Timor link, no. 11, November 1987

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UNSPECIFIED (1987) Timor link, no. 11, November 1987. Timor link (11). pp. 1-8.

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LINK ISSN 1010 1888

CONTENTS

./)ATAURO News from Inside by John f:astTunor (}MalJl'ftei.a WETAR STRAIT Taylor: New Appeal from Xanana New Maps from the War Human Rights Update Views from Lisbon: Portugal's Position by Jean-Pierre Catry The Cavaco Silva Government by Jill Jolliffe

Review: The Uniting Church in Australia .report by Robert Archer

, NEWS FROM INSIDE

A substantial amount of information members of Batallion 745 for having 1981. They show how the area under has been received from East Timor in gone to his vegetable garden during a cultivation has fallen in the war zones the last few weeks. Much of it comes period of curfew. This took place on and how the population has been from Fretilin sources. Information has 5 .1. 87., at a place called Pupuhu.' concentrated around the strategic also been received from contacts in These examples are taken from a villages. Indonesian-held areas, especially Fretilin document produced in Timor Fretilin has also dispatched detailed student groups, and from refugees on June 20 1987. It is just one of many accounts of engagements with recently arrived in Lisbon. This which have recently arrived from the Indonesian troops in the last twelve month's commentary draws upon this territory. months. If confirmed, these would new material. show that Fretilin controls Military Documents considerable areas of territory in the Human Rights Among the most interesting documents central-eastern and eastern regions, Fretilin sources describe many cases of received recently are maps captured and that many of the Indonesian posts human rights abuses. Most appear to from Indonesian troops. These provide in all areas except the north-west and have occurred in the areas of Ainaro detailed analyses of the terrain and an border regions are subject to regular and Lospalos, where Fretilin clashed account of Fretilin positions. Fretilin attacks. frequently last year with Indonesian commanders have superimposed their It seems that the Indonesian military forces. The majority of those who own movements on these maps, and embarked on a new military campaign suffered appear to have been punished dispatched them to Lisbon. Like the at the end of June. Its primary aim was for travelling beyond the immediate maps and military manuals captured to locate and capture Fretilin President confines of their strategic villages. This and sent out some two years ago, they Xanana Gusmao. At the beginning of would indicate that local Indonesian provide us with invaluable information July, troop reinforcements were landed commanders remain anxious about on the course of the war. at Baucau. This coincided with the security. One case, for example, The new maps cover the regions of arrival of the new military commander concerned 'Vai Leve, 40 years old, Barike, Kiras, Vikeke and Ossu, and in East Timor, Colonel Soenato. The from Lospalos, who was killed by being are on a scale of 1150,000. They show centre of the new operation appears to beaten for ten hours by elements of the sites of resettlement villages. In this be the Lospalos area. Batallion 745 at a place called Mai Vari respect they are particularly for having been in his vegetable garden informative, because they reveal the Klalerek·Mutin without a surat jalan' (travel pass). extent to which local people have been Several of the documents describe Elsewhere the report cites the case of uprooted in areas that were subjected conditions in resettlement villages 'Florinda, 30 years old from Lospalos, to intense aerial bombardment in during the period from 1978 to the who was killed from blows given by 1978/79 and encirclement campaigns in present. Of particular interest is the 1 description of Klalrerek-Mutin, a School Protest village established following the On July 13, school pupils in Dili held a New Appeal infamous Kraras massacre in 1983, protest outside the governor's office when Indonesian troops shot many and that of the Indonesian government villagers after an alleged Fretilin party, Golkar. They were complaining from Xanana ambush in the area. of discrimination in favour of The document claims that 1,593 Indonesian students, and of high levels The latest documents arriving from people lived in Kraras/Klalrerek-Mutin of unemployment in post-school years. East Timor, reports Jill Jolliffe, contain in 1983, and that today there are just The demonstration was not reported in an appeal to the UN Secretary 570, amongst whom are 276 orphans. the Indonesian press, but was relayed General, Mr Perez de Cuellar, from Most of the original population were by UPI in Jakarta to Australia. Shortly Xanana Gusmao, Fretilin's military killed, according to the report, in the after this protest a fire devastated a Commander, on behalf of the wake of the alleged am bush by Fretilin , substantial section of the market in Conselho Revolucionario da but many reportedly also died of Dili. It particularly effected traders Resistencia N acional ( CRRN, starvation in the following two years. from Java and Sulawesi who have Fretilin 's ruling body). Today the village is surrounded by gradually taken over the 'middleman' The appeal reached Lisbon in two security fences. The first of these is role previously performed by Chinese September. Xanana requests the UN set two hundred metres from the village in the years before the Indonesian Secretary General to secure safe­ centre and controlled by 12 guard occupation. conduct passes for the Fretilin posts. The second ring contains ten 1 leadership so that they can travel to guard posts, set three hundred metres Carrascalao New York, if a UN mission to East apart. All Timorese men in the village On September 30, Mario Carrascalao Timor cannot be arranged. After talks, have to perform guard duty at night, was appointed to a second term as the delegation would return to East together with Indonesian soldiers. A governor of East Timor by both the Timor. platoon of troops is also installed in the Indonesian government and the The text of Xanana's appeal is as camp. If a Timorese fails to report parliament of East Timor. At his follows. After praising the improved contacts with Fretilin or attacks by swearing-in ceremony in Dili, stand of the Portuguese government, Fretilin troops, he or she is reportedly Carrascalao was praised by Indonesian Xanana says that the UN stand is executed. Home Affairs Minister Supardjo worrying: The same document provides details Rustam for his efforts to promote about the economic regime within the development, which - Supardjo Xanana's Appeal village. The whole population is added were 'internationally "In the name of the martyrised people involved in 'forced labour': both men recognised' (UCA News). Carrascalao, of East Timor, I appeal to your and women of all ages are mobilised who is reported to be popular, has been Excellency the UN Secretary daily to work on the rice-fields, most of governor since 1982. His new term will General . . . to revise the present stand which are owned by Indonesians or expire in 1992.• of the UN, recognising that the people local officials. The technique used is of East Timor are included in the spirit extremely primitive: fields are and letter of UN Resolution 17 /30 ... trampled by human labour rather than Human I appeal to Your Excellency and by buffaloes, as used to be the case. formulate anew . . . our invitation to The village population is also Rights come to Timor so that, at any place, reportedly forced to build houses for and with the representatives of the military, stand watch over rice­ Portugal and Indonesia, a meeting can fields, fetch water and wood and wash Update be held with the CRRN. If this is not the clothes of officials and care for their In October Amnesty International possible, I solicit Your Excellency to buffaloes. Fish caught in local streams issued a list of 24 political prisoners, use your good offices to guarantee the are donated free to the military. The released under Indonesian remission exit and return, in security, of a document emphasises that such forced procedures in August of this year. AI delegation of the CRRN for that labour means that people have little believes that all were convicted, in Dili purpose ... ' time to work their gardens and District Court, of conspiracy to commit No response from the United cultivate food for themselves: the rebellion 'after trials which Amnesty Nations Secretariat had been made document estimates that no more than International believes may not have public when this issue went to press.• two or three days per week remain met international standards for available to the people. fairness'. Most had served almost all their sentence. Transmigrants According to AI, the releases mean It seems that large numbers of that 136 people continued to be transmigrants are entering East Timor political detainees in Dili - of whom illegally from areas of Indonesia such as 63 were held in Becora prison, Atambua and Kupang in Indonesian including 11 women, and 73 in the Timor, Flores, Macassar, Ambon, Comarca prison. 62 detainees from the Bali , and even Jakarta. A document military or Hansip were also being held from Dili claims that there are in the Comarca, according to AI. currently over 20,000 illegal We understand that on October 5, 20 transmigrants in East Timor - as more prisoners were released. opposed to the two thousand or so who Further details, of those detained have entered under formal and those recently released, may be transmigration programmes. The obtained from Amnesty International, illegals visit their relatives serving in 1 Easton Street, London WClX 8DJ, the military, and then do not return. UK. 2 DIPLOMATIC VIEWS FROM LISBON

Following the landslide victory in July holding elections in East Timor, and involved in the talks with Indonesia - of Professor Anibal Cavaco Silva's Prime Minister Cavaco Silva seemed to justify concern. Social Democrat Party, uncertainty denounced the same elections during a In announcing that the Portuguese crept briefly into the government's visit to Thailand in April, shortly and Indonesian delegations had policy-making over East Timor. There before his government was dissolved 'considered the possibility of were press reports in Lisbon and ahead of the elections in July. In talks organising a visit to East Timor by a internationally suggesting that Portugal held in Lisbon with Mr Perez de delegation from the Portuguese had decided to drop the demand for Cuellar, UN Secretary General, Mr Parliament' during their discussions in 'self-determination' for East Timor; Cavaco Silva emphasised his New York, the UN Secretary­ and Indonesian newspapers, and some government's determination to stand General's 1987 Report further officials, made comments implying that firm on the issue by describing the confirmed the fears of those who a solution on Indonesian terms might situation in East Timor as a 'military argued that the Portuguese quickly be achieved. In this issue we occupation'. government was retreating. Last year include two contributions from Lisbon, the government of Cavaco Silva analysing the significance of the The New Government sharply criticised a parliamentary controversy and the position which is It was the absence of any reference to delegation which, during a trip to the now likely to be taken by Cavaco Silva's 'self-determination' and independence USSR, made plans to visit Estonia, a government. Jean-Pierre Catry, of A for East Timor in the new programme territory under Soviet military Paz ePossivel em Timor-Leste provides of government, published in August, occupation: yet now it was proposing to the background. Jill Jolliffe argues which began the recent controversy. permit a mission of the same sort to that, in the end, there has been no The programme spoke only of East Timor! change. Indeed, the new government is 'guaranteeing total respect for the as firmly committed to diplomatic cultural and religious identity of Indonesian Propaganda action on East Timor as its predecessor, Timor's people.' Questioned by the In Indonesia the authorities barely as the new foreign minister made clear Socialist Party, the Prime Minister concealed their satisfaction. The when he spoke at the UN General replied that 'this problem did not begin Indonesian press announced that Assembly in August. with this government (. . . ) The Portugal had changed its position; the Deputy knows very well that the armed forces' newspaper (an Government refused to accept that influential organ given the power of the elections organised by Indonesia could army in Indonesian political affairs) be considered to be a referendum. But called for diplomatic relations to be re- PORTUGAL'S I ask you: what have we obtained until established; and Ali Alatas, now?' Mr Cavaco Silva recalled that Indonesia's principal negotiator, POSITION 'the President of the Republic has declared that his opposite number had particular responsibilities in relation to initiated the proposal - adding that by Jean-Pierre Catry this question, the Government for its whether a trip took place would part has its own too, and it considers 'depend on the nature of the visit, on In recent months, all three of that this Chamber, in following up the what they want to see'. 'We won't Portugal's sovereign institutions have work undertaken last year, must be change our basic stance,' he said. 'We adopted firmer positions in relation to associated in searching for a solution will never ever welcome investigative East Timor. Since his election to the which, at least now, safeguards the visits' (Jakarta Post, 16.9.87). The presidency in 1986, Mario Soares has national interest.' same paper also claimed that the solemnly and consistently defended the He went on to affirm that 'The United Nations recognised East Timor right of East Timor's people to self­ Government will do nothing with as a Portuguese territory because of determination - as he did before the regard to this matter which runs Portugal's Constitution and that European Parliament in July of last counter to the understanding of the Portugal ought to change its year. The government of Cavaco Silva other sovereign institutions. What it Constitution. has likewise been more resolute, may do, in contrast, is to reveal the This immodest vaunting by the particularly since Portugal joined the whole process in clear and unequivocal Indonesians further embarressed the EEC- refusing, for example, to take fashion, so that in the future it will not Portuguese government. How could part in EEC meetings with ASEAN if be accused of not having safeguarded the idea of a visit possibly be defended these were held in Jakarta. The third the country's dignity.' if Indonesia declared that the MPs sovereign political institution under would not be allowed to see what they Portugal's constitution, the A Shift of Position? wanted? Parliament, has also found a consensus Some observers detected in these It was thus the reaction in Indonesia, on the issue. The all-party statements a sign that the Portuguese as much as or more than that of Parliamentary Commission on East government was surrendering its Portugal's opposition parties, which Timor published a report on the responsibility to defend the rights of obliged the government to reaffirm its question earlier this year and planned East Timor's people. If the Geneva position. an international parliamentary Embassy (responsible for Indonesian conference on the issue (scheduled for diplomacy at the UN Human Rights Government Fights Back? June 1987 but adjourned in March at Commission) showed firm support for On September 23, speaking before the the government's request). Parliament these rights, the passivity of Portugal's UN General Assembly, the new unanimously condemned Indonesia for New York Embassy-which is directly Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Joao de 3 Deus Pinheiro, demanded not only Indonesia outside the UN process. He ASEAN countries while he was in 'respect for the cultural and religious reaffirmed that the right of self­ Bangkok (see Timor Link . 10). identity of Timor's people', but also determination remains untouchable Through all the recent fuss, there 1~ no that 'they should be guaranteed their but deplored 'a certain hypocrisy in the evidence to show that Cavaco Silva freedom to define their collective international scene such that human himself has ever wavered in his own destiny, observing the principle of self­ rights violations in Afghanistan and position. determination, as it has been defined Kampuchea are spoken about while Finally, there is the example of the by resolutions 1514 and 1541 of the violations of human rights that 1979-80 Social Democrat government General Assembly of the United continue in East Timor are forgotten.' of Francisco Sa Carneiro, who was Nations.' Portugal's diplomatic hesitations killed in a plane crash in December The following day, as he left a may largely be due to the lack of 1980. From the right of Portuguese meeting with the President, Cavaco support - or to pressure - from politics, Sa Carneiro took a far more Silva declared that no direct abroad.• assertive role on East Timor than negotiations were taking place with previous Prime Ministers had done. In particular, his strong stand contrasted with the Socialists' inclination to accommodate Indonesia. The current THE CAVACO SILVA government takes the Sa Carneiro GOVERNMENT government as its model. No Change by Jill Jolliffe During the period of equivocation that followed the election victory a In his first term as Prime Minister of a perceptions of the Portuguese government spokesperson said that minority government (from October government's position. This is because Portugal had not changed its basic 1985 to July 1987), Prof. Cavaco Silva Timorese representatives have not stand, but was attempting to show was dependent on Socialist party been involved. (For discussion of the 'more flexibility' in its negotiations support. During this term, his talks, see Timor Link 4, 6, 9.) with Indonesia by refraining from the government took an overtly strong The East Timorese independence word 'self-determination' in order to stand in support of East Timor's right movement (which now includes the move negotiations on. This may well be to self-determination, matching the conservative UDT party as well as right. The negotiations in New York similarly forthright stance of President Fretilin, the majority movement that have made little substantive progress Mario Soares. commands military resistance within recently, as the Secretary-General In view of the row over the absence the territory) has naturally contested noted in his recent report. This is of the word 'self-determination' in the negotiations held under these principally because Indonesia current government's programme, it conditions. considers the sovereignty question as should be noted that the government's Although officials now follow the non-negotiable. programme did not mention 'self­ practice of consulting Timorese The enthusiastic Indonesian press determination' during its first term opinion (as they did not do initially), claims that Portugal was altering its either. Nor was this unusual: since this is not enough to satisfy criticism: stance cannot be taken very seriously. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, the Timorese still fear, very Much was made of the visit to East few Portuguese governments have reasonably, that Portugal might seek Timor by the right-wing Portuguese included this commitment in their an easy way out through an accord of newspaper editor Nuno Rocha, of 0 programmes. convenience with Indonesia, and they Tempo, who came back championing Under Cavaco Silva the Social want full participation in the talks. the Indonesian cause, but the Democrats affirmed very clearly that There will continue to be nervousness Portuguese government dissociated they would not recognise Indonesian about Portugal's political intentions itself immediately from Rocha's sovereignty in East Timor and would while those who are most directly position. continue to seek a principled concerned are so obviously excluded. Most of the speculation about a international settlement, in their Portuguese parliamentary visit to East recognised UN role as 'administering Influences Timor was equally without foundation. power' in East Timor. Several other factors influence the For one thing, the Portuguese Indeed, Cavaco Silva took the stand which has been taken by Cavaco parliament has had no opportunity to strongest position of any Prime Silva and the governments he has led. discuss such a proposal. Cavaco Silva Minister in recent times, when he The first is the cross-party consensus made the government's position clear threatened to impose economic within the Parliamentary Commission on September 27, when he stated that sanctions against Indonesia by on East Timor (see Timor Link 9, 10). Portugal would consider sending such a exercising Portugal's EEC right of veto All major Portuguese parties, from mission only if Indonesia guaranteed it against ASEAN-EEC trade relations. Communist to Christian Democrat, full freedom of movement to go (Portugal joined the EEC in January have agreed that self-determination wherever it wanted and see whomever 1986.) and the involvement of East Timorese it liked. He cricised past visits, saying representatives in a solution must be they were highly controlled and Negotiations fundamental to Portuguese policy. restricted. At the same time, the talks being Portuguese policy. conducted between Portugal and A second factor, which should not be Portugal Still Finn Indonesia under the auspices of the UN underestimated, is the personality of Doubts about Portuguese policy were Secretary General have imposed a Cavaco Silva himself. A man of action finally laid to rest on September 23, political focus on policy-making. rather than words, he was responsible when Foreign Minister Joao de Deus Held behind closed doors, these for introducing the prospect of an EEC Pinheiro addressed the UN General talks have influenced public veto, speaking to journalists from Assembly. He led his speech with the 4 Timor issue (the first Portuguese minister to do so) and said that the At the UN Timorese right to self-determination was a 'fundamental and On August 13 in New York, the published in English, Portuguese, unquestionable' tenet of Portuguese Decolonisation Committee held its French, and German. policy. annual hearings on East Timor. Fretilin's external delegation was The next day his speech was followed Petitions were received from many represented by Abilio Araujo, who up by Cavaco Silva in a television quarters. From the Portuguese presented extracts from reports interview in Lisbon, where he drove parliament Sr Raul Brito emphasised received from East Timor in recent home the point and repeated that the issues of sovereignty and self­ months. These described conditions in Portugal's interest in raising the issue determination remain central to the three villages, including Klarerek within the EEC. He said certain dispute between Portugal and Mutin where the population is said to western countries were guilty of Indonesia. He affirmed that 'The have fallen by two thirds in four years hypocrisy on East Timor and had 'been I Portuguese people will never accept (see News from Inside). a little forgetful of their human rights any solution that is not the result of a A number of other groups made commitments'. genuine, free and properly supervised contributions. Representing the The situation therefore seems to be act of choice by the people of East London-based Indonesia human rights that, if Portugal did waver momentarily Timor.' campaign, Tapol, Jonathan Head (leaving aside misrepresentations of its Two of the most prominent human focused upon the World Bank's policy), it has now reinforced its rights organisations spoke, as they did support for the Indonesian position. Set for a full term of four last year: The American Asia Watch government's birth control campaign years, the government is intent on committee focused on the letter signed in East Timor, which, he argued, effective action. by no less than 40 US Senators to violated UN policy not to recognise This said, its performance should still Secretary of State George Shultz Indonesia's integration of the territory. be observed carefully. The Social expressing concern about the situation Sister Mary Philip, SSJ, of the Democrat majority is so large - they in East Timor; while Amnesty Hobart East Timor Committee, hold 148 seats in the 350-seat International demonstrated its testified on behalf of many Australian legislature - that there is a risk of consistent concern about the situation organisations. Michel Robert, of the complacency. In particular, a in the territory by reporting violations Association de Solidarite avec Timor constitutional reform will come before of human rights during 1986 and 1987 Oriental, described how, after the the current parliament which will that have been brought to its attention. recent closure of the prison camp on determine whether or not the 'East The presence of the Roman Catholic Atauro island, many prisoners had Timor Clause' in the current Bishop of the Portuguese diocese of been deported to strategic villages near Constitution will remain intact. The Setubal was particularly significant, the border with West (Indonesian) relevant section reads: because it was the first time that a Timor. 'l. Portugal continues to accept its Portuguese Bishop has testified One of the most moving submissions responsibilities in harmony with formally before the Decolonisation was given by Mr Iwamura Shouhachi, a international law, to promote and Committee. His appearance, along platoon commander in the Japanese guarantee the independence of East with that of Sr Brito, provided further army when it occupied East Timor Timor. evidence that East Timor is being during the Pacific (Second World) '2. The President and the Government treated with new seriousness in Lisbon. War. Recalling that period, Shouhachi are vested with the power to take all Also speaking on behalf of stated, 'Isn't this exactly what the actions necessary to realise [these] Christians in Europe, CIIR presented a Suharto government is doing today in objectives . . . ' shortened version of the Christian relation to the aggression against East Reflection on East Timar which it Tim or?' The thinking of the current published earlier. this year in The Decolonisation Committee has parliament will be influenced by a large association with the Justice & Peace reported to the General Assembly, group of young Social Democrats Commissions of Flanders and the which, having received further reports whose position on East Timor is Netherlands, and Pax Christi in - such as that from the Secretary­ unknown. Geneva. The Reflection has attracted General -, decided to adjourn debate Overall the government seems support from Christian organisations in on East Timor for a further year. • determined to seek results in the East all five continents, and has been Timor case, and can be expected to mount a more energetic diplomatic lobby on the issue than its predecessors. It should be UN HUMAN RIGHTS congratulated on its stand Portuguese governments are COMMISSION constantly criticised over Timor, but Along with other international NGOs, composed of governments. Success this rarely praised when they do the right the International Service for Human year was important, because it reversed thing. NGOs and church groups have Rights, Geneva, lobbied hard to secure an earlier decision to remove East been offered a new challenge - to the adoption on September 2 of a Timor from the list of territories collaborate with and strengthen resolution on East Timor by the UN examined by the Commission (see East Portugal's more forceful diplomacy, Human Rights Sub-Commission. The Timar Link 2, June 1985). The which will begin by looking out for resolution (reference E/CN.4/Sub.2/ Commission will meet again m allies within the EEC.• 1987/L.11/Add.2) was adopted by 6 February-March 1988. Note: If readers would like to write to the votes to 4 with 9 abstentions. In the preamble, the Resolution Portuguese government about its stand, letters should be addressed to: His Excellency Prof. The Sub-Commission is a committee of , states that the Sub-Commission is 'pre­ Anibal Cavaco Silva, Primeiro Ministro, Palacio experts which reports to the 1 occupied by new allegations put de Sao Bento, Lisbon, Portugal. Commission on Human Rights, itself forward regarding the violations of 5 human rights to which the people of and the East Timorese source of insecurity. The East Timor continue to be subjected representatives, to co-operate in Indonesian presence does not because of the situation which persists order to achieve a durable solution protect the people, rather it instils in the territory' and welcomes the co­ taking into full consideration the fear and subservience. operation shown by the authorities in rights and wishes of the people of 'Now the East Timorese fear facilitating family reunions. East Timor; they will become a minority in 3. 'Requests the Indonesian authorities their own land. Under The Text to facilitate without restrictions the Indonesia's transmigration The body of the Resolution declares activ1t1es of humanitarian programme, East Timor has been that the Sub-Commission on organisations in East Timor; designated an underpopulated prevention of Discrimination and 4. 'Recommends therefore to the region and a small number of Protection of Minorities: Commission on Human Rights to people have already been settled 1 . 'Welcomes the action taken by the study carefully at its forty-fourth there. There are plans to settle a Secretary-general regarding the session the evolution of the situation larger number of transmigrants in question of East Timor; of human rights and fundamental East Timor by the year 2000 . . . 2. 'Requests the Secretary-General to freedoms in East Timor.' • The Timorese are being continue to encourage all parties For further information write to the increasingly marginalised in the concerned, that is the Administering ISHR, PO Box 16, 1211Geneva20 cic, bureaucracy and the economy, as Power, the Indonesian Government Switzerland (tel: 022-33.31.40). military personnel and Javanese steadily occupy the senior positions and sectors. l;lii'i*' iv) 'The government of Indonesia claims that the people have already exercised their right to UNITING CHURCH AND self-determination. Yet the fact that fighting still continues would EASTTIMOR indicate that no such act has occurred. When asked in an by Robert Archer interview in August 1985 to In June, the Uniting Church in rights of the people of that place. There comment on the huge sums Australia published a report, prepared are at least four areas in which the Jakarta is pumping into East by its Social Responsibility and Justice rights of the East Timorese people are Timor, Mgr Belo (the Apostolic Committee, titled The Uniting Church beihg denied: Administrator of Dili) replied, and East Timor. 'The only problem in Timor is the This is an important statement, i) 'Reports from many significant problem of the freedom of the because it presents the view of a major sources indicate that people have inhabitants.' ( ...) church in Australia, and because it been killed and tortured in very continues an evolving debate within the large numbers. Human Rights and Self· protestant churches about the question ii) 'Freedom of speech and assembly detennination of East Timor. We reported in Timor are heavily curtailed, press This section of the report goes on to Link's last issue, for example, the censorship is part of daily life and conclude that 'The issue of human carefully-worded statement that the the right to organise is very rights is not easily separable from the National Council of Churches of the restricted. issue of self-determination' and that 'It United States (NCC-USA) published iii) 'Culturally, ethnically and is highly unlikely that the Indonesian earlier this year. Very significantly, this religiously, the East Timorese are Government will, of its own accord, debate is also being carried on privately looked down upon as a 'backward allow a semi-independent government with Protestant partner churches in people' and treated in a manner to exist in East Timor.' Indonesia. that is perceived as racist. The Further on, the report takes this It is also, however, virtually the first actions of the Indonesian argument further, stating that 'the official statement issued by a major Government suggest that the abuse of human rights will continue Protestant church that addresses the intention is to destroy the East while ever the government of issues frankly and without Timorese people spiritually and Indonesia refuses to recognise the need circumlocution. In taking matters culturally. The de-Timorisation of the people to have a more adequate forward, as it has done here by of East Timor is institutionalised say in their future. The situation in East publically identifying the problems, the - eg through schooling and the Timor will not be solved militarily. Uniting Church in Australia may have use of Indonesian as the official Only a political solution will achieve a facilitated the wider attempt being language. The re-shaping of long-term settlement of the area's made by Protestant churches to respond Timor socially and economically problems.' adequately to a fundamental moral has a real impact on the people. The statement strongly criticises the issue. It has taken courage to write this Timorese women are forced into Australian government, for report and it should be widely read. family planning programmes. recognising the annexation and failing Widows and girls are forced into to uphold its international The Four Violations prostitution and servitude to save commitments, and quotes the The opening sections set out the factual their lives'( . .. ) Australian Prime Minister Bob background, and assess the differing 'The values and beliefs of the Hawke, who regretted the absence of accounts given by Indonesian and non­ people, which they cherish and any act of self-determination but added Indonesian sources. The report which give them their identity, 'That was in the past ... we must now concludes with this summary: are deliberately violated by the look to the future'. This, the report 'The present situation in East Timor occupying power. Indonesian says, 'is both false and based upon a is marked by gross violations of the military presence is a constant dreadful denial of Australia's 6 commitment to the UN.' which is tied to the liberating and the PGI's ability to speak on issues of saving acts of Jesus Christ. In the East Timor.' The PGI present situation of denial of human The report is most original and rights in East Timor and other places in New Relationships? significant, however, when it examines Indonesia, the Church is provided with In its concluding remarks, the the role of the Indonesian Protestant a very sharp reminder of its vocation. statement questions whether 'the Communion of Churches (formerly the 'There is a constant struggle in the position of making no statements or DGI, now the PGI), and the moral Bible to remind people that God applying no pressure unless requested responsibilities of the Christian cannot be domesticated and used to to do so' by the local church is the right churches worldwide. support or give divine blessing to the one. 'In public statements the present situation. God is always free, 'The Churches in Australia Communion of Churches in Indonesia will not reveal God's name (Exodus (including the UCA, through the (formerly DGI, now PGI) has 3:14), prefers to live in a tent rather Australian Council of Churches) have consistently placed itself with the than a house (ie is a journeying God, adopted this approach in relation to Indonesian government in its invasion not one who is at the disposal of a East Tim or, relying on advice from the of East Timor. While it has quite rightly temple hierarchy-2 Samuel 7), and is PGI. and publicly criticised Portugal for always able to do the unexpected, call 'Yet, if the Australian Church's failing to prepare East Timor for forth a new community, raise up a position is that it will act in response to decolonisation, and has claimed that prophetic voice, and care for the the people of an area, then questions Portugal has abdicated all historical oppressed. God is the One who chose must be raised about the adequacy of and moral right to authority in East the very unexpected way of the cross. this approach. It may be time that the Timor, yet it has supported the 'Jesus reminded the faith community UCA turned for advice to that church Indonesian invasion. ( ...) that there are limits to the power of the which is most closely aligned to the 'The PGI (then DGI) made the first, State (Luke 20:19-26). A State which people of East Timor, viz: the Catholic official non-Government visit to East claims absolute power, and tries to Church ... Timor in 1977 to visit the 4,000 justify all unjustness on the basis of its 'Since 1983 the Catholic Church has Protestants there. Since 1980 it has run power, is reminded that God alone is spoken out strongly on the abuses of an ecumenical aid programme, and as Lord and total obedience is owed only human rights in East Timor and the part of that made a second visit in 1982. to God. issue of the people's struggle for self­ It has been actively involved in 'Where our churches draw the line determination. Various National sponsoring and supporting Protestant between obedience to God and Catholic Bishops' Conferences (eg clergy in East Timor. obedience to the State, and when it Indonesia, Portugal, the Netherlands 'A number of security officers and becomes necessary to tell the and Japan) have expressed their government officials are active in the Government that it encroaches on the solidarity and concern for the church Protestant community in Dili, creating realm of God, is something with which and people of East Timor . . . a close link between the government we must all struggle. Certainly in 'The Uniting Church should heed and the church and helping to explain Australia we have not always done this this call from the wider ecumenical the church's stand on East Timor. very well, alternating between community, and call upon the There is also the factor of being a belligerence and silence. Part of the Australian Government to use its minority community in a country in ecumenical dialogue is the ability to call influence with Indonesia to end the which Islam is the major religion. each other to account for the way we do abuse of human rights in East Timor, 'One of the reasons why Christians this, yet without the arrogance that allow free access to the Red Cross and have a relatively important place in suggests that an outsider can tell other aid agencies, and open the Indonesian leadership is that they were another how their church must be the country to journalists and Government very actively involved in the church. representatives who can report on the Indonesian struggle for independence. 'Yet, one of the issues which is situation in East Timor. There is within the Indonesian highlighted in our attempt to relate to 'At the same time the UCA should Christian community a tradition of the issues in East Timor, is the question express its solidarity with the people commitment to freedom and human of who is the church to which we relate and Churches of East Timor as they rights. One would have hoped that this ecumenically. Is it simply the official struggle for peace and justice and tradition would have been more fully (Protestant) council of churches? What should pray for the people in their drawn on in this situation.' becomes of the wider relationship with suffering.'• the Catholic Church, particularly as it is The Uniting Church and East Timor may be Some Theological Concerns that church which most closely acquired from the Social Responsibility & Justice 'The church is always involved in a identifies with the people of East Committee, Uniting Church in Australia, Box E266, St James Post Office, NSW - 2000, struggle to understand its Christian Timor? What happens when the Australia. identity within the wider national position of these two bodies is identity and life. The struggle is always apparently in conflict? to maintain that identity without either 'There is also the issue of de facto being co-opted or domesticated, or recognition of East Timor's annexation REVIEW being seen as disloyal to the goals of the by Indonesia. The Uniting Church in Finngeir Hiorth has reviewed for us an wider society. Australia faces the same dilemma as article in the Indonesian Quarterly 'This struggle for identity is sharpest the Catholic Church: how to arrange (Vol, No.4, 1986, pp.546-77) by Mr in those countries where the gospel our life and relationships so as not to Kristiadi, a staff member of the official seems most at odds with the values of destroy our relationships with Centre for Strategic and International society. (. . . ) Indonesia (both Church and State), yet Studies (CSIS), which publishes the 'As a religious minority in a neither to alienate ourselves from the Quarterly. It deals principally with the militarised country, the Indonesian people who struggle in East Timor. 1974-5 period, and treats events from a Churches must struggle with how they Ecumenically this is very difficult, for it pro-Indonesian point of view. maintain their identity, an identity raises questions of our recognition of Kristiadi's account, concludes Finngeir 7 Hiorth, 'shows mainly how the Indonesian government wants the THE CHRISTIAN world to look at East Timor. It is clearly still impossible to publish an objective account of the East Timor affair in REFLECTION: UPDATE Indonesia.' We summarise the review Since the last issue of Timar Link we Social Faith and Justice in Toronto, below: have received more letters of support Canada; the Good Shepherd for the statement East Timar - A Provincialate, Abbotford, Victoria, Much attention is given to Apodeti, Christian Reflection which was Australia; the Mission & Justice which is presented as 'essentially the published following the last meeting of Education Programme, Tasmania, legalisation of long standing freedom European Christians in Geneva in Australia;, the Austrian Committee for movements in East Timor. Many February of this year. East Timor, Vienna; the Groupe de prominent members of that party were Those who have written include: the Travail Timor Oriental in Switzerland; fighters in the popular rebellion of Catholic Commission for Raymond Guillaneuf, Clermont 1945-1949 in Los Palos' (p.549). Evangelisation, Justice and Ferrand, France; Hendrik Amahor­ In describing Indonesian govern­ Development, Archdiocese of seja, Sweden; Seonag Monk, UK; ment policy, Kristiadi accepts that on Wellington, New Zealand; Norman Duff, UK. October 8 1974 President Suharto Development & Peace, Ontario, If you are concerned, please let us declared that his government did not Canada; the Dominican Sisters in the know, wherever you may be 'have territorial ambitions' and Solomon Islands; Edouard Vogel in indicating whether you are able to respected 'the right of of the people of Brazil; the Sacred Heart Sisters, make your support public.• East Timor to self-determination' Eldoret, Kenya; the Jesuit Centre for (p.551). Indonesian contacts with Portugal, France and the United Kingdom are described in some detail. Kristiadi accepts that 'in only one month' after the end of August 1974, Meeting to Discuss ET in Fretilin 'succeeded in controlling almost the whole territory of East Timor', but he argues that it was Asia Fretilin which destabilised th.e border An important meeting to discuss East all attempts at debate by the area and 'often violated Indonesian Timor was held in Asia during Indonesian government and by the territory by firing artillery shells into it November. It took place in Manila, the majority of Indonesian organisations. as well as by plundering cattle and Philippine capital, between November If successful, it is hoped that this food.' Indonesia, it is said, played little 15 and 17. meeting will open the way to much role in the invasion, for which the The meeting was private and franker and more open discussion principal credit is given to Apodeti. involved representatives from South about East Timor within Asia, increase The UN's role is discussed - and East and East Asian countries, the the effectiveness of work on the issue, dismissed as insignificant, because the nations of the Pacific and Australasia, and multiply practical contacts within UN did not take account of the 'existing and observers from Europe and the Asia and the Pacific. objective realities inherent in the United States. If you wish to learn more about this problem'. Its importance will be evident for all meeting, please telephone or write to: Finally Hiorth points out that those concerned by the issue: for a very the Asia-Pacific Consultation on East Kristiadi's list of sources makes no long time, it has been impossible to Timor, PO Box 1092, North Fitzroy, mention of 'Carmel Budiardjo and discuss this question openly and Victoria 3068, Australia. Telephone Liem Soei Liong, James Dunn, Jill rationally within Asia, because of the (03) 419 5588. Jolliffe, Torben Retboll . . . Roger extremely vigorous condemnation of S. Clark . . or Amnesty Inter­ national.'• European Christian Timor Link is published at least four Consultation: Lisbon times a year by the Catholic Institute for International Relations, in The next meeting of European in February of this year, the sponsors of association with A Paz e Possivel em Christians on East Timor will be held in these meetings published a first Timor Leste in Portugal. Lisbon over the weekend of January 23 statement of concern, titled East Timar We invite readers to make a and 24. - A Christian Reflection which has subscription towards our costs, of £5.00 It will be the fourth meeting in the now been translated into several for individuals and £10.00 for series, and will follow up the work languages and has been supported by institutions. All subscriptions run from begun in previous meetings held in the Justice & Peace Commissions and January to December. Netherlands and in Geneva. All have : Christian groups from a wide range of We welcome correspondence. been private in character, designed to countries inside and outside Europe. enable representatives of Europe's For further information about the 22 Coleman Fields Catholic and Protestant denominations next meeting, you are invited to contact London Nl 7 AF to reflect upon and discuss the question either A Paz e Possivel em Timor­ Tel: (01) 354 0883. of East Timor. Leste, in Lisbon, or CUR at the address Telex 21118 G. Following the Geneva Consultation of Timor Link, in London. 8