ran. other sources. Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Antara reported that President Suharto Guterres accused Jakarta on Monday of us- The Indonesian government put the death said the diversity of the Indonesian nation toll at 50. ing the flight of opponents from East Timor, led to a great potential for unrest - but also a former Portuguese colony, as a safety Antara quoted Triswoyo as saying four great potential for national advancement. foreigners, who held tourist visas, were de- valve to ease tension. He said that there were sections in soci- Alatas denied the accusation, and blamed ported in January after being found docu- ety which still faced “various challenges” menting an anti-integration demonstration at Lisbon for helping to instigate the incidents. while others were “able and ready to main- “It is a baseless accusation. In fact what the state-run East Timor University. It gave tain the momentum of national develop- no further details. has happened is the opposite. It is clear ment.” there was instigation from abroad to con- “The other 31 were expelled between “Therefore, while being aware of the fact November 9 and 20 for conducting provoca- tinue to create problems,” Alatas told re- that the diversity had the seeds of unrest, porters. tive activities, namely, commemorating the we must be ready to take and make use of fourth anniversary of the November 12 inci- “When there is an international confer- the positive aspects of diversity,” President ence attended by Indonesia, or the coming of dent,” Triswoyo, Suharto In November, Triswoyo told Reuters he what they call an important date, they try had deported seven foreigners from East to attract world attention,” he said. Timor and barred another eight from enter- Four Timorese who sought sanctuary in the French embassy this week were the lat- Page 162 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. est to leave Indonesia, flying out late on ALATAS ON TIMOR tion of talks between his Government and Tuesday for exile in Portugal. pro-independence leaders. “I think it was engineered from abroad, TALKS IN LONDON Darwin-based pro-independence leader maybe by (exile leader José) Ramos Horta’s Reuter, Jakarta, 3 January 1996. Slightly José Gusmão said the planned United Na- group, and helped by elements of the Portu- abridged. tions sponsored talks were a positive step guese government,” Alatas said. to resolving the East Timor issue. Indonesia, which invaded East Timor in Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas But he warned Indonesian-imposed con- 1975 and formally annexed it a year later, said on Wednesday the next UN talks with ditions that political matters not be dis- accused Portugal last week of fanning the Portugal on East Timor would move to- cussed would be hard to meet. exodus from the Pacific territory to embar- wards creating a framework to solve the Mr Alatas told a press conference in Ja- rass Jakarta. The Portuguese foreign minis- problem of the former Portuguese colony. karta this week East Timor would be on the try dismissed the charge as absurd. ‘We are now entering the substantive agenda for a UN chaired meeting with his stage. We are going to discuss about the Portuguese counter part in London later this AKASHI ASSISTING possibility of building a framework for a month. solution to East Timor,’ Alatas told a news EAST TIMOR TALKS At the press conference Mr Alatas also conference. ‘There has not been any clear reportedly agreed to again meet with promi- idea on how the framework will be, but Kyodo News Service, December 22, 1995. nent East Timorese, including exiled resis- we’ll start to talk about it,’ he said. Translated from Japanese tance leaders. The seventh round of the UN-sponsored The first such meeting was held last June, Comment: Kyodo also released an abridged talks is due to be held in London on January although Mr Alatas said the meeting ended English version. Akashi is a well-known fig- 16 and will be attended by Alatas and his after Lisbon based National Council for ure in Japan for his role in the Cambodia counterpart, Jaime Gama. It was not clear if Maubere Resistance (CNRM) leader José peace keeping operations. the UN Secretary-General Boutros Ghali Ramos Horta tried to introduce political New York – (Japanese career diplomat) would chair the meeting, as he did for the matters to the discussion. Yasushi Akashi, a special advisor to UN first time in Geneva last July. [My recollec- Mr Gusmão, a CNRM spokesperson, Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, tion is that Boutros-Ghali has been present said the issue of East Timorese independ- stated in an interview on the 21st with at all the previous meetings. Carmel, ence could not be separated from any dis- Kyodo News Service that he is assisting TAPOL] cussion about the former Portuguese colony. mediation efforts between Indonesia and Alatas said the next meeting would dis- Mr Alatas had sought to discuss only Portugal over the former Portuguese colony cuss efforts to strengthen social and cultural economic development of the territory to of East Timor. aspects of the Timorese people and to im- save potential international embarrassment The Secretary General, noted for his prove relations between Indonesia and Por- if human rights and other issues were raised, “quiet diplomacy” in mediating conflicts, is tugal. He said those issues were the first He said. a go-between in talks on East Timor be- steps to enter the substantive issues - dip- No date or location had been set for the tween the foreign ministers of the two coun- lomatic code for the question of East second Indonesian/East Timor talks but Mr tries. Akashi said the task of negotiating a Timor’s political status. Gusmão said plans may be confirmed at the settlement over East Timor is a “new chal- ‘It’s important for us to enter the sub- London meeting. lenge in a different sense from the mammoth stantive stage. We are going to meet for the seventh time and if we don’t enter such a Mr. José Gusmão is the Darwin based rep- peacekeeping operation in Cambodia and the resentative for CNRM in South East Asia. former Yugoslavia.” stage, people will ask what the meetings are Indonesia declared the integration of East for,’ he said. Alatas said the meeting would Timor in 1976 after the Portuguese army also discuss when the next informal meeting LISBON SEEKS TO EXPAND withdrew. But because of the large support between East Timorese leaders would take EAST TIMOR TALKS for independence among the East Timorese, place. Thirty East Timorese community neither the United Nations nor Portugal rec- leaders - some in exile and others still resi- Jakarta Post, 12 January 1996. By Aboepri- ognizes the integration. dent in East Timor - met in Austria last jadi Santoso Talks mediated by the Secretary General June, issuing a declaration calling for the re- Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime between the two foreign ministers have been spect of human rights and preservation of Gama, with an eye to next week’s round of held six times, but are only now starting to East Timor’s cultural identity. [The declara- talks with Indonesia on the future of East get into substantive issues. Advisor Akashi tion also made a specific reference to the Timor, said on Wednesday that he would is currently preparing for talks in London in UN General Assembly adopted in 1982, insist on the principle of self-determination mid-January between the foreign ministers. injecting a political dimension to it.] for the East Timorese people. With the UN financial crisis, Akashi Alatas said Indonesia supported such Gama told the Jakarta Post that he would noted, large scale peace keeping operations talks but would stick to its stance that no go to London where the talks will be held in are difficult, making “quiet diplomacy” and political issues would be discussed. January 16, with an open mind and he “preventative diplomacy” areas that the would also like to hear new proposals from “UN should pursue from now on.” With NEW INDONESIAN - Indonesia. respect to the East Timor issue, he said that EAST TIMOR TALKS? ‘I hope we can have a positive develop- he would like to see “progress in confidence ment,’ Gama said. ‘London will not be a building between the two countries and Northern Territory News, 6 January 1996 final result but certainly an important step.’ agreement on concrete and forward-looking East Timor activists in Darwin yesterday The seventh round of talks in London be- measures.” welcomed statements by Indonesian foreign tween the two countries’ foreign minister is Advisor Akashi expressed the hope that Minister Ali Alatas supporting the resump- held under the auspices of the United Na- Japan, “as an Asian country, would assist tions Secretary General, Dr Boutros the efforts of the Secretary General.” Boutros-Ghali. This will be the first in- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 163 volvement of the newly elected Portuguese The two sides – theoretical and de facto many East Timorese who still complain of socialist government led by Prime Minister ruler of the tiny half-island – ended last abuses in the territory. Antonio Guterres. June’s round in depressed mood, saying a Residents of the East Timorese capital Gama is no stranger to the diplomatic resolution was still a long way off. Little has said sinister beatings and killings, usually world. He served as foreign minister in happened since then to change that, observ- blamed on the military, continue to haunt 1983-1985 and was involved in the first ers say. the territory. One said the body of one round of negotiations in 1983. “All obstacles in the way are from the youth was found in a river near Viqueque The Minister said the Portuguese gov- Indonesian side and not from Portugal or the Jan. 8, his head crushed. ernment wants to push the negotiation United Nations. It has too many reserva- The army has routinely denied being be- process towards a ‘constructive solution.’ tions for there to be any significant pro- hind such incidents. But he stressed that the new Portuguese gress,” one senior East Timorese figure said “Some are beaten up, some die. Nobody government will stand firm on the principle by telephone from Dili. knows for sure who is doing it but most of self-determination for the people of East The figure, who was one of 30 Timorese people know who to suspect. There are still Timor. inside and outside the territory to attend an strange movements and sinister events ‘The self-determination problem is now unprecedented gathering of those from op- here,” the resident said. directly linked to democracy and the UN. posing sides in the conflict last June, said no It’s an inspiring movement, spreading all follow-up meeting had taken place despite EXILED EAST TIMOR over the world,’ he said. plans for one. LEADER SCEPTICAL ON UN Indonesia has long rejected another refer- Indonesia, which invaded East Timor in endum in East Timor, pointing at the fact 1975 but has failed to convince the United TALKS that East Timorese leaders in 1976 made Nations and most Western nations of the LISBON, Portugal (Reuter) - Exiled East clear their desire to integrate with Indonesia. legitimacy of its rule, had objected to making Timorese leader José Ramos Horta said Fri- Their position was strengthened further by such meetings a habit. day he was skeptical that next week’s U.N.- their participation in subsequent Indonesia’s The United Nations, which still recog- sponsored talks on East Timor between In- general elections since then. nizes former colonial ruler Portugal as ad- donesia and Portugal would make progress. Gama said he would like to see the trilat- ministering East Timor, has sponsored the “We don’t believe that Indonesia will ad- eral talks expanded to include East Timorese talks. vance new ideas in this round,” Ramos representatives. ‘We cannot only conduct a U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Horta told reporters after a two-hour meet- dialogue through the mediation of the UN. Boutros-Ghali has made it clear he will at- ing with Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime We also have to listen to the people there. tend the Tuesday talks alongside the two Gama in Lisbon. The people exist, they have their own opin- foreign ministers, Ali Alatas of Indonesia Gama will meet Indonesian Foreign Min- ions and choices. Why not have them as and Portugal’s Jaime Gama. ister Ali Alatas and U.N. Secretary General participants?’ Both sides have said they hope to dis- Boutros Boutros-Ghali in London on Tues- He explained that ‘sound representatives’ cuss “substantive issues” – usually meaning day to discuss the beleaguered territory. meant the including of some people now in the political status of East Timor – for the “It is up to Indonesia to make the first Indonesian jails, including José Alexandre first time. But they did not spell out what steps and advance with new ideas,” said Xanana Gusmão. that meant beyond the idea of developing a Ramos Horta. Gama also stressed that Lisbon harbours framework for a solution. Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976, a no intention of ever returning to East Timor. “It’s important for us to enter the sub- year after it invaded the former Portuguese ‘We do not have any idea of having Timor stantive stage. We are going to meet for the colony, in a move not recognized by the back against as a Portuguese colony. That’s seventh time and if we don’t enter such a United Nations. The U.N. still recognizes idiotic. What we want is a solution. We have stage people are going to ask what the meet- Portugal as the administering authority. to think only of respect for international ings are for,” Alatas told a news conference Portuguese Foreign Ministry spokesman rule and respect for people’s free choice.’ Jan. 3. Horacio Cesar told Reuters Thursday that While previous rounds of trilateral talks Portugal has indicated similar hopes. Portugal was hoping the talks would “con- focuses more on confidence building meas- “Portugal is hoping the talks will contribute tribute to a global, just, internationally ac- ures, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Af- to a global, just and internationally accept- ceptable solution for East Timor.” fairs Ali Alatas said in Jakarta last week that able solution for East Timor,” foreign minis- The talks were also aimed at improving the London talks would enter a ‘substantive try spokesman Horacio Cesar told Reuters the currently frozen ties between Portugal phase.’ last week. and Indonesia, Cesar said. “We want to im- In effect this goes little further than pre- prove the climate of confidence between the vious meetings, but Indonesia hopes it may UN EAST TIMOR TALKS two sides.” have in Gama a more flexible counterpart UNLIKELY TO BREAK Cesar said the U.N. had organised the than his predecessor, José Manuel Durão agenda and declined comment on any spe- GROUND Barosso. cific Portuguese proposals. “Dr. Gama has more experience in the By Jeremy Wagstaff questions of East Timor so that is why I JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - Indone- think the Portuguese government will try to FOREIGN MINISTER WILLING sia and Portugal return to the negotiating settle this problem,” Lopes da Cruz, Indo- TO GO TO JAKARTA table in London this week for the seventh nesia’s special ambassador for East Timor, time, but despite a change of face on Lis- told Reuters. Publico, 14 January 1996. Translated from bon’s side no major ground is expected to be Few Timorese are optimistic. Another Portuguese, Abridged. made on the thorny issue at hand: East series of bids for political refuge by youths Lisbon – Portuguese Foreign Minister Timor. from Dili in foreign embassies in Jakarta has Jaime Gama said yesterday that he was will- highlighted the gulf between Indonesia and ing to go to Jakarta “if the Indonesian au- Page 164 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. thorities were to allow a meeting with AI: LONDON TALKS East Timor, an end to the practice of arbi- Xanana Gusmão.” He added that, if Indone- trary detention of those suspected of politi- sia were to agree to direct participation of IMPORTANT FOR HUMAN cal activism, the release of all prisoners of Timorese in the talks on the future of the RIGHTS conscience, and an end to torture, political occupied territory, then Xanana Gusmão killings and disappearances. would be the “undisputed” representative of Amnesty International News Service, Jan. “The Indonesia government should back the people of East Timor, “together with 15. News Release 06/96. AI INDEX: ASA up talk with action,” Amnesty International others, representing a broad spectrum.” 21/05/96 said. “It should complement discussions on In statements to the LUSA news agency, A detailed framework for the protection the future of East Timor with concrete Jaime Gama emphasised that “the release of of human rights in East Timor should be at measures to protect human rights there.” Xanana is a key factor in the process,” al- the top of the agenda for tomorrow’s dis- though he admitted that “the choice (of its cussions between the Indonesian and Portu- VOA REPORTS ON AI STATEMENT representatives) must be entirely up to the guese Foreign Ministers, meeting in London Voice of America, 1/16/96. By Andre de Nes- Timorese themselves, without prejudice to to discuss the future of East Timor, Am- nera, London an understanding with the UN.” The Portu- nesty International said. Intro: the London-based human rights guese diplomatic chief stated that “there can The talks, sponsored by the United Na- group Amnesty International has voiced be no solution to the problem of Timor tions (UN), are the seventh in a series be- concern about continued human rights viola- without the Timorese themselves being in- tween the Indonesian and Portuguese gov- tions in East Timor. VOA correspondent volved.” ernments which began in 1992. The meet- Andre de Nesnera reports amnesty’s state- The Foreign Minister leaves today for ings are aimed at resolving conflict concern- ment came as Portuguese and Indonesian London for yet another round (the seventh) ing East Timor, which has been occupied by foreign ministers met to discuss the future of talks about the future of East Timor with Indonesia since 1975, although that occupa- of East Timor. his Indonesian counterpart, Ali Alatas, un- tion is not recognised by the UN. Text: An Amnesty International report der the auspices of the UN Secretary Gen- “Any discussion concerning the future of says the human rights situation in East eral. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. East Timor must have at its core the protec- Timor remains critical. Amnesty’s Carey He said that progress on the Timorese ques- tion of the human rights of the East (sic, should be Kerry) Brogan says there has tion depended largely on the Indonesian Timorese,” said Amnesty International. been a serious deterioration in the past 12 Government, and added that he was setting “Without an end to human rights violations months. off for the meeting without any “great ex- there can be no just solution.” “There is a very high level of arbi- pectations,” but hopeful that the meeting The human rights situation in East Timor trary arrests of political activists and might produce some “steps forward.” remains critical. Prisoners of conscience are of people who are suspected of being “In Portugal, changes are being made at serving sentences of up to life imprisonment political activists. And torture contin- both Governmental and Presidential levels. and alleged opponents of Indonesian rule are ues to be routine of political activists.” The London meeting, organised by the UN subject to arbitrary detention, during which The Amnesty report coincides with a Secretary General, will be an opportunity to they are frequently tortured. Extrajudicial London meeting between the foreign minis- establish communication channels, and to executions and “disappearances” continue, ters of Portugal and Indonesia to discuss the hear what the UN Secretary General and the despite a high profile investigation and trial future of East Timor. The talks are spon- Indonesian Foreign Minister have to say of two soldiers for the murder of six civil- sored by the United Nations and are the about the matter, but I do not think it will ians in January 1995. seventh between the two governments since be the end of the journey, by any means,” Human rights has been on the agenda of 1992. commented Gama before the meeting with the talks between the Indonesian and the East Timor has been occupied by Indo- his Indonesian counterpart. Portuguese governments in the last few nesia since 1975. The occupation has not His views coincided with those of José years. But Amnesty International considers been recognized by the United Nations Ramos Horta, special representative of the that progress for the protection of human which considers Portugal to be the adminis- Maubere Resistance National Council, who rights on the ground has been insufficient. tering power there. had a two-hour meeting with Jaime Game At previous sessions, the Indonesian Amnesty’s Carey Brogan says the inter- last Friday. “We do not believe that Indone- government stated its recognition of the national community must put pressure on sia will be putting forward any new ideas at need to improve the human rights situation Indonesia to respect human rights in East this round,” stated Horta after the meeting. in East Timor, but the government has so far Timor. She says on many occasions the In- “It is up to Indonesia to make the first failed to act on commitments it has given donesian government has stated its intention moves” towards finding a solution for during the talks to implement UN human of complying with UN human rights resolu- Timor, he said. According to the Timorese rights resolutions. tions – but it has failed to do so. representative, “countries like the US, Can- Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas “One of the primary problems at ada, Australia and the EU ought to be taking has agreed that the talks are now at the the moment is that there is no access up increasingly firmer positions” in order to “substantive stage” and that the possibility to East Timor for independent human put pressure on the Suharto regime. How- of “building a framework for a solution to rights investigators such as Amnesty ever, although pessimistic, Ramos Horta East Timor” should now be discussed. International and other international said he still believed that the talks under UN Amnesty International considers that organizations and even domestic or- auspices were not “an exhausted formula, substantive discussions and a possible ganizations. A lot of international but the most appropriate one” in the pre- framework for resolving the situation on journalists cannot go to East Timor at sent circumstances. East Timor must include a clear program for the moment – so that lack of access the prevention of future human rights viola- means there is a lack of constant moni- tions and redress for past violations. toring of what is happening on the Such a framework should include imme- ground in East Timor.” diate access for human rights monitors to East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 165

A spokeswoman at the Indonesian em- of the conclusions (some of which are later Alatas. At 10 a.m., the Secretary-General bassy here repeated its official position that reneged by the Timorese sector which is met with Foreign Minister of Portugal for Amnesty International tends to exaggerate more clearly integrationist)referring to such one hour. At 11 a.m., he met with the For- things and never reports the positive devel- areas as demilitarisation and respect for eign Minister of Indonesia for one hour. At opments. Timorese cultural identity. noon he chaired a joint expanded meeting The problem is that, while Ramos Horta with delegations from both sides attending. TIMOR: GAMA’S DEBUT, is determined to see the intra-Timorese dia- The Secretary-General is accompanied by XANANA BACK ON AGENDA logue progress to a more advanced stage, Ali his Special Adviser, Under-Secretary- Alatas is set on the reverse. The Indonesian General Yasushi Akashi. At 2 p.m., the Publico, 16 January 1996. By Joaquim T. de Minister will undoubtedly resort to refer- talks continued over a working lunch and Negreiros. Translated from Portuguese, ence to the final declaration of the Ministe- then resumed in the afternoon. Abridged rial round that instituted the intra-Timorese The agenda of the talks included devel- dialogue, which stated that it “will not deal opments since the last round of talks in Ge- London – It is not a new idea. The Re- with East Timor’s political status.” So, to neva on 8 July 1995, and issues relating to sistance has always linked its struggle for ensure that the intra-Timorese meetings con- an eventual framework for a just, compre- the release of its leader, Xanana Gusmão, to tinue in an acceptable form, Lisbon will be hensive and internationally acceptable solu- his participation in the talks on the future of trying to find a middle ground between the tion to the question of East Timor. East Timor. Now the idea has been taken up impetus of the Resistance and Jakarta’s re- The talks are expected to conclude at 5 by Jaime Gama (Portugal’s new Socialist straints. p.m., after which a statement will be made Foreign Minister), who for the first time The reason that Portugal is so set on a in London by the spokesman travelling with meets today with Indonesian Foreign Minis- compromise being reached is not just be- the Secretary-General, and issued simulta- ter Ali Alatas. ... cause of the contribution the intra-Timorese neously as a press release in New York and In an interview on 1 January published in dialogue can make to progress in the Minis- Geneva. the magazine “Gatra,” Ali Alatas again re- terial talks. Its concern goes much deeper, At 6 p.m., the Secretary-General will ferred to Xanana Gusmão as a “common and stems from the fear that an impasse on meet with former Foreign Secretary Douglas prisoner.” It would not be surprising, there- the question of the intra-Timorese dialogue Hurd. fore, if this description of the guerrilla leader could call into question the continuation of The Secretary-General returns to New is repeated today when, at the seventh the Ministerial negotiations themselves. York tomorrow, 17 January. round of talks about the future of East This would be a very dangerous scenario, Timor, Jaime Gama proposes Gusmão’s in which Lisbon and Jakarta would find COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE inclusion in the negotiating process taking themselves in the same boat: if the UN Sec- CONCLUSION OF THE SEVENTH place under the auspices of the UN Secre- retary General decided to end the process ROUND OF TALKS tary General. under his auspices, the question of Timor With this proposal, Jaime Gama, who 1. The Secretary-General held the sev- would be fatally returned to the UN General enth round of talks on the question of East represents Lisbon for the first time in the Assembly, at which voting is notoriously talks that started over three years ago (and Timor in London on Tuesday 16 January unpredictable. 1996, with the Foreign Minister of Portugal, which have made scant progress) intends to Because Lisbon and Jakarta both fear an get the process “moving.” Mr. Jaime Gama, and the Foreign Minister impasse being reached in the negotiations, of Indonesia, Mr. Ali Alatas. Apart from this initiative, the menu for the Indonesian Minister’s threats to aban- today’s meeting is not encouraging. Only 2. The Ministers discussed developments don ship (he has questioned the point in since the sixth round of talks in July 1995 the subject of the intra-Timorese dialogue continuing diplomatic talks if they are un- (discussion forum created in 1994 to run and, in this connection, welcomed the visit productive) should be seen in perspective. of the United Nations High Commissioner parallel to the Ministerial talks..) might pro- He has to be seen to respond to pressure duce some visible results, albeit controver- for Human Rights, Mr. Jose Ayala-Lasso, from the Indonesian regime’s hard-liners, to Jakarta and East Timor in December 1995 sial. So, even on this point, things may not who view this diplomatic exercise as not run smoothly. in the context of the implementation of the only pointless but actually an encourage- Chairman’s Statement adopted by consen- Ramos Horta, in London as leader of the ment to the pro-independence Timorese. CNRM (Maubere Resistance National sus in 1995 by the Human Rights Commis- However, there is still a certain distance be- sion, the importance of which was recog- Council) and Xanana Gusmão’s special rep- tween threatened and real action ... resentative, has already let it be known that nised. he might not be willing to take part in a sec- 3. The Ministers, without prejudice to ond edition of the intra-Timorese dialogue, if SECRETARY-GENERAL their respective positions of principle re- the present format is maintained. “Two- HOLDS SEVENTH ROUND OF garding the political status of East Timor, thirds of the participants are not representa- TALKS ON EAST TIMOR continued their discussions on those sub- tive, but have merely been placed there by stantive issues which have been identified Jakarta,” said Horta last Sunday, amid harsh UN Press Release, SG/T/2024, 16 Jan. 96 related to an eventual framework for the achievement of a just, comprehensive and criticism of UN “inertia” in the organisation (Received from the Deputy Spokesman trav- internationally acceptable solution to the of the second intra-Timorese meeting. elling with the Secretary-General.) Horta’s attitude is proving to be a head- question of East Timor, as well as other re- ache for Portuguese diplomacy, which LONDON, 16 January – Secretary- lated issues, inter alia, the preservation and would consider the scheduling of a second General Boutros Boutros-Ghali held the promotion of the cultural identity of the intra-Timorese meeting a positive step for- seventh round of talks on the question of East Timorese people and bilateral relations ward. While recognising that pressure is be- East Timor in London today with the For- between Indonesia and Portugal. ing brought to bear on some participants in eign Minister of Portugal, Jaime Gama, and 4. The Ministers took note positively of the meetings, Lisbon emphasises the value the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Ali the Secretary-General’s intention to facili- Page 166 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. tate and offer the necessary arrangements Gama’s view, liberation of the East PORTUGAL, INDONESIA for another meeting of All-Inclusive Intra- Timorese political prisoners including Timorese Dialogue in accordance with the Xanana Gusmão is a key to the process of MAKE LITTLE HEADWAY same terms of reference agreed at the fifth finding a solution, through the participation OVER EAST TIMOR round of talks, which will take place in Aus- of the Timorese and their leaders. tria in March 1996. Other issues raised by Gama were ques- By Jonathan Thatcher 5. Following today’s discussion, the par- tions relating to the Timorese Church and LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuter) - Portugal ties agreed to continue their efforts, with the obstacles it faces, the prohibition of teaching and Indonesia made little progress in nego- assistance of the Secretary-General, to find a Portuguese in East Timor, and the impor- tiations in London on Tuesday over how to just, comprehensive and internationally ac- tance of electing East Timorese nationals to solve the problems of East Timor but de- ceptable settlement to the question of East Public Administration positions, and hiring scribed their talks as constructive and agreed Timor. The eighth round of talks between them as school teachers. to meet again. the Foreign Ministers under the auspices of The main decisions of the Gama-Alatas The talks are the seventh in a series that the Secretary-General will be held in Geneva meeting were that these talks should con- stretches back to 1983 on the tiny territory on 29 June 1996. In the interval, talks will tinue in the future, and that a new Intra- invaded by Indonesia 20 years ago but continue at the Permanent Representative Timorese meeting will take place in March. which the United Nations says legally is the level with the participation of the Secretary- former colonial power Portugal’s to admin- General’s Representative. SEEKING A FURTHER ister. ROUND “We’ve had a very useful and construc- LUSA ON tive discussion,” Indonesian Foreign Minis- GAMA-ALATAS TALKS Diario de Noticias, 16 January 1996. By ter Ali Alatas told reporters after some 7 1/2 Abel Coelho de Morais. Translated from hours of talks with his Portuguese counter- Translated and summarized by Mariza Portuguese, Abridged part Jaime Gama and U.N. Secretary Gen- Cabral, Jan. 16. eral Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The Portuguese and Indonesian Foreign The next meeting will be in Geneva on According to LUSA (various reports of Ministers, meeting in London today, may be June 29, again with the U.N. acting as me- Jan 14-16), Gama presented two concrete on the brink of opening new doors in Lis- diator when Gama said he hoped Boutros- proposals: (1) to visit Indonesia provided bon-Jakarta relations, and making some Ghali would have some new ideas. that he would be allowed to meet with headway towards finding a solution to the Neither side would go into detail of their Xanana Gusmão; (2) that Indonesia agree to question of East Timor. ... talks though the Indonesians acknowledged have the East Timorese participate in these Departing from Lisbon, (new Socialist they had not brought any fresh proposals to UN-sponsored talks, being represented by a Foreign Minister) Jaime Gama said that the table. person of their own choice, possibly “steps might be taken” so that confidence But one Indonesian official said Alatas Xanana should they choose so. building measures could be reinforced, mak- had appeared to get on much better with the Proposal (1) had the support of some in ing it possible to then “go further.” recently appointed Gama than his predeces- the resistance, including Ramos Horta, and For his part, Indonesian Foreign Minis- sor José Manuel Durão Barosso. strong reservations by others, including João ter, Ali Alatas, said early in January in Ja- Gama said the latest talks had not been Carrascalão. While Horta would view such a karta that the two countries could be on the meant to provide a quick solution to the visit as “legitimizing the Resistance,” brink of reaching an understanding about problems of East Timor but covered a range Carrascalão would view it as legitimizing establishing the “basis of an agreement” on of areas from human rights there to the cul- Indonesian sovereignty. According to Gama, the future of East Timor. He also said at the tural identity of the Timorese. Alatas’ response was to ask how it is pos- time that the discussion of “specific ques- “A very positive step should be made by sible that a member of the Portuguese gov- tions” concerning the situation in the terri- a reduction of the military presence there,” ernment intends to visit Indonesia if the tory would be possible in London. Gama said. question of reestablishing diplomatic rela- At the 1995 Ministerial meetings, agree- Indonesia has long been the target of in- tions between the two countries continues ment was reached between Alatas and the ternational criticism for its human rights re- to be a “tabu” for Portugal. To Gama, former Portuguese Foreign Minister, Durão cord in East Timor and in recent months a Alatas was evading the question, for there Barroso, on the usefulness of the intra- number of East Timorese have successfully are ways to carry on such a visit in the ab- Timorese dialogue, the need to improve hu- sought asylum in embassies in Jakarta. sence of diplomatic relations. man rights in the territory, and to start dis- But Alatas dismissed as the voice of a Commenting on proposal (2), Gama cussion on the search for a settlement of the minority those East Timorese protesting stated that “it is not possible to find a solu- question of East Timor, and, naturally, Indonesian rule. tion for East Timor without participation of about bilateral relations. “We never claimed that East Timor is a the Timorese themselves.” “I know of no Today’s meeting will, therefore, centre paradise. But I refuse to accept...it is hell,” similar (process) that was successful with- on all these areas. It is also likely that the he said. out a dialog between the interested parties,” two Ministers will discuss the question of Gama asked to visit East Timorese resis- he stated. Gama also considered that “the asylum seekers entering foreign embassies in tance leader Xanana Gusmão who is in a intra-Timorese dialog is an essential forum.” Jakarta. Jakarta jail though he disputed Indonesian He commented that the UN should “consult Finally, the status of Xanana Gusmão claims that this would imply diplomatic both the East Timorese and the Indonesian may also be on the agenda. Before leaving recognition by Lisbon of Jakarta’s sover- authorities more effectively.” Regarding the for the meeting, Jaime Gama referred to the eignty over the region. Intra-Timorese Reconciliation talks, Gama imprisoned Resistance leader as a “key fig- The meeting also set a date for talks stated his support but underscored the limi- ure” in the search for a political solution for among East Timorese – pro- and anti- tation that they exclude the Timorese politi- Timor, and expressed his willingness to Indonesian – in March in Austria. cal prisoners and those in clandestinity. In meet with Xanana in Jakarta. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 167

XANANA GUSMÃO MUST Gama, who was the last of the three at PORTUGAL -INDONESIA the news conference, added human rights. PLAY LEADING ROLE, SAYS But neither country brought new pro- TALKS COLLAPSE AS PORTUGUESE FOREIGN posals to the meeting. Nor was there any JAKARTA REFUSES TO MINISTER sign of engagement over the basic issue: RELAX ITS GRIP whether the East Timorese will be allowed Publico, 16 January 1996. By Luis Antonio to decide their own political future. The Irish Times, 17 January 1995. By Hugh Santos. Translated from Portuguese, Gama, a member of the new socialist O’Shaughnessy Abridged government in Lisbon, said he would like to London – Talks on East Timor between London – ... In statements made to the go to Jakarta to talk with Gusmão, whom he the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Mr. Jamie press today, before commencement of the described as “the symbol of East Timorese Gama, and his Indonesian opposite number, seventh round of direct talks between Por- resistance.” Mr, Ali Alatas, ended in London last night tugal and Indonesia, under the auspices of “For that I was prepared to go to Ja- in stalemate. The talks, which were held un- the UN Secretary General, the Portuguese karta,” said Gama, whose country cut dip- der the personal aegis of the UN Secretary Foreign Minister rejected out of hand the lomatic links with Jakarta over Indonesia’s General, Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali, possibility of “interest offices” being set up 1975 invasion of its territory. achieved nothing more than the three men in Lisbon and Jakarta. “There are many Alatas said many people had seen Gus- decided to meet again at mid-year in Geneva. ways to develop bilateral relations, but what mão, including the UN Commissioner for East Timor has been occupied by Indo- we cannot do is to allow them to evolve Human Rights. nesia, which refers to it as a province, since while, at the same time, the treatment of the But if Gama wanted to see him, he’d 1975, in defiance of the United Nations. In- question of East Timor deteriorates,” said have to come to Indonesia “and I thought donesia again refused yesterday to relax it’s Jaime Gama. that was taboo for a Portuguese foreign min- grip in any way on the territory where The (new Socialist) Minister confirmed ister,” Alatas said. 200,000 people are estimated to have died that he intended to propose going to Jakarta “Does that mean Portugal will restore since the invasion. “The Foreign Ministers to meet Xanana Gusmão. “He has a leading diplomatic relations?” got to know each other a little. That’s the role to play in the entire matter, and it is Gama, however, retorted: “It’s nothing to best you can say,” commentated one confer- inconceivable that he is not involved in a do with diplomatic relations. I just need an ence source. process of broad discussion. Until now, I aircraft.” Each foreign minister took the opportu- have only been in touch with him through Asked how he interpreted Alatas’ re- nity, in successive press conferences, to third parties, but I would like to hear what sponse, the Portuguese said: “It was not a make his own points. Mr. Alatas claimed he thinks directly from him.” formal yes, it was not a clear no.” the UN Security Resolutions of 1975 and Various Timorese leaders, including João The two countries did agree on a second 1976, ordering Jakarta to remove its troops Carrascalão and Ramos Horta, are currently meeting of all the East Timorese factions, to from East Timor had been “superseded” by in London to accompany the latest round of be held in Austria in March. less forthright resolutions from the General talks. But Alatas warned it would only be use- Assembly. ful if the East Timorese, who are excluded Mr Gama denied this. The Portuguese PORTUGUESE MINISTER ASKS TO from the main talks, complied with the Foreign Minister called for the monitoring of SEE FRETILIN LEADER ground rules and contributed practical sug- the use by Indonesia in East Timor of arms gestions - code for keeping off the issue of By Don Woolford of AAP sold by the European states and the US to sovereignty. the Indonesians on the understanding that LONDON, Jan 16 AAP - Portugal today Gama, however, said the East Timorese they would not be used in East Timor. increased the pressure on Indonesia when its were free to talk about whatever they The EU, according to Mr. Gama, will new foreign minister Jaime Gama asked to wanted. take on increasing importance in the efforts see jailed East Timorese resistance leader “We can’t shut their voice,” he said. to bring self-determination to the East José Xanana Gusmão. Gama emphasised the importance he Timorese. Indonesia, he forecast, would However Indonesian Foreign Minister places on the East Timorese viewpoint soon be talking not to Portugal alone but to Ali Alatas did not give a direct reply, in- when he said he’d go to Vienna to talk with the whole membership of the EU. stead linking it to the issue of diplomatic the different groups the day after their meet- Mr. Alatas said: “East Timor is not relations between Lisbon and Jakarta. ing. paradise but its not the hell that is being de- The exchange over Gusmão, who is held Although neither side could point to any scribed.” Mr Yasushi Akashi, the UN Under in a Jakarta jail, occurred during the seventh substantive progress, they at least agreed to Secretary General, refused to reply to a round of talks on East Timor. meet again in June. question at the news conference as to why The talks between Portugal and Indone- This means there will have been three the United Nations had not used the same sia, held under United Nations auspices, are meetings within a year, which is at least an military force to eject the Indonesians from being held in London today. acceleration of their frequency, a develop- occupied East Timor as it had used to expel The UN was represented by Secretary- ment mainly attributed to pressure from the Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait. General Boutros Boutros Ghali and his spe- Boutros Ghali. cial political envoy Yasushi Akashi. The first seven rounds were spread over All sides, speaking separately at news 13 years. conferences, described the talks as construc- tive but refused to give details of progress. Alatas and Gama agreed the cultural iden- tity of the East Timorese and relations be- tween their two countries were discussed. Page 168 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

DATES, XANANA, by Jaime Gama to Indonesia to re- “I believe these meetings will be very establishment of diplomatic relations be- crucial because I think that the Timorese can AND THE REST tween the two countries. Gama’s response achieve some kind of consensus with regard Publico, 17 January 1996. By Joaquim T. de to this was a vehement “This has nothing to to the major issues that preoccupy all Negreiros. Translated from Portuguese, do with diplomatic relations!, and he went Timorese,” he added. Abridged on to argue the need for greater involvement João Viegas Carrascalão of the centre- of the Timorese in the process of finding a right Timorese Democratic Union opposi- London – Gama and Alatas have sched- solution for the territory. tion party was less satisfied. “I didn’t ex- uled a further Ministerial meeting for 29 (...) pect it to produce anything positive. There June in Geneva, and a second edition of the is nothing new in the communiqué. so-called intra-Timorese dialogue for March. INDONESIA, PORTUGAL FAIL “I would like to see a more positive ap- This was the visible outcome of the meeting TO AGREE IN LONDON proach to the Intra-Timorese meetings, they on Timor held yesterday in London between only agreed to another Intra-Timorese meet- Foreign Ministers Gama and Alatas, medi- MEETING ing,” he told IPS. “I would like to see the ated by Secretary General (SG) Boutros Intra-Timorese meetings taking place every By Darius Bazargan and Darsha Damayan- Ghali. time there is a round of talks between the thi News of the two meetings constituted ministers.” the main points in a communiqué issued af- LONDON, Jan 17 (IPS) - The foreign Lisbon is still considered by the U.N. as ter yet another marathon round of talks ministers of Portugal and Indonesia failed the ‘administering authority’ in East Timor, about East Timor, involving the UN SG and Tuesday evening to resolve their totally dif- refusing to recognise Indonesian sovereignty the Foreign Ministers of Portugal and Indo- ferent visions of East Timor after a day sat over the territory on the grounds that no nesia. face to face with U.N. Secretary General process of self-determination has taken The Ministers, however, later revealed Boutros Boutros-Ghali in London. place there. that not all the results of the talks (which The two, Ali Alatas of Indonesia and Jakarta says that self-determination con- went on for over 7 hours) could be made Jaime Gama of Portugal had hoped to move ditions were met when an East Timorese public. Progress might have been made on a towards a solution to civil unrest and human council convened in Balibo, East Timor, in vague proposal from Indonesia that national rights abuse in the disputed territory, but May 1976 and voted for integration with elections in 1997 could be used as a “ther- ended up only agreeing to another meeting Indonesia. mometer” to gauge East Timor’s “integra- on June 29 in Austria. Guterres rejected this. “They have im- tion,” which could later be put to the vote at East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, posed the Indonesian language throughout a UN General Assembly. was invaded in 1975 by Indonesia. Jakarta the territory and they have imposed the In- The idea had already been aired during has occupied it ever since in contravention donesian way of life on the Timorese peo- the preparatory meetings prior to the last of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ple. We are not Indonesians, East Timor round of talks with Durão Barroso, and they withdraw. Tens of thousands of East was never part of Indonesia and never part could well find itself back on the agenda at Timorese civilians have died since then in a of any Asian empire. any time. number of well documented massacres by “For 500 years East and West Timor Ramos Horta, in London as leader of the Indonesian troops. have been divided. Even before the Portu- CNRM, already has a response prepared in “I have never said the situation in East guese colonialism the island was divided into case the idea is formulated. It would only be Timor is paradise,” said Alatas angrily in a two kingdoms. If you ignore these differ- acceptable after considerable alterations. If press conference after the meeting. “But I ences we cannot solve the problems of East there was really effective international scru- will never accept that it is hell the way some Timor. tiny, and if the Indonesian ballot were to people depict it.” Alatas also claimed Security Council include a specific question about the status “I raised the subject of human rights of resolutions demanding the withdrawal of of East Timor, the 1997 elections could be the people in the territory, politely, but di- Indonesian troops had been superseded used to support a referendum on the future rectly and objectively,” said Gama, who de- more flexible demands. of the territory. scribed the talks as “frank, open and very Not so, said Gama. “There has been a However, speaking to journalists after clear.” clear recognition on all sides, including the the meeting, Alatas said “Do not be sur- Alatas maintained his country’s view Indonesian side, that very positive steps prised if we do not give any details.” Jaime that its troops did not occupy East Timor. should be taken toward the reduction of Gama was equally reserved in his com- “There are no foreign troops in East Timor, military presence there.” ments, choosing to emphasise the impor- because East Timor is Indonesian.” Clashes continue in East Timor between tance of reaching agreement on scheduling a Spokesman for the East Timorese pro- rebels and the Indonesian military. On further intra-Timorese meeting, “after some independence movement Fretilin, José Luis Tuesday at least six people were killed and initial hesitation.” After the new meeting, Guterres, told IPS that there had been some 10 Indonesian soldiers taken captive last which will take place in Burg Schlaining, positive steps at the meeting, notably the week in a rebel ambush. Austria, Jaime Gama intends to go to Vienna agreement to allow a second round of the so- The United Nations sent Human Rights to hear the views of the various partici- called ‘Intra-Timorese Dialogue’ talks be- High Commissioner Jose Ayala Lasso to pants. tween 30 leading Timorese figures from all East Timor last month to assess the rights In response to the Portuguese Foreign sides. situation and to meet officials in Jakarta. Minister’s proposal to go to Jakarta to meet “Everybody is there in an individual ca- As the ministers met in the Dorchester with Xanana Gusmão, Jaime Gama said that pacity, not representing political parties of Hotel here, five more East Timorese flew to Alatas replied with “neither an outright Indonesia or Timor,” said Guterres, includ- asylum in Portugal after having taken refuge ‘no,’ nor with a clear ‘yes’“ However, in the ing Fretilin, which has fought Indonesian in the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta public statements after the meeting, the In- troops since the invasion, while exiled activ- since Friday. Their arrival brought to over donesian Minister linked any possible visit ists campaign for self determination. 80 the number of East Timorese who have East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 169 come to Portugal and been granted asylum Alatas: I said to everybody. So, don’t At the negotiating table, allegations of since 1993. put words in my mouth that I have never human rights violations have tragically Alatas dismissed them. “All of them are said. I’ve never said it’s beautiful, I’ve never adorned the avoidance of the main question invariably refused (political asylum by other said that it’s perfect. and, after each of the 6 previous Ministerial nations) because they are not being perse- Portuguese reporter: You are denying al- encounters, Lisbon has had to accept the cuted, and in the end they opt to go to Por- most, that the East Timorese had already circumstances: military intervention is out tugal, so they get a free plane ticket to Por- signed or agreed as far as annexation or of the question and would be in line with tugal. Fine. We’re not stopping them. Let integration in East Timor is not true. (..) neither Portugal’s capacity nor principles; them go.” that’s what you say so. open encouragement of the guerrilla is Alatas: No, no. The majority of. Please equally excluded as it would merely end in SEVENTH ROUND listen carefully, please note it down. The even greater sufferings for the Timorese OF UN TALKS majority of the people of East Timor, not people, and international pressure (espe- all, the majority of them in 1976 have agreed cially from the US) is dependent upon inter- AM, ABC radio, 17 January 1996. Pre- to opt for independence through integration ests which usually have little or nothing to senter: Elen Flenning it was annexation. It was their request for do with the principles of the UN Charter. That only leaves diplomatic channels, the Presenter: Indonesia’s Foreign Minister integration. There is opposition, those in the mountains still have 100, 200, I don’t know good offices of the UN SG, and the maturing Ali Alatas admits East Timor is not a para- with time of the leaders of the Timorese Re- dise but he claims it’s far from hell. That maybe less. And those outside, a handful who are still waging their campaign against sistance. frank comment has come at the end of the The so-called “intra-Timorese reconcilia- 7th round table talks between Indonesia and integration. We always said. Is that depict- ing it as beautiful or perfect? No. tion meetings” have been a God-send to Portugal - the former colonial ruler of East both Jakarta and Lisbon, ... in that it has Timor. Mr Alatas says the talks has pro- Robert Bolton: Shortly after Mr Alatas left the room and Mr Jaime Gama, the Por- made Alatas and his Portuguese counter- duced some progress, although he confirms parts appear less engaged in futile exercises, the question of self-determination for the tuguese Foreign Minister took the podium. He said the day long talks had been very but the intra-Timorese meetings seem more East Timorese people is not on the agenda. and more to be a Last Supper, at which eve- Our chief European correspondent Robert constructive. NOTE: (...) = unclear. ryone is trying to find Judas (the Judas of Bolton has this report. annexation, or the Judas of independence). Reporter: This was the first meeting be- Lopes da Cruz came to Fatima, and spoke tween Ali Alatas and the new Socialist For- FORMALITIES OVER FOR to whomever he wished; Abilio Araujo went eign Minister of Portugal Jaime Gama. The GAMA AND ALATAS to Jakarta and spoke there to whomever he Ministers said the talks supervised by the wishes. However, neither Ramos Horta nor UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Diario de Noticias, 18 January 1996. By João Carrascalão have gone to Dili, and not Ghali had focused on three areas - a possible Carlos Albino. Translated from Portuguese, even a minimum structure, or small repre- framework for an eventual settlement, the Abridged sentative body, or secretariat has come out cultural identity of East Timor and relations London – Lisbon and Jakarta have to of the intra-Timorese meetings. between Jakarta and Lisbon. A date was set come up with a framework of solutions for Jaime Gama’s diplomatic challenge (to for another meeting in July. But tension for Timor once and for all. Jaime Gama sought meet with Xanana Gusmão) is, therefore, Indonesia soon became evident at a press to recover the initiative, and on 29 June, going to be the equivalent of the end of a conference, a Portuguese reporter asked Mr Alatas will have to either give a response or series of 7 inconclusive and secret rounds of Alatas why he had claimed everything was an acceptable justification. formalities which, because that is all they “beautiful in your Indonesian garden.” Pro- The main aim of the proposed visit to have been, are serving Jakarta to deliberately voking an angry outburst from Mr Alatas Jakarta in exchange for assurances of a meet- discredit the UN itself ... If Jakarta agrees to and an assertion the people of East Timor ing with Xanana Gusmão was to give Portu- Abilio Araujo’s intended meeting with had requested integration with Indonesia in guese diplomacy the chance to recover some Xanana, that would be a positive sign for 29 1976. spirit of initiative .. before international June. Portuguese reporter: You have always said public opinion saw the two sides as being that.. at least.. that everything is beautiful bogged down in the preliminaries, playing a MR. AKASHI DENIES in the Indonesian garden. game of cat and mouse ... The response may Alatas: I’m sorry to interrupt. I’m sorry well emerge in June and, if affirmative REPORTS OF to interrupt. You are saying something un- (which is doubtful), then Indonesian diplo- “APPOINTMENT AS PERSON truthful. macy could meet Lisbon’s request without IN CHARGE OF EAST TIMOR” Portuguese reporter: I am paraphrasing it. losing face by leaving the organisation of Jiji News, January 19, 1996. Translated Alatas: No. Jaime Gama’s visit to the UN Secretary General (SG) ... from Japanese Portuguese reporter: That is the impression Apparently, the two parties are inflexible you give. (Translator’s note: I don’t have the official on the fundamental question - self- English versions of the titles in this article. Alatas: No, no, no, no. I never give that determination - which has brought the two Sorry!) impression. I, in fact, I said literally we Foreign Ministers and UN SG together on a never claim that the situation in East Timor quarterly basis. Portugal will agree to noth- New York, Jan. 18 – UN special political is paradise. But I refuse to accept your in- ing short of self-determination as a condition advisor to the UN secretary-general, terpretation that is hell. for any kind of settlement, while Indonesia AKASHI Yasushi, denied on the 18th as Portuguese reporter: But it’s not my (inter- is equally unbending in its view that it an- “not true” reports in Indonesian media that ference from Alatas) nexed the territory after the Timorese alleg- he had been appointed the secretary- edly chose that option themselves. Page 170 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. general’s special representative in charge of of the world ... We do not propose to stand We also reject statements made by the the East Timor issue. by and allow such persons to be removed Prime Minister, Mr Paul Keating, and the Advisor Akashi attended the recent talks from Australia and sent to East Timor, In- Foreign Minister, Sen. Gareth Evans, and in London on East Timor between the for- donesia or Portugal.” which are prejudicial to the claims of these eign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal. He The network has challenged the federal applicants. said, “Evidently the Indonesians mistakenly government, “in the name of freedom ... to REASONS: thought that I had become the person in reverse its policy against the East Timor These East Timorese people have fled a charge.” refugee applicants.” It says that “if all ave- genocide which our Federal Government has As of November 1 last year, Mr. Aka- nues of appeal are exhausted, our group done little to prevent at diplomatic, eco- shi’s appointment as a special political ad- faces a higher moral obligation to consider nomic and military levels. visor (under-secretary-general) began, after the offer of sanctuary to East Timorese re- We remember the 40,000 people of East he had served as the secretary-general’s spe- sisting deportation.” Timor (then a neutral country) who were cial representative in charge of the ex- slain by Japanese forces while offering sanc- Yugoslavia issue. STATEMENTS FROM SANCTUARY NETWORK SUPPORTERS tuary to Australian troops in World War II. “PROGRESS” IN THREE-SIDED Community and cultural links and prox- TALKS ON EAST TIMOR ISSUE, Dear Friends, imity to their country of origin provide an SAYS MR. AKASHI A group of Church organisations here in obvious basis for the preference of East Australia have decided to offer Church Sanc- Timorese to seek refugee status in Australia. Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 21, 1996. Correspon- tuary to the East Timorese. We released this Given that the Australian Government dent: SATOH, Kazuo. Translated from statement to the media today. has vehemently opposed Portugal’s claim to Japanese We are also holding a thirty day candle- be able to represent the East Timorese in the New York, Jan. 20 – UN Secretary- light vigil - 24 hours a day outside the Town International Court of Justice, the protesta- General’s special advisor Akashi Yasushi Hall here in Sydney. tion that these people are Portuguese citi- revealed on the 19th that there was a degree Warm regards, zens is clearly hypocritical. of progress at the three-sided talks on East Kath Even if Portugal were prevailed upon to Timor convened in London on the 16th by THE CONGREGATIONS OF offer citizenship, why would Australia take the UN secretary general between the for- such a singular stance against the East · Christians in Solidarity with East Timor, Timorese and force them to go to Portugal? eign ministers of Indonesia and the former Australia administering power, Portugal. He said that · Congregation of Sisters of St Joseph, Aus- OUR STAND: “newly appointed Portuguese foreign minis- tralia We challenge our government in the name ter Gama was very earnest and a frank ex- · St. Mary’s Church, Sth Brisbane, Qld - of a freedom sacred to all Australians to re- change of opinion took place.” · St. Vincent de Paul Church, Redfern, NSW verse its policy against the East Timorese - refugee applicants. · Ballarat Church, Victoria We make this declaration in the knowl- · Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA edge that the offer of sanctuary is firmly Perthville, NSW · Young Christian Workers, Australia rooted in our Christian tradition and theol- EAST TIMORESE REFUGEE · Presentation Sisters Wagga Wagga, NSW ogy. · Mercy Foundation, NSW If all avenues of appeal should be ex- SANCTUARY NETWORK · Catholic Workers Movement, Brisbane, hausted, our group faces a higher moral obli- FORMED Qld gation to consider the offer of sanctuary to · St. Ignatius Church, Richmond, Victoria East Timorese resisting deportation. Green Left Weekly, 5 Nov. 1995. By Lisa · Sisters of Mercy Sisters, Parramatta, NSW CHRISTIAN SANCTUARY NETWORK Macdonald · St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality Adams- “God is the refuge of my life; of whom shall SYDNEY - Seventeen Christian churches town, NSW · Congregation of Sisters of St Joseph, I be afraid? For God will hide me in shelter and organisations in Australia last week an- Lochinvar, NSW in the day of trouble: and conceal me under nounced their intention to provide sanctuary · Christian Centre for Social Action with cover of the Lord’s tent setting me high upon for East Timorese refugees under threat of Warehouse Church, Perth WA a rock....” deportation by the federal Labor govern- · Sisters of Mercy, Redfern, NSW Psalm 27 ment. · Sisters of Mercy, Erskinville, NSW The newly formed Christian Sanctuary · Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Social Justice The Christian Sanctuary Network con- Network is taking a clear stand against the Group - Forster, NSW sists of a group of people whose concern government’s recommendation to the Refu- STAND BY EAST TIMORESE has been heightened by recent incidences in gee Review Tribunal to find that the 1300 REFUGEE APPLICANTS AND STATE East Timor and decisions made by the Aus- East Timorese applicants are Portuguese OUR BELIEF THAT AUSTRALIA HAS tralian Government. We feel that an appro- citizens and as such cannot be given refugee A MORAL OBLIGATION TO THEM priate Christian response is warranted. status in Australia. In making this statement we take a clear The proposal of offering Christian Sanc- In a statement released on November 5, stance against the government’s recommen- tuary simply acknowledges the proper theo- the CSN says that its concern has been dation to the Refugee Review Tribunal to logical and historical implication that sanc- heightened by recent incidences in East find that the 1300 East Timorese applicants tuaries in Churches, Convents, Monasteries Timor and decisions made by the federal currently in Australia are Portuguese citi- and other sacred sites, be sanctuaries. That government. “It is inconsistent with Austra- zens and, as such, cannot be given refugee is offer shelter, protection, food, clothing, lia’s legal obligations and moral mission for status in Australia. transport. While it is a first for Australia, refugees to bundle them off to another part Sanctuary of the Church is not a unique East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 171 idea. It is offered presently in the Americas, and is going to take many months to resolve, But Australian Prime Minister Paul Europe and Asia. and nobody should assume any particular Keating made his position clear in a radio In our view, the protection of the human outcome.” interview last month: while Australia recog- rights of the displaced East Timorese people Indonesia has warned that an Australian nises Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor, creates a Christian imperative, namely, to government decision to grant asylum to the it considers East Timorese Portuguese citi- provide protection in circumstances where East Timorese would threaten their diplo- zens and thus not eligible for refugee status. the grief and suffering associated with flight matic and trade relations. He disagreed with the interviewer’s view is best minimised. It is inconsistent with Many of the refugees currently being as- that Australia should have done more for Australia’s legal obligations and moral mis- sessed by immigration officials arrived late East Timor during the invasion and owed a sion for refugees to bundle them off to an- 1994 and early 1995 on tourist visas. Eight- debt to them now. other part of the world where many of them een of them, including a baby less than a Keating pointed out that there was a civil are further separated from their country and year old, reached Australia by boat in May. war in East Timor 20 years ago and, if it had relatives in Australia. We do not propose to A government spokesperson said the as- gone to a free vote, the people would have stand by and allow such persons to be re- sessment process has been put on hold voted for incorporation of East Timor into moved from Australia and sent to East while the Immigration Department sought Indonesia. Timor, Indonesia or Portugal. Whilst no at- legal advice on the issues of nationality and He said Australia could not risk hurting tempts will be made to conceal such persons its effect on refugee law, to help evaluate its relations with Indonesia over East Timor. from discovery, we propose, in the spirit of each applicant’s standing under Australia, He said he pushes East Timor’s case when- solidarity and moral obligation to offer sanc- Portuguese and international law. ever he gets to speak to Indonesian Presi- tuary to these people Each case would be studied individually, dent Suharto, but added: “We can’t have a For further information contact: Sr. Kath- said the spokesperson, who did not say phony campaign about refugee status for leen O’Connor RSJ 02 356 3888 BH 02 how long the assessment process would people who enjoy Portuguese citizenship.” 360 1756AH Christians in Solidarity with take. Refugee status applications denied by Portugal says Indonesia’s invasion East Timor e-mail the Department can be brought before the blocked East Timor’s move towards inde- [email protected] Refugee Review Tribunal. If they are again pendence and prevented Portugal from rejected, applicants may take their case to completing the process of decolonisation. AUSTRALIA IRKED BY CHURCH’S court. A spokesperson for the Portuguese Em- SANCTUARY OFFER Agio Pereira, executive director of the bassy in Australia says East Timorese with By Suganthi Singarayar East Timor Relief Association, called the documentary proof that they were in fact CSN’s move “courageous” because “the East Timorese are considered Portuguese SYDNEY, Nov 9 (IPS) - A coalition of Church usually tends to prefer to stay away citizens and can enjoy Portuguese protec- Christian groups has put the Australian from controversial issues of this magnitude.” tion. government in an awkward situation by of- He said the refugees are “the meat in the fering sanctuary to more than 1,000 East sandwich between Australia and Indonesia” Timorese refugees to prevent their deporta- SPIRITED TESTAMENT TO and accused the Australian government of tion. THE EAST TIMORESE being very opportunistic and not under- “If all avenues of appeal (have been) ex- standing the situation in East Timor. STRUGGLE hausted, our group faces a higher moral obli- CSN coordinator Kathleen O’Connor, a gation to consider the offer of sanctuary to Green Left Weekly, 5 Nov. 1995 Josephite sister, admits that offering sanctu- East Timorese resisting deportation,” the ary, while firmly rooted in Christian tradi- Christian Sanctuary Network (CSN) said in Review: Wall of Testimony tion and theology, does not have a legal ba- a statement this week. Written by José Casimiro and Maria Alice sis. But she said members of the group were The group, which has offered to keep the Casimiro Branco prepared to go to jail to protect the refugees. refugees in churches, monasteries and other She said the CSN wanted to show the Performed by the Lafaek East Timor Asso- sacred sites, said the situation in predomi- East Timorese people that Australia recog- ciation nantly Catholic East Timor and Canberra’s nised its moral obligation to them, to chal- Reviewed by Sally Mitchell and Tim E. position on the refugee issue called for an lenge the government’s moral stance, and to Stewart “appropriate Christian response.” encourage debate on moral and social as- The government last month told the Wall of Testimony - the latest play by the pects of the East Timor issue, rather than Refugee Review Tribunal the 1,350 East Lafaek East Timor Association - made its just the economic and political concerns cur- Timorese seeking refuge here are Portuguese explosive debut to a capacity audience of rently being debated. citizens and thus cannot be given refugee students, artists, parliamentarians, church O’Connor said Australia has a moral status in Australia. parishioners and political activists at the duty to the people of East Timor, especially “Given that Australia has vehemently Browns Mart Community Arts Theatre in as 40,000 East Timorese died protecting opposed Portugal’s claim to be able to rep- Darwin on November 2. Australian troops during World War II. resent the East Timorese in the International The performance, a series of emotionally The former Portuguese colony was in- Court of Justice, the protestation that these charged vignettes based around events re- vaded by Indonesia in 1975 and annexed the people are Portuguese citizens is clearly lated to the November 12, 1991 Dili massa- following year, but the United Nations does hypocritical,” said the CSN, which was cre, is a spirited testament to the 20-year- not recognise Jakarta’s sovereignty over formed especially to help the refugees. old struggle of the Maubere people for free- East Timor. But Australian Foreign Minister Gareth dom and self-determination in East Timor. The CSN says Australia is the obvious Evans described the CSN’s move as “wildly The play gives the Maubere struggle a choice for East Timorese seeking refugee premature.” In an ABC radio interview, he very human dimension, taking the audience status because of its proximity to the terri- said: “We have a process of refugee status into the realm of everyday violence in East tory and their close community and cultural determination... which is only just beginning Timor; harassment, murder, and intimida- links. tion. Various episodes are set in the home, Page 172 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. on the street, in the church and in the moun- Brisbane: Nov 7, Resistance Centre; Nov The crowd included survivors of the No- tains. The real impact, however, comes not 8, St Laurence College, South Brisbane; ph vember 12, 1991 massacre in which Indone- from the re-enactment of military brutalities, 337 79777 sian soldiers opened fire on mourners at but in the treatment of grief and mourning. Canberra: Nov 11, Venue to be an- Dili’s Santa Cruz cemetery, killing scores of Each death in the play becomes a com- nounced; ph 257 4600 civilians. memorative act. Moments of sorrow give Wollongong: Nov 14, Wesley Audito- Also present were several Australian birth to revolutionary anger and determina- rium; ph 287 1533; World War II veterans, one of whom said he tion to struggle against oppression. Sydney: Nov 16, Pitt Street Uniting owed his life to an East Timorese solider he The five performers - Carlos Soares, Dul- Church; 17th East Side Uniting Church in fought alongside. cie Munn, Martin Soares, Benilde Lopes Da Paddington; Nov 18, Campbelltown The candles were relayed by journalist Cruz and José Casimiro - bring Wall of Tes- Uniting Church; ph 287 0900 and rock musician Paul Stewart who was timony alive with concentrated bursts of Melbourne: Nov 23, Uniting Church part of an international delegation, including emotion; through the harrowing hymn of Fitzroy; Nov 24,25, Uniting Church Kew; politicians and lawyers, recently turned Kolele Mai, to the exhilarating percussion ph 965 42488 back from entering East Timor via Bali by and singing of Oh Maubere at the end. The Hobart: Nov 28, Scotts Uniting Church Indonesian security officials. brutal reality, which is the historical back- Launceston: Nov 29, Pilgrim Church Mr Stewart, whose brother, television drop to the play, serves to underscore the Burnie: Nov 30, Civic Centre; ph 243 cameraman Tony Stewart, was one of five political message: freedom and self- 697 Australian journalists killed in disputed cir- determination for East Timor. Alice Springs: Dec 5, Uniting Church cumstances by Indonesian troops during the José Casimiro, who co-wrote the play Hall; ph 531 955 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor, with sister Maria Alice Casimiro Branco, Adelaide: Dec 2,3, ph 212 4066 said the delegation had wanted to place told Green Left: “The actors are on a mis- Fremantle: Dec 7,8,9, Iona Presentation flowers on the graves of the massacre vic- sion where they can pass the message on of College tims. the suffering of the people. It’s very impor- Perth: Dec 10, Christian Centre for Social He said one official warned the delega- tant for Timorese to take this play around Action; ph 459 8269. tion: “Don’t go to Dili because we shoot Australia because it will be seen by lots of tourists in Dili.” people ... It’s not only about political issues INDONESIAN FORCES The candles were later carried to St Fran- but also about cultural identity. We must TRAIN IN AUSTRALIA cis’ Catholic church in Lonsdale Street en show people who we really are.” route to a protest outside Indonesian gov- In writing Wall of Testament, they said Report from Martin Broek, Stop Arming In- ernment-owned Garuda airlines. the aim was to reflect on all facets of the donesia Campaign, Nov. 8. The candles would remain in the church East Timorese struggle. From the role of the for a 21-day display of photographs of the church to the role of women in the armed “Prior to participation in the multina- massacre which Community Aid Abroad resistance in the mountains. tional exercise Kangaroo 95, a unit of the has sponsored. “We wanted to show the value that Indonesian Kopassus special forces did A message of solidarity to Melbourne’s Timorese women have in the struggle,” said counter-terrorist training with the Australian East Timorese community was also read out Branco. “We know many instances where Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). In by Mr Stewart from Bono, the lead singer of women are mothers in the mountains and we June 1995, the Australian Defence Minister, Irish super rock group U2. The message thought, ‘Yes, we’ll have a mother there’ - a Senator Robert Ray, revealed that Kopassus said: “We assure you we know of your strong woman who fights, and we’ll also units had been training in counter-terrorist struggle.” have her as a sensitive human being who operations in Australia since 1993. (...) A poem, written by the singer to mark expresses herself very deeply when her son The Australian defence Minister’s revela- the anniversary of the Dili killings was also is killed ... Then there’s the other women in tion inevitably led to criticism by East read to the crowd, pledged, “there is no the town like Mathalena, who tries to sur- Timorese refugee communities and sympa- grave wide enough to stop your story being vive, but at the end she’s raped. So there are thetic parliamentarians and academics. told.” two roles. One is the victim and the other is Whereas the critics say that Kopassus It was a moment of mixed emotions for the hero, the survivor who is carrying on the would be used against local movements like massacre survivor, Akoilong Lui, 33. He struggle.” East Timor’s FRETILIN and Irian Jaya’s said, through a translator, that while he felt Branco continued, “I hope that this play OPM rebels, Senator Ray said that Kopas- happy to be in Australia he was saddened will bring people close to our struggle. We sus would not use the skills it has acquired by the memory of the killings. believe that theatre is one of the best tools from the SASR against Indonesian citizens.” He recalled: “There were over 3,000 [with which to do this]. As people see our ADJ 10/95, page 70. Timorese people there at the Santa Cruz culture some people forget the political side How does he know this? cemetery. They had put flowers on the of the play because our culture is so strong, grave and were shouting “Viva Timor” and but the message is still there. It is different 2,000 COMMEMORATE DILI “Freedom” when seven trucks arrived full of to going a demonstration. The message is MASSACRE IN MELBOURNE Indonesian soldiers. delivered in a different way.” “They surrounded us in a semicircle and Judging by its impact on Darwin audi- by Andra Jackson, through AAP started firing. ences, Wall of Testimony will further unite Melbourne, Nov 12 (AAP) – Candles “I was one of the lucky ones, I ran to the many people in a better understanding of, smuggled out of Dili were presented to a forward ... to the cemetery wall and climbed and support for, the struggle for self- 2,000-strong crowd here today, commemo- over it. determination in East-Timor. rating the anniversary of the Dili massacre in “As I ran, people were falling down, The tour dates of Wall of Testimony are: East Timor. shot.” He was in hiding for six months as the Indonesian authorities rounded up those in East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 173 the cemetery whose killings, caught on bool vigils were held to mark the anniver- East Timorese representative and UDT video, were shown on news programs sary. member Domingos de Oliveira described the around the world. continued resistance against the occupation. When finally arrested, he spent a year in DILI MASSACRE REMEMB ERED He condemned the cowardice of both the prison on charges that included “anti- Green Left, Nov. 19 Labor and Liberal parties and thanked the Indonesian activities.” Amnesty Interna- Ben Reid reports that 2000 East Australian people for their support, stress- tional secured his release in July 1993. Timorese and their supporters gathered in ing that the fight was not against the Indo- Earlier, Shirley Shackleton, whose jour- Melbourne on November 12 as part of a nesian people but the regime. nalist husband was also killed in East Timor nationwide series of actions to commemo- Indonesian dissident, Dr George Aditjon- in 1975, said massacre was “unfortunately rate the fourth anniversary of the Dili mas- dro, described the growing number of Indo- the word for what is still going on in East sacre. nesians, particularly young people, who Timor.” Shirley Shackleton, widow of journalist were in solidarity with the East Timorese She said the Australia government’s Greg Shackleton murdered by Indonesian and called on Australians to boycott Bali. stand on East Timor troops in 1975, condemned the Australian Tony Cooke from the Trades and Labour government and the ALP at the rally. She Council pointed to the importance of union NOVEMBER 12 RALLY IN support for the campaign. Thanking the MELBOURNE reminded the audience that the so-called “great man” of Australia, Gough Whitlam, people who helped to fight the WA gov- Reported by John Sinnott, Australia East knowingly colluded with the Indonesian in- ernment’s second wave industrial legislation, Timor Association vasion. Cooke encouraged them to also take on the campaign for self-determination in East On Sunday 12 November, the largest Democratic Socialist speaker Susan Price, Timor. East Timor rally ever held in Melbourne referring to the policy adopted by the ALP Other speakers included UDT and Fre- commemorated the fourth anniversary of the national conference in 1994, told the rally tilin representatives and Father Frank Smith Dili massacre. that “the ALP’s call for reconciliation be- from the Redemptionist Church. The crowd of two thousand people in- tween Indonesians and East Timorese is fac- Amber Copland from Friends of East cluded survivors of the massacre and ‘boat ile and hypocritical. The real issue is self- Timor in Derby reports that 35 people people’ who fled East Timor earlier this determination for East Timor. The ALP’s gathered for a commemoration rally. Derby year. A street theatre re-enactment began policy on Timor puts oil before human was the focus of controversy earlier this the proceedings. lives. We need a foreign policy that puts year as the location of detention camps for Speakers included: people before profits.” Abel Guterres, speaking on behalf of the East Timorese refugees. The protesters also - Shirley Shackleton, widow of journalist East Timorese resistance, called on “all sec- lit a torch symbolising freedom for East Greg Shackleton who was killed by Indone- tors of the Australian community to express Timor. sian armed forces at Balibo twenty years their opposition to the federal government.” ago last month, During the rally, a flame was lit in re- From Grafton, NSW, David Noonan re- - Lindsay Tanner, backbench Labor membrance of the victims of the massacre. ports that students at the Catherine member of the Australian Parliament who East Timorese refugees, who led the march, McAuley College organised a demonstration has been very critical of the Government’s carried it through city streets chanting, on November 10 around the demands “Free East Timor policy; “Viva East Timor!” and “No Blood for Oil; East Timor, No more Dili massacres.” - Paul Stewart, brother of Tony Stewart Free East Timor Now!.” In Bourke Street Speakers from Resistance and Amnesty In- another of the five journalists killed at Mall, city traffic and trams were stopped as ternational addressed students and staff. Balibo and one of the group of international protesters held a “die-in.” The protesters collected over 150 names on identities turned back at Bali airport after Outside the Garuda Airlines office, “Free East Timor” petitions and “Timor boarding a plane for Dili; speakers from solidarity groups urged more Woman,” written by Xanana Gusmão, was - Wilson da Silva, Australian journalist people to become involved in actions for performed at the rally. just returned from East Timor and East Timor. Jo Brown from Aksi (Solidarity - Jim Aubrey, Australian Democrats can- Action for East Timor and Indonesia) Kerryn Williams reports from Canberra didate for the federal electorate of Holt who pointed to the growing movement of sup- that 100 people rallied outside the Indone- is standing against Gareth Evans at the next port in Indonesia. She pointed to the need to sian embassy on November 12. Speakers election. link the struggle for democracy in Indonesia included Ines Almeida of the East Timor The Executive Director of Community with independence for East Timor. Relief Association, Jim Redden from Com- Aid Abroad, Jeremy Hobbs, launched a na- munity Aid Abroad, Marina Carman from tional campaign to send 100,000 post cards From Perth, Arun Pradhan reports that Resistance, Kerryn Williams from the De- to Prime Minister Paul Keating calling on more than 600 people attended a commemo- mocratic Socialist Party, Bill Tully from him to actively work for peace in East rative march and rally on November 12. Or- Campaign for an Independent East Timor Timor. ganised by Friends of East Timor and the and Bishop Pat Power of the Catholic A flame was lit by two young members East Timorese community, the actions fol- Church. Recently arrived East Timorese of Melbourne’s large East Timorese com- lowed a Catholic mass at All Saints Church. refugees attended the rally. All emphasised munity. It was taken on a march through the Marchers wore black armbands and car- the Australian government’s support for the city and then to a special commemorative ried 274 crosses inscribed with the names Indonesian military and Power highlighted mass. It will burn in St Francis Catholic and ages of the people killed at Dili. Before the ALP’s continued disgraceful policy on church in central Melbourne until December the rally “Speaking for the Dead” was per- East Timor from Whitlam to Keating. 7. formed by Curtin University’s Hayman On November 13, Almeida addressed a The event received wide media coverage, theatre. forum organised by Community Aid Abroad particularly on television. In the regional and Campaign for an Independent East Victorian cities of Bendigo and Warrnam- Timor. The 30 participants discussed vari- Page 174 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. ous aspects of the struggle for freedom in Network and Sam Watson from the Abo- Indonesian, and one to convince the Ameri- East Timor including the role of women, the riginal community strongly condemned the cans – or Australians, for that matter – that banning of aid organisations from setting up federal government for its decision not to he is really a fellow Indonesian. projects or documenting conditions in East grant asylum to the East Timorese refugees. I believe that his joke is really appropri- Timor, and what can be done in Australia to The crowd marched through Queen Street ate for this occasion, especially after the support the campaign. Mall to Musgrave Park for a festival which Suharto regime has expelled 14 foreigners included performers Connie, Chris Ander- from Dili, peace pilgrims who came to RALLIES MARK 1991 son, Phil Monsour and Hommus. Represen- commemorate the fourth anniversary of the DILI MASSACRE tatives from Community Aid Abroad, Aksi Dili massacre, just as we are doing today, By Paul Howes, Green Left #211, November and Centre for Philippine Concerns also ad- here. The reason given to deport all those 15, 1995 dressed the crowd. foreign guests from East Timor, namely that “the local people can be easily provoked to SYDNEY - On November 11 more than From Newcastle, Alex Bainbridge reports stage protests in front of foreigners,” as 1500 people marched and rallied to com- that 40 people took part in an action on stated by Indonesian immigration officer memorate the fourth anniversary of the Dili November 10 which was partly designed to Yohannes Triswoyo to the West Australian, massacre. After a mass at the St Mary’s welcome the Timorese refugees seeking asy- yesterday, contradicts all earlier statements Cathedral Timorese refugees led a lively lum in Australia. Alico Santos spoke about by the Indonesian security officers that only march to Town Hall behind the commemo- the struggle in Timor and called on people in a handful of East Timorese still fight for ration candle from East Timor. Australia to continue to show support for their independence. The rally was introduced by Sister Kath the Timorese. This most recent act of the Suharto re- O’Connor from Christians in Solidarity with The killing of Australian journalists in gime also contradicts the statements of Su- East Timor. This was followed by a colour- 1975 and the Australian government’s sub- harto himself and his loyal servant, Alex ful and emotional performance by the East sequent refusal to act on the issue was con- Alatas, that East Timor enjoys the same Timorese Cultural Centre who portrayed demned in street theatre which also drama- status as all other Indonesian provinces. Be- the events on November 12. Other speakers tised the massacres and ongoing repression cause, in which Indonesian province can one included Milena Pires from UDT, Harold of the Timorese. The street theatre ended on find dozens of security personnel following Moucho from FRETILIN and Terry Munro a positive note emphasising that people, foreigners wherever they go in the provincial the Aboriginal Metropolitan Lands Council both in Timor and around the world, who capital? In which Indonesian province can who performed a traditional Aboriginal wel- organise collectively, can successfully defeat one find guests being dragged out from their come for the Timorese refugees. repression. hotels in the provincial capital, and ordered Speakers from other solidarity and politi- Music celebrating the Timorese struggle to leave by police in full riot gear? cal groups included Max Lane from Aksi - was played by John Queripel and the crowd Now, not from the viewpoint of a for- Indonesia and East Timor Solidarity Action, sung “Mount Ramelau” the Fretilin anthem. eigner, but from the viewpoint of an ordi- Gil Scrine from the Australia East Timor The Asian Solidarity Network, the organ- nary Indonesian citizen, in which Indonesian Association and Jen Crothers from the so- isers of the action, invited a West Papuan province can one find ten to twelve battal- cialist youth organisation Resistance. A speaker who was unable to attend. An In- ions patrolling the streets of the towns and message was also read out from Indonesian donesian flag was burnt to symbolise peo- villages, in an area as small as Belgium? People in Solidarity with the Maubere Peo- ple’s condemnation of the repression, and These ten to twelve battalions which are ple. many candles of hope for the future were lit. currently on “civic mission” in East Timor, Sally Mitchell reported from Darwin that Participants were encouraged to put per- do not consist of locals, but come from all more than 60 people gathered in the Mall to sonal messages on a giant postcard to be major islands in the Indonesian territory. commemorate the anniversary. Speakers sent to foreign minister Gareth Evans. Such as, the 141 and 142 battalions from included survivors of the Santa Cruz massa- Sumatra, the 320, 411 and 521 battalions cre and Darwin East Timor independence from Java, the 612 battalion from Kaliman- activists. GJA: AFTER THE BAMBOO tan, and the 712 battalion from Sulawesi. Representing the November 12 organising CURTAIN HAS BEEN PULLED We have to ask ourselves again, in which committee Goncalo Pinto told the rally that DOWN AGAIN Indonesian province can one find so many “Australia’s foreign policy must be military troops, who do not consist of lo- changed” and that the “current ALP gov- Speech at the Dili massacre commemoration cals? Are the presence of these non-local ernment should be voted against.” rally in Perth on Nov. 12, 1995, by George troops a trade mark of an Indonesian prov- Dr Andrew McNaughton, who was part J. Aditjondro, Indonesian academic-in-exile ince, or the trade mark of a colony? of an international delegation recently ex- Dear brothers and sisters of East Timor Apart from the presence of those “offi- pelled from East Timor, lit a candle brought and Australia. Also, welcome to the Indone- cial” troops, an unknown number of plain- from Dili symbolising the ongoing struggle sian intelligence personnel present here: clothes military personnel operate in East for Freedom by the Maubere people. please get your cameras and tape-recorders Timor, who mainly consist of members of An all-night vigil was held outside the In- ready to document this event, which may the Army’s elite corps, Kopassus, also donesian consulate on November 11, fol- help your promotion back home – or at least known as the Red Berets, whose command- lowed by a commemorative service at St earn you some pocket money. Let me begin ing unit in East Timor is known by the ab- Mary’s Cathedral on November 12. my speech with a political joke, which ap- breviation SGI. This brings back the spectre

peared on the Internet four days ago. The of the Portuguese secret police, PIDE. From Brisbane, Nick Everett reports that joke runs as follows: In addition to those plain-clothes military 400 rallied at Roma Street Forum where Question: How many Indonesians does it men, the Indonesian police in East Timor Louise Kallor from Resistance, Maria take to control one East Timorese? also operate under the command of the SGI. Cortereal from East Timorese community, Answer: Three. One to hold a gun to his Although the police often officially detain Kirin O’Reilly from Christian Sanctuary head, one to convince him that he is a fellow East Timorese activists in their regional HQ, East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 175

Mapolwil, as was the case of the more than of SUARA TIMOR TIMUR. Meanwhile, accounts from the wealth generated in and 200 detainees during the recent uprising, the money paid to the pro-integration gangs from this so-called “economically unviable” SGI actually coordinate all the interroga- which harassed the pro-independence youth territory. tions. These mainly consist of mental and last month in Dili was allegedly channeled In the past two decades, the Batara Indra physical tortures, not to gather information, through Thomas Gonçalves, the former In- Group, a conglomerate closely associated but to break the moral – and the bodies – of donesian-appointed bupati (district-head) of with the 1975-1976 butchers, Generals the freedom fighters. Only those suspected Ermera and son of the liurai of Atsabe, Benny Murdani, Dading Kalbuadi, and Sa- to be hard-core members or leaders of the Guilherme Gonçalves. hala Rajagukguk, has reaped the benefits of resistance are often immediately detained in Thomas’ father was the former head of East Timor’s coffee, sandalwood, marble, as the main SGI interrogation centre in Col- the pro-Indonesian party, Apodeti, and sec- well as the territory’s tourism and infra- mera, located ironically in front of the Dili ond Indonesian-appointed governor of East structure businesses. court house. Timor. Last month, the old man had twice Enter the 1990s, another conglomerate Apart from Colmera, there are numerous invited the wrath of the Suharto regime by has began to overtake Batara Indra’s fortune other interrogation centres in Dili, code- publicly denouncing the validity of the so- in East Timor. This Anak Liambau Group is named Senopati I until n, named after the called “Balibo declaration” which asked for owned by the family of the current Indone- former Army Intelligence HQ in Jalan integration with Indonesia, as well as the sian-appointed governor, José Abilio Oso- Senopati, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. report from the East Timorese leaders rio-Soares, a protégé of Suharto’s son-in- Once an East Timorese freedom fighter dis- stranded in Atambua (West Timor), which law, Prabowo Djojohadikusumo, second-in- appears in this “Gulag Archipelago,” he or stated that the five Australia-based journal- command of the Red Berets. Two of Su- she may not reappear again. This has hap- ists in Balibo were killed in a crossfire be- harto’s daughters, Tutut and Titi, pened to Pedro Nunes alias Sabalae, the tween the pro-integration and pro- Prabowo’s wife, are involved in East former leader of the clandestine front, who independence East Timorese troops. By Timor’s lucrative yet diminishing coffee and was arrested together with a young man, applying this old colonial “divide-and-rule” sandalwood trade. Remegio, on June 29, 1995. Nobody has tactic within the prominent East Timorese Meanwhile, two of Suharto’s sons, Bam- seen the two ever since. families, the occupation forces were desper- bang Trihatmojo and Sigit Harjojudanto, Not satisfied with their own terror ately and unsuccessfully trying to persuade monopolize the telecommunication projects squads, the Indonesian occupation forces – the East Timorese people to keep their In- in East Timor. Even Suharto’s grandson, like all other occupation forces in the world donesian citizenship. Exactly like in the Arie Haryo Wibowo, Sigit’s son, has ob- – have tried to recruit more and more East joke, where the East Timorese guy had to be tained a piece of the economic pie in the Timorese to terrorize their fellow country forced at gun-point to admit that he was a colony. The 24 year old drug addict has ob- people. They probably learned this “indi- fellow Indonesian. tained a monopoly to levy a kind of “alco- genizing the occupation” tactic from their The point I want to make by giving this hol tax” for all alcoholic drink sold in East American mentors, who developed it in sad background is that while we are safely Timor, after obtaining a similar monopoly in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. congregating here in Perth, in East Timor Bali, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, and Apart from two battalions of East today, especially in Dili, more and more Irian Jaya from the Department of Interior Timorese military with Indonesian com- people have been or will be detained, after (not from the Minister of Trade or Finance, manders, last month a new group of 300 the bamboo curtain has been pulled down sic!). young people was installed in Aileu, called before the eyes of the foreign dignitaries. As On top of all those ‘peanuts’ – or, actu- the Youth League to Uphold the Integration of yesterday, ten armored military vehicles ally, below them – lies the oil and gas re- (GADAPAKSI = Garda Muda Penegak In- were stationed near the Motael church, and serves of the Timor Gap plus the on-shore tegrasi). This is the occupation force’s latest two Brawijaya battalions from East Java reserves, which led Australian PM Gough tactic of this kind, after forming ninja squads were standing by in Taibisse, the old mili- Whitlam to give Suharto the green light to in 1991 (who killed Sebastião Gomes on 28 tary barracks in Dili. annex East Timor way back in September October) and in early 1995 to terrorize the During the week prior to November 12, 1975. A diplomatic disaster, which contrib- pro-independence youth. Or, by using the 1995, the military and police have been uted to Gough Whitlam’s domestic disaster local branch of a Golkar subsidiary, Pemuda searching for car tires in Dili neighbour- a year later. Pancasila. Recently, several of these pro- hoods, to prevent tire-burning demonstra- Considering all the sufferings of the occupation youth were recruited to stage so- tions as what happened during the peak of Maubere people which have taken place called “inter-gang fights” in Dili, which was the September uprising. Even car repair until today, we cannot just meet, pray, sing, allegedly financed with Rp 2 billion (A$ 2 shops had their tires confiscated. And only and commemorate the sacrifices of more million) by the occupation forces. four days ago, five farmers in Ermera were than 300 young man and woman who died In all these colonial acts, the occupation detained by the occupation forces, together four years ago, and carry on with our lives forces have been aided by East Timor col- with a field staff of an indigenous East tomorrow as if nothing serious has hap- laborators, some of whom were recruited Timorese community development organi- pened. Australians who enjoy something from families of well-known East Timor zation. which is a luxury in East Timor as well as in freedom fighters. For instance, the East This raises then the question: for whose Indonesia, namely the freedom of expression Timorese Pemuda Pancasila branch is led by interests of benefits is all these Indonesian and assembly, should show their solidarity Achmad Alkatiri, an older brother of the taxpayers money wasted in East Timor, with the oppressed people of East Timor Fretilin representative in , while poverty is still rampant in the neigh- by sacrificing something concrete. Mar’i Alkatiri. Mar’i was Minister of For- bouring Indonesian provinces of West and In that context I appeal to you to boy- eign Affairs in the first cabinet of the De- East Nusa Tenggara? Ironically, while the cott Australia’s favorite tourist place, Bali, mocratic Republic of East Timor (DRET). East Timorese people are sacrificing their based on the fact that Bali is the base of the Last year, the bodyguards of Achmad lives and the Nusa Tenggara people forsake Udayana army command that include the Alkatiri, a “successful” businessman in Dili, their own economic development, the occupation forces in East Timor. Bali is thus physically harasses an Indonesian journalist Jakarta elite has filled their Swiss bank ac- the natural place where the butchers of East Page 176 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Timor are promoted – if they have not yet well covered by media, candles laid outside 2. Use of electronic mail and computer received their reward in East Timor itself consulate. Demo planned for 15.11 cancelled conferencing; through civil service appointments or posi- because of rain but is expected to happen 3. Overseeing the development and ad- tions in Batara Indra. within a week, banner with “Remembering ministration of a program of human rights Bali is also the origin of the many so- These Timorese Civilians murdered in Dili training and education for the East Timorese called “pioneer farmers” as the Balinese 12.11.95” and all 27(2) massacre victims and community; transmigrants are called, who have taken their ages printed on banner (which is 30m- 4. Liaising with international NGOs, gov- over the scarce land of the Maubere people odd long) will be used in this demo. ernment and the UN; in the frontier districts of Bobonaro and Co- On passing the consulate today, I saw a 5. Servicing and liaising with the ETHRC valima. rather dramatic change in its decor: Some Management Committee. And last but not least, Bali is one of the unknown person has managed to cover most Salary: 3 days a week: salary range: “gold mines” of the Suharto dynasty, which of the garuda of the Indonesian consulate 23,000 - 25,626 pr rata. has benefited tremendously from the suffer- with red paint, as well as splashing red paint Initial appointment will be for 12 months ings of the East Timorese and Indonesian over part of the front wall of the consulate. with the possibility of extension. peoples, a dynasty which has changed the Tut tut. Applications addressing the selection cri- meaning of “merdeka” into “merda,” by vio- teria should be sent to Mr Pat Walsh, lating the basic principle of the 1945 Consti- ETCHRIET JOB OPENING Chairperson, East Timor Human Rights tution, which does not only recognize the IN MELBOURNE Centre, 124 Napier St, Fitzroy 3065, Aus- right of every nation to independence, but tralia. also obliges every Indonesian to eradicate The East Timor Human Rights Centre is Enquiries: Pat Walsh, tel. (03) 9417 7505 colonialism wherever in the world. Cer- currently seeking the services of an Execu- Fax (03) 9416 2746 tainly, the 1945 Indonesian Constitution tive Director to head up its office. The posi- Closing date for applications: Friday, 8 does not urge Indonesians to begin coloniz- tion is part time and based in Melbourne. December 1995 ing other countries with different cultures The East Timor Human Rights Centre and histories, such as East Timor, or coun- was established in 1995 and focuses on the FRETILIN RELAUNCHED tries which are heavily populated by ethnic- promotion and protection of the human IN PERTH Javanese, such as Suriname, where a Su- rights of the East Timorese people, in East harto-family owned conglomerate, PT Timor and abroad, and the development of a By Arun Pradhan, Green Left, Nov. 19 MUSA, has attempted to colonize one mil- human rights culture amongst the East PERTH - “We want to raise the issue of lion hectares of the country’s tropical rain- Timorese community in Australia. Human forest by bribing ethnic Javanese ministers. East Timorese self-determination and justice rights are understood to broadly encompass for our people,” Francisco Soares, Fretilin With this appeal to boycott Bali, I am civil, political, social, economic and cultural concluding my speech. representative for Western Australia told rights, including the right of self- Green Left Weekly. Viva Xanana! determination. Viva Timor Leste! Fretilin was originally formed in May The Centre is autonomous and will have 1974 in East Timor on a platform that de- Libertade para Xanana! an active working relationship with East Libertade para Timor Leste! manded independence from Portugal. It soon Timorese bodies, within and outside East found itself fighting for independence from Let us all join hands to liberate the Timor. Maubere people of East Timor and their Indonesian occupying forces. Fretilin mem- The successful applicant will be account- bers who have left East Timor have com- Marhaen brothers and sisters in Indonesia able to the Management Committee and re- from the military and capitalist-bureaucratic bined with UDT (Timorese Democratic Un- sponsible for administering the ETHRC of- ion) internationally to lead the campaign for yokes they are both suffering, so that we all fice and its program and budget. One assis- may live in peace and harmony. Thank you! an independent East Timor. tant will also work in the office on a part- Soares explained that for some time there time basis. have only been informal Fretilin activities in RECENT ACTIVITIES the successful applicant will have: Perth, but with the arrival in Australia of IN DARWIN 1. an active interest in East Timor and more members it was time for an official current knowledge of the issue; launch. Soares said that Fretilin had an excel- by Sally-Anne Watson, AFFET, Nov. 14 2. a strong commitment to and basic un- lent working relationship with the well- 11.11 Noon Candle-lighting ceremony derstanding of human rights principles and established UDT community. lighting candles from candle brought out of procedures, including UN mechanisms; On Fretilin’s priorities, Soares said, “we East Timor/Bali that morning, speakers, 3. Excellent organisations and report- will help to organise rallies and pickets, and singing. Held in Mall, attended by about writing skills and basic computer literacy; to maintain knowledge of our culture and 100. 4. Ability to communicate with and relate heritage, but above all we will fight for self- 11.11 6 pm outside Indonesian Consulate to people from a range of backgrounds and determination.” All Night Vigil. Many people stayed till the perspectives; early hours, approx. 40-60 people. About a 5. Ability to deal with the media and to represent the Centre in public forums. DARWIN HUNGER STRIKE dozen stayed until 5 am and the “hard core” AND RECENT ACTIVITIES OF 5-6 stayers stayed until noon Sunday. Ban- Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Bahasa ner of “No More Dili Massacres” 30m long is an asset, but not essential. DECEMBER 7 was stuck onto Consulate fence and torn off Activities will include 7am Dec 7th: Re-enactment of the shoot- by police officers called to the consulate’s 1. Establishing and administering an ur- ing of Roger East took place on a wharf in rescue. gent action procedure on human rights abuse Darwin, where “Roger East” was beaten, 12.11 7pm Mass followed by candlelight in East Timor; shot and kicked over the wharf into the sea. march to Consulate was attended by 200, This was well covered by media. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 177

9am Dec 7th: Vocal and passionate dem- JAKARTA TO SEND CIVILIAN a relationship that Mr Keating has rated as onstration of 30-40 outside Indonesian Con- Australia’s top foreign policy priority. sulate. Effigy of President Suharto was hung ENVOY TO AUSTRALIA The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator from the neck, beaten, spat on etc. ABRI Sydney Morning Herald, November 9, 1995. Evans, and his Indonesian counterpart, Mr (green-gold) flags were dragged, walked on By David Lague, foreign affairs correspon- Ali Alatas, have also had successful discus- and all twenty flags set alight and burned dent sions since the cancellation of General Man- together amidst much cheering. The demon- tiri’s appointment, including meetings in stration continued loudly with drums and Australia has rejected a suggested Indo- New for the United Nations General As- speeches for one or two hours more. nesian military candidate the vacant post of sembly sessions. ambassador to Canberra, but a civilian ap- It is understood that both sides are anx- DARWIN INDONESIAN CONSULATE pointment is expected before the end of the ious to avoid any controversy over a future HUNGER STRIKE year in a sharp improvement in ties with appointment, and both Indonesian and Aus- CNRM MEDIA RELEASE, 10 December Senior Government sources have told the tralian political want to agree on a suitable Herald that Indonesia ha canvassed “at the appointee before the formal accreditation pr One Australian and three East Timorese - highest level” the names of three civilians begins. Sally Anne Watson, Luisa Ferreira, Antonio and a senior military officer as candidates Diplomatic sources said there would be Gouveia and Nicolau Fragas - commenced a for the post in exchanges that signal the rela- further discussions on the appointment at hunger strike on Friday morning December tionship is recovering from the aborted ap- the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation 8, outside the Indonesian Consulate in Dar- pointment of Lieutenant-Gen. Herman (APEC) forum summit Osaka next month. win to commemorate the twentieth anniver- Mantiri in July. A Department of Foreign Affairs and sary of the Indonesian invasion of East Jakarta delayed the appointment of a Trade spokesman said yesterday Indonesia Timor, and to show their solidarity with the new ambassador after Australia suggested had not officially submitted any names for oppressed East Timorese people, particu- that General Mantiri would be subjected to Australia to consider. larly the East Timor supporters callously continual human rig protests for his defence delivered by Dutch Embassy officials to the of the 1991 Dili massacre. But the floating WIRYONO Indonesian security apparatus in Jakarta on of regarded civilian candidates is a sign the 9 December. Indonesian Government now understands SASTROHANDOYO, RI This hunger strike, planned to be held un- Australian sensitivity over the post. AMBASSADOR TO til 17.00 hrs on Human Rights day 10 De- Indonesia watchers have suggested the AUSTRALIA cember, is meant to remind the world of the likely civilian candidates include the Vice constant abuse of human rights in East Governor of the National Defence Institute, From: Gerry VanKlinken, Dec. 7, 1995 Timor by the Indonesian military. However, Dr Juwono Sudarsono; a member of Presi- ‘The Australian’ today (7 Dec. 1995) re- in solidarity with the East Timorese and dent Suharto’s Supreme Advisory council, Indonesian supporters who entered the ports the appointment of a new Indonesian Dr Bendictus Mboi; a former Education Ambassador to Australia, filling a vacancy Russian and Dutch Embassies in Jakarta, Minister, Dr Faud Hassan; and legal e Dr Sally Anne Watson and Antonio Gouveia left by the departure of Sabam Siagian five Hasyim Djalal. months ago. He is career diplomat Wiryono decided to continue until 10:00 am on Mon- Government sources said the civilian day 11 December. The pair hopes to draw Sastrohandoyo, 61, currently Indonesian names informally suggested Jakarta indicate Ambassador to France. He served in the international attention to the dangers faced that a “highly satisfactory” appointment by the Indonesian and East Timorese activ- French appointment less than two years. will be made, they refused to identify the Before that he was Director-General of Po- ists at present under intense interrogation candidates. by Indonesian police and military intelli- litical Affairs in the Foreign Ministry in Ja- Some analysts believe Jakarta suggested a karta, the ministry’s most senior bureaucrat. gence in Jakarta, after last week’s protest senior military office possibly an admiral, actions Gareth Evans warmly welcomed the ap- among the candidates in a bid to placate its pointment as a sign of the importance Indo- Two of Antonio Goveia’s brothers - Eu- influe military, which wants to fill the post. sebio Oliveira Goveia and Mario do Santos - nesia attaches to the Australian relationship. There has been speculation that Indonesian Commentary by Patrick Walters points out were among the occupants of the Russian military believes a senior navy officer is Embassy abducted on 8 December by Indo- the appointment is a win for Ali Alatas over much less likely t linked to Indonesia’s con- the military after the Mantiri debacle. nesian police. The group had previously troversial occupation of East Timor. been given assurances of safe passage to a Wiryono’s specialization has been the But Australia does not want a military defence of Indonesian government policy on legal aid body, which, as common with In- candidate because this would likely to an- donesian authorittes, were not honoured. human rights, especially in East Timor. He tagonise human rights groups and the East was frequently in the news in 1993 as leader CNRM salutes the hunger strikers, and Timorese lobby. expresses its admiration for their commit- of Indonesian government delegations at in- Ties with Jakarta deteriorated sharply af- ternational human rights gatherings - in Ja- ment to the two decade struggle of the ter General Mantiri’s appointment was can- Maubere people against the brutal Suharto karta in January, Bangkok in April, then celled. Efforts to repair the relationship Vienna in June. He also appeared at various dictatorship oppression . were frustrated when more than 1,300 East UN commissions to defend Indonesian pol- We urge members of the media, and all Timorese applied for refugee status in Aus- wishing to express their support to the hun- icy in East Timor and Aceh in that year. In tral claiming they had been persecuted by September he was active against US at- ger strikers, to call their mobile telephone Indonesian security forces. outside the Indonesian Consulate in Darwin: tempts to link human rights and arms sales. However, it is understood that a success- His stance has not been surprising - he con- +61 15 613570 (or 015 613 570 within Aus- ful meeting between the Minister, Mr tralia). sistently asserts the uniquely Asian, com- Keating, and Mr Suharto at Bali in Septem- munalistic concept of human rights so dif- ber was the cataly dramatic improvement in ferent to Western individualism. Page 178 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Of much interest, and not mentioned in lia. That assumption assumes that the peo- retired military person, or a 24-carat civilian, the two reports in The Australian, is his ples of the two nations are all stupid. is not the main issue. What is important is deep involvement in Indonesian efforts to The ‘thorn in the flesh’ in the relations that he or she should be a democrat, not a mediate in the Moro dispute between the between the two countries is not the ambas- supporter of the fascist New Order regime, Philippine Government and the MNLF in sador per se. The ‘thorn in the flesh,’ or the which has not only shown its mercilessness the Southern Philippines. Even after being notorious ‘pebble in Ali Alatas’s shoe,’ is to another people – the Maubere people of appointed to the Paris Embassy he contin- the invasion and occupation of East Timor East Timor –, but has also murdered its own ued to chair peace talks in Jakarta, the latest by our nation and our people. people on mass scale in 1965-1966, and af- series being held late last November. The Hence, whoever will be appointed by terwards in West Kalimantan, West Papua, basis of these talks have been the 1976 Suharto to be the next candidate for Indone- Aceh, Lampung, Tanjung Priok, Haur Tripoli Agreement that granted Moro the sia’s ambassador to Australia, has to realize Koneng (West Java), Madura, and who status of autonomous province. The talks, that the situation in Indonesia is “too trans- knows where else. which he has chaired for two years, have parent” for the human rights activists in this All those political killings have eventu- resulted in a cease-fire. They are the best continent. They can not anymore be intimi- ally created a paradise for foreign and do- example of a pragmatic Indonesian approach dated by Suharto’s lackeys, with the accusa- mestic investors, because the land-owners to peacemaking in the region. Wiryono has tion of having exterminated Australia’s Abo- and holders of usufructory rights, peasants, also been involved with the Cambodian riginal inhabitants. Not only because the workers, consumers, and journalists have peace initiative, and knows Gareth Evans legal status of the indigenous people of this become too much afraid to dissent. From well on that basis. A good ‘getting-to-know- country is already equal to the status of the this climate of unconstrained capital invest- you’ question may be: ‘What would be re- migrant population (both the European as ment, where countervailing social move- quired to commence similar talks on East well as the Asian migrants), or because the ments were absent, an oligarchy has Timor?.’ Aboriginal flag is allowed to be flown side emerged, namely the rule of a handful rich by side with the British-inspired national capitalist-military-bureaucratic families, IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MILITARY flag, but because the activists who supports which in short hand can be called a system OR CIVILIAN, BUT A CHOICE the human rights of the Indonesian and East of “palace capitalism.” This regime has be- BETWEEN FASCISTS OR Timorese people are also involved in the come popular by the name of the Ha-Ha-Ha DEMOCRATS Aboriginal land-rights movement here in regime, short for the (Su)Harto, Habibie, and By George J. Aditjondro, Nov. 12. Australia. Harmoko families. Not only that. In some cities in Australia, So, Suharto can simply go ahead to ap- INTRODUCTION some Aboriginal activists have also began to point any civilian person as his candidate The “true colours” of the candidate for put their attention to the East Timor issue. for Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia. the new Indonesian envoy to Australia, Among the 14 human rights activists who Anyhow, that appointment would not deter Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, has already come were kicked out from Dili for wanting to a closer rapport with more people-to- out, even before he has even set foot on the commemorate the Santa Cruz massacre, one people links between the two countries, just Australian soil. The killing of 270 young of them was a famous Australian Aboriginal like when Australian waterfront workers East Timorese and one New Zealand citizen poet, Lionel Fogarty. black-banned Dutch ships during the Indo- in Dili on November 12, 1991, “was not a In contrast to the freedom of expression nesian independence struggle against the massacre,” according to Wiryono Sastrohan- which Australian Aboriginals now experi- Dutch colonial forces. Or, when later day doyo. “It was an incident.” And the incident ence, could we imagine what would happen waterfront workers and air transport work- was “provoked” by the young East to an indigenous person in Jayapura, if he or ers in Australia boycotted Bogasari wheat Timorese, by stabbing an Indonesian army she would try to raise the Morning Star ships and Garuda flights to Indonesia, after officer (West Australian and The Australian, (Samnpari) flag, the symbol of West Papuan the murder of five Australian-based journal- December 13, 1995). nationalism? Or if anybody tries to raise the ists in Balibo and the murder of 271 young The response of the East Timorese com- Democratic Republic of East Timor flag in people in the Santas Cruz cemetery. munity and their supporters in Australia Dili? Or the Free Aceh flag in Banda-Aceh? *** still needs to be seen. Personally, without Such kind of non-violent expressions of POSTSCRIPT: people have maybe for- knowing who the alternative for Mantiri “separatism” – or non-Indonesian national- gotten, that the incorporation of East Timor would be, I have already discussed this mat- ism, for that matter – would be muffled with into Indonesia had also been aided with the ter with the Indonesian-reading netters, bullets, as what has happened to Elias ‘high-level diplomacy’ skills of a civilian when I stated in a brief article posted by Warsey, a corporal in the Indonesian Army ambassador, namely Ben Mang Reng Say, APAKABAR on November 10, 1995, that who had his sympathy with the Free Papua the last Indonesian ambassador to Lisbon, the bottom line is not whether the new am- Movement (OPM), and tried to lower the plus another former civilian ambassador, bassador is a civilian or a military, but Indonesian Red-and-White flag and raise the Frans Seda, who had been Indonesia’s am- whether the person is a democrat, and not a Morning Star in front of the parliament bassador to the EU headquarters in Brus- fascist. For the benefit of the English- house in Jayapura on February 13, 1984. sels. These two civilian diplomats inten- reading netters, I have translated and abbre- Or, what has happened to the brave young sively lobbied the transition government in viated that article. people who raised the Fretilin and UDT Lisbon, to let East Timor fall in the hands of THERE seems to be an assumption, that flags in Dili on November 12, 1991, whose the Indonesian government. They intro- the appointment of a civilian ambassador murders were unconditionally supported by duced the late General , the instead of a military person (see David Mantiri and the current Indonesian vice- architect of East Timor’s (and prior to that: League, “Jakarta to send civilian envoy,” president, Tri Sutrisno. West Papua’s) incorporation into Indonesia, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 November *** through a meeting of Ali Murtopo with the 1995), is a progressive step in reconciling WHETHER the future ambassador of In- Lisbon VIPs in Rome. the relations between Indonesia and Austra- donesia to Canberra is a military person, a East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 179

Perth, on the 4th anniversary of the Santa following year in a move not recognised by nesia, and also said the government had Cruz Massacre, the United Nations. promised the consulate it would file charges which death toll rivalled the massacre of if the consulate could provide proof (such as Indonesian citizens in Tanjung Priok and INDONESIA TO PROTEST a recording) that the demonstrators had ut- Lampung STRONGLY OVER FLAG BURNINGS tered “harsh words” against the Indonesian JAKARTA, Dec 7 (Reuter) - Indonesian government. AUSTRALIAN PROTESTERS Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said on Thurs- FIVE CHARGED FOR BURNING BURN INDONESIAN FLAG S day Jakarta would send a strong protest to Canberra after Indonesian flags as well as INDONESIAN FLAGS CANBERRA, Dec 7 (Reuter) - Protest- images of President Suharto and Vice Presi- From Hugh Ekeberg, Jan. 23. dent Try Sutrisno were burnt in Australia. ers around Australia burned Indonesian flags The report went on to say that the “I haven’t read the reports, but if it is on Thursday in demonstrations and rallies Northern Territory government was sensi- true, we certainly will not accept that and marking the 20th anniversary of Jakarta’s tive about actions which could offend Indo- we will lodge a protest after we know the invasion of East Timor. nesia because of economic interests. facts,” Alatas told reporters. A small but rowdy band of protesters in The charges come after the government “We regret that, if it is true, this has the northern city of Darwin, where thou- closed the Darwin Music Development happened. These things we cannot accept at sands of East Timorese now live, attacked Centre, (a community art centre) which was all. It is clear we are going to protest an effigy of President Suharto hanging on a administered by Vaughan Williams, one of strongly,” Alatas said. noose. the activists charged. Protesters around Australia burned Indo- The protesters also burned about 20 Mister Williams said that the centre was nesian flags on Thursday in demonstrations home-made copies of an Indonesian military used on a regular basis for East Timor con- and rallies marking the 20th anniversary of flag but did not burn the country’s flag, as sciousness raising. The centre was also used Jakarta’s invasion of East Timor. they had done in earlier demonstrations. to accommodate the Indonesian Pro- A small but rowdy band of protesters in “We are not against the country, we are Democracy delegates to the IRCR confer- the northern city of Darwin, where thou- against the way it is run,” Australians for a ence held in Darwin mid last year. sands of East Timorese now live, attacked Free East Timor president Rob Wesley- At the time the delegates requested alter- an effigy of Suharto hanging on a noose. Smith said. native accommodation because consular In the southern city of Melbourne, about However, in the southern city of Mel- staff were seen lingering outside the centre. 200 protesters outside the Indonesian con- bourne, about 200 protesters outside the Mr. Williams said he had spoken to gov- sulate, trampled and spat on three Indone- Indonesian consulate, trampled and spat on ernment opposition members who agreed sian flags before setting them alight. three Indonesian flags before setting them that the Chief Minister, Shane Stone was The Melbourne protesters also burned alight. increasingly coming under the sway of Ja- portraits of Suharto and Sutrisno. “For 20 years this flag has been the sym- karta. “This thing will not help the efforts to bol of repression, killing, torture and rape in Mr. Rob Wesley Smith of Australians improve relations between the two countries East Timor,” said protest spokesman Abel For a Free East Timor said that comments if it is happened without being handled by Gutterres. by Wisnu Mahendra confirmed what had security authorities there,” Alatas said. The Melbourne protesters also burned been going on for years, that the Territory The United Nations and international portraits of President Suharto and Vice government was servile to the interests of human rights groups have accused Indonesia President Try Sutrisno Jakarta. of widespread human rights violations in Some protesters also attacked the Aus- Vaughan Williams said that the closure of East Timor, where several thousand troops tralian government, accusing it of failing to the centre and the flag burning charges are stationed. pressure Indonesia over its rule in the for- would be fought vigorously. mer Portuguese colony. Indonesia denies the allegations but ad- In Sydney, a small group, which included mits some individual soldiers have commit- NEW CONSUL IN DARWIN a state parliamentarian, burned an Australian ted abuses. The New Indonesian consul to Darwin is flag outside state parliament. After Portugal quit the territory on the Colonel Widodo. His last posting was to In Canberra, a candle-light vigil was held eastern half of Timor island, Indonesia in- Malaysia as Military Attaché. outside the Indonesian embassy overnight vaded in 1975 and annexed East Timor the before a morning protest. following year in a move not recognised by LAUNCH OF BOOK ON An afternoon protest was staged outside the United Nations. AUSTRALIA’S FAILINGS OVER parliament, at which demonstrators accused Canberra of supporting Indonesian occupa- DARWIN COURT APPEARANCES EAST TIMOR ON FLAG-BURNINGS tion of East Timor. Australian Associated Press The United Nations and international Radio Australia, Jan 18. human rights groups have accused Indonesia SYDNEY, Dec 11 AAP - Australia was Radio Australia’s 1200 GMT newscast in danger of sinking into the East Timor of widespread human rights violations in says “several persons” have been ordered to East Timor, where several thousand troops “swamp” because of a refusal to correct bad appear in court in Darwin in connection decisions, a university legal expert said to- are stationed. with the alleged burning of several Indone- Indonesia denies the allegations but ad- day. sian military flags in front of the consulate Speaking at the launch of his book The mits some individual soldiers have commit- during last months demo to commemorate ted abuses. East Timor Case and the International Court the 20th anniversary of the invasion of East of Justice, Keith Suter said Australia was After Portugal quit the territory on the Timor. The report attributed the charges to eastern half of Timor island, Indonesia in- one of the few countries to give full recogni- the NT government’s desire to maintain the tion to Indonesia’s takeover of East Timor. vaded in 1975 and annexed East Timor the territory’s economic relationship with Indo- Page 180 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Australia had tried to regularise the East AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA: sanctuary to more than 1,000 East Timorese Timor Gap “border” between this country refugees to prevent their deportation. and Indonesia. EAST TIMOR ISSUE WON’T With Indonesia warning that if Australia This would result in future confusion as RUIN RELATIONS granted asylum to the East Timorese, it East Timor fought for recognition, Dr Suter would threaten their diplomatic and trade said. By Suganthi Singarayar relations, Canberra officials tried to play Dr Suter also called Indonesian President SYDNEY, Dec 14 (IPS) - An Australian down the issue by saying it still had to go Suharto and his colleagues war criminals fol- inquiry into the deaths of six journalists in through all the bureaucratic channels before lowing the Indonesian invasion of that coun- East Timor 20 years ago threatens to open any decision would be taken. try 20 years ago. up a new can of worms regarding Indone- This drew criticism from aid groups with “President Suharto and his colleagues are sia’s human rights record, but history sug- Agio Pereira, executive director of the East war criminals ... it is a crime against peace to gests Canberra will not rock the boat too Timor Relief Association, describing the invade another country, that’s what Indone- hard. Australian government as “opportunistic” sia did back in 1975. At the end of last month, the Australian and the refugees as “the meat in the sand- “We’re now paying attention to war government announced that it would inves- wich between Australia and Indonesia.” crimes in Bosnia and in Kuwait, but let us tigate claims by East Timorese resident in Analysts expect Canberra to be equally remember the major war crime that was Australia, that they and others now living cautious in its approach to this issue. In the committed in our own region back in 1975 ... outside of Indonesia, have evidence showing first place the inquiry will be conducted un- which will continue to haunt Australian that the journalists were gunned down by der the kind of strict guidelines that should politics ... Indonesian soldiers. ensure that neither government gets too “The Indonesian Foreign Minister has Five met their deaths in November 1975 bruised. called the continuing problems with East – just before East Timor gained its inde- As such, calls by a non-governmental aid Timor a ‘pebble in Indonesia’s shoe,’” Dr pendence from Portugal; while the other organisation and even by a government Suter said. died on Dec 7 when Indonesia invaded East backbencher to widen the scope of the in- “For Australia and appropriate analogy Timor, just one week after it had gained its vestigation are not being entertained by the is that East Timor is a swamp. independence. government. “The more that Australia struggles in the For Jakarta, the issue is a particularly According to Bob Muntz, programme swamp, the more it sinks into it.” sensitive one since it could add another coordinator with the Australian aid organisa- His comments pertained to the East blotch to Indonesia’s already tarnished im- tion Community Aid Abroad, two East Timor Gap, the basic maritime boundary age beginning with its bloody invasion of Timorese living in Melbourne are willing to between Australia and Indonesia, set out in East Timor and its subsequent repressive testify before the inquiry if it is broadened two Australia-Indonesia agreements. measures to quell the Timorese independ- to include a more recent killing – one that “The book examines the recent interna- ence movement after annexation. took place shortly after the 1991 Dili mas- tional court case under which Portugal ar- But analysts note that more than once in sacre. gued that Australia’s negotiation of the 1989 recent years, Australia-Indonesian relations Muntz said that he and then Sydney Timor Gap Treaty was invalid,” Dr Suter have been threatened by issues related to University student Kamal Bamadhaj were said. East Timor, and always the Canberra gov- observers at a rally at the Santa Cruz ceme- “Australia’s win in the International ernment has managed to steer a course that tery in the East Timor capital when Indone- Court of Justice (June 30) was a hollow vic- ensured coveted bilateral trade and diplo- sian troops opened fire. tory. matic relations are not unduly strained. “I had to flee for my life and at the time “With the oil resources of the Timor Significantly, while the United Nations of his (Kamal’s) death I would have been Gap, East Timor could easily have been the has not recognised Indonesia’s annexation of hiding in a housing area about a kilometre Kuwait of Asia. East Timor, Australia has done so. away,” said Muntz, who was assignment “In negotiating the treaty with Indonesia “East Timor has remained the most sig- for Community Aid Abroad in East Timor. we have robbed the people of East Timor of nificant irritant in bilateral relations (be- Muntz later learned that Bamadhaj was the natural resources which are rightfully tween Australia and Indonesia). That is has found bleeding to death on a road about a theirs. not had an even bigger impact is due to the kilometre away from the cemetery by Inter- “The swamp will get worse as the oil and far more active bilateral and regional diplo- national Committee for the Red Cross gas wealth flow into Australia and Indone- macy pursued by Canberra in recent years,” (ICRC) officials who took him to a hospital sia. said Patrick Walters, the Jakarta correspon- where he died. “The people who actually own the con- dent for ‘The Australian’ newspaper. Now, says Muntz, two East Timorese tinental shelf will not get much of it. Just last October, Australian Prime Min- who arrived in Australia earlier this year, “This inequality will only increase the in- ister Paul Keating made no bones about claim to have seen an Indonesian patrol unit ternational spotlight on the Indonesian- Canberra’s damage control policy vis-à-vis follow Bamadhaj when he left the rally. Australian land grab. bilateral relations when he said that Austra- Shortly after there were shots fired as the “At the very least, Australia should in- lia would not risk hurting such ties over vehicle sped away. The refugees claim to be sist that some of Indonesia’s wealth flows “phoney claims” being made by asylum- able to identify the soldiers who killed into East Timor and that some of Austra- seeking East Timorese refugees. Bamadhaj. lia’s wealth should be set aside in trust The issue then surrounded appeals by As far as Muntz is concerned, such eye- funds to assist the East Timorese who have Timorese refugees for asylum in Australia witness testimony warrants that the Ba- fled to Australia.” amid fears of persecution should they be madhaj case be included in the inquiry due Dr Suter is the president of the Sydney deported. to start next February. University Centre for Peace and Conflict The Australian government again found “It is not in the province of the govern- Studies. itself in an awkward position last month ment to prosecute citizens of another coun- when a coalition of Christian groups offered try for criminal acts committed in another East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 181 country, but I hope that they (the investi- NATIONAL PICKETS AT ALL rights, escaped from the Indonesian authori- gating panel) would pass on their evidence ties after he and 55 others were detained at to the Indonesian government and request INDONESIAN CONSULATES Police Headquarters in South Jakarta. Wil- them to initiate criminal proceedings...” IN AUSTRALIA son stated, group members were photo- But when IPS contacted the Australian graphed, finger printed, and statements foreign ministry about the issue, a spokes- FROM AKSI, URGENT UPDATE. 11 De- taken. Some among them, including leaders woman said that there was no chance that cember, 1995 Wilson and Puto, were tortured with burn- the inquiry – to be conducted by Tom AKSI will be staging a demonstration at ing cigarette during interrogation. The activ- Sherman, chairman of the National Crime the front of the Indonesian Consulate in ists were charged as suspects under section Authority – would be broadened. Sydney, tomorrow at 1pm demanding that 167 of the Indonesian penal code which car- Sherman will focus only on evidence sur- international human rights agencies take all ries a maximum 4 year jail penalty after be- rounding the deaths of the six journalists appropriate actions to protect the East ing threatened with a subversion charge who were killed in late 1975. He is expected Timorese and Indonesian activists from fur- which carries a life sentence to present his report by the end of May, ther mistreatment and torture. AKSI de- They were then told that they were to be next year. plores the actions by the Russian and the taken to the Pulo Gadung bus station and It would be impossible for Australian Dutch embassies in forcing the activists to returned home but were distressed after Mr government investigators to look into every leave particularly in the case of the Dutch Pieters of the Dutch Embassy refused to death in East Timor, the foreign ministry Embassy where Indonesian Military were accompany them. At this point group leader spokeswoman said. allowed to enter and arrest them. AKSI is Wilson managed to escape from the bus and Not only Muntz has called for a widen- demanding that the Embassies take respon- although chased by intelligence personnel, ing of the scope of the inquiry. Government sibility for the safety of the protesters and manage to escape. Nothing further has been backbencher Chris Haviland, wants the in- denounces the deceitful actions by the Indo- heard from the remaining group members, quiry to be given the power to open top nesian government. and its is feared they have been taken to secret files which he claims will reveal that Torture fears for East Timor and Indone- Barkostranas or BIA military intelligence successive Australian governments have sian Dutch and Russian Embassy protesters headquarters for further questioning. Such tried to cover up the truth surrounding the – Disgraceful Dutch Embassy action questioning is notorious for the extensive killing of the journalists. The safety of 29 Indonesian and 26 East use of torture. “I am very concerned to hear that the in- Timorese who occupied the Dutch and Rus- vestigation will have to reference or access sian Embassies on Thursday 7 December is 20 YEARS OF EAST TIMOR’S to these files,” he said. reported to be unclear after an escaped de- OCCUPATION A Haviland spokesman told IPS that tainee released a detailed account of their these files, kept by the Defence Signals Di- removal from the grounds of the Dutch em- By Kerryn Williams, Green Left, Dec. 13 rectorate, would show that the Australian bassy. authorities have known all along about how On Saturday morning the protesters were There were rallies in all major cities on the journalists met their deaths, but have transferred to the second floor of the em- December 7 or 8 to mark the 20th anniver- never done anything about it. bassy, after government supported thugs, sary of Indonesia’s occupation of East But again, the foreign ministry spokes- reappeared outside the gates armed with Timor. woman through cold water on the idea of knives, metal rods etc. Embassy staff were East Timorese activists began an all-day widening the scope of the inquiry, which alarmed by the clear sympathy shown to protest in Canberra on December 7 at 4am she said was not designed to pour over intel- the thugs by Indonesian police and military with a silent, candlelight vigil outside the ligence files which have been reviewed by guarding the embassy. Indonesian embassy. The silence was bro- successive governments. At around one O’clock protesters were ken at 4.45am with a song to mark the time Observers say they do not expect the told by Political Counsellor Mr Hoek that at which Indonesian troops launched their Australian government to do anything to the Ambassador and the Dutch Foreign invasion. hurt Canberra-Jakarta relations largely be- Minister would not tolerate the demonstra- At midday a 100-strong rally took place cause of their important trade relations. tors remaining in the embassy and said they at Parliament House, from which the pro- Two-way trade between Australia and In- would be evicted in order to safeguard the testers marched back to the Indonesian em- donesia averages about two billion dollars security of the embassy staff. Protesters bassy. annually. began a hunger strike demanding that the Zacarias da Costa, from the Timorese The two countries have cemented bilat- embassy guarantee their safety. They were Democratic Union (UDT), pointed out that eral ties in the field of defence, trade and met by Human Rights lawyer, Mr Princen, the United Nations General Assembly regu- investment and even in education that can- the Dutch Ambassador, the Political Coun- larly condemns the Indonesian occupation, not be easily unravelled through disputes sellor, and a Indonesian Legal Aid lawyer, and does not recognise Indonesian sover- over East Timor, notes Walters, the Jakarta Mr Rambun who requested the protesters eignty over East Timor. correspondent. leave, saying they would guarantee their Harold Moucho, coordinator of Fretilin “The Australian Defence Force (ADF) safety. However, given the fate of those at NSW, emphasised the moral debt owed to East Timor by Australia, after more than has become the most important foreign pro- the Russian Embassy who had believed ‘se- vider of military training to Indonesia, hav- curity guarantees’ earlier, they refused to 40,000 East Timorese were killed in World ing displaced the United States which can- accept. After a second “request,” the em- War II protecting Australian soldiers. celed Indonesian participation in the Inter- bassy opened the gates allowing Indonesian Ben Reid reports from Melbourne that national Military Education and Training riot police and military intelligence opera- 200 people protested at the Indonesian con- programme following the Dili massacre,” tives to enter who then forced the protesters sulate on December 8. Three Indonesian noted David Jenkins, the ‘Sydney Morning into waiting buses. flags were burnt and speakers included Abel Herald’ Asia editor. Wilson, the leader of the PRD group of Guterres of CNRM. Indonesian supporters of East Timorese Page 182 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

A lunch-time protest outside Parliament actions they have kept alive the demand of Speaking to AAP after talks with Indo- House in Sydney on December 7 was organ- their people to decide their own future - the nesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in Lon- ised by the Australian East Timor Associa- right of self determination. don, Gama said Australia had understanda- tion (AETA). An Australian flag was burnt The Australian people, media, and many bly opted for strong relations with Indone- to symbolise the appalling record of the public figures have responded in support of sia, which was no obstacle for Portugal. Australian government, and Green MLA Ian the East Timorese:- “I do not want to tell Australia its busi- Cohen presented a petition to Parliament. * forcing the rejection of the arrogant ness,” Gama said. “I say let’s talk, let’s Later, a city rally, organised by Resis- General Mantiri as Indonesian Ambassador have a fair exchange of views. We have been tance, attracted 100 people. An Indonesian * condemning the Australian Govern- in dispute at the International Court of The military flag was burnt while Gareth Evans ment’s response to those refugees fleeing Hague over the Timor Gap treaty, but we and General Suharto were “tried” and found torture and persecution are two civilised nations. guilty by the crowd for the genocide in East * demanding the truth about the Austra- “Australia recognised the annexation of Timor. lian journalists murdered in East Timor in East Timor. In my opinion, and I put it Bill Mason reports from Brisbane that 1975 moderately, it was a mistake. But Australia protesters rallied outside Air Garuda offices The WA Trade Union East Timor Sup- is a democracy and that was its judgment.” on December 7 before marching to the port Group, since its formation in April Gama said Australia’s signing of a recent Queen Street Mall to join a silent vigil, 1995, has played a part in these campaigns. security treaty with Indonesia did not pre- sponsored by the Timorese community. As a result of its initiative the policy of the clude discussion as he had “no pre- About 100 people took part in the action Australian Council of Trade Unions has conceived views” but he noted recent Aus- which was also sponsored by Resistance, been strengthened. tralian criticisms of Indonesia’s excessive Aksi and the Catholic Workers. Prior to the Congress in late September troop presence in East Timor, which he In Adelaide, around 50 people rallied on 1995 the opening paragraph of the ACTU took as a hopeful sign of change. December 7 at Parliament House. The action policy on East Timor stated: Gama underlined that Portugal had re- was organised by the Campaign for an Inde- “Congress recognises the inalienable right tained an embassy in Australia even after pendent East Timor and was addressed by of the East Timorese people to self determi- Australia closed its embassy in Lisbon sev- Labor MP Peter Duncan, Chris Pine from nation and independence and condemns the eral years ago. the Liberal Party, Sandra Kank from the Indonesian annexation of East Timor.” Australia’s foreign affairs department Australian Democrats and Andy Alcock The WA Trade Union Support Group said at the time that it was closing its Lisbon from CIET. felt that the policy ignored one vital aspect - embassy for budgetary reasons. It closed In Newcastle, 35 people gathered in Civic the role of Liberal and Labour Australian two other missions simultaneously, one in Park on December 7 in a candlelight vigil governments since 1975 in kow-towing to Prague and the other in Mongolia, citing the around the theme “Australia remembers?.” the Indonesian Military rulers over East same reasons. The action linked the 50th anniversary of Timor. The group therefore requested its Portuguese officials interpreted the move the end of World War II (which we are urged participating unions to propose the follow- as an expression of pique at Lisbon’s objec- to remember) with the 20th anniversary of ing amendment as an addition to the opening tions to Australia’s policy over East Timor East Timor’s invasion (which Australian paragraph: but Gama urged a reopening of the mission. politicians want us to forget). “Congress calls on the Australian Gov- “We want to have close contact with >From Darwin, Sally Mitchell reports ernment to reverse its policy of recognising Australia, even though we have differences that 35 demonstrators picketed the Indone- that annexation and to cease the training of, on Timor,” he said. sian Consulate on December 7. An effigy of and the supplying of arms to, the Indone- The Portuguese minister said he intended President Suharto was hanged and 20 Indo- sian military and security forces.” to use channels at the next UN General As- nesian military flags were burnt. Strong po- Some opposition was expressed at the sembly session to suggest talks with Aus- lice presence and two fire engines did not ACTU Executive. However, with the sup- tralia on bilateral issues and East Timor. stop the flag burning. port of the Trade & Labour Council of WA Gama met Alatas in London today for Earlier in the morning a re-enactment of and lobbying by the national bodies of the the seventh round of negotiations over the the shooting of Australian journalist Roger West Australian unions, the amendment was future of East Timor, under the auspices of East by Indonesian troops in 1975 was adopted by the Congress and now forms UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros staged by activist Rob Wesley Smith and part of ACTU policy on East Timor. Ghali. young Timorese. WA Trade Union East Timor Support The two sides had pledged beforehand to Group Address: 216 Rutland Avenue, Car- discuss “substantive” issues, although there WESTERN AUSTRALIAN lisle, WA 6101, Australia Tel/Fax: (09) 361 were few visible signs of progress in the fi- TRADE UNION EAST TIMOR 4678 Participation Unions: ALHMWU, nal communiqué. AMIEU, AMWU, ANF, ASU, CEPU, Gama was appointed as Portugal’s new SUPPORT GROUP CFMEU, MUA, CPSU(PSU), SSTU. foreign minister after the Portuguese Social- ist Party was elected in parliamentary elec- Jan 17, 1996 PORTUGAL URGES EVANS tions last October. He had earlier served in The following is from a recent leaflet distrib- TO TALK ON TIMOR the same post when the Portuguese Social- uted by the WATUETSG (pity about the ac- ists were in power in the mid-eighties. ronym!): By Jill Jolliffe, through AAP Under Prime Minister Antonio Guterres the Socialists have suggested they will bring East Timor is constantly in the news. LONDON, Jan 16 AAP - Portugal’s new The young people of that long suffering a fresh approach to the Timor problem, al- foreign minister Jaime Gama has appealed to though there is a consensus among Portu- country have taken up the struggle - many his Australian counterpart Gareth Evans to of them born since the illegal Indonesian guese political parties that none will stray debate the East Timor issue despite differ- from a broad national goal of winning genu- military occupation in 1975. In a series of ences between the two countries. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 183 ine self-determination for its ex-Asian col- Australian colleague to have an open ex- Tong issued a joint declaration calling for ony. change of views about political relations be- closer cooperation in political, security, Gama also said Portugal would not im- tween the two countries. As you know we economic and cultural matters. mediately take up an Indonesian offer to keep an ambassador in Australia. That’s not In response to a question, Keating said open a low-level form of representation in the case for Australia in Portugal. Australia did not have to play down its Jakarta but that option would depend on the JJ: If you could give a message to Senator commitment to human rights to gain greater progress of the Timor talks. Evans, what would you say to him? acceptance in the region. “I think Australia’s “If there is progress on the item of East democracy, its strength, its tolerance, are Timor, bilateral relations will naturally im- JG: Let’s have a talk on this problem. Let’s assets for its role in the region, and they prove,” he said. have a fair exchange of views. We have been don’t have to be compromised,” he said. The Portuguese and Indonesian ministers disputing in the ICJ on the problem of “The references have mostly been about will meet again in Geneva in June. Timor Gap but we are civilized nations, we Timor, (but) I don’t think anybody who’s go on with our embassy in Australia. We near the subject believes that Australia is JAIME GAMA LOOKS FOR MEETING have in Australia, we likely to have any beneficial influence for WITH EVANS want to keep close contact with Australia. the East Timorese in a standoff with Indo- Although we have different views on the nesia.” ABC Radio “World Today Program” Jan problem of East Timor. 17 1996. interview by Jill Jolliffe Indonesia invaded East Timor, 480 km Presenter: Senator Evans was not avail- (300 miles) from Australia, in 1975 and an- Presenter: Jaime Gama has been Portu- able for an interview today but a spokesper- nexed it in the following year. guese Foreign Minister since last October. son said that Senator Evans was looking Among Western nations, only Australia He told Jill Jolliffe that he is hopeful of pro- forward to meeting the Portuguese Foreign recognises Indonesia’s sovereignty over the gress on the question of East Timor and Minister as soon as possible. troubled former Portuguese colony. The would like to meet Senator Evans as part of United Nations still considers Portugal the that process. EVANS SAYS HE OPEN FOR PORTUGAL TALKS administering power. JG: Australia is a democratic country. Aus- Keating said he did not want Australian- tralia recognized the annexation of East [abridged] Indonesian relations to become hostage to Timor although in my opinion, and I express CANBERRA, Jan 17, AAP - Foreign one issue. it moderately, it was a mistake. But Austra- Minister Gareth Evans today welcomed Goh said Singapore welcomed Australia’s lia as a democratic country has its own calls for talks with his Portuguese counter- security arrangement with Indonesia signed judgment about the problem. I know that in part Jaime Gama to discuss Australia’s on December 18. Australia a huge majority of people is .. for stand on East Timor. “It’s a good thing. We believe that secu- human rights in East Timor. It’s not satis- A spokeswoman for Senator Evans said rity has been enhanced in the region with the fied with the solution and would enjoy a he looked forward to meeting Mr Gama as signing of this agreement. We believe in a different approach. But I’m not going to soon as possible. web of relations between countries.” discuss with the govt. of Australia what is The comments came after Mr Gama, in its job. London for talks on East Timor with Indo- SHANE STONE HITS OUR JJ: Would it be fruitful for you to speak to nesian officials, appealed to Senator Evans INDON ATTITUDES Senator Evans for example? to debate the East Timor issue. JG: I would like to speak with the Austra- Mr Gama said Australia’s decision to Northern Territory News, 25th Jan 96. By lian authorities in order to have a dialogue recognise Indonesia’s annexation of East Geraldine Green Timor was wrong. with them on this problem. I know that re- Australians ignorant and negative views “Australia recognised the annexation of cently they .. a security treaty with Indone- of their northern neighbor formed the biggest East Timor. In my opinion, and I put it sia. Besides that I have no preconceived challenge facing relations with Indonesia, moderately, it was a mistake. But Australia stance on having talks with Australia about Chief Minister Shane Stone said yesterday. is a democracy and that was its judgment,” the problem. Australia is a democracy where Mr Stone said: “We have seemed to have he said. ... public opinion of very independently had an element within the Australian com- “I do not want to tell Australia its busi- minded people and I recognize that Austra- munity that is anti-Indonesian and always ness. I say let’s talk, let’s have a fair ex- lia has very effective democracy .... peddle a particular line against this nation change of views.” notwithstanding the remarkable achieve- JJ: Australia and Portugal have been in liti- A spokeswoman for Senator Evans said: ments the Indonesians have achieved under gation at the International Court in the “Senator Evans looks forward to meeting President Suharto and his new order gov- Hague and your relations have not been the foreign minister as soon as he can.” the best Obviously you don’t see Austra- ernment. lia as having played a constructive role in Right: the past. Have you taken any concrete AUSTRALIA, SINGAPORE “I am not saying that from my perspec- steps since you came to govt. to put out STEP UP COOPERATION tive all is right with Indonesia but there is a feelers to Australia or do you intend to do lot right with Indonesia.” something practical? by Matthew Lewis [abridged] The Chief Minister was speaking outside JG: As you know, our Government has dif- SINGAPORE, Jan 17 (Reuter) - After the Beaufort Hotel before delivering a ferent views about the problem of East burying the hatchet with Malaysia, Austra- speech on Australian/Indonesian relations at Timor but we would like to talk and to lis- lian Prime Minister Paul Keating announced a Supreme Court and Federal Court Judges ten and to have a dialogue with them and I stronger political and economic ties between conference. shall give a message in that sense and if it’s Australia and Singapore on Wednesday. Mr Stone, in his speech, stressed the im- possible, for instance in the next UN Gen- During a brief visit to Singapore, Keating portance of close ties between the two na- eral Assembly, I would like to talk with my and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok tions. Page 184 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

He said that Indonesia was important to Yours faithfully, its hypocrisy. And the situation in East Australia because of its growing economy Hugh Ekeberg Timor and in West Papua also points to the and proximity. complete ineffectiveness of this policy as He said the two were not to be taken for far as delivering any improvements go. granted. He told the conference: “It is in my RAMOS HORTA: LET US This same labour government once recog- view a complex relationship between two ESCALATE THE STRUGGLE! nised the Soviet Union’s sovereignty over countries with diverse cultures and some the Baltic states. This was an embarrassing unresolved issues, but with a number of Green Left Weekly, Jan 23. diplomatic blunder as a few years later those converging interests. countries gained their independence. I often “For our part as Territorians, we will José Ramos Horta is the Special Repre- sentative of the National Council for wonder hasn’t this government learnt any- continue to nurture and promote the part- thing at all? nership.” He said the Territory Government Maubere Resistance (CNRM). Along with GL: How are campaigns developing in had worked hard on promoting a sense of other members of the East Timorese Diplo- other parts of the world? “normalisation” in East Timor, a troubling matic Front, he was in London during the situation that has at times strained ties be- recent meeting between the Portuguese and JRH: It is amazing how internationalised the tween Australia and Indonesia. Indonesian foreign ministers and the UN support for East Timor has become in re- (Note: No one has yet discovered what Secretary General. On January 23, he spoke cent years. There has been coverage on East Mr Stone meant by “promoting a sense of to Max Lane from Green Left Weekly. Timor all during last week in Canada during normalisation in East Timor”). GL: You visit Australia several times each the Canadian Prime Minister’s visit to In- year, José. How do you assess the devel- donesia. Over 1,000 people rallied on last DARWIN: CHIEF MINISTER opment of public opinion on the East December 7 in Canberra. East Timor is the DEFENDS SUHARTO Timor issue in Australia? number one issue in Ireland and is at the Letters to the Editor. Northern Territory JRH: I think there has been a dramatic forefront of the agenda of the NGO move- News, Darwin NT. 25th Jan 96 change for the better. There is hardly a day ment in the UK. There has been a general goes by that the East Timor issue is not re- change in perception on the issue through- Dear Sir, ported upon in the media. Nobody is un- out Europe. There is a big movement in News reports on Sunday morning quot- aware of the issue and what is happening New Zealand. In the South countries too, ing radio Australia, reported that Wisnu and I think there are very few people who there has been advances. In Fiji there is Mahendra of Darwin’s Indonesian consu- are also not sympathetic. And it is clear growing support. A East Timor solidarity late, boasted that charges were brought what the reasons for these developments movement has started up in South Africa. against protesters who burned Indonesian are. Firstly, the tremendous growth in the There was a special session of the Brazilian army flags because he pressured the Chief resistance in East Timor itself has had an congress last year on the East Timor issue. Minister. enormous impact everywhere. And along It became an issue in Chile last year when If the reports are accurate then I believe with this growth is the increasing sophisti- the government sacked the head of Chilean we now know the reason why the Darwin cation of the resistance, both inside East government television for broadcasting a one Music Development Centre was closed Timor and outside. For example, there is hour show on he issue. down. now much more extensive use of the elec- GL: How do you assess the significance of The DMDC was responsible for provid- tronic media and of the Internet in cam- the joint Indonesian East Timorese em- ing a venue for East Timorese consciousness paigning for East Timor. bassy occupations in Jakarta on Decem- raising and it also provided accommodation This growth and sophistication has also ber 7? for Indonesian Pro-Democracy delegates helped galvanise solidarity for East Timor. JRH: Very heartening. It is extremely heart- who attended last year’s conference on In- And the crucial element here has been the ening to see more and more Indonesians in- donesia and Regional Conflict Resolution. work of the solidarity movement, the non- volved in going out onto the streets in sup- At the time, the Indonesian delegates re- government organisations, the grass-roots port of the East Timorese, as well as the quested the conference organisers to find campaigners. These are the heroes of the range of other actions that Indonesian alternative accommodation because consular struggle in these developments. NGOs have been taking. You know, it was staff were seen lingering outside the centre. GL: CNRM, FRETILIN and UDT together in 1977 that I sat down in a little flat in While I believe wholeheartedly in ethical Paris with two dissidents, exiled members of investment and development in Indonesia, with some of the solidarity groups have proposed a national day of solidarity on the Indonesian Communist Party, to draft there is a grave danger in forging close con- the first open letter to the Indonesian young tacts with the ruling Golkar Party, the August 18. What role do you hope that action can play in the Australian context? generation appealing for their support. Al- Army and INTEL (the Indonesian secret though then we didn’t quite know who to service agency), bodies which exhibit all the JRH: I hope that every individual Australian send it to. In 1981 I also wrote to the human characteristics of organised crime. or resident in Australia will add their name, rights lawyer Buyung Nasution making a I believe ASIO needs to look into this add their voice to this very basic demand similar appeal and challenging the Indone- matter to see if our interests, freedoms and that the Australian government drop its rec- sian democrats to take up their moral re- ognition of Indonesia’s annexation of East rights are being compromised because of the sponsibility on the issue. I must say too government’s relationship with the Indone- Timor. Australia is the only western coun- that the most consistent Indonesian sup- sian consulate. try to do so. It exposes the immoral, hypo- porter of independence for East Timor has Hopefully the Chief Minister can assure critical and cowardly character of Australian been George Aditjondro who, as early as us that charges against the activists and the foreign policy, a policy that recognises an 1974, was in favour of independence of East closure of the DMDC wasn’t as a result of occupation that is both illegal and brutal, an Timor. He has proven to be the most con- pressure from the consulate and provide the occupation of a small country by a big coun- sistent. proof of those noise complaints which have try. It truly points to the complete lack of so far eluded the police and everyone else. sensitivity of the Australian government and East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 185

GL: Is this increasing public support have CALL FOR EAST TIMOR forces will only end when the occupation an impact in the diplomatic arena? ends. DAY OF SOLIDARITY JRH: Most definitely. Indonesia now has to The Australian government’s policy of face criticism not just from Western gov- The three major East Timor Resistance recognition of the annexation is a major pil- ernments and solidarity movements but also organisations, National Council of Maubere lar justifying this continuing state of affairs. from the South. It is impacting on ASEAN Resistance (CNRM), FRETILIN and The Australian government is the only gov- European relations. There will be an Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) along ernment in the world to go so far as to grant ASEAN European summit meeting on with some solidarity groups and Church full, legal recognition of the annexation, in March 1-2 in Bangkok. Already there has supporters of East Timor have issued a call defiance of the United Nations resolutions been a related incident with the Thai gov- for a national day of solidarity with East and International Court of Justice decisions ernment refusing me entry to Thailand to Timor this August, 1996. The main de- which recognise East Timor as a non self- teach in a diplomatic training course. Ap- mands of the day of solidarity are to be: governing territory. parently the Thai Foreign ministry has FREE EAST TIMOR! In order to send a clear message to the stated that even allowing me into Thailand a NO AUSTRALIAN RECOGNITION Australian government that a growing num- month before that meeting might sufficiently FOR INDONESIAN ANNEXATION! ber of people in Australia, East Timorese annoy Indonesia so that Suharto might boy- The second demand refers to the fact that and Australians in particular, oppose this cott the summit meeting. This is another the Australian government is the only West- policy, the organisations whose representa- symptom of Jakarta’s desperation. And ern government to give de jure (i.e. full legal) tives have signed this call, propose a na- now the Suharto government is losing recognition to the 1975 Indonesian annexa- tional day of solidarity with East Timor on ground not only in the West and the South tion. the anniversary of the announcement by countries but also in its own country. With This policy of giving de jure recognition then Prime Minister Hawke on 18 August, the end of the previous political docility in has been a bi-partisan policy by both Lib- 1983 reaffirming that the new Labour gov- Indonesia, including on the East Timor is- eral and Labour governments. The current ernment gave de jure recognition of Indone- sue, Jakarta has to deal with all its diplo- Labour government announced its recogni- sia’s annexation. FREE EAST TIMOR! NO matic problems knowing of the increasing tion on 18 August, 1983 just a few months AUSTRALIAN RECOGNITION OF discontent on the issue at home as well. after the Hawke government won the 1983 ANNEXATION! should be on the banners that we all march under on 18 August. GL: What progress was made at the recent elections. All supporters are urged to contact their In order to organise the most effective Portuguese-Indonesian-UN meetings in campaign leading up to and including mobili- London? local CNRM, FRETILIN, UDT, ASI-ET (AKSI), local East Timor friends committee sations on 18 August, we propose that the JRH: Almost zero. And Indonesia is to or Church group to become participants or national day of solidarity be organised in the blame for this. Once again Indonesia has sponsors of the campaign. following manner: shown that it only knows the language of The call for a national day of solidarity is * that the national day of solidarity be pressure, of direct action. Indonesia will not set out below. organised under no single group or organisa- shift its policy on East Timor unless the A special appeal for support by José tional banner and that all groups and indi- costs of the occupation of East Timor in- Ramos Horta, Special Representative for viduals who agree with the idea of the mobi- crease even further. There must be constant CNRM, is contained in an interview tran- lisation and the basic banners be encouraged embarrassment. There must be more pres- scribed below. to fully participate in building the day and sure. to be the public sponsors of the day of soli- Call for national day of solidarity with GL: What will happen next on the diplomatic darity East Timor front? * that local branches, representatives and JRH: There was agreement in London that 18 August, 1996 partner groups of the organisations signing there be another round of all inclusive talks While the East Timorese people continue below move quickly to jointly convene open amongst the East Timorese like the one held their resistance to the Suharto dictatorship’s organising committees in their respective in Austria. The UN Secretary General and occupation of their homeland, the Australian cities and towns to prepare for the mobilisa- the Portuguese foreign minister pushed very government continues to pursue a policy tions in their cities and towns with respon- hard on this and Ali Alatas was forced to based on the full, formal de jure recognition sibility for organising activities on the day agree. But we are not so sure it will go ahead of Jakarta’s annexation of East Timor as its and general publicity for the event as the last one did not work out well for In- 27th province. The Australian government * that public sponsors from all walks of donesia at all. There will be another round of states that it continues to express its con- life be sought to help add authority and pro- talks with Portugal and Indonesia in July. cern for human rights violations in East file to the national day of solidarity Hopefully the UN secretary-general will be Timor to the Indonesian government, yet * that all the convening groups and all presenting a package of recommendations continues to recognise the very state of af- other participating groups consistently addressing the root cause of the problem, fairs that gives arise to human rights abuses. promote the national day of solidarity and namely, the Indonesia occupation itself. But The annexation of East Timor by Jakarta its basic slogans through their own pro- as I said, any shift by Indonesia on this will was carried out against the will of the East grammes of activities, carried out in their require more pressure, more direct action, Timorese people, through the use of force, own methods and styles and amongst their more upping of the costs for Indonesia resulting in over 200,000 lives lost. Almost own constituencies while it continues the occupation. Let us every East Timorese family has lost a fam- We hold the strong hope that all groups escalate the struggle. I appeal again for eve- ily member. It is no wonder then that the can quickly discuss this proposal, consult rybody in Australia to support the August East Timorese people continue to resist. amongst each other and move to establish national day of action campaign demanding The resistance is suppressed by force. Hu- open organising committees. We strongly the derecognition of the Indonesian annexa- man rights violations by the Indonesian urge everybody to join this effort to educate tion. people about the situation in East Timor, to convince them of the need to act and to mo- Page 186 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. bilise as many people as possible in support * Asia Pacific perspectives on East Send this form to: of a free East Timor and against the Austra- Timor EAST TIMOR CONFERENCE, lian government’s pro-annexation policy on * East Timor and international law Max Lane, Conference co-ordinator: Saturday August 18, 1996. * East Timor in the UN Institute for International Studies, signed * Australia foreign policy and East Timor University of Technology, Sydney, João Carrascalão, Coordinator, Coordinating * East Timor and the Australian commu- P.O. Box 123, Broadway Committee of the Diplomatic Front; nity President, UDT - Timorese Democratic * the Indonesia-Australia-East Timor tri- Union angle AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA José Ramos Horta, Special Representative, * diplomatic initiatives for the future SECURITY PACT SIGNED National Council for * conflict resolution and East Timor Maubere Resistance * Portugal and East Timor Estanislau da Silva, Central Council member, * US foreign policy, Indonesia and East KEATING HAILS FRETILIN Timor * East Timor as an international human AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA Gil Scrine, Convenor, Australia East Timor rights issue DEFENCE TREATY Association (NSW) SPECIALIST SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Max Lane, National Coordinator, Action in by Terry Friel, [abridged] Prof. John Taylor, South Bank Univer- Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor CANBERRA, Dec 14 (Reuter) – Austra- sity, UK, Author: “Indonesia’s Forgotten lia announced a new defence treaty with In- Sister Kath O’Connor, Convenor, Christians War” donesia on Thursday in what Prime Minis- in Solidarity with East Timor Prof. Peter Carey, Oxford University, ter Paul Keating called an important step for Wendy Robertson, East Timor campaign UK, Author: “East Timor at the cross- regional peace. coordinator, Resistance roads.” But the deal prompted warnings that Dr Michael Salla, Australia Australian soldiers could be called on to Prof. Barbedo Magalhaës, Portugal PUBLIC EDUCATION help Indonesia put down an internal revolt, Prof. Garth Nettheim, Australia CONFERENCE IN SYDNEY, and concern among some groups. Dr Michael van Langenberg, Australia “This is a major strategic development JUNE 1996 Jim Dunn, Australia for Australia and for the region and a devel- Max Lane, Australia opment of fundamental importance in our EAST TIMOR: ITS FUTURE IN THE and many others ASIA PACIFIC bilateral relationship with Indonesia,” EAST TIMORESE SPEAKERS: Keating said. June 21-24, 1996 Sydney Australia. José Ramos Horta, CNRM “The agreement asserts in formal terms A conference convened by: Mari Alkatiri, FRETILIN for the first time that Australia and Indone- School of Asian Studies, University of Roque Rodrigues, FRETILIN sia have common interests in the peace and Sydney Zacarias de Costa, UDT security of the region and that we intend to Institute for International Studies, Uni- José Amaral, CNRM co-operate in support of those interests,” he versity of Technology, Sydney and many others told reporters. Human Rights Centre, University of Conference convenors: Keating, Foreign Minister Gareth Evans New South Wales Dr Michael Van Langenberg, Head, De- and defence chiefs will fly to Jakarta for Oporto University, Portugal partment of Southeast Asian Studies, Uni- Monday’s signing of the agreement, which versity of Sydney. followed secret long-running negotiations. Important perspectives from: Professor David Goodman, Director, In- The treaty, and the recent appointment * East Timorese political and social fig- stitute for International Studies, University of a new Indonesian ambassador to Can- ures of Technology, Sydney berra, marks a reversal of the tensions which * East Timorese youth and refugees Professor A. Barbedo Magalhaës, Uni- have marred relations this year. The pact * several Indonesians outspoken on the versity of Oporto, Portugal. could one day see Indonesian and Australian East Timor issue Max Lane, Conference co-ordinator: soldiers fighting alongside each other, 30 * intellectuals and community figures REGISTRATION FORM years after they faced off in the Borneo jun- from the Asia Pacific region EAST TIMOR: ITS FUTURE IN THE gles during Jakarta’s expansionist military * European and US parliamentarians ASIA PACIFIC push, known as “Confrontation.” * Australian community and government Public Education Conference The new treaty commits Jakarta and representatives JUNE 21-24, 1996 Canberra to regular ministerial consultations provisional speakers and topics University of Sydney and University of about security, to increasing co-operation, TOPICS INCLUDE: Technology, Sydney campuses. and to consultations in the event of a threat * modern history of East Timor Name ...... to either country or to regional security. * East Timorese political organisations Address ...... ……...... “It’s not a defence pact or alliance with * East Timor - Indonesian relations Telephone ...... …………………….. automatic agreement on support in the event * the East Timor issue in Indonesia of an attack,” Keating said. I enclose $10 (concessional) $25 for reg- But opposition foreign spokesman Alex- * political change in Indonesia and East istration Timor ander Downer said the treaty’s reference to PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATIONS dealing with “adverse challenges” could be * East Timorese perspectives for the fu- AFTER MAY 1 WILL INCREASE TO: ture applied to internal uprisings in Indonesia, $15 CONCESSIONAL AND $30 FOR despite Keating’s assurance that the treaty WAGED PEOPLE. would only apply to external threats. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 187

Despite this reservation the conservative The government of Australia and the yet one more sign relations between the two opposition gave support in principle to the government of the Republic of Indonesia countries continue to improve. treaty. “This is a sensible move which (hereafter referred to as the “parties”): Text: The treaty will commit both gov- builds on Australia’s significant defence co- Desiring to strengthen the existing friend- ernments to regular ministerial consultations operation activities with Indonesia,” oppo- ship between them; about security, and to increasing security sition Leader John Howard said. Recognising their common interest in the co-operation. It will also ensure consulta- But East Timorese groups in Australia peace and stability of the region; tions between Australia and Indonesia in the expressed concern. “We hope that this Desiring to contribute to regional security event of a threat to either country or to re- treaty does not imply that Australia would and stability in order to ensure circum- gional security. But, it is not a defense pact hand over to Indonesia East Timorese who stances in which their aspirations can be ensuring support in the event one or the are in this country and who might be re- best realised for the economic development other country is attacked. garded by Indonesia as a threat,” East and prosperity of their own countries and Australia’s Prime Minister, Paul Keating, Timorese resistance spokesman José Ra- the region; says the treaty sets out, in formal terms for mos-Horta said. Reaffirming their respect for the sover- the first time, Australia and Indonesia have a Australia’s small military is one of the eignty, political independence and territorial common interest in the peace and security most technically advanced in the region. In- integrity of all countries; of the region. He also says it is a develop- donesia’s armed forces, relatively small Reaffirming their commitment to the set- ment of fundamental importance to Austra- compared with its large population, are un- tlement of all international disputes by lia’s bilateral relationship with Indonesia. der-equipped and geared largely to civic peaceful means in accordance with the char- That relationship has experienced some works and protecting internal security. ter of the United Nations and international difficulties. Indonesia at one time banned “I am convinced that Australia and Indo- law; certain Australian media organizations be- nesia have much to contribute in partner- Recognising that each party has primary cause of alleged unfavorable reporting, while ship. I think we have a great opportunity responsibility for its own security; Australia expressed concern last year about here to shape the security environment of Mindful of the contribution that would the closing, by the Indonesian government, the region,” Keating said. be made to their own security and that of of two newspapers and a magazine. In July the region by co-operating in the develop- this year, Indonesia cancelled the appoint- AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA TO SIGN ment of effective national capabilities in the ment of retired Lieutenant-General Herman AGREEMENT defence field and hence their national resil- Mantiri as ambassador to Australia, follow- [abridged] ience and self-reliance; ing remarks General Mantiri made about the 1991 massacre by Indonesian troops of ci- CANBERRA, Dec. 14 (UPI) – Keating Noting that nothing in this agreement af- fects in any way the existing international vilians in East Timor. For several years In- moved quickly to assure Australians that donesia’s annexation of East Timor and Irian the pact would not prevent the nation from commitments of either party Therefore agree as follows: Jaya have been cause for ongoing tension. expressing concerns over human rights in But Australia and Indonesia have been Article 1 Indonesia and East Timor, a former Portu- increasing defense co-operation. This year, guese colony claimed by Jakarta for 20 The parties undertake to consult at min- for the first time, Indonesian troops took years. isterial level on a regular basis about matters part in military exercises held in Australia. “Whenever we feel a desire, a wish to affecting their common security and to de- This followed an offer by Australia last year make clear where we stand on human rights velop such cooperation as would benefit to increase military aid to Indonesia. Austra- – any human rights, including Timor – we their own security and that of the region. lia’s small, but well equipped military, is make that clear. None of that’s changed by Article 2 one of the most technically advanced in the this agreement,” Keating told a news confer- The parties undertake to consult each region, while Indonesia’s armed forces, rela- ence. tively small in proportion to the country’s “The agreement will reinforce the secu- other in the case of adverse challenges to either party or to their common security population, is under-equipped. rity of the region as a whole by demonstrat- The accord to be signed Monday is seen ing to our friends and neighbors that Austra- interests and, if appropriate, consider meas- ures which might be taken either individu- by the Australian government as confirming lia and Indonesia will continue to build a a major turnaround in Australia-Indonesia close and cooperative relationship,” Keating ally or jointly and in accordance with the processes of each party. relations. It is also seen as confirming Prime said in a statement. Minister Keating’s strategy of forging a Article 3 “It does not affect our existing interna- greater role for Australia in the Asian region. tional commitments. It is premised on our The parties agree to promote – in accor- Mr. Keating will travel to Jakarta with for- respect for the sovereignty, political inde- dance with the policies and priorities of each eign minister Gareth Evans for Monday’s pendence and territorial integrity of all coun- – mutually beneficial cooperative activities signing ceremony. tries,” he said. in the security field in areas to be identified by the two parties. INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA TIES TEXT OF STRENGTHEN WITH TIME AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA VOA ON SECURITY TREATY SECURITY AGREEMENT Voice of America, 12/14/95. By Robin Poke, JAKARTA, Dec 18 (Reuter) – Australia Canberra, Australia and Indonesia signed on Monday an historic JAKARTA, Dec 18 (Reuter) – This is security agreement. Following is a chronol- the agreement signed on Monday between Intro: Australia has announced it will sign ogy of recent relations between neighbouring Australia and Indonesia on maintaining secu- a new security treaty with Indonesia. From countries: Canberra, Robin Poke reports the treaty to rity, a copy of which was released to the 1986 media by the Australian government in Can- be signed Monday in Jakarta, is regarded as berra. Procedural paragraphs are omitted: Page 188 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

April - After publication in the Sydney a key element in Australia’s approach to “It’s a peculiar and almost an obscene Morning Herald of an article on President regional defence engagement.” announcement,” said a member of a pro-E Suharto’s family, Australian journalists are 1995 Timor group, especially given the recent E banned from covering the visit of U.S. Timor “anniversary.” May - Indonesian Research and Technol- President Ronald Reagan and visa-free bene- Ministers will fly to Jakarta for the offi- ogy Minister Jusuf Habibie makes 10-day fits for Australian tourists are revoked tem- cial signing on Monday. visit to Australia. porarily. June - Indonesia appoints retired Lieu- –- - Indonesia cancels visit of Research and tenant-General Herman Mantiri as ambassa- Dec 14 Canberra. E Timor lobby groups Technology Minister Jusuf Habibie to Aus- dor to Australia. This causes uproar in Aus- say the Australian/Indon security pact is tralia, suspends military cooperation, tralian media and parliament. Mantiri had further proof the Australian govt. has no November - Last Australian journalist, refused to retract comments he made in concern about the rights of E Timor. To- with the Australian Financial Review news- 1992 about massacre of funeral marchers by day’s announcement came as a shock with paper, leaves Indonesia after work visa not soldiers in East Timor seven months earlier. “enormous implications” said a rep. He said renewed. June - International Court of Justice in the agreement was to be signed between 2 1988 The Hague rejects Portugal’s attempt to countries with almost totally opposed March - Australian Associated Press have the Timor Gap treaty between Austra- views of human rights. news agency allowed to reestablish bureau lia and Indonesia declared invalid. The pact “takes us further away from the in Jakarta. July 5 - Indonesia withdraws Mantiri’s path of integrity” said a human rights law- September - Australian Defence Minister nomination. yer. Kim Beazley says on a visit to Jakarta that November 29 - Australia announces in- Although the pact has been given quali- bilateral defence cooperation is at an end and quiry into killings of six Australian-based fied support by the Fed coalition the Aus- sees no need for its restoration. journalists during Indonesia’s 1975 invasion tralian Democrats say the move is “com- October - Newly-appointed Australian of East Timor after the former Portuguese pletely insensitive” and says the Indon de- Foreign Minister Gareth Evans makes first colonialists left. fence forces are the real [security] problem. visit to Indonesia and meets counterpart, Ali December 8 - Indonesia chooses career Elsewhere the ADF say the agreement is Alatas. Their personal friendship is said to diplomat Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, in Paris, a real boost to nat’l security. usher in a new era in the bilateral relation- as next ambassador to Australia. The Fed opp’n gives it qualified support ship. December 18 - Indonesia and Australia with For Affairs rep Alex Downer saying 1989 sign Agreement on Maintaining Security to the wording of the pact must spell out that formalise security cooperation in various Australia wouldn’t need to get militarily May - Canberra sets up the Australia- fields. The agreement is hailed in both coun- involved over purely internal matters in In- Indonesia Institute to promote better cul- tries as an historic moment in bilateral rela- don. tural, sporting and media ties. tions. July - Indonesia’s General Try Sutrisno ------becomes first chief of Indonesia’s powerful Dec 15 Canberra. For Affairs Min Gareth military to visit Australia in 17 years, AUSTRALIA SIGNS SECURITY Evans has played down fears Australia December - Bilateral relations said to DEAL WITH INDONESIA could be caught up in E Timor. Indon For “take on ballast” as both sides sign Timor Min Ali Alatas has also confirmed Australia Gap oil exploration treaty to exploit oil AUSSIE NEWS FROM LATROBE, 15 DEC- will be involved in external issues only. jointly in an area between East Timor and 95. by K. Horsell on “[The Treaty] has nothing to with the inter- Australia. http://laplace.ee.latrobe.edu.au:8080/~khors nal problems of each side” said Alatas. ell 1992 The agreement has won support from the Dec 14. One of Australia’s most signifi- Fed opp’n but it has troubles with the April - Australian Prime Minister Paul wording of the treaty that says “adverse Keating visits Indonesia in first overseas cant agreements – that’s how PM Paul Keating describes a surprise security pact challenges” rather than “external challenges.” trip as leader. ______November - Inaugural meeting of high- between Australia and the country that was level Australian Indonesian Ministerial Fo- once seen as the most significant threat to Keating heckled by E Timor demonstra- rum in Jakarta. Aussie security in the region. Mr Keating tors – Bendigo said Indon has no other agreement as signifi- Dec 12 Bendigo. Human rights demon- 1994 cant as the one that will be signed with Aus- strators heckled PM Paul Keating during his March - Keating says: “No country is tralia. Negotiations for the deal were kept so visit to the historic gold centre of Bendigo more important to Australia than Indonesia. secret even the US reportedly didn’t know today. A handful of protesters from the If we fail to get this relationship right, and about it until last night. Australia-E Timor Assoc. tried to shout Mr nurture and develop it, the whole web of The Pact means the 2 countries will agree Keating down as he addressed an ALP fund- foreign relationships is incomplete.” to regularly consult at ministerial level over raiser in Bendigo’s Rosiland Park. Mr June - Big trade and cultural promotion, security matters. It was reportedly initiated Keating accused the demonstrators of having Australia Today Indonesia, in Jakarta. by Australia and is said to be the culmina- no respect for the Bendigo comm’y. Mr September - Indonesian Vice President tion of the personal rapport that has devel- Keating was again handing out money with Try Sutrisno makes official visit to Austra- oped between the 2 leaders. the biggest sum today, $213K, going to the lia. But others have warned of “serious im- Bendigo Tourism Board to move its Kanga- November - Australian government de- plications” of the treaty. The treaty obliges roo Flat Visitors Centre to the city’s re- fence White Paper, “Defending Australia,” each country to assist the other in cases of stored historic Post Office. outlines Canberra’s defence strategy. It national threat. Critics say a challenge to says: “Our defence relationship with Indo- Indon security might require Aussie troops nesia is our most important in the region and may have to be deployed on Indon territory. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 189

STATEMENT BY THE whose people and government of that time to China as a possible source of “destabili- rendered decisive assistance to the Indone- sation” while Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, SECRETARIAT OF THE sian people in their struggle to free them- Mr Ali Alatas, has indicated that a source of SOCIALIST PARTY OF selves from Dutch colonialism. “volatility” could arise on the Korean Pen- AUSTRALIA In 1975 the Soeharto regime launched the insular, between China and Taiwan and in invasion of East Timor and occupied it. the conflicting interests in the Spratly Is- The Australia-Indonesia “Security” Completely disregarding this action and the lands. Agreement continuing atrocities of the occupation The Agreement commits the two gov- December 17th, 1995 forces, the Australian Prime Minister hypo- ernments to “consult at Ministerial level on critically declares that the Australian- a regular basis about matters affecting their The recently announced Australia- Indonesian Agreement “is premised on our common security and to develop such coop- Indonesia Agreement on Maintaining Secu- respect for the sovereignty, political inde- eration as would benefit their own security rity is a dangerous and reactionary alliance. pendence and territorial integrity of all coun- and that of the region.” It is primarily a military pact which pro- tries.” Ignoring this declaration and Indone- In announcing the Agreement the Austra- vides the procedures and commitments for sia’s aggression in Timor, Mr Keating stated lian Prime Minister said that “The agree- cooperation between the two governments bluntly that “East Timor is a province of ment will reinforce the security of the region and their military forces to intervene militar- Indonesia.” as a whole by demonstrating...that Australia ily and in other ways within each country The agreement is a further betrayal of the and Indonesia will continue to build a close and in the region. This is being justified in East Timorese people who saved many and cooperative relationship.” In another the name of “security.” Australian lives in Timor in the war against remark he said: “I think we have a great op- The Australian Government’s relation- Japanese military aggression in WW II and portunity to shape the security environment ship with the military regime in Indonesia who are continuing, after 20 years of occu- of the region.” has become more blatant in the last decade. pation, a courageous struggle against Indo- However, none of the other countries in This Agreement formalises the ties between nesian brutality and exploitation. Both In- the region (which by inference includes the the region’s two “policemen,” who intend to donesia and Australia have joined together whole of Asia) were consulted or even in- keep South East Asia “safe” for transna- to pirate East Timor’s off-shore oil re- formed of the Agreement until its conclu- tional corporation exploitation. sources. sion. They have not been asked whether The Agreement was negotiated over a pe- While talking security and peace, the they agree to having Indonesia and Australia riod of 18 months in complete secrecy. The Australian government has had nothing to “shape the security environment of the re- people of both countries have been pre- say about the exploitation and killings of the gion.” sented with a fait accompli without any op- people of West Papua where the Indonesian For some time Indonesian military offi- portunity for public discussion. The formal government, in alliance with giant mining cers have been training in Australia and in signing of the Agreement was rushed to and timber companies, is exploiting the rich 1995 Indonesian regular troops, for the first completion only four days after the public natural resources of New Guinea and de- time, participated alongside Australian and announcement of its existence. Its contents stroying the environment. By massive mi- American troops in the “Kangaroo” military were not even made known to members of grations of Indonesians to West Papua the exercises in Australia’s north. the Australian parliament before signing. indigenous people are being deprived of The Australian Prime Minister’s concept The Australian and Indonesian governments their land. Their villages are being destroyed. of “security” relates to the preservation of feared prior public discussion. Any resistance is met with the brute force existing social structures including the mili- The Australian Prime Minister, Paul of the Indonesian military. tary dictatorship of Indonesia. He praises Keating, openly supported the Soeharto The general wording of the Agreement President Soeharto for “opening the econ- military dictatorship when announcing the permits of the widest interpretation of the omy up by one successive deregulatory treaty. He said that “the emergence of “common security interests” referred to in package after another,” while “growing its President Soeharto’s new order Government it. The fact that the treaty is to be signed in private sector.” in the 1960s was the event of most positive the presence of the top military representa- Real security in the region can only be strategic significance to Australia in the tives of both countries confirms its military achieved by disarmament and the adoption post-war years.” significance. of the principles of peaceful co-existence in The Soeharto regime is a military dicta- While denying that Australian troops the relations between nations. A treaty of torship which came to power over the could be used within Indonesia, the Austra- non-aggression between Australia and Indo- slaughtered bodies of hundreds of thousands lian Prime Minister in a TV broadcast said nesia would have been a contribution to of Indonesians in 1965, overthrowing Presi- that “security is not simply about external peaceful, friendly relations. Such a pact dent Sukarno the leader of Indonesia’s inde- threats.” would have contributed to the real security pendence struggle following WW II and It is necessary to recall that Australian of the region. Instead, the present Agree- wiping out the large Indonesian Communist governments have involved Australia’s mili- ment is based primarily on military coopera- Party and many other independence fight- tary forces in aggressive wars and conflicts tion and the assumption that Australian and ers. The Soeharto government continues to in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam since WW Indonesia have the right to “shape the re- suppress Indonesian trade unions and ban II. Australian forces and resources are pres- gion.” even the mildest criticism of the regime. ently involved clandestinely in the war on Another facet of security is the creation Paul Keating claims that, “The conse- the island of Bougainville where the CRA of a democratic and progressive civil society quences for Australia of having a hostile or copper mine at Panguna has ceased opera- in all countries whose first priority is the even unfriendly Government in Indonesia tions because of the opposition of Bougain- well-being of its people and mutual benefit over that period would have been incalcula- villean people. in relations between states. ble...” This statement is based on an un- While admitting that neither Australia nor While Australia should maintain friendly truth. The government of President Sukarno Indonesia faces any external threat of attack relations with all countries the overt praise maintained a friendly attitude to Australia the Australian Prime Minister has referred for Indonesia’s military dictatorship by the Page 190 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Prime Minister and the conclusion of a pact were joined in the same struggle, that we between the countries – although both sides of assistance and cooperation with such a were solidly united.” pointed out that this pact has full treaty bloodied regime is not acceptable. Keating repeatedly claims to be pro- status. So, it’s a bit of an odd bird. Actually, The treaty will be brought into effect as a Indonesian, yet he has aligned his govern- when you said that it was designed to con- result of the tactics of secrecy used by both ment with a vicious military dictatorship front external challenges, that was an impor- governments to exclude prior discussion by which is routinely condemned by the United tant source of criticism of the pact. The pact the people. It can, however, be rendered in- Nations and independent human rights or- says that it is designed to face “adverse operable in the future if the Australian peo- ganisations. challenges,” and many people said it should ple refuse to become involved in the military This security treaty is not pro- have said “external challenges” because one entanglements, interventions and suppres- Indonesian, it will do nothing for the over- of the concerns – especially among the op- sion of others which could result from its whelming majority of Indonesians who are position in Australia – is that this pact implementation. gagged and controlled by the powerful Indo- could somehow draw the Australians into all nesian armed forces. sorts of challenges the Indonesians might FOET(WA) CONDEMNS SECURITY For comment or more information, please face, including quasi-internal challenges. And TREATY contact: John Gandini Telephone: 61 09 361 here they were referring to the independence Media Release 17 Dec. 95 4678 movements in East Timor and Irian Jaya. Friends of East Timor (WA) has just MCDONNELL: But if the pact pledges non- concluded a meeting which condemns the NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO interference in each other’s domestic af- security treaty to be signed in Jakarta to- INTERVIEW ON INDO-OZ fairs, doesn’t that imply the challenges morrow. SECURITY PACT are external? This condemnation is for the following WINTERS: Strictly speaking, East Timor reasons- “World View,” National Public Radio affili- and Irian Jaya are not Indonesia’s internal 1. Blatant disregard for Australian de- ate WBEZ radio in Chicago, hosted by affairs, and nothing prevents Indonesia from mocratic processes Jerome McDonnell, December 21, 1995. inviting or even requesting or expecting Aus- 2. Shameless immorality of back-door Interview regarding the signing of a secu- tralia’s engagement should the need arise. deals with a vicious military dictatorship rity pact between Indonesia and Australia, The sheer existence of the pact gives Indo- 3. Blatant disregard for Indonesian and with Jeffrey A. Winters, Associate Profes- nesia a channel through which to request and East Timorese pleas for democracy and sor of Political Economy, Northwestern expect some sort of assistance. freedom University. MCDONNELL: Let’s talk about the rela- 4. To be pro-Indonesian military is to be McDonnell: I was pretty surprised to pick tionship and the history between Indone- Anti-Indonesian people sia and Australia. They don’t seem par- This security treaty calls into question up the paper the other day and read about the pact that Australia and Indone- ticularly like suitable allies for each other, issues relating to Australia’s democratic even to people just kind of tangentially process. For 18 months Keating and Suharto sia had signed. It’s called the Agreement on Maintaining Security, and the agree- looking at the two countries – Australia secretly hatched this agreement allowing for doing a kind of strong anti-nuclear test- no debate, discussion, or consultation in the ment was worked out amid secrecy, both sides promising noninterference in each ing thing with France, a kind of a feel- Australian parliament or elsewhere. Even good country probably for most Ameri- the timing of the announcement, days before other’s domestic affairs but pledged to defend each other in case of external chal- cans, and Indonesia, a country whose Christmas, has been designed to minimise military is doing East Timor and doing criticism and concern. An added concern lenge. And most people think that external challenge means China, and probably a some pretty harsh repression. How did related to this treaty is the development of these people get together? further restrictions on the media under the lot of Australians were surprised them- D-Notice system. Under the government’s selves, since it was worked out in secrecy WINTERS: It is a very unusual mix. In fact, current proposals, outlets which publish over a long period. We’re going to talk Ramos Horta, a spokesman for East information that the government deems to about this and some other issues with Jef- Timor’s independence movement, com- be ‘sensitive’ will incur fines of up to one frey Winters, Associate Professor of po- mented that when you have a democratic million dollars, or $12,000 for the individual litical economy at Northwestern Univer- country like Australia and a dictatorship like journalist. This will further stifle questions sity. Let’s start with this: why was this Indonesia signing a treaty, it’s like a treaty regarding the Indonesian military in East pact needed? Do you think that these par- between God and the Devil. And it has Timor and elsewhere. ties are really feeling a gigantic threat really startled people because of the mixture This treaty between Canberra and Jakarta from China and how did it come about? you’re talking about. I think in order to get a typifies the sneaky, insidious relationship WINTERS: Well, it’s a very unusual pact, sense of the relations between the two coun- being forged behind the backs of the Austra- and until we get a lot more information on it tries, it would probably be useful to go back lian and Indonesian people. and what was behind the negotiations, it’s as far as the mid-1960s, when Sukarno was At a time when Australians, Indonesians, going to be hard to characterize because one still in power and the Malaysian Federation and East Timorese are united in finding a of the first things to know about it is that it was getting set up. One of the major per- just solution to the war in East Timor, is not a treaty or a pact in the normal sense ceived threats to the stability of the region Keating ignores pleas for democracy and that that’s understood. That is, this pact at the time, quite apart from Vietnam, was freedom in the region. does not obligate either country, Indonesia that Sukarno had launched a “Crush Malay- An Indonesian participant in the recent or Australia, to come to each other’s defense sia” campaign because he saw Malaysia as a occupation of the Dutch Embassy said in an in the event that there is an attack. It is, in- colonial hold-over and he objected to the interview, while in hiding in Jakarta, “We stead, just a statement of security coopera- way the Federation was being set up. The [Indonesians and East Timorese] hugged, we tion. As Prime Minister Keating put it: a Crush Malaysia campaign made not only were crying, so we all really felt that we declaration of trust and close cooperation Australia, but also New Zealand the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore, quite nervous East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 191 about the threats that might come from In- some strange characters, and I guess this safehouses in Australia. And so to the ex- donesia, which at the time was the fifth larg- is an example of that? tent that the Australians are now going to be est country in the world and certainly the WINTERS: This pact has received satura- providing regular consultation, and provid- largest in Southeast Asia. Since that time, tion media coverage in Australia, and there ing the intelligence they have directly to the there’s been a real security concern from the were immediately demonstrations in Can- Indonesian military – this dramatically un- Australian perspective coming from their berra, Sydney and other major cities against dermines the position of these pro- immediate neighbor to the Northwest. In the pact. And one of the major sources of democracy movements in Indonesia. It’s a 1971 the Five-Power Defense Arrangement criticism was that it was negotiated over an huge setback for them. was set up among Australia, the UK, New 18 month period in total secrecy. Most of MCDONNELL: As far as human rights in Zealand, Malaysia, and Singapore precisely the other countries in the region were not general is concerned in the region, I’ve to counter what was perceived as the “In- even made aware of it until just a few days been perusing the recent Freedom House donesian threat.” Indonesia’s relationship before the signing. The argument among crit- report. They have their annual list of with Australia over the last three decades or ics in Australia is that they may be signing a places ranked according to levels of free- so has run hot and cold. As recently as 1992 pact with a dictatorship, but they’re sup- dom. Only 4 percent of the countries in Indonesia sent a former general as ambassa- posed to be a democracy, and they’re sup- Asia make it into the “free” category. dor-designate to Australia, and because that posed to discuss major treaties and have And recently in the UN vote on Nigerian general commented publicly that the 1991 some sort of public debate about them – human rights abuses, the Asian bloc Indonesian military massacre in East Timor, certainly debate them in the parliament. made it clear that they would not support that Allan Nairn spoke about on your pro- There was no debate about this whatever, a harsh reprimand of Nigeria, which is in gram a few weeks ago, was a completely and it was already a done deal by the time keeping with their argument that human proper action for the military to take, he the Australian population found out about rights are internal matters. And then caused a major uproar in Australia and the it. The response of Prime Minister Keating Burma was admitted into ASEAN, almost general was rejected. So as recently as 1992 to this criticism was a rather unusual one, right on the heels of not allowing Aung the tone set between the two countries was which was to say that they couldn’t have San Suu Kyi’s party to participate in the rather tense. gotten a pact had they discussed it in public. constitutional changes there. It’s almost MCDONNELL: What role does the US play So much for democracy in Australia. Maybe enough to give you a sour feeling in your in all of this? Is the fact that the US would the two countries are not as far apart as at stomach. like to peel back in the Asian region on its first it might appear on the democratic WINTERS: When you have that as the military presence, is that forcing these score. backdrop, it really points up the odious na- unlikely alliances? MCDONNELL: Indonesia’s military has ture of this pact between Australia and In- WINTERS: Some analysts have speculated been pretty roundly criticized for human donesia. In this case Australia is putting its that the wording of the pact between Indo- rights abuses, and I imagine now they’re security concerns as well as its economic nesia and Australia was made as innocuous going to have some contact with Austra- interests – that is, being able to continue to as possible so that it did not appear as if the lia’s military, and they’ll talk occasionally exploit the oil and gas riches in the Timor United States was playing some role behind and share intelligence maybe. gap – above all else. And by the way, Aus- the scenes in trying to hem in a net around WINTERS: Yes, well for some time now tralia is the only Western country to recog- China. You opened with asking about the Indonesian and Australian armed forces have nize Indonesia’s claim to East Timor as its geo-strategic impact of the pact... been conducting joint exercises in the region. 27th province. The UN does not recognize [long segment on China’s increasing intimi- In fact, Australia is the country with which Indonesia’s claim, nor does the United dation in the region, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia most frequently has joint military States officially recognize it – although tac- the Spratly Islands] exercises. This pact really gives a new le- itly we obviously do. What we have here is So, this pact, although it isn’t really a mili- gitimacy to the Indonesian armed forces at the Asian authoritarian regimes, as a bloc, tary alliance, sends a signal to China that precisely a time when Suharto’s govern- agreeing that they will not criticize other there is a concern among countries in the ment, and the military, are clamping down thugs around the world, and I guess we southern part of the Pacific that China’s on and stifling the fledgling democratic shouldn’t be too surprised about that. But actions are threatening, and that they are movements within their country. So this is a the American people ought to be asking how taking these rather unusual steps to send a real boon. The biggest impact of this treaty far does this go? Are we going to continue to symbolic message that further aggressive is that it is a major victory for Suharto, and put our economic interests before every- action is not going to be welcomed. Now, it shows that the old dictator still has some thing else? I think the United States has my guess is that the United States is happy tricks up his sleeve. At the same time it’s a been pretty much intimidated by the argu- about this. major setback for the human rights move- ment coming out of Asia that international ment in Indonesia, as well as the independ- efforts to promote human rights are neo- MCDONNELL: But they’re not going to imperialistic, or the latest face of interven- come out and say that. ence movements in East Timor and Irian Jaya. Relations have now moved beyond tion by Western countries into the lives of WINTERS: No. In fact, that would proba- joint military exercises. The core of this everyone else. But what does it mean to say bly be the straw to break the camel’s back in agreement is ministerial-level consultations – that culturally Asians do not support hu- Chinese-US relations, which are already extensive consultations – between the two man rights? And who speaks on behalf of strained over the jail sentences given to hu- governments, especially pertaining to secu- Asians? Let’s face it, Li Peng of China, Su- man rights activists recently. rity. That means much much more informa- harto of Indonesia, Mahathir of Malaysia, MCDONNELL: How does this go down in tion sharing, intelligence sharing, and this and Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore – none of Australia? Do you think the general pub- has direct implications for democratic these people is willing to allow a free press lic looks at the Keating administration movements and those struggling for inde- in their country, none is willing to allow free and says, well, it’s a rough neighbor- pendence. Why? Because many of these expression. And these authoritarian leaders hood, and we’ve got to play ball with organizations have overseas groups and themselves say they speak on behalf of all Page 192 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. of their people. Well, I’ve travelled through- Dec 18 Melbourne. Australian Democ- JAMES DUNN out the region and what I find is that this is rats are rallying in protest at the security much more a domestic power struggle than treaty with Indon. Their major concern is ON THE TREATY it is an international cultural struggle. The with Indon’s record on human rights. Why By Jim Dunn, Dec. 22, 1995. thing that scares these leaders most is not do we need an alliance with one of worst the foreign dimension of the human rights military dictatorships in the world, asked a This week Prime Minister Keating’s an- struggle but the domestic dimension. rep. He said Indon has slaughtered 2 mn of nouncement of a security treaty with Indo- its own people in the 60s and 70s and 1000s nesia came as a shock to many of us. It was SECURITY PACT SIGNED more in E Timor. He said “it’s more about conceived in stealth and less than 4 days Keating’s ego that what Aussies want.” He after the Prime Minister’s surprise an- Aussie News from Latrobe, Dec. 22 called on “all decent Australians” to boycott nouncement he flew to Jakarta to sign the all things Indonesian – both products and treaty. In the meantime he made a rather Dec 15 Jakarta. Quotable quote: “Don’t arrogant appearance on television, dismiss- expect suddenly we will agree on every- tourist destinations. He said the Australian Democrats were angry that for such a re- ing the “Timor Lobby,” as he called them, thing” – Ali Alatas. and declared categorically that East Timor Dec 16 Canberra. PM Paul Keating will portedly “important treaty” there was not a single debate in either House of Fed Parl. was a province of Indonesia. It seems that travel to Jakarta to witness the signing of the treaty was a Keating initiative, and the the Australian/Indon security agreement. Dec 18 Canberra. Quotable quote: “Why people would demonstrate against security, Foreign Minister Evans virtually played no However Indon says the issue of human role in what is an extraordinary develop- rights in E Timor will continue to divide the is beyond me” – For Min Gareth Evans. Dec 19 Canberra. The Fed opp’n says ment. I wrote the following article, which 2 countries. Indon For Min Ali Alatas said appeared in the Melbourne Age on 20 De- the agreement ends concerns that Indon and the government is split over the security agreement with Indon. They say there has cember. Australia are a threat to each other, but he The Government’s desire to develop de- said they’ll continue to disagree on the issue been a falling-out between For Min Gareth Evans and PM Paul Keating over the word- fence contacts with Indonesia is understand- of E Timor. able enough, even if many of us are uncom- Dec 17 Canberra. PM Paul Keating has ing of the document. Sen. Evans has admit- ted he told me he had reservations and had fortable with the idea. For all its faults In- left for the signing of the Australia/Indon donesia is an undeniably important security pact in Jakarta. He is being accom- been excluded from negotiations, said opp’n For Affairs rep Alex Downer. neighbour, and we need to work on the rela- panied by For Min Gareth Evans and De- tionship. And we need to learn as much as fence Min Robert Ray. Shortly before Elsewhere in a Newspoll taken last weekend, and following both the announce- possible about ABRI, Indonesia’s defence boarding, Mr Keating told reporters the forces, not least with our own defence inter- signing is going to be a moment in history ment of the security treaty and Mr How- ard’s 4th “Headland” speech on Aussie ests in mind. which will shape Australia’s future. He said There is arguably a clear need for some it will make Indon and Australia’s future identity, Mr Keating has increased his lead over Mr Howard, but the Fed coalition re- form of treaty which sets out to define our more secure and as a result it will also make relationship, our shared objectives and to the region more secure. mains the favoured govt. Pref PM: Mr Keating 42% (+5) Mr provide a framework for contacts at all lev- Dec 18 Canberra. The Fed government els of government and society. However, the has attacked the government for keeping Howard 34 (-4) Pref government: ALP 41 (+1) coalition security treaty announced last Thursday secret the negotiations with Indon over the does not meet that need. It is an inappropri- joint security pact. The opp’n also disputes 47 (+1) Dec 19 Canberra. PM Paul Keating has ate expression of the reality of the present PM Paul Keating’s claim the Treaty will state our relations with the Suharto regime. help the E Timorese. Mr Keating and For returned to Australia after the signing of the “historic” security agreement with Indonesia Firstly, bilateral agreements of this kind Min Gareth Evans have dismissed the criti- are somewhat out of fashion, as we should cisms, saying negotiations had to occur in in Jakarta yesterday. Mr Keating, who de- clined to talk to the waiting media, arrived in have learnt from the ANZUS experience. private and the government had followed Today the most effective security protec- due process. CBR at 6.30 am this morning. The security agreement commits Australia and Indon to tion is a regional arrangement, linked to the Dec 18 Jakarta [Ch 10]. It’s the 1st time UN system, an arrangement that provides 4 government Mins have travelled O/S to- consult one another at ministerial level about security matters and respond to “adverse for a collective response to a threat to one of gether, signifying the importance the Fed its members. Secondly, why the interest in government is placing on the signing of the challenges.” Dec 20 London. For Min Gareth Evans such an arrangement when we are not facing security Pact. Although it was negotiated in a foreseeable threat? Normally bilateral se- secret between Mr Suharto and Mr Keating says Australia’s new Treaty with Indon will strengthen rather than inhibit its capacity to curity accords are concluded to meet a spe- over the past 18 m, Mr Keating is now try- cific, definable threat. In our case, if a threat ing to attract as much attention as possible be effective over human rights issues in E Timor. Critics say the Treaty will stifle the were to emerge it would have to come from to the event. Indonesia! And as Stalin was to learn from Meanwhile, the Fed coalition has at- democracy movement in Indon. Sen. Evans said the more Australia strengthens its links the Molotov-Ribbentrop agreement, bilat- tacked the government over its failure to eral treaties with neighbours do not ensure consult the public or the coalition. It was a with Indon the more credible it will be on human rights. He said that after the Treaty your safety from them. “strange thing for the government to have Thirdly, a treaty is a significant interna- done,” said opp’n For Affairs rep Alex was signed he’d had a discussion about hu- man rights with Indon For Min Ali Alatas tional instrument, which in this case could Downer. conceivably lead to the loss of Australian In Mel Australian Democrats are holding [probably along the lines of “don’t start tell- ing us about human rights now”]. lives, so the arrangement should be a clear a demo outside Garuda Airlines over the expression of the popular will. This treaty pact. certainly does not enjoy such support. It seems to have been a product of Mr Keat- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 193

Keating’s fascination with Indonesia’s New become impressed with the ability of their With our fatalities from this conflict ris- Order, which is not shared by many in his Indonesian opposite numbers to get things ing to 50,000, we believed in these assur- own party, let alone the community at large. done, and of course with the power they ances but recently, when you remembered Concern at human rights abuses in East exercise in the community. your heroism and sacrifice in this war, our Timor and elsewhere goes well beyond what We cannot forget that the Indonesian sacrifice was forgotten. In truth, your Gov- Mr Keating inaccurately and distastefully military (ABRI) has for the past three dec- ernment has never remembered our sacrifice. referred to as “the Timor lobby,” possibly ades or more been used primarily as a force If the victims of President Suharto and including a majority of Australians. for repressing those freedoms that are at the his regime were Australian children then Fourthly, to be an effective instrument a core of our democracy, while our armed perhaps this country would shake off its security treaty calls for more than a shared forces are largely depoliticised. Mr Keating apathy and cowardice. opposition to aggression. It presumes com- and Senator Evans are constantly reminding Perhaps you would not be conned by the mon standards in relation to the parties’ po- us that the Timor affair is only one small diplomats. Perhaps you would see our trag- litical systems; if you like, a shared desire to issue in a large and expanding relationship. edy and would then realise that without protect common democratic values. We But the issue is not about Timor’s small human rights we have nothing. Without simply do not share such values with the size; it is about what Indonesia stands for, freedom we are nothing. Suharto regime. Despite a slight opening-up, about its values and not least about the ex- Is there no limit to this Government’s democracy has yet to come to Indonesia. tent to which the Suharto regime respects shame? The Orde Baru, as it is called, remains a international human rights, which is the lit- PEDRO BATISTA, Victorian president, military-dominated, authoritarian form of mus test of a humane and democratic soci- UDT. government which restricts freedoms in a ety. way abhorrent to Australians, and it has DOES AUSTRALIA HAVE NO HANDS ACROSS THE been responsible for horrendous human TIMOR SEA rights abuses. Ironically, while Mr Keating SHAME? was announcing his cosy agreement with Letter in The West Australian, 22 December The Economist, 23 December 1995. Ex- President Suharto, Indonesia was yet again 1995. cerpts. being taken to task for human rights abuses, ON Saturday, December 16, I met Gareth this time by no less than the UN Human Bangkok: Even in peacetime, defense Evans outside Dandenong Plaza. He was Rights Commissioner who has just visited strategists have to plan for the...likely war, attempting to raise his profile in the elector- East Timor. however fanciful it may seem. Not so long ate of Holt, no doubt because of the inten- Finally, we are assured that the treaty ago, Australia’s generals fretted most about sity of the campaign run by human rights does not bind us to do anything except con- an invasion by their...neighbor to the north - activist Jim Aubrey, the Australian Democ- sult, in the event of some crisis. This begs Indonesia. So the signature...December 18th rat candidate for the electorate. the question: if the treaty carries no real ob- of a security agreement with the Indonesians As a Timorese person I represent a peo- ligations, then why have it? But even if its was understandably greeted with words like ple who continue to suffer untold persecu- cautious wording will make it difficult to “historic,” “watershed” and “bombshell.” tion. I asked Gareth Evans how it is possi- invoke, it could still expose us to risks - for This last metaphor is a tribute not just to ble the Australian Government can sign a example, if a conflict were to break out with the agreement’s military significance, security alliance with one of the worst mili- the Philippines because of the Moro rebel- but...to the secrecy of 18 months of negotia- tary dictatorships in the world. lion in the border areas, or in the event of an tions. An announcement...December 14th Senator Evans told me that we had to see altercation with China over disputed islands left even officials of the Association of “the big picture” and that Paul Keating in the South China Sea. For our part, it is South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), of would help to solve the problems of my inconceivable that we would need Indone- which Indonesia is a member, shell-shocked. country. Would this help be the same as sia’s help since, the only country ever likely In Bangkok for an ASEAN summit meeting, that of Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, to attack us, and that possibility is admit- some felt...Indonesia’s President Suharto and Bob Hawke? tedly remote, is of course Indonesia! should not have orchestrated such resound- I am amazed that at a time when there is It is not the substance of the treaty that ing noises off. no Cold War, at a time when the Australian is troubling, but what it symbolises and the Mr. Suharto’s officials insist the agree- people have rejected the lunacy of nuclear woolly thinking behind it. There is a general ment is not a pact, treaty or alliance. It is weapons and when it has recently been desire in this country for a more democratic called...an “agreement on maintaining secu- proved by opinion polls that the Australian format in Indonesia, for we need that change rity,” and merely commits the two countries people do not share their Government’s ob- to take our relationship forward from its “to consult each other in the case of adverse session with Indonesia and are truly sympa- present narrow focus on government, busi- challenges.” However, few defense pacts, thetic to my people and with absolutely no ness and military channels. To bring about treaties or alliances do more than that. Indo- debate in either House of Parliament, the that change we need to encourage the non- nesia’s belittling of the accord seems de- Australian Government commits this nation military side of Indonesian politics. This signed to spare ASEAN’s blushes, and to to a defence alliance of incredible magnitude. treaty, if only in a symbolical way, dignifies preserve Indonesia’s cherished self-image as President Suharto should feel very un- a leading “non-aligned” country. the dark side, the all-pervasive role of its easy about an alliance with Australia. After defence forces. As a one-time serviceman Australia is one of the few countries to all, Australia and East Timor were once al- and defence analyst, I have to challenge the recognize Indonesian sovereignty over East lies. view that a closer link between our military Timor, but by no means an obvious partner We Timorese sheltered, saved, and fought establishments will help transform ABRI for which to forsake non-alignment. Rela- with Australian soldiers during World War from its reputation as an oppressive and tions are frequently soured by rows over II. We did not receive the Order of Australia sometimes brutal military force into one that human rights, and by Australian press re- but were given all sorts of assurances as a respects human rights. The experience so far porting of Indonesian politics and business favoured ally. suggests that the officers on our side tend to (and the murky links between the two). East Page 194 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Timor, the territory annexed by Indonesia in sides insist this is not an “anti-China” sure on the Labour government to denounce 1975, ...remains a problem; indeed protests agreement. But Mr. Keating pointed out last President Suharto’s Jakarta regime. by some Australians delayed the appoint- year..."the defining element” in Indonesian During this month’s marking of anniver- ment of a new Indonesian ambassador to (and Vietnamese) security policy, is “their sary of the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Canberra this year. suspicion towards China.” He said it was Timor, protesters in Australia burnt an ef- Despite such rows, Xanana Gusmão, the not a “primary object” of Australian policy figy of President Suharto and the Indonesian jailed East Timorese resistance leader, re- to set up a “non-China block,” flag. cently called the Australian government but...Australia did not want “to be in the Against such opposition in addition to “without principles.” Mr. Suharto seems to Chinese orbit.” Similarly, in listing possible the historical suspicions harboured by Aus- agree - or at least to believe...human-rights “adverse challenges,” Ali Alatas, the Indo- tralians as a consequence of past military concerns will not hamper security coopera- nesian foreign minister, mentioned China’s confrontation, the Canberra government tion with Australia as they have with the dispute with Taiwan, and “an uncontrolled kept the public and the parliament in the United States, which in 1992 curtailed a escalation in the South China Sea,” where dark during the negotiations for the land- military-training program for Indonesia. China contests sovereignty with a number mark defence pact signed last week in the Since then, Australia has been able to capi- of countries. Indonesian capital. talize on Indonesia’s worries about over- ASEAN set up its regional forum partly The secrecy of the negotiations is in itself reliance on American military know-how, to manage such risks. But, ...because the is a cause for criticism in Australia. by advertising its own technological capa- forum includes China, which prefers a bilat- “The prime minister’s personal supervi- bilities. Visiting Australia...this year, B.J. eral, divide-and-rule approach, it may never sion of these top secret negotiations and his Habibie, the Indonesian technology minister, progress from talking-shop to security ar- abrupt announcement of the conclusion, had was impressed by the high-tech whizz- rangement. For both Australia and Indone- all the hallmarks of the leadership style fa- bangery available. sia, multilateral chat has less to offer than voured by modern Asian political bosses... For Australia, the agreement is part of a bilateral commitments. said the ‘Sun-Herald’ political columnist consistent drive to enmesh itself in Asia. It Peter Robinson. has...taken part in every multilateral talking- INDONESIA-AUSTRALIA: “Somewhere along the way, a bit of Aus- shop going, from the ASEAN Regional Fo- SECURITY ON ALL FRONTS - tralia seemed to have been lost,” he added. rum to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co- Other analysts have pointed out that the operation forum. But that does not preclude SAVE HUMAN RIGHTS veil of secrecy reflected the government’s its participation in more formal security ar- concern that the negotiations may have de- Analysis - By Yuli Ismartono and Kalinga rangements. ...Australia has America as an railed or at least stalled had they come to Seneviratne ally. It...has an agreement with Papua New light before agreement was reached. Guinea, and is part of the Five-Power De- JAKARTA, Dec 28 (IPS) - Genuine se- “Secrecy is becoming a built-in compo- fence Arrangements with Britain, New Zea- curity concerns are certainly behind the just nent in Australian-Indonesia relations,” land, Singapore and Malaysia. Paul Keating, agreed defence pact between Australia and commented ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ Asia the Australian prime minister, is due in Sin- Indonesia, but there are other obvious rea- editor David Jenkins. gapore and Kuala Lumpur in January, where sons for the bilateral agreement – political, The pact, the first defence accord ever a reaffirmation of the five-power ties is ex- economic and image-building. signed by Indonesia, commits the two coun- pected. From Canberra’s point of view, it repre- tries to consult each other if either one or As it happens, the five-power club was sents a concrete step into the world’s most both of them is threatened and to consider formed to guarantee Malaysian and Singa- dynamic region of economic growth, with joint responses, as well as to promote secu- porean security after the period of “con- Prime Minister Paul Keating making the rity cooperation in the region. frontation” with Indonesia in the 1960s. most political capital of the landmark “By this agreement, Australia will under- That helps explain the reaction in Australia agreement ahead of 1996 general elections. stand that Indonesia is not a threat,” said to the new agreement. The Indonesian threat “Keating has produced an agreement that Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the Indonesian In- is a living memory. It is only 30 years since defines as well as anything just what he is stitute of Sciences in Jakarta. Australian soldiers fought Indonesians in about...” observed Australian political ana- It comes at a time when the region is Kalimantan (Indonesia’s slice of Borneo, an lyst Michael Gordon. “It...projects him in keeping a wary eye on China’s military island it shares with Malaysia and Brunei). his most positive suit – not as...an arrogant might as a whole and in South-east Asia in As recently as 1987, an Australian defense brawler, but as a statesman.” particular on Beijing’s territorial claims in white paper...indicated Indonesia as the For Jakarta, the agreement will be used as disputed South China Sea waters - home to most serious security menace facing the leverage in trying to temper Australian con- a huge Indonesian natural gas project. country. ...these days Australia’s military demnation – at least at the official level – of Some years ago, such a joint ‘mainte- superiority over Indonesia can no longer be Indonesia’s human rights record, particu- nance of security’ would have been difficult assumed. larly with regard to East Timor. to foresee, given the decades old acrimony Under Mr. Suharto, Indonesia has...been José Ramos Horta, the Timorese Na- between the military as well as the peoples stable and inward-looking. The presidential tional Resistance Council (NRC) coordina- of the two countries dating back to when succession, however, is not settled. Alan tor abroad, was quick to highlight this point. Australia supported Malaysia against Indo- Dupont, of Australia’s Strategic and De- “This treaty does not say anything. It’s nesia aggression in the 1960s. fence Studies Centre, suggests Australia more a political statement which gives According to a 1994 Australian Defence wants “to lock Indonesia in” now, to mini- credibility and legitimacy to Indonesia.” White Paper, during those turbulent times mize the risk of a volatile future. ... Indeed, the Australian public, kept when the communists attempted to assert But if Australian war-games are no longer abreast of developments in East Timor by power in Indonesia, Canberra was concerned to be conducted against imaginary Indone- an exiled and very vocal Timorese resistance over the direction the Jakarta government sians, against whom will they be played? movement, has through solidarity demon- seemed to be taking. Perhaps against imaginary Chinese. Both strations and letters to the Press, put pres- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 195

They feared instability inside the country According to a 1994 report by the inter- problems. Refusing to become involved in could have negative repercussions in the re- national London-based human rights watch- the internal affairs of our neighbours does gion, including Australia. dog Amnesty International, “two decades of not free us from the commitment to help This perception worsened when Indone- unpunished Indonesian genocide” have cost each other. In fact, let us not forget that se- sia sent troops in 1975 to take over power the lives of one third of East Timor’s curity problems such as the traffic of in the former Portuguese colony of East 650,000 inhabitants. narcotics, terrorism, communist subversion Timor, where two Australian and three “We haven’t any backbone when it etc. have already become cross border ac- other foreign journalists were shot dead comes to dealing with Indonesia. It is a mat- tivities.Indonesia and Malaysia’s experience in while covering the turmoil after Portugal ter of kowtowing to them,” said Sister Kath- handling communism, for example, can be withdrew. leen O’Connor who runs a shelter for East drawn upon by other ASEAN countries fac- Australian public opinion turned more Timorese refugees in Australia. ing a similar threat. I also recommended that anti-Indonesian with the exodus of Timorese combining the navies of ASEAN countries refugees to Australia, where they set up REVEALING GEN. SUMITRO could even be extended to include India, Ja- headquarters and developed a strong politi- VIEWS ON AUSTRALIA- pan and Australia. The sea expanse sur- cal lobby from which to oppose the Indone- rounding the region is too wide for each sian occupation of their homeland. INDONESIA SECURITY country to handle alone without putting a In 1993, a national survey showed that considerable strain on the military budget. In 57 per cent of Australian voters believed ASEAN-Australia Security fact, what we wish is for ASEAN countries Indonesia would pose a security threat to by General (retired) Soemitro, Kompas, to channel their power and financial strength Australia. Saturday 23 December 1995 into the development of their country’s in- But regardless of ingrained public suspi- With the signing of a Security treaty be- dustry which, in turn, will intensify each cion, for the Australian government and its tween Australia and Indonesia in Jakarta on country’s own security. businessmen, Indonesia – with a population 18 December 1995, relations between the Mistrust among neighbours should not be of about 185 million an average economic two countries have entered a new era. Aus- over-emphasised. In fact CNN, broadcasting growth of more than six per cent – is a nec- tralia’s PM, Paul Keating, stated “ This is a the news of the signing of the Security essary ally. historical moment that will shape the future Treaty, did mention that in the past Austra- Two way trade between the two coun- of Australia.” I am certain that Paul lia considered Indonesia as a threat to its tries reached 3.5 billion Australian dollars Keating’s sincere words reflect our feelings security. It should not be surprising to any- (2.5 billion dollars) in 1995 and develop- entirely. Paul Keating also felt that he repre- one then if President ment assistance to Indonesia amounted to sented the feelings of both signatories when Soeharto openly appealed for a rapid end 141 million dollars in 1994. he stated that the Security Treaty is a decla- to the mistrust and scepticism Australia has And Australia is looking farther afield – ration of trust (sic). Without mutual trust been showing towards Indonesia. toward the rest of South-east Asia’s boom- how could we possibly build bridges to fur- At the ASEAN seminar seven years ago I ing market. ther strengthen the interest of our two coun- also recommended that security cooperation “The agreement is essentially about tries? among ASEAN member-countries and be- building a structure for the future of Austra- I consider that the signing of the Security tween ASEAN and Japan, India, Australia lia, to reduce uncertainties over the next ten Treaty is a victory for both sides. It is a and New Zealand should be strongly sup- to twenty years, and with it, Indonesia is beautiful Christmas present for Australia ported. Slowly but surely we have indeed offering us the opportunity to shape the and a sweet New Year present for Indone- seen a strong movement in that direction. region,” Keating told reporters. sia. Let me tell you why I agree with Paul The mid-December ASEAN summit in Improved relations between the govern- Keating’s statement that the signing of this Bangkok, for example, instituted a Southeast ments has enabled their disputes to be set- treaty will shape the future of the two coun- Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty. tled amicably, such as when Indonesian tries. Why should Japan, India, Australia and fishermen strayed into Australian waters New Zealand be involved? and in agreeing to joint oil and mineral explo- Australian mistrust We cannot exclude New Zealand - rations in the Timor Gap, the sea dividing When addressing the Singapore ASEAN Australia’s closest neighbour - from the northern Australia and Indonesia’s Nusa Seminar in 1988, I said that every nation is unity of the region. Japan has an interest in Tenggara islands. duty-bound to improve its national security the life line (sic), that is the oil supply lines “The Timor Gap solution is a good ex- as a strong component of regional security and logistics that criss-cross the ASEAN ample for building political and economic which is, in turn, a component of the global region. Finally, India because its shoreline cooperation, and at the same time, security security structure. I want it clearly under- on the Indian Ocean brings with it the com- cooperation,” wrote Indonesia’s Defence stood here that security is not identical to mitment to be involved in the security en- and Security Policy Paper, which appeared militarism. forcement (sic) of the region. for the first time this year. I also advocated openness on concepts of I am extremely proud that Indonesia, as “We have a very good relationship be- security between neighbouring countries. one of Australia’s neighbours, has taken a tween our two countries – except for one This is important to prevent mutual mis- pioneering step in supporting this regional issue which is the East Timorese,” said In- trust. and to preclude an unnecessary ex- infrastructure. donesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in a pansion of military power. There should be The Asian region recent radio interview. a common security arrangement with new It cannot be denied that Australia has al- But it is because of this very issue that motivations (sic). That is what I recom- ready shown great sincerity in endeavouring critics say Canberra should not have entered mended at the time. to learn Indonesian culture. In its schools into an agreement without bringing some What I mean to say with this statement students are given the choice of learning In- pressure on Indonesia to improve its human is that it should be possible for ASEAN na- donesian and, furthermore, Australia has rights record. tions to cooperate when one of its member- countries is faced with internal security Page 196 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. been striving to identify itself with the tralia will introduce some sort of control bourne and Sydney the following day. Con- Asian region. over its mass media which has contributed cerns have also been raised over the refer- From the geo-strategic, geo-political and to create a situation of tension between our ence in the treaty to “adverse challenges.” cultural points of view Australia would not two countries. Some believe that this leaves open the pos- be able to do much without assimilating it- Merry Christmas Australian brother! sibility of Australia becoming involved in self into the Asian region. Australia is a Indonesia’s internal security matters such as small pocket of western culture in the mid- COMMENT FROM JUAN FEDERER: East Timor. dle of the Asian region. Asia often considers It is very revealing of the Indonesian ex- Foreign minister Gareth Evans has admit- Australia as an extension of western inter- pectations about the recently signed Secu- ted to problems with the wording, but said ests in Asia. From this point of view, of rity Agreement with Australia. Sumitro hails that security must be interpreted in the con- course, Australia can be seen as the party the agreement as a sign of the Australian text of “regional instability,” the emphasis having the most to gain in assimilating Asian Government’s acceptance of the security being on terrorism and drug trafficking. culture. However, it must also be remem- culture of the ASEAN region, thus now Earlier, however, Indonesian foreign min- bered that international relations must be making the “Australian brothers” fit to join ister Ali Alatas nominated three potential founded on reciporcity (sic). We cannot al- Asia, in Sumitro’s view. conflicts which could be of mutual concern - low Australia to continue its endeavour to In closing the General also expresses his China and Taiwan, Korea and the Spratly get to know us without, on our part, also hopes that “Australia terminates its role as a Islands in the South China Sea. showing an interest in deepening our knowl- sanctuary for those dissidents that... under- In a letter to the December 23 Jakarta edge of Australia. That is why it pleases me mine the security of ASEAN countries, daily Kompas, ex-general Sumitro also men- to see the flow of Indonesian students to [and]....will introduce ...control over the tioned security problems such as narcotics Australia. Our leaders of tomorrow must be mass media which has contributed to cre- and terrorism, but added another - the threat exposed to the world centers of power. ate...tension between our two countries.” of “communist subversion etc.” Sumitro, For Australia, the Security Treaty is a We think it would be valuable if an who led the notorious security agency Kop- further step towards its acceptance as a analysis of this letter could be written, and kamtib, also referred to “Indonesia and Ma- member of the Asian region. The entry of comments be made on its implications. It laysia’s experience in handling communism.” Australia as Asia’s ‘big-brother’ will bring would be good if this got wide publicity in Despite any ambiguity in the wording, mutual benefits with Asian developing. the media. the treaty formalises a long and sordid his- countries. On one hand, Australia has a Another matter which merits reflecting tory of military cooperation between Aus- wealth of resources that have not been fully upon is the strong interest of PM Keating in tralian and Indonesia. In 1956, when the In- developed for introduction into the Asian forging such links with Indonesia. Could he donesian Communist Party and the left were markets. On the other hand, Asian develop- be trying to establish his credentials as a growing fast, right-wing military command- ing countries can draw technology and fi- loyal ‘friend’ with Suharto, aiming at some ers staged local coups on the islands of Su- nancial resources from Australia. future large scale personal financial gains by matra and Sulawesi. Both the US and Aus- Indonesia’s intersecting position in the offering such an asset to the Australian tralia assisted the revolts with supplies and Pacific region is a too strategic asset to be business sector? After all several prominent equipment. dismissed lightly as it can become the unit- Australians (e.g. Woolcott) have done just Recently declassified documents indicate ing power for ASEAN countries and other that, earning fortunes by acting as consult- that the Australian government was also countries in the region. Indonesia has al- ants on Indonesia for Australian corpora- complicit in the 1965 counter-revolution led ready played an important role in the Non- tions after retirement from the government. by then Major-General Suharto, in which as Aligned Movement. Now it needs to be many as 1 million communists and left-wing more active in finding breakthroughs in in- TREATY FORMALISES sympathisers were slaughtered and hun- ternational politics to forge alliances with as BACKING FOR JAKARTA dreds of thousands of others jailed. many countries in the world motivated by In talks with President Suharto prior to the same aims. Indonesia need not cultivate GENERALS the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in the ambition to become the leader of these 1974, and again in 1975, Prime Minister By James Balowski, Green Left, Jan 22. unifying movements; a position as a facilita- Gough Whitlam made it quite clear that tor would perhaps be a more flexible role. I In what the establishment media have en- Australia favoured the integration of East am also convinced that the Security Treaty thusiastically described as “securing a major Timor with Indonesia. A number of docu- can be further developed to become an um- strategic and diplomatic coup,” on Decem- ments reveal that while publicly opposing brella [treaty] for the small South-Pacific ber 18 the Australian and Indonesian gov- the use of force - even when it was obvious countries needing security guarantees. ernments signed the first formal security that the Indonesian invasion had begun in While this Peace Treaty is still warm let treaty between the two countries. earnest - the Australian government did its us take immediate action towards further Titled the Indonesia Australia Agreement best to play down the public impact of the closeness . In the old days we often used the on Maintaining Security, the treaty commits Indonesian government’s terror campaign saying “a nine-days wonder “ Let us hope both countries to “consult” each other if one while it privately supported the Jakarta re- that this saying is no longer true and that it is attacked and to “consider measures” to gime. has disappeared from the attitudes of the assist. Unlike the ANZUS treaty with the Later, the Fraser government cooperated executives of both countries. Let there no US and New Zealand, however, it does not with the Suharto regime to the extent of longer be a policy vacuum which would require either party to defend the other. closing down a two-way radio link between only give rise to instances of further mis- In addition, it formalises regular ministe- Darwin and the East Timorese resistance. trust between our two nations. rial consultations on matters affecting joint When a new radio link was established by Our greatest hope is that Australia termi- security and promotes cooperation in the Australian supporters, they were arrested nates its role as a sanctuary for those dissi- security field. and the radio seized. In 1978, Australia be- dents that clearly undermine the security of News of the treaty angered East Timor came the only Western nation to give de jure ASEAN countries. We also hope that Aus- groups, which organised protests in Mel- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 197 recognition of Indonesia’s incorporation of See U.S. section below for a report on a fairs officials had consistently taken the ap- East Timor. New York demonstration against the proach that Indonesia’s occupation of East Despite the carnage in East Timor, the treaty at an Australia Day celebration. Timor was irreversible. Australian government stepped up its sup- He said the Government had also failed ply of military aircraft to Indonesia. In to push for proper investigations into the March 1978, it donated 12 Bell Sioux heli- EVENTS IN AOTEAROA deaths of two New Zealanders killed in East copters, plus facilities for the training of Timor, one during the Indonesian crackdown Indonesian service personnel. Three months (NEW ZEALAND) in Dili after the 1991 massacre. later, it supplied six Nomad Searchmaster At best Foreign Affairs had also mounted planes, fitted with ground and sea surveil- Note that many related events are in the “weak” diplomatic protests to Indonesia lance radar. These were in addition to six asylum-seekers section above. about human rights abuses. which had already been donated. This “aid” Mr Buchanan said the hanging of nine was given despite reports that the earlier SOUTH AFRICA TO Nigerian minority rights activists at the planes were being used for offensive surveil- INDONESIA ARMS SALES weekend had focused Commonwealth and lance against Fretilin. world attention on the importance of human In 1990, Australia began providing train- QUESTIONED rights. ing for small numbers of Indonesian troops, He hoped that the Government would and this was projected to increase to 275 by Mandela honoured by protest veterans now take a stronger line on East Timorese the end of 1995-96. Among them have been The New Zealand Herald (Auckland), 14 rights concerns, including the central issue of members of the commando Kopassus Nov 1995. (summary only) independence. forces, which have been at the forefront of South African President Mandela was The action group will mark the 20th an- the brutal occupation in East Timor. last night saluted by New Zealand anti- niversary of the Indonesian invasion of East Including the Kangaroo ‘95 joint exercises apartheid veterans [at the finish of the Timor with a march on December 7. last year, since 1992 there have been at least Commonwealth leaders meeting yesterday], [Note: Nigeria was suspended from the eight Australian military exercises with In- but also subjected to sharp criticism of his Commonwealth during its meeting in New donesia. Government’s economic line. Zealand, with the possibility of expulsion in The increasing cooperation with Jakarta Leading figure in the campaign against the two years, after they executed the activists.] is also evident from the 1994-95 budget es- 1981 Springbok [NZ to Sth Africa rugby] timates. These indicated that official spend- tour, Mr John Minto, said he and others had NZ PRESSES INDONESIA’S ing on bilateral military cooperation with been dismayed at recent announcements in SUHARTO ON TIMOR Indonesia was to more than double com- South Africa which were similar to the free- pared with the previous year, from market policies introduced in New Zealand RIGHTS $2,217,000 to $4,665,000. in the past 11 years. OSAKA, Japan, Nov 18 (Reuter) - New Max Lane, national coordinator of Action Mr Minto also raised the issue of East Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger said on in Solidarity with Indonesia (AKSI) and Timor and South Africa’s supplying of arms Saturday he had raised concerns about hu- Democratic Socialist spokesperson for for- to the Indonesian military. man rights in East Timor with Indonesia’s eign affairs, told Green Left that the signing Mr Mandela praised the gathering as President Suharto but received no response. of the treaty highlights the Labor govern- “comrades in struggle” who “chose to speak “I raised...the concerns in New Zealand, ment’s hypocrisy in its dealings with Indo- out and to act when it was less fashionable both of the government and the people, nesia. to do so. ...You elected to brave the ba- about events in East Timor, the continued “Evans and Keating are pushing the line tons...” [referring to police clashes with loss of life, and asked whether there were that Australia wants to be ‘more integrated 1981 tour protesters.] steps they could take to reduce the tension with Asia.’ The reality is that they want to and the friction in East Timor,” he told a integrate themselves with Asia’s and, in par- TIMOR HOPING FOR news conference. ticular, Indonesia’s ruling classes. They are Bolger said Suharto made no specific re- motivated by business interests at the ex- HUMAN RIGHTS SPIN-OFF sponse but, in answer to a question, denied pense of human rights.” The New Zealand Herald, 14 Nov 1995 the president had been dismissive. WELLINGTON- East Timor independ- Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese ence campaigners hope the new focus on colony in 1975 and annexed it the following human rights following the execution of Ni- year. There have been several outbreaks of gerian activists will extend to a stronger rioting this year by opponents of its rule. New Zealand line against Indonesia. Bolger and Suharto met on the sidelines About 20 members of East Timor Action of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation staged a protest outside the Ministry of (APEC) forum summit. Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Dili mas- CUT MILITARY TIES WITH sacre when Indonesian troops opened fire INDONESIA, NZ RALLY SAYS on unarmed protesters. Three of the protest group members WELLINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuter) - A burned Indonesian Army, Navy and Air leading opposition politician urged New Force flags during the lunchtime rally on the Zealand’s government on Thursday to cut Terrace. military links with Indonesia at a rally to A spokesman, Mr Joe Buchanan, said mark the 20th anniversary of the invasion of New Zealand Government and Foreign Af- East Timor. Page 198 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

“The New Zealand government condones Nobody in the then Labour government Mr Ramos-Horta didn’t arrive until April genocide with its continued silence on East wanted to know him. Official papers re- the following year. [PM] Mr Lange and his Timor. It condones the abuse of human leased to [MP] Phil Goff last year show ministers refused to meet him. The prime rights,” Labour parliamentarian Phil Goff that in July 1975 our ambassador in Jakarta minister wrote to the tour organisers to tell told 60 demonstrators outside parliament was telling the Rowling government that them he did not “believe that keeping alive before they marched to Indonesia’s em- Fretilin was “Marxist-oriented.” When Fre- the issue of independence will do anything bassy. tilin took power in September 1975, Na- to help the East Timorese people.” The New Zealand air force planes took part in tional leader Sir Robert Muldoon expressed Timorese people have not accepted such military exercises in Indonesia in August. the fear that East Timor could become “an- advice. They have never wanted to be Indo- “We should forthwith stop all military other Cuba.” nesians. For two decades, they have pur- cooperation with Indonesia because it is the Mr Ramos-Horta continued his diplo- sued independence under dire circumstances. military that carries out the bulk of the matic work, not arriving back in Dili until Today, the struggle is being spearheaded by abuses that have seen 200,000 East November 29, the day after the Fretilin gov- the youth of Dili, many of whom were not Timorese killed since 1975,” Goff said. ernment officially declared its independence even born when Mr Ramos-Horta first vis- The figure of 200,000 is quoted by hu- from Portugal. Mr Ramos-Horta had just ited New Zealand in 1975. man rights groups as an estimate of those been appointed foreign minister. In a recent article, Mr Ramos-Horta who died in the invasion of East Timor and This was not a time for rejoicing; Indone- praised the efforts of his people. “We have the subsequent fighting and famine. sian troops had already invaded the west of survived Indonesia’s brutal occupation, Speaking to Reuters afterwards, Goff the country and an attack on the capital was American, French and British complicity, criticised the New Zealand and Australian imminent. Fretilin decided that Mr Horta and the hypocrisy of countries like Austra- governments for their belief that they could should go abroad again to defend the coun- lia and New Zealand that put mercantile not afford to offend a powerful nation like try’s independence. goods above morality and justice. None of Indonesia. On December 7, while Mr Horta was en this has crushed the Timorese will to be “Governments come and go, fascism route to the United Nations, Indonesian free, their desire to shake off their occupi- comes and goes, what is ongoing are the paratroopers landed in Dili. A horrific ers.” principles on which we have founded our slaughter followed, claiming the lives of Hopefully, Mr McKinnon will take this nations, the right to self-determination and most of his colleagues and Timorese in the message to heart when he meets Mr Ramos- free expression, and those are the principles tens of thousands. Horta today. .. that countries such as New Zealand and Mr Ramos-Horta, then only 25 years Note: Unless otherwise stated, the quota- Australia should be espousing.” old, became the youngest person to address tions are from the Foreign Affairs docu- Outside the Indonesian embassy, pro- the UN Security Council, passionately argu- ments released to Phil Goff under the Offi- testers attempted to burn an Indonesian ing for the withdrawal of Indonesian forces. cial Information Act last year. military flag before police stepped in and He didn’t get much support from the big *Keith Locke is the Alliance’s foreign affairs confiscated it. No arrests were made. powers, or from New Zealand. spokesman. The Indonesian government complained The secretary of foreign affairs, Frank to Wellington after flag-burning incidents at Corner wrote to Sir Robert, then prime min- José Ramos-Horta visited New Zealand this similar rallies earlier this year. ister, saying the motion coming up in the week as a guest of Amnesty International to Exiled East Timorese activist José Ramos UN was “rather too close to condemning mark the 20th anniversary of the Indonesian Horta, who spoke at the rally, said the In- Indonesia’s action.” Mr Corner said that invasion of East Timor. donesian invasion of East Timor had re- “New Zealand has a strong interest in main- TIMORESE SHOCK sulted in one of the worst massacres in taining good relations with Indonesia, even if AT ‘THUG’ TIE modern history. this might on occasion require some measure “We are asking New Zealand to support of compromise on matters of principle.” The New Zealand Herald, 7 December our right to self-determination and to pro- Sadly, this has been the essence of policy 1995. by Alan McDonald vide moral leadership. New Zealand is very toward East Timor ever since. The East Timor independence leader, Mr respected in the world,” he said. In a 1978 cabinet paper, foreign minister José Ramos-Horta, cannot believe New Zea- Brian Tallboys said “the integration of East land has taken part in military exercises with FINALLY, A MEETING WITH Timor with Indonesia was irreversible.” Indonesia. RAMOS-HORTA There was no point “dwelling in the past.” The resistance leader, who will have his The government preferred to shut out first meeting tomorrow with a high-ranking The National Business Review (New Zea- one voice from “the past,” that of Mr Ra- New Zealand Government representative, land), 7 December 1995. by Keith Locke mos-Horta. the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr In June 1978, acting minister of foreign McKinnon, says it is extraordinary that East Timor’s leading diplomat, José affairs Lance Adams-Schneider said Mr New Zealand held an exercise with Indone- Ramos-Horta, will be received by Foreign Ramos-Horta would be allowed to visit but sia and trains Indonesian military personnel. Affairs Minister Don McKinnon in an his- only in a “private” capacity. Mr Ramos- “For the sake of decency and morality, toric meeting today. Horta did not come. New Zealand must not hold joint exercises It has been a long road to the foreign min- The Suharto government was rather with thugs and dictators,” Mr Ramos-Horta istry. Mr Ramos-Horta first visited New scared of Mr Ramos-Horta. In May 1984, said on arrival in Auckland yesterday. Zealand in July 1975 as secretary-general of Indonesia officially asked New Zealand to “Where do you draw the line? If you the Timorese liberation movement, Fretilin. deny him a visa. Jakarta’s spies had heard hold exercises with Indonesia, when do you I interviewed him and remember him as un- he was about to visit the country. In a min- invite Nigeria or the Burmese? The Indone- assuming but intense. He was here to get isterial briefing, the foreign affairs ministry sians are thugs and criminals. They killed support for East Timor’s independence warned against excluding him as “this would two New Zealanders [in East Timor].” from Portugal. draw more attention to the Fretilin cause.” East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 199

Mr Ramos Horta’s visit coincides with land and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr He received extensive coverage on radio the 20th anniversary of the Indonesian inva- McKinnon. and newspapers, especially his 35 minute sion of East Timor in 1975. He is the co- But no heed will be given to his call for meeting with the Foreign minister/deputy chairman of the National Council for New Zealand to cut military co-operation prime minister, this being the first time ever Maubere Resistance, the umbrella organisa- with Indonesia, which invaded his country that a visiting East Timorese resistance tion for East Timorese resistance to Indone- 20 years ago. leader had met with any minister of a New sia, but it is the first time he has been able to New Zealand helps with Indonesian mili- Zealand government. Mr Horta was also to speak to New Zealand officials at govern- tary training, or, as Mr Ramos-Horta calls be received by the Governor General, but at ment level. it, “terrorist training.” This year New Zea- the last minute she had turn him away be- He says it is a measure of the importance land took nine Indonesians for training in cause of her other engagements. his organisation attaches to New Zealand fields like engineering, diving and dentistry. Mr Horta also met with leaders, or their endorsement of the East Timorese cause It took part in a joint military exercise and deputies, of the other three largest political that for the 20th anniversary he is here hosted a visit by the chief of air staff. parties and several other MPs. rather than in the strong support bases of “The military linkage is so thin it is al- Other meetings were with the president Portugal and , or at the United Na- most not there at all,” said Mr McKinnon of the Council of Trade Unions, The Catho- tions in New York. after his meeting. “Just to cut that for sym- lic Bishop of Aotearoa, and human rights Top of the agenda when he meets Mr bolic reasons doesn’t suggest to me you and other concerned groups. McKinnon will be trying to gain backing for have achieved anything.” He also addressed and marched with the East Timor. “New Zealand is well respected New Zealand had to keep links with a na- 7 December protest march from the Ceno- in the United Nations and if the Govern- tion of 200 million people so close by. taph to the Indonesian embassy. All the 100 ment would acknowledge the illegal invasion Mr Ramos-Horta said he had been told people outside the embassy laid down on of East Timor by Indonesia and give us Mr McKinnon was a very decent, caring the road as speakers played war noises, but support it would have a tremendous im- human being and that was correct. He said police prevented us from burning an Indone- pact.” New Zealand had “enormous prestige inter- sian military flag, claiming it was too windy. Mr Ramos-Horta says up to 30,000 In- nationally” and it could not be accused of They threatened arrest and in a scuffle donesian troops now occupy his country. bullying in the way Australia and the United seized the flag we had intended to burn. “In 20 years they have not defeated us. States were. There were two public meetings and in There is much greater resistance today and “Because of that, New Zealand is in a the capital Wellington, Indonesians tried international support is growing. However, very good position to play a moral leader- very hard to gain entry, eight being firmly torture of prisoners is normal. Often prison- ship [role] in pushing for a quick resolution turned away. Outside the meeting they gave ers are kept two or three at a time in sheds of the Timor conflict.” out lying propaganda attacking Mr Horta. on the private property of Indonesian offi- Mr Ramos-Horta, who is based in Sy d- Clearly they had intended to disrupt the cers, where they are used as slaves. ney, is a representative of the National meeting as they had done in Osaka, but we “Torture is automatic; electric shocks Council of Maubere Resistance, an umbrella successfully prevented any repetition. 80 common. Razors are used to cut people’s group. He last visited New Zealand 10 years people attended this meeting. backs, chairs are placed on their toes and ago but the Labour Government would not This visit by the joint chair of the resis- people sit on the chair. There are instances see him. Yesterday he had 35 minutes with tance was most successful. As usual there of guards sodomising prisoners or forcing Mr McKinnon. was hardly a spare moment between meet- prisoners to sodomise each other, and fe- Mr McKinnon said there had been sig- ings as we rushed Mr Horta from one to the male prisoners have been raped.” nificant movement on East Timor in the next for the whole of his time here. Mr Ramos-Horta holds little hope of past few years “and we are part of that.” changes resulting from a January 16 meeting Mr Ramos-Horta said Indonesia re- ALLIANCE SEEKS INQUIRY in London of the Indonesian and Portuguese sponded to pressure. “Any soft approach is INTO TIMOR SHOOTING foreign ministers. “This is the eighth such viewed by Indonesia as weakness.” meeting and nothing has changed so far.” In the next three years, huge changes in The New Zealand Herald, 28 December He will also meet the Labour leader, the Indonesia would weaken its grip on East 1995 Rt Hon Helen Clark, an Alliance Party dep- Timor. It would be subject to internal pres- uty leader, Sandra Lee, the New Zealand sure from organised labour and students de- WELLINGTON, NZPA - The Alliance First MP Mr Tau Henare and Cardinal Tom manding more democracy. As well as that, yesterday called on the Government to set Williams. there would be a transition of power as up an inquiry into the shooting of the New A candlelight vigil marking the anniver- President Suharto’s 30-year regime ended. Zealander Kamal Bamadhaj during the 1991 sary of the invasion of East Timor will be “East Timor will be a minor problem for Dili massacre in East Timor. held in Auckland’s Queen Elizabeth Square them. They will prefer to get rid of it and The Alliance’s foreign affairs spokesman, today from 5pm to 8pm. deal with the bigger problems.” Mr Keith Locke, has written to the Minister [A separate Reuters article covers the of Foreign Affairs, Mr McKinnon, drawing Embassy occupation.] his attention to new evidence. TIMOR APPEAL FAILS TO Mr Locke told Mr McKinnon that “just CHANGE NZ’S STANCE ON this month an Australian aid worker, Bob HORTA VISITS NEW ZEALAND INDONESIA Muntz, has given the names of two Report from Colin Iles, East Timor Inde- Timorese, now living in Melbourne, who The New Zealand Herald (Auckland), 9 De- pendence Committee, Dec. 13. witnessed the killing. Kamal Bamadhaj was cember 1995. by Audrey Young an interpreter for Muntz in Dili in 1991. José Ramos Horta Visited Aotearoa/New The East Timor independence leader Mr “The witnesses, Abel Martins and José Zealand from 6-10 December, visiting Auck- Verdial, say Bamadhaj was walking away José Ramos-Horta emerged from his Bee- land, Wellington and Christchurch. hive meeting yesterday flattering New Zea- Page 200 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. from the scene of the massacre when a car Sintong Panjaitan, in the United States in was a New Zealander - it is right that this stopped next to him. 1994, said she had just about reached the inquiry take place here. “An Indonesian officer named Cornelius end of what she could do as an individual. In Australia human rights worker Bob leaned out and shot him twice in the side.” “That is why I am calling on the New Zea- Muntz who was with Kamal in Dili at the Mr Locke said that last month the Aus- land Government to support me because time of the Dili massacre is currently obtain- tralian Government announced a new in- I’m not going to find out the truth and no- ing sworn legal affidavits from the two wit- quiry into the killing of five journalists (four body is going to be held accountable until nesses. The Australian Government is now Australians and one New Zealander) in East this is taken up as a government-to- undertaking an inquiry headed by the chair- Timor 20 years ago. government issue. man of the National Crime Authority into “Surely it is even more relevant to have “I can’t go to Indonesia and ask them to the 1975 deaths of five Australian journal- an inquiry into the murder of Kamal Ba- find Cornelius and put him on trial.” ists in East Timor. madhaj in 1991,” he said. She said she had yet to hear back from ‘The New Zealand Government cannot “There are new witnesses and the name the Prime Minister, who had personally go on burying its head in the sand over this of the officer who allegedly assassinated been “quite sympathetic” and did not expect issue - holiday period or not. Our Govern- Kamal. New Zealand should ask for the In- to do so for another week or so. She had not ment has a responsibility to Kamal, his fam- donesian Government’s co-operation in posted the letter until a couple of days after ily, and to the more than 270 other massacre such an investigation.” Christmas. victims to pursue the truth of this tragic Mr Locke said New Zealand had an obli- Mrs Todd, who has lived in Malaysia for episode. New Zealand must not set an ugly gation to Kamal’s family to clear up this the past 27 years, is on holiday in New Zea- precedent that the lives of individuals are matter. land. expendable and can be sacrificed to keep in “Kamal’s mother, Helen Todd, has done A spokesman for the duty cabinet minis- good with powerful neighbours.’ all she can. Last year she won a ruling in a ter, Mr Burdon, said yesterday that Mr Helen Todd, Mother of Kamal, is cur- United States court against General (Sin- Burdon had not seen Mrs Todd’s letter. rently holidaying in New Zealand. She can tong) Panjaitan, the architect of the Dili be reached at 07-315-7625. massacre.” GOVERNMENT CANNOT GO ON For further information - Maire Lead- IGNORING THE CALL FOR AN beater Ph +64 9 849-3890 or day 828-5109. MOTHER WANTS GOVERNMENT INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF HELP FOR TIMOR INQUIRY KAMAL BAMADHAJ NZ: RENEWED DEMAND FOR TIMOR MURDER INQUIRY The New Zealand Herald, 5 January, 1996 ETIC (East Timor Independence Committee) WELLINGTON - The mother of the Press Release, 5 Jan. The New Zealand Herald, 8 January 1996 New Zealand citizen killed in the 1991 Dili It is now several weeks since East NZPA – Civil libertarians and East massacre in East Timor wants the Govern- Timorese refugees living in Australia gave Timor independence campaigners have ment to push for an inquiry into her son’s clear new information about the 1991 death joined the call for a Government inquiry into death. of Kamal Bamadhaj and named the Indone- the killing of a New Zealand student in the Helen Todd said yesterday that she had sian officer, Cornelius who shot him at Dili massacre. written to the Prime Minister, Mr Bolger, point blank range. There is no response The Auckland Council for Civil Liberties seeking an inquiry and asking him to reopen from the New Zealand Government to in- and East Timor Independence Committee talks with Indonesian authorities. vestigate this crime despite an inundation of yesterday described the Government’s ac- The letter follows reports from Australia calls to re-open the unsolved murder of one tion to date as “pussyfooting.” that two Timorese refugees now living there of its citizens. A council spokesman, Mr Barry Wilson, can identify the Indonesian soldier who fa- Since this information was know in New said action against Indonesia by the Minis- tally shot Mr Kamal Bamadhaj. Zealand on 13 December, 1995, the East ter of Foreign Affairs, Mr McKinnon, had Mr Bamadhaj, aged 20, a student at Sy d- Timor Independence Committee has written so far been limp. ney University, died in an East Timor hos- to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mr Wilson said an inquiry headed by a pital on November 12, 20 minutes after be- McKinnon twice calling for New Zealand to judge into the 1991 killing of Mr Kamal ing admitted with bullet wounds. take action to investigate the matter. Public Bamadhaj was needed. An Australian aid worker, Mr Bob calls for an Inquiry have been made by Although the findings of an inquiry Muntz, said last month that Timorese refu- Keith Locke for the Alliance, and by Phil would have no bearing on the Indonesian gees Abel Martins and José Verdial saw Mr Goff. Above all Kamal’s mother, New Zea- Government, it would demonstrate a com- Bamadhaj shot as he walked alone down a lander Helen Todd currently holidaying here mitment by the New Zealand administration street after the massacre. has called for a New Zealand inquiry. to establish exactly what happened. Mr Muntz said they had identified the The latest eye witness reports from East “This issue will not go away. The Gov- killer as an Indonesian military official called Timor refugees currently living in Australia ernment must show that it is genuine about Cornelius. are unambiguous. The two men, Abel Mar- wanting to get to the bottom of this issue.” Mrs Todd said she wanted the Govern- tins and José Verdial say that they saw Ka- Mrs Helen Todd, the mother of Mr Ba- ment to reopen dialogue with Indonesia be- mal walking away from the scene of the madhaj, wants an inquiry after claims by cause the Indonesian authorities were the massacre only to be shot at close range by two East Timorese refugees that they saw only people who could trace her son’s killer an Indonesian officer - Cornelius - firing an Indonesian officer kill him. and put him on trial. from a car. Mr McKinnon said on radio at the week- She wanted a New Zealand inquiry be- It is essential that there be a new inquiry end that he wanted the witnesses to supply cause that was the only way she was ever based in Wellington, so that the testimony him with sworn statements. He would put likely to discover the truth. of the two East Timorese refugees can be such evidence in front of the Indonesian Mrs Todd, who successfully took a civil fully heard and openly investigated. Kamal Government at his next meeting. case against a former Indonesian general, East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 201

The witnesses said they saw an Army East Timor is approximately 19,000 km2 that since the National Commission on Hu- officer lean out of a car and shoot Mr Ba- and its population is now 850,000 including man Rights of Indonesia completed its in- madhaj twice as he walked alone down a estimated 100,000 Indonesian migrants. vestigation, “no institutionalized or organ- street 500m from the massacre scene. Mr About 200,000 East Timorese are esti- ized effort has been made by the Indonesian Bamadhaj died soon after in a nearby hospi- mated to have died due to fighting and fam- authorities to account for the fate of the tal. ine. The human rights situation in East dead and disappeared.” The Indonesian au- He had been among hundreds of people Timor is one of the worst in the region. Ex- thorities protested against the Ndiaye report in the provincial capital Dili for a funeral trajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture and rejected its conclusions. (2) procession that turned into a rowdy protest and rapes are a daily occurrence. In the so- Meanwhile, the Indonesian government against Indonesian rule of East Timor. Gov- called Santa Cruz massacre on November has been vigorously prosecuting East ernment troops opened fire at the demon- 12, 1991, Indonesian troops killed more Timorese independence activists, who in strators. than 270 young peaceful demonstrators. most cases acted only in a peaceful manner. However, a Foreign Ministry spokesman It is perhaps in early 1990 that the Indo- 3. The Anti-Subversion Law in Jakarta said reopening the case was unjus- nesian authorities began to use legal instru- Indonesia’s main national security law is tified. ments to punish East Timorese independ- the Anti-Subversion Law. It was originally “As far as we are concerned the case is ence activists. By doing so the authorities promulgated as a Presidential Decree in over because we have made an official in- are trying to show to the world that they are 1963, and was later approved by the par- quiry and also held a trial and the guilty punishing them through a due procedure. liament and enacted into law in 1969. The party [has been] punished,” said a spokes- 2. UN Rapporteur’s Recommendation original Presidential Decree was a product of man, Mr Ghaffar Fadyl. In August 1992 the Sub-Commission on the Cold War regime, and its preamble de- Two generals were dismissed and 10 po- Prevention of Discrimination and Protection fines subversive activity as activity that lice and military officers were sentenced to of Minorities adopted a resolution on East constitutes a threat to the safety and secu- up to 18 months in prison. Timor which stated that the Sub- rity of the State and the Nation that are Indonesia invaded East Timor, a former Commission was “disturbed by the heavy waging a revolution to build a socialist soci- Portuguese colony, in 1975 and annexed it sentences passed on the East Timorese in- ety in Indonesia. The anti-communist New the following year. Activists there have agi- volved in peaceful political activities on the Order regime which replaced Sukarno’s tated for independence ever since. basis of the Anti-Subversion Law whose Guided Democracy through a violent reign In 1994, a United States court awarded abrogation had been recommended by the of terror that claimed hundreds of thousands Mrs Todd $21 million ($NZ32.43 million) Special Rapporteur on the question of tor- of victims continued to use this law. The damages against former Indonesian General ture of the Commission on Human Rights.” victims of the Anti-Subversion Law under Sintong Panjaitan, who was in charge of the The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the New Order have been dissident politi- Indonesian military at the time of the shoot- Prof. Pieter Kooijmans, had visited East cians, student activists, Muslim activists, ings. Timor in November 1991. He later wrote in reformist veterans, human rights lawyers, The award has never been enforced be- his report: journalists, academics and so on who criti- cause the general has remained outside the In view of the lack of clarity as to cised the government or its policies. United States. whether basic human rights are required to Under this law the following are guilty of be respected under the Anti-Subversion Law the crime of subversion. (3) and in view of the fact that crimes against 1. Anyone who has engaged in activities EVENTS IN ASIA the security of the State and against public with the intention, or the apparent inten- order are already punishable under the pre- tion, or which s/he knew, or ought to have KOREA CONFERENCE sent Criminal Code (and will also be so un- known might have the effect of: der the new Criminal Code which is in the (a) distorting, undermining or deviating DISCUSSES EAST TIMOR process of being drafted), the Anti- from the national ideology Pancasila or the Subversion Law should be repealed. (1) basic policy of the State, or The Anti-Subversion Law and the He was in Dili, the capital of East Timor, (b) overthrowing, destroying or under- Criminal Code: Cases from East Timor on November 12 when Indonesian troops mining the power of the State or the author- Akihisa Matsuno, Osaka University of For- opened fire into thousands of peaceful dem- ity of the lawful government or the machin- eign Studies onstrators at the Santa Cruz cemetery. ery of the State, or The Portuguese Catholic NGO “Peace is (c) disseminating feelings of hostility or Paper presented to the International Possible in East Timor” issued a list of 271 arousing dissension, conflict, disorder, dis- Conference on National Security Laws, persons killed. But the Indonesian govern- turbances or anxiety within a segment of the Seoul, November 22-24, 1995 ment acknowledged only 66 cases of disap- population or in society as a whole, or be- 1. East Timor under Indonesian Occupa- pearances, which were later reduced to 56 as tween the Republic of Indonesia and a tion a result of the investigations carried out by friendly state, or East Timor is a former Portuguese colony the Indonesian government. The Working (d) disturbing, retarding or disrupting in- now under Indonesian military occupation. Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disap- dustry, production, distribution, commerce, Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and pearances transmitted to the Indonesian cooperatives or transport conducted by the annexed it by force. The UN has not recog- government a total of 224 cases of disap- Government or based upon a decision of the nized the annexation and still considers Por- pearances. The Indonesian government up Government or which has widespread influ- tugal its administering power. The Interna- until now has failed to clarify these disap- ence on the livelihood of the people. tional Court of Justice ruled in June this pearances, and the Special Rapporteur on The maximum penalty is the death sen- year that East Timor is a non-self-governing Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Execu- tence, and execution is carried out by a firing territory whose people has the right to self- tions, Bacre Waly Ndiaye, who visited East squad. Although the Criminal Code clearly determination. Timor in July 1994, concluded in his report states that only the police are authorized to Page 202 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. carry out arrests and investigations, in sub- were being shot dead. We had to protest.” sion of such feelings through the public me- version cases military authorities commonly (7) dia, with a maximum penalty of four-and-a- assume these responsibilities. (4) Convicts The East Timorese who received the half years’ imprisonment. Article 156 pro- tried under the Anti-Subversion Law usually harshest sentence in connection with the hibits the expression of such feelings toward get harsher sentences. Santa Cruz massacre was Gregorio da Cunha one or more groups in Indonesian society, 4. Some Cases of the Anti-Subversion Saldanha, now 32 years old. Gregorio da with maximum penalty of four years’ im- Law Cunha Saldanha was accused of being the prisonment. Article 157 prohibits the ex- main organizer of the Santa Cruz demonstra- pression of such feelings through the public One flagrant case in relation to the Anti- tion and was sentenced to life imprisonment media, with a maximum penalty of two-and- Subversion Law is that of Fernando de in July 1992 at Dili District Court. He was a-half years’ imprisonment. Araujo, now 29 years old, who was sen- shot and wounded by Indonesian soldiers at The Lese Majesty Articles are Arti- tenced to nine years’ imprisonment for sub- the Santa Cruz cemetery. He was interro- cles134, 137, 207 and 208. Article 134 pun- version on May 25, 1992. He was found gated day and night and was hit by a po- ishes “insulting the President and Vice- guilty of undermining the Indonesian gov- liceman in the presence of members of the President” with a maximum penalty of six ernment and “disgracing the nation in the prosecution. He said: years’ imprisonment. Article 137 punishes eyes of the international community.” Fer- Because I could no longer bear this inhu- the expression of such insult through the nando de Araujo was one of the founding mane treatment, and because I was weak- public media, with a maximum penalty of members of an East Timorese student or- ened by gunshot wound, I carelessly gave one year and four months. Article 207 pun- ganization, Renetil, which opposes East names of high officials, priests and business ishes the public expression of “insulting the Timor’s integration with Indonesia. The in- owners who knew nothing and had no link authorities” with a maximum penalty of one dictment against him lists “crimes” such as with me, following the saying “as long as year and six months, and Article 208 pun- holding meetings, organizing demonstrations the boss is happy.” (8) ishes “insulting the authorities” through the and sending information to international or- Francisco Miranda Branco, now 45 years public media, with a maximum penalty of ganizations including Amnesty International old, is the other East Timorese convicted of four months. and the UN. subversion for organizing the Santa Cruz Article 106 is also highly relevant to the The Working Group on Arbitrary Deten- demonstration. He was sentenced to 15 East Timorese. It punishes “separatist ac- tion adopted a decision on the case of Fer- years’ imprisonment in June 1992. He tivity” by a maximum penalty of life or nando de Araujo on September 29, 1993. stated before the court: twenty years’ imprisonment. The Decision No. 36/1993 says: I uphold the principles of non-violence The arrest of Fernando de Araujo and his 6. Some Cases of the Criminal Code and peace, which is why, after the outbreak continued detention upon conviction are The trend to avoid using the Anti- of the civil war in East Timor ..... I decided unjustified and are declared to be arbitrary Subversion Law to punish East Timorese that ..... I would no longer take sides with being in contravention with articles 5, 9, 19 independence activists became clear when any party, including Fretilin, which is my and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Hu- the leader of the resistance, Xanana Gus- position up to the present day.” (9) man Rights, articles 7, 9, 10, 14, 19 and 21 mão, was put on trial in 1993. Xanana was Amnesty International is calling for the of the International Covenant on Civil and the chairman of the National Council of immediate and unconditional release of Political Rights and Principle 10 of the Maubere Resistance, an umbrella organiza- Gregorio da Cunha Saldanha and the five Body of Principles for the Protection of All tion of East Timorese resistance groups, and other East Timorese convicted for organiz- Persons under Any Form of Detention or the supreme commander of Falintil, the Na- ing the Santa Cruz demonstration. (10) Imprisonment and falling within categories tional Liberation Army of East Timor. He II and III of the principles applicable in the 5. The Criminal Code was captured in November 1992 and was consideration of the cases submitted to the Now, however, the Indonesian govern- held in secret military custody for 17 days. Working Group. (4) ment tends to avoid using the Anti- He was forced to call on his people to sur- The Working Group also requested the Subversion Law in suppressing dissidents. render through a TV interview. He was de- Indonesian government to take the neces- Instead it more frequently uses the Criminal nied access to a lawyer, and was not allowed sary steps to remedy the situation. Code, which has proved to be no less re- to read his final defence plea. He was sen- Fernando de Araujo is an Amnesty Inter- pressive than the Ant-Subversion Law. As tenced to life imprisonment, not under Anti- national Prisoner of Conscience and received Prof. Kooijmans pointed out, “crimes Subversion Law, but under Criminal Code, the Reebok Human Rights Award in 1992. against the security of the State and against after being found guilty of rebellion and ille- (Of course he was not allowed to go to the public order are already punishable under gal possession of firearms. His sentence was US to collect the award.) (5) He was also the present Criminal Code.” later reduced to twenty years’ imprison- elected as the honorary vice-president of the The most notorious articles in the Crimi- ment as a result of international pressure. National Union of Students (NUS) in Brit- nal Code are the so-called Haatzaai Ar- Xanana Gusmão received the Human ain in 1995. (6) tikelen or “Hate-sowing Articles” and Lese Rights Award of the United Nations Asso- Another East Timorese student who was Majesty Articles. These articles were intro- ciation of Australia in September 1994 in convicted for subversion together with Fer- duced by the Dutch colonial administration recognition of his “ongoing struggle to nando de Araujo was João Freitas da and were incorporated into Indonesia’s achieve a just and equitable settlement for Camara. He was sentenced to ten years’ im- Criminal Code after independence. the people of East Timor and full restora- prisonment in May 1992 for having organ- The Hate-sowing Articles are Articles tion of their Human Rights.” UN Secretary- ized a peaceful march in Jakarta on Novem- 154-57 of Chapter V, Crimes against Public General Boutros Boutros-Ghali had this to ber 19, 1991, to protest against the Santa Order. Article 154 prohibits .”.. the public say about him: Cruz massacre. On March 31, da Camara expression of feelings of hostility, hatred or I have continued to discuss with the In- told the court that he and his friends “just contempt toward the government,” with a donesian Government the situation of East could not stay inactive while our brothers maximum penalty of seven years’ impris- Timorese in custody, including the leader of onment. Article 155 prohibits the expres- the armed independence movement, José East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 203

“Xanana” Gusmão, who is serving a 20-year however, people are not going to take this About 13 groups signed the statement prison term after his capture in November kind of campaign seriously anymore. Yet calling for action. The groups have planned 1992, and the need for taking measures this knee-jerk type response to perceived vigils at the Indonesian and Burmese embas- aimed at their early release. (11) “national security threats” will be repeated sies in Kuala Lumpur this evening. The Xanana Gusmão is now East Timor’s over and over again, unless the structure of groups want ASEAN to withdraw the invi- Mandela. Though in jail, he continues to be the present regime undergoes fundamental tation in a bid to show its disdain of human regarded as the leader of the resistance. changes. rights violations in Burma. Amnesty International’s latest report on Notes And they claim ASEAN’s constructive East Timor, East Timor: Twenty years of (1) A Paz e Possivel em Timor Leste, East engagement policy which aims to draw Violence, July 1995, lists 41 cases of im- Timor After Santa Cruz: Indonesia and Burma into the world community in a bid to prisoned East Timorese. None of them were the International Order, Lisbon, January encourage its leaders to conform with inter- convicted of subversion. Most of them were 1993, p. 11. national laws_ has not worked. tried under Article 154 of the Criminal Code (2) E/CN.4/1995/61/Add1, November 1, Asia Pacific Coalition on East Timor which punishes the expression of hostility 1994. Report by the Special Rapporteur, (Msia), AWAM (All Women Action Soci- towards the government, and the sentences Mr. Bacre Waly Ndiaye, on his mission to ety), CENPEACE (Centre for Peace Initia- Indonesia and East Timor from 3 to 13 of these people range from one to four July 1994. tives), Management Institute for Social years’ imprisonment. (3) Amnesty International, ASA 21/01/95, Change, PACOS (Partners for Community The heaviest sentence, four years, was Indonesia & East Timor: Political prison- Organisers), were among the groups calling handed down to José Antonio Neves. He ers and the “Rule of Law,” January 1995, for action. was charged under Article 106 with “separa- pp. 3-4. ASEAN has invited Gen. Than Shwe, tist activity” and also under Articles 156 (4) Ibid., p. 4. chairman of the ruling State Law and Order and 157. His crime was sending information (5) E/CN.4/1994/27, 17 December 1993. Re- Restoration Council (SLORC), to attend an port of the Working Group on Arbitrary about human rights violations in East Timor Detention. Decision 36/1993 (Indonesia). informal gathering of 10 Southeast Asian to foreign organizations. Amnesty Interna- (6) TAPOL Bulletin No. 114, Dec. 1992, p. countries on December 15. tional considers him to be a prisoner of con- 21. The meeting is considered to be part of science. (7) TAPOL Bulletin No. 129, June 1995, p. the ASEAN summit Bangkok is hosting. The arrest and trial this year of José An- 23. The Burmese delegation is scheduled to ar- tonio Belo, a student of the University of (8) Amnesty International, ASA 21/11/92, rive on December 14. Gen. Than Shwe is East Timor, drew a considerable attention. East Timor: “In Accordance with the expected to be accompanied by Foreign He was tortured by jail officials until he Law,” Statement before the UN Special Minister Ohn Gyaw, and SLORC’s First Committee on Decolonization, July 1992, vomited blood and suffered injuries on his p. 4. Secretary-General Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt. neck. He was sentenced to 18 months under (9) Amnesty International, ASA 21/01/95, “It is clear that firm action, such as with- Article 154 after being found guilty of orga- Indonesia & East Timor: Political prison- drawing the invitation to the summit, is nizing a peaceful demonstration on July 9, ers and the “Rule of Law,” January 1995. needed as an indication that ASEAN views 1995 at the University of East Timor. The See the page on “Gregorio da Cunha with disdain the increasing human rights vio- Student Union at Northern Territory Uni- Saldanha.” lations in that country,” the Malaysian versity, Darwin, Australia, adopted him and (10)Amnesty International, ASA 21/11/92, groups’ statement said. op. cit., p. 3. another imprisoned East Timorese student (11)A/49/391 16, September 1994. Question Reacting to the call, Thai Foreign Minis- as associate members in May this year. (12) of East Timor: Progress report of the Sec- try Spokesman Suvidhya Simaskul said 7. The New Criminal Code retary-General. ASEAN “does not need to speak again and (12)Pegasus conference greenleft.news, June again of its policy on Burma, and of why we It is expected that the new Criminal Code 1, 1995. are inviting Burma.” “ASEAN knows about will include articles which punish those who [This presentation was made possible by human rights and democratisation. But oppose the state ideology Pancasila and the PARC, Japan.] ASEAN does not believe in denial or use of 1945 Constitution, those who propagate Akihisa Matsuno negative measures,” he added. communism and those who have had contact Osaka University of Foreign Studies Indonesia’s Arizal Effendi, director gen- with an organization based on communism. 8-1-1 Aomadani-higashi, Minoo, eral for International Legal and Treaties Af- The use of Cold War language is what is Osaka 562 JAPAN fairs, said Burma is well aware of the need supposed to be a “new law” may seem odd, to integrate into the region because the task but we can understand the meaning when we of development requires interdependence. notice the ongoing campaign of the regime MALAYSIAN RIGHTS GROUP According to the Malaysian groups’ against what it calls “the latent danger of DEMANDS TO DROP BURMA statement, international reports on Burma communism.” Now not only extreme right INVITE from the United Nations Commission on (read “Muslims”) and extreme left (read Human Rights and Amnesty International “communists”) but also “extreme middle” or Bangkok Post, December 8, 1995 have made “special mention” of the fact that “extreme others” (read human rights and Malaysian human rights groups have human rights abuses by the SLORC have environment NGOs) are the targets of po- called on ASEAN to withdraw its invitation increased “In recent times.” “Evidence indi- litical harassment by the regime. The mili- for Burmese leader Than Shwe to attend cates that forced labour and human rights tary has just begun a new campaign against next week’s Bangkok summit. And they violations continue to be perpetrated in the what it calls “organization without a form” have demanded ASEAN ditch its “construc- context of tourism development,” the (OTB: organisasi tanpa bentuk) which they tive engagement” policy with Rangoon and groups’ statement said. allege is preparing subversion against the urged it to take “concrete steps” to encour- It is “extremely distressing” that business state. Some 15 Indonesian intellectuals and age “genuine peace talks” on East Timor people from ASEAN countries such as human rights activists are listed as members between the Indonesian government and the Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have been of this organization. Even in Indonesia, East Timorese leadership. “active partners” of the SLORC in the tour- Page 204 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. ism development. “Entrepreneurs from by Indonesia. Almost all were involved in a Muslim nation. Between 80 and 100 of the these countries have already committed some way in the popular struggle against Timorese are asylum seekers waiting for about US$ 450 million to this investment in what they see as the illegal occupation of visas before settling in a new home, most death, rape and human misery.” their homeland. Some are university stu- hoping to live in Macao but some in Austra- The groups urged Malaysian people to dents. One described himself as a member of lia. Many of the rest are mixed-blood Chi- boycott the SLORC’s Visit Myanmar Year the armed underground resistance and said nese Timorese, and most already have been 1996, and called on Malaysian businessmen he carried medicine and supplies to guerrillas integrated into Macao society. to “cease and desist” for initiating or extend- in the hills. “There is no problem. They are accepted ing any more financial dealings with Burma. They have come 2,300 miles to this tiny here,” Fernandes said. “Macao is the only The groups maintained that the human Portuguese-run outpost near Hong Kong on territory under Portuguese administration rights situation in Burma has deteriorated China’s southern rim by following a well- close to Timor.” since ASEAN adopted “constructive en- traveled “underground railroad” that runs The United Nations still recognizes Por- gagement” as a policy towards Rangoon. from East Timor to Bali or Jakarta, in Indo- tugal as the administering power of East “Any changes made have been purely cos- nesia, and across the South China Sea. They Timor, and anyone born there is considered metic to buy off international concern,” it come on fake passports, usually bribing In- a Portuguese citizen and can apply for a added. donesian officials along the way. And once Portuguese passport. But because most of SLORC troops “even now” are violating here, on what is Chinese territory but still the refugees sneak out on fake passports, Thai territorial sovereignty “In the course of administered by Portugal, they are given they must wait here while a local support harassing refugees,” particularly around the money, a place to live, a passport and a group helps them compile the needed docu- Mae Sot area, in the western province of chance to start a new life. ments – birth certificates, baptismal records, Tak, the groups said. And all of them talk about the chance to anything – to prove their identity. “Therefore, we urge the ASEAN member return home someday. Manuel Tilman, an East Timorese lawyer nations to call off their policy of construc- “I hope,” said a 32-year-old man who assisting the refugees with their resettle- tive engagement with the SLORC and to fled here in 1991, after a massacre by Indo- ment, said one or two new asylum seekers withdraw the invitation to SLORC chairman nesian army troops. Like most of the others, arrive each week. But the number varies. General Than Shwe.” he asked that his name not be used, for fear Last year, some 500 came through, he said. On East Timor, the Malaysian groups that relatives left behind might be harmed. A community center set up here can ac- called for immediate release of all East “I never dreamed I’d leave my country,” commodate 60 refugees, and as places be- Timorese and Indonesian political prisoners. he said. But if he stayed, “every day I’d be come available, the Timorese leaders in Ma- They also demanded the immediate applica- persecuted by the military. But what does cao send messages back home to move more tion of all Geneva Protocols and interna- life mean for me here? Everybody wants to through the clandestine pipeline. tional laws, and the admission into East live in his own country.” The flow also largely depends on the po- Timor of international agencies such as the In the two decades since Indonesia incor- litical situation back home. Many of those Red Cross, the Red Crescent, Amnesty In- porated East Timor as its 27th province, a here now are young people who were active ternational and the UN. largely invisible, low-level resistance has in the underground resistance in East Timor. “ASEAN wields sufficient influence in persisted there, creating for President Su- Some were involved in protests in Dili in the region to persuade Indonesia to take a harto’s government an embarrassing interna- November 1991 that resulted in scores of conciliatory approach to solve the conflict,” tional issue that will not go away. There are deaths when Indonesian troops fired on the Malaysian groups said. Other Malay- occasional flare-ups, such as last month’s hundreds of demonstrators marching to the sian groups on the list are Jawatankuasa sometimes violent sit-ins at foreign embas- grave of a slain Timorese activist. Indonesia Sokongan Peneoka Bandar, Persatuan Saha- sies in Jakarta by pro-Timorese activists has said about 50 protesters were slain, but bat Wanita, Pusat BARA, Sekretariat Pela- and last October’s week-long rioting in Dili, resistance sources and human rights advo- jar, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, Selangor the East Timorese capital. cates say 200 were killed. Chinese Assembly Hall Youth, Suara Warga The efforts of armed guerrillas are seen in The young man named Levi, who was 18 Pertiwi, SUARAM, Tamil Support Group Jakarta as more an annoyance than a direct at the time, told of joining the funeral march for Human Rights, and Tenaganita (Women- threat. But with each army crackdown, the and being just outside the cemetery when force). (BP) government is subjected to fresh charges the shooting began. He said a soldier used from foreign countries and interest groups two knives to slash him on his side. While EAST TIMOR REFUGEES that it is violating human rights. telling his story, Levi stood, unzipped his BIDING TIME IN MACAO The East Timorese refugees who make it blue-and-white parka and lifted his shirt to out to the safety of Macao come with dra- reveal a scar that he said came from that at- matic tales of repression and resistance. tack. Levi said he staggered into the ceme- ‘New Generation’ Hopes to Reach Ac- Their presence here is in many ways a tes- tery and thought he too would die. “I was commodation With Indonesia’s Rulers tament to the fact that after 20 years, Indo- still conscious,” he said. “I could see how Washington Post, 1/22/96, By Keith B. nesia still has not succeeded in fully con- many people died there. Those that were Richburg solidating its hold over the East Timorese still alive, they just finished them off. They MACAO – One came to escape a second and dampening their demands for self- checked to see who was still alive.” prison term. Another came because his name determination. Levi survived and was taken to a military was on a list of dissidents. And Levi, with There are about 200 Timorese now in hospital where, he said, he was cleaned with the blue-and-white parka and the scar on his Macao, according to the Rev. Francisco a water hose and kept in detention for three side, almost died in the graveyard where he Maria Fernandes, a Catholic priest who left weeks, before being released Dec. 3, after collapsed amid the dead. East Timor shortly after Indonesia’s 1975 the intervention of the Catholic bishop of They are refugees from East Timor, a invasion. Six years ago he came to Macao, Dili. former Portuguese colony in Southeast Asia where he assists new refugees from the John, who also asked that his last name that was invaded and annexed 20 years ago largely Catholic province that is now part of not be used, said he was more active in the East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 205 resistance and was in prison from 1984 until March 1-2 summit could provoke an Indo- tionships” between “fellow victims of Indo- 1988 for underground activities. “After I left nesian protest and withdrawal of participa- nesian military oppression.” prison, I continued to be involved in the un- tion by President Suharto. derground,” he said. Foreign ministry officials were not im- HORTA REFUSED THAI VISA? Last November, John said, he received a mediately available for comment. Voice of America, 1/23/96, By Dan Robin- message from the guerrillas in the hills say- Thai human rights groups had sought for- son, Bangkok ing they needed medical supplies and some eign ministry approval to let Ramos-Horta Intro: A human-rights group in Thailand equipment. He bought what they requested lecture at a month-long diplomacy training says the government has refused a visa re- in Dili, but was warned that Indonesian in- programme of Thammasat University here. quest from a East Timor independence ac- telligence officials were monitoring his ac- “Our appeal to the foreign ministry was tivist scheduled to attend a meeting in Bang- tivities. So he decided to flee the country. for Ramos-Horta to enter the country solely kok next month. VOA’s Dan Robinson re- John said his prison record and resistance as an academic without engaging in any po- ports Thai officials say a final decision on ties made it difficult for him to get a pass- litical activities, and we gave a guarantee to the request has not yet been made. Still, the port, but he found help in Jakarta. “The im- the government that he wouldn’t meet any human-rights group says the government is portant thing is money,” he said, patting the journalists or hold any press conferences on trying to avoid upsetting Indonesia: pocket of his jeans. East Timor,” Chalida said. Text: José Ramos-Horta – an Australian- Other refugees interviewed here gave She said: “Unfortunately, the government based spokesman for East Timorese inde- similar accounts. “Because my name already doesn’t trust assurances given by people’s pendence groups – has been in Thailand be- appeared on a list, the only way to get a groups and human rights organisations. fore. In 1994, he participated in an informal passport was to bribe an official,” said a Once again, the country is bowing to the human-rights seminar coinciding with meet- young man who arrived here last September interests of Indonesia and this is dreadful.” ings of the association of southeast Asian after spending seven months evading arrest nations (ASEAN). in Bali. RAMOS HORTA ASKS LIS BON TO However, the Thai government faced “We never give up. We never accept be- PROTEST pressure from Indonesia to cancel his visa – ing a part of Indonesia,” said Jaime Xime- Publico, 23 January 1996. Translated from eventually expelling Mr. Ramos-Horta and nes, a soft-spoken East Timorese who left Portuguese other Timorese independence activists. Be- his homeland at age 14, just after the Indo- Timorese Resistance leader banned from fore his departure, Mr. Ramos-Horta met nesian invasion. He is a member of Fretilin, Bangkok meeting Bangkok-based correspondents and spoke East Timor’s underground resistance move- José Ramos Horta, the Timorese Resis- about problems he sees in East Timor. ment. Fretilin’s leader, José Gusmão, known tance leader who is being prevented from Mr. Ramos-Horta planned to attend a as Xanana, is in an Indonesian prison, but entering Bangkok, announced yesterday that February training program sponsored by a his statements occasionally are smuggled out he will be asking Portugal to lodge a com- Thai university (Thammasat) and Forum- on cassettes. plaint with Thailand’s authorities. Asia – a Bangkok-based human-rights These days, however, from his new home Horta is certain that pressure has been group. However, his visa request was re- here in Macao, Ximenes sounds like any- brought to bear on the Government of Thai- jected by the Thai embassy in Australia. thing but a dangerous revolutionary. He said land by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Forum-Asia spokeswoman Chalida Ta- he is part of a “new generation” of East which is said to be concerned that very jaroensuk says appeals were sent to Thai- Timorese, a younger, better-educated gen- shortly (1 and 2 March) the ASEAN-EU land’s foreign ministry, with assurances Mr. eration that shuns talk of open conflict with summit will be held in Bangkok. Ramos-Horta would not make political the army and wants, instead, to take a con- Meanwhile, In Darwin, Australia, the statements about East Timor. ciliatory approach – even if that means de- CNRM (Maubere Resistance National However, the spokeswoman quotes Thai ferring the dream of full-scale independence. Council), led by Ramos Horta, has made officials as saying the Timorese activist is “What we want is for Indonesia to accept known its fear that there will be a “blood not wanted because of concern any state- East Timor as a different entity,” Ximenes bath” in the Indonesian province of Irian ments he might make would anger Indonesia. said. “We want change. But we can’t have Jaya, where separatist forces of the OPM Indonesian president Suharto will be independence now. We want recognition (Free Papua Movement) have been holding among ASEAN leaders attending a first-ever that we are different from Indonesia. . . . A thirteen hostages since 8 January. Jacobus Asia-Europe summit in Bangkok in March. solution for East Timor can be a compro- Wandiba, one of the Indonesian hostages ASEAN foreign ministers meet next month mise.” held by the OPM, was released yesterday. to prepare for that summit. A further 7 Indonesians are being held, to- Southeast Asian nations have a general THAILAND TO BAR gether with four Britons and two Dutch. policy of trying to prevent statements being RAMOS-HORTA Nonetheless, before carrying out their threat made on their soil that might embarrass of launching large-scale military operation, other members. Bangkok, Jan 21 (Reuter) – Thailand has Jakarta’s generals have given the OPM A Thai foreign ministry official contacted rejected an appeal by Thai human rights and separatists an ultimatum. by VOA denied Mr. Ramos-Horta’s visa pro-democracy groups to allow East Timor The CNRM’s concern about the situa- request has been formally rejected. The offi- resistance leader José Ramos-Horta to enter tion led Ramos Horta to express his willing- cial says appeals are still being considered the country during the Asian-European ness to help find a peaceful settlement to by the Thai National Security Council and Summit in March, the Nation newspaper the conflict. In a communiqué issued yester- Foreign Ministry. said on Sunday. day, the CNRM clarified that it had no in- “The Nation” newspaper of Bangkok re- The paper quoted Forum Asia spokes- stitutional links with the Free Papua ports (Tuesday) European and Asian offi- woman Chalida Tajaroensuk as saying Thai- Movement, but emphasised that there was cials will be discussing how the issue of hu- land’s decision stemmed from concern that mutual “respect” and some “personal rela- man rights will be dealt with during the Ramos-Horta’s presence here during the march Asia-Europe summit. The newspaper Page 206 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. quotes a Thai official as saying the Euro- APEC OBSERVER STATUS On Nov. 12 the four Timorese began a pean union is insisting human rights be on speaking tour that will take them to over the agenda. FOR EAST TIMOR! seventy towns and cities in Japan. Report from Jean Inglis, Free East Timor INDONESIA BLASTS APEC MEETS IN OSAKA - Japan Coalition, Nov. 12, 1995. Nov 11 four East Timorese lead a dem- PORTUGAL EVENTS IN JAPAN onstration by Japanese citizens, including a OSAKA, Japan (AP), Nov. 17 – Indone- Diet member, down a central thoroughfare sia’s foreign minister accused Portugal Fri- of Osaka, to demand observer status for day of encouraging East Timorese students EAST TIMORESE TO OSAKA East Timor in the upcoming APEC confer- to seek asylum at foreign embassies in Ja- NGO MEETINGS ence in the same city. Many of the demon- karta. strators wore black mourning clothes in Ali Alatas, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 8. Translated and commemoration of the Santa Cruz massacre Cooperation summit, also said Portugal was summarized from Japanese. on Nov 12 four years ago when around 270 stalling U.N.-mediated talks with Indonesia The Asahi Shimbun of Nov. 8 carried a youths killed by Indonesian troops. and East Timorese political factions. spread on the International NGO forums With security tight in the city, dozens of Five East Timorese climbed into the scheduled in parallel with the APEC gov- police and riot police were on hand for the French Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, ernment-level meetings this month in Osaka. peaceful demonstration over a route that the fourth such incident in two months. Of- The forums, in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, included the Indonesian consulate and the ficials said they will be taken to Portugal, will raise the issues of “Development,” busiest shopping and entertainment district East Timor’s former colonial ruler. A day “Human Rights,” and “Environment.” of Japan’s second largest city. earlier, 21 East Timorese who sought asy- In the article, profiles of 60 NGO activ- José Gusmão, Timorese refugee resident lum in the Japanese Embassy also were sent ists from 15 APEC countries and “Others” in Darwin Australia, the Asia-Pacific repre- to Portugal. are given. Under “Others": sentative of CNRM, the umbrella organiza- Noting that the embassy entries are “be- “José Ramos Horta (male) and Maria tion of the resistance movement, was coming a pattern,” Alatas said: “You can go Bernardino (female), both of whom hail dressed in traditional Timorese garb and in away, then. I mean, good riddance. If people from East Timor, which is seeking inde- the course of the demo performed a tradi- want to leave Indonesia, they are free to pendence from Indonesia, will attend. Mr. tional Timorese dance to the accompaniment leave Indonesia. Horta is a spokesperson who has presented of a Timorese drum played by Maria Ber- “We are not deriving any pleasure from (the East Timor cause) at the United Na- nardino, a resident of Darwin and a counsel- this, but it is getting a little bit boring.” tions and the European Parliament. Ms Ber- lor for torture victims. Ghaffar Fadyl, the Indonesian Foreign nardino is active as a counselor for refugees José Ramos Horta told reporters at a Ministry spokesman, said the five in the who have been tortured. “ press conference proceeding the demo that French Embassy did not seek political asy- (“Others” also lists representatives from “We have every right to participate in lum but asked to be sent to Portugal. Amnesty International and World Wildlife APEC. Even Taiwan and Hong, which are “Therefore it is clear they have an eco- Fund.) not independent states, are participating in nomic motivation,” he said. spite of the problems raised by China.” East Timor erupted in civil war in 1975 PRESIDENT SUHARTO TO OSAKA Domingos Sarmento Alves, who lead 29 after Portugal withdrew. Then Indonesia APEC Timorese in a 12-day occupation of the US invaded, annexing it in 1976. The United Embassy in Jakarta at the time of last year’s The Asahi Shimbun of Nov. 7 carried a Nations has not recognized the annexation. APEC, told the press conference that spread on the financial page on the upcom- Rights groups accuse the Indonesian mili- “Ninety-nine percent of my generation, who ing APEC meetings that included profiles of tary of beating, imprisoning, torturing and have been educated under Indonesian rule, the concerns surrounding the APEC leaders executing opponents of Indonesian rule in want independence.” planning to attend. On Indonesia’s Suharto: the province, 750 miles southeast of Jakarta. Diet Member OKAZAKI Tomiko, secre- “Indonesia celebrated the 50th anniver- Indonesia says the problems are exaggerated. tary-general of the supra partisan Diet Fo- sary of its independence this August. It has Earlier Friday in Osaka, the mayor of rum on East Timor, told the press confer- the largest Islamic community in the world East Timor’s capital, Dili, said a referendum ence that although a Diet member had for- and considers itself the leader of ASEAN on the province’s future would set off a new mally presented the request for observer and the non-aligned block. President Su- civil war. status of CNRM to the preparatory com- harto, now in his sixth term, has held power Domingo Soares said he doubts a swift mittee for APEC, the committee ignored it. since 1968. With a buoyant economy, the political settlement will come of U.N.- Upon inquiring she was told that East country is confident, but it has the problem mediated talks between Indonesia, Timorese Timor participation would be “difficult.” of who will succeed Suharto and the “post- political factions and Portugal. Last week a Diet Forum delegation met with Suharto” political picture is far from clear.” Soares, in Osaka as an observer in the In- PM Murayama, she said, to request him to Though not related to APEC, the Nov. 8 edi- donesian delegation to APEC, said the raise the issue of East Timor with President tion featured an interesting article on the op- Timorese have been sapped by “mental and Suharto in their meeting in Osaka. The ed page with photo posted by the paper’s physical poverty” for the last 20 years. Prime Minister was non-committal, she told Jakarta correspondent regarding Megawati “They will never want to have another the reporters. Sukarno’s challenge of Information Minister referendum again,” Soares said. “We don’t A photo of the demonstration appeared Harmoko’s monopolizing of TV for his own want to have a new civil war.” and Golkar’s campaign) with an article in the national daily, Asahi Shimbun, on Nov. 12. And footage of the demo appeared on a local TV news broad- cast. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 207

ALATAS: FENCE-CLIMBING women – stood on a bridge near the interna- tance, an East Timorese umbrella resistance tional press center protesting Indonesian group. NO LONGER A PROBLEM policy in East Timor. Horta said agents also followed another Indonesian government news service Gregory Anderson is an American who member of NCRM (sic) Lurdus Bernandino, (KANTOR BERITA ANTARA), Nov. 17. has lived in Japan for two-years and a pro- at Kansai International Airport on Thurs- fessor at Kansai-Gaidai University. He says day. They boarded the same flight to Sendai Foreign Minister Ali Alatas pointed out Japanese authorities refused to issue per- and then trailed her to a hotel, according to that the cases of East Timorese climbing the mits for demonstrations seeking to draw Horta. fences of foreign diplomatic missions in Ja- attention to human rights issues: W.A. Sudarto, the Indonesian govern- karta seeking political asylum no longer con- “We tried to get permits for ment’s press spokesman in Osaka, was not stituted a serious problem because the pat- months ahead of time and permits available for comment Friday evening. tern has always been the same. were not allowed. Even now they are Horta is in Japan to request that East “We no longer see it as a serious case be- telling us we have to take our shirts Timor be granted observer status at the cause the pattern is already clear. It happens off. We cannot have any kind of ban- APEC forum. However, Japanese Foreign each time there is a conference or on a date ners, we cannot raise our voices at all. Ministry officials have refused to distribute they think should be used to gain publicity,” They claim it is because of security, the request among officials of APEC na- Alatas told the press in Osaka Wednesday but other protesters – such as those tions, Horta said. (Nov.15). calling for Americans to get out of Ja- He said that while China has accepted the Alatas further said that they also get a pan – have not had any trouble hold- membership of Hong Kong and Taiwan in free ride. It is therefore difficult to imagine ing protests.” the APEC forum, East Timor, which is rec- people refusing such treatment, he added. There was at least one other small-scale ognized as a non-self-governing territory by He also pointed out that the East demonstration during the APEC meetings in the United Nations and the International Timorese had no reasons whatsoever for Osaka. During ministerial talks, a group pro- Court of Justice, was refused access. seeking political asylum, because the fact tested what it called Chinese threats against “Also, two members of APEC, Indonesia showed that they were no political fugitives Taiwan. and Australia, are illegally exploiting our oil and were not being persecuted. When Indonesia hosted APEC’s ministe- (reserves),” Horta said. “We are talking In response to a question put forward to rial and summit meetings last year, East about trade liberalization and cooperation in him by “Antara” on foreign media which Timorese students scaled the fence of the the APEC region and yet we have two vul- have always used the term annexation when US embassy in Jakarta to draw attention to tures living off our wealth.” referring to East Timor, Alatas said Indone- the situation in East Timor. Horta described Tokyo’s dismissal of his sia has a ‘thousand’ times explained the During the Osaka meetings, two groups group’s request as “typical of Japanese matter, but they kept using the term in their of East Timorese entered the Japanese and cowardice.” anti-Indonesia campaign. French embassies in Jakarta, eventually “It was really sabotage by the Japanese gaining asylum in Portugal. of vital information that APEC members are VOA: APEC PROTESTS Before the APEC summit, a collection of entitled to, he said. 30 human rights, trade union, and non- Horta also said that Japan’s reaction after Voice of America, 11/19/95. By Dan Robin- government organizations said APEC mem- East Timorese students seeking asylum son, Osaka bers were ignoring human and labor rights in broke into its embassy in Jakarta was cow- During the Asia-Pacific-leaders meetings the process of seeking economic growth. ardly and hypocritical. in Osaka, some non-government groups and “They put pressure on the students to go activists attempted to draw attention to TIMORESE ACCUSES to Portugal... to spare Japan and Indonesia human rights issues in APEC member coun- JAKARTA OF HARASSMENT embarrassment.” he said. tries. VOA’s Dan Robinson reports: Security during the APEC summit was as Japan Times, Nov. 18, 1995. by Cameron SALVADOR XIMENES JOINS tight as it could be. Twenty-five thousand Hay INTEL TEAM ON APEC police were deployed to ensure nobody Osaka – East Timorese activist José marred the atmosphere surrounding meet- by Akihisa Matsuno, FETJC, Nov. 21. ings of ministers or leaders of the 18 APEC Ramos Horta accused the Indonesian gov- members. ernment of harassing him and another mem- Salvador Ximenes Soares, the editor-in- Major roads near the summit site at the ber of the East Timorese resistance move- chief (?) of Suara Timor Timur and a Golkar Osaka castle were barred to most traffic. ment during their stay here this week. parliamentarian from East Timor, joined the Police helicopters flew overhead. Major ho- Horta, in Japan to press for East Timor Indonesian intelligence team on APEC tels where dignitaries stayed were often to be granted observer status at the Asia- Osaka to monitor the activities of the soli- sealed off at a moment’s notice. Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, al- darity movement and East Timorese who Journalists covering events from the in- leged that some 12 Indonesian security were in Japan at the time of APEC as ternational press center were told to keep agents posing as students tried to disrupt a speakers of 10th Speaking Tour. public lecture he gave here Wednesday. He first appeared at the venue of the In- identification passes in clear view. Anyone walking on a sidewalk as a motorcade “Half of the room was full of Indonesian ternational NGO Forum on APEC which passed was stopped. thugs. They engaged in a vicious personal was held on November 13 and 14 in Kyoto. All of this did not stop a few activists attack on me, constantly shouting and call- He tried to enter the building which was ex- from staging protests in an attempt to draw ing me names, and taking pictures con- clusively used by the NGO Forum but was attention to human rights and political is- stantly. That’s their favorite intimidation refused by the organising secretariat. Only sues in some APEC member countries. tactic,” said Horta, special representative of registered participants were allowed to enter As APEC leaders met early Sunday, four the National Council of Maubere Resis- the building to protect vulnerable partici- people – an American and three Japanese pants from abroad. Salvador Ximenes, when Page 208 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. he was asked why he came there, answered say what used to be still vague for them be- that he happened to be there for sightseeing. came clear after this kind of exciting experi- EVENTS IN EUROPE This is impossible! The Seminar House ence. which was the venue of the NGO Forum was in the suburbs of Kyoto where very MAIREAD MAGUIRE MEETS ARMS TRADE NEWS: few tourist were likely to come. The build- WITH JAPANESE PM FRANCE AND GERMANY ing stands on a low hill surrounded by fields and ordinary houses, and it is hardly likely ON EAST TIMOR AND From: [email protected] (Martin that someone happened to be there for NORTHERN IRELAND Broek), Stop Arming Indonesia Campaign sightseeing!!! East German troop transports There were some three or four Indonesian Wednesday 6 December 1995 “In November last year, it was an- agents who approached the Seminar House. Northern Ireland peace leader Mairead nounced that the army was to purchase a They were all not allowed to enter the build- Maguire of the Peace People has met in To- number of former East German troop trans- ing. kyo with Japanese prime minister, Tomiici ports and other vehicles (numbers and de- He then appeared again at the public Murayama. tails undisclosed).” (Asian Defence Journal meeting for José Ramos-Horta on November Topping the agenda of course was the (ADJ) 10/95, page 4-10 15 in Osaka. There were 15 to 20 Indone- peace process in Northern Ireland, but Mrs ‘Interview with Gen. Feisal Tanjung sian agents in the meeting room including Maguire also took time to bring the issue of Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces,’ two East Timorese, Salvador Ximenes and East Timor to the Japanese premier’s atten- “The formation of BLT [Battalion Landing perhaps Domingos Soares, Bupati of Dili. tion. Mrs Maguire told the prime minister Team] strength is meant to overcome dis- After the speech of Ramos-Horta, one In- of her concerns about the pressing situation turbances from within. The recent purchase donesian who called himself “Tommy” in East Timor and asked that the Govern- of ex-East German LST’s [Landing Ship started talking. After some time he was ment of Japan give its encouragement and Tank] is to replace the aging LSTs whose stopped by the organizer because he did not support so that a peace process there could conditions can no longer serve the opera- make any question but continued to dis- get seriously under way. Japan is Indone- tional needs. Besides, the two BLTs still credit Ramos-Horta. When he was asked to sia’s major trading partner and by far the need some additional LSTs.” ADJ 10/95 stop talking, he did not want to stop and largest overseas development aid donor page 12-16. said that he must have the right to speak in country. this “democratic country.” After “Tommy,” The Northern Irish Nobel Laureate re- Pameran ABRI another Indonesian who called himself called that once seemingly intransigent con- In the Asian Defence Journal (11/95) is a “Bambang” started talking again, this time flicts in such areas as the Middle East and report of Pameran ABRI. The event was an about Wendy. He did not stop when the Bosnia, as well as Northern Ireland, have opportunity for weapons producers “to organizer asked him not to continue if he seen breakthroughs, and the time has come display their systems and for ABRI to plan was not making a question. for the world to support a peaceful resolu- the procurement programmes which will There was an Indonesian agent who was tion of the East Timor issue too. Working to take them into the next century.” taking pictures of the participants of the achieve a solution to the East Timor issue, Beside news about the Alvis armoured meeting. An angry participant caught him she stressed, should be a top priority of vehicles, the presentation of anti-air missile and forced him to pull out the film when he governments and leaders around the world. systems by MATRA and other arms of was trying to escape. Tomorrow (December 7) marks the Leica AG, GKN, ADI and Alcatel SEL AG After the meeting Salvador Ximenes said twentieth anniversary of the Indonesian in- there was also news about: to me, “There must be a balance of informa- vasion of the former Portuguese colony. GIAT from France tion. The Canberra type of conference was Amnesty International and other independ- “Indonesia is ready to buy a new class of good. “ ent human rights organisations believe that armoured personnel carriers. GIAT Indus- Then I said, “You demand that you be possibly as many as one-third of the popu- tries is offering the VAB NG to fill the bil- given a chance to provide Indonesian propa- lation have perished as a result of the Indo- let. (...) Of particular interest to Indonesia is ganda in this kind of meeting. If you do so, nesian occupation. the internal security vehicle with a crowd why don’t you allow East Timorese to With Prime Minister Murayama, Mrs control blade fitted forward and additional freely speak what they think in East Timor Maguire also discussed the links that Japan cupola mounting a camera and searchlight.” and Indonesia? This is no balanced, is it?” has with Northern Ireland and said that the When I said that we could perhaps invite Northern Irish people would look forward Heckler & Koch from Germany him to Japan to speak, he looked smiling. to increasing those bonds of friendship “Indonesia is Heckler & Koch country. But when I added that I also want to speak through tourism, trade, and other exchanges. The MP 5 submachine-gun is already in use in Jakarta about my opinion, his face sud- The Japanese premier pledged his support by Indonesian special units. This 9mm denly darkened. I said, this is a fair ex- for the search for peace in Northern Ireland. weapon can be configured (...). Now a new change, isn’t it. He couldn’t answer. Mrs Maguire is in Japan for five days to member is ready to join the family. The More than 200 Indonesians were mobi- attend the “Future of Hope conference” or- company says the Indonesian marines are lized for the APEC in Osaka. Maria Bernar- ganised by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for about to take delivery of the MSG 90 mili- dino was followed by an Indonesian intel Humanity and the Asahi Shimbun, a major tary sniper rifle. This weapon (...) give[s] from the airport in Osaka to Sendai, even to Japan newspaper. She addressed the confer- accurate fire at long range against both per- her hotel. ence yesterday evening (Tues.). Other sonnel and sensitive targets such as genera- But his kind of harassment is destined to speakers at the conference include Vaclav tors, radar directing centers or electronic in- benefit us after all. People who saw har- Havel, President of the Czech Republic, and stallations.” rassments and heard Indonesian propaganda South Korean Prime Minister Hong-Koo directly without exception become more Lee. sympathetic to East Timorese. They often East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 209

Weisel airborne armored vehicles Tibet, Kurdistan, West Sahara, East-Timor abuses, that I became sensitised to the issue. In June 1995 the Weser Kurier (20-06- and others. That was in the black days of October 1965 95) published an article about the stop of an For more information, you can contact: when the military took power in Indonesia, Wiesel airborne armoured vehicles deal with [email protected] plunging the country into a period of great Indonesia: ‘Minister of Foreign Affairs Square de Meeus, 21-A adversity, of mass killings, large-scale ar- Kinkel blocked 100 million Dm deal with B-1040 Bruxelles (Belgium) rests and the violation of the civil rights of Indonesia; MAK [the producer of the vehi- Tel/fax: (32-2) 514.31.39 millions of citizens. cle in question] jobs in danger.’ On the 13th For the first three years, I had no job, of November the secretary of state for CARMEL BUDIARDJO’S having been dishonorably dismissed, and my Economy (?, parlamenrtarische Saatssekret r RIGHT LIVELIHOOD AWARD husband was in prison. In September 1968, Beim Bundesminister f Wirtschaft), Dr. I landed up in prison myself, spending three Heinrich L. Kolb answered questions about SPEECH years behind bars. I was never charged or tried, never even allowed access to a lawyer. the Wiesel airborne armoured vehicle to In- Below is the text of Carmel Budiardjo’s Ac- My eventual release and expulsion from In- donesia. I do not have the questions only ceptance Speech at the Right Livelihood donesia placed me in the fortunate position the answers. Award Ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden on of being able, back in Britain, the country of He said in response on question 4: “The 8 December, 1995. Wiesel are developed for airborne opera- my birth, to do something about my hus- tions. They will be used as model to exam- The ceremony took place in the Swedish band and the many women and men whom I ine by the army in Bandung military base.” Parliament. It was opened by the Speaker of had left behind. In those days, even though On question 5: “There has been no decision Parliament. The speech on behalf of the political imprisonment on a massive scale made to have an arms embargo against Indo- Right Livelihood Foundation was delivered had continued for more than six years, there nesia.” The conclusion must be the deal is by its founder and chair, Jacob von Uezkull, was no such thing as a human rights move- going on and also that those vehicles are who also presented the awards. Each of the ment inside Indonesia, with the exception of meant to use in airborne operations, as long recipients then delivered speeches followed one or two brave individuals, courageous as the defence policy of Indonesia is fore- by music performed by members of the enough to raise the issue; released prisoners most to suppress the internal opposition Dominique Music Group. The Ceremony would never dare to make their voices heard. they can be used for this purpose. was profoundly moving and full of warmth. What shocked me in London was that so Ambassadors from the countries of three of little was known about the political prisoner DEC. 7 INITIATIVES the recipients were present. The Indonesian situation in Indonesia even though Amnesty ambassador, who had been invited, was not International regarded the country as one of IN BRUSSELS present. the worst offenders in the world. This led Jacob van Uezkull’s powerful speech re- Report from SOS Timor, 3 December. us, a small group of relatives and friends, to ferred scathingly in several paragraphs to set up TAPOL, which we called the British SOS TIMOR, an information group the ‘Abachas and Suhartos’ of this world. Campaign for the Release of Indonesian Po- formed by people of various nationalities of His linking the Nigerian and Indonesian dic- litical Prisoners. Our sub-title has changed the European Union staff in Brussels, tatorships was one of key themes of his over the years as the scope of our work has launched 2 initiatives to commemorate the speech. expanded and been transformed but we have International Day of Solidarity with the ––––––––- stuck with the name TAPOL, a new word Timorese people, 7 December. coined soon after the military takeover. It They are asking their colleagues of the Respected speaker of Parliament, members means ‘political prisoner,’ a contraction of EU staff to wear that day a sticker provided of the Swedish Government, ‘tahanan politik.’ by the group affirming their solidarity with Respected Chair of the Right Livelihood Perhaps it was just a coincidence that not the East-Timor struggle. The group send as Award Foundation. long after TAPOL was born, the Indonesian well to all the members of the staff of the I am deeply honoured to have been cho- Government declared that the word ‘tapol’ Council of Ministers (around two thousand sen as one of the laureates for this year’s was banned because, they said, there were people) one paper on the situation in East Right Livelihood Award and would like to no political prisoners in Indonesia, only Timor. convey my profound gratitude to the Right criminals. The military regime has done a The same day, at the European Parlia- Livelihood Foundation for the honour you great deal to re-mould the Indonesian lan- ment, SOS TIMOR, with the support of have bestowed on me. May I say in particu- guage in its own image but this is one decree several Belgian NGOs, will organize a meet- lar that I feel profoundly honoured to be that never took root. The word ‘tapol’ has ing for the European and Belgian MPs, hu- following in the footsteps of one of your never disappeared from the vocabulary. man rights organizations and other political last year’s laureates, the great Nigerian hu- New generations of political prisoners have activists. The meeting includes two parts: man rights activist and playwright, Ken emerged as the repressive apparatus has the first (TIMOR-THE INDO(AM)NESIA Saro-Wiwa, whose tragic and inexcusable turned its fire on yet more ‘troublesome’ OF EUROPE) about the situation in East- death we all mourned last month. sections of the population. In the late 1960s Timor, will be introduced by Mr. Ken I share this honour with everyone I have it was Communists, then students, then Coates (British MP at the European Parlia- worked with in TAPOL over the years and Muslims, then labour activists, then people ment) and discussed by Mr. Reza Muharran with many organisations in Britain and defending their land rights and then people (Indonesian opponent to Suharto’s regime) around the world who are part of the inter- fighting for their right to self-determination, and Ms. Isering Youdon Jampa (General national solidarity movement for Indonesia a never-ending stream of tapols. But that Secretary Deputy of UNPO-Unrepresented and East Timor, together with TAPOL. was not all. Nations and Peoples Organization). The I have to admit, dear friends, that it was In 1974, we became acutely aware of second part is a debate on International Law not until people close to me, my husband, atrocities in West Papua which had been and the Rights of Peoples, with the partici- close friends, comrades and colleagues and annexed by Indonesia in 1964. Later that pation of representatives of the peoples of finally I myself, fell victim to human rights year, it became clear that East Timor was on Page 210 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. the brink of a terrible disaster because of the masters at keeping the outside world in- growing tide of opposition which it faces, in threat of an Indonesian invasion. Knowing formed. But we have sometimes gone for Indonesia, in West Papua and in Aceh. what we did about the brutalities of which years without getting any reliable informa- Let me say in conclusion that your deci- the Indonesian army was - and still is - ca- tion about what is going on in West Papua. sion to honour me in this way fills me with pable, we wrote in dark terms in our Bulle- In the past few months, however, things a great sense of responsibility to continue to tin, drawing attention to the massacres of have changed and we have been able to re- do the work I have been doing for as long as 1965 and 1966 in Indonesia. The unimagin- port ext ensively on the many abuses there I possibly can. able happened when the Indonesian army since June 1994. Thank you struck. The full horror of what happened in Our information about Indonesia itself re- Dili on 7 December 1975 - an anniversary lies heavily on the contacts we have made CORTO MALTESE which we commemorated yesterday - did during the past few years with the many AND EAST TIMOR not come to light for several years. Much of human rights and pro-democracy groups the detail was explained to us when we in- that have mushroomed in Indonesia in the From Bruno Kahn, Jan 2. terviewed the retired head of the Catholic 1990s. Church in East Timor, Msg. Martinho da We try where we think it will be effective Hugo Pratt, the famous author of comics Costa Lopes, when he visited London in to campaign on specific issues by launching hero traveller Corto Maltese, died suddenly 1984. Urgent Actions and have developed a wide last August. He left a notebook for futures In Indonesia itself, there was a wave of network of supporting NGOs in the UK, adventures, which has just been published in repression against the student movement involved in peace, development, the arms Paris. The last (unfinished) synopsis deals throughout the 1970s. In September 1984, trade, indigenous peoples and the press. Our with East Timor. It is too bad that he did the worst atrocity in the country since the contact with parliamentarians is also very not live to complete it. 1965/1966 killings occurred in Tanjung regular, with a number of MPs responding Hugo Pratt: “J’avais un rendez-vous,” Priok, Jakarta when hundreds of Muslims to our requests for help in questioning Brit- editions Vertige Graphic, Paris, 1995. were shot dead after soldiers had defiled ish government policy. One major focus is their mosque. The true dimensions of that opposition to the sale of British-made “PRONK [DUTCH MINISTER atrocity have to this day not been investi- weapons of destruction to Indonesia. OF DEVELOPMENT] AGAINST gated. This was followed by scores of trials TAPOL is not a membership organisa- ARMS DEAL which we recorded and analysed in a book, tion but we have a very large circle of read- Muslims on Trial. That was our third publi- ers throughout the world. Our flagship is From [email protected] (Martin cation; the others were about East Timor TAPOL Bulletin which has appeared regu- Broek) Jan. 8 and West Papua. Perhaps this can give you larly every two months for the past twenty- Minister Pronk for Development thinks some idea of the range of human rights prob- three years. As one Indonesian colleague Holandse Signaal Apparaten must not get a lems we have had to handle. wrote recently, it has become part of what license to export arms for the Indonesian Later in the 1980s came the Indonesian we call the alternative press at home in In- Navy. He stated before Dutch Radio army’s war against liberation forces in Aceh, donesia and abroad, keeping alive the torch (VPRO) on 05-01-95 such a deal in respect North Sumatra. TAPOL has certainly taken of free expression, extinguished for so long to the human rights situation in East Timor a leading role in exposing the atrocities that in New Order Indonesia. “should not take place.” have been perpetrated in that part of the As many of you here have probably ex- The deal is on about radar systems for country. perienced, the information super-highway patrol vessels with a value of DFl 75 mil- We in TAPOL concentrate in particular has greatly enhanced our access to informa- lion. Pronk stated that the situation in East on analysing Indonesian government policy tion. Strangely enough this is an area where Timor, which was annexed in 1974 is “in- and the shifts in emphasis within the regime. NGOs have outstripped governments. human.” Hij has the opinion that the Neth- This is where our regular monitoring of the We’ve been on the network for more than erlands must avoid the appearance it is sup- Indonesian press is of great importance, ab- five years, supplying information to groups porting the Indonesian armed forces which sorbing much of our time every day. We try throughout the world about West Papua and occupy the former Portuguese colony.” to keep the solidarity movement supplied East Timor but the Indonesian armed forces NRC-Handelsblad (major Dutch daily 06- with the kind of analysis that helps groups only woke up to the effectiveness of this 01-95) to understand the political background to kind of networking a few months ago. Now, AMOK-Maritiem: Pesthuislaan 39, 1054 whatever the current wave of repression they too will join in, as they put it, to refute RH Amsterdam, the Netherlands, tel/fax: + happens to be. We also regularly attend and all the ‘malicious mis-information’ about 31 20 6164684 make submissions to the UN human rights Indonesia that disseminates worldwide, un- bodies and do what we can to brief journal- fettered by Indonesian censorship controls. FROM FRANK WILLEMS, JANUARY ists and others planning to visit Indonesia Recently we have been accused by the 8. and East Timor, and de-brief them when regime of manipulating a worldwide cam- they return. paign of vilification against Indonesia and Dutch minister for development-aid Jan How do we, in far-away London, keep in ‘engineering’ the activities of activist NGOs Pronk said Dutch government should not touch with all these developments? This is a inside the country. It is claimed that we, agree to the sale of radar-systems worth major aspect of our work. In some cases, the TAPOL, from our tiny office in London 75.000.000 guilders by Hollandse Signaal flow of information runs smoothly; in oth- with a staff of three, are the brains behind a Apparaten (HSA) for Indonesian patrol- ers information-gathering, which is at the ‘communist plot’ to discredit Indonesia. We vessels. According to Pronk the situation of heart of what we do, it can be extremely dif- are flattered by all the attention and even human rights in East Timor is very bad. ficult. The East Timorese have proven grateful for the publicity that this has given There are some restrictions for the export themselves, throughout the twenty years of us in the Indonesian press, but such fanta- of strategic matter in Dutch law: the receiv- their country’s occupation and isolation sies will not help the regime to confront the ing nation should not be engaged in a war from the rest of the world, to be past- and the stuff should not be used for the vio- East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 211 lation of human rights. If the receiving na- sions of the last European summit in Ma- GAC (OF EUROPEAN UNION) TO tion gets development-aid from Holland, the drid, and the EU’s Council of Ministers PREPARE FOR minister of development-aid should be con- may well be shortly adopting a further ex- BANGKOK SUMMIT sulted about the export. pression of solidarity, which would serve to When Pronk criticised Jakarta about the encourage Portugal to maintain its stance. [abridged]. By Jeremy Lovell Dili-massacre, Jakarta refused all develop- However, according to Manuel Marin, there BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (Reuter) - The Gen- ment-aid in 1992. So, for the export of stra- is a growing desire in Europe to deepen rela- eral Affairs Council began begin its prepara- tegic matter to Indonesia, the consultation of tions with the new emerging economies of tions on Monday for the forthcoming sum- Pronk is no longer necessary. Pronk does Asia, particularly in view of the fact that the mit in Bangkok between the leaders of the not expect he will be involved in the deci- US and Japan are already comparatively European Union and 10 Asian nations, dip- sion about the export of radar systems to further ahead in this field than Europe. lomats said. Jakarta; his expertise is politically unwel- Manuel Marin agreed that East Timor is They was some confusion on whether come. a “very delicate and extremely sensitive” the ministers had agreed a statement on East “I am kaltgestellt” he said. (Kaltgestellt is case, and added that he had already dis- Timor – an issue that the former colonial a nasty German expression - meaning being cussed the matter with the government of power Portugal wants cleared up before the put in the icehouse - suggesting a nazi- Antonio Guterres. This would suggest that March 1 and 2 summit with Brunei, China, mentality at his opponents. And indeed, a there may be attempts in future to persuade Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, very good friend and loyal supporter of Su- Portugal to stop blocking approval of an the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and harto, Prince Bernhard, has been member of association agreement with ASEAN, with- Vietnam. the NSDAP, the German nazi-party, until out losing the political backing in support of Some diplomats said the issue had been he married Juliana, as is revealed some time Timor. blocked at the level of political directors and ago.) In this regard, the lack of substantial re- therefore not reached the Council. HSA did not ask for a export-permit yet, sults from the last round of talks in London Others said it had been agreed by the and they don’t expect any problems when between the Portuguese and Indonesian For- ministers and would be published shortly, they do. “Indonesia is not a problem-area” a eign Ministers could contribute to increased while others again said it had been put on ice spokesman said. pressure on Portugal. Portuguese Prime until some countries had dealt with the Blaauw, spokesman for VVD (political Minister Antonio Guterres will be attending tricky issue of refugees in their embassies. party at the far right wing, part of the gov- the next EU-ASEAN summit, scheduled for No one said what the disputed text con- ernment-coalition), said every arms-deal March in Bangkok, at which the EU- tained, but last week diplomats said a text should meet proper moral standards. But in ASEAN agreement is likely to be an impor- under discussion by political directors called the case of HSA Pronk should keep his tant item on the agenda. for dialogue between Indonesia – which in- mouth shut because there is nothing wrong vaded in 1975 and is regularly accused of in Indonesia. THE ASIAN SEMESTER human rights abuses – and the local popula- Publico, 23 January 1996. Translated from tion, with the stress on observing human COMMISSION SUGGESTS Portuguese, Abridged rights. CHANGE TO PORTUGAL’S Lisbon – The European Commission, Diplomats said the ministers agreed that foreign ministers should accompany their POSITION (ON ASEAN firmly supported by member-States such as the UK and Germany, wants to make the political masters to the Bangkok summit ACCORD) first 6 months of 1996 a framework for de- because the EU wanted the meeting to pro- duce solid results. Diario de Noticias, 19 January 1996. By velopment of EU relations with Asia. The Commission’s Vice-Chairman, Manuel They also ranged over a report agreed last Fernando de Sousa. Translated from Portu- week by the European Commission setting guese, Abridged Marmn, is even talking about an “Asian Se- mester.”.. out the EU’s shopping list. Venice – Vice-Chairman of the European However, the Commission insists that It calls for strengthened political contacts Commission, Manuel Marin, has indirectly the “new strategy” which it wants to outline both at bilateral and multinational level, suggested that Portugal refrain from blocking for its relations with Asia ...should not be much enhanced trade and investment, pro- an agreement with the Association of South based solely upon “economic interests” ... motion of human rights, democracy, the en- East Asian Nations (ASEAN) so as to facili- The Euro-Asian summit (Bangkok, 1-2 vironment and cooperation in regional secu- tate relations with that region. March) should also be the start of a “politi- rity issues. Portugal has been opposing such an cal dialogue” between the EU and countries All the participants in the summit have agreement in protest against Indonesia’s oc- within ASEAN ... As is customary, on the been at pains to ensure that the meeting cupation of East Timor. Marin, in Venice menu put forward by Europe to its future stresses the positive – politics, trade and for a conference on Europe-Asia relations, Asian partners will be the subject of human economics – and skates cautiously over the did not suggest pressure should be brought rights. Just how much these words really more contentious issues such as human to bear on Portugal to change its line, saying mean remains to be seen when the Portu- rights, democracy and social protection. that any decision should be left to the Por- guese Government refers to the issue of East “The agenda is still open,” one diplomat tuguese authorities. He did, however, sug- Timor, during the preparations for the EU- shrugged when asked how the issue of hu- gest that, when considering the continuation ASEAN summit which are already under- man rights would be included. of its opposition to an accord with ASEAN, way. Portugal ought to bear in mind Europe’s de- Trade relations are certainly a high prior- sire to deepen its relations with Asia. ity for Europe, which absorbs 23 per cent Portugal’s European partners have Asia’s exports, and aspires to penetrate shown understanding regarding Portugal’s more extensively the Region’s large emerging position on East Timor. Their support was markets. expressed, for the first time, in the conclu- Page 212 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

RAMOS HORTA & SEN. tion Council and was awarded the 1995 In- conditions were so extreme that even news- ternational Activist of the Year Award in papers reported on their plight. From the CLAIBORNE PELL AWARDED Lisbon. outset, solidarity groups (including the 1ST UNPO HR PRIZES The Award’s Ceremony on February 1 CDPM) were determined to help the group. 1996 coincides with UNPO’s Fifth Anni- Subsistence was the first problem to be UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples versary. Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Ms. resolved. They now receive a monthly al- Organization) Press Release, The Hague, Mairead Maguire and Special Envoy for the lowance (of 17,500 Escudos) from the Min- January 24 1996 Dalai Lama, Kasur Lodi Gyari Will Present istry of Employment and Social Security, First UNPO Awards Winners Announced the Awards at 4: 00 in the afternoon at and accommodation in a university residence Hague City Hall, Spui No. 70, the 11th from the Ministry of Education. The allow- Mr. José Ramos-Horta of East Timor Floor, With reception following. An opening ance (which does not cover meals) is usually and Senator Claiborne Pell, one of the address will be given by H.E., President granted for a six month period, and has al- United States Senate’s most senior mem- Aushev of the Republic of Ingusbetia, Che- ready been extended because of the training bers, are the winners of the First UNPO chenia’s closest neighbouring republic. courses underway and because they have no prize. This award was created to formally Other UNPO Members to attend include other income whatsoever. acknowledge the unswerving commitment representatives of The Aboriginals of Aus- For three months, the group attended a and work for the rights and freedom of tralia, The Chchen Republic, Circassians, vitally important intensive Portuguese lan- threatened peoples throughout the world, East Turkestan, Ogoni, Sanjak, Scania, Tai- guage course. During that time, the academic particularly in relation to promoting equal wan, Tatarstan and West Papua. A press qualifications of each one, and their expecta- standards of human rights for all peoples. conference will be held immediately follow- tions for the future were carefully scruti- Senator Pell, a Democrat from Rhode ing the awards ceremony. nised. Island, has spent many of his 76 years Contact Kathy Voyles (Press Officer), Based on the results of the scrutiny, and working to bring democratic and peaceful Media and Information Centre at UNPO, given that most of the group wanted to re- solutions to conflict situations throughout The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel: + 31-70- start higher education training, a second the world. He was Chairman of the Senate 3603318, fax: +31-70-3603346, Email: training action was organised. This contin- Foreign Relations Committee for its most [email protected] ued to focus on language training, but in- prestigious years, and is today the Ranking cluded other subjects considered to be es- Member of that Committee. When pre- sential before going on to any higher educa- sented with seemingly intractable problems, tion course in sciences. Senator Pell has called for communication, EVENTS IN PORTUGAL investigation and resolution. He was an Choices early and outspoken opponent of U.S. mili- NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE Timorese students have to apply for uni- tary involvement in Vietnam and, more re- versity entrance through a special scheme cently, led Congressional action to protect From “Timor Leste,” monthly news bulletin (which also covers other categories of candi- the Kurds against Saddam Hussein. Senator produced by CDPM (Maubere People’s dates). They do not have to sit the entrance Pell was one of the first U.S. officials to ex- Rights Commission), October 1995. Trans- exams, but do have to produce documentary press supported for the Dalai Lama which lated from Portuguese evidence to prove they have attended the led to the Senate receiving His Holiness in relevant courses at secondary school level. Lisbon – September heralds the start of a 1979. He has supported the right of the In the group’s case, this was not possible new academic year. For the young Timorese people of Taiwan to self-determination; he but, fortunately, the problem was overcome. (refugees in Portugal), especially the ones undertook action on behalf of the Jummas of Given the curricular differences, and the who occupied the US Embassy premises in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Ogoni of Ni- level of language proficiency required of Jakarta, September could be the start of a geria, Albanians in Kosava, and the Che- secondary school students, as well as profi- new life. chens. Senator Pell has constantly upheld ciency in relevant courses, two different Most had been university students, and the right of self-determination and has strategies were thought up, in order to have arrived in November 1994, accepting Portu- pleaded for the recognition of the rights of a better chance of success. During the final gal’s offer of asylum. Although coming to indigenous peoples. month in which training actions were held, Portugal had, in itself, never figured in their José Ramos-Horta fled East Timor just and with help from teachers taking part, the original plans, they could never have imag- before the Indonesian military invasion in students were asked to carry out a self- ined the obstacles awaiting them in their 1975. Since then, he has pleaded East assessment exercise and to make a final new country. Timor’s case at the UN Security Council choice themselves between (1) proceeding When they arrived, only a few of them and lobbied for resolutions at the General immediately to the first year of university had a smattering of Portuguese. Under- Assembly and the Commission for Human or (2) first attending a one year university standably, given the circumstances, none of rights. Today, he is Special Representative course in Portuguese as a Foreign Language. them had brought with them the documents of the Council of Maubere Resistance ( The first option is legally possible, while that would be needed for the recognition of CNRM ), the “foreign minister” and chief the second (which we call O-Year) depends their academic qualifications. There was, negotiator of East Timor. In 1993, José entirely on cooperation from the university however, a general feeling that Portugal Ramos-Horta proposed a peace plan for a concerned, since no there is no legal provi- would receive them with open arms, and phased resolution to the conflict. These ef- sion for it. provide them with the vital support neces- forts have paid off, for East Timor is today sary for them to integrate into our society. Outcome on the UN Secretary General’s agenda, and Of the 29 young Timorese, only 6 have pressure is mounting for substantive nego- Settling In applied to university and are currently in tiations to take place. During the past 20 Their first disillusion emerged on the the process of inscription. Most opted for years he has worked for human rights for all very first day, when they realised the condi- 0-Year and, with the cooperation of the peoples and founded the UNPO peace Ac- tions in which they were to be housed. The Minho and Oporto Universities, 13 have East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 213 already been placed, with grants and ac- “mouthpieces in every country concerned in Portugal abandoned East Timor in 1975 commodation organised. Negotiations are the matter, including, to our shame, within shortly before Jakarta invaded. still underway with Coimbra and Lisbon our own country.” The flood of embassy invasions, which Universities concerning the placement of a The setting up of an inter-ministerial came after several months of heightened ten- further four students. The remaining 6, who Commission for Reception and Integration sion, has coincided with a number of politi- opted for professional training, are waiting of the Timorese Community, “to co- cally-sensitive anniversaries including the for replies from their Job Centres, which ordinate and assess proposals for the devel- killing four years ago of at least 50 Timorese deal with channelling candidates for such opment of integrated policies to improve the by Indonesian soldiers. courses. Timorese community’s reception and inte- Guterres, whose recently-installed Social- This brief outline of events may give the gration in Portugal,” was approved by the ist government has stuck by a long-standing idea that everything ran smoothly. We pur- Council of Ministers on 24 November 1995. Portuguese pledge to take all Timorese who posely avoided reference to problems which ** Almeida Santos is Chairman of the want to come, said what he called the “In- arose outside the area of education, not be- Assembly of the Republic, and in 1974/75 donesian tactics” would not change Lisbon’s cause they were not considerable, but be- was closely involved in the Timor issue. stance on the exiles. cause there would be just too much to write ** Nuno Abecasis is MP for the right- “One has to distinguish between the in- about! It is not hard to imagine the kind of wing Partido Popular (PP). For many years ternational political aspects and the rights of difficulties we are referring to. We only have he was Chairman of Lisbon City Council. individual people which cannot be ques- to recall our own experiences to realise how tioned,” he said. the most simple task can turn into a night- PORTUGAL ACCUSES The Prime Minister, who has made a so- marish complication, involving civil servants INDONESIA OVER lution to the problem of East Timor one of and public services. If we add to that prob- his foreign policy priorities, said Portugal lems connected with not speaking the lan- TIMOR EXILES would continue to receive the exiles “with guage and ignorance of the basic rules on generosity” while maintaining the pressure By Richard Waddington how our society functions, we have a better “so that it becomes possible for the rights of picture of what these young Timorese were LISBON, Nov 20 (Reuter) - Portugal’s the Timorese to be respected in Timor.” up against. Prime Minister Antonio Guterres accused If any conclusion is to be reached from Jakarta on Monday of seeking to use the NEW PORTUGUESE flight of opponents from occupied East this exp erience, it is that this was an ap- GOVERNMENT BODY TO prenticeship which taught all of us some- Timor, a former Portuguese colony, as a po- thing about the workings of the society in litical safety valve to ease tension. SUPPORT ET EXILES which we live. We just hope that this new “It seems obvious there is a new tactic Translated from the Portuguese, summa- academic year is really going to be the start by the Indonesian authorities for dealing rized of a new life, not only for this group of 29 with the problem in Timor,” he told report- young people, but for all the Timorese stu- ers following news that four more East Lisbon, Nov 23 (LUSA) - The Council of dents who have had to face and deal with Timorese youths had sought refuge in a for- Ministers today decided to create an Inter- the same difficulties. eign embassy in the Indonesian capital. Ministry Commission for the Hosting and “It is to create conditions for a general- Community Insertion of the Timorese ALMEIDA SANTOS WANTS ised exit of Timorese (opponents) with the Community in Portugal [Comissão Inter- object of easing internal pressures,” he said. ministerial para o Acolhimento e Insercao da GREATER ASSISTANCE Since late September, 39 East Timorese Comunidade Timorense]. The new commis- GIVEN TO THE RESISTANCE youths have escaped from their Indonesian- sion is to be composed of representatives ruled homeland by seeking sanctuary in em- from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, In- Publico, 16 November 1995. By Ana Sa bassies. ternal Administration, Justice, Education, Lopes. Translated from Portuguese, All of the asylum-seekers have ended up Health, Employment, and of Solidarity and Abridged in Lisbon and the four young men who burst Social Security. Lisbon – “The fact that most Timorese into the French embassy on Monday looked An official communiqué from the Council still have Portuguese citizenship perhaps likely to follow the same route. of Ministers states that life conditions of gives Portugal the right to consider new It was the second invasion of the French Timorese exiles in Portugal must be im- channels of support to the Timorese Resis- embassy in a matter of days. Other refugees proved, for which coordination among the tance,” said the Assembly of the Republic’s made their way to Lisbon by way of the various ministries is needed. Chairman, Almeida Santos**, yesterday Japanese, British and Dutch missions. during the ceremony held yesterday in par- Indonesia, which invaded East Timor in PORTUGUESE GUILT liament to mark the fourth anniversary of 1975 and formally annexed it a year later, OVER TIMOR the Santa Cruz massacre. accused Portugal last week of encouraging After he had said he “doubted” that Por- the exodus in an attempt to embarrass Ja- By Samantha McArthur tugal “had done everything in its power,” karta. Almeida Santos stated that Portugal’s sup- But the charge was dismissed as “absurd” LISBON, Dec 1 (Reuter) - Most Europe- port for the Resistance ought to be more by the Portuguese foreign ministry. ans might have difficulty placing East Timor consistent. “The enormous task of raising The two countries have been holding pe- on a map, but mention of the tiny former international awareness has hardly begun,” riodic meetings under the auspices of the colony in Portugal provokes an emotional said Santos. United Nations in an attempt to settle the debate that touches a deep national guilt. Nuno Abecasis**, the new Chairman of dispute over the future of the territory “We delivered a people under our impe- the Parliamentary Committee on Timor, de- which the U.N. still regards as being under rial protection to Indonesian rule. We feel nounced the fact that Indonesia’s propa- Portuguese administration. guilty. The fact that we had our own revolu- ganda machine had strategically placed Page 214 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. tion at the time does not absolve us,” histo- Lisbon’s aim is to keep East Timor on never been requested to take part in IFOR,” rian Fernando Rosas told Reuters. the international agenda, hoping that one ministry spokesman Ghaffar Fadyl said. East Timor, invaded by Indonesia 20 day it will achieve self-determination. Portugal, which has approved sending years ago, features in Portuguese media al- “They have to keep talks going in the some 900 troops to Bosnia as part of the most daily. The troubled territory only oc- U.N. and hope that some act of self- NATO mission, has had no ties with Indo- casionally makes international headlines. determination will emerge,” the source said. nesia since Jakarta annexed the former Por- “Timor is part of the national conscious- In 1991 Portugal’s efforts were boosted tuguese colony of East Timor in 1976. ness. It is always with us,” said constitu- by images of Indonesian troops firing on a Fadyl said Indonesia was ready to take tional lawyer Miguel Galvao Telles. crowd in the capital Dili, killing up to 200 part in any peacekeeping mission, including This is no exaggeration. When President unarmed demonstrators. the one in Bosnia. Mario Soares visited South Africa recently a “The massacre was a watershed. It was He said Gama’s comments were made front-page headline in the daily Diario de probably the first time Indonesian brutality because of Portugal’s sentiment against In- Noticias summed up the nation’s amaze- had been widely televised,” the diplomatic donesia. ment at a perceived omission by the host: source said. “When there is a chance, Indonesia will “Mandela fails to mention East Timor.” East Timor is no longer simply a colonial be mentioned,” he added. But in 1975 Portugal virtually tripped memory but a living human rights issue that Indonesian troops have been in the for- over itself as it rushed to abandon the part appeals to younger Portuguese. mer Yugoslavia, contributing to the U.N. of the island it had ruled for four centuries “Remember that our own history is one peacekeeping mission. and turn its attention to chaos at home of resisting our larger Spanish neighbour. where revolution had overthrown nearly 50 Subconsciously we relate to small, op- VETO KEEPS INDONESIA OUT OF years of right-wing dictatorship. pressed nations,” Rosas said. BOSNIA MISSION The Indonesians were equally swift to He believes the Timorese resistance, Publico, 6 December 1995. By Isabel Ar- move in and formally annexed East Timor in which has waged a low-level guerrilla war riaga e Cunha 1976. Human rights groups say 200,000 against Indonesian occupation, is also re- people – one third of the population – died sponsible for keeping the issue alive in Por- Brussels – The US and Holland proved during the invasion and subsequent fighting. tugal. to be major obstacles, but Portugal played a The United Nations does not recognise “How can we possibly sit back and card that was hard to beat: if Indonesian Jakarta’s occupation and still regards Lisbon watch a courageous people smashed just soldiers were stationed side by side with as the administering power. because the other side is bigger?” Portuguese troops in Bosnia, it could well The Portuguese left African colonies such bring down the Lisbon Government. With a as and Mozambique in similar disor- helping hand from Paris, that was how the PORTUGAL REJECTS veto won the day in NATO, much to Ja- der but it is East Timor that prompts the INDONESIAN NATO greatest soul-searching. karta’s annoyance. Most historians agree there was little the ROLE IN BOSNIA If Indonesia were to contribute towards East Timor governor could have done to the 60 thousand troops being sent to Bosnia [both abridged] stop Indonesia invading. to ensure implementation of the peace He had only a platoon of paratroopers, Lisbon, Dec 5 (Reuter) - Portugal will not agreement, it could lead to the fall of the fighting had broken out between various accept Indonesia’s participation in the Portuguese Government. This was basically Timorese factions and Lisbon was gripped NATO peacekeeping force in Bosnia, For- the message the Portuguese NATO delega- by anti-colonialist fever. eign Minister Jaime Gama said on Monday. tion relayed to its partners during over a “The idea of sending troops to the other “Indonesia will not be part of the peace month of intense pressure, in order to win side of the world to fight for a colony during implementation force in Bosnia due to the what one of the ambassadors of the Sixteen a revolution which began in protest at colo- opposition of Portugal,” Gama told report- described as a “colossal battle.” nial wars would have been rather unpopu- ers in Brussels where he attended a meeting The US and Holland put up the most re- lar,” said Rosas. of his European Union counterparts. Portu- sistance. Both were determined to secure the Lawyer Galvao Telles agrees: “You had guese Channel One television broadcast his participation of Indonesian troops. Accord- to have lived here at that time to understand. remarks. ing to diplomats of other nationalities, this We were on the brink of civil war.” “The force should comprise countries en- determination was rooted in Jakarta’s rela- But the guilt and the desire to make joying a NATO consensus,” Gama said. tions with the two countries involving oil amends persist and have increased with ac- Portugal’s objection meant there was no and arms trading. “But Portugal’s veto was cusations of Indonesian human rights abuses such consensus and that as a result Indone- absolute,” said one of the diplomats who in the territory. sian troops would not be part of the force, attended last Friday’s meeting of Alliance Earlier this year Portugal took Australia Channel One reported from Brussels. Ambassadors, at which Washington and The to the International Court of Justice to chal- Hague conformed to Portugal’s demands. lenge an agreement it had signed with Jakarta INDONESIA SAYS PORTUGAL “No one was expecting such strong resis- over oil exploration off the Timorese coast. STANCE “STRANGE” tance,” said the same diplomat, explaining that one of the arguments put forward by Portugal lost the case but succeeded in JAKARTA, Dec 5 (Reuter) - The Indo- the Portuguese Ambassador was that the drawing the world’s attention to East nesian foreign ministry on Tuesday de- government could fall if Portuguese soldiers Timor. scribed as “rather strange” remarks by Por- were ever put in the position of having to “This is not some artificial crisis they are tugal’s foreign minister opposing Indone- fight alongside Indonesians. Lisbon did get creating to win international kudos. It is a sia’s participation in the NATO peacekeep- the firm support of France. This may have very real domestic issue for them,” said one ing force in Bosnia. been to secure the presence of the Portu- diplomatic source in Lisbon. “It is rather strange for the Portuguese guese brigade within its division near Mo- Foreign Minister to say that. Indonesia has East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 215 star - a presence which was subsequently PORTUGAL’S SOARES SAYS Lopez da Cruz, roving ambassador, told confirmed. this to journalists after a meeting with East According to the decision taken yester- INDONESIA Timorese students and youth which was day at a meeting in Brussels of Foreign and “DICTATORSHIP” attended by only 50 members of Impettu, Defence Ministers of the Sixteen, Indonesia the Timorese association. will not in fact be taking part in the peace- By Brian Williams, [abridged] The four returning families took part in keeping force, unlike other Moslem coun- TOKYO, Dec 13 (Reuter) - Portuguese the rebellion against the Portuguese govern- tries, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and President Mario Soares described Indonesia ment in 1959. Egypt. as a dictatorship on Wednesday and pledged These are people who struggled during a NATO leaders tried to keep the Indone- to accept any refugees fleeing “oppression” dark, long period against the Portuguese co- sia issue discreetly under wraps and ap- in Lisbon’s former colony of East Timor. lonial government and in favour of integra- peared surprised when it was made public Despite what he described as Indonesia’s tion with Indonesia in 1959, he said. by Portuguese Foreign Minister, Jaime annexation of East Timor, Soares said Por- They were arrested by the Portuguese, Gama, on Monday in Brussels. tugal still regarded itself as the legitimate taken to Portugal and thrown into prison, he ruler of the island. said, then later banished to Mozambique LISBON TO INCREASE In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters, and Angola. After Timor’s integration with PRESSURE ON JAKARTA Soares forecast Portugal would not run into Indonesia they several times asked the Por- social trouble like France in its bid to meet tuguese government to return them home LISBON, Dec. 7 (UPI) - Portuguese Maastricht criteria for a single European but the government ignored their requests. prime minister Antonio Guterres pledged currency and said he would stay completely In 1994 they wrote to President Suharto Thursday to step up diplomatic efforts out of politics when his 10-year rule as who was moved to read their letter and in- aimed at forcing Indonesia to grant self- president ended. structed the Minister-Coordinator for Po- determination to the disputed territory of Soares said recent incidents involving litical and Security Affairs to arrange for East Timor. East Timorese breaking into foreign embas- their return home, said da Cruz. They are “We will stick with the initiatives cur- sies in Jakarta were to be expected. due to leave Portugal on 2 January and ar- rently under way and broaden them to all “Indonesia is a dictatorship which shows rive in Indonesia the next day. areas where international condemnation of no respect for human rights,” Soares said in Asked whether other Timorese who had Indonesia and support for the East the interview. “Its position has been that of ‘fled’ to Portugal would be allowed to re- Timorese can be achieved,” Guterres told abuse and violence against the martyred turn, da Cruz said, ‘We’ll look at the cir- Portuguese news agency LUSA in Brussels. people of East Timor.” cumstances when they fled. If they said bad Guterres was speaking on the anniver- “Portugal has full solidarity with these things about Indonesia. we shall of course sary of Indonesia’s 1975 invasion, and sub- youngsters and those who seek refuge in refuse to allow them back,’ he said. sequent annexation, of East Timor following embassies and wish to seek refuge in Portu- About 2,000 East Timorese are now re- the departure of Portugal’s colonial admini- gal will be accepted,” said Soares, in Tokyo siding in Portugal; while 15,000 are residing stration. at a Japan-sponsored conference on protect- in Australia. ing oceans. More than 100 East Timorese youths 10 ANTI-COLONIAL EAST scaled the walls of the Russian and Nether- Soares, whose 10-year spell as president lands embassies in Jakarta to mark the anni- ends next month after guiding the nation into TIMORESE FIGHTERS TO ARRIVE versary. the EU and restoring economic stability, JAN 5 Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama said his future did not include politics. From ANTARA, Courtesy Indonesian Em- said in a written statement that Jakarta’s “I’m old enough to retire,” he said. “I bassy in Washington, Jan. 3, 1996 don’t intend to take part in any more party “occupation of East Timor...is an unjustifi- Jakarta, Jan 02 (ANTARA) - A group of able and inhuman anachronism which must politics, either on the domestic level or on the international level.” 10 former fighters against Portuguese colo- be brought to an end. nialism in East Timor are expected to arrive “The Portuguese government will con- here from exile in Portugal next January 5 tinue to fight for a solution for East Timor TEN TIMORESE FAMILIES TO (Friday) or two days later than originally which fully respects the rights of its people, RETURN TO EAST TIMOR scheduled, an Indonesian foreign office including the right to choose their own po- spokesman said. litical destiny.” Kompas, 26 December 1995. Abridged in “The delay is due to a purely technical Gama said Jakarta’s invasion had cut translation problem and not to anything political,” short East Timor’s decolonization process Comment: This is part of Indonesia’s strat- Ghaffar Fadyl, director of overseas informa- and had “brutally stamped out East Timor’s egy of trying to re-introduce into East tion at the Foreign Ministry, told desire for freedom and self-determination.” Timor’s history an element of pro- ANTARA here Tuesday. Gama is scheduled to meet with Indone- Indonesian sentiment based on the small The ministry had earlier announced that sian foreign minister Ali Alatas in January in rebellion that occurred in the group would be arriving on January 3. another round of open-ended talks on the in 1959. Carmel, TAPOL Fadyl did not explain what the technical future of East Timor. Solo – At the beginning of January 1996, problem was that had caused the delay. The talks are being brokered personally The ten East Timorese would include by United Nations secretary-general the Indonesian government will receive back four East Timorese families, ten individuals Armindo Soares Amaral, Venacio da Costa Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Soares, Evaristo da Costa and Domingos The United Nations still regards Portugal in all, who will become Indonesian citizens. They are the first of a group of 15 families Soares. They were once exiled from East as the legitimate administrative power in the Timor by Lisbon as punishment for having territory. of altogether 70 people who settled in Por- tugal in 1959 and now intend to return taken part in an anti-Portuguese uprising on home. June 4, 1959. Page 216 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

The group had been wishing to return to Domingos Amaral, spokesman for the Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said in a Indonesia for a long time but the Portuguese group, spoke in favour of East Timor’s inte- statement 68 East Timorese were deported government had always stood in their way. gration with Indonesia. He said that the men from East Timor after the rebellion in which Only after the Indonesian government – rep- who had taken part in the 1959 uprising had 500 people were killed. It said many had resented by ambassador-at-large Lopez da been seeking “equality of treatment,” and died in exile. Cruz – intervened, were they able to over- refused to be treated like “slaves.” Only af- Hasan Wirayuda, director of international come Lisbon’s objections. ter Manuel Macedo said that “the intention organisation at the ministry, quoted the Through Da Cruz’s good offices, Presi- of integrating already existed then,” did Timorese as saying they wanted to become dent Soeharto had agreed to provide the nec- Domingos refer to another aspect of the re- farmers in their homeland. essary facilities to the group which would bellion, which suddenly became news in In- He said their return was arranged by the make the trip home to Indonesia with tech- donesia (see below). Indonesian government and the International nical assistance from the International The AAPI’s next action is to take place Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). in February, when Manuel Macedo has Wirayuda declined to give other details. promised to take Xavier do Amaral to Lis- TIMORESE ON bon. He is the first and last President of the MINISTER DINES WITH THEIR WAY BACK Republic of East Timor, who subsequently TIMORESE REFUGEES Publico, 4 January 1996. By J. T. de Ne- became an integrationist and now lives in greiros. Translated from Portuguese, Jakarta. Jornal de Noticias, 24 December 1995. Abridged The journey of the “1959 Timorese” pre- Translated from Portuguese cedes the next round of Ministerial negotia- 36 years later, they return to the terri- tions on East Timor by less than two Lisbon – The new Minister of Solidarity tory with Indonesian citizenship. weeks. Yesterday, in Jakarta, Minister Ali and Social Security, Eduardo Ferro Rodri- Lisbon – After being the destination of Alatas spoke of the meeting which will take gues, referred to his anti-fascist past record dozens of East Timorese refugees arriving in place in London with Jaime Gama and UN to explain his understanding of the Timorese Portugal in recent months, today Lisbon SG Boutros Ghali, saying that he was hop- issue. airport is the point of departure for 8 ing for some progress to be made on the Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues took part in a Timorese who want to go back. 1959, the matters of substance: “If there is no pro- dinner and social event with Timorese, or- year in which they took part in an uprising gress on that score, then people will ask ganised by his Ministry at the Casa Pia in against the Portuguese colonial authorities in what the point of these meetings is,” warned Lisbon. the territory, is far behind them. Now they Alatas. Two issues were left pending at the “As an opponent of a totalitarian regime, are on their way back, helped by Manuel sixth round, held in July with Durão Bar- I can understand the feelings of all the Macedo, who interceded on their behalf roso representing Portugal: preservation of Timorese exiles, refugees and immigrants, with Suharto. When they arrive, they will be Timorese cultural identity, and the possibil- who are seeking in Portugal what they did Indonesians. ity of alterations to the bilateral relations not manage to find in their own country,” “If the Red Cross does not pay their ex- between Lisbon and Jakarta. said the Minister, adding that for that very penses, then I will,” said Manuel Macedo, reason he wished to leave a message of soli- Chairman of the Portugal-Indonesia Friend- THREE EAST TIMORESE FIGHTERS darity. ship Association (AAPI). (...) RETURN TO INDONESIA At the dinner, attended by about 300 Timorese “supported to an extent by the Back in 1959 in what was then the Por- [slightly abridged] tuguese colony of East Timor, Domingos Portuguese state,” particularly by Social Soares, Evaristo Costa and Armindo Amaral JAKARTA, Jan 5 (Reuter) - Three East Security, the political leader emphasised the took part in an uprising. They were impris- Timorese men who fought in a rebellion recently created inter-ministerial commis- oned in the holds of ships off East Timor. against Portuguese colonisers in their home- sion for assessing reception of Timorese and They spent time in Caxias (Portugal) prison land in the 1950s and were deported to Por- their subsequent integration with Portuguese and the Penal Colony of Bie in Angola. In tugal, Angola and Mozambique returned to society. the 1960s and 1970s, they were returned to Indonesia on Friday. “Measures are already underway, involv- Portugal. After Indonesia occupied East The men, arriving with their five children ing the Ministries of Solidarity and Equip- Timor in 1975, they asked various Portu- who had never seen Indonesia before, were ment, Foreign Affairs, Health, Internal Ad- guese governments to help them return to the first of 15 East Timorese who fought ministration, Justice, Qualification and Em- Timor. against Portugal in 1959 expected to return ployment and Education,” said Ferro Rodri- This was the story told yesterday by to Indonesia after living in exile. gues, referring to a matter which, he be- Macedo during a press conference, attended “I feel happy to be here,” 25-year-old lieves, affects all levels of government. by Domingos, Armindo and Evaristo, all Antonio Soares Nunes, son of Dominggus Note : About 30 young Timorese refugees, now in their fifties, and set to fly out today Soares, 56, told reporters in Portuguese in recently arrived to Portugal, and staying in to Jakarta, via Amsterdam, with 5 members the VIP room at the Sukarno-Hatta interna- a hostel situated in the centre of Lisbon, of their families. tional airport. have forged a friendly relationship with po- Manuel Macedo explained that the case It was not clear when the others, who lice officers from the nearby station: Christ- of the 1959 rebels was brought to his atten- now live in Portugal, would return to Indo- mas dinner this year for these Timorese in- tion 8 months ago. The AAPI leader imme- nesia. cluded a turkey - a gift from their local law diately compiled a dossier, which he submit- Outside the room, about 30 Indonesians enforcement agents. ted to the Indonesian authorities. The neces- staged a pro-integration protest holding sary authorisation arrived from Jakarta, with banners which read “Welcome home free- one condition: the Timorese would have to dom fighters.” adopt Indonesian citizenship. This did not The three Timorese men, aged between pose a problem. At the press conference, 56 and 60, declined to speak to reporters. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 217

PORTUGAL ACCUSED OF repression in 1945,” which followed the office for 10 years until being ousted by the Japanese invasion of the territory. Socialist Party in last October’s General HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Lisbon is also accused of persecuting Elections. Publico, 4 January 1996. By Antonio Sam- members of the “black columns” - groups of Addressing the nation just a few hours paio. Abridged Timorese who helped the Japanese forces. after the ballot boxes had closed and once The then Governor of East Timor, Oscar his victory was confirmed, Jorge Sampaio, Sydney – In November 1992, and coin- Freire de Vasconcelos Ruas, is said to have who will be sworn in as President on 9 ciding with the first anniversary of the Santa deported to the island of Atauro “about March, included a reference to Timor in his Cruz massacre, José Duarte, a Timorese 50,000 Timorese,” of which “only between speech. The question of Timor, he said, was deputy in the Indonesian parliament in Dili, 120 and 150 survived.” Antonio Parada one which he intended to “keep alive, both announced at a press conference that he, claims that during the Viqueque uprising, the externally and internally.” along with a group of other Timorese, was Portuguese Government was responsible for preparing a case against Portugal of “human the “massacre of about 500 people” and for PORTUGUESE ELECTION ENDS ERA rights abuses in East Timor” during Portu- the “deportation to Angola, without trial, of Jan 15, 1996, [abridged] guese presence in the territory. a further 200.” Lisbon, Portugal (AP) – Jorge Sampaio’s Duarte, who described himself as the When the matter was first made public in presidential victory marks the end of a po- “organiser of the rebellion against Portugal 1992, its first critic was Abilio Araujo (then litical era, with his ascendant Socialist Party in Viqueque in 1959,” refused at the time to still leader of Fretilin), who said the idea replacing a fading but long-ruling center-right give further details about the case, the num- was “absurd” and equivalent to “accusing coalition. ber of people involved, and when the inter- Portugal of abuses when it first arrived to Sampaio’s win Sunday over Anibal national complaint would be formally pre- the island in 1515.” Cavaco Silva gives Portugal a government sented. He did, however, state that Portugal Ironically, Abilio Araujo was in Jakarta and president of the same political hue for had been responsible for the death of 545 in late December when the matter was once the first time since democracy was restored Timorese during the Viqueque uprising: “I again aired in public. The Indonesian Gov- in 1974. Socialists won October’s general myself witnessed the brutality, and have ernment did its utmost to publicise the case elections, ending 10 years of center-right sufficient evidence with which to win the of the four Timorese families (a total of 9 government under Cavaco Silva. case.” He also added that there were “at people) who are, today, leaving Portugal for The election marks the exit of the na- least 9 others who can testify on what hap- Jakarta, to become Indonesian citizens. tion’s dominant politicians of the past dec- pened.” In order to spread this news, which was ade: outgoing President Mario Soares and The matter was not heard about again in highlighted in the local press, Indonesia’s Cavaco Silva – both Social Democrats. public until last August, when Antonio roving ambassador, Lopes da Cruz, called a Soares is required by law to step down after Freitas Parada, Chairman of East Timor’s meeting of the hitherto unheard of Timorese two consecutive terms. Legislative Assembly reported that he association “Impettu.” The 50 young peo- “I’m convinced we will overcome diffi- would be lodging a complaint against Portu- ple who attended were described as having culties and underdevelopment to become a gal with the International Court of Justice, been “very pleased with the news about tolerant, developed and caring country,” for alleged crimes against the Timorese peo- what is going to happen.” “These four fami- Sampaio told hundreds of cheering support- ple. The alleged crimes, he said, had been lies were involved in the uprising against the ers outside the Lisbon hotel where he cele- perpetrated by “representatives of the State Portuguese Government in 1959,” Lopes da brated victory. “That is my task.” of Portugal” in 1945, 1959 (Viqueque upris- Cruz told Publico. “During a long and bitter “Starting today, I’m the president of all ing), and in 1975 (Timorese civil war). “In period, these people fought against Portu- Portuguese – those who voted for me and addition to the Portuguese State, some indi- guese colonial rule, and for integration into those who didn’t,” said the 56-year-old viduals who were responsible for the crimes Indonesia, in 1959.” lawyer. committed ... could also be cited ...” In this The Indonesian Ambassador went on the Sampaio took 54 percent of the vote, respect, he mentioned the name of the for- say that in 1994 the Timorese families compared to 46 percent for Cavaco Silva. mer Governor, Lemos Pires, as well as wrote to President Suharto, who “was Turnout was 66 percent of the nearly 9 mil- Almeida Santos, a former Minister who moved by their letter” and instructed .. that lion eligible voters. promised a referendum, which was subse- their repatriation to Indonesia to be ar- Sampaio will be sworn in March 9. quently never held. ranged.” It is going to be difficult, however, to Sampaio’s victory avenges a humiliating defeat to the Social Democrats in general proceed with the complaint: it would have NEW PORTUGUESE to be lodged through Indonesian Govern- elections five years ago. The loss cost him ment, which does not recognise the jurisdic- PRESIDENT WILL KEEP EAST the Socialist Party leadership and might tion of the International Court. Even so, TIMOR QUESTION ALIVE have ended his political career, but he won Timorese sources reported that, so far, over re-election as mayor of Lisbon and rehabili- 33 million Escudos have been paid to a CDPM report, 14 January 1996 tated himself. Dutch lawyer to prepare the case. Lisbon – New Socialist President intends The soft-spoken Sampaio is expected to Abilio Osorio Soares, the Jakarta- to keep the question of Timor “alive, both back mainstream government policy, which appointed Governor, is among the plaintiffs. externally and internally.” supports European integration. He has Back in 1992 he had expressed his support 56-year-old lawyer and former Socialist pledged to defend the less privileged and for José Duarte’s initiative in bringing the Mayor of the City of Lisbon, Jorge Sam- fight unemployment. case against Portugal “for the brutal deaths paio, was elected the new President of the The son of an illustrious physician, Sam- of alleged rebels.” The group wants Lisbon Republic in Portugal’s presidential elections paio was raised in a liberal, urbane Lisbon to pay compensation to all the alleged vic- held today. His opponent in the running family. He was sent to an English school to tims, including Timorese “victims of the was the former Social Democratic Prime learn the language of Shakespeare. Later, as a Minister, Anibal Cavaco Silva, who held Page 218 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. law student he rose through the ranks of CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST GAMA IN MANILA leftist underground movements. PORTUGAL’S “KING” Since 1974, voters have viewed the Businessman Manuel Macedo, Chairman Diario de Noticias, 25 January 1996. By presidency as a counterweight to govern- of the Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Asso- Abel Coelho de Morais. Translated from ment, electing a head of state of a different ciation, lodged a criminal complaint today Portuguese, Abridged party than the one ruling parliament. But an with the police against Dom Duarte de Bra- RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATIONS economic slump in recent years apparently ganca, for allegedly encouraging “vandalism” WITH JAKARTA DEPENDS ON changed voters’ habits. and “xenophobia.” The allegations are con- CHANGE OF INDONESIA’S nected with statements made by Dom Comment from: Mariza Cabral, Jan 16 POSITION ON TIMOR Duarte during a Radio Renascenca pro- A correction on the AP report on the new gramme called “Cartas na Mesa” (cards on Lisbon – Re-establishment of diplomatic Portuguese president: the former president, the table), transmitted on 13 January. Ac- relations with Indonesia is linked to the Mario Soares, was not a social-democrat cording to Macedo, the statements consti- question of Timor. This is, and will continue but a socialist as well. In fact he was one of tuted an encouragement to young Portu- to be Portugal’s position, said (Foreign the founders of the socialist party (PS) and guese to vandalise shops in which Indone- Minister) Jaime Gama yesterday, during president of the party for many years. sian products were on sale. lunch at the American Club. The Minister was answering a question about the possi- TIMORESE ARRESTED BY Note: Dom Duarte de Braganca is head of bility of Portugal and Indonesia re- Portugal’s royal family and uncrowned heir JAKARTA AS THEY ATTEMPT establishing relations, but it is a matter to the throne. which Gama does not wish to consider, as TO FLEE TO AUSTRALIA Comment from João Pedro Martins: long as there is no “qualitative change” in Diario de Noticias, 24 January 1996. Trans- Actually, he did say it. He didn’t encour- the “static” pattern of occupation and inte- lated from Portuguese, Abridged age ‘xenophobia,’ but he did say Portuguese gration employed by Jakarta in East Timor. should not buy Indonesian products (which, “Indonesia has to adopt a more constructive A spokesperson for the Timorese Resis- unfortunately, can’t be helped from entering position, which would be in line with cur- tance in Lisbon told LUSA yesterday that the country), and should make the store rent international law and human rights cri- the Indonesian authorities arrested 25 young owners aware of what they are selling. teria,” before diplomatic relations between Timorese on Saturday, as they tried to make I have, as have friends of mine, given the two countries can be considered. their way by boat to Australia. According to back Indonesian products when I discovered the same source, some of the detainees are where they were made. SOARES GETS CHRISTMAS being held in Baucau, but most were taken to Dili for interrogation. DOM DUARTE’S BOYCOTT GREETINGS FROM XANANA The Timorese, five of whom are young Diario de Noticias, 26 January 1996. Trans- Diario de Noticias, 26 January 1996. Trans- women, are aged between 15 and 21 years. lated from Portuguese, Abridged lated from Portuguese, Abridged They had left Baucau on 19 January and were arrested the following day by the In- In a recorded interview transmitted by Yesterday, Mario Soares (President of donesian coast guard. Radio Renascenca, the Duke of Braganca the Republic) received, via a representative (and uncrowned King of Portugal), Dom of the Timorese Resistance in Lisbon, a PORTUGAL SHOULD SUPPLY Duarte, suggested that young people refuse HUMANITARIAN AID Christmas card from Xanana Gusmão. to buy Indonesian products on sale in Por- Luis Cardoso, who delivered the good Speaking about Timor yesterday, Nuno tuguese shops. This statement became the will gesture, said that Xanana “is well, Abecasis, Chairman of the Parliamentary cause of a criminal complaint brought strong and lucid,” adding that the Timorese Committee on East Timor, said he believed against him by the Chairman of the Portu- Resistance leader has not been tortured by Portugal ought to provide humanitarian aid gal-Indonesia Friendship Association. Indonesian security forces. to the armed Resistance movement in the Dom Duarte said yesterday that he never territory. The MP was speaking as he left a incited young Portuguese to undertake acts TIMOR TO RECEIVE RTPI meeting with members of Renetil - the Na- of violence ... and reformulated his state- tional Resistance of East Timorese Stu- ments: “My statements were made in the (PORTUGUESE TV) dents’ organisation, which had approached same spirit with which Christ entered the MPs in an effort to get them to persuade the Publico, 29 November 1995. Translated Temple and overturned the vendors’ tables, from Portuguese, Abridged Portuguese Government to supply the guer- and they were not intended to incite vio- rilla movement with humanitarian aid. lence.” AsiaSat-II already launched The Parliamentary Commission decided He defended his position by asking “If Lisbon – AsiaSat-II, the satellite which is to give their backing to RENETIL’s cam- the island of Madeira were invaded by some to beam RTPi to Asia and the Pacific, was paign, as well as to the campaign of the foreign power, would Portugal’s reaction be launched yesterday by a Chinese rocket, CNRM (Maubere Resistance National similar to its reaction with regards Timor?.” Longa Marcha 2E, from the Xichang base in Council) for Xanana Gusmão and Bishop Stating that actions such as boycotts “are Southwest China. By January 1996, when Ximenes Belo to be awarded the Nobel accepted by the international community reception of the service should be under- Peace Prize. “We had already agreed with today,” Dom Duarte, by way of example, way, Timor will be able to tune into the that candidacy, and we are willing to sup- referred to the Falklands’ War. It was a time Portuguese channel. The five or six week port the initiative,” said Abecasis, who went during which “to find Argentinean products lapse between the launch and the time re- on to explain that contacts with MPs in on sale in England would have been unthink- ception is possible, was explained by RTPi other countries would be established in or- able.” Director, Afonso Rato, as being due to the der to gain further support for the proposal. need to individually test the over 20 TV channels being carried by the satellite. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 219

Reception of the Portuguese channel will The address by Antonio Guterres in ...RTP Chairwoman Manuela Morgado be possible in Timor by using a 1.5 metre Tetum was received in Dili with applause referred to the occasion as an historic mo- dish. Afonso Rato explained that “In East and excitement. Manuel Carrascalão, con- ment which would enable Timor to be “in Timor, there are several hundred dishes, tacted on the phone from Macao, stated that our hearts and within our reach” ... normally measuring three metres, facing In- “it was with great excitement that we heard Foreign Minister Jaime Gama was also donesian satellites. ... There are advantages the Portuguese Prime-Minister speak our present at the opening ceremony... in our system ... only a small alteration to language. We didn’t expect that much and the dish” will be required in order to receive this gesture touched very deep into our INDONESIA QUERIES PORTUGAL’S RTPi. .. There has been non-official interest hearts.” “Those who were watching the SATELLITE TV MOTIVES in the launch of the satellite among the emission here started applauding when they [abridged] Timorese, while the Indonesians have al- heard the Prime-Minister speak in Tetum.” JAKARTA, Jan 30 (Reuter) - Indonesia ready issued a short statement saying they “We expected a political message of circum- has questioned Portugal’s motives in launch- are going to “assess the situation” when the stance, for we had doubts that he would ing a satellite television service to Asia, in- service goes into operation. speak in favor of our rights, but what he cluding its former colony of East Timor, the The satellite, made by the US manufac- said surpassed all our expectations.” “They Jakarta Post newspaper reported on Tues- turer Lockheed Martin, is the most power- were the perfect words for Timor,” said day. ful of the Asian satellites and cost 200 mil- Manuel Carrascalão. Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas lion dollars. ... was quoted as questioning Portugal’s motive In addition to Marconi Portuguesa, the EXCITEMENT IN DILI in launching the service as U.N.-sponsored satellite is to be used by: Australian press Publico, 29 January 1996. Translated from talks on East Timor, invaded by Indonesia magnate Rupert Murdoch’s Star TV; Asso- Portuguese, Abridged in 1975 and annexed the following year, con- ciated Press Television; Worldwide TV As from yesterday, Timor is able to re- tinue. News (WTN); Hong Kong Telecommunica- ceive RTPi (Portugal’s international TV “I can’t understand why, in the middle of tions; Deutsche Welle, Pacific Century channel)via satellite. During the first trans- the trilateral talks which are designed to cre- Group, and by Malaysia’s Time Communi- mission, Portuguese Prime Minister, Anto- ate a better atmosphere for a solution (to the cations. It is owned by Hong Kong based nio Guterres, sent a message in Tetum, in East Timor question), the Portuguese gov- Hutchison Whampoa, the Chinese state- which he spoke out in favour of the ernment is in fact continuing an incessant owned China International Trust and In- Timorese people’s rights and stirred emo- campaign which is not helping,” Alatas was vestment Corp, and by Cable & Wireless. tions in the capital, Dili. quoted as saying. RTPI BEGINS BROADCASTS TO When the first transmission of RTPi Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio EAST TIMOR reached East Timor yesterday, it was a Guterres on Sunday pledged to support moving moment. ... RTPi started up with a East Timor in its supposed fight for self- translated, summarized special programme to mark the beginning of rule in the first satellite broadcast by Portu- Lisbon, Jan 28 (LUSA) - The emissions its regular broadcasts through Asiasat-2, guese state television into the territory. of Portuguese Television (RTPI) to the which covers Asia, including Timor. Launching the RTP state channel’s satel- Asia-Pacific region, started today at 11 AM According to LUSA, dozens of Timorese lite venture into Asia, Guterres said in a and were received in excellent conditions in stood up when they heard the (Portuguese) speech in the Timorese language Tetum: “It East Timor. national anthem that preceded transmission. is necessary to support your wish for free- The emissions today included an address Manuel Carrascalão, speaking from Macao, dom, your right to auto-determination and to the East Timorese people by PM Anto- said .”..we are very moved as we listen to your fight for respect for human rights.” nio Guterres, speaking in Tetum. In his ad- the national anthem ... From now on, we are He said in the broadcast by the Asiasat 2 dress, Guterres said that “defending the closer to Portugal ... this is an historic mo- satellite: “You can count on my help, within rights of the East Timorese is not only a ment which we are experiencing with great my possibilities. All peoples have the right duty of all of us, Timorese and Portuguese, joy and excitement.” to be free, to choose their own destiny.” but effectively also an obligation of the in- The Prime Minister ... used the opportu- ternational community.” Guterres referred nity to send a message from Lisbon directly the need to support the East Timorese to the Timorese. Speaking in Tetum, their EVENTS IN BRITAIN “wish for freedom,” referring their “right to native language, he said that “to defend the self-determination,” and that “all peoples rights of the Maubere people is not only a have the right to be free” and “choose their duty for every one of us, Timorese and Por- BRITAIN’S HELP TO own destiny,” and be respected in their tuguese alike, but is also the international JAKARTA CONDEMNED “dignity as human beings.” community’s obligation.” ... He also spoke BY LABOUR MP Present at the address, recorded from the of the need to support Timorese people’s Marconi telecommunications conference “desire for freedom” and their “right to self- Jornal de Noticias, 16 October 1995. By room, were several government members determination.” ... “All nations have the Gilberto Ferraz. Translated from Portu- and numerous East Timorese residing in right to be free” ... “choose their own des- guese Portugal. For the representative of the tiny,” and see their “human dignity re- Timorese community in Portugal, Manuel spected,” he continued in his message. Labour MP Ann Clwydd, a long time Rosario dos Martires, the RTPI emission to In Timor, the PM’s message was ap- upholder of the rights of the Timorese, has Timor “is very important to lift the spirits plauded. The fact that he addressed the denounced the assistance given by the Brit- of the Timorese and to maintain in them Timorese in Tetum, and reiterated support ish Government to Indonesia on projects some hope and trust in the Portuguese gov- for “Timorese rights” on such an occasion, connected with East Timor, which is con- ernment.” came as a surprise. trary to Britain’s official position. In a long report, Ann Clwydd refers to various cases in which the British Govern- Page 220 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. ment has given assistance with projects, pays GBP 2,500 for an initial six-month Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor in De- namely on transmigration, connected with contract (with the possibility of renewal). cember (followed by its annexation), the East Timor. In her general condemnation of We are seeking someone with: British government continued its decades- Britain’s help to Indonesia, Ann Clwydd · excellent administrative skills; long embrace with Indonesian President Su- also reveals cases of Indonesian officers, · knowledge of the issues surrounding the harto. Since 1990 alone, Britain has sold seriously implicated in human rights viola- illegal occupation of East Timor and a arms worth more than $350 million to Indo- tions and possibly involved in arms sales, political commitment to working for self- nesia, and has in place agreements to sell an being trained in the UK. determination for the Timorese; estimated $3.5 to $9 billion more.(1) Those The British Government, which officially weapons are helping Suharto and his gener- · accuracy and attention to detail; does not recognise Indonesia’s annexation of als smash Timorese resistance to the Indo- East Timor, has stated that it “does not col- · writing skills; nesian occupation, and have made Britain laborate in governmental projects involving · good personal and social skills; Indonesia’s second largest arms supplier in East Timor.” · ability to work strategically; recent years.(2) However, Ann Clwydd asserts that she · lots of initiative; But Britain’s role grows even more sig- has found evidence of various projects nificant with the US finally having placed · ability to work in consultation with oth- which contradicts this statement. The most limited restrictions on arms sales and mili- ers by telephone; significant proof involves a donation of tary training for Indonesia. The US Con- 6,250,000,000 Escudos towards a “regional · good computer skills (word-processing, gress cut off funds for training Indonesian physical plan for transmigration ... supply- database, layout and e-mail literacy); troops in 1992, and the State Department ing exact cartography and qualitative data on · flexibility and an ability to respond effec- imposed a ban on the sale of small arms two the availability of land for new villages.” tively in a crisis. years later. Despite the Clinton administra- Ann Clwydd reports that when she It is desirable to have some experience in tion’s tentative efforts this spring to in- sought confirmation of this case from the dealing with the press, some familiarity with crease arms sales, that ban remains in ef- Government, she was informed the facts the British and international human rights fect.(3) were correct - that is, it did include East movement, some background in human When asked about the US restrictions, a Timor. rights work, and a willingness to travel (not Suharto spokesman replied, “No problem. Given this evidence, and in the light of often). We can always turn to Britain."(4) The East the recent intensification of the transmigra- You will be expected to work from home. Timor independence movement, meanwhile, tion practices in East Timor, it is clear that A computer, printer and modem will be has termed Britain “the single worst ob- Indonesia’s deliberate policy is to quickly provided. structionist of any industrialized country” take control of East Timor by colonising the You MUST be based in Britain to apply when it comes to international action against territory with people from Java and other for this job. Most BCET coordination is Indonesian violence in East Timor.(5) parts of Indonesia. The intensification of from London, but applications from outside That violence has been terrible by any this plan to “Indonesianise” East Timor London will be considered if the applicant is standard. When Indonesian troops stormed originates and aggravates understandable willing to travel to London at least twice a into East Timor on December 7, 1975, they tension among the native Timorese popula- month. killed an estimated 200,000 of a population tion. A full job description can be obtained of 700,000.(6) While the pace has slowed Ann Clwydd refers to two other Indone- from the British Coalition for East Timor, since the initial slaughter, thousands were sian projects in East Timor which received PO Box 2349, London E1 3HX. A detailed killed in the 1980s. In the most notorious financial backing from the British Govern- curriculum vitae, covering letter and two incident in recent years, in November 1991, ment. They involved the training of munici- references will be required. Indonesian troops firing on a funeral in Dili, pal officials in natural resources projects. Deadline for the submission of applica- the capital of East Timor killed more than Ann Clwydd concludes that the British tions is January 29. 250 people. Government is, “in practice, not only recog- Interviews will be conducted between 5 Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor is nising the annexation of East Timor by In- and 15 February 1996. illegal under international law. The United donesia, but actually contributing to it as The starting date will be 8 April 1996 Nations has issued nine resolutions con- well and, furthermore, the Government has demning the invasion and annexation, and been lying to Parliament when it has cate- HAWKS OVER EAST TIMOR; still considers Portugal, the former colonial gorically stated it does not collaborate in master, as having administrative control. governmental projects involving East BRITAIN ARMS INDONESIA Several Western countries have cut aid to Timor.” Covert Action Quarterly, Winter 1995-96. Indonesia citing human rights abuses in East Convinced that this kind of assistance is Pages 52-56. Full text, except for photo cap- Timor, and others, notably Portugal, Italy, illegal, under the 1980 Overseas Coopera- tions. Sweden, and South Africa, have banned tion & Development Law, Ann Clwydd is arms sales. looking at ways in which to accuse the Brit- While East Timor begins its third decade But international condemnation has not ish Government of misuse of public funds. under Indonesian occupation, British arms prevented some Western countries, particu- exporters make a killing in Jakarta. larly the US, Britain, Australia, France, and JOB OPENING IN LONDON by Mark Curtis, [former Research Fellow Germany, from lending military aid and at the Royal Institute of International Af- comfort to the Suharto regime. And no From BCET, Nov. 26. fairs, London.] wonder: The first three approved of the in- The Indonesian armed forces are accused vasion even before it happened.(7) The British Coalition for East Timor is of massive human rights abuses in putting seeking a part-time development/outreach down Timorese resistance. Britain in the Postwar Order worker. The job is for 20 hours/week and As protests in world capitals, including That Britain did so fits the pattern of its London, marked the 20th anniversary of foreign policy for the last half-century. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 221

Throughout the post-Word War II era, Brit- serve to cement alliances with key regimes officers in Britain. (19) In 1987, Rolls ish policy toward Jakarta has been of a and help them to maintain domestic control. Royce signed a technical cooperation agree- piece with its wider priorities in the Third Early on, a key aspect of US arms sales to ment with Indonesia’s state-run aerospace World, as revealed in recently declassified the most important oil state, Saudi Arabia, company, involving joint venture manufac- planning documents.(8) These clearly lay was that they promoted “internal security’ turing and the servicing of engine parts. UK- out British planners’ aims for the postwar and “keep the goodwill of the King and based Thorn EMI was reportedly aiming to Third World. The basic goal was (and re- other important Saudi Arabs.” US planners sell a radar system, and Vickers a light tank. mains) to control the world’s most eco- dryly noted that such priorities could lead These deals were part of a warm diplo- nomically important regions, usually in the people in the Arab world (and, one might matic relationship. Suharto was granted an face of democratic or popular nationalist add, elsewhere) to believe the UK and US audience with the Queen in 1979, when the forces, and often in alliance with favored were “backing the corrupt governments now body count in East Timor was in the hun- regional clients. in power, without regard to the welfare of dreds of thousands. And BAe sold Indone- The Foreign Office made clear early on the masses."(14) sia a jet for Suharto’s personal use in 1985, that the overall policy was based on “the In Britain today, those foreign policy a deal worth $24 million. (20) importance of our maintaining control of the considerations are increasingly wedded with That relationship has included official periphery"- that is, areas outside the control domestic economic priorities. Particularly contacts with military leaders directly im- of the Soviet Union.(9) Britain viewed the since the Margaret Thatcher administration, plicated in the atrocities committed in East Middle East as of prime importance but it which laid the foundation for the current big Timor. In October 1991, Indonesian News also cast an avaricious eye on Southeast push on arms exports, promoting weapons (published by the Indonesian embassy in Asia, including Indonesia. In 1950, the For- sales has been a deliberate policy. The de- London) reported that British Defense Min- eign Office described the region as “very fense industry now accounts for one in ten ister Tom King met with his Indonesian important in peace, as a dollar-earner and as British manufacturing jobs – an estimated counterpart, Benny Murdani, to discuss a sterling source of essential raw materi- 450,000 positions, with over 100,000 de- “improving military cooperation between als."(10) pending on exports. the two countries."(21) Murdani had organ- Britain has pursued its global economic As Prince Charles proudly noted at a ized and commanded the invasion of East and strategic goals in alliance with the US. 1994 arms fair in Dubai, “We’re really Timor in 1975. The “special relationship” between the two rather good at making certain kinds of Massacre? What Massacre? has been a central pillar of world order since weapons"(15) – and selling them. Arms ex- Close relations continued even after the 1945, and continues today. It rests on (often ports increased from $6 billion in 1989 to November 1991 Dili massacre, which solitary) support for each other’s acts of $10.5 billion in 1993, making Britain the sparked renewed worldwide condemnation aggression and a joint understanding of re- world’s second largest weapons trader, after and eventually led to the US decisions to spective roles - Britain very much the junior the US.(16) Foreign arms sales, says the end training and ban small arms sales. partner - in pursuing basic Western foreign Ministry of Defense’s head of exports, are a Whitehall, however, remained largely im- policy and economic priorities. “tremendous national asset.” (17) mune to such concerns. The international Thus the US strongly supported Brit- We Can Always Turn to Britain outcry did cause London to delay the sale of ain’s overthrow of the elected government in Such sentiments have necessarily influ- a navy support ship to Indonesia in January its colony of British Guiana in 1953, and enced Britain’s attitude toward Indonesia. It 1992, but the following month, after the in- Britain returned the favor the next year. As abstained on the first UN resolution con- ternational spotlight shifted, the sale went the US moved against Guatemala, Whitehall demning the invasion, supported two quietly ahead. (site of the British Foreign Office) provided weakly-worded and watered down others, At year’s end, Suharto presented Marga- critical support at the UN. Foreign Minister and abstained on all subsequent ones. Brit- ret Thatcher with an honorary medal from Anthony Eden recalled that “we had an ob- ish economic assistance to Indonesia contin- the Indonesian Engineering Association at ligation as their principal ally to go as far as ues, and has even increased from $31 million the State Palace in Jakarta. Thatcher’s re- we could to help them.” (11) in 1990 to $54 million in 1994. But arms sponse? “I am proud to be one of you."(22) Britain aided the US with signals intelli- sales are the starkest indicator of Britain’s Four months later, in April 1993, Foreign gence in Vietnam, and while the British gov- priorities in Indonesia. Secretary Hurd visited Indonesia and signed ernment has always denied it, the British British arms exports to Indonesia began a $95 million loan agreement. While in Ja- Special Air Service (SAS) elite forces re- in earnest in April 1978, when British Aero- karta, Hurd pronounced upon the difficulty portedly fought in that war alongside Aus- space (BAe), the world’s fifth-largest arms of exporting “Western values” to developing tralian and New Zealand SAS squads.(12) export company, announced an export order nations. Amidst such high-level apologetics, Britain also provided diplomatic backing for to Indonesia for eight Hawk jet aircraft, BAe signed a $750 million sales contract for Ronald Reagan’s Central American crusades. Rolls Royce engines, spares, and training of 24 more Hawks, along with $75 million Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher noted in pilots and engineers.(18) The Labor gov- worth of engines from Rolls Royce. Defense 1984, for example, that “we support the ernment refused to assure Parliament that Minister Malcolm Rifkind exulted that the United States’ aim to promote peaceful the Hawks would not be used against East sale will “enhance the existing good relations change, democracy, and economic develop- Timor, and downplayed the extent of Indo- between the United Kingdom and Indone- ment” in the region.(13) And during the Gulf nesian brutality. sia.” (23) War, Britain, alone in the so-called “coali- More Hawk sales followed in 1984, as Recent British military sales include frig- tion,” was the only major power to support did contracts worth over $350 million for ates, submarine communications equipment, unstintingly the belligerent US position. the Rapier air defense system, and the and surveillance radar used by the Indone- The Role of Arms Exports Royal Navy supplied three frigates worth sian military for its naval blockade of East Arms exports have been key in advancing $41 million. The Rapier deal included Timor.(24) British-supplied Saladin, Saracen both countries’ interests. Weapons sales are agreements on technology transfers and and Ferret armored vehicles, meanwhile, not only commercially profitable, but also provided for training Indonesian military have been used for repression in Indonesia Page 222 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. itself and are also available for use in East But arms sales continued so as not to “haz- firmly continues 20 years after the invasion Timor. Most recently, in March 1995, Lon- ard the defence and other cooperation we of East Timor. don okayed a $230 million deal for the sale enjoy.” (31) NOTES of 50 to 80 Scorpion light tanks and Stormer Likewise, British arms deals with Indo- · 1. Michael Evans, “Concern grows over armored personnel carriers.(25) nesia have been signed against the back- proposed 6bn arms deal with Indonesia,” London’s military relationship with Ja- ground of continuing terror in both East The Times (London), Nov. 14, 1994. karta goes beyond arms sales. The British Timor and around Indonesia. In 1983-85, as · 2. TAPOL Bulletin, Aug. 1992, p. 1. For offered places in military training programs the contracts for the Rapier air defense sys- purposes of comparison, from 1989 to for three Indonesian army officers in 1992 - tem were being inked, 3,500-4,500 people 1991, the US supplied $360 million of In- even as Washington prepared to end its were murdered by army death squads in In- donesia’s total $940 million in arms im- training program. (26) donesia. ports. Thalif Deen and Farhan Haq, “U.S. Hurd reported in February 1994 that Similarly, on the same day that BAe an- Rebuked for Increasing Arms Sales to In- military contacts are “reasonably extensive nounced a co-production agreement with donesia,” InterPress Service, May 18, and gradually increasing, with some training Indonesia for the Hawk and another light 1995. in the UK.” Under subsequent questioning attack fighter, one newspaper observed that · 3. The ban “prohibits the sale or licensing in Parliament, a Foreign Office minister ad- “foreign human rights investigators and for export of small or light arms and crowd control items until the Secretary has de- mitted that “some Indonesian public offi- Western diplomats in Jakarta now estimate termined that there has been significant cials trained under our aid program may that up to 5,000 people have been killed or progress on human rights in Indonesia, in- subsequently serve in East Timor.” (27) ‘disappeared’ in Indonesia’s Aceh province cluding East Timor.” Wendy R. Sherman, Putting Hawks to Work at the time. (32) State Department Assistant Secretary for Amnesty International estimated 2,000 British-made Hawks may already be Legislative Affairs, Letter to Sen. Russell deaths in Aceh from 1989 through July “serving” there. In the lead-up to the June Feingold (D- Wisc,), Sept. 21, 1995. 1993, with most of the victims “ordinary · 4. John Pilger, “Death For Sale,” Guardian 1993 Hawk deal, Indonesian Air Marshal villagers living in areas of suspected rebel Weekend Page (London), Nov. 12, 1994. Sibun noted that “the planes will be used activity.” The Indonesian military com- · 5. John Gittings, “East Timorese accuse not only to train pilots, but also for ‘emer- mander in Aceh province was quoted as Britain of blocking action on Indonesia,” gency’ air-to-ground attacks. In fact, the saying in November 1990 that “I have told Guardian, June 17, 1992. Hawks were made especially for air-to- the community, if you find a terrorist, kill · 6. That figure has been confirmed in 1990 ground assaults.” (28) him. There’s no need to investigate him ... If by the Indonesian army intelligence chief According to eyewitnesses, they were for East Timor and this year by the Indo- they don’t do as you order them, shoot used for just that in East Timor. One nesian-appointed governor. East Timor them on the spot, or butcher them.” (33) Timorese who saw Hawks in action in the Action Network, Background on East A recent UN Human Rights Commission early 1980s reported that “they fly in low... Timor and U.S. Policy, May 1995. report noted that “East Timor continues to and attack civilians, because the people hid- · 7. US approval for the initial invasion and be particularly affected by violations of the ing in the mountains are civilians. Four of support of Indonesian claims to East right to life perpetrated by the Indonesian my cousins were killed in Hawk attacks near Timor is wen-documented. See, for exam- security forces,” who enjoy “virtual impu- ple, John G. Taylor, Indonesia’s Forgotten Los Palos.” (29) nity.” The report declared that “there has War., The Hidden History of East Timor José Ramos Horta, a leader of the East been no significant improvement in the hu- (London: Zed Books, 1991). For Australia, Timor independence movement, stated at man rights situation on the ground and see Hamish McDonald, Suharto’s Indonesia the end of last year that Hawks: unless concrete measures are taken, no such (Blackburn, Victoria, Australia: Fontana “Have been used in East Timor improvement can be expected in the near Books, 1980). regularly since 1983 ... During the future.” (34) · 8. See my Ambiguities of Power: British months of August and September Foreign Policy Since 1945 (London: Zed 1994, two Hawk aircraft carried out at Business Is Business Press, 1995), from which this article is least six bombing raids in the Eastern Britain’s past performance gives no indi- largely drawn. region of East Timor. Hawks and cation that it will take such “concrete meas- · 9. “Report by Sir William Strang,” Public American-supplied Broncos are sta- ures.” Close military and diplomatic rela- Records Office, London, CAB 129, tioned at the Baucau airport. ... In the tions with Jakarta have advanced fundamen- CP(49)67, Mar. 17, 1949. last three months, Hawk aircraft have tal British priorities at the expense of large · 10. Great Britain, Foreign and Common- wealth Office, Documents on British For- again been used extensively, mostly in numbers of both Timorese and Indonesians. eign Policy Overseas (London: HMSO) Se- the Eastern region, with an average of Under Suharto, Indonesia has consistently ries 11, v. 11, pp. 164-65. six sorties a day, each bombing raid offered Western business interests the op- · 11. Anthony Eden, Full Circle (London: lasting ten minutes with the launching portunity to benefit from the archipelago’s Cassell, 1960), p. 135. of two missiles each.” (30) political “stability.” The roster of British · 12. Jonathan Bloch and Patrick Fitzgerald, The Irrelevance of Human Rights companies who have taken advantage of In- British Intelligence and Covert Action: Af- donesia’s “favourable political climate” in- rica, Middle East, and Europe Since 1945 That Britain should turn a blind eye to- cludes Rio Tinto Zinc, British Petroleum, (London: Junction, 1987), pp, 44, 64, ward Indonesia’s use of British-supplied British Gas, and Britoil, as well as the arms · 13. Hansard, Parliamentary Debates, attack aircraft to pound the Timorese is no exporters. Nov.9, 1984, col. 326. surprise. The irrelevance of human rights is This climate, and the accompanying vio- · 14. Foreign Relations of the United States a permanent feature of British foreign policy lence, has both been aided by, and is partly (hereafter FRUS) 1947, v. V, pp. 553, 613; and is closely correlated to arms sales. For- the product of, systematic British govern- and 1949, v. VI, p. 170, respectively. eign Office documents leaked in 1985 noted · 15. John Pilger, “Britain is big in the death ment policy toward Indonesia. With British that if Britain were to halt arms sales to market,” Guardian Weekly, Nov. 27, 1994. aid to Indonesia increasing and further sales Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship, it would be a · 16. Hansard, Parliamentary Debates, Feb. of Hawks and tanks in the offing, the policy “striking political gesture on our behalf.” 20, 1995, col. 87. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 223

· 17. Guardian, Sept. 6, 1993. me whether murder or overthrow is intended 5. G. Munster and J. Walsh, Documents · 18. Financial Times (London), Apr. 5, by the word liquidate."(1) on Australian defence and foreign policy, 1978. A then highly-placed MI6 officer later 1968-75, Hong Kong, 1980, pp. 192-93. · 19. Kieran Cooke, “Why Indonesia bought denied that “liquidate” meant killing Su- 6. “Opportunities in Indonesia,” Daily British Rapiers,” Financial Times, Jan. 3, karno, but conceded that, “However, they Telegraph (London), July 21, 1975; Peter 1985. might well have discussed the best way of Hill, “CBI says UK neglects trade with In- · 20. Kieran Cooke, “BAe “signs contract getting rid of this awkward fellow."(2) donesia,” Times (London), Aug. 21, 1975. for Suharto jet,”” Financial Times, May 24, 1985. When Suharto overthrew Sukarno in 1965, · 21. Indonesian News, Oct. 1, 1991. unleashing an orgy of terror that left at least BRITAIN BACKS JAKARTA · 22. Indonesian News, Dec. 20, 1992. half a million corpses, his regime received DENIAL OF TIMOR · 23. Rebecca Smithers, “Hawk deal pro- quick support from both Britain and the US. vokes human rights row,” Guardian, June Labor Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart TERROR CLAIMS 11, 1993. visited Indonesia a year after Suharto’s The Independent on Sunday, December 3 · 24. John Taylor, op. cit., p. 275. bloody assumption to power and declared 1995. By Hugh O’Shaughnessy. slightly · 25. “Indonesia upgrades with Scorpions,” the Jakarta regime “harsh and tyrannical; but abridged Jane’s De fence Weekly, Mar. 11, 1995. it is not aggressive.” He was able to “reach a · 26. TAPOL Bulletin, Aug. 1992, p. 2. good understanding with Foreign Minister The governments of Britain and Indone- · 27. Memo, Sec. of State for Foreign and Adam Malik” who was “evidently resolved sia have joined in an attempt to discredit a Commonwealth Affairs to the House of to keep his country at peace."(3) Malik later report in the Independent on Sunday of 12 Commons Select Committee on Foreign acted as a primary apologist for Indonesian November that British-built Hawk war Affairs, Feb. 1994; and Hansard, Parlia- planes were used on a mission to bolster mentary Debates, written answers, Feb. 10, atrocities in East Timor. In 1977, for exam- Indonesia’s savage occupation of East 1994, col. 457. ple, he was reported as saying, “50,000 or · 28. Rosie Waterhouse, “UK sold L260m 80,000 people might have been killed during Timor. (That article, “Resistance Burns arms to government accused of atrocities,” the war in East Timor .. It was war...Then Bright as Massacre is Remembered”, Is In Independent (London), Feb. 23, 1994. what is the big fuss?"(4) the Santa Cruz Remembered section of these · 29. John Pilger, “On Her Majesty’s bloody As it did a decade earlier, Britain sup- Documents.) service, New Statesman and Society (Lon- ported Suharto’s bloody ambitions in 1975. The Government’s action comes as pro- don), Feb. 18, 1994. Five months before Indonesia invaded East testers world-wide prepare to mark the 20th · 30. Cited in Hansard, Parliamentary de- Timor, the British ambassador in Jakarta anniversary on Thursday of the Indonesian bates, Dec. 15, 1994, col. 1282. informed the Foreign Office: “The people of invasion of the former Portuguese colony. · 31. Cited in Jon Barnes, “Birds of a Portuguese Timor are in no condition to ex- The Indonesian government has issued to Feather: Britain and Chile,” in The ercise the right to self-determination” and the Foreign and Commonwealth office a Thatcher Years. Britain and Latin America “the arguments in favour of its integration formal denial that two British Aerospace (London: Latin American Bureau, 1988), Hawk war planes flew low over Dili, capital p. 57. into Indonesia are all the stronger.” The am- of East Timor, on the morning of 10 No- · 32. “In Sumatra uprising, army’s said to bassador added that: execute hundreds,” International Herald “Certainly, as seen from here, it is vember. Tribune (Paris), June 21, 1991. in Britain’s interest that Indonesia I saw the Hawks make their pass as I · 33. Amnesty International Newsletter, should absorb the territory [East stood near the Red Cross compound in a July 1993. Timor] as soon and as unobtrusively tense and frightened Dili at 8:50 am on 10 · 34. Jeremy Wagstaff, “Human rights still as possible, and that if it should come November while armed troops and police under attack,” Reuters, Feb. 21, 1994. to the crunch and there is a row in the were filling the streets. The military activity For more information on East Timor con- UN, we should keep our heads down was aimed at preventing demonstrations on tact: East Timor Action Network (P.0, Box and avoid taking sides against the In- the anniversary of the killing of 271 armed 1182, White Plains, NY 10602, 914-428- donesian government."(5) [sic – this is clearly a typographical error on 7299; and TAPOL (Indonesian Human At about the same time, the Confedera- the part of the newspaper, and should say Rights Campaign), 11 Northwood Road, tion of British Industry noted that Indonesia “unarmed”] Timorese protesters at the Thornton Heath, Surrey CR4 8HW, United presents “enormous potential for the foreign Santa Cruz cemetery on 12 November 1991. Kingdom, 01144181-771-2904. investor” and the press noted that the coun- I was expelled from East Timor a few hours SIDEBAR: Our Chap in Jakarta try enjoyed a “favourable political climate” later. Jeremy Hanley, Minister of State at the President Suharto has now ruled Indone- and the “encouragement of foreign invest- Foreign Office and former Conservative sia for 30 years with the blessings of the ment by the country’s authorities.” (6) Party chairman, said: “We have no evidence West. But Indonesia was not always viewed SIDEBAR NOTES to support [the] claim that Hawk aircraft so favorably. The independent nationalist 1. CIA memorandum of June 18, 1962, flew over East Timor.” regime of Suharto’s predecessor, President cited in William Blum, The CIA: A Forgot- Mr Hanley was replying to a letter from Sukarno, so threatened Western foreign pol- ten History (London, Zed Press, 1986), p. Lord Avebury, chairman of the Parliamen- icy goals that Britain and the US plotted to 219. tary Human Rights Group, who had com- be rid of him. According to a CIA memoran- 2. “Liquidating Sukarno,” Times (Lon- plained to him of the Indonesians’ use of dum of June 1962, Prime Minister Macmil- don), Aug. 8, 1986. Hawks, quoting this newspaper’s report. lan and President Kennedy met that April 3. Michael Stewart, Life and Labour: An Lord Avebury accuses the government of and “agreed to liquidate President Sukarno, Autobiography (London: Sidgwick and having breached the 1993 agreements of the depending on the situation and available op- Jackson, 1980), p. 149. Organisation for Security and Co-operation portunities.” The CIA officer who wrote the 4. Carmel Budiardjo and Liem Soei Liong, in Europe, which bans the export of arms to memo noted further that “it is not clear to The War against East Timor (London: Zed Press, 1984), p.49. areas where they exacerbate existing ten- sions. Page 224 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Lord Avebury has put down a question attack fighters worth about 500 million be looking at what goes on there and talking in the House of Lords asking Mr Hanley pounds ($770 million). about what we can about it why he “prefers to believe the denial by the Nelson said in a written parliamentary * Eurofighter & Typhoon - these are spokesman of the Indonesian occupation answer that he had given the go-ahead fol- BAe’s major new weapon projects. Discus- forces in East Timor ... rather than the word lowing consultations with the ministry of sion of what they are (a fighter plane and a of a British journalist.” defence and the foreign office. “stand off” missile) and what to do about Our report also embarrassed Downing The sale of the fighters, he said, was in them Street. Whitehall has maintained that Gen- line with established, internationally agreed * Jobs & Conversion - a major issue for eral Suharto, the Indonesian dictator, has criteria for arms exports, all those working in/against the arms trade promised not to use the Hawks to bolster “In accordance with government policy, a * The Indonesian Hawk Deal - BAe is the occupation. When he was Foreign Secre- thorough assessment of the likelihood of about to deliver 24 Hawks to Indonesia who tary in 1989 John Major, against the pro- these aircraft being used for internal repres- have an appalling human rights record at tests of his Cabinet colleagues, stopped the sion in Indonesia or East Timor has been home and continue to occupy East Timor. sale of Hawks to Iraq because they could undertaken. This assessment has concluded The workshop will be a review of recent have been used by Saddam Hussein against that it is not likely that these aircraft will so campaigning and looking at how to take the the Kurds. be used. campaign forward. In 1991 after the first of my four visits to “In addition the Indonesian government FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ring East Timor, the Foreign Office attempted to has given assurances that these aircraft will Chris on 0171 275 9150 or Michael 01457 discredit my eye-witness report of Indone- not be used for internal security or against 871 609; Email Michael c/o sian forces using British military vehicles in civilians in any part of Indonesia or East [email protected] Dili. It claimed there was “no evidence.” Timor,” Nelson said. The Indonesian air force, with 44 Hawks on A senior Indonesian air force officer said WOMEN DISARM HAWK JET order or in service in two counter- earlier this year that 16 of the fighters would WITH HAMMERS insurgency squadrons, is the largest foreign be stationed at Pekanbaru, capital of Riau customer for the aircraft, outstripping even province in eastern Sumatra, to strengthen SEEDS OF HOPE - EAST TIMOR Saudi Arabia. A BAe spokesman said his air defences in an arc from northern Sumatra PLOUGHSHARES WOMEN company hoped Indonesia would buy more; across to central Java. DISARMING FOR LIFE AND JUSTICE the Indonesians hint they may buy 100. Nelson said he was making an exception The Indonesian Embassy yesterday had to the government’s rule not to disclose de- PRESS RELEASE 29 January 1996 - For nothing to add to its denial and would not tails of export licences because the public immediate release comment on my expulsion. Meanwhile the interest in this case outweighed the need for Three women were arrested at the British UN, recognising the erosion of its prestige confidentiality. Aerospace military site at Warton, Lanca- represented by Indonesian chronic defiance shire in the early hours of this morning after of the Security Council resolutions demand- RESISTING THE GIANT: completely disarming a Hawk warplane (jet ing the withdrawal of its troops, is increas- DAYSCHOOL ON BAE number ZH 955 ) with household hammers. ing its activity on the Timor question. Jose The women Lotta Kronlid, Joanna Wilson Ayala Lasso, the UN High Commissioner A dayschool on British Aerospace (BAe): and Andrea Needham. phoned from inside for Human Rights, arrives in Dili this week Britain’s largest arms dealer. the South Hangar to say that they had com- and, if the Indonesian troops permit, will pleted a Ploughshares Action - to disarm learn at first hand the views of the SAT 27 Jan, 10:30-17:00, Manchester, UK. Hawk ground-attack aircraft destined for Timorese. Next month Portuguese, The British Aerospace Campaign and the Indonesia, which were to be used to con- Timorese and Indonesians gather in London Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) tinue Indonesia’s genocide against the peo- under the aegis of the UN Secretary General invite you to a day gathering on Britain’s ple of East Timor. This is the 56th Plough- for further talks about the territory’s future. largest arms company - BAe. BAe is truly a shares action worldwide and the 3rd in Brit- Lord Avebury and Ann Clwyd MP have giant amongst arms companies, with ain. Inspired by the biblical injunction “to invited me to give evidence to the Parliamen- weapon sale of more than #4 billion per beat swords into ploughshares,” these are tary Human Rights Group in the House of year, and more than 30 military factories nonviolent acts of disarmament in which the Commons on 11 December. around England; 5 of the main ones being in activists take full responsibility for their Lancashire. actions. The women are currently being held BRITAIN APPROVES SAL E OF At the dayschool we will be looking at at Lytham St. Annes police station and are FIGHTERS TO INDONESIA some of BAe’s main military projects, as due in court to present a plea tomorrow. well as thinking about how to campaign They are charged with illegal entry and [slightly abridged] against the company and its promotion of criminal damage, expected to be millions of death and destruction. pounds worth. LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuter) - The British When we confront giants such as BAe, British Aerospace are due to deliver 24 government said on Tuesday it had ap- we often feel small and powerless, but Hawk Jets to Indonesia during 1996. Lotta proved the sale of fighter aircraft to Indone- knowledge is a great tool. By becoming more Kronlid, a gardener from Oxford, said, There sia after concluding they would probably informed about BAe, and by working to- is substantial evidence that Hawks from not be used against opponents of the Indo- gether, we can cut BAe down to size. previous deals have been used by the Indo- nesian government. There will be workshops on nesian military to bomb civilians in Trade minister Anthony Nelson said he * Al Yamamah - the world’s largest arms neighbouring East Timor. Indonesia has ille- had authorised the issue of licences to Brit- deal is between Britain and Saudi Arabia, gally occupied East Timor for over twenty ish Aerospace Plc for a contract it signed in with BAe being the prime contractor. years - in defiance of ten UN resolutions - 1993 to sell 24 Hawk trainers and ground- * The Lancashire Connection - 5 of and has been responsible for the deaths of BAe’s top factories are in Lancs and we will East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 225

200,000 people, approximately one-third of against British Aerospace. They are due to NORRIS URGES VISIT TO the pre-invasion population.” appear before magistrates on Thursday. For three years, many local and national TIMOR REBEL LEADER groups and individuals have been calling on The Irish Times, 8th Dec. 1995. Reporter: both British Aerospace and the British gov- EVENTS IN IRELAND Reg Cullen ernment to cancel the Hawk deal. The War- ton site - where the Hawks are assembled N.B. Extracts form the Senate debate were and tested - has been the focus of regular DUBLIN VIGIL IN SUPPORT carried on R.T.E. television Oireachtas protest Joanna Wilson who is a borough OF IRISH PEACE PILGRIMS (Parliamentary) report. Those who spoke councillor in Kirkby, Merseyside, said, included The Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minis- “Despite a sustained campaign, the British Press release from East Timor Ireland Soli- ter) and minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. government and British Aerospace have re- darity Campaign, Nov. 9 Dick Spring and Senator David Norris. fused to stop the sale. These planes will In response to Indonesia’s decision to re- Independent senator Mr. David Norris very soon be killing people in East Timor fuse Senator David Norris and Patricia yesterday called on the Tanaiste to instruct unless action is taken immediately to stop McKenna M.E.P. access to East Timor, and Ireland’s ambassador to Australia, who is them.” the deportations of other international fig- also accredited to Indonesia, to visit Mr. Andrea Needham, a nurse and peace ac- ures from the territory, the East Timor Ire- Xanana Gusmão. the East Timorese leader is tivist also from Kirkby, said, “I pray that land Solidarity Campaign will hold a one illegally imprisoned in Indonesia. what we do today in disarming these planes hour candle-light vigil outside the British Mr. Norris made his appeal during a de- will be a smell ray of hope for our sisters embassy, Merrion Road on Friday, Novem- bate marking the 20th anniversary of the and brothers struggling for peace and justice ber 10th between 7pm and 8pm. invasion of East Timor by Indonesia. He in East Timor. A special ceremony commemorating the also asked Mr. Dick Spring to get the EU Angie Zelter, an environmental cam- anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre, in Council of Ministers to establish an inde- paigner from Norfolk, is part of the group which over 270 Eats Timorese were gunned pendent international inquiry into the coun- but has not yet carried out her part of the down by Indonesian troops, will take place try. During the past 20 years, 200,000 peo- action: “Ploughshares actions seek to em- at the embassy. A similar ceremony was ple or one third of the population had died power others to believe in their ability to intended to take place in Dili, East Timor, through mass-execution, famine forced la- disarm weapons and be publicly accountable with Senator Norris and Ms. McKenna bour and in concentration camps. Until re- for their actions. In keeping with this spirit I reading messages of support from, among cently, the west had turned a blind eye to all will carry out my act of disarmament soon others, Bono of U2, and Nobel Laureate, of this, he said. Mr. Spring replied that the and hope that others will continue this Mairead Maguire, and lighting a Flame Of government wanted Indonesia to cooperate work.” (Interviews available) Hope (AHI NAKLAKAN). fully with United Nations agencies in East For further information: Phone 0171- It has just emerged also that an Indone- Timor. Ireland wanted to see a political so- 249-6949, and fax / phone: 0171-923-9511 sian officer, whose men brutally murdered lution based on the principles of interna- The Seeds of Hope - East Timor Plough- five Western journalists-two Britons, two tional law and justice. Moreover, Mr. Spring shares group has prepared a broadcast qual- Australians and a New Zealander-prior to said, Ireland called for a halt in the supply ity video, taped interviews and a report the full-scale invasion of Eats Timor, has of arms to Indonesia which could be used as about the action, which are available to the since been given a year’s training at a top instruments of oppression in East Timor press. Personal statements, indictment and British military college. and demanded the release of Mr. Xanana photos are also available. Given these recent developments, ETISC Gusmão and other political prisoners in East will be calling on John Major’s government Timor. The Tanaiste deplored the fact that THREE ARRESTED FOR DAMAGING to support pleas for a fresh inquiry into the Senator Norris and MEP Patricia McKenna HAWK killings of the journalists, and to cease all and other s were prevented from visiting Update, Jan. 30. military assistance, both training and hard- East Timor last month on a mission of ware, to the Suharto regime. goodwill, peace and prayer to commemorate Three women appeared in court today af- those killed in Dili four years ago. ter being arrested Monday during a night- “the actions taken by the Indonesian au- time raid on the British Aerospace site in thorities to ban two Irish parliamentarians Wharton, Lancs. from entering East Timor is a clear indica- SANTA TO DECOMMISSION A Hawk ground attack aircraft was badly tion of Indonesia’s disregard for interna- WARPLANE AT BRITISH damaged by the intruders who were protest- tional law and respect for human rights,” EMBASSY ing against the sale of Hawk aircraft to the said Tom Hyland of ETISC. Indonesian government, because of its cam- East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign paign of genocide against East Timor. Press Release, 20th December 1995 The three women who cut through the Santa Claus will be paying a special visit perimeter fence and entered a hangar are: to the British embassy between 12 noon and Joanna Wilson, 32, from Kirkby, Manches- 1pm on Christmas Day to decommission a ter, a member of Knowsley borough council; British Aerospace Hawk aircraft. Andrea Needham, 30, a nurse also from On his return to Lapland, Santa will stop Kirkby; and Lotta Kronlid, 27, a gardener off at Merrion road and carry out the de- from Oxford. commissioning as a present to the people of The three women were refused bail after East Timor, who suffer from the use of the declaring in court that they wanted to go British Hawks by the Indonesian military. free in order to continue with their work The British made Hawks have been used for bombing raids against civilian targets in Page 226 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

East Timor, which has been illegally occu- territory and a ban on the economic migrants talks of the future of occupied East Timor. pied by Indonesia for the past 20 years. from Indonesia who settle informally. Lis- Can you tell me what the present situation Reports of the aircraft’s use have been made bon will also seek a new round of intra- is in East Timor now?” as recently as November 1995 when the Timorese talks, such as took place in Aus- José Ramos Horta, “The situation has dete- Irish journalist Hugh O’Shaughnessy ob- tria last year, and which resulted in agree- riorated seriously over the last 12 months. served them flying over the ‘Santa’ Cruz ment among pro- and anti-Indonesian fac- There are at least 30,000 Indonesian troops cemetery in the East Timorese capital, Dili. tions on the demand for greater Timorese in our country, a country the size of Israel Following the sighting, Mr. O’Shaughnessy freedom. or Kuwait. There are over 1,000 Timorese in was deported from East Timor by the Indo- The role of Ireland later this year would, prison, torture is commonplace and is a nesian military. say conference observers, be that of con- daily occurrence. Dozens and dozens of Tom Hyland, co-ordinator of ETISC, solidating a powerful pro-Timorese coalition East Timorese are detained and tortured at commentated: “With the issue of weapons within the EU. This can be built around Por- random. At the same time the resistance gets decommissioning attracting so much atten- tugal -which the UN continues to recognise stronger and stronger than ever. The more tion in this country, I am delighted that as the power responsible for its former col- the Indonesian aggress against the people of Santa Claus is coming here to broaden the ony- Sweden, Finland, Greece, Spain, and East Timor, the more they resist.” issue. When we talk about weapons we possibly Austria. Such a majority could out- must realise that the needs of the people in face the pro-Indonesia group of Britain, Aileen O’Meara, “What do you think that Ireland, north and south, and the people in Germany and the Netherlands who have no the people of Ireland can do about the East Timor are the same. They all need interest in the departure of Indonesia. situation, it is very far away” peace.” Britain and Germany are supplying war José Ramos Horta, “Well first and foremost More information, Dublin 353 1 6233148. material which is helping to sustain the In- allow me to say that we are indebted, we are donesian occupation. British-built Hawk grateful, profoundly moved by the action warplanes have been in action over Dili, the taken by the Irish Government and Irish ROLE OF IRELAND East Timorese capital, despite claims to the politicians in regard to the situation. We STRESSED AS contrary, while Bonn has sold General Su- have a very long history of resistance to the UN TALKS BEGIN harto the bulk of the former East German Indonesian occupation. Ireland, yes is far navy. The Netherlands, whose colony Indo- away, is small but it has a strong moral po- The Irish Times, 15th January 1996. By nesia once was, is seen as having psycho- sition. There is no country in the world that Hugh O’Shaughnessy logical hang-ups in its relations with Jakarta. can accuse Ireland of having neo-colonial or As UN talks of the future of occupied “The British, Dutch and German gov- imperial ambitions against anyone. So East Timor start in London today diplomats ernments are constantly ridiculing Portu- whenever Ireland takes a stand it has an im- are underlining the key role Ireland could guese diplomats in private and telling them pact. No one can criticize Ireland like they play in alleviating the crisis in the former their preoccupation with a distant piece of criticize Australia or the United States and Portuguese colony when it assumes the the East Indies is demented. That has to be for these very reasons we commend very presidency of the EU. stopped,” said one conference source. “Dick strongly the stand taken by the Foreign The talks, at the Dorchester hotel, in- Spring has taken a different attitude; his ac- Minister, Mr. Dick Spring late last year volve the UN Secretary General, Dr. tion in quitting a meeting with Alatas in dis- when he stood up the Indonesian Foreign Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Portuguese For- gust last year has not been forgotten. And Minister. This was the first time that the eign Minister, Mr. Jaime Gama, And Mr. Ireland has a very good UN record.” arrogant Foreign Minister of Indonesia faced Ali Alatas, his opposite number from Indo- Meanwhile, there is worry in Timorese a European Minister who is not afraid of nesia whose forces have been occupying the circles at persistent reports from Lisbon Indonesia’s wealth, who is not afraid of the territory in defiance of UN Security Council that Bishop Belo will be relegated to the Indonesian dictatorship. Ireland must be resolutions since 1975. provincial town of Baucau when, as seems proud of this.” Mr. Alatas has promised that this week’s likely, the diocese of East Timor will be di- session will bring substantive progress on vided into two or even three. the question of East Timor where an esti- EVENTS IN CANADA mated 200,000 people have died as a result HORTA INTERVIEWED of Indonesia’s occupation and invasion. “It ON RTE is important that we enter the substantive ISABEL GALHOS SINGS EAST phase,” he commentated this month as his RTE Today at Five, January 16. National in TIMOR INDEPENDENCE government continued to feel the wide- Ireland and on the Astra Satellite to Europe SONG AT INDONESIAN spread and increasing international disap- Interviewer: Aileen O’Meara EMBASSY IN OTTAWA proval of its actions. But the regime of General Suharto is Aileen O’Meara; “Ireland takes the presi- From ETAN/Ottawa, Nov. 14 unlikely to agree to the withdrawal of Indo- dency of the EU in July this year and it Cold wind and snow did not deter 300 nesian troops as Portugal and the UN Secu- presents us with the opportunity to have a people from protesting at the Indonesian rity Council has demanded. For his part Dr. key role in alleviating the crisis in East Embassy in Ottawa. The rally also marched Boutros Ghali is unlikely to be pressing Mr. Timor, so says José Ramos Horta, to the Human Rights monument and then to Alatas hard. spokesperson for the Timorese resis- Parliament Hill. The crowd chanted down Realistically Portugal will be urging tance. José was Foreign Minister in East McLaren street with independence flags, greater respect for Timorese culture, and Timor for just ten days, between the dec- banners, and over 200 crosses - each carry- most specifically a halt to General Suharto’s laration of independence and the Indone- ing the name of a person who had died in the policy of “transmigration,” the official set- sian invasion in 1975. He is in London Nov 12, 1991 massacre in Dili. Many of the tlement of Indonesians on East Timorese today, to coincide with the UN sponsored East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 227 names were of teenagers - gunned down in people. Just as domestic violence can no East Timor Justice and Peace Commission, cold blood. longer be considered a private matter under to accept the award on his behalf. At the Indonesian Embassy, East national law, so domestic violence of an- The award ceremony will also honour the Timorese refugee, Isabel “Bella” Galhos other kind is no longer an internal matter life of McGill University Professor John sang the independence song of East Timor. under international law. Our task here must Peters Humphrey, the Montreal lawyer for “In my country, people die or are tortured be viewed as a common quest for the uni- whom the award is named. Professor Hum- for singing this song” said Bella in her intro- versal application of human rights stan- phrey prepared the first draft of the Univer- duction to the song. dards. sal Declaration of Human Rights. Prominent The rally then moved to the Human (other country situations .) Canadians who well serve as this year’s Rights monument where Bella spoke of her Award Patrons include: Denys Arcand, Canada sees a crucial role for the UN account of the events of Nov 12th, 1991 in Charles Bronfman, Irwin Cotler, Jules special rapporteurs, representatives and the East Timor’s capital, Dili. She described Ceschenes, Timothy Findley, Flora Mac- human rights treaty system in assembling what happened as the Indonesian army Donald, Ovide Mercredi, Andree Ruffo, human rights violations and encouraging opened fire at the entrance to the cemetery. David Suzuki and Bertha Wilson. states to live up to their commitments. All She climbed a wall and escaped as her Bishop Belo will receive a grant of governments, without exception, should co- friends and neighbours were being slaugh- $30,000 to further his work in the field of operate fully with the Special Rapporteurs tered. A ‘minutes silence’ was observed for human rights and democratic development in of the Commission on Human Rights and those slain. East Timor. The funds raised at the Award the UN’s human rights treaty bodies. During our rally, Indonesian students, dinner will allow the Bishop to visit Canada ... from PERMIKA (Indonesian Students As- in the spring in order to meet with govern- A positive development on East Timor sociation - Ottawa ) were handing out litera- ment and NGO representatives. this year was the initiation of the All Inclu- ture stating that the majority of the people sive Intra-Timorese Dialogue, where a de- of East Timor wanted integration with In- MESSAGE FROM BELO ON RECEIPT gree of consensus was achieved. Unfortu- donesia. It included statistics regarding de- OF AWARD nately, recurring violence and killings point velopment that Indonesia had brought to to a continuing deterioration of the situation This speech by Bishop Belo was read by Fa- East Timor. At Parliament Hill Bella de- in the territory itself. We welcome moves ther Matteus in Montreal, Canada, on the nounced this “propaganda” and the lies that by the Indonesian National Human Rights occasion of Bishop Belo being awarded the it contained. In an impassioned talk she told Commission to investigate the situation. We 1995 Freedom Award. of the horrors that the Indonesian Govern- continue to encourage the Indonesian Gov- ment had forced on her people. Murder, tor- KEUSKUPAN DILI ernment to implement the recommendations ture, rape, forced sterilization and daily in- Mr. President of International Centre for of the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, timidation are the methods of the Indonesian Human Rights and Democratic Develop- Summary or Arbitrary Executions and to army. She thanked those who came out to ment, Ladies and Gentlemen cooperate with other UN thematic mecha- the rally and asked the crowd to work in nisms. We are gratified by the Indonesian The news that I am selected to receive support of a free East Timor . Government’s invitation to the UN High “John Humphrey Award 1995” reached me At the parliament buildings the crosses Commissioner for Human Rights and trust last month when I was attending a seminar were placed on the steps. Those attending he will have full freedom of movement and in Rome for the Bishops from the Mission were asked to write letters to the Prime access to all those he wishes to meet. Territories. Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs On December 10, precisely on the com- asking for Canada to end the sale of military memoration of the International Day of goods to Indonesia. BISHOP BELO WINS THE Human Rights, this extremely valuable Rally organised by: East Timor Alert JOHN HUMPHREY FREEDOM Award will be given to me. However, due to Network (ETAN), Ottawa Chapter, AWARD the particular situation in East Timor now, P.O.Box 4115, Stn.E. Ottawa, ON K1S it is impossible for me to come to Montreal 5B1 Press release from International Centre for to express orally my cheerful and deep grati- (613) 742-9141 Information Line (re- Human Rights and Democratic Develop- tude for such a high distinction. Neverthe- corded message) ment, Montreal. less, it is a great honour for me to address MONTREAL, November 24, 1995 - The the President of the International Centre for CANADA STATEMENT TO UN International Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights and Democratic Develop- GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON Democratic Development awards its John ment, and the honourable members as well as the presentees. EAST TIMOR Humphrey Freedom Award to Bishop Car- los F.X. Belo, for his exceptional contribu- First of all, I would like to render my Canada’s statement to Third Committee un- tion to the defence and promotion of human heartiest thanks to the International Centre der Item 112, by Ambassador Fowler. De- rights in East Timor. The official ceremony for Human Rights and Democratic Devel- cember 1, 1995 will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Montreal, at the opment for “John Humphrey Award 95” Westin Mont-Royal Hotel, on Sunday De- bestowing my humble person. This Award Mr. Chairman, cember 10, 1995, International Human inspires me profoundly although I am un- We are assembled today for this debate Rights Day. worthy for it. on human rights violations in all parts of the Because of increasing tensions in East I must say that the Award is awarded not world for a simple reason: human rights are Timor on the eve of the 20th anniversary of only to Bishop Carlos Belo but to all East fundamental values which we are all obliged the Indonesian invasion, Bishop Belo is un- Timorese as well as to all men of good will to promote and protect. This is not an issue able to leave the island state to receive the who are working and searching for peace, by of interference in the internal affairs of oth- award in person. He has designated Father promoting human rights, democracy and ers. Sovereignty confers no license to abuse Mateus do Rosario da Cruz, head of the civic freedom. Page 228 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Mr. President and the Committee members, continue to loving their enemies, to forgive we had once thought had disappeared for I am fully award that “John Humphrey each other, and to work for peace, recon- ever – is, alas, very much still with us. Award 95” would demand more commit- ciliation, harmony and development of their So it is more than ever necessary to make ment from me to the cause of issues on hu- own home land. it clear that the concept of human rights man rights and also to continue the efforts The situation of human rights in East makes sense only if it forms part of a politi- for building up peace and reconciliation Timor, now, has not yet been totally im- cal project which makes a lasting impact on among the East Timorese. proved, despite of the enormous efforts. the conscience of peoples and nations. When I was entrusted with the ecclesias- Therefore, as I mentioned above, on accept- That project is called democracy. My tical responsibility of the Apostolic Admin- ing the Award, I will be obliged to take more profound belief is that only democracy – istrator of Dili on May 1983, one of my responsibility in this difficult but noble both within States and within the Commu- primary pastoral preoccupations was to sphere of life, i.e., human rights and democ- nity of States – can truly guarantee human defending the dignity of East Timorese. racy. rights. Since then the promotion of the dignity of Finally, I take the liberty of requesting That is because democracy alone can rec- the East Timorese gained preference in my your valuable prayers and your solidarity oncile individual and collective rights, the pastoral leadership. with the East Timorese in order that they rights of peoples and the rights of individu- East Timorese People have experienced learn to respect the rights of others so that als. It is through democracy that the rights one of the most tragedic periods of their his- others could respect their rights tool. of States and the rights of the community of tory since 1975. The Timorese society was That’s all. Thank you. States are harmonized. fractioned. The occupation of East Timor Dili, 13 November 1995 Democratization must therefore be a goal by Indonesia brought the situation of human Msgr. Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, SDB of the international community. And the rights into focus, at various levels: Bishop Apostolic Administrator of Dili United Nations must make every effort to a) At the demographic level: many Diocese make States, peoples and nations aware of Timorese died, because of the effects of the this democratic necessity. war, famine, decease [sic] and ill-treatments. MESSAGE OF SECRETARY- So my message today is this: democracy Hence it was urgent to safeguard the exis- GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS- is the political expression of our common tence of the Timorese society. Until 1985, GHALI TO THE AWARD DINNER heritage. Democracy is for everyone. And, many Timorese were forced to live outside like human rights, democracy has a universal Montreal, 10 December 1995 their own villages. They were forced to live dimension. So democracy and human rights in the new settlements, which was the place Annually on this Human Rights Day, we are goals which are indissolubly linked and of breeding of mosquitos, and located in the commemorate the adoption by the UN Gen- which must be pursued together. And we hottest areas of the island. This resulted in eral Assembly, on 10 December 1948, of the must work untiringly for both of them. the population suffering from malaria and Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this effort, the contribution of non- tuberculosis. In many places throughout the This year we have been celebrating the fifti- governmental organizations and institutions island, people were not allowed to go out eth anniversary of the world Organization. in promoting respect and concern for human beyond 5 kms, for farming their lands and So on Human Rights Day 1995 we should rights and honouring those who have served the rice-fields. Many others were removed recall that the Universal Declaration grew in their cause is inestimable. The Interna- from their own villages and were exiled to out of the Charter of the United Nations tional Centre for Human Rights and Democ- Atauro, Lautem, Dotik, Cailaco, and Lalerek itself. It built on and codified the central ratic Development has been an important Mutin. People with differ [sic] ideology message of the drafters of the Charter by source of support to the United Nations in were tortured, murdered or disappeared setting out, clearly and explicitly, the invio- this mission. The memory of John Peters without any trace from prisons. lable rights of the human person. Humphrey, whose death we mourned this b) At the socio-economic level: East Since its inception, the United Nations year, has been kept aflame by the institution Timorese People were relegated into second Organization has worked to extend its nor- of the Freedom Award in his name. The class citizens as if they are not the agents of mative efforts not only into the field of in- United Nations remembers the moral and development of their own country; dividual rights but also into those of eco- intellectual vigour which informed his par- c) At the cultural level: East Timorese nomic, social and cultural rights. ticipation in the drafting of the Universal were introduced to or forced to adopt alien Now the time has come to go further. For Declaration of Human Rights. system of culture, outside their own “welt- the rule of law is meaningless unless steps The Preamble to this Declaration reflects schaung.” are taken to ensure that it is applied judi- the recognition of the inherent dignity and of d) At the political level: it is prohibited cially. the equal and inalienable rights of all mem- to hold and express different opinions; peo- That is why we should be unceasing in bers of the human family as being the foun- ple were forced to accept the “status quo.” our efforts to encourage States to ratify in- dation of freedom, justice and peace in the Whoever opposed this “status quo” was ternational human rights laws, and why we world. This recognition has been manifest in jailed, tortured and on trial, had to undergo must also do all we can to ensure that they the work of Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes two to six years imprisonment [sic]. abide by them. Belo, an outstanding advocate of peace and In this confusing and sorrowful situation, Efforts of the international community to human rights, whose efforts at reconciliation the role of the Catholic Church and that of extend its jurisdiction must be stepped up. in East Timor have reflected the United Na- the Bishop is, above all, to appealing for the The International Courts dealing with war tions’ own search, through the Secretary- respect of the dignity of human being, for crimes and human rights violations in the General’s good offices, for a just, compre- respecting and safeguarding religious, cul- former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda are good hensive and internationally acceptable solu- tural and historical identity of the East examples. tion to this question. Timorese. At the same time, we are con- But they are also – unfortunately – the In conclusion, I count on the continued tinuously appealing to the East Timorese reflection of deep and shameful dilemmas help of all assembled here this evening to that, amidst the difficulties, they have to within the international community which take the world along the path of human show that the spectre of genocide – which East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 229 rights and democracy. I thank you for your violence committed against the Timorese by “The policy of Canada over the past 20 work and your commitment. the Indonesian military. years has been to increase trade and at the Numerous high-profile Canadians, includ- same time to speak privately and quietly to UNIONS CALL FOR ing members of Parliament, leaders of major (Indonesian leader) Suharto about these mat- ARMS EMBARGO labour unions, and the head of the Montreal- ters,” says Sharon Scharfe, an organiser with based International Centre for Human Parliamentarians for East Timor. From ETAN/Canada, Dec. 7. Rights and Democratic Development, have “Over the past 20 years there’s been an called for an end to Canadian military sales increase in trade between Canada and Indo- Trade unions representing more than 1.7 to Indonesia. nesia, and there’s also been an increase in million Canadians today joined a call initi- Many also want the Chretien government repression. So maybe the policy is not ated by the East Timor Alert Network for to publicly condemn Indonesia’s human working,” said Scharfe, author of the new an embargo on the sale of military equip- rights abuses. book, ‘Complicity: Human Rights and Ca- ment to Indonesia. At a news conference on “The trade union leaders and Canadians nadian Foreign Policy – The Case of East Parliament Hill, Canadian Labour Congress in general are committed to this issue and Timor.’ executive vice-president Jean-Claude Parrot will be following what happens,” says Canada is facing additional pressure to spoke along with Sunera Thobani, president Kerry Pither, co-ordinator of the National change its tack since the leak of an internal of the National Action Committee on the Solidarity Programme of Canada’s East assessment of the situation in East Timor. Status of Women; Bern Jagunos of the Can- Timor Alert Network (ETAN). In response to Scharfe’s request for in- ada Asia Working Group (lead agency of the Pither also promised a series of media formation under Canada’s Access to Infor- Canadian churches on human rights in Asia); events in Canada to coincide with Prime mation Act, the government released a telex Svend Robinson MP of Parliamentarians for Minister Chretien’s arrival in Indonesia. from the Canadian embassy in Jakarta, East Timor; and Isabel Galhos, one of three Chretien will be in Indonesia Jan. 16-17, summarising a fact-finding mission to East Timorese to have escaped from East Timor. heading the so-called “Team Canada” trade Timor. Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s govern- delegation which includes the trade minister, In it, Canada’s ambassador to Indonesia ment has resumed the sale of military business leaders, and 10 of Canada’s 12 describes a military crackdown, consisting equipment since coming to power. The pre- provincial and territorial leaders. of “intimidation, stepped-up military and vious Conservative government did not A “Team Canada” visit to China last year police visibility, arrest and ill-treatment, and make arms sales after 1991. was widely criticised as inappropriate in since January 1995, a number of cases of The unions issuing calls included: light of China’s continuing abuse of human death, disappearance and severe beatings.” Canadian Union of Public Employees rights. This style of trade mission is seen as In light of this assessment, advocates say National union of Public and General Em- ployees symbolic of a new Canadian approach to Canada is clearly wrong to sell military Canadian Auto Workers foreign policy that puts trade considerations products to Indonesia. Canadian Union of Postal Workers ahead of concern for human rights. Canada made just under one million U.S. International Association of Machinists and But foreign affairs department spokes- dollars in sales to the Indonesian military in Aerospace Workers person Colin Stewart says that though the 1994. Information provided to Scharfe Telecommunications Workers Union visit is mostly about trade, Chretien will shows that the items sold were classified on United Food and Commercial Workers raise the topic of East Timor and human export permit forms as aircraft and aircraft Public Service Alliance of Canada rights in general. components, “specially designed or modi- United Steelworkers “I would highlight that it will be con- fied for military use.” The government will Communications, Energy and Paperworkers structive dialogue,” Stewart told IPS. not say what specific items were sold to the union “We don’t believe in loud public con- Indonesian military. Saskatchewan Government Employees Union demnation as a way of achieving anything. But Stewart defended the sales by saying These unions have a combined member- Our approach is one of wishing to be help- that although the goods were registered un- ship of 1,757,000. ful, of sitting down and saying that we have der “fierce sounding categories,” they do not these concerns and that we would like to do in themselves have an offensive purpose. He CANADIAN EAST TIMOR what we can to help...We want to deal with said the Indonesian military has the legiti- ADVOCATES THRASH these issues on a firm but constructive ba- mate function of guarding its own borders. TRADE TRIP sis,” he explained. Edward Broadbent, president of the Stewart said that by keeping open the Montreal-based International Centre for By Stephen Dale channels for dialogue, Canada has been able Human Rights and Democratic Develop- OTTAWA, Dec 26 (IPS) - As Canadian to launch new initiatives, including the pair- ment, has criticised the sales. Prime Minister Jean Chretien prepares to ing of the “nominally non-governmental” “We should stop the sale of all military lead a high-level trade delegation to Indone- Indonesian Human Rights Commission with equipment until there is a peaceful and de- sia in mid-January, he is under increasing the Canadian Human Rights Commission. mocratic solution to the tragedy of East domestic pressure to take a hard line on In- He added that Canada would not have Timor,” he said. donesia’s human rights abuses. been able to provide development assistance Canada has changed its rhetoric on East Public concern in Canada has focused funding for human rights-oriented non- Timor in the past. In the 1980s, Ottawa in- mainly on the plight of East Timor, the for- governmental organisations (NGOs) in In- sisted that the Indonesian annexation was a mer Portuguese colony which was invaded donesia, had it taken an adversarial approach “fait accompli” accepted by the Timorese by Indonesia in 1975. Human Rights to the Indonesian government. and the world. Watch/Asia estimates that a third of East But Canadian advocates for the East Today, Canada says it is “concerned” Timor’s population has perished since the Timorese say that while supporting Indone- about East Timor and that it supports U.N.- invasion, and there are continuing reports of sian human rights groups may be worth- sponsored talks between Portugal and Indo- while, it is an inadequate response given the nesia as a way of finding an “internationally level of abuse in East Timor. acceptable solution.” Page 230 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Stewart says the change corresponded At the time, Chretien had publicly sup- “The hypocrisy of this trade mission is with the 1991 massacre in Dili, when “the ported two resolutions passed by the UN shameful,” said Kerry Pither of the Ottawa- international community sat up and took Security Council calling for the withdrawal based East Timor Alert Network, which notice.” of Indonesia from East Timor and the right held a news conference yesterday that in- Kerry Pither is more sceptical: “The Ca- for the occupied country to self- volved labour leaders, activists and Liberal nadian government got away with their bad determination. MP Warren Allmand (Notre-Dame-de- policy in the past because they thought that Before leaving on the trade mission, Grace). nobody was watching, that there was no Chretien said he planned to raise the human Pither chided Chretien for lining up to knowledge in the Canadian public. Now rights issue during private meetings with meet Indonesian leaders linked to genocide. they know there is.” Indonesian President Suharto. “He’s meeting and shaking hands with, Scharfe adds that the Ottawa-based Par- That’s not good enough, Allmand said, and dining with, and promoting friendly ties liamentarians for East Timor, with a mem- urging the prime minister to push the issue with the men who have ordered the deaths bership of 500 members of parliament in 26 publicly. of hundreds of thousands of innocent peo- countries (70 of them in Canada), has been “I don’t know why they are so timid ple,” Pither said. effective at keeping East Timor on the agen- about raising this,” he said. “If they don’t By some accounts, more than one-third das of both opposition and governing par- want to buy our soup, or whatever, then of the people of East Timor have been killed ties throughout the world. we’ll just leave and sell it somewhere else.” in organized genocide since Indonesia seized A spokesperson for a human rights group the area by force two decades ago and began PM URGED TO TAKE A called the East Timor Alert Network was settling Indonesians there. HARD, PUBLIC POSITION even more forceful in calling for Canadian Sunera Thobani, head of the National Ac- action. “It’s inappropriate that he (Chre- tion Committee for the Status of Women, AGAINST MISTREATMENT tien) is there at all,” Kerry Pither said. said Chretien owes it to Canadians who op- OF EAST TIMOR ISLANDERS “If he is going to be there, it should be a pose human rights abuse to raise the viola- mission that puts human rights on an equal tions as a key concern. CRAIG SUMI, Southam News, Jan 17. platform with trade.” “We do not want to be complicit in this OTTAWA - Maverick Liberal MP War- Bella Galhos, an East Timorese who es- genocidal war on the people of East Timor,” ren Allmand says it will be “scandalous” if caped in 1994 and is seeking refugee status she said. “And our Prime Minster should Prime Minister Jean Chretien ignores the in Canada, said women are being raped, tor- state this unreservedly.” Indonesian government’s brutal treatment of tured, kidnapped and forcibly sterilized. Bella Galhos, an East Timorese refugee the people of East Timor while on a trade At the press conference, Galhos read a who witnessed the killing of relatives and mission there. message from a friend who escaped Indone- friends at the hands of Indonesian soldiers, “Mr. Chretien should publicly demand sia this week and is seeking asylum in Por- said: “The only reason that Suharto can con- that they respect UN resolutions and that tugal. “I watched my friends and family dy- tinue to kill my people is because Western they cease human rights violations and get ing and now the prime minister is shaking governments support Suharto by ignoring out of East Timor,” Allmand said at a press hands with the man who is ordering this kill- that he is a killer,” said Galhos. conference Tuesday. “He should make it ing,” her friend wrote. Galhos escaped the country by joining an clear that if they don’t, we will play hard- On the India leg of the trip, Chretien was Indonesian youth corps and pretending to ball . . . and take sanctions. “Chretien, ac- forced to put human rights higher on his accept Indonesia’s colonization of her coun- companied by six provincial premiers and agenda when a 13-year-old Toronto school- try. 300 Canadian business leaders, arrived late boy raised the issue of child labor abuses in Galhos said many East Timorese women Tuesday in Jakarta. It’s the latest stop on that country. are victimized by Indonesian troops and the 12-day Team Canada trade mission that subjected to rape, forced sterilization and has seen Canadian companies sign about $3- EAST TIMOR SUPPORTERS LASH made to witness the abuse of loved ones. billion worth of agreements. TRADE MISSION AS “HYPOCRISY” It has been 20 years since the Indonesian Toronto Star, Jan. 17, 1996. By Allan CANADA CAN BE BOUGHT! military invaded East Timor, a former Por- Thompson, Ottawa Bureau tuguese colony located 500 kilometres From Paul Salim, Jan 18, 1996. This article OTTAWA – Prime Minster Jean Chre- northwest of Australia. was abridged from local TV news yesterday. tien will be a hypocrite if he fails to use his Since then, human rights organizations visit to Indonesia to forcefully press leaders Despite human rights abuses in Indonesia estimate as many as 200,000 people have there to respect the rights of the people of and East Timor, yesterday (17 January been killed by Indonesian forces. East Timor, human rights activists say. 1996) Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chre- “One-third of that little nation’s popula- Chretien, who arrived in Indonesia yes- tien and 6 Premiers witnessed signings of tion has been killed in the last 20 years, the terday as part of his Team Canada trade $566 million in contracts and 2.2 billion in worst genocide per capita since the Holo- tour of Asia, is to meet Indonesian President agreements in principle in Jakarta (Indone- caust,” Allmand said. Suharto and Vice-President Try Sutrisno. sia), as the ‘team Canada’ trade mission con- The Montreal MP isn’t shy about speak- Both are accused of authorizing gross human tinued its swing through Asia. ing out, even at the risk of embarrassing the rights abuses against the residents of East Meanwhile, an MP of the Liberal Party prime minister. Allmand was disciplined by Timor, a former Portuguese colony occupied (Prime Minister’s Party) - Warren Allmand his party brass last summer for voting by Indonesia since 1975. - has launched an attack on the Prime Minis- against the Liberal budget bill. He had con- Amnesty International and Human ter’s trip to Indonesia. Allmand wanted demned the government for abandoning its Rights Watch have consistently ranked In- Chretien to publicly raise human rights con- social conscience. donesia as one of the world’s worst human cerns about Indonesia’s occupation of East Allmand noted Chretien had spoken out rights violators. Timor. But speaking in Jakarta, Chretien against the mistreatment of the East said he had raised human rights abuses, par- Timorese while opposition leader in 1991. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 231 ticularly in East Timor, with Indonesian work room at the hotel where Prime Minis- waiting car and two officers. They left for President Soeharto, but he added Canada ter Jean Chretien the airport. believed in dialogue rather than trade sanc- Scharfe’s Ottawa-based East Timor Alert Scharfe telephoned her mother in Ottawa, tions. Network works to exert pressure on Indo- but Carol Scharfe said she wasn’t told where Also unhappy about yesterday’s trade nesia to end its brutal military occupation of the call originated. deal is the East Timor Alert Network the island, about 500 kilometers northwest “She told us everything is fine and that (ETAN) in Ottawa which says Chretien has of Australia. she is coming home. We’re thankful.” Carol shown to Indonesia that Canada can be Indonesia took over East Timor when Scharfe said. bought. Portugal’s colonial rulers left in 1975, and She had been worried about Sharon’s East Timor was invaded by Indonesia in stayed in defiance United Nations resolu- safety: “We’ve been doing a lot of praying.” 1975 and Indonesia has killed one-third of tions. Indonesian troops have used an iron Ottawa members of the East Timor Alert East Timor’s population. fist to try to crush the East Timor inde- Network have heard plenty of horror stories pendence movement. about how people are mistreated in Indone- CANADIAN TRADE MISSION TO Human rights abuses have been a cause of sia, co-ordinator David Webster said. “She INDONESIA DRAWS FIRE OVER widespread international concern and activ- knew there were risks going over there, but HUMAN RIGHTS ists claim up to 200.000 Timorese have been she decided it was, worth the risk.” Report from David Webster, ETAN/Toronto, killed. Canada has repeatedly pressed Indonesia Jan. 19 “I’m scared to death, but then I think of to improve its human rights record in East all the people on East Timor who have to Timor But results have been minimal. Cana- From Jan. 16 to 18, Canadian Prime Min- live in fear like this every night of their dian officials here describe the process as ister Jean Chretien and six of the ten provin- lives,” Scharfe said before escaping. “frustrating” and see no reason to think the cial premiers travelled to Indonesia on a She waited – too nervous to eat – in the current visit will change anything. trade mission, dubbed Team Canada by the media room for three hours while a uni- In a meeting with Suharto. Chretien again PM. Representatives of more than 300 Ca- formed Indonesian military officer and raised the issue. He also expressed Canada’s nadian corporations were also along for the plainclothes security personnel stood in the concern about human rights in front of about mission to India, Pakistan, Indonesia and hall on the other side of the door. 1,000 Indonesian business people. Malaysia. It signed more than $8 billion in Scharfe flew to Indonesia to ensure the “We always mention this problem,” deals, of which $2.76 billion (more than $2 issue of human rights in East Timor was Chretien said later. “I hope that the pressure billion US) were signed in Indonesia. raised during Chretien’s visit to Indonesia, that all of us were putting on the govern- The East Timor Alert Network organized which has concentrated mainly on expanding ment to find a solution is helping to improve a number of activities aimed at getting the trade. the situation.” mission to publicly raise human rights and She arrived Friday and discovered she Chretien rejected a demand Tuesday by East Timor. There has been more press cov- was on what she calls a blacklist of people Liberal MP Warren Allmand that Canada erage this week than ever before in Canada banned by President Suharto’s government. should demand action from Suharto to ease as a result. The coverage is too much to post After being held at the Jakarta airport for the East Timor situation or reduce ties with it all, but a sample follows as responses to three hours. She was put on a plane to Sin- Indonesia. “Isolation is the worst recipe in this topic. gapore. Undaunted. she returned on Sunday my judgment for curing human rights prob- by boat to the main island In the Indonesian lems.” Chretien said. CANADIAN RUSE archipelago. She received a stamp in her Canadian officials said Suharto told Chre- FREES ACTIVIST passport allowing her to stay in Indonesia tien that Indonesia is hoping for progress in for 60 days. UN-sponsored negotiations on East Timor’s Embassy officials help When she returned Wednesday to the ho- future between Indonesia and Portugal. Gloucester woman flee tel In Jakarta, Scharfe said she was followed Scharfe applauded Chretien for raising The Ottawa Citizen, January 18, 1996. By by security guards. the issue of human rights. Lee Whittington, Citizen Correspondent ‘All of a sudden I noticed a swarm of se- “But the reality is, if you’re going to curity running around me, pointing at me raise human rights and then follow it with JAKARTA, Indonesia (Southam News) - with walkie-talkies.” $2.7 billion in trade agreements, you’ve got Canadian officials took advantage of a color- She quickly went to the media room. She to realize that words mean nothing when ful wedding procession Wednesday to said she hadn’t done anything illegal, but the you see the actions that are following it. whisk a Canadian human rights advocate military was probably brought in because “And that’s the message that Indonesia is away from Indonesian police. she had met with Timorese activists who going to take away from it.” While children carrying candles and wear- oppose Indonesia’s control of the island Update ing red and gold tunics paraded through a territory. hotel, Sharon Scharfe of Gloucester was “(The activists) are running for their lives The Issue: rushed through the procession and out the here. and don’t know what to do. These are Indonesia’s brutal occupation of the for- back door to a waiting car. people that the military wants. and I have mer Portuguese colony of East Timor. In 20 From there. Canadian High Commission met with them.” years, an estimated 200,000 people have officers drove the terrified 28-year-old She said she told High Commission offi- died. The United Nations, Canada and many woman to the Jakarta airport to put her on cials she was “willing to go back to Canada other nations have protested the occupation, the first plane to any city in southeast Asia. right now if the embassy accompanies me to to no avail. That turned out to be Tokyo. the airport so that I don’t disappear along What’s new: The escape followed a tense stand-off be- the way.” Canadian officials helped Sharon Scharfe tween Canadian and Indonesian officials After many telephone calls, Canadian of- of Gloucester. a member of an Ottawa-based while Scharfe took sanctuary in the media ficials hustled Scharfe out of the hotel to a group demanding an end to human rights Page 232 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. abuses in East Timor, get to the Jakarta air- travelling by boat to Indonesia. This time procession. They ducked out a back door, port and out of the country. she was allowed into the country no ques- where a Canadian embassy car was waiting. Background: tions asked. Once at the Jakarta airport, Scharfe said She registered at the Hilton, where Chre- Indonesian officials did not bother her. She Scharfe, who, came to Indonesia to make tien’s delegation was staying, under her own waited, with two Canadian embassy staff, human rights in East Timor an issue during name. “Which I guess was foolish. I didn’t for about two hours to catch the next plane Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s visit, says think Jakarta was that organized.” to Tokyo. she was at risk because she opposes Presi- Monday, after being tipped off that In- Forty hours later, she was back safe in dent Suharto’s policies. Canadian officials donesian police were after her, Scharfe Ottawa, exhausted but undaunted. admit they are frustrated by Indonesia’s packed her bags. But on the way out of the While telling her tale, Scharfe used the hard-line stance toward East Timor. hotel, a security officer chased her as she opportunity to slip in a reminder about the jumped into a cab. The man spoke to the cause she is promoting. CLOAK-AND-DAGGER EFFORT TO driver and Scharfe made out the word “po- “I’d had five days without sleep, looking MEET PM FAILS lice.” over my shoulder, running from the military, Indonesian police quash activist’s bid to “This poor cab driver was just scared. disguises ... this is the reality. The Timorese get out message just a look of wide-eyed terror ...But after had had to live with for 20 years. we got out of the Hilton compound, I said, “To say nothing of the brutal beatings, The Ottawa Citizen, January 18, 1996. By ‘Look, I’ll give you 10 bucks to get me to the torture, Jacquie Miller, Citizen staff writer the Canadian embassy.’“ She disguised herself as a man, used a At the embassy Canadian officials asked WHAT PROFIT TRADE IN fake name, and was chased down hotel cor- her if she wanted to go home, but Scharfe HUMAN RIGHTS? ridors by Indonesian security men with decided she hadn’t come half way across the walkie talkies. world to give up so easily. Toronto Globe and Mail, Report on Busi- Gloucester resident Sharon Scharfe’s So she registered at another hotel, across ness, January 23, 1996. Column: Another voice is still shaking as she describes her the street from the Hilton. This time, she Perspective. By David Webster adventures in Indonesia during the Canadian used the name Sharon Taylor. trade mission there this week. The 28-year- By Wednesday Scharfe was feeling bold The results of Jean Chretien’s latest jaunt old human rights activist fled the country enough to saunter over to the Hilton. She to Asia as leader of a somewhat reduced Wednesday after Canadian embassy officials threw one baseball cap and sunglasses, hop- “Team Canada” are bring hyped for all they helped whisk her out of a hotel, one step ing she would look like a man. “The disguise are worth. But was it really good business ahead of police. was really silly,” she laughs. “I just scooted to include on the trip Indonesia, a country Scharfe was beck in Ottawa Thursday in.” rated among the top human rights violators safe but shaken. She was soon spotted in the hotel lobby in the world by Amnesty International. Scharfe is part of a small, tenacious bend where she stepped to pick up airplane tick- Indonesia’s human rights record is by of Canadian activists trying to bring world ets that were being held for her – under her now well known, particularly its brutal oc- attention to Indonesia’s brutal treatment of own name. cupation of East Timor, where one third of East Timor Indonesia invaded the island 20 “All of a sudden I could see security the population has perished in 20 years of years ago. Since then, human rights groups coming from all angles with walkie-talkies.” military occupation. Less well known is its estimate that a third of East Timor’s The men, who wore white shirts with the rating by Transparency International, a 650,000 people have died of starvation, dis- word “security” printed on them, were os- global lobby against corruption in govern- ease, execution, or while fighting the occu- tensibly hotel staff. But Scharfe says she ment, as the most corrupt regime in the pying forces. believes they were really military. world. Scharfe has made the island 500 kilome- So she made a dash into the nearby media In Indonesia, Mr. Chretien posed for the tres northwest of Australia her personal room, where Canadian reporters accompa- inevitable photos, signed a host of trade and passion. Last year, she published a book on nying Chretien were housed, Scharfe was investment deals, and meet with President Canadian complicity in the occupation of holed up for about two hours in the media Suharto and other government leaders. Mr. East Timor. She is a full-time volunteer for room, with Indonesian security officials Suharto has ruled Indonesia for 30 years, the East Timor Alert Network, a Canadian waiting outside the door. having grabbed power in 1965 in the midst human rights group. Her bedroom in her Two officials from the Canadian embassy of a bloodbath in which a million Indone- parents’ Gloucester home has been con- arrived. “They said ‘what have you done? sians (most of them ethnic Chinese) were verted into a makeshift office, where she The military is out there, the police is out killed. Violent crackdowns on dissent have writes letters, organizes protests, and talks there. They want you, they want to take been the hallmark of his regime, with espe- by computer with other human rights activ- you away’ I said, ‘look I’ve done nothing cially brutal treatment meted out to labour ists around the world. wrong.’“ Scharfe made a deal with the Ca- organizers, who have been jailed and even Scharfe figured Prime Minister Jean nadian officials: she would leave immedi- killed for attempting to organize independ- Chretien’s trade mission to Indonesia would ately if they would help her ent trade unions and for organizing strikes that often demanded nothing more than be good chance to grab some media attention “I said, ‘look, I’ll leave tonight...I’m for the issue. When Scharfe arrived in Ja- scared out of my mind, I just went to pack payment of the official minimum wage. karta last Friday, officials refused to let her up and go home now’“ No potential contender for power has into the country Scharfe suspects they They saw their opportunity when a huge been allowed to threaten the strongman, a knew about her because of her book, and her wedding procession headed down the hall- situation that does not bode well for Indo- volunteer work. She was put on a plane to way outside the media room. Scharfe, nesia’s future stability. The aging President Singapore. flanked by two RCMP officers, two Cana- has missed several international engagements Undeterred, Scharfe tried again a few dian embassy officials, and one staffer from because of health problems. A violent days later by joining a group of tourists Canadian Foreign Affairs, slipped into the power struggle is likely when he dies. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 233

So much for human rights. Mr. Suharto’s But ethics aside, business considerations Despite cynicism back home, the idea of family also leads the way in Indonesia’s cor- alone argue against trade with Indonesia. Its getting Canada’s top political figures to ruption sweepstakes. Their personal wealth pro-democracy movement is growing. The knock on doors along with business people is impossible to gauge because much of it is Suharto regime will not be able to resist the is an unqualified hit on the road. funneled through a shadowy web of “foun- global wave of democratization forever. “It’s encouraging for the Canadian busi- dations” that are exempt from taxation and When it does fall, those countries and com- ness community to get this kind of sup- audit. However, Far Eastern Economic Re- panies that have been friends of Indonesian port,” says Bell Canada International chair- view writer Michael Vatiotakis has esti- democracy will reap the economic benefits. man Derek Burney. “It’s a good opportu- mated the figure at $2-3 billion (US). Those who backed the dictatorship will lose nity to see some of the senior government Also involved in the trade talks was Try out. leaders and gives them the opportunity to Sutrisno, who was vaulted from the head of David Webster is a coordinator with the know the importance of the investment the armed forces into the vice-presidency in East Timor Alert Network, a national asso- we’re making.” 1993. Mr. Sutrisno showed his colours after ciation founded in 1987 by the Canadian Whether it’s cranes and bulldozers on a 1991 massacre in Indonesian-occupied Council of Churches. many city corners, showrooms jammed with East Timor that saw over 250 protesters Mercedes and BMWs or the legions of con- gunned down by Indonesian soldiers. “In INDONESIA PACTS MAY fident, energetic executives from Singapore the end, they had to be shot,” he said. TOTAL $2.7 BILLION to Islamabad, the upward thrust of Asia’s “These ill-bred people have to be shot ... boom is something to behold. and we will shoot them.” By LES WHITTINGTON, Southam News, In 25 years, seven of the world’s 10 Then there was minister of research and Jan 25. strongest economic nations will be Asian. technology B.J. Habibie. On the surface a The region will account for 40 per cent of liberal technocrat, Habibie threw the brakes KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - From the world’s trade. on Indonesia’s privatization program in the Bombay’s rutted, overcrowded streets to By 2000, more than $1 trillion will have late 1980s to organize all ‘strategic’ sectors the sleek new skyscrapers of Jakarta and to be invested in roads, bridges and other of the economy into a state-owned cartel Kuala Lumpur, the overriding theme of life projects as Asia continues its rapid transi- under his personal supervision. Aerospace, in Asia is change. tion from a region of underdeveloped na- shipbuilding and arms manufacturing are all Old, cumbersome ways of economic life tions to western -style consumer societies. part his personal empire. and government are crumbling, overtaken by Can Canada even begin to keep up? In 1993, Mr. Habibie personally negoti- a headlong rush to join the free -market eco- That’s the question that occurs to some ated the purchase of 39 German warships, nomic revolution that is turning the Asia- members of the Team Canada mission. virtually the whole of the old East German Pacific region into the world’s powerhouse. “If we don’t hurry up, we’ll be driving navy. The $1.1 billion deal was opposed by This above all has been driven home to these people around,” quips New Bruns- the Indonesian finance ministry and navy, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and the pro- wick’s McKenna. but went ahead anyway, with suspicions vincial premiers who have spent the past 12 But beyond the lure of tapping into that it involved kickbacks to the Suharto and days hop-scotching through the region. Asia’s economic miracle are other troubling Habibie families. Companies owned or con- Everything else - from human rights to questions. trolled by Mr. Habibie’s family were the nuclear disarmament - pales beside the trade Outside the gleaming new financial cen- main bidders for contracts to refit the ships. imperative as Canada’s top travelling sales- tres and busy freeways, millions of Asians The affair caused a scandal in the Indone- men help scour Asia for business connec- still eke out a living on the edge of starva- sian press, including personal criticism of tions and jobs for Canadians. tion. They are the shoeshine boys, the beg- Mr. Habibie. Mr. Suharto rushed to his “The most important fact in the world of gars, the rag-pickers and the street children friend’s defence, saying: “We cannot let today,” Chretien declares, is trade. who crowd the slums across the continent. them [the press] carry on like this. If they “Trade means jobs. Jobs and opportu- More than 700 million poor people - 65 are deaf to warnings, we will take action nity, growth in our economy and a better per cent of the world’s total - can be found against them.” future for our children.” in Asia, and another 300 million are consid- In the summer of 1994, the three publica- Chretien and six premiers - Ontario’s ered only slightly above the poverty line. tions most active in reporting on the scandal Mike Harris, B.C.’s Mike Harcourt, Nova As well, the region is beset with political – DeTik, Editor and Tempo – were closed Scotia’s John Savage, Gary Filmon of Mani- tensions, nuclear jealousy, fragile democra- down. Four more publications received toba, New Brunswick’s Frank McKenna cies and widespread human rights abuses. warnings. Subsequent demonstrations calling and Prince Edward Island’s Catherine Call- It cannot be said that Chretien dodged for freedom of the press were attacked by beck - head home this weekend from Asia these troublesome topics in the Asian capi- riot police. with $2.6 billion in solid business deals for tals he visited. All this speaks to a country that is Canada as trophies. In India, he nagged his hosts to end their deeply corrupt and a government that rou- The 300 Canadian executives who ac- hold-out status in the signing of the Nuclear tinely violates human rights. It seems a bi- companied them through India, Pakistan, Non-proliferation Treaty meant to curb the zarre target for Canadian investors. Indonesia and Malaysia also rang up dozens spread of atomic weapons. This was much of other tentative agreements. Indeed, it appears that the Indonesia of to the annoyance of Prime Minister Nara- the 1990s has a lot in common with the If fulfilled in the years ahead, they would simha Rao. South Africa of the 1980s, a country with involve Canadians in another $6-billion-plus Chretien also surprised some of India’s which the government of Canada, led by in business and investment activity in the top business executives by publicly bringing then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, chose four Asian countries. up the problem of child labor. Millions of not to trade. But then it may be that in such In all, the results of this sales trip equal children in India work in deplorable condi- a matter Mr. Mulroney’s standards of ethi- the much -celebrated Team Canada trade tions producing carpets and other goods. cal behaviour are higher than Mr. Chretien’s. mission to China which also tied up $8.6 In India and Pakistan, Chretien broached billion in contracts and potential deals. the most sensitive topic in the region - the Page 234 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. longstanding conflict over the future of the INDONESIAN CANADA Embassies in Indonesia the need to closely northern Indian state of Kashmir. monitor the situation of the Galhos family, In Pakistan, Chretien also pressed Prime AMBASSADOR INTIMIDAT ES as well as that of the many other victims of Minister Benazir Bhutto to ensure that a ET REFUGEE MOTHER Indonesian persecution in occupied East Canadian aid worker being held in connec- Timor. tion with a terrorist bombing was treated CNRM East Timor statement, 23 Jan. 1996 OTTAWA EAST TIMOR ACTIVIST fairly. Indonesian ambassador to Canada co- SAYS DIPLOMAT THREATENED And in Indonesia, Chretien took time out erces East Timorese defector family from his business promotion to raise the HER FAMILY The National Council of Maubere Resis- issue of East Timor. Indonesian troops have tance (CNRM), deplores recent reports that The Ottawa Citizen, January 24, 1996. By been committing gross human rights viola- family members of East Timorese refugee in Jacquie Miller tions for years as they try to eliminate an Canada, Ms Bella Galhos, are being intimi- independence movement on the island terri- Isabel Galhos knew it was risky for her dated by Indonesian authorities, who seek tory. to travel across Canada denouncing atroci- to prevent the outspoken young East Chretien got points for raising these ties in her native East Timor. The 23-year Timorese woman from informing the Cana- thorny issues with his hosts. But few Cana- old Ottawa resident has political asylum in dian public about the existing terror and op- dian diplomats in the region were optimistic Canada, but that is no protection for her pression in her homeland. It is internation- about having much short-term effect. family back home. ally well known how the people of the for- Chretien takes the position that as living Her fears were realized this week when mer Portuguese colony, invaded by Indone- standards improve through economic growth she heard the frightened voice of her mother sia in 1975 and occupied since then in defi- in Asia, the expanding middle classes will on a fuzzy phone line from East Timor, a ance of numerous United Nations resolu- demand action to eliminate government ex- former Portuguese colony north of Austra- tions, suffer from severe human rights viola- cesses and human rights abuses. Canada’s lia, occupied by Indonesia for two decades. tions by the brutal Indonesian military. best option is to continue to work with its Galhos’ 53-year old mother said she had Unable to gag Ms Galhos from exposing Asian neighbors, funding projects to im- been visited by Benjamin Parwoto, Indone- the East Timor truth in Canada, a democ- prove the lot of the poor and keeping up the sia’s ambassador to Canada. Parwoto came ratic country respectful of human rights and pressure for change. with a warning: Tell your daughter in Can- basic freedoms, the Indonesian Ambassador He also understands the limitations of ada to be quiet. to Canada accompanying last week’s trade Canada’s influence. Asked why he hadn’t Canada has asked Indonesia to explain visit to Indonesia by Prime Minister Chre- pressed Indonesian President Suharto harder the incident. An attempt by a foreign gov- tien’s ‘Team Canada,’ forced his presence on the East Timor issue, the prime minister ernment to pressure a resident of Canada is onto Ms Galhos’ mother and family at their snapped: “We’re not running the govern- unacceptable, said Foreign Affairs spokes- East Timor home. A terrified Mrs Galhos is ment here.” man Colin Stewart. reported to have informed Bella by tele- British Columbia Premier Mike Harcourt Canadian Embassy staff in Indonesia will phone that Ambassador Parwoto ordered supports Chretien’s approach. try to verify that Galhos family is safe, said the mother to get her daughter to shut up “We’re talking about countries that are Stewart. and return home. Having already experi- developing their economies, their democra- Galhos related the story Tuesday, along enced strong reprisals from the Indonesian cies and their concepts of human rights. with a plea for Canada to help protect her authorities for Bella Galhos’ public defec- “It took us in Canada about 80 years to family in East Timor. Galhos is a refugee tion in Canada, her family in East Timor is give aboriginal people the right to vote and here, awaiting permanent resident status. greatly frightened by this new form of coer- people who were Chinese and Japanese the “I hope that by speaking out today, I can cion. right to vote. We shouldn’t be too smug.” save the lives of my people: my mom, and CNRM condemns the continuing Indone- But the Chretien approach may not al- all of my brothers in East Timor.” sian oppression of the East Timorese popu- ways put Canada’s leaders in a comfortable Human rights activists have asked Can- lation, and the ongoing attempts of the In- position. ada to expel Parwoto. donesian authorities to export their terror For instance, take the recent remark of The incident happened shortly after and oppression to free and democratic socie- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Prime Minister Jean Chretien left Indonesia ties to prevent the true reality of the East Mohamad, known to be one of the Asian as part of his Asian trade tour. Timorese situation from being exposed. leaders who most dislikes interference from Galhos and other human rights activists Memories are still fresh of the heavy handed the West on issues like human rights and had pressed Chretien to publicly criticize interference in Philippine internal affairs to free trade in Asia. Indonesia for its actions in East Timor. stop an East Timor conference from taking With Chretien and the premiers looking More than 200,000 East Timorese – about a place. Only this week reports from the Aus- on Thursday, Mahathir told guests at a state third of the population – have died since tralian Northern Territory again expose dinner that Canada has shown “full respect Indonesia took over the island. pressures by Indonesian Consular staff for the sensitivities and interest” of South- Instead, Chretien raised the issue pri- aimed at suppressing basic freedoms of ex- east Asian nations. vately with the Indonesian president. pression. He added that he expects all countries Galhos said Parwoto arrived at her CNRM asks the Canadian government to who wish to trade in Asia to do likewise. In mother’s home with two embassy officials. closely monitor the situation of Ms Galhos’ other words, not to rock the boat. He said Galhos had destroyed the reputa- mother and family in East Timor through its tion of Indonesia in Canada. Jakarta embassy, and to ask the Interna- “They asked my family to work with the tional Committee of the Red Cross to do government of Indonesia to get me back.” likewise through its East Timor personnel. However, Galhos said she fears that if she CNRM also calls on the Government of returned she would be killed. Portugal to impress on European Union East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 235

Parwoto was still in Indonesia Tuesday, line with Indonesian tradition, was just mak- Parwoto demanded that Galhos’ s mother and could not be reached. But a spokesman ing a friendly social call. order her home, Galhos says. But instead at the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa said “It was just to say hello, just to meet her her mother phoned her and warned her not Parwoto dropped in on Galhos’ mother mother,” embassy communications officer to return or she would be killed. “just to say hello.” Faisal Bafadal said. “Galhos has twisted the The meeting occurred directly after Prime “It’s the right of the ambassador to visit facts.” Minister Jean Chretien’s Team Canada trade whomever he wants to,” said Faisal Bafadal, But Galhos said her mother and a brother mission to Indonesia ended. Parwoto was chief of information. called her Sunday to tell her that Parwoto there attending the mission. ––––––––––– and two other Indonesian officials had come Galhos says Parwoto was accompanied to their home in East Timor to intimidate by hundreds of Indonesian soldiers who sur- OTTAWA PROBING “VISIT” TO the family. rounded her mother’s home. TIMOR REFUGEE’S KIN “The Indonesian ambassador told my Stewart says independent sources say family that I had destroyed the good name there were no soldiers accompanying Par- The Toronto Star, January 24, 1996. By of the Indonesian government in Canada. woto. Allan Thompson The ambassador told my mother that she is But Canada sought an explanation from OTTAWA – Canada and Indonesia are the only person that could stop me from Indonesian authorities in Ottawa and Jakarta on the brink of a major diplomatic dispute talking in Canada. He told her to ask me to about the meeting and checked on the well- after allegations that Indonesia’s ambassador go back home.” being of Galhos’s mother – who is safe. here went to East Timor and threatened the A survivor of the 1991 Dili massacre, Indonesian authorities deny the meeting family of a human rights activist who lives when Indonesian soldiers killed 271 activists was an attempt to intimidate Galhos from in Canada. demonstrating in the East Timor capital, she criticizing Indonesia in Canada, Stewart East Timorese refugee and activist Bella entered Canada in 1994 and won refugee says. Galhos told reporters yesterday her mother status. They also say it was a private visit – not was threatened back home in East Timor, Chretien seemed unsure of Galhos’ alle- approved by the government. right after Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s gations when asked about the matter yester- Galhos has been speaking on behalf of trade visit to Indonesia last week. day, but insisted he raised the issue of hu- the East Timor Alert Network about human Galhos has waged a media campaign dur- man rights in East Timor in private meetings rights abuses in her native country since she ing Chretien’s trip, urging him to speak out with Indonesian President Suharto. took asylum in Canada last year. publicly about Indonesia’s human rights record and its treatment of people in East CANADA DEMANDS MEETING AMBASSADOR VISITED EAST Timor. Some 200,000 East Timorese are AFTER INDONESIAN TIMOR said to have died since 1975, when Indone- AMBASSADOR VISITS REFUGEE Press release, Jan. 26, 1996, from the Em- sia invaded and annexed the former Portu- Canadian Press wire, Jan. 25, 1996, By bassy of Indonesia, Ottawa, Canada guese colony. Diane Rinehart Galhos said yesterday the Indonesian Comment: A transparent attempt at damage ambassador to Canada, Benjamin Parwoto – OTTAWA (CP) – Canada is stepping up control after some strong reports in the Ca- who accompanied Chretien on the trade tour diplomatic pressure on Indonesia after con- nadian media. Grammatical mistakes as per – personally visited and threatened her firming Thursday that its ambassador vis- original. The number of troops present is mother at the family home in East Timor. ited the family of an East Timorese refugee beside the point, which is harassment of a “He asked my mom to ask me to shut living in Ottawa. refugee’s family. Has anyone heard of this my mouth and tell me to go back to East Foreign Affairs spokesman Colin Stewart “traditional custom”? Or the supposed exo- Timor,” said Galhos, who has refugee status said Canada still cannot confirm whether the dus of Timorese from Portugal? in Canada. “I was terrified when my mother meeting was an attempt to intimidate Bella During his required presence in Indonesia told me this, that the ambassador of Indone- Galhos from speaking against Indonesia’s for the visit of the Prime Minister of Can- sia to Canada visited my family,” said Gal- human rights abuses. ada, H.E. Benjamin Parwoto, Ambassador hos, who also said her mother sounded very “We can say that the issue isn’t settled of Indonesia to Canada, had travelled to East frightened. and we still want to discuss this a bit further Timor to see for himself the current devel- Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet with ambassador (Benjamin) Parwoto,” he opment of that Indonesia’s youngest prov- confirmed he has launched an investigation said Thursday. ince. He had the opportunity to have dis- that could include calling in Parwoto to re- Former foreign affairs minister Andre cussions with Vice Governor Johanes Hari- spond to the allegations. Ouellet warned Indonesia on Tuesday that bowo, members of the Provincial House of “If these allegations are true, it’s a situa- Canada “cannot accept that a foreign coun- Representatives Antonio Freitas Paradas tion that is absolutely unacceptable. We try’s representative exerts pressure on peo- and Manuel Carrascalão, some prominent can’t tolerate pressure being put on some- ple who live in Canada.” figures including Bishop Carlos Belo, as well one who lives in Canada by foreign authori- Stewart said “we’ll decide if any further as encountering students and ordinary peo- ties,” Ouellet said. steps are required” after meeting Parwoto. ple in Dili, the capital of East Timor. Con- Lloyd Axworthy, the new foreign affairs A senior foreign affairs official confirmed trary to some hearsays in Canada, the Am- that Ouellet has (asked the Canadian Em- minister, has been briefed on the incident, bassador found that the situation and condi- bassy in) Jakarta to send a stern message to Stewart said. tion in Dili are normal, quiet and peaceful, Indonesia’s foreign affairs ministry. And the (first add) while the people are free to talk and do not Embassy will send someone to East Timor Galhos, 23, said Tuesday the ambassador show any fears. to check on the family. threatened her family in East Timor, which The meeting between an Indonesian rep- The Indonesian embassy confirmed yes- is occupied by Indonesia, during a visit on resentative, with the people having relatives terday that Parwoto had called on Galhos’ Jan. 20. abroad is a normal social event, for one of mother, but insisted that the ambassador, in his tasks is to oversee the welfare of his fel- Page 236 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. low citizens in the country in which he is Mrs. Galhos said it was not true that significant change whereby the focus of the accredited. So is the meeting between Am- Ambassador Benyamin Purwoto had asked problem changed from local to global power. bassador Parwoto with the mother of Isabel her to stop her daughter, Isabel Galhos, This has meant that the finding of a way to Galhos, Mrs. Teresa Galhos, who is an ele- from criticizing Indonesia while living in achieve self-determination for the territory mentary school teacher in Vilaverde, West Canada. has become a matter of concern and com- Dili. Therefore (illegible) a meeting to the Antara reported that Isabel said in a news mitment for the international community. Galhos family in which the place, time and conference in Ottawa last week that Pur- The Dili massacre contributed greatly to- persons attending had to be decided in Mrs. woto had asked her mother to stop her wards this shift and could be seen as having Galhos’ own terms. The meeting with Mrs. daughter from criticising Indonesia. been a boomerang effect arising from the Teresa Galhos and her son and an uncle of It gave no details of Isabel’s activities in introduction of an “opening-up East Timor” Isabel Galhos was conducted in a friendly Canada. Purwoto returned to Indonesia two policy which began in 1988. atmosphere and even attended by her weeks ago during a visit by Canadian Prime However, it is unfortunate that this shift neighbours. Consequently, the iniquitous Minister Jean Chretien. has also coincided with some important allegation that his arrival was flanked by Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman changes in US foreign policy in both the some truckloads of soldiers as reported by Ghaffar Fadyl said on Friday that Indonesia economic and political field which seem to Canadian newspapers is preposterous. rejected Isabel’s accusation because it was be unfavourable towards its supporting calls Never did the Ambassador pose threats baseless. for self-determination for the territory. This against Mrs. Galhos nor did he ask her to “The foreign ministry has done some situation has come about mainly as a result advise Isabel Galhos to “shut up” during checks and that accusation has proven to be of the pursuit of US economic interests and their conversation. As a matter of fact, in wrong. We deeply deplore the baseless ac- the putting aside of any moral or political concurrence with traditional custom to re- cusation and it is clear there are certain par- commitment to the people of East Timor spect the host, the Ambassador asked about ties which have made use of the situation to and peoples in other regions. the condition of her family, and her expecta- twist the facts,” he was quoted as saying. The US: Shift from global to economic- tions of her daughter’s future who lives in Galhos was quoted by Antara as saying regional policy Canada. It was Mrs. Teresa Galhos, not the on Monday in Dili that she and the rest of The post cold-war era could be character- Ambassador, (illegible) wish that her daugh- the family were ready to accept her daughter ised by two dominant phenomena: the ter will return home soon and requested the if she wanted to return to Indonesia if there emergence of economic issues in interna- Ambassador to advise Isabel about this de- was an assurance from security forces of her tional relations and the establishment of re- sire, upon his arrival in Ottawa. safety. gional economic blocs. This latter phenome- In the context of the above-mentioned Isabel was a former English student at non is viewed by some economics experts as conversation and the situation in East Timor East Timor University who did not return an international reaction to the failure of the which is safe and pacified, while many to the territory after taking part in an Indo- Uruguay Round of the GATT talks to cre- Timorese who stay in Portugal plan to re- nesia-Canada student exchange in 1994. ate a free trade region. turn to East Timor, Isabel Galhos’ fear that Comment from David Webster, The US has anticipated the two post-war she might be killed if she returns home is ill- ETAN/Canada: trends by shifting the orientation of its for- founded. eign policy in both the political and eco- As an Indonesian envoy to Canada, it is It should be added, however, that Theresa nomic field. In the former, one notes a tran- his rights and responsibility that Ambassa- Galhos said this morning she had given no sition from an ideology -oriented to an econ- dor Parwoto showed thoughtfulness to a such quote to Antara. omy-oriented policy whereas in the latter mother who was concerned about her daugh- Additionally, a CBC Radio corespondent field there has been a shift from global- ter’s well-being in the country that he is ac- filed a report from East Timor this morning oriented to regional-oriented policy. credited to. Therefore, Isabel Galhos’ allega- that confirms through a third source that The new regional-oriented outlook gives tions as reported by several media in Can- Theresa Galhos was in fact visited and in- considerable attention to the Pacific region, ada, that Ambassador Parwoto threatened timidated by Ambassador B. Parwoto. on which the US economy is heavily de- and harassed her family due to the kinship More lies from Antara is no surprise, but pendent. It is significant that US economic between Mrs. Teresa Galhos and her daugh- it’s a shame to see them repeated by Reuters. penetration (and transaction) in the Pacific ter who happens to be in Canada, is abso- basin has been wider than in other regions. lutely absurd and un-founded. Consequently it has been giving considerable TIMORESE MOTHER DENIES SHE EVENTS IN THE support to APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) which has enabled it to HAS BEEN INTIMIDATED UNITED STATES achieve a level of economic (and political) Reuters, Jan 29, 1996 [slightly abridged] penetration which is both wide and deep. JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - An THE EAST TIMOR QUESTION Indonesia, having a large population (and East Timorese mother Monday denied her AND U.S. INTERESTS IN THE potentially big market) coupled with a sta- Canada-based daughter’s claim that the In- ble economy, has been perceived as being an donesian ambassador to Ottawa had traveled PACIFIC REGION extremely important member of APEC. Given this situation, I would argue that to East Timor to intimidate her, the official Global Alternative Media Association there is likely to be no basic change in US Antara news agency reported. (GAMA, Germany) Newsletter - The Inter- policy towards Timor, regardless of who or “The Indonesian ambassador visited me national Communication Project (ICP) 25: what party comes to power. Matthew Jar- while he was in Dili, but he did not intimi- East Timor. By Helder M. Pirez. date me as my daughter accused,” Teresa dine, an American activist for self- Galhos was quoted by the agency as saying The advent of the decade of the 90s con- determination for East Timor, has written: in Dili, East Timor. stituted a very important moment for the “If the US were to take action against Indo- problem of East Timor as it coincided with a nesia... it would only end up isolating itself East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 237 and thus hurting US capital interests in- Helder M. Pirez is a former Political Science placed in new concentration camps created volved with Indonesia."1 student at Gadjah Mada University of by the Indonesian territorial forces with the The Indonesian monthly magazine Gatra Yogyakarta, Indonesia and he is a member purpose of dismantling popular resistance. has recently observed that “US foreign trade of Renetil. He can be reached through Kai- Moreover, the Indonesian forces have pro- with the Pacific Basin in the 1990s amounts bauk - Boletim de Informação Timorense, moted social disturbances in the main East to 35% of its total while that with North Apartado 22, 2795 Linda-a-Velha, Portugal. Timorese cities, with the intent of portray- America and Western Europe come to 26% 1. Matthew Jardine, US Foreign Policy towards ing the National Resistance as consisting of and 24% respectively. Likewise the total US East Timor and the Grassroots Response,” bandit groups, removing from the picture all exports to the former come to 29% whereas 1993, p.13 political character, and the demand for self- the respective figures for the other two are 2. “GATRA,” 27, May 1995 (In Indonesian determination by the East Timorese people. 28% and 27%.”2 language) And there is the continual politics of “Di- Based on these figures we can conclude, 3. Editorial, USA Today, Nov. 1995 vide and Conquer” designed to conceal the 4. TAPOL bulletin No 126, Dec. 1994, p.2 as commented by the US Today daily “The true common political goals of the people, 5. “Asia and the Western Pacific towards a Pacific region offers a huge market for US New International Order,” (ed) Hedhy Bull, projecting to the World the wrong image of goods and services."3 The Pacific region will 1975, p.49 the East Timor conflict being a war between become even more vital for the US if the brothers. predictions of some economic experts that EAST TIMORESE The most recent upheavals, which have the world economic centre will move from included nearly the entire East Timor terri- the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean by POLITICAL PRISONERS tory, are reminiscent of a volcanic eruption, the beginning of the 21st century are correct. WRITE U.S. CONGRESS in which lava accumulated for years is fi- This would mean that the relations between nally expelled. The strong motivation for nations in the Pacific region are likely to be Translated from Portuguese. Full text. this wave of brute-force action against the dominated more by economic considerations Semarang Prison, Mid 1995 Indonesian colonizers is the chagrin of this than political ones. On the other hand, it is defenseless People, accumulated over also probable that political issues will be Your Excellencies twenty years of brutal military occupation, resolved in a manner favourable to the eco- Illustrious Members of Congress of the rooted in the feelings of discontentment nomic interests of the large nations. United States of America with the integration policy, with the mili- Given the reality that the US economy We the undersigned, political prisoners, tary occupation, and with the growing hu- rests heavily on the Pacific region and Indo- survivors of the 12 November 1991 tragedy man rights abuses. nesia in particular, Mr Clinton did not touch in Santa Cruz, Dili, East Timor, take the No doubt that after twenty years of ille- the “substantial issue” (i.e. self- liberty of addressing this prestigious legisla- gal occupation of the territory the Jakarta determination for East Timor) during his tive body of the great nation of North government today faces great difficulties in bilateral talks with Mr Suharto during the America, expressing our greatest considera- successfully carrying through its program of APEC summit in Jakarta 1994. He limited tion and respect for the manner in which the forced annexation of East Timor as its himself to pressing Jakarta to improve its Congress has directed its attention and con- twenty-seventh province. This is proven human rights situation. “[Relations between cern towards the events that have developed when even the pro-integrationists, led by Indonesia and the US] will never reach their in East Timor. current East Timor governor Abilio Osorio highest level if people in the US do not have By means of this letter we would like to Soares, have abandoned their traditional po- confidence that there is an effort to respect present Your Excellencies the image of the litical position by presenting a proposal to human rights."4 present situation “in loco” in East Timor, the Jakarta government for concession of A final note after the massacre of 12 November 1991 in political autonomy to the territory; which was rejected by president Soeharto. I would like to conclude this piece by Santa Cruz, Dili. The existence of a national conscience quoting a pertinent statement: “Independ- The continuing presence in East Timor of among all Timorese is made clear with the ence is (such) an intricate and complicated the Indonesian armed forces has generated success achieved by the dialogue between instrument that only big countries with great systematic human-rights violations through political leaders in Austria, from which re- populations can use it to their profit.”5 the course of two decades of occupation. In sulted a joint communiqué which has much My interpretation of this is that: fact, the International Red Cross has kept disappointed the Jakarta government. 1. colonised people of today have lost their record of the more recent arrests and mur- We want to denounce here the way in autonomy and the power to determine ders of civilians, and the disappearance of which the Jakarta government attempts to their own future; over twenty East Timorese civilians in the period from January to July, generating an influence the UN Secretary-General not to 2. the meaning and value of interdependence increasingly tense situation. confer much importance to the intra- is changing from idealism to economism. The establishment of a climate of terror Timorese talks, so that the Timorese politi- In other words, the achievement of self- fostered by the military oppression of po- cal leaders will not come to take active part determination is dependent on the good- lice character, through the creation of terror- in the process that would lead to a solution will of the great nations and its attain- ist groups supported by the Indonesian In- to the East Timorese conflict. This gesture ment, or not, will be determined by the telligence Service, intended to create an envi- by Jakarta reflects its unwillingness to em- extent to which it reflects the economic ronment of intimidation, has caused the exo- brace the success achieved by the Timorese interest of these nations. dus of the Timorese youth from the terri- political leaders in Austria, and represents Thus, the achievement of independence tory. On the other hand, we observe a re- an attempt by Jakarta to abort the UN pro- by a small nation would be “impossible” if newed massive wave of Indonesian settlers, gram. large countries interests would be at stake. who arrive in East Timor and are positioned Today, with the existence of the Interna- Such an interpretation would seem to apply, in the strategic and most fertile land in the tional Tribunal for War Crimes, we believe it at least, in the case of East Timor. territory. Meanwhile, the Timorese popula- is appropriate that the crimes committed by tion is forcibly pulled out of its villages and the forces occupying East Timor be pon- Page 238 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. dered, crimes which amount to over two ORGANIZING WHERE million in government-subsidized political hundred thousand Timorese lives during a risk insurance. The OPIC action, which de- situation of war crisis, and which ought to THE MONEY IS fied the personal intervention of Kissinger be considered and condemned by the re- From “Network News,” newsletter of the and Suharto, may temper their weight in ferred tribunal, for which we solicit that East Timor Action Network/US, November Congress. Your Excellencies intervene with this tribu- 1995. By Charles Scheiner Timor Gap oil nal. The Timor Gap is the most glaring inter- Today we enter the XXI century, in The strongest advocacy for close US ties national rape of the resources of East Timor. which the standards are higher and the need with the Suharto regime in these post-Cold- A major oil deposit lies under the sea be- stronger than ever for the democratization of War days comes from those who profit tween East Timor and Australia. Jakarta and all peoples, the establishment of respect for from the relationship. Indonesia is rich in Canberra signed a treaty in 1989 to develop human rights, and the importance of World human and mineral resources, which make this oil, and they have contracted with a solidarity; in order to achieve more just so- billions of dollars for multinational corpora- worldwide selection of oil companies to cial conditions, human dignity, and for that tions. When Suharto tells them to jump, share in the lucre. Portugal, as the UN- the value attached to human rights places many do. recognized Administering Authority over these at the center, not at the periphery, of ETAN is trying to help corporations re- East Timor, sued Australia in the Interna- the concerns of World political leaders. alize that, even if they have no moral scru- tional Court of Justice to invalidate the We are confident that the US Congress, ples against genocide, there is a public image treaty, but the Court last June refused to presently dominated by an overwhelming (and consequent economic) price for sup- rule on the issue of who owns the oil be- majority of members of the Republican porting the devil’s work. Our corporate cause Indonesia does not accept the court’s Party, will not conform itself with the pre- campaign will expose, and hopefully change, jurisdiction, and Australia successfully ar- sent situation of conflict in East Timor. On companies which justify Indonesia’s occu- gued that it wasn’t the proper sole defen- the contrary, we believe that the actions of pation of East Timor. When they communi- dant. The court did, however, state that East this prestigious Congress with respect to cate their disquiet to Jakarta, they will be Timor’s right to self-determination contin- East heard. ues to exist whether or not Indonesia is Timor should in the future be more de- Only a few companies profit directly party to the case. termined and forceful. And we believe it is from the occupation. Arms-makers provide The US companies involved in the Timor fair that the solution to the East Timor con- weapons, and oil companies will make mil- Gap are Phillips Petroleum, USX/Marathon, flict, which has already exterminated two lions from stealing the oil under the Timor Chevron, and Oryx Energy. Other US oil hundred thousand lives, not be measured Gap. But there are others - including some companies with major involvement in Indo- with a system of double standards. of the most active and effective corporate nesia (although not in the Gap) include Tex- We wish that God bless Your Country lobbyists, which have close economic ties aco, Mobil, Union Texas Petroleum and and the American People. with Indonesia and do Jakarta’s bidding Exxon, all of whom actively lobby for their Respectfully, here. patron. 1. Francisco Miranda Branco 40-years-old. Indonesia’s number one investor and Indonesia has other corporate lobbyists - Arrested on 6 December 1991. Accused corporate booster is Freeport-McMoRan, a usually companies they buy from, like GE, of being one of the organisers of the Santa New Orleans-based mining company that ITT, ATT, Bell Atlantic, American Express, Cruz protest. Sentenced to 15 years im- runs some of the largest gold and copper JP Morgan, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, prisonment. mines in the world in West Papua (Irian Jaya) and actively promotes Indonesia’s Rockwell and Eidetics. Part of our campaign 2. Jacinto das Neves R. Alves 33-years-old. interests (including the annexation of East will research and expose these activities. We Arrested in November 1991. Accused of Timor) in Washington. Freeport is known could use your help. taking part in the Santa Cruz protest. throughout Louisiana and Texas for its envi- There are other businesses which do a lot Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. ronmental criminality; its investments in of trade with Indonesia, often using sweat- 3. Gregorio da Cunha Saldanha 28-years-old. legislators like Rep. Robert Livingston (R- shop labor (Nike, Reebok and other sneaker Arrested 24 November 1991. Accused of LA, chair of the House Appropriations and clothing manufacturers). Others are in- taking part in the Santa Cruz demonstra- Committee) and Sen. J. Bennett Johnston volved in resource extraction, including cof- tion. Sentenced to life imprisonment. (D-LA, former chair of the Senate Interior fee (e.g. Starbucks), spices (e.g. McCor- 4. Filomeno da Silva Ferreira 33-years-old. Committee) have paid off handsomely for mick), and minerals. Although these compa- Arrested November 1991. Accused of Indonesia. Freeport is also behind much of nies’ labor and environmental practices in taking part in the Santa Cruz demonstra- the current Congressional effort to eviscer- Indonesia may be indefensible, we haven’t tion. Sentenced to 5 years and 8 months ate environmental protection, and has been heard of any of these defending the occupa- imprisonment. linked to killings of West Papuans who got tion of East Timor, and our national cam- 5. Saturnino da Costa Belo Age not known. in their way. Although Freeport’s profile in paign hasn’t targeted them. Some local Arrested 30 November 1991. Accused of the US has been low, it is high in Washing- ETAN groups where they are based (Port- taking part in the Santa Cruz demonstra- ton - thanks in part to the presence of land for Nike, Seattle for Starbucks) are en- tion. Sentenced to 9 years imprisonment. Henry Kissinger on their Board of Directors couraging these companies to use their rela- and their employment of Kissinger Associ- tionships with Jakarta to support East 6. Juvencio de Jesus Martins Age not Timorese human rights. known. Arrested November 1991. Ac- ates to lobby Congress. cused of taking part in Santa Cruz dem- In October, Freeport received a devastat- ETAN’s Corporate Campaign onstration. Sentenced to 6 years and 10 ing blow from the Overseas Private Invest- Our corporate campaign is inspired and months imprisonment. ment Corporation (OPIC), a US government supported by similar campaigns, especially agency. Citing Freeport’s understatement of the Campaign for Corporate Withdrawal environmental devastation from their mine from Burma, which draws on the experience tailings in West Papua, OPIC cancelled $100 and effectiveness of divestment campaigns East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 239 against apartheid. We work closely with the Private persuasion. We plan to work prison state, who is responsible for the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibil- with ICCR to arrange and attend meetings genocide in East Timor.” ity (ICCR), whose member religious organi- between concerned stockholders and corpo- “President Suharto contradicts every- zations hold substantial amounts of stock in rate executives to discuss Indonesia-related thing CARE says it stands for. His invasion many companies. ICCR uses those shares to activities. Some companies were persuaded of East Timor brought starvation, death and influence management to be more socially to withdraw from South Africa and Burma torture to hundreds of thousands,” said responsible in many areas, including interna- by such gentle tactics, which could be fol- Sally K. Levison of DC ETAN. tional human rights. lowed by more confrontation if necessary. Suharto’s visit to the U.S. came as his Last year, the ETAN Steering Committee Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Ali Alatas troops were in the midst of a crackdown in approved my proposal to begin a corporate calls East Timor a “pebble in Indonesia’s East Timor. Hundreds have been arrested campaign. At this point, we are not organiz- shoe.” We are trying to increase the aggrava- and several killed as Indonesian troops and ing boycotts (although this could happen in tion caused by that pebble, so that Indone- police conducted door-to-door searches the future), but researching and exposing the sia will decide it’s not worth the trouble. If aimed at quelling ongoing protests and riot- corporate connections. We are forming a American companies doing business with ing. Fueled mainly by religious and eco- committee to coordinate and carry out this Indonesia realize that East Timor is a prob- nomic grievances, the underlying cause of work, and would welcome your participa- lem for their customers and shareholders, the unrest is a demand for self- tion. and communicate that problem to Jakarta, it determination, a right denied when Indonesia There are several ways we have ap- will increase the pressure on Indonesia to do invaded twenty years ago on December 7, proached this so far: the right thing. 1975. Since then over 200,000 East Using the media. ETAN has provided in- Contact the ETAN national office if you Timorese, one-third of the population, have formation and leads to sympathetic journal- want to work on our corporate campaign or been killed. ists. An article last fall in the Investor Re- if you have information that would be help- Jakarta’s sensitivity over the issue was sponsibility Research Center’s “News for ful. We sell the International Trade Informa- clear in mid-November when they blocked Investors” laid out the issues, we also tion Service’s new 50-page “Real Trade” an international delegation of religious lead- helped with an article on Freeport McM o- profile “A Day in the Life of US-Indonesia ers, human rights activists and members of Ran in The Nation magazine, and with an- Trade” for $7.50. parliament from holding a commemoration other on Phillips Petroleum that was written at the site of the November 1991 massacre for (but squelched by) Phillips’ hometown SUHARTO COMES TO TOWN of over 250 peaceful protesters. While eight paper in Oklahoma. entered East Timor, they were deported Public exposure. In seeking to better their Report by John Miller, ETAN/New York. back to Bali 24 hours later. Others including image with the US business community, the While New York’s mayor worked over- several Indonesians, were prevented from Indonesian government, together with time to make Fidel Castro and Yassar Arafat boarding planes to Dili, East Timor’s capi- groups like the US-Indonesia Society and feel unwelcome during the 50th anniversary tol. the American-Indonesian Chamber of Com- celebrations of the United Nations, Mayor While in Washington, Suharto met with merce, organizes corporate-underwritten Giuliani had no problem hosting President President Clinton. A White House press high-level conferences. ETAN people have Suharto of Indonesia. Neither did the Asia statement said that the meeting primarily attended these, raising uncomfortable facts Society or the relief organization CARE. focused on economic issues, but Clinton did at appropriate times. We have discussed However, supporters of East Timor made it raise the need to respect human rights in East Timor with officials from the Foreign clear that many Americans did not welcome East Timor. Even so, the two presidents Minister on down, in front of hundreds of the Indonesian dictator. discussed the sale of F-16 fighter jets to In- US corporate leaders. As corporate bigwigs praised him at donesia. Speaking truth to power. At Texaco’s fundraising dinners in New York and Wash- In several letters sent to President Clin- annual shareholder meeting last May, Allan ington, the East Timor Action Network pro- ton before the meeting, members of Con- Nairn and I challenged their CEO about Tex- tested outside. On October 25, over 50 gress urged him to discuss East Timor with aco’s partnership in genocide, with 700 demonstrators chanted and leafleted at the the Indonesian dictator. A letter signed by Texaco Directors, managers, and sharehold- Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City where 28 Senators noted that Suharto’s visit came ers listening in. Many were unnerved to Suharto was a featured speaker for the Asia during the 50th anniversary celebration of learn about “their company’s” unsavory Society. Carrying signs in English and Indo- Indonesia’s declaration of independence. It activities, and asked for information pack- nesian, the demonstrators called on Indone- said “On this historic occasion, we take ets. The Texaco action was supported by a sia to withdraw from East Timor and allow pride in the fact that actions taken by the demonstration outside the meeting, and or- a UN-supervised referendum on self- United States Senate in the late 1940’s ganized by a coalition of activists working determination. The following day, chanting probably hastened Indonesia’s independ- on Ecuador (Texaco has destroyed vast ar- protesters greeted Suharto on his arrival at a ence from the Netherlands. It certainly eas of rainforest), Burma (Texaco is one of fund-raiser for CARE in Washington where would seem appropriate that the U.S. take the few multinationals trafficking with he was the guest of honor. the same principled stance in opposition to SLORC), and East Timor. It received exten- José Ramos Horta, chief spokesperson the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.” sive coverage in Texaco’s hometown (White for the East Timorese resistance, personally The heavy hand of Indonesian security Plains, NY) press. When annual meetings greeted the demonstrations in both New was evident during Suharto’s visit who resume next spring, we should attend many York and Washington. When he learned that monitored and photographed the demonstra- more. Although recent S.E.C. rulings make it CARE was honoring Suharto, he said “I am tions. In New York, journalists Allan Nairn difficult to file shareholder resolutions on stunned. It is extraordinary that CARE, and Amy Goodman were barred from cover- issues which involve less than 5% of a com- supposedly a humanitarian organization, ing the Asia Society event. pany’s business, East Timor can be raised should honor a dictator who presides over a Nairn was also asked to leave a UN under generic human rights resolutions (as ceremony involving Suharto by his chief of was done with Texaco) or even without one. security. UN-spokesperson Joe Sills later Page 240 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. said that Nairn had every right to be at the East Timor w as “seeing a crackdown in the hopefully, will soon be available to provide event. As an accredited journalist, he was last few weeks. exact transcripts of statements made by allowed to cover all UN events that were “People are being rounded up. Torture in panelists and members of the audience. open to the press and that Suharto’s secu- East Timor is routine. If you are interro- Main speakers: rity had violated UN rules. gated, you are tortured,” he said. Ambassador Ronald Palmer, Diplomat “Many have been killed, and there has Report on the Nairn incident in the UN’s Consultant in Residence, Elliot School of been a move to bring Indonesians in and “Daily Press Briefing” of 25 Oct. 1995. International Affairs, the George Washing- force Timorese out,” Mr. Ramos Horta said. A reporter for The Nation [Allan Nairn] ton University (he introduced the meeting Mr. Ramos Horta called it ironic that Mr. said that he had been thrown out of a hear- but left immediately for another event at the Suharto, who was in New York to speak ing in the Trusteeship Council chamber (at Malaysian Embassy) before the U.N. as part of the world body’s the Ceremony of World Leaders on popula- Karl Jackson, Director of Southeast 50th anniversary, himself is no respecter of tion stabilization), where President Soeharto Asian Studies Program, School of Advanced international law. of Indonesia had been speaking earlier this International Studies, Johns Hopkins Uni- In addition to protesting Mr. Suharto’s morning; he had apparently been identified versity (former Defense Department offi- being honored by the Asia Society and re- by an Indonesian official who had asked for cial) ported human rights violations in East him to leave. Did the United Nations know James Clad, Research Professor of Timor, the protesters called for on the U.S., the details and did Indonesia have the right Southeast Asian Studies, Georgetown Uni- a military ally and benefactor of Indonesia, to do that? A correspondent [from Inter- versity (former correspondent for the “Far to put pressure on the Indonesian govern- Press Service] asked. Eastern Economic Review”) ment, John Miller of the East Timor Action Mr. Sills said that there was a staff mem- Ambassador Edward Masters, former US Network told TLIC. ber of the Spokesman’s office there, who ambassador to Indonesia (during the Carter Protesters carried a variety of signs and intervened with the United Nations Security Administration), president of the US- posters protesting alleged human rights vio- Service. There was an effort made by a per- Indonesia Society lations and genocide in East Timor. son who had identification as a representa- Also present and speaking at length was Placards in English and [Indonesian] pro- tive of the Government of Indonesia to pro- Reagan Administration Ambassador to In- claimed: “End Genocide,” “Free East hibit the journalist from entering [actually donesia John Holdridge. Timor,” “No Arms to Indonesia.” Nairn was escorted out of the room]. He In the audience (and sitting next to me so One banner, which showed a bullet, read: was told that this violated United Nations I had a good opportunity to observe his re- “This is what the Indonesian Army used for rules, that the person was an accredited actions) was US ambassador-designate J. birth control in East Timor.” journalist and had every right to enter the Stapleton Roy (former ambassador to Protesters included Constâncio Pinto, a room. Mr. Sills said that the journalist was China). He did not speak but seemed to be former leader in the East Timorese resis- admitted to the room. Referring to the sec- quite at home among many of his friends tance and now a student at Brown Univer- ond question, it was not proper for any and acquaintances. sity, Providence, and a score of Brown stu- Member State to tell the United Nations Overall impression: The main theme of dents. that an accredited journalist could not go all speakers and most of the audience com- “I had to escape from jail and flee East into a function that the press had been in- ments was that the US government, the US Timor,” Mr. Pinto told TLIC. vited to. Congress, and the US media were all anti- Richard Lani of Cold Spring Harbor, a Indonesia and that the tremendous accom- senior at Brown, told TLIC that Mr. Pinto’s SUPPORTERS OF EAST TIMOR plishments of President Suharto had not witness has awakened many of his fellow PROTEST INDONESIA’S been understood or appreciated. And some- students to the plight of East Timor. OCCUPATION OF REGION thing should be done about this tragic situa- “The U.S. can’t just stand by, “ he said. by Pete Sheehan, The Long Island [NY] tion. Not one word of criticism was stated Catholic, November 1, 1995. [abridged] by either the speakers or the audience about IS IT SAFE YET? Suharto. The continuous stream of criticism Manhattan – A group of about 50 East PROMOTING THE SUHARTO was directed at the United States, American Timor supporters gathered near Grand Cen- REGIME IN AMERICA TODAY institutions, and American organizations. A tral Station here Oct. 25 to protest the ap- number of speakers agreed that much to pearance of Indonesian President Suharto Report on November 9, 1995 Meeting on much attention was being paid to noisy hu- and his government’s alleged genocide “US-Indonesia Relations: Toward the man rights groups (and their 1000s of faxes against East Timor. Twenty-First Century” Prepared by: David to the Congress). It would be much better if “It’s a disgrace that a humanitarian Johnson, Research Director, Center for De- human rights groups would be quiet. The agency like the Asia Society would honor a fense Information, Washington DC. one ray of hope (identified by Ambassador dictator like Suharto,” José Ramos Horta, a Meeting sponsored by the Indonesian Holdridge) was that American businesses special representative of the National Coun- involved in Indonesia might be able to help cil of Maubere Resistance, told the Long Student Association and Pacific Affairs Study Society of the George Washington overcome the existing anti-Indonesia climate Island Catholic. in the US. I had a sense that the organizers No representative of the Asia Society, a University and the US-Indonesia Society (Edward Masters, President) of the meeting and the participants viewed non-profit education group working to fos- this meeting as a very important milestone ter understanding between Americans and Held at the Carnegie International Center, Washington DC in testing the waters to see how far it might Asians, could be reached for comment. be possible to go in coming out in public in Mr. Ramos Horta, who represents the This report summarizes my impressions of this meeting and describes a number of support of the Suharto regime. council – an umbrella organization of armed Very important point: There was quite a and peaceful resistance to Indonesia’s pres- the remarks made. I took extensive notes about everything that was said. A video bit of discussion about how Southeast Asian ence and reported human rights abuses there studies in the Washington DC area was be- – said that as this protest was going on here, tape was made of the proceedings which, East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 241 ing greatly expanded, to the extent that experienced men in world affairs” and “one peasant figures out what to say: “I follow Washington could become the center of of the best politicians in the world.” “He you boss!” (Ambassador Roy found this Southeast Asian studies “in the world.” took over when that country was in disas- very amusing.) For me, this was the low (Palmer) There’s something called the Capi- trous condition and he has built it” with his point of an evening filled with low points. tol Partnership for Southeast Asia studies. tremendous “legitimacy” and political skills. Clad expanded on the theme of American The importance of top former Defense De- This legitimacy, and the associated “defer- defect as a “hectoring country” by citing partment officials Karl Jackson and Paul ence” of Indonesians toward President Su- what an Indonesia general had told him Wolfowitz (now also at Johns Hopkins) in harto, was said to be linked with Suharto’s about how the US was “a cranky uncle.” this regard was mentioned several times. accomplishments during the “traumatic” 3. Ambassador John Holdridge. Although (David Newsome and Harry Harding were 1965-66 events. Holdridge was not one of the designated also mentioned.) In my view, however, the In communicating his message that hu- speakers, he was the first to speak from the apparent domination of this academic sub- man rights groups should be quiet, Jackson floor and spoke at length and a number of ject in Washington by national security bu- related an incident that occurred when he times. (Thank heavens for garrulous old reaucrats with such an overt ax to grind does was “in the White House.” A representative men!) He was the bluntest of all partici- not bode well for true academic studies. The of a human rights group came to him for pants in his pro-Suharto, anti-American sources of funding for Southeast Asian stud- help in saving the lives of two Indonesians comments. His most extreme contribution ies in the Washington area deserves closer (unidentified) who were under threat of exe- came when the subject of the “secret” kill- examination. The role of the US-Indonesia cution. Jackson said he told the man that he ings of criminals in Indonesia was discussed. Society, as well as other individuals and or- would help if the man’s group would be Holdridge said that what happened was that ganizations linked to the Suharto govern- quiet about Indonesia. Jackson said that’s President Suharto told General Murdani “to ment, and oil companies and other investors what happened “and the two people are solve the problem of criminals and Murdani in Indonesia needs to be carefully examined. alive today.” (Did I get the impression that took care of it. And nothing much came of More background on the meeting: Al- Jackson would have done nothing if he had it.” His approval of this approach to the though this meeting was billed as an event not been able to achieve this nifty feat of crime problem was unmistakable. (James organized by students at George Washing- blackmail? Did he ever save lives when not Clad latter confirmed that, yes, nothing ton University, it was clear that the actual prompted?) much came of it. Only the “Far Eastern group behind the meeting was the US- Regarding East Timor (“the Tim Tim Economic Review” paid any attention.) As Indonesia Society. (Although at one point problem”), “which seems like it will never the topic of successors to Suharto came up, Masters thanked the students “for putting go away,” Jackson’s advice was “to hunker Holdridge suggested that Benny Murdani, this together.”) This Society was founded in down and take it.” “sitting staring at the wall in his office at the 1994 with money from US businesses. It’s 2. James Clad was a disappointment. I Center for Strategic and International Stud- president is Edward Masters, former US- had thought he had a more balanced ap- ies,” might be someone to think about. Ambassador to Indonesia (and head of the proach (perhaps rooted in his journalistic The evening’s big theme of the anti- political section in the US Embassy at the background) but he seemed quite willing to Indonesian American press occasioned an time of the 1965 events). At the meeting it join in enthusiastically in praising Suharto anecdote from Holdridge. When he was in was announced that the US-Indonesia Soci- and criticizing Americans. He articulated the Indonesia A.M. Rosenthal of the New York ety had paid for the dinner served to par- prevailing arrogant spirit in his reference to Times came for a visit to the Embassy. The ticipants. The panel of speakers was made “the occasional grumpy NGO snapping floor in the entrance way was very slippery up entirely of outspoken supporters of the over a human rights issue.” He did at several and Rosenthal fell, hurting himself. “And I Suharto regime. The audience, with only one points describe the growing middle class in have never since seen a balanced editorial in or two exceptions, appeared to be also made Indonesia and its aspirations to take part in the New York Times.” (Ambassador Roy up of Suharto advocates and people associ- the political system. But, upon some wor- burst out laughing.) (This crowd of Suharto- ated with the US-Indonesia Society. There ried queries from the audience, he stove to supporters seem oblivious to the fact that were just a few students present. The only describe the capacity of the Suharto regime Suharto has benefitted enormously by the critical comment made from the floor was to cope with whatever problems might arise. almost complete inattention of Americans, by David Johnson, who suggested that the Clad informed the audience that President including the press, to Indonesia over the next time the students at George Washing- (all speakers invariably used the word past 30 years. It has only been on the rare ton University organize a meeting on Indo- “President” when referring to Suharto) Su- occasion of extreme misbehavior that nesia they might invite a broader range of harto could stay in power “as long as he Americans have paid attention to the Su- speakers. (In the course of the meeting Ed- wants.” (Jackson put off the influence of the harto regime.) ward Masters offered to “help” students middle class on the “transition” for five-ten Holdridge, as other speakers, stressed the arrange future meetings on Indonesia. At the years in the future. He did make the astute importance of preserving and expanding US- end of the meeting he choose to talk at some observation that “the government in Indone- Indonesian military relations, including the length, giving the appearance of hosting the sia does not have an exit strategy built into IMET training program and use of Indone- event. No students from George Washington it and that is a problem.”) sian ports by the US Navy. This is all part University spoke during the whole proceed- At one point Clad told a joke, the point of the overall security service that the US ings. This use of students to front a pro- of which seemed to be to reassure the audi- has performed for Indonesia which earlier Suharto agenda reminded me of the past ence about the inherent passivity of the In- occasioned thanks from Suharto and Mur- success in this regard of both the US Em- donesian citizen in Suharto’s political sys- dani to Holdridge: “You people are taking bassy in Jakarta and Suharto himself.) tem. A peasant is walking through the coun- care of that.” Holdridge mentioned how US Individual speakers: try side and someone jumps out of the F-16s had been provided to Indonesia, not bushes and points a gun at his head, saying, because of real security needs, but because 1. Karl Jackson probably won the night’s “Who do you follow?” The peasant quickly “Murdani wanted his boys to have some prize for most obsequious Suharto flacking. ponders who this might be: a robber, a PKI exp erience with top-of-the line technology.” He referred to Suharto as a “one of the most person, an Army person, etc.? But then the Masters also stressed the importance of the Page 242 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. security relationship between the US and adds, “we’re building quite a Southeast Asia ridiculous denials are pretty much standard Indonesia in terms of persuading Americans program at SAIS.” confirmation of the opposite in Washington of Indonesia’s importance. (In the post- Oh yeah, right. Had I not been clogging circles. Cold War, post-Communist era this seem a the receiving line, I would have offered that He talked for while about what a bad im- particularly weak argument.) hiring a reactionary, intellectual light-weight age Indonesia had in the US, and how US- Holdridge said he did not envy Ambassa- like Karl Jackson is hardly an auspicious Indo would work to correct this. Appar- dor Roy’s new job which involved having to start. ently Hill & Knowlton and the other PR cope with human rights issues and East People schmoozed around the ballroom firm hired exclusively to give Indonesia’s Timor and “a Congress so loaded with peo- mainly seeing who was there. Richard Bor- atrocities in Timor some good spin were not ple who are hyper critical and so willing to suk from the Wall Street Journal showed up, enough (it should be said, to H&K’s credit, pick on Indonesia, harping on Indonesia as a as did the new guy replacing Adam that they did decline the Timor contract – villain.” Schwartz of the Far Eastern Economic Re- only to be snapped up with gusto by some 4. Edward Masters’ prepared talk was view. He seemed particularly disoriented, former H&K staff working for another op- about the various cultural and educational maybe because police had shown up at his eration). exchanges that have been taking place be- office earlier in the day “demanding my Wolfowitz took to the microphone and tween Indonesia and the US. At several files” because of some piece he had written. read a few sentences in Indonesia (to polite points he nodded in the direction of human Another CIA agent now under cover as a applause from the guests, who were now rights issues, but always added a “but” to businessman was also hanging around nib- stuffing their faces with scalloped potatoes, stress the importance of other matters. Un- bling on finger food. lasagne, and beef). Then he launched into a der the theme of the successes of quiet di- The first Indonesian bigshot to arrive was comparison of all the many things Indonesia plomacy (rather than noisy human rights Joop Ave, the minister for tourism. After I and the U.S. have in common (like e pluri- advocacy) he mentioned that when he was was introduced to him I felt a little rejected bus unum = bhinneka tunggal ika = unity in ambassador to Indonesia there were still because he did not bother to pinch my diversity = from many one. Karl Jackson some 30,000 Indonesia left over from the fanny (you may recall Joop got into trouble probably pointed out these important paral- 1965-66 period being kept prisoner on an in New Zealand for making advances to a lels to the Wolfer). island. “We did not think that was desir- room boy in his hotel and had to be emer- Meanwhile, people from the cultural sec- able” and steps were taken to get people gency airlifted out of the country before the tion of the embassy were fretting about released. (I should also report that Masters police could get to him). whether taking money being offered from said that Subandrio and Dhani should have Also present were Marie Muhammad US-Indo would compromise their programs. been released from prison before 1995.) (minister of finance) and Sudrajat Djiwan- I politely suggested that it could do nothing Masters said the US-Indonesia Society dono (governor of the central bank). The but. was started after he had talked with mem- latter spoke, but apparently no one told him In most other regards, the evening was bers of Congress about Indonesia and been he was expected to, and so he just rambled much like the session Johnson described in informed by the members that the only mail aimlessly for about ten minutes until the his posting. Not a word of criticism. There they got about Indonesia was negative and chattering in the room nearly drowned him was less harping on human rights organiza- only about human rights. The Society seeks out. tions and movements and tactics. Wolfowitz “a better informed public.” Also speaking for the Indonesians was said that while surely the two cultures were Emil Salim, who held several ministerial different, some common ground could REPORT ON US-INDONESIA posts under Suharto. Hearing him yet again, probably be found on the rights issue. Not a SOCIETY LAUNCHING IN I must admit that Heinz Arndt, the old Aus- word about Timor. And given we were in tralian economist, got it right when he de- Jakarta, certainly not a mention of Suharto JAKARTA scribed Emil as the “Goebbels of the Su- and succession. harto regime.” In an apparent effort to wax People came, chatted a bit, ate, got talked From a protected source, Nov. 12. philosophical, he kept saying over and over, at, and left. On balance it was a pretty bor- I saw David Johnson’s excellent report “who are we Indonesians??!” The idea ap- ing evening. on a recent US-Indo Society in DC and parently was that the New Order and indeed thought I’d offer my impressions of the gala the entire Indonesian people had been badly INTERFAITH SERVICE TO event at the Hyatt Aryaduta Hotel (Nov 1, misconstrued. US-Indo would help fix this. COMMEMORATE EAST 1995, by invitation only) to launch the or- The real guts of the evening were the ganization in Jakarta. speeches by Masters and Wolfowitz. Mas- TIMOR MASSACRE VICTIMS Held in the grand ballroom, the event be- ters thanked Freeport McMoRan for their East Timor Action Network/NY Press Advi- gan with the standard check point and sign- support, but did not mention that a huge sory, Nov. 8., 1995 in at all such Indonesian events. The receiv- chunk of US-Indo’s budget comes from that ing line started with Ed Masters (referred to swaggering firm (which, by the way, re- An interfaith service will commemorate by several US embassy staff as a CIA agent) cently lost its OPIC insurance policy of the 1991 massacre Indonesian troops in Dili, and wife, followed by Paul Wolfowitz. As I $100 million for gross environmental degra- East Timor. The service, organized by East shook slick Paul’s hand he said “Hi, I’m dation in Irian Jaya, which helps explain Timor Religious Outreach, will take place on Paul Wolfowitz.” He looked like he’d been why they might want to back US-Indo). Thursday, November 9 at 4 pm in the rushed straight from the airport, somehow No sooner had I turned to a friend and Chapel of the Church Center for the United getting no sleep in his cushy first-class seat. said the whole thing was about PR (proba- Nations at 777 UN Plaza (1st Ave. and 44th I introduced myself. When he realized I was bly with considerable CIA backing, given St.), across from the UN. a professor of Southeast Asia political how many spooks were involved in the or- The service will tell the story of the No- economy, he says “send me your CV” with ganization or simply in attendance), Mas- vember 12, 1991 massacre through the eyes that “let’s make shit happen” sort of arro- ters bellows into the microphone that “US- of two witnesses, journalists Allan Nairn gance so common to Washington types. He Indo is not a public relations society.” Such and Amy Goodman. Nairn and Goodman East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 243 were beaten as Indonesian troops opened 777 UN Plaza. Sponsored by East Timor events are scheduled with them through fire on a funeral procession that turned into Religious Outreach Dec. 2. a peaceful demonstration for independence. Dec. 7. Walk from the Indonesian Mis- Dec. 7, 10:00 am. Carpools leave from At least 271 were killed in the massacre and sion to the UN (325 E. 38 St.) to the US Memorial Union on the UW-Madison cam- its immediate aftermath. Mission (799 UN Plaza at 45th St.) . 4 pm, pus to go to Chicago to demonstrate in front The service will include readings from the gather at Indonesian Mission. 5:15 pm, can- of the Indonesian Consulate; return in time Koran, Hebrew and Christian scripture and dlelight vigil at US Mission. for the 6 pm vigil. Buddhist texts . In addition to Nairn and Dec. 9. Talk by Noam Chomsky: “End- Dec. 7, 6:00 pm. Candlelight vigil at the Goodman, participants in the service will ing 20 Years of Occupation: East Timor & Capitol on the State Street side to com- include Iman Wahid Abdul Rasheed, US Foreign Policy” with Constâncio Pinto memorate 20 years of occupation & geno- Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood; Rev. Eric (US representative of the CNRM) and Amy cide, 20 years of resistance. A Gass, Southern Asia Secretary of the Goodman (News Director, WBAI/Pacifica Contact: ETAN/Madison c/o Equal Jus- United Church of Christ; Rev. Robert Radio). 2:30 pm. Miller Theater, Columbia tice Foundation 122 State Street, Suite 608, McClean, United Methodist Church; Father University (Broadway at 116 St.). $12/$6 Madison, WI 53703 608-257-8437. egus- Ronald Kelso, Society of St. Columbans; low-income. Reception at 1 pm, $30. For [email protected] and Ms. Gerry Puelle, Director, UN Center, tickets to talk: (212)854-7799. For info and Los Angeles, CA Lutheran World Federation. reception tickets contact: ETAN/NY. Nov. 12. Memorial candlelight proces- The November 1991 massacre sparked a Princeton, NJ sion from the Indonesian Consulate (3457 worldwide public outcry in support of self- Dec. 4, 7:30 pm. Film: “Death of a Na- Wilshire Blvd.) at 6 pm to the home of the determination and human rights for the East tion - The Timor Conspiracy.” McCosh 28, Consul-General. Timorese. Princeton University. Near the P.U. Chapel, Dec. 7. Anniversary procession and leaf- December 7 will mark the 20th anniver- in the corner of campus framed by Washing- letting, Santa Monica. Meet at Third Street sary of the Indonesian invasion of East ton Road and Nassau Street. Promenades northern end (Arizona St.) at 7 Timor. Over 200,000 East Timorese have Dec. 7, 8:00 pm: “The Tragedy of Timor: pm. At 7:30, there will be a showing of Cold been killed in the invasion and occupation of 20 Years Later” with Constâncio Pinto (U.S. Blood: Massacre in East Timor at the Mid- the former Portuguese colony. The military representative of the East Timorese resis- night Special Bookstore (1318 Third St. assault came after a year of covert destabili- tance) and Roger Clark (international law Promenade), followed by discussion and zation by Indonesia. The United Nations expert, professor at Rutgers Law School). book-signing. Contact: ETAN/Los Angeles does not recognize Indonesian sovereignty Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall, Wood- Matthew Jardine 1102 Marco Place, Venice, over East Timor. row Wilson School, at the intersection of CA 90291-3938 phone/fax: 310-450-5375 ETAN/US was founded following the Washington Road and Prospect Avenue. [email protected] November 1991 massacre of over 271 peo- For both events, contact Gillian Webster ple in Dili, East Timor’s capital. ETAN/US at 609-258-7305, gweb- supports genuine self-determination and Portland, OR [email protected] human rights for the people of East Timor Dec. 7. 4:00 - 6:30 pm. Candlelight vigil in accordance with the UN Charter and reso- Philadelphia, PA at S.W. Salmon and Front Streets in down- lutions. Nov. 18. Amy Goodman speaks on East town Portland, near World Trade Center. Timor. For info: Delaware Valley Peace Ac- Contact: ETAN/Portland Will Seaman UPCOMING EAST TIMOR tion, 215-387-5773. 2105 SE Taylor, Portland, OR 97214 503- EVENTS IN THE UNITED Cleveland, OH 235-4986 [email protected] STATES Dec. 3. Event with East Timor journal- Seattle, WA ist/activist Allan Nairn, to memorialize the Nov. 12. Ahi Naklakan (East Timorese From ETAN/US, Nov. 8 1995 four North American churchwomen killed in for light) vigil in front of Westlake Mall, El Salvador. For info: Tony Vento, Interre- downtown. 1-4 pm. This is part of a Boston, MA ligious Task Force on Central America, 216- worldwide event calling for UN intervention Dec. 7. Showings of Death of a Nation: 961-0003. to protect human rights in East Timor and The Timor Conspiracy at the Boston Mu- Chicago, IL ensure Indonesian withdrawal. seum of Fine Arts. Contact: ETAN/Boston Dec. 7. Leafletting at the University of Nov. 13. Vigil at Indonesian Consulate, area Mark Salzer 16 Ames Street, Somer- Washington, also letter-writing. Two Illinois Center, 233 North Michigan ville, MA 02145-3602. 617-776-3791 etan- Contact: ETAN/Seattle Mariza Cabral Ave. 5pm. [email protected] P.O. Box 95284. Seattle, WA 98145 206- Nov. 29. Program on East Timor with 547-7802 fax:206-685-3836 mari- White Plains, NY Allan Nairn, Northwestern University, plus [email protected] Nov. 16. Amy Goodman (News Direc- other events. tor, WBAI/Pacific Radio) and Charles Dec. 7, 3:00 pm. Demo at Indonesian San Francisco, CA Scheiner (National Coordinator, ETAN) will consulate, Two Illinois Center, 233 North Nov. 13. Vigil at the Indonesian consu- present an update: East Timor: The Struggle Michigan Ave. late, 1111 Columbus Avenue, plus other Continues. 8:00 pm at WESPAC, 255 Contact: ETAN/Chicago Bradley Simp- activities. Grove Street. For info: WESPAC 914-682- son 2533 Jackson St. #2W, Evanston, IL Nov. 19. Fund-raiser for ETAN/SFBA in 0488. 60201 708-475-6963. [email protected] Berkeley, with a Hawaiian music band. New York, NY Madison, WI Dec. 7. Vigil at the Indonesian consulate, 1111 Columbus Avenue. Nov. 9. Interfaith prayer service of re- Nov. 30. Program with Amy Goodman Contact: ETAN/San Francisco Bay Area membrance and solidarity with the people and Constâncio Pinto at Memorial Union P.O. Box 420832 San Francisco, CA 94142 of East Timor. Chapel, UN Church Center, (TITU), Univ. of Wisconsin, 9 pm. Other 415-285-1971 [email protected] Page 244 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Washington, DC from using violence. At one point, two offi- Letter from ETRO: Nov. 10. Picket at Indonesian Embassy, cials from the US State Department showed Mr. Ahmad Fauzie Gani 2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 5 pm. up at the demonstration. They did not Consul General Dec. 7, 5:30 pm. Picket at Indonesian speak with the demonstrators but instead Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia Embassy (2020 Mass. Avenue, NW). went straight into the consulate building to 1111 Columbus Avenue Dec. 7, 7:45 pm. “It’s time to go! How meet with the Indonesians. San Francisco, CA 94133-1707 The protestors, dressed in black clothes we can end two decades of U.S.-supported Dear Mr. Ahmad Fauzie Gani; Indonesian Genocide in East Timor” Talk of mourning and led by two stilt-walkers We are gathered here today to remember by ETAN National Coordinator Charles carrying large banners, staged a funeral not only the over 250 nonviolent mourners Scheiner, at Luna Books. march around the building in solidarity with murdered in the Santa Cruz Massacre on Contact: DC ETAN Sally K. Levison the attempted pilgrimage to Dili by interna- November 12, 1991, but also the more than 723 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring, MD tional human rights and solidarity activists. 200,000 East Timorese killed since the In- 20910 phone/fax: 301-589-9071 sklevi- As the march proceeded, the names of the donesian military launched its genocidal ag- [email protected] more than 270 people killed at the Santa gression against the tiny nation of East Dec. 8-9. Founding conference of the Cruz massacre we read over a loudspeaker Timor some twenty years ago. We are here Asia-Pacific Center for Justice and Peace, to a slow drumbeat. The names of the mar- to honor the East Timorese, living and dead, focussing on the impact of international tyrs were also written on the sidewalk who cannot speak for themselves. We are trade on human rights. For info: APC, 202- around the building, as was the recent poem here to bear witness to their suffering, resist 543-1094. by U2’s Bono and other slogans. (The Indonesians later called the authori- the evil of Indonesia’s ongoing oppression, National ties of San Francisco to have them send and proclaim God’s demand for justice. ETAN National Conference and Steering someone to wash the names off the side- Therefore, we call on the Indonesian gov- Committee meeting, January or February walks, just as they have called upon their ernment to comply with United Nations 1996. friends in the US State Department and the Security Council resolutions 384 and 389, to National Speaking Tour with José Ra- Pentagon to help erase understanding about withdraw its military occupation forces im- mos-Horta and others, February-March East Timor. This time, however, they were mediately from East Timor, and to allow a 1996. not successful. An ETAN member who United Nations sponsored plebiscite in East Lobby Days in Washington, Spring 1996. stayed at the consulate talked with the per- Timor to occur so that the East Timorese son sent to clean the sidewalks. When told can determine their own future and genuine SIXTEEN ARRESTED AT of what the names signified and what the decolonization can take place. We also call INDONESIAN CONSULATE IN Indonesians have done in East Timor, he on the Indonesian government to end all forms of inhuman treatment in East Timor, SAN FRANCISCO became quite angry and refused to wipe them out. Indonesian intimidation fails including extra-judicial killings, systematic rape, torture, and arbitrary arrest and im- Report from ETAN/San Francisco, Nov. 14. again.) At the end of the march, sixteen people prisonment. The climate of terror and op- In what is perhaps the largest demonstra- climbed over the fence surrounding the con- pression in East Timor is a degrading insult tion in support of East Timor ever in the sulate grounds in an attempt to deliver the to the humanity of us all. US, nearly 100 peaceful protestors con- letter to the consul general. They were We also acknowledge with sadness that verged on the Indonesian consulate in San quickly arrested by San Francisco police, our own government has been an accomplice Francisco yesterday, Nov. 13. The protes- who had been on the scene from the begin- in the crimes committed against the East tors were there to commemorate the fourth ning. The persons arrested included two Timorese people, even though our State anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre and Catholic priests, two United Methodist Department admits that the repression in to honor the continuing bravery and courage ministers, instructors from local theology East Timor is worsening. Therefore, we call of the East Timorese. The demonstration schools, and members of ETRO and ETAN. on the United States to halt all military aid was organized by the East Timor Religious The sixteen were released shortly afterward. (including IMET training), economic aid, Outreach, with assistance from the San The demonstration, which also featured and weapons sales to Indonesia as long as it Francisco chapter of the East Timor Action the lighting of a candle and prayers led by continues its illegal military occupation of Network. the organizers, was an important escalation East Timor. It is with deep shame that we Along with ETRO and ETAN people, in the growth of the solidarity movement contemplate our own government’s support participants included representatives from here. Long-time activists had their commit- of one of the world’s worst human rights the local Muslim and Buddhist communi- ment redoubled by the moving and emo- abusers. Such complicity to cruelty must ties, the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Epis- tional atmosphere of the event, while doz- stop. It is not too late for the governments copalian churches, as well as many different ens of new individuals were introduced to of the United States and Indonesia to know orders of the Catholic Church and members the struggle and learned exactly how impor- justice for East Timor. of various peace and human rights organiza- tant are the actions of people here, not only Finally, the silence in the US media re- tions. to the East Timorese, but for ourselves as garding the mass murder in East Timor must Rev. Chamberlin and ETRO brought to well. As Rev. John Chamberlin, the princi- be broken. We pledge today to bread that the demonstration a letter to present to the pal organizer of the event, said, “This is a silence. The poor and forgotten of East Consul General. The Indonesians, however, clear indication that awareness of East Timor will remain in our hearts and prayers refused to come meet with the delegation or Timor is spreading in the US. The growth in forever. They will never be forgotten. We even to answer the door. Clearly very angry, solidarity for East Timor is definitely gath- will not go away until justice is achieved and they stood inside the building and glared ering strong momentum here.” East Timor is free. impotently at the demonstrators, obviously We ask you to join us in this task of lib- ––––––––––– at a loss at what to do when outnumbered eration. Stand with us is solidarity with the by peaceful demonstrators and prevented oppressed in East Timor. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 245

We ask this with all our hearts. If you skirmishes, and prospect of prolonged po- SANTA CRUZ MEMORIAL lack the courage to resist the evil being per- litical strife, economic upheaval and unclear petuated by your government, we offer you future of East Timor, Indonesia was explic- EVENT IN LOS ANGELES our hand. Together we can be strong, to- itly asked by the majority of East Timorese Report from ETAN/Los Angeles, Nov. 14. gether we can end the bloody tragedy in who preferred to integrate with Indonesia to East Timor. help restore the order. Therefore, Indone- ETAN/Las Sunday night observance of The blood of 200,000 murdered East sia’s involvement in East Timor was one of the fourth anniversary of the Santa Cruz Timorese cries out for an answer. We await contributing to the process of decoloniza- Massacre was, by far, our most successful your response. tion of the territory, inter alia, by helping to “action” in our brief history. About 35-40 Respectfully yours, ensure that the democratically expressed people participated. We gathered at the In- Rev. John Chamberlin will of the majority of the people not be donesian consulate in Los Angeles at 6pm National Coordinator - East Timor Reli- overruled by the armed terror and unilateral and walked to the Consul General’s official gious Outreach imposition of a ruthless minority. residence (about 1.5 miles away). The walk was a funeral procession complete with sev- –––––––––––––– Those who do not like Indonesia always accused that more than 200,000 of East eral lanterns, a big banner, four people car- Here is the response from the Consul Gen- rying a fake coffin, and someone playing a eral to the East Timor Religious Outreach Timorese died since the civil war erupted in 1975. This figure is really misleading and if conga drum–keeping a somber beat. Two letter clergy and supporters tried to deliver blocks before arriving at the Consul Gen- personally to the Indonesian Consulate in it continues to be believed it might distort people’s mind. It is true that the civil war in eral’s house, in the swank Hancock Park San Francisco on November 13, 1995. The area of Los Angeles, everyone lit their can- letter is printed as received. East Timor has caused people’s lives. The exact number of casualties was not known. dles. It was quite a scene! Dear Rev. Chamberlin, However, careful examination of facts by Once at the Consul’s estate, individuals several observers, journalists and scholars read aloud accounts of the massacre. Then, I acknowledge that your letter dated No- as someone read the list of names of the vic- vember 13, 1995, has been received. I would suggested that war-related death numbered around 5,000 and another 25,000 victims of tims of the Massacre, people wrote the like to express my deep concern over your names of all those killed on the sidewalk in letter which can cause misunderstanding malnutrition and disease brought about by war-ravaged economy and lack of health care chalk in front of the house. After a beautiful among Americans regarding East Timor. statement from members of Pax Christi of A brief history about East Timor will services. From the number estimated above (5,000) we can see that those lives were lost Southern California (which I’ll post later), give you an idea on how the decolonization we tried to present letters and flowers to the takes place. as a result of armed struggle from the two opposing forces, FRETILIN and UDT, Consul General, but no one would answer Since Portugal was still in East Timor the door (although we could see people back in early 1970’s, Indonesia supported APODETI, TRABALHISTA and KOTA. I also would like to argue that you have peaking at us from behind the curtains); so the process of decolonizing the area. It can we left the flowers in the driveway and the be seen from a series of talks between the exaggerated the number of casualties in the Dili Incident of November 12, 1991. Such letters in the mailbox. Following some rous- foreign ministers of the two countries which ing closing statements, we finished with a was held in New York and Lisbon beginning incident was deeply regrettable, as was im- mediately and repeatedly expressed the In- solidarity clap. Many of the participants–a in September 1974 to discuss the decoloni- number of whom had never before attended zation process of East Timor. History donesian Government at the Highest level. It is also important to acknowledge that the an East Timor event–commented on how shows that Portuguese government, as the much they had been moved by the event. administering power in East Timor, aban- demonstration was not entirely peaceful and indeed displayed premeditated provocation Despite our having sent out numerous doned the area in the wake of civil war. It press releases, the media was noticeably also shows that Portugal was in fact guilty and belligerence. It triggered a spontaneous reaction by some security personnel, acting absent with the very appreciated exception of instigating civil war by secretly turning of KPFK radio–the local Pacifica affiliate. over its arms and ammunition to particular outside the control or command of senior officers. Therefore, that incident was not an After most everyone had departed and while minority group, FRETILIN causing a cha- the KPFK reporter was interviewing some otic situation. Facing with such a situation act of ordered by or reflecting the policy of the Government or the Armed Forces. of us, the Los Angeles Police Department in which it appeared to be the irresponsible showed up in full force. An LAPD helicop- act of Portugal leaving the region as late as I would like to ask you that if you con- cern with East Timorese, it would be appre- ter circled over us for about 10 minutes, November 1975, Indonesia still urged Portu- shining its spotlight on the site. Three police gal to return to East Timor in order to com- ciated if you join the Government of Indo- nesia developing East Timor and try to in- cars also showed up. Fortunately, the police plete the process of decolonization in a just were very cordial and didn’t seem too con- and orderly manner. However, Portugal crease the welfare of the people. Your con- tributing idea about developing East Timor cerned about our presence and the chalked failed to do so. sidewalk and street. After about 15 minutes, As a result of civil war in East Timor, is welcome. I believe that by making a con- tinuous baseless accusation and acting on a few Indonesians came out of the house and which mainly caused by unilateral decision spoke briefly with the police. They refused of FRETILIN to declare independence, the behalf of East Timorese without knowing the real situation there is a kind of irrespon- to speak with the KPFK reporter and were situation had worsen. Thousands of refugees clearly very upset by the all the names on fled East Timor and crossed into Indonesia sible act. I hope with this explanation you will the sidewalk and the graffiti in the driveway since FRETILIN tried to impose its decision and street supporting East Timorese self- toward other parties and East Timorese. have a better idea of what and how East Timor history is all about. determination and calling for an end to Indo- That civil war which happened across the nesia’s occupation and U.S. complicity. border of Indonesia also threatened the lives Truthfully yours, of Indonesian who lived in Western part of Ahmad Fauzie Gani, Consul General Letter delivered the Consulate: the island. With the flood of refugees, armed November 12, 1995 Page 246 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

To the Indonesian Consul-General in Los note on the many asylum requests in foreign SEN. ROBB ON EAST TIMOR Angeles: embassies in Jakarta.) One of the readings from today’s Mass As there is no Indonesian consulate in Bangkok Post: Burma-China Relationship was from Maccabees and told of the Jewish Seattle, we chose a location for the com- ‘Significant Interest’ to US. November 12, mother and her seven sons who were ar- memoration that would be seen by the most 1995 (Perspective). Excerpt rested and subjected to torture by an invad- people. The commemoration was held Assistant Editor RALPH BACHOE spoke ing country. Because they would not declare downtown across from the city’s largest with a Republican and a Democratic in allegiance to the invaders’ king but only to shopping mall, very well attended on Sun- Washington recently about the Burmese their God, the king of the universe, the sons days. We had built a large sign reading situation and its relationship with the US were killed one by one in front of the “Fourth Anniversary of the November 12, and finds out there’s more to the Issue than mother, after which she was killed. 1991, Massacre in East Timor. In memory meets the eye. It seems that for the last 20 years, that is of the 271 unarmed young men, women and what the brave Christians of East Timor children killed by the Indonesian occupation [Interview with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) have done: given their lives rather than be army.” and which also summarized basic edited out, as are responses from Sen. subjected to an invading aggressor. information on East Timor. The sign was Charles Robb (D-VA) not related to East It is ironic that Indonesia was the first surrounded by lit candles. Most passers-by Timor. Robb is former Chair of the Senate colonial territory in the Pacific region to gain stopped to read the sign, and we passed out Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, and should know their independence after World War II. Too flyers to those interested. Five people who better than what he says here. He also vis- soon, a nation forgets their struggles for in- were relatively well informed on the issue ited Xanana during his trip, but apparently dependence. Too soon greed and power be- expressed interest in becoming active. De- didn’t listen much. – Charlie Scheiner] come the marks of a free nation. spite the small turnout we considered this Q: How do you compare the situation be- This is true of Indonesia. It is no less true event to be an effective public outreach ac- tween Burma and East Timor? of our own country, I’m sad to say. Our tion. Robb: An interesting question because we country has supplied vital arms to Indonesia were to stop only in Jakarta. I went directly to allow this 20-year bloodbath to continue. DERCO INDUSTRIES TO from Burma to East Timor. There are vexing On behalf of all members of Pax Christi, SUPPLY C-130 PARTS TO problems in both areas. But in Burma you the international Catholic peace movement, I have the government officially sanctioning call on the government of Indonesia to relin- INDONESIA and sponsoring a lot of the activity that quish control of this country of courageous Report from Martin Broek, Stop Arming In- troubles the international community. people. I call on our government to renounce donesia Campaign, Nov. 8. Defense News Whereas in East Timor the Indonesian its hypocrisy and recognize the human 28/8-3/9/95, page 13. government have six or seven battalions rights transgressions occurring in East there, only one of which is a military battal- Timor. Finally, tonight we mourn those who “PT Garuda Indonesia/Konsorsium Dir- ion, the others are construction battalions. died four years ago this day at Santa Cruz gantara has awarded Derco Industries Inc. The only battalion that has been involved in cemetery and all the holy martyrs of East Milwaukee, a 49,27 million contract for any significant way in trouble though is the Timor. supply of C-130 parts, materials and com- one that is made up predominantly of East May the candles lit in other parts of the ponent overhaul services. Dercos also will Timorese. world tonight be the light of hope for these provide logistical support to the consortium So if you look at the situation a little brave people. for the in-country maintenance and modifi- more carefully, you’ll find that in discus- Sincerely, cation of seven Indonesian Air Force C- sions with the governor, with the bishop, Curt Grove, Pax Christi of Southern Cali- 130s. with the president of the university there, fornia “This is a big contract for us,” said Michele Williamson, Derco spokeswoman. they have a very serious economic challenge. “We worked long and hard to obtain it. C- They had a problem where they had an in- REPORT ON NOV. 12 130 parts are really our core business.” The surgent guerrilla group which is no longer a COMMEMORATION IN Konsorsium Dirgantara consists of the In- serious problems, and they now have a gov- SEATTLE donesian Air Force, Jakarta based PT Ga- ernment force that exceeds the requirements ruda Indonesia and Industri Pesawat Ter- to keep the peace in East Timor. From Mariza Cabral, ETAN/Seattle bang Nusantara [IPTN], Bandung. It will I think they have withdraw one or two The commemoration of the 4th anniver- perform the maintenance and modifications battalions already. At least the Indonesian sary of Santa Cruz in Seattle unfortunately of three Indonesian Air Force bases in ambassador told me they read my report coincided with the largest workers rally in Bandung, Malang and Halim over the next and he was overly generous in suggesting the city’s history (and probably one of the six months.” that might have influenced their action. largest in the country) – the Boeing workers But in any event I think they would rally. We had already mailed out our event eventually draw down even beyond that and flyers when we learned the Boeing workers then they need to find a way to provide rally was being scheduled for the same day. some employment opportunities for the We got many several calls from our mailing Timorese and not bring in people from list from people who regretted not being elsewhere in Indonesia to take the limited able to be both places at once. And so our number of jobs that are available on that turnout was small – about 15 people. We small island. I think that’s a manageable were also ignored by the local media, al- question. though a “Pacific Rim” Australian journalist But it [the Timorese situation] had been came talk to us and take a few pictures. much more of a civil strife where you had (The Seattle Times did however publish a combatants on both sides, and most of that East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 247 had been resolved, so you are now dealing WHEREAS Indonesia’s brutal invasion Communion of Churches in Indonesia to with the residue and most of the problems of East Timor in 1975 and subsequent oc- stand in solidarity with those who are op- seem to be centered on the East Timorese, cupation caused the deaths of approxi- pressed in East Timor; and to support the including- the big massacre in Dili and the mately 200,000 people, fully a third of the East Timorese in the globally recognized other killings that had taken place. population; and right of all people to self-determination; They all seemed to point to the same bat- WHEREAS neither the United Nations CALLS on the United States government talion, which is the one that had a dispro- nor the international community has recog- to cease military aid, including military portionate number of Timorese in it. So you nized East Timor as being an integral part of training, and the sale of arms to Indonesia as got the feeling that it wasn’t necessarily a Indonesia; and long as it continues its de facto military oc- problem of the Timorese versus the Indone- WHEREAS through its program of cupation of East Timor. sian nationals but it was more of a domestic “transmigration” the Indonesian government COOPERATES with other religious bod- Timorese problem that clearly was a serious has encouraged thousands of Indonesians to ies and concerned groups to increase the problem. settle in East Timor, resulting in a gradual, awareness of the on-going crisis in East And there had been serious abuses. I yet alarming marginalization of the indige- Timor among U.S. policy-makers, the gen- walked through the cemetery where the nous East Timorese by taking away jobs eral public and local congregations. massacre had taken place. It was one the and land; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Indonesian Government seemed to be capa- WHEREAS the physical development General Secretary of the NCCC/USA be ble of dealing with and I got the feeling they which has taken place under Indonesian rule requested to send copies of this resolu- could and would make some progress in that has done little to benefit the East Timorese tion to the Secretary General of the area over a course of time. and is resulting in the destruction of their United Nations, the President of the UN The situation in Burma is far more wide- culture; and General Assembly, the President of the spread. Particularly with drugs and heroin WHEREAS human rights organizations United States, all U.S. Senators and Rep- what I view is a problem of a whole differ- and independent observers have documented resentatives and all appropriate ecumeni- ent magnitude and of course that effects the a continued pattern of severe human rights cal colleagues. cross border operations with Thailand abuses against the East Timorese including Policy Base: Policy Statement on Human which are going to be a problem for some- beatings, torture, rape, abductions and extra- Rights, adopted by the General Assembly time to come. judicial executions; and December 6, 1963. And both your government and the WHEREAS in January 1995 a delegation SLORC or some successor government in from the National Council of Churches vis- Burma are going to have to deal with a lot of ited East Timor and concluded that the SEND CLINTON A MESSAGE those questions. Those are not as much as situation there had not improved over the within the problems of the international past decade but was, in fact, getting worse; Send Clinton a Message: Twenty Years community as some other where we think and of Arms Sales Are Enough we can have an effect. WHEREAS in March 1995 the United Call to Action from East Timor Action Net- But the US is going to continue to be a Nations Commission on Human Rights ex- work/US presence in the area, going to continue to pressed its “deep concern over the continu- The military assault on East Timor, its have a bilateral relationship. We have secu- ing reports of violations of human rights in subsequent “annexation” and the ongoing rity arrangements with Thailand, Korea, Ja- East Timor"; abuses of human rights are made possible, in pan, Australia and the Philippines. Those THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the part, by US-supplied weapons. Tell Presi- areas are going to continue to be an impor- General Board of the NCCC/USA dent Clinton to send the Indonesian military tant part for the security relationships for DEPLORES the continuing occupation of and President Suharto a message by cancel- the whole region. East Timor and the resultant abuse of hu- ing the proposed sale of F-16 fighter jets man rights and climate of oppression; and all arms sales to Indonesia. US NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SUPPORTS the rights of the East On December 7, phone, fax or e-mail the CHURCHES RESOLUTION Timorese to self-determination and calls for White House. Urge Clinton to support East ON EAST TIMOR the full participation of the East Timorese Timor’s right to self-determination by: people in the just resolution of the political · Pressing Indonesia to allow a UN- The following National Council of Churches status of East Timor; supervised vote by the East Timorese on of Christ in the U.S.A. RESOLUTION ON URGES the United Nations Secretariat to their future status, as called for by the EAST TIMOR was passed by the General intensify efforts to resolve the political UN Security Council; Board meeting in Oakland, California on status of East Timor; · Announcing a cutoff of all arms sales to November 17, 1995. The National Council SUPPORTS the East Timorese people Indonesia including the recently an- of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. is com- and the East Timorese churches who strug- nounced sale of F-16s and urging all na- posed of 33 Protestant and Orthodox de- gle for justice, dignity, and freedom from tions to do the same; nominations. More than 49 million Chris- fear and the preservation of their ethnic and · Calling on Indonesia to fully respect the tians belong to churches that hold member- cultural identity; human rights of all its citizens and of the ship in the NCCC/USA. CELEBRATES the membership of the people of East Timor. It can begin by Christian Church of East Timor (GKTT) in RESOLUTION ON EAST TIMOR withdrawing its troops from East Timor the World Council of Churches and its par- under international supervision and free- WHEREAS the National Council of ticipation in ecumenical bodies in order that ing all political prisoners, including East Churches of Christ (USA), as part of its the East Timorese church may have an in- Timor resistance leader Xanana Gusmão. long commitment to human rights, has con- dependent voice; Call the White House comment line: 202- tinually advocated the rights and protections ENCOURAGES. in the spirit of partner- of peoples to self-determination; and 456-1111; fax: 202-456-2883; e-mail: presi- ship, the Indonesian churches and the [email protected]; or write: President Page 248 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Clinton, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washing- war that promoted arms sales by the United This Act may be cited as the “East ton, DC 20500. Include your name and States to Indonesia, a policy that continues Timor Human Rights Accountability Act.” postal address if you want a response. today. SEC. 2. RESTRICTION ON ASSISTANCE Please let ETAN/US know if you have sent Contrary to Mr. Friedman’s claim that TO THE GOVERNMENT OF a message. President Clintons foreign policy is based INDONESIA. on promoting American values, human (a) In General - Section 620 of the For- rights abuses by the Indonesian Government U.S. CAN HELP EAST TIMOR eign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. have been ignored. 2370) is amended by adding at the end the Letter to the Editor in Newsday, Dec. 6, In 1992 Congress cut off military aid to following new subsection: 1995. Indonesia to protest the massacre of 200 “(y) Assistance may not be provided un- Timorese. The Clinton Administration is Dec. 7 is the 20th anniversary of the oc- der this or any other Act for a fiscal year to working to resume that military aid and to cupation of East Timor by the Indonesian the Government of Indonesia unless the sell F-16 jet fighters to Indonesia. Such ac- military, which has killed approximately President determines and certifies to the tions reward the Indonesian military in the 200,000 people there - more than one- Congress that - face of Assistant Secretary of State John quarter of the population. This is especially “(1) assistance provided under this Shattuck’s observation of the worsening tragic because there is probably no other or any other Act for the preceding fiscal human rights situation in East Timor 20 atrocity in the world today that so easily year to such Government has not been years after the invasion. could have been stopped by the U.S. gov- used to violate human rights in East DAVID GARTNER, ernment had it chosen to do so. Timor or to support the occupation of Boston, Dec. 6, 1995 Today, for example, the U.S. government East Timor by Indonesia; and could simply stop arming the Indonesian The writer is a member of the East Timor “(2) such Government has provided military and pressure other governments to Action Network. assurances to the President that assis- do the same. Not only are these arms sales tance to be provided for the current fis- immoral, but they are also illegal, according EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS cal year will not he used to violate hu- to the Foreign Assistance Act and a 1958 ACCOUNTABILITY ACT man rights in East Timor or to support U.S.-Indonesia treaty. And, instead of re- the occupation of East Timor by Indo- warding the Indonesian government with INTRODUCED IN U.S. nesia..” enormous economic and political support, CONGRESS (b) Effective date. - The restriction on as- our government could use that same eco- sistance contained in section 620(y) of the nomic and political clout to pressure the Report from ETAN/US, December 7, 1995 Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added Indonesian government to end its occupa- The following bill was introduced into by subsection (a), shall apply only with tion, in compliance with UN Security Coun- the U.S. House of Representatives on De- respect to assistance provided in fiscal years cil Resolutions 384 and 389, as well as sev- cember 7, 1995. Please ask your Congress- beginning on or after the date of the enact- eral General Assembly resolutions. person to add their name to the list of co- ment of this Act. The U.S. government could also join the sponsors. The only ones we know of to From the Congressional Record, House Portuguese government in opposing the date are Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Nita of Representatives, Dec. 7: 1989 Timor Gap treaty, between Indonesia Lowey (D-NY), and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Australia, which allows oil corporations although there are undoubtedly more. EAST TIMORESE SUBJECT TO to profit from this occupation by extracting If you Representative wants to co- oil off the coast of East Timor. sponsor or needs more information, they WORST HUMAN RIGHTS If the majority of the U.S. public knew can call Congressional aides Matthew Traub VIOLATIONS IN THE WORLD the facts about East Timor, there is no in Lowey’s office (202-225-6506) or Gary PATRICK KENNEDY of Rhode Island. doubt that public opinion would pressure Bliss in Kennedy’s (202-225-4911). Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago today the the government to take constructive action. We’ll keep you posted as developments small emerging nation of East Timor was progress. Eliot Hoffman, Oceanside brutally invaded by the nation of Indonesia. –––––––––––––––––––––––––- Over the past 20 years, the people of East DON’T ABET TIMOR WOES 104th Congress, First Session Timor have been subject to some of the Letter in the New York Times, Dec. 9, 95. H.R. 2746 worst abuses of human rights in the world. More than 200,000 East Timorese, almost To the Editor: IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES one-third of their entire population, have Re “The Clinton Gamble” (column, Dec. Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island (for himself been killed or have died from starvation after 6): and Mrs. Lowey) introduced the follow- being forced from their villages by Indone- Contrary to Thomas L. Friedman’s ing bill; which was referred to the Com- sia. claims that the cold war fostered good mittee on International Relations. Mr. Speaker, this attack cannot be coun- works and nation-building, East Timor ex- A BILL To amend the Foreign Assistance tenanced. This violence must end. That is emplifies cold war policies that led the Act of 1961 to provide for the restriction why today, with my colleague from New United States to accept Indonesia’s invasion on assistance to the Government of In- York, Mrs. Lowey, I am introducing the of its smaller neighbor. donesia. East Timor Human Rights Accountability Since 1975, according to the Roman Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Act. This bill simply says that no United Catholic Church, more than 200,000 East States aid to Indonesia can be used to fur- Timorese have died as a result of the Indo- Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, ther the occupation of East Timor or to vio- nesian Governments occupation. late the human rights of the people of East East Timor’s right to self-determination SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Timor . If it is, this aid will end. has been prevented by policies of the cold East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 249

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from At a joint hearing before the International able to do something about Bosnia, over New York for joining me and I urge my col- Relations Subcommittees on Asia and the time we can also do something about East leagues on both sides of the aisle to join me Pacific and International Operations and Timor, and it probably would be a lot easier in sponsoring this legislation. Human Rights on March 16, the Director of to do so in East Timor . NITA M. LOWEY of New York. the Human Rights Watch stated: ‘In East I would note that in recent years hun- Timor, violations of fundamental rights has dreds of Members of Congress from both Mr. Speaker, today marks the 20th anni- been especially severe, and have worsened parties have signed letters and appeals on versary of Indonesia’s occupation of East dramatically since the APEC summit meet- the East Timor situation and that interna- Timor . The people of East Timor have ing in Jakarta last November.’ tional concern over the issue has grown over lived for two decades under a cruel and re- Congress has acted on behalf of the peo- time. In 1995, this growing international pressive regime that has killed and starved ple of East Timor, but I believe we must do concern was exemplified by the nomination almost one-third of their population. more. The United States must not tolerate of the Roman Catholic Bishop of East Violent crackdowns on peaceful demon- continued human rights abuses by the mili- Timor, 47-year-old Carlos Ximenes Belo, strations in East Timor have continued tary in East Timor . We must not turn our for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Associated throughout this occupation. First, innocent backs on the East Timorese, who, against Press and other news organizations listed protestors are massacred and then the mili- great odds, have resisted the Indonesian in- Bishop Belo as a finalist in the days before tary rounds up and jails the witnesses so vasion for 20 years. The U.S. should not let the peace prize winner was announced in that the world will never know what hap- another 20 years of human rights abuses and mid-October. pens. oppression pass. I commend my colleagues As one of those who nominated Bishop Indonesia’s policy in East Timor is about Representatives Kennedy and Lowey for Belo for the Nobel Peace Prize, I firmly be- the oppression of those who oppose Indo- their efforts to recognize this anniversary on lieve that the Congress and the Clinton ad- nesia’s right to torture, kill, and repress the behalf of the people of East Timor, and for ministration and other governments and par- people of East Timor . It is about genocide. introducing the East Timor Human Rights liaments and world leaders should support Today, Congressman Patrick Kennedy Accountability Act of 1995. I urge my col- Bishop Belo in his continuing efforts to and I are introducing the East Timor Human leagues to continue to condemn acts of vio- ward off violence and find a just, peaceful Rights Accountability Act, which will pro- lence by the Indonesian Government against solution to the East Timor tragedy under hibit United States aid to Indonesia from the people of East Timor . U.N. auspices. being used to further the occupation of East It is crucial that Bishop Belo receive the Timor or to violate the human rights of the TONY P. HALL of Ohio. maximum possible international support for East Timorese people. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 20th anni- his heroic efforts. In the year to come, I will Mr. Speaker, it is time for this repression versary of the Indonesian invasion of the work with my colleagues to help ensure that and violence to end. former Portuguese colony of East Timor . It he gets it. JACK REED of Rhode Island. is sobering to reflect on the fact that respon- sible observers affirm that at least 100,000, CHRISTOPHER SMITH of New Jersey Mr. Speaker, on December 7, 1975, In- and perhaps more than 200,000 of a popula- Mr. Speaker, I rise to support my col- donesia invaded the small country of East tion of less than 700,000, have perished leagues from Rhode Island and New York in Timor and began two decades of violent oc- from the combined effects of Indonesia’s their efforts to call attention to human rights cupation and repression. More than 200,000 December 1975 invasion of the territory. abuses by Indonesia in its occupation of East Timorese have been killed or have died Proportionately, this is a death toll at least East Timor, and to prevent the use of of starvation since the invasion of the Indo- as great if not greater than Cambodia under United States military assistance to further nesian Government. Portugal continues to the Khmer Rouge. While the vast majority Indonesia’s atrocities in East Timor . protest Indonesia’s invasion, and the United of these deaths took place between 1975 Indonesia’s Armed Forces invaded East Nations has never recognized Indonesia’s and 1980, harsh repression continues in East Timor in 1975, only weeks after East Timor claim on East Timor . Both the Security Timor and the tragedy there cries out for a had attained independence from Portugal. Council and the General Assembly have is- solution. Since then, the Indonesian army has carried sued numerous resolutions reaffirming East East Timor has been the scene of numer- out a campaign of what amounts to ethnic Timor ‘s right to self-determination. How- ous arrests, beatings, and torture in recent cleansing against the Timorese through a ever, these actions have been ineffective. months, mainly of young people. Authorita- program of forced migration. Persecution Tragically, we are still witnessing the tive observers make it clear that these prac- has been particularly harsh against the harsh reality of this invasion. Massacres, tices are routine. It is therefore of great im- Christian population of East Timor . disappearances, suppression of free speech, portance that the United Nations High More than 200,000 Timorese–out of a and human rights abuses have consistently Commissioner for Human Rights, Jose total population of 700,000–have been been reported since the invasion. In Novem- Ayala Lasso, is visiting East Timor at this killed directly or by starvation in forced mi- ber 1991, the world was outraged by the time. This makes it all the more important grations from their villages since the Indone- Santa Cruz massacre where Indonesian sol- that concrete steps be taken to improve the sian invasion. diers opened fire into an unarmed crowd, human rights situation in East Timor . There are recent reports of a renewed killing more than 250 people; in June of President Clinton raised the issue of human campaign of repression of Catholics in East 1994, Indonesian troops committed acts of rights in East Timor with President Suharto Timor . These reports include atrocities sacrilege against the East Timorese Church in a meeting in Washington in late October, such as the smashing of statues of the and clergy; in July 1994, a clash between one of several times that he has raised the Blessed Mother. The campaign has also East Timorese students and Indonesian issue with Indonesia’s leader. been directed personally against the Catholic troops in response to this incident left 18 I believe there should be increased inter- Bishop of Dili [DILLY], Bishop Belo. His students injured; and in January of this year, national efforts to resolve the tragedy in phones are tapped, his fax machine is moni- Indonesian soldiers kidnapped, tortured, and East Timor, which continues to cause so tored, his visitors are watched, and his free- murdered six civilians. much human suffering. After all, if we are dom of movement is restricted. But Bishop Page 250 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

Belo persists in his courageous efforts to They were among 18 nations at the bot- March 2002 and will make its maiden flight defend justice, peace and the preservation of tom of the Freedom House list, along with some five months later, State Minister of the dignity of his people. Recently, he has Afghanistan, Burma, China, Libya, Nigeria, Research and Technology B.J. Habibie said set up a church commission to monitor hu- Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Syria. This was yesterday. man rights abuses, and a radio station to dis- three fewer than made the list a year ago as “We will launch the N-2130 in March seminate information and news. Algeria, Angola, Mauritania and Rwanda left 2002 and between three to five months later Mr. Speaker, the people of East Timor the “worst” roster while Nigeria was added. it will be followed by its maiden flight,” he comprise a sovereign nation. They differ Freedom House rated East Timor, Kash- said after meeting President Soeharto. from most Indonesians in language, religion, mir, Kosovo and Tibet as the worst territo- He noted that the planned schedule for ethnicity, history, and culture. They are en- ries for human rights. Indonesia annexed the design and construction of the N-2130, a titled to independence and freedom. And in East Timor in 1976 after its independence 130-passenger jet with a maximum speed of the meantime, they are entitled to funda- from Portugal the year before, predomi- 900 kilometers an hour, was on track. mental human rights including the freedom nantly Moslem Kashmir separatists are de- “Its development is following our sched- of religion. manding independence from mostly Hindu ule,” said Habibie, who heads a number of India, Tibet has been under Chinese rule state-owned industrial companies, including PORTLAND ACTIVITIES, since 1950 and Kosovo nationalists demand shipbuilding company PT PAL in Surabaya, DECEMBER 7 independence from Serbia. East Java, and aerospace company PT IPTN in Bandung, which is developing the From Joseph Morris, ETAN/Portland US CONGRESS NOT VERY jet. WELL INFORMED OF HUMAN Habibie also reported to the President on On the evening of the 7th East Timor Ac- the development of the IPTN-built N-250 tion Network/Portland, Oregon held a candle RIGHTS IN INDONESIA turbo-prop airplane, which made its maiden light vigil and demonstration in protest of flight last August. Antara, 9 January the continued occupation of East Timor on “N-250 has completed a flying test up to the 20th anniversary of the Indonesian inva- Jakarta - The United States Congress an altitude of some 25,000 feet (8,000 me- sion. The crowd included ETAN activists, only knew a little about East Timor, as well ters) at the speed of 600 kilometers an people contacted through an ETAN mailing, as on human rights in Indonesia, vice chair- hour,” he said, adding that in its class, it is and activists from other local progressive man of the National Commission for Human the fastest and the latest in terms of tech- groups. About 30 folks total showed up on Rights Prof. Miriam Budiardjo said here af- nology. this very cold evening (temperature was ter a meeting with a group of members of He pointed out that with the progress, down to about 40 degrees F) to stand with the US Congress in Jakarta Monday. [sic – there would be no problem with the market- banners, signs, and candles at one of the they were actually Congressional staffers] ing of the aircraft. busiest intersections in Portland, at the cor- The guests were Elizabeth Lambird, Di- “Negotiations for the marketing of ner of SW Salmon and Front. The vigil rector of the Sub-Commission for East Asia the N-250 in the United States between lasted about 2 hours during the heaviest rush and the Pacific, Bill Deere, Assistant to IPTN, the American Regional Aircraft hour traffic, allowing ETAN activists to run Congress for Overseas Problems and Opera- Industry and U.S. industrialists pro- up and down the lines of cars stopped at the tions, and Shirley J. Neff, economic staff ceeded smoothly last week,” he said. traffic lights handing out brochures and ex- member with the Commission on Energy IPTN plans to assemble the N-250 in plaining to passers-by the history of the US and Natural Resources. the Alabama city of Mobile in the United supported genocidal invasion and occupa- “They are playing an important role be- States to facilitate its marketing in the tion of East Timor. The evening ended off cause they give recommendations to the US region. with a local ETAN activist giving updates Congress on making decisions especially on The N-250 is designed to carry between on the embassy occupations and reading off Indonesia-America relations,” he said. 50 and 76 passengers and has a maximum a letter of support sent by the office of one Bill Deree, for instance, played a very speed of 330 knots (612 kilometers) an of our congressional reps. important role in decision making on US hour. (one of the banners....) financial aid to Indonesia under the IMET The turboprop aircraft uses the latest “US and European corporations profit program. fly-by-wire computerized technology and from genocide in East Timor and brutal op- The members of the National Commis- also incorporates modern digital avionics pression in Indonesia.” sion on Human Rights at the two-hour and engine controls. meeting between the Congress members FREEDOM HOUSE: EAST Comment from Charlie Scheiner – is it coin- were Aisyah Amini, Munawir Sjadzali, cidence that Mobile is the heart of the Con- TIMOR AMONG WORST Bambang Suharto and Charles Himawan. gressional District represented by Sonny The subjects touched upon by the guests Callahan (R-AL), who chairs the Congres- Iraq, N. Korea, Sudan cited as ‘worst of the during the meeting, Charles Himawan said, sional Subcommittee that has jurisdiction worst.’ abridged included East Timor and religious tolerance over IMET military aid? WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (Reuter) - Iraq, in Indonesia. North Korea and Sudan were cited on Mon- day as the “worst of the worst” nations INDONESIA PLANS TO with regard to freedom and human rights. LAUNCH ITS PASSENGER The annual rating by the New York- JET IN 2002 based human rights group Freedom House characterized the three nations as com- Jakarta Post, January 17, 1996 pletely lacking in civil liberties and political rights. JAKARTA: The first Indonesia-designed passenger jet N-2130 will be rolled out in East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 251

TIME EXPLAINS NON- NEW YORK DEMO · Songs sung by Timorese political prison- ers being held in Cipinang prison. COVERAGE OF ET PROTESTS AUSTRALIA’ S · A piece produced by Radio Nova The following email letter was received by EAST TIMOR POLICY (Oporto) in 1992, which includes prayers an ETAN activist who wrote TIME Maga- Report from ETAN/NY, Jan 29. recorded at the Santa Cruz cemetery. zine to ask for more coverage of East Proceeds form the 30-minute CD will go Timor. I thought readers of reg.et might get Ten activists from the East Timor Action to the 12 November Association, based in some insight about why Americans (and Network/NY (ETAN) picketed and leafleted Lisbon. For further details or orders, please perhaps others) know so little about East at the Australia Day Gala at the Pierre Hotel contact: Timor. I wonder if the “press of other in Manhattan, Saturday evening, January TRADISON - José Mocas scheduled stories” kept out much about the 27. ETAN displayed a large banner saying PO BOX 1746, MACAO. O.J. Simpson trial or the non-issues debated “East Timor – Australian for Betrayal.” tel/fax: (853) 976255 in Congress this year. Several hundred leaflets were given out to passers-by and tuxedoed and evening- -- Charlie Scheiner gowned gala attendees. One leaflet focused “DEATH OF A NATION” From: [email protected], 25 Jan 1996 on Australia’s historic relationship to East AVAILABLE ON VIDEO To: [email protected] Timor and its current role as the only West- Your letter to TIME ern nation to formally recognize the Indone- “DEATH OF A NATION: THE TIMOR CONSPIRACY” is now available Dear Dr. Cheney: sian annexation. Many of those heading to the gala po- on video from the East Timor Action Net- Thank you for your recent letter, and for litely took leaflets, though few engaged in work. registering your desire to see more coverage conversation. These are legitimate copies of the award- of the situation in East Timor. A number of The Australia Society was set up to winning 1994 film by John Pilger, David extended articles, that deal with aspects of strengthen the business relationship be- Munro and Max Stahl. “Death of a Nation” the problem that you may not have seen tween the two countries. has been broadcast in more than 40 coun- elsewhere, have appeared in our interna- tries (not including the U.S.) and translated tional editions over the past year or so. into a number of languages. It is the most These include a September 11, 1995, article RESOURCES moving, hard-hitting and comprehensive from our Australian edition that discusses documentary on East Timor, and details the the related topic of alleged abuses by Indo- complicity of the U.S., U.K., and Australian nesian armed forces in Irian Jaya province. XANANA ON CD governments with Indonesia’s 20-year inva- Regrettably, owing to the press of other sion and genocide. scheduled stories, our editors were unable to Translated from the Portuguese, abridged It is ideal for showing to a general audi- include these articles in our domestic edition Porto, Nov 8 (LUSA) - Radio stations in ence to get them interested and involved in as well. However, if you let us know your Portugal, France, Australia, Angola and East Timor – order one now for the 20th mailing address, we would be happy to send Mozambique will air Friday a compact disk anniversary next month! you copies of a selection of these articles for that is a recording of Xanana Gusmão. In There is a two-level price schedule for your consideration. Portugal, the CD, entitled “Xanana,” will be this 76-minute version: We can appreciate that in light of your aired by Radio Nova of Porto, at 9:00 AM. $35 for home use only particular interest in this topic, you may In France, Radio Alfa; in Angola, radio $149 includes public performance rights feel frustrated not to have had access to this station Luanda Antena Comercial; and vari- (classrooms, theaters, lectures, closed-circuit coverage as it appeared, and we can only ous radio stations in Mozambique and Aus- TV, etc.) hope you will understand that the process tralia. “Xanana” will soon be aired also in Please add $4 for shipping in the US; $7 of deciding precisely what mix of news will The Netherlands and England. for international air mail. best serve our various audiences is difficult The CD was created by journalist Pedro We stock tapes in 1/2” VHS, NTSC and far from perfect. Be assured that we Sousa Pereira, and is about 20 minutes long. (US/Canada) format only. However, PAL share your well-founded concern for the It includes portions of the first interview by and other formats are available on special welfare of East Timor’s citizens, and that Xanana after his arrest. Xanana exhorts the order. we are always looking for opportunities to guerrillas to fight always, and affirms that it For more information, or to place an or- increase our domestic readers’ exposure to is worthwhile to fight for independence. der, contact East Timor Action Network, developments in the international arena. The CD contains also traditional P.O. Box 1182, White Plains, NY 10602 Your remarks have been brought to the at- Timorese poems and songs recorded by the USA. [email protected] tel. 1-914-428- tention of the appropriate editors, and they guerrillas in the mountains. CD sale pro- 7299 fax 1-914-428-7383. will certainly bear them in mind over the ceeds will favor the Timorese resistance. ETAN/US also has a 16mm film copy of coming weeks and months. the 94-minute version of “Death of a Na- We value your contribution to our dis- ORDERING INFORMATION tion” that can be used for benefits for human cussions, and we send you our best wishes. rights and East Timor support groups by On 12 November a new CD relating to Sincerely, special arrangement. Winston Hunter East Timor was released in Portugal by Tra- dison, Macao. The CD includes: · Excerpts from a 1995 recorded interview with Xanana Gusmão, in which he re- sponds to questions from Radio Macao journalist Pedro Sousa Pereira. Page 252 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996.

INDONESIA BUSINESS “EYEWITNESS” LAUNCHED rather destruction) of East Timor that the regime found unpalatable, now lives and DEVELOPMENT 800 NUMBER IN LONDON works in Australia, unable to be just an aca- demic. Ajidarma has had confrontations December 1 Austin Chronicle (Texas) letters Announcing the launch of the East to the editor: enough of his own with yellow hi-lighter- Timor and Indonesia season at Biblio- wielding military men. Editor: tech, London Eyewitness’ dominant motifs are blood - The current issue of Forbes contains an “Seno Gumira Ajidarma describes himself the red blood which never stops dripping advertising spread by the Republic of Indo- as ‘just a small journalist from an entertain- and oozes from one story to the next - and nesia seeking business development. The ment magazine.’ This journalistic fact is true the act of cleansing, which characters per- phone listed, 800/646-7382 (Dept. B-31) but omits the fuller truth that he has a form constantly, the smell of disinfectant would be an appropriate means of letting strong persona as a writer. Eyewitness, a never far away. The themes are oppression the government know your feelings regard- remarkable collection of macabre but hu- and loss, occupation and resistance, but his ing the brutal occupation of East Timor and mane stories he has written about East mixture of ironic imagination and brutal real- the difficulty of conducting business as Timor, is evidence of the size of that glaring ity makes for a free-ranging free-wheeling usual with such a government. omission.” style which prevents it all becoming too se- Sincerely, If you want to read Seno Gumira Aji- rious and didactic. In many of the stories he Donald Link darma’s title story, Eyewitness, point your assembles oddly assorted but perfectly browser at matched verbal trinkets onto a central narra- STOP THE HAWK DEAL http://www.bookshop.co.uk/biblio/ tive thread. and follow the link that says ‘It was For example, in Electricity he relates how NEWSLETTER ON WWW twenty years ago today.’ Man tamed electricity in cool scientific au- Over the next month, BIBLIOTECH will thorial tones, then moved on to experiments The latest issue of the newsletter of be serving up features, interviews and re- STOP THE HAWK DEAL is now on the observing muscle contractions in animal and views relating to East Timor and Indonesia. finally in humans. This seamlessly flows World Wide Web at the following address Alex Robinson ([email protected]) http://amadeus.inesc.pt/~jota/Timor/STH into a harsh, almost lurid security camera- D/sthdnews.htm and contains news, infor- Where to get eyewitness style description of one of Man’s contem- mation, photos and cartoons from the Man- Eyewitness porary uses for electricity on his fellow chester-based campaign to stop the sale of Seno Gumira Ajidarma man. He reveals the irritable listlessness of British Aerospace Hawks to Indonesia. translated by Jan Lingard soldiers as they go with one thought on their 144 pp, $AUS 14.95 minds - food - leaving their prisoner to his childhood memories of electric shocks which “20”: WWW INTERNATIONAL Published by ETT Imprint PO Box 157, Kings Cross NSW 2011, spark off childhood dreams. The casual MUSIC FOR EAST TIMOR Australia (World rights, including transla- mention of childhood friends leads to the tion) reportage of their sad and brutal demise to Announcement from Aloz, Dec. 7, 1995 the melodrama of a dream/surreality se- Dear Friends of East Timor, Available in Europe from: quence ended by the prisoner’s sharp and In recognition of 20 long years of resis- Bridges Books, Singel 450,1017 Av Am- violent awakening and a gag he cracks to tance to genocide since the Indonesian gov- sterdam. Netherlands himself about remembering to pay his elec- ernment brutally invaded and continues to Asian edition soon available from: Top- tricity bill on time. The story finishes with a illegally occupy the country of East Timor... pan Co (S) Pte Ltd pampered UN official in New York reading We present for you... and for all of you Box 22, Jurong Town Post Office, Jurong an Amnesty International document about music lovers too... 2262, Singapore the incident and others like it, but preferring A musical WWW ‘HOPE’ PAGE with From Web page to think about his holiday. Along the way an international CD announcement! “Eyewitness by Seno Gumira Ajidarma” Ajidarma has described a series of torture Now available on the World Wide Web at ‘When journalism is gagged, literature techniques as horrific as any detailed in cap- the following address: must speak. Because when journalism tured Indonesian military documents about http://www.web.apc.org/~hands speaks with the facts, literature speaks with East Timor, but with a deftness that avoids with music, photos, graphics, informa- the truth.’ overwhelming heaviness and allows the tion, links... and love from Abe ho Aloz. (Introduction, p36) painful twists to be all the more gut wrench- Please, join hands with our international Seno Gumira Ajidarma describes himself ing when they come. friends who support this project and spread as ‘just a small journalist from an entertain- Adijarma’s writing is terse rather than the word to further INSPIRE the ‘HOPE’ ment magazine.’ This journalistic fact is true lyrical (except for The Flute of Loneliness that PEACEFULLY we’ll work (and play) but omits the fuller truth that he has a which is more of a prose poem that he con- TOGETHER to finally realize a FREE strong persona as a writer. Eyewitness, a fesses is rather personal) but shot through EAST TIMOR!!! remarkable collection of macabre but hu- with a skewed surrealism, the perfect setting Peace for all, mane stories he has written about East for his ugly subject matter. It is this tinge of aloz Timor, is evidence of the size of that glaring surrealism which has drawn comparisons omission. Moreover, an Indonesian who with Garcia Marquez, but the magic realism writes about the suffering of the East that Adijarma portrays is rooted in the ani- Timorese can hardly be called just a journal- mist tradition which still underpins much of ist. George Aditjondro the academic and ex- everyday life in East Timor. In The Mys- journalist who wrote truths about the eco- tery of the Town of Ningi, a census taker is nomic and environmental development (or bemused as the dwindling numbers of living, visible people live side-by-side with the East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 253 ever increasing invisible, the dead and dis- ordinary reprimand. Rather, he had gone too seen to date, with a clear grasp of not only appeared, who go about their daily routines far for his seniors who considered him to the military events, but also the social issues as usual. The basis for this story is the have committed the journalistic sin of ‘bad involved, and the factors which led to the Timorese belief that the souls of those who taste,’ a euphemism for repugnant stories rise of the unarmed resistance. die unnaturally roam around amongst the that are best left unpublished. The articles This book is available from ETAN/US living as spirits. were ‘vulgar’ and their publication ‘stupid’ for $22.00. Moreover the story, like many of the and ‘foolish’ meaning that he had endan- others is grounded in fact, in this case the gered the magazine itself. Ajidarma’s lucid CONTROVERSY OVER actual census figures of East Timor, chilling retelling in the introduction of these events, MICROSOFT ENCARTA ON and horrific testaments in themselves to the illustrating the ‘management of fear’ that scale of the genocide. Other factual starting Indonesian journalists work under, is an ad- EAST TIMOR points include the muzzling of eyewit- ditional treat. However, the magazine did From Audrey Kahin, Dec. 14: nesses, the forced swallowing of rosary not close. Instead the senior management fed beads, rubber and iron truncheons, the cut- him and fired him. I was shocked to see Jim Dunn state that ting off of ears. But these are not just his- Instantly he was transformed from a I had apparently written the paragraph on tory lessons (although ironically there is a journalist covering the Santa Cruz massacre East Timor in the latest version of Micro- story called The History Lesson), rather into a source of news on it. He had his 15 soft’s Encarta that he cites in his message of they take place in the gaps that history and minutes in the international spotlight which December 10. According to Dunn, this read news reports cannot fill; the anguish of a meant acres of publicity and prolonged at- as follows: mother waiting for the return of a missing tention for articles which would have faded “...When Portugal withdrew from East son, a local’s distrust of the foreign doctor, away without anyone noticing. His dis- Timor in 1975, Frente Revolucionaria do the drunken loneliness of a young man who missal backfired in another way. It made Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin), a has known nothing but war and dislocation. him continue to write about East Timor - Communist group seeking independence, The unstated but insistent question ‘What this time fiction rather than journalism - held control of Dili, the capital. Indonesia becomes of children brought up in such vio- simply as an act of opposition. He had dif- considered Fretilin a threatening movement lent upheavals?’ keeps popping up - Aji- ficulty getting all of the stories published in and invaded East Timor in December....” darma’s prose offers no answer but yields various magazines, always because of the I never wrote such a paragraph, do not poignant images such as children swimming ‘East Timor problem,’ but carried on writing know who did, and strongly disagree with in the wreckage of rusty landing craft. because he wanted to foil his gagging or the statements therein. I have only just be- Similarly, he sharply delineates Indone- rather the gagging of the truth about East come aware that Microsoft’s Encarta appar- sian attitudes to the occupation of East Timor in Indonesia. Every second of his life ently took over much of what I had written Timor: the irascibility of the war-enriched became more precious to him. We have in the “Indonesia History” section I con- general confronted with, what are to him, those foolish magazine executives who tributed to the revised version of Funk and repeated and unnecessary mentions of the thought his work vulgar to thank for Eye- Wagnalls encyclopedia published in 1983. troublesome territory where he and his men witness which in its measured recording of My original article included only the follow- had given their all; the overarching pride of a the screams and the anguish, the silences and ing brief mention of East Timor: young woman as she waits at home for let- the deadening of feelings is the antithesis of “A second crisis arose with Indonesia’s ters and ‘souvenirs’ from her boyfriend who vulgarity, even if its subject is ‘bad taste.’ invasion in December 1975 of the former is serving there. “... the voices float about soundlessly in Portuguese colony of East Timor, which It is this concentration on the personal the air, so we never knew exactly might have Indonesia then annexed despite the condem- which makes it possible to read and appre- heard them. It’s as though anyone could nation of Portugal and the UN.” ciate these tales without any understanding suddenly change and turn into a rebel. We’ll Apparently, without my knowledge, my of events in East Timor. In fact, a peculiar never know who are friends and who are name was still attached to Microsoft’s En- quirk of this collection is that East Timor is enemies, so we’re forced to kill them all.” carta version of the Indonesia section and its never actually mentioned by name. There updating. are, however, obvious clues: Portuguese REVIEW: GENERATIONS I do not know who contributed the cur- rent version cited by Jim Dunn, and am names and football clubs, letters from Lis- OF RESISTANCE bon, invasion and continuing oppression, writing to Funk & Wagnalls and to Micro- warships, fighter planes, and above all the Peace News, Dec. 7, 1995 soft’s Encarta to protest the entry and the shadow of a particular massacre of unarmed attachment of my name to it, if, as Jim people burned into collective consciousness, MAGGIE HELWIG writes: Steve Cox Dunn implies, the article does in fact appear fill the pages along side facts which he was at the Santa Cruz cemetery in East over my name. didn’t feel able to use in the magazine he Timor on 12 November 1991, when Indone- Audrey Kahin edited at the time, Jakarta Jakarta. These sian troops opened fire on a peaceful dem- Background from Mariza Cabral: onstration organised by the civilian resis- unpublished details were the genesis for the There are two versions of Encarta: an stories and this is perhaps the greatest irony tance. Photographs of that day appear in Generations of Resistance: East Timor “American” and a “World English” version. of Eyewitness. (Cassell, GBP 19.95), along with many The American version follows usual Ameri- Even with their omission from articles he can mapping conventions, which mark East ran about the Santa Cruz massacre Ajidarma evocative images of everyday life under the military occupation; like this photo of a Timor as part of Indonesia (such as, e.g., in simply went too far. Not for the military, National Geographic Society maps). In the although he was summoned to the Informa- fisherman mending his net alongside the rusted remains of the landing craft used in World English version, however, and accord- tion Centre of Defence and Security (this he ing to director of Vendor Relations Anil considered part of his daily work with the the 1975 invasion. Peter Carey’s lengthy introductory essay is one of the best sum- Singh-Molares ([email protected]), ‘bonus’ of their great anger), since he was “We have pretty strict editorial guidelines nevertheless informed that it was just an maries of East Timor’s history that I have Page 254 East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. on what is acceptable, especially with re- OTHER PORTIONS: “The photo has been superimposed over spect to maps and boundaries. We always US VERSION: (an image of) the UN. The poster was of- use the official United Nations mapping.” I “[...] East Timor (status disputed).” (list- fered to us from friends in Portugal. It is don’t know what constitutes “official UN ing Indonesia provinces) also on the Internet.” mapping,” but unless it disagrees with offi- WORLD ENGLISH VERSION: cial UN ruling on territory status, it “The former Portuguese colony of East INDONESIA DAILY NEWS shouldn’t include East Timor within Indo- Timor was forcibly annexed by Indonesia in DATABASE ONLINE nesia. The claim of “official UN mapping” 1975 and became the country’s 27th prov- doesn’t seem to be honored in the World ince in July 1976.” From John MacDougall, Dec. 15, 1995 English version of Encarta. WORLD ENGLISH VERSION: The brief mention of East Timor by Aud- “On East Timor, the Marxist Fretilin has Content of the Database rey Kahin appears only slightly edited at waged an armed campaign for independence This keyword-searchable database con- the start of the “World English” Encarta since the former Portuguese colony was tains news and views on Indonesia dating version (below). However, it is then ex- forcibly incorporated into Indonesia in from October 1990 till the present. It is up- panded to give the official Indonesian ver- 1976. The Timorese Democratic Union, a dated every Monday, Wednesday, and Fri- sion of History. It appears even worse than more moderate group advocating a gradual day. It is intended for your personal re- the American version, as it seems to suggest process of self-determination for the prov- search. The database is privately owned by that the “massive bloodshed” is equally at- ince, allied itself with Fretilin in 1986. The Indonesia Publications which is making it tributable to the Fretilin guerrillas as to the conflict with the central government has re- publicly available on an experimental basis. Indonesian army: sulted in more than 200,000 deaths.” It is a very flexible, user-friendly WAIS WORLD ENGLISH VERSION: database configured to assist in tasks ranging “A second crisis arose with Indonesia’s INDONESIAN FOREIGN from major projects (like books or profes- invasion in December 1975 of the former sional papers) to simple jobs (like retrieving MINISTER PHOTOGRAPH a particular document). Portuguese colony of East Timor, which had ON POSTER first been granted independence. Indonesia This database allows fast searching of thousands of documents about Indonesia subsequently annexed East Timor despite SYDNEY, Dec 11 AAP - A photograph the opposition from Portugal and the con- available on the Institute for Global Com- of Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas is munications (IGC) system. Principal demnation by the UN. Opposition to Indo- being used by East Timor activists to em- nesian rule within East Timor has been led sources include IGC’s reg.Indonesia (‘re- barrass the minister and campaign against gional conference on Indonesia’) newsgroup by the Marxist group Fretilin, which since any move by him to run for the position of 1975 has waged a spasmodic guerrilla cam- and the INDONESIA-L mailing list. Selec- UN Secretary General. tions from other diverse sources are also paign against the Indonesian army resulting At a press conference in Sydney today, in massive bloodshed. Fretilin’s leader, included. East Timorese leader-in-exile José Ramos Almost any word (here called ‘keyword’) Xanana Gusmão was captured and impris- Horta showed a poster containing the pic- oned in 1993. In 1994 there were reports of or combination of words may be used in ture of Mr Alatas holding his finger up in conducting searches for relevant documents. talks between senior Indonesian government anger, the shot allegedly taken on a diplo- figures and some Timorese resistance lead- English and/or Indonesian language key- matic trip to Germany. words work best since these are the lan- ers; talks between Indonesia and Portugal, Mr Horta said the picture had been which is still considered by the UN to exer- guages of almost all documents in the data- turned into a poster to embarrass Alatas base. cise sovereignty over East Timor, also re- who has been regarded as a potential UN sumed in early 1994.” At this point in time, no restrictions have secretary general candidate. been placed on access to the database. There US VERSION: He said the diplomatic mission by Presi- are currently no charges to the user for ac- “A second crisis arose in the former Por- dent Suharto and Mr Alatas in April this cessing or retrieving documents. year had turned into a major disaster for tuguese colony of East Timor. When Portu- How to Use the Database gal withdrew from East Timor in 1975, them. Frente Revolucionaria do Timor Leste Inde- “Weimar, a historic German area, de- The online address (‘URL’) to access the pendente (Fretilin), a Communist group clined Suharto as persona non grata,” Mr database is: seeking independence, held control of Dili, Horta said. gopher://gopher.igc.apc.org:2998/7REG- the capital. Indonesia considered Fretilin a “Then artists of the opera in Hanover INDONESIA threatening movement and invaded East said they would observe a minute’s silence The address is case-sensitive. It may be Timor in December. Despite condemnation for the East Timorese so they (Suharto and accessed by a Web browser or a gopher pro- by Portugal and the UN, Indonesia later an- Alatas) did not go. gram installed on your host or personal nexed the area as its 24th province. Human- “Then they went to Dresden for a ban- computer. rights organizations claim that more than quet and their bus was attacked by hundreds After you type the address and the con- 100,000 people may have been killed by the of demonstrators. nection is made, the phrase ‘Enter query:’ appears. At this point, just type one or Indonesian army during the annexation. On- “They punched the bus and spat on it. going political tensions in the region led to a Suharto was furious and a photo was taken more keywords to do a search. massacre of pro-independence demonstra- of Alatas (holding up one finger) - he will be Boolean searching using AND, OR and tors by Indonesian soldiers in November finished. NOT may be used to refine searches. You 1991. Fighting between Indonesian troops “This is the man who wanted to be the will achieve better results if you use Boo- and Fretilin members continued into the next secretary-general of the UN. Alatas is a lean searches. A search typically takes only mid-1990s, despite reconciliation talks be- very experienced Indonesian diplomat - he a few seconds. Keywords typed in a se- tween Indonesian officials and exiled was very upset and did this non-diplomatic quence without any Boolean logical operator Timorese leaders.” gesture. are interpreted to have OR connecting them. East Timor Documents, Volumes 41-42. November 3, 1995 - January 31, 1996. Page 255

The operator ADJ may be used to connect THORN IN THE FLESH OF keywords when you want only documents with the keywords adjacent to each other. If SOUTHEAST ASIA you are uncertain of spelling, the wildcard * Review by C.J. Johnson of “EAST TIMOR: may be attached to the end of a word root. Blood and Tears in ASEAN” by Sonny In- For those who know how to do it, paren- baraj (Silkworm Books, Chiang Mai, Thai- thetical searching is supported. land, 170pp), published in Daily Yomiuri What A Search Produces (Tokyo), 14 Jan. 1996. [abridged] When a keyword occurs in a document, Twenty years since Indonesia became in- you have made a ‘hit.’ volved in ET, the Timorese are said to be The software will usually return to you a emerging as the Vietnamese of the South title index of all possible hits in the data- Pacific, resilient people relentless in their base. Hits are listed and scored in order of struggle for liberation. Bangkok-based jour- the number of times the keyword appears in nalist Sonny Inbaraj tells their story from the document. Often – not always – this their roots as a Portuguese colony to their means the documents near the top of index current status as a colony of a different sort. are the most relevant ones. Inbaraj, a Malaysian who edits the opin- The software has been set to allow a very ion pages of Bangkok’s English-language high number of hits to be displayed in the The Nation newspaper, is not likely to get index. If by chance you ‘hit’ more docu- hired as a public relations officer for the As- ments than may be displayed, you can work sociation of Southeast Asian Nations. His around this by refining your search with book is a penetrating look at how diplomatic Boolean operators. One example of a simple blackmail works within ASEAN. Business workaround is the ‘keyword AND year’ delegations and conferences are used as search technique (e.g., Soehart* AND 95). pawns in a chess game. Major investment The number of ‘pages’ in each hit also plan are suddenly cancelled when a partner appears in the index resulting from your fails to toe the line in a game that ultimately search. This gives you an approximate backfires. measure of the size of each document you The author points out that while the UN have ‘hit.’ fails to recognize Jakarta’s rule over the ter- Depending on its capabilities, your Web ritory, ASEAN nations, on the other hand, browser or gopher program will then allow have been careful to avoid confrontation you to view, download, or even email to with Indonesia, its largest member. yourself from one to all the documents re- While many journalists hide behind trieved. Most Web browsers and gopher “anonymous” of “diplomatic sources,” In- programs have built-in commands to ac- baraj pulls no punches, naming people complish these functions. straight out. He also captures the high- Please email any questions about the da- spirited poetry of people’s power, injecting tabase to [email protected]. quotes from Solzhenitsyn and Timothy Mo to Domingos Sarmento Alvez. ... NEW WEB SITES A musician in the Bangkok rock scene, ON EAST TIMOR Inbaraj has taken an alternative attitude to journalism by choosing a subject routinely Darwin now has an East Timor Site up ignored by most people, even inside South- and going on the World Wide Web. I hope to east Asia. maintain a high standard in content and de- It is [Inbaraj’s] kind of notoriety that sign and your comments will be important makes for inspired writing. With its raw to this end. Most of the material to be up- voice, unpolished, uncommercial style and dated on the pages will be sourced from its wizened, hard-edged look at the facts, reg.easttimor but if you don’t normally send this book is a work of hardcore journalism. your press releases to reg.easttimor, then ––––––––– email me. The site is: The book plus the postage cost is Baht http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ekeberg/index. 400 (approx. US$16). They accept VISA htm cards (it would be charged by Suriwong Book Centre, Chiang Mai). The complete Another new one is hosted by David address is: Barts of the University of Washington at Ms. Trasvin Jittidejarak, http://www.ce.washington.edu/~davidb/timo Publisher & Director, r.html Trasvin Publications LP (Silkworm Books) 54/1-5 Sridonchai Road Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand Ph 66(53)28-1052 to 5, Fax 66(53)27-1902 E-mail [email protected]