Documents on East Timor from PeaceNet and Connected Computer Networks Volume 24: August 1 - September 30, 1993

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] For additional copies, please enclose US$10. per volume to cover costs; add an extra $3. for interna- tional air mail. Activist rate: $6. domestic, $8. international. These documents are usually produced approximately every two months, and mailed to subscribers. If you would like to subscribe, send $60 for the next six issues (US), or $78 for international air mail. Reduced rate for activists: $36 in the US, $48 international. Subsidized rate are available for groups in Third World countries working on East Timor. Checks should be made out to “ETAN.” Tax- deductible contributions can be made out to “WESPAC Foundation/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 (London), Task Force Indonesia (USA), CDPM (Lisbon), CNRM, Free East Timor Japan Coalition, Swedish East Timor Committee, Mate-Bian News (Sydney) and other activists and solidarity groups, but they are not responsible for edi torial comment or selection.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

XANANA IN PRISON; SENTENCE SHORTENED...... 7 SUHARTO ‘PONDERS’ XANANA PARDON ...... 7 PUBLIC STATEMENT: RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN EAST TIMOR ...... 7 XANANA TRANSFER TO SEMARANG? ...... 7 EVANS ASKS XANANA CLEMENCY ...... 7 XANANA SENTENCE REDUCED ...... 8 CONCERNS REMAIN ABOUT IMPRISONED RESISTANCE LEADER, DESPITE CLEMENCY...... 8 LIBERATION ON XANANA...... 9 PROTESTS GO ON AS GUSMÃO TERM CUT...... 9 JAKARTA POST ON SENTENCE REDUCTIONS ...... 9 XANANA TRANSFERRED TO JAVA ...... 9 XANANA SENTENCE COMMUTED ...... 10 INDONESIAN NATIONAL DAY COMMUTATIONS...... 12 INDONESIA REDUCES SEPARATIST’S PRISON TERM ...... 12 JAMES DUNN ON ‘POLITICS’ OF SENTENCE REDUCTION ...... 12 ETRA COMMENTS ON EAST TIMOR LATEST EVENTS...... 13 XANANA ON HUNGER STRIKE AGAIN...... 14 XANANA COULD GET SAKHAROV PRIZE...... 14 XANANA GUSMÃO BEING TREATED LIKE A COMMON CRIMINAL...... 14 RED CROSS VISIT TO XANANA ...... 15 Page 2 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

EVENTS INSIDE EAST TIMOR...... 15 APPEAL FROM EAST TIMORESE STUDENTS ...... 15 MA’HUNU REPORTED RELEASED ...... 15 AI ALERT: ARRESTS...... 16 MANPOWER ISSUES IN EAST TIMOR ...... 17 LETTER FROM TIMORESE RESISTANCE LEADER KONIS SANTANA TO PRES. MARIO SOARES ...... 17 INDONESIA TO PULL OUT COMBAT TROOPS...... 20 TIMORESE LEFT ON THE RIM OF APEC’S PACIFIC RIM ...... 21 ABRI TIMOR VETERAN REMINISCES ...... 22 SIGNS OF LIFE FROM THE RESISTANCE...... 22 AMNESTIES FOR MAU HUNO AND MAU HODU? ...... 23 LETTER FROM EAST TIMOR...... 23 TIMORESE RELEASED ...... 24 FURTHER ARRESTS IN TIMOR...... 24 RED CROSS PROBLEMS IN TIMOR...... 24 HUNDREDS OF EAST TIMORESE CHILDREN DIE OF DIARRHEA, CATHECHISTS REPORT...... 24 INDONESIA ESCALATES REIGN OF TERROR IN EAST TIMOR...... 25 BISHOP BELO TALKS OF CHURCH ROLE IN EAST TIMOR...... 25 EAST TIMOR CHURCH NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE...... 26 FOREST FIRES RAGE IN EAST TIMOR...... 26

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS VISIT; MASS ARRESTS...... 27 CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS TO VISIT EAST TIMOR...... 27 US MISSION’S VISIT TO EAST TIMOR...... 28 US DELEGATION FINDS CITY DESERTED...... 29 US DELEGATION TO MEET (ALMOST) ‘EVERYONE’...... 29 ARRESTS PRECEDE U.S. DELEGATION...... 29 REQUIRED COURSES...... 30 AI: INDONESIA MASS ARRESTS ...... 31

SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS EAST TIMOR...... 31 SWEDISH MP’S TO VISIT INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR...... 31 SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION LEFT FOR INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR TODAY ...... 32 SWEDISH VISIT TO EAST TIMOR...... 32 SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARIANS ASSURED FREE MOVEMENT, ACCESS IN EAST TIMOR...... 33 FINNISH MP REFUSED ENTRY TO INDONESIA ...... 33 INDONESIA WANTS NO VISITS ...... 34 SWEDES IN EAST TIMOR: “CONSTANTLY WATCHED”...... 34 SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARIANS INTERVIEWED FROM DILI ...... 34 PARLIAMENTARIANS AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN JAKARTA...... 35 SWEDISH MPS DENOUNCE MASS DETENTION IN EAST TIMOR...... 36 SWEDISH MPS ACCUSED OF BIAS BY INDONESIA...... 37 BELO: “WE ARE LIVING IN A PRISON” ...... 37

SEVEN ASYLUM-SEEKERS STILL IN JAKARTA...... 38 STATEMENT BY FOUR ASYLUM-SEEKERS WHO WERE IN FINNISH EMBASSY...... 38 PORTUGAL NEGOTIATING ON ASYLUM...... 39 FINNS DENY ACCUSATIONS OF BAD TREATMENT...... 39 MIXED SIGNALS ON ASYLUM ...... 39 ALATAS: ISSUE ‘DEAD’ ...... 39 PRINCEN: “I CANNOT MIND THEM FOREVER” ...... 39 FOREIGN MINISTER CONFIRMS PORTUGUESE PASSPORTS FOR THE SEVEN TIMORESE ...... 40 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 3

JAKARTA ARRESTS MORE TIMORESE...... 41 STUDENTS: PORTUGAL CALLS ON FINLAND TO ACT...... 41 MATEUS XIMENES: “THERE IS NO FUTURE HERE FOR US” ...... 41

EVENTS IN INDONESIA...... 42 INDONESIA ON-BOARD CLINTON APEC ...... 42 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FRAUD?...... 42 AMNESTY CALLS FOR HALT TO LINKS WITH KOPASSUS ...... 42 INDONESIAN VICE-PRESIDENT WARNS OF ‘TRAITORS’...... 42 MAU HUDU INTERVIEWED ON TV INDONESIA...... 43 SUHARTO SPEECH KEENLY AWAITED ...... 43 SUHARTO: INDONESIA ON VERGE OF ECONOMIC TAKEOFF ...... 43 EAST TIMORESE SCHOLARSHIPS WITHDRAWN ...... 44 INDONESIA EXPELS ‘AGE’ JOURNALIST ...... 44 AMNESTY ANNUAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 44 INVESTMENT NEEDED TO DEVELOP EASTERN INDONESIA RESOURCES ...... 45

THE TIMORESE EXTERNAL RESISTANCE ...... 45 EXTERNAL FRETILIN COMMUNIQUÉ ON REORGANIZATION...... 45 ABILIO ARAUJO DEPOSED ...... 46 MARI ALKATIRI INTERVIEW ...... 46 AGIO PEREIRA ON THE FUTURE OF THE EAST TIMORESE RESISTANCE...... 47 FRETILIN: ROOTS OF THE FRICTION ...... 48 SOLIDARITY MESSAGE TO GABRIELA FROM FRETILIN...... 52 ABILIO ARAUJO INTERVIEWED ...... 53

PRO-INTEGRATION TIMORESE WANT TO TALK...... 55 ABILIO ARAUJO, FRETILIN LEADER “THE ARMED STRUGGLE HAS FOLDED”...... 55 LOPEZ DA CRUZ INTERVIEWED IN EDITOR...... 57 RECONCILIATION MEETING BACKED BY XIMENES BELO ...... 57 INDONESIA TO MEET REBELS TO DISCUSS ISLAND’S FUTURE...... 57 LOPEZ DA CRUZ AVOIDS BRUSSELS...... 57 EAST TIMORESE TALKS CLOUDED IN UNCERTAINTY...... 58 HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES CONDEMNED AS TALKS ARE POSTPONED ...... 58

INDONESIA ACTS ON INTERNATIONAL FRONTS ...... 59 INDONESIA WORKS ON IMAGE...... 59 “NON-POLITICAL” VISIT TO THE POPE...... 59 VOX POPULI, VOX DEI (TIMORESE CHIEFS VISIT JAKARTA) ...... 60 TIMOR: AN ALATAS-STYLE REFERENDUM ...... 61

LABOR RIGHTS; INDONESIA’S U.S. TRADE PREFERENCES THREATENED...... 61 GSP LOBBY BEGINS ACTION...... 61 ‘GOOD US TIES’ THREATENED ...... 61 GOLKAR SEEKS LABOR REFORMS ...... 62 INDONESIAN PRESS RESPONSES TO GSP CUTOFF THREAT ...... 62 ALATAS: NO GRAND STRATEGY ON TRADE PRIVILEGES ...... 65 LABOR STRIKES BACK ...... 65 INDONESIA REPLIES ON GSP...... 66 INDONESIA: UNION OF PROBLEMS...... 66 LABOR UNREST GROWING IN INDONESIA...... 67

UNITED NATIONS ACTIVITIES ...... 68 AI TESTIFIES ON IMPUNITY ...... 68 Page 4 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

U.N. STUDYING REBEL PROPOSAL FOR A REFERENDUM...... 68 DOUBLE-TROUBLE FOR JAKARTA AT THE UN IN GENEVA ...... 69 HUMAN RIGHTS SUBCOMMISSION CONCLUDES 45TH SESSION AT GENEVA...... 70 INDONESIA INTERFERED IN U.N. PROBE, U.S. SAYS...... 71 GEOFFREY GUNN AND PEREZ DE CUELLAR ...... 73 EAST TIMOR AGAIN TO BE DEFERRED BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ...... 73 PORTUGUESE STATEMENT IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY...... 74 ALATAS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ...... 74

INDONESIA-PORTUGAL NEGOTIATIONS AT U.N...... 75 BOUTROS-GHALI PROPOSES POSTPONEMENT OF PORTUGAL/INDONESIA TALKS?...... 75 NEGOTIATION MUST SAY TO JAKARTA: YOU LOST THE BATTLE IN THE POLITICAL FIELD ...... 75 CONTEXT OF COMING UN TALKS ...... 75 ALATAS HOPEFUL ABOUT UN TALKS...... 76 INDONESIA ACCUSES PORTUGAL FOR ITS INFLEXIBLE STANCE...... 76 PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA - GET OUT FROM EAST TIMOR...... 77 STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY-GENERAL’S REPRESENTATIVE...... 77 PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA MEET AT U.N...... 77 THIRD ROUND OF TALKS HELD ON EAST TIMOR...... 78 INDONESIA, PORTUGAL REPORT PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 78 UN MOVES INTO TIMOR ...... 79 PROGRESS REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ...... 79 ALATAS ON UN TIMOR TALKS ...... 80

EVENTS IN ASIA...... 80 ‘MACAO SUSPENDS ITS SUPPORT TO TIMORESE’ ...... 80 JAPANESE SCHOOL SUPPORTER MEETS DARWIN TIMORESE COMMUNITY...... 81 W.W.II ENEMIES UNITE IN SOLIDARITY WITH EAST TIMOR ...... 81 ET ISSUE IN JAPANESE POLITICAL SCENE...... 82

EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA...... 82 FORUM ON EAST TIMOR IN CANBERRA...... 82 INDONESIA TO JOIN WAR GAMES...... 83 PROTESTS AGAINST GARUDA AIRLINES ...... 83 KEATING REBUKED FOR EAST TIMOR STANCE...... 83 TIMOR GAP – SPRATLYS MODEL?...... 83 PRESSURE APPLIED ON AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS FOR GUSMÃO ...... 83 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF FALINTIL...... 84 SUHARTO’S CANBERRA CRONIES INCREASE EAST TIMOR AGONY...... 84 NEW HOPE FOR EAST TIMOR, BUT IT DOESN’T COME FROM AUSTRALIA...... 85 MEET THE TIMORESE COMMUNITY IN NSW ...... 85 BISHOP OF TONGA URGES AUSTRALIA TO RESOLVE REGIONAL CONFLICTS ...... 86 ACFOA COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS...... 86

EVENTS IN EUROPE...... 86 INDONESIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST DEN IED DUTCH VISA ...... 86 FRANCE ACCUSED OF DUPLICITY TOWARDS THIRD WORLD ON HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 88 INDONESIA LOBBY ENTICES EURO-MPS ...... 88 EP QUESTION LINKED TO TIMOR ...... 89

EVENTS IN BRITAIN...... 89 LORD AVEBURY WRITES HURD ON ARMS SALES ...... 89 LONDON VIGIL TO OPPOSE HAWK SALE ...... 90 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 5

UK ‘LIED ABOUT TIMOR JAIL VISITS’ ...... 90 LONDON TIMES EDITORIAL: “OCCUPIED EAST TIMOR”...... 90 PRINCEN IN LONDON ...... 92

EVENTS IN PORTUGAL...... 92 THE INDONESIAN PARTY IN FORCE IN PORTUGAL ...... 92 RESISTANCE AND RENOUNCEMENT...... 92 INDONESIAN LAWYER ARRIVES IN PORTUGAL ...... 93 ALI ALATAS ABOUT PORTUGAL: ATTITUDE AND FACT IN CONFLICT...... 93 SOARES: “ONE IS NOT BORN A DEMOCRAT” ...... 94

PORTUGUESE BUSINESSMEN SEEK INDONESIAN TIES...... 94 BUSINESSMEN ADVOCATE RI-PORTUGAL TIES ...... 94 PORTUGAL MASS MEDIA INFLAMES SOCIETY ...... 94 PORTUGAL-INDONESIA ASSOCIATION ...... 95 INDONESIA-PORTUGAL RELATIONS?...... 95 PORTUGUESE BUSINESSMAN PRAISES INDONESIA...... 96 INDONESIANS, PRESSURE & BUSINESS...... 96 MACEDO SPURNED BY EAST TIMORESE IN PORTUGAL ...... 96

EVENTS IN CANADA...... 96 EAST TIMOR UPDATE #25 FROM CANADA...... 96

EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES...... 97 CALIFORNIA/NEVADA METHODISTS PASS RESOLUTION ...... 97 EAST TIMOR’S DAY IS COMING ...... 98 NEW INDONESIAN CIVILIAN AMBASSADOR TO US...... 98 DEMONSTRATION IN SAN FRANCISCO...... 98 BOEING ASSISTS AIR FORCE...... 98 EAST TIMOR AND THE CORPORATE MEDIA ...... 99 EAST TIMOR - STILL EXPLOITED, PERSECUTED ...... 100 ON TIMOR, US RUSHES IN WHERE AUSTRALIA FEARS TO TREAD...... 101 EAST TIMOR FOR I WAS A STRANGER ...... 101 INDONESIA FAULTED ON HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 102 U.S. LIKELY TO REVIEW APPROACH AFTER ROWS...... 102 ETAN/US NETWORK NEWS...... 103 A ROMANTIC LOBBYIST ...... 105

PRIME MINISTER KEATING GOES TO WASHINGTON AND DUBLIN...... 106 KEATING ADVICE MISGUIDED...... 106 EAST TIMOR FOUNDATION REJECTS KEATING’S ADVICE...... 107 WE’RE ALL DRESSED UP, PLEASE TELL US WHERE TO GO...... 107 THE WRONG SIGNAL...... 108 CLINTON/KEATING PRESS CONFERENCE...... 109 PM WASHES BLOOD FROM OTHER HANDS...... 109 INDONESIAN ACTIVIST CONDEMNS KEATING’S ‘MUSIC’...... 110 THE PRIME MINISTER WAS ON THE WRONG TRACK ...... 110 US DIGS IN ON JAKARTA RIGHTS ABUSE...... 111 KEATING TO FACE WIDESPREAD EAST TIMOR PROTESTS IN IRELAND ...... 112 AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF AGENT FOR JAKARTA...... 112 RIGHTS BREACHES ‘MUST NOT SOUR RELATIONS’...... 113 IRISH PROTEST OVER TIMOR ...... 113 Page 6 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

U.S. BLOCKS SALE OF F-5 JETS BY JORDAN TO INDONESIA...... 113 CITING RIGHTS ISSUE, U.S. VETOES TRANSFER OF F-5 JETS TO INDONESIA ...... 113 STATE DEPT.: F-5 RESALE BAN ‘NOT PRECEDENT’ ...... 114 INDONESIA NOT TOLD F-5S DECISION ...... 114 INDONESIA MIGHT SHOP FOR OTHER JET FIGHTERS...... 114 SELF DEFENSE AND REALITY...... 115 JAKARTA TO BRIEF US ON HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 115 AMMUNITION FOR JAKARTA’S CRITICS ...... 115 ‘SMALL’ F-5 DEAL’S END WILL COST CALIFORNIA COMPANY DEARLY, CEO SAYS ...... 117 LORD: HUMAN RIGHTS STILL HINDER RI-US RELATIONS...... 117 INDONESIA: WEAPONS OF DISCORD...... 118 TORRANCE FIRM A VICTIM AS U.S. BLOCKS JET DEAL ...... 118 NEW US-INDONESIA TENSION ...... 119 INDONESIA CANCELS PURCHASE OF F-5E’S FROM JORDAN ...... 119

FEINGOLD AMENDMENT LINKS ARMS SALES AND HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 119 TEXT OF FEINGOLD ARMS SALES AMENDMENT...... 119 AMNESTY WRITES U.S. SENATE ON EAST TIMOR...... 120 TWENTY GROUPS SUPPORT FEINGOLD AMENDMENT...... 121 U.S. MAY BLOCK ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA...... 122 TELL CONGRESS TO END U.S. ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA...... 122 END U.S. ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA...... 122 LIMIT THE ARMS TRADE ...... 123 INDONESIA’S SUPPORTERS LOBBY AGAINST FEINGOLD...... 123 DOWN TO THE WIRE ON ARMS SALES CUTOFF ...... 125 SENATE COMMITTEE LINKS ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA TO HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 126 EAST TIMOR ISSUE SHOWS NO SIGN OF GOING AWAY ...... 126 U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES ARMS SALE CURB...... 127 JAKARTA REGRETS U.S. VOTE TO BAR ARMS SALES ...... 127 TIMOR REBELS HAIL U.S. SENATE VOTE AGAINST INDONESIA...... 128 PORTUGUESE FOREIGN MINISTRY APPLAUDS TIMOR AMENDMENT...... 128 CLINTON TIES ARMS SALES TO RIGHTS IN EAST TIMOR ...... 128 US SENATE MOVE TO BAN JAKARTA ARMS ...... 128 INDONESIA DEFENDS TIMOR ROLE ...... 129 ALATAS: US WILL ALSO LOSE OUT ...... 129 INDONESIA THREATENS TO BUY ARMS ELSEWHERE...... 130 TOWARDS THE US, WE SHOULD BE MORE SAVAGE (GALAK) ...... 130 FEINGOLD PROPOSAL ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION ...... 131 COMMITTEE ACCEPTS FEI NGOLD AMENDMENT; FLOOR VOTE IN SEPTEMBER...... 131 JAKARTA MAY BUY EUROPEAN ARMS OVER HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 132 SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT...... 133 PAPER URGES INDONESIA TO ADMIT ERRORS ...... 133 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW GROUP ON FEINGOLD AMENDMENT...... 134 US DIGS IN ON JAKARTA RIGHTS ABUSE...... 137 REMARKS BY SENATORS FEINGOLD, LEAHY, PELL...... 137 UPDATE ON FEINGOLD AMENDMENT ON EAST TIMOR...... 140 FEINGOLD AMENDMENT REPORTED ABANDONED...... 140 US AID BILL BARS MILITARY TRAINING FOR INDONESIA...... 140

CULTURAL EVENTS AND RESOURCES...... 140 “TIMOR ET TREMOR” CONCERT IN SYDNEY ...... 140 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 7

JOURNAL REVIEW - INSIDE INDONESIA...... 141 TATA MAI LAU NEWSLETTER ...... 141 LEARN ABOUT EAST TIMOR ON U.S. PUBLIC RADIO ...... 141 NEW VIDEO ON EAST TIMOR...... 141

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES ...... 142 WHAT CLIMATE IS NECESSARY TO CREATE THE INDONESIAN DREAMS?...... 142 BACKGROUND ON EAST TIMOR...... 143 PUPPETEERS FOR EAST TIMOR...... 144 BRAZIL INITIATIVE ON EAST TIMOR ...... 145

under a presidential amnesty, would not lomats in Jakarta say the possible move of XANANA IN PRISON; face trial, and was “effectively released from Xanana to a prison in Semarang could be prison,” has been doubted by the National intended simply to distance him from East SENTENCE SHORTENED Council of Maubere Resistance. Timor. The international legal community would welcome genuine evidence from Indonesia of EVANS ASKS XANANA SUHARTO ‘PONDERS’ the release of its political prisoners. Until CLEMENCY XANANA PARDON proper verification, it is impossible to place any belief in claims by Mr. Da Cruz. Yet Abridged. the Indonesian Government refuses to per- JAKARTA, Aug. 4 (Reuter) - Adi An- JAKARTA, Aug. 11 (Reuter) - Austra- dojo Soetjipto, junior chairman of Public mit verification of any such claims. The Indonesian legal system apparently lian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans urged Judicature and General Criminal Law at the Indonesia on Wednesday to grant clemency Supreme Court, told Reuters that an appeal does not show respect for the principle of the rule of law. If it did, the trials of alleged to jailed East Timorese rebel leader Xanana for clemency, submitted last month by Gusmão. “I did specifically mention to the Xanana Gusmão’s lawyer, was still being criminals would be open and fair; accused persons would be allowed access to lawyers vice president (Try Sutrisno) that it remains considered by President Suharto. “It is still Australia’s hope that the reconciliation under process. It is 100 percent the preroga- of their choice and would be allowed to read defence statements of their own devising; process in East Timor will be assisted by tive of the president (to decide Xanana’s (the grant of) an early presidential clemency fate),” Soetjipto said. “It could be soon, it prisoners would be permitted visits from responsible international agencies and from to Xanana,” Evans told reporters. Evans met could be long.” A district court in the East President Suharto. Timor capital of Dili in May handed Xanana their families. a life sentence after a controversial three- Certainly the rule of law does not coun- SMH: EVANS IN CLEMENCY PLEA month trial. Exiled Timorese have said tenance whimsical decisions by military FOR XANANA Xanana, who led a ragtag guerrilla army, had authorities, and it abhors the arbitrary treatment of all persons whether arrested THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. 12 not approved the appeal submitted by his August 1993. By Terry Friel military-appointed lawyer Sudjono. and not charged or convicted of an offence. I call on the Indonesian Government to (JAKARTA, AAP) Wednesday: Austra- PUBLIC STATEMENT: implement the rule of law, to bring its legal lia today tackled Indonesia over human system into line with internationally accept- rights concerns and made an appeal for RELEASE OF POLITICAL able practices, to allow observers from the clemency for the jailed East Timor rebel PRISONERS IN EAST TIMOR international community to attend trials and leader Xanana Gusmão. interview prisoners, to release all political In talks with Indonesia’s vice-president Press release by Professor Peter Wesley- prisoners both in Indonesia itself and in East General Try Sutrisno, the Australian For- Smith, Professor of Law and Dean, Univer- Timor (particularly those sentenced to harsh eign Minister, Senator Evans, also pushed sity of Hong Kong, Aug. 8 1993: gaol terms after the Dili Massacre of 12 for a reduced military presence in the dis- East Timor resistance leader Xanana November 1991), and to abide by United puted province and other hot spots and for Gusmão has been held incommunicado since Nations Resolutions on East Timor. approval of new trade unions. the end of his “trial” in May 1993 in Dili, “It remains Australia’s hope that the rec- East Timor. The trial itself, and the subse- XANANA TRANSFER TO onciliation process in East Timor will be quent denial of access by the International SEMARANG? assisted by an early grant of presidential Committee of the Red Cross, other accred- clemency to Xanana,” Senator Evans said. ited organisations, and relatives, are clear Abridged. “We think that would be a very, very help- ful development in creating a more harmoni- breaches of international norms. JAKARTA, Aug. 10 (Reuter) - Jailed ous atmosphere there and also getting a Ma’Huno, the long-term deputy to East Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmão better understanding in the rest of world Xanana, was captured in April in a military may be moved from Dili to a jail in Central about Indonesia’s willingness to go down operation. He too has been held incommuni- Java, Antara reported on Tuesday. It quoted the path of genuine reconciliation.” cado and little is known of his welfare. Major-General Suyono, military commander In May, Xanana was sentenced to life for A recent claim by a so-called Indonesian for Central Java, as saying he had not re- leading guerrillas involved in a 17-year war Roving Ambassador, Mr. Francisco Lopes ceived any order to prepare a cell for against Indonesian rule in East Timor. Da Cruz, that Ma’Huno has been freed Xanana but could do so if necessary. Dip- Page 8 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

An appeal by his lawyers to President imprisonment, State Secretary Murdiono Timor’s integration with Indonesia, but Suharto for clemency is still pending. said. The announcement is likely to go some Timorese exiles disputed this. “We think it In his talks with General Try, Senator way to mollifying critics of Indonesia’s is all rubbish and we do not believe that Evans also pushed Australian concerns that human rights record, foreign diplomats said. Western governments will be at all fooled by Jakarta reduced its use of the military areas “Xanana Gusmão was given clemency by this move,” Margherita Tracanelli, a repre- in troubled regions such as East Timor and changing his jail term which is presently life sentative of the Timor exile group CNRM in Aceh, in northern Sumatra. to 20 years,” Murdiono told reporters. Australia, said. Exiles said they refused to Senator Evans raised “The need of East Xanana, 45, the leader of the Fretilin guer- recognise Indonesia’s jurisdiction over Timor, and indeed elsewhere, for the proc- rilla movement fighting Indonesian rule in Xanana and other Timorese, and called for ess of nation building... and the maintenance the former Portuguese colony of East Xanana’s immediate release under the aus- of national unity to occur in as harmonious a Timor, was jailed in May for rebellion and pices of the Geneva-based International fashion as possible, with the military play- illegal possession of firearms. The three- Committee of the Red Cross. Murdiono said ing, if humanly possible, a reduced role, month trial in the provincial capital of Dili, Suharto had reduced the sentence after con- particularly in East Timor.” 2,000 km (1,300 miles) east of Jakarta, was sulting the supreme court and Justice Minis- He praised Indonesia’s recent move to described as a farce by human rights groups ters Utoyo Usman. replace combat troops, in East Timor with and Portugal. Xanana’s lawyer later submit- territorial troops, whose main duties are ted an appeal for presidential clemency. It CONCERNS REMAIN ABOUT public works such as road building. was not clear whether Xanana himself had IMPRISONED RESISTANCE But, despite recent improvements in the approved the move. Indonesian troops in- province, Senator Evans said serious prob- vaded the eastern half of Timor in 1975 and LEADER, DESPITE lems remained. annexed it the following year but the United CLEMENCY “ There’s still obviously, on the basis of Nations still does not recognise Indonesian reports one receives, some distance to go in rule in the territory. Some Western govern- AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS creating an atmosphere there that is a posi- ments have lobbied Jakarta on Xanana’s SERVICE 97/93 tive as well as hope for,” he said. behalf, calling for a reduction in the sen- 13 August 1993 tence. In Indonesia, life imprisonment means AI INDEX: ASA 21/WU 03/93 XANANA SENTENCE exactly that, rather than a statutory term – Xanana Gusmão, the East Timorese re- REDUCED for instance 30 years – common in other sistance leader who was sentenced to life countries. Australian Foreign Minister Ga- imprisonment on 21 May 1993 after a bla- Abridged. reth Evans on Wednesday urged Indonesian tantly unfair trial has had his jail term re- vice-president Try Sutrisno to grant clem- duced to 20 years on the orders of President JAKARTA (Aug. 13) UPI - President ency to help reconciliation with the tiny Suharto has granted clemency to jailed East Suharto. (For further information about the territory. Jakarta-based foreign diplomats trial see East Timor: Xanana Trial a Trav- Timorese independence leader Xanana generally welcomed the announcement. Gusmão by reducing his life imprisonment esty of Justice (NWS 11/50/93, 21 May “This is a good sign. It shows sensitivity to 1993.) He has now been moved from prison to a 20-year jail term, state secretary the problem at hand. It is a good gesture,” Murdiono announced Friday. Murdiono in East Timor to a jail in Indonesia. one said. Some diplomats said the granting State Secretary Murdiono announced the told reporters that the presidential decree of clemency opened the way for further was signed Aug. 10. In a related issue, gov- outcome of the clemency petition yester- reductions in the jail term. Washington, day, 12 August, stating that among the rea- ernment authorities had on early Friday particularly, has been increasingly critical of transferred Xanana from his cell in East sons for the President’s decision to reduce Indonesia’s steely approach to security and his sentence was Gusmão’s admission of Timor to a prison in Semarang, the provin- worker rights, and U.S. President Bill Clin- cial capital of central Java, Suara Pembaruan wrongdoing and his acceptance of East ton told Suharto of his concern over East Timor’s integration with Indonesia. Am- reported. Suharto also reduced the sentences Timor when they met in Tokyo last month. of two convicted East Timorese who were nesty International believes, however, that Washington later barred the sale to Jakarta the reduction in Gusmão’s sentence is in- involved in an anti-government demonstra- of U.S.-built F-5E fighters planes from Jor- tion November 1991 that led to the govern- tended merely to appease the international dan, partly because of human rights abuses. community in the wake of his widely criti- ment troops opened fire on protestors. The U.S. military aid was suspended last year two were identified as Carlos dos Santos cized trial, which Amnesty International has after troops shot dead up to 180 demonstra- described as “a travesty of justice.” Lemos and Bonifacio Magno Fereira. tors in Dili in November 1991. Diplomats Lemos, was reduced from 8-years jail term The filing of the clemency petition itself have also worried publicly over the rela- has also been the subject of controversy. to six-year imprisonment, while reduced tively high number of Indonesian troops in from six-year to four-year prison term. A According to his court- appointed lawyer, East Timor, which they estimated at up to Mr. Sudjono, the petition was filed in June third round of U.N.-brokered talks between 14 battalions, each with about 650 men. Lisbon and Jakarta was scheduled to resume with Gusmão’s permission. The submission Indonesia has said the West must not im- of such a petition by Gusmão would imply Sept. 17 in New York, after the second talks pose its own values on developing coun- between the two countries last April in both an admission of guilt and a recognition tries, arguing that human rights must be Rome resulted in no progress. of the right of Indonesia to try him. How- subordinated to freedom from poverty and ever, evidence provided by Xanana Gus- XANANA SENTENCE REDUCED other social concerns. Suharto, meanwhile, mão’s own defence statement - which was By Muklis Ali. Full text. also reduced the jail terms of two other suppressed during the trial but which was JAKARTA, Aug. 13 (Reuter) - Indone- Timorese – Bonifacio Magno and Carlos dos subsequently smuggled out of the country - sia’s President Suharto on Friday reduced Santos Lemos – both convicted in 1992 for clearly demonstrates that far from accepting the sentence of jailed East Timorese guerrilla their alleged roles in the Dili unrest the pre- the notion of Indonesia’s sovereignty over leader Xanana Gusmão to 20 years from life vious November. Murdiono said Xanana East Timor, Gusmão remains adamantly had admitted wrongdoing and accepted East opposed to it. Consequently, he totally East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 9 rejects the competence of any Indonesian President Suharto. Condemned to life im- that the United States Senate Foreign Rela- court to try him. prisonment in May, Gusmão reportedly had tions Committee would, in September, agree It follows from this that he would like- publicly admitted his mistakes and recog- on a total arms embargo on Indonesia over wise reject the legitimacy of an Indonesian nised the integration of Timor into Indone- East Timor. President to grant him clemency. It is there- sia. fore highly unlikely that Xanana Gusmão JAKARTA POST ON would have sanctioned the filing of a clem- PROTESTS GO ON AS SENTENCE REDUCTIONS ency petition, unless he did so under duress. GUSMÃO TERM CUT In his defence statement Gusmão alludes to Jakarta Post 14 August 1993 the duress under which he made public ad- The Age (Melbourne), 14 August 93. By Summary only, with TAPOL’s comment. missions of wrongdoing shortly after his Lindsay Murdoch. Abridged arrest, stressing that “I have always af- When it was announced that President firmed that the circumstances under which (Singapore) President Suharto today re- Suharto had granted clemency to Xanana my earlier statements in Jakarta were made duced from life to 20 years the jail sentence Gusmão, reducing his sentence from life to were such that they could not be viewed as on the East Timor resistance leader Jose twenty years, it was announced that two credible.” ‘Xanana” Gusmão. The decision infuriated other Timorese, Bonifacio Magno Pereira (The full text of Xanana Gusmão’s de- East Timor activists, who had demanded and Carlos Lemos, had also been granted fence statement, translated into English, is that Gusmão be set free. “This will only clemency. Wire service reports did not pro- reproduced as an Appendix in East Timor: result in more resentment and hatred to- vide further details. Unfair Political Trial of Xanana Gusmão wards Indonesia,” Jose Ramos Horta said Jakarta Post reports that they each ob- (ASA 21/05/93) of July 1993. It is included it from Geneva. Indonesia’s State Secretary, tained two-year reductions; this brings Volume 23 of East Timor Documents.) Mr. Murdiono, said Mr. Suharto’s decision Bonifacio Magno’s sentence down to 4 Amnesty International has remained seri- was based on various factors, including what years and Carlos Lemos’ down to six. Ja- ously concerned about the health of Xanana he called Gusmão’s admission of wrongdo- karta Post added however that this was Gusmão throughout his detention. The or- ing and his acceptance of East Timor’s inte- done in line with sentence reductions usu- ganization has repeatedly called upon the gration with Indonesia. [2 paras on ally granted by the president on 17 August. Indonesian authorities to allow the Interna- Xanana’s defence speech] There is specula- tion that Gusmão decided to wait until the Our impression is that this was done in a tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) way deliberately to confuse. It is highly and Gusmão’s family to visit him in deten- end of the trial to protest against Indone- sia’s rule so that witnesses and members of unlikely that either man asked for clemency; tion. Neither his family nor the ICRC have none of the convicted East Timorese are seen Xanana Gusmão since he was removed his family would not be put under pressure by Indonesian authorities. Mr. Suharto’s likely to have done so. Two-year sentence from court on 21 May 1993. This has reductions are larger than the reductions heightened anxiety about Gusmão’s safety decision came only two days after Austra- lia’s Foreign Minister Senator Evans, made granted for Independence Day which usually in detention, particularly in view of disturb- amount to 3 or 6 months. But by announcing ing reports that he was beaten in custody an appeal for clemency for Gusmão, saying that it would help create a more harmonious it in this way, it gives the impression that after the trial ended. Despite assurances Suharto’s bestowal of leniency was not con- from the Indonesian Government that he is atmosphere in East Timor and get “a better understanding in the rest of the world about fined to Xanana and that the other two in good health, the continuing denial of ac- sought clemency. cess to him by his family and the ICRC has Indonesia’s willingness to go down the path of genuine reconciliation.” INNES WILLOX Such is the desire of the regime to im- made his true state of health impossible to press the international community. verify. Family visits will now be made even reports from Canberra that a spokeswoman for Senator Evans said Australia welcomed more difficult following the yesterday’s XANANA TRANSFERRED transfer of Xanana Gusmão from a jail in the reduced sentence granted to Mr. Gus- Dili to a prison in Semarang, Central Java. mão. She said it was a hopeful first sign that TO JAVA the sentence may reduced [sic] even further In June the ICRC was obliged to suspend AFP, 13 August 1993 visits to political prisoners in East Timor if it was again considered by the Indonesian for the third time this year because of unac- court system. The spokeswoman said that Extract from report repeating the contents of ceptable restrictions placed on their visits Senator Evans had told President Suharto the Reuters report about the Xanana ‘clem- by the military. Amnesty International is that international opinion strongly favoured ency’ at least a reduction in Mr. Gusmão’s sen- calling upon the Indonesian authorities to Original Language: French permit the ICRC immediate - and thereafter tence. She said Australia would continue to (Jakarta)Gusmão has been in the frequent and regular - access to all East monitor Gusmão’s condition but it was not Kedungpane prison in Semarang since Fri- Timorese prisoners. clear what process would need to be fol- lowed to attempt to have the sentence fur- day, said the local chief of police of Central ther reduced.... Mr. Ramos Horta said Gus- Java. Sugitjo, specifying that Gusmão had LIBERATION ON XANANA mão’s wife, Emilia, who lives in Melbourne, arrived during the night of Thursday/Friday This is to give an idea of the kind of reports would be mortified by the decision. He said from Dili, East Timor, where he had been we still get here in the mainstream press. he believed that moderates within the Su- imprisoned. The general confirmed, without Liberation is a major French daily. harto administration such as the Foreign giving details, that Gusmão, while being Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, had wanted an treated like other prisoners, would be placed Bruno - Agir pour Timor. amnesty for Gusmão. “But the hard liners in ‘a special place’(‘endroit special’]. (Sat. 14/Sun. 15 Aug. edition) prevailed. In his typical consensus fashion Comment: As a civilian prisoner, Xanana’s INDONESIA. The sentence of the East Suharto decided on 20 years. But it means transfer outside of East Timor contravenes Timor independence leader Xanana Gusmão nothing and will only may people more the 4th Geneva Convention. was reduced to 20 years on Friday by angry,” he said. He said he was confident Page 10 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

XANANA MOVED, NONE OF HIS given to the leader of East Timor’s rebels, the struggle against Indonesia’s invasion of FAMILY KNEW Xanana Gusmão, to 20 years imprisonment. East Timor. “Xanana Gusmão benefited of a clem- “Twenty years or life; it’s pretty much Bernas, 16 August 1993. Abridged ency act in seeing his present life sentence the same thing,” said Mr. Domm, who met (Dili) The news about the transfer of Fre- reduced to 20 years,” Secretary of State Xanana in his jungle hideout in 1990. “I’m tilin (sic) leader, Xanana Gusmão being Murdiono said. not sure he’ll survive another 20 years in an moved from the police detention centre in Xanana Gusmão, the leader of the East Indonesian prison.” Dili to Kedungpane Prison in Mijen, Sema- Timorese independence movement Fretilin, Mr. Suharto’s decision came only two rang last Thursday night was not made was imprisoned last May after a controver- days after Australia’s Foreign Minister, known to a single member of Xanana’s fam- sial trial that lasted more than three months. Senator Evans, appealed for clemency, say- ily. Portugal, the former colonial power in ing that it would help create a more harmo- His younger sister, Armandina who Ber- East Timor, and human rights organisations, nious atmosphere in East Timor and show nas interviewed at her home in Dili on Sat- had judged it was a parody of justice. the world “Indonesia’s willingness to go urday was very unhappy that her brother The Indonesian army invaded East Timor down the path of genuine reconciliation.” had been moved and that the family knew in 1975 and annexed it the following year. A spokeswoman for Senator Evans wel- nothing about it. comed the news of Xanana’s reduced sen- She said that on that same Thursday in XANANA SENTENCE REDUCED TO tence. the morning, she made another attempt to 20 YEARS Only last week, the United States meet her brother in prison but she was not Sydney Morning Herald, 14 Aug. 1993. By blocked the sale by Jordan to Indonesia of allowed to do so. In fact, she was told to Lindsay Murdoch four US-built F-5 fighters, citing concerns make a formal request for a visit. over Jakarta’s poor human rights record. Note: This was a front page article with a “It’s so awful that he’s been moved. Xanana is being held in a prison in Sema- picture of Xanana. The same article ap- That very morning I went there and wasn’t rang, central Java. He was flown there from peared in The Age (Melbourne) on the same allowed to see him. They told me to submit East Timor shortly before today’s an- day. an application for a visit,” she said. “At the nouncement. His wife and daughter live in very least, our parents should have been (Singapore) President Suharto of Indone- Melbourne and his son lives in Sydney. told, but that didn’t happen either.” sia today reduced from life to 20 years the For 17 years, Xanana was the target of Bernas’ source said that Xanana left Dili jail sentence imposed on the East Timor repeated manhunts by the Indonesian mili- at 8 pm on Thursday by Hercules from resistance leader, Xanana Gusmão. tary. Comoro airfield, Dili to Ahmad Yani airfield Indonesia’s State Secretary, Mr. Murdi- Indonesian troops invaded the eastern in Semarang. ono, said the decision was based on various half of Timor in 1975 and annexed it the Bernas also visited Xanana’s mother, An- factors, including what he called Xanana’s following year. The United Nations does tonia Hendrique Gusmão at her home in admission of wrongdoing and his acceptance not recognise Indonesia’s rule of the terri- Vila-Verde, West Dili on Saturday. “We of East Timor’s integration with Indonesia. tory. Australia is the only country that have been told nothing up to now,” his does. mother said, speaking softly because her Xanana, 45 leader of the Fretilin guerrillas husband, Manuel Gusmão was ill. “He is ill fighting against Indonesian rule in the former CNRM’S RESPONSE TO SMH: and can’t come out to see you,” she said. Portuguese colony of East Timor, was jailed XANANA’S REMISSION AND Armandina also said that the clemency for life in May after a controversial three- GARETH EVANS decision by the president was what they month trial. 16 August 1993 had thought would happen. Since his arrest, In Indonesia, life imprisonment means the family has been very confused about exactly that, rather than a statutory term. This is a response to the article which ap- what might happen to him. Human rights groups and Portugal con- peared on the front page of the Sydney She said the family was thankful for the demned the trial as a farce. Xanana’s lawyer Morning Herald 14 Aug. 1993 by Mar- clemency decision, but realised it could lead submitted an appeal for clemency, although gherita Tracanelli, CNRM Media & Com- to ill-feelings because Xanana now has a it was not clear whether Xanana himself had munications Director. sentence of 20 years, while others have approved it. This statement has been cleared by the Co- other sentences. “There could be feelings of In Geneva, Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta, the Chairman & Special Representative of the jealousy, but I know that the clemency East Timor resistance movement’s interna- CNRM Jose Ramos Horta. tional representative, said moderates within given to my brother is related to something It was good to see a photo of Resistance the Suharto administration had wanted a unique in his case.” Commander Xanana Gusmão in the SMH complete amnesty, but that the hardliners Armandina who works at a government on the front page yesterday. As media and prevailed. “This is will only result in more office said that ever since her brother has communication director for CNRM it’s not resentment and hatred toward Indonesia,” he been under arrest, some people have taunted everyday that your issue gets front page in said. her and made threats directly or indirectly. Australia. But I have to say that the whole At the start of the trial Xanana said he She said that since he was arrested, she had exercise seems deeply flawed because of one only ever met him once. accepted that East Timor was part of Indo- major fact, the issue of self determination nesia, but at the trial’s end he attempted to has still not been addressed. read a statement denouncing the Indonesian XANANA SENTENCE The UN still demands that Indonesia takeover. leave East Timor which has been under In- COMMUTED In Sydney, Mr. Robert Domm, the secre- donesian occupation since by what was by tary of East Timor Relief Association, said Reuter, Jakarta, 13 August. world standards a brutal invasion in 1975. that in a statement smuggled out of Indone- 200,000 East Timorese would have been The Indonesian president Suharto de- sia shortly after the verdict was handed alive today if they had they not died in the cided Friday to commute the life sentence down, Xanana reaffirmed his commitment to East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 11 interceding years of Jakarta’s war against a Clemencies pleas and remissions are just on the payroll for years. Is it now time to popular uprising by a people who refused smoke screens to distract from the funda- wheel in puppet Evans. to be subjugated. mental truth (Xanana has never recognised With fouling of the waters of the “re- One third of the population of the terri- the jurisdiction of the court to try him as conciliation talks” the Indonesian authorities tory has died at the hands of Indonesia and stated in his defence plea statement, he has have wheeled in a couple of Portuguese the commuting of Xanana’s sentence will never instructed his lawyer or anyone else fascists posing as businessmen as part of not bring them back. to plea for clemency and under International their Pro Jakarta lobby, complete non- No amount of pleas from Gareth Evans Law the Indonesian authorities have no right entities in Portugal these are ex terrorists, will grant the East Timorese the right to to try any East Timorese people. responsible for bombings in 1975. choose their own future. This is all they ask. EAST TIMORESE Resistance Com- Seems like and odd pr move to me but it The right to decide for themselves as a peo- mander Xanana Gusmão does not recognise could it have the advice of their prestigious ple a nation a culture to decide their own the authority of the Indonesian courts to try PR company Hill and Knowlton who are future. him, he does not accept integration with paid $24 million dollars a year to polish up The Eritreans have done it in May this Indonesia he is a prisoner of war. their clients tarnished international image I year. The Indonesians should remember that Evans does not have the right or author- wonder if Suharto feels he is getting his $24 a referendum was held in the southern region ity to speak to any Indonesian authorities million worth of good pr. That is about 1/5 of Ethiopia known as Eritrea and that the on behalf of Xanana or any of the East of what Australia gives in aid to Indonesia people there decided that they did not wish Timorese. Jose Ramos-Horta is Xanana’s every year.. to be part of Ethiopia they wanted their (CNRM) Special Representative and Co- We will be watching to see what tricks own country. And that was after 30 years chairman of the CNRM, (started by emerge when these two consorts are forced of a guerrilla war The war for a free and Xanana), Xanana sill remains the overall to confront the reality of the High Court independent East Timor been going on for leader, but with his powers frozen, while he action filed here in Australia which chal- 18 years. Indonesia may only be at the is in captivity, the leadership is now in the lenges the legislation on which the Timor halfway mark in a war it will eventually form of a troika. comprised of the leader of Gap treaty was signed. What of the twelve lose. the armed resistance, Mr. Konis Santana, a companies currently involved in the current East Timor remains clearly and strongly clandestine leader, and JRH who has ac- Gap exploration. on the UN agenda, the position taken by cepted the position only on the basis of a Australia is completely out of step with the troika because of the importance of the lead- RAMOS HORTA CALLS FOR rest of the world and totally in accord with ership remaining inside the country. SANCTIONS that of Indonesia. Why does Evans pander to a cruel fascist CNRM: COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE 15 I challenge the Sydney Morning Herald military regime. Why does Australia have to August 1993 to examine its allegiances closely, because hitch it’s wagon to a military dictatorship? the story in the SMH looks like a PR exer- Could Evans be stupid enough to have fallen “FREE XANANA IMMEDIATELY AND cise for Australia Indonesia relations and into a trap. I don’t think so. Australia is UNCONDITIONALLY” clearly positions Gareth Evans as the victor, obviously deeply compromised as a nation The Co-chairman of the CNRM Mr. Jose exemplified by a comment from a spokes- with regard to East Timor. Ramos Horta called from Geneva today for woman who welcomed the news of His appeals for clemency are an embar- the immediate and unconditional release of Xanana’s reduced sentence. rassment to well meaning, clear thinking East Timorese Resistance Leader Xanana You can imagine the reaction of the East Australian people who understand the role Gusmão. Timorese to Gareth Evans’s intervention, he of Indonesia for what it is, a third world Commenting on the remission from life to is seen as no more than a puppet of the colonialist dictatorial power continuing to 20 years on Xanana’s life sentence Ramos Indonesian authorities. perpetrate gross human rights atrocities. To Horta said, When I told Jose Ramos Horta about the appeal is to recognise the sovereignty of “This is an affront to human dignity, so called Evans victory he had this to say: Indonesia over East Timor. Xanana must be released immediately and “To suggest that we should thank him for It does not make sense, why would he unconditionally, we will step up our cam- intervening to reduce Xanana’s life sentence appeal for clemency for a political prisoner paign for his release and for comprehensive to 20 years is adding insult to injury I have whose fundamental position the Australian sanctions against Indonesia” nothing to thank Gareth Evans or Australia government does not agree with. The hy- The Indonesian authorities have engaged for. pocrisy goes even further with the contin- in a propaganda campaign to alter their tar- “20 years is a cruelty, and Gareth Evans ued training of Indonesian military here in nished image among members of the interna- makes me laugh when he thinks he will get Australia,(Evans told Ramos Horta that the tional community. Their highly publicized the Nobel Peace prize whilst kow-towing to training takes place to expose the Indone- recurring gross human rights violations are the dictatorship in Indonesia.” sians to more democratic practices) You can deeply embarrassing and now stand to His intervention is simply an affront to imagine Ramos Horta’s response. He asked threaten trade. these people who have had to stand by and Evans “Are you then going to invite all the The Indonesian authorities have come watch 20 years of Australia’s complicity dictators in the world to send there troops under fire in the last few years from foreign and now Australia’s Foreign minister here for training.” governments, international human rights moonlights as a PR man for the Indonesian A joint naval exercise off the coast of bodies and the UN. Authorities. Darwin is currently underway. The ploy to use ex terrorist Portuguese This why the whole story is such a sad Evans’s actions can only be seen as an fascists to assist with a Pro-Jakarta lobby is sham. Just like Xanana’s trial. extension of the orchestrations of BAIS, the the most recent in a long line of flawed Nothing less than total freedom for Indonesian military Intelligence who are the moves employed by the Suharto Regime, Xanana can be considered, would Evans ask masterminds of the so-called re-conciliation attempting to polish blackened and macabre for that? talks with the exiled puppets who have been human rights record. Page 12 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Of the Portuguese fascists, Jose Ramos 28,202 prisoners in 375 jails throughout the “Indonesia Reduces Separatist’s Prison Horta said, country. Term” (news item, Aug. 15), reports that “These people have become agents of In- the life sentence imposed upon Jose Alex- donesian intelligence, terrorists responsible INDONESIA REDUCES andre Gusmão, the resistance leader of East for bombings in 1975, and great supporters SEPARATIST’S PRISON Timor, was reduced to 20 years because, of Saddam Hussein. They have set up a according to Indonesian authorities, the Portuguese/ Iraqi friendship Association.” TERM defendant acknowledged Indonesia’s “sov- Carmel Budiardjo of TAPOL claims this ereignty” over East Timor. New York Times, August 15, 1993 and other moves could signal the despera- This is far from true. Xanana Gusmão, in tion on the part of the Indonesian authori- BANGKOK, Thailand, Aug. 14 - The his defense plea, which the Indonesian pre- ties to gain some respect in the international East Timor separatist leader who was sen- siding judge prevented him from reading, community in the wake of mass publicity tenced to life imprisonment in May has had stated: ..”. under international law I remain a surrounding the failed Clinton Suharto meet- his sentence reduced to 20 years by Presi- Portuguese citizen ... before my conscience I ing where last month Clinton handed a letter dent Suharto, the Indonesian Government am citizen of East Timor. I therefore reject to Suharto signed by 43 US Senators con- announced Friday. The separatist, Jose the competence of any Indonesian court demning the situation in East Timor. Alexandre Gusmão, who is known as imposed upon my motherland, East Timor, Budiardjo said from Geneva “Offers of Xanana, had been found guilty of rebellion by force of arms and crime, to judge me.” clemencies and remissions are a transparent and firearms possession after a trial in East I also object to the term “separatist” for attempt to ignore the fundamental truth, Timor, which was a Portuguese colony until Xanana Gusmão. East Timor was never part that the Indonesian authorities have no right 1975. of Indonesia, not even in the pre-European under International Law to try East The President’s decision was “based on colonial era. Timorese people, as they are illegally occu- the consideration that Xanana has acknowl- The alleged “reduction” of the life sen- pying East Timor. If the Indonesian authori- edged his mistakes and has accepted East tence to 20 years is yet another affront ties were genuine in their attempt to see the Timor’s integration into Indonesia,” a Gov- against the East Timorese and once again East Timor issue solved they would have ernment spokesman said in Jakarta. exposes the inhumanity and cruelty of the commenced a “dialogue without pre- He would not comment on speculation dictatorship in Jakarta. conditions” as set out in the CNRM peace that President Suharto’s decision had been JOSE RAMOS-HORTA plan.” influenced by international condemnation Sydney, Australia, Aug. 18, 1993 Commenting on Xanana’s rumored move over the conduct of Mr. Gusmão’s trial and to Semarang prison CNRM leader Ramos over Indonesia’s human rights record in East JAMES DUNN ON ‘POLITICS’ Timor, which was invaded by Indonesia in Horta said, “This move is in violation of the OF SENTENCE REDUCTION 4th Geneva Convention which is applicable 1975 and annexed the next year. to East Timor and Indonesia. Article 49 The State Department confirmed this Thu Aug. 19 1993 states that individual or mass forcible trans- month that it had blocked the sale of four fers as well as deportations of protected used F-5 planes to Indonesia for reasons There has been no substantial change in persons from occupied territory to the terri- that included “human rights concerns in Jakarta’s attitude to the East Timor prob- tory of the Occupying Power or to that of Indonesia.” Meeting with President Suharto lem, despite talk about a reconciliation proc- any other country, occupied or not are pro- in Tokyo in July, President Clinton raised ess. In fact the so-called act of clemency is hibited, regard less of their motive.” concerns about conditions in East Timor. consistent with what the Indonesians have been doing for years. Periodically they have Comment from Charlie Scheiner, ETAN/US: been coming up with minimum responses, INDONESIAN NATIONAL DAY Perhaps the NY Times is trying to compete cosmetic flourishes designed to head off COMMUTATIONS with Liberation for inaccuracy. Xanana is criticism in countries of importance to the not a separatist any more than the rulers of Suharto regime, but to discourage any hopes Sun Aug. 15 1993. Abridged. Kuwait are. The Times failed to point out among the Timorese that a more just settle- JAKARTA, Aug. 15 (AFP) - Indonesian that the government spokesman’s statement ment might be negotiable. authorities have reduced the sentences of that “Xanana has accepted East Timor’s The plea for clemency offered the Indo- 16,471 prisoners and paroled others ahead integration into Indonesia” is a bald-faced nesian government a unique opportunity not of the country’s independence day celebra- lie. only to improve its image abroad, but to do tions this week, Kompas said Sunday. The Another piece of the whole truth for U.S. something towards healing the terrible agency quoted Director General of Correc- readers would indicate that a life sentence in wounds their brutal annexation has inflicted tion Baharuddin Lopa as saying the sentence Indonesia is the same as “life imprisonment on the people of East Timor. Taking these reductions ranged between one and six without parole” in the U.S., and that 20 considerations into account the sensible months and that 1,103 inmates had been years (which probably is longer than thing would have been to release Xanana and paroled and a further 238 had been given Xanana will live, given his current prison- perhaps involve him in negotiations towards various degrees of conditional leave. Sen- and torture-induced poor state of health) is a permanent settlement. It should not be tence reductions and gradual releases are longer than many Americans serving “life” forgotten that during the last 9 years of his usually accorded every year around the time sentences spend in prison. leadership of the Fretilin resistance, the of the independence anniversary on August Timorese leader had kept military clashes to 17 to prisoners who have shown good be- INDONESIA MOCKS JUSTICE a minimum and had himself repeatedly haviour while serving their terms, Lopa said. Letter to the Editor, The New York Times, sought to negotiate with the occupying au- Repeat-offenders and those with life- August 25, 1993 thorities. sentences were not included. According to In the circumstances Senator Evans’ official figures, Indonesia has a total of To the Editor: comment that this offer of clemency was an encouraging start is astonishingly naive and East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 13 inappropriate. Jakarta’s feeble gesture is work Rajawali Citrea Televisi Indonesia) arguments of dictatorial regimes in the Asian simply not good enough. If this country is broadcast the renunciation of political activ- region such as those currently embedded in to salvage any dignity from this sordid af- ism of Antonio Gomes (Ma’Huno) the im- Indonesia and Malaysia. The impact of this fair, we must persist in reminding the Indo- prisoned Fretilin Directive Committee Sec- decision has already been made clear to Su- nesian Government that Xanana Gusmão’s retary. Another leader, Mau Hodu, also was harto’s regime by the Clinton’s (USA) Ad- struggle against their illegal annexation of the reported by the same so-called “private” TV ministration when they stopped the sale of territory was a legitimate act of defence, in as saying that the independence struggle is a the F-5 Jet fighters from Jordan to Indone- terms of the prevailing UN standards. Their lost cause. sia. This was significant because USA legal process against him has no such legiti- This is another clear example of manipu- would also benefit from this sale in terms of macy, and a solution to the Timor problem, lations Jakarta’s junta of generals consis- aircraft maintenance, jobs and “good busi- acceptable to the Australian people (as dis- tently use to lie to the international commu- ness” approach. The fact that this decision tinct from their government), must include nity; somehow they seem to believe that was made on the basis of human rights re- his unconditional release. arrested and imprisoned political figures can cord was a clear statement in favour of those James Dunn “speak freely” and, worse then that, the 43 USA senators that signed the petition for The writer is a former Australian Consul to generals seem to also expect the interna- Pres. Clinton to raise the issue of Human East Timor, and author of Timor: A People tional community to believe them! Rights/East Timor in some of his 40 minutes Betrayed (Jacaranda Press). The international scene: meeting with Suharto in Tokyo. (Please see the article “Ammunition For Jakarta’s Crit- Recently, some key events in the interna- ics,” by David Jenkins, SMH, 18 August ETRA COMMENTS ON EAS T tional arena showed signs of, not only in- 1993, p.13). TIMOR LATEST EVENTS creasing but, possibly, a sustainable support for East Timor cause. To mention some: FREE XANANA-FREE EAST TIMOR From Agio Pereira, East Timor Relief Asso- 1. General Suharto’s failure to address The campaign for a free East Timor has ciation, Sydney. August 21, 1993 the G-7 meeting in Tokyo. been one of the main factors causing des- The latest events surrounding the issue of Suharto tried to use the G-7 meeting as a peration in Jakarta’s regime. Since the cap- East Timor further highlights the fact that ploy to build his international prestige ture of the Timorese National Leader, Indonesia is desperate in terms of the way whilst leader of the Non-Aligned Movement Xanana Gusmão, this campaign gained re- Jakarta’s generals Junta handles the issue. (NAM). Ali Alatas even stated before the newed steam and forced Jakarta, once more, Last week, it was reported that Jakarta is meeting took place (while in the process of into damage control. Ali Alatas himself was going to “explain” its Human Rights record using Japan and USA to lobby for a “yes, reported as complaining that 80% of his to Washington, without saying explaining in General Suharto” vote for Suharto to ad- time as Foreign Minister of Indonesia has what sense. dress the G-7s), that, if Pres. Suharto does answering East Timor! Ali Alatas even hired The remission of Xanana’s illegal verdict not address the formal meeting, he would a professional public relations company from life to 20 years imprisonment also not go simply to meet the delegations sepa- with offices in USA (Burson-Marsteller, highlights a number of important aspects: rately because this would be an humiliation! paying millions of dollars) to counteract the 1. that Jakarta is feeling the international In the end, however, nor Japan neither the campaign to Free East Timor. Recently, this pressure but this pressure is still insufficient USA were able to help general Suharto to campaign handed a petition to the S-G of to raise the minds of the dictators to an address the formal meeting. The General the UN, signed by more than 2,500 promi- international common sense; if this action simply had to meet the members of G-7 in nent people around the world. More signa- was taken as a measure to build up some their own terms - that is, in the corridors, as tures are expected to be sent to the UN to sort of support for the forthcoming negotia- the diplomats would say! add to those 2,500. The petition appeals for tions on the 17 September, under the aus- 2. In the Vienna International Human the release of Xanana Gusmão and a politi- pices of the S-G of the UN, it is most likely Rights too, Suharto’s regime failed to con- cal solution for the Timorese struggle. to backfire because Xanana Gusmão himself vince the international community that his To conclude: culture sees Human Rights from a different never signed the so-called “clemency plea”; The fact of the matter is that Indonesian angle. This was a ploy Jakarta tried to use 2. furthermore, the fact that Xanana generals have lost the political battle in East to a) legalize the crimes committed against Gusmão never signed the “clemency plea” Timor; they know it too well. The desperate the Indonesian people and the looting of and that the BAIS (Bedan Intelijens Trategis moves lately adopted by the regime (lies, Indonesian people resources to serve only a or Strategic Intelligence Body) appointed misinformation, manipulation of the prison- few generals and their families, and, simulta- Indonesian lawyer, Sudjono, went ahead and ers, hardliners approach, the use of former neously, b) to secure the continuity of in- managed to “succeed” confirms that Sudjono political leaders in Geneva giving them the ternational monetary aid to the regime in is part of the Indonesian governments’ former Timorese status as political leaders, order to keep the Indonesian middle class strategy to manipulate Xanana Gusmão’s etc.) are clear examples of desperation of a quite, at least for the foreseeable future. But, case. If he did not succeed in terms of de- regime to avoid paying for the crimes com- this too failed. The international community stroying Xanana’s own political prestige it mitted against the Timorese people in al- was not convinced by the arguments of owes only to Xanana’s own courage, intelli- most two decades. Suharto’s regime; instead, it was reinstated gence and determination. From a Timorese perspective, we must that human rights should be taken into ac- 3. As the negotiations under the auspices keep up the struggle in every front, as count when foreign aid is given and the uni- of the UN approaches, BAIS is organising Xanana Gusmão asked, until we exercise our versality of the concept of human rights was more lies, more mis-information to feed the inalienable right to self-determination and stressed. Even though this can still be ma- international community through the embas- independence. In this difficult but sustain- nipulated by the regimes with strong busi- sies and international journalists accredited able road towards independence, we do ness connection in the countries which are in Jakarta. From Jakarta, we were told (The appeal to all members of the solidarity that aid donors, it is nevertheless, an important Australian, 17 August, 1993 - Matebian have accepted the theme “FREE statement which defeats the fundamental News’ files) that RCTI (the “private” net- XANANA-FREE EAST TIMOR” to focus Page 14 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. only on East Timor in every move they XANANA COULD GET hunger strike, the only form of protest make. available to him in his present circum- SAKHAROV PRIZE stances, continued until he was too weak to XANANA ON Publico, 8 September 1993. Translated from move out of his cell unaided. HUNGER STRIKE AGAIN Portuguese In a letter to the British Government to- day, Carmel Budiardjo of TAPOL said that (Lisbon) The European Parliament’s BBC 3 September 1993 Abridged slightly his forcible removal from East Timor is in LDR (Liberal, Democrat and Reformist) violation of the 4th Geneva Convention This is very high-level confirmation of the Group, which includes the Portuguese PSD which prohibits “(I)ndividual or mass forci- hunger strike. Mantiri has been commander members, is going to propose Xanana Gus- ble transfers, as well as deportations of of Koopskam, the special command in East mão’s nomination for the 1993 Sakharov protected persons from an occupied terri- Timor, and before Sintong Panjaitan, was Prize, on account of “the courage he showed tory to the territory of the Occupying commander of the Udayana military com- defending human rights in a territory where Power... regardless of their motive.” [Para- mand based in Bali. It is strange that he some of the most serious violations since graph 49] The transfer of East Timorese should have spoken about this and not the the Second World War have been perpe- prisoners from their native land was con- armed forces official spokesman. – Carmel trated.” demned last month by the UN Sub- To understand Xanana’s reason for resum- The LDR’s position still requires to be Commission on Prevention of Discrimina- ing his hunger strike, we could see this in the put to the vote, since the Portuguese depu- tion and Protection of Minorities as a viola- context of his forced removal from Dili. ties’ proposal was opposed by their Dutch tion of this Convention. colleagues. Although the Dutch expressed –––––– Thirteen East Timorese political prison- their sympathy and solidarity towards ers who were tried and given harsh sen- According to the BBC’s Adam Brooks in Xanana Gusmão, their stated preference was tences after the Santa Cruz massacre on 12 Jakarta, there is growing concern over the Salman Rushdie (author of Satanic Verses, November 1991 have all been transferred to health of the imprisoned leader of the East who was condemned to death by the Iranian prisons in various parts of Indonesia, in Timor independence movement, Xanana Government) - a choice designed to avoid Kupang, Mataram (Lombok) and Jakarta, in Gusmão, following reports that he’s been on creating problems for Indonesia. Instituted contravention of the Geneva Convention. hunger strike. He is currently in prison in in 1988, the Sakharov Prize is awarded an- Having ascertained that Kedungpane the Central Java city of Semarang. A senior nually by the EP to those who have distin- Prison, Semarang, where Xanana Gusmão is military officer confirmed that he had been guished themselves in defending freedom of now being held is a prison for convicted protesting his situation by refusing food but spirit or human rights, such as Nelson Man- criminals, TAPOL also protests against the said he had begun to eat again. dela, Anatoli Marchenko, or Alexander treatment of Xanana Gusmão as a common There have been persistent reports that Dubcek. The acceptance by the EP of criminal. Gusmão’s health has recently been poor. It Xanana’s name now depends on the LDR’s To make matters worse, before his trans- has now emerged that last month, Mr. ability to convince the other political fer from Dili, Xanana Gusmão was not per- Gusmão began to refuse food. A senior groups, particularly the larger ones (Socialist mitted to meet his family to say goodbye, army officer, Lieutenant-General Herman and Christian Democrat) of the worthiness even though his sister asked to meet him on Mantiri [armed forces chief of general staff, of their choice. The fact that there are Por- the day he was moved. The prison authori- TAPOL] confirmed to the BBC that this tuguese members within these two groups ties did not even tell her what was about to was the case but said Mr. Gusmão had be- might help in the lobbying process, which happen. Now that he is in Java, his chances gun to eat again a few days ago and said a will be necessary to get the LDR’s nomina- of meeting them is more remote than ever. doctor found that his health was fine. How- tion approved from among the various ex- He has not met his family since he was sen- ever, other sources close to the military pected nominations. The LDR leaders ap- tenced on 21 May. insist that Mr. Gusmão has for several pear relatively confident of their chances, While Foreign Minister Ali Alatas claims months been in poor health. bearing in mind that two of the five names, that his government is showing greater No independent observers have seen him which until now have been awarded the openness and will give access to humanitar- since his transfer from Dili to Central Java. Sakharov Prize, did in fact arise from nomi- ian and human rights organisations to visit The International Committee of the Red nations by its members. East Timor, the government is perpetrating Cross have requested renewed access to him gross injustices against East Timorese po- there but this has not yet been granted. XANANA GUSMÃO BEING litical prisoners. The true nature of its The news comes amid reports of a recent treatment of the East Timorese is being wave of arrests in Dili of youths suspected TREATED LIKE A COMMON concealed behind a smoke-screen. of pro-independence activism. It is not clear CRIMINAL TAPOL has called on the British Gov- how many have been detained by the secu- ernment to protest strongly to the Indone- rity forces. Sources in Dili say the move Two-week hunger strike against removal sian government against this violation of the was intended to prevent unrest during a visit from East Timor Geneva Convention. The only way to rem- to East Timor this week of a group of US TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Cam- edy this latest injustice against Xanana is for congressional staff members. The armed paign issued the following Press Release him to be released and allowed to return to forces denied the arrests but said about fifty today, 24 September 1993: his native land without delay. All the other youths had been receiving guidance and prisoners should also be released and re- training in national awareness in advance of TAPOL has learnt from reliable sources turned home. the US visit. that Xanana Gusmão, the East Timorese resistance leader who was sentenced in Dili last May, went on a two-week hunger strike in protest at his removal from East Timor and his re-location to a prison for common criminals in Semarang, Central Java. The East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 15

RED CROSS VISIT TO political conjuncture regarding East Timor, MAU HUNU ‘RELEASE’ TIGHT we would like to suggest that initially the Aug. 6 Abridged. XANANA US ETAN organisation chairs the League, JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - A jailed The Age, 29 September 1993. By REUTER and the Japan Coalition co- chairs it, while the Portuguese Student Organisation for leader of East Timor’s guerrilla movement Representatives of the International East Timor takes up the Secretariat. We are who was captured earlier this year will not Committee of the Red Cross have resumed of course open to any other preferences face trial and has been effectively released visit to East Timorese prisoners in Indone- student organisations in the world may ex- from prison. Lopes da Cruz said by tele- sia, including the guerrilla leader Xanana press through their votes. phone that Antonio Gomes da Costa, alias Gusmão, Red Cross sources said today. The Hoping that our appeal will be attended Mau Hunu, had tried to surrender to Indo- visit were suspended in May after the or- to by the organisations we are addressing, nesian authorities before his capture on ganisation said the Indonesia would not we remain April 3, and so had been released under a meet its conditions. Rumors claimed the 47- Clandestine front, 29 July 1993 presidential amnesty. “He is still under the year-old Fretilin leader had been on hunger Yours sincerely protection of the security forces but he is strike, but Western diplomats in Jakarta said Signed SAMALA RUA free. He can go to his house, he can visit his they believed he was now in good health. Secretary General, President of the Per- family. He will not be taken to trial,” said da manent Commission. Cruz, a Timorese who serves as Indonesia’s ambassador at large for the territory. He did EVENTS INSIDE MA’HUNU REPORTED not say when Mau hunu was released. Mau EAST TIMOR hunu, who became leader of the Fretilin RELEASED guerrilla movement after Xanana’s capture Wed Aug. 4 last November, was imprisoned in the APPEAL FROM EAST Timor capital Dili, da Cruz said. Anyone who may have heard this report on TIMORESE STUDENTS BBC, Radio Australia, or Radio Nederland MA’HUNO ALLEGATIONS FALSE (Hilversum) – please try to send further EAST TIMOR NATIONAL COUNCIL OF Press Release from CNRM – NATIONAL confirmation and details. Not known at this MAUBERE RESISTANCE (CNRM) COUNCIL OF MAUBERE RESISTANCE, point if the Indonesian press has picked up August 6, 1993. NATIONAL RESISTANCE OF EAST the story. Mahunu, Ma’Hunu, Mau Hunu TIMOR STUDENTS (RENETIL) are variant spellings – same person. Politi- Allegations made by Indonesia’s Roving Ambassador Francisco Lopes Da Cruz that (abridged translation) cal leader Mau Hudu is a different person. Unclear whether he will also be included in Deputy Leader of the Resistance Ma’Huno, APPEAL To all East Timor Solidarity any Presidential clemency (grasi). Unclear is free, are untrue and totally unfounded. Organisations whether ‘grasi’ in anyone’s case – Xanana Ma’Huno (Antonio Gomes Da Costa) did not surrender as Lopes Da Cruz has also We appeal to all student organizations in down the hierarchy – will entail outright alleged. Ma’Huno was captured in a military the world which over the years, throughout release or just commutation of sentences, operation in Dili, East Timor in April this the dramatic history of our tormented East and if release, conditions of the release. year. Timorese people, have shown their sympa- – John ([email protected]) He is a prisoner of war and remains in jail thy, interest and solidarity with us. in Dili, East Timor. Our people will never forget the generous According to an interview of BBC- Francisco Lopes da Cruz is also quoted and comforting moral and material support Indonesian with Mr. Lopez da Cruz (moni- as saying that Ma’Huno was eligible for a provided to our liberation struggle by or- tored in Brisbane at 11.10 p.m. local time, 4 pardon from President Suharto because he ganisations such as East Timor Alert Net- August 1993), Mr. Mahunu, (the then Fre- surrendered and therefore will be treated work, East Timor Action Network, Free tilin leader who replaced Mr. Xanana Gus- differently. East Timor Japan Coalition, British Coali- mão, but later ‘surrendered’ to Indonesian From Lisbon, Jose Ramos Horta, Co tion For East Timor and others. We can authority in East Timor) has been released. Chairman and Special Representative of the solemnly state that our people will be faith- Mr. da Cruz said that Mr. Mahunu has been CNRM said, ful to acknowledge such disinterested interrogated and since enough information “ I challenge the Indonesian authorities to friendship and fraternity. has been collected, it was decided to release allow Ma’Huno to be visited by Independ- In order to be more effective in actions him. ent observers to ascertain his real status. aimed at liberating our people from the mur- Mr. da Cruz said that Mr. Mahunu, since Like Commander Xanana Gusmão he is a derous demands of Suharto and his clique, he took over the leadership from Mr. Gus- prisoner of war and should be protected we APPEAL to all student organisations for mão has decided to surrender. Therefore, he under the Geneva Convention on humanitar- East Timor in the world to unite in a is treated differently: that he is eligible to get ian law.” LEAGUE, which could perhaps be called the pardon (grasi) from the Indonesian The trial of Ma’Huno who was captured ‘International Student League for East president. It is expected, according to Mr. 4 months ago, is being delayed, say observ- Timor’ (ISLET). Its aim would be to coor- da Cruz, that Mr. Mahunu, together with ers, for fear of further international attention dinate all actions undertaken towards their other ex Fretilin members, will be given the on Indonesia’s already highly publicized and governments and peoples by its member “grasi” by President Suharto in the up- damaging record of gross human rights viola- organisations. This should result in a greater coming Indonesian Independence Day, 17 tions. Ma’huno’s trial would draw media synergy in the motivation, mobilization, and August 1993. attention causing the spotlight to be pointed actions of those governments in relation to at the Indonesian Military and their opera- the East Timor problem. tions inside East Timor and in Aceh where For the practical implementation of our according to a recent Amnesty International appeal in line with the current international report thousands of civilians have been Page 16 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. killed by the Indonesian Military. The illegal questioned by the police in the provincial national has urged that they be permitted to occupation of East Timor since 1975 has capital of Dili, were under the protection of do so. seen a regime of continuing violence, and de- the security forces. He said the measure was BACKGROUND INFORMATION population through transmigration programs meant to protect the two men from possible Indonesian forces invaded East Timor in , massacres and forced sterilization. The trial attacks by their compatriots who disagreed 1975 in the aftermath of Portugal’s with- of Xanana Gusmão proved an embarrassing with their calls to surrender. da Cruz said drawal from its former colony. Since that exercise for the Indonesian authorities who that the authorities also allowed the men time Amnesty International has documented met with international criticism over the some freedom. Gomes, alias Mau hunu, for a pattern of gross and persistent human conduct of the so called trial. instance, was allowed to visit his family, he rights violations by Indonesian security Gen. Theo Syafei, responsible for the added. Both Mau hunu and Mau hudu were forces in the territory. These have included military operations in East Timor has made close aides to Xanana. extra- judicial execution, torture and ill- several statements to the media from his See article below “Amnesties for Mau huno treatment, “disappearance,” political im- base in Bali indicating that all resistance and Mau Hodu?” for further developments. prisonment and unfair trial. forces must be crushed. The systematic Political detainees in East Timor are human rights abuses, including arbitrary AI ALERT: ARRESTS commonly held incommunicado and sub- arrest, detention and torture and military jected to torture and ill-treatment in order to operations to “keep peace” continue The AI Urgent Action 264/93 EAST TIMOR Ar- extract confessions and political intelligence. genocide has reached almost 300,000 people rests During the period of interrogation, military killed and disappeared. AI Index: ASA 21/19/93 and police authorities routinely deny law- GOMES, MAU HUDU MAY MISS 9 August 1993 yers and representatives of the International TRIALS INDONESIA/EAST TIMOR: Martinho Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access Rodrigues Pereira and two others to political detainees. The information ex- Jakarta Post. August 7, 1993. By ‘par’ tracted from one detainee often becomes the Slightly abridged. Three East Timorese have been arrested basis for further arrests. In the last twelve Remark: Like Mark Twain’s ‘death,’ earlier by Indonesian intelligence forces in Jakarta months alone Amnesty International has reports of Mau hunu’s ‘release’ were apparently because of their alleged political learned of the arrest of more than 400 peo- greatly exaggerated. However, an Aug. 17 and human rights activities and are being ple who have been detained in East Timor DPA story declares, “Syafei also said that held incommunicado. Amnesty International either because of their alleged links to pro- another captured Fretilin leader Antonio fears that they may be subjected to torture independence groups, or because they are Gomes da Costa would be released without or ill-treatment while under interrogation by relatives or friends of individuals suspected trial. But no date was set when da Costa their captors. Based on past information, of having such links. The true figure, how- would be released.” This is the first even Amnesty International is also concerned ever, is probably much higher. All those partial confirmation I have seen by a senior that further political arrests may soon fol- detained must be considered at serious risk. military figure regarding Lopes da Cruz’ low, and that those arrested may themselves The use of unacknowledged, arbitrary and remarks. ABRI Commander Gen. Feisal be subjected to torture and ill-treatment. often incommunicado detention for interro- Tanjung also recently toured East Timor The families and friends of those detained gation facilitates and even invites torture and and, while sounding conciliatory toward the may also be at risk of intimidation, harass- other ill-treatment, as a mounting volume of Church, made clear ABRI did not foresee a ment or arrest. evidence from former detainees makes clear. future outside Indonesia for East Timor. I Martinho Rodrigues Pereira, a former po- litical prisoner who is married with one RECOMMENDED ACTION: can only again stress the dangers for the Please send telegrams/faxes/express and East Timorese of raising short-term hopes. child, was apparently arrested because of his non-violent political and human rights airmail letters either English in or in your Millenarianism seems to me a persistent and own language: growing peculiarity in CNRM and allied activities. He went missing from his home in · Expressing concern for the safety of clandestine organizations. I do not see a Jakarta on 5 July 1993 and it was initially thought that he had gone into hiding because Martinho Rodrigues Pereira, and two long-term strategy in place. ‘Solidarity others reportedly arrested by Indonesian forever’ is not a pleasant thought. – John he feared arrest. However, Amnesty Inter- national learned today that he and two oth- intelligence forces in Jakarta on 5 July (Jakarta) Two leaders of the Fretilin ers, whose identities are not yet known to 1993; separatist movement, Antonio Gomes da the organization, were in fact arrested by · Urging the Indonesian authorities to clar- Costa and Mau Hodu, Jose da Costa, who military intelligence forces on 5 July. ify their whereabouts and to ensure that were arrested by the authorities in East It is not known whether Martinho Rodri- they are given immediate and regular ac- Timor early this year (sic), are likely to skip gues Pereira has been formally charged. cess to legal counsel of their own choice trial, says Lopes da Cruz, the Indonesian However, he is understood to have been and representatives of the International Ambassador-at-Large for East Timor (sic, accused by military intelligence of assisting Committee of the Red Cross; Duta Besar Keliling, in the Indonesian- politically active East Timorese living in · Urging the authorities to clarify the pre- language press). da Cruz told The Jakarta Indonesia. In particular he is thought to have cise reasons for their arrest, and to release Post here last night that the two men would been accused of orchestrating a recent asy- them immediately if they have not been be free from prosecution if it was proven lum bid by seven young East Timorese. The charged with a recognizably criminal of- that before their capture they had intended seven, most of whom had suffered human fence; to surrender to the authorities and had sug- rights violations at the hands of the Indone- gested their compatriots, who were still sian authorities over a period of years, en- · Seeking guarantees that they have been fighting, do the same. “From the region I tered the Embassies of Finland and Sweden and will be humanely treated while in heard reports that there is possibility they in Jakarta on 23 June 1993 and asked to be custody and that their relatives and will not face trials,” he said. According to da granted political asylum. They are still wait- friends will not face intimidation, har- Cruz, the two men who were still being ing to leave the country and Amnesty Inter- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 17

assment and other violations of their No further information is available about the wake of our leaders’ capture, and also about rights. two other people reported to have been our main concerns regarding the need to find, arrested with Martinho Rodrigues Pereira. as quickly as possible, a comprehensive, fair APPEALS TO: Many thanks to all those who took part and lasting solution to the Timorese ques- Ali Alatas [Salutation: Dear Minister Ala- in the original action. No further action is tion, so as to put an end to the suffering of tas] required. the tormented Timorese people. Minister of Foreign Affairs I. The effects of our leaders’ capture on Kementerian Luar Negeri MANPOWER ISSUES the internal aspects of the struggle, and Jl. Taman Pejambon 6 IN EAST TIMOR on the international front: Jakarta, Indonesia Telegrams: Minister Foreign Affairs, Ja- Jakarta Post. 2 August 1993. By ‘akm’ 1. The Indonesian Government was never karta, Indonesia interested in prolonging the conflict in Remark: East Timor’s new, young intelli- Faxes: +62 21 36 7781 or +62 21 36 7782 East Timor, on account of its internal and gentsia provides perhaps the best hope for international repercussions. Maj. Gen. A. M. Hendro Priyono [Saluta- the territory’s future in the new phase of the tion: Dear Maj. Gen. Priyono] For this reason, our Indonesian invaders struggle for dignity, human rights, and per- have always attempted to find the quickest Military Commander for Region X haps even ultimate independence. The anti- solution to the long and drawn out problem Pangdam X/Jakarta Raya independence Governor Abilio Soares basi- by military means, combining suppression Markas Besar KODAM X Jaya cally shares the expert’s views and has insti- by the use of arms with the practice of ter- Jl. Mayjen Sutoyo tuted an ‘affirmative action’ plan to place rorizing the people with the crimes perpe- Jakarta, Indonesia more East Timorese in Echelon 2 and 3 trated by the infamous political police - Faxes: +62 21 36 1471 (Armed Forces HQ) provincial administration positions. Soares INTEL, and seeking, as their prime objec- Lt. General Faisal Tanjung [Salutation: Dear admits the Echelon 1 positions are virtually tive, the total extermination of the guerrilla Lt. General Tanjung] all filled by ‘outsiders.’ Frustrated by still movement and neutralization of popular very limited ‘domestic’ investment, Soares Commander of the Armed Forces resistance. Achieving this goal would be has also embarked on a campaign to attract Markas Besar ABRI decisive for the Indonesians in both their foreign investment, especially from Austra- Cilangkap, East Jakarta, Indonesia diplomatic activity, and in the eyes of inter- lia. – John Telegrams: Lt. Gen. Tanjung, Markas Besar national opinion, and would lead to the ABRI, Jakarta, Indonesia (Dili) The large number of educated un- likely removal of the Timor issue from the Faxes: +62 21 36 1471 (Armed Forces employed people and the fact that most UN agenda, thus legitimizing the situation as HQ)/+ 62 21 37 8144 (Army HQ)/ +62 21 individuals want to become civil servants an accepted fait accompli. 35 6404 represent two major manpower problems With guerrilla leaders under arrest and for East Timor, says an expert. Armindo AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE communications difficult for the Resistance, Maia, an assistant to the rector of the Uni- FOLLOWING: Jakarta has tried to exploit the internal situa- versity of East Timor, said here last week tion to the utmost, so as to convince the Heikki Haavisto these two manpower problems must be international community that, following the Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign overcome immediately or they will lead to arrest of its leaders, resistance to its occupa- Affairs more serious conflicts. Quoting a 1989 re- tion has reached the height of failure. (...). Merikasarmi search report by Prof. Mubyarto, a noted Although, Mr. President, the capture of 00160 Helsinki Finland economist and an expert consultant to the the Resistance’s most intellectual, influen- Faxes: +358 0 1341 5009 minister of national development planning tial, and wise leaders signified a strategic and [concurrently Bappenas Chairman Ginand- Margaretha af Ugglas Foreign Minister, decisive defeat for our struggle, it did not jar], Armindo said that the problem of edu- Ministry of Foreign Affairs suppose, by any means, the end of resis- cated unemployed youth could ruin the tance to Indonesian occupation, nor the Gustav Adolfs Torg 1 political stability in the tiny province. The denial of our people’s right to freely choose S-10323 Stockholm, Sweden government should give priority to the set- its own destiny. On the ground, the Resis- Faxes: + 46 8723 1176 tlement of this problem. tance is still alive and active on all fighting PLEASE SEND APPEALS fronts! This is because, even though we IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send ap- LETTER FROM TIMORESE acknowledge the importance of military peals after 20 September 1993. RESISTANCE LEADER force as a means of pressure, and the role PEREIRA NOT IN DETENTION played in the Resistance by our captured KONIS SANTANA TO leaders, especially Xanana Gusmão as the From Amnesty International, 1 October PRES. MARIO SOARES symbol of Timorese resistance, the Resis- 1993. tance in East Timor has never been re- Further information on UA 264/93 (ASA Provided by CNRM. Translated from Portu- stricted to the armed struggle or to one lead- 21/19/93, 9 August 1993) - Arbitrary De- guese Abridged. ership. Timorese resistance against Indone- tention/Fear of Torture East Timor sian occupation is, above all, political, mili- INDONESIA/EAST TIMOR: Martinho 14 August 1993 tary, economic, cultural and diplomatic, - Rodrigues Pereira and two others His Excellency the President of the Republic the armed struggle being just one facet of the of Portugal: overall resistance. (...). Amnesty International has just learned With the capture of our colleague that Martinho Rodrigues Pereira, an East Excellency: Ma’Huno, last and veteran member of the Timorese who was thought to have been By way of this letter we wish to inform former leadership of the struggle, yet an- arrested from his home in Jakarta on 5 July Your Excellency about the current state of other sad chapter in our history came to an 1993, is safe and well and not in detention. the Resistance within East Timor, in the end. However, a new chapter of that history Page 18 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. started - the history of the Resistance’s taken in by Indonesia’s lying propa- tenced to life imprisonment (as in the case third generation. The history of the Resis- ganda. of Xanana Gusmão) by Indonesian courts, tance over the past 17 years is, therefore, Sadly, we have realised that the capture which have never had any juridical authority the history of the succession of new genera- of our leaders has, again, served to alert to take legal proceedings against our leaders tions - the history of the continual succes- international public opinion about Timor’s and countrymen, since East Timor has never sion of the struggle’s leadership! drama, and has led governments, interna- been recognised by the UN as being an inte- Just as any other people in the world is tional human rights organisations, world gral part of Indonesia. East Timor continues proud of its historical accomplishments, our leaders and outstanding politicians to speak to be a territory under Portuguese admini- people is proud of itself for having defended out on the issue, thereby putting pressure stration. (...). a legitimate and sacred right. Our people is (although clearly insufficient) on the Indo- Mr. President: we are all convinced that proud of being a people with a land, a fa- nesian Government to respect the UN Char- negotiations are the best way forward to therland! Our people is proud of being a ter, and General Assembly and UN Security find peace! It is only through negotiations people with its own, political, ethnic, reli- Council resolutions on East Timor, and to that the best settlement of any conflict in gious, historical and cultural identity, which respect human rights in the territory. the world may be found. It is, therefore, makes it different to the Indonesians. In that Among such initiatives were the following: only by means of negotiations between all struggle to preserve its own identity, the * The commendable position taken by parties involved in the issue that a compre- Timorese people have always resisted Indo- Your Excellency, as Head of State, straight hensive, fair, and internationally acceptable nesian occupation, without counting the after the arrest of our leader Xanana Gus- solution for East Timor may be reached, - a costs. At the same time, they have tried to mão... solution which satisfies all parties involved, construct unity among themselves, over the * The surprising and praiseworthy atti- and which will secure fair and last peace for din of the battle and the bodies of its fallen tude of the US Government with regards the its people. heroes, going through dynamic political Timor issue... Indonesia and Portugal have now been transformations in the process, in order to * The position taken by UN Secretary having talks on East Timor for a long time, strengthen national unity, transforming our General, Dr. Boutros Ghali, when he advo- under UN auspices. Jakarta has never al- patriotic national resistance into an essen- cated the involvement of Mnsgr. Ximenes lowed any Resistance participation in those tially nationalist resistance. Because of its Belo and Xanana Gusmão in the talks with- talks, which have always ended in failure. non-partisan nature, the CNRM is the mate- out pre-conditions, sponsored by the UN, The reason behind this is that Jakarta’s rialization of that national unity. In fact, the ... policy is based on legitimizing East Timor’s CNRM was the product of the dynamic * The positions taken by human rights annexation, the total extermination of the political alterations which occurred through- organisations, such as Amnesty Interna- guerrilla, and on “progress” - believing that, out the process of consolidation of national tional and Asia Watch, following Xanana on one hand, this would lead the Timorese unity and, as such, has become the symbol Gusmão’s capture,... population to come to terms with annexa- of that unity, that is to say, Timorese na- * The eagerness of Indonesian human tion, while on the other hand, it would indi- tionalist resistance in search of a common rights groups, such as INFIGHT and the cate that there was an absence of resistance. objective - liberation of the fatherland of all LBH, to defend Xanana Gusmão. This dem- Indonesia’s attitude was also a result of the Timorese. (...). onstrated that the Timorese problem has weak international pressure to force Indone- We are slowly but carefully reorganizing earned the solidarity of even Indonesians sia to agree to negotiations with the Resis- - we cannot construct the new edifice of the themselves,.... tance. (...). Resistance on shaky foundations. We are All this goes to show that East Timor However, although the “opening up of prepared for battle, whatever obstacles the continues to be an issue: as Jakarta tries to East Timor” policy was aimed at proving enemy may put in our way. We would put forward arguments in support of its that progress was being made, it brought rather die than to submit to the occupier’s sovereignty, those very arguments are put in new forces into conflict with the occupier’s psychological pressures! question, thereby turning East Timor into a policies. Believe us, Mr. President, that although conflict requiring an internationally accept- From 1989 onwards, the student move- our numbers have very much decreased, we able solution. ment became part of the scene. This led to are still determined to continue our fight for the reappearance of East Timor linked with Mr. President of the Republic: peace, justice and freedom for our tormented human rights violations, so gaining interna- people. We are counting on the resolute 3. In spite of all these positive political tional solidarity. solidarity of the Portuguese people in that developments surrounding the Timor is- Both in the occupier’s territory and fight because, for peace, freedom and justice, sue, and the question of our imprisoned within East Timor itself, the student move- we have taken up positions in the same leaders, a comprehensive, fair and inter- ment started showing signs that resistance trenches. nationally acceptable solution for East was spreading from the mountains to areas 2. In spite of the initial euphoria, which Timor, and for our captured leaders, is far controlled by the invader. A reversal of roles characterized Jakarta’s diplomatic sup- from being reached. The only reason for within the forces of resistance against the port-seeking offensive to gain backing for this is the intransigence and arrogance of invader took place. Popular resistance, or its claim, and with Xanana Gusmão’s the Indonesian rulers, in defence of their rather, the political resistance developing capture considered by Jakarta to be its absurd and unacceptable claims on East inside enemy lines, was starting to take over trump card, the truth is that time and cir- Timor. the lead in the campaign to gain international cumstances proved, once again, that the The guerrilla leaders, who have been cap- support, while the Falintil started to lose Timorese problem continues to be the tured and imprisoned by the Indonesian ground. Student demonstrations organised sharp pebble in Alatas’s shoe. The issue invader, are internationally recognised for the Pope’s visit in October 1989, as well has become a greater concern to the inter- Timorese leaders. They are leaders of a as subsequent demonstrations (the most national community, which has not been people who have never been part of Indone- important being the brutally repressed Santa sia, and yet they are being tried and sen- Cruz demonstration) attracted the interna- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 19 tional community’s attention to the values of justice, law and principles, and The Timorese Resistance has always Timorese drama. (...). only go to prove the effectiveness of Ja- shown itself to be open to discuss political We believe that the international con- karta’s strategy with regards “the twelve.” compromise solutions, and to make impor- demnation which resulted from the Santa As for the Resistance, the disparity of tant concessions. We are well aware that no Cruz massacre sparked off the “concern” initiatives taken have been another obstacle right in the world is without its restrictions. about East Timor. This has embarrassed in reaching consensus, and has not helped Just as any citizen’s rights are limited by his Indonesia in its relations with other coun- Portugal in getting its proposal accepted. country’s constitution, so do our people’s tries, and even with its friends. (...). Jakarta has been exploiting the differences rights end where the rights of the Indone- But finding an internationally acceptable within the Resistance, and trying to divide sians begin. solution (as prescribed by the UN in its it. The most realistic solution to the prob- 1982 37/30 Resolution) is not enough, un- Contrary to what has been reported lem of Timor might well be found in the less the Timorese Resistance - the party abroad, the invader has been increasing the peace initiatives put to the European Par- most interested because it has been the number of its troops in East Timor, intro- liament and UN in 1992 by the CNRM party which has most suffered during the ducing more heavy weaponry, especially Special Representative abroad, Dr. Ramos- 18-year long conflict - participates in the mortars, currently unleashing its latest of- Horta. We believe that this peace proposal UN sponsored negotiations. fensive against the guerrilla all over the terri- is so far the most realistic because it con- Portugal took a significant step forward tory, supported by intense mortar shelling tains all the elements which guarantee, on in the search for a fair solution when it pro- of the guerrilla areas, with the aim of totally one hand, the exercise by our people of their posed “negotiations, without pre- and finally exterminating the guerrillas. right to self-determination and, on the other conditions, sponsored by the UN,” and The enemy is intensifying its large-scale hand, respect for the invading country’s calling for participation of “Timorese repre- campaign to intimidate and “win over the interests. The proposal might, therefore, sentatives.” hearts” of the population, promising to free succeed. (...). The international climate is looking fa- the guerrilla leaders, especially our colleague We are quite aware that in a conflict vorably on the efforts of Portugal and the Ma’Huno, - a promise aimed to reach the situation, when all the right conditions are Resistance to increase international pressure guerrillas psychologically. not there, one of the parties may not agree on Jakarta to sit down at the negotiating Jakarta seems bent on repeating its past to talk. In our case, Indonesia continues to table with the Timorese, in order to find a experiences: now, it is more “confident” be inflexible, because conditions for putting political-diplomatic settlement. than ever of victory, because it is convinced greater international pressure on Indonesia Portugal has taken up a firmer and more that “the days of the Resistance in the terri- are still inadequate. We are well aware of responsible position regarding the issue, as tory are numbered,” and also seems to be- this. Timor’s legal administrative power, and has lieve that Portugal’s strategy depends upon No one more than the Timorese them- its diplomacy well rooted within the EC. the Resistance. selves wishes to end, as quickly as possible, Nevertheless, Mr. President, we acknowl- All this is aimed to prepare the way to the torment of our people. For this reason, edge the difficulties which we believe consti- take up a firmer stand at the forthcoming we have constantly shown our readiness to tute obstacles in Portugal’s way: the serious Portugal-Indonesia negotiations, set for negotiate and to make concessions. How- difficulties, in the context of the EC, in September in New York, and continue to ever, if the Indonesian Government contin- building a European community; the global reject the participation of Timorese repre- ues its intransigent position, rejecting talks economic crisis which is particularly affect- sentatives in the “negotiations without pre- with the Resistance, we are left with no ing Western Europe; the costs of German conditions” proposed by Portugal. other option but to continue our fight with reunification; the national interests of each In this light, the Timorese problem is at a even greater political determination because EC member country, and Portugal’s eco- cross- roads, and courageous measures to that is what our people wants. We are sure nomic dependence upon the Community’s unblock the situation have to be taken. that, by continuing to resist, we will create richer members, all combine to make Portu- Of course, it will be up to the Timorese the conditions necessary for greater pressure gal a weak administrative power in terms of to be responsible for taking the initiative. to be put on Indonesia to be more flexible gaining strong support from its partners, to However, we are convinced that Portugal and accept talks with the Timorese. pressure Indonesia into agreeing to the Por- will share that responsibility with the Throughout these past 18 years, we have tuguese proposal. Timorese, by considering Timor as a na- always known how to be patient and to Indonesia, exploiting this situation to the tional problem. wait, without ever ceasing to fight with ever full, has been acting in bad faith - trying to An internationally acceptable solution increasing determination. We believe that, dissuade EC countries from following rules must, necessarily be based upon a settle- one day, the long waited peace will come to on economic cooperation or development ment which benefits all the parties involved. East Timor. policy adopted by the EC. The EC estab- It is true that the negotiations without We are living in a world of great changes. lishes a link between development policy pre-conditions offer plenty of room for Much has changed and will continue to and human rights policy, and Indonesia has maneuver to all interested parties. It is also change. The world cannot go on without tried to divide the “twelve” on this, and true, however, that the negotiations without change - humanity’s history has demon- make them renounce the principles and rules pre-conditions do not encourage Indonesia strated that. And here lies our people’s great in that area. to agree to talk to the Resistance. hope! The agreements signed between Bonn and If the negotiations without pre- We are confident in the Portuguese nego- Jakarta on technological, economic and conditions are to give everyone a chance to tiators’ astuteness, intelligence, and creative commercial cooperation, the sale of war- propose possible solutions - which we fully capacity, and are sure that Portugal will ships to Indonesia, and the praise offered by support - we believe that now is the time to know how to do its duty with dignity. German Prime Minister Kohl to the Indone- be more realistic. We think we ought to be To conclude, we reiterate our vote of sian Government on its improvement of putting forward concrete proposals which confidence, and express our hope that, dur- human rights, are all signs which confirm would lead Indonesia to accept the Resis- ing the next round of negotiations on the that economic interests are outweighing tance at the same negotiating table. Page 20 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Timor issue, a light at the end of the tunnel forms of a half island located just north of Kostrad units were presently in East will finally be seen. Australia, after Portuguese left in 1975 and Timor. If anyone has further info in that Respectfully yours, annexed the territory of 600,000 people in regard, please pass it on. – John Nino Konis Santana 1976, kicking off a bloody campaign that by BBC-Indonesian, received in Brisbane Head of the Executive Council some estimates has cost up to 200,000 lives 11.00 p.m., reported that according to the The mountains of East Timor, 14 Aug 1993 -one-third of East Timor’s population. Commander of Udayana Military Area However, 17 years after the annexation, (KODAM-Udayana), Gen. Theo Syafei, all INDONESIA TO PULL OUT East Timor issues remained a political thorn the combat troops will be withdrawn from for Indonesia. The United Nations still re- COMBAT TROOPS East Timor not later than October this year fused to recognize Indonesia’s sovereignty (1993). He also said that the troops will be JAKARTA (AUG. 17) DPA - Indonesia over the territory and regards Portugal as replaced by some 6000 of so called “territo- is planned to withdraw combat troops from administrative power. Indonesia and Portu- rial” troops (pasukan teritorial) which will East Timor and replace them with non- gal have been trying to settle the future of be involved heavily on the development of combat “territorial military” forces due to an East Timor through the United Nations. The East Timor. easing of tensions, an official announced third round of U.N.-brokered talks between However, Gen. Syafei did not mention Tuesday. Major General Theo Syafei, com- Lisbon and Jakarta was scheduled to resume anything regarding the possibility of with- mander for Udayana region which includes September 17 in New York. Syafei also said drawing Kopassus (special army units) East Timor, said, “Withdrawal of the com- that the captured of another Fretilin leader troops as well as other commando troops bat troops from East Timor is possible now Antonio Gomes da Costa would be released which, according to BBC-Indonesian, re- that the security situation is considered without trial. But no date was set when da sponsible for the various cases of human secured.” He said there are 10 military bat- Costa would be released. rights violation. talions in the former Portuguese colony, but COMBAT TROOPS LEAVING INDONESIA TO WITHDRAW TIMOR only one battalion had been assigned to fight TIMOR? COMBAT TROOPS - remaining East Timorese Fretilin guerrillas. The Age (Melbourne), 18 Aug. 1993. Un- But, he said, “As of October 1, there will no Aug. 16 story, substantially abridged. abridged longer be combat troops in East Timor,” ‘On-site inspection’ needed. Maybe at least it adding, “we would withdraw this one battal- means no more Kopassus. Implications for (Reuter, Jakarta, Tuesday) Indonesia to- ion of combat troops and replaced it with remaining guerrillas? – John day said it would withdraw all its combat territorial troops responsible for develop- forces from the troubled territory of East JAKARTA (UPI) – The government Timor, replacing them with troops engaged ment projects.” Indonesia began eliminating plans to withdraw all its combat troops its military operation in East Timor last only in development projects. from the former Portuguese colony of East The official Antara newsagency quoted March. The military operation was estab- Timor and replace them with “territorial lished in late 1989 to fight members of the Major-General Theo Syafei, the military troops” responsible for development pro- commander for the region, as saying all such Fretilin guerrilla movement, which began its jects. Maj. Gen. Theo Syafei, the military armed separatist movement after the Indo- combat forces would be pulled out by Oc- commander for the Udayana region, which tober. He said 10 territorial battalions would nesian government seized East Timor in includes East Timor, said as security in the 1976. Government authorities estimated remain. province improves, the combat forces would “It is planned in September and October that there are now only a few armed Fretilin be fully removed by October. “The decision rebels clustered in several groups in the the ratio will become 10 to 0, meaning they to abolish the combat troops is good,” he will all be territorial battalions for the devel- region. Their numbers declined after the told Jawa Pos. He said only one battalion of capture last November of their leader, opment of East Timor and no longer combat combat troops remained in the region and battalions,” he told reporters in the island Xanana Gusmão. President Suharto, in a bid that by Oct. 1 there would no longer be any to ease Indonesia’s human rights records in resort of Bali. combat troops in East Timor. The number Since Indonesia invaded the former Por- East Timor, granted a clemency to Xanana of Fretilin guerrillas has gradually reduced, last week by reducing his life imprisonment tuguese colony in 1975 it has fought a guer- especially since the arrest last November of rilla war against a dwindling band of rebels. to a 20-years jail term. Xanana, who was their leader, Xanana Gusmão. move last week from Dili prison to Central But despite its apparent military success, Java’s Semarang jail, was sentenced to life COMBAT TROOPS TO BE the Government has come under heavy in- imprisonment by East Timor’s district court WITHDRAWN FROM ET ternational attack for its role in the tiny on May 20, after found guilty of rebellion BBC Report synopsis, Aug. 17 1993 territory. Last week, President Suharto reduced the and illegal possession of firearms. The Indo- This posting, there are now several wire sentence of the guerrilla leader Xanana nesian decision was welcomed by some services reporting Syafei said ten ‘territo- Gusmão, jailed in May for life on charges of Western countries and called for amnesty rial’ battalions will remain – apparently separatism, to 20 years. for other activities as well. The U.S. gov- referring to non-Korem 164 troops. Accord- The ‘Jawa Post’ newspaper yesterday ernment and several western countries had ing to these stories, Syafei said 10 battalions quoted General Syafei as saying that the been critical of Indonesia’s human rights (averaging 650 men each) will remain. The withdrawal of combat troops was an indica- record and suspended military and other total number of these non-Timorese battal- tion of improving security in the territory. development assistance in the wake of the ions will not change around October, ac- “This abolition is mainly because the 1991 killing of at least 50 anti-government cording to Syafei’s latest remarks. Rather, situation there is already good,” he said. demonstrators in the East Timorese capital the one remaining combat battalion will be In April, Indonesia said it would disband of Dili. Suharto also called over the weekend replaced by a territorial one. In other its special military command, which would on traditional tribal chiefs of East Timor to words, this is a qualitative troop rotation . in turn lead to a gradual pull-out of combat help eradicate security problems in the re- By the way, I did not mean to imply earlier forces. gion. Indonesian troops invaded East Timor, that any crack troops from Kopassus or East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 21

TROOPS TO BE WITHDRAWN intelligence gathering, , poor training, poor A full-strength Indonesian territorial bat- Radio Nederland 18 Aug. 93 leadership, poor communications, abysmal talion might have 650 men. But in many logistics support. Some Indonesian para- cases numbers are below that, perhaps only Indonesia is withdrawing its combat units chutists were dropped by mistake into the 400-500 men. The level of training is well from East Timor. The military commander sea. Some Indonesian troops on the ground below that of a Kostrad strategic reserve for the region says that over the next two opened fire on Indonesian aircraft. combat battalion. months they will be replaced by army units On day one, a platoon commander from Until about a year ago, Indonesia had six engaged exclusively in development pro- “Kostrad,” the crack strategic reserve, mis- Kostrad battalions in East Timor and six jects. read his maps and blundered and blundered “territorial” battalions. Only two of the East Timor, a former-Portuguese colony, into an area already captured by the ma- territorial battalions were locally based, was occupied by Indonesia in 1975. rines. It led to an exchange of fire and heavy using mainly Timorese troops but with In the first year of that occupation, par- Indonesian casualties. Kostrad lost 35 dead officers and NCO’s from outside the prov- ticularly, there was fierce fighting between that day, including two majors and two ince. The other four battalions were on rota- the Indonesian army and Timorese rebels captains. tion from Java and other islands resulting in some 200 000 deaths. “These troops,” the former Indonesian When Jakarta says it has removed all For many years Indonesia has been sub- Defence Minister, Benny Moerdani admit- combat battalions, it simply means that the ject to serious international criticism for its ted recently, “had no discipline at all. They six Kostrad battalions have gone. To help behaviour in East Timor. shot one another. Ah, overall, it was totally offset their departure, four more territorial embarrassing.” The troops also behaved battalion have been sent in, bringing the TIMORESE LEFT ON THE with exceptional brutality towards the number to 10 battalions. RIM OF APEC’S PACIFIC RIM Timorese people who they had ostensibly This means that the Indonesian army come to liberate. commander in East Timor still has as many Sydney Morning Herald, 17 September This week, nearly 18 years after the in- as 4,000 to 5,000 troops at his disposal. 1993. By David Jenkins. vasion, Indonesia announced that it had That’s quite a force. The following is an article published by Syd- withdrawn all combat troops from East Irian Jaya, which has twice the popula- ney Morning Herald (SMH). The author is Timor, leaving “only” 10 “territorial battal- tion of East Timor, 22 per cent of the na- David Jenkins, an expert writer in Indone- ions.” According the official Antara news- tion’s land area, and a residual, low-level sian political affairs. He spent six years in agency, the territorial battalions are “helping problem with OPM separatists, has only Indonesia as the SMH correspondent but to build roads, houses and cultivate crops.” three locally-recruited territorial battalions later expelled from Jakarta for his objectivity This all sounds promising but can it be so and one (sometimes two) outside battalions in reporting the political affairs of Indonesia. simple? Not necessarily: Indonesia may be on rotation. playing with thimbles and peas, and per- Judged by those criteria, East Timor The timing of this article coincides with all haps Antara is being disingenuous. should have only 2 1/2 battalions, not 10. the statements Paul Keating has been trying To understand why the troop withdrawal That’s a sign that something is still wrong in to throw in during his international tour, announcement needs to be taken with a East Timor. It is also worth noting that the especially regarding the issue of Human pinch of salt you need to look closely at the two largely Timorese battalions have a repu- Rights and East Timor. Indonesian doctrine of “territorial warfare,” tation for being the most brutal, reflecting – Matebian News which developed during the 1945-49 inde- strong local animosities. If 4,000 to 5,000 At the Indonesian Army staff and com- pendence struggle against the Dutch. armed men are not enough, the local com- mand school in Bandung, mid-career officers The Indonesian Army, unlike a conven- mander can call on up to three battalions of devote clandestine operation (opsgalangan) tional Western army, is deeply involved in marines, which are kept on immediate which can be used to foment trouble in an social-political (sospol) affairs. The com- standby in Java. Not to mention elements of area in order to set the scene for subsequent mander of each of the nations 10 military the elite red beret Special Forces (Kopassus) military intervention. regions presides over not merely an opera- unit, which is likely to play a continuing Eighteen years ago next Sunday, William tional force of “territorial” (as distinct from intelligence and raiding role in the province. Colby, Director of the United States Central centrally-based) combat battalions but a It is true, as Antara suggests, that the 10 intelligence Agency, commenting on what “territorial” command and control structure territorial battalions can be deployed in was shaping up as the mother of all which is considered to be of at least equal road-building and other civic duties. But “opsgalangan” operations in East Timor. importance. they are also used for intelligence gathering Jakarta, he wrote, was sending guerilla This territorial staff structure corre- and ambush work. “They aren’t representa- units into the Portuguese half island in order sponds broadly with the various tiers of the tives of Amnesty International,” says an to engage Fretilin forces, encourage pro- civilian administration and the police hierar- army source familiar with East Timor. Indonesian elements “and provoke incidents chy, down to the village level, where there The fact that Indonesia has had to station that would provide the Indonesians an ex- might be an NCO to monitor political and some of its best military units in East Timor cuse to invade should they decide to do so.” social developments and the work of the for nearly two decades provides proof, if Unfortunately for Jakarta, the pro- village headman. It form a parallel “shadow proof is needed, that the Timorese did not Indonesian Timorese were not up to the government” which is intimately involved in welcome the Indonesians with open arms, task. On December 7, 1975, the Indonesian non-military function. Jakarta’s propaganda notwithstanding. How armed forces launched a full-scale invasion Territorial combat battalions are de- could it have been otherwise? of East Timor, with a combined sea and air ployed in Support of the territorial com- In the five years to 1980, demographers attack on Dili. mand and control structure. But the troops, estimate that as many as 100,000 to It was not a shinning success. Timor who are equipped with light arms, machine 200,000 Timorese died, many from starva- provided everything that was then wrong guns and perhaps a few mortars, can also be tion, out of a population of 650,000. with the Indonesian armed forces - poor used to back up the police in the event of Then there’s the military death toll. In- trouble anywhere in the military region. donesia has never provided an account of its Page 22 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. losses in East Timor although Moerdani shot at those in front of the church with a ment, recorded in the mountains of East acknowledged recently that 247 members of smoke grenade. On the radio, one of my Timor, which was made public yesterday Kostrad died in the first five years of opera- companies yelled out they were being shot by the LUSA agency. The cassette contain- tions in East Timor. That figure only hints at. I asked them, “What is your position?.” ing the Resistance leader’s first statements at Indonesian losses. He told me. to reach the exterior was recorded on 26 According to Indonesian and foreign mili- I thought, I’m shooting over there, but July, in the mountains of Timor, and taken tary sources, 1,500 Indonesian troops were they’re shouting from elsewhere. I shot to Macau by a “courier” of the Resistance killed and perhaps 5,000 to 6,000 wounded another round. He shouted out again, I asked abroad. For 70 minutes Konis Santana ex- in the five years to 1979, the period of his position, “Perhaps we’ve already en- presses his “total confidence” in the efforts heaviest fighting. tered the town,” they replied. “Are you of the UN and Portuguese and US Govern- Terrible things have happened in East sure?,” I asked. ments, to find a political solution to the Timor. Paul Keating, however, chooses to “Yes Sir.” Timor issue, and testifies to the continuing put the telescope to the blind eye. The US, vitality of the Resistance in the interior, he told Bill Clinton, should not push coun- Indeed they had already entered the town. It which was believed to have been left consid- tries like Indonesia too hard on human was they that my boys wanted to flatten erably weakened following the capture of rights. the night before. I reported to my Brigade Xanana and Ma’Huno. This has pleased Jakarta - the Indonesian Commander that the target had been taken. The message, which ends with homage to Research Minister, Dr. B.J. Habibie, said it “That was very quick of you,” said the “our great, much loved, leaders Xanana was “music to my ears” - but dismayed commander. People said I was terrific. The Gusmão and Ma’Huno,” also contains two some Australians. Commander congratulated me over the radio. Timorese songs recorded by members of the I summoned those naughty boys and told Resistance in the Timorese mountains. them: “Do you know, those guys you Speaking slowly in Portuguese, apologis- ABRI TIMOR VETERAN wanted to flatten last night were our own REMINISCES ing several times for his “lack of culture,” friends?.” They didn’t say anything. Ap- Konis Santana gives a historical report of parently there had been fog. So that the Editor, 28 August 1993, Interview entitled the Resistance’s situation inside the terri- reserve company in the rear had without tory since the Santa Cruz massacre which, Thanks for giving me the opportunity realizing it overtaken the three companies in , on 12 November 1991, attracted interna- front of them, and eventually had blundered tional attention to the Timor issue. by Rahmayanti, Untung Widiyanto and Na- into the town. Fortunately the town had zir Amin. Excerpts. After a series of comments on the massa- already been evacuated. cre, at which time “the Maubere people This item, from a long interview with the Q: You were so self-assured that you didn’t showed its enemy, and the world, its hero- new East Java Governor Maj-Gen (ret) do as your scouts urged you to do? ism and bravery” and “became even more Basofi Soedirman, illustrates some remarks A: That’s what until this moment I can’t convinced of its stand and support for its quoted in David Jenkins’ SMH article. Only armed wing resisting in the mountains,” the Timor reminiscences are translated. understand. It was my feeling and intuition. Why didn’t I attack at that time? When Santana refers to the wave of particularly Basofi Soedirman was Commander of dawn came I found no enemies and could violent repression which followed the Battalion 512 from Malang, which served in take the town. Between fame and infamy events of November 1991. East Timor 1975?-1976, and 1978-79. the line is very fine . Imagine if I the police, and the nangalas (military), lit the Q: What were your most memorable mo- had given the order at that moment, “Attack dictatorship’s fires,” “oppressing and killing ments in East Timor? now!.” Who knows what might have hap- the defenceless people, forcing them with their weapons to be silent.” A: Lots. I’ve probably been lucky. If I’ve pened. Probably I would never have made it The intensification of Jakarta’s repres- won, it’s because of luck. Success doesn’t to Jakarta. Perhaps I would have been cut sion in the wake of the massacre is well just drop from heaven, you have to calculate down . Ha ha ha.... known and documented. Konis Santana it. I often lost, and won too. Usually the refers to its devastating effect, also well winning came afterwards. SIGNS OF LIFE FROM THE known, and admits that “it was then that At one time we were taking the town Lete- RESISTANCE many (members of the Resistance) deserted poho. I was a Battalion Commander, and it to increase the flames of the Resistance.” He was my first time in East Timor. I was with Publico, 2 September 1993. Translated from Portuguese condemns the actions of the “murdering four companies. The target was nearby. I criminals” in Indonesia’s service, and does ordered two teams to reconnoitre. They saw (Lisbon) Xanana’s and Ma’Huno’s suc- not spare the “cowardly Timorese” who, for a crowd of about 100 enemies cooking din- cessor gets a message out to the exterior. He “five thousand Rupees” helped them to ner in front of the church. I asked: “So what is about thirty years old and has been in the “find out the clandestine organization’s are we going to do?.” “If possible, attack bush since he was fifteen. His name is Konis channels.” straight away,” they replied. I asked them Santana, and was unknown when he came to It is in this scenario, in which “the peace- again: “What are our chances?.” “Look, we be Commander of the Falantil. loving people were put under intense sur- can flatten them sir,” they answered. “Sure “The voice of the Maubere people, veillance and threatened with arms,” that you can flatten them?.” “Sure sir.” through the Resistance, kills. Timor calls its Konis Santana places Xanana Gusmão’s I thought for a moment. Because in fact the defences. The color of blood, rotting flesh. arrest, on 20 November 1992, - the second plan was to attack only the next morning. So The fight goes on.” “historical framework” referred to in the that evening I checked the position of my The voice is that of Konis Santana, suc- report which the current Resistance Com- troops. One reserve company was in the cessor to Xanana and Ma’Huno at the mander sent out to Macau. rear, they didn’t report their position. In the command of the Timorese armed resistance. morning at dawn the attack commenced. I With those words, he introduces a state- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 23

Restructuring standable. Konis Santana was only about LETTER FROM EAST TIMOR Referring to Xanana’s arrest, Konis fifteen years old when he joined the Falantil, Santana says “Many nationalists and patri- and “disappeared” into the mountains of By Ani King Underwood in New Statesman ots felt despair at the loss of that great Timor. That was in 1975. Santana left be- & Society, 3 September 1993. Ani King Un- leader, but they (the Indonesian military) hind his studies at the Dare seminary, derwood is a freelance television journalist, had not taken into account the fact that it is through which many of the future Resis- working in the UK the people who are waging the war and that, tance members would pass. The uneasy calm of Dili, capital of East even with several battalions, Jakarta will be Today, little more is known about the Timor, is reminiscent of Bucharest under unable to defeat the Maubere people.” current Falantil leader. Publico learned that Ceaucescu. The feeling that there is at least At this point, Xanana and Ma’Huno’s Konis Santana must be about thirty and is one pair of eyes watching you closely does successor revealed the newest information from Lautem, Los Palos, on the easterly not go away until you leave. of his long statement: after Xanana’s arrest, point of Timor, where his father worked in Indonesian soldiers are everywhere and the Falantil underwent a restructuring proc- the local administration. people are frightened to talk to foreigners or ess which had already been concluded at the even to be seen in their company. A coura- start of this year, before Ma’Huno’s arrest AMNESTIES FOR MAU HUNO geous young East Timorese girl, who lives in which brought Konis Santana to take up the AND MAU HODU? Australia and is visiting her family in Dili, command of the Resistance in the interior. accepts our invitation for coffee in return for Without giving details of the restructuring AFP, 3 September 1993. Abridged helping us find our way to the bank. But (which is understandable reasons of secu- Is this a smoke-screen for a possible tragedy before we can drink the coffee, a fierce- rity), Santana gives an exhaustive report, likely to happen in Semarang where, the looking Sumatran approaches our table and contradicting the picture of weakness asso- military have admitted, Xanana has again begins hurling questions at us in broken ciated with the armed Resistance following gone on hunger strike? Is the fact that Lt.- English. “Why are you here?” “How long the loss of Xanana and Ma’Huno, of mili- Gen. Mantiri confirmed the hunger strike a will you stay?” “How do you know each tary operations carried out by the Resis- sign that some senior officers in Jakarta are other?” referring to the girl. His less than tance this year. One example is that of the afraid that Syafei’s policy could have disas- courteous manner turns into downright an- attack on an Indonesian battalion post on 20 trous consequences? ger when he addresses the girl in Bahasa March, in which six soldiers were killed and, Indonesia, and she politely replies that she When major political gestures happen in according to Konis Santana, “we acquired all does not speak it. He leaves after realizing Jakarta with Muslim prisoners being re- the materials, accessories, and explosives.” that we are not prepared to answer any leased on parole on 17 August, there were As well as the armed Resistance’s signs more of his questions. “I worry about my photos in the press to show that the incident of life in the interior, Konis Santana reveals family here. Once I go back, they will suffer took place. Where are the photos of Mau- the existence of “concentration camps” in for all my actions,” says the girl in a whis- huno and Mauhudo getting their amnesties? different parts of Timorese territory, to per. – Carmel which entire families, suspected of links It is through whispers that you get a with the Resistance, are said to be sent. To (Jakarta) The Indonesian government wider picture of what is happening here, the long list of executions of civilians carried granted amnesties to two former leaders in nearly 18 years after Indonesia invaded out by Jakarta’s military, Konis Santana East Timor, Antara reported Friday. what was then Portuguese Timor following adds another episode. This happened near Major-General Syafei told Antara: “The a declaration of independence by the Revo- Baucao, next to “an old inn which, at the amnesty was granted to them about a month lutionary Front for the Liberation of East time of the Portuguese, belonged to a Mr. ago but it was not publicized.” He said the Timor (FRETILIN). Mouzinho,” where the skeletons of victims amnesties were granted because the two had Before anyone utters a syllable, he or she of Indonesian repression are said to have since their arrests and during the period of looks around about three or four times. been found. There were reportedly ten orientation (sic) under the tutelage of the “People disappear every day here, and skeletons, which Konis Santana described as security authorities “shown a positive atti- no one can do anything about it.” On Satur- being “recent.” tude.” day evening, at sunset on the beach, two The Timorese leader gives assurances He did not spell out the terms of the am- women light a small fire and begin to pray. that the repression does not intimidate the nesty except to say they were “general” and As I watch inquisitively, a voice whispers Resistance, “which fears nothing, forgets in the same terms as those accorded to Fre- :"They are praying for a lost son and not its leaders and policy of national unity, tilin members who surrender to the authori- brother, whose body was found dumped in and which is ready to continue fighting.” ties. Both Mauhuno and Mauhodo were the sea recently, after he was taken away by Emphasizing the message of vitality which believed to have been freed for some time the authorities.” he tries to get across throughout his long and were living with Indonesian families [? Our request to hire a car at the hotel re- statement, Santana affirms that “the under private military custody?]. ception is politely turned down. The head Maubere people and the Falantil are still Syafei said amnesties have been granted of the tourist office, again very politely says determined.” to 24 E Timorese youths who had been that he will try his best to find one. But “his In April, when Indonesian forces cap- actively involved in the demonstration in best” does not work. Without a car, you tured Ma’Huno - less than five months after Dili on 12 November 1991. [This is pre- have to go around by public transport or he had occupied the seat left vacant by sumably a reference to the 24 men arrested hire a taxi - and each time we stop a taxi, Xanana Gusmão - all Timorese activists soon after the massacre who were sent off someone approaches the driver and tries to were asking themselves who would take on to do hard labour with military commands in put him off. Luckily, my friend is a fluent the leadership in the interior. On learning the various parts of East Timor.] Syafei did not speaker of Bahasa and eventually manages name of the new leader of the armed Resis- identify or elaborate on the 24 released. to negotiate a ride. Suddenly, everything tance, many admitted they did not know falls into place. Driving eastward to Baucau who Konis Santana was. This is under- along the coast road, every village we pass Page 24 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. has a military post at its entrance. In be- ble for them to accept Jakarta’s rule. “If we Mr. Sommaruga visited Indonesia in May tween the villages, the hills are dotted with are all arrested and even killed, the ghosts of to discuss access. Asked yesterday whether radio antennae. Not even a fly could travel the people killed in Santa Cruz will be there he believed Indonesia had honored its prom- this road without being detected by the to fight for us,” says one Timorese. ise, he said it was difficult to say. military. Alongside the road, there are small “In any case, we have had difficulties,” clusters of tin-roofed houses, lived in, ac- TIMORESE RELEASED he said. “The process of visiting all people cording to the authorities, by people who detained because of the particular situation have been moved from the interior of the Publico, 7 September 1993 of East Timor has resumed. We have re- country “to protect them from the terror- Three students, who had been arrested sumed our activities but have not been able ists.” The “terrorists” are FRETILIN guer- during a demonstration on Sunday in to do it regularly and completely as we did rillas still fighting in the mountains, against Manatuto (200 kms. from Dili), were re- want.” all odds and in depleted numbers. Their leased yesterday, according to an Associated He said the Red Cross visited detainees, leader, Xanana Gusmão, was jailed for life in Press report, based on information from including those held in East Timor’s capital, May, after a three-month trial described as a East Timor’s military commander, Colonel Dili, the site of a military crackdown after farce by human rights groups. His sentence Lomintang. The demonstration, in which the November 1991 massacre there. Red was reduced to 20 years last month. about 40 young people carrying banners Cross officials also visited Gusmão three The Indonesian government says that it protested against Indonesia’s annexation of times as well as other prisoners. has spent large sums of money to improve the territory, was meant to draw the atten- But the organization faced difficulties the infrastructure since 1975. But roads tion of three US Congress assessors who, moving freely among the civilian population have been built only in areas where there are after a short visit to Timor, were returning of East Timor in accordance with the Fourth military bases, and the new schools ensure to Jakarta. Geneva Convention dealing with civilians, that Bahasa is taught throughout, while particularly in occupied territories. Portuguese and Tetum (the indigenous lan- FURTHER ARRESTS IN “Protection of the civilian population guage) are eradicated. There are no statistics means to be able to see the people, to circu- about the number of schools that have been TIMOR... late in the territory, to contact also the fami- closed down. Other apparent improve- lies of those who are in prison.,” he said. Publico, 8 September 1993. Translated from ments, including upgraded hospitals, have “And this is now an activity which is Portuguese the sole function of attracting settlers from somewhat difficult to be carried out in East Indonesia. Most of the senior posts in East (Lisbon) Fretilin’s representative in Aus- Timor.” Timor are held by Javanese and, for all the tralia, Alfredo Ferreira, said yesterday in Mr. Sommaruga said he had the coopera- infrastructural changes, the standard of liv- Darwin that, last Monday, the Indonesian tion of the foreign affairs minister but dia- ing of East Timorese has deteriorated during army arrested about forty young people in logue with the military was difficult. the past 18 years. Dili, who had taken part in a demonstration Coffee, one of the main crops in the re- calling for respect for human rights. Accord- HUNDREDS OF EAST ing to Alfredo Ferreira, the demonstrators gion, is marketed by the army. A Timorese TIMORESE CHILDREN DIE family living abroad has tried time and time numbered between one and two hundred again to start up a business for exporting young Timorese. Some of those arrested are OF DIARRHEA, coffee, and each time it has been told that it said to have been released after interroga- CATHECHISTS REPORT can only do so if it sets up joint ventures tion, while others continue to be held in with companies that are fronts for the detention. UCAN (Catholic news agency in Hong army’s commercial activities in East Timor. Kong), 23-24 September 1993. Unabridged For the East Timorese, the Catholic RED CROSS PROBLEMS IN (part dealing with East Timor only) Church is the only institution that provides TIMOR (Jakarta) A diarrhea outbreak has killed a refuge for their cultural, political and spiri- more than 300 children in Ermera district, tual aspirations - and there are certain limita- JAKARTA ARMY BLAMED East Timor. As of late August, 326 children tions even to its role. There are far more The West Australian - Perth September 15, under five years of age and 20 adults in 15 Catholics in Indonesia than in East Timor, 1993 villages in Ermera district have died since an and the Vatican has given only half-hearted epidemic began in July, according to Pos support to the East Timorese. It is up to Canberra: The Red Cross continued to Kupang, a Catholic-run daily in Nusa Teng- local priests to comfort and stand by a peo- have trouble visiting people detained in gara province, reporting from Dili. ple that have seen more than 200,000 of Indonesian jails, Red Cross president Corne- The deaths came to light during a pastoral their number (one third of the total popula- lio Sommaruga said yesterday. Mr. Somma- visit to the district by Dili’s apostolic ad- tion) vanish. According to one priest, since ruga said Red Cross committee members had ministrator, Salesian Bishop Carlos Filipe 1976 the number of practicing Catholics has problems circulating among East Timor Ximenes Belo. Catholic catechists in the increased from 30 per cent of the population residents. district just southwest of Dili gave detailed to 95 per cent. The church service is the The Indonesian Government seemed to reports to the bishop. They said local peo- only place where Timorese are allowed to be more cooperative allowing the ICRC ple are being haunted by the fear of death. gather. Even then, vans with darkened win- access to civilians but the military was less “When church bells rang,” Bishop Belo dows are parked outside. helpful, he said Indonesia undertook to al- said, “people were sad. They knew the The harsh Indonesian occupation has cre- low Red Cross access to prisoners after the ringing meant a parishioner had just passed ated an atmosphere of resentment - espe- Government hesitated to allow the Red away, and it has happened frequently (since cially among the young - that has reached Cross to visit East Timorese rebel leader July).” the point of no return. The Santa Cruz Xanana Gusmão, convicted of rebellion and A source in the Ermera district health of- cemetery massacre of November 1991 rein- sentenced this year to life, later reduced to fice said the office has not yet been formally forced the Timorese view that it is impossi- 20 years. reported any cases but he did not deny East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 25 health centres throughout the district have materials, and his personal belongings have named apostolic administrator, East Timor been flooded by diarrhea cases since July. been confiscated. had 280,000 Catholics. By the time he was Diarrhea can lead to life- threatening dehy- When placed in Semarang, in a prison for named a bishop, the territory had 540,000 dration. common criminals, Xanana said: Catholics. Today there are more than Reportedly a task force from the provin- “This prison is a prison for criminal of- 632,000, about 85 per cent of the popula- cial office of health and the military health fenders to recuperate. I will not and I cannot tion. services has been sent to Ermera district to recuperate, so why do I have to stay here.” In an interview with UCA News shortly investigate. Some health exp erts speculate In protest at all of these abuses of his before his episcopal ordination, Bishop- local water supplies were contaminated by fundamental freedoms, Xanana began a hun- elect Belo explained that East Timor had an typhoons over the last two months, leading ger strike which lasted almost three weeks, administrator and not a bishop because the to the diarrhea outbreak. during which time he had to be carried in politics in this former Portuguese territory There are also reports of at least 262 deaths order to attend a church service as he was were unsettled. Indonesia sent troops into from diarrhea in West Papua. Antara quoted too weak. To date, he has not been given East Timor in 1975 and declared it Indone- a local health official as saying that the out- access to medical attention. sia’s 27th province in 1976. The United break in the Sugapa area bordering on Exiled East Timorese leader, CNRM co- Nations has yet to recognise Indonesia’s Papua New Guinea has mainly affected the chairman Mr. Jose Ramos- Horta said in a integration of the territory. under-fives. “The death figure is high be- statement from Washington on Friday: Bishop Belo spoke with UCA News cause the medicine supply is late and the “We are sick and tired of Alatas’ lies. We again recently and gave an update on the role locations are very difficult to reach,” said call on the international community to sup- of the Church in the development of East Tony Sumpudus. He gave no further details port us in our condemnation of Indonesia’s Timor. The interview appeared in the Sept. and did not say during which period the flagrant abuse and arrogant attitude towards 24 issue of ASIA FOCUS. people died. international human rights standards. The ASIA FOCUS (AF): Comparing before and Indonesian authorities are responsible for after Indonesian integration, has the role INDONESIA ESCALATES the continuing genocide in East Timor and of the Church changed in East Timor? the mistreatment of Xanana and all the other REIGN OF TERROR IN EAST East Timorese political prisoners. We Bishop Belo (BB): In the history of insur- TIMOR strongly protest his capture and jailing, we gencies in East Timor, local people have call for his immediate and unconditional always relied on two alternatives. If they Press Release from the National Council for release and for an end to the charade and feel strong, they fight alone, but if they feel Maubere Resistance, issued on 24 Septem- copious lies told by Alatas and Suharto in helpless, they rely on the Church to help ber 1993: relation to the realities inside the occupied voice their aspirations. During Portuguese colonization, the Church served as a channel Thirteen battalions each comprising territory. We question Alatas’s delivery on the promises he made last Friday at the for people’s aspirations and was involved in 1,000 men, have been engaged for several education and socio- economic programmes. weeks now in a major non-stop scorch earth third round,” said Ramos-Horta. “It makes a mockery of the entire process.” The Church protected people from abuses policy inside the occupied territory. In par- by government officials. allel to this, a major crackdown against stu- Mr. Ramos-Horta said that a letter to the dents, clergy and the general population is Assistant Secretary General, Mr. Alvaro de The (Portuguese) government - for certain being carried out. Soto, would call for the UN Secretary Gen- political interests - acknowledged the Timorese are being killed, arbitrarily de- eral to use his good offices as stated in the Church’s role in voicing people’s aspira- tained, tortured, both physically and psy- joint communiqué signed by Portugal and tions by appointing the bishop of Dili as chologically; consequently the local popula- Indonesia last Friday, to send a special en- government advisor. Now, after integration tion live in a constant state of fear and ter- voy to meet with Xanana and to investigate the Church finds itself in a dilemma. The ror. first hand the abuses occurring daily inside government of Indonesia asks the Church in Diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria East Timor. East Timor to be active in promoting the are rampant, and killing an average of seven “We call on all human rights and humani- government development programme. It also people a day, according to church sources. tarian organisations, including Amnesty asks the Church to maintain a neutral posi- These facts illustrate the lies about Indone- International and Asia Watch and the inter- tion in politics - not to get involved in prac- sia’s so- called progress in East Timor. national media to press for access.” tical politics. Indonesia’s contempt for international Margherita Tracanelli, CNRM, c/o Wash- However, the Church can’t close its eyes to human rights standards has made a mockery ington, (202) 667 9563 various problems faced by the faithful as the of Alatas’ role in UN sponsored talks on result of integration. Regarding this issue, Timor. BISHOP BELO TALKS OF the Church faces a dilemma. If the faithful Jailed East Timorese resistance leader CHURCH ROLE IN EAST see the Church as too close to the govern- Mr. Xanana Gusmão, has been denied some ment, they would dub it a ‘Government of the most basic rights as a political pris- TIMOR Church.’ If the Church is too vocal in voic- ing people’s aspirations, the government oner. Reports from a reliable source, who Sept. 27, 1993. [UCAN is the Catholic news would immediately accuse it of getting in- for security reasons cannot be named, said agency based in Hong Kong] of the jailed leader that prior to his illegal volved in ‘practical’ politics. transfer from Dili to Semarang in Java on 12 DILI, East Timor (UCAN) - Salesian AF: What is the basic attitude the Church August, his request to see his family was Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo has brings to such a dilemma? served as apostolic administrator in Dili, denied. BB: Considering that formal political chan- Xanana later demanded to be placed in a East Timor, for 10 years. First he served in that capacity as a priest, and was ordained nels aren’t functioning yet, the Church is political prison such as Cipinang. He has prompted to overcome the dilemma by de- been denied access to paper and writing bishop of Lorium, a titular see, in June 1988. When then Monsignor Belo was claring it takes the side of the people with- Page 26 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. out opposing the government. The Church situation the Church finds itself helpless, Also mentioned is the Bishop’s actions also serves as a social control now and (will) and develops a defensive attitude. at the time of Pope John Paul II’s visit to in the future, should the formal political AF: What happens if the Church fails to East Timor in 1989, when he attempted “to institutions fail to function effectively. channel people’s aspirations. rise above...the seemingly insurmountable diplomatic complexities.” ...and to lay be- AF: Does the Church always succeed with BB: I do not expect such a failure. But if it its social control function? fore the Pope the plight of his people.” really comes, it would bring wide implica- For his defense of his people, Bishop BB: The Church’s social control function tions. Belo has come under severe intimidation by will be effective only if it can change its So we should pray that such conditions do the authorities. He has nevertheless shel- image. The old image of ‘ritual function’ not take place. The Lord will give the best tered in his own home “those fleeing from should be replaced with the image of a serv- possible way to his faithful ones. Our oppression and has visited the hospitals and ing Church. The local Church needs to go to Church will always support development prisons to intervene on behalf of the youth the people to get involved in their efforts to programmes launched by the government for who are incarcerated or tortured for their improve their socio-economic conditions. the benefit of all East Timorese people. And political beliefs.” The East Timor Church is now striving to the Church would try its best to speak for The nomination compares Bishop Belo develop such an image, so (whether it suc- the people when all political channels do not to Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop ceeds or not) should be evaluated in the near function well. Desmond Tutu as “one of the foremost future. peace activists of this century and as AF: How does the East Timor Church get EAST TIMOR CHURCH such...eminently worthy to be awarded the involved in development? NOMINATED FOR NOBEL Nobel Peace Prize.” BB: So far, the Church has supported de- PEACE PRIZE In August 1990, Representative Takemura velopment programmes launched by the met with UN Under Secretary Ahmed Raf- government in East Timor. But it should be Following is the gist of an article (in Japa- feudin to urge the UN to act on Bishop said that the Church can’t participate effec- nese) in the September issue of “Higashi Belo’s letter. tively because the government doesn’t have Timor Tsushin,” the bulletin of the Kure a concrete policy that guarantees Church YWCA East Timor Concerns Group FOREST FIRES RAGE IN participation in the development pro- -Jean Inglis EAST TIMOR grammes. The Catholic Church of East Timor (Don Jakarta Post, 22 September 1993 The government only says it hopes the Carlos Filippe Ximenes Belo) was nomi- Church can help in organizing popular sup- nated as a candidate for the 1993 Nobel It is important to get information about the port of government programmes. As the Peace Prize, the winner of which is to be background to these fires. If they are raging Church is striving to become a serving announced October 15. in all 13 districts, it’s difficult not to conclude Church that takes the side of the poor, most The nomination was submitted in Janu- that there is some design. I was once in- clerics here are quite critical about govern- ary by TAKEMURA Yasuko, a member of formed by a Timorese that fires regularly ment calls to organize popular support of the House of Councillors of the Japanese occur in East Timor in the months of August its programmes. They are not satisfied if Diet. and September, related to security forces they are used to mobilize people with out The Church and its leader, Bishop Belo, activities and their need for land clearance. being allowed to voice people’s aspirations. was nominated because it has provided “the Can anyone enlighten us, please? Carmel AF: What should the government do? sole source of spiritual and moral refuge for (Dili) Fire has destroyed thousands of BB: The government should find a more the Timorese” throughout 18 years of occu- hectares of forest in the province, an official appropriate way to enable the Church to pation by Indonesia. The “horrendous con- said yesterday. play a greater role in development pro- sequences” of the occupation, the nominat- The forest fires, the worst in many years, grammes. Harmonious relations between the ing letter says, “have deeply disturbed peo- have occurred in all of the province’s 13 government and Church should be main- ple of conscience throughout the world. regencies, said chief of the local forestry tained. Misunderstandings between govern- Resolution of the East Timor conflict in office, Elias Enes Careres. ment and Church due to prejudices are based keeping with internationally recognized Dili townspeople can see conflagrations on false reports. It is regretful that certain norms of justice is an urgent priority for the gutting forests on nearby hills almost every government officials are of the view that the international community.” night. Church is challenging the government to win In her letter Representative Takemura He said the cause of the fires has yet to people’s sympathy through development lauds Bishop Belo’s “humble and unswerv- be established. He ruled out speculation that programmes. Some officials still question ing faithfulness to his people...in the face of it was intentionally started by irresponsible the fact that people’s participation in repression.” people. Church construction projects is higher than Bishop Belo’s letter of Feb. 1989 to then in other projects like road and bridge con- UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar call- COMMENTS ing on the UN to “initiate a genuine and struction. From “Lenito”, 27 Sept. The government should also minimize the democratic process of decoloniza- tion...through a referendum” is cited as an What a surprise reading the message that adverse effects of integration. Local people fires occur across the 13 districts inside East see the growing number of migrants control- “outstanding contribution to the search for a peaceful solution to the East Timor issue” Timor. As I found difficult to confirm on ling the economy as negative effects of inte- this particular news, I can only say based on gration. The native-migrant dichotomy de- by bringing “into the light of day, and in the most appropriate forum, a crucial aspect of my experience of being a person who has velops with the widening economic gap grown up inside East Timor in the past between the two groups. In such a crucial the East Timor issue which had previously been obscured.” decades. I have been involved in a survey on this area when I was in East Timor. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 27

In fact it’s true that fires occur regularly From Bruno Kahn, Oct. 2. in a certain part of East Timor, in the coastal We have at least two eyewitness testi- U.S. CONGRESSIONAL areas, and in the hills (specifically in a cer- monies of fires in East Timor. One is by STAFFERS VISIT; MASS tain hectare of land!!!) by local farmers with Gabriel Defert, the author of Timor-Est, le purpose of land clearance in the dry season Genocide Oublié. Here is an account dating ARRESTS – August through November every year. back from his visit in August 1990: No wonder one could see every single “Currently certain army units have as a CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS day at that time, fires and smokes occur main mission to clean up the Timorese vege- frequently. In general local farmers (espe- tation in order to avoid that a small group of TO VISIT EAST TIMOR cially those who have traditionally engaged armed men can escape patrols. More or less Aug. 28 story, abridged. themselves in farming) have a classic method everywhere fires are lit in bushes and thick- of farm by ‘slush and burning’ the grass to ets, which has disastrous consequences on JAKARTA (UPI) – East Timorese legis- cultivate their crops. the ecology of the island. Recall that the lators expressed hope the planned visit by As I understand it nowadays farmers are East Timorese climate is extremely dry and United States congressional staffs to the forced to move down to coastal areas or in that vegetation is fragile there. So, after each former Portuguese colony will not affect the the settlement areas leaving their property, provoked fire, the only thing which will life of the people in the region. Several land, etc. in the mountains. grow up again will be Imperata Cylindrica, staffers are scheduled to visit East Timor The conventional and easiest way of very high dense and cutting grass, as im- the first week of September to observe the clearing the land is burning the grass which penetrable as noxious.” implementation of human rights in the prov- dried up during the dry season on their ab- In an interview that I don’t have at hand, ince, Antara said. Maria L.V. Oqintao [sic], sence. All the grasses appeared “brown” and he describes how he met military units chairman of the local legislative assembly, need to be wiped out. Consequently fires armed with flame-throwers and obviously stressed that the visit would not have any happened easily either deliberately or by burning the vegetation. consequence for the life of the people of coincidence by people passing through the The second eyewitness visited East East Timor. Oqianto accused the foreign street/path throwing the used cigarettes Timor in August 1989, fall 1991 and August media of attempting to give a negative pic- towards the ‘object.’ 1993. He also describes how the vegetation ture of conditions in East Timor with the Therefore, during that season one could is obviously burned at several places. goal of “putting Indonesia in a bad light regularly see smoke or blazing occurred in Both have photos showing the quite im- internationally.” Oqianto said many people the hills, mountains, or in other farming pressive damage. overseas are easily influenced by these “bi- areas. It’s done due to shortage of man- ased” publications which describe the peo- From Estevao Cabral, Editor of FITUN, power and time saving. That’s the tradi- ple’s life in East Timor as “miserable and October 13, 1993 tional way of land clearance as accounted by full of violations of human rights.” Oqianto a Timorese to Carmel. I do agree on that. It is well known amongst Timorese that expressed the hope that the U.S. staffers Now, having read the last message that the Indonesian military set fire to large visit would open the eyes of the interna- fires occur across the 13 districts, one may tracts of grass land and forests in East tional community to the real situation in doubt of its incidence. Without prejudice, I Timor every year. They do this in the sum- East Timor. can only say that in the last couple of years mer months (July to September), because since ABRI through its combat battalions the fires burn more easily. The vegetation is HILARY CLINTON NOT GOING operating in southern coastal of East Timor at its driest at this time of the year and the Aug. 31, 1993 such as Same, Suai, Viqueque and central fires are fanned by the high summer winds. region like Manatuto district which is ‘arid The main reason for these fires is to flush Department of Rumor Control – region’ fires occurred regularly and deliber- out the guerrillas located in the areas where According to the Gazeta Macaense of 31 ately done by ABRI personnel. The idea is there is natural protection from high grasses August, published in Macau, Hilary Clinton to make life harder for the guerilla combat- and dense forest. There are more fires in will shortly visit East Timor with a Senato- ants in the bush during the dry season and areas where there are military bases and in rial delegation. The article also says that facilitating ABRI’s operation of clearance. areas where different battalions are sta- Xanana will be moved back to Dili to meet Putting no doubt that at the moment the tioned. with the delegation. Local UDT is given as Indonesian army is actively campaigning I know that these fires have been lit for the source of the information. ‘once for all’ against the guerilla remnants in over seventeen years. I myself observed According to all available information, the bush, perhaps one could link this phe- fires and smoke from 1976 onwards whilst I This is not true. It is true that there is a nomenon with the past experiences. It’s was with Falintil in the mountains, and group of Senatorial staff (not Senators) in rather an unusual case if fires gutting the again, while living in Dili up to 1986. Indonesia, shortly to make a brief visit to forest in all 13 districts (is this a joke?), East Timor. They are being closely moni- unless if this is a provincial programme tored and guided by Indonesian authorities. implemented by ‘Dinas Kehutanan Tk.I If anyone has concrete evidence or reli- Propinsi Timor Timur.’ However, the last is able information to support any of these unlike as the head of Forestry Agency in rumors, or ideas about where and why they Dili also regretted the incidence. So, I’m originated, please send it to me by private leaned to the opinion that if this is not done email. We don’t need to spread false stories for ‘pursuing’ the guerrillas, then what is the any wider than necessary. They could cause purpose of burning the whole forest? Was it people to take action which might have a regional program for farming? I hope I’m disastrous consequences. wrong in my speculation, but that’s the Charles Scheiner, ETAN/US. wind that I can provide at the moment. Page 28 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

US MISSION’S VISIT as they were not state guests.” [This refers forced circumstances. When there were at- to a recent visit of pro-Indonesian Portu- tempts to provoke the people’s aspirations TO EAS T TIMOR guese members of the Portuguese-Indonesia and these aspirations took the form of dis- Jawa Pos 1 and 2 September 1993 Dateline: Friendship Association. TAPOL] plays of feeling [unjuk rasa], denunciations Dili Abridged “Security will be for their own protection and demonstrations, social and psychologi- but only if they want it,” said Theo. “For cal conflicts began to emerge between those Throughout both these reports and in most instance, if they want their hotel to be who are pro- and anti- Indonesian. If aspira- others we have seen, the visitors are re- guarded, we’ll guard it. But as yet, there has tions are expressed through denunciations ferred to as “members of the US Congress not been any request for this,” he added. like this, said Theo, then a conflict is bound and Senate,” including direct quotes from He said they would have the freedom to to happen. military commander Theo Syafei. This is not meet anyone they wish, including Mau “I guaranteed that so long as we imple- true; they were congressional aides and Hudo and Mau Huno. ment our (present) system, incidents like 12 officials of other congressional bodies. The Asked whether his own visit to Dili was November will not recur. That incident had only exception is a reference to the ‘congres- connected with the mission’s visit, Theo nothing to do with whether the troops used sional staff’ group in a news report in Ja- said: “No, I’ve come here only to accom- were anti-riot or not but because of the psy- karta Post of 10 September. pany the governor on his return home. I fear chological atmosphere between the two From visitors who have recently returned that the group which has returned from sides that could only be resolved through from Dili we learn that East Timorese also Paris with souvenirs may have forgotten conflict,” he said. believed that this mission consisted of mem- how to speak Indonesian or forgotten how “They also asked about the 24 people bers of Congress and the Senate. to eat rice.” The Governor smiled on hearing involved in the 12 November incident who It is remarkable that Theo Syafei went out of this and said: “The members of Congress were not put on trial. I told them that their his way to blame former US ambassador and the Senate are welcome to visit East interrogation dispositions (BAP) made it John Monjo for encouraging East Timorese Timor. I can’t comment further as I don’t clear that they were anti-Indonesia. The to demonstrate. Five days after his remarks, know what the purpose of their visit is. decision that it was not necessary to try a document made public under the US Free- What I can say is that I support the visit.” them was taken in Jakarta. We therefore dom of Information Act revealed the special He said they want to see the true situa- sent them out to villages to be given guid- preparations made in East Timor in ad- tion so that false information they had been ance. Since they refused to accept the Re- vance of the visit there by UN envoy, Amos hearing up to now could be refuted by what public of Indonesia, a system of guidance Wako. This was written during the time they saw themselves. would be used to make sure they would Monjo was ambassador. It is interesting that The group will visit the governor this af- accept the Republic of Indonesia. So the even before this became public, Theo was ternoon. It consists of 21 persons, made up guidance programme was not of fixed dura- attacking Monjo, something that we have not of six members of the US Congress and tion and would continue until they accept noticed before. It is highly unlikely that Theo Senate, and staff from the US embassy and the Republic,” he went on. As a result of could have had advanced warning of the from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. this programme, some have now accepted FOIA revelation. the Republic and have returned as citizens. “DILI INCIDENT WILL NOT BE “I told them that the origins of the 1991 – TAPOL REPEATED” demonstration go back to what happened US CONGRESS WILL VISIT DILI said Theo in a dialogue with the US when the US ambassador, John Monjo, Congress group visited East Timor. There was a series of TODAY demonstrations in the presence of the US Jakarta Post: 1 September 2 September ambassador which were even praised by the Theo: If they want to see human rights, As was to be expected, members of the ambassador as being a good thing to happen. please... US Congress and Senate who visited Dili Yet it is in contravention of our Constitu- yesterday raised the question of human tion. This is what started all those demon- Twelve members of the US Congress and rights, focusing particularly on the 12 No- strations which raised matters of fundamen- Senate will visit East Timor today as part of vember incident and the trial of Xanana tal importance. They raised the Fretilin flag a visit to Indonesia. Some sources say the Gusmão. instead of the red- and-white flag, they car- visit is for the purpose of getting to know “There were two things they asked me: ried photos of Xanana instead of photos of about the implementation of human rights. how to differentiate between strike-force President Suharto. These are matters of As is known, the US Congress still persists and territorial troops and whether there fundamental importance that psychologi- in raising the question of human rights and were guarantees that the 12 November inci- cally were bound to lead to conflict,” said asked Bill Clinton to raise this when he met dent would not be repeated,” Theo told the Theo. President Suharto in Tokyo recently. press after his meeting with them. He denied that in the run-up to the visit Yesterday, Major-General Theo Syafei “I told them there won’t be another inci- of the members of the US Senate and Con- arrived in Dili together with the group of dent like 12 November. As for differentiat- gress, there had been any arrests, as some governor Abilio Soares which has just re- ing between strike-force and territorial members of the group thought. The only turned from a religious visit to the Vatican troops, I said that the strike-force troops thing that happened was that some people and Paris. Theo said it was quite likely that will all leave in October and only territorial who had formerly been involved in demon- the mission wanted to take a close look at troops will remain so that conditions here strations were rounded up to be given guid- human rights in East Timor. He said they will continue to improve.” ance by the state apparatus. were free to go wherever they wanted; how- The visitors had asked why troops were “I don’t place much hope in the US Con- ever since they are guests of the state, secu- used during the 12 November incident in- gress because I don’t see any consistent rity measures would be needed. “There will stead of anti-riot squads. In his reply, the principles in the US. On 5 and 6 September be special security for them, unlike when military commander began by saying that we are also going to receive a group from the Portuguese citizens were on a visit recently the 12 November incident was the result of US. The nature is much the same; there are East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 29 no consistent principles. This is why I “Why are some of them being held out- been arrested by Indonesian forces. Still don’t place too many hopes on these visits. side East Timor?” she asked, to which he according to UDT, the Indonesian forces This will be just the same as previous vis- replied: “They are being held outside East went through every bus arriving in Dili from its.” Timor because it is considered better for the interior with “a fine-tooth comb.” After meeting Theo, the group meet the them to be held outside East Timor than to governor and raised similar questions. One be held here in East Timor. It’s even the US DELEGATION TO MEET member of the group named Sandra [Indone- case that some of those who were involved (ALMOST) ‘EVERYONE’ sians frequently refer to people by their in the 12 November incident are getting first names only] said: “In the US Congress schooling in Java at the expense of the gov- By Jana D.K., Green Left #114, September and in other countries, the opinion is gaining ernment.” 8, 1993 ground that there is no freedom of expres- The confusion over whether the visitors JAKARTA - The Indonesian armed sion in East Timor and that democracy is were members of Congress or Congres- not as it should be. For instance, we feel forces (ABRI) have announced that a visit- sional aides may be the result of increased ing delegation of 12 US congressional aides that many things that happened at the trials sloppy reporting under Jawa Pos’ new own- of Xanana Gusmão, Fernando Araujo, Sat- will be allowed to meet with East Timorese ers. In DeTIK, for example, now the coun- fighters during a five-day visit which began urnino da Costa Belo and João Freitas da try’s most liberal newsmagazine (and re- Camara were unfair, such as they weren’t on September 1. quired reading for Army officers), the re- Major General Theo Syafei, commander able to get lawyers or even though they had porters’ angle in covering the visit was that lawyers, there were restrictions on express- of the Udayana military command, whose the US had sent ‘mere aides’ and not real jurisdiction includes East Timor, told re- ing their views. How could such things hap- members of Congress. pen?” she asked. porters that the delegation will be able to Abilio Soares replied categorically: John MacDougall meet with everyone, that is, almost every- “Nothing like that happened. We Indone- one. sians firmly uphold democracy and justice. US DELEGATION FINDS CITY As it transpires, however, the “separatist We also very strictly guarantee freedom of DESERTED rebels” which the delegation will be “free” to expression.” He also insisted that the im- meet are two prisoners, Mau hunu José da plementation of human rights in East Timor Publico, 2 September 1993. Translated from Costa and Antonio Gomez da Costa, who is highly respected. “East Timor’s integra- Portuguese are described by the military as being aides tion into Indonesia is a recognition of human of the recently captured Fretilin leader (Lisbon) Ten members of the US Con- Xanana Gusmão. rights in East Timor. During the 450 years gress, which yesterday started a visit to Dili of Portuguese colonialism, the people of The Antara news agency quoted Theo as in East Timor, was only able to meet with saying, “The observance of human rights in East Timor suffered greatly and all their the territory’s authorities, as no contact rights were abused,” he said. East Timor is ‘good enough’ as far as we are with the people had been arranged for them. concerned.” As for the arrests of some East Timorese, This information was received by Publico this was because these people had acted He also said that he believed the Novem- from a source in Dili, who added that “the ber 12, 1991, Dili “incident” occurred be- beyond the limits, such as breaking laws or streets of the city are deserted.” holding demonstrations that clearly contra- cause of a psychology of confrontation and The ten North Americans, whose pur- that “it was waiting to happen.” vene the Constitution. “I don’t think there pose there is to evaluate respect for human were any people arrested in advance of your rights, met yesterday with the Bishop of visit,” said Abilio. Dili, and will be going to Baucao today, ARRESTS PRECEDE Asked by another member of the mission before leaving the territory. According to the U.S. DELEGATION named Antonio about the handling of ex- region’s Military Commander, General Theo Fretilin who had returned (from the bush), Syafei, “they are allowed to visit any place Letter from East Timor Action Network/US Abilio Soares said they have been given the they wish,” which does not appear to be September 2, 1993 freedom to determine their own fate. It’s up happening. Syafei also gave assurances that Dear Friend, to them whether they want to go and live the delegation would be allowed to meet We received the attached press release with their families or go abroad, “even Ma’Huno, Xanana Gusmão’s successor as last night by fax from Darwin, Australia. It though they have been responsible for the leader of the Resistance. The General did describes a wave of arrests in Dili, East occurrence of a civil war in East Timor,” he not confirm the delegation’s meeting with Timor, in advance of a visit of U.S. Con- said. Xanana Gusmão, currently serving a 20-year gressional staff members. Some of these ex-Fretilin people have prison term. The arrests began last week, with greatly even been given jobs in the civil service. The delegation asked Governor Abilio heightened military security at Dili airport There are even ex-Fretilin who are now dis- Osorio for information about ex-members of and other areas. Some reports say that sev- trict chiefs, he said. Sandra who said she Fretilin and Timorese who had taken part in eral hundred young East Timorese, many was concerned with international and human the 12 November 1991 demonstration, survivors of the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre, rights affairs at the US Congress asked which led to the Santa Cruz massacre. Ac- were rounded up and taken outside of Dili. about the arrest of people involved in the cording to the AP agency, the Governor We have not been able to determine where Dili incident. The governor said they were gave assurances that the prisoners had been they are or what has been done to them. treated in the same way as the ex-Fretilin. released and returned to their families. The American delegation arrived “Why did some of them not have lawyers?” The delegation, led by David Cox, had al- Wednesday mid-day (Sept. 1) and left she asked. Abilio replied firmly that those ready met with Indonesia’s Foreign Minis- Thursday morning, local time. Security was who did not have lawyers had refused to be ter, Ali Alatas, as well as with the Minister extremely tight during their visit. The East helped by a lawyer. “It was a different mat- of Commerce. Two days prior to the delega- Timor Action Network/U.S. will continue to ter with Xanana Gusmão who made an offi- tion’s arrival, the UDT claimed that hun- gather information on this new wave of cial request for a lawyer,” said the governor. dreds of young, so-called “agitators,” had Page 30 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Indonesian military repression in East 14. Hermenegildo Carvalho the Santa Cruz massacre of November 12, Timor, and we hope others will do the same. 15. Tiago de Jesus 1991, when Indonesian troops used U.S.- Since a visit of American representatives 16. Alberto Alves supplied weapons to kill hundreds of un- was the excuse for the crackdown, the gov- 17. Virgilio Augusto armed East Timorese people. ernment and people of the United States 18. Tomas da Costa The staffers visited East Timor for eight- have a particular responsibility to see that 19. Julito een hours this past Wednesday and Thurs- all those who were arrested are released 20. Olimpio Castro day. Military security was extremely tight immediately, without being tortured. 21. Januario de Jesus before and during their visit. The Indonesian government took these 22. Jose de Jesus As you know, the Senate Foreign Rela- harsh measures to prevent the U.S. and 23. Carlos Augusto, Bairro Pite tions Committee will mark up the Foreign world community from learning what is 24. Pedro Fatima, Kuluhun Aid Authorization Bill this Wednesday. really going on under its 18-year military 25. Januario (alias) Alico, Santa Cruz Senator Feingold is introducing an amend- occupation of East Timor. We owe it to the 26. Afonso Maria, Santa Cruz ment to suspend U.S. government and East Timorese people to distribute this 27. Casimiro Andrade commercial weapons sales to Indonesia until information as rapidly and widely as possi- 28. Jovito das Dores Indonesia respects human rights in East ble. 29. Rosalino Pereira Timor and complies with U.N. Security Thank you for your quick response. 30. Gustavo Sarmento, Taibessi Council resolutions for troop withdrawal –––––––––– 31. Janio Lobato, Bairro Economico and self-determination. 32. Simplico Madeira, Lahana Barat We hope you will support this amend- Darwin Supporters for a Free East 33. Antonio Baptista, Vila Verde ment. Timor 34. Fernando Tilman, Kuluhuu The Indonesian government arrested Phone/fax 61-89-275478 or 61-89-832113 35. Jose S. Bento, Audian these young people to prevent the U.S. Press Release: 2 Sept. 1993 36. Lito da Costa, Kuluhun Congress from learning what is going on 37. Joaquim Sarmento, Bairro Economico inside its 18-year military occupation. “Hundreds of young people again arrested 38. Anibal Magno, Kintal Bot Since a visit of American representatives in Dili.” - Jose Gusmão 39. Danociano dos Martires, Quintal Mas- was the excuse for the crackdown, the News has been filtering out of mass ar- carenhas United States has a particular responsibility rests yet again of young people in Dili, East 40. Jose Manuel, Balide to see that all those who were arrested are Timor, during the past week. 41. Francisco Atanasio released immediately, without being tor- The arrests appear to be preemptive ac- 42. Octaviano dos Santos, Kuluhuu tured. tion by the totalitarian military rulers of 43. Aleixo de Jesus Tilman, Ai Turi Laran Thank you. East Timor in advance of the very short 44. Gelito Freitas da Silva, Bairro Formosa visit of a delegation of officials from the US 45. Ambrosio da Costa Sarmento, Lahane REQUIRED COURSES Congress. Timur Once again these arrests show that there 46. Domingos Doutel Faria, Bidau Indonesia Denies Alleged Arrests in East is no freedom in East Timor, that recent 47. Constancio Manuel Alves, Camoro Beto Timor statements from Jakarta claiming that ten- 48. Narcisio Madeira Neves, Colmera Reuter, Sept. 3. Full text. sions have eased and all are happy are lies, 49. Leonio Maria das Dores, Fatu Hada and that the military command in East 50. Eufrasio G. Nunes, Pertamina Comoro (Jakarta) Independence activists said on Timor is a law unto itself and is basically 51. Atanasio P. Gaspar, Bidau Aikadiru Hun Friday that 53 students had been arrested in out of control. 52. Celestino Morato da Cunha, Taibessi East Timor before a visit by U.S. congres- The Southeast Asia office of CNRM 53. Claudio Cortinhal, Bairro Pite sional aides, but Indonesian military activ- (The National Council of Maubere Resis- Jose Gusmão, Darwin Supporters for a ists said they had been sent on a course. tance) in Darwin is able to provide the Free East Timor (also CNRM SE Asian and East Timor’s National Council of names of 53 of those young people arrested. Darwin Representative), PhFax 089-275478 Maubere resistance alleged in a faxed state- We call on the Australian government ur- Rob Wesley-Smith, DSFET, PhFax 089- ment from Lisbon that the arrests were de- gently to find out the names of all arrested, 832113 signed to prevent any “disturbances which to intercede for their safety, and to protest may arise out of political demonstrations by this excessive and illegal behaviour, and for LETTER TO SENATE FOREIGN the students who may have hoped ... to gain the press and public to help too. RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND KEY attention to their plight.” The interim list of names and their sub- CONGRESSPEOPLE A group of U.S. congressional aides ar- urb or school follows: rived in East Timor on Wednesday for a East Timor Action Network / United States 1. Fausto da Silva, Desa Kamea two-day visit organized by the Indonesian September 2, 1993 2. Gil Lemos government and met military commander 3. Julio X. da Silva, SMN Dili Dear Senator ______, Major General Theo Syafei and the terri- 4. Sebastião Pedro da Silva, SMA Dili We just received the attached list of tory’s governor Abilio Osorio Soares. 5. Christiano Araujo, Desa Kampung Alor names of people who have been arrested in “There was no arrest, they (the students) 6. Augusto Pachao Monteiro, SMP Hati Kudus East Timor in the past few days. These 53 were sent for a guidance course in Dili,” 7. Tinoco, Desa Kampung Alor names are among the several hundred who military spokesman Major Leiden Simbolon 8. Bento Pereira were rounded up beginning last week, in said by telephone from the East Timor capi- 9. Jose Maria advance of the visit of a group of Congres- tal. 10. Isac da Costa sional staff members. “It was a coincidence (the course started) 11. Francisco da Silva We have not been able to find out where when the congressional staffers arrived.” 12. Benjamin Madeira, SMA Dili the arrestees have been taken or what has The U.S. Congress, which suspended 13. Alberto Carvalho, Kampung Alor been done to them. Many are survivors of some military aid after Indonesian troops East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 31 opened fire on mourners at a funeral in Dili have denied that the arrests had taken place. immediate and unconditional access to their in 1991, is due to debate soon whether to Instead a military spokesman in Dili stated place of detention; suspend all arms sales. that about fifty youths had been sent on a - urging the authorities to clarify the pre- Indonesia has sought to improve its im- “guidance course” in Dili in advance of the cise reasons for their arrest, and to release age over East Timor which it annexed a year congressional visit. Individuals who are sent them immediately if they have not been after invading the former Portuguese colony on such “courses” are in some instances charged with a recognizably criminal of- in 1975. Last month it reduced a life sen- obliged to stay in military quarters and are fence; tence handed to rebel leader Xanana Gusmão required to attend ideological training - seeking guarantees that they will be to 20 years. courses in the state ideology, Pancasila. In humanely treated while in custody and that In July, Washington blocked the sale to other instances Amnesty International is their relatives and friends will not face in- Indonesia of U.S.-made Northrop F-5E aware of such “guidance” taking the form of timidation, harassment and other violations fighter planes from Jordan partly because of detainees being held at remote military posts of their rights. Jakarta’s human rights record in East Timor. where they are obliged to act as labourers APPEALS TO: Comment from Charles Scheiner, ETAN/US: and servants of the military and are sub- jected to various forms of abuse. Amnesty Ali Alatas Fifty-three is the number of names the resis- International regards this as a form of arbi- [Salutation: Dear Minister Alatas] Minis- tance was able to obtain so far. In actuality, trary, unacknowledged detention. ter of Foreign Affairs, Kementerian Luar several hundred people were arrested; it is Amnesty International has also received Negero, Jl. Taman Pejambon 6 Jakarta Indo- not known where they were taken. The ar- reports that dozens of other people were nesia. Telegrams: Minister Foreign Affairs, rests started about 5 days before the visit, picked up for interrogation prior to, and Jakarta, Indonesia Faxes: +62 21 36 7781 which lasted only 18 hours. The staffers had following, the congressional visit. The situa- General Feisal Tanjung requested to meet with Bishop Belo and tion in Dili, as well as in Baucau, Los Palos other East Timorese, but were not allowed [Salutation: Dear General Tanjung] and Manatuto, is reported to remain very Commander of the Armed Forces (ABRI) Jl. to. tense, with the towns being kept under Is the topic of the required course “Endur- Merdeka Barat 13, Cilangkap, East Jakarta, strict surveillance by the military. A Swed- Indonesia. Telegrams: Gen. Tanjung, Mar- ance of Pain 101,” or perhaps it’s a gradu- ish parliamentary delegation is due to arrive ate course in “Deprivation of Liberty”? kas Besar ABRI, Jakarta, Indonesia Faxes: in to East Timor on 13 September for a +62 21 36 1471/+62 21 37 8144/+62 21 35 Fortunately, even Indonesia’s supporters in three day visit and Amnesty International 6404 Washington don’t seem to believe this trans- believes that further arrests and arbitrary parent lie, which provoked a groan from at detentions are likely to follow in the coming Maj. Gen. Theo Syafei least one opponent of the Feingold amend- days as a consequence. [Salutation: Dear Major General Syafei] ment. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Military Commander for Region IX, Pang- dam IX/Udayana Markas Besar, KODAM Since Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor IX Udayana Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, AI: INDONESIA MASS in 1975 Amnesty International has docu- Telegrams: Maj. Gen. Theo Syafei, Kodam mented a pattern of gross and persistent ARRESTS IX, Denpasar, Bali, human rights violations by Indonesian secu- Indonesia EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI rity forces in East Timor. These have in- Index: ASA 21/20/93. Distr: UA/SC cluded extrajudicial execution, torture and ill- Colonel Suntoro 6 September 1993 treatment, “disappearance,” political im- [Salutation: Dear Colonel Suntoro] prisonment and unfair trial. Political detain- Commander Resort Military Command UA 306/93 Arbitrary Detention/Fear of ees in East Timor are commonly held in- (KOREM) 164. Dili, Timor Timur. Tele- Torture communicado and subjected to torture and grams: Col. Suntoro, KOREM 164, Dili, INDONESIA/EAST TIMOR: ill-treatment in order to extract confessions Timor Timur (The first 20 names on the previous list) and political intelligence. During the period And 33 others of interrogation military and police authori- Amnesty International is concerned for ties routinely deny lawyers and representa- SWEDISH the safety of the above 53 students, and tives of the International Committee of the PARLIAMENTARY possibly many others, who were arrested Red Cross (ICRC) access to political detain- by Indonesian security forces in East Timor ees. All those detained must be considered DELEGATION VISITS in advance of a visit to the territory by at serious risk. The use of unacknowledged, EAST TIMOR members of the United States Congress on 1 arbitrary and often incommunicado deten- and 2 September 1993. The current where- tion facilitates and even invites torture and abouts of the 53 are unknown. Amnesty other ill-treatment, as a mounting volume of SWEDISH MP’S TO VISIT International believes that they may be evidence from former detainees makes clear. INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR prisoners of conscience, detained solely RECOMMENDED ACTION: because of their non-violent political activi- Please send telegrams/faxes/express and The following press release was received ties. It fears that they may be subjected to airmail letters either in English or in your from the media unit of the Center Party Par- torture or ill-treatment while in the custody own language: liamentary Office, Stockholm, Sweden, on 2 of the Indonesian security forces. - expressing concern for the 53 people September 1993. Reports indicate that the arrests were named above arrested in East Timor and carried out in an effort to prevent any pro- Members of Swedish Parliament Mrs. seeking clarification of their whereabouts; independence demonstrations from taking Ingebritt Irhammar (Center Party), Mr. - urging that representatives of the ICRC, place while the congressional delegates were Hans Goran Franck (Social Democrat) and lawyers, relatives and doctors be granted in East Timor. Indonesian military officials Mrs. Ingela Martensson (Liberal) will visit Page 32 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Indonesia and East Timor from 4 - 17 Sep- (which includes Fretilin) has offered a cease- H-GF: “We wish to meet and talk with tember. fire and negotiations without preconditions. government officials, opposition representa- The visit, which is taking place on their Its peace plan has been studied with great tives and have free access to the victims of own initiative, includes meetings with the interest by the UN Secretary General, who the Indonesian invasion and occupation in Foreign Minister of Indonesia, representa- has been mandated to hold consultations East Timor.” tives of the various Indonesian Parliamen- with the parts in the conflict; the occupying LUSA: Do you have any specific person or tary factions, and environmental and Human power Indonesia, the former colonial power persons in mind? Rights organisations. Portugal, and the East Timorese liberation The three members of Parliament are all movement. Indonesia has however so far H-GF: “Of course. The person we wish strongly committed to Human Rights, and refused to talk to the resistance. The resis- most of all to see and talk to is the impris- have previously visited, among other coun- tance leader Jose Xanana Gusmão was on 21 oned leader of the Timorese people, Xanana tries, Palestine and Kurdistan. Amnesty May sentenced to life. Gusmão. I have followed his case closely International charges Indonesia with viola- “Xanana is a great man. Timorese, and and so have the colleagues accompanying tions of Human Rights, specially in the also Indonesians I have met, speaks about me. I have pressed the council of Europe to former Portuguese colony East Timor, him as a Nelson Mandela of East Timor. In take up his matter in the highest forums; which in 1975 was occupied by Indonesia. my opinion he has a given role in a future soon after his arrest, last spring I asked the One third of the population in the country dialogue. He should, against the background chairman of the European Council of Minis- is estimated to have been killed by war, of the unfair trial, be set free. He is a fasci- ters to intervene; they have done something famine and terror, since the invasion. The nating person whom I really would like to but not enough. The same is the case with occupation has been condemned by the meet,” says Ingebritt Irhammar. Sweden and the Swedish government; only half hearted United Nations. The Swedish position is Indonesia has some cooperation around efforts.” that the right to self-determination of the development projects through the Nordic LUSA: Do you think your requests will be East Timorese people should be respected. Development Fund (NDF). This is also an acceded? “We hope that Indonesia does indeed lis- important area of interest during the visit. H-GF: “I can only answer to that after I ten to the growing world-opinion on this They are hoping to meet both representa- have been there. Some of our requirements issue,” says Hans Goran Franck. East Timor tives of the Indonesian Government and we have not yet presented and will do so was put in world focus in November 1991, activists from the Indonesian environmental after our meeting with the Indonesian For- when Indonesian military committed a mas- movement. eign Minister. But our mission has the sup- sacre on peaceful civilian demonstrators in TENTATIVE PROGRAMME not included port and interest of parliamentarians of all the East Timorese capital Dili. In the Swed- here, see below. parties, inter-parliamentary bodies, NGO’s ish visit, four days in East Timor are sched- and UN agencies. It is in the interest of In- uled. This is the first time since the massa- SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARY donesia to cooperate with us. They face cre that foreign parliamentarians are allowed immense international pressure to change to visit the territory. Delegations from Ja- DELEGATION LEFT FOR their repressive way of government and pan, Australia, United States and the Euro- INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR antagonizing us will not help them in that pean Parliament, have all been refused entry. TODAY direction.” “We are grateful for the generosity showed LUSA: Is there any other important items on by Indonesia, and we hope that this is sig- LUSA, 3 Sep. 1993. By Alfred de Tavares your agenda? naling a new openness. We hope that also STOCKHOLM: The three Swedish par- international Human Rights organisations H-GF: “Oh yes, quite a few. But I feel that liamentarians, Mrs. Ingela Martensson (Lib- shall be allowed to work in East Timor,” the significant issue will be the request eral), Mrs. Ingebritt Irhammar (Center) and says Ingela Martensson. Ingela Martensson, Ingebritt Irhammar and I Hans Goran Franck (Social Democrat) left In March, the UN Commission on Hu- intend to make our hosts: to enable the separately for Jakarta today. They will meet man Rights sharply criticised Indonesia, and seven Timorese students that sought asylum in the Indonesian capital, prior to the com- called for the Indonesian government to in the Swedish and Finnish embassies and mencement of the two week fact finding allow independent Human Rights organisa- who now are, reportedly in a situation of mission that will take them to East Timor tions like Amnesty International, to work in risk, to leave Indonesia with us. If we suc- and, hopefully, enable them to meet East the country. The resolution was supported ceed, in spite of the offer of asylum to them Timorese activists and leaders that are in by a great majority, including the United by Portugal, we will press the Swedish gov- prison or in hiding. States. The US was earlier one of Indone- ernment to accommodate them on our own Speaking to LUSA, before departure, sia’s closest allies, but has after the election refugee quota. As a jurist, I am of the opin- Advocate Hans Goran Franck said: “We are of President Clinton, started to review its ion that the measure will be advantageous to pleased at the opportunity of examining at support for the Indonesian military. them, as well as put the Swedish handling of first hand the conditions in what has been “We are coming to Indonesia with an the East Timor question in a better perspec- described as one of the worst human rights open mind, and will seek to meet represen- tive.” records countries. Our primary purpose is tatives of all parts of the Indonesian society. to study closely the human rights situation Indonesia is a great nation, unfortunately SWEDISH VISIT TO EAST in East Timor and further, the problems that tormented by the drawn out and unsolved deter their right to self determination.” “We TIMOR conflict in East Timor. Conflict should be really hope that we will be able to study and solved through dialogue, and we believe that TT, Tidningarnas Telegrambyra (Swedish judge the situation with our own eyes and to Indonesia, who in its capacity of a regional National News Agency). 7 Sept. 1993. By make all the necessary contacts to study the power played a prominent role in the Cam- Stefan Hjerten. Translated from Swedish. situation.” bodian process, shall see the need for a dia- STOCKHOLM/JAKARTA Three LUSA: What contacts do you have in mind? logue also in East Timor,” says Ingebritt Swedish Members of Parliament will visit Irhammar. The resistance movement CNRM East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 33

East Timor next week. That is clear after a This clearly makes a difference, specially The three Swedish MP’s, besides Mart- meeting with the Foreign Minister of Indo- to the media in Jakarta reporting on the ensson, Mrs. Irhammar (Center) and lawyer nesia, Mr. Ali Alatas, in Jakarta on Tues- visit. Hans Goran Franck (Social Democrat), will day. The error is partly a misunderstanding by thus visit the disputed former Portuguese The three - Ingebritt Irhammar (Centre the reporter at the Swedish National News colony from September 13 to 16. Party), Ingela Martensson (Liberal) and Agency (TT), partly my fault when trans- Since Indonesia invaded and occupied Hans Goran Franck (Social Democrat) - are lating the piece to English for the ET confer- East Timor in 1975, and subsequently an- making a three week visit to the area. Lately ence.. nexed it, it has been nearly impossible for the Indonesian hosts have made a series of My personal view is that there are pres- political delegations from democratic coun- attempts to change the itinerary, keeping sures behind the scenes, from the military in tries to visit the area. Although an Austra- East Timor out. The MP’s got the impres- ET, to keep the visit as short as possible, lian delegation was allowed in some time sion that some kind of unknown force, and if possible have it cut out altogether. ago, and a group of officials from the US probably the military who holds a tight grip But, as the MP’s are saying in the inter- Congress last week also was permitted to do on East Timor, wanted to keep them out. view, Mr. Alatas has now given his assur- the same, they were both, reportedly, so “We went straight to the point, and ances that the visit will take place according closely monitored that their usefulness was asked who is really in charge in Indonesia,” to the original itinerary. rendered insignificant. The Swedes hope- Ingebritt Irhammar says to TT: “We had – Jan-Erik Forsberg, Swedish East Timor fully expect substantially different possibili- heard rumours that the military would stop Committee ties. They will also be the first to visit our visit to East Timor next week.” Timor during such an extended period. But Alatas assured Ingela Martensson, SWEDISH Said Ingela Martensson: “It would ap- Hans Goran Franck and Ingebritt Irhammar, pear that the proposed legislation by the US that the itinerary approved by the Foreign PARLIAMENTARIANS Senate to impose a total weapons embargo Ministry, is valid. ASSURED FREE MOVEMENT, on Indonesia, has born results; Indonesia The parliamentarians will be in the dis- ACCESS IN EAST TIMOR would like to avert such a situation and puted territory from 13 - 16 September. For appear to be willing to make gestures to many years it has been very difficult to get LUSA, 7 September 1993. By Alfred de Ta- preempt it.” permit to visit East Timor, which was in- vares. Mr. Alatas is looking forward with keen vaded and occupied by Indonesia in 1975, STOCKHOLM/JAKARTA – LUSA has interest to his meeting, on September 20, and later annexed by Indonesia. The UN and been in touch with the three Swedish par- with the UN Secretary General, Boutrous the former colonial power Portugal have liamentarians, presently on a three week Boutrous-Ghali, along with the Foreign never recognized the annexation. The issue fact-finding visit to Indonesia and East Minister of Portugal. is regularly discussed by the UN. Within the Timor - the first of its type since the Indo- US Congress, there is strong criticism of nesian invasion and annexation of East FINNISH MP REFUSED Indonesia on the issue of East Timor. Last Timor. ENTRY TO INDONESIA week a group of staffers from the Congress “After meeting with Foreign Minister of visited East Timor to investigate the situa- Indonesia Ali Alatas, upon our arrival in Swedish East Timor Committee, 8 Sept. tion. Jakarta, we are now certain that we will be Finnish MP, Mrs. Satu Hassi (Green The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee is enabled to visit East Timor,” Mrs. Ingela currently debating a proposal to cut all arms Party) has been refused visa to Indonesia. Martensson told LUSA from the Indonesian She had planned to go together with the trade from the US to Indonesia. capital today. “Until now we were not On September 20, the Foreign Ministers Swedish MP’s currently visiting Indonesia. absolutely sure that we would be allowed Mrs. Hassi’s initiative was greeted by of Indonesia and Portugal will meet with the into the area.” UN Secretary General for consultations on her fellow Swedish MP’s, who offered her “From the information we had gathered to be part of their delegation. East Timor. we were given to understand that the Indo- The conclusions made by the Swedish In Scandinavia, there is a long tradition of nesian authorities had made several efforts joint delegations and close cooperation be- MP’s will find an interested audience, as to change our itinerary so that East Timor few political observers have had an oppor- tween the five Nordic countries. Mrs. Hassi would be excluded from our visit,” said is a delegate to the Nordic Council (Nordisk tunity to stay for four days in East Timor, Ingela Martensson, the Liberal member of since the Indonesian invasion. Rad), a consultative assembly of Parliamen- the Swedish Parliament who has most en- tarians from the Nordic Countries. In the CORRECTION / CLARIFICATION gaged herself in order to make this visit a NR she is a member of the financial commit- reality. “We received definite information tee, which discuss the activities of the Nor- The news report says: that a powerful force, that we saw as the dic Investment Bank. This year the Nordic “Lately the Indonesian hosts have made a military authorities in charge of the East Investment Bank has granted a loan of 50 series of attempts to change the itinerary, Timor region, will keep us out from the million USD, to Indonesia. keeping East Timor out.” area.” At the Nordic Council Annual Meeting in According to reliable sources close to the “We went right to the heart of the matter Oslo in March 1993, Mrs. Hassi brought up Swedish Foreign office and the MP’s delega- and directly asked Ali Alatas to tell us who, the issue of East Timor for discussion. She tion, this is not quite true. The facts are that in reality, decides the matters of importance asked questions on the NIB financing of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry had never in Indonesia; to let us know whether or not Indonesia, and proposed that the Nordic proposed a complete cut out of the East we will be able to visit East Timor. He has Ministerial Council should send a delegate Timor visit, rather a reduction from four to assured us that the original programme that to East Timor, to investigate the Human three days. This was also made clear by the has been cleared by the foreign ministry and Rights situation. MP speaking to the news reporter. also includes East Timor, will stand,” said Last week Mrs. Hassi applied to the In- Ingela Martensson. donesian embassy in Helsinki for a visa. Page 34 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Signals from the Indonesian Foreign Minis- Suntoro), demanding the immediate release she is annoyed over being accompanied by try to the embassy of Finland in Jakarta, at of the Timorese prisoners of conscience. official guides and being constantly watched. first said that there would be no problem. At the heart of AI’s concerns is the “When we are taken somewhere by car, But later on Friday, the Indonesian Foreign plight of the 53 young Timorese detained there are military everywhere and sirens are Ministry decided to refuse her visa. earlier this month, just before the visit of the heard,” she says. Mrs. Hassi says she will try to organise a US Congress assessors. The human rights The interest in the visit, is great from the new broader visit by Human Rights defend- organisation, which published a document Indonesian press. When the MP’s are back ers in the Finnish Parliament, to Indonesia containing the names of the 53 Timorese, in Jakarta, they will give a press-conference. and East Timor. fears they may be “subjected to torture and On Tuesday the front page of the local pa- If this move by the Indonesian Govern- ill treatment while in detention.” per in Dili, carried the picture of Hans Go- ment was intended to discourage Human Still according to AI information, “doz- ran Franck. The Indonesian news agency Rights activists in Finnish Parliament, they ens of other people” were said to have been Antara on Tuesday went out with the news now seem to have made a gross miscalcula- arrested for interrogation, during the visit of that “all combat soldiers has been with- tion. the US Congress officials, the situation be- drawn from East Timor. Only those occu- ing much more tense in Dili, Baucau, Lospa- pied with development projects remain in INDONESIA WANTS NO los and Manatuto. the territory.” Ingela Martensson has not VISITS Also yesterday, the Bishop of Dili stated got that impression. “It is said that Indone- that he would only agree to take part in a sia keeps ten battalions here and I can surely Publico, 9 Sep. Translated from Portuguese “reconciliation” meeting if such a meeting believe that, when I see all these soldiers,” included “all the Timorese, namely Ramos- she says. (Lisbon) The Indonesian Government has Horta and his colleagues.” tried to stop a Swedish parliamentary dele- Mnsgr. Ximenes added that he had not gation, currently in Jakarta, from going to SWEDISH been invited to the meeting “by any person PARLIAMENTARIANS East Timor. The delegation should be arriv- in authority” competent to do so. Last ing in Dili next Monday for a 3-day visit. month, the promoter of this meeting, Abilio INTERVIEWED FROM DILI According to one of the delegates, MP Araujo, publicly stated in Lisbon that he LUSA, 15 September 1993. By Alfred de Ingela Martensson, who was contacted by had proposed that the Bishop participate in Tavares. Slightly abridged. the LUSA news agency from Stockholm, the meeting. “The Indonesian authorities made various STOCKHOLM, WED 15: Late last night attempts to change our itinerary.” She went SWEDES IN EAST TIMOR: LUSA spoke with the Swedish Parliamen- on to explain how the delegation’s visit to tarians on the first visit of its type, in Dili, East Timor was only guaranteed after the “CONSTANTLY WATCHED” the capital of East Timor occupied by Indo- three delegates went to see the Indonesian Tidningarnas Telegrambyra, TT (Swedish nesia. Following is a candid description of Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas and were insis- their activities in East Timor and Indonesia, tent about it. “We got straight to the point National News Agency). 14 September 1993. By Stefan Hjerten. Translated from Swedish. since their arrival in Jakarta more than a and asked Ali Alatas to tell us who really week ago, by Mrs. Ingela Martensson, the makes the decisions on important issues in DILI/ STOCKHOLM (TT) “It is diffi- Liberal Swedish MP who is the soul behind Indonesia,” Ingela Martensson explained. cult to see the real life. We are constantly the initiative by the parliamentarians to find Alatas eventually gave assurances that watched, said MP Ingela Martensson over out at first hand, the facts of life in the for- the delegation’s itinerary would be re- the phone from Dili on Tuesday. mer Portuguese territory: spected. The Swedish delegates, however, Dili is the capital of East Timor, a small In Jakarta,” says Ingela Martensson to fear they will be unable to move about nation in the East Asian archipelago which LUSA from Turismo Beach Hotel in Dili, freely in Timor. They have meetings set up 1975 was occupied by Indonesia. The Indo- “we have had many meetings with different with Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo, with local ICRC nesian authorities have been very restrictive persons - NGO’s, religious leaders, parlia- representatives, and with Indonesian mili- when it comes to approving visits from mentarians and government and military tary authorities in the territory. outside. Now from Monday to Thursday officials.” On the eve of the beginning of the delega- three Swedish MP’s are in East Timor, “We held a prolonged session with the tion’s travel, there are increasing reports of Martensson from the Liberals, Ingebritt Foreign Minister of Indonesia Ali Alatas, new arrests in Timor. Yesterday, in state- Irhammar (Center Party) and Hans Goran who elaborated, in detail, the historic situa- ments made by phone to TSF, Dili’s apos- Franck (Social Democrat). tion. He appears very positive towards the tolic administrator, Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo, They have met with the top-level of the proposed initiative by the United Nations said he was in possession of a list of 74 Indonesian administration, the Governor and to mediate between Portugal and Indonesia, people, arrested recently by Indonesian the military Commander. On Wednesday who he feels stand very far apart from each security and sent to different military com- they will meet the Catholic Bishop. On other, and who must meet half way in order mand posts. Tuesday morning Ingebritt Irhammar and to achieve a feasible solution in East Timor.” Bishop Belo’s list adds to the concern al- Swedish TV journalist Ragnar Hedlund were “We arrived in East Timor on Monday ready expressed by Amnesty International in the countryside, while Ingela Martinsson (September 13) and were immediately re- (AI) which launched, from its London Secre- and Hans Goran Franck visited prisons and ceived by the governor of East Timor, tariat, an appeal to international public discussed the judicial system with a judge. Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and the com- opinion with regards the situation in Timor. “The police gaol was empty. In the prison mander of the military forces in the region.” AI urged for the “immediate” sending of we met a person who had been sentenced to Goes on Ingela Martensson: “On Mon- messages to the Jakarta authorities (includ- ten years for taking part in the demonstra- day afternoon we visited a ‘strategic’ village ing Minister Alatas, the Armed Forces tion in November 1991, but he did not want 84 km from Dili, that is administered’ by Commander, General Feisal Tanjung, and to answer any questions, says Ingela Mar- the military. According to the briefing given the Operations Commander in Dili, Colonel tinsson, over the phone to TT. Apparently us, the military plans to retire from this East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 35 village ‘later on.’ The people in this area, least minimize them essentially without any table. In the meantime, the Indonesian mili- from the impression we received, were in- delay. An arms embargo is needed against tary must be taken away from East Timor habitants from the mountainous region.” Indonesia as long as the matters of self- as soon as possible and the role of the police “On Tuesday morning we visited a jail and a determination and human rights problems radically reduced. Weapons exports to In- police prison. The jail, according to our are not solved. donesia should not be allowed as long as the guides, housed 45 percent murderers, traffic An improvement of the implementation status of East Timor is not decided. violators, violent criminals and 4.44 percent of human rights is urgent. Arbitrary arrests political prisoners. We met with one of and detention are among the things very PROGRAMME FOR SWEDISH those sentenced after November 12. He was common. All political detainees and prison- PARLIAMENTARIAN VISIT TO sentenced to a 10 year term.” ers, including “Xanana” Gusmão, have to be INDONESIA/ EAST TIMOR “Tuesday afternoon, Hans Goran released. A number of them are jailed for From Swedish embassy, Jakarta 16 Septem- (Franck, Social Democrat MP) and I visited more than 28 years, even with death sen- ber 1993 the Judicial Court. According to the judge tences. Capital punishment has to be abol- we met, there are no political prisoners at ished soonest. It is also of great importance Saturday 4 September: all, only criminal offenders - even those who that free trade unions are guaranteed and a 15 35 Arrival at Jakarta International Air- demonstrate or are politically active, the confederation of trade unions will be permit- port judge informed us, where sentenced accord- ted. Indonesia has to sign and ratify the Sunday 5 September: ing to the criminal code. The reason for this International Covenant on Human Rights A m Breakfast meeting at Hotel Kemang discrepancy being that political being for- without any delay. City tour of Jakarta: Monas, Fatahillah bidden in East Timor, they could not be Square, Sunda Kelapa 2. Ingebritt Irhammar, Member of Parlia- Visit to Indonesian Miniature Park featured in any court proceedings.” ment (Center Party): “This morning, (Wednesday, September Monday 6 September Official statements have been made that 15) we will meet Bishop Carlos Belo and 10 00 Coffee morning with Mr. Theo L there is a will to improve human rights in visit the “Parliament.” In the evening we are Sambuaga, Vice Chairman Commission I Indonesia. This must not only be lip- invited to a formal dinner by Governor (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, service. In order to support the individuals Soares.” Information) - House of Representa- and organisations at different levels of the tives, At the Ambassador’s residence “Tomorrow, September 16, we leave society who work for improvements also in 13 00 Meeting with four factions East Timor. Throughout our visit in East democracy, strong international pressure on GOLKAR, PPP, PDI and ABRI, Ar- Timor our every move has been closely the Indonesian government is needed. It is ranged by the DPR Inter Parliamentary watched and all movements thoroughly necessary that all kinds of human rights Coordination Board, at Lokawirasabha monitored by the military as well as the organisations, journalists, international law- Bldg 6th Floor/610, DPR Building, Jl police.” yers, parliamentarians will be permitted to Jend Gatot Subroto, Senayan Protocol The Swedish parliamentary delegation 571 5351, 571 5359, 571 5346 Con- freely go to East Timor and other areas like consists of Mrs. Ingela Martensson (Lib- tact person: Mr. Suzana Adibrata/Zahir Aceh and Irian Jaya, to observe the situa- eral), Mrs. Ingebritt Irhammar (Center) and 17 00 Meeting with Mr Hendry Fournier, tion. According to given information, too Hans Goran Franck (Social Democrat). ICRC At the ambassador’s residence little of development support through the Tuesday 7 September: Indonesian government goes to the poor PARLIAMENTARIANS AT 10 00 Meeting with HE Minister Ala people. Development support is also used Alatas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jl PRESS CONFERENCE IN to increase the wealth of the upper level of Taman Pejambon 6, Ph 366014. JAKARTA society. Therefore it is necessary to channel 10 30 Meeting with Dir Gen of Politics support directly to the people through for Mr Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, Ministry Original document, 17 September 1993 instance NGO’s and various religious or- of Foreign Affairs ganisations. Support through government 12 00 Lunch meeting with H E Msgr 1. Hans Goran Franck (67), international channels must be closely controlled. Pietro Sambi Apostolic Nunciature, Jl lawyer, Member of Parliament (Social 3. Ingela Martensson, Member of Parlia- Medan Merdeka Timur 18 Democrat), Swedish Parliamentarian 17 00 Meeting with Mr Lopes da Cruz ment (Liberal Party) Delegate at the Council of Europe: 20.00 Javanese Classical Dance The people of East Timor is totally con- Peace, stability, democratic process, de- Wednesday 8 September: velopment an social justice is of vital impor- trolled by he Indonesian government 09.00 Mr Adnan Buyung Nasution, Chair- tance. Indonesia and other countries can through military and police. They are not man Legal Aid Institute (LBH); Ms Rita play an important role to reach these goals. allowed to openly express their opinions Serena Kalibonso (ex BITS scholar); Mr However, the Indonesian annexation of East about the status of East Timor, in spite the Irianto Subiakto (ex Bits scholar) Timor cannot be accepted. A fair and lasting United Nations has decided that there peaceful solution cannot be reached, without should be a referendum to give the people 12.30 Luncheon with Mr Abdurachman the participation of independent representa- the right to decide their future. It is urgent Wahid of Forum Demokrasi 16.00 Meeting with Mr T. Mulya Lubis tives of the East Timorese people. It is im- that there will be a peaceful solution to the question of East Timor. 18.00 Director H.J.C. Princen, Institute portant that UN Secretary General B B for the Defence of Human Rights Ghali invites independent personalities with I appreciate the initiative of the Secretary a high reputation from East Timor to take General of the UN, B B Ghali, to negotiate Thursday 9 September: 10.30 Meeting with INFID (International part in the negotiations. A referendum is with Indonesia and Portugal. But represen- NGO Forum on Indonesian Develop- also needed to have a solid solution. UN tatives from the Timorese people must also take part in the negotiations. The historical ment), 15-20 participants Organized by observers and peace-keeping forces are Mr Abdulhakim G. Nusantara needed during a transition period. Indonesia decision on the Palestinian question shows the necessity of having representatives from 13.00 Lunch Meeting with Embassie’s dip- has to withdraw the military forces or at lomats the concerned people to be at the negotiating Page 36 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

20.10 Arrival Bali visit to East Timor, which was invaded by one journalist visited Indonesia on their own Friday 10 September: Indonesia in 1975. accord and paid for the trip themselves. Recreation, sightseeing in Bali “I am very concerned about the detain- “As long as the military are still present Saturday 11 September: ees, recently arrested in this country in con- in East Timor, I will recommend to our gov- 08.00 Courtesy calls to the Governor of nection with the two visits by staff of the ernment the ban of weapon export to Indo- Bali, Prof Dr Ida Bagus Oka U.S. Congress,” Franck said. nesia,” Ingebritt Irhammar of the Center 09.00 Courtesy call to the Deputy Mili- Although Franck said they were unable Party said. tary Commander, Brig Gen Sulatin to get an exact number of those arrested in She said the people of East Timor lived Sunday 12 September: connection with the U.S. visits earlier this under the complete control of the Indone- Recreation, sightseeing in Bali month, he said the arrests were “on a rather sian government. She compared their living Monday 13 September: large scale” and could number around 100. situation to a prison. 11.10 Departure for Dili, East Timor It was urgent that the military “really Franck also called for the immediate re- 13.10 Arrival at Dili Airport Transfer to give information about it and that all these lease of all political prisoners, including José Hotel Turismo, Address: Jl Alfenida people who have been missing now be re- Alexandre Gusmão, former leader of revolu- 14.00 Visit to Governor Soares leased,” he said. tionary front for an independent East 15.00 Visit to the Military Commander; Ingebritt Irhammar from the Center Timor, or FRETILIN. Lingtang Party, citing church sources in Dili, said that Gusmão, 46, was captured last Novem- P.m. Visit to a newly constructed strategic many of the some 100 East Timorese youth ber and is serving a 20-year prison term. village; Visit to a school who gathered to prepare a pro-independence Indonesia was widely condemned over- Evening Visit to the ICRC rally on the eve of the arrival of the second seas after government troops killed dozens Tuesday 14 September U.S. group had been arrested and were still of pro-independence demonstrators in East Visit to a prison in Dili; Visit to a police being held. Timor in November 12, 1991. station in Dili The Indonesian military said the more East Timor was annexed by Indonesia in Visit to the District Court (Mr Franck and than 50 students that overseas East July 1976 but the United Nations still rec- Mrs Martensson) Timorese independence activists claimed ognize Portugal as the territory’s adminis- Trip to Baucau, talking to Father Rolando were under arrest, were on “national aware- tering power. (Mrs Irhammar and journalist Ragnar ness” and “guidance” courses that just hap- Hedlund) –––––––––––––– pened to coincide with the visits. Wednesday 15 September: The Swedish MPs also called on Indone- REUTER, 17 SEPTEMBER 1993. A.m. Talk to local parliamentarians sia to withdraw all its troops from East ABRIDGED 10.00 Visit at ETADEP (NGO) Timor, with Irhammar saying that their JAKARTA, Sept. 17 (Reuter) The first 14.00 Visit to Bishop Belo Dinner with Governor Soares and Indone- presence made the region “totally con- group of independent observers to be al- sian ambassadors and consuls. trolled.” lowed to visit East Timor in several months, “The main, important thing now for the said human rights in the territory continued Thursday 16 September: people of East Timor is the withdrawal of to be abused. Visit to the Santa Cruz Cemetery Visit to craft-industry military troops. They live as though they Three Swedish parliamentarians said the Press-Conference were in prison,” Irhammar said, while Ingela military continued to intimidate Timorese, Departure from Dili, Flight MZ 617 Martensson from the Liberal Party de- using routine harassment, interrogation and Arrival Jakarta scribed the troops as a “provocation” to the arbitrary arrest of suspects. Friday 17 September: East Timorese. “It is absolutely unacceptable that arbi- Meeting with Mr Marzuki Darusman Indonesian military authorities say there trary detentions are taking place to such a Meeting with representative of the Press are 10 battalions in East Timor, but only great extent and that must be stopped,” Meeting with Mr. Hendry Fournier, ICRC one is made up of combat troops while the Hans Goran Franck, an opposition member Meeting with Mr. Stephen Kelly, US em- other carry out development work. An In- of parliament, told a news conference on bassy donesian battalion has about 650 men. their return from Dili. Transfer to airport –––––– The three MPs painted a picture of con- 21.00 Departure for Sweden by GA 890 tinued rights abuses and an overwhelming SWEDISH LAWMAKERS CALL FOR military presence. they said that while Fre- SWEDISH MPS DENOUNCE ARMS EMBARGO ON JAKARTA tilin guerrillas no longer posed a threat wide- MASS DETENTION spread resentment against Indonesia re- JAKARTA (AP, Sept. 17) A group of mained. IN EAST TIMOR Swedish lawmakers called on Jakarta Friday “Silence doesn’t mean that there is no to withdraw its troops from East Timor and JAKARTA, Sept. 17 (AFP) Three opposition but that it is impossible for them said an arms embargo should be imposed on to speak out,” said Ingela Martensson, Swedish MPs called Friday for Indonesia to Indonesia until the status of the former Por- release civilians detained in East Timor dur- member of the ruling coalition’s Liberal tuguese colony is determined. Party. ing two fact-finding tours of the former “An arms embargo against Indonesia is Portuguese colony by U.S. Congressional necessary as long as the matters of self- SWEDISH DELEGATION DEMANDS staff. determination and human rights problems WITHDRAWAL FROM EAST TIMOR “It is absolutely unacceptable that arbi- are not solved,” Hans Goran Franck of the trary detention is used on such a great scale ruling (sic) Social Democrat Party told re- JAKARTA (UPI, Sept. 17) A delegation and it must be stopped,” Hans Goran porters after a four-day visit to East Timor. of visiting Swedish politicians Friday called Franck of the Social Democrat Party told Swedish ambassador Lars-Erik Wingren for the “full withdrawal” of Indonesian journalists here after the group’s four-day said Franck, two other parliamentarians and troops from East Timor and an arms em- bargo against Jakarta until a solution is reached. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 37

The three Swedish parliamentarians – Indonesia is scheduled to pull its combat human rights organisations by distancing Ingela Martensson from the Liberal Party, troops from East Timor next month. A local himself from the MPs’ views. Ingebritt Irhammar from the Center Party military officer says that of the 10 battal- “I underlined that they expressed their and Hans Goran Franck from the Social ions now in East Timor, one is for combat own political views and not the Swedish Democrat Party – also called for a referen- and nine are responsible for development government’s,” he said. dum to give the East Timorese people the projects. “It was not an official visit and had rather right to decide their own future. Irhammar said Indonesia’s commitment little to do with the relationship between “An arms embargo is needed against In- to improve human rights in East Timor Sweden and Indonesia.” donesia as long as the matters of self- “must not only be lip service.” In a letter to the United Nations Secre- determination and human rights problems The U.S. Senate’s foreign relations com- tary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali this are not solved,” Franck said. mittee last week endorsed a foreign aid bill week, the MPs’ highlighted the poor human The three Swedish politicians, who vis- linking future arms sales to Indonesia to the rights situation on East Timor and called for ited East Timor for four days during a two- improvement of the country’s human rights an international arms embargo against Indo- week stay in Indonesia, said the East record in East Timor. nesia. Timorese lived under controlled conditions. “The East Timor people are (living) like SWEDISH MPS ACCUSED OF BELO: “WE ARE LIVING IN A in prisons,” Irhammar said during a news BIAS BY INDONESIA PRISON” conference at the end of their Indonesian stay. By Greg McIvor Publico, 24 September 1993. Translated Irhammar said that during the visit to from Portuguese East Timor, the delegation often felt con- Stockholm, Sept. 23 (IPS) - Indonesia ac- trolled, as if they were being surrounded by cused a group of Swedish parliamentarians (Lisbon) Ximenes Belo gives his backing the military and police. of bias Thursday after they denounced hu- to a referendum and “freedom” for Timor, Franck said the future of East Timor and man rights abuses on the Indonesian- during an interview by a Swedish journalist. human rights conditions in the region should occupied island of East Timor. “There is a dictatorship here,” the be addressed immediately. The Swedish ambassador in Jakarta was Bishop of Dili denounced in the interview “The Indonesian annexation of East summoned to the Indonesian foreign minis- he gave to the Swedish journalist accompa- Timor cannot be accepted,” Franck said, try to explain the MPs’ remarks which fol- nying the three MPs from that country to adding that a fair solution should come out lowed a two-week visit to Indonesia. Timor. Mnsgr. Ximenes called for “freedom of talks underway in the United Nations. The three parliamentarians held a press and democracy,” and for the Timorese be Representatives from Indonesia and Por- conference in Stockholm Monday in which allowed “to prove” that they say “no” to tugal are due to meet in New York Friday they lambasted the Indonesian authorities integration, because life in East Timor “is for the third round of U.N.-brokered talks for widespread human rights abuses across not a humane situation.” The same journalist on the region. the country, particularly in East Timor. interviewed one of the Timorese who sought Indonesian troops invaded East Timor af- They were the first foreign politicians to political asylum from Finland. The tapes of ter the Portuguese left in 1975, and annexed be allowed into East Timor since the massa- both interviews arrived in Lisbon yesterday, the territory with its 750,000 inhabitants in cre of 273 civilians by Indonesian troops - the same day that Indonesian military 1976. The U.N. does not recognize Indone- during a funeral procession in the island’s sources confirmed that Xanana had been on sia’s sovereignty over East Timor and con- capital, Dili. hunger strike, that it became known that the siders Portugal the administrative power. East Timor, they said on their return to Red Cross had visited the former Resistance Franck said that high-ranking representa- Sweden, was “an island of total fear and leader, and that the situation in East Timor tives from East Timor should take part in terror.” has been excluded from the UN General the talks if negotiators want to work out a Human rights abuses included arbitrary Assembly’s agenda. lasting peace. arrests, deportations and harassment of the “We have neither freedom of expression Franck also expressed concern about the local population, they added. they also re- nor of opinion and are, therefore, living as if recent arrests of a number of students con- futed Indonesian government claims that it we were imprisoned,” says Dili’s Apostolic nected to a visit to East Timor by two U.S. had virtually no political prisoners, saying Administrator, Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo, in the congressmen. The government denies the they visited a jail where around a quarter of course of an interview (made public in Por- students were arrested, saying instead that the 400 inmates were there because of their tugal yesterday by the LUSA agency) by they were placed in a “training center” to be opposition to president Suharto’s totalitar- Ragnar Hedlund, a Swedish freelance jour- “guided.” ian regime. nalist, who accompanied the three Swedish “The people of East Timor are totally Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, state secretary MPs on their visit to Jakarta and East controlled by the Indonesian government at the Indonesian foreign ministry, accused Timor, between 4 and 17 September. Their through military and police,” Martensson the MPs’ of bias and betraying the purpose aim was to check on the human rights situa- said. “The East Timorese people cannot of their visit. tion in the territory, annexed by Indonesia. speak up, they cannot openly express their He said: “they did not behave like guests Bishop Belo stresses the “need for some in Indonesia who wanted to make a just and solution to be found” for the situation in opinions. This is very crucial...and therefore I would stress a referendum for the East objective assessment of the conditions in East Timor, occupied by Indonesia since Timorese to decide their future.” East Timor. they behaved more like inspec- 1975: “We have been suffering for over 17 The Swedish politicians said they believe tors.” years and it cannot go on like this. It is not a that if such a referendum were held, most The Swedish ambassador was called to humane situation.” Taking a very hard line East Timorese would favor independence. the foreign ministry in Jakarta Thursday to towards the Jakarta regime, Mnsgr. Ximenes Irhammar called for the Swedish govern- explain the MPs’ statements and alleged is in favour of Indonesia’s military tutelage ment to withhold exports of spare parts for breach of protocol. Swedish ambassador over East Timor coming to an end: “This weapons, its sole export to Indonesia. Lars-Erik Wingren will have disappointed military organisation has to be got rid of. Page 38 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

People have to be allowed to speak out [This statement] concerns our bid to ask safety, with the result that (the armed freely, go around freely, and to create a for political asylum from the Finnish Em- forces, ABRI) intelligence are able to do clearly peaceful, free and democratic situa- bassy in Jakarta on 23 June 1993 which was whatever they want with us for as long as tion. Here, there is a dictatorship.” categorically rejected by both the Finnish we remain in Indonesia (Jakarta). In his statements to the Swedish journal- government and parliament*, on the grounds And up to this very moment, we have ist, the Bishop of Dili reveals that he re- that there is no Visi Politik [political vision; been threatened in a variety of ways by the ceives “many complaints” from the people meaning political element?] in the diplomatic intelligence (ABRI), by means of intimida- of East Timor - “every day, from all relations between the Finnish and Indone- tion, interrogation and terror. We therefore places.” He adds that, because it is “very sian governments. call upon or request Amnesty International unsafe, people cannot go about from one During the time we spent at the Finnish and the ICRC [International Committee of place to another” and, “in many villages, Embassy, we were very badly treated by the Red Cross] in Geneva to press the Indo- people cannot even go out to their rice or the embassy because the Finnish ambassa- nesian government to allow us to leave In- coffee fields.” dor, Mr. Veli J. Olikain, permitted Indone- donesia (Jakarta) as soon as possible. Mnsgr. Ximenes also says that the sian security forces from various units, Although our request for political asylum Timorese who oppose the occupation have dressed in military uniforms and armed with was categorically rejected by both the Fin- a “very difficult” time: “they cannot get pistols, to enter the embassy in order to nish government and parliament, we turn to jobs, their homes are searched, secret service force us out. On the second occasion, the Amnesty International and the ICRC in agents go after them at night, if they want to Finnish ambassador instructed the security Geneva to resolve our problem on the basis become civil servants they are not allowed, forces to interrogate us. And we were or- of humanitarian principles or through the and their children are not permitted to dered to take off our clothes. It was as if the family reunion programme. study.” Finnish government was collaborating with Articles 14 and 15 of the Universal Dec- Once again, the head of the Catholic the Indonesian government to force us out laration of Human Rights: Church in East Timor gives his backing to and hand us over to the Indonesian security the holding of a referendum to decide on forces. Article 14 independence. Acknowledging that a victory The Statement regarding safety guaran- (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to for the “no” to integration is “possible,” he tees was drafted by the Finnish ambassador enjoy in other countries asylum from appeals: “Let us prove that.” He believes Mr. Veli J. Olikain personally, in collabora- persecution. that it is necessary to put “more interna- tion with: (2) This right may not be invoked in the tional pressure” on Jakarta, but pointing out - Major-General Hendro Priyono, Jakarta case of persecutions genuinely arising that “We have the support of most western military commander, - Mr. Francisco Lopes from non-political crimes or from acts countries, of your government (Swedish), of da Cruz, Ambassador at large of the Repub- contrary to the purposes and principles the US, ... But it is very difficult to say lic of Indonesia, with special tasks, - Mr. of the United Nations. what the eventual settlement will be and H.J.C. Princen, Director of the Institute for how it will come about.” the Defence of Human Rights, and - Mr. Article 15 Insisting that the situation “is not any Jauhari Naatmaja, Director-General of the (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. better” since the 1991 massacre in Santa Department of Foreign Affairs, as wit- (2) No-one shall be arbitrarily deprived of Cruz cemetery, given that those who took nesses. his nationality nor the right to change his part are still being searched for - “some are We were compelled to sign the statement nationality. still in hiding in villages, in hideouts” -, the so that we would leave the embassy as soon In accordance with these two articles, we Bishop believes that the Timorese “are as possible in the company of Ambassador have decided to become Portuguese citizens afraid of the army’s revenge, of interroga- at large with special tasks of the Republic of and no longer to be Indonesian citizens. tions, of being tortured and beaten.” He said Indonesia and go to his residence, the inten- This is what we wish to say as a true and “there are still many people looking for the tion being to force us to return to East genuine statement. bodies of their sons. Sometimes they come Timor. But for more than three weeks we Our heartfelt thanks for your attention to speak to me and tell me “My son is still refused to be bullied into returning to East and help. missing; there is still no sign of him.” The Timor because we feared that we might be (signed) Bishop adds: “You had better ask the mili- murdered if we returned to East Timor. Mateus Brito Ximenes tary,” sending the Swedish journalist off to During our stay there, we were very Clementino Faria the Indonesian military authorities: “Per- badly treated by the intelligence as well as Oscar Goncalves da Silva haps the military know where the bodies by Ambassador at large of the Republic of Venture Valentin de Conceicão are, or where they have been hidden.” Indonesia with special tasks, Mr. F.X. Lopes da Cruz, and were subjected to ‘in- * The reference to a refusal by the Finnish timidation, interrogation and terror.’ Parliament is based on the fact, according SEVEN ASYLUM- As an instance of this, on 28 July 1993, to Mr. Princen, that the Finnish ambas- sador repeatedly told the four that “nei- SEEKERS STILL IN we were interrogated in turn by Mr. F.X. Lopez da Cruz and were forced to write ther the Finnish government nor the Fin- JAKARTA down our biodata and background from the nish parliament would have anything to time we were still in East Timor as well as do with them.” after we asked for political asylum. STATEMENT BY FOUR All this further adds to the threats against ASYLUM-SEEKERS WHO us personally as well as against our families WERE IN FINNISH EMBASSY who are in East Timor; this could happen because the security forces regard the state- Jakarta, 8 August 1993 ment which we were forced to sign as pro- viding no guarantee whatsoever for our East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 39

PORTUGAL NEGOTIATING MIXED SIGNALS ON ASYLUM whether the matter would be raised during talks with Portugal on the troubled territory ON ASYLUM Reuter, Aug. 25 1993. Slightly abridged. in New York next month, Alatas said the Tue Aug. 24 1993. Abridged. JAKARTA - Seven East Timorese stu- student issue was dead. The students said dents who have waged a two-month battle they had been on the run since November LISBON, Aug. 24 (Reuter) - Portugal 1991 when they participated in a funeral in said on Tuesday it was prepared to accept to flee Indonesia said on Wednesday they were hopeful of gaining asylum in Portugal. Dili, when Indonesian troops opened fire four students from its former colony East killing up to 180 civilians. Timor who have asked for asylum. The The seven told Reuters they believed that Lisbon, which ruled the tiny territory until students said they were being terrorized by PRINCEN: “I CANNOT MIND Indonesia’s security forces. The four stu- 1975, had persuaded Jakarta to allow them dents, who two months ago gave up their to leave the country. Portuguese officials THEM FOREVER” refuge at the Finnish embassy in Jakarta, declined to comment on the report. “We will Publico, 3 September 1993. By Joaquim T. have urged the International Committee of wait until we leave. We do not want to stay de Negreiros. Translated from Portuguese the Red Cross (ICRC) and human rights in Indonesia. We know what will happen to group Amnesty International to help them. us if we do,” said Clementino Faria, who (Lisbon) Indonesian human rights activist “Up to this very moment we have been with three of the other students appealed to Haji Princen is in Lisbon to discuss the fu- threatened by army intelligence through Portugal for asylum on Tuesday. The stu- ture of the young Timorese men who, hav- intimidation, interrogation and terror. We dents said they feared for their lives and the ing lost the protection of the Swedish and therefore call upon Amnesty International welfare of family members still in East Finnish embassies in Jakarta, are insisting on or the ICRC to press the Indonesian gov- Timor if they remained in Indonesia. They coming to Portugal. Princen wants to be ernment to allow us to leave Indonesia as said they had been on the run since Novem- certain that the Portuguese Government will soon as possible,” they said in a statement ber 1991 when they participated in a funeral take them, give them passports, and pay received in Jakarta. Diplomats say Portugal in Dili, when troops opened fire killing up their travel costs. He insists: Lisbon ought is treading cautiously with the students to to 180 civilians. They were speaking at the to put pressure on Jakarta to allow them to avoid creating a political row. But Portu- home of human rights activist H.J.C. Prin- leave, and to have the matter included on the guese officials were negotiating discreetly cen, who has acted as intermediary for the agenda for the next round of talks between through the Red Cross for the students to seven. Portuguese news agency LUSA ear- Durão Barroso and Ali Alatas. leave Indonesia, they added. lier quoted one of the students as saying Just because he goes around in a wheel- they would be leaving Jakarta in September. chair does not mean he is not one of the FINNS DENY ACCUSATIONS But Princen, speaking by telephone from most active defenders of human rights in the German town of Aachen, said that to his Indonesia. He has been just that for a long OF BAD TREATMENT knowledge no agreement had been reached, time now. Born in The Hague, Princen adding that sporadic talks were still continu- Aug. 24 1993, Abridged. fought for Indonesia’s freedom against ing. “So far all we know is that Portugal is Dutch colonial power. Once converted to HELSINKI, Aug. 24 (Reuter) - Finland willing to pay the costs of their trip and give Islam, and having taken on Indonesian na- on Tuesday denied allegations by four East them passports,” he said. tionality, he has become an uncomfortable Timorese students that they had been badly critic of the Suharto regime, which earned treated while seeking refuge in the Finnish ALATAS: ISSUE ‘DEAD’ him eight years in prison. At the end of June embassy in Jakarta two months ago. In an he appeared in Portuguese newspapers, appeal for help from Amnesty International Thu Aug. 26 1993. Abridged. defending the young Timorese who, pursued and the International Committee of the Red JAKARTA, Aug. 26 (Reuter) - Indonesia by the Indonesian military, sought refuge in Cross in Jakarta, the students accused dip- on Thursday said seven East Timorese stu- the Swedish and Finnish embassies in Ja- lomats at the embassy of allowing Indone- dents seeking asylum abroad had failed to karta. Three of them are now staying in sian security officials into the building to meet criteria enabling them to be considered Princen’s own home, awaiting a decision. In force them to leave. “The text is completely political refugees. Foreign Minister Ali his Lisbon hotel room, Haji Princen outlined untrue,” said Osmo Lipponen, director of Alatas told reporters he regarded the case of to Publico the fate of the seven “boys,” as the Asia, Africa and Latin America division the students, who are seeking asylum in he calls them. at the Finnish foreign ministry’s political Portugal after being turned down by Sweden department. Lipponen said Indonesian staff Publico:- What is the actual situation of the or Finland in June, as now over. “The stu- three young Timorese men who, as far at the Finnish embassy had asked security dent issue is finished. It is not a live issue guards to come in as the students refused to as we know, are still in your house in Ja- anymore,” he said. “There are certain condi- karta? say what they wanted. He said the guards tions under international law to be fulfilled left the area after an inspection and after the Haji Princen:- Up until yesterday at least, for the definition of seeking political asy- the three were, in fact, still in my house. students said they were applying for asy- lum. They have asked Sweden and (Finnish) lum. They had not been forced to strip, he The other four, however, are experiencing embassies and have been rejected. So it fin- some difficulties because the people who added. Human rights group Amnesty Inter- ished.” He did not elaborate. The seven national has accused both Sweden and were renting them a place to stay have de- students, who took refuge in the Swedish cided not to continue renting to them. The Finland of neglecting their responsibilities and Finnish embassies two months ago say- under international law by not protecting priest responsible for them told me about ing they feared for their lives in Indonesia, this last night on the telephone. I said to him the seven, whose present whereabouts are said on Wednesday they believed they not known. that I would try to take back some money would soon be leaving for Lisbon. Portugal, for them to pay their rent. which ruled East Timor until 1975, has agreed to receive them. But it has no diplo- Q: What is their state of mind at the mo- matic ties with Indonesia. When asked ment? Page 40 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

A: It is difficult to say. Some of them are openly about matters such as Timor. And (President Suharto’s adviser on East Timor), not fully aware of the problem they face. we could do it in a less emotional way. and with Jakarta’s Military Commander, The three in my house resent the surveil- Clearly, one of the difficulties is the army’s who I already knew as I usually have prob- lance they are under because every time position. It was the military that conquered lems involving the military. He gave me his they go outside they are, in fact, watched by the island, and to give it up would be a de- word of honour that the young Timorese the secret services, and this has not stopped feat. And a defeat would mean “losing face.” would not be given any bother. And, until since they left the embassy. My house is I can understand that. I don’t agree with the now, he has kept his word. Of course, the being watched by the secret services day way in which they invaded Timor, but I can secret service men are still wandering around and night... understand that. It is a matter which has to my house but, according to my daughter, I would say, though, that they are all right. be resolved. How? That’s the big question... who is looking after the house at the mo- They still believe in independence for East Q: In spite of the link between Timor and the ment, they have not been bothering “the Timor and I think they are less realistic than internal situation in Indonesia, the Timor boys.” others in Timor. They are not married, and issue is not always among the main con- have no children and, therefore, can afford cerns of human rights activists in Indone- FOREIGN MINISTER the luxury of being more idealistic. sia... CONFIRMS PORTUGUESE Q: Do they still believe they will be able to A: That is true. I shall give you my own PASSPORTS FOR THE leave Indonesia? story. I got out of prison in 1976 and, a few SEVEN TIMORESE A: They have no doubt about it. The prob- years later, some Timorese came looking for lem is now in the hands of the Portuguese me at my office. They told me all the horror From CDPM, 3 September 1993. stories from East Timor. That happened in Government, which brings me to the reason (Lisbon) On 2 September, Indonesian for my visit to Lisbon. What are we to do? the early 1980s. Only then did I realise the size of the problem. We have many human human rights lawyer Haji Princen addressed The “boys” and I started out on this adven- a considerable audience, (which included ture together: they looked for me, and I rights related problems in Indonesia, you know... Timorese refugees, human rights activists, hope we can come up with a solution which and reporters), gathered at Lisbon’s Timor will be good for all concerned. I want to say one further thing: I did not get Centre, situated right in front of Portugal’s Q: At one point, that solution seemed to be involved with the Timor issue because I parliament building. close at hand, but then... believed Timor to be part of Indonesia. That Accompanied by fellow lawyer, Jusfiq should be quite clear, because later on I may A: I do not think so. It was the press that Hadjar, (representing The Movement of be held accountable for my words. I am Indonesians Abroad for Human Rights and was very optimistic, especially after the involved with East Timor because there are Portuguese Government had said it would Democracy, based in Holland), Mr. Princen Indonesians who are accused of having explained he had come to Portugal to meet supply the passports and pay travel ex- committed violations of human rights on the penses. One of my aims here is to ask the with Foreign Minister Durão Barroso, island. The authorities say it is not so, but I President Soares, and others, to discuss the Portuguese Government directly whether say it is. That is my position. this is really true, as I have only heard ru- plight of the seven Timorese, who had taken mours. I want to hear it come from Minister Nordic Nerves refuge in the Finnish and Swedish embassies Durão Barroso himself, or from a high- Q: Going back to the seven Timorese - you on 23 June. Three of the seven were now ranking Ministry official here. Then, a real- said you began the “adventure” with staying in Mr. Princen’s own home, while istic outcome will have to be sought. them and were always in the midst of the other four were at the house of a priest. All seven wanted to come to Portugal. On the Agenda for New York what was happening. From that view- point, how do you see the attitude of the Mr. Princen said that, during his inter- Q: What do you mean by a realistic out- Swedish and Finnish governments? view with the Foreign Minister, he had been come? given assurances that the seven Timorese A: In terms of international diplomacy, A: I mean that, if Portugal were unable to would be issued with passports and their Sweden’s policy, for example, has been to travel expenses met by the Portuguese Gov- persuade the Indonesian Government to defend the Timorese. It so happens that, in allow the seven Timorese to leave, then it ernment. Mr. Princen considered that, if the Jakarta, the charge d’affaires was confronted Jakarta authorities allowed them to leave for should raise the problem at the forthcoming with reality. He became very nervous, not round of talks between the Portuguese and Portugal, it would be a positive paving of knowing what to do. I tried to convince him the way for the next round of talks between Indonesian Ministers (scheduled for the to by very careful, because we were being 17th at the UN in New York, under the Indonesia and Portugal, to be held in New watched by the whole world. I am not try- York. auspices of Mr. Boutros Ghali). The ques- ing to defend him. I think he ought to have tion of what we are going to do with these Based in Jakarta, Mr. Princen gives legal been more careful and he made some mis- assistance to victims of human rights viola- boys should be asked in New York - I can- takes. Although I disagree with certain not mind them forever.. tions from various parts of Indonesia. East things, I must remain confident. The truth is Timorese had been seeking his help since Q: But there are still doubts about what that “the boys” saw him as one of their 1977. His meetings with them have to be specific solution can be reached. jailers. On the other hand, the military were held in secret as their situation in Jakarta is A: That is a job for the diplomats. always around the embassy, increasing the precarious; they are under surveillance, and Q: What link do you see between the East pressure from “under the door.” harassed by security forces, and so are fre- Timor question and the evolving internal Q: Do you think, then, that Sweden and quently forced to move from house to situation in Indonesia? Finland could have behaved differently? house. A: If we had more democracy, more free- A: Yes, yes. But I am not in their shoes, nor With regards the seven Timorese who dom, and more respect for human rights in are they in mine. I had to negotiate not only had gone to the embassies, Mr. Princen said Indonesia, we would be able to speak more with the Swedes, but with Lopes da Cruz he had been assured by Jakarta’s Military Commander that “the boys” would not be East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 41 intimidated. They had, however, been fol- JAKARTA ARRESTS the “inhuman treatment” they received lowed and received death threats from intel- there: “They did not let us use the toilets, ligence agents. MORE TIMORESE and just gave us plastic bags for our physio- Asked about the reported democracy in Diario de Noticias, 10 September 1993. logical needs.” He also affirmed that they Indonesia, Mr. Princen answered that al- Translated from Portuguese were “searched and interrogated” by Indo- though the authorities were good at making nesian secret service agents, who had been Indonesia appear democratic, the reality he (Lisbon) Relatives of the three young allowed into the Embassy premises by the is confronted with every day there is that Timorese, who sought refuge last June in the Finnish diplomats. people are not free and there is no such Swedish Embassy in Jakarta, have been Disillusioned by the treatment received at democracy. With regards East Timor, he arrested by Indonesian military in East the Finnish representation in Jakarta, Ma- said he could not deny that progress (in Timor. This information was given today to teus explains that they had chosen that em- terms of roads, schools, hospitals, etc.) had the LUSA news agency by one of the young bassy as it represented “a democratic coun- been made, but realised that the Timorese men. The three are currently staying at the try, more advanced than third-world coun- were unable to forget their dead. He did, home of lawyer and human rights activist tries, which scrupulously respects human however, feel optimistic about the future, Mr. Haji Princen. rights.” likening the current situation in Indonesia to The young Timorese goes on to describe pre- 25th April l974 Portugal. He said that, STUDENTS: PORTUGAL their stay in the home of Lopes da Cruz particularly after the Santa Cruz massacre, CALLS ON FINLAND TO ACT (General Suharto’s adviser), where they intellectuals, students, politicians in the so- went after leaving the embassy and stayed called opposition parties, religious groups, Finnish National Radio (YLE). 10 September until they were taken under the protection etc. were becoming increasingly unhappy 1993. of Haji Princen (Chairman of the Indonesian about the violence and human rights viola- Report by the East Timor Group of Finland. Human Rights Institute), who took the three tions. It was, however, hard to measure this who had been in the Swedish Embassy into opposition, given that there is no real press The issue of East Timor was taken up his own house. or political freedom. during the visit to Portugal by Foreign Min- Referring to their time at the house of Answering a question about numbers of ister Heikki Haavisto today. During the Lopes da Cruz, Mateus Ximenes says they East Timorese political prisoners, the law- talks, the Portuguese Foreign Minister urged felt they were under “house arrest” there. yer said that the enormity of Indonesia Finland to monitor the situation of the three He points out that they “were pursued by made getting accurate figures impossible. He students who sought refuge in the Finnish secret agents” trying to interrogate them, himself was not allowed to enter all prisons. embassy in Jakarta in June. “Finland has to and had “to go into the bedrooms to escape He cited International Red Cross figures of follow their situation as long as it is them.” The young man accuses Lopes da 500 to 1,000 Timorese political prisoners in needed.” The Portuguese FM was also re- Cruz of not allowing them to receive tele- East Timor, adding that the ICRC visits ported to have said that “Finland must de- phone calls from abroad, as well as ques- were also restricted. mand that Indonesia should allow the stu- tioning them about why they had taken part On the question of what more Portugal dents to leave the country.” The main theme in demonstrations against Indonesia’s an- could to do within the EC, Mr. Princen said of the talks was reported to be the condi- nexation of Timor. that although he found the Portuguese For- tions for Finland’s entry into the European During the taped interview, the young eign Ministry very well briefed on the ques- Community. Finland is seeking Portugal’s man tells how he and the other six Timorese tion of East Timor, and was treating the support for its application for membership. - along with two others who, in the mean- subject as one of prime importance, other time, were arrested in East Timor by the EC countries were not so well informed. He MATEUS XIMENES: Indonesian authorities - had taken part in thought Portugal could try to create greater “THERE IS NO FUTURE the pro- independence demonstrations held awareness of the situation in East Timor HERE FOR US” at the time of the Pope’s and US Ambassa- among its European partners. dor’s visits to Dili, and in the November Asked about the apparent differences be- Publico, 24 September 1993. Translated 1991 demonstration which resulted in the tween the positions held by Indonesian from Portuguese Santa Cruz massacre. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and the military On the run after that, Mateus reveals (Lisbon) According to statements made authorities, Mr. Princen said Mr. Alatas how he was wounded and took shelter in the by 21-year-old Mateus Ximenes (one of the was a very astute and able politician, and Bishop of Dili’s house, from which he was four young Timorese who sought political could sometimes give the impression of later transferred to a Catholic hospital in asylum at the Finnish Embassy in Jakarta) being more progressive than he actually is. that city. After recovering, he went under- to Swedish journalist Ragnar Hedlund, However, Mr. Princen believed there were ground for over a year in East Timor, as did “What we want, in the short or long-term, is different approaches among the Indonesian his companions. Pursued by the authorities, to leave Indonesia because we know that, as authorities on the question of Timor, and they fled to Jakarta, where two of them young, nationalist, anti- integration activists, that Mr. Alatas might not oppose more (Gaspar Carlos and Agostinho Pereira) were there is no future here for us if we stay.” freedom for the territory, but there was no arrested. Speaking on behalf of his companions, open discussion of this. While still being hounded, they decided and the other three who, also in vain, sought Mr. Princen warned against divisions to turn to the Finnish and Swedish Embas- help from the Swedish Embassy, Mateus among the Timorese community abroad, sies in order to get out of Indonesia. It did Ximenes reiterated that they want to come believing that the determination to continue not work. But they have not lost all hope. to Portugal. to fight was a more important factor than In the interview made public yesterday in Xanana on Hunger Strike being larger in number and militarily better Lisbon by the LUSA agency, Mateus Xi- Indonesian military sources have con- equipped. menes, referring to his experience at the firmed that Xanana Gusmão was on hunger Finnish diplomatic representation, tells of strike in August. This report, which circu- Page 42 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. lated among Resistance members abroad, has I feel this point, as well as the other ac- AMNESTY CALLS FOR HAL T now been supported by information from cusations of the East Timorese students, members of the Indonesian Armed Forces. should be double-checked as far as possible. TO LINKS WITH KOPASSUS According to the military, however, the Unfair accusations or exaggerations can feed By Andre Frankovits, Campaign Director hunger strike lasted only a few days and its pro-Indonesian propaganda. Amnesty International Australia. aim was to protest against the conditions in Comment from Charlie Scheiner. The Pub- 10th August 1993, unabridged which he was being held. lico article as posted contains a double- ICRC delegates in Indonesia, who visited translation – the original interview was in To the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Xanana last Tuesday, made no comment English, translated to Portuguese, and back Senator Gareth Evans. yesterday on the report. The Red Cross to English. The subtlety about whether they In response to Amnesty International’s men flatly refused to give any information were denied all overseas phone calls or just call for suspension of joint exercises be- about Xanana’s health and conditions of some could be a translation error. Someone tween Australia Defence Forces and the imprisonment. should check the original tapes of the inter- Kopassus regiment from Indonesia, you are The ICRC visit, which was officially an- view. quoted as saying that “any training that’s nounced yesterday in Jakarta, is the first done of Indonesian military personnel is one which the former Timorese Resistance designed to improve leadership skills ... not leader has received since being transferred EVENTS IN INDONESIA in any way designed to improve the capabil- from the Dili prison to the one in Semarang, ity of the Indonesians in dealing with inter- on the island of Java. The last visit by inde- nal situations.” pendent observers that Xanana had was in INDONESIA ON-BOARD The Kopassus regiment has been associ- June. Since then, reports emerged that the CLINTON APEC ated with grave abuses of human rights in former Resistance leader had gone on hunger East Timor, Irian Jaya, Aceh and throughout strike. This has been confirmed by Indone- Abridged Indonesia. sian military sources. JAKARTA, Aug. 7 (Reuter) - Foreign Amnesty’s mot recent report documents Off the UN Agenda Minister Ali Alatas said on Saturday that the extrajudicial executions of at least 2000 The situation in East Timor has not been Indonesia was ready in principle to attend people in Aceh during the past four years included on the agenda for the UN’s 48th an informal meeting of the 15-member Asia- and the torture and “disappearance” of Session, which began on Tuesday in New Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) many more. York. As far as the LUSA agency could grouping in the United States in November. Of the Indonesian forces operating in gather from diplomatic sources, this non- “We have studied it and, based on national Aceh none are more feared that the Kopas- inclusion could be linked to the British and and regional interests, in principle Indonesia sus regiment. Egyptian delegates’ arguments that there will join that informal gathering based on Says one Acehnese leader, “If you’re was no need for the General Assembly Mr. Clinton’s proposal,” Alatas told re- taken away by the military you have a 50- (GA) to debate a problem which was al- porters after meeting President Suharto. 50 chance of coming back. If you’re taken ready the subject of talks between Portugal U.S. President Bill Clinton proposed that by Kopassus you can forget it.” and Indonesia, under UN auspices. leaders of APEC states should meet in Seat- This is the reason that Amnesty called on The decision not to include East Timor tle after annual ministerial talks. the Minister for Defence to suspend all on the agenda was taken by the GA Com- contact with Kopassus until and unless he is mittee, which consists of about 30 coun- HUMAN RIGHTS able to demonstrate that this contact will tries. The Committee went on to approve not contribute to a single “disappearance” or 161 agenda items, even after the recently COMMISSION FRAUD? a single incidence of torture. elected GA Chairman, Samuel Insanally Abridged. from Guyana, had urged the delegates to INDONESIAN VICE- shorten the agenda. JAKARTA (Aug. 9) UPI - Indonesian lawmakers questioned Monday the fate of PRESIDENT WARNS OF COMMENT FROM BRUNO KAHN the recently established National Commis- ‘TRAITORS’ sion of Human Rights. The government, In his interview by a Swedish parliamen- Green Left #115, September 15, 1993 tarian, Mateus Ximenes accuses Lopes da criticized by human rights groups for alleged Cruz of not letting the students at his home violations, announced June 7 the establish- Since August 28, Indonesia’s media have receive telephone calls from abroad. ment of the commission, headed by Ali Said, been preoccupied about a speech by Vice- I am aware of two instances in which this the former Indonesian Supreme Court chief. President Try Sutrisno in which he talked is not true. One is an interview that was Two months later, however, Said has yet to about “internal elements who are prepared accounted for on this conference (I don’t announce the commission’s staff members, to become traitors to their people and na- have the references at hand, unfortunately). prompting Parliament members Handjojo tion.” The other one is a telephone interview per- Putro and Andi Matalatta to question the Although ex-general Try did not name formed by a journalist of Radio France In- newly-established commission. When an- names, he explained that these “traitors” are ternationale. The journalist told me person- nouncing the commission, the government those who “provide misleading material and ally that she had been able to talk to one of said it will consist of 25 people. But, there information to outside forces with certain the students. As they spoke poor Portu- it is still unknown whether human rights aims that can provoke internal discontent guese, Lopes da Cruz also acted as an inter- activists in the country will be included. and endanger and harm national interests” preter, apparently not distorting ques- Media commentators are linking Try’s tions/answers too much if I judge by the accusation with the increasing international answers the journalist told me she had re- pressure on Indonesia, especially regarding ceived. labour rights and East Timor. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 43

During recent weeks, US officials have MAU HUDU INTERVIEWED between the rich and poor is viewed gener- taken actions highlighting overseas concerns ally as the biggest challenge to stability in regarding these two issues. The US ambas- ON TV INDONESIA the nation of 180 million people, even more sador criticised Jakarta for stopping the Forwarded for posting by a source who than ethnic and religious tensions. A big task congress of the Indonesian Prosperity for must remain anonymous. Any further info on is education and finding positions for an Workers Union (SBSI), one of a number of this show – identities and appearance of estimated 2.5 million people who join the independent initiatives to organise workers. those interviewed, questions and replies, and job market each year. Diplomats believe Washington has even threatened to with- the like – will be appreciated. Suharto, current chairman of the Non- draw trade privileges to Indonesia under the Aligned Movement, is keen to upgrade his Generalized System of Preferences system. RCTI this evening (15 August 1993) international profile in what they see as the Washington has given Indonesia until Febru- showed a program produced by re- twilight of his rule. The United States ap- ary to improve workers’ conditions; other- porter/presenter Desi Anwar on and in East plauded Suharto’s decision last week to wise trade privileges worth Rp1.2 trillion Timor. I am afraid I didn’t catch all of it; it reduce the jail term of convicted East per year may be lost. As a result, the Indo- was billed as part of the 48th anniversary Timorese guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmão to nesian Ministry of Labour will shortly re- celebrations and was presented as a special 20 years from life. Indonesia invaded East vamp its own “union,” the All Indonesia report, but apparently was shown recently, Timor in 1975 and annexed the former Por- Workers Union (SPSI). though when first shown broke down ‘for tuguese colony the following year. The Those active in campaigning on labour technical reasons’ during interview with United Nations does not recognise Indone- rights overseas include SBSI and the Solidar- Mau Hudu (sic). (AFP may have run story sia’s rule in the tiny territory. ity Trade Union group, established in 1990. on it when first shown.) She interviewed Saut Aritonang, head of Solidarity, told the several detainees, some of them in English. I SUHARTO: INDONESIA ON caught only one interview, with Mau Hudu September 11 Editor magazine that he had VERGE OF ECONOMIC written to the ILO complaining about the with whom she spoke to in BI. This is a government’s contravention of various ILO friend’s translation, who assures me pretty TAKEOFF conventions. much direct quotes: Aug. 16 1993. Abridged story by Jeremy Activists from the Workers Solidarity “If we can’t achieve our struggle its is Wagstaff. Forum and groups such as the Advance better for us to seek a better way. Peace is Together Foundation have also lobbied in- better. Our aims were difficult to achieve. JAKARTA, Aug. 16 (Reuter) - Indonesia ternationally. “Xanana told me to get back to the jungle is on the verge of an economic take-off that Reference has also been made in press but I was sick, so I waited for them to cap- could lift it to the level of the newly indus- reports to the revival of East Timor as an ture me. trialised world, President Suharto said on international issue, implying that this is also Q: What have you been doing for the past 16 Monday in his annual state of the nation connected to the activities of Indonesians months? address. “We are confident that we shall outside Indonesia. Groups such as Indone- “I have been in communication with the succeed in entering the take-off stage be- sian Democratic Forum, based in Holland, Simbolan (sp?) family [with whom he has cause we have made the necessary ideologi- and Indonesian International Solidarity Fo- apparently been quartered] with the aim of cal, political, social and security prepara- rum, based in Holland and Indonesia, have getting to understand each other. I now un- tions,” he said. OPEC-member Indonesia issued statements critical of Jakarta’s policy derstand more the aims of integration...” under Suharto’s iron grip has long been a on East Timor. Can’t vouch 100% for the authenticity of model of how developing countries can fos- Almost all representatives of the non- this, and not knowing very much about Mau ter impressive growth with prudent fiscal government, community, democratic and Hudu have no context, but passing on for policies and manageable debts. Suharto said academic opposition have rejected Try’s what it may be worth. real gross domestic product (GDP) growth comments as unfounded, including ex- last year reached 6.3 percent, pushing aver- age growth over the past five years to nearly general Syaiful Sulun, the last speaker of the SUHARTO SPEECH parliament, non-government parliamentari- seven percent against a five percent target. ans and dissident academics. KEENLY AWAITED Despite such achievements, the World Bank Indro Cahyono, director of the environ- at the weekend warned that 27 million Indo- By John Owen-Davies. Abridged mental research group SKEPHI, was re- nesians, out of a population of 183 million, ported as being surprised by Try’s state- JAKARTA, Aug. 15 (Reuter) - Indone- were locked in poverty that would be hard ment, since SKEPHI was being invited to sia’s President Suharto on Monday delivers to reduce. Suharto acknowledged Indonesia work with the new minister of planning. a national day speech that diplomats say is was not over the hump of attracting invest- Dissident academic Arief Budiman stated likely to stress the need for further eco- ment from home and abroad but said the that he thought Try’s main targets were the nomic and political development in the government was trying to iron out problems non-government organisations, “because world’s fourth most populous country. in the banking sector and free up regulations they often talk about the workers, the Suharto will be making his annual address for investors. But Suharto also warned that Kedung Ombo [land compensation] case, against a backdrop of calls for a more open such ambitious plans should not be at the strikes and so on.” Budiman went on to tell society and continued criticism of Indone- expense of the nation’s poor. He called for Editor magazine, ..”. the government feels sia’s human rights record. “There is a feeling economic growth that was labour intensive threatened. The intellectuals are confused Suharto is ready to loosen up in some areas to soak up a pool of unused or underused too. If you speak overseas, you are called a and allow more differences to be aired workers, to keep inflation below last year’s traitor. If you speak at home, you are called within parameters of the 1945 constitution,” five percent and the setting up of rural pro- anti-Panca Sila [the official state ideology], a a senior diplomat said. The 72-year-old grammes to eradicate poverty in villages. dissident and so on.” former general has maintained a firm grip on power since the mid-1960s, when he re- placed President Sukarno. A growing gap Page 44 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

SUHARTO: SOLVE CONFLICTS Further information about this serious take has been made, then a mistake has been PEACEFULLY development may soon become available. made. We all understand how these things Anyone who has any further information is can happen.” Aug. 16 1993. Abridged story by John requested to post it as a response to this Mr. Murdoch said it was important for Owen-Davies. topic. Australian journalists to be given access to JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - In a Indonesia to foster a better understanding speech marking the 48th anniversary of INDONESIA EXPELS ‘AGE’ and level of trust between the countries. independence, President Suharto said an aim JOURNALIST Mr. Murdoch believed that late last year of the second 25-year development plan he was taken off an immigration blacklist starting in 1994 was to raise per capita in- The Age. 17 August 1993. Unabridged. By which includes several Australians. He was come by more than four times from its pre- Martin Daly, Canberra in Indonesia earlier this year to report on the sent level. Indonesia has dragged itself up trial of the East Timor resistance leader from being one of the world’s poorest coun- Lindsay Murdoch, South-East Asia cor- Xanana Gusmão. tries, with annual per capita income of $50 respondent for ‘The Age,’ was detained in the 1960s, to achieve per capita income of yesterday by Indonesian officials at Jakarta LINDSAY MURDOCH BLACKLISTED $650 in 1992. Suharto said differences in the airport and expelled from the country de- Aug. 16 1993. Abridged. spite holding a valid four-week journalist’s vast archipelago should be solved in the JAKARTA, Aug. 16 (Reuter) - Indonesia framework of trust and respect for constitu- visa. Indonesia officials at the airport told Mr. on Monday barred an Australian journalist tional institutions. “Without such a basic from entering the country after detaining attitude ... we may fall into a disaster caused Murdoch, 39, that he could not enter Indo- nesia because he was on a security list. him at Jakarta’s international airport for 12 by a tyranny of the minority or a dictator of hours. Lindsay Murdoch of the Melbourne the majority,” said Suharto, who has ruled Mr. Murdoch’s Australian passport con- taining the visa was taken from him and not Age and Sydney Morning Herald said he with a firm hand. “Our job is not to dampen was deported to Singapore after having his the frictions, conflicts or controversies. returned until he was escorted from a flight that landed in Singapore this afternoon. He ticket and passport confiscated overnight Rather, we must develop the procedures and despite holding a valid journalists’ visa. rules to solving these frictions, conflicts and had been detained for 12 hours in the transit lounge of Jakarta airport. Speaking by telephone from Singapore, he controversies in a peaceful, ethical, fair, said he had been told by immigration offi- mature and civilized manner,” he added. But a spokesman at the Indonesia em- bassy in Canberra, Mr. Soekamto Wlenardi, cials that he was on a black list. Murdoch said Mr. Murdoch was not on the “black- said he has been accused by Indonesian EAST TIMORESE list” that applied to citizens or foreigners officials in the past of writing “tendentious” SCHOLARSHIPS who were prohibited from living in or enter- reports. Murdoch said he had been refused a WITHDRAWN ing Indonesia. visa by Indonesia before and would reapply. Mr. Wlenardi said Mr. Murdoch had TAPOL Report, 17 August 1993 been granted a week-long visa to attend a AMNESTY ANNUAL REPORT The East Timorese students’ organisation conference in Bali but had been sent back to ON HUMAN RIGHTS at one of the state universities in Indonesia Singapore when he arrived in Jakarta after has received a letter dated 16 August 1993 the conference had ended. Aug. 20 1993 asking it to inform all East Timorese stu- He said journalists were issued visas for Amnesty International’s 1993 Report on dents at that university that scholarships specific purposes and Mr. Murdoch’s arri- Human Rights Around the World provides a and allowances for them are being sus- val in Jakarta was not consistent with the detailed country-by-country summary of pended forthwith. No explanation is given stated purpose of his visit. AI’s work and concerns throughout the for the decision, nor is there any hint of Mr. Wlenardi said Mr. Murdoch could world during 1992. Below are summaries of what the students are expected to do with visit Indonesia at any time once he had the the entry for Indonesia and East Timor. no further means of sustenance. correct visa. This material is copyrighted and is repro- The letter is signed by the head of the Mr. Murdoch’s visa was approved last duced without permission for fair use only. Social, Mental and Educational Guidance week by Indonesia’s Department of Infor- The full report is available from Hunter Bureau of the East Timor Provincial Office mation Press and Graphics and Foreign House Publishers, P.O. Box 2914, Alameda, of the Department of Education and Culture Affairs and was granted on Thursday by the CA 94501-0914. Indonesian embassy in Singapore, where [Kepala Biro Sosial, Mental dan Pembinaan ***** Pendidikan, Kantor Wilajah, Depdikbud] Mr. Murdoch is based. It is probable that similar letters have He applied five weeks ago to travel to INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR: been sent to East Timorese students’ or- Indonesia to prepare reports on the coun- More than 180 suspected government op- ganisations in other universities in Indone- try’s economic development and to cover a ponents were prisoners of conscience or sia. conference on regional affairs which was possible prisoners of conscience, including For several months rumours have been addressed by Australia’s Foreign Minister some 30 sentenced during the year. At least circulating about a decision to require all Senator Evans. 300 other political prisoners continued to East Timorese students studying in Indone- The conference was held in Bali from 8 to serve lengthy sentences imposed after unfair sia to return home. The letter does not say 11 August but Mr. Murdoch’s visa was not trials. Hundreds of others were arrested and that the students must go back to East issued until 12 August. held without trial for up to two years as Timor but the implication is clear. This is Mr. Murdoch said today his treatment suspected opponents of the government and also a way of forcing East Timorese who was outrageous considering he had been scores were feared to have “disappeared.” may be under suspicion by the security granted a visa through the proper channels. Torture and ill-treatment of political detain- forces to return to East Timor where they Mr. Murdoch also said “I welcome the ees, peaceful demonstrators and criminal will be at the mercy of the army. fact that I am not on any blacklist. If a mis- suspects were common and resulted in some East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 45 deaths. Government forces extrajudicially average), East Timor, Irian Jaya and parts of The Central Council of FRETILIN Ex- executed scores of alleged supporters of Sulawesi and Maluku. ternal Delegation - CCDEF - met in Lisbon, independence in Aceh and East Timor. At Nevertheless the scope of the resources Portugal from 5 to 8 August, 1993. least two people were sentenced to death are such that neither the Indonesian Gov- The Deputy Head of the FRETILIN Ex- and one person was executed for murder; at ernment nor the private sector will be able ternal Delegation, Mr. Mari Alkatiri, called least 33 prisoners remained on death row. to resist the economic prize they represent. the meeting to discuss urgent matters con- Indonesia has the world’s largest tropical cerning the Organization. INVESTMENT NEEDED TO forest area (after the Amazon Basin) of The CCDEF is the ruling body of the DEVELOP EASTERN which about 80% lies in the eastern islands. FRETILIN External Delegation - DEF - and Apart from coal on Kalimantan, which s according to the DEF Constitution , the INDONESIA RESOURCES now being developed and exported, there are Central Council must sit at least once a year. substantial deposits in Sulawesi and Irian However, is up to the DEF’s leadership (the By Robin Bromby The Australian “Indone- Jaya; copper is found in Irian Jaya and Su- Head and the Deputy), to choose the ap- sia supplement” September 24, 1993 lawesi; the eastern islands have the worlds propriate time in the calendar year. Sumatra has growing economic links with second largest nickel deposits and there are The refusal, for about two years, of Mr. Malaysia and Singapore, Bali its tourism also largest reserves of bauxite, gold and Abilio Araujo - Head of FRETILIN External industry and Java the mass of the popula- silver. Delegation - to, together with Mr. Alkatiri, tion and commercial activity, but there re- Fisheries in the eastern region are still schedule the sittings for 1992, forcing. there- mains a vast part of Indonesia which is trail- undeveloped, and the waters around the fore the Deputy Head to, in consultation, ing these in the rush to modernize. eastern islands are rich in tuna and other with other 3 CCDEF’s members, Roque Eastern Indonesia, as defined by the In- pelagic species. Rodrigues, Jose Luis Guterres and Alfredo donesian Government, covers all the islands About 65% of the work force in the east- Borges Ferreira, call an urgent meeting. except for Java, Sumatra, Bali and Madura. ern provinces is engaged in agriculture com- Abilio Araujo and Guilhermina Araujo (his The area contains 68% of the country’s land pared with the national average of 55.6% wife) refuse to take part. mass. per cent. The CCDEF’s members had to call forth A report issued by the Asian Develop- But the ADB report says there were the mandate given to them, by the ment Bank (ADB) reveals the enormous some marked variations from the average: in PRESIDENCY of FRETILIN - CDF - on resources the eastern islands possess - for- East Timor the proportion engaged on the 10th October 1992, in which they where estry, minerals, oil and fisheries - but also land is 95.1% and in East Nusa Tengarra it entrusted with full power to reorganize the sets out the considerable barriers to trans- is 81.5%. FRETILIN external wing, also known as forming these resources into enduring wealth Conversely the proportion of labour in DEF. creation. the east engaged in manufacturing is consid- CDF - PRESIDENCY OF FRETILIN is Environmental degradation is the greatest erably lower than the average - with East the ruling body of the whole organization problem, caused by forest depletion, soil Timor, Irian Jaya and Maluku being at the and is based in East Timor. Is made up of a erosion, declining water quality and destruc- bottom of the list. Secretary and two Deputies. tion of fish habitats. Table accompanying article - shows present During the meeting the CC’s members The ADB report says a simple continua- population & the annual growth had examined carefully the role of tion of past development practices would Kalimantan 9.11 million 3.32 FRETILIN in the struggle for self- determi- prove disastrous for the eastern region, par- Sulawesi 12.522 million 2.38 nation and independence of East Timor. ticularly if the rate of population from Java West Nusa Tengarra 3.37 million 2.15 The CCDEF’s had also examined the role is to increase (under the Government’s East Nusa Tengarra 3.269 million 1.79 of Mr. Abilio Araujo as the Head of transmigration program). It stresses the need East Timor 0.748 million 3.02 FRETILIN External Delegation and arrived to control private sector activities given the Maluku 1.856 million 2.78 at a decision that Mr. A. Araujo has com- extractive nature of the region’s resources. Irian Jaya 1.641 million 3.41 mitted acts of insubordination against the The ADB report says that the region is [source - Statistik Indonesia 1990] FRETILIN PRESIDENCY, by refusing to vulnerable. accept and challenging frequently the au- “There is a frontier mentality evident thorization of the FRETILIN leadership among both transient and permanent mi- THE TIMORESE based in the MOTHER LAND;. grants, a get rich quick attitude evident The CCDEF’s had also examined the ac- among some of them and a natural desire for EXTERNAL RESISTANCE tivities of the FRETILIN Committee, in a better life evident among both local and Portugal - the smallest outside East Timor - migrant populations.,” the report says. and has ascertained that The FRETILIN More investment is needed but the east- EXTERNAL FRETILIN Committee, in Portugal, has given full sup- ern region suffers from the same constraints COMMUNIQUÉ ON port to Abilio Araujo in rebelling against which face the South Pacific island States: REORGANIZATION FRETILIN PRESIDENCY;. poor communications, poor external trade Therefore the members of the Central links, a lack of skilled manpower, the small CENTRAL COUNCIL OF FRETILIN Council of FRETILIN External Delegation, and fragmented local market and the cost of EXTERNAL DELEGATION who met in Lisbon, from 5 to 8 August, moving plant and equipment around the 1993 had decided: archipelago. CONSELHO CENTRAL DA 1. To remove Mr. Abilio Araujo from his The report recommends development aid DELEGAGCO EXTERNA DA FRETILIN position as Head of the FRETILIN Ex- be targeted at the poorest Indonesian prov- August 20th, 1993 ternal Delegation - DEF. inces: East and West Nusa Tenggara (whose Dear Friends, income levels are half those of the national Page 46 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

2. To dismiss Mr. Abilio Araujo as the ABILIO ARAUJO DEPOSED out” (if it is true) of Abilio Araujo from FRETILIN Representative for Europe Fretilin regardless whatever he had done so and Portugal. [Radio Nederland - 10 Aug. 93- 0030 UTC] far, will not be a big surprise or even con- 3. To dissolve the FRETILIN Committee in Abilio Araujo, the exiled leader of the troversial phenomenon, instead a long Portugal. East Timorese liberation movement Fretilin, chance that has been waiting by many 4. That the Leadership of FRETILIN has been deposed. The decision was made at Timorese abroad. EXTERNAL DELEGATION be collec- a Fretilin meeting in Lisbon. The reason for SAMODOC tively carried out by Mr. Mari Alkatiri, Mr. Araujo’s dismissal was his alleged sup- Mr. Roque Rodrigues, Mr. José Luis port for an Indonesian proposal for a meet- MARI ALKATIRI INTERVIEW Guterres and Mr. Alfredo Borges Fer- ing to discuss the future of East Timor. Semanario, 14 August 1993. By Henrique reira. The former Portuguese colony was an- Botiquelha 5. That Mr. Roque Rodriges be the senior nexed by Indonesia in 1975. FRETILIN Representative for Portugal The meeting was to be attended by sup- Semanario: Is Fretilin in crisis? and Europe and will be assisted by Mr. porters of an independent East Timor as Mari Alkatiri: It is taking steps to put the Olimpio Branco. well as opponents. crisis behind it. In fact the crisis of the ex- 6. That two new FRETILIN Committees be A Fretilin electoral committee will ap- ternal wing has been going on for about two organized in Portugal, one in Lisbon and point its new leader in exile. years now. It boils down to individual ac- the other in Setubal. COMMENT tion on the part of the head of the external wing, who has refused to take part in the 7. That members of the now dissolved Mon Aug. 16 1993 FRETILIN Committee can only be ac- meetings of the Central Council of the Ex- cepted as members of the two now or- Reading an anonymous friend’s posting ternal Delegation of Fretilin, and has with- ganized committees, with full rights, if in this net concerning the lack of Abilio drawn himself from its convocation. they signed up in one of the two commit- Araujo’s responsibility towards Fretilin and Q: Who leads Fretilin at the moment? tees. the member of the party, it remains me some of the clues I have heard so far about M.A.: There is a collegiate organ made up of 8. That, between now and then, none of him. four people; this is legitimate in that these those members of the former FRETILIN His “black” records have been a big bur- four were mandated by the overall supreme COMMITTEE can be seen or act as offi- den shouldering by the party (not to criti- organ of Fretilin, that is the ‘Comissão Di- cial members of FRETILIN Committees. cize) for years. It was presumably believed rectiva’ [Executive Committee]. Abilio in- 9. That in view of the above ‘8 the CCDEF that he was the one who remains rigid and sists in not accepting the legitimacy of this ask the Japan Coalition for East Timor to conservative among East Timorese abroad. organ. On the diplomatic level there is the withdraw the invitation initially ad- One of it’s outcome was the “break” (if I’m post of secretary for external relations dressed to Mrs. Inocencia Neves to visit not wrong) between him with his long com- which at this moment coincides with that of Japan next October/November. In her patriot Jose Ramos Horta, and other con- second-in-command of the Fretilin External place the CCDEF would like to suggest flicts among UDT, FRETILIN Delegation, which I myself occupy. Mrs. Fatima Guterres, widow of a mem- TRABALHISTA and KOTA abroad which Q: And where does Abilio Araujo fit into all ber of FRETILIN Central Committee, led Xanana to establish CNRM. (Instead of of this? who was killed in action, before her own resting in on old fashion matters, based on M.A.: Abilio has been suspended from all eyes. She can portray to the Japanese parties principles, this new umbrella organi- his functions as head of the External Delega- people her long suffering as guerrilla- sation took neutral stance). tion. He has been relieved of his functions as woman (like many others) in the moun- Inside East Timor, I assume, old parties Fretilin representative in Portugal and in tains of East Timor. ideology (UDT, FRETILIN KOTA etc.) is Europe and all his powers have been with- The CCDEF wish to express its appre- not the main thing the nationalism relied on. drawn. Abilio still has a recourse open to ciation for the support given by the solidar- CNRM stance is the current most popular him, he can appeal for the support of the ity groups, around the world, to the struggle “trend” inside the territory. Therefore, his Comissão Directiva. for self-determination and independence of absence will not affect any development Q: What are the alleged motives for the the East Timorese People. undertaking now by the resistance. suspension? On financial aid the CCDEF ask that all For some, I think, his absence instead donations must be channeled to: will bring new changes inside FRETILIN M.A.: Fundamentally, his persistence in not BANCO COMERCIAL DE abroad. I had a chance talking with recognizing the legitimacy of the Fretilin MOZAMBIQUE CARRASCALÃO several years ago while Commissão Directiva. This then leads to a Departamento de Relacoes Externas da he was in his post as East Timor Governor. vicious circle; if what exists in the interior of FRETILIN He did not mention clearly what he was the country does not have legitimacy what Conta n: 5110/20.00.55.006.967/6 USD saying in that event but he questioned him- legitimacy do we here have to represent Maputo, Republica de Mozambique self, “Why the students must have a relation Fretilin? Abilio went to the ridiculous ex- In solidarity, with Abilio Araujo?” (without mentioned treme of withdrawing legitimacy from Fre- Mari Alkatiri others Fretilin members abroad names). tilin in the interior, from the CNRM and Roque Rodrigues This man, he said, is distrusted and why from the collective organ in the exterior Alfredo Borges Ferreira those Fretilin exile should also have to rely which is the Central Council of the External on him ? Carrascalão, by the contrary, Delegation, thus retaining legitimacy for praised Xanana and Ramos Horta who, in himself alone . his opinion, were consistently carried out Q: He rejects all these accusations. Is he their duties. (this does not necessarily mean lying? he is on the same line with them). The “kick East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 47

M.A.: If the line of his argument is the same tled to do. It can only be convoked by the this go ahead first and see what comes out as that of his letter of 5 August, then he is Fretilin Central Committee. As this does not of it. Prominent UN figures have said ex- lying from start to finish. exist, its powers fall to the Comissão Direc- actly the same thing: if the Timorese go Q: What does this letter basically say? tiva. ahead with this reconciliation, then the UN will wash its hands of the matter. M.A.: It begins in a ridiculous manner trans- Q: We have only spoken about Abilio; do ferring responsibility for the institutional you consider him the only problem facing impasse in the exterior to me, when he is Fretilin at present? AGIO PEREIRA ON THE well aware that this is not true. I convened M.A.: No, the main problem is Indonesia. I FUTURE OF THE EAST the Maputo meeting, which he accuses of still feel I am a friend of Abilio Araujo as a TIMORESE RESISTANCE illegitimacy, to seek legitimacy from the person but do not ask me to become in- interior to break the impasse. What he can- volved in the positions he adopts. Arena Magazine (August/September 1993) not say, but has used others to say, is that Q: What about the Nationalist Conver- (Arena Magazine published the full text in- his motives are of a racial, ethnic and family gence? Has it folded or will it appear in a cluding excerpts from Xanana Gusmão de- nature. new form? fence plea, Dili, 17 May 1993) Q: Can you explain that? M.A.: The Convergence was a compromise With the arrest of Timorese resistance M.A.: Abilio considers himself the heir to platform. We have recently created a tempo- leader Xanana Gusmão in November 1992, everything. Firstly of all to the legitimacy rary coordination body from the various questions have arisen as to the future of the and representativeness of the struggle. Sec- components of the resistance which is made East Timorese struggle and its leadership. It ondly the heir to the great traditional fami- up of three people, one from each compo- is true that the capture of Gusmão has been lies of Timor. We respect them but the nent. Later we intend to set up a joint repre- a bitter moment for all East Timorese to struggle in East Timor involves all its peo- sentation in Portugal for Fretilin, the UDT bear, but the struggle has not faltered. The ple. He puts himself forward as the heir and the CNRM. East Timorese struggle to gain independence when in reality he is not. For Abilio the Q: Do you agree that it is necessary to do has shaken this region for more than eight- world is a mirror, in which he is on one side something quickly to safeguard the cul- een years; the determination of the people and on the other is his shadow. ture of the people? What? and its leadership is not likely to waver now. Moreover, the Fretilin leadership has Q: But you are aware that Abilio Araujo has M.A.: An attempt to safeguard the culture this eighteen-year history of struggle and accused you of paralyzing the external of the people of Timor must be sought after organization to draw upon. Immediately wing of the party. with the support of the international com- after Gusmão’s arrest, processes the leader- M.A.: Quite ridiculous, because if the sec- munity, particularly the UN, so that Indo- ship and continuing the East Timorese ond-in-command paralyses things than it is nesia has to release the political prisoners, struggle were under way. the business of the head to set in motion the reopen the Portuguese language schools, The struggle for the liberation of our process to dismiss that second-in-command. gradually demilitarize the territory and open country began with the end of Portuguese He knows very well that if he called a meet- it up to the outside. colonial rule in April 1974. Its structure and ing of the organ it would be he that would be Q: It is precisely this that Abilio Araujo is philosophy were influenced by the libera- dismissed. seeking. tion movements of Africa and their great and Q: There has been much talk of the Abilio M.A.: But his means do not achieve any- their great leaders, with their emphasis on Araujo negotiations. Reconciliation and thing. It is not through contacts with Lopes anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist ideology. private talks, do you think that there is da Cruz and Abilio Osorio Soares, who are Leaders such as Amilcar Cabral of the Party any link here? the most sinister elements which Indonesia for the Independence of Guinea & Cabo M.A.: There is no real proof of negotiations has at its disposal, that we are going to en- Verde, formed in 1956 in Guinea-Bissau, linked to reconciliation. Abilio comes across sure they keep their promises, seeing as this Agostinho Neto, former president of Popu- like an impresario. What needs to be raised same Indonesia does not even keep its lar Movement for the Liberation of Angola, is whether these negotiations are his alone or promises at the international level, and from formed in December 1956 and Samora Ma- whether the cloak of the organization has Rome up to the present, has not adhered to chel, the late president of Front for the Lib- been used. He must not forget that he is one of the so-called measures of mutual eration of Mozambique, formed on the 25th living in a glass house. However, all these confidence. It is precisely what I have just of June 1962, all influenced the early leader- questions will be looked into by the collec- said. Neither Lopes da Cruz nor Abilio Oso- ship of Fretilin. tive and Abilio will have an opportunity to rio Soares nor Abilio Araujo will succeed in FRETILIN is the acronym for the Revo- better explain himself. making Indonesia comply with the memo- lutionary Front for an Independent East Q: When? randum they draw up. The reconciliation Timor. It was originally called Associacao will be used to go to the UN Secretary Gen- Social Democrata Timorense (Timorese M.A.: There is going to be a plenary meet- eral saying that there is no need for talks Social Democratic Association), formed in ing before the end of December this year with Portugal because the Timorese are May 1974. Soon after the invasion and the which will culminate in the restructuring of getting on with each other. That is what is consequent occupation of East Timor by the Fretilin external wing. behind this. The information which we have Indonesia, Fretilin leadership adopted the Q: Who will participate? received, confirmed by reliable sources, strategy known as the popular and long- M.A.: The four members of the Fretilin indicate that the Secretary General proposes term struggle, a strategy inspired by Mao External Delegation, who are mandated by to put off to November the third round of Zedong’s long march during the war against the Comissão Directiva to direct this proc- talks between Indonesia and Portugal. This the Japanese occupation, and highly praised ess. Abilio wishes to put himself apart and is because Ali Alatas told the Secretary in Africa by many liberation movements to give an air of democracy he wants to General in Vienna that the Timorese were because it was based upon the principle of convoke the congress which he is not enti- going to meet and it would be better to let ‘masses mobilization.’ This close resem- Page 48 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. blance of Fretilin to the liberation move- way to find a just, peaceful and long lasting Resistance. In fact, earlier this year, the ments in Africa was largely due to the fact solution for East Timor. National Council of Maubere’s Resistance that we all had the same colonial master. After ten years of implementation of this declared Xanana Gusmão, “the Sy mbol of For more than four centuries, East Timor new policy, Xanana Gusmão managed to National Resistance” of the Timorese Peo- was isolated from Asia becoming a some- build up not only a powerful political struc- ple - an act which reflects the unequivocal what backward example of an European ture in the Indonesian occupied areas of East trust the people of East Timor have in him. colonial possession which kept, both, a Timor but also a tremendous sense of na- We are now in a New World Order. strong islander characteristic combined with tionalism which was not so obvious in the Among other things, this is supposed to a powerful western culture: the roman Ca- past. Xanana Gusmão himself became a mean solving international conflicts via tholicism. Unlike the anti-colonialism and charismatic figure which the people of East peaceful means. We are also in an era where anti-imperialism approach of early 70’s, Timor cherish almost to a sacrosanct dimen- geo-economics determine geo-politics. Such these two main characteristics are now the sion. a climate, if managed with sound diplomatic substance and strength of the Timorese He managed to bring up new commanders instinct, can favour a solution for East (Maubere) National Resistance. Ironically, to take over the lacunae left behind by the Timor. this is also a result of almost two decades of past cadres and forged a new spirit of trust The leadership of the Timorese people isolation which the Timorese people have and unity among the commanders of have declared that it is unrealistic to expect a been ruthlessly forced by the Indonesian FALINTIL (Armed Forces for the National military victory over the Indonesian Armed military to endure in an attempt to end to Liberation of East Timor). This capacity to Forces. the Timorese nationalism. respond to the most critical demands of the On the other hand, as Xanana Gusmão This is important to understanding the struggle and the spirit of mutual trust are the said, last month, in his statement to the way in which the Timorese people, espe- most powerful weapons of the Resistance Indonesian court in Dili, it is time for Indo- cially the new leadership, have conceived of today. nesia to recognise, too, that it had lost the the struggle since 1980. Five years after the To implement and develop the philoso- political battle in East Timor. The formula invasion and occupation of East Timor, the phy of “national unity,” Xanana Gusmão advanced by Gusmão - negotiations without Indonesian Armed Forces did not only man- conceived the Conselho Nacional de Resis- preconditions - seems to be the only viable aged to cause the death of 200, 000 tencia Maubere (National Council of bridge to a political solution. The Indonesian Timorese, but also to kill about ninety-five Maubere Resistance) as the umbrella struc- Government , however, has yet to show an per cent of the Timorese political leaders. In ture of the National Resistance. The effec- understanding of the political will of the these unparalleled circumstances, one can tiveness of this structure is further enhanced Timorese people to fight against integration. not blame those who then thought that the by the Commissão Politico-Militar da Re- They have again in recent times resorted to will-power of the Timorese people to fight sistencia (Politico-Military Commission of placing military hardliners in East Timor. against the Indonesian occupation was the Resistance) which is led by the senior Internationally, we must pursue a strat- eliminated forever. The facts, though, prove leaders of both FRETILIN and FALINTIL. egy of building up a climate of dialogue con- them wrong! Falintil, the Armed Forces for the Liberation ducive to the continuation of the negotia- Xanana Gusmão and four other Fretilin of East Timor, is a non-partisan military and tions between the governments of Portugal senior cadres that survived the infamous para-military force. The Head of State, by and Indonesia under the UN supervision, bombardment of Mount Matebian in 1978 constitutional decree, is automatically the eventually, with the inclusion of Timorese when twelve battalions, supported by air Commander-in-Chief of Falintil, hence national leaders such as Xanana Gusmão, and sea bombardments, surrounded Mount Gusmão, in his capacity as President of the Ma’Huno, Jose Ramos-Horta, and others. Matebian, aiming to destroy the agricultural National Council of Maubere’s Resistance, The future of East Timor will remain a lit- fields and to kill all Fretilin members in the is also Commander-in-Chief of Falintil. mus test for the UN and this so-called New area by an intensive military campaign of From this brief outlook of the metamor- World Order. encirclement and annihilation. These leaders phosis of the Timorese Resistance, one can Agio Pereira decided to pick up the remaining pieces of understand why the capture of Xanana Former Fretilin representative in Australia. the structure of the resistance and to present Gusmão and Ma’Huno does not mean lead them to the people to decide its future direc- to an end to the resistance. Perhaps, the FRETILIN: tion. The answer of the Maubere people opposite may be true. The imprisonment of was easy to foresee. As Xanana Gusmão these two leaders, might catalyze a process ROOTS OF THE FRICTION himself put it: “Our people demanded that towards a political solution for East Timor. The following article was published in never to surrender!” What he and the other In the military field, Taur Matan Ruak, the FITUN, Mo. 11, September 1993. FITUN is surviving cadres needed to do, however, was Chief-of-Staff of FALINTIL and Konis published by Praxis which is based in Lon- not as easy . Only after years of tireless Santana, the First Vice-Secretary of the don. The editor of FITUN is Estavao consultation and debates, Xanana Gusmão Fretilin Directive Commission will now Cabral. The address of Praxis is Pott Street, came up with the new, Timorese born-and- head the Politico-Military Commission of London E2 0EF, UK. bred theory of “national unity” in the politi- the Resistance. The National Council of cal arena and “maximum flexibility” in the Maubere’s Resistance will not suffer major In reproducing this article on reg.easttimor, military field. These two approaches were reshuffle. Only Jose Ramos-Horta, the Sp e- TAPOL joins with FITUN in inviting con- simply a recognition of both the isolation of cial (Diplomatic) Representative for the ference readers to give their comments. East Timor and the potential unity which CNRM may be promoted to a more senior Comments may be posted on the conference the island spirit inevitably bring into the position in response to what is recognized or sent by mail to Praxis. political process. To take advantage of the as a more demanding diplomatic climate in The first article in this issue has been changing circumstances of the world poli- the international arena. Neither Xanana written with a view to initiating a debate on tics, Xanana Gusmão conceived, in 1990, his Gusmão nor Ma’Huno, respectively the the future of CNRM and of the External now well-known diplomatic formula of Commander-in-Chief of FALINTIL and Delegation of FRETILIN. Readers are in- negotiations without pre-conditions as a Secretary of Fretilin have not been deposed. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 49 vited to send letters to the editor of FITUN cial representative of the National Council information did reach East Timor it was with their reactions. of Maubere Resistance (CNRM), the um- usually from one member discrediting an- WHO REPRESENTS THE NATIONAL brella organisation which includes not only other. RESISTANCE ABROAD? the political parties (UDT and FRETILIN), After years of representing FRETILIN but also churches and individuals who are abroad, only in 1989 did they wake up and Xanana Gusmão, the national leader of against the Indonesian occupation. The ap- begin to reorganize. This was after the resig- the Resistance on November 20, 1992 was pointment was a gesture of recognition by nation of Ramos Horta. When Ramos Horta captured by Indonesian troops in Dili, the the CNRM in East Timor for the active role became the special representative of CNRM capital of East Timor. Since then, the re- he had played in the international arena. those who remained in the FRETILIN dele- maining leaders abroad seem to be more Rogerio Lobato was expelled because he had gation reorganized themselves. However, the concerned with their internal disputes than become involved in criminal activity in the reorganization is still incomplete. Moreover with confronting the Indonesians. They are People’s Republic of Angola. it is impossible to keep up with internal in danger of allowing the Indonesian gov- The frictions that exist today within the changes because there is no newsletter ernment and the military to gain ground in Fretilin delegation abroad are long standing which can disseminate information to the East Timor. The Indonesian government has ones. There have been a number of internal party as whole. The only news that ordi- been very active in wooing world opinion fights for the leadership of the delegation. nary FRETILIN members get is via the for the last two years, while in East Timor There have been struggles between Mari national Portuguese print and broadcast the Indonesian military continue to harass Alkatiri and Abilio Araujo on the one hand media and via the solidarity group bulletins. the civilian population and continue to at- and there have also been struggles between FRETILIN put out three editions of a news- tack the Resistance Movement in the moun- Alkatiri and Abilio and Ramos Horta on the letter in French in the mid 1980s. Eventu- tains. other. The longer they have been abroad, the ally, it was replaced by Liatatoli. This was In this edition, FITUN examines the fol- more divisions have emerged. an information bulletin edited by the Work- lowing: the political friction between The original Central Committee decision ers Organisation of FRETILIN. The original FRETILIN leaders abroad and the issues was that each member should be head of the idea was that the Youth Organisation should arising from this; the significance of the delegation in turn and that, at each change- have its own newsletter. But this idea was proposal made by Abilio Araujo [former over, up to six members should decide who rejected by the Youth Organisation because head of the FRETILIN External Delegation] the next head should be. This worked for a it was seen as a form of internal competi- for a ‘reconciliation’ between East Timorese while, up to the point when Abilio Araujo tion. Ironically, the person who produced who are pro and anti-Indonesian; and the became the head. When his turn was over he Liatatoli was Jose Guterres, the Secretary of ways in which the National Council of refused to hand over the duty to others. the FRETILIN Information Office in Lisbon Maubere Resistance (CNRM) needs to This became a major issue within and a member of the Youth Organisation. develop as a political force. FRETILIN. Abilio wanted to stay on as the This newsletter came to an end when Jose THE ROOTS OF THE FRICTION head of the delegation for good. Some peo- Guterres left for Macau to continue his When FRETILIN proclaimed unilateral ple say that Abilio made this decision be- studies. Since then the FRETILIN delega- independence on November 28, 1975, the cause of pressure from some militants tion has carried out limited information dis- Central Committee decided to have repre- abroad who did not want to see Mari semination activities. sentatives abroad. The decision was taken Alkatiri, Ramos Horta and Roque Rodrigues ABILIO ARAUJO’S CHANGING when it became clear that the Indonesian heading the delegation. They are of Yemeni, POSITION intelligence were making regular intrusions Mestizo and Goan backgrounds respec- across the border from Western Timor and tively. However, if we take a close look at The struggle for power between Ramos that they were threatening to take over East the situation, we see that the pressure from Horta and Abilio Araujo has been the most Timor by military means. the militants must have been minimal be- serious one. There have been constant ap- The representation abroad came to be cause Mari Alkatiri, Ramos Horta and peals from members of the Resistance in known as the FRETILIN External Delega- Roque Rodrigues all are members of the East Timor to the three individuals asking tion and was based in Lisbon-Portugal. At Central Committee. By voting together they them to try to resolve their conflict. Abilio that time, the members of the delegation could have fended off any challenge. Araujo’s apparent inactivity in Lisbon made were: Abilio Araujo, Guilhermina Araujo, According to the internal party rules no it possible for Ramos Horta to gain ground. Jose Ramos Horta, Jose Luis Guterres, Mari one has the authority to appoint people to It enabled him to achieve sufficient success Alkatiri, Rogerio Lobato and Roque Rodri- the Central Committee, except from the on the diplomatic front to gain credence gues. All were members of the Central National Council in East Timor. However, among members of the Resistance Move- Committee. Every representative had a spe- at the moment the National Council is un- ment back in East Timor. cific diplomatic role to play: Mari Alkatiri, able to make any major decisions. Whatever The decisive moment came in early Au- Jose Luis Guterres, Roque Rodrigues and the circumstances may be, the external dele- gust this year when Abilio Araujo was ex- Rogerio Lobato were based in Luanda- gation has the obligation to keep information pelled from the party by the other members Angola and Maputo-Mozambique. They on their activities flowing back to the Na- of the External Council of Fretilin. The rea- were placed in charge of political relations in tional Council back in East Timor. Informa- sons given for this action were: (1) the fact that Abilio was far too slow in convening Africa and in other continents. Abilio tion has failed to get through on occasion. It Araujo and Guilhermina Araujo were given has been alleged that this is due to a lack of meetings to define FRETILIN strategies; (2) the assignment of representing FRETILIN time or to other circumstances. In fact, the appalling statement he made about in Europe and Jose Ramos Horta became the Abilio and his colleagues expected the Na- Xanana Gusmão and about the victims of representative at the United Nations. tional Council in East Timor to send infor- the Santa Cruz massacre. The decision to Ramos Horta left FRETILIN in 1989 be- mation to them but rarely reciprocated. expel Abilio Araujo was taken in the ab- cause, as he said at that time, not all of the They only communicated with each other sence of Abilio and Guilhermina de Araujo. External Delegation members were active in within the National Council abroad when The Council members who made this deci- the cause. He was later appointed the spe- contradictions emerged between them. If sion were Alfredo Borges, Jose Luis Guter- Page 50 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. res, Mari Alkatiri and Roque Rodrigues. It Abilio’s Congress in order to vote against time. But later, he changed his mind when has therefore been argued by some that this him; or, at the very least, the absent the meeting was seen as a defeat for the action was undemocratic. However, if Abilio FRETILIN Committee members should Indonesians. Up to that time, the Indonesian and Guilhermina Araujo had been present, state clearly which side they support. government and the military had never ad- they would be have been out voted anyway, Jose Ramos Horta was nominated repre- mitted that there was a Resistance Move- since there were four other members. Abilio sentative for the CNRM in 1990. This infu- ment. had already proclaimed himself ‘president’ riated Abilio Araujo who expected a higher The second possible consequence of of the party since the capture of Xanana position in the Resistance Movement than Abilio’s dismissal is that it may reinforce Gusmão on November 20, 1992. He there- Ramos Horta. It meant that Abilio would the classic Indonesian government argument fore saw this as a ‘palace coup.’ have to defer to Horta because he was now that a continued Indonesian presence is The dismissal has not been recognised by in a higher position within the umbrella needed in East Timor because there is so Abilio or Guilhermina or their followers. organisation. Abilio must have seen the much internal conflict among East Timorese. Instead, Abilio has called for a general Con- writing in wall in 1989, because he sent a The Indonesian invasion has, of course, been gress debate, which, according to Roque and letter to the Executive Council of the Party condemned by the UN on human rights others, he has no right to do. Abilio wants in East Timor in which he proposed himself grounds. But the East Timorese now need to FRETILIN Committees abroad to be con- as President of the Party. In the absence of a build a viable political movement to counter vened to a Congress where a leader would be response, Abilio then took the law into his Indonesian propaganda. What the East elected. own hands. He appointed himself President Timorese certainly don’t need is antics of FITUN has learned that before August of FRETILIN. He was perhaps convinced the sort Abilio has engaged in over the last this year, there had already been growing that he would get a positive answer. The few years. criticism of Abilio and Guilhermina Araujo. proposal was not approved. Instead, it was TOWARDS A BROADER AND For example, it has been said that whenever stated by the Executive Council in East STRONGER RESISTANCE Abilio was not available for a meeting, Guil- Timor that the question of the Presidency hermina also did not show up. The situation should be put on hold the for time being, MOVEMENT of Guilhermina Araujo is still unclear. She until the war was over. This decision was When Abilio was expelled from the has not officially been expelled but simply seen by Abilio as an insult. His ambitions party, the remaining members of FRETILIN ignored. Some people have commented that had not been fulfilled. His decision to ap- came out with new strategies for the cam- Guilhermina became a member of the Cen- point himself as ‘President’ aggravated the paign against the Indonesians. They are tral Committee because of her husband, ongoing conflict between Abilio, Horta and reorganizing the party. They have set up Abilio Araujo. In fact, she has never done the National Resistance in East Timor. new Committees in Portugal, Australia and anything significant in her capacity as mem- Abilio carries on regardless. Recently, in Africa where East Timorese are based. ber of the External Council. She concentrates signing a letter to the press in Lisbon, Abilio These moves are designed to marginalise on her professional interest which is being referred to himself as the ‘President’ of the Abilio’s faction. According to one member Secretary of the Austronesian Borja da party. But most people are saying he is interviewed by FITUN they are preparing Costa Foundation, a foundation which over- deluding himself. This status has never been new strategies to confront Indonesian sees the promotion of East Timorese culture recognised by any members of FRETILIN propaganda at every level. But, first, they and education. except his immediate followers and by some have to restructure the party which is cur- If a Congress of the type that Abilio media figures in Lisbon. rently at sixes and sevens. In a meeting held wants to convene took place in Lisbon, it The conflict is still far from over. In in Setubal-Portugal in late August, Roque would of course only be the representatives FITUN’s view, there will be two possible Rodrigues remarked that it is not their inten- of FRETILIN Committee members in Lis- consequences of the dismissal of Abilio tion to compete with Abilio and his follow- bon who would turn up. This is because Araujo from the Head of the delegation: ers. those who represent FRETILIN Commit- Firstly, the existing personal conflicts If we compare the CNRM with the tees in Lisbon are Abilio’s followers. Pre- will be greatly aggravated. It is unlikely that FRETILIN External Delegation in its current dictably, the outcome of this Congress Abilio will give up and hand over to the state, CNRM is now clearly established. would be that Abilio would automatically others. He has always fought to impose his For most East Timorese, it is the only or- remain as ‘President’ of the party and will! In counter attack, after the capture of ganisation which is currently active in the ‘head’ of a delegation that has in fact already Xanana Gusmão in 1992, he made proposals struggle abroad and in countering Indonesian been dissolved. This would be a delegation for a political ‘reconciliation.’ He actually propaganda exercises. It is therefore, the made up solely of Abilio, Guilhermina and means a ‘reconciliation’ between pro- main umbrella organisation which we should his followers. Indonesian and anti-Indonesian Timorese. be working with. This should not, however, Others in Australia, Macau and Africa This proposal completely contradicts a mean that organisations and parties that are would either lack resources to travel or proposal made by Ramos Horta in 1990 an integral part of CNRM should be pushed would simply back up the decision taken by (see FITUN N0 8 and 9). Abilio’s proposal aside. the External Council; that is, they would say carried no weight because it came at a time However, even the CNRM still has a lot that Abilio has no right to convene a Con- when he could see he was falling by the to do. The organisation should be consoli- gress. A deep division would therefore wayside in his attempts to become the dated and the role of each of the groups and emerge in the party. Abilio’s response to leader of the Resistance Movement abroad political parties within the Movement this kind of development is likely to be that and in East Timor. should be clarified, in particular with rela- only the Lisbon members showed up to Xanana Gusmão met with pro- tion to decision making. Secondly, the role vote. Those from elsewhere did not vote. Indonesians and with the Indonesian mili- and responsibility of individual representa- Therefore, only the outcome of the Con- tary in 1983 to discuss peace talks without tives that have already been appointed gress convened by him is legitimate. Some pre-condition under the auspices of the should be clarified. Thirdly, the range of experts’ view is that the non-Lisbon based United Nations. The meeting was vehe- political contacts should be extended to members should be pro-active and go to mently condemned by Abilio Araujo at the include more countries in the South. For East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 51 example, there is a strong case for having a ber 12, 1991: he described those who were ous is Abilio Araujo’s dismissal as Fretilin representative in countries like Brazil where killed in the massacre as ‘adventurers’ and leader and a debate on the future of CNRM Portuguese is spoken. Last but not least, said that their protests ‘provoked’ the In- and of the external delegation of Fretilin. To information dissemination resources and donesian military. He also attacked Xanana best of my knowledge, there have been no procedures should be extended. In particu- Gusmão as traitor. The remarks have made doubts on the capabilities of these leaders lar, young talented Timorese should be given him unpopular if not completely isolated. such as Abilio Araujo, Jose Ramos Horta, the opportunity to gain experience in dealing Most East Timorese involved in the struggle Mari Alkatiri, Jose Luis Guterres, Roque with the press, in counter propaganda work would now rather leave the question of the Rodrigues, Rogerio Lobato (abroad) , Jose and in information dissemination within the sovereignty of the country in the hands of Alexandre Gusmão, Francisco Xavier, FX Movement. At the moment the CNRM the UN and Portugal with the participation Lopes da Cruz, Mario Carrascalão, Guli- office in Australia only has a one member of of the National Council of the Maubere hertme M Goncalves, (inside Indonesia/East staff who is not Timorese. Resistance. They have no wish to be in- Timor at the moment) to name a few, and Meanwhile, the Indonesians are playing volved in meetings with pro-Indonesian many others who had passed away such as every card at their disposal to gain interna- Timorese. This is tantamount to abandoning Nicolau Lobato, Vicente Reis in the land of tional support and improve their image at the struggle to establish an independent East Timor. They were the native ET pio- the international level. However, the Indo- country. Konis Santana, the new leader of neers, fighters, and adventurers who have nesian human rights record is appalling. It is FALINTIL recently stated that he has a marked the dramatic history of East Timor well documented by many international firm belief in the will of the UN, the Portu- political life prior to 1975 onwards. Their observers and independent organisations guese and the US governments to find a views, struggle and devotion to the East such as Amnesty International. The Indone- political solution for East Timor. The politi- Timorese people are acknowledged respec- sian government is under continuing pres- cal status of a future East Timor is at the tively based on their political lines. sure in the international arena to resolve the heart of the conflict. As an East Timorese, it is very difficult conflict. The proposal for ‘reconciliation’ not to get emotionally affected whenever made by Abilio Araujo was immediately COMMENT FROM “LENITO,” OCT. one thinks of the terrible sufferings of the accepted by the Indonesian government, but 28, 1993 East Timorese people and of our sad plight they continue to deny the East Timorese the Sir, in response to your article entitled at a time when we are fast approaching the opportunity to discuss the sovereignty of “Fretilin : Roots of the friction” carried in 21st century. East Timor. The East Timorese will never Fitun No. 11, September ‘93, I feel obliged As the international pressure is mount- make concessions on this issue. Their strug- morally to share some thoughts as response ing, greater forces are pushing for the gle for this cause has cost more than from a young East Timorese perspective. Timorese participation in the negotiation 200.000 lives in the last eighteen years. The views expressed in this letter, however, talks sponsored by the UN Sec.Gen. As far The Indonesian government is still seek- are strictly personal. At the very outset, I as the East Timorese people is concerned to ing ways to gain ground. They continue to wish to be pardoned for my rather simplis- achieve a just and comprehensive solution “Indonesianize” the East Timorese popula- tic approach to the subject, which has in- can only mean full respect for the rights of tion by sending ‘transmigrants’ into East deed drawn attention of very eminent activ- the Timorese people to self- determination Timor. In the wake of the years of genocide, ists, politicians, and scholars and if I’m not and independence starting with the total they are now trying to change the demo- mistaken it has been studied in-depth from withdrawal of the Indonesian armed forces graphic profile of East Timor. This is for almost all angels and perspectives. from East Timor. To commence with this, purely political ends. They have in mind the Your article carried an insightful analysis the East Timorese leaders abroad should fact that they will eventually be forced to in an orderly manner over the current politi- promote measures of reconciliation among carry out a referendum. The Indonesians are cal friction between Fretilin leaders abroad them to disarm Indonesia politically while following the same path in preparing for a and the issues arising from this internal cri- solidifying further the links between the future referendum as their cronies in Mo- sis. I was very concern reading your exten- East Timorese regardless old party lines, rocco did in the case of Western Sahara. sive assessment on Abilio Araujo’s changing and other vested interests or attributes in- This one of the main problems that Abilio is position. Having read this, one may think volved. ‘worrying’ about. It is why he has put for- how the East Timorese leaders abroad could However the fact tells us different sce- ward his proposal for the so-called ‘recon- sustain the struggle if they are not united nario, as it’s disgraceful observing the ‘dis- ciliation’ as a ‘better’ approach. solidly? While it is not my intention to unity’ amongst East Timorese leaders both Whatever friction there may be among comment upon the functioning of CNRM within East Timor and abroad. The more we the Timorese leaders, support for ‘recon- and Fretilin External Delegation or even to talk about the East Timor issue in the inter- ciliation’ only comes from a few dozen offer a critique of its many successes and national arena, hurdles remain in East Timor people. Many Timorese in Portugal and in failures, I perceive that there is undoubtedly negotiations. Ironically, the East Timorese Australia who have never supported any an urgent need to review and to reconsider people’s bargaining position remains weak political party have also rejected the move. the question whether these people have as there is no progress of consolidation If the Indonesians see Abilio’s move as a adequately subserved the fundamental inter- among East Timorese leaders abroad. victory for them, they are deluding them- ests of the East Timorese people instead of The Indonesians, for one, would be tak- selves. Abilio’s move has united Timorese sticking with internal political matters. ing advantage of this internal crisis to inten- more than ever before. Now that the case for In my humble view, apart from other po- sify their strategy of diplomacy. Apart from their homeland is being discussed much litical perspectives, the UNITY among East the persistent ideas on developments being more widely in the international arena, they Timorese is perhaps one of the most vital underway in East Timor since the Indone- feel that, at last, they have the opportunity significance as it would also encompass the sian occupation, in the Indonesian point of to reject any cosmetic proposals. Abilio has relevant questions and issues concerning us view it is desirable and practical to deal with lost credibility among Timorese; above all, today, which may be brought up for discus- the issue once and for all. In their classic as a result of the remarks that he made, sion by other competent readers. A series of viewpoints, development conveys the mes- about the Santa Cruz massacre on Novem- crisis occurred internally and the most obvi- sage the East Timor are working together Page 52 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

(not fighting), they are participating (not which unifies all those inside the homeland, opinion as shown worldwide on the one dissenting), structures are being built (not regardless of their political tendencies, and hand and by highlighting the emancipation destroying), living conditions are being im- social and religious belief, continuously cause of the East Timorese people at all proved (not ruined) and reinforces the be- searches for objectivity in its practical ap- international and regional forums, an aware- nevolent (as opposed to malevolent) charac- proach and to adapt and respond to the new ness movement to the core the East Timor ter of integration. On the other hand, the realities.” This message clearly reflects a issue could be created. East Timor leaders abroad have consistently hope from a fighting man to their comrades Overall, the struggle lies in the hands of directed attention to the brutal Indonesian abroad. those who deserve to the East Timorese occupation in East Timor and by using dra- Therefore I advocate to East Timor Lead- people who are living inside East Timor (a matic eye- catching and reliable facts and ers abroad that it is not an idea whose time place which may be called a prison). Re- descriptions of the human rights situation in has come to be the leader of the resistance, it moving attributes of vested interest of ET East Timor. That’s a great effort of is A RACE AGAINST TIME ! Instead of leaders (political ambitions to be the leader Timorese activists to prevent eroding inter- sticking with the internal matters, efforts as shown by Abilio Araujo abroad) is one of national attention towards East Timor. should be directed to the diplomatic front the element that should be redress. It’s our Evidently, the crisis has just taken place (by all means) by creating a conducive at- moral duty to think of the lives of 200,000 as an interesting phenomenon emerged in mosphere among Timorese in a way that and devote our energy and responsibility to Portugal recently (i.e. Abilio Araujo inter- will not give advantage to Indonesia. Some the younger generation of East Timor. viewed by TSF on September 29,1993) points of reconciliation as originated by Let us be guided in this battle for truth reveals Abilio’s polemical on how ‘up in the Abilio Araujo and FX Lopes da Cruz may by the noble motto “ To Resist in Every Timorese mountains some are questioning kill the struggle of East Timorese in the UN Front” under the spirit of “UNIÃO FAZ the leadership of Konis Santana.” Appar- agenda. In Abilio’s explanation, his plan of FORCA “ to continue the struggle. The ently Abilio is still obsessed about making a negotiation supposed to encompass four diplomatic front depends on the Timorese solitary journey. As criticized by Mari main pillars: pacification, demilitarization, abroad. There are relatively large Timorese Alkatiri’s response given over the telephone reconciliation and self-determination. This communities in Portugal, Australia and In- from Maputo to TSF, that Abilio tries to was said in his interview to Expresso, on the donesia. Small, but active, groups of make everything and everyone illegitimate. I 31 July last. Whatever the content is, an Timorese are also spread in some other agree with Alkatiri’s argument that for their interesting editorial carried by Matebian countries and a lot of things need to be done part, try at all costs to believe in those are News Bulletin September 1993 issue, de- as proposed by Fitun. I entirely second the leading the struggle inside East Timor. There scribed the fundamental differences of plan motion that the organization, strategies and is no way that they want to impose (from pointed out by Abilio Araujo and Jose the role of the groups should be clarified, in afar, in countries which are at peace) rules Ramos Horta. Abilio argues that his plan particular to decision making. More interest- on how the game should be played, just so differs from that presented by Jose Ramos ingly, the idea of giving more chance to as to legitimize the choice of leaders within Horta in the sense he does not defend the young talented Timorese to gain experience the country. It is on the basis that the cir- sovereignty of Indonesia over East Timor at in dealing with the press, in counter Indone- cumstances themselves which legitimize the any stage, whereas the latter defends the sian propaganda is an excellent idea. leadership, therefore Fretilin external delega- ‘autonomy under Indonesia” as a transi- Finally I quote a piece of statement car- tion (presumably taking over by Mari tional phase. Despite the differences be- ried by Mate Bian News September 1993 Alkatiri cs) have to support those leading tween the two plans, in my observation, edition in its excellent editorial: the struggle inside the territory. somehow, the reconciliation must go on and “That if we allow that the lives of A document signed by Konis Santana talks between the Timorese of all political 200,000 Timorese to be betrayed simply dated 25 April 1993, explained how the persuasions, especially the leaders (both because of political vendetta in the leader- national resistance in East Timor has been within East Timor and abroad) should be ship abroad, or political adventurism, the re-shaped after Xanana Gusmão and encouraged in such a manner that does not Maubere people will never forgive us. The Ma’Huno have been frozen. In other words, enable the Indonesian officials to take ad- real leaders of the East Timorese people Konis Santana took over the leading role of vantage and distance the Timorese from one abroad must sit together, reconcile their the resistance to overcome what he calls another, irreversibly. Progress can be made differences and disarm the Indonesian politi- “Vazio de Direccao.” In Konis Santana’s if the East Timor leaders must sit together cally .” words: “the defeat only meant a lost of the first and clear up the internal frictions before With or without the above leaders, the leaders in a physical and intellectual sense” going ahead bargaining the agenda. No one nature of this struggle and the total determi- the loss of the capacity to synthesize the can deny that there must be genuine under- nation of the entire population of East experience of the Maubere People’s struggle standing between the Timorese politicians Timor necessarily leads to the ultimate ob- and show how the right direction to take in both inside and outside East Timor. No one jective “ Freedom in dignity and Peace For order to materialize the ultimate objective - denies that forgiveness must be given to the Justice.” The cost in human suffering has the liberation of the Homeland; but their National Unity to become reality. Whatever been enormous and need to be ceased. knowledge sprouted from the blood, sweat we call reconciliation or other terminology and tears, the pain and suffering, the sacri- one prefers, the genuine understanding can SOLIDARITY MESSAGE TO fice, the lives given by all those who have only sprout from a deep respect for our GABRIELA FROM FRETILIN given everything for the struggle that be- nationhood. longs to the entire people that resist the I’m convincing in my mind, after having 17 September 1993 occupation lives on.” (Source : Matebian considered all the approaches and dimen- News August’ 93 Vol. 1 no. 4, Sydney, sions relating to the issue, that our collective To: Cherry Padilla, Director-Commission on Australia). efforts should be aimed at advising mecha- International Relations, GABRIELA Concerning the reorganization of CNRM, nisms and lobbying strategies to bring about Dear Sisters, Konis Santana postulated that “the CNRM a negotiated and peaceful settlement blood- whilst a national structure of the resistance less transfer of power. By influencing public East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 53

We, the FRETILIN women, send warm touch with Mr. Lopes da Cruz, Monsignor AA: I am not of the opinion that Portugal is, greetings to the women of the Philippines Carlos Belo, and Father Jose Antonio da in fact, against this meeting. All my informa- for this special occasion. We praise Costa, Vicar General of the Dili Diocese. We tion, and all the contacts I have been making GABRIELA for its endurance and commit- believe, therefore, that the meeting will take point to exactly the opposite. ment to the struggle of Filipino’s women place within the next few weeks or MA/TSF: But has the Portuguese Govern- towards justice and equality of women in months... ment supported you in any way? Has the the society. MA/TSF: What exactly does this mean? Foreign Office told you to go ahead? The suffering of women, specially those who have to live under colonialism and re- AA: It depends on a few circumstances AA: I do not want them to say yes or no. pressive regimes, are beyond human toler- which are, in fact, making it difficult to hold MA/TSF: But Jakarta has said yes, and that ance and are unrecognized. the meeting. I understand, and have actually is what I find politically significant. We have been the victims of the Indone- said, that I wanted Monsignor Belo to be present, and I also thought this to be impor- AA: As we all know, this is a meeting sian regime and brutal occupation of our which, in fact, involves risk for all parties: country for almost 18 years. We are being tant. However, they wanted Monsignor Belo and the Timorese Church to come as for Indonesia, Portugal, and for us raped by the Indonesian soldiers; our hus- Timorese... bands, sons and brothers are being killed; part of the delegation coming from the inte- rior. And, straight-away, I said no to this, MA/TSF: Tell me something: what do you our daughters raped by the soldiers and think about the Portugal-Indonesia carry babies conceived by violence. Above and said that the format should be: the lay leaders, as we could call them, the political Friendship Association? Is this a positive all that we are suffering, we must struggle to or negative element? survive in keeping the hopes of our people leaders with political functions, and the to finally reach the sacred aspirations of Timorese Church ought to come as observ- AA: As I have already said on other occa- East Timor - freedom and independence. ers, supporting, and hearing, and listening - sions, I think that the Portugal-Indonesia In this most difficult moment in our his- to all parties, with its protective shadow. Friendship Association is an activity, an tory we acknowledge the solidarity of every And this was a very important fundamental Association created in Portugal by Portu- women in the world specially the Filipino issue which had to be resolved. So, this is guese people and as such, I should not be women lead by GABRIELA. one of the reasons why ... commenting on it. Dear sisters, we would like to reaffirm MA/TSF: And has it not yet been resolved? MA/TSF: But how does Abilio Araujo, our determination and commitment to con- AA: We are trying to see if this issue can be Timorese and political leader, view the tinue the struggle against the Indonesian worked out. However, it also involves some creation of this Association? occupation until the day we achieve the political input from the Vatican. So the AA: I think that, above all, who should be liberation of our Motherland. situation is a little more complex than what I commenting on this is the Portuguese Gov- We wish you all the best and success in had originally thought. But today we are ernment, the Portuguese State. If, until now, your 7th National Assembly. prepared to go ahead with the meeting with no political representative in Portugal has The struggle continues. the people who are available, and with a made comments on a Portuguese association Yours sincerely, format that is feasible, and this could be- of friendship between Portugal and Indone- Filomena de Almeida for FRETILIN come the first of several meetings. sia, it is not my place ... Women’s Secretary MA/TSF: Is Ximenes Belo’s presence no MA/TSF: Is that a criticism? FRETILIN Committee of NSW longer a prerequisite? P.O. Box 74, BONNYRIGG, NSW, AA: It is my position and, in fact, I repeat AUSTRALIA. Ph/Fax: (02)727 2278 AA: No, it no longer is for me, because as with the same determination, that if a posi- long as members of the Timorese clergy are tion on this Association has not been taken, ABILIO ARAUJO coming, that in itself will be a positive fac- it is not for me to start commenting. As I tor. have said to people connected with this INTERVIEWED MA/TSF: What exactly are you trying to Association, I just do not want - and this is Lisbon radio TSF, 29 Sept.’93 (transcribed achieve by this meeting? What good will it a criticism - people saying that integration is verbatim by UDT’s Portuguese Regional actually do? the best way for East Timor. That is when I Committee). Translated from Portuguese. AA: This meeting will be a way for say that not even the people of Timor have had the chance to say that, and I am fighting Fretilin’s Abilio Araujo, polemical again. Timorese leaders, both from the interior and abroad, to make their positive contribution... in order that, one day, the Timorese people For the first time, he tells how “up in the will be in a position to say what they want. Timorese mountains some are questioning MA/TSF: But in practical terms, how will So please, nobody, go around saying the leadership of Konis Santana,” the this happen? whether it is for the best or worst. Timorese guerrilla leader. Coming next, an AA: By making their contribution towards MA/TSF: Two months ago, Abilio Araujo interview by Manuel Acacio, worth listen- implementing the confidence measures ing to: said that the armed struggle had failed. which the two governments, Portuguese and Has the diplomatic struggle also failed? Manuel Acacio (MA)/TSF interviewer: Abilio Indonesian, agreed upon during the negotia- In other words, doesn’t your initiative of Araujo, contrary to what was planned, tions sponsored by the UN. proposing a reconciliation meeting the reconciliation meeting between MA/TSF: Wouldn’t this meeting be playing among Timorese on the one hand, and Timorese was not held before the Durão on Indonesia’s side? (...) There is a new Manuel Macedo’s initiative of founding a Barroso and Ali Alatas meeting. What is factor which, I think, we should not for- Portugal-Indonesia Association on the happening with the reconciliation meet- get. And that is that Portugal - Portu- other, show that (...) new ways are ing? Has it been cancelled? Has the idea guese diplomacy - is not supporting the needed to be found? been shelved, or is it still in preparation? meeting. Jakarta has, however, given it AA: My proposed meeting among the Abilio Araujo (AA): It is still in prepara- the green light, and is looking favorably Timorese is just the first part. The second tion, and I have recently been in regular upon it. This is politically significant!? Page 54 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. stage, which could come about after various MA/TSF: But how can it choose? From thousand to disappear ... for the world to meetings, will directly involve the Timorese abroad? then say that, like the Spartans (...) they in tripartite talks. AA: No, from the interior! fell, but fell as heroes. Is that it? I think that all this division, this division is the result of MA/TSF: Early this month, a message came MA/TSF: In Konis Santana’s letter, he says from the new Resistance leader, Konis a powerful enemy’s action upon us, just as that the restructuring has already taken the two hundred thousand dead was.. Santana, up in the mountains. In it he place. says “the fight goes on,” and gives ex- MA/TSF: But this is precisely Indonesia’s amples of some military actions against AA: I have doubts about a lot of things. I do objective. In other words, in this struggle Indonesia. Do you regret the statements want to say that, with this meeting among Indonesia is achieving its goal - the de- you made? Timorese project, we have to reach a stage struction of the Resistance. With divisions at which we are also going to get in contact within the Resistance, with UDT’s inter- AA: Not only do I not regret what I said, with all of them. but I do not even know Konis Santana. I nal disagreements, the differences within know there is a leader of that name... MA/TSF: Let us suppose, for a moment, that Fretilin, and the differences among the the UN Secretary General, Boutros guerrillas, that just leaves Ximenes Belo! MA/TSF: But do you accept the statements Ghali, wanted to speak to the Resistance AA: I don’t wish to put it like that. What I contained in that message as valid, or do leader - who should he call? you consider it propaganda? say is that, if the political forces abroad, the AA: Is he going in there? That would be my countries, the media, carry out their battle - AA: I accept them as valid, that the armed first question. not conditioned by the situation within the struggle continues. When I say that the Resistance but by this people’s right, which armed struggle failed, I mean I want to MA/TSF: But this is just a hypothetical situa- tion, merely theoretical. If Boutros Ghali exists and ought to be defended - and if the achieve a wider aim, which is the following: international community knows how to the armed struggle that we learned about as a wished to send a personal message to the Resistance leader, to whom should he ad- play its part, then I assure you that the concept, and in its dictionary definition, is Timorese would find... about national liberation, which is a superior dress his letter? manifestation of political struggle. I do, in AA: I do not think he would do that. MA/TSF: So the Timorese people’s struggle fact, still think and say that it has already MA/TSF: Do you think that the model used is in the hands of others? given what it had to give. until now by the Resistance is outdated - AA: I never said that. It has always been in MA/TSF: Why do you not acknowledge the organisational pattern -, and that it is our own hands. It has always been in our Konis Santana as supreme leader of the necessary to break away towards some- hands and, for that very reason, we too are Timorese Resistance. thing completely new? going to decide which is the best way, from AA: I do no wish to comment on that. I our analysis and equation process of the AA: Because leadership should result from current facts. structures which are functioning. think that it should be up to the ones in the MA/TSF: But in this case, that is impossi- interior to find the best forms. MARI ALKATIRI’S RESPONSE TO ble... MA/TSF: But they have already found them. ABILIO ARAUJO AA: You know, in 1978, we went through It is you who does not agree. Also on TSF Radio, Sept. 29. Translated very difficult times, like these. After ‘78, AA: But there are many who, we could say, from Portuguese several commanders also proclaimed them- disagree. It is wrong to think that Abilio selves to be supreme leader. We spent three Araujo is a lone voice. I have contacts with Following is a verbatim transcript of Mari years waiting, and during that time I did not many structures in the interior who believe Alkatiri’s response, given over the tele- talk about who was the top commander... that many things ought to be rethought... phone from Maputo to TSF, after the Abilio Araujo interview: MA/TSF: So, do you think that he has ille- MA/TSF: Including Konis Santana’s leader- gitimately proclaimed himself supreme ship? MA/TSF: Are there disagreements among the guerrillas up in the mountains? leader? AA: Including that! AA: I think that there are many here, Mari Alkatiri: None. There are no disagree- MA/TSF: In other words, the Resistance is ments of any kind. This information is reli- abroad, who are nominating people. And divided in the interior also? that is why this situation has come about... able because we have sought to find out AA: Naturally. Divided because discussion exactly how Konis Santana was chosen to MA/TSF: But of whom is this a criticism? Of is necessary, it is necessary ... we cannot head the Resistance, and everything indi- Ramos-Horta? function like statues on the altar - by simply cates that, yes, he is accepted by all the AA: Of all those who are interfering, from substituting one fallen statue by another ... guerrillas and has the acceptance of the abroad, in the structures of the Resistance. look at St. Peter. When he died, he was not Clandestine Front. MA/TSF: Do you think Konis Santana has the eleventh, or the twelfth. Another came MA/TSF: So how do you interpret Abilio been appointed leader from abroad? along. Araujo’s statements? AA: I believe that those abroad share much MA/TSF: Given this complete picture of the Mari A: I think that Abilio Araujo is still Resistance, in terms of organisation, is of the blame for what happens in the inte- obsessed about making a solitary journey. rior (...) I think we have to pull down this Timor a lost cause? Of course, you are This is quite dangerous, because in order to curtain which hangs between the interior and going to say no, but ... make progress on his journey, Abilio Araujo the exterior. AA: No, I think that our Resistance over the tries to make everything and everyone ille- MA/TSF: So how can a new Resistance past 18 years has given all it can. We have gitimate. And, lately, this has been his prac- leader be chosen? done everything in our power, and the peo- tice, and he continues to maintain that to- ple of Timor would be prepared to continue tally reprehensible position. AA: The Resistance has to get together, has to do so. But I ask this: Could it be that the to meet, has to choose who it will be ... world wants the remaining five hundred East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 55

MA/TSF: Abilio Araujo has stated in this Q: It would appear that you are isolated interview that there are people abroad PRO-INTEGRATION within Fretilin. who want to be in charge in the interior. TIMORESE WANT A: All the Fretilin structure in Portugal Do you accept this criticism? TO TALK supports the idea. Mari A: Well, if there was ever anyone Q: But anyone reading the press would re- abroad who wanted to be in charge in the ceive the opposite impression. interior, it was Abilio Araujo himself. We ABILIO ARAUJO, FRETILIN only have to remember Abilio Araujo’s A: The Fretilin committee in Portugal is most recent act, just 24 hours after Xanana LEADER “THE ARMED with me on this project. Gusmão was captured, when he proclaimed STRUGGLE HAS FOLDED” Q: Has Fretilin taken a formal position yet? himself leader of the whole Resistance, both A: Yes, in a press release at the time of the EXPRESSO, 30 July 1993. By Jose Pedro interior and abroad. No one else to date has Rome meeting between Ali Alatas and Castanheira/Mario Robalo done that. Ramos- Horta, who had been Durão Barroso. designated for the leadership, turned down The ‘Reconciliation meeting’ between Q: And what does the project consist of? that very leadership on grounds that he was Timorese scheduled to take place in Brus- abroad, outside the territory. sels towards the end of August, has pro- A: My project consists of the following: to voked considerable uproar amongst the lead- find a solution for Timor through dialogue, MA/TSF: Is the Resistance becoming more within the ambit of the UN and the talks in and more splintered? erships of the Maubere community outside the territory. The initiator of the project, progress between Portugal and Indonesia, Mari A: No. I think the Resistance is ex- Abilio Araujo a member of the Fretilin Cen- based on four fundamentals: pacification, periencing very difficult times at the mo- tral Council in the Exterior and one of the demilitarization, reconciliation and consulta- ment, comparable to those of 1978 - I would most high-profile resistance leaders, has tion on self- determination. agree with Abilio Araujo up to that point, come in for particular criticism. In his inter- Q: But this was proposed by Ramos Horta, but there is a different reality. While in 78 view with Expresso, Araujo explains that in 1992. the entire leadership had been decimated, his proposal came about as a result of the now, with Xanana Gusmão and Ma’Huno’s A: No, Ramos Horta had a plan completely “exhaustion of the politico-military resis- different to mine, which would involve the capture, the whole leadership was not deci- tance’ in the interior of Timor and that it can mated. acceptance of a statute of autonomy within be seen as ‘inaugurating a new stage’ for all the framework of Indonesian sovereignty. MA/TSF: Is Konis Santana the supreme Timorese, and had the potential to avoid the leader of the Timorese Resistance in the ‘destruction of our identity’ Q: Why do you not accept the Ramos Horta proposal? eyes of the governing bodies of Fretilin, to EXPRESSO: You are at the centre of a num- which you belong? ber of accusations. A: Because I am in favour of self- determination and of the exercise of this Mari A: We, for our part, try at all costs to Abilio Araujo: It looks like it. believe in those who are leading the struggle right by the people of Timor. inside the country. There is no way that we Q: For good or bad motives? Q: Why do you speak of reconciliation with want to impose (from afar, in countries A: Good, I think. Anything which has to do pro-Indonesian Timorese? which are at peace) rules on how the game with courage and the pursuit of dialogue, is A: Because self-determination presupposes should be played, just so as to legitimize the always good. Even when the person con- that the people of Timor exercise freely this choice of leaders within the country. The cerned is not in the right. Bad, is when there right. All Timorese, regardless of the op- situation inside the country is one of total is no dialogue, when there is not courage to tions which they wish to support regarding war. It is, therefore, the circumstances talk. Right when the first differences of elections, have the right to be present in the themselves which legitimize the leadership. agreement began, I invited Fretilin leaders, act of the holding of a referendum. Those It is on this basis that, coherently, we have along with João Carrascalão and Zacarias who want integration with Indonesia should to support those leading the struggle inside Costa of the UDT, to talk with me. At the have the same rights as us and, in the event the territory. time it seemed to me that the misunder- of a referendum, present this option to the MA/TSF: For Fretilin, there are no doubts standings had been overcome. Later on, I people. I know many people who say to me about it - Konis Santana is the supreme realised that in fact that there was another that the best way forward is integration leader! logic at work in the background, which im- with Indonesia but who also say that it is peded the development of the dialogue. Mari A: He is the supreme leader. He is the necessary to have a referendum. They ac- Secretary of Fretilin’s Directive Commis- Q: There are those who call you names and cept that it is only through a referendum sion, and therefore supreme leader of Fre- everything but traitor... that the people of Timor can opt for their tilin. A: It is possible that there may be individu- independence. Thus on our side, if we are to als who think this. I accept that any be consistent, we also should accept that we Timorese whatsoever may think that he is will accept it if the people of Timor opt for as much a nationalist, a patriot, a lover of another path and not independence. What I freedom for our people as I am. What I do am aiming for at this stage is to bring to- not accept ... gether all the Timorese. Q: These are lessons in patriotism. Q: The impression that I get is that your proposal, rather than bringing together, A: Exactly! There is not a single Timorese - is in fact dividing. apart from those who died, or who are pris- oners - who could give me lessons in patri- A: Things are not exactly that linear.. otism. Q: But the other members of the leadership are against it. Page 56 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

A: Not entirely. I will not mention names, Q: On the other side, who, apart from Lopes A: No, but if there was international pres- but, through dialogue, we will reach an un- da Cruz (Jakarta’s itinerant ambassa- sure they would have to withdraw. This derstanding. dor), will be going to Brussels? would contribute towards an easing off of Q: Who will go with you to Brussels? A: It would be fundamental that, from over the situation. I also support the teaching of Portuguese in the schools, principally in the A: A lot of people will be going. When the there, all those who fill important positions should be present. diocesan schools. More serious than the time comes we will see who. military defeat would be the extermination, Q: Is it going to be a representative delega- Q: Is the proposal for a reconciliation meet- the destruction of our physical identity and tion? ing not the result of a folding of the armed culture. struggle in the interior? A: Very representative of Timorese intellec- Q: It is known that Indonesia put forward tuals in the diaspora. A: I would indeed say that my proposal is some conditions before giving their sup- the result of that which I consider the ex- port to the meeting. Q: Covering the entire spectrum of the exist- haustion of the politico- military resistance. ing parties? A: They put forward even conditions of Q: At this moment is there no armed resis- which three were immediately unacceptable. A: Yes, even the UDT. tance? Q: Which? Q: Will Ramos Horta be going? A: It exists but not with the capacity of two A: He has said that he does not want to... I or three or five years ago. A: That the meeting would take place in Jakarta, that all that would attend from Por- would like if he was present. Q: The military structure has been deci- Q: And the church? tugal or the interior would be in favour of mated? integration and that the delegation from the A: Yes, it will. A: It is in the process of becoming extinct. interior would include Indonesians. Q: Who will represent it? When I say this, I in no way wish to deni- Q: Do you believe in Jakarta’s good faith, A: We will know that when the time comes. grate the men of the armed resistance. On considering the danger of Timor being the contrary, I have a great respect for them. Q: Will the bishop of Dili be present? hegemonized by Indonesians coming These men did the impossible, that is, under from other islands? A: His name has been put forward by some very unfavorable conditions, they main- sectors in the interior. I do not want to say tained the armed struggle for 18 years. The A: The Timorese who are there - and of this any more than that but there is, in fact, in- commander himself, Xanana, in his defence I am certain - even those who do not see volvement on the part of the local clergy. in court, recognised our military defeat. Timor with an independent future, are wor- ried by the massive arrivals of transmigrants Q: What guarantees are there that the lead- Q: What do you mean by pacification, sur- from the surrounding islands. This is ership in the interior, led by Konis render and the end of the armed strug- Timor’s drama. Santana agrees with your idea? gle? Q: Do you believe that the governor, Abilio A: I regard Konis Santana as a leader of one A: The bringing peace to the Timorese peo- Osorio, feels Timor’s drama? sector of the resistance. The resistance in ple. For this, the Timorese leaders on the Timor has various components these days. other side have a part to play. They are not A: I am in no way defending Abilio Osorio Konis Santana’s opinion, for me, is impor- the puppets nor the lackeys they are made or the others. In the last 18 months there tant but it is not everything. out to be, they should be respected. have been errors on all sides. Fretilin com- mitted numerous errors in the mountains. Q: Do you not recognise him as the leader? Q: Are you not forgetting the collaboration We have recognised this for many years, and A: I recognise him as a military leader, of in Indonesian crimes of some Timorese in I do not mind repeating it. Abilio Osorio’s Falintil, but not as the overall leader. positions of responsibility? brothers and brothers in law were killed by Q: Do you recognise him as the heir to A: The biggest criminals are not the Fretilin. Possibly, some fell in the arms of Xanana Gusmão? Timorese by any means. There are many Abilio Osorio ... We have to recognise that Timorese who helped and continued to help. A: No. there were errors on all sides and we must Obviously, there has also been some col- inaugurate a new step between us. I want to Q: Why? laborationism, but we must judge in the light show that we cannot be instrumentalized A: Because there is much more. There are of the circumstances in which they find and that, on some points, we can arrive at a structures which are being recognised in themselves. Pacification envisages all the convergence or an understanding. Timor which will very soon be go public prisoners being released. Freedom of move- Q: Is the scheduling of the meeting before with very decisive strategies. ment is necessary - from the interior to the Durão Barroso meets with Ali Alatas just Q: If you do not recognise Konis Santana, exterior and the exterior to the interior. It is a coincidence? who do you recognise? important to protect the physical well-being of the people. A: It is intentional. A: We are now in a transition phase as in Q: Why? 78, a time in which there were various com- Q: Pacification with the presence of Indone- manders. Many of them even proclaimed sian troops would seem difficult. A: As Lopes da Cruz has already said, this themselves commander in chief. A: That is why I am also calling for demili- meeting could be the first of many or it could be the first and the last. Q: Do you not see a necessity to have a tarization and the withdrawal of the troops. unique leadership in the interior? Q: Are there any signs that this is possible? A: It has to be so. Time will play its part to A: On the day that Ali Alatas went to smooth out the contradictions which exist at Washington, it was announced that they had the moment. In a short while a new political withdrawn five or seven thousand soldiers. constitution of the Resistance will be put Q: Has this been verified? into effect. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 57

LOPEZ DA CRUZ INDONESIA TO MEET tion in its territory to deteriorate to the point of civil war. INTERVIEWED IN EDITOR REBELS TO DISCUSS The presence of Indonesian foreign min- Editor, 7 August 1993. by Rahmayanti ISLAND’S FUTURE ister Ali Alatas in a later stage of the talks is not excluded by the senior Indonesian dip- Original language: Indonesian. Abridged By Bob Mantiri lomat, who spoke on the condition that his Original title: East Timor not a luxurious Brussels, Sept. 9 (IPS) - representatives name is not revealed. problem Timorese resistance leaders will meet next attaché of the Indonesian embassy in the Interview with FX Lopez da Cruz. He week in Brussels to discuss the political Hague played an important role in organis- has been appointed as roving ambassador future of East Timor, a former Portuguese ing the Brussels’ meeting. with a special task on East Timor. The in- colony. The talks will coincide with the opening terview is characterized by rhetoric about According to diplomatic sources here of the U.N. general assembly in New York, Portuguese irresponsibility and East Thursday the Indonesian delegation will be where the East Timor issue is expected to be Timorese love for Indonesian integration headed by Francisco Xavier Lopez da Cruz, raised by Portugal. that is already familiar. There was no Indo- member of the advisory council on East Portugal and other members of the Euro- nesian military invasion. He recently re- Timor – which advises the Indonesian pean community have criticised the viola- ported to President Suharto that the East president. da Cruz is a former deputy gov- tions of human rights of the Indonesian Timorese “kings,” “the real owners of East ernor of East Timor. army in East Timor. Timor,” wanted to meet President Suharto He was a member of the União Democ- On Nov. 12, 1991, Indonesian security 17 August coming, to say they no longer ratic Timorese (UDT), the largest party in forces shot dead a number of East Timorese recognized Portugal’s rights as administering East Timor, which first opted for associa- pro-independent demonstrators. according power. Suharto said this was not a new tion with Portugal but later supported inte- to Jakarta 50 people were killed, but am- statement, but merely strengthens the gration with Indonesia. nesty international estimated the death toll Balibo Declaration of 1975 and the Integra- Though it is not yet confirmed, it is ex- was around 100. tion Petition of 1976. The idea now is to pected that José Ramos Horta, leader of the President Suharto appointed a national give the kings some red-and-white flags, and Maubere national movement, will be among commission of inquiry and also ordered the some other gifts. But they badly want to the East Timorese representatives. army chief of staff to conduct a inquiry into meet the President. It will be the first meeting between Indo- the military role. the investigation resulted Plans to meet informally with East nesians and east- Timorese resistance lead- in the sacking of two generals and four sen- Timorese leaders in exile have apparently ers, since Indonesia’s president T.N.I.. Su- ior officers. made little headway. It was Abilio Araujo’s harto in July 1976 formally proclaimed East Two weeks ago the army in Jakarta an- idea, he says. Perhaps they could contribute Timor Indonesia’s 27th province – after nounced the withdrawal of all security to East Timorese needs of education, or government troops invaded the island a year forces from East Timor, except those units contribute to peace by asking the guerrillas before. who are taken part in development projects to come down out of the mountains. There Indonesian troops, however, despite their in the villages. would be no political statements. He re- military supremacy, did not succeed in Comment Sept. 12, 1993: breaking the East Timorese resistance ported conversations with Abilio Araujo After speaking with Jose Ramos-Horta to- about his (Araujo’s) family in East Timor. movement Fretilin – which waged a guerrilla war against the Indonesian troops from their day, I can say it is absolutely certain that no hide-outs in the mountains in the northern representative of CNRM will participate in RECONCILIATION MEETING part of the island. these talks. JRH will communicate to IPS his BACKED BY XIMENES BELO The talks, scheduled for next Friday and unhappiness with this kind of irresponsible Saturday, came after president Suharto, two speculation which has no basis in fact. – Diario de Noticias (DN), 6 Sept. 1993. months ago, gave the green light for a meet- Charlie Scheiner Translated from Portuguese, Abridged ing between Indonesian officials and East (Lisbon) Bishop of Dili Mnsgr. Ximenes Timorese resistance leaders. LOPEZ DA CRUZ Belo supports the meeting of reconciliation But an Indonesian diplomat emphasized AVOIDS BRUSSELS among pro-Indonesia and pro-independence that the meeting is ‘informal’ and that Indo- Timorese. This information was reported to nesia will “categorically reject any proposal From LENITO, Sept. 16 DN by Fretilin’s Abilio Araujo, who, on for an independent East Timor or for a ref- Minutes ago, I have been briefly con- Saturday, had been in contact with Mnsgr. erendum in the former Portuguese colony.” firmed by the first hand person (i.e. FX. Ximenes and with the Vicar General of the The diplomat added: “Indonesia is pre- Lopes da Cruz ) by phone that he himself diocese, Father Jose Antonio Costa. pared to talk about autonomy in East will go to Europe next week, not tomorrow Saturday’s Expresso reported that the Timor, which could be introduced step by as scheduled before. Whilst the Brussels meeting - between Abilio Araujo and Lopes step. but the island will remain a province of meeting still goes on tomorrow, and Lopes da Cruz (a Suharto adviser) - was at risk, the republic. let there be no doubt about will go to Dili instead. ‘ No clear reasons precisely on account of the lack of support that.” explained unfortunately. from the Bishop. He further said that the talks with Portu- I wonder who are the members represent- gal on East Timor, under auspices of U.N. ing the Indonesian delegation if Lopes da Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in Cruz is absent? Does it affect the meeting New York, will continue. according to a without his presence? How they gonna U.N. resolution Portugal is still administra- ‘discuss’ the issue if ‘the originator of the tively responsible for East Timor which it talk’ doesn’t attend the talk in Brussels? Is left in August 1975, after allowing the situa- this a joke? Page 58 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

On the other side, Abilio Araujo cs from member of the ruling coalition’s Liberal neral procession at a cemetery in the East Portugal are going to see the ‘puppet peo- party. Timor capital, Dili, in 1991. ple’ sent by Jakarta I suppose. Nothing is Diplomats said Indonesia, facing strong Ironically the visit was made possible in special and substantial will emerge on the criticism over its human rights record in East part by Jakarta’s gratitude for last June’s talk for attendants as they will measure how Timor, had hoped to use the meeting be- refusal by Sweden to give political asylum level playing field in the international fora. tween Timorese leaders as a sign it was to three Timorese students who took shelter Each party is going to show off who is the fostering reconciliation. in the Swedish embassy in the capital. ‘hero and traitor’ for the East Timorese Since its invasion in 1975, Jakarta has Speaking by telephone from the Swedish people. fought a sporadic war against a dwindling ambassador’s residence in Jakarta, delega- but tenacious band of guerrillas and faces a tion members told ips of widespread human EAST TIMORESE TALKS lingering revolt from students and other rights abuses and continued harassment of CLOUDED IN UNCERTAINTY groups. the local population. In an incident that reignited international They said the Indonesian government, JAKARTA, Sept. 17 (Reuter) - The first concern, Indonesian troops opened fire on despite denials, kept a massive military informal talks between Timorese leaders in mourners in Dili in late 1991, killing up to presence in East Timor. they called for a Indonesia and abroad, due to have opened in 180 people. trade boycott and an immediate international Brussels on Friday, will not go ahead, Ja- The U.S. Senate, which has already arms embargo. karta’s emissary to the meeting said on Fri- barred military aid, was due this month to The MPs said they were frustrated in day. debate a bill that would ban some arms sales their attempts to talk to the East Timorese Timorese exiles said the talks, the first to Indonesia because of its record in Timor. due to continual surveillance by the military such contacts between Timorese fighting or and secret police during their fact-finding supporting Indonesian rule in the former HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES visit. Portuguese colony, had been due to start on CONDEMNED AS TALKS ARE But the MPs did meet Catholic bishop Friday. Carlos Ximenes Belo, an outspoken critic of But Lopes Da Cruz, Indonesia’s roving POSTPONED Indonesian rule. they also met a survivor of the 1991 massacre, currently serving a 10- ambassador for East Timor and head of the By Greg McIvor and Bob Mantiri Jakarta delegation to the planned talks, said year prison sentence. by telephone that no date had yet been Stockholm, Sept. 17 (IPS) - Indonesian- “It is a totally controlled society,” said fixed. occupied East Timor lives in “total fear and Ingbritt Irhammar, a centre party MP. “Really it has not been postponed be- terror,” said an all-party delegation of Swed- “people don’t dare to meet you or even look cause until now we did not decide the time, ish MPs who completed a visit to the region you in the eyes because they are scared they the place and also the composition of the Friday – the day Jakarta postponed private will be punished.” two delegations,” he told Reuters from Dili talks with Timorese resistance groups. Jakarta has claimed the number of troops on Friday. The postponed talks were due to start in in East Timor had been had been cut and a Indonesia and Portugal were due to begin Brussels between Indonesia and members of few left to supervise development projects, a separate round of talks at ministerial level the resistance in East Timor. talks were also but Irhammar said government informers on Friday in New York, the third aimed at scheduled with Portugal in New York, and secret police were widespread, while resolving the issue of East Timor. Lisbon where Lisbon plans to demand action to army kept 8,800 men on the island. has led international opposition to Jakarta’s help the Timorese at the U.N. security “They intimidate the people. sometimes rule in the territory. council. they harass them and sometimes there are In a related development, the first group Human rights group amnesty interna- beatings,” she said, adding that between five of independent observers to be allowed to tional estimates 210,000 out of an original and six hundred people had recently been visit East Timor in several months, said population of 650,000 have died under Ja- arrested and moved to remote parts of the human rights in the territory continued to be karta’s brutal rule since Indonesia’s 1975 island for “education programmes.” abused. invasion of the former Portuguese colony. In reality, said Irhammar, they were de- Three Swedish parliamentarians said the Forced colonization of the territory and ported to forestall any protests during re- military continued to intimidate Timorese, continued repression have kept East Timor cent foreign diplomatic visits to Indonesia. using routine harassment, interrogation and in continued crisis and led to worldwide she said the deportees, mainly men, had arbitrary arrest of suspects. condemnation and aid boycotts. disappeared and were being held incommu- “It is absolutely unacceptable that arbi- Indonesia’s roving ambassador and for- nicado from their friends and relations. trary detentions are taking place to such a mer vice governor of East Timor, Lopez da The Swedish MPs backed claims by aid great extent and that must be stopped,” Cruz, was due to meet resistance leader José organisations in Jakarta that around 90 per Hans Goran Franck, an opposition member Ramos Horta in Brussels Friday, but the cent of development aid to Indonesia was of parliament, told a news conference on talks have been postponed to an unspecified lost to government corruption. “it is very their return from Dili. date, said Indonesian sources. important that development aid goes di- The three MPs painted a picture of con- The Indonesians had said that the infor- rectly to organisations that can be trusted, tinued rights abuses and an overwhelming mal talks would centre on giving East Timor like the Catholic church,” said Irhammar. military presence. They said that while more autonomy. but the Timorese still de- However, this is difficult to achieve Fretilin guerrillas no longer posed a threat mand a fully independent East Timor – without a change in Indonesian law, which widespread resentment against Indonesia feeding speculation that this was the reason requires all foreign aid must be channeled remained. why the informal talks were postponed. through state organisations which allocate “Silence doesn’t mean that there is no The Swedish MPs were the first foreign the funds. opposition but that it is impossible for them politicians to be allowed into East Timor Indonesia currently receives around two to speak out,” said Ingela Martensson, since the massacre of between dozens of billion dollars of development aid a year civilians by Indonesian troops during a fu- from a consortium of international donors. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 59 in addition, it receives bilateral aid from a here as aimed at lending legitimacy to its 17- The Editor account is different from the variety of countries including the Nether- year rule of the former Portuguese colony of Alatas statement in many ways: lands and Scandinavia East Timor. In the latest move, 35 tradi- Portugal – former colonial power in East tional East Timorese tribal rulers invited to “POLITICAL” MISSION TO THE Timor and most vociferous critic of Indone- the capital to attend the republic’s 48th VATICAN sian rule – plans to raise the issue at the anniversary ceremony at the palace Tues- The group consists of some thirty com- U.N. general assembly in New York next day, on Saturday presented Indonesian munity leaders from the 13 districts in East week. President Suharto with a political declara- Timor; the national carrier, Garuda is pro- Lisbon has effectively blocked the re- tion in which they rejected Portugal’s au- viding tickets free of charge. newal of economic and trade cooperation thority over East Timor. It lashed at Lisbon The idea originated with Suharto’s am- between the EC and Indonesia and its five for having left its colony in disarray in 1975, bassador-at-large, Lopez da Cruz whose other partners in the association of south and labelled Portugal’s wish to “decolonise” proposed it to the President and several east Asian nations (ASEAN) – Thailand, East Timor as “unrealistic, mistaken and ministers. He said: “My task as ambassador Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philip- wrongly placed.” It said the decolonisation goes in two directions. One is the need to pines. process had now been completed as the East make a breakthrough to stabilize integration On Friday 35 traditional leaders in East Timorese people had chosen to join Indone- internally and the other is to finalize integra- Timor issued a statement in Dili “categori- sia, as stipulated by the Balibo declaration, tion on the international arena.” cally rejecting” Portugal’s U.N. mandated in which leaders of the four East Timorese Guard’s agreement to pay the fares and responsibility as ‘administrating power’ in parties in November 1975 agreed to enter the green light from Minister of the Interior East Timor since 1975. the Indonesian republic. Suharto has also Yogie Memed set the plan in motion. They accused Lisbon of “surreptitiously, endorsed a plan to hold an informal discus- Two weeks ago, a message was received suddenly and irresponsibly” abandoning sion sometime this year between East from the Vatican via its ambassador in Ja- East Timor in 1975 “in the turmoil of a civil Timorese who are for integration with Ja- karta that the Pope would make time for the war.” karta and those opposed. Jakarta has said visit if the governor of East Timor was part In Strasbourg, France, the European lib- the talks were first proposed by a vocal of the group. “In other words, I was, indi- eral group of members of the European par- anti-Indonesian East Timorese now living in rectly, being invited,” Soares told Editor. liament are to nominate East Timorese resis- Lisbon, Abilio Araujo. Fretilin has since It is understood that the purpose of the tance leader Xanana Gusmão for the Sak- suspended Araujo as the group’s external mission is closely connected with the politi- harov prize. leader because of this. Indonesia has also cal objective of promoting world recognition Group member Jessica Larive said Friday invited several founding members of the of integration. Looking at the voting last that the nomination was intended as a signal Portugal-based Portuguese-Indonesian time at the UN General Assembly (in 1982), from European parliament to Indonesia to Friendship Association to visit Indonesia Indonesia only needs three more votes to respect human rights in East Timor. for 12 days. win. It is expected that the visit to the Pope Gusmão was sentenced to 20 years in jail will help win these extra votes. earlier this year by Indonesian authorities “NON-POLITICAL” VISIT TO Some months ago in an interview with for his leadership of a resistance movement THE POPE Editor, Abilio Soares expressed the view in East Timor, invaded in 1975 and later that if he met the Pope, “the Holy Father annexed by Jakarta. Reuter, 20 August and Editor, 21 August would become more convinced of the desire The Sakharov prize, named after former Reuter item unabridged. Editor item of the people of East Timor to integrate soviet dissident Andrei Dimitrivitch Sak- abridged. with Indonesia.” Soares hoped that the Pope harov, the 1975 Nobel prizewinning physi- would give a commitment to issue state- cist and human rights champion, is a yearly Reuter reported that leading figures from ments which might influence some European award, given by the European parliament to the largely Catholic territory of East Timor countries to support integration. (Editor, people who distinguish themselves in the will on Saturday visit the Pope in Rome, but No. 34, 22 May 1993) fight for freedom and human rights, Larive their Indonesian overlords said on Friday However, a few days ago, Soares denied said. that the visit was not politically motivated. that the mission was political. “It is purely Past winners include Czechoslovak dissi- Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the 47 for religious purposes. This will be an op- dent politician Alexander Dubcek, ANC pro-Indonesian Timorese, including the portunity for them to receive the Pope’s leader Nelson Mandela and Burmese oppo- Jakarta-appointed governor Abilio Soares, blessing.” Naturally, political objectives sition leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi (story would be met by Pope John Paul II in their might be achieved. If the Pope asks any received incomplete) personal capacities. “It is clear that we questions, “I will answer in my capacity as don’t see it as a political visit. We see it as a the governor of East Timor.” religious visit.” Alatas told reporters. Lopez da Cruz also thought that political INDONESIA ACTS ON Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese benefits would accrue especially if the Pope colony in 1975 and annexed it the following welcomed the delegation as coming from INTERNATIONAL FRONTS year. The UN does not recognise its rule. Indonesia. “We know how great the Pope’s The diocese in mainly Catholic East Timor influence is.” And if he says anything, he is administered direct by Rome, not by In- INDONESIA WORKS ON will be certain to use diplomatic language donesia’s Catholic Church. that does not offend either Portugal or Indo- IMAGE ––– nesia. 15 Aug. 1993. Substantially abridged. Sun Aug. 22 1993 Visiting the Pope JAKARTA, Aug. 15 (AFP) - In the In one Indonesian press story, East wake of mounting international criticism, Timor Governor Abilio Soares was quoted Indonesia has taken a series of steps seen Page 60 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. as saying the Pope had requested an audi- Indonesia has been locked in a diplomatic pas, The Jakarta Post, Indonesian Times, ence with him. Well, now. – John battle to gain international recognition of the Republika, Tempo and etc. integration. The foreign ministers of the two The fact is true as carried by the Eco- TAPOL COMMENT, AUG. 25, 1993 countries are scheduled to meet again next nomic & Business Review Indonesia as the This item erroneously reports that the month at the United Nations to discuss the event itself has taken place. But after read- delegation headed by governor Abilio issue. ing the whole story one may ask the Soares would meet the Pope last Saturday. Friends of integration TRUTH of the statement presented to That was the day of its departure from Indo- president Suharto. More specific, one may The ceremony was also witnessed by nesia. doubt of the GENUINE ASPIRATION of three visiting members of the Portugal- Further regarding the political nature of the poor tribal chiefs who know nothing Indonesia Friendship Association (PIFA), the mission, Jakarta Post of 21 August about politics and were invited to go to an organization in Portugal representing quotes Abilio Soares as saying that when he Jakarta just for presenting this artificial people who sympathize with East Timor’s meets the Pope, he will urge him to take the statement. A point to be raised whether integration with Indonesia and are striving to Dili diocese out of direct Vatican control and these tribal chief were genuinely expressing restore bilateral ties between the two coun- put it under the Indonesian Council of Bish- their statement to President Suharto or not? tries. ops, arguing that Bishop Belo is actively I am a little bit doubt on this as the way I The three are Jose Martins of East involved in the Council’s activities. It is observed these people inside East Timor, Timorese descent, Manuel Macedo and noteworthy however that Bishop Belo him- they have no desire to do so and if we link Gaspar Santa Rosa. Martins is a former self is not accompanying the mission. with a series of resentment among the East president of a pro-integration East Timorese Another mission member, Manuel Soares Timorese people on Indonesia’s occupation, political party and also a signatory of the said he would tell the Pope “that the integra- it may give us a clue of how they really feel. Balibo Declaration. tion preferred by the majority of East They are sick of the atrocities against its “Despite having no political strength at Timorese is the best and realistic alterna- people, although economic progress is re- present, I believe I can convince my gov- tive.” He went on: “Hopefully, we, aside markably achieved. They are not happy at ernment to finally recognize the East Timor from getting spiritual blessings, will be able all ! Interestingly to notice why these peo- integration,” Macedo said. to help the government solve the problem of ple are not happy at all, while the Indone- East Timor.” COMMENT FROM ‘LENITO’ sians are pouring resources to develop this province. Maybe this is ‘food for thoughts’ Having read an article entitled Vox for you -readers- in this net. VOX POPULI, VOX DEI Populi, Vox Dei posted by Oki Zakaria It appears to me that this is a sort of (TIMORESE CHIEFS VISIT taken from the Economic & Business Review “Legitimated Campaign” from the Indone- Indonesia, August 28, 93 edition), I have JAKARTA) sian officials to the international commu- some thoughts to share in this net as I have nity. Taking the moment of Indonesian’s Economic & Business Review Indonesia, been closely following the developments of independence anniversary day, Jakarta de- August 28, ‘93 East Timor’s political fate in the interna- liberately invited the tribal chiefs to present tional arena. Now it is the voice of the East Timor this ARTIFICIAL statement to legitimate The article visualizes the event where 35 people, at least those residing in the region, Indonesia in the international arena. More East Timor tribal chiefs (liurai) on behalf of against that of the United Nations. importantly to prove Indonesia’s sover- the people firmly denounced Portugal for While the United Nations sticks to its eignty over East Timor to the UN irresponsibly abandoning its former colony recognition of Portugal as the administering (NB. The UN never recognizes Indone- in 1975 on the verge of a civil war. Further- power over the region, 35 East Timor tribal sia’s annexation and still sticks to its recog- more the tribal chief said in a statement read chiefs (liurai) - on behalf of the people - nition of Portugal as the administering to President Suharto at Jakarta’s Sate Palace firmly denounced Portugal for irresponsibly power). It’s for this purpose that Indonesia : “Since July 17, 1976, the East Timorese abandoning its former colony in 1975 on the is actively pursuing ‘ a once for all diplo- people have proudly become citizens of verge of a civil war. matic campaign’ in the international arena. Indonesia, having the same rights obliga- “Since July 17, 1976, the East Timorese The Title of the article above suits the Indo- tion...... from the other 26 provinces.” people have proudly become citizens of nesian mockery ( VOX POPULI, VOX Interestingly, the event coincided with Indonesia, having the same rights, obligation DEI). the presence of three visiting members of and responsibilities as their brothers and I’m fully aware how clever the Indone- Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Association sisters from the other 26 provinces,” the sians are by inviting the innocent tribal chief (PIFA), Jose Martins, Manuel Macedo and tribal chiefs said in a statement read to from 13 districts across East Timor to have Gaspar Santa Rosa. (NB. The three are pro- President Suharto at Jakarta’s State Palace. a ‘tour’ to Jakarta and ‘show up’ their aspi- integrationists representing people who On that day, their Balibo Declaration ex- rations against Portugal and the UN. A so- sympathize with East Timor’s integration pressed the desire of East Timorese to inte- phisticated approach by Jakarta to the East with Indonesia and are striving to restore grate with Indonesia. Timorese people and this is consistently bilateral ties between Portugal and Indone- “We’ve come here to represent the entire done on demand at any international fora. A sia. East Timor people... to renew our vow to series of the likely event has taken place, for In my observation as an observer on make the integration with the Unitary Re- example in the late 70s, Jakarta invited nu- Eastern Indonesian Studies, and as a person public of Indonesia workable,’ the tribal merous East Timorese (those who were pro- who had chance to visit East Timor a couple chiefs said. integration) to give their testimony in New of times recently, I have some insights on They called Portugal’s demand to pursue York (at the UN hearings). Recently a group this particular event which has been largely the decolonization process through a self- of the East Timorese people including the covered by Indonesia’s leading newspaper determination act as “unrealistic” and “no governor Abilio Osorio Soares has been and magazines in Indonesia such as Kom- longer appropriate.” sponsored by Jakarta again to have a ‘pil- grimage’ to Rome and France. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 61

This phenomenon tell us that Jakarta is fundamental freedoms of the East Timorese The referendum would also include the willing to pay a high cost for eliminating people. deputies in Dili’s Assembly, and the main ‘status quo’ of East Timor in the UN or So it’s now on the hand of Indonesia to forces of Timorese society, but it would elsewhere. At the same time I do acknowl- prove itself as a civilized country, respects never be an auscultation of the people them- edge how Jakarta politicized the predomi- the dignity and freedom of servitude of the selves. The Indonesians justify themselves nantly Catholic Church in East Timor to people in that territory by giving up that by citing the UN Charter, which does not approach the Vatican in this particular case. tiny territory. Indonesia is better off by specify the kind of referendum to be carried The situation inside East Timor is so leasing ET. out. But, even knowing beforehand that volatile, intimidation, pressure are ON and Ironically nothing substantially achieved Durão Barroso would not accept such a OFF according to the ‘key holder’ which is in their dialogue in Rome on 21 April ‘93 proposal, Jakarta believes it highly impor- undoubtedly accrued to ABRI officials in and in New York on 17 September 1993. All tant to show good will, because time is on East Timor. The people of East Timor have sides concerned realize the need to make its side. no power to revolt, otherwise they will be progress on CBM that could help pave the claimed as the ‘two head’ by ABRI and this way for discussion of the core issues. Over- could be easily noticed from the passivity of all, the problem stills lies on the Indonesian LABOR RIGHTS; people ‘obeying’ any rules imposed by the side as it still persists to be defiant against INDONESIA’S U.S. TRADE policy makers. No wonder we often hear, UN resolutions. The conventional argument listen , watch and read reports that the well- echoed so far is that the East Timorese PREFERENCES Church led by Bishop Belo, is the ultimate people have implemented their referendum THREATENED and reliable place for the East Timorese through their Balibo Declaration in Novem- people to complain their oppressed feelings ber 1975. Yet that argument provides a deep inside East Timor. controversy among observers, which un- GSP LOBBY BEGINS ACTION Based on this preliminary observation, I doubtedly was artificially designed by can only say that in fact so many (guess who???). Home work for you Aug. 9 story, abridged. ARTIFICIAL things made up with the pur- guys..... Similar pattern occur to the chief JAKARTA (UPI) – The government, pose of removing that small sharp piece of tribal as displayed at Jakarta’s state palace. alarmed at possibility of loosing trade bene- gravel in the Indonesian backyard. My ultimate question is how long we fits granted by United States, plans to set Therefore I have no surprise observing gonna witness the ‘puppet drama’ ON and up a special team to keep the privileges the Indonesian roving ambassador, FX. ON for the East Timorese people imposed under the Generalized System of Prefer- Lopes da Cruz in his breakthrough pro- by Jakarta? ences, officials said Monday. The team will gramme of inviting the three Portuguese include officials from various ministries, and businessman to Jakarta to have a glimpse on TIMOR: AN ALATAS -STYLE hopefully could overcome the U.S. Trade Indonesia’s handling over East Timor. Again REFERENDUM Representative’s objections mainly based on Lopes da Cruz played an important role the treatment workers receive in Indonesia. behind the scene to impress Jakarta on his Semanario, 18 September 1993. Translated Radu, a spokesman of the Trade Ministry new role as an ambassador. Feeling of being from Portuguese confirmed the government’s plan, but de- unable to impress the international commu- (Lisbon) Indonesia is prepared to hold a clined to explain further when such team nity, he made a series of programme (of will be established. Trade Minister Satrio course under Suharto’s approval) to invite very special kind of referendum in East Timor: limited to men in Jakarta’s trust. Budiardjo Judono said he hopes the team the three pro integrationists mentioned will be able to lobby to have “the USTR above in order to influence the public opin- According to sources close to the Jakarta Government, Indonesian Foreign Minister, withdraw its threats and allow Indonesia to ion. continue with GSP facilities.” Radu said a Internationally, as the East Timor’s po- Ali Alatas, is prepared to hold a referendum on East Timor’s self-determination. But it team from the USTR was scheduled to ar- litical situation persists, the progress report rive in Indonesia next month to have talks of the UN Secretary General, Dr. Boutros- would be an Indonesian- style referendum - i.e. an auscultation of the traditional authori- with government and officials. Officials said Boutros Ghali provides us a very wightful the U.S. mission will probably decide insights of how he’s going to mediate the ties in Timor, in the name of the people. It was not possible, before going to whether the GSP facility will be lifted or question of East Timor. The problem now extended. Paian Nainggolan, chairman of the lies on the so called Confidence-Building press, to find out whether Alatas had put this proposal to his Portuguese counterpart, expert staff at the Trade Ministry told Measure which had been agreed upon by the Kompas newspaper that the USTR team two foreign ministers (Alatas and Durão Durão Barroso, during the negotiations yes- terday in New York. would also visit various factories in the Barroso) to carry on ways of exchanging country in order to collect more evidences. journalist between the two countries and In this way, Indonesia’s diplomatic chief is trying to show he is making some conces- equally important and intrinsically linked to ‘GOOD US TIES’ the process of human rights inside East sions and is prepared to meet half-way to Timor. find a solution, as he had announced this THREATENED week. But Durão Barroso is not likely to go It’s believed that the improvement of the Aug. 11 story, substantially abridged. conditions in East Timor is SINE QUA along with it, because a referendum of this NON to progress in the talk. It’s in that kind would be no more than institutionaliz- JAKARTA (UPI) – Indonesia will argue spirit and in views of the continued concern ing the Liurais’ (traditional Timorese au- “loud and clear” to defend its labor policies of the international community in that re- thorities, who were recently in Jakarta) before a U.S. mission scheduled to arrive spect that the Sec Gen. Boutros Ghali has position, which is in favour of integration next month to discuss trade privileges, the been closely following developments affect- and of radically cutting ties with the Portu- Coordinating Minister for Trade and Indus- ing the enjoyment of the human rights and guese Government. try Hartarto said Thursday. Hartarto’s dep- uty, Trade Minister Satrio Budiardjo Ju- Page 62 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. dono and the Minister for Manpower Abdul INDONESIAN PRESS we shouldn’t be haunted by the spectre of Latief were appointed to co-chair the Indo- the US [cutting GSP].” RESPONSES TO GSP nesian team that will negotiate with a mis- sion from the U.S. Trade Representative and CUTOFF THREAT the GSP committee scheduled to arrive in THE THREAT OF CUTTING GSP IS Jakarta in September. “We will spell out the CUTTING GSP BENEFITS IS A NOT FAIR government’s policy to U.S. government DANGER Media Indonesia, August 5, 1993 loud and clear,” Hartarto said after chairing a Republika, August 5, 1993: The threat from the US to cut GSP bene- team meeting to discuss the issue. Hartarto, The danger that the United States may fits because of the labor situation here are however, said the team did not discuss the not fair, according to Payaman Simanjuntak, possibility of a new worker policy. In its cut off GSP benefits may well come to pass. And a threat like this, ostensibly tied to the because the government has done its utmost efforts, the Indonesian government has also to improve the lot of workers. “Does the hired the U.S. law firm White and Case to labor issue, will not be the first that Indone- sia has experienced, according to Bakir US really just want to cut GSP because of get more inputs. But, an official at the Trade the workers, or is there some other motiva- Ministry said Thursday that the country Hasan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Trade. tion?” he asked. hired the consultant not only for the GSP If the US was defining labor problems by issue but for the various problems such as As Reuters reported yesterday, the US on Tuesday expressed disappointment at the failure of SBSI to obtain a permit for its textile issue in the United States, adding that congress, then it did not realize that granting hiring a such consultant as a “normal” thing. the attitude Indonesia had taken toward giving its workers the right to organize. This such a permit was beyond the authority of “We hired them for quite some time.” Ju- the Manpower Ministry. But the unwilling- dono said there are 6,000 Indonesian com- was linked to the refusal to let the SBSI hold its congress last week. Timothy Wirth, a ness of the government to grant a permit modities getting GSP facilites from the was perhaps due to the fact that the status United States, but not all of them have been senior official in the Clinton Administration known as a hardliner on human rights, said of SBSI was unclear. Looking at its founders capitalized. Judono expressed his belief that and members, Payaman said, SBSI wasn’t a with the GSP issues, the “good” relations sharply, “We will take tough action if Indo- nesia continues to treat its labor force un- union but an NGO. “What element of this between Indonesia and the United States organization came from workers?” Payaman would be affected. fairly.” Officially, there has been no Indonesian asked. “Most of them come from legal aid reaction to the US accusation. But several organizations.” GOLKAR SEEKS LABOR sources said that the government was trying Last June, Indonesia received word that REFORMS to improve the condition of work- the US was extending GSP until February ers...Payaman Simanjuntak of the Man- 15, 1994, and at that time would decide Abridged. power Ministry, said Indonesia was taking whether or not to extend it further. But JAKARTA, Aug. 13 (Reuter) - Members the threat from the US seriously...President several recent developments on the labor of Indonesia’s ruling Golkar party have Suharto himself had instructed all ministries front have caused the US to sharpen its called on the government to improve its to work toward establishing an SPSI unit in warning... labour record, and admitted that some gov- every workplace. The government has not Payaman said the GSP benefits had a ernment practices violate labour regulations, been hesitant to bring industrialists who positive impact because they helped lighten Antara said on Friday. “It has to be ac- violate labor regulations to court, and it has the burden for our exporters. Unfortunately, knowledged that there are still some actions continued to raise the minimum wage and too few exporters took advantage of them of the government that violate stipulations social security benefits. because their businesses were already too set by labour regulations,” said Tadjudin SBSI, which has so attracted US atten- encumbered. Noer Said, a member of the committee on tion, is not a real labor union, said Payaman. Roving Ambassador Sayidiman Suryo- industrial and labour problems. Indonesia It was formed by NGOs, not workers. “It’s hadiprojo said that Indonesian need not fear has set up a team to defend its record to like having journalists form a union for plan- the threat from the US, because America Washington, but diplomats and labour ana- tation workers,” he said as an illustration. was in serious economic straits itself and its lysts said it showed little sign of actually Payaman said his ministry had no author- own producers were having difficulty com- implementing the requested reforms. Antara ity to grant SBSI a permit for its congress. peting with Asia. That was why it was quoted Abdullah Zainie, deputy chairman of “SBSI isn’t a labor union, so why come to going around threatening many countries, the assembly’s dominant Golkar faction, as us for a recommendation?” he said. The including Indonesia. calling for one overall ordinance to replace SBSI congress in Cisarua, scheduled for July numerous existing laws and to protect 29-31, was cancelled because it did not have “THE THREAT TO CUT GSP” workers’ rights and welfare. “There is no a permit from the police. Republika (editorial) August 6, 1993 regulation governing workers’ welfare such Imam Taufik, the head of Indonesia’s as their rights on minimal wages, health and trade and business council, KADIN, said the Once again, the US is threatening to insurance,” he was quoted as saying. US attitude should be looked at from a dif- withdraw GSP benefits. It is Michael (sic) ferent perspective. Textile producers in the Kantor, supported by a number of senators, US felt threatened by textile production in who has been the most persistent in raising Indonesia, and they saw that they could GSP, citing the minimum wage and the lim- weaken the latter by tying the issue to the its on workers to exercise their rights... handling of labor problems. In fact, on the issue of labor, the Indone- For Imam, the US threat shouldn’t be sian government has already undertaken taken too seriously. “Indeed, it’s time for us several reforms. The right to strike, for ex- to increase the exports of non-quota items,” ample, has begun to be broadened, although he said, “and as we develop in this regard, there still are many who object to the condi- tions that have to be met. The same with the East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 63 minimum wage, which in several regions has and Legal Guidance) in Jakarta yester- fronting US pressure, it wasn’t necessary to been raised. The government has also upped day..."I don’t think we need a team to lobby tidy up all aspects of the labor problem. the pressure on businesses to form an SPSI the US not to cut off GSP; the government The government was prepared to make im- unit in each workplace. should move to improve the position of the provements, but it should be understood But it must be admitted that conditions labor force,” said Abdul Hakim. that there were some things that one did not for our workers are not yet satisfactory. In connection with the threat from the need to rush to improve...He was not pre- SPSI is widely condemned as impotent. The US, the Indonesian government announced pared to elaborate. same with the minimum wage. Even if the that it was preparing a team composed of At the same time, Sofyan Wanandi said new wage determinations are fulfilled, wages people from the Ministries of Trade, Indus- that the emergence of pressure from the US will still be low, below $2 a day. Even in- try, Foreign Affairs, Information and Home was caused by reports by Indonesian dustries like textiles, garments and so on Affairs to meet with the US Trade Repre- groups to Washington on labor issues. “This which make a huge profit from exports ap- sentatives and have it take back its threat so happened particularly after the failure of the parently do not automatically give high that Indonesian could continue to enjoy plans to form SBSI,” he said. But he said wages to their workers. GSP benefits. that in several areas, the government should But from another angle, American pres- Teten Masduki said that the US threat take steps to clean up its labor problems, sure on Indonesia cannot be separated from was based on recommendations of Asia because GSP benefits were being increas- economic conditions within the US. The US Watch regarding the conditions of Indone- ingly used. “And the potential for benefiting economy is gloomy. Domestically, the US is sian workers in 1992. Masduki also said from these facilities is also high, because up best by high unemployment and inflation. that every year, the US threatened to with- till now, Indonesia has made little use of Abroad, it has to confront economic giants draw GSP from developing countries. But them.” However, he added, “we still do not like Japan. Masduki also asked if the US threat, as a need to allow the formation of free labor In such a situation, the hardline attitude statement of concern by the US government unions such as that planned by the founders toward GSP in fact does not stem from about labor conditions in Indonesia, might of SBSI.” concerns about human rights, as the US not have behind it American economic inter- always claims. There is a more important ests. For example, when a similar threat was factor behind it: the desire to protect its made in 1987, the threat was dropped after ANSWERING THE US THREAT WITH economy at home. As long as it can show no Indonesian allowed Hollywood films to NATIONALISM results, these threats are going to keep com- enter the country. “This was a concession “It Must be Admitted That Our Workers ing, and it is not impossible that they will be given by the Indonesian government,” Mas- Are Skin and Bones” enforced. duki claimed. Harian Terbit, August 10, 1993 For Indonesia, there is no choice other Abdul Hakim suggested that the Indone- than to continue to improve the welfare of sian government form a team to investigate Indonesian workers continue to cry out. workers. The accusations of the US are not labor conditions rather than a diplomatic The government forms a diplomatic team. always true. But the fact is that the condi- team to confront the US threat about GSP. And SPSI as the only labor union issues a tions of our workers are cause for grave That investigating team should be the Indo- statement that with the formation of this concern. As long as this is the case, the labor nesian answer to the American threat. It team, the presence of a labor union is each issue can be easily exploited – whether by should immediately document the nature of workplace cannot be put off any longer. Indonesians or outside governments – to put the labor problem in Indonesia, then make Moreover, in reacting to the threat of the pressure on us. And even if we respond to recommendations to the Indonesian govern- US to cut GSP, business leaders who have this pressure, it is not a question of “bowing ment about how to improve. “Such a step enjoyed the profits from their trade with to it or not.” This is a basic issue which we would be of more benefit to Indonesia,” Uncle Sam are urging the government to must come to grips with, under pressure or Hakim said. “It would be a great mistake for fight as hard as possible so that they can not: improving the lot of a group of our the diplomatic team to offer concessions to continue to enjoy these benefits. people: the workers. the US so GSP was not withdrawn. If it This is an outline of the general reactions does so, the beneficiaries will only be the through last Tuesday (August 8) in re- IMPROVE WO RKING CONDITIONS, US government, US multinational corpora- sponse to the US threat to cut GSP which helps non-oil exports to the US. DON’T FORM A DIPLOMATIC TEAM tions, and Indonesian conglomerates, while the lot of the workers will remain un- The Indonesian people, through their Kompas, August 10, 1993 changed,” he said. He added that it would representatives in parliament as well as The government was urged to improve also hurt the Indonesian economy, since NGO groups, are asking the government to the conditions of workers rather than stick penetration by the US into that economy pay attention to the welfare of workers. to a policy of forming a diplomatic team to would increase while the labor issue would “Don’t treat this threat as trivial,” said Budi negotiate with the U.S. With such a policy, remain unresolved. Hardjono, deputy head of Commission VI in Indonesia hopes that the US will not sus- Arist Merdeka Sirait...said that Indonesia the Parliament, while his friend, Abu Hasan pend GSP benefits and this is considered by should take concrete steps toward improv- Sazili of Commission I urged some intro- a group of non-governmental organizations ing the lot of workers, such as opening a spection on businesses and the government. to be an inappropriate step, especially if the way for workers to form their own organi- “The life of our workers is real cause for diplomatic team simply wheedles the US zations for realizing their aspirations, to- concern. The labor problems have not into not cutting GSP by making a few eco- gether with decreasing the involvement of changed over the last 15 years,” says Muk- nomic concessions. security forces in labor conflicts. Another htar Pakpahan, general head of SBSI, the This was the collective opinion of Abdul step the government could take would be to labor union not recognized by the govern- Hakim Garuda Nusantara, director of repeal labor regulations that were in viola- ment and which just recently tried to ma- LSAM; Drs. Teten Masduki, coordinator of tion of the basic Labor Law. neuver with its congress which was pre- Solidarity Forum; and Arist Merdeka Sirait Reached in Bali, Trade Minister Satrio empted by security forces. of Sisbikum (Channel for Social Information Budihardjo Joedono explained that in con- Page 64 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Mukhtar is not totally in agreement with Reuters, is linked to a number of sensitive “THE THREAT TO WITHDRAW the opinion of the representatives of the issues, among them human rights. AMERICAN GSP” (COMMENTARY BY people in the parliament. If members of After Bill Clinton won the US election, H.A.L. TOBING, LECTURER IN parliament Budi Hardjono, Royani Haminul- we all took it for granted that the protection BUSINESS LAW AT PADJAJARAN lah and Sazili come forward with statements of human rights would form the basic orien- about the need to improve the welfare of tation of US foreign policy. On the other UNIVERSITY LAW FACULTY.) workers, the head of SBSI is far more stri- hand, as President Suharto has always Kompas, August 14, 1993 dent. “The workers are shouting, arbitrary stressed, as a people who hold high humani- [The bulk of the article is an explanation of dismissals are still happening, the minimum tarian values, the Indonesian people from the US Trade Act of 1974; the history of wage has not been met, there are no worker the very beginning have guaranteed the pro- GSP as a way of helping developing coun- representatives in the factories. If there are, tection of human rights. tries; and the provisions of Sections 501 and they’re created from the outside, not by the What we wish to underscore here is the 502. The following translation is an excerpt workers themselves.” fact that there is not a significant difference from the final paragraph, with a subheading If you want a picture, said Mukhtar, the with regard to the desire to hold aloft hu- “The Threat of a Cut-off":] body of a worker is the body a human being manitarian values. If we examine the contents of Title V who is all skin and bones, his eyes hollow, The only thing is that once each side tries Section 501 and 502 (c) above, there is in weakened because of malnutrition. to implement these values in the life of its fact a legal means that we can take advantage This portrait could be close to the truth. people, the quality of that implementation of to respond to the threat. Factors no.5 and The rate of organization achieved by SPSI, is obviously not the same. With the com- 6, that is the desire of developing countries the only union recognized by the Indonesian plexity of the issue and the limitations that to obtain GSP benefits, and the level of government, is troubling. Of 36,000 firms exist, it perhaps can be understood if the economic development of the country con- with 25 workers or more, less than a third degree to which Indonesia has achieved the cerned, are “weapons” we can use to keep have SPSI units in the workplace. This is objective of protecting human rights does GSP. acknowledged by the head of SPSI himself, not fully match the ideal. This awareness As with charges of “dumping” or the Bomer Pasaribu, SH... should form the basis of our determination charges of Super 301, the key word in using But the three members of parliament we to improve. these weapons is “negotiation.” Experience contacted questioned the attitude of the US. But should the quality of achievement in shows that these threats are useful as a Royani said that attitude could generate a this regard be the primary (or the only) means of forcing us to do a little introspec- burst of nationalism, while Sazili regretted variable in relations between states? There is tion. There is much news in the papers the bias the US showed against Indonesia. a kind of arrogance about one country’s about strike, lay-offs, inhumane treatment The US, they said, was measuring develop- possessing the means of measuring this of workers and so on – demonstrating that ing countries with the standards of industri- achievement. It can be debated whether the we must acknowledge that the problem alized countries. Sazili asked the US to look US should be considered the champion of exists. at the situation with a sense of proportion. human rights – hasn’t the US’s treatment of The problem is how to handle it wisely, The director of National Unity Guidance blacks violated human rights? paying attention to the factors behind it in the Ministry of Home Affairs said he had Another issue for consideration is how while giving the welfare of the workers top highly credible information that this labor well we understand how US foreign policy priority. issue was being manipulated by foreign is linked to domestic economic concerns. By combining the improvement of labor elements with the goal of crushing the com- With a substantial trade deficit, and a dollar conditions with use of the loophole given us petitive power of Indonesian products that is steadily declining in value, American by Sections 501 and 502 of the Trade Act of abroad. goods can’t compete with imports, including 1974, together with inter-departmental co- those from developing countries. It can thus ordination linked to negotiations, we can be understood why recently the US eco- TURBULENCE WITH THE U.S. renew our hope of winning this trade con- nomic system has become so protectionist. Media Indonesia, August 14, 1993 flict with the US. The threat to revoke GSP can thus be un-

In the last few weeks, Indonesian- derstood as another means to protect its American relations are experiencing a little own commodities. THE GSP PROBLEM turbulence. Two occurrences with political It must be admitted that the US in a very Mimbar Umum (Medan), August 14, 1993 and economic dimensions are causing these real way constitutes a potential market for The problem of GSP has become a seri- waves. First, the US has threatened to cut Indonesian exports. In 1992 for example, the ous issue within government as well as off GSP benefits which facilitate the entry value of our exports to the US was $4.4 among major industrialists. into the US of Indonesian exports. Second, billion. Of this, the trade that directly bene- The US government has just threatened the US has officially not agreed to a plan to fited from GSP was only $643 million. to suspend GSP, linked to the labor situa- sell four F-5 Jordanian fighter planes to Therefore, we should not exaggerate our tion in Indonesia and above all, the problem Indonesia. concerns when considering the threat from of banning the SBSI Congress in Cisarua, One can read that the explicit reason for the US. Bogor. these decisions is nothing less than the as- But however this may be and whatever Last year, the problem of GSP was on sessment by the US of human rights condi- the reasons behind it, it is certain that we the agenda of the general session of the ILO, tions in Indonesia. The US has threatened to must constantly ask ourselves what we have and the US government has repeatedly cut off GSP – and will make a determination done and will do for the betterment of our threatened developing countries, including in February 1994 – because labor rights in people. The threat from the US is only one Indonesia, with revocation of GSP but it has Indonesia are cause for concern, while its of many challenges that we must take on always backed off... denial of the sale of the Jordanian F-5s, wisely. Since President Bill Clinton took power, according to a US official quoted by the issues of trade and the environment have East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 65 been treated very restrictively, so the labor How did the labor issue get on the agenda follow the fate of the Feingold amendment, issue must also be taken seriously... of GSP after seven years? In June 1992, to be considered by a congressional commit- To confront the US threat, the Indone- labor unions and the human rights lobby in tee on September 8. If passed it would pre- sian government needs to look for new mar- the US (the International Labor Rights Edu- vent Jakarta from buying military training kets in Europe and Africa as well as Austra- cation and Research Fun and Asia Watch) and spare parts for its U.S.-built aircraft. lia where our products, which have already submitted a petition. Its contents? That the “We think the Feingold Amendment is mis- succeeded in breaking through the American US government should cancel the trading directed, a misperception of the entire situa- market, are beginning to seep in. In this privileges of six developing countries (Bah- tion and we will of course try to find out way, the threat from the revocation of GSP rain, Fiji, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malawi and how it will fare in the congress,” he said. can be reduced. Oman) if these countries did not protect Alatas defended Jakarta’s labour record. New markets for Indonesian exports, labor rights. “Still we believe we are making improve- which we have not yet broken into, include As a response to the “June Petition,” the ments, we are getting better and better and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and interagency GSP subcommittee reviewed there should be no reason for the United some countries in Western Europe. We need labor rights and practices in Indonesia. They States and any other country to have this to increase our promotional activities as tried to see if Indonesia was respecting misunderstanding and misperception which well... worker rights, since the determination of we hope to be able to remove,” he said. We hope the Indonesian government will whether a country receives GSP is based on be open and more flexible in explaining our international labor rights such as the right to LABOR STRIKES BACK labor situation to the US, so that our ex- organize and conditions about the minimum ports can spread ever more widely in US wage. Tue Aug. 24 1993. Slightly abridged. markets. The US government, said Carla Hills of JAKARTA, Aug. 24 (Reuter) - Indone- CUTTING GSP COULD KILL SMALL the US Trade Representative’s office in sian lawyers said on Tuesday they were HANDICRAFT BUSINESSES Washington, took up this petition in its challenging the legality of labour regulations annual review of GSP in August 1992. The From Antara, the Indonesian news service they said formed the backbone of govern- GSP subcommittee collected information on ment repression of workers. It was the first If the US carries out its threat to cut GSP Indonesian labor problems from, among major assault on Indonesia’s labour laws, benefits, it could kill small handicraft indus- others, the ILO, the government of Indone- which are already under attack from the tries in Indonesia. sia and Asia Watch. United States. “(These legal challenges) are The head of regional trade and industry (description of GSP) part of our campaign against the lack of council (Kadinda) in the Central Javanese The labor issue is important because of freedom to organise, military intervention district of Bantul said on Thursday that the strength of the labor lobby in the US. and wage policy,” said Rambun Tjajo, a most of the commodities receiving GSP The AFL-CIO has 3 million members. lawyer and member of the Forum for Labour benefits were products from small handi- Every month, they pay dues of one dollar. Solidarity. Speaking by telephone, Rambun craft industries which were exported to the This means in one month they get a fund of said the forum had on Monday filed one US. Up until now, the US has only given $3 million. It’s not surprising if the voice of petition calling for the Supreme Court, un- these facilities to commodities which are not Lane Kirkland, president of the AFL-CIO, der a new ruling which allows it to review all the product of modern industry or big busi- is heard even in the negotiations on regulations, to repeal a 1986 decree allowing nesses but rather medium to small producers NAFTA. the army to intervene in labour disputes. including handicraft firms in several areas of Recently, American labor unions also Rambun said in the past year the army had Indonesia. demanded that the US cancel trading privi- used the decree to break up 77 strikes and in If GSP benefits are cut off, these firms leges for Malaysia, on the grounds that Ma- many cases effectively dismiss strike lead- could go bankrupt, he said. If the threat was laysia violated worker rights. This demand ers. He said the decree violated higher laws carried out, it would be a catastrophe for has not yet been considered by the US. But which recognise workers’ rights to strike. both countries, but not of the same magni- the US is being cautious. They surely do not The United States has singled out Indone- tude. However much Indonesian exports want to lose the market for its own exports sia’s ban on a recent congress of the coun- have been able to penetrate US markets, the to ASEAN – the 3rd biggest market after the try’s largest independent trade union, the level is still tiny compared with the amount European Community and Japan. Indonesia Welfare Labour Union (SBSI) as a of US trade to Indonesia. major obstacle to retaining GSP privileges. ALATAS: NO GRAND SBSI leaders say they will challenge the THE LABOR LOBBY AT THE WHITE STRATEGY ON TRADE legality of the ban in court next month. In- donesia effectively allows only one major HOUSE PRIVILEGES union, namely the All-Indonesia Workers Jakarta, Jakarta, August 21-27, 1993 Aug. 20 1993. Abridged. Union or SPSI. Diplomats and lawyers say (No.372), p.22-23 that while laws exist to protect workers The labor issue is disturbing relations be- JAKARTA, Aug. 20 (Reuter) - Indonesia they are either contradictory or ignored. tween Indonesia and the US. There was a said on Friday it was concerned about U.S. Others are so restrictive that they prevent threats to cut trade privileges over workers’ serious warning from Washington. If the workers from organising. Lawyers from the rights of workers are not improved, Indone- rights but had no strategy for ending the forum said their own legal challenge to such sia will lose GSP. Through these trading row. Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said, “Of restrictions was not timed to coincide with privileges, Indonesia chalked up exports course we regard it as a serious problem, the U.S. row, but added the publicity was worth $642 million, the majority products because we don’t want this understanding or advantageous to their cause. They said they from small industries and labor-intensive misperception to persist.” “But we have no also planned to challenge decrees restricting operations. grand strategy to go against it other than to rights of association, dismissal and collective invite them ... to see for themselves and ... bargaining. to talk.” Alatas said that Indonesia would Page 66 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

‘STOP SIGN’ FOR SBSI lower import tariffs because of the GSP estimated membership is also a mere 6% of Abridged. programme. Indonesia’s industrial workforce. In June, the US Trade Representative One indication of the officially sanc- UPI, Jakarta, Aug. 24 - An official has Mickey Kantor warned Indonesia it had tioned union’s effectiveness, labour activists ruled out legalization of the Indonesia Wel- until FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR to im- say, is a sharp upsurge in wildcat strikes fare Labor Union, the country’s largest in- prove its labour record or face a and labour stoppages. According to govern- dependent trade union. “Based on a decree CURTAILMENT of GSP ACCESS. The ment figures, there were 251 strikes in 1992, issued in 1986, the government only recog- Trade Representative’s office will dispatch compared with only 19 in 1989. Some la- nizes a single trade union, the All Indonesian a mission to Indonesia next month to inves- bour activists allege the real number of Workers’ Association,” said Sutoyo N.K., tigate complaints lodged by US non-govern- strikes is considerably higher. director general for social and political af- mental labour groups, including charges of Disputes over wages are the most fre- fairs of home ministry. Mochtar Pakpahan, military intervention in labour disputes, quent causes of strikes. With an average chairman of SBSI submitted Monday a pro- restricted freedom of association and negli- daily minimum wage of Rps. 2,380 (US$ posal to the home ministry in a bid for SBSI gent supervision of child labour. 1.14), Indonesia’s workers are among the to be legalized. Pakpahan’s move came after Indonesian military spokesmen have de- lowest paid in the region [ASEAN - text security authorities had barred SBSI from nied interfering in labour disputes - main- added]. Non-governmental labour activists meeting. The ban sparked a wave of criti- taining that they are called in to protect contend that many Indonesian businesses cism from the country’s human rights activ- factory property and keep the peace. Other continue to pay their workers less than the ists. government officials have emphasized the minimum wage. importance of maintaining the GSP benefits, The decision to ban the 29 July meeting INDONESIA REPLIES ON GSP which last year covered some 14% of Indo- of the independent union elicited an unusual nesian exports to the US - primarily toys, public expression of disappointment from Tue Aug. 24 1993 Abridged. copper ore, furniture, and hand-held phones. the US Embassy in Jakarta, which reminded JAKARTA (Aug. 24) UPI - Indonesian “The American market is ... the largest the government that it had used the inde- lawmakers said United States trade privi- destination for non-oil goods from Indone- pendent SBSI’s existence to rebut accusa- leges are essential to the country’s efforts to sia,” former trade minister Dr. Arifin Siregar tions that Indonesian workers didn’t enjoy boost its commodity exports and the fate of reminded journalists on 6 August, shortly freedom of association. “The Indonesian millions of workers. “Should the General- after being appointed Jakarta’s new Ambas- government specifically mentioned the SBSI ized System of Preferences be lifted, the sador to Washington. as an example of workers to organize,” a US Indonesian workers will die slowly,” Taheri Criticism of Indonesia’s labour practices Embassy spokeswoman said in a statement. Noor, a lawmaker with the government’s picked up steam on 29 July after police A Ministry of Manpower official said armed forces faction, told seven visiting U.S. banned what would have been the first na- his office could not approve a meeting per- congressional staffers. Members of the in- tional congress convened by “the Serikat mit for the new union because it did not ter-parliamentary body of Indonesia’s Buruh Sejahtera Indonesia (SBSI),” an inde- meet the eligibility requirements for a new House of Representatives met earlier this pendent labour organisation established 15 union. “[SBSI] does not represent the work- week with the visiting U.S. congressional months ago. SBSI is one of two labour un- ers,” said Payaman Simanjuntak, director staffers. Tati Darsoyo, who led the Indone- ions which have been set up in the past general of industrial relations and labour sian team, said “there is no problem” be- three years as independent counterparts to standards at the ministry, in an interview tween the two governments, but that threats the government-dominated “Serikat Pekerja with the REVIEW. “It was set up by non- to revoke the GSP have come from those Seluruh Indonesia (SPSI).” workers - the non-governmental organisa- related to U.S. labor organizations. Only the government-dominated union is tions, and legal aid.” considered to be a legitimate labour organisa- Payaman had earlier told local reporters INDONESIA: UNION OF tion by the authorities, though it is not rec- that he doubted the furor over the meeting ognised as such by the International Con- ban would harm bilateral relations with PROBLEMS federation of Free Trade Unions. Jakarta Washington. “I am quite sure that the authorities have the final say over the ap- United States would not risk victimizing its Government faces growing criticism on pointment of the government-dominated good relations with Indonesia just for the labour relations union’s leaders, many of whom are members sake of criticising a labour case, which it [ the mysterious death of a Labour activ- of the ruling GOLKAR party [plus mem- does not understand,” the Jakarta Post ist MARSINAH included ] bers of the Indonesian Armed Forces, ABRI newspaper quoted Payaman as saying. Far Eastern Economic Review, 26 August - text added]. In the wake of negative publicity, how- 1993. By Margot Cohen. “SPSI (the officially blessed union) is not ever, chairman Muchtar Pakpahan of the a truly independent workers’ organisation,” SBSI independent union is considering tak- Indonesia’s labour pains are growing concluded a recently completed review by ing another crack at union registration. The more severe, as domestic and international the US Trade Representative’s office. “In- Manpower Ministry formally rejected the clamor rises over a government clampdown donesian law and practice effectively pro- union’s original registration application on on an upstart trade union and the hibits the formation of organisations as al- 30 June. Pakpahan, a labour lawyer who UNSOLVED MURDER of a female labour ternatives to the SPSI,” the report added. was dismissed from his post as lecturer at a activist. The timing could not be worse for Indonesia’s labour-intensive industries Batak Christian college in 1985, insists that President Suharto’s government, which has have developed rapidly in the past half- his union is primarily run by workers. already put been put on notice that it risks decade and have played a key role in the In an interview with the REVIEW at the losing some trade concessions under US nation’s drive to boost non-oil exports. But group’s dilapidated headquarters, Pakpahan Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). over the same period, the official union has said that among his union’s 79 branches in Last year, about US$600 million worth of come under mounting criticism for doing too 27 provinces, only 20% of the branch lead- Indonesian exports to the US benefited from little to protect the interests of workers. Its ers are lawyers, while 80% are workers - East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 67 most of them concurrently officeholders in tion conference in Geneva, and a women’s provide health insurance, meal allowances the government-approved SPSI. “If they rights conference in Paris. and promised to increase wages next year. declare they are resigning [from SPSI], then In response, Jakarta pressed the Sura- The recent walkout was part of a wave of companies might be ordered to dismiss baya authorities to conduct a serious inves- wildcat strikes to hit Indonesia in the past them,” he said. This was the fate of several tigation. To date, no arrests have been an- two years. Workers imperiled by increased branch leaders, he added. nounced and Marsinah’s relatives said they inflation and falling real wages have organ- Pakpahan estimated his own union’s had been pressured to withdraw a letter ized grass-roots committees that also are membership at 100,000, with women ac- asking Indonesia’s Legal Aid Institute to participating in the growing movement for counting for roughly 40% of the factory- handle the case. human rights in one of Asia’s most repres- level leadership. However, only 11 branches Payaman, the government’s industrial re- sive societies. nationwide have submitted official member- lations chief, said that he did not agree that A bloody 1965 military coup brought ship reports, accounting for some 36,000 the Marsinah case should be brought up at General Suharto to power, and he has ruled workers, including more than 10,000 in Bali. an international human rights forum. “Who- with an iron fist ever since, union and hu- Some branches have shown themselves a bit ever killed her, whether it was an individual man rights advocates say. Labor law makes overzealous in reporting membership: Pak- in the police or the military, or whether he the formation of independent unions virtu- pahan was forced to rebuke a Kalimantan was bribed by the employer, for whatever ally impossible and, until recently, strikes chapter which photocopied the local tele- reason - it is not the policy of the govern- were banned. phone book. ment,” he said. The AFL-CIO has taken up the cause of Still, even a conservative count would Whatever the circumstances, Marsinah’s the Indonesian workers by demanding that represent far greater success than that mysterious death has stirred fear among the United States cut off preferential trade achieved by the “Serikat Buruh Merdeka workers in East Java. “Some of the labour benefits until basic labor rights are re- Setiakawan” (dubbed “Solidarity”), which leaders don’t go out by themselves any- spected. Indonesia has attracted massive was formed in 1990 and collapsed last year more,” said one source in the labour com- foreign investment by keeping wages low. due to internal conflicts over money and pany. In a national level, however, the case But even some wealthy business people power. While Solidarity support was basi- appears to have inspired new levels of have come to recognize that the wildcats cally limited to the greater Jakarta area, the commitment among labour activists. reflect a growing social and political unrest geographical spread of SBSI would appear The government appears equally deter- among Indonesia’s 180 million people. to be wide enough to secure government mined to defuse any growing restiveness, Probosutedjo, owner of the huge Mercu recognition. both for the sake of political stability and Buana business group and half brother of As a concession to international criticism, investor confidence. Asked to describe re- Suharto, said in an interview that the esti- the government earlier this year softened cent improvements, economist Simanjuntak mated 27 million Indonesians falling below union eligibility requirements: under the pointed to regulations that make it easier to the poverty line are “the result of the gov- current set-up, a minimum of 100 work- set up chapters of the government- ernment’s negligence.” place-level units at least 25 districts in five dominated union, and which clarified the In 1985 Indonesia experienced 48 wildcat provinces must be established. steps to be taken before a strike can be strikes; in 1992 the figure jumped to 200. So “If we have fulfilled the requirements ac- called. “Indonesia will be consistent in doing far this year, there has been another 40 per- cording to law, we don’t care about the what we believe in,” he said, “I don’t think cent increase. stance of the government,” Pakpahan de- we have to change anything.” The government’s view is that such so- clares. “We are going on,” So far, union ac- cial unrest could prove highly disruptive to tivities include courses in leadership and LABOR UNREST GROWING Indonesia’s increasingly formidable eco- collective bargaining. IN INDONESIA nomic machine, and its spokesmen are fond For Indonesian labour leaders, however, of criticizing Americans for their “idealistic” merely approaching the negotiating table By Reese Erlich, Chronicle Foreign Service approach to labor relations in developing would seem to carry its own risks. On 24 THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Sept. countries. May, a 25-year-old worker named Marsinah 16. 1993 The official line – as outlined by So- from Sidoardjo, East Java, joined 14 co- edibyo, a top government policy adviser and workers in a meeting with management to (Jakarta) The clandestine labor organizers retired brigadier general – is that while iron out a wage dispute at PT Catur Putra had been planning the wildcat strike for workers may have legitimate wage demands, Surya, a watch factory. weeks, and the time for action had come. “working conditions here must be judged in Her co-workers were later called in by Each department had a strike coordinator, the Indonesian, not the U.S. context.” He the local military, and reportedly pressured and they had selected a bargaining commit- points out that under Suharto, the overall to sign resignation letters. After trying to tee. Organizers knew they had support from poverty rate has declined from 40 percent in find her friends at military headquarters, almost all of the 2,000 factory workers. 1976 to 17 percent today. Marsinah disappeared ! On 8 May, her Their demand: that the company pay the An underground labor organizer, who battered corpse was discovered in a shack legal minimum wage of $1.40 a day. uses the name Minke, says... [rest of article bordering a ricefield. The autopsy report “Those who present the demands to the missing] bosses automatically get arrested by the showed her vagina was ravaged with a 15- centimeter blunt object. military,” said one of the organizers. “But In a rare open display of outrage, East we still had lots of volunteers.” Java newspapers and local non-government Strikes are frequently attacked by the organisations galvanized public opinion. The army, so workers at the floor tile factory in issue of Marsinah’s death landed on the Jakarta occupied the company parking lot agenda at the human-rights conference in and prevented anyone from entering. After Vienna, an International Labour Organisa- an eight-day strike, the company agreed to Page 68 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

scores in military or police custody. This demanded that Indonesia improve the hu- UNITED NATIONS pattern of grave human rights violations is man rights situation in Timor. ACTIVITIES strongly reminiscent of the situation in other Horta has demanded autonomy for East parts of Indonesia and East Timor, particu- Timor and some form of co- existence with larly the government’s use of summary Indonesia. as a result he has proposed a AI TESTIFIES ON IMPUNITY executions by anonymous “death squads,” a referendum on self-determination under technique which was described by President U.N. supervision similar to the model ap- Oral statement by Amnesty International to Suharto as a kind of public “shock therapy” plied by the United Nations recently in the the U.N. Sub-Commission on Prevention of designed to restore public order. Serious eastern Sahara. Discrimination and Protection of Minorities human rights violations continue to be The representative of the Maubere resis- 45th session Agenda item 10, on the evening committed with impunity in Aceh, although tance recalled that the U.N. security council of 13 August. on a reduced scale, while the government passed resolutions in 1975 and 1976, grant- Mr. Chairperson, Amnesty International fails to carry out investigations, pay com- ing East Timor, which had been a Portu- addressed the issue of impunity and its pensation to victims or their relatives and guese colony for 500 years, the right to self- implications for the administration of justice bring suspected perpetrators to justice. determination. before this Sub-Commission in August On the life imprisonment sentence 1991. Yet, grave human rights violations, in U.N. STUDYING REBEL passed against Xanana Gusmão, who led the particular widespread “disappearances” and PROPOSAL FOR A East Timor pro-independence guerrillas for 16 years, by an Indonesian court in may, political killings, have continued to occur all REFERENDUM over the world. There is an obvious link Horta said that the trial was an unfair one and that international observers were barred between these violations and the phenome- By Juan Gasparini non of impunity - in fact, impunity is the from the proceedings. determining element which allows sporadic Geneva, Aug. 17 (IPS) - a United Nations According to Horta Indonesia’s offer to violations to develop into a systematic pat- sub-commission on human rights is studying reduce the life sentence to a 20-year con- tern of abuse. The fight against such grave a proposal to hold a referendum on self- finement is an insult and he demanded that human rights violations can only be won if determination for East Timor, José Ramos the leader of the East Timor liberation front this problem is tackled effectively. Horta, of the Maubere (Timorese) national (Fretilin), who was arrested last Nov. 20, be In respect of governments whose actions resistance council, said in Geneva on Tues- set free. are characterized by the blatant abuse of day. The pro-independence leader declared power, impunity usually results from the The Maubere national resistance council, that the resistance forces hoped that the same disregard for the rule of law that al- which is made up of several pro- United Nations will provide a solution to lows human rights violations to be commit- independence groups in East Timor, asked the annexation of East Timor by Indonesia. ted. the sub-commission to demand that Indone- They also expect that Alvaro de Soto, In Morocco, the government has used the sia respect the U.N. position on human representative of U.N. Secretary-General practice of “disappearance” since the early rights issues and hold a referendum, Horta Boutros Boutros-Ghali, will succeed in his 1960s to punish some suspected political declared. task of resolving the conflict. opponents. The “disappeared” have spent The sub-commission, which includes 26 De Soto plans to meet with Indonesian years cut off from the outside world in se- independent experts who have been ap- and Portuguese representatives in New York cret detention centres. In 1991 more than pointed by the U.N. member states, is also on Sept. 17 in order to reach a negotiated 300 men and women who had “disap- responsible for the protection and safe- solution to the conflict. peared” for up to 19 years were released, guarding of the rights of minorities. Unlike Indonesia, the most densely but hundreds of others remain unaccounted Discussions within the sub-commission populated Muslim country in the world for. The majority may still be alive in secret are open to public and government represen- with 190 million inhabitants, East Timor is detention centres. No investigations have tatives, delegates from non-governmental mainly Catholic as a result of the Portuguese been carried out into their fate and the Mo- organisations (NGO’s) and experts of the colonial rule. roccan Government denies knowledge of U.N. human rights centre in Geneva. Indonesia occupied Timor in 1975, after them just as, for years, it denied secretly The sub-commission meets every year in Lisbon relinquished its colonial hold over detaining those released in 1991. As for Geneva and its task is to ensure that U.N. the country as a result of the “carnation those who were released, the government resolutions on human rights are applied. revolution,” which put an end to the Portu- has never accounted for their illegal deten- In this context Horta said that in 1992 guese authoritarian regime. tion, no perpetrator has ever been brought and 1993 the U.N. called on Indonesia to In 1986 Indonesia annexed East Timor to justice and no provision has been made clarify the massacre that took place in the but the United Nations refuses to acknowl- for compensating or rehabilitating the vic- Timorese capital Dili on Nov. 12, 1991, – in edge this fact and placed the administration tims. The international community, which which 19 people were killed, although the of the island in Portuguese hands. remained silent for all those years, must Catholic church insists 60 people died. East Timor, whose capital is Dili, spans now urge the Moroccan Government to “Not only did Indonesia refuse to inves- 18,889 square kilometres and has 700,000 tigate this incident, which produced over reveal the whole truth about all these vic- inhabitants according to a 1974 census. tims and provide justice for them. 100 casualties according to some, but it also In the province of Aceh in northern Su- prevented U.N. rapporteurs on torture, matra, Indonesian security forces began executions and disappearances from entering counter-insurgency operations against an East Timor,” Ramos Horta protested. armed political opposition group in 1989, The opposition leader also showed a which resulted in the killing of an estimated photocopied official U.N. document stating 2,000 civilians and the “disappearance” of that on mar. 11, 1993, the United Nations East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 69

INDONESIA REJECTS REP UBLIC’S he said, adding that people in “East Timor DOUBLE-TROUBLE FOR INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM like others in the Indonesian provinces will be given more autonomy in the future.” JAKARTA AT THE UN IN By Bob Mantiri Indonesia was strongly criticized after a GENEVA Comment: This article has more than the protest in November 1991 ended with usual IPS level of errors in the background, troops shooting down unarmed East TAPOL Report, 21 August 1993 especially on the troop withdrawal, but I Timorese students who were demonstrating At this year’s session of the UN Sub- thought it was worth reading anyway. for independence in the capital Dili. accord- Commission on Prevention of Discrimina- – Charlie ing to amnesty international more than one tion and Protection of Minorities, Indonesia hundred people were killed. has been forced to defend itself on two Brussels, Aug. 18 (IPS) - Indonesia re- President Suharto, under pressure of fronts. Attention was drawn not only to the jects any idea of a referendum on self- world opinion, set up a presidential com- situation in East Timor but also to Aceh. determination in the former Portuguese col- mission of inquiry and a military council of For the first time, an attempt is under way ony of East Timor, a spokesman of the honor to investigate the role of the military to press for the adoption of a resolution on Indonesian foreign ministry in Jakarta said in the massacre. the investigation resulted in Aceh. Wednesday. the sacking of the military commanders. On 20 August, the Sub-Commission Talking to ips by telephone the ministry It is expected Portugal will criticize Indo- adopted a resolution on the situation in East spokesman said that a referendum had al- nesia’s human rights record in its former Timor by 13 votes to ten with two absten- ready been carried out to Jakarta’s satisfac- colony during the UN general assembly tions. The resolution signals an major politi- tion. scheduled for September in New York. cal advance over previous resolutions in that “After Portugal left East Timor, Indone- Belgium has frozen its development aid it refers to the Fourth Geneva Convention sia held a referendum in 1976 on the request to Indonesia and Portugal is still boycotting of 1949 which relates to the protection of of the people’s assembly and the provi- a new trade and economic agreement be- civilians in time of war. Otherwise, the reso- sional government of East Timor. the major- tween the EC and ASEAN on human rights lution calls for implementation of the resolu- ity of the people spoke out for integration. grounds. tion adopted last March by its parent body, “The right to self-determination was ex- Recently, Suharto said that he was not the UN Commission on Human Rights. ercised then, in a manner of the people’s opposed to talks between East Timorese in East Timor own choosing and in accordance with their Indonesia and those outside the republic, on The East Timor resolution which was traditional democratic system,” he said. how to develop the former Portuguese col- sponsored by expert-members from Bel- Indonesia invaded East Timor shortly af- ony. he did not specify whether the East gium, Ukraine, the US, the UK and Norway, ter its independence from Portugal in 1975. Timorese living abroad referred to Ramos reads as follows: human rights group amnesty international Horta or other East Timorese resistance The Sub-Commission on Prevention of estimates 210,000 out of an original popula- leaders. Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, tion of 650,000 have died under brutal Indo- In the meantime the army headquarters in Guided by the Universal Declaration of nesian rule since then. Jakarta announced that it would withdraw Human Rights, the International Covenant Forced colonization of the territory and all combat forces from East Timor. accord- on Civil and Political Rights and the univer- continued repression have kept East Timor ing to the regional commander, brigadier sally accepted rules of international humani- in continued crisis and led to worldwide general Theo Syafei, all combat forces will tarian law, condemnation and aid boycotts. be pulled out by October. troops engaged in Bearing in mind General Assembly reso- The Indonesian spokesperson said that development projects in the villages will lution 37/30 of 23 November 1982 and Se- the Indonesian government had invited the stay, he said. curity Council Resolutions 384 (1975) of 22 UN secretary general and members of the Diplomats in Jakarta said that foreign December 1975 and 389 (1976) on 22 April security council to observe the 1976 refer- minister Ali Alatas has urged the military 1976, endum, but “there were no positive re- leader to reduce army presence in East Recalling the statement agreed by con- sponse.” the U.N. still officially considers Timor. sensus by the Commission on Human the Indonesian annexation of East Timor to Portugal still claims a U.N. mandated re- Rights at its forty-eighth session be illegal. sponsibility to guarantee East Timor’s po- (E/1992/22, para 457) and resolution According to East Timorese leader José litical future as an independent state. Alatas 1993/97 of 11 March 1993 adopted at its Ramos Horta, who is the head of the supports a dialogue with Portugal but only forty-ninth session, Timorese Maubere national resistance coun- under the auspices of the UN secretary Recalling also its resolutions 1992/20 of cil, the idea of referendum is being studied general. 27 August 1992, 1990/15 of 24 August by the UN sub commission for human rights Since 1983 Jakarta has been engaged in 1990, 1989/7 of 31 August 1989, 1987/13 of in Geneva. talks with Portugal and the UN secretary 2 September 1987, 1984/24 of 29 August Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese general to iron out what it calls “a peaceful, 1984, 1983/26 of 6 September 1983, colony in 1975 and after the referendum, comprehensive and internationally accept- 1982/20 of 8 September 1982, as well as the integrated East Timor as its 27th province. able solution.” statement made by the Chairman at its The Indonesian army has since faced stiff The diplomats quoted Alatas as saying forty-third session on the question of the resistance from liberation and nationalist that East Timor is “an obstacle in Indone- situation in East Timor, guerrilla movements, of which the Fretilin, sia’s foreign policy.” the East Timorese liberation front, has been Having examined the note by the Secre- the most powerful in its resistance. tary-General (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1993/14), “The Indonesian government has in- Noting with satisfaction the recent lifting volved East Timor in its integrated devel- of restrictions that were imposed on the opment plans, it is part of the republic and activities of the International Committee of it cannot be reversed now and in the future,” the Red Cross, Page 70 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Disturbed by reports of continuing viola- no-action resolution gained 17 votes out of a The resolution is sponsored by the experts tions of human rights in East Timor, as well total of 25 expert members (the chair does from Ukraine, the US, the UK and Norway. as by reports of forcible removal of prison- not vote). This result caused consternation Voting on the resolution (under Item 10) ers from their original place of residence to among NGOs which had lobbied so hard for will take place on Wednesday 25 August. serve jail sentences in parts of Indonesia in the resolution; they were convinced that Its chances of getting through are not more contravention of the provisions of the Ge- many experts had revealed their lack of in- than fifty-fifty. Indeed, any issue is unlikely neva Convention relative to the Treatment dependence by submitted to pressure from to achieve resolution status at the first at- of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 their governments in China’s favour after tempt. But Aceh has, for the first time, been August 1949, having previously indicated that they would taken seriously by Sub-Commission mem- 1. Expresses its deep concern at reports support the resolution. bers and NGOs and is likely to get a much of continuing violations of human rights in Under the circumstances, it is a remark- higher profile at subsequent meetings of East Timor, able sign of the strength of feeling among these bodies. 2. Notes with satisfaction the lifting of Sub-Commission members about East Jakarta is clearly very concerned at the the restrictions that were imposed upon the Timor that Indonesia was unable to pull off prospect of having to fight on another dip- activities of the International Committee of a similar spoiling action. As compared with lomatic front besides East Timor. As lobby- the Red Cross and urges the Indonesian 1992, it only managed to win an additional ing on Aceh intensified, the Director for authorities to honour fully their commit- two experts to its side. In 1992, the voting Political Affairs of the Foreign Affairs De- ments to facilitate the implementation of the was 13 for, six against with four abstentions partment, S. Wiryono turned up in Geneva mandate of the International Committee of but on that occasion, two members were from Jakarta to reinforce the Indonesian the Red Cross, absent, the experts from Morocco and Mex- team of diplomats. 3. Urges the Indonesian authorities to ico. These two can be expected to have implement fully the decisions of the Com- voted against East Timor this time round, HUMAN RIGHTS mission on Human Rights as contained in plus another two. (Voting under Item 6 of SUBCOMMISSION the consensus statement agreed by the the Sub-Commission’s agenda, under which Commission at its forty- eighth session and this resolution was tabled, is by secret bal- CONCLUDES 45TH SESSION in resolution 1993/97 of 11 March 1993, lot, to allow experts to vote according to AT GENEVA adopted at its forty-ninth session, their consciences and not according to pres- 4. Also urges the Indonesian authorities sure from their governments.) Adopts Over 40 Resolutions and to honour the provisions of the Geneva As in previous years, there were many Decisions Convention relative to the Treatment of NGO submissions about East Timor, in- Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 Au- cluding statements by two East Timorese Round-up of Session (HR/CN/496) 31 gust 1949, regarding the prohibition on re- refugees. August 1993 (Reproduced as received.) GENEVA, 27 August (UN Information moving prisoners from their original place of Aceh residence, Service) – The Subcommission on Preven- At previous sessions of the Commission 5. Decides to consider at its forty-sixth tion of Discrimination and Protection of and Sub-Commission, Aceh has been raised session the situation pertaining to human Minorities concluded its forty-fifth session only by the London-based NGO, Libera- rights and fundamental freedoms in East today, ending four weeks of debate and tion. This meant that the impact was rather Timor, and to this purpose requests the action on such matters as the elimination of limited. This year however, Amnesty Inter- secretariat to transmit to it all available in- racial discrimination, violations of human national published its powerful report on formation received. rights and fundamental freedoms anywhere Aceh in July and also spoke about the situa- ––––––– in the world, the human rights of those in- tion there in one of its verbal submissions. fected with AIDS, the administration of The week before the Sub-Commission Apart from Liberation, which again made a justice, and methods of combating contem- session began, the International Committee statement on Aceh, several other NGOs porary forms of slavery. of the Red Cross was once again allowed to spoke out about it. Twice during the session, sobering juxt a- carry out prison visits in East Timor. This With intense lobbying by a number of positions occurred between the panel’s was announced by the Indonesian observer people, several expert-members decided to agenda and events in the world at large. Dur- delegation at the session. In a statement to table a resolution on Aceh. By tradition, the ing the first week, as the Subcommission the session just before the vote was taken, UN commission and sub-commission on discussed combating racism and the elimina- the Indonesian delegation alleged that “there human rights have hardly ever adopted two tion of intolerance and discrimination based have been no restrictions (on ICRC visits) resolutions condemning a single country, so on religion or belief, its experts appealed to but only a short delay due to miscommuni- in the early stages it was considered unlikely negotiators meeting elsewhere in the same cation and misunderstanding at the opera- that a second resolution against Indonesia building, the Palais des Nations, not to ap- tional level.” would be tabled. However, there was prove a settlement to the Bosnian civil war Political manipulations by countries be- enough evidence of widespread atrocities in based on division of the country along eth- ing targeted by the Sub-Commission was the territory for several Sub-Commission nic lines, and especially not to sanction a particularly intense this year, with observer members to decided to table a resolution. settlement based on the results of what delegations from Indonesia, China, India, The resolution expresses concern at re- Subcommission members called the “abhor- Pakistan and Bangladesh having agreed pri- ports of arbitrary and summary executions rent” practices of ethnic and religious vately to help each other avert condemna- in Aceh since 1989, regrets the fact that the “cleansing.” tion. The scheme worked with devastating UN Special Rapporteur on Torture was not As the Subcommission began debate on effect for China against a resolution tabled allowed to visit Aceh when he visited Indo- protecting the human rights of indigenous about the situation in Tibet. One expert nesia and East Timor in 1991 and calls for peoples, news accounts appeared from a tabled a no-action motion, taking precedence UN special rapporteurs to conduct investi- remote corner of Brazil of a massacre by over the resolution that had been tabled; the gations there and in other parts of Indonesia. gold prospectors of more than 70 Yanomami East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 71

Indians. Subcommission experts, observers assistance. The resolution followed the addi- attested violations of human rights. The from non-governmental organizations, and tion this session of a new item to the Sub- Working Group on Slavery reviews devel- country delegations expressed horror and commission’s agenda, “the implication of opments in contemporary forms of slavery, outrage over the killings and said they illus- humanitarian activities for the enjoyment of which include such practices as child prosti- trated how much indigenous peoples – even human rights.” The Subcomission appointed tution and pornography, and trafficking in during the United Nations International Year expert Halima Embarek Warzazi as Special persons and in human organs. The Working for the World’s Indigenous Peoples – Rapporteur to update the report on child Group on Indigenous Populations reviews needed support and protection. labour and to extend the study to include the developments related to the protection of In other activities connected with the In- problem of debt bondage. It called on the the rights of indigenous peoples and gives ternational Year, the Subcommission Commission on Human Rights to appoint a attention to the setting of standards on the adopted resolutions requesting the Secre- Special Rapporteur (as yet unnamed) to subject. tary-General to consider establishing a per- identify attacks against the judiciary and to The Subcommission also has set up a manent forum for indigenous peoples within take steps to remedy them; and requested Working Group on the human rights of per- the United Nations system, aiming at greater Asbjorn Eide to develop a preparatory sons subjected to any form of detention or protection of their intellectual and cultural document on the relationship between the imprisonment. This group meets while the heritage and recommending the convening of enjoyment of human rights – in particular Subcommission’s annual session is under a seminar on indigenous land rights and economic, social, and cultural rights – and way. claims in which representatives of indige- income distribution. The Subcommission is composed of 26 nous peoples, governments, and experts Other resolutions of note called for im- human rights experts from the five geo- would participate. The Subcommission also provements in the human rights situations in graphical regions of the world. They are heard an address by 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Chad, Kosovo, the Palestinian and other elected by the Commission on Human Laureate Rigoberta Menchu of Guatemala, Arab territories occupied by Israel, South Rights and are to act independently of their who has been spent during 1993 serving as a Africa, Iraq, East Timor, Myanmar, Iran, countries of origin. The Subcommission was United Nations goodwill Ambassador during and Bosnia-Herzegovina; and dealt with established to undertake studies and to make the International Year. such topics as compensation for victims of recommendations to the Commission on the Issues drawing spirited debate during the gross human rights abuses, with human topics of prevention of discrimination and session included human rights violations rights violations occurring through popula- the protection of racial, religious, ethnic and involving the “comfort women” from Korea tion transfers, with the relationship between linguistic minorities. and other nations who were used as sexual extreme poverty and the loss of human ... slaves by the Japanese military during rights, and with traditional practices affect- On the situation in East Timor, the Sub- World War II, and reported human rights ing the health of women and children. In a commission noted with satisfaction the abuses in Tibet. Both drew extensive com- resolution on the right to a fair trial, the lifting of restrictions that were imposed mentary from non-governmental organiza- Subcommission requested its two Sp ecial upon the activities of the International tions. The Subcommission responded to the Rapporteurs on the topic to include in their Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); urged comfort women controversy by entrusting final report next year a draft third optional the Indonesian authorities to honour the one of its experts, Linda Chavez, as Special protocol to the International Covenant on provisions of the Geneva Convention rela- Rapporteur with the task of undertaking an Civil and Political Rights. tive to the Treatment of Civilian Persons in in-depth study on the situation of system- In other action, it endorsed a statement Time of War regarding the prohibition on atic rape, sexual slavery, and slavery-like by the Chairman expressing “profound ap- removing prisoners from their original place practices during wartime, and to consider preciation and satisfaction” at the end of the of residence; and decided to consider the such matters as compensation and rehabili- armed conflict and the successful conclusion situation in East Timor at its forty-sixth tation for victims. of the peace process in El Salvador and a session. On the issue of Tibet, the Subcommis- “message of solidarity” in support of Alge- sion, through adoption of a no-action mo- rian intellectuals who recently had been the INDONESIA INTERFERED IN tion on a secret ballot, decided not consider targets of various forms of intimidation and U.N. PROBE, U.S. SAY S a proposed resolution that would have urged repression, including assassination. the Government of China to facilitate access The Subcommission also examined in Reuter, September 6, 1993 By Jim Wolf to all parts of Tibet by the Special Rappor- closed meetings communications from indi- teurs of the Commission on Human Rights viduals and other sources brought to its WASHINGTON (Reuter) – Indonesia in- on the questions of torture, religious intoler- attention under Economic and Social Council terfered with a sensitive 1992 United Na- ance, and extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary resolution 1503 (XLVIII). These communi- tions mission to East Timor by detaining executions, and to the Working Groups on cations related to situations which appeared more than 100 young people, a newly re- Arbitrary Detention and Enforced or Invol- to reveal consistent patterns of gross and leased internal State Department document untary Disappearances. The draft measure reliably attested violations of human rights. showed Monday. also would have called upon China to permit Earlier in the session, it decided to study the The Feb. 21, 1992 cable from the U.S. representatives of non-governmental human reform of the 1503 procedure at its 1994 Embassy in Jakarta, described a small part of what critics says is a pattern of repres- rights organizations to visit and travel gathering. throughout Tibet. To facilitate its research and investigation sion by Indonesian authorities in East Along with Ms. Chavez, other Subcom- mandate, the Subcommission has established Timor. mission experts were given new mandates. working groups which meet regularly before Released under the Freedom of Informa- The panel requested that the Commission each annual session. The Working Group on tion Act, the account was expected to be on Human Rights designate Claire Palley as Communications examines communications used by those in Congress mounting a re- Special Rapporteur on the question of the received by the Subcommission and brings newed effort this week to force Indonesian implications for human rights of United attention to those which appear to reveal compliance with U.N. resolutions calling for Nations actions, including humanitarian consistent patterns of gross and reliably Timorese self-determination. Page 72 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 U.S. ACCUSES INDONESIA OF tors claimed last week that 53 Timorese and annexed it in 1976. The United Nations INTERFERING WITH U.N. PROBE were arrested to prevent them from speak- continues to recognize Portugal, its former ing to a delegation of the U.S. house of rep- colonial ruler, as East Timor’s administra- By Farhan Haq resentatives foreign affairs committee. tive power. United Nations, Sept. 9 (IPS) - Indonesia The U.S. Senate foreign relations commit- At least 53 Timorese were arrested last interfered with at least one U.N. investiga- tee responded Wednesday to the repeated week in advance of a visit to East Timor by tion into the Nov. 1991 massacre of some reports of violations in East Timor by vot- a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee 100 people in the occupied nation of East ing unanimously to condition all future arms staff delegation, according to human rights Timor, U.S. state department documents deals with Indonesia on improvements in groups monitoring the situation. Their fami- reveal. the human rights climate. lies are reported to still not know their fate. The documents, released under the free- The committee passed the Feingold An army spokesman, Maj. Leiden Sim- dom of information act, cite sources saying amendment – named after Sen. Russell Fein- bolon, acknowledged last week some that Indonesian Maj. gen. Theo Syafei, the gold of Wisconsin – which sets six criteria Timorese had been sent on a “guidance military commander of East Timor, had for resuming arms deals to Indonesia. course” that coincidentally, he said, started personally warned witnesses to the massa- Among them are efforts to determine just before the U.S. delegation arrived in cre not to talk with U.N. special envoy culpability in the Dili massacre, to deter- Dili, East Timor’s capital. Amos Wako. mine the fate of those still missing after the In the newly declassified State Depart- Wako first visited East Timor in Feb. killings, and to judge the fairness of jail sen- ment cable, the embassy reported that Indo- 1992 to determine the facts behind the 1991 tences given to the mourners. nesia used similar tactics before the Febru- shooting of a Timorese funeral procession Nairn hailed the measure, saying that it ary 1992 arrival of Amos Wako, personal by Indonesian troops in the capital, Dili. was the first time the united states had ad- envoy of U.N. Secretary General Boutros The documents claim that before Wako’s mitted that Indonesian officers had any Boutros-Ghali. arrival, Indonesian forces rounded up some culpability for the killings. Security forces rounded up more than 100 Timorese youths for “training” outside “It’s a fairly direct challenge to the 100 youths for “training” outside Dili before Dili. higher-ups in the Indonesian military,” he returning them to their families the day after The youths were returned to their fami- said. Wako left East Timor, the cable said. lies one day after Wako’s departure, a de- The amendment is expected to pass as Wako, the Kenyan attorney-general who classified cable from the U.S. state depart- part of the foreign aid bill to be voted on in was concurrently the U.N. Special Rappor- ment says. Washington later this month. teur on Summary and Arbitrary Executions, Sources told the U.S. officials after the East Timor has been under Indonesian went to Dili to investigate the massacre by Wako visit that general Syafei had visited a occupation since 1975, when it declared Indonesia troops of at least 50 people taking military hospital during that time and in- independence from Portugal. part in a Nov. 12, 1991, funeral procession. structed people wounded in the Dili massa- Indonesian diplomats have refused to The embassy cited its source, whose cre “to tell Wako nothing when he visited comment on Wako’s probes into the Dili name was deleted to protect his identity, as the next day.” massacre, contending that East Timor is part saying the military had used “similar meas- U.N. spokesman Juan Carlos Brandt re- of Indonesia and that the United Nations is ures to head off trouble before the 1989 fused to confirm that Indonesia had con- not entitled to interfere in their internal af- arrival of Pope John Paul II.” ducted any such interference with a U.N. fairs. The document cited second-hand infor- probe prior to any of Wako’s visits. but Allan Nairn says he was misquoted in this mation that the Indonesian military com- other observers of Timorese affairs say article. He says that he did not say that mander on East Timor, Maj. Gen. Theo Jakarta used similar means to quiet Wako’s report called for East Timorese self- Syafei, had visited a military hospital and Timorese on subsequent Wako probes and determination, but rather that Wako urged had warned those wounded in the massacre other official visits. the Secretary-General to take up the issue of “to tell Wako nothing when he visited the Allan Nairn, a U.S. journalist who wit- self-determination. – Charlie Scheiner next day.” nessed the Dili massacre, said that the mili- The cable was released under the Free- tary also used mass round-ups to silence US EMBASSY MADE A REP ORT dom of Information Act to Allan Nairn, a Timorese protestors before pope john Paul THAT TRAPS INDONESIA New York-based freelance reporter who II’s 1989 visit there, as well as on Wako’s Comment from TAPOL, Sept. 14. witnessed the Dili massacre while on as- subsequent visits to East Timor. signment for the New Yorker magazine. But Nairn contended that even without A three-column report of the document The document appeared likely to be used hearing the testimony of so many witnesses, made available under the FOIA in Jawa Pos by those seeking to tie U.S. arms sales to Wako nevertheless harshly criticised the of 8 September has the headline: US Indonesia to Jakarta’s behavior on East Indonesian government for its role in the EMBASSY MADE A REPORT THAT Timor. massacre in a report he wrote that has yet to TRAPS INDONESIA. Besides more or less The Senate Foreign Relations Committee be officially released. reproducing the Reuter report about the is due to consider Wednesday a measure, Wako’s recommendations “apparently document it contains the follow remark: introduced by Wisconsin Democrat Senator were quite critical of the Indonesian mili- “The report by the US embassy in Ja- Russell Feingold, that would bar arms sale tary, and even called for the self- karta which traps Indonesia has shocked until Indonesia ends alleged human rights determination of East Timor,” Nairn said. he some circles here because up to the present, abuses in East Timor and complies with added that U.N. Secretary-General Boutros US ambassadors to Jakarta have all ap- United Nations Resolutions calling for self- Boutros-Ghali never released the report, and peared to be very friendly - for instance determination. argued that the Indonesians may have been Paul Wolfowitz, John Monjo and Robert L. influential in suppressing it. Barry. John Monjo was ambassador to In- The silencing of Timorese witnesses has donesia at the time this report was written.” reportedly continued. human rights moni- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 73

GEOFFREY GUNN AND tested the horrific massacre which occurred He also specified that he expects Indone- in Dili on 12 November 1991 and called for sia to be especially careful on human right PEREZ DE CUELLAR an impartial enquiry, but that the Secretary and not to indulge in “excesses of force.” From Peter Wesley-Smith, Sept. 22. General’s special emissary sent to East The former Sec Gen. expressed the view Timor, Amos Wako, had yet to table his that a solution to the ET problem could Below is the text of a press release sent to me report (at least not made public) and, in any only be brought about through negotiation. by Geoffrey C Gunn, who teaches at the case, as reported in the local (Brunei) press Moreover, this solution had to be in line Universiti Brunei Darussalam, has written a on 8 September (“Jakarta interfered in UN with pending UN Resolutions. book (yet to be published or indeed to find a Probe: US,” Borneo Bulletin (8 September In defending his role in establishing the publisher) on ET (“East Timor Calling: A 1993, p 7)), was subject to the manipulation mechanism for achieving a comprehensive Critical View of Western Journalism and of evidence. I further noted that it was the settlement, he reiterated that no solution Scholarship on East Timor Since 1975”), former Secretary General himself who, in could be achieved without “dialogue.” and has been to ET a couple of times within 1982 (GA resolution 37/30), had initiated In concluding his remarks, the former Sec the last twelve months or so. proceedings towards this dialogue - a proc- Gen. noted that the question of territorial Geoffrey Gunn’s address is Department of ess still in train and with a meeting between waters and resource allocation (a reference History, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, the Portuguese Foreign Minister and his to the Timor Gap accord signed between Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei [fax/phone Indonesian counterpart pending in New Indonesia and Australia and Portugal’s chal- (home) 673 2 228705]. York (on 16 September). I further noted that lenge to that accord in the World Court) In a public lecture on the theme of UN provision was made in this resolution for significantly clouded the ET question. involvement in conflicts around the world, the participation in this dialogue of repre- While the Sec Gen. held back from assert- the former UN Secretary-General [Javier sentatives of the ET people. ing the right of the ET people to self- Perez de Cuellar] underscored the lofty UN However, I pointed out, the distinguished determination, his scrupulous emphasis principle that “all UN resolutions have to be and acknowledged representative of the ET upon the “totally impartial implementation” implemented impartially.” To this end the people, Xanana Gusmão, was at this mo- of UN resolutions appeared not to rule this former Secretary General instanced the role ment incarcerated in an Indonesian prison, option out. of the UN body in solving such conflicts as having been tried in an Indonesian court the Namibian problem, the Iran-Iraq war, house in Dili and sentenced to life impris- EAST TIMOR AGAIN TO BE the Gulf War, the Afghanistan question and onment (commuted to twenty years). Why, DEFERRED BY GENERAL I asked, was this man not present at the UN the Cambodia question. Noting the end of ASSEMBLY the Cold War had usefully facilitated the initiated dialogue in New York in line with the principles established by the office of settlement of such conflicts, the destruction Excerpt from UN Press Release: 22 Sept. the UN Secretary General, namely dialogue of the former Yugoslavia also revealed that 1993 old rivalries had been resurrected. “with all concerned parties”? More the In responding to the former Secretary irony, I said that this man was not permit- GENERAL COMMITTEE General’s speech [on 9 September 1993] ted to deliver his defense plea in Portuguese. RECOMMENDS INCLUSION OF 161 from the floor, I offered strong endorsement All the more appropriate, I added, that I AGENDA ITEMS TO FORTY-EIGHTH read from a section of that defense plea, of his remarks on the UN body’s key role in GENERAL ASSEMBLY bringing to fruition an apparent resolution of otherwise leaked to the international press: “May I recall that Saddam Hussein re- Recommends Deferral of Items on Mala- the Cambodia problem. I also reminded the gasy Islands and East Timor To Next Ses- former Secretary General that his stated minded the international community that there was already a precedent for disregard- sion; Proposed Item on Taiwan Not Rec- mistrust of the Khmer Rouge in the lead up ommended for Inclusion to constitutional talks around the question ing the principles of international law, ex- pressly mentioning East Timor. What value ... of the future form of government in Cambo- The General Committee of the General dia and the constitutional role of Prince does Indonesia give to the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assem- Assembly this morning decided to recom- Sihanouk had to be seen alongside his own mend that the Assembly include 161 of 165 previous role in offering the UN seat to that bly?” (Xanana Gusmão, Dili, 27 March 1993) items proposed by the Secretary-General party. While I concurred with the UN Secre- for the agenda of its forty-eighth session, tary General as to his broad remarks on I then asked the former Sec Gen. to re- ply. which began yesterday. Items included Cambodia (and the pivotal role of Prince cover the entire spectrum of United Nations Sihanouk), I pointed out that it was an over- The former Sec Gen. responded by ac- knowledging that he had failed to mention activities, including political, disarmament, sight to neglect the case of East Timor, the decolonization, economic, social and hu- “back door,” so to speak, of the Southeast the ET case in his speech. He added that he felt that the respondent knew something manitarian affairs, as well as legal, adminis- Asian country in which he was delivering trative and budgetary questions. his speech [Brunei]. that he didn’t in respect to the Wako report. Acknowledging that he had been out of of- The Committee did not recommend for I observed that Indonesia was bound by inclusion an item on “the exceptional situa- two Security Council resolutions (384 (22 fice for 18 months, he felt that in fact the report had been tabled. tion of the Republic of China in Taiwan in Dec. 1975), 389 (1976)) and one General the international context,” which referred to Assembly resolution (3485, 12 Dec. 1975) The Sec Gen. indicated that he saw his past role on the ET question as that of a go- the “established model of parallel represen- to facilitate East Timor’s self-determination, tation of divided countries at the United to withdraw its occupation forces and to between. He acknowledged that the Indonesian oc- Nations.” facilitate the role of the UN Secretary Gen- Proposed items on the question of the eral to bring together all parties concerned to cupation of ET has not been recognised by the UN and that Portugal was considered by Malagasy Islands of Glorieuses, Juan de achieve the decolonisation of the territory. I Nova, Europa and Bassas da India and on noted that the Secretary General had pro- the UN as the administering power in that territory. the question of East Timor were recom- Page 74 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. mended for deferral to the Assembly’s Deferral was proposed by Egypt with have been the main victims of this painful forty-ninth session, in view of progress the support of the UK, according to a and long protracted problem. being made in ongoing negotiations. The Reuter report. I would especially like to applaud the ef- proposal to defer the item on East Timor Decisions of the 28-member Steering forts of the Secretary-General, as well as was made by the representative of Egypt, Committee of the UNGA have to be en- those of his collaborators, under whose with the support of the United Kingdom.... dorsed by the General Assembly but this is auspices talks have been held with Indonesia An item on the effective realization of the taken as being a formality. aimed at settling this issue. We do recognize right of self-determination through auton- Reports that Indonesia might be going for how difficult this task is due to the wide gap omy was recommended as a sub-item under a showdown at this year’s GA now seem to existing between the positions of the parties the “Right of peoples to self- have been laid to rest. Also it is clear that on the substance of the question, that is, the determination..”.. Portugal does not yet feel that it is in a posi- conclusion of the decolonization process of Proposed Item on Autonomy tion to press for a vote this year. the territory. Three rounds of discussions East Timor has not be voted on by the have already taken place at the Ministerial Much debate surrounded item 157, pro- UNGA since 1982 when it adopted Resolu- level and we are in the process of adopting posed by Liechtenstein, on “Effective reali- tion 37\30, on the basis of which the current confidence building measures in order to zation of the right of self-determination UN-sponsored negotiations are being held. improve the atmosphere of dialogue and to through autonomy.” Statements were made foster the advancement of the process. by the representatives of Pakistan, India, Sri Allow me to quote, in this context, a pas- Lanka, Liechtenstein, Russian Federation PORTUGUESE STATEMENT sage of the progress report submitted, just a and Canada. IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY few says ago, by the Secretary-General to Pakistan proposed deleting the words the General Assembly; “Equally important “through autonomy” or adding the words STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY and intrinsically linked to the peace process “without prejudice to the exercise of this DR. JOSE MANUEL DURÃO is the human rights situation in East Timor. right by people under foreign and colonial BARROSO MINISTER FOR FOREIGN The improvement of the conditions in East occupation and alien domination.” Liechten- AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL TO FORTY Timor is “sine qua non” to progress in the stein said she could not accept the addition talks.” of the words “through autonomy.” While EIGHTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL I am sorry to say, Mr. President, that, the proposed addition presented no sub- ASSEMBLY (EXCERPT) unfortunately, the human rights situation stantive difficulties, it would make the title September 30, 1993 prevailing in the territory continues to elicit too long. She proposed the inclusion of Mr. President, condemnation on the part of the interna- suitable words, which her delegation would tional community. The resolutions adopted present. Leaving the African Continent and due to this year by the UN Commission on Human India said the suggestion that the United its very important legal, moral and historic Rights and by its Sub- Commission on Pre- Nations should consider the extent of responsibilities in the case, Portugal contin- vention of Discrimination and Protection of autonomy to be enjoyed by components of ues to devote, as a matter of priority, a par- Minorities are a clear demonstration of what a Member State impinged upon the Charter. ticular attention to the question of East I have just said. We sincerely hope that Sri Lanka also expressed serious reserva- Timor, a non- self-governing territory recog- steps are taken that would bring about a tions regarding the proposed item. He said nized by the United Nations as being under concrete and genuine improvement of the that realization of the right to self- Portuguese administration, its decoloniza- situation in the territory and that this can be determination was being monitored in vari- tion process having not been completed. monitored without obstruction. I therefore ous United Nations forums. However, an I would like to reaffirm at this rostrum call upon all Governments and human rights open-ended interpretation of the concept of my Country’s position of principle on this organizations to keep a close eye on the self determination could lead to unlimited question: Portugal accepts in full the rele- situation in East Timor. fragmentation of sovereign countries. vant resolutions adopted by the United The Russian Federation cited the Assem- Nations General Assembly and Security bly’s decision that, to the extent possible, it Council regarding East Timor. These resolu- ALATAS ON HUMAN RIGHTS should cluster or merge interrelated agenda tions reaffirm the need to apply, in the case IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY items. The proposed item should therefore of East Timor, the essential principles and be included as a sub-item under the “Right rules adopted by this Organization on de- Excerpt from Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali to Self-determination” (item 109) and that it colonization; not only those contained in the Alatas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic should be allocated to the Third Committee. Charter but in the historical resolution 1514 of Indonesia at the 48th Session of the Canada and the United States supported (XV) and 1541 (XV) as well. The rejection United Nations General Assembly, New that proposal. The Committee then recom- of military conquest as a claim for territorial York 1 October 1993 p. 17-18. mended inclusion of the heading as a sub- enlargement, the need to respect its territo- A short time ago, the World Conference item under item 109. rial integrity and the right of its people to on Human Rights was convened in Vienna. self-determination are clearly established in Surpassing most expectations, the Confer- MORE ON UN DEFERRAL OF EAST those resolutions. TIMOR VOTE ence adopted a Declaration and Programme We remain firmly committed to achiev- of Action which affirmed among other TAPOL Report, 28 September 1993 ing, in a peaceful and negotiated manner a things, the principles of universality, indi- The United Nations Steering Committee just, comprehensive and internationally visibility and non-selectivity in the promo- which determined the agenda for the UN acceptable settlement to this question. A tion and protection of human rights. We are General Assembly has recommended that settlement that cannot fail to meet standards heartened by the fact that the Vienna Con- the item on East Timor be deferred till next of international law and to fully respect the ference recognized that in the promotion of year’s session, in view of continuing pro- legitimate rights of the East Timorese, those human rights and fundamental freedoms, the gress being made in continuing negotiations. who are most directly concerned and who significance of national and regional peculi- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 75 arities and the various historical, cultural and NEGOTIATION MUST SAY TO Xanana Gusmão, from life to 20 years im- religious backgrounds of states must be prisonment. It is another insult to the inter- taken into account. Approved by consen- JAKARTA: YOU LOST THE national community. General Suharto not sus, Vienna Declaration and Programme of BATTLE IN THE POLITICAL only has no right to jail Xanana Gusmão but Action represents a new paradigm from FIELD also it is Suharto and his regime that should which to promote human rights in a non- be held responsible for the massacres of selective, cooperative and balanced manner. Matebian News bulletin. Aug. 21, 1993 Timorese. That being the case, the use of human rights Introduction: The following article was pub- This reduced sentence, however, shows as political conditionalities for economic lished in the Matebian News/East Timor that Indonesia is susceptible to international cooperation is entirely against the agree- Information & Documentation Centre. It is a pressure. It coincided with the stop of F-5 ments reached in Vienna. monthly bulletin run by a group of Timorese sales form Jordan to Indonesia and the meet- This session of the General Assembly activists living in Sydney. In this issue we ing of President Clinton with Suharto in has been requested to consider the estab- have published the CNRM’s structure ac- Tokyo. It also shows the international lishment of a post of High Commissioner cording to a handwritten document by Nino community that the man they praise for his for Human Rights. It is Indonesia’s view Konis Santana; Agio Pereira’s Canada/US commitment to freedom and democracy - that such considerations should lay empha- trip and the upcoming exhibition of paintings Xanana Gusmão - is still jailed by a regime sis on the practical feasibility of establishing titled: East Timor - cultural survival that illegally and barbarically occupies this post and on whether such action would through the eyes of an artist. Interested Xanana’s Homeland. in reality and practice enhance the promo- readers who wish to subscribe to Matebian Suharto is, indeed, feeling the pressure of tion and protection of human rights as called News they may write to P.O. Box 481, Fair- the international community. A clear exam- for in the UN Charter. For it may be more field NSW 2165 or email c/- of ple was his trip to Japan’s G-7 meeting. He beneficial to direct our attention to enhanc- [email protected] The annual subscription demanded to meet all G-7 group in the offi- ing the authority and efficacy of the existing is AUS$20.00. Thanks cial G-7 meeting. Ali Alatas evens aid a mechanisms and bodies, particularly the month earlier that if Suharto can not meet Centre for Human Rights Ines Almeida. G-7 in the formal meeting Suharto will not Seventeen September the UN will host accept humiliation to meet the g-7 members another round of negotiations under the separately. But, at the end, Suharto had to INDONESIA-PORTUGAL auspices of the Secretary General of UN, put up or shut up! He only could meet the NEGOTIATIONS AT U.N. Dr. Boutros-Ghali. This time, it will take G-7 members separately - in the corridors! place in New York. The struggle of the Timorese to liberate Since the Rome talks, 20 April last, a the Homeland has suffered some serious BOUTROS-GHALI range of significant events took place. From drawbacks in the military field; but, politi- the Resistance point of view, the capture of cally, the trend is reverse. Xanana Gusmão PROPOSES Ma’Huno (Bukar), the interim leader since was quite right when he declared on the 27th POSTPONEMENT OF the capture of Xanana Gusmão was a major of March last that it is time for Indonesia to PORTUGAL/INDONESIA blow; the Resistance was further shaken recognise that they have lost the battle in TALKS? with the loss of another historical and com- the political field. petent leader. We hope this forthcoming negotiation Semanario 14 August 1993. Unabridged However, in the international arena, one will further help the dictators of Jakarta that must note the fact that Dr. Amos Wako, the they have, lost the battle in the political Both Portugal and Indonesia say they are Special Envoy of the Secretary General of field. not aware of the existence of a proposal, UN Dr. Boutros-Ghali, who went to East signed by Boutros Ghali, to put off the next Timor, managed to have confidential meet- round of talks between diplomats from Ja- CONTEXT OF COMING UN ings with all the 3 jailed leaders of the Resis- TALKS karta and Lisbon. Mari Alkatiri, second-in tance, Xanana Gusmão, Ma’Huno and Mau command of the Fretilin External Delegation, Hodu. Having special envoy of the top au- claims that the UN is going to wait for the Comment from SAMODOC, an anonymous thority of the UN meeting jailed leaders of a participant in online discussion. Sept. 12. outcome of the reconciliation meeting be- Liberation Movement is not a common tween Timorese before proceeding to the event. The fact that it took place, mirrors On September 17 1993, Mr. Alatas and third round of these talks which had been the importance that UN gives to the repre- his counterpart Mr. João Durão Bosco (sic) scheduled for 17 September. sentativity of the Timorese people in the will carry on their so-called confidence- negotiation process. measure-building talk on their dispute terri- In another important front, we must reg- tory, East Timor. As predictions have been ister the decision of the US Government not advanced it is undoubtedly to argue that the to authorize the sale of F-5 fighters from talk will cover only a very surface level of Jordan to Indonesia. This is, if anything, a the situation in the territory. Specific con- siderations and objections will still consid- reflection of the growing awareness of the US Congress about the tragic situation of erably dominate the talk as both parts will the Timorese people. The decision was come up with different arguments maintain- made in spite of the fact that the service of ing their own-interest. these aircraft would be made in California Portugal, is believed, to be more flexible and improve the conditions of the Califor- raise the problem adherent to an acceptable nian investments. international standards whilst Indonesia will The latest maneuver of the Indonesian undoubtedly remain conservative, selfish- government is the reduced sentence given to ness and rigid. Page 76 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

The recent political move in the country tions will turn into leisure and hopeless. that Indonesian rule has been accepted by which nationally echoed across the country These point again reiterate that there will be the region’s inhabitants. cannot grant the country’s further move on no an fruitful idea-solution emerged from Indonesia is blamed for as many as the matter. Alatas will not transform his Mr. Durão- Alatas talk. 200,000 deaths in its bloody campaign to country rigid-political-stance into a flexible keep the territory, including dozens of peo- political move as he himself is, rather Mr. ALATAS HOPEFUL ple killed in November 1991 when govern- Alatas will “generously” maintain the mili- ABOUT UN TALKS ment troops fired on unarmed demonstra- tary-hard-line recommended soon before he tors in Dili. took off from Jakarta. JAKARTA (UPI, 13 Sept.) – Foreign The U.S. Senate’s foreign relations com- One can easily note the currently shift of Minister Ali Alatas expressed hope Mon- mittee endorsed last week an amendment to Indonesia’s international political campaign day the third round of U.N.-brokered talks a foreign aid bill linking future arms sales to in East Timor. Instead of forcing Alatas and between Indonesia and Portugal could Indonesia to the improvement of the human the native Indonesians to work alone in achieve progress in an attempt to solve the rights record in East Timor. confronting international pressure, the coun- future of East Timor. try adopted another new “framework.” Alatas, who will depart for New York INDONESIA ACCUSES It is engaging the pro-Integrationist in an Wednesday, told reporters after meeting PORTUGAL FOR ITS unrealized battle against those anti- with President Suharto that the third round integrationist. Clearly, TIMORESE of talks under the auspices of the U.N. sec- INFLEXIBLE STANCE AGAINST TIMORESE. DIVIDE ET retary general was scheduled for Friday. JAKARTA (UPI, Sept. 14) – Foreign IMPERA. The minority of Indonesia- col- Alatas declined to predict whether Indo- Minister Ali Alatas accused Portugal on laborators figures were intentionally or not nesia and Portugal would produce any sub- Tuesday of taking an inflexible stand that is are know being used to help the country stantive agreement in this week’s talks, but hampering United Nations- brokered talks in healing its already international damage. he said, “I hope this meeting would achieve a bid to resolve a dispute over Indonesia’s Several phenomena within the last two a little progress” on the issue of confidence- annexation of East Timor 17 years ago. months can be taken as evidence. building measures. “The main obstacle was that the very un- 1. Lopes da Cruz-Indonesia roving am- “We have no need for unrealistic hopes,” compromising stand from Portugal,” Alatas bassador succeeded in persuading three un- he added. said in a response to inquiries from Indone- known Portuguese businessmen to Jakarta, Indonesia and Portugal have been trying sian lawmakers. promising a bulk of profits in the future. to settle the future of East Timor through Alatas said during a parliamentary hear- The three, then, arrogantly declared their the United Nations. The two countries ing that Portugal has repeatedly rejected joint statement to accept integration victim- failed to achieve solid progress during their proposals from the U.N. secretary general izing the freedom and struggle of 700.000 second talk held in Rome last April. on a confidence-building measures to resolve people for the sake of economic profit. Alatas had blamed Portugal for its reluc- the dispute over the island. 2. Several tribal leaders (most of them tance to receive Indonesian journalists who “This is the big obstacle,” Alatas said. were believed to know nothing about poli- wanted to visit Lisbon. At least nine Portu- The Indonesian foreign minister was tics and illiterate) were offered a free-tour to guese newsmen have visited Indonesia in the scheduled to leave for New York Wednes- Jakarta hosted deliberately by president past view months. day to begin a third round of discussions Suharto. They were allegedly offered Mr. “According to our view that indicated a with his Portuguese counterpart, Durão Suharto a petition claiming their refusal of clear picture...we don’t understand why Barroso, on Friday. Portugal handling over East Timor. (The such move could not be agreed upon,” Talks held in Rome last April produced petition was artificially proposed by ABRI- Alatas said, adding that “they (Portugal) are little agreement. unclear-. As several tribal chiefs expressed likely still very strict.” Indonesian troops invaded East Timor af- their disappointment after their arrival to Alatas said he had not ruled out discus- ter the Portuguese left in 1975 , annexing the Dili as they knew nothing about the sub- sions about seven East Timorese students territory with its 750,000 inhabitants in stance of the petition). who recently sought political asylum from 1976. 3. Another free-tour to Rome and the Swedish and Finnish embassies. Portugal is demanding that East Timor be Lurdes(France) allegedly said as non politi- “The issue is not in the agenda, although permitted self- determination, but Indonesia cal mission is on it way. In Rome appar- it might be raised by Portugal,” Alatas said. claims that Portugal abandoned East Timor ently Abilio Osorio (puppet governor of “But,” he added, “our position is clear and that Indonesian rule has been accepted ET) held up an Indonesian flag, unfortu- enough and we will explain to them.” by the region’s inhabitants. nately they were blessed by John Pope II in The seven students, meanwhile, were The United Nations does not recognize Portuguese. continuing with their demands and willing to Indonesia’s sovereignty over East Timor 4. Within this month Lopes da Cruz is leave Indonesia to go to Portugal through the and considers the territory to remain under said to be in a informal tour to Europe pos- International Committee of the Red Cross. Portuguese control. sibly Latin America and Australia aiming at East Timor, which forms one-half of an Indonesia is blamed for as many as embracing more ET-se exile as he failed to island in the Indonesian archipelago just 200,000 deaths and other human rights persuade Ramos Horta cs who expelled north of Australia, is a former Portuguese abuses in a bloody campaign to keep the Abilio Araujo for his willingness to get in- colony that was annexed by Indonesia in territory, including dozens of people killed volve in an “all Timorese reconciliation” 1976, a year after its troops invaded the in November 1991 when government troops known as an “unrealized battle” among territory. fired on unarmed demonstrators in Dili. Timorese waging by Jakarta. Portugal, backed by the United Nations, Jakarta has denied accusations of human As these slightly moves have become is demanding that East Timor be permitted rights violations. prevalent in every chance while Indonesia is self-determination, but Indonesia claims that Last week, the U.S. Senate’s foreign rela- about to confront a political situation -so as Portugal abandoned East Timor in 1975 and tions committee endorsed an amendment to East Timor-, not surprisingly all expecta- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 77 a foreign aid bill linking future arms sales to resource including oil which shamefully stance of the question and reiterated their Indonesia to the improvement of the human turned it down into a “cruel” joint statement respective positions of principle. In this rights record, including in East Timor. with the barbarian Australian government to connection, the Secretary-General wishes to exploit it. record the following points which emerged PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA - What a pity? Wealth nations robbing de- during their meeting: GET OUT FROM EAST fenceless people. 1. The Ministers concurred on the impor- The sound echoed from the mountains tance of the promotion of respect for TIMOR and the streets of East Timor is the voice of human rights, in all their indivisible as- that defenceless people who cried out to the pects (civil, political, economic, social From Samodoc, Sept. 16 world not to be helped or protected but to and cultural), and fundamental freedoms Several days ago Israel poured a glass of reclaim their own rights plundered and is in East Timor; green-ink in mankind history. Mr. Rabin still plundering by these two countries “In- 2. They also concurred on the need to create kindly and gently assisted by most of world donesia and Portugal.” a favourable and non-confrontational at- leaders offered his hand to Mr. Arafat end- Better get out from that island rather than mosphere in order to allow effective pro- ing the suffering of both Israel and Palestin- your descendants will bear all your “sins.” gress towards a comprehensive settle- ian people. Both ceased their long rigid If Dom Nunu Alverez Perreira is alive today ment of the question; standing policy realizing that this so called I don’t know what he is going to say and if 3. Both Ministers reaffirmed the impor- “new world order” might does not suit the Mahammad Hatta, Yamin, Sudirhusodo and “gerotocratic” that their predecessors tance of the implementation of the rec- the others are also alive I can’t imagine what ommendations contained in the consen- adopted for ages. would have they done to these their prede- Greeting by Palestine - Israel yesterdays’ sus statement of the Chairman of the cessors who have ignored their first genuine Human Rights Commission of 4 March achievement, today people expecting enthu- ideas. Freedom Peace and Justice. siastically another event in a Confidence- 1992, and the need for further facilitating Alatas and Barroso will be the “heroes” access to East Timor inter alia by the Building Measure (CBM) between Portugal of the talk. What they should bear in mind and Indonesia that will be held at the “Casa United Nations and humanitarian and just before step up to the table is pouring all human rights organizations. In this con- del Mundo” in New York. their interest and prestige to the hell. Re- Both events above have a mutual charac- text, they noted with appreciation the member that what you’re going to talk has second visit to East Timor in April by ter, aiming at ending a war, a conflict to step nothing to do with your self. The most pre- up towards the so called “new world order.” the Personal Envoy of the Secretary- cise word to say is : You both Portugal and General; The difference lies on the interest of both Indonesia should be better get out from East parts. The former simultaneously ended Timor as you both have nothing to do with 4. The Secretary-General reiterated his in- their own problem, whilst the two later will the future of that people. tention to continue to follow closely the shamefully decide the future of those who human rights situation in East Timor in have nothing to do with them. STATEMENT FROM the spirit of the aforementioned consen- Hence if tomorrow’s CBM will not hatch sus statement; a likely and positive solution then the new SECRETARY-GENERAL’S 5. Both Ministers noted the Secretary- world order that has paved Palestine -Israel REPRESENTATIVE General’s intention to carry out contacts, has a moral obligation to take over the case as he deems useful, in his efforts to assist kicking these who claiming themselves UN Document SG/SM/5095, 17 Sept. 1993 in the solution of the question; “peace maker” out from this scene. SECRETARY-GENERAL REITERATES 6. Both Ministers agreed to continue to Durão Barroso and Ali Alatas represent INTENTION TO ASSIST IN promote a balanced exchange of visits by two different capitalism regimes form two SOLUTION TO EAST TIMOR journalists and personalities from their different period of time stepping up with respective countries; and full of “pessimistic hope” towards the USA. QUESTION AND TO MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION THERE 7. The Ministers identified a series of issues There the stake of 700.00 people, seeking for discussion at the next round of talks. freedom, justice and peace, is at their beauti- The following is the text of a statement issued ful words to come. Both representatives will today by the Secretary-General’s Personal Following today’s discussions the parties set up the talk under the shadow of Envoy on East Timor, S. Amos Wako: agreed to continue their efforts, under the “PALESTINE-ISRAEL” achievement. They auspices of the Secretary-General, to find a The Secretary-General held meetings in solution to the question of East Timor. A must seek to map a way to end the blood New York today with the Foreign Ministers and tears of that disgrace people, East further meeting between the two Foreign of Indonesia and Portugal – as had been Ministers and the Secretary-General will be Timorese, and let them find their own way, agreed at the last round of talks held on 21 to tell their own stories, to speak their own held in Geneva on 6 May 1994. Prior to that April in Rome – in the context of the ongo- meeting, talks will be held at United Nations language and to enjoy their freedom. ing efforts, under his auspices, to seek a It is the task of the people of these coun- Headquarters in New York between the just, comprehensive and internationally representatives of the two Governments. tries to ensure their governments that the acceptable settlement to the question of ET-se people no longer need them to be East Timor. The Secretary-General met PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA their “patrons” as they can now find the separately with each of the two Foreign most suitable way to govern themselves. Ministers and, subsequently, chaired a joint MEET AT U.N. Independence, peace and freedom is what meeting. Sept. 17 Reuter story, abridged, by Wilson all mankind inspired. Hence , the freedom of As they had agreed in Rome, the Minis- da Silva one should not be deprived by the others ters considered possible confidence-building due to their own interest and prestige. Por- measures as a means of fostering an atmos- (United Nations, NY) Indonesia agreed tugal has it own prestige and Indonesia phere propitious to addressing the sub- on Friday to allow access by U.N. agencies scared of losing a bulk of Timor’s natural Page 78 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. and rights groups after talks mediated by the THIRD ROUND OF TALKS almost a third of the population is estimated U.N. Secretary-General. to have been killed since Indonesia’s 1975 After more than four hours of talks be- HELD ON EAST TIMOR annexation of the country, may improve. tween the foreign ministers of Indonesia and UNITED NATIONS (UPI, Sept. 17) But the Portuguese foreign minister Portugal, Indonesia agreed to allow more The foreign ministers of Indonesia and Por- added, that “over larger problems of sub- access. tugal met Friday with U.N. Secretary- stance, there was no progress yet.” he said Indonesia’s Ali Alatas told reporters af- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to discuss that on most issues – including East Timor’s ter meeting Portugal’s Jose Manuel Durão the future of East Timor. status itself – the two nations remain dia- Barroso that access by U.N. and non- The third round of U.N.-brokered talks metrically opposed. government aid and human rights groups concerned possible “confidence-building” As a result, Durão Barroso said, “there would be facilitated, but that both sides steps that included an increased access for was progress, but we should not overesti- remained at odds. humanitarian groups and journalists to East mate it.” However, Alatas said Indonesia and Por- Timor, a spokesman for the Secretary- Alatas shared the view. “we have made a tugal would study proposals made by General said. beginning to try to contribute to a more Boutros-Ghali ahead of a fourth round of Another round of discussions was sched- conducive climate, but we haven’t started talks on May 6 next year in Geneva. uled for May 6 in Geneva. yet to solve the essence of the problem,” he “If we stick to our respective basic posi- Indonesia invaded East Timor shortly af- said. tions, we are diametrically opposed,” Alatas ter the Portuguese colonial administration But he said the three hours of talks did said. “Clearly, the position is to find a way departed in 1975 and began a military cam- produce some results: “for the first time, somewhere in the middle.” paign that reportedly claimed up to 200,000 both sides have agreed to an exchange of Indonesia is prepared to cooperate with lives. journalists,” which can allow for information the United Nations in finding a “just, com- The United Nations has refused to recog- to be exchanged better on conditions in East prehensive and internationally acceptable nize Indonesia’s annexation and still consid- Timor. solution” to the problem, he said. ers Portugal to be East Timor’s administra- Exiled Timorese leaders themselves, “We think that in itself this is positive,” tor. however, doubted whether Indonesia could Durão Barroso said of Indonesia’s pledge. Boutros-Ghali met separately with Indo- be trusted to open journalistic access to the “But we are still very far from a global solu- nesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and his island, where they claim the Indonesian tion. We will keep this matter open and we Portuguese counterpart Jose Durão Barroso army has repeatedly detained witnesses to are not going to give up.” and then chaired a joint meeting. the 1991 massacre of about 100 people in Timorese resistance leaders decried the Boutros-Ghali’s office said both sides the capital, Dili. negotiations for failing to tackle the central agreed on the importance of promoting hu- José Ramos Horta, co-chairman of the issues. man rights and freedom in East Timor and national council of Maubere resistance, ac- “Once again, Minister Alatas has come to on providing access to East Timor by U.N. cused the Indonesian army authorities of these talks to negotiate in bad faith and with and humanitarian organizations. detaining dozens of witnesses to the Dili nothing to offer,” said João Carrascalão of The Secretary-General said he planned to massacre prior to two visits made to inves- the Timorese Democratic Union. continue monitoring the situation in East tigate the killings by U.N. special envoy “We have heard nothing about our right Timor. Amos Wako. to self-determination and independence for Both sides agreed to continue an exchange “I believe the Indonesian foreign minister East Timor,” he said. of journalists. should have explained to the Secretary- Alatas said recent U.S. moves against In- General why the Indonesian army interfered donesia over the issue, such as the Senate with the normal work of the mission of the vote, were regrettable. INDONESIA, PORTUGAL U.N. envoy,” Horta said. “We regret the fact that this question of REPORT PROGRESS ON He said the detentions “show once more human rights and East Timor was linked to HUMAN RIGHTS how Indonesia blatantly disregards U.N. arms sales. We don’t think such a linkage procedures and involvement in this case.” was appropriate,” he said. By Farhan Haq “Nobody was detained,” Alatas shot Asked if Suharto might not accept Clin- United Nations, Sept. 17 (IPS) - the for- back. “there was a group of people who ton’s invitation to a summit of the Asia eign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal were following a guidance course (sponsored Pacific Economic Cooperation group in Friday reached what both sides deemed was by Jakarta on civic rights) and they never Seattle, Washington in November if the fragile progress toward improving human- left Timor. but they were not in the city of Senate amendment became law, Alatas said rights conditions in East Timor. Dili proper.” his president had yet to decide if he would Miguel Durão Barroso of Portugal and Such denials have held little sway with attend. Ali Alatas of Indonesia agreed at their third Timorese leaders, who said in a release Fri- He said Indonesia had enacted confi- set of U.N.-brokered talks to “the need for day that Jakarta “has done nothing to con- dence-building measures since the last round further facilitating access to East Timor, vince the international community of its of U.N. talks in Rome in April – a point inter alia, by United Nations and humanitar- genuine commitment to improving the hu- disputed by Portugal – such as reducing its ian and human rights organisations.” man rights situation in East Timor.” troop presence in the territory and commut- “That is not the case now,” Durão Bar- But the tide of events may be changing, ing the life sentence for captured guerrilla roso noted. “for instance, amnesty interna- says Horta. leader Xanana Gusmão from life to 20 years. tional is not allowed to go to East Timor. I “The foreign minister came to this meet- hope now they will have that possibility.” ing rather weakened by a number of interna- He pointed to that agreement as one of a tional relations decisions that are not fa- few “signals aiming to create some confi- vourable to Indonesia,” he noted, particu- dence” that conditions in East Timor, where larly the passage of the Feingold amendment East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 79 by the U.S. Senate foreign relations commit- format for resuming substantive discussions decision of the Government of Indonesia to tee. on the matter. set up an inquiry commission on the killings The amendment, which the Senate is ex- 2. The informal talks, held on 26 Sep- of 12 November 1991, but regretted that the pected to be vote on this month, would tember 1992 in New York, resulted in an investigation had failed to identify clearly force president bill Clinton to consider a agreement to hold substantive discussions at those responsible; expressed its concern number of criteria, including a full account- the level of Foreign Ministers as well as about the lack of information concerning the ing for the Dili massacre, before authorizing preparatory meetings between the Perma- number of people killed in that incident and any military commerce with Jakarta. nent Representatives of the two sides in urged the Government to account fully for Alatas dismissed the significance of the New York, to be led by the Secretary- those still missing; regretted the disparity in move, saying, “it simply means we have to General and his designated representative, the severity of sentences imposed on civil- buy whatever arms we need from other respectively. It was also understood that the ians not indicted for violent activities and sources.” Secretary-General would consult anyone he the military involved in the violent incident; Indonesia and Portugal both hope to ad- deemed appropriate in the context of the called upon the Government to ensure that dress more substantive issues – including dialogue. all East Timorese in custody, including main whether East Timor will have the right to 3. Since then, I have held three rounds of public figures, were treated humanely, with determine its sovereign status – at another substantive discussions with the two For- their rights fully respected, and that all trials meeting between the two foreign minister eign Ministers, in New York on 17 Decem- be fair, just and public, and recognize the scheduled for may 1994 in Geneva. ber 1992, in Rome on 21 April 1993 and in right to proper legal representation, and that New York on 17 September 1993. My Sen- those not involved in violent activities were UN MOVES INTO TIMOR ior Political Adviser, Mr. Alvaro de Soto, released without delay; welcomed the has convened a number of meetings of the greater access recently granted by the Indo- The Sydney Sunday Herald, 19 September Permanent Representatives of the two coun- nesian authorities to human rights and hu- 1993 tries to the United Nations. He and other manitarian organizations, and called for the Indonesia, under pressure from the officials of the United Nations have also had further expansion of that access; and urged United States over its human rights record in contacts with representatives of various Indonesia to invite the Special Rapporteurs East Timor, yesterday agreed to allow ac- East Timorese groups and prominent indi- on torture and on extrajudicial, summary or cess by United Nations agencies and rights viduals. arbitrary executions, and the Working groups. 4. All sides concerned realize the need to Groups on Arbitrary Detention and on En- After more than four hours of talks be- make progress on confidence- building forced and Involuntary Disappearances to tween the foreign of Indonesia and Portugal- measures that could help pave the way for a visit East Timor and to facilitate the dis- East Timor’s former colonial ruler.- Which discussion of the core issues. I have ex- charge of their mandates. were chaired by UN Secretary General plored various ideas in this respect with the 6. In August 1993, in its resolution Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Indonesia agreed to two Foreign Ministers. While it has proved 1993/12, the Subcommission on Prevention allow more access. difficult to make progress on the core ques- of Discrimination and Protection of Minori- Indonesia’s Ali Alatas told reporters that tion, owing to the wide difference in the ties, inter alia, noted with satisfaction the access by UN and non-government aid and positions of the two sides, I am moderately lifting of the restrictions imposed upon the human rights groups would be facilitated, encouraged by the substance and tone of the activities of the International Committee of but that both sides remained at odds. discussions held on 17 September 1993, as the Red Cross (ICRC) in East Timor, but reflected in the statement issued by my expressed its deepest concern at reports of PROGRESS REPORT OF THE spokesman following the meetings continuing violations of human rights there; (SG/SM/5095). I am hopeful that, with and urged the Indonesian authorities to im- SECRETARY-GENERAL patience and the continued cooperation of plement fully the decisions of the Commis- the parties, we will be able to build on these sion on Human Rights, as well as to honour UN Document A/48/418. 20 September initial steps and that the process will bear the provisions of the Geneva Convention 1993, full text. further results. Continued dialogue is the relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons Forty-eighth session Item 121 of the provi- rational way towards the achievement of a in Time of War regarding the prohibition on sional agenda, A/48/150 and Corr.1. 93- lasting settlement of the question of East removing prisoners from their original place 51127 (E) 210993/... Timor. I must underline, however, the need of residence. 1. In my progress report to the forty- to redouble our efforts in this direction and 7. Upon receiving the agreement of the seventh session of the General Assembly on for the parties to show greater flexibility in Government of Indonesia to my earlier re- the question of East Timor (A/47/435), I the interest of making progress. quest, I dispatched Mr. Amos Wako, my apprised the Assembly of the efforts in 5. Equally important and intrinsically Personal Envoy, on a visit to East Timor progress at the time to reactivate the dia- linked to the peace process is the human and Indonesia in April 1993, as a follow-up logue between Indonesia and Portugal under rights situation in East Timor. The im- to his first visit of February 1992. Mr. my auspices aimed at finding a comprehen- provement of the conditions in East Timor Wako visited the area from 3 to 8 April sive and internationally acceptable solution is sine qua non to progress in the talks. It is 1993. In addition to the task of following up to the question of East Timor, which had in that spirit and in view of the continued on the implementation of his recommenda- been interrupted since the autumn of 1991. concern of the international community in tions arising from his first visit, I requested In particular, I informed the Assembly of that respect that I have been closely follow- Mr. Wako to provide me with an assess- my decision to invite the Foreign Ministers ing developments affecting the enjoyment of ment of the overall human rights situation in of the two countries to hold informal con- the human rights and fundamental freedoms East Timor and, to that end, to meet with all sultations, without preconditions, with the of the East Timorese people. In March persons he believed should be consulted, object of arriving at a mutually acceptable 1993, the Commission on Human Rights including persons in detention. Mr. Wako adopted resolution 1993/97, in which it, conducted his assignment to my full satis- inter alia, recalled that it had commended the faction and reported to me personally on his Page 80 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. findings and recommendations on how the be in communication with the Government On the reporters exchange program, Min- human rights situation in the territory could of Indonesia on the subject. ister Alatas said that Indonesia had never be improved. During his visit, he held exten- 11. I will hold a new round of discus- banned Portuguese journalists to visit East sive discussions with the Indonesian au- sions with the two Foreign Ministers on 6 Timor. thorities, both at Jakarta and in East Timor, May 1994 at Geneva. Prior to that, prepara- “The facts indicate that nine Portuguese as well as with the Bishop of East Timor, tory meetings will be held by my designated journalists have visited the province re- non-governmental organizations and human representative with the two Permanent Rep- cently, while we have only two journalists rights activists, and East Timorese in deten- resentatives to the United Nations. visiting Lisbon,” he added. tion (and released from detention) for their Starting that many other Indonesian jour- alleged or suspected pro-independence ac- ALATAS ON UN TIMOR nalists have been waiting for a long time to tivities. These included individuals who had TALKS get visa to enter Portugal, Alatas said that it been in positions of leadership, notably Mr. was Portugal who made it difficult, not In- Jose “Xanana” Gusmão, leader of the Frente From ANTARA, the Indonesian news donesia. Revolucionaria de Timor Leste Inde- agency, Sept. 24. Alatas said that Portugal was still de- pendente (FRETILIN), who was captured manding Indonesia to give access to human by the Indonesian armed forces on 20 No- Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the third rights groups to enter the province based on vember 1992, as well as those convicted for tripartite talks among Indonesia, Portugal the “Statement Consensus” issued by the organizing the demonstrations of November and UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Chairman of Human Rights Commission on 1991. Mr. Wako was also received by Ghali on the East Timor issue in New York March 4, 1992. President Suharto before ending his visit. on Friday (Sept. 17) had shown more pro- In response to the demand, the minister 8. I have conveyed the conclusions and gress than the previous two. said that Indonesia has for years allowed the recommendations of my Personal Envoy to “It could be said that the statements groups to visit East Timor. the Government of Indonesia, and the Gov- agreed this time are more substantive. There UN Children Fund (UNICEF), UN De- ernment of Portugal has been apprised of has been progress from the second talks in velopment Program (UNDP), or even Asia the same. In a letter dated 7 August 1993, Rome and the first one in New York,” he Watch, a non-governmental organization, Mr. Ali Alatas, Minister for Foreign Affairs told Indonesian journalists after meeting had visited the province, he added. of Indonesia, transmitted to me the reaction with Boutros Boutros Ghali and Portuguese “We have implemented the consensus. I of his Government to the substance of Mr. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Durão Bar- do not promise but, we are considering to Wako’s conclusions and recommendations. roso. give similar facility to the Amnesty Interna- 9. Since his arrest by the Indonesian au- Alatas noted that on Friday’s talks seven tional,” he said. thorities near Dili on 20 November 1992, I points had been agreed. Among these According to the minister, the UN Secre- have been following the situation of Mr. points, Indonesia and Portugal agreed on the tary General pledged to issue a proposal on “Xanana” Gusmão. In addition to the confi- need to create a mutually beneficial and non- effort to build trust for the two respective dential meeting that my Personal Envoy had confrontative climate on the way to achieve camps (RI-Portugal) at the next talks on with him in April 1993, I have on a number a comprehensive solution. East Timor. of occasions raised with the Indonesian The two ministers also agreed on the im- The next tripartite meeting among Indo- authorities the question of immediate access portance of enhancing respect for human nesia’s Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, UN by ICRC to Mr. Gusmão and other detain- rights in its wide aspect which covers civil, Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali ees in East Timor. I have also received re- political, economic, socio-cultural dimen- and Portuguese Foreign Minister Manuel ports from human rights organizations on sions as well as fundamental freedom in East Jose Durão Barroso is scheduled to be held his treatment and conditions of detention, as Timor. on May 6 in Geneva. (Antara) well as communications from Governments, In addition, both sides agreed to step up parliamentarians and other prominent per- exchange of visits by journalists and other sonalities and numerous concerned individu- individuals between Indonesia and Portugal. EVENTS IN ASIA als from different parts of the world con- According to Alatas, the talks covered veying their concern about Mr. Gusmão’s the problem of enhancing confidence- detention and fate. building measures to pave the way for dis- ‘MACAO SUSPENDS ITS cussions and settlement of substantive as- 10. Mr. Gusmão’s trial began at Dili in SUPPORT TO TIMORESE’ February 1993. In May 1993, following the pects of the issue and at the same time cre- 21 April round of talks between Indonesia ate a climate conductive to the achievement Publico, 13 August 1993 of a solution. and Portugal under my auspices, and with The Macao government has suspended the agreement of the Government of Indone- Alatas said that a climate conductive to beneficial and non-confrontative talks as a its practice of accommodating Timorese sia, I decided to dispatch a member of the refugees. The suspension will continue until United Nations Secretariat to observe the way of creating mutual confidence had been stressed by Indonesia. the situation of some 50 people already in concluding stages of Mr. Gusmão’s trial. the territory awaiting entry visas from the Despite a number of problems encountered, “This is important, because Portugal has always brought up the East Timor issue in Portuguese Foreign Office is resolved. the United Nations observer was able to any forum, including those that are irrele- Meanwhile in Timor and in Indonesia there attend three of the five trial sessions held in are a further 70 people awaiting the go- Dili between 5 and 21 May 1993. On 21 vant. Such an attitude only heightens con- frontation between the two sides,” he said. ahead from the Macao government to begin May, the court sentenced Mr. Gusmão to the journey which would eventually take life imprisonment, a decision that has since On the other hand, Portugal underscored the accord on the need to respect human them to Portugal. been reduced to a 20-year prison term by The Macao Social Services Institute President Suharto. I will continue to follow rights in its wide aspect covering civil, po- litical, economic and socio-cultural rights. (IASM) has guaranteed that the temporary the situation of Mr. Gusmão closely and to suspension will not be applied to cases of East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 81 obvious urgency such as political persecu- Jose Branco also appealed for financial A resident of Osaka, Japan, Mr. Iwamura tion or where there is danger to life or risk of and logistic support for the school, and became active in the Japanese East Timor imprisonment. presented the budget for the school to Mr. solidarity movement after learning of the Fatima Santos Ferreira, IASM chairper- Takahashi. present plight of the East Timorese from son, told PUBLICO that it would be impos- Mr. Takahashi outlined the aims and ob- Darwin activist Mimi Ferreira and former sible, in any case, to receive any more jectives of the Japanese Supporting Com- East Timor bishop, Mons. Martinho Lopes, Timorese at the Disaster Centre, an institu- mittee for the Darwin East Timorese School during a 1986 speaking tour of Japan. The tion set up to house catastrophe victims. which he represents. He said that the main following year he traveled to New York to ‘We are in the middle of the typhoon season goal of his organisation is to support a petition the UN Decolonization Committee and it is probable that the centre will be school that teaches Tetum, as it is the core on behalf of the East Timorese. As a result, required to house storm victims’ said Ms of East Timorese cultural identity in need of he received threatening phone calls from Ferreira. preservation. ultra rightists, angered by his impassioned Last July, when Typhoon Kory passed Mr. Takahashi added that the school apology for the crimes committed against over the area, more than 600 people were fund provided by his organisation is aimed the East Timorese by the Imperial Army. accommodated at the centre in installations to benefit all Timorese refugees in Darwin, Mr. Iwamura asked the Japanese organi- which can barely house 190 families. Fatima independently of any particular political zation of ex Timor based soldiers to send Ferreira said that her institute also faces party affiliations. someone to Australia with him, but was financial difficulties in paying fares to Por- Mr. Takahashi and Mrs. Takahashi then turned down. Another ex soldier, however, tugal. ‘Our budget will not permit us to pay presented the school a ‘kokushi’ traditional who has also been active in solidarity work any more fares to Portugal’ wooden doll, and a ‘furin’ Japanese tradi- in Japan, sent a message with Mr. Iwamura. At present there are about 50 Timorese tional bell. Mrs. Takahashi also taught the (The message, attached, is from KIJIMA, refugees living in the centre. On arrival in students to make ‘orizuru’ peace symbols. Masamichi of Tokyo who is the organizer April, each received 1000 patacas (about The meeting ended with Mr. Takahashi of the suprapartisan Diet Members Forum $140) for initial expenses and a further 600 collecting a variety of opinions from par- on East Timor.) patacas monthly since then. While this ticipants in the project so as to convey them Posted by Jean Inglis (jinglis). Sorry I group remains, the Institute is unable to give to the Japanese Supporting Committee. He don’t have Mr. Iwamura’s statement. the green light to the other 70 waiting in also pledged continuing support for the –––––––––––– Bali, Jakarta and Dili, the majority of whom Lafaek Tetum School and appealed to eve- are of Chinese origin and are in the Timorese ryone, both in Japan as well as elsewhere, to Message to My Former Australian capital. provide their generous support for this Soldier War Friends valuable initiative. I have the good fortune of sending this JAPANESE SCHOOL Prospective supporters may contact Mr. message to you with IWAMURA Chichi. Takahashi by fax on +81 22 223 1323. My feelings toward all of you and toward SUPPORTER MEETS the East Timorese are exactly the same as DARWIN TIMORESE W.W.II ENEMIES UNITE IN those of Mr. Iwamura. And like Mr. Iwa- COMMUNITY mura, I am a member of the movement in SOLIDARITY WITH EAST Japan for the freedom and independence of Report from CNRM/NT. Aug. 11, 1993 TIMOR East Timor. On 10 August 93, Mr. Takahashi from I spent about two years and five months, From Jean Inglis, Free East Timor Japan from March 1943 until the end of the war, the Japanese Supporting Committee for the Coalition, Aug. 16, 1993 Dar win East Timorese School presided a in East Timor as a paymaster officer. I was meeting with members of the Lafaek A former member of the Japanese occu- not directly involved in warfare, but this Timorese Association and other members of pation forces in East Timor has traveled to does not change the fact that I participated the Darwin East Timorese community. The Australia to meet with former Australian in state aggression and that as a result of meeting was convened to discuss the commandos in an act of solidarity with the that aggression considerable harm was in- Timorese School project funded by his or- East Timorese today struggling for inde- flicted on the East Timorese. ganisation. pendence. Freedom is the highest aspiration of hu- Present at the meeting were members of IWAMURA, Chichi, 73, a platoon com- man beings. But the present reality inflicted the Timorese Community, CNRM and Fre- mander In East Timor during the war, was on the East Timorese is the very opposite tilin. Jose Branco, president of the Timorese contacted last year by the 2/2nd Commando of freedom, is in fact a reign of terror under Association Inc. LAFAEK, told Mr. Taka- Association, which has attempted to assist the Indonesian army. And with the capture hashi that the Association had started a the East Timorese since the Indonesian in- of Commander Xanana Gusmão, East Timor Tetun School with the cooperation of the vasion of 1975. Learning that his former has now entered a very dark period of “win- members of the East Timorese community. “enemies” shared similar feelings of respon- ter.” While I know that there is no winter The school aims to : sibility for the sufferings of the East that is not followed by spring, considering · Teach the Tetum language to East Timorese, and that they too had been what I myself am able to do to hasten the Timorese children; thwarted in their efforts to assist the East coming of that spring, I cannot but feel very Timorese by their country’s powerful vet- powerless. This is especially so because we · Promote East Timorese culture; erans’ organization and their government’s in Japan, which is the biggest donor of eco- · Enhance inter-generational communica- complicity in the invasion, Mr. Iwamura nomic aid to Indonesia, have not yet suc- tion between young and older East decided to go to Australia to meet them. ceeded in changing our government’s policy Timorese Mr. Iwamura’s itinerary takes him to of siding with the aggressor. · Help to unite the East Timorese refugee Perth (Aug. 10), Melbourne (Aug. 12), and In this day and age the concept of human community in Darwin. Sydney (Aug. 16). rights is increasingly recognized as a self- evident truth throughout the world, and if Page 82 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. there ever was a just cause in this world, it for a change in Japan’s East Timor policy) Japanese foreign policy, which has always is surely the cause of the independence of at the time of the Santa Cruz massacre. Also felt its best interests were served by follow- East Timor. I of course believe that one day hopeful is the fact that Foreign Minister ing the US lead, would act in step with the the East Timorese will achieve their long- Hata is said to be interested in human rights, US, making it easy for East Timor sympa- cherished desire. But I also believe that we and that both the Speaker and Vice-speaker thizers in the cabinet to do something. have the obligation to work to hasten the of the House, DOI Takako and Given the above, I don’t think we can dawning of that day. I am proud to walk KUJIRAOKA Hyosuke, are Diet Forum hope to see any big initiatives coming from together with the East Timorese toward that convenors. There is every possibility these Japan with respect to policy changes on a day and to dedicate myself to the extent that people will come through for East Timor routine and sustained basis vis a vis Indone- my life, time and energy allows to act to when the time arises. We didn’t have even a sia, including the issue of ODA, or East achieve that freedom and independence. toe in the door of previous cabinets, so this Timor. However if an issue arises that I am deeply happy to be able to share is a great improvement. draws world attention, such as happened this solidarity with you, my Australian It would be naive however to think that with the Santa Cruz massacre, we can ex- colleagues. Thank you. an increase in sympathizers in the cabinet is pect a reaction, centering on the Diet Forum KIJIMA Masamichi. going to directly result in a change in the members in the cabinet, much bigger and August 7, 1993, Tokyo Japanese government’s policy on East stronger than anything in the past. Timor. Although Hosokawa spoke out on Our solidarity movement continues to be ET ISSUE IN JAPANESE Japanese historical aggression and talked in like the “runners in a race with no specta- POLITICAL SCENE his policy address about “a world in which tors.” Of course the spectators are increas- human rights are respected,” he also stated ing, and sad as it is, it has been since the From Jean Inglis, Sept. 3, 1993 that in principle his government would Santa Cruz massacre took so many lives maintain the foreign policy, including secu- that this interest has grown. However this (The following is an abridged translation of rity, defense, and ODA, of the previous growing interest is still far from amounting an article to appear in the Kure solidarity government. And the government bureauc- to “public opinion” and not strong enough group’s newsletter, Higashi Timor Tsushin. racy, who are united in their determination to get the parliamentarians to take action to The author, KIJIMA Masamichi, is director that nothing will change, are as entrenched say nothing of moving the powers that be. of a think tank in Tokyo, organizer of the as ever; there has been absolutely no change In the summer of ‘89 when the Socialist Diet Members Forum on East Timor, and in their ranks. It remains to be seen whether Party under then Chairperson Doi’s leader- coordinator of the Tokyo East Timor Asso- or not the new government has the power to ship won overwhelmingly in the House of ciation. He addresses the question of what overcome the resistance of these bureau- Councilors’ election, I wrote an article titled, changes are possible with respect to the East crats. (People like former ambassador to the “Independence for East Timor in 23 Years?” Timor issue, given the recent change of gov- US Matsunaga, who made a wonderful Well, that ended up being a “Midsummer ernment.) statement on human rights at the Vienna Night’s Dream.” But dreams can become To start with the conclusion, the situa- World Conference, and former Vice- reality. Look at Prime Minister Hosokawa: tion certainly won’t get any worse, and the Minister Owada, who spoke out on East when he founded his new party a year ago possibility exists that, given the right cir- Timor in Jakarta, are the exception, not the he called it the “ant hole that would bring cumstances, we could see good results. rule, at the Foreign Ministry.) down the political system.” And now the However we must not delude ourselves. The new government brings together ele- man is prime minister. The curtain has only Whether the coalition government moves on ments eager for change and others bent on just gone up on Act I of the coalition gov- the issue or not will depend on the strength preserving the status quo. What we are most ernment and it will have to take a few more that our movement musters and, to a very apprehensive about is that political consid- steps before we can tell where it is heading. great extent, on the United Nations and the erations (“We can’t let the government col- large sociopolitical cultural changes taking lapse because of the East Timor issue!”) place in the world of which it is a part. might come into play if it turns out that EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA The Diet Forum was greatly effected by there are strong pro-Indonesian elements in the recent political changes. In terms of the government ready to thwart any action numbers, the Forum lost 26 of its original 90 on the pretext that it would be “a deviation FORUM ON EAST TIMOR IN members due to the crushing defeat that the from the framework of the ruling parties’ CANBERRA Socialist Party suffered. Also, it will now be agreement,” or, if the power of the “invisible necessary to reorganize the convenors’ hand"* goes into action. PLACE: House of Representatives Commit- group, which is made up of Diet members However the situation would be different tee Room 101 from each of the parties. The numerical if the East Timor issue were to be taken up TIME: 11.00am to 2.00pm, Wednesday 25 strength of the Forum can be restored, how- at the United Nations (a resolution on self- August 1993. ever, by actively recruiting members of the determination, for instance, or, better still, in TOPIC: Forum focus is on Xanana Gusmão newly formed parties. relation to human rights and ODA). The the leader of Fretilin recently gaoled for Another factor in our favor is the inclu- Hosokawa Government places great impor- life by Indonesia. sion of 5 Diet Forum members in the Hoso- tance on the UN and has its eye on a per- kawa cabinet. This includes KUBOTA manent seat for Japan on the Security This forum has been organised by the Manae, Minister of the Economic Planning Council. The US of course has tremendous Canberra Branch of PEN International. PEN Agency, and EDA Satsuki, Minister of the power at the UN. Since Clinton came to (Poets, Novelists, Essayists) began in Eng- Science and Technology Agency (both Diet office, human rights diplomacy has been land in the 1920’s to defend and extend free Forum convenors). There are also several emphasized and the administration has expression of ideas within nations and be- Forum members who are vice-ministers. taken an interest in East Timor as well. If yond. It is now an international network of Also, more than half of the present cabinet the U.S. makes a positive move on the issue writers with centres in several cities of Aus- signed the Diet members’ petition (calling at the UN, there is every possibility that tralia. Canberra has been part of the network East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 83 through the efforts of Sara Dowse, Satendra The demands raised by the protest were The signatories also call an Mr. Keating Nandan and others. Since the early 90’s to free East Timorese independence leader to propose that the people of East Timor, PEN has organised public meetings at which Xanana Gusmão, end the Indonesian mili- including the resistance and the Bishop of dissident writers have spoken, and taken tary’s occupation of East Timor and West East Timor, be represented in UN- part in demonstrations of solidarity with Papua, and “Ground Garuda.” sponsored talks between Indonesia and people suffering censored and oppressed Garuda was chosen as the focus for the Portugal and that the jailed independence lives such as the East Timorese. protest as it is the national airline of the movement leader, Xanana Gusmão, and This meeting will inform the media, poli- Indonesian government. The protest high- other East Timorese political prisoners be ticians and public about Timor and pressure lighted the killing of about one million Indo- released. various bodies to; intervene there, allow nesians when President Suharto came to There are so many articles on the responses Gusmão Red Cross visitors, get him released power in 1965 and the annihilation of to Keatings trip the United States and Ire- and granted refuge in Australia and, stop 200,000 East Timorese since its invasion by land that a whole separate section of these Australian military aid to Indonesia. Indonesia in 1975. documents, below, includes them. (In the United States, US Senators Fein- The role of Australian governments also gold, Sarbanes and Kassebaum and others came in for some close scrutiny. Since the TIMOR GAP – are seeking to end arms sales to Indonesia invasion of East Timor Australian govern- until Jakarta complies with UN resolutions ments have been totally supportive of the SPRATLYS MODEL? regarding East Timor. This will be pursued Indonesian regime. Supplying military Thu Aug. 19 1993. Abridged story by Muklis in the full Foreign Relations Committee after hardware, training for military personnel as Ali. US Labour Day in September) well as diplomatic support. While essen- Speakers will include Shirley Shackleton, tially ignoring calls to support the inde- JAKARTA, Aug. 19 (Reuter) - Indone- a recent visitor to Timor and at present pendence of East Timor a move which sia’s treaty with Australia on sharing oil writing a novel about the area and its libera- would threaten Australian access to the oil resources in contested waters could provide tion struggle; Humphrey McQueen, writer in the Timor Sea. the basis for a formula to dampen disputes and critic; and an East Timorese representa- Protest vigils will be held outside over the Spratly island chain in the South tive. Guard’s Adelaide office, Waymouth St, China Sea, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said. For protocol and size reasons names and Adelaide, on the first Friday of every In 1989, Indonesia and Australia solved a contact phone numbers, of those who wish month, 12- 3pm, for the remainder of 1993. sea boundary dispute involving the Timor to attend need to be advised as soon as pos- Gap by forming a jointly administered cen- sible to: KEATING REBUKED FOR tral zone where oil finds would be shared, as well as two separately-run lateral zones. A Bill Tully, PEN International - Canberra EAST TIMOR STANCE Branch Jakarta-based foreign diplomat said: “There PO Box 3514, MANUKA ACT 2603 THE AGE, 14 August 1993. By Martin Daly is some move for a formula like the Timor Gap treaty. If there is oil and gas, let people Forty Australians prominent in the arts, INDONESIA TO JOIN who are interested explore there jointly and law, politics, the church and academia want worry about demarcations later.” Diplomats WAR GAMES the Prime Minister, Mr. Keating to press said Jakarta also wanted the issue resolved Indonesia to get out of East Timor. because of fears of a spillover of Vietnamese The Daily Telegraph Mirror, 10th August The signatories, in a letter to Mr. Keat- 1993. unabridged frontier claims near Indonesia’s Natuna ing, says his recent statements have been islands, southwest of the Spratlys. About 2000 military personnel will par- taken in Jakarta as supporting Indonesia’s ticipate this week in joint exercises between invasion and annexation of East Timor. PRESSURE APPLIED ON the Australian and Indonesian navies. The signatories include the comedian Mr. Exercise New Horizon, in Top End wa- Max Gillies, the Anglican Archbishop of AUSTRALIAN POLITICIANS ters, will involve six Indonesian naval ves- Brisbane, Archbishop Peter Hollingworth, FOR GUSMÃO sels and eight Australian vessels. the poet Ms Judith Wright, the Melbourne Indonesian vessels will arrive on Thurs- theatre director Mr. James McCaughey, two Report by Chris Warren, 26 August day to begin training involving joint opera- former federal Labor ministers, Mr. Tom A group of Canberra writers organised a tions with Australian vessels in Darwin Uren and Mr. John Wheeldon, the Roman successful forum recently in Parliament Harbour. Catholic auxiliary bishop Hilton Deakin, the House, Canberra to express concern at the Navy public relations director Com- publishing director of Heinemann Press, fate of gaoled East Timorese resistance mander Tim Bloomfield said the exercise Melbourne, Ms Louise Adler, and Sister leader Xanana Gusmão. The Forum was was part of a move to form closer military Janet Mead, an Adelaide nun who works attended by interested members of parlia- links. with the homeless. ment, representatives of community groups They express their concern to Mr. such as Amnesty International, peace and PROTESTS AGAINST Keating over his petition to the Clinton social justice activists and the Portuguese GARUDA AIRLINES administration to adopt a softer approach to ambassador to Australia. human-rights violations by Indonesia and Speakers at the forum included; Hum- Green Left #110, Aug. 11, 1993. By Chris China and to make trade a higher priority. phrey McQueen (progressive historian), Spindler They say Mr. Keating has highlighted Agio Pereira (East Timor Relief Associa- that Australia is out of step with world as tion), and Shirley Shackleton (East Timorese ADELAIDE - On August 6 the Cam- the only large Western power that has for- paign for an Independent East Timor supporter who has recently visited Timor. mally recognise Indonesia’s annexation of Her journalist husband was amongst those (CIET) held a protest vigil outside Garuda East Timor. airlines highlighting the gross human rights murdered by Indonesian troops). violations of the Indonesian government. Page 84 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

The forum, held on 25 August was organ- SUHARTO’S CANBERRA The circle of revenge that bedevils Balkan ised by the Canberra Branch of PEN (Poets, politics was absent. Essayists, Novelists) International and was CRONIES INCREASE EAS T Such generosity of spirit recalled an ABC chaired by Satendra Nandan a former mem- TIMOR AGONY radio interview with Emilia Gusmão, now ber of the Bavandara Government in Fiji. living in Australia. She told how Indonesian Nandan said; The Weekend Australian, 4-5 September officers had been billeted on her household “Xanana Gusmão has been a journalist as 1993. By Humphrey Mcqueen after her husband joined the resistance. Over well as leader of the East Timorese resis- Xanana Gusmão is alive. Yes, the leader the years those officers had raped her, time tance, and we feel there is much in common of the East Timorese National Resistance is and again. When they went back to their between the fight for freedom of expression detained in an Indonesian prison. Yes, he country they left her with their children. She by an individual and the fight for political has been tortured and drugged so the he spoke of her love for those children, who freedom of a people. might not always be in his right mind. But were now her own as much as those she had “Australia should take Gusmão’s case to the Jakarta junta have not yet been game to had with her husband. international forums, including the United murder him as they have tens of thousands The unquestioning love Emilia bears for Nations, arguing for his immediate release. of other East Timorese, and 1 million or all her children provides inspiration, but it The verdict of the farcical trial in Jakarta more of their fellow Indonesians. Xanana cannot resolve the political problem of the should not be allowed to stand. survives because of pressures on the Su- children who have been born in East Timor “The Australian Government should harto regime from almost every quarter, of the Indonesians sent there since 1976. pressure Indonesia to allow Gusmão regular except Canberra. The resistance wants an internationally visits from the International Red Cross, and To distract attention from the poverty of supervised referendum on self- should stop Australian military aid and co- human rights in Indonesia, the Australian determination. If Jakarta can ship sufficient operation to Indonesia.” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is migrants into East Timor, it could use them The forum unanimously called on the UN collaborating in a Jakarta propaganda cam- as a block to defeat any vote by the indi- Secretary General to hold a democratically paign. Suharto, the story goes is moving genes for independence, or even a degree of supervised plebiscite to allow East towards political openness. Evidence for autonomy. The longer a referendum is de- Timorese people to exercise their inalienable this change of heart is the release of four layed the stronger becomes Jakarta’s posi- right to self determination. The forum also dissidents. tion. Very soon, the first Indonesian chil- unanimously demanded that the Australian That gesture was more than outweighed dren born in occupied East Timor will turn government support the direct involvement in July by the Suharto-engineered disruption 18, and so have a greater claim to vote in the of the Timorese in the negotiation process of Indonesia’s only independent parliamen- act of self-determination. between Indonesia and Portugal over the tary grouping, the Indonesian Democratic Politically motivated mass migration into status of East Timor and cease all paramili- Party. Under its new, bought-off leader, that East Timor raises doubts about much of the tary and military co-operation with Indone- alliance of Christians and nationalists is now aid that Suharto’s Canberra cronies are pro- sia. on its way toward becoming another State- viding. One Australian- sponsored scheme is Indonesia’s human rights record in East owned political company. for a $30 million water-treatment plant at Timor is likely to be a topic of much debate To be at all convincing, Suharto will have Dili, the Eat Timorese capital. That gift is at the Australian Council of Trade Unions to do better than reduce Xanana’s sentence far from innocent or neutral. Immigrants (ACTU) Congress being held in Sydney from life to 20 years. For a start, the guilty already cluster around Dili and the provision from 30 August, when links with Indonesian man is Suharto, not Xanana. whose trial was of improved water will allow tens of thou- Government- controlled trade union, SPSI a fraud in its procedures, just as the charges sands more Indonesians to be moved there. are discussed. ACTU President Martin against him had no legal basis. East Timor The East Timorese National Resistance Ferguson has come out in opposition to has never been part of the Republic of Indo- acknowledges that it has no change of de- SPSI attempts to affiliate with the Interna- nesia. In law, East Timor remains a Portu- feating the Indonesians military on the bat- tional Confederation of Free Trade Unions. guese territory, recognised as such by the tlefield. Henceforth armed struggle will be United Nations, despite our Canberra lick- maintained only at the scale needed to keep 18TH ANNIVERSARY spittles endorsement of Indonesian claims to the Indonesian leadership on the hop. OF FALINTIL sovereignty. Instead the resistance in directing its ac- Moreover, the reduction of a life sentence tivities more towards the political and dip- Sept. 1, 1993 from ETRA to 20 years is still a death sentence for the lomatic realms where the Jakarta crew faces 46-year-old Xanana Gusmão. He is unlikely further certain defeats. Already this year, More than 500 people have attended a to outlive his sentence even if he is not as- the United States Government has blocked function organized by FRETILIN Commit- sassinated in prison. the resale of F-5 jets to Indonesia. In addi- tee of NSW on 27 August, in Sydney, to A few days ago, I attended a forum call- tion, Suharto was humiliated at the Group mark the 18th anniversary of FALINTIL. ing for Xanana’s release organised by the of Seven meeting in Tokyo. Beforehand, he It was also attended, for the first time, by international writers group, PEN, at Parlia- had demanded to meet the leaders as a group Mr. João Carrascalão, Vice-President of ment House, Canberra; Gusmão is a poet but had to accept corridor chats with them UDT. and journalist, as well as strategist in his individually. Emilia Gusmão was especially invited as people’s struggle for self-determination. The Indonesia is continuing to lose out at the a guest speaker. most impressive part of that meeting was UN, where renewed negotiations over East The play “Kakoak Uma Let la Fo’o the grace of every East Timorese who Timor are due to begin in New York on Fatin,” performed by the East Timor Cul- spoke. Each had story of personal suffering, September 17. Senator Evans should be tural Centre Inc. produced a very strong usually involving the death of a close rela- demanding Xanana’s release so that he can emotional fillings in the audience. tive at the hands of the occupying troops. attend those meeting as the recognised leader FRETILIN Committee of NSW P.O.Box 74, But none expressed hatred or bitterness. of his people. BONNYRIGG, NSW 2177, Australia East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 85

Now that the East Timorese resistance The cable tells of Indonesian forces ple without whom they could not have sur- has shifted the centre of its struggle to inter- rounding up more than 100 youths in Dili vived. Their commander, Bernard Callinan, national forums, Australians can play a for “training” outside the capital. This curi- paid moving tribute in his book Independent more important role than ever in redressing ous muster was effected just before the visit Company. “Money could not repay them,” the crimes endorsed by our successive gov- of Amos Wako, Kenya’s Attorney-General he wrote, “there is no coinage appropriate ernments starting from Whitlam’s. and Boutros-Ghali’s personal envoy. His to such loyalty.” One practical form of aid would be to mission was to investigate the killing of Which brings me back to Committee donate to the East Timor Relief Association more than 50 people by Indonesia troops Room R101. There, in a meeting organised through its Commonwealth Bank savings during the now infamous Dili funeral pro- by the Canberra branch of PEN, the interna- account, No 2006-138297. Your money will cession of November 1991. The “trainees” tional writers’ organisation, we listened publicize the East Timorese cause and pro- were returned home the day after Wako’s again to the sad story of Australia’s cop-out vide humanitarian aid to East Timorese suf- departure. on East Timor. Shirley Shackleton spoke fering under foreign occupation. This was no isolated incident, according with passion, and Humphrey Mcqueen A second way in which Australians can to the cable. Similar tactics had been used talked lucidly, with dry and sometimes de- register our opposition to the State terror- before to head off any possible unrest in spairing humor, of empty official rhetoric ism in East Timor is by refusing to take East Timor during visits by foreign dignitar- when the key questions are raised. holidays in Indonesia. At least for as long as ies. Ans since. Human-rights groups report But it the third speaker who caught my Xanana is held in a prison on Bali, living it that at least 53 East Timorese were arrested attention. Agio Pereira manages through his up there should be as repugnant as was last week prior to a staff delegation visit quiet, measured delivery to suggest both holidaying in fascist Spain, or playing sport from the US House of Representatives. An clarity of thought and a deep passion. He against South Africa under apartheid. Indonesian army spokesman acknowledged painted a picture of the jailed Xanana Gus- Australia is introducing laws to catch its that some Timorese had been sent off on a mão which conveyed his own love of coun- citizens who engage in sexual acts with chil- “guidance course” try and culture as much as Gusmão’s. The dren in Asian countries; organisers of child- These reports in turn seem to have cata- terrific courage, one suspects, shared by sex tours will also be liable to prosecution. lyzed moves in the US Senate last week. Pereira and his compatriots in R101. If that law can be made to stick, why should Senator Russell Feingold wants an embargo Behind the speakers stretched a brave there not also be a law to punish the proces- on US arms sales to Indonesian until it ends banner reading “Xanana Gusmão, Symbol of sion of Australian politicians, academics and alleged abuses and complies with the UN the National Resistance.” Every little while bureaucrats who still visit Indonesia to col- resolutions calling for East Timor’s self- the tape holding it up would give way. and laborate in the sexual and physical abuse of determination. slender Timorese girl stepped forward to East Timorese children? Whatever the upshot of his proposal, it repair their ringing declaration. It seemed a reflects a new climate within the Clinton good omen for the future of this gentle peo- NEW HOPE FOR EAST Administration, which has already blocked ple and their determined resistance. After- TIMOR, BUT IT DOESN’T the sale of fighter aircraft to Indonesia. With wards I spoke with Pereira, who is confi- backers like the outspoken Al Gore and dent that while the military operation ap- COME FROM AUSTRALIA Defence Secretary Les Aspin (who criticised pears lost, the political battle will be won. I military aid to Indonesia as long as 1975), wondered what official part Australia might The Canberra Times, Sunday 12 September Clinton is likely to focus more sharply on play in the process, and he smiled, the 1993. By Richard Begbie East Timor. Support is emerging from even weary smile of a much older man. A few weeks ago I paid my first, reluc- less likely sources. Chichi Iwamura, an old “I often think of what Bob Hawke said tant visit to the new Parliament House. Japanese soldier once wounded by Austra- during the Gulf War,” he mused. “Big coun- Every prejudice was confirmed. Its form and lians in Timor, visited Sydney last month on tries cannot invade small countries and get scale bear depressingly apt testimony to the a mission. He welcomed the new official away with it. Australia is the only signifi- egos which inspired and inhabit it. But ma- attitude reflected in Prime Minister Hoso- cant democracy to fully recognise Indone- terial evidence of power was soon happily kawa’s apology for aggression in World War sian sovereignty over East Timor. Ever since displaced by a largeness of spirit, as we II, and believes there is still time to make the ALP conference in 1983 buried our right gathered in Committee Room R101 to talk amends to the Timorese. to self-determination, we’ve had to look about East Timor. I’ll get back to R101 in a “Not only has Japan still not apologized past Australia. It’s in the US, and Japan and moment. or compensated the Timorese for our occu- even Jakarta itself, that we now find hope.” Next Friday another chapter in the story pation,” he is reported as saying. “Japan is An alien, uncomfortable sensation over- of bravery, hope and betrayal called East now the largest donor of economic aid to took me as we spoke. I couldn’t remember Timor will unfold, not in Dili, or even in Indonesia. By thus backing the slaughter of when I’d felt so ashamed to call myself R101. A further round of negotiations of the the East Timorese, it is I believe, committing Australian. East Timor situation is to be held in New a second crime.” York under the auspices of the Secretary- Mr. Iwamura has put his money where MEET THE TIMORESE General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Portugal his mouth is. He pleaded the cause before COMMUNITY IN NSW and Indonesia will take part, while the peo- the UN Decolonisation Committee in 1987. ple whose fate has been entwined in such The Sydney Morning Herald report says his Matebian News, Sept. 14, 1993 faraway talk for so long wait and hope. Japanese support group has raised $150,000 That hope may have risen fractionally towards a school in Darwin for the East Last Saturday, 11 September 1993, with last week’s news from the US. The Timorese expatriates. Matebian News/East Timor Information & text of a cable from the American Embassy He has willing allies in his old enemies, Documentation Centre team organised a in Jakarta in February 1992, released under the survivors of the 2/2and Commando social evening with the Timorese Commu- the Freedom of Information Act, underlines Squadron. These original guerrillas of East nity in NSW. The aim was to present to the Indonesian sensitivity on the issue. Timor retain a fierce love for the gentle peo- Page 86 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Community the work and projects that MN BISHOP PATELISIO: Australia has tre- President and Congress, the Vatican, the UN has conceived. mendous power for political and moral part Commission and Sub-Commission on Hu- As expected, the evening was very much to urge PNG to take the offer by country man Rights, the Portuguese President and a social event. Those who attended the Bishops of PNG and Solomon Islands. international media; event had an unique opportunity to familiar- REPORTER: The Bishop is critical of Aus- - welcomes ize themselves with the range of materials, tralia’s recognition of Indonesian an- (a) Australia’s support for the call by the the Timorese spirit, food and music of Ko- nexation of East Timor and our signing of UN Commission on human Rights for a UN remetan. The Co-ordinator of Timor GAP Treaty. sponsored political settlement and increased MN/ETI&DC, Ines Almeida, made a brief- access to East Timor by humanitarian and ing of how this Centre operates and what to BISHOP PATELISIO: It is absolutely human rights organisations and experts; expect in the near future. She also appealed wrong and I believe so many others Gov- (b) the Clinton administration’s suspen- to the community to help with materials ernments and specially the people of East sion of some military aid and sales to Indo- (e.g. newspapers, photos, slides, etc.) so Timor (...) and so I believe it is wrong. nesia and support for a negotiated settle- that MN/ETI&DC can expand its work as REPORTER: he hope Australia will follow ment; and much as possible. the example set by the United States. (c) the resumption of UN sponsored This kind of social evening mirrors the BISHOP PATELISIO: I really (...) the talks between Portugal and Indonesia and openness and the availability that MN in- American recently announced will not sell the continuing readiness of the East tends to pursue in order to benefit the gen- arms to Indonesia because of human rights Timorese resistance and church to partici- eral public with well organised, well pre- violations in East Timor - that’s a good pate in these talks; pared and preserved information and docu- move. - deplores the continuing abuses of hu- mentation so that the work towards a more REPORTER: The Bishop of Tonga two-week man rights and repression in East Timor, the aggressive and consistent promotion of the visit to Australia will include talks with imprisonment of Xanana Gusmão, and the issue of East Timor can be pursued in every Aboriginal groups and an address to the restrictions on human rights and an human level of the Australian society. National Press Club this week rights organisations, particularly the Interna- The people who attended this social eve- tional Red Cross ning showed a genuine interest in the sam- - Calls on the Australian government to ples of materials made available to them in ACFOA COUNCIL work for a just and lasting peace in East the information table. The moral support RESOLUTIONS Timor by urging Indonesia given by the community to this work was (a) to cease blocking the participation of unequivocal. The following resolutions were adopted at East Timorese resistance in UN sponsored Anyone who wants to contact Matebian the annual council of the Australian Council talks News/ETI&DC, can do so through the fol- for Overseas Aid held in Canberra, Septem- (b) to withdraw its troops from East lowing numbers: ber 1993 timor Tel. 02 - 7287395 Fax: 726 6319 IRIAN JAYA (c) to release Xanana Gusmão and other Tel. 02 - 8915861 Fax: 891 2876 East timorese political prisoners; and In the International Year for Indigenous Or, write to P.O.Box 481 - FAIRFIELD, (d) to allow media and humanitarian and People, ACFOA expresses its concern at NSW 2165 human rights organisations full and free the situation of the West Papuan people of E-MAIL ADDRESS: peg:etra or access to East Timor Irian Jaya. [email protected] Commends The indigenous people of Irian Jaya, (a) the work of the East Timor Talks Australia’s near neighbours, are now facing Campaign; and BISHOP OF TONGA URGES growing pressures on the environment and (b) the establishment by a number of AUSTRALIA TO RESOLVE life- style in the context of Indonesia’s ‘Go church agencies of the Christians in Solidar- East’ policy which is aimed at the develop- REGIONAL CONFLICTS ity with East Timor (CISET) project based ment of infrastructure to facilitate tourism, in Sydney; and SBS NEWS 630pm, 19 September 1993 logging, mining, cash-cropping and other - Urges Australian NGOs to support the commercial enterprises. Already host to The Catholic Bishop of Tonga has called work of the East Timor Talks Campaign and significant transmigration schemes and mili- on Australian to exert its influence in the give consideration to sending a fact-finding tary activity, and inadequately protected in Pacific to help resolve regional conflicts. mission to East Timor during the next Indonesian law, the West Papuan people are The Bishop is using a pastoral visit to Aus- twelve months. tralia to draw attention to human rights in facing increasing marginalization with the the Pacific. arrival of new settlers, increased Indonesian and foreign business activity and accelerated REPORTER: An outspoken advocate of modernization. EVENTS IN EUROPE human rights, Bishop Patelisio Finau of ACFOA calls on its member agencies to Tonga is also the Chairman of the Pacific make increased contact with local communi- INDONESIAN Conference of Churches. ties and NGOs in Irian Jaya and to consider The Bishops of Solomon Islands and increased support for training, human devel- HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST Papua New Guinea recently offered to opment and people to people programs, DENIED DUTCH VISA mediate between the PNG Govt. and the including West Papuan refugees in East Bougainville Revolutionary Army for a Awin and Papua New Guinea generally. Abridged. By Guido de Bruin Peaceful solution to the Bougainville con- EAST TIMOR Amsterdam, Aug. 13 (IPS) - decades after flict. The Tonga Bishop believes Australia Council he deserted the Dutch army to join the In- could be instrumental in achieving that - notes high level expressions of concern donesian forces in their war against Dutch peace. about East Timor from, inter alia, the US colonialists, human rights activist Poncke East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 87

Princen remains an uncomfortable reminder cen a visa in his official reply to parliamen- “His choices against German fascism, of a bitter chapter in Netherlands history. tary questions. Dutch colonialism and human rights abuses Princen – who was recently refused a Princen had recently submitted a second in Indonesia testify to the fact that he is a visa by the Dutch foreign ministry – de- visa application for a family visit to his man of exceptional integrity,” the associa- serted the Dutch army in 1948. some Dutch country of origin, the Netherlands. in 1948 tion added. still regard him as a traitor. the furor that Princen deserted the Dutch army and sided According to the association the debate followed has revived the debate about the with Indonesian troops in 1948. on Princen’s visa shows that the Dutch have way the Netherlands still treats those who Princen, 67, is well remembered by for- still not come to grips with their colonial refused military service at the time. mer Dutch colonialists and by many Dutch past in Indonesia. in reaction to the visa “It seems to me that the Dutch political army veterans of the Indonesian colonial rejection, the association wants to set up a parties who were responsible for sending war. most veterans who have never forgiven ‘committee for the rehabilitation of Poncke troops to Indonesia at the time are still un- him. Princen.’ willing to admit they were wrong. I am still According to parliamentarians of the On the other hand, a group consisting of treated as a black sheep,” says Princen, 67, green left party, Princen’s desertion offence veterans and relatives of Dutch soldiers speaking from Geneva, where he was at- has been nullified by the lapse of time. also, killed by Indonesian troops at the time tending a United Nations human rights sub- his activities in the field of human rights in mounted a strong campaign against a visit commission meeting. Indonesia have in the opinion of many by Princen to his country of birth, charging Princen briefly visited the Netherlands in Dutch people merited a visit to the Nether- him with responsibility for the deaths of 1978 to attend his mother’s funeral, but in lands. Dutch soldiers during the war. 1980, he did not get a visa when he wanted But in reply to parliamentary questions In the Dutch parliament, a majority of to attend a meeting on development and posed by the green left party Kooijmans Christian-democrats (cda) and right-wing human rights. the foreign ministry then wrote that “Princen’s great merits in the liberals (vvd) supports Kooijmans’ decision, quoted Princen’s personal security as the field of human rights in Indonesia had to be whereas labour (pvda) and left-of-centre reason. balanced against the emotions that a possi- liberals (d66) support the green left party’s This week parliamentarians from the ble visit to our country would still arouse.” protest. green left party, supported by labour (pvda) But according to green left spokesperson Diepeveen said that his party still study- and liberals (d66) protested at the refusal. Kees diepeveen, “the minister places a one- ing further possibilities to put pressure on they will also officially raise the matter with sided emphasis on the emotions of those Kooijmans to revise his decision. foreign minister Pieter Kooijmans next who resist Princen’s visit. there is abso- week. lutely no attention for the emotions of those TAPOL PROTESTS TO DUTCH GOVERNMENT HYPOCRITICAL DUTCH SPURN who refused military service in the war PRINCEN against Indonesia.” TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Cam- Kooijmans also noted that he was not Wed Aug. 18 1993. Abridged. paign, 19 August 1993, sent the following sure Princen’s security could be guaranteed, protest letter to Mr. P. Kooijmans, Dutch THE HAGUE (AUG. 18) DPA - The considering that in the past, individual vet- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands has refused entry to a human erans threatened to attack or even kill Prin- rights activist from Indonesia, Poncke Prin- cen should he set foot on Dutch soil. Dear Mr. Kooijmans, cen, Foreign Minister Pieter Koojimans On the other hand, Kooijmans holds that TAPOL wishes to protest most vigor- disclosed Wednesday. He said too many official meetings with Princen on Indonesian ously against the decision of your govern- emotions might be triggered among veterans human rights issues – like the one minister ment to deny a visa to one of Indonesia’s of the former Dutch East Indian colonial for development cooperation jan Pronk had most outstanding human rights advocates, army if Poncke Princen was allowed to visit with him in 1991 – remain possible. Haji Johannes Cornelius Princen. his native Holland. In 1948 Poncke Princen Also in 1991, Kooijmans himself, then It is our considered opinion that your had deserted from the Dutch army during a special United Nations rapporteur on tor- government has allowed itself to be intimi- punitive expedition in the former Nether- ture, consulted Princen on human rights dated by a hard core of obdurate critics of lands East India colony and had joined the violations committed by the Indonesian Haji Princen for his wise decision to side Indonesian nationalists. Poncke Princen, army in East Timor. with the Republican forces during the Dutch now 67 and seriously ill, attended a human Last week saw increasing polarization be- colonial war against the Indonesian people. rights conference in Geneva and wished to tween groups pleading – with equal fervor – In so doing it has violated the basic princi- see his children and grandchildren in the for or against granting Princen a visa. ples of freedom of movement and freedom Netherlands. The Dutch ‘association of conscientious of expression, and prevented Haji Princen INDONESIAN HUMAN RIGHTS objectors’ on Monday presented a petition from visiting the country of his birth. The ACTIVIST REFUSED ENTRY VISA at the foreign ministry calling for Princen’s trip would have allowed him to visit his rehabilitation, which, it said, would also children and grandchildren and renew ac- By Guido de Bruin mean a recognition of the genuine motives quaintances with many old friends. Haji Amsterdam, Aug. 19 (IPS) - parliamen- that drove the 6,000 men to refuse military Princen is a very sick man and, being black- tarians and solidarity groups in the Nether- service in the same war. listed by the Indonesian regime, he may not lands have reacted angrily to foreign minister “For the objectors the real fighters were have another opportunity to leave Indonesia Pieter Kooijmans’ decision to refuse entry the conscientious objectors themselves, the for a number of years, if he lives that long. to Indonesian human rights activist Poncke deserters and the 26 men who actively It is ironic that you yourself took advan- Princen. joined the Indonesian freedom fighters,” the tage of Haji Princen’s wide experience and Foreign minister Pieter Kooijmans, who association said, noting that Princen should knowledge of human rights violations in returned from vacation this week, confirmed be praised for deserting the Dutch army in a Indonesia and East Timor during your inves- his ministry’s recent decision to deny Prin- war “which now almost everyone deems an tigations as UN Special Rapporteur for unjustified war.” Torture in November 1991. Page 88 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

We urge you to reconsider the decision to INDONESIA LOBBY that the European Parliament itself was prevent Haji Princen from visiting The unable to send a delegation. Netherlands. He will be in Europe for sev- ENTICES EURO-MPS At the moment, the EP-Indonesia Friend- eral weeks so there is still time for you to Diario de Noticias (DN), 17 September ship Association has 45 members - mainly reverse a decision that is a serious blemish 1993. By Fernanda Gabriel. Translated Dutch and Flemish from the PPE - of feder- on your country’s reputation in the field of from Portuguese. Abridged alist tendency. Friend-of-Lisbon Peter human rights. Beazley (known for his report on the recov- Yours sincerely, (Strasbourg) Portuguese Euro-MPs have ery of Lisbon’s historical centre) is also on Carmel Budiardjo turned down an invitation to visit Indonesia the list. and Timor - they would prefer a working FRANCE ACCUSED OF delegation to a tourist trip there. EUROPEAN SOCIALIST MPS URGED Dutch Euro-MP Janssen Van Raay, head NOT TO VISIT EAST TIMOR DUPLICITY TOWARDS THIRD of the Indonesia lobby at the European Par- By Bob Mantiri WORLD ON HUMAN RIGHTS liament, is organising a 10-day (4-14 No- vember) visit to Indonesia, during which the Brussels, Sept. 30 (IPS) - the leader of By Angeline Oyog Euro-MPs could, among other things, the socialist group in the European parlia- Paris, Aug. 25 (IPS) - France this week “compare Portuguese and Dutch colonial ment, Jean-Pierre clot, Thursday urged all pledged to do more to promote respect for styles in Timor.” members “not to accept any invitation from human rights and democratic pluralism in The tourist visit, whose main organiser is the Indonesian government to visit East developing countries. Euro-MP Van Raay (who was born in Indo- Timor.” Deputy minister for humanitarian action nesia), includes a pilgrimage to Mentok His request, in a note, was in response to and human rights lucette michaux-chevry (where he is originally from), bathing in a letter from Portuguese socialists stating promised that France would release “more Singapore, and even a helicopter trip that the president of the European parlia- money” and make available “more experts” through the jungle. ment has formally requested the Indonesian to the United Nations in Geneva. As well as sending invitations to the EP- government to allow an official delegation to While the ministry declined to give exact Indonesia Friendship Association, Van Raay the former Portuguese colony. figures, a spokesman said France’s action has invited the Portuguese Euro-MPs, The letter said that this request had been reflected the government’s belief that human members of the parliamentary delegation rejected by Jakarta. the chairman of the rights, democracy and development are which deals with South- East Asia relations. Portuguese socialist delegation, Luis Mar- linked. The four Euro-MPs contacted - Rui ino, reminded clot in his letter, that the sub- Human rights activists, however, say Amaral, João Cravinho, Jose Apolinario and commission on human rights on east-Timor there are discrepancies between what the Sergio Ribeiro - told DN that they were had condemned, in various resolutions, the French government says, and what it actu- turning down any invitation of this nature, violations of human rights by the Indonesian ally does. especially since Indonesia never responded army. “France defends certain principles, like to the EP’s request for a delegation to be In one of the resolutions, the Indonesian respect for human rights, but it also has sent to Timor. government was requested to allow a delega- tion to visit East Timor – which was occu- political and economic interests to defend,” Seven MPs have already accepted said Michel Robert, a professor at the Sor- pied by Indonesia in 1975 and integrated as “Obviously, among the EP’s 518 MPs, its 27th province the following year. bonne university in Paris, who represented there may be some who are tempted by a the French anti-racist organisation ‘move- “The requests have been turned down visit proposed in such a way: helicopter twice by the Indonesian embassy,” Marino ment against racism’ and for ‘friendship trips, and all the butlers that will be made among peoples’ (mrap) at the Vienna con- said in his letter. available to the MPs. It could possibly be Indonesian foreign minister, Ali Alatas, ference. hard to refuse, if one were not fully aware of Robert cites France’s attitude toward In- during a recent visit to Strasbourg, told egon what is behind all this,” said Euro-MP Ser- Klepsch, the president of the European donesia. president François Mitterrand had, gio Ribeiro to DN. on several occasions, warned the Indonesian parliament, that he is “not opposed” to the According to Sergio Ribeiro, this pro- visit of an official delegation to East Timor. government about repression on the island posed visit is evidence of the enormous of East Timor, annexed by Jakarta in 1976, “It is just a matter of timing. the current efforts in both lobbying and formal diplo- polarization of the issue has to decrease he said. macy which Indonesia making, in an attempt “But France cannot come down too hard, first. after the dust has settled, the MEP’s to achieve an different image to the one it are most welcome,” Alatas said. because the independence- seeking French deserves. territories of new Caledonia and Polynesia Jessica Larive, a member of the liberal Seven MPs have already put their names group in the European parliament, said the are on its back. France is obliged to nurse its down for the visit, according to Van Raay: economic relations, and Indonesia is a very invitation was extended by Jakarta to mem- three from the Dutch PPP group (Maxime bers of the European parliament-Indonesia important country.” Verhagen, Jean Penders and Janssen Van According to Robert, French policy to- friendship association (epifa), which was set Raay), Italian Liberal Jas Gawronski, French up two months ago. ward Jakarta reflects the recommendations Gaullist Guy Guermeur, Lothar Klein of the made to Mitterrand by top French officials According to Larive, who is one of the German PPE, and German Socialist Christa chairpersons of the association, her some 15 when Mitterrand came to power in 1981. Plath. The inscription of the latter MP led “On becoming president, Mitterrand or- parliamentarians from 10 political parties, the Portuguese Socialists to write a letter to including socialists, have joined the epifa. dered an assessment of the situation. that the President of the Socialist Group, Jean report reproached France for not cultivating The visit is planned for November. she Pierre Cot, asking for a definition of the said that since epifa is an informal group, relations with Indonesia which matched Socialist Group’s position on the visit or- Jakarta’s importance.” the members are free to accept the invita- ganised by a ghost association, considering tion. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 89

Epifa has been set up with the purpose as saying that a ‘combination of sensitive of breaking the deadlock in parliament on EVENTS IN BRITAIN issues, including human rights concerns, the renewal of the economic cooperation made it impossible to approve the transfer.’ agreement between the E.C. and Indonesia – Senator Claiborne Pell, chairman of the Sen- and its five other partners in the association LORD AVEBURY WRITES ate Foreign Relations Committee, had writ- of south east Asian nations (ASEAN). HURD ON ARMS SALES ten to Secretary of State Warren Christo- The ASEAN members are Thailand, Ma- pher pointing out that if the transfer were laysia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philip- Full Text of a letter from Lord Avebury allowed, it would ‘undermine not only the pines. (Chairman, Parliamentary Human Rights administration’s laudable commitment to Portugal has blocked the signing of this Group) to Douglas Hurd (British Foreign human rights, but also its evolving policies agreement up to now. “what our association Secretary) on non-proliferation of conventional arms in is trying to do, on the one side, is to try and 8 August 1993 the south Pacific region.’ I do hope you persuade Portugal to lift its boycott. on the Dear Douglas, would agree that an essential element of a other hand, it has to make clear to the Indo- ‘new world order’ is the coordination and nesians that they have to stop the violation We have corresponded about the sales of harmonization of the policies of states of human rights in East Timor,” Larive said. defence equipment to Indonesia, and in my which supply defence equipment, with a Diplomatic sources here, said that the letter of June 25, 1992, about the Hawks, as view to ensuring that (1) the military capa- foreign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal well as my earlier letter about the Green bility of potential aggressors is not en- met during the U.N. general assembly in Rover, I made it clear that my concern was hanced, and (2) the international commu- New York and had ‘fruitful discussions.’ not about the use to which any particular nity’s disapproval of persistent human Details of the meeting have not been pub- item could be put, but the ‘seal of approval’ rights violations is reinforced by restraint in lished, but an Indonesian diplomat said that we gave the Indonesian armed forces by sales of defence equipment, and in military “something is in the air” he refused to elabo- agreeing to supply them with any military cooperation. rate. equipment at all. In effect, by authorizing If one state imposes more severe restric- Diplomatic circles are speculating that these sales, the Government are saying that tions than another, it will incur economic Jakarta might have promised step-by-step the Indonesian armed forces are responsible disadvantages which may be reflected in autonomy for the former Portuguese colony. and trustworthy, even though we are well losses of employment, and this will make it they feel it may have guaranteed Portugal aware of their role in violating the United difficult to sustain those restrictions because assurances that the Portuguese culture and Nations Charter in East Timor. We know, of the resulting electoral penalties. If, on the language will be reinstated on the island. too, that since their invasion of that terri- other hand, supplier states agree in advance Since the annexation, East Timor has un- tory in 1975, and their continued occupation on the nature and extent of the restrictions dergone a process of Indonesiaization. peo- of it in defiance of many resolutions of the they will apply to the larger buyers, the fear ple have been forced to accept the Javanese United Nations Security Council and of the that one supplier may gain a competitive Muslim culture and religion and the Indone- General Assembly, they have been guilty of edge over another may be reduced or elimi- sian language. war crimes on a huge scale, including the nated. Taking the present case, the Ameri- Parallel to the bilateral talks in New murder of tens of thousands of East cans may legitimately fear that the UK will York, informal reconciliation efforts have Timorese (and two British citizens, Mal- attempt to step in and sell British-made been made by East Timorese resistance colm Rennie and Brian Peters, murdered on planes to satisfy the operational require- leaders and prominent East Timorese Indo- October 24, 1975 at Balibo by forces under ments that would have been filled by the F- nesians. the command of a Major Andreas). 5Es. A planned meeting scheduled for earlier You will no doubt have seen the Am- Senator Claiborne Pell’s other point, this month in Brussels between roving In- nesty International report Shock Therapy: about conventional arms proliferation, donesian ambassador Lopez da Cruz – a Restoring Order in Aceh, published on July should also be considered seriously. There is former deputy governor in East Timor – and 28, 1993. This indicates that ‘scores of no conceivable threat to Indonesia from any ex-Fretilin leader, Abilio Araujo, has been people have been killed [by the military] in of her neighbours, but on the contrary, the postponed to later this month. apparent extrajudicial executions within the neighbours might have to increase their own past year and a half, and a similar number military spending to insure against aggres- are thought to have disappeared.’ Amnesty sion by Indonesia. You will recall that in the EP QUESTION International criticizes the international LINKED TO TIMOR early sixties the Indonesian policy of ‘kon- community which ‘has failed to respond frontasi’ posed a very serious threat to Ma- firmly to reports of grave violations in Aceh laysia’s sovereignty; that in 1963, Indonesia Publico, 29 September 1993. Translated for almost four years,’ and you will be from Portuguese perpetrated an anschluss with West Papua, aware of my own concern, from my letters and of course in 1975 invaded and pur- (Lisbon) Yesterday, the sale to Indonesia of May 2, May 23 and September 18, 1992 ported to annex East Timor. No other state of four Rolls Royce bomber engines raised a and May 15, 1993. The reports I have sent in the region has had expansive designs, but question at the Council of Europe from Euro you about Aceh gave a detailed picture of common prudence might persuade them to MP Sergio Ribeiro (Portuguese Communist violations of human rights by the military, spend more on arms themselves, to deter Party). Ribeiro referred to the positions reinforcing the knowledge of their behaviour any further Indonesian aggression. adopted by the UN, the limitation on arms in East Timor. Will you suggest to our EC partners that sales passed by the US Senate’s Foreign We now learn that the US State Depart- we should discuss guide lines for arms sales, Relations Commission, and the EP’s con- ment has rejected a request by Jordan to be which could be agreed amongst ourselves demnation of Indonesia, asking whether the allowed to sell four American-made F-5E and with others including the US? I am Council had any intention of “taking spe- fighter jets to the Indonesian air forces, and sending a copy of this letter to friends in the cific measures to embargo the supply of a State Department official is quoted in The US Congress, in the hope that we might arms and ammunition to Indonesia. Asian Wall Street Journal of August 2, 1993 Page 90 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. initiate some discussions between our two An internal Foreign Office memo in the LONDON TIMES EDITORIAL: legislatures. hands of the Guardian, which apparently accompanied the embassy telex and the “OCCUPIED EAST TIMOR” LONDON VIGIL TO OPPOSE second letter, reads: “Geoff. Tel[ex] at- The Times of London published the follow- HAWK SALE tached for inf/edification. The letter is for ing editorial today, 18 August 1993: stonewalling. R.” Mr. Pope said yesterday: “This is what Indonesia must be made to rescind its NO MORE GENOCIDE IN TIMOR we suspected all along. The Government illegal annexation Aug. 11, 1993 says one thing in public and another thing in Indonesia marked 48 years of independ- A vigil to protest at the sale of 24 Hawk private. They are lying to conceal the truth. war planes to Indonesia for use in East ence yesterday. For 18 of those it has I am outraged at this evidence that the Gov- robbed the people of East Timor of theirs. Timor will be held on 17 August from 12 - 5 ernment is now lying to MPs. I will be writ- pm at British Aerospace, 1 Brewers Green, President Suharto, who has ruled, seldom ing to the Foreign Secretary today to de- gently, for over a quarter of a century, told a Buckingham Gate, London. mand an explanation. “The Government’s Since the Indonesian invasion in 1975 puppet parliament that he was “aware that record on defending human rights in East frictions, conflicts or even controversies” over 200,000 people have died Britain is Timor is shameful. The continuing atrocities now Indonesia’s main military supplier. existed, but that Indonesians “must develop in East Timor will not be hidden by this the rules to solve these in a peaceful, ethical, For ore information contact; British Government.” Aerospace Ploughshares support group, c/o fair and civilized manner.” East Timor’s A Foreign Office spokesman said yester- reduction to a state of vassalage has been NVRN 162 Holloway Road, London, N7 day: “There was no intention to mislead. 8DQ Tel 081 347 9452 violent, unethical, unfair and uncivilized. The ICRC’s confidential advice was that Indonesia is in illegal occupation of East further outside pressure at this stage would Timor, a former Portuguese colony whose UK ‘LIED ABOUT contribute little and that we should wait a right to independence Portugal champions. TIMOR JAIL VISITS’ while before taking any further action with Forcible annexation violates the UN Charter the Indonesians.” He declined to discuss the and customary international law. President Guardian, August 13. by Margaret Coles. internal memo or any other matter. Saddam Hussein was compelled to realise Unabridged The ICRC in June deplored Indonesia’s that, as was General Galtieri. But Jakarta The British Government deliberately blocking of access to prisoners, which has ignored, with complete impunity, sev- misled critics of human rights violations in forced it to abandon its programme of visits. eral resolutions of the UN Security Council East Timor into thinking it was pushing for It resumed them at the end of July. Human and General Assembly calling for the with- International Red Cross access to political rights campaigners are worried about the drawal of Indonesian troops and upholding prisoners in the Indonesian-occupied terri- condition of Xanana Gusmão, who under- the Timorese right to self-determination. tory earlier this summer. ground sources say is on hunger-strike and Seeking to mollify critics of Indonesia’s The Government had already decided it is being force-fed. human rights record, President Suharto has could be counter-productive to put pressure Amnesty International said yesterday: pared the sentence of Xanana Gusmão, the on Indonesia then, but nevertheless used the “Xanana Gusmão’s trial was a travesty of jailed Timorese resistance leader from life to false assurances for “stonewalling” pur- justice, and we are seriously concerned for twenty years. This is an empty palliative. poses. his health and safety. We have received Mr. Gusmão’s imprisonment in May for A restricted access telex from the British disturbing reports that he has been beaten in “rebellion” and “conspiracy to set up a embassy in Jakarta, dated June 24 - a copy custody since his trial ended.” separate state” was objectionable in sub- of which is now in possession of the Guard- Diplomats in Jakarta have said he may be stance and procedure. Indonesia has no right ian - said “Pont [Pierre Pont, ICRC delegate sent to a prison in Samarang, in Central to try him because it has no right to be on to East Timor] judges and I agree, that for Java. This would contravene the Fourth the territory to which he belongs. The ille- the moment the military and civilian authori- Geneva Convention, which prohibits the gality is so fundamental that it vitiates the ties will be fighting this out behind the transfer of people by an occupying power trial in toto. That said, it seems almost banal scenes and that pressure from outside would from the territories it occupies. to note the following: he did not have coun- contribute little.” Amnesty said it had learned of more than sel of his own choosing; no security was However, on June 30, Alastair Goodlad, 400 people who have been detained in East provided for defence witnesses; the gover- Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Timor since July 1992: it believes the true nor of occupied East Timor banned officials wrote to the Labour MP Greg Pope saying figure is much higher. Most, it says, “are from testifying and many of the prosecution that Britain was urging Indonesia to allow held in arbitrary, unacknowledged detention, witnesses were themselves in military cus- access to the resistance leader, Xanana often incommunicado, and subjected to tody. The trial was not open to the public; Gusmão, and other political prisoners. physical and psychological abuse.” translation facilities were woeful; and, the A later amended version of the same let- Indonesia has been in illegal occupation crowning disgrace, Mr. Gusmão’s statement ter, signed by Richard Sands, head of the of East Timor since 1975, in defiance of 10 was excluded by the court as “irrelevant.” Foreign Office’s Indonesia section, on behalf UN resolutions calling for its withdrawal. Indonesia treats occupied East Timor as of Geoff Richards, of the South-East Asian During that time at least 200,000 East lebenstraum. Only Bahasa Indonesia is department, was sent to Jonathan Hum- Timorese have been killed - by bombing, taught in schools, not Portuguese or the phreys, honorary secretary of the British starvation and massacre. indigenous Tetum. A third of the population Coalition for East Timor pressure group. Last month Britain increased its aid to is immigrant and the Timorese are facing That also contained the key phrase: “We Indonesia nearly four- fold, with a 65 mil- death by demography. Since the UN does are currently pressing the Indonesians to lion pound soft loan, and the Government not recognise Indonesia’s writ, all such im- allow resumed ICRC access to Xanana has helped push through a British Aero- migration is illegal. There has, of course, Gusmão and others.” space deal for the supply of 24 Hawk jets.. been death of a more conventional cut: over East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 91

200,000 Timorese have died since Indonesia At the time of Indonesia’s “annexation,” onment by the Dili district court, East invaded in December 1975. East Timor was in a state of civil war. The Timor. This trial was fully within the juris- World reaction has been shamefully fee- Portuguese had thrown in the towel and diction of Indonesia. Mr. Gusmão was ble. America has treated General Suharto sailed for home. Many thousands of refu- found guilty under the Indonesian criminal with kid gloves. Indonesia, Britain’s third gees were fleeing to neighbouring West code. He had been charged, inter alia, with largest arms customer, recently closed a deal Timor (part of Indonesia) and frequent raids leading an armed rebellion against the Indo- worth 500 million for British Aerospace were being made across the border. Indone- nesian government, disrupting national sta- Hawks. Perhaps for these reasons, Douglas sia only stepped in when asked to do so by bility and illegal possession of firearms. Hurd, when extending credit in April to representatives of the overwhelming major- President Suharto has recently reduced the Jakarta worth 65 million, said egregiously, ity of the people of East Timor. sentence, from life to 20 years, in response that it would not be a “sensible and fruitful You suggest that Indonesian should now to Mr. Gusmão’s request for clemency. thing” to link aid to human rights. “unconditionally vacate” East Timor. What Mr. Gusmão was assisted by legal coun- Washington has now woken up. Presi- makes you think that anything but civil war sel and the services of sworn interpreters dent has blocked the resale of F-5E jets by would fill the vacuum and that within six throughout his detention and the trial pro- Jordan to Indonesia. But the EC has failed months the 600 schools and eight hospitals ceedings. He was also visited by Portuguese to swing its weight behind Portugal’s dip- that the Indonesians have built in East journalists, the International Commission lomatic campaign. Britain should use its Timor would not lie in ruins? for the Red Cross and Mr. Amos Wako, permanent seat on the UN Security Council Yours faithfully, envoy of the UN secretary general. He had to insist that Indonesia be subjected to Michael Stewart the right to appeal or to request clemency. sharp sanctions until it unconditionally I have personally visited East Timor and vacates occupied East Timor. Port Stanley Sir, have met Archbishop (sic) Belo, who has and Dili are on the same side of the coin. expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian Congratulations on pointing out the dis- government for the development and toler- graceful way this country has been support- LONDON TIMES LETTERS ance of the religious life in East Timor. To ing the regime of General Suharto. The following letters were published in The my great surprise I learned from him that British Aerospace informed me in a letter Times of London on 21 August, in response before integration there were only 100,000 last June that they considered the sale of to its editorial on 18 August: Roman Catholics, whereas there are now Hawk aircraft to Indonesia to lie within more than 600,000. British government guidelines. They quoted Sir, Yours faithfully, Mr. Archie Hamilton, minister of state for Your leading article of August 18 is right J.M.Habibie the armed forces, speaking in the House of to urge the British Government to use its Indonesian Embassy, London Commons on January 12: permanent seat on the Security Council to Posted by Jonathan Humphreys - British call for sanctions against Indonesia. But ‘There is no doubt in my mind that a Hawk aircraft can do nothing to suppress Coalition for East Timor - who would not be considering the complexity and profitability at all surprised if the conference was blasted of British economic ties with Indonesia, a the people of East Timor. The aircraft is not suitable for that purpose and we have guar- by divine intervention after having such great deal of pressure will be needed before untruths put into it! Whitehall listens to such sound advice. antees from the Indonesians that the aircraft Western governments all too easily fall would not be used for internal suppression.’ LORD AVEBURY REPLIES for any sign of a shift in Indonesian policy No doubt Saddam Hussein had given us similar guarantees about his intended use of Letter to the Times, London 7 September to find an excuse to commend the aggres- 1993. Written: September 2 sors. This can be expected to happen fol- the large metal cylinders that we were selling lowing the announcement [report, August him for his “super-gun.” This was one of many letters received by the 18] that all combat troops will be with- Yours faithfully, Times in response to Habibie’s letter. drawn from East Timor, leaving ten battal- Dr. I.M. Jessiman Among other correspondents were Jose- Ramos Horta (CNRM), Peter Carey (Trinity ions of “territorial troops” which, the mili- LETTER FROM INDONESIAN College, Oxford), The British Coalition for tary commander says, will “be engaged ex- AMBASSADOR TO LONDON clusively in development activities.” East Timor and many individuals. London Times, 2 September 1993 Let there be no mistake. Territorial RIGHTS IN EAST TIMOR troops are the means by which the Indone- Sir, sian army exercises constant and heavy- From Lord Avebury (Chairman, Parliamen- Your editorial, “Occupied East Timor” tary Human Rights Group) handed control over the population. They (August 18), distorts the Indonesian record are well armed and are present throughout on East Timor and deserves correction. Sir, the territory to prevent any manifestation of Our deep concern for the protection of Mr. JE Habibie, of the Indonesian em- resistance, whether armed or peaceful, to human rights is reflected in our acceptance bassy, is being economical with the truth Indonesian rule. of East Timor as part of Indonesia. As when he refers (letter, September 2) to their If indeed it is true that combat troops are President Suharto recently said to President “acceptance of East Timor as part of Indo- being withdrawn, they are part of Indone- Clinton: nesia.” The Annexation of East Timor fol- sia’s rapid deployment force and will be “Having experienced 350 years of colo- lowed a bloody invasion in which 200,000 available for use in East Timor at a mo- nial subjugation, during which time our hu- people died, including two British citizens, ment’s notice. Only by the demilitarization man rights were trampled upon by the colo- murdered by the Indonesian Kopassandha of the territory will the 18-year long reign of nial powers, has made us very sensitive (special forces) at Balibo on October 16, terror end. toward the protection of human rights.” 1975. Yours faithfully, You refer to the trial of Mr. Xanana The Indonesian invasion and occupation Liem Soei Liong Gusmão, who was sentenced to life impris- of East Timor was condemned in two reso- Sir, Page 92 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. lutions of the UN Security Council and eight At the same time Timor is also a respon- name of the rights of peoples enshrined in resolutions of the General Assembly. it was sibility of the international community. The the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an act of aggression, contrary to the provi- decolonization of Timor has now been and the United Nations Charter. sions of chapter IV of the UN Charter and awaited for almost 2 decades with nothing legally indistinguishable from the Iraqi inva- accomplished. One of the few success sto- RESISTANCE AND sion of Kuwait. ries of the UN has been the realization of RENOUNCEMENT The people of East Timor have the same one of its principal objectives: namely de- right of self- determination as any other colonization. Of the countries on the UN Diario de Noticias, 13 August 1993. Edito- former dependency of a European power. list awaiting the exercise of the right of self- rial (in full, translated) This can be realised only by withdrawal; of determination, East Timor has the largest Indonesia’s military forces and the holding population; it exceeds that of many coun- Recent news regarding both the situation of a plebiscite under international supervi- tries with seats at the UN. It is the second in which the Timorese resistance against the sion. largest on the list in terms of territorial area, invader now finds itself and also that of its Yours faithfully behind Western Sahara . Thus an independ- representation outside the territory, paint a ERIC AVEBURY, House of Lords ent Timor would not be a microstate. It has picture which is worrying for all who iden- sufficient human and natural recourses to tify with that struggle. If the common de- nominator for this were to be summed up in PRINCEN IN LONDON assure a certain prosperity. There has been, however, a ‘colonial pillage’ of its natural a word it would be renouncement. Thus we Appeared on GUARDIAN, London based resources, carried out largely by the family have commander Ma Huno - in an interview newspaper, 30 August 1993: of President Suharto himself. whose authenticity we may regard as ex- tremely suspect - talking of renouncing the Haji J.C. Princen on a brief visit to Lon- Coming back now to the Indonesian Party in Portugal. The arm of the Indonesian resistance; we have Abilio Araujo renounc- don, spoke of the ‘indescribably terrible’ ing (in the name of reconciliation) the clear human rights violation committed by Indo- secret service is a long one. It has been ac- tive here for some time now and with the distinction between the resistance and inte- nesia. grationists; likewise Gareth Evans (also Mr. Princen says the military are in con- unsuspected complicity of some Portu- guese, thankfully, few in number. Indone- making considerable use of the word recon- trol in Aceh and East Timor.” In East ciliation) proposing that Jakarta should Timor, 200,000 people have been killed sians with whom I came into contact in the course of my work made no bones about renounce its punishment of Xanana Gusmão since Indonesia’s occupation in 1975. In and grant him a presidential pardon. How- Aceh, since the army intensified its cam- letting me know this . The Indonesian lobby is not, as an EXPRESSO journalist has put ever Indonesia does not renounce; as Abilio paign against the resistance movement in Araujo himself has revealed, President Su- 1989, it has killed at 2,000, possibly 15,000 it, ‘incipient’; this lobby is already here in force and is openly canvassing more allies, harto has readily accepted the announced people.” meeting between the Timorese as long as it Mr. Princen first went to Indonesia as a either motivated by self-interest or the merely ingenuous, as part of a clear strategy does not put in question Indonesia sover- soldier in the Dutch army. He became con- eignty over East Timor. vert to the Indonesian independence move- of dividing our internal front, along with a constant aim of dividing still further the Surely this is the question from which all ment, defected, joined the resistance and others arise. Xanana Gusmão, Ma Huno and took Indonesian citizenship. He was an MP Timorese, who now have the prospect of the national reconciliation meeting coming a handful of brave fighters gave their all in a in the 1950s but his criticism of human guerrilla struggle waged under the worst rights violations led to long prison sentences up shortly in Brussels but which was hoped to be held here in Portugal. possible conditions; they did this because under both Sukarno and Suharto. they had no honorable alternative. That He said :"Most people live in fear - fear This strategy was certainly devised by the experienced diplomat Ali Alatas, cur- which Indonesia and Gareth Evans call rec- of losing their jobs, of being arrested. All our onciliation is merely that which, in the lan- lives are under control. You’re eternally rently facing a firm and dynamic diplomatic activity on Portugal’s part. guage of the military empire, is called pacifi- surrounded by the intelligence. It’s very like cation; one implacable fist of steel bearing the Soviet Union.” Alatas, who lived in the US for more than 10 years, also knows perfectly well that if down on those who resist while the other there is an alteration in the substance, by hand reaches out in a public relations exer- cise; both in the service of the same unques- EVENTS IN PORTUGAL this I mean the position regarding self- de- termination for East Timor, on the part of tionable purpose - the annexation of the the new north- American administration, territory. and not just a pious vote on the grossest Solidarity has its duties and its limits; in THE INDONESIAN PARTY IN this case there is also a bitterness. Obvi- FORCE IN PORTUGAL human rights violations, Indonesia’s illegiti- mate cause is irrevocably lost. ously we Portuguese can never presume to give lessons to a people who have aston- Diario de Noticias 13 and 14 August 1993 I have always said that the key to the question is in Washington and now more ished us by their capacity for resistance Opinion article in two parts (abridged) By than ever before this is true. A certain cold- which we did not take seriously when we Fernando Reino, Portuguese Ambassador should have. It is because of this respect ness on the part of the USA has already and former representative of Portugal at the been causing great concern in Indonesian that it pains us to see the division within UN in Geneva and New York. political/military circles. Fretilin today and the ongoing quarrel about I imagine the appearance of the Indone- For these reasons, arch-strategist Alatas legitimacy, which can only be to the advan- sian Party has taken the majority of the decided, with the aid of the secret service, to tage of the invader. At a time when even in credulous people of Portugal by surprise attack within the enemy camp. It is up to all the US a public awareness campaign seems seeing as the cause of Timor is a national Portuguese to denounce these maneuvers in to be bearing fruit in highlighting the absurd- one and indeed a national responsibility. the name of the duty and morality which ity of its shameful involvement, these con- our history imposes upon us and in the flicts can defeat the external wing of the East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 93 resistance, so vital to the cause. And if a tude. “Why at every moment do they hu- one of the overseas FRETILIN leaders and reconciliation can be said to be urgent, it is miliate Indonesia? They attack us as if In- Budiardjo is a PKI [the outlawed communist between those who resist this annexation, donesia were hostile to Portugal,” he said to party of Indonesia - text added] member either by means of arms or of diplomacy. Republika, on Saturday (4 Sept.) in Jakarta. who fled abroad. The others will need a reconciliation, first of Up to now he had assumed that there “The struggle of Princen is not pure all, with their own consciences. was no reason for showing enmity between anymore; he is no longer a human rights Indonesia and Portugal. “If it’s true that activist but a politician,” said Lopez. Prin- INDONESIAN LAWYER Portugal doesn’t regard Indonesia as its cen always says negative things about East ARRIVES IN PORTUGAL enemy, that’s good,” he said. However, he Timor. The Indonesian government didn’t raised one more time the question of Portu- have to be concerned with his meeting [with Publico, 2 September 1993. Translated from gal’s statement for Mr. Princen. the Portuguese officials - text added], he said Portuguese “Everything they said drives us into a further. corner. As if we had done some wrong Nowadays there is approach between (Lisbon) Yesterday, Indonesian lawyer things. That is a hostile attitude.” Portugal and Indonesia. A while ago, three Haji Princen arrived in Lisbon, with the aim He also disagreed with the Portuguese representatives of Portugal-Indonesia of finding a solution to the problem of the government’s statement that East Timor Friendship Association (“Asosiasi Persaha- seven Timorese students, who had asked for issue is Portugal’s moral responsibility. batan Portugal Indonesia”) visited Indonesia political asylum at the Swedish and Finnish “The moral responsibility has been denied to attend the Independence Day celebration. embassies in Jakarta last June. Three of for 400 years of Portuguese colonization in According to Lopez, a similar association these students, whose interests Princen has East Timor. Where is the proof of its moral will be founded in Indonesia as its counter- been defending, are currently staying at his responsibility? Where is its moral responsi- part. house, while the others are under his protec- bility according to the law, when Portugal If Princen wants to talk about human tion. left East Timor when decolonization was rights, he doesn’t need to go to Portugal. Haji Princen is public figure well-known under way? Where is its responsibility in “Why did he go there? He shouldn’t sell for his pro-human rights position. This has the midst of civil war created by Portugal in himself,” he said blatantly. already led to him being arrested on various East Timor?,” Alatas asked in a high voice. If we saw what Princen has done so far, occasions. Born in The Hague, Princen was Ali Alatas also denied the issue of a ref- Lopez said, he mixed up the ongoing proc- called up, following the Second World War, erendum said to be the main objective of ess. Princen doesn’t agree with anybody to fight in the Dutch army. After disembark- Portugal towards East Timor. “The referen- else. He disagrees with both ORLA (the ing in Java, to took up the defence of Indo- dum is no longer a problem, because the former Sukarno regime - text added) and nesian independence, and passed over to the majority of East Timorese people have freed ORBA (the current Suharto regime - text other side, joining the liberation forces fight- themselves from, or decolonized themselves added). Princen was a KNIL (Royal Nether- ing against the Dutch colonial state. from Portugal after Portugal, their former lands Indonesian Armies) member who de- After independence in 1949, and follow- ruler, left East Timor in August 1975,” he fected to Indonesia. ing his conversion to Islam, Princen acquired explained. Theo L. Sambuaga thought that, if Portu- Indonesian nationality, and was given a job Foreign Minister Ali Alatas is scheduled gal admitted that there was no problem with by the authorities in the Immigration Of- to meet the Portuguese Foreign Minister Indonesia, “Well, accept integration of East fices. But he was soon to join the opposi- Durão Barroso in New York, on 17th Sep- Timor into Indonesia,” said Vice-Chairman tion movements, and was elected to Parlia- tember. The meeting that is mediated by the of Commission I from the ruling GOLKAR ment in 1956. He was very critical of Su- UN will be the third one. Party at the Indonesian Parliament (DPR). karno and, later, of the current Suharto re- A meeting between HJC Princen and the He recalled that so far Portugal had the gime, which led to him spending a total of Portuguese President Mario Soares in Lis- problem, because Portugal urged the UN to eight years in Indonesian prisons. bon, on Friday (3 Sept.), was in fact with- conduct a referendum [in East Timor - text His political battles have focused on the out the consent of the Indonesian govern- added]. defence of trade union freedoms and work- ment. The Indonesian government doesn’t He questioned Portugal’s intention for ers’ rights. Today, Haji Princen is in charge know the object of the meeting, “Indonesia good relation with Indonesia. of the Institute for the Defence of Human is not disturbed by the meeting,” said the Portugal’s willingness to support seven Rights based in Jakarta. He came to Portugal East Timorese roving ambassador Lopez da East Timorese youths that demanded politi- following an invitation from the Maubere Cruz to Republika, on Saturday (4 Sept.). cal asylum a few months ago to come to People’s Rights Commission (CDPM). Lopes doesn’t like the initiative of Prin- Portugal can’t be considered as an intention cen who disobeyed the rule of the game, for good relation with Indonesia. “Very ALI ALATAS ABOUT character and ethics existing in Indonesia. As clearly Finland and Sweden rejected political PORTUGAL: ATTITUDE AND an Indonesian citizen,...... (one sentence asylum because the youths weren’t eligible FACT IN CONFLICT unreadable from the original fax)..... “He is for it, so the Portuguese willingness is very out of mind !,” Lopez said. questionable,” he said when interviewed by JAKARTA, REPUBLIKA (SUNDAY, 5 Sep- Lopez isn’t convinced of Princen’s na- Republika last night. tember 1993) Translated from Indonesian. tionalism, because during the UN Commis- Bad relations between Indonesia and Por- Very slightly abridged. sion on Human Rights in Geneva (this year), tugal , according to Marbun, Vice-Chairman Foreign Minister Ali Alatas reacted to Princen was humiliating Indonesia. At that of Commission I from the Indonesian De- President Mario Soares and Foreign Minis- moment he was present on behalf of the mocratic Party, is shown by many exam- ter Barroso about Portugal’s attitude not organization “Liberation,” an LSM with its ples. being hostile to Indonesia. He raised the office in London. According to Lopez, Among other things, in the Portuguese question, since all statements coming from Ramos Horta and Carmel Budiardjo have Constitution, East Timor is still part of Portugal always disagreed with (our) atti- used the LSM when making political state- Portugal. Of course, he said, it was difficult ments with regards to Indonesia. Ramos is to change a constitution. “Although Portugal Page 94 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. doesn’t want the colonial territory, it paying three times the price he would oth- doesn’t want to be humiliated,” he added. PORTUGUESE erwise pay if he could buy directly, he said. Portuguese effort to maintain its prestige, BUSINESSMEN SEEK He accused his government of being unre- according to him, is shown by demand of a alistic in its dealing with Indonesia. “If we referendum for the East Timorese people. INDONESIAN TIES find it difficult to start with political issues, To face condition full of constraint, Mar- then why not start with cultural and eco- bun is pessimistic if the resumption of dip- nomic approaches?” lomatic ties between Indonesia-Portugal is BUSINESSMEN ADVOCATE Da Cruz likened the move with the way pursued only through diplomatic means. For RI-PORTUGAL TIES Indonesia normalized ties with China in this reason, he thinks that an informal alter- 1990. The normalization of relations was native needs to be considered. Such as, invi- The Jakarta Post, 13 August 1993 preceded by three years of business con- tation to Indonesia for NGO activists, Por- JAKARTA (JP); Three Portuguese busi- tracts by their businessmen.(prs) tuguese parliament members and officials. nessmen, including one descended from East JP on 14 August reported that the delegation “Invitation for church members to Indonesia Timor royalty, arrive last night on a mission had been invited to Jakarta to attend Inde- will also be effective, because they are neu- to restore bilateral ties between Indonesia pendence Day ceremonies. This would in- tral,” Marbun said. and Portugal. clude a ceremony at which President Su- Marbun thinks, Portuguese high ranking The group, led by former East Timorese harto would hand over Indonesian flags to officials need to see the situation of East Jose Martin, are members of the recently 30 or 35 Timorese tribal chieftains which Timor directly. They also need opportuni- founded Portugal-Indonesia Friendship As- would take place at the presidential palace ties to visit other Indonesian provinces as a sociation based in Lisbon which is trying to on 17 August. comparison. “Let them know that many promote greater understanding between the regions are envious of East Timor,” he said two countries that severed diplomatic ties in PORTUGAL MASS MEDIA enthusiastically. 1976 in a dispute over East Timor. Such visits are considered as “condition- The delegation, which also includes pow- INFLAMES SOCIETY ing” for Portugal, without feeling shameful, erful businessman Manuel Macedo and Kompas, 13 August 1993. to change its constitution,” he further said. Caspar Lopez Rosa Jose Martin, was wel- Coming from Portugal always disagreed comed by Lopez da Cruz, a senior East By Jose Martins, Portugal-Indonesia with its attitude. “Why in every moment do Timor politician, who is Indonesia’s ambas- Friendship Association Member. Translated they humiliate Indonesia? They attack us as sador at large on East Timor issues. from Bahasa Indonesia. if Indonesia were hostile to Portugal,” he The friendship association groups Portu- The majority of Portuguese and mass said to Republika, on Saturday (4 Sept.) in guese, including those of East Timorese media still have a wrong perception of Indo- Jakarta. origin, who are sympathetic towards the nesia, especially concerning the East Timor integration of the former Portuguese colony problem. In fact, as many as 60% of them SOARES: “ONE IS NOT with Indonesia in 1976. Led by Calvao have successfully inflamed Portuguese soci- BORN A DEMOCRAT” Melo, a retired air force general, its members ety to always criticize and oppose Indone- represent a minority group in Portugal, sian people in relation to the East Timor Publico, 16 September 1993. Abridged. which has constantly attacked Indonesia on problem. Indonesians are in turn considered Translated from Portuguese the East Timor question. to be criminals. Martin, in his brief arrival statement at This viewpoint was expressed by Jose (Lisbon) For the first time, Mario Soares the Sukarno-Hatta airport, said the opening has acknowledged that he devoted “very Martins, a member of the Portugal- of business links could pave the way for an Indonesia Friendship Association (PIFA), little or no” time to the problem of Timor, eventual normalization of ties between In- while he was Prime Minister (1976-78 and to a journalist at the Sukarno-Hatta Airport donesia and Portugal. Martin, the grandson in Jakarta on Thursday 12 August 1993. 1983-85), citing “immediate concerns of of King Amera of East Timor, who was sent internal survival” to justify his attitude. Martins and another PIFA member Gasper into exile in Portugal by the then Portuguese Santa Rosa accompanied the PIFA chairper- These statements were made during an colonial administration, said as far as he is interview given by the President of the Re- son who is also its founder, Manuel Ma- concerned, the East Timor dispute between cedo, on their return visit to Indonesia, public to Publico, on the subject of his ex- Indonesia and Portugal was not relevant. perience as a persecuted political activist which ends on 23 August 1993. They are in “The state of East Timor ‘consummatum Indonesia at the invitation of the Ambassa- and Amnesty International “Prisoner of the est,’” he said in English, using the Latin term Year” in 1968. He used the opportunity to dor-at-Large FX Lopes da Cruz. for ‘consummated.’ He said his visit here While they are in Indonesia, they will be talk about human rights violations, including was motivated more by an emotional bond in Portugal where, Soares believes, a “change received by President Suharto, Trade Minis- with his ancestors’ homeland, rather than ter Satrio Budihardjo Joedono, State Minis- in people’s mentalities” is necessary, be- politics. cause “one is not born a democrat.” ter for the Activation of the Investment Macedo, a textile tycoon with an exten- Fund/Chairperson of BKPM Sanyoto Sas- sive network across Europe and in Brazil, trowardoyo and Mr. Frans Seda. They will said he wants to repeat the voyage of an also visit the National Flying Institute ancestor who arrived in the archipelago four (IPTN) in Bandung. After they have been hundred years ago. He accused the Portu- received by President Suharto which is guese press of deceiving the public. “We are planned for Saturday 14 August 1993, on 17 victims of the past and need not repeat to be August they will especially attend the cere- the victim of flawed information,” Macedo, mony commemorating the Independence of one of the original founders of the associa- Indonesia in the State Palace. tion, said. He has been buying Indonesian cable and raw material through Switzerland, East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 95

According to Martins, the future of the “I easily fulfilled the necessary conditions what has arisen from their initiative,” Sico Indonesia-Portugal relationship cannot be for the Indonesian Government,” he re- declared. separated from the situation reported by the joined. On the other hand he claimed it was Sico hopes that Indonesia will receive the mass media in Portugal. According to him, rather difficult to obtain a visa that was goals of the PIFA society after the three the press situation and the mass media arranged in the Netherlands. “I had to wait delegates have visited Indonesia. In other communication in Portugal is quite different my turn. Of course it could not be ready words, it is not incompatible with the pre- from that in Indonesia. He thinks the main immediately,” he rejoined. sent principles and is beneficial to both difference in the life of the press is that of Good reception parties. According to Sico, PIFA has a the capacity and behaviour of the journal- strong enough position, because there has Ambassador-at-Large FX Lopes da Cruz ists. already been a precedent in Portugal with stated that Indonesia gave a good reception “Here you all are - mass media journal- the birth of a Portugal-Soviet Union Society. to the concept of establishing the PIFA. ists, but you are journalists of value. You “Indonesia is anti-communist, isn’t it? If However Indonesia cannot yet decide on the know precisely how to ask good questions. Portugal has given the opportunity to a next step for that organization before receiv- In fact, you even come here to meet my communist country to develop a friendly ing details of the proposal. “Yes, we accept friends to get the truth. But in Portugal, it is relationship with them, why won’t they it but we cannot decide anything yet,” were not like this. In Portugal the mass media are now give the same opportunity to an anti- the words of Lopes da Cruz. criminal. Well, not quite all of them. Perhaps communist country?” he suggested. Although that is so, he maintained Indo- I can give an approximation. Maybe 60% of nesia has shown its willingness to listen and the mass media in Portugal are criminal,” he discuss directly in an informal meeting. “Let PORTUGAL -INDONESIA stated. us talk. Who knows - it may help both par- ASSOCIATION According to Martins, although only ties,” he declared. He stated that the results 60%, they are capable of creating and im- of the discussion could be used as input for Expresso 14 August 1993 planting a general understanding in the the ministers. minds of Portuguese society that everything A delegation from the Portugal-Indonesia Lopes da Cruz, who is commonly known about Indonesia has to be criticised and Friendship Association, led by northern as Sico, then affirmed that the group had a opposed. “There is nothing good about industrialist Manuel Macedo, was received good attitude. He is sure that till now PIFA Indonesia, either the name or the people,” in Jakarta with diplomatic honours by rep- has made every effort to correct the news in declared Martins. This happened because of resentatives of the Indonesian government Portugal concerning Indonesia and especially the strong position of the Portuguese mass and by Lopes da Cruz, itinerant ambassador relating to the East Timor problem. “They media that has already incited the Portu- for Timorese affairs. On arrival, the delega- have already shown in debate in the news- guese people to oppose Indonesia for the tion gave a press conference transmitted by paper and through other media, that they last 18 years. four TV canals. Manuel Macedo said that seriously wish to help both parties, espe- Furthermore, there has already started to the ten-day visit did not have a political cially Portugal so that they understand what grow amongst the Portuguese youth an character but was intended merely to reacti- has been done by Indonesia,” he explained. awareness about the real situation after vate economic and cultural relations with This method is considered good by both many parties have started to understand the Indonesia. According to the business man, parties, and it especially helps East Timor’s true history and have met up with various who is set to meet today with President prosperity. persons from the East Timor community. Suharto, ‘Portugal should not continue to be Discharged hostile towards Indonesia, because there is Awareness emerges In answering a question concerning the neither hunger nor war in East Timor.’ Ma- He also reported that many parties are certainty of having an honest and open dia- cedo went on to claim that ‘integration with now aware of Portugal’s action in leaving logue between the people of East Timor Indonesia is the best choice for East Timor.’ East Timor in a state of disarray. In fact a who are for and against integration, Sico section of the media started to support claimed that he could not give a definite INDONESIA-PORTUGAL Manuel Macedo’s tactic by forming the answer. Especially after the recent devel- PIFA. The referendum was the best step to RELATIONS? opment in which Dr. Abilio Araujo was take. The problem was solved after East discharged from his position as overseas Abridged. Timor formally stated that they would inte- leader of Fretilin. Besides, the suggestion of grate with Indonesia. “And now there is no JAKARTA, Aug. 19 (Reuter) - Indonesia a dialogue arose from Dr. Abilio Araujo need for a referendum,” he explained. said on Thursday it was ready to resume himself. “Since then I have not met him,” he When answering about the possibility of diplomatic ties with Portugal, broken by asserted. seeing East Timor, Martins replied, “After Lisbon after Jakarta invaded its former terri- This dialogue was first planned to be held we met with the Ambassador-at-Large tory of East Timor in 1975, but would not in August or September, before the meeting Lopes da Cruz, we all agreed with East make the first move. “It is up to Portugal, of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Af- Timor’s integration into Indonesia. What I because they were the one to cut (relations), fairs with the Portugal Minister of Foreign mean is that, seeing I am in Indonesia I will so they must reopen it. And up until now Affairs under the auspices of the United also visit Menado, Maumere, Ternate and there is no indication towards that,” Ali Nations Secretary-General on 17 September perhaps also East Timor. I have no real Alatas was quoted as saying. 1993 in New York. Although that was so, desire to go to East Timor because it has Three businessmen from Portugal, one of Sico has not yet stated that the dialogue will become a province of Indonesia. I myself them a member of a former Timorese royal not be implemented. “I think it won’t fail to would rather go to Sumatra than to East family, are now in Jakarta ostensibly look- be held,” he explained. According to him, Timor,” retorted Martins who knew a little ing at business opportunities. Before they Araujo received much support from the Indonesian. left Lisbon the three, members of a new youth who also wished to meet with East Martins asserted that he did not experi- Portuguese-Indonesian Friendship Associa- Timorese people in Indonesia. “Whether it ence any difficulty when he came to Jakarta. tion, promised to seek a solution to the is proceeded with or not, we will accept deadlock between the two countries. Alatas Page 96 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. said economic relations between Indonesia While in the US, the Senate has made re- help from traitors, who are putting Portu- and Portugal were possible but were diffi- spect for human rights in East Timor a con- gal’s name to shame.” Macedo, who de- cult without diplomatic links. Some 83 Por- dition for the sale of arms to Indonesia, in scribed the reception he got as “provoca- tuguese firms traded with Indonesia in 1992, Porto, General Galvao de Melo’s return tion,” concluded that “They’re not going making it the smallest trader with Jakarta in from Canada is awaited for the Portugal- hungry after all.” the European Community. Indonesia Commercial Association’s public deed ceremony. PORTUGUESE Fifteen Portuguese will be responsible for EVENTS IN CANADA BUSINESSMAN PRAISES the business dealings with Jakarta and the movement’s leader, Manuel Macedo, as- INDONESIA sured Visao that it had the “backing of MPs EAST TIMOR UPDATE #25 and Portuguese Ministers,” whose names Diario de Noticias, 28 August 1993. Trans- FROM CANADA would be kept secret, until diplomatic nego- lated from Portuguese tiations on Timor were concluded. He says From the East Timor Alert Net- (Lisbon) At a press conference held yes- that they will not have long to wait, as he is work/Canada, Sept. 8 terday in Lisbon, industrialist Manuel Ma- convinced that “everything will be resolved cedo, founder of the Portugal-Indonesia by the end of this year or early next year by Pressure mounts over East Timor’s Friendship Association, stated that the Su- the latest.” The ruling was passed in the US Xanana harto regime “is a democracy” and that the on the 8th. The Portuguese association’s Stung by an unprecedented level of inter- Santa Cruz massacre “was an accident public deed ceremony, set for the 12th, was national criticism, Indonesia’s President which could have happened in any coun- rescheduled for next week, when the General Suharto marked his country’s Independence try.” will be back from his holidays. So as to Day in July by reducing the jail term of Following a 15-day visit to Indonesia, waste no time, Manuel Macedo has gone Xanana Gusmão, the leader East Timor’s Macedo decided to give his version of the ahead with the constitution of the joint ven- pro-independence movement CNRM. “truth about Indonesia and about Timor.” ture with Indonesian businessmen. The Suharto “granted clemency” by reducing Macedo, who said he had been received by venture will be called Garuda, the name Xanana’s jail term from life to 20 years, the Indonesian Vice-President and Foreign given to the Indonesian flag symbol. according to Indonesian government state- Minister, stated that “in Portugal the police ments. However, the reduction was dis- would also open fire, if they were pro- MACEDO SPURNED BY EAS T missed by East Timor supporters as an voked.” almost meaningless gesture. A 20-year sen- He added that during the two days he TIMORESE IN PORTUGAL tence in Indonesia is the equivalent to a life spent in Timor, on the Indonesian authori- Publico, 24 September 1993. Translated sentence in the West because of differing ties’ invitation, he did not meet Bishop from Portuguese parole rules. Ximenes Belo, as he considered “his posi- “Xanana must be released immediately tions are not clarifying.” On the other hand, (Lisbon) Yesterday, the Chairman of the and unconditionally,” said CNRM overseas he praised “the political courage of the Ap- Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Association, representative Jose Ramos Horta. “We will ostolic Nuncio in Jakarta,” who is said to Manuel Macedo, was insulted and stopped step up our campaign for his release and for have told Macedo that the Portuguese “are from entering a building in Amadora, in comprehensive sanctions against Indonesia.” harming the Timorese by giving them false which 16 Timorese families live. Macedo, Supporters of East Timor’s seventeen-year hopes.” who was recently in Jakarta, was trying to resistance to Indonesian military occupation Macedo went on to admit he has his find out what “difficulties” the Timorese pointed out that Xanana is unlikely to last sights set on the importation of textiles and were facing, in order to help “resolve them 20 years in prison because of his poor raw materials from Indonesia, which he as quickly as possible.” health since he was captured by Indonesian believes would be “a good business.” Refer- In spite of the apparent willingness of soldiers last November. ring to his own case, he pointed out that it is the textile businessman from Porto, the On August 12, Xanana was moved out of more profitable to import ready-made shirts Timorese did not want his help and received East Timor to Kedungpane Prison in Mijen, from Indonesia at a price of two dollars him with insults and cries of “murderer” and Semarang, without his family being in- each, than make them in Portugal for five “traitor.” Speaking to the LUSA agency, one formed. The move means he is even further dollars each. When referred to the rising of the building’s residents, Januario Xime- removed from outside scrutiny. unemployment in the Portuguese textile nes, who spent eight years in Indonesian Meanwhile, Indonesian military authori- industry, he said that this was inevitable, prisons, did not deny that these families had ties continue to hold Mau Huno, Xanana’s due to the laws of the market place. serious difficulties in coping, but justified replacement as CNRM commander who “The time has come to face reality. Por- their attitude: “We are poor, but we have was arrested earlier this year. No charges tugal is isolated in its economic boycott of our dignity. We only accept help from the have been laid against him. Portuguese State and from friends of the Indonesia,” he concluded. UN, US blast Indonesia Timorese cause.” In addition to the resi- International criticism of Indonesia’s bru- INDONESIANS, PRESSURE & dents, other Timorese were waiting for Ma- cedo in the street. One of them, Gregorio tal regime in East Timor continued to grow BUSINESS Henriques, assured Macedo he would get in August with the passage of a strongly- the same reception if he dared to visit other worded resolution by the United Nations Visão, 16 September 1993. Translated from needy Timorese. “His money is stained Sub-commission on the Prevention of Dis- Portuguese with blood and we do not want it.” Gregorio crimination and Protection of Minorities. (Lisbon) The Indonesian flag has been Henriques insisted on telling Macedo that The resolution comes just before UN secre- chosen as the symbol for Manuel Macedo’s “We are very proud of being Portuguese, in tary general Boutros Boutros Ghali is to new joint venture. spite of our poverty. We will not take any mediate a third round of talks between the East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 97 foreign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal Bishop Carlos Belo’s call for a referendum For more information and ideas, contact (the former colonial ruler of East Timor on independence. ETAN/Vancouver, 104-2120 West 44th, which the UN still recognizes as the admin- “East Timor is still a colony: all that has Vancouver BC, V6M 2G2, (604) 264-9973. istering power). been changed is the name of the foreign East Timor Alert Network/Toronto PO The sub-commission resolution, passed ruler,” Heap said. “The colonialism being Box 562, Station P, Toronto, Canada, M5S by 12 votes to 10, accuses Indonesia of practiced by Indonesia’s military-dominated 2T1 Phone/fax 1-416-531-5850, Email etan- violating the Geneva Convention on treat- regime is even more brutal than the Portu- [email protected] ment of prisoners during wartime and urges guese colonial regime that ruled East Timor implementation of past UN resolutions on before 1975.” human rights in East Timor. Folk singer makes splash EVENTS IN THE UNITED The United States also continues to inch East Timorese folk singer Agio Pereira STATES away from its formerly solid support for performed this summer at he Vancouver and the Indonesian dictatorship. President Bill Winnipeg Folk Festivals, with a side trip to Clinton raised East Timor with President Toronto. His tape “I’m still fighting” is CALIFORNIA/NEVADA Suharto at a meeting in Tokyo in July, pre- available from ETAN/Toronto (PO Box senting a letter signed by 43 Senators that METHODISTS PASS 562, Station P, Toronto M5S 2T1) for $12. condemned “the tragic situation” in East RESOLUTION Timor and supporting self-determination for Act on East Timor in federal election!! the territory. Clinton told his Indonesian Prime Minister Kim Campbell is ex- Adopted at the California/Nevada Annual counterpart that he agreed with the Senate pected to call a national election for this Conference of the United Methodist Church, letter. October. The campaign provides an oppor- Sacramento, California June 1993. Full text. Finally, the U.S. Congress forced the tunity to help change Canadian policy on RESOLUTION ON EAST TIMOR cancellation of a sale of U.S.-built military East Timor. Submitted by the Administrative Council, jets from Jordan to Indonesia. The Indone- Canadian government policy has been to First St. John’s United Methodist Church, sian armed forces are expected to seek re- accept the Indonesian occupation of East San Francisco, California. placement jets from Britain, since Congress Timor as a “fait accompli,” not worth risk- may soon ban the sale of military equipment ing our economic links with Indonesia over. Whereas Indonesian armed forces invaded to Indonesia. Canadian governments (both Liberal and the former Portuguese colony of East Timor ... but cash keeps flowing Conservative) have even voted against UN on December 7, 1975; and resolutions calling for self- determination. Whereas this genocidal attack by the In- Despite strong words on human rights, Former External Affairs Minister Barbara donesian government has resulted in the Western governments continued their policy McDougall said Canada will continue to slaughter of more than one-third of the of giving massive financial support to the vote against “anti-Indonesian” resolutions population (over 200,000 people), the Indonesian regime at the annual donor con- because it provides the “best way” to “en- worst massacre relative to population since sortium meeting in Paris in July. The Con- courage” Indonesia to respect human rights. the Holocaust; and sultative Group on Indonesia authorized No party has a policy on East Timor, al- Whereas the terror continues to this day, $4.94 billion in aid for 1993-94. The major though individual MPs from all parties are as the United States government continues donors are Japan, the United States, France, members of Parliamentarians for East to supply the arms which make this fright- the World Bank and the Asian Development Timor. The East Timor Alert Network will ening level of repression possible; and Bank. Indonesia refuses to accept aid from therefore be raising East Timor with local Whereas thanks to public pressure, the the Netherlands and Belgium, which have candidates. United States Congress eliminated military attempted to link aid to human rights. ETAN/Vancouver has already begun an training aid (IMET) to Indonesia in October, Canada attended the CGI meeting as an intensive campaign to pressure Prime Min- 1992, the first action Congress has taken on observer, but accepted recommendations ister Campbell and other BC MPs. Other this issue in 17 years; and from the East Timor Alert Network and ETAN groups will also try to get pre- Whereas in March 1993, the United other groups that it not give any aid through election commitments to support East States government reversed its position and the consortium. However, Indonesia remains Timor’s struggle for self- determination. supported a strong resolution passed by the number two among recipients of Canadian Please ask candidates in your riding what United Nations Human Rights Commission aid money, receiving more than $40 million they will do, in Parliament and within their critical of the Indonesian government’s hu- annually. own party, to help stop the bloodshed in man rights violations; and NDP MP speaks out for Timor East Timor. Some sample questions: Whereas the United States government is New Democrat MP Dan Heap was one 1) Do you support a United Nations- not yet working to implement United Na- of many deputants to the annual UN De- sponsored referendum on the question of tions resolutions calling for the withdrawal colonization hearings in New York in Au- independence for East Timor? of the Indonesian military and self- gust. He spoke on behalf of the all-party 2) Would you as a member of parliament determination for the people of East Timor; group Canadians Parliamentarians for East help impose an arms embargo on Indonesia? Therefore be it resolved that we, the Timor. PET has previously been repre- 3) Would you as a member of parliament members of the I 993 California-Nevada sented by David Kilgour, Ray Funk, and call for a cutoff of bilateral aid to Indonesia Annual Conference, hereby urge President Beryl Gaffney. and work for the cutoff of multilateral aid, Bill Clinton to take immediate administra- Heap, who this year tried to introduce a as a way to force Indonesia to end its occu- tive and legislative steps to halt all United private member’s bill that would have ended pation of East Timor? States military aid, economic aid, and weap- Canadian aid to Indonesia, blasted Indone- 4) Would you support human rights and ons sales to Indonesia until the Indonesian sia’s rule over East Timor,. saying the solu- democratic development in East Timor by government complies with United Nations tion could be implementing East Timor joining the all-party Parliamentarians for resolutions, and East Timor? Page 98 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

1. Withdraws its military occupation sentence this spring and has become the chapter; and Rev. John Chamberlin, who forces from East Timor; subject of several international appeals for gave a report from the delegation we sent to 2. Allows a United Nations supervised his release. “Indonesia is vulnerable to inter- the California Senators’ offices earlier in the plebiscite in the territory to facilitate a national pressure, especially since 1991,” day. We were able to obtain some press process of decolonization; says Agio Pereira, a Timorese exile who is coverage (for instance, in the San Francisco 3. Ends all forms of inhuman treatment, campaigning for Gusmão’s release and for Chronicle), several people signed up to vol- including torture, extra-judicial executions, self-determination for his tiny homeland. unteer for ETAN, and we collected possibly and arbitrary arrest and imprisonment; Back in November 1991, Indonesian soldiers fifty letters to Congress, besides selling off 4. Permits unrestricted access to East opened fire on unarmed civilians in East almost all of our T-shirts. Timor by international human rights organi- Timor’s capital. The army says the soldiers zations. fired out of fear after hearing that one soldier BOEING ASSISTS AIR FORCE Be it further resolved that the Conference had been stabbed by demonstrators. Others Secretary be instructed to immediately send say there was no provocation. Estimates of Aug. 13, 1993. Abridged. a copy of this resolution to the President of the number killed vary from 50 to 100. In SEATTLE (AUG. 13) PR NEWSWIRE - the United States, to our two California the wake of the incident, the United Nations Boeing Defense & Space Group is redeliver- State Senators and our two Nevada State reactivated talks between Indonesia and ing an upgraded 737-200 Surveiller aircraft Senators, and to all Congressional Represen- Portugal, which says it is still legally re- to the Indonesian Air Force today after tatives within the bounds of the California- sponsible for the territory and where East significantly enhancing its airborne maritime Nevada Annual Conference; and Timor is big news. Pereira would like to see patrol avionics system. The Republic of Be it further resolved that the California- Gusmão released to participate in the talks Indonesia will use the surveillance system to Nevada Annual Conference urge members of as the representative of the Timorese peo- monitor its exclusive economic zone, patrol local churches to communicate the above ple. Pereira sees some reason for hope. “Su- its fisheries, and conduct search-and-rescue concerns to the President and legislative harto is showing flexibility. He never really command and control operations. representatives, and that the Board of wanted the invasion” but went along with This is the first of three Indonesian Sur- Church and Society be asked to make infor- his generals. It’s possible that pressure from veiller aircraft that Defense & Space Group mation on the plight of the East Timorese Clinton and others, coupled with a changed is upgrading under a four-year, $117 million people available to local churches. attitude in Jakarta’s ruling circles, could contract. Included in the improved mission change Indonesia’s course. avionics is a real-time display for the EAST TIMOR’S DAY IS SLAMMR (Side-Looking Airborne Modu- COMING NEW INDONESIAN CIVILIAN lar Multimission Radar) system; a nose- AMBASSADOR TO US mounted search radar; an infrared detection San Francisco Chronicle, Aug.3, system (IRDS); and an IFF (identification World Insider by Edward Epstein The U.S. acceptance of a civilian ambassa- friend or foe) interrogator. dor is almost as important as Indonesia’s Boeing also is providing important President Clinton’s recent bit of quiet di- nomination of one. It signals the type of ‘ci- ground facilities support – assisting the plomacy in which he urged Indonesian vilian-supreme’ regime with which the US Indonesian Air Force in setting up a com- President Suharto to ease his country’s grip would prefer to deal in Indonesia. The full munications, computer and mission planning on the former Portuguese colony of East story of Benny’s ‘non-appointment’ may not center – as well as logistics support (such as Timor may be having an impact, longtime yet have come out. – John supplying spares parts), and air and mainte- campaigners on the issue say. In 1975, Su- JAKARTA, Aug. 6 (Reuter) - Indonesia nance crew training for the Surveiller fleet. harto’s army invaded East Timor, half of an The 737 Surveiller program is a coopera- island in the vast Indonesian archipelago, on Friday appointed former trade minister Arifin Siregar as its ambassador to the tive venture between Boeing, the Indonesian after the collapse of Portugal’s colonial em- Air Force, and BPPT/IPTN, Indonesia’s pire. The forces met strong resistance, United States, the official Antara news agency said, the first non-military official to government-owned aircraft manufacturer. which continues to this day. For most of the Two aircraft will be modified at past 18 years, the situation in East Timor hold the post since President Suharto took power in the 1960s. Former army chief BPPT/IPTN’s facility in Bandung with a has received little international attention. Boeing team on site to help with that effort. That’s a shame because something nasty has Benny Murdani, who was ousted as defence been going on there. Amnesty International minister in March, said in May that he had BOEING DELIVERS UPGRADED says it has “documented a pattern of gross turned down the post. MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT TO and persistent human rights violations in INDONESIA East Timor, leading to the death of some DEMONSTRATION IN SAN DEFENSE DAILY, August 16, 1993 200,000 East Timorese and the disappear- FRANCISCO US manufacturer Boeing delivered the ance of several hundred others.” Since the From Dale Lovett, ETAN/SF, August 6. first upgrade to an Indonesian maritime original population was about 650,000, the patrol 737-200 aircraft. The upgrade in- fight has killed roughly one-third of the Here is a report on the demonstration we cludes improvements to displays, data populace. - Leader’s Jailing Provides Rally- held on July 30 at the SF Federal Building processing, and software-configurability of ing Point - American administrators have against US aid and arms sales to Indonesia. I sensors. Three upgrades will be delivered to been pretty quiet about the situation, in coordinated the demo, which was attended Indonesia by the end of 1994. good part because they felt they needed by about 75 people. Agio Pereira was the Suharto’s support during the Cold War. But featured speaker, and other speakers were now, Clinton has put the issue on his Karen Talbot from Women’s International agenda, specifically because of the impris- League for Peace and Freedom, who has onment of Xanana Gusmão, leader of the spoken on East Timor before the United Timorese resistance. He was given a life Nations; Sunil Sharma from our ETAN East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 99

EAST TIMOR AND THE lence. In almost eighteen years of occupa- ington Post have dedicated a number of tion, the L.A. Times has had only one edito- strong editorials calling for Jakarta to with- CORPORATE MEDIA rial on East Timor (7/12/84). The brief edi- draw from East Timor and allow for an in- By Matthew Jardine torial voiced support for George Schultz’s ternationally-supervised plebiscite. One expression of concern to Indonesian Presi- Post editorial went so far as to refer to In- Submitted to FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy dent Suharto about human rights violations donesia as “a leading Asian colonialist” in Reporting), which published it in Septem- in (but not the occupation of) East Timor. (12/5/92). However, the recent editorials on ber. This was at a time when the Reagan Ad- East Timor often share a fault of the three Imagine that a small country is invaded in ministration was supplying the Indonesian articles cited: the U.S. role in the Indonesian 1975 by a powerful neighbor well over 100 military with large amounts of military and occupation of East Timor is invisible. times its size and a major recipient of U.S. economic assistance. The day before the invasion, President military and economic assistance. About In the last couple of years, however, me- Ford and Secretary of State Kissinger were one-third of the population – over 200,000 dia coverage of East Timor has grown. This in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, visiting people – die as a result of the invasion, po- is due in no small part to the November 12, President Suharto. There is little doubt that litically-created starvation, and the ongoing 1991 Santa Cruz Massacre in Dili, the capi- the U.S. gave Suharto the green light to in- occupation. Despite the atrocities and nu- tal of East Timor. In the presence of West- vade, with Kissinger telling reporters in merous U.N. resolutions condemning the ern journalists, the Indonesian army fired Jakarta that regarding East Timor, “the invasion and occupation, the U.S. and the upon a defenseless crowd gathered at a United States understands Indonesia’s posi- West continue to provide the invader with cemetery for the memorial service of a tion on the question” (L.A. Times, December about $5 billion in annual economic assis- young pro-independence activist slain by 7, 1975). tance. the military two weeks earlier. Over 200 Since that time the U.S. has provided In- We do not need to imagine such a situa- people were killed. donesia with hundreds of millions of dollars tion. The aggressor is resource-rich Indone- The video footage of the massacre, as in economic and military assistance and thus sia, the world’s fourth most populous coun- well as eyewitness accounts and grassroots greatly facilitated Indonesia’s colonialization try and a major center of multinational cor- pressure, forced Western governments to of East Timor On the diplomatic front, the porate activity. The victim is East Timor, a pay attention. Although certainly compara- U.S. has helped to block any effective action former Portuguese colony 400 miles north ble to Tiananmen Square in terms of brutal- on the issue. Former U.N. Ambassador of Darwin, Australia. ity, the Santa Cruz Massacre was barely Daniel Patrick Moynihan openly bragged Given the geopolitical and economic im- covered in the mass media. Of three major about how he carried out with “no inconsid- portance of Indonesia, characterized by television networks, only CBS covered it – erable success” U.S. policy to render the Nixon as the “greatest prize in the Southeast once (11/21/91). It was not until ten months U.N. “utterly ineffective” in regard to East Asian area,” the U.S. has been more than later (9/21/92) that ABC News ran a story Timor. The New York Times and other ma- willing not only to ignore but in fact to fa- on East Timor (an excellent one by Charles jor newspapers, however, often neglect or cilitate Indonesia’s annexation of East Glass). distort such an important aspect of the his- Timor. Nevertheless, reporting by the cor- The increased reporting has largely ap- tory. porate media has been paltry at best. As a peared in major East Coast newspapers. During the Gulf crisis, the NY Times’ result, most Americans have never even Despite many positive aspects, the report- diplomatic correspondent, Paul Lewis, was heard of East Timor. ing often serves to perpetuate a number of effusive in his praise for U.N. action against In the months preceding the Indonesian misconceptions. These include the notion Iraq. Lewis explained that this was possible invasion there was a substantial number of that East Timor is part of Indonesia and that only because “the Soviet Union no longer reports in the press on Portuguese Timor. the East Timorese resistance is a separatist [sides] with the enemies of the United At that time the territory was in the throes movement rather than one trying to expel a States” (9/24/90).* Continuing the role of of decolonization and many Western elites foreign invader. revisionist historian, Lewis later stated that feared the possibility of leftist domination Three recent reports from East Timor such effective action “was impossible in of the independence movement. With the (Philip Shenon, NY Times 4/21/93 and earlier cases like . . . Indonesia’s annexation onslaught of Indonesian atrocities, however, 4/24/93, and Colin Nickerson, Boston Globe of East Timor” (4/16/92). reporting on East Timor by the corporate- 6/29/93) are indicative of this problem. In all A recent New York Times editorial served owned media actually significantly de- three, the By is given as “Dili, Indonesia.” to perpetuate the myth of Western impo- creased. Shenon even refers to Dili as the “provincial tence. In a strong editorial condemning the The Los Angeles Times is a case in point. capital.” (It is difficult to imagine either recent show trial and life sentence of East From August 1975 until the December 7, paper referring to “Kuwait City, Iraq” or to Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmão, 1975 invasion, the Times ran sixteen articles Kuwait as an Iraqi “province” during the the Times supported Gusmão’s defense dealing with East Timor. Since that time, Iraqi occupation). Both writers describe the statement which “properly rebuked West- there have been a grand total of twenty arti- war between Indonesia and the East ern governments for condoning Indonesia’s cles on East Timor and 3 op-ed pieces. Timorese as “civil” and the guerrillas as invasion.” However, the Times felt that, “to From March 1976 until November 1979, “separatist.” They also wrongfully attribute be fair,” Xanana “might have noted that during which time the Australian Parliament the religious differences between Muslim- third-world states have been even less out- Legislative Research Service described the dominated Indonesia and Catholic East spoken” (5/29/93). situation in East Timor as “indiscriminate Timor as one source of the conflict. In this Although some “third-world” countries killing on a scale unprecedented in post- manner, the journalists unwittingly perpetu- have been reticent on the issue, others, such World War II history,” there was not a sin- ate the negative stereotypes of the Muslim as Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and Vanu- gle mention of East Timor in the Times. world that are so prevalent in U.S. society. atu, have been among the biggest supporters Unlike the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the There has also been an increase editori- of East Timorese self- determination and editorial response to the Indonesian annexa- ally – again, largely in the East. The Boston have worked to keep the issue alive in vari- tion of East Timor was one of virtual si- Globe, the New York Times, and the Wash- ous international fora. In the first U.N. reso- Page 100 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. lution on East Timor, “backed by a coalition does not change, the world may soon wit- lowed to read past the second page of his of Communist and black African nations” ness the disappearance of these peoples. 28-page defense statement; no one was al- (A.P. Report, L.A. Times, 12/13/75), the The last Amnesty International report lowed into the court other than the Indone- U.S. and most Western countries abstained. for East Timor released in February 1993, sian judges. On the seven subsequent General Assembly cites continued “political killings, disap- The UN conference on human rights this resolutions that condemned Indonesia’s pearances, torture, arbitrary detention, po- past June in Vienna, the first in 25 years, occupation of East Timor, most Western litical imprisonment and the use of death opened up another dimension of the prob- countries either abstained from the voting penalty” throughout the territory. Since lem faced by repressed peoples, and seems (France, Germany, Britain) or voted “no” Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor in especially pertinent to the case of the East (Japan, the United States, Australia). 1975, following the withdrawal of Portu- Timorese. The problem has become known Despite the US’s ugly history in the East guese colonial troops, more than 200,000 as “the Asian view” on human rights. This Timor tragedy, the prospects for a diplo- East Timorese – a third of the population – view, strongly backed by Indonesia and matic solution to East Timor’s plight are have been killed. China, argues that human rights are cultur- greater now than at any time in recent mem- Encouraging steps, but hardly enough, ally relative and should be interpreted dif- ory. International public opinion and many have recently been taken by the United ferently in non-Western societies. Such a Western governments are increasingly taking States government. Last November, despite view only gives dictators license to torture, a strong stance against Indonesia’s occupa- objections by the Bush administration, Con- imprison, and murder at will under the guise tion – this is no less true in the U.S. Apart gress cut military education and training of cultural difference. from what happens within East Timor and funds for Indonesia. Yet this action was If cultural difference is being suppressed Indonesia, developments within the United taken only after Western journalists wit- in the third world, it is not due to the uni- States will ultimately decide the fate of East nessed a massacre of 270 East Timorese at a versality of human rights. Rather, it is sup- Timor, given the US’s dominant role within cemetery in Dili in November 1991. pressed by men in uniform, like those of international affairs. The role of the media in President Clinton’s support of a UN Indonesian President Suharto, who are able exposing the public to developments in and resolution expressing concern for human to push around vulnerable groups, like the around East Timor is of great importance. rights abuses in East Timor is a welcome East Timorese. Too often this has happened The corporate media’s general silence on shift in American policy. But these steps with either the compliance or indifference of East Timor has left the public in the dark. In can be undermined if the Pentagon is al- the West. this manner, the media has helped to facili- lowed to sell military assistance to Indone- Indonesia’s attempts to justify its occu- tate one of the great genocides of the late sia, which it is trying to do under the foreign pation on the grounds that East Timor is too twentieth century. Public pressure on the military sales program for 1994. small and too poor to exist as a sovereign corporate media to expose not only the On June 30, in a bipartisan effort, 43 US nation is a cynical and self-serving argument. tragedy of East Timor but also the US’s role Senators sent a letter to Mr. Clinton urging The truth is, Indonesia has strong economic will be key in deciding the fate of the East him to keep “an eye toward facilitating seri- interests at stake. In East Timor it stands to Timorese people. ous negotiations at the United Nations that profit from potential resources that include Table of numbers of articles in several U.S. might alter the unacceptable status quo” in natural gas, manganese, marble, and vast oil papers on East Timor compared with cov- East Timor. The Senators reaffirm an earlier reserves. Both Indonesia and Australia have erage of the Gulf War omitted from this (November 1991) Senate resolution sup- already profited from these resources. The reprint. porting “the right of self-determination of Indonesian and Australian join exploration the East Timorese people.” They also stated of the Timor Gap since 1985 might be de- * Noam Chomsky has pointed out, over that any negotiations on East Timor’s future scribed as a simple theft of Timorese goods. the last twenty years, the U.S. is by far should include East Timorese representa- Any fair solution for this case would have the leader in Security Council vetoes, fol- tives. to involve economic compensation to the lowed by Britain, with France a distant These requests are important given recent East Timorese for that which has been third and the former Soviet Union in events on the ground: The Indonesian gov- taken. fourth. ernment continues its policy of ethnically Indonesia and Portugal are expected to diluting East Timor through a campaign of resume talks on East Timor in Sept. 17 in EAST TIMOR - STILL resettlement. New York. High on the agenda should be EXPLOITED, PERSECUTED Adding to this are more than 10 UN reso- respect for the “old” universal human rights lutions condemning Indonesia’s occupation of the East Timorese – including release of Christian Science Monitor, August 12, 1993. of East Timor and recognizing the country’s political prisoners and allowing humanitar- Opinion/Essays. By Fatima Monteiro right to self-determination. ian organizations into East Timor to conduct Fatima Monteiro is a mid-career graduate In May, Xanana Gusmão, leader of the inspections. East Timorese representatives student at Harvard University and a former East Timorese resistance who was thrown must also be allowed and invited to join in diplomat from Cape Verde. in jail last year, stated in a defense plea, “In future negotiations concerning their own my opinion, it [East Timor’s invasion] has country. The most powerful nations of the world the same standing as the advance of the Iraqi During the talks in New York the UN pledged a commitment to human rights in troops in Kuwait, the same dimension as the should rise with Gen. (Ret.) Suharto his Tokyo at the recent G-7 meeting. But not advance of Russian tanks into Kabul, the violations in East Timor. far away, in East Timor, the former Portu- same character as the Vietnamese invasion Domination and exploitation of weak na- guese colony, one of this century’s more of Cambodia.” tions have been history’s stock in trade. But serious cases of human rights abuse con- Mr. Gusmão’s trial, called by the gov- such domination is self-defeating. Suharto’s tinue. For most of the 18 years of Indone- ernment of Portugal “Farcical and illegiti- regime, like other repressive regimes, seems sian occupation, world leaders have turned mate,” has come to symbolize Indonesia’s not interested in such history lessons. Firm their backs on the East Timorese; if that disregard for human rights. Gusmão was outside pressure will be a reminder that sentenced to life in prison. He was not al- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 101 domination and exploitation cannot be toler- Earlier this month the US secretary of Suharto to respond to his demands for ated. State, Mr. Christopher, blocked a request change. by Jordan to resell to Indonesian up to ON TIMOR, US RUSHES IN seven US-build F-5E fighter aircraft. A State EAST TIMOR FOR I WAS A WHERE AUSTRALIA FEAR S Department official told “The Age “that STRANGER ... Indonesia’s human rights record was one of TO TREAD the factors involved in the decision. California-Nevada United Methodist Re- The US maintaining a freeze on aid to In- THE AGE, 26TH AUGUST 1993. By MARK view, August 27, 1993 donesia for military education and training BAKER that was imposed in response to the 1991 By Melvin G. Talbert, bishop of the San In a move that challenges Australia’s cau- Dili massacre. Francisco area tious response to continuing human rights But the vote in Geneva last week by the Think about Bosnia. violations in Indonesia, the United States is UN Human Rights Commission’s sub- Imagine that the brutality and death hap- stepping up pressure on the Suharto gov- committee on the prevention of discrimina- pening there now were to continue for 18 ernment to end its repression in East Timor tion and the protection of minorities is the years. and seek a peaceful settlement of the 18 stronger signal yet of the US Government’s Imagine that in all that time, this suffering year conflict. growing impatience with Indonesia over and destruction went unnoticed by the out- The US gave strong support late last East Timor. side world, unrecorded by television report- week to resolution within The United Na- In a resolution co-sponsored by the US ers and unlamented by commentators. tions Human Rights Commission condemn- representative, Ms Linda Chavez, the If you can imagine all of this, you can be- ing the treatment of prisoners in East Timor. Committee said it was gravely concerned gin to grasp the tragedy of East Timor. It was the latest on the series of mostly about continuing human rights violations in East Timor, a small half-island north of discreet but deliberate steps by the Clinton East Timor and restriction being imposed by Australia, was a Portuguese colony for over administration aimed at forcing a shift in Jakarta on the activities of the International 400 years. As a result, most Timorese are Jakarta policies in the former Portuguese Committee of the Red Cross. Christians. In 1974, after its revolution, territory. Most significantly, the resolution ac- Portugal began to dismantle its colonial em- While a reversal of the tacit acceptance cused Indonesia of forcibly removing pris- pire. In November, 1975 East Timor de- by successive US administrations of Indo- oners of residence in contravention of the clared its independence. nesia’s incorporation of East Timor is un- Geneva Convention relating to the treatment But that independence was short-lived. likely, a policy review being undertaken by of civilian captives during time of war - in On Dec. 7, 1975, East Timor was invaded the State Department is expected to reflect effect acknowledging that the East Timor by its larger neighbor, Indonesia. East Timor growing demands in the US congress and conflict is an international issue rather than a was easy prey; there was no one there to from the American public for the Timorese domestic problem, as Jakarta claims. defend her. Since that time, the Timorese to be allowed at least greater autonomy after US officials say there is little evidence of have endured a campaign of terror, rape, a genuine act of self-determination. an improvement in human rights conditions mass execution, forced resettlement, and in East Timor despite repeated promises by deliberate starvation at the hands of their President Clinton, who has made the the Indonesian authorities. They say Jakarta Indonesian occupiers. promotion of human rights and democratiza- has still not provided a proper account of Amnesty International estimates that tion a priority of his presidency, set the the civilian casualties of the Dili massacre 200,000 Timorese – approximately one- scene for s tougher Us stance on East Timor and, despite the announcement of a scaled- third of the population – have died as a during a meeting with President Suharto in back military structure in the territory, there result. Tokyo early last month. has still been no reduction in troop levels. No Timorese family is intact anymore. Despite an agreement by both sides not A US official said the extent to which the Timorese have been killed while resisting the to disclose details of the meeting, informa- administration was prepared to press Indo- Indonesian invaders; they have also been tion now emerging indicates that Mr. Clin- nesia on human rights was tempered by the killed as they surrendered. It is said that ton made strong representations on the issue continuing economic and tragic importance East Timor today is one large prison. of human rights abuses in East Timor. He of Jakarta. Mr. Clinton certainly needs the Indonesia now claims East Timor as its presented Mr. Suharto with a letter, signed goodwill of Mr. Suharto, as south-east 27th province. But the Indonesian incorpo- by 43 US Senators, condemning “ the tragic Asia’s most senior leader, in his plans to ration of East Timor has never been recog- situation” in East Timor and calling for US promote the Asia pacific Economic Coop- nized by the United Nations, which has measures to facilitate US- sponsored nego- eration forum. repeatedly called for Indonesian withdrawal tiation between Indonesia, Portugal and The US regards the most promising from that small country. Indonesia refuses Timorese representatives” in pursuit of the mechanism for achieving progress on East to budge. right of self-determination of the East Timor as the dialogue between the foreign We in the United States have a special re- Timorese people.” Mr. Clinton is believed ministers of Indonesia and Portugal, spon- lationship to the suffering families of East to have emphasized that he shared the Sena- sored by UN Secretary General, Dr. Timor. Our government looked the other tors’ views. Boutros-Ghali. But already there are signs way when Indonesia invaded East Timor. In The Clinton stance is reported to have that the talks, scheduled to resume in New fact, it is said that Secretary of State Henry angered the Indonesian leader. An editorial York late next month, are heading into heavy Kissinger gave the “green light.” There was a in the ‘Jakarta Post’ newspaper - formerly weather. Cold War going on then, and Indonesian edited by the Indonesian Ambassador to If the UN process stalls, the question President Suharto was a faithful U.S. ally. Australia, Mr. Saban Siagian- said “ the will be how much further President Clinton Our government has also continued to give feeling of anger still lingered” when Mr. is prepared to go to pressure or persuade an aid and to sell arms to Indonesia despite the Suharto briefed journalists on the flight back already bruised and defensive President many reports of atrocities there. to Jakarta. Page 102 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

There are, however, signs of hope. Last “For I was hungry, and you gave me “I can assure you that the U.S. has been year, Congress cut off IMET (military train- food; I was thirsty and you gave me quite active in bringing up its concerns for ing) funding to Indonesia in response to its drink; I was a stranger and you took human rights,” both directly with Indone- human rights violations in East Timor. And me in ... I was in prison and you came sian officials and in international bodies, President Clinton seems more sensitive to to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) Brown said in a telephone interview from human rights concerns there than was his We must reach out and help the long- Washington. For its part, the Indonesian predecessor. But he has yet to condemn the suffering people of East Timor. government doesn’t concede any serious illegal occupation of East Timor. And the For more information, call John Cham- human rights violations and bristles at even flow of arms from the U.S. to Indonesia berlin at (415)474-6219, or the East Timor mild criticism from the Clinton administra- continues. Action Network/US, (P.O. Box 1182, White tion. At the California-Nevada Annual Confer- Plains, NY 10602) (914)428-7299, or the Indonesian “democracy is becoming more ence this June, members passed a strong East Timor Action Network/SF, (415)387- dynamic at the national or local levels,” resolution calling for a cut-off of U.S. aid 2822. Suharto said in a recent nationally televised and weapons sales to Indonesia until Indo- speech. Suharto, like many people from the nesia withdraws its forces from East Timor INDONESIA FAULTED ON island of Java, uses only one name. and allows a UN-supervised referendum HUMAN RIGHTS Indonesian officials say measures such as there. Members of local churches were urged cutting off U.S. military training assistance to communicate these sentiments to Presi- By Reese Erlich. St. Petersburg Times, Aug. are counterproductive. dent Clinton and to their U.S. Senators and 29, 1993 “The Indonesian government position is Representatives as well. that we regret that is the reaction of Con- We need to follow through on this resolu- (Jakarta) The United States has recently gress,” said Soedibyo, a retired brigadier tion. It is my hope that the local churches taken steps to rebuke Indonesia for human general and government policymaker. “By can take up East Timor as a priority. Rarely rights violations, but political activists here cutting it off, I think it creates more harm have a people been so abused, so forgotten, say Clinton administration policy is far too than understanding.” and so in need of our help as the Timorese. weak. Soedibyo noted that U.S. sanctions so far One thing that we must do right now is This month the United States, which have been rather mild. In June the Clinton to lend our support to the Feingold controls the sale of U.S. weaponry to third administration allowed Indonesia to con- Amendment. Sen. Russell Feingold (D- countries, refused to allow Jordan to sell F-5 tinue to be exempted from custom duties Wisc.) has introduced an amendment to the fighter jets to Indonesia. under the General System of Preferences. Foreign Aid Authorization Bill that would In March, the United States for the first Indonesian human rights groups and the cut off U.S. arms sales to Indonesia until time supported a U.N. Human Rights AFL-CIO had lobbied for canceling GSP human rights groups certify that human Commission resolution condemning rights rights because of repression against trade rights abuses have ended in East Timor and violations in East Timor. Indonesia has oc- unions here. Indonesia complies with U.N. resolutions cupied East Timor since 1975 and carries “The United States applies a double and withdraws from that country. This out arbitrary arrests and torture, according standard when talking about human rights,” amendment will be considered by the Senate to human rights groups such as Asia Watch said Abdul Hakim, chairman of the Legal Foreign Relations Committee immediately and Amnesty International. Aid Foundation, a major Jakarta human after Labor Day. Last year Congress cut off military train- rights group. “On the one hand, the U.S. Our U.S. Senators should be contacted ing assistance to the Indonesian military. tries to show itself as a champion for moral- immediately by letter, by phone, and in Indonesian ruler Gen. Suharto seized ity of human rights . . . but at same time, person, and urged to support this measure power in a bloody 1965 military coup and U.S. multinationals enjoy the exploitation of and to speak out on behalf of self- has ruled with an iron fist since, according to rights.” determination for East Timor. human rights activists. During the Cold War Members of the House of Representa- years, Suharto was a staunch U.S. ally against both the Soviet Union and China. U.S. LIKELY TO REVIEW tives should also be contacted and asked to APPROACH AFTER ROWS support a cut-off of weapons sales to Indo- During that time, the United States en- nesia. The relevant addresses and phone couraged repressive policies in an effort to maintain stability in Indonesia, said novelist Australian Financial Review, August 30, numbers in Washington are: 1993. by Greg Earl Sen. ______and human rights activist Mochtar Lubis. U.S. Senate But the end of the Cold War should have The Clinton administration is likely to Washington, DC 20510 changed all that. conduct a general review of its approach to “Our political system is not a real de- Indonesia over the next few months after a Rep. ______mocracy,” said Lubis. “The political system series of bilateral rows, according to a U.S. House of Representatives is loaded so the ruling party and the army prominent academic commentator on Indo- Washington, DC 20515 will always have the majority in the parlia- nesian affairs. U S Capitol Switchboard: (202)224-3121 ment and in the constituent assembly.” Professor Bill Liddle told a conference in Given Clinton’s campaign promises to Canberra on Friday that while there had We should also plan educational pro- grams on East Timor in our local churches. uphold human rights worldwide, said Lubis, been a clear hardening in US policy towards There are films, articles and other materials his stand in Indonesia is “too much talk and Indonesia, there had been no conscious deci- available. John Chamberlin, pastor of First very little action.” sion to change what had been a close diplo- St. John’s UMC in San Francisco has al- David Brown, head of the State Depart- matic relationship for two decades. ready hosted several very successful pro- ment’s Indonesia desk, defended the admini- “There’s been a series of ad hoc decisions grams on East Timor and can offer advice stration, saying the United States has been as things come,” Professor Liddle told the and assistance. The East Timor Action one of the strongest voices internationally in annual Indonesia Update Conference. “The Network also has resources and information. criticizing Jakarta. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 103 decisions have been made in particular ways eral foreign journalists witnessed the murder now imprisoned by the Indonesian govern- without thinking of the implications.” by Indonesian troops of over 271 young ment. Questions and discussion followed. In the past few weeks the US has Timorese participating in a peaceful memo- At his July 30 appearance in San Fran- stopped the sale of F5 fighter planes by rial demonstration . These journalists told cisco, Pereira discussed what has kept him Jordan to Indonesia, suspended a military the world that Timorese resistance – and going after 18 years: “Timor is just a part of aid program and demanded an improvement Indonesian murder – continue. Since then, my self. Fighting for Timor keeps me alive. in Indonesian labour practices in return for popular support for East Timor has re- My generation has been sacrificed to stand keeping trade concessions under the US surged and US policy on East Timor has up for our country...if we don’t, no one else General System of Preferences. begun to change. will on our behalf.” Professor Liddle said he had investigated The East Timor Action Network/US Despite regular sad news from inside the sudden deterioration in relations with supports genuine self-determination and East Timor, Pereira, executive director of the Washington contacts and had found that human rights for the people of East Timor East Timor Relief Association in Sy dney, there had been no conscious planning. He in accordance with the Universal Declaration Australia, sees signs of hope on the interna- said he expected the Clinton administration of Human Rights and the United Nations tional scene. And his optimism and energy would now have to conduct a general review General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of are infectious. After interviewing Pereira, of its approach to Indonesia to ensure that a 14 December, 1960 (on decolonization), and the foreign affairs editor of the San Fran- serious deterioration in relations did not specific UN Security Council (384 and 389) cisco Chronicle headlined the resulting arti- develop because of several unrelated deci- and General Assembly resolutions on East cle: “East Timor’s Day Is Coming.” sions. Timor. ETAN s primary focuses are to “We [the Timorese] have won,” Pereira Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia, Mr. change US policy and raise public awareness said. “We are just waiting for the world to Sabam Siagian, also said that the US could in support of self-determination for East recognize it.” not afford to push Indonesia into a corner, Timor. Network News is published ap- Pereira, also toured Canada and per- and warned that a US decision to stop train- proximately every two months and sent to formed at the Winnipeg and Vancouver Folk ing Indonesian army officers was not a very members and supporters of ETAN/US. Festivals. effective sanction because the world military Your financial contribution is crucial to His latest cassette, titled I’m Still Fight- market was now quite diversified. He de- ETAN’s effectiveness and success. Please ing, will be available from ETAN/US for $15 scribed the GSP dispute as “not that signifi- make a contribution today. Contributions plus $1 postage. cant,” but warned that it would encourage over $50 for ETAN’s educational work can ACTIVISTS, ACADEMICS MEET IN Indonesia to look for new trading partners in be made payable to WESPAC Founda- OPORTO countries such as China and India. tion/ETAN. Mail to ETAN, PO Box 1182, Another prominent Indonesian econo- White Plains, NY 10602. By Matthew Jardine mist, Dr. Sjahrir, said he believed that Indo- AGIO PEREIRA: “I’M STILL For the fifth consecutive year, the Uni- versity of Oporto (Portugal) organized a nesia could not expect a friendly foreign FIGHTING,” SAYS ACTIVIST SINGER policy approach from the Clinton admini- symposium on East Timor. This year’s stration but the country “could live with By Anne Treseder conference was titled “East Timor and In- that.” East Timorese activist and folk musician donesia, Roads for Liberty, Self- Professor Liddle said the changed US ap- Agio Pereira toured the San Francisco Bay Determination and Democracy” represented proach to Indonesia was driven by the war Area and the Pacific Northwest last July. a unique opportunity for valuable interac- that the end of the cold war had allowed The tour, sponsored by East Timor Action tion between East Timorese in exile, aca- some US policy- makers and politicians to Network chapters in Seattle, Portland and demics, and activists who share the common give a high priority to human rights issues, the Bay Area, followed successful appear- vision of an independent East Timor in particularly with regard to Timor. ances in Canada. which democracy and human rights are su- A student in Lisbon when Indonesia in- preme. ETAN/US NETWORK NEWS vaded his homeland on December 7, 1975, Several pro-democracy activists from In- Pereira has lived in exile ever since. Trained donesia took great risks to participate in the Issue No. 7, September 1993. This newslet- as an environmental biologist, he has spent July symposium, which had a special em- ter is also available on paper: 6 pages with much of the last 18 years traveling through- phasis on Indonesia. Members of the East photos. Call or write for a copy. Only arti- out the world championing Timorese self- Timorese diaspora, some from as far away cles which include information not in other determination. This was his first trip to the as Angola and Macao also came to Oporto, Documents in this volume are included here. United States. as did representative from East Timorese At each stop of his tour, Pereira gave in- solidarity groups in Mozambique, the US INTRODUCTION terviews to mainstream and alternative me- (ETAN), the Philippines and elsewhere. In December 1975, Indonesia invaded the dia, met with local political figures and The diverse week-long gathering mixed tiny half-island of East Timor. Nearly one- ETAN activists, and performed in a variety the academic and political with the cultural. third of the population has died as a direct of venues. He spoke at a San Francisco rally Most days featured “classes” in which result of the invasion. During 18 years of against US arms sales to Indonesia, sang at a prominent academics, researchers, and/or brutal military occupation, the East Mass for East Timor in Berkeley, and met activists would speak on subjects pertinent Timorese have never surrendered their wish with Indonesian and other students at the to Indonesia and East Timor. Presenters to govern themselves. The United States University of Washington. included Benedict Anderson (Cornell Uni- government provided weapons and diplo- At his concerts, Pereira used each song as versity), Liem Soei Liong (Tapol), Ingrid matic support throughout the genocide, and an opportunity to explain something more Wessel (Humboldt - Berlin), Daniel Lev approved the invasion in advance. about East Timor or the experience of exile. (University of Washington, Seattle), Aka- The East Timor Action Network/US was He also showed a short video on the life of hisa Matsuno (University of Osaka - Japan) formed at the end of 1991, following a mas- Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmão, and Roger Clark of Rutgers Law School. sacre in Dili, the capital of East Timor. Sev- Page 104 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Featured prominently were top national- According to a State Department official, BOOK REVIEW: TELLING: PERSONAL ist leaders Mari Alkatiri (FRETILIN), a “combination of sensitive issues, including TESTIMONIES 1942-1992 Zacarias da Costa (UDT), and National human-rights concerns, made it impossible By Matthew Jardine Council of Maubere Resistance head José to approve the transfer.” Within the last few years, several out- Ramos-Horta. Formal and informal discus- Trade Sanctions sions between the East Timorese nationalist standing books have been published on East The rejection of the sale followed another leaders and conference participants provided Timor. One of the more interesting, and the recent defeat for Jakarta. In June, US Trade valuable insights into in formulating political most unique, is Michelle Turner’s Telling: Representative Mickey Kantor announced strategies. East Timor: Personal Testimonies 1942- that Indonesia risks suspension of tariff During the evenings, there were films and 1992, published last year by New South privileges it receives under the General Sy s- some very beautiful and heartwarming artis- Wales University Press in Australia. tem of Preferences (GSP). While the issues tic presentations by individual East A 218-page collection of oral histories around the possible GSP suspension are Timorese and Timorese dance troupes. gathered in Australia over a ten year period, larger than East Timor, Congressional anger Telling consists of three sections. The first NEWS BRIEFS over Timor reportedly played an important covers the period of the Second World War President Clinton met with President Su- role in the Clinton administration’s decision. (1941-August 1945) when 20,000 Japanese harto in Tokyo before the G7 Summit in These defeats for Indonesia are the latest troops occupied East Timor. Much of the early July. A quarter of the meeting was in a series of US rebukes of the Suharto Japanese troops’ time was spent pursuing reportedly taken up with a discussion of regime’s brutal occupation of East Timor. several hundred Australian commandos who East Timor. Clinton was also said to have Given the rosy relations between Washing- inflicted high casualties on the Japanese. given Suharto a copy of the a letter signed ton and Jakarta since Suharto came to power Although the majority of the Australians by 43 Senators calling for a review of US in 1965, these have proven to be quite em- fled the island after one year, small intelli- policy on East Timor “with an eye toward barrassing for the Indonesian government. gence groups, along with East Timorese facilitating serious negotiations ... in pursuit Since the December 1975 invasion of trained in Australia, operated in the territory of the right of self-determination of the East East Timor, the US has supported the Indo- until the end of the war. Interviews with Timorese people.... We believe that the nesian occupation through all administra- former Australian soldiers and East United States should work ... to convince tions, whatever their political stripe. The Timorese elites, many of whom worked Indonesia by diplomatic means that it is not US has provided Jakarta with hundreds of with the Portuguese administration, domi- in Indonesia’s long-term interest to pursue millions of dollars in economic and military nate. the policies it has followed in East Timor.” assistance, along with diplomatic backing in The second (and the briefest and weak- After the meeting, Suharto said he had told the United Nations and other international est) section covers “Thirty Years of Peace, Clinton “that we accepted the East Timor fora. August 1945 to August 1975,” from the integration because we respect the human While the recent setbacks for Indonesia return of the Portuguese administration to rights of the majority of East Timorese.” serve as a sign that the Clinton Administra- the beginning of the civil war between ACTION ALERT FOLLOW-UP: F-5 tion is different from its predecessors, it is FRETILIN (the Revolutionary Front for an SALE STOPPED; TRADE SANCTIONS not at all clear that Clinton and Co. are will- Independent East Timor) and the UDT POSSIBLE ing to take sufficient action to force Jakarta (Timorese Democratic Union). Recent victories provide hope that sig- to actually pull out of East Timor. In fact, The final section, and by far the longest, nificant change in the long-standing US pol- we are seeing some signs that suggest quite deals with the horrific experiences of the icy of assisting Jakarta’s brutal occupation the opposite. East Timorese since the beginning of Indo- of East Timor is possible. At its June meeting, the Consultative nesian aggression in East Timor (at the end In late July, the State Department ac- Group on Indonesia (CGI) – a consortium of the civil war). While the vast majority of knowledged that they denied the Jordanian of Western-donor countries and multilateral the interviews are with East Timorese in government permission to sell four US-made lending institutions that grant economic aid exile in Australia, there are a few with for- F-5E fighter jets to the Indonesian military. to Indonesia – the United States granted mer Australian commandos from the World Under the terms of the original sale to Jor- Jakarta $90 million for Fiscal Year 1993-94, War II era as well as one with Robert dan, the State Department had final say on only $3 million less than the previous year. Domm, the Australian lawyer who visited the transfer. In all, the CGI gave Indonesia over $5 billion and interviewed Xanana Gusmão in his Several US companies – including Eidet- in loans and grants, mostly from Japan, the mountain hideout in January 1990. ics Corporation of Torrance, CA, supported World Bank, and the Asian Development Telling is a valuable contribution to un- the sale. Eidetics claimed that other coun- Bank. derstanding East Timor. While there have tries would simply sell aircraft to Indonesia Clearly, the attractiveness of Indonesia to been a number of first hand accounts of life if the sale was blocked. Congressional the Pentagon and multinational corporations under the Indonesian occupation, never have champions of the sale reportedly included has not diminished. Much work lies ahead they been put together in as systematic and Representative Jane Harman (D-CA) and for the East Timor Action Network and our comprehensive a fashion. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA). allies. Our recent victories should serve as The fascinating section on East Timor However, the State Department felt strong encouragement, but should not delude during the Japanese occupation painfully compelled to block the sale due to strong us into thinking that we have won the strug- reconstructs the brutal experiences of the congressional opposition and grassroots gle to end the US government’s cooperation East Timorese, when about 40,000 East pressure. Four Senators – Claiborne Pell (D- with the genocide committed by Jakarta in Timorese lost their lives. While the North RI), Russell D. Feingold (D-WI), Edward East Timor. American reader might find the emphasis on M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Tom Harkin (D- Australia a bit excessive, the highly personal IA) – sent a letter in early June to Secretary nature of the interviews I quite engrossing. of State Warren Christopher asking him Here lies a major (perhaps unavoidable) reject the sale of the jets. flaw of the whole book. By relying on inter- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 105 views with individuals in Australia, there is lic. Stopping US arms sales received a high UN special committee on decolonization on a built-in bias to the collection. A number of priority. behalf of ETAN/US – described the “tre- important voices are not heard. Many of the Leading off the meeting were briefings mendous increase in awareness and energy East Timorese interviewees, for example, from Carmel Budiardjo of Tapol in England, among the American people” on East Timor seem to come from the more privileged sec- journalist Allan Nairn, and José Amorim since ETAN s founding in 1991. “That en- tors of the colonial society – either the in- Dias of the CNRM. Budiardjo, a former ergy has begun to change American policy,” digenous East Timorese elite or “civili- political prisoner in Indonesia and a long- he said. zados” who achieved relative status under time activist on East Timor, told the group “The East Timorese people have suf- the Portuguese system. Thus, Portugal – that ETAN/US added a “refreshing new fered, died, and struggled for 18 years whose presence in East Timor was often dimension to the struggle for East Timor against Indonesian repression and, for years quite brutal – gets off relatively light. [that] could make a qualitative difference to before that, against Portuguese coloniza- Given the difficulty of getting out of East the work internationally.” East Timor is tion,” Scheiner told the committee. “It is Timor, either in the aftermath of the civil increasingly becoming an issue in Indonesian long past time for the international commu- war or since the Indonesian invasion, clearly society and the US has a “key role in exert- nity to put action behind their paper princi- those with greater financial resources and ing pressure in making it as costly as possi- ples and come to their support.” higher social status were better able to nego- ble for Indonesia to remain in East Timor.” The committee heard from 21 petitioners tiate the difficult exit. In this sense, Turner Nairn, a correspondent for the New from organizations and parliaments in eight cannot be blamed for the lack of representa- Yorker magazine, was beaten by Indonesian countries. The committee, following its tiveness of the interviews. troops during the Dili massacre in Novem- recent pattern took no action on East Timor, Many of the interviews are quite moving ber 1991, which led to the founding of one of the 17 non-self-governing territories and, given their often graphic nature, very ETAN/US. Nairn observed that since the recognized by the UN. painful. The reader learns a great deal not massacre US policy “has shifted from rigid only about East Timor’s long and sorrowful support of Jakarta’s occupation of East A ROMANTIC LOBBYIST history, but also about the personal strug- Timor” because of grassroots pressure. He gles and triumphs experienced by coura- called current policy “somewhat incoherent Publico, 30 September 1993. By Paulo geous East Timorese individuals. I highly and confused” as battle over it direction goes Moura. Translated from Portuguese recommend Telling to well-studied observ- on in Congress and the Clinton administra- (Washington) The aim of the Timorese ers of and newcomers to the issue of East tion. Mobilization at the grassroots, he said lobby in Washington is to influence the US Timor. would decide the outcome. so that pressure is put on Indonesia to de- Copies of Telling are available from Amorim described his own experiences militarize and to hold elections in East ETAN, PO Box 1182, White Plains, NY growing up in East Timor and as a student Timor. Publico spoke to the lobbyist, en- 10602. $20 plus $3 postage. in Jakarta. Once in the early 1980s, he listed by the Timorese Resistance. He ETAN CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE watched as his father was tortured by Indo- admitted to being the cheapest lobbyist in MEETS nesian troops in front of his entire family. In Washington. Jakarta, Amorim worked to convince Indo- By John M. Miller “I was famous once, you know.” Profes- nesian student and pro-democracy activists sional lobbyist Bruce Cameron does not Key activists from the East Timor Ac- of the parallels between Dutch colonization seem to feel very comfortable about the tion Network/US and Canada’s ETAN – the of Indonesia and its occupation of his home- Timorese Resistance being his main client. East Timor Alert Network – met in West- land. Arrested at a protest by East Timorese “In this profession, it is easy to become chester, New York, in July. For many, it in Jakarta after the Dili massacre, he later famous overnight, and then later...” was the first opportunity to meet face-to- fled the country. He is now the CNRM’s 56-year-old Cameron is one of those re- face after months of communicating by representative to the European Community. sponsible for the introduction of the Timor phone, fax and e-mail. Beginning steps were taken to help issue on to the agenda of the US Congress. Almost two dozen ETAN/US members ETAN/US’s structure catch up with the He contacts senators and representatives, and four from ETAN Canada attended the explosion of interest in East Timor. A steer- and meets with members of the Foreign conference. Also at the meeting were ob- ing committee was set up consisting of Relations and Fund Appropriations Com- servers from England, Portugal, the Nether- ETAN’s coordinator, Charles Scheiner and missions. lands and the National Council of Maubere representatives of ETAN’s existing local Up until this week, the aim had been to Resistance (CNRM) the umbrella organiza- groups in Boston; Ithaca, NY; Los Angeles; get the so-called Feingold Amendment tion of the East Timorese independence Madison; New Jersey; Metro New York (which restricts the sale of weapons to In- movement. City; Portland, Oregon; Providence, RI; San donesia) passed, first by the Senate and then During the weekend we debated the im- Francisco Bay Area; Seattle; and Washing- by the joint session of the two Chambers of plications of recent events and evaluated ton, DC area. several responsibilities were Congress. According to the Amendment, past projects, such as the New Generation decentralized. Over the coming months, the proposed by Democratic Senator Feingold of Resistance tour of young Timorese Steering Committee will further refine and already passed at the Senate’s Foreign jointly undertaken by both ETANs. We also ETAN’s decision-making and structure and Relations Commission, the US President exchanged organizing tips and discussed work on such issues as the composition of would have to consult Congress on the hu- possible projects and strategies. As the an executive committee, what constitutes a man rights situation in East Timor before newer organization, ETAN/US worked on chapter and guidelines for cosponsoring approving any weapons sales to Indonesia. its structure and purpose. We agreed on a projects with other groups. The Amendment was passed by the For- mission statement that affirms our commit- ETAN SPEAKS AT UN eign Relations Commission and appended to ment to self-determination and human rights DECOLONIZATION MEETING the Foreign Aid Law, which now requires for the East Timorese and our focus on the House of Representatives’ approval. changing US policy and educating the pub- Immediately following the ETAN meet- ing, Charles Scheiner – in a statement to the But because this law only has to be altered Page 106 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. every two years, it is not certain that it will Now we have to work on these other two work has to be done purely on the basis of be debated this year. For this reason, Fein- ideas.” personal relations.” gold decided to propose his Amendment at No lobby for Indonesia? In 1973, after working for three years as the session discussing the Fund Appropria- adviser to the now Senator Tom Harkin, It would be natural to expect that, over tions Law last week. Cameron started out as a lobbyist in Con- on the other side, using its influence in the All the lobbying work then focused on gress. Until last year, when he hired a secre- opposite direction, and with much more raising support for the Amendment at that tary, he had always worked alone. “This is a powerful means at its disposal, there would session. When the time came, however, very well paid activity,” he recognises, “but be Indonesia. However, to Cameron’s Feingold realised that there would not be I am probably the worst paid lobbyist in amazement, this is not the case. “I do not consensus on the appropriateness of sanc- Washington.” know why it is but, lately, the Indonesians tions against Indonesia, and he decided to have not been lobbying. They do have lob- give up. He will now wait for the Foreign byists registered, but I have never seen them Aid Law to get to the Senate, which could at work, nor felt their presence,” he told us. PRIME MINISTER happen any time from next October to the “I think that Indonesia had some of the big KEATING GOES TO end of next year. Washington firms working for it but, even “That was the risk we decided to take,” WASHINGTON AND though they were being paid fortunes, they explained Cameron to Publico. He refused to were not doing anything, and were dis- DUBLIN admit that this represented a defeat for the missed.” Timorese cause, while at the same time With regards the firms registered for the agreeing that the approval of the Amend- Indonesian client, Cameron consults the KEATING ADVICE ment would have meant a powerful means Justice Department’s report. There are, MISGUIDED of putting pressure on Jakarta, forcing it to indeed, large Washington firms but none of make concessions at the negotiating table them is doing any political lobbying - only Comment from James Dunn, Sept. 14. with Portugal. If it had gone ahead now, economical lobbying. however, all might have been lost. According to our local news services the “It is the arms industry and related or- “I cannot tell you exactly what I do” Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, ganisations which I feel are lobbying from While Feingold plays his political game, who is currently in Washington, at a meeting the other side.” Everything seems to indicate Cameron (paid by the Timorese Resistance) with Congressmen urged them to ease hu- that the Indonesians, feeling increasingly gives backup on the issue by seeking sup- man rights criticisms of China and Indone- unsure about the credibility of their political port for his proposals. “Well, I cannot tell sia. position, have decided to entrust the US you exactly what I do,” Cameron says. “I Based on this writer’s past experience as arms manufacturers with their defence. speak to people, I have a lot of contacts in an adviser on our relations with Indonesia “The two Louisiana Senators, for exam- Congress, where I have been a lobbyist for this is spurious advice from a Prime Minis- ple, are against the Feingold Amendment,” over 20 years. And, if you look at the re- ter who is short on human rights sensitivity, explained Cameron. “This is because there is ports written in the Commissions this year and it should not be heeded. One only has to a big arms and mines manufacturer in that on Timor, you will see that there is a differ- look at the track record of Australian policy State, with hundreds of millions of dollars ence. They contain many of my proposals - in relation to East Timor to see how our invested in Indonesia, which has the Sena- not word for word, of course, but they are policy of accommodation not only did noth- tors up against the wall.” the result of my contacts with other par- ing for the Timorese, but that it actually As well as the Timorese Resistance, the ties.” Among these, he says, is the Portu- encouraged Indonesia to ride out interna- Mozambican and Nicaraguan Governments guese Government, which “he helps, tional criticism of its annexation of the for- are among Bruce Cameron’s clients. One through his representatives in the Admini- mer Portuguese colony. Only two years cannot say they are clients of great impor- stration, to keep the issue alive, ensuring after the Indonesian invasion of East Timor tance. that it is spoken about in the corridors of the Australian Government took the shame- It’s obvious, although Cameron does not Capitol Hill.” ful step of according de facto recognition to admit it, that he is not able to separate the Bruce Cameron refuses to reveal which the incorporation of the territory, and then job from idealism. “For years, I worked for Congressmen are his privileged targets, but proceeded to vote with Indonesia in the UN the Timorese cause without expecting to explains: “The Democrats control all the General Assembly, arguing that recognition earn a penny. From 1976 to 1983, in fact for commissions. I am a Democrat, and for the would help the Timorese. In the following most of my career, I made no money at all. I past 20 years I have been working on for- two years more than 50,000 Timorese per- stopped working on Timor for seven years, eign policy issues in Congress.” ished, and oppression within the territory but then two years ago, Jose (Ramos Horta) The guiding principle behind Cameron’s intensified. At the same time the Indonesian contacted me and I restarted work with him. activities is to make the US Administration Government became increasingly defiant in But I can no longer work for nothing - I am pressure Indonesia into making concessions its responses to external criticism. 56 years old; I am a lobbyist, and I have to in the negotiations with Portugal. “There are Past Australian, and US, accommodation earn a living.” two basic ideas which we are trying to pro- of human rights abuses has merely encour- But Bruce still charges Ramos Horta a aged the consolidation of this act of aggres- mote,” he told us: “Instead of just working special price. “How could I ask for a lot of on the human rights issue, or the question of sion, boosting the confidence of the ABRI money from East Timor? Timor simply self- determination, there is something in the perpetrators. Arguably, it has also ob- could not pay lobbyists who charge a mil- middle which can be done: promoting de- structed efforts within Indonesia to press lion dollars a year. Nor could it pay nearly 3 militarization of the island, and convincing for democratic change, and to persuade the million dollars, like Angola does. In fact, all the Indonesians to hold local elections. What military to get back into their barracks. my clients are very poor, and survive on was talked about in New York, (already an As John MacDougall has pointed out, donations. That is the main reason why my important step), was just human rights. the international community failed to re- spond adequately after the Santa Cruz mas- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 107 sacre, when the Suharto regime was, for a Arguably, it has also obstructed efforts vice to the United States not to act as a brief time, caught off balance. within Indonesia to press for democratic policeman on human rights in Asia. The At this particular time East Timor’s change. It should never be forgotten that by Foundation which had earlier written to US slender prospects for a more just settlement shielding Indonesia from international criti- President Clinton supporting his arms em- - whether it be ultimate independence of a cism we are giving valuable support to the bargo on Indonesia branded Mr. Keating’s form of autonomy - depend heavily on pres- powerful military component of the gov- statement as hypocritical and out of step sure being kept up by Indonesia’s major ernment in Jakarta and discouraging a proc- not only with United States policy but also trading partners and aid donors. ess of democratization which in the long run with the majority of Australians. may well turn out to be the best hope of the The chairperson of the Foundation, Mi- On September 15, I faxed the following to Timorese in their desperate search for a chael Wager, said today: “The Prime Minis- Senator Claiborne Pell: more just solution to their fate. ter seems to be highly selective in the way I understand that the Australian Prime In the circumstances I urge all congress- he applies international law and human Minister, Paul Keating, who is currently on men to persist with their campaign to help rights considerations to some countries but an official visit to Washington, has sug- right a terrible wrong that has been inflicted not to others. He should listen carefully to gested to Congressmen that the US moder- on the Timorese people. Indeed, if we are to President Clinton and take increasing US ate its human rights criticisms of China and take a wider view of the problem, the reme- pressure on Indonesia as an example. Indonesia. dying of this gross violation of human rights “Australia was one of the first countries Based on my past experience as an ad- is an important step towards the structuring to send forces to Kuwait, but when it comes viser and analyst this is not sound advice of a safer and more stable regional environ- to ending the brutal Indonesian occupation from our Prime Minister, whose commit- ment. At this particular time East Timor’s of East Timor with its horrendous death toll ment to human rights diplomacy is of some slender prospects for a more just settlement of one third of East Timor’s population, the concern. One only has to look at the case of - whether it be ultimate independence or a Prime Minister prefers to ‘weigh human East Timor to see how dismally the policy form of autonomy - depend heavily on rights against economic interests.’” Mr. Keating is advocating has failed. Indo- pressure being kept up by responsible Dr. Wager said that the barring of US nesia’s invasion of the former colony was members of the world community, espe- arms sales to Indonesia had been an essential virtually facilitated by the then Govern- cially Indonesia’s major trading partners and signal to the Indonesian generals to begin ment’s deliberate policy of accommodation. aid donors. serious negotiations on a political solution And this benign response did nothing to James Dunn of the East Timor conflict. In contrast, Aus- spare the Timorese, who were to experience [The author testified on East Timor before a tralia’s policy of expressing human rights a particularly brutal occupation, costing up Congressional Sub-Committee (Donald concerns “in private” while officially ex- to 200,000 lives. We have no way of know- Fraser) in 1977. A specialist on Indonesia panding military cooperation with Indonesia ing the real figure, but demographic facts are and Eastern Europe he served as an Austra- amounted to thinly veiled collaboration in disturbing enough. According to the popula- lian diplomat, in Eastern Europe and as the genocide of East Timor. tion growth rate prevailing in 1975 today Consul in East Timor in the sixties, and as a “The only way to bring about the end of there should be almost a million Timorese: member of a two-man fact-finding mission the horrendous human rights violations in according to Jakarta’s latest census in 1993 sent to the territory by the Whitlam Govern- East Timor is a political solution of the there are less than 650,000. The Australian ment in 1974 to report on the future of the conflict under the auspices of the United and US policies of keeping the lid on human colony] Nations and the withdrawal of the Indone- rights violations by Jakarta’s military virtu- sian forces from East Timor as demanded by Question from Greg Mayew 10 resolutions of the United Nations,” Dr. ally encouraged Indonesia to ignore interna- On September 15 a copy of a letter sent tional criticism of its subjugation of the Wager said. to Claiborne Pell by James Dunn was circu- Dr. Wager quoted a survey by the Aus- Timorese people. lated on this network. In the letter Dunn In 1978, a mere two years after the inva- tralian Defence Force Academy and said mentioned that Indonesia’s 1993 census that a majority of Australians believed that sion the Australian Government took the revealed slightly under 650,000 Timorese in shameful step of according de facto recogni- Australian policy on East Timor should be East Timor. Does anyone know if this figure guided by a human rights perspective rather tion to the incorporation of the territory, is just for the Timorese or includes the and then proceeded to vote with Indonesia than by narrow economic interests. 100,000 or so people shipped into the coun- The East Timor Foundation is an incor- in the UN General Assembly, arguing that try from Indonesia? recognition would help the Timorese. It has porated non-profit human-rights organisa- not helped at all. In the following two years Answer from James Dunn tion which is concerned with increasing more than 50,000 Timorese perished, and I have just seen your query about the fig- public awareness of the situation in East oppression within the territory intensified. ure of 650,000 Timorese which I had in- Timor. At the same time the Indonesian Govern- cluded in my fax to Senator Pell. In fact, it is ment became increasingly defiant in its re- the Timorese component of the population. WE’RE ALL DRESSED UP, PLEASE sponses to external criticism. Today’s population of the province is usu- TELL US WHERE TO GO As our weak response to the Santa Cruz ally given as 750,000 of which at least massacre demonstrated, past Australian, and 100,000 are from elsewhere in Indonesia. Age, Melbourne Australia, 16 Sept. 1993. By US, reactions to human rights abuses have Kenneth Davidson, a weekly columnist for merely encouraged the consolidation of this EAST TIMOR FOUNDATION the Age. act of aggression, boosting the confidence of REJECTS KEATING’S AD VICE PRECISELY what Australian interests its military perpetrators, and facilitating was the Prime Minister projecting when he Jakarta’s disinformation about the situation Media Release, 14 September 1993 took up three hours of President Clinton’s on the ground. The East Timor Foundation has strongly time in Washington on Tuesday? rejected Prime Minister Paul Keating’s ad- Page 108 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

How, precisely, are Australia’s interests lian soldiers during the Pacific War, when, THE WRONG SIGNAL advanced by telling the US to go soft on by tying down a division of Japanese human rights issues in China and Indonesia? troops, the Timorese made a crucial contri- Editorial, The Age. Melbourne, Australia, 16 In what amounted to a realpolitik dis- bution to the AIF’s ability to stop the Japa- September 1993. Full text. missal of Mr. Clinton’s (and America’s) nese on the Kokoda trail. The Prime Minister, Mr. Keating may moral scruples on the issue of human rights The soil of Kokoda is sacred, according think he is winning friends in our region by in the region, Mr. Keating must have be- to Mr. Keating, and he kissed it in front of asking the Americans to tread softly when lieved that proffering this advice would in the TV cameras last year as proof of his pressing human rights concerns with China some way build up Brownie points for Aus- sincerity and to underline his republican and Indonesia. But will China and Indonesia tralia in Washington, Jakarta and Beijing. campaign. respect Australia more for Mr. Keating’s Can the Brownie points be cashed in? Mr. Hawke cried copious tears in front gratuitous intervention or will they view it For how much? of the TV cameras in Parliament House in as merely a bit of rather pathetic toadying? If there is no material pay-off to com- 1989 over the Tiananmen Square massacre. Far from Australia giving the US advice pensate for Australia’s moral turpitude, As Mr. Keating would say, the dogs bark about toning down its criticism, we should then the discussion between Mr. Keating but the caravan moves on. But to where? be much more ready to speak out ourselves and Mr. Clinton on this issue can be written Mr. Keating continues the long tradition about human rights abuses in our region. off as simply idle chatter from another jun- of prime ministerial fatuity at the White There is no doubt that the unimpressive keteering Australian politician who does not House, albeit with a harder economic ration- human rights records of some of our Asian have enough to say of relevance to the bilat- alist edge, because the country has not made neighbors does put Australia in a difficult eral relationship to fill up the time allotted up its mind where it wants to go and the position, given our need to become more to him by the White House. means by which it is to get there. involved in the region. But our anxiety not So far, Australia has played the role of Level playing fields, micro-economic re- to offend the perpetrators of human rights the jackal in respect of East Timor for very form and the market may be efficacious as violations on our doorstep surely did not little material gain – an illegal division of to means, but they cannot substitute for require Mr. Keating’s intervention. He could exploration rights to the Timor Sea with political leadership in identifying the ends have simply remained silent and let the US Indonesia – and at some strategic cost – the that society ought to pursue. do the chastising. Not that we believe that loss of a potential military springboard. Neither the market, nor individual busi- silence over human rights is necessary or Mr. Keating parades himself internation- nessmen, no matter how rich and powerful, desirable. Despite Mr. Keating’s warning ally as the practical statesman whose sup- can fill this vacuum. What is needed is an about there being “broader interests” at port for a multilateral world free-trading overall vision, and some direction, from the stake, the need for economic cooperation environment is buttressed, logically and centre to achieve agreed ends. with the countries of our region does not morally, by the unilateral removal of restric- Until we have a political leadership that mean we should hide our concerns for hu- tions on trade and commerce at home. can fill this vacuum, it would be much more man rights violations wherever they occur. Where is the payoff? It has now dawned to the nation’s advantage of its Prime Min- President Clinton is right to insist that on Australia’s unilateral free traders that the ister stayed at home and began the process China’s most favored nation trade status is Uruguay round of GATT, seven years in of developing a political consensus about conditional on it improving its human rights the making, had gone horribly wrong. national directions and the means to achieve record. The US is also right to warn that And in keeping with a long tradition, them. American arms sales to Indonesia might be briefly punctuated by the Gorton and Whit- Unfortunately, this requires a real men- suspended because of Indonesia’s actions in lam governments, the Keating Government tality of independence that is not being dis- East Timor. If the world’s most powerful is frantically looking for somebody or some- played by the Keating Government. country – indeed the only remaining super- thing outside Australia to turn up and save Given the active involvement of the power – does not speak up strongly about us. Hawke-Keating Government in the sale to human rights issues, who will? Uruguay is now being replaced by APEC foreigners of Australia’s prime corporate The best way to get better human rights (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Initia- assets (and, more recently, the trade sale of for the citizens of countries like China is for tive). And in our struggle to get on to the a controlling interest in Qantas to British the international community to make clear new bandwagon, and assuage critics of Aus- Airways), I used to think the republican its outrage over human rights violations, and tralia’s Asian pretensions such as Malaysia, debate was simply part of a cynical exercise to back up its condemnation with aid and Mr. Keating is prepared to abandon dissi- in political camouflage, or a mutation of the trade sanctions. China and Indonesia need dent or nationalist groups in the region that old sectarian debate between Irish Catholics the goodwill of the West as much as the are an embarrassment or worse to existing and British Protestants. West needs them. In case Mr. Keating needs regimes. I am no longer so certain. The republican reminding, the World Conference on Human Although it is at least arguable that the debate may simply be the sincere expression Rights in Vienna in June agreed – despite the Chinese Government’s reaction to domestic of the cognitive dissidence of a politician reluctance of a few, mainly Asian, countries political dissent is an internal matter, real- (and a nation) becoming dimly aware that – that human rights are the same the world politik would suggest that while these peo- we are already very much on our own, but over and human rights abuses in any coun- ple are on the outside today, they could without the policies, the direction and the try are the business of the whole world. The very well be on the inside in positions of commitment that would make this state of US should be supported in insisting on de- considerable power tomorrow. independence exhilarating rather than fright- cent standards of human rights in the coun- That justification is not available in re- ening. tries it deals with. Mr. Keating’s public spect of East Timor. The United Nations anxiety over the US position makes us seem does not recognise Indonesian sovereignty. weak and faintly ridiculous. Nor should we, especially since Australia owes the Timorese people a debt of grati- tude for their sacrifice on behalf of Austra- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 109

CLINTON/KEATING PRESS we can’t simply have a commerce-only abuses, Argentinian Senator Solari Yrigoyen, relationship. received a disturbing letter from Indonesia’s CONFERENCE I am going to do what I can to build the President Suharto. It said, in effect, that an White House transcript, excerpts. Sept. 16 Pacific Community and not to undermine it, imprisoned parliamentarian - one of more and that’s what your Prime Minister spoke than 100 jailed around the world - could PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE so eloquently about today. soon be executed. PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER I think you wanted him to comment on Senator Yrigoyen is a survivor of Argen- KEATING OF AUSTRALIA this, too. tina’s death squads. His only words on his PRIME MINISTER KEATING: Neither time in a clandestine detention centre are THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. It’s a the United States nor Australia will ever that he “came back from hell.” He was saved great pleasure for me to welcome the Prime compromise its shared sense of democracy, by the same group of International MPs Minister of Australia, Mr. Keating, to its commitment to human rights and the that he now heads, which fights for the lives Washington and to have this opportunity to respect of human values. And we put them of parliamentarians condemned to death and make a couple of statements and then an- forthrightly wherever we see those values for those unjustly held in detention. swer some of your questions. under threat or seeking to be compromised. Almost 1000 parliamentarians and dele- ... (much on other subjects deleted) And this is true in Australia’s case with gates from around the world were in Can- Q Mr. Clinton, could you comment on Aus- Indonesia. It’s been true in respect of China, berra at the International Parliamentary tralian concerns that the U.S. push on as has been the case with the United States. Union’s conference when the Keating human rights in countries such as China But I think it’s true for me and I’m cer- statement was reported. The concern among and Indonesia could threaten Asia-Pacific tain for the President that we see these is- some was almost palpable, particularly as economic cooperation? Could Mr. sues as part of a total relationship where we the Suharto letter, received by the union on Keating also comment on that? And, Mr. seek to have an influence on these countries 10 September, was high on its agenda. President, could you also flesh out exactly and where the influence may be diminished One of the first things they heard on arri- what you want to see coming out of the if the totality of the relationship only in- val in the national capital was that Mr. leaders summit in Seattle in November? volves the human rights questions, and be- Keating had sought a softer line from the US THE PRESIDENT: Let me mention, first of yond that, that is on these other issues like on violations by China and Indonesia. Am- all, the United States does have a very proliferation and other issues and commer- nesty International and others list those strong position on human rights, and I think cial questions, where the relationship must violations as mass murder, torture, rape, we should. I also think your government has be seen in its totality. illegal imprisonment and the destruction of a good position on human rights, which it (more on other subjects deleted) cultures and religions. has not been reluctant to express in dealing The Keating statement is seen by Dr. with other nations. But that has not under- PM WASHES BLOOD FROM Michael Wager, the chairman of the East mined our relationships, commercial rela- Timor Foundation, to have set back the tionships and political relationships with OTHER HANDS cause of justice for those brutalized by mili- tary regimes. “He has basically told the countries that we think are making an honest The Age, Melbourne, 18 September 1993 effort to shoot straight with us and to work Indonesian generals that they have the ap- with us. The Prime Minister, Mr. Keating, has proval of the Australian Government. This You mentioned Indonesia. I went out of come under attack for his recent comments will further delay a solution to the situation my way to ask President Suharto to come to on human rights. Martin Daly reports. in East Timor,” said Dr. Wager. Japan and meet with me when I was there, SENATOR Bruce Childs, the convenor Senator Yrigoyen called a news confer- because he’s the head of the nonaligned of the Labor Party’s Left faction, reflected ence in Parliament House to highlight the nations. Indonesia, I think, is one of the briefly yesterday on the trade union friends case of the Indonesian, Mr. Sukatno, who most underestimated countries in the world. he knew in Indonesia 1964, before the has been in jail since 1967 and is under a Most people have no idea how big it is, that Communist coup and the Suharto-inspired sentence of death for his alleged part in the 180 million people live there, that it is a bloodbath that followed. “They were all 1965 coup and other alleged activities relat- vast, enormous potential partner in a global killed ... so you don’t have to tell me about ing to insurrection. economy. Indonesia,” he said. Before him lay a pile of press clippings We have questions about the issues of He was sitting in a Parliament House an- on Mr. Keating’s plea to Washington but he East Timor, as you know, and I think you nex with David Norris, an Irish senator and discussed the issue only when pressed to do do, too – your country does, too. But we Trinity College lecturer, who wished Paul so, and then he stressed he was speaking have had good contact with Indonesia. With Keating well on his trip to Ireland, the home personally and not on behalf of his organisa- regard to China, the United States has, after of his ancestors but then lamented that the tion. If Paul Keating did not think human all, an $18-billion trade deficit with China. It Prime Minister had sacrificed Australia’s rights were a priority, then Senator would be hard to say that we are not doing human rights record on the altar of commer- Yrigoyen did not agree with him. The our part to aid the Chinese economic revival. cial self-interest. Keating move had become so sensitive that We have very strong commercial relation- The attack was one of a number inspired Senator Yrigoyen would go no further. ships with them. this week by what is seen in human rights But the Keating statement - defended by But it is our responsibility in the world circles as an apparent shift in Australian the Foreign Minister, Senator Evans, and the in which we live, I think, to try to restrain policy to rake more account of business Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Howe, but the proliferation of weapons of mass de- opportunities in Asia, at the expense of criticised by the ALP President, Mr. Barry struction, to try to stand up for human protests about human rights violations. Jones, had already raised alarm bells rights, and to try to engage the Chinese Shortly before Mr. Keating urged the throughout Australia’s human rights net- across a whole broad range of issues, so that United States administration during his work. Washington trip to take a softer line on There was also concern in Labor party Indonesia and China for human rights circles and a feeling that Mr. Keating’s Page 110 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Washington remarks will come back to of the alleged killer regiment and the massa- issue of human rights: that it is a Western haunt him. For some, the policy called into cres its members commit. concept and is understood differently by question the future of the nation’s historical The Chinese are believed by Amnesty to developing countries, where development is role as a vocal exponent of the international have one of the worst human rights records first priority,” Ahmad told Green Left charters that outlaw violations of the kind in the world. The virtual destruction of Ti- Weekly. committed almost on a daily basis by Indo- betan society is an example. “In the last two months, the issue of hu- nesia and China. Dr. Wager says that since the Indonesian man rights has been widely discussed in Worst still, commercial gain for Australia invasion of East Timor in 1975, about Indonesia, sparked by the murder of a fac- was seen to be the motivating factor. 200,000 people - one third of the popula- tory worker who negotiated with her em- Amnesty International’s campaign direc- tion - have died, killed by the military or ployer on behalf of striking fellow workers, tor, Mr. Andre Frankovits, disputes the starved to death as a result of the bombing as well as by the conditions of workers extent of the business opportunities avail- of food supplies in the mountains. generally. The banning of the congress of the able for Australia in countries ruled by op- “Political imprisonment is continuing, non-government trade union SBSI recently pression and bloodshed and refers to the torture is commonplace. People just, disap- also contributed to the debate.” statement by the former executive of the pear. The trial of Gusmão was a prime ex- This debate has prompted response by Business Council of Australia, Mr. Peter ample of the total lack of justice of the judi- government officials, who begin to see that McLaughlin, that “bad human rights are bad cial process. the issue of human rights could affect the for business.” “Whatever chance there was of Indonesia perceptions of investors. Amnesty considered the report from agreeing to a settlement of the issue has been Ahmad points out that Australia’s soft Washington to be, on the one hand, a worry- set back by Paul Keating,” said Dr. Wager. position on human rights in the region is ing public shift in Australian policy but also Australia argues that its “quiet diplo- influenced by the government’s aspirations a public admission of Canberra’s real policy macy on human rights abuse in Asia will be to advance the Asia-Pacific Economic Co- towards human rights violators it does not far more fruitful than protests that antago- operation (APEC) as a regional trading bloc. want to offend. nize and isolate countries from one another. The inclusion of the US and Australia into a Amnesty and other human rights groups That contention is strongly disputed by regional bloc is opposed by Malaysia, but want Australia to adopt a “strategic and human rights groups such as Amnesty, who supported by Indonesia, which wishes to coordinated approach” to human rights, see public and other pressure as still the encourage foreign investment in the Timor which would mean intradepartmental and most potent weapon against the abusive Gap and in the eastern regions of the coun- intra- ministerial contact on the issue to regimes. “Inadequate and inefficient” says try. ensure conflicting messages do not go out David Norris on the Australian policy. An interview with Habibie, Indonesian from the various arms of government. “Amnesty would not say that all ap- minister for research and technology, in the The US, which invokes human rights vio- proaches (to governments) should be open,” September 17 Australian Financial Review lations as the reason for its arms and trade says Mr. Frankovits, who believes the shows that the Indonesian government sanctions against China and Indonesia, re- Keating Government’s human rights policy wants closer economic cooperation with ceives regular protests from the Australian is now effectively on trial after the Washing- Australia. Keating’s comments were like Government on its capital punishment pol- ton statement. “music in my ears,” he said. icy. Since its reintroduction, more than 200 Indonesia is said to have carried out death Days before Keating’s comments were people, 14 in Texas this year, have been sentences in response to world pressure for made in Washington, 10 students in Yogy a- executed. There is difficulty in reconciling reprieves for those on death row because it karta were arrested for participating in a Australia’s opposition to judicial killings in considers such appeals to be an interference demonstration against traffic laws that the US and the Keating position that the US in its domestic affairs. Amnesty hopes the would impose hardship on low income earn- administration go easy on China and Indo- new “understanding” of its human rights ers (see page 18). “Keating’s position on nesia for their crimes against humanity. abuses by Prime Minister Keating will save human rights is welcomed by the Indonesian Amnesty’s Mr. Frankovits says an ex- the life of Mr. Sukatno. government, despite the evidence that hu- ample of Australia’s conflicting approach Apart from the support from his two man rights abuses continue to occur every can be seen in the insistence by the Defence cabinet colleagues, Mr. Keating’s remarks day in Indonesia,” Ahmad concludes. Minister, Senator Ray, that Australia’s were also well received in Jakarta. One In- Special Air Services regiment will continue donesian minister described the Keating THE PRIME MINISTER WAS to train here and in Indonesia with the noto- appeal to the US as “music to my ears.” ON THE WRONG TRACK rious Kopassus regiment. That regiment is alleged to be responsible for murder and INDONESIAN ACTIVIST IN TRYING TO PERSUADE torture in Dili and in Aceh, where 2000 CONDEMNS KEATING’S people are believed to have been killed by PRESIDENT CLINTON NOT TO PUSH Indonesian troops between 1989 and 1993 - ‘MUSIC’ SO HARD ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN more than 10 times the number gunned ASIA By L. Pramana, Green Left Weekly 21 Sept. down by the same army in Dili in 1991. THE AGE, Tuesday 21 September 1993. By “Kopassus camps became known in Prime Minister Keating’s suggestion for Kevin Andrews US President Bill Clinton to take a softer Aceh as torture centres ... after the deploy- (Melbourne) Australia’s position in Asia ment of Kopassus (in Aceh) ... bodies began stance on human rights in the Asian region has been condemned by Indonesian labour is not advanced by weakness, be it that of a to be found on roadsides, in bus shelters and Foreign Minister kowtowing to Indonesia or beside streams,” says Amnesty. activist Ahmad Ruslan, from the worker research organisation, Advance Together a Prime Minister pandering to Japan. I In the face of the Kopassus record, hu- noted that the Prime Minister, Mr. Keating, man rights activists do not appreciate the Foundation in Jakarta. “Keating’s comments have echoed the visited Arlington National Cemetery, the Australian Government’s point that there is final resting place of John F. Kennedy, be- no connection between Australia’s training Indonesian government’s position on the East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 111 fore advising President Clinton to ease up He said: “Certainly genuine democracy sent to Jakarta to investigate labor condi- on human rights in Asia. He would have can be more easily established in a rich tions. been better advised to read the address JFK rather than in a poor country. But our own Now a senior White House official is re- planned to deliver in Dallas that fateful No- experience proves that in countries where ported to have confirmed administration vember day in 1963, in which he had writ- freedom is trade for bread, both are taken support for a US Senate amendment that ten: eventually.” would make future arms sales to Indonesia “If we are strong, our character will Totalitarianism is now a dead letter. Now conditional on human rights improvements. speak for itself. If we are weak, words will it is nationalism that we should beware of. The amendments, adopted by the Senate not be of help.” This is the rampant nationalism that seeks Foreign Relations Committee two weeks Our Prime Minister’s admonition on hu- to create a greater Serbia at the expense of all ago, has already raised tensions between man rights undermines the legitimate quest the Croat and Muslim innocents that come Washington and Jakarta. for democracy of millions of suppressed into its way. It is the nationalism that re- The Indonesian Foreign Minister has ex- people. Let us not kid ourselves that such fuses to give self-determination to Timor or pressed “deep regret” and warned that if the “pragmatism” is anything but craven and Tibet. amendment becomes law it “will certainly self-serving. Craven self-interest, of course, parades impact on the good relationship which has But even the so-called pragmatism of the under different banners. I feel immediately existed.” West’s approach in seeking to appease ag- suspicious when I am told that something is But the White House official said the gressors is highly doubtful. It failed Cham- inevitable. Senator Gareth Evans has told us Administration would accept the amend- berlain at Munich, signaling to Hitler that that Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor ment - due to be debated by the full Senate Britain was not a serious obstacle to his is “irreversible.” The things that were meant later this year - because it was “consistent blueprint for a 1000-year Third Reich. It has to be “inevitable” before they happen be- with the tenor of the dialogue we have been failed in the former Yugoslavia, where Serbia come “irreversible” after they happen. having with Indonesia on human rights.” has gorged on Bosnia-Herzegovina. The break-up of Yugoslavia was not in- He said the wording gave “the necessary The notion that peace and justice will evitable. It became so because of Western flexibility “ for the Administration to pur- flow naturally from the internationalization failure to do anything about it. So too with sue human rights concerns, including East of trade is as absurd as the notion that it will Tibet, consumed by its greedy communist Timor, within the broader relationship with be catapulted from the barrel of a gun. neighbor. So too with the republic pro- Indonesia. It is one thing for the Prime Minister to claimed by Mr. Keating. If it is so inevita- “(It) allows us to continue the relation- treat the democratic institutions of this na- ble, why do we need a campaign to convince ship and dialogue, but still makes clear the tion with contempt; it is another to sup- us that it is inevitable? points that are felt strongly by many in press the legitimate struggle of millions of Does Indonesia really think the better of Congress and the administration,” he said. people for whom nations like Australia have us because we tug the forelock. I think not. The official was speaking in an interview been a beacon of truth in the darkness of Evans still gets snubbed whenever the Indo- with American journalist Allan Nairn, who their persecution. nesian Government takes it upon itself to witnessed the Dili massacre in November Indonesia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, feel aggrieved at criticism, however wishy- 1991 and was severely beaten by Indonesian Ali Alatas, recently told the Second World washy. troops. Conference on Human Rights in Vienna that We have become used to Mr. Keating The amendment, to be a foreign aid bill, the promotion of human rights “should be masking his personal insecurity with intem- says that before authorizing arms sales to encouraged by cooperation and encouraged perate outbursts in Parliament. We do not Indonesia the President must consider if not through confrontation and the imposi- need this weakness projected as subservi- there has been improvement in human rights tion of incompatible values.” This is like ence into a region where strength is admired; conditions in East Timor - including whether saying that there will be concord in a mar- weakness is despised and lack of principle is those who “ordered, authorised or initiated” riage as long as your spouse always agrees treated with contempt. the Dili massacre have been brought to jus- with you. This is an edited version of a speech given at tice. Mr. Alatas was keen to refocus the de- the weekend to the East Timor Association White House, State Department and Pen- bate away from a philosophical clash be- by Kevin Andrews, federal Liberal MP for tagon officials were involved in modifying tween East and West, arguing that the clash the Melbourne seat of Menzies. an earlier draft of the amendment which had was between the Western principles of indi- demanded a moratorium on all arms sales to vidual of liberty and a strong lawful author- US DIGS IN ON JAKARTA Indonesia. ity. The US suspended aid to Indonesia for At the same conference, the Foreign Min- RIGHTS ABUSE military training after the Dili massacre and ister of the Russian Federation, Andrei recently blocked a plan by Jordan to resell The Age, 22 September 1993. by Mark Kozyrev, warned against such a slick soft- US-built F-5E fighter aircraft to Indonesia Baker, foreign editor pedaling of human rights. He told the con- on human rights grounds. ference that a state that violates the rights of (Sydney) Despite a plea by the Prime During his visit to Washington, Mr. its own citizens poses danger for the outside Minister, Mr. Keating, for a softer line on Keating urged US officials to take a softer, world. Human Rights abuses in Indonesia, the Clin- more balanced approach on human rights, He said that the Russian traditions or na- ton Administration appears determined to particularly with Indonesia and China. tional identities of its peoples could not be maintain its tough stance with the Suharto In response, President Clinton said: “The preserved without a genuine democratic Government. United States does have a very strong posi- republic. He warned against the danger of Since meeting Mr. Keating last week, tion on human rights and I think we should.” creating “special” concepts of human rights President Clinton has reiterated his concern He said the US, while it had “good contact” for Asia of the “South” as well as against a about human rights standards in East Timor with Indonesia, remained concerned about selective approach to some categories of and a US Government delegation has been East Timor. rights as compared to others. Page 112 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Mr. Clinton appears determined to main- A candlelight vigil will be held outside Dub- what Irish people would regards as the tain pressure on Jakarta for reform despite lin Castle on Sunday 19 September at two spears of Republicanism. advice from sections of the US bureaucracy, 7.30pm during the State Banquet for Mr. The following were headline stories in particularly the State Department, that it Keating. the ABC Radio National 3 pm news and could damage the broader bilateral relation- 4 pm news. ship. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT A four-member delegation from the US ACCUSED OF AGENT First part begins with Irish MP Senator Trade Representative’s office arrived in David Norris FOR JAKARTA Jakarta this week to investigate alleged labor Federal Labor MP Senator Bruce Childs a abuses, including the government’s refusal ABC Radio National, Midday News.17 Sep- member of the group Parliamentarians for to allow the formation of independent trade tember 1993. East Timor says Australia must speak out unions. against human rights abuses. He disagrees The US has threatened to end tariff ex- Canberra-based historian Humphrey with the Prime Minister’s assertion that the emptions which affect about $1 billion in McQueen says the Australian Government annexation of East Timor must be accepted. Indonesian manufactured exports each year acts as a propaganda and appeasement BRUCE CHILDS: I don’t agree that it’s unless labor conditions are relaxed. agency for Indonesian regime. Mr. irreversible, I think there has to be finally McQueen was commenting on Paul Keat- something that allows East Timorese people KEATING TO FACE ing’s warning the United States earlier this the opportunity of declaring what they week not to stridently push human rights in want to do and how we achieve that, is very WIDESPREAD EAST TIMOR Asia. Mr. McQueen says Australian policy PROTESTS IN IRELAND important , it is not going to be easy but we is dictated to the Prime Minister through won’t resolution of that issue until the In- advisers dominated by Canberra’s Indone- donesian Government, and be urged by the The following Press Release has been issued sian lobby. by the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Cam- Australian Government finally comes to McQueen: Keating, you know, wouldn’t proper accommodation. paign, September 12, 1993: know where most of these places where on On September 19 1993, Australian Prime the map, let alone be able to have an idea ABC Radio National 4pm news Minister Paul Keating will make a nostalgic about what the policy should be. Senator Norris has called on the Govern- return to the land of his ancestors. It is be- RADIO NATIONAL, 17 SEPT. 1993 ment to suspend the Timor GAP Treaty on oil exploration and says military co- lieved that his forebears left the Co. Galway An Irish Human Rights Group says Paul operation between Australian and Indone- village of Tynagh around 1955, “probably Keating will be surprised by the level of sian is dangerous. as a result of evictions,” according to local concern in Ireland for the plight of the East historians. Timorese. The wife of an Australian journal- Parallels between his ancestors leaving IRISH IPU DELEGATE CONDEMNS ist killed in East Timor during the Indone- AUSTRALIA’S EAST TIMOR POLICY Ireland and the situation in East Timor to- sian invasion, is in at the invitation of the day will be raised by many human rights East Timor Ireland Solidarity campaign. The MEDIA RELEASE 17 September 1993 groups including the East Timor Ireland group says Shirley Shackleton’s presence Irish Senator David Norris who is in Solidarity Campaign. The issue of extensive will cast a shadow over Paul Keating visit to Canberra this week as a delegate to the In- military and economic support for Indone- Ireland. Mrs. Shackleton says the Prime terparliamentary Union Conference has sia’s illegal occupation of East Timor will Minister will come to realise in Ireland that condemned Australia’s East Timor policy as also be raised. he has inherited responsibility to defends cynical and failing to address basis human Leading the protests will be Australian the rights of small nations. rights. journalist and expert on East Timor, Shirley And an Irish parliamentarian visiting Senator Norris said that the Australian Shackleton, whose husband Greg was one of Australia has also condemn Mr. Keating’s Government must surely realise that its six Australian journalists murdered by Indo- approach on East Timor. Independent Irish purported method of talking privately to nesian forces in East Timor at the time of Senator David Norris is in Canberra for an Indonesia on human rights violations in East the invasion. Widespread unease continues Inter-Parliamentary Union conference and Timor had achieved nothing for the people within Australia that subsequent Australian has described Australia’s policy of quite of East Timor in 18 years. governments including the one currently led diplomacy as inaudible and ineffective. He Senator Norris said that the new US pol- by Paul Keating, have failed to investigate says he was surprised by Mr. Keating’s icy of barring arms sales to Indonesia while the circumstances surrounding the murders. recent comments cautioning the United human rights violations in East Timor con- Undoubtedly the reason for this is Aus- States to balance human rights concern in tinued was to be applauded. tralia’s close political and economic ties Indonesia with broader issues. Senator Nor- “This was sending a clear signal to the with the Indonesian dictatorship and their ris has rejected Prime Minister’s overnight Indonesian generals that the international joint exploitation of what is legitimately the statement that arguments against the 1975 community is demanding a solution to the natural resources of the East Timorese peo- invasion of East Timor are fruitless. East Timor conflict that is in accordance ple. NORRIS: I don’t know quite what Republi- with human rights and international law,” [The Press Release is accompanied by a can means in Australian context, what Senator Norris said. Press Pack illustrating the devastating con- political messages that carries but in Ire- Senator Norris called on the Australian sequences of Indonesia’s occupation of East land, Republicanism has an ancestry go- government to suspend the Timor Gap Timor and the degree to which Australia ing back to the French revolution, which Treaty as well as military cooperation with makes this occupation possible.] ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity, Indonesia in order to persuade Indonesia to Contact: Tom Hyland, phone/fax: +353-1 and to say that Indonesian has incorpo- begin serious negotiations under UN aus- 6233-148, 24 hours. rated East Timor and one must accept pices on the solution of the East Timor that will be very much in conflict with conflict. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 113

“The Timor Gap Treaty seems to indi- part of the world. They left no legacy be- cate that Australia has sold the basic human hind.” U.S. BLOCKS SALE OF rights of the East Timorese people for oil In the wide-ranging interview, Mr. F-5 JETS BY JORDAN TO profits and the extensive military coopera- Keating explained his attitude in tackling tion between Australia and Indonesia gives “big-picture” issues such as Mabo and the INDONESIA the clear impression that Australia is offi- republic saying: “ I’m a punter... I tend to cially ignoring in the genocide of the people take political risks and I don’t mind risking of East Timor,” Senator Norris said. my own hide from time to time because, CITING RIGHTS ISSUE, U.S. I’ve always said to my colleagues, the worst VETOES TRANSFER OF F-5 RIGHTS BREACHES ‘MUST thing that can happen to you in this game is JETS TO INDONESIA NOT SOUR RELATIONS’ that you lose your job. So why be a mouse? Why hang back? Why not punt it up occa- The Asian Wall Street Journal Weekly, Au- The Australian, 17 September 1993. By sionally?” gust 2, 1993 LEONORE Taylor Mr. Keating denied his Irish ancestry had By Eduardo Lachica contributed to his rejection of the monarchy, The Indonesian annexation of East Timor but said his Catholicism could have. WASHINGTON - America’s frayed rela- has to be accepted and criticism of Indone- “ It’s probably, in some respects, the tions with Indonesia took another hit when sia’s human rights should not sour the bilat- Catholic in me, that is, that we are all born the State Department said it had turned eral relationship, the Prime Minister Mr. equally and we die equally and we are chil- down Jordan’s request to transfer four of its Keating, has told Irish television. dren of Christ and, therefore, we posses U.S.-made F-5E fighter jets to the Indone- In the interview, parts of which were each and innate human dignity. sian air force. screened on SBS’s Dateline last night, Mr. When pressed about Mabo, Mr. Keating A State Department official acknowl- Keating rejected accusations Australia’s confirmed that he would be setting up a land edged that a “combination of sensitive is- condemnations of the Dili massacre had fund to buy back land for aborigines who sues, including human-rights concerns, made been “soft” but said “one can’t hold a whole did not benefit from the high Court’s deci- it impossible to approve the transfer.” The nation relationship to ransom in perpetuity sion. official didn’t elaborate, but defense contrac- over that.” He explained the resistance to the Federal tors familiar with the proposed transaction Its like European saying we will not deal Government’s proposals by saying, “ you said it was quashed mainly by congressional with Northern Ireland because of the way always meet resistance from conservative complaints about Indonesia’s forceful sup- you conduct yourselves. You can’t do that elements that don’t want to give land to pression of a secessionist movement in East to States,” Mr. Keating said. black people. It is as simple as that.” Timor. The Prime Minister comments are likely And on another subject that has raised Sen. Claiborne Pell, chairman of the Sen- to heighten tensions in Australia, where his tempers in the United Kingdom, Mr. ate Foreign Relations Committee, is among comments in the United States that that Keating stood by his criticism of the way the strongest opponents in Congress to the country should moderate its human rights England had abandoned Australia during intended Indonesian acquisition. In a letter dealings with Asia have already caused con- World War II. to Secretary of State Warren Christopher, cern. “In the eyes of British during the war. the Rhode Island Democrat claimed that They are also likely to anger human Australia was expendable. allowing the transfer to go through would rights in Ireland, who are already planning “undermine not only the administration’s protests against Australia’s record on East laudatory commitments to human rights, but Timor, including a candlelight vigil outside IRISH PROTEST OVER also its evolving policies on nonproliferation Dublin castle during Mr. Keating’s state TIMOR of conventional arms in the South Pacific banquet. region.” A group of delegates to the International The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 September The Indonesian Embassy declined to Parliamentary Union meeting in Canberra 1993. By Amanda Meade comment, saying it can’t openly discuss will today condemn Australia’s “cynical” Mr. Keating’s visit tomorrow to his an- “security issues.” Indonesia has borne a position on human rights in East Timor. The cestral home, the Irish village of Tynagh in number of recent slights from the U.S. in group is led by Irish Senator David Norris. Country Galway, will be marred by protest official silence, although last year’s congres- Mr. Keating said in the interview that the against Australian attitude to human rights sional action to strip the Indonesian army of debate over the takeover of Timor was over. in East Timor. $2.3 million in military training funds drew “ The time to have had that was in the The East Timor Ireland Solidarity Cam- pained reactions from U.S. businessmen middle 1970s. That opportunity has passed. paign and the Widow of the murdered Aus- with an economic stake in that country. I think to be arguing now against the incor- tralian journalist Greg Shackleton, Mrs. Indonesia could suffer a more serious loss poration of East Timor into Indonesia Shirley Shackleton, will accuse the Prime if the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office would be absolutely fruitless,” Mr. Keating Minister of putting economic considerations determines that the country doesn’t suffi- said. first. ciently respect workers’ rights. Trade Rep- “But what one should argue is that those Yesterday, a visiting member of the Irish resentative Mickey Kantor has placed Indo- people be properly treated and that oppor- Parliament, senator David Norris, said the nesia on notice that some of its shipments tunities be made available to them and that Irish people were disappointed with Mr. to the U.S. may be denied preferential duty- the Indonesian authorities change their tune Keating’s failure to condemn Indonesian free treatment if certain labor conditions in in relation to human rights.” atrocities in East Timor. that country don’t improve. Mr. Keating dismissed protests by Although Sen. Pell and other human- Timor’s former colonists, the Portuguese, rights champions in the Senate appear to saying: “The Portuguese were total hypo- have prevailed, there were a few voices in crites. They were the worst colonists in this the House that urged the State Department Page 114 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. to take a broader view of the issue. Rep. impossible, including human rights concerns Jordan was accused of tilting toward Sad- Jane Harman, a California Democrat, in- in Indonesia.” dam Hussein’s Iraq during the 1990 Persian formed Mr. Christopher that although the – Gulf War by failing to police its border to Jordanian request involves only four F-5s, it WASHINGTON (Reuter, Aug. 6) - Jor- screen out goods banned under a U.N. eco- has a bearing on the future of a program to dan needs American approval to sell its nomic blockade. There has been a move by upgrade more than 3,000 of this low-cost U.S.-built F-5 jets to a third party like In- some in Congress to provide further U.S. model that the U.S. has sold or given to donesia. A State Department official military aid to Jordan only on condition that many countries around the world. She said stressed that the department did not con- it comply with continuing economic sanc- in a letter to the secretary that the world- sider the decision precedent and said Jordan tions against Iraq. wide upgrade program could create 1,200 and Indonesia could be considered favorably jobs in southern California and earn as much for transfers of American-built arms at an- INDONESIA NOT TOLD as $8 billion for the struggling U.S. defense other time. The Clinton administration has F-5S DECISION industry. pledged to make human rights a major focus Defense contractors estimate the transfer of its foreign policy and officials are con- Aug. 7 story by Simon Sinaga, abridged. would have directly or indirectly earned the cerned about Indonesian security operations JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuter) - Indone- U.S. upgrade specialists $36 million. Some against separatist forces in East Timor. An- $28 million of that would have come from sia has not received formal notification of a other factor in the decision to block the U.S. State Department decision to block the Jordan’s payments for work on 23 other F- plane sale was concerns that the sale would 5s intended to keep in its inventory and for sale of American-built F-5 planes from Jor- prevent Congress from lifting a hold on U.S. dan, a defense ministry official said Satur- flight-simulation and other auxiliary equip- aid to Jordan. At the time the sale was under ment. Another $8 million would have come day. “The Indonesian side has not received a U.S. review, the administration was also formal statement. “As in the past, we will from Indonesia to pay for U.S. support for trying to persuade Congress to allow U.S. the four jets it wanted to acquire from Jor- try not to depend on one party only. If it aid to Jordan – held up because of concerns (the sale block) happens we will make an- dan and for the other F-5s in its existing about Jordan’s ties to Iraq and its President fleet. other effort,” the official said. He did not Saddam Hussein. The aid has now been elaborate. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta The U.S. contractors now worry that the approved and some $50 million in 1993 State Department’s rejection of the transfer confirmed Washington’s decision but could assistance has been made available to Am- not say whether Indonesia had been in- on human-rights grounds could force Jordan man, the State Department official said. to abandon its upgrade program and to turn formed of it. A spokeswoman said it did not amount to an embargo. Jordan is moderniz- to European or Russian suppliers for newer LAWRENCE KNUTSON AUG. 7 ing its armed forces with advanced fighters fighter aircraft. If Jordan were to do so, STORY, ABRIDGED. other F-5 owners around the world could and had wanted to sell Indonesia four of the follow suit. The Philippines and Malaysia In the AP version, a State Department less sophisticated F-5s acquired from the are among other Asian countries that carry spokesperson is named for the first time. In United States. It needed U.S. approval for F-5s, which also are called Freedom Fight- addition, it becomes clearer the bar on the the sale, believed worth up to $25 million. ers, in their arsenals. F-5s resale had more to do with Jordan than The U.S. Congress has been considering Indonesia already is going outside its en- Indonesia. Elaborating a newer element, the whether to resume some military coopera- dangered defense relationship with the U.S. spokesman also signals clearly State De- tion with Indonesia. The cooperation in- to find replacements for its aging aircraft. It partment opposition to any across-the-board volves sales of military training equipment has given British Aerospace PLC an order, bar on arms sales to Indonesia. and servicing previously purchased aircraft. estimated at more than $600 million, for 24 – John ([email protected]) INDONESIA MIGHT SHOP Hawk jet trainers. WASHINGTON (AP) – The State De- The State Department decision may be partment has rejected Jordan’s request to FOR OTHER JET FIGHTERS harder for Jakarta to swallow because it sell used U.S. F-5 jet fighters to Indonesia UPI Tuesday August 10, 1993, Abridged comes on the heels of President Bill Clin- because of Indonesia’s human rights record ton’s recent assurances to President Suharto and other “sensitive” issues, a spokes- JAKARTA - Armed forces commander and other Asian leaders that the U.S. will woman said Saturday. But the department Gen. Feisal Tanjung said Indonesia may stay strongly committed to the security of said the decision does not signal the begin- switch its shopping for advanced jet fighters the Asian-Pacific region. ning of an arms embargo against Indonesia. from the United States to Russia, Britain or “This decision is not a precedent for other France, Kompas reported Tuesday. Tanjung STAT E DEPT.: F-5 RESALE arms transfer decisions, which will continue was reacting to the United States’ recent BAN ‘NOT PRECEDENT’ to be made on a case-by-case basis,” said refusal to allow Jordan’s bid for selling four State Department spokeswoman Sondra U.S.-built F-5 jet fighters to Indonesia. Un- Abridged versions of two Reuters stories, McCarty. “The combination of a number of der the terms of the original U.S. sale to August 6, 1993 sensitive issues in this case made approval Amman, the State Department must license WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Reuter) - “Af- impossible,” she said. “These issues include any shifting of the aircraft to a new “end ter careful consideration, including consulta- human rights concerns in Indonesia and user.” Tanjung stressed that the implemen- tions with Congress, the Department of possible complications for other programs tation of human rights in Indonesia was in State decided it could not approve Jordan’s in Jordan which are under active review.” In line with the country’s constitution. “In request to sell F-5 aircraft to Indonesia,” a Amman, Jordanian officials declined to fact, there is no reason (for the United State Department official told Reuters. The comment, saying any decision by Washing- States) to reject (the re-sale). But, they official, who spoke on condition of anonym- ton is an American-Indonesian affair. (U.S.) have certain categories,” Tanjung said. ity, said: “The combination of a number of McCarty declined to say exactly what “Our standard is our constitution and cul- sensitive issues in this case made approval “other programs” in Jordan were at issue. ture, and we perform human rights in accor- dance with our constitution.” The Indone- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 115 sian air force currently operates modern jet If we, as a nation, truly feel there is noth- We can speak incessantly about our con- fighters, including the U.S.-made F-16 Fight- ing wrong with our performance, why are stitution, but as long as these facts exist and ing Falcon. we always so embarrassed by the American these choices confront us, our position in policy and why can’t we ever make the the eyes of other democratic countries will STICKING WITH peace with alien attitudes? remain shaky. WESTERN PLANES If we opened our eyes to reality we Aug. 13 Abridged. might realize that in this age of a shrinking JAKARTA TO BRIEF US ON world, more and more countries are exhibit- JAKARTA (UPI) – The government has HUMAN RIGHTS ing a tendency to keep an eye on what is ruled out the purchase of jet fighters from happenings in other states. This is particu- Russian despite low prices and will continue THE AUSTRALIAN, 12 August 1993. By larly true of nations to whom they have to use advanced warplanes from capitalist Reuters provided aid or privileges. Thus, it is clear countries instead, Antara reported Friday. that unless we wake up to this fact, we will JAKARTA: Indonesia said yesterday it Rear Marshal F.X. Suwarno, a member of continue to be upset at the commentary and would explain its position of human rights the Air Force’s planning affairs commission, criticism that comes our way, to the united States, which last week cited said available Russian jet fighters are indeed That the government is planning to ap- concern over the issue after blocking the cheaper, but Indonesia was “not going to proach the U.S. in an effort to see that the planned sale of military jets to Jakarta. “ We buy merely planes but also their systems.” U.S. GSP privilege continues, shows that will explain Indonesia’s position on human He said that the Indonesian air force is not the facility is of importance to this country. rights to the US government...I hope the using Russian systems. “If the U.S. gov- The facility covers non-oil exports, which problem can be solved,” the State secretary, ernment remains firm and does not allow were valued at US$624 million last year, and Major-General Murdiono, said. He did not Jordan to sell its warplanes to Indonesia, which are produced by small- scale indus- refer directly to the US decision to block the that will not influence the plan because In- tries that employ a great many workers. sale by Jordan of four US-built F-5 fighter donesia could buy the F-5s from other coun- Beyond the diplomatic steps to be taken, jets. A State Department official in Wash- tries,” Suwarno said. Asked about the coun- it would be a step in the right direction for ington said on Friday: “ The combination of try’s intention to buy an Airborne Warning the authorities to evaluate whether the na- a number of sensitive issues in this case and System Control plane, Suwarno said the tion s Constitution, which is often cited in made approval impossible... including hu- plan stands, and that Indonesia had received our defenses against Western countries’ man rights concerns.” President Clinton, offers from some countries, but the price for accusations, has been implemented fully. who pledged to make human rights a foreign such an aircraft was still very high. How- For example, the question could be raised as policy cornerstone, raised concern in East ever, he said, the Air Force has no decided to whether the government policy of recog- Timor with Indonesia’s President Suharto in yet whether it would buy new planes, apart nizing only one organization in a given field, Tokyo last month. Indonesia has said it from the 24 Hawks from Britain, because of or the obligation to obtain police permits for should not be judged on Western principals budgetary limitations. any type of gathering whatsoever, are not, of human rights and that stability and pros- in fact antagonistic to our Constitution, perity of society are as important as the SELF DEFENSE AND which guarantees the right to associate and rights of individuals. “ We have a concept REALITY freedom of expression? Any law based on about the implementation of human rights. our Constitution must regulate the rights As a general principle, ll countries accept Editorial, Jakarta Post, August 11, 1993. and freedoms it guarantees, not curtail them. it,” General Murdiono said. “But the im- plementation of human rights is different The United States’ rejection of Jordan’s We were therefore, quite at a loss when from one country to another.” General request to sell used U.S.-made light tactical we heard the authorities’ reasons for deny- Murdiono did not give details of how Indo- fighters to Indonesia on the basis of this ing the permit for the SBSI to hold a con- nesia would explain its position to Washing- nation’s human rights record resounded like gress recently. We were even more con- ton. Indonesia so far has made no direct the sonic boom of a jet to the people of this cerned when the organization’s leader flatly official comment on the aborted F-5 sale, archipelago. After all, the U.S. warning that rejected the government’s statements that believed to have been worth up to $US25 Indonesia must improve its treatment of the group could not call itself a union be- Million ($36.80million). The Indonesian workers by February or lose trade privileges cause it was not established by workers and Armed forces commander, General Freisal under the Generalized System of Prefer- that it had never listed itself as required. The Tanjung, was quoted by the Kompas daily ences (GSP) is still fresh in our minds. The group’s leader maintains that SBSI was, as saying Jakarta could by aircraft similar to U.S. embassy here also has voiced its dis- indeed, set up by workers and that it had F-5s from country such as France, Britain or appointment over the government’s refusal registered itself with the Ministry of Home Russia. to let the Prosperous Labor Union of Indo- Affairs. The authorities have yet to offer a nesia (SBSI) hold its congress last month. clarification of either of these points. The government has always taken the What is clear is that it is time for us to AMMUNITION FOR first opportunity to reject any accusation reevaluate the single-organization policy to JAKARTA’S CRITICS that it has violated human rights – especially see if it can be maintained in the midst of the workers’ right to associate – by saying internal calls for a more open society, Sydney Morning Herald. 18 Aug. 1993. that the accusing countries either misunder- whether or not other countries are accusing Unabridged stand or are not well informed about the us of poor performance in human rights. DAVID JENKINS reports that Indonesia situation here. It is also very quick to point Because this type of policy is the kind char- misuse of American military hardware out that this nation has its 1945 Constitu- acteristic of nations in which the most basic against domestic critics has harmed its posi- tion which specifically protects all basic freedoms have not been recognized as a tion in Washington. human rights. citizen’s rights from birth, it is, without a There’s nothing worse than spending mil- And yet, the accusations have continued doubt, something we should think of ridding lions of dollars on foreign military equip- to come our way. ourselves of once and for all. ment and then finding that the manufacturer Page 116 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. doesn’t want you to use the stuff and won’t sia. Jakarta has said it would like to buy as “Indonesia” notes a US analyst, “really sell you any more weapons or ammunition. many as 40 more F-16s. had no firm supporters (in Congress) and a We discovered that in the 1960s when, Today, however, Washington and Jakarta large number of residual critics from the following our commitment of troops to are again at loggerheads over arms ship- annual (East Timor) letter signed by (Repre- South Vietnam, we asked Sweden to sell us ments. sentative) Tony Hall and 230 others to each extra ammunition for the 84mm Carl Gustav The Indonesian Air Force, which has 15 succesive Secretary of State.” assault weapon. Stockholm’s sympathies US-made F-5E Tiger interceptors, wanted HOW SERIOUS is the threat of a wider lay with Hanoi. Sweden turned down our four more to make up for losses. Jordan, US arms embargo against Indonesia? Is the request, prompting some very angry cables which is modernizing its armed forces with next batch of frontline F-16 fighters in jeop- from Canberra. advanced fighter, was willing to sell Jakarta ardy? The Indonesians found themselves in four F-5s but needed American approval to It is still too early to say. The veto much the same predicament in 1975. They do so. against the transfer of F-5s may be no more had acquired a lot of American equipment Early this month the Clinton Administra- than a warning shot across Jakarts’s bow. under the US Foreign Military Sales pro- tion blocked the sale, citing “a number of Washington has a broad range of interest in gram and they showed every sign during sensitive issues...including human rights Indonesia and may be reluctant to put them their planning for the East Timor invasion concerns in Indonesia.” in jeopardy. It also has an interst in having that they intended to use it. A US official said at the time that the de- President Suharto turn up at the APEC David Newsom, the United States Am- cision was not a precedent and indicated summit in Seattle in November - as, indeed bassador in Jakarta, took the view that if the that Jordan and Indonesia may be consid- have we. Indonesians were to intervene the US hoped ered favorably for transfers of American- On the other hand, the US is in a position they would do so “effectively, quickly and built arms at another time. But the move to exercise leverage if it chooses to. not use our equipment.” As Dick Wolcott, suggests that Indonesia may face serious “US influence in Indonesia undoubtedly then Australian Ambassador to Jakarta, has difficulties in its relations with Washington. is greater today than 10 years ago,” writes noted, Washington was to be disappointed The Bush Administration was openly Dr. Larry Nikschi in a study of the East on all three counts. critical of the 1991 Dili massacre, in which Timor issue prepared for the Congressional Having seen their military equipment put Indonesian troops opened fire on unarmed Research Service. “This is due to factor like to disagreeable purposes the Americans demonstrators, killing large numbers of the importance of the US market to Indone- tightened up their export procedures. them. The Clinton Administration has been sian exports and the Indonesian Govern- When, in 1976, Indonesia took delivery no less critical and has pledged to make ment’s desire for the United States to con- of the first of 16 US-made OV-10F Bronco human rights a major focus of its foreign tinue a security role in South-East Asia.” counter-insurgency aircraft, Washington policy. As well as blocking the sale of the F- Many influential Americans are angered refused to supply the weapons designed for 5s, it is threatening to revoke Indonesia’s by the continuing repression in East Timor. the aircraft because it knew they would be tariff-free access to the US market for some “ I would say the people in question (in used in Timor, where Fretilin was holding goods under the Generalized System of Jakarta) have only themselves to blame (for out against some of Indonesia’s best units. Preferences (GSP) because of concerns over the ban on the transfer of F-5s),” says a well In retaliation, Indonesia’s military-backed labour conditions. placed source in Washington. Government turned for help to the Soviet This is not just a matter of Bill Clinton In the immediate aftermath of the Dili Union. The OV-10s were duly modified to going off on a foreign policy frolic of his massacre, according to this source, Indonesia carry Soviet bombs and rockets for use own. Alongside him is Vice-President Al seemed to be moving to defuse outside con- against a left-wing independence movement. Gore, who has been a forthright critic of cerns about Timor. But the hope that Ja- Moscow’s desire to ingratiate itself with human rights abuses in East Timor. Clin- karta would handle the problem with sub- Jakarta outweighed any considerations of ton’s Defence Secretary is Les Aspin, who, tlety and skill prove illusory. The Indone- ideology, morality or international solidar- while serving as a Congressman in January sian Army has never accounted for the bod- ity. 1975, was sharply critical of the provision ies of more than 100 East Timorese “miss- These problems notwithstanding, Wash- of US military aid to Jakarta. “Why,” he ing” after the Dili massacre, even though the ington maintained generally close relations demanded, 10 months before Indonesia used task was entrusted to the Armed Forces with Jakarta, a large, pro-Western oil- US military equipment to invade Timor, Commander-in-Chief of the day, General exporting nation lying astride strategic inter- “should we be helping them out with cut- Try Sutrisno, who is now Vice-President. national shipping lanes. rate military hardware?” “And somebody,” says this source, “knows In 1979, Jakarta wanted to buy 16 sur- Then there’s Congress: immediately after where (the bodies) are.” plus A4E Skyhawk ground-attack planes the Dili massacre, the Senate and the House Another US criticism was that Jakarta from Israel. The US not only gave its bless- of Representatives passed resolutions call- had decided “not to court-martial any army ing but helped finesse a deal that had at- ing for “the right of self- determination by officers at all,” only low-ranking soldiers. At tacked the ire of Indonesian Muslin leaders the East Timorese people.” A year later, a the same time, it had decided to go ahead (Indonesia is the world’s most populous meeting of senators and congressmen de- with the prosecution of Timorese demon- Muslim nation), one of whom described the cided to terminate a $US2.3 million ($A3.2 strators. Many Americans were shocked by Israel warplanes as “unclean.” million) military education program (IMET) what the Senate Appropriations Committee Indonesia now has 32 Skyhawks. They under which Indonesian officers were sent has called “the gross disparity” in sentenc- have been used, as the Fretilin leader Xanana to the military education and training facili- ing. Sentences given to 13 civilians demon- Gusmão noted during his recent trial, in ties. That program had been running for 40 strators ranged from six years to life impris- “ceaseless attacks” against the Timorese years onment. Sentences for eight military per- resistance, as have the OV-10s, which are Significantly, it took the efforts of only sonnel ranged from eight month to 18 based in East Timor. one junior member of the US House of Rep- months. More recently, Washington approved the resentatives to trigger the cut in the training Finally, some US officials are dismayed sale of 12 advanced F-16 fighters to Indone- program. by what they see as a hypocritical attitude East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 117 in Indonesia that the affair has been taken $1 million from our limited capital base that Jordan in the 1970s would have returned care of. That, they maintain, is simply not we found that the State Department had some $40 million or more in business to the the case. arbitrarily changed its mind.” U.S., Wachter said. Senior Indonesian Army officers were Skow warned the decision will hurt U.S. Executives involved in the deal believe stung by the cancellation of the IMET pro- credibility in the export markets, and told State changed its mind because of pressure gram but for the most part nursed their Christopher that the Administration has lost brought to bear on Christopher by Sen. grievances in private. However, they have credibility with him. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.), chairman of the been more outspoken about the US ban on “How can I, in good faith, invest further Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who the transfer of Jordanian F-5s. in California’s aerospace industry, when I reportedly cited human rights abuses in a According to the Commander-in Chief of now know that the U.S. government can letter to Christopher effectively ordering the Armed Forces, General Feisal Tanjung, arbitrarily choose to terminate my sales?” him to reject the sale. Indonesia can by aircraft similar to F-5s asked Skow. “How can I attract other inves- The American League for Exports and from countries such as France, Britain or tors? Is the U.S. government telling us to Security Assistance (ALESA), an umbrella Russia. stop work in the aerospace industry?” group for U.S. defense exporters, recently That is not such an attractive option. For When it all started over a year ago, the weighed in on the case, telling Christopher one thing, it would mean yet another make project looked like a winner. Along with in an Aug. 6 letter that the move amounts to of aircraft in an air force which already has partners Martin Marietta, TRW, Litton, and “a resurrection through ‘policy creep’ of the too many types, adding to logistic and main- others, Eidetics would upgrade and refurbish practice of unilaterally conditioning even tenance headaches. But countries like Britain old Northrop F-5s for Indonesia and Jordan- routine, low-technology defense transfers on do have their uses. British Aerospace sold a perfect entree to the worldwide F-5 up- human rights grounds.” Indonesia 20 of its highly successful Hawk grade market, worth as much as $8 billion ALESA contended that the only legiti- MK53 aircraft and has agreed to sell 24 by some analysts’ reckoning. Jordan had mate rationale for enacting a de facto unilat- Hawk 100s and 200s for about &500 million some F-5s originally given to it by the U.S. eral ban on sales to Indonesia would be if ($A1.14billion). Indonesia has spoken of as grant aid worth about $6 million. The the ban had a decent change of improving acquiring up to 96 Hawks. plan was for Jordan to sell those planes to Jakarta’s human rights record. “However, The Hawk is usually described by vendor Indonesia for $18 million, and then spend experience tells us that all too often, the and purchaser alike as an “advanced jet the proceeds upgrading its own aircraft. only effect is to transfer the sale to another trainer.” That is accurate enough as far as it Indonesia would also upgrade its aircraft. supplier and, in the process, transfer the goes. But the Hawk is equally suited to Contracts signed crucial influence of a supplier relationship,” ground attack, with each aircraft able to The contracts were already signed, and ALESA said. carry a 3,000kg, weapon load. It is just the the U.S. embassy in Amman told Jordan sort of plane you might need in a place like that “in principle” it saw nothing wrong. All LORD: HUMAN RIGHTS STILL Timor - alongside the American-made Sky- Skow needed was the State Department’s HINDER RI-US RELATIONS hawks and OV-10s. stamp of approval, a foregone conclusion since the government had been urging Eidet- Jakarta Post (Reuter), 20 August 1993. ‘SMALL’ F-5 DEAL’S END ics and its partners to “support” the sale. Abridged WILL COST CALIFORNIA But the winner turned into a loser on July 19, when State- uncomfortable with (Jakarta) The US said yesterday that COMPANY DEARLY, CEO Indonesia’s human rights record in East human rights remained a barrier to improv- SAYS Timor-rejected the deal. Some U.S. officials ing ties with Indonesia but stressed it took felt that expending President Clinton’s po- its relationship with Jakarta seriously. Aerospace Daily, August 20, 1993 litical capital just to push a relatively small Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Winston Lord said Washing- The deal to upgrade Indonesia’s F-5s- sale to a controversial regime through the Congress was both foolish and futile ton’s threats to suspend trade privileges and rejected last month by the State Department its block on military equipment sales to on human rights grounds and dismissed by (DAILY, Aug. 10). “Maybe this is an insignificant transac- Jakarta arose from human rights concerns. several Administration officials as small “Human rights is a concern between us and potatoes-will wind up costing a small Cali- tion in the larger scheme of things, but to us, this is big stuff,” said Bob Wachter, Eidet- we hope we can sort these out coopera- fornia company hundreds of jobs, more than tively,” he said. $1 million and entree to a lucrative new ics’ representative in Washington. Noting the Clinton team’s promise to help Califor- Lord said a recent ban on the country’s market. largest independent trade union, the Indone- In a letter obtained this week by The nia’s battered aerospace sector, he pointed out that this “insignificant” deal not only sian Prosperity Trade Union or SBSI, from DAILY, Andrew Skow, president and chief holding its first congress was a key obstacle executive of Torrance-based Eidetics, urged would have created 1,200 jobs right away mostly in California without spending tax- to renewing GSP. Secretary of State Warren Christopher to “We hope we can work out the specific take a second look at the rejection, arguing it payer dollars, but it would have positioned Eidetics to go after the worldwide F-5 up- workers’ rights issue that is now in play and hurts the employees he will have to lay off, I will say that the recent inability of a trade 1,200 other workers who won’t be hired, grade market. Moreover, if the program had proceeded, union to have a congress was a setback.” and Eidetics and its partners, all of which Lord said the block on the F-5E sales did stand to lose their investment and one of Eidetics-which now employs about 50 workers-would have added another 2,000 not amount to sanctions on Indonesia and which is near bankruptcy. that further sales, which under purchase “From the beginning, we coordinated jobs, because the Royal Jordanian Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force had already agreements require Washington’s approval, every step of this project” with State, and would be considered on a case by case basis. “we were urged on throughout this process programmed additional funds for further fleet upgrades into their long-range plans. In Indonesia has warned that it will buy its to assist both Jordan and Indonesia,” Skow military hardware elsewhere if the US does wrote. “It was only after we had invested effect, the original $6 million aid amount to Page 118 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. not allow it to buy the second-hand fighters. Sources say another recent source of fric- games in town.” The new games, he notes, But Lord sought to reassure Indonesia that tion on the arms issue has been the conduct are human rights and non-proliferation. Washington took the relationship seriously of Indonesian State Minister for Research and hoped to iron out the problems. and Technology, B.J. Habibie, who heads TORRANCE FIRM A VICTIM Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas the aircraft manufacturer Industri Pesawat AS U.S. BLOCKS JET DEAL said on Tuesday that Indonesia would never Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) and shipyard PT sacrifice its principles for economic aid. PAL. Habibie visited Iran after participating By: James F. Peltz. Los Angeles Times, Sept. “Indonesia will not sacrifice the basic in this year’s Paris air show, which ended 13, 1993. Unabridged principle of a sovereign nation, and Indone- on 20 June. In Teheran, Habibie is said to sia, like the majority of non-aligned nations, have demonstrated and offered for sale some President Clinton was jawboning the rejects economic aid or cooperation which of his wares. “Habibie was bound by an Saudis recently into buying $6 billion worth comes with strings attached,” Alatas said. agreement not to show some of this equip- of passenger jets from Boeing and McDon- ment and got and American reprimand,” a nell Douglas, the State Department was source says. making sure a little Torrance aerospace firm INDONESIA: doesn’t sell to Indonesia and Jordan. WEAPONS OF DISCORD Throughout June, the aviation industry heard rumours that Indonesia was seeking to The government dealt the blow to Eidet- pay off its debt to Iran by selling seven of ics Aircraft Inc. almost inadvertently, by US DISPLEASED WITH JAKARTA’S its Super Puma helicopters, worth US$100 barring Jordan’s planned sale of some U.S.- ARMS TRANSFERS million, which are built by IPTN under li- made fighter planes to Indonesia because of Far Eastern Economic Review. 26 August cence from France and can be outfitted for the former’s tilt toward Iraq in the Gulf War 1993. By Susumu Awanohara military use. and the latter’s record on human rights in Traditionally, Indonesia has sold much of East Timor. (Washington) Like China, Indonesia’s Such actions by Washington aren’t un- frictions with the US appear to be slowly its high-value oil output as crude to Japan and bought lower-value Middle Eastern oil usual; just last month the State Department spreading from human rights to arms prolif- applied sanctions against China that could eration issues. IF these differences are not for domestic refining and consumption. Jakarta has used barter-trade to pay for the disrupt Hughes Aircraft’s satellite sales. resolved, “the primacy of Asia” in US for- And Eidetics knows that the leaders of In- eign policy, trumpeted recently by US Sec- imported, and Habibie has in the past of- fered transport aircraft, helicopters and donesia and Jordan aren’t candidates for retary of State Warren Christopher, will be sainthood. under threat, experts warn. ships for the Indonesian end of the deal. In the late 1980s, Iran wanted to buy warships But Eidetics executives also know that Differences over both human rights and blocking the deal won’t keep either country arms have been gathering steam for several from PT PAL, but his was blocked by the country which owned the rights to the from getting the military equipment it months. When US President Bill Clinton wants. Suppliers in other nations are only and Indonesian President Suharto met in weapons system that would have been fit- ted to the vessels, an Indonesian source too happy to make the sale. Tokyo on 7 July, for example, Christopher The result, Eidetics says, is 1,200 poten- raised concern about reports that Indonesia says. Some Capitol Hill staffers concerned tial Southern California jobs down the drain, had agreed to sell arms to Iran, Asian diplo- for no purpose at all. The firm’s executives, matic and US sources told the REVIEW, with proliferation describe Habibie as “bad news,” and track his deals closely. Suspicion led by founder and president Andrew Skow, Clinton himself brought up the issue of are fuming. human rights in East Timor/ of Habibie in Congress is amplified by the fact that the Indonesian hi-tech advocate has Eidetics’ story illustrates the hard Then, on 22 July, the US State Depart- choices facing the White House when for- ment prepared a press guidance on its re- dealt with Iran, which is hostile to the US and is considered a centre of Islamic funda- eign policy collides with the desire to create fusal to allow Jordan to transfer several US- jobs at home, not to mention the difficulty made Northrop F5 fighter aircraft to Indo- mentalism. Habibie is also believed to have done, or tried to do, business with Iraq. of achieving foreign policy goals by curbing nesia. Jordan wants to phase out the F5s purchases from American companies. and upgrade its fighter force, while Indone- Habibie also has powerful opponents at home, particularly in the defence establish- The Eidetics case also shows how a small sia would like to maintain its F5s and re- aerospace firm can easily get caught up in place aircraft that have been lost in acci- ment. The Indonesian military resents his intrusion into procurement decisions, which the ever-shifting tides of geopolitics. Com- dents. panies all across the Southland have seen The State Department guidance, which could increase the proportion of incompati- ble equipment in the armed forces’ inven- their fortunes rise and fall depending on the did not become public until a week later, Cold War, the State Department’s view of said in part: “After careful consideration, tory and divert transaction commissions away from the military, US and Indonesian some far-off tyrant and the ebb and flow of including consultation with Congress, the power in Congress. State Department decided it could not ap- sources. They also note that the Indonesian military is wary of Iran’s fundamentalist For Eidetics, it all started at the 1991 prove Jordan’s request. The combination of Paris Air Show, where four Eidetics execu- a number of sensitive issues in this case brand of Islam. One US administration official feels that tives decided that Jordan’s plans for selling made approval impossible.” some F-5 fighter jets gave them an opening. According to US officials, the “sensitive the State Department was too quick to block the F5 deal without taking into ac- Skow and several other Eidetics employ- issues” included human rights in Indonesia, ees are alumni of Northrop Corp., which particularly in East Timor - a cause that has count the factors which constitute the over- all, “largely positive” US-Indonesian rela- built the F-5, and they used their Jordanian champions in Congress - as well as certain contacts to wrangle this deal: Once Jordan Jordanian practices which are under “active tionship. Another official says: “The Indo- nesians made a lot of American friends with had sold four F-5s to Indonesia for about review.” But the REVIEW understands that $25 million, Eidetics would upgrade the US worries about Indonesia’s attempts to oil. The national security types also liked Indonesia. The trouble is these are no longer planes-install new radios and the like-for the sell arms overseas were also among the con- Indonesians. cerns that led to the blocking of the sale. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 119

The deal would have been worth $7 mil- “totally ignores the human rights of over INDONESIA CANCELS lion to Eidetics over six months-double what 1,200 American workers who will not be it normally grosses in a year. hired.” PURCHASE OF F-5E’S FROM Then, Jordan planned to take the $25 “It is also a violation of the U.S. work- JORDAN million and hire Eidetics to upgrade Jordan’s ers’ right to expect that their job security be remaining fleet of F-5s. That contract, Skow placed ahead of symbolic gestures of unde- Radio Republik Indonesia, Sept. 21, 1993 maintains, would have created 1,200 jobs at fined benefit to the ‘human rights’ of citi- Indonesia’s arranged purchase of 4 US- Eidetics and its suppliers. zens of another country,” he wrote. built [Northrop] F-5E fighter aircraft from But one morning in mid-July, Skow was Eidetics’ workers recently sent their own Jordan has been cancelled. Indonesian mili- told the State Department had nixed the plea to Clinton. It was signed by about 30 tary officials explained that Jordan had con- deal. “My heart dropped to my gut,” he employees, including one who added, “I am sulted the US on the sale, and US had not recalled. the single parent of three teenagers-I need supported the sale, because of Indonesia’s The agency is unhappy about East this job.” Skow also says Eidetics hasn’t human rights record in East Timor. Timor, an island where brutal civil war gotten enough help from California officials erupted after its annexation by Indonesia in in trying to overturn the decision. 1976. U.N. resolutions have condemned the In fact, Sen. Barbara Boxer supports the FEINGOLD AMENDMENT takeover, and Amnesty International as- State Department because she’s long been LINKS ARMS SALES AND serted last year that East Timor was among concerned about abuses in Indonesia, said the world’s worst cases of human rights Boxer spokeswoman Linda Marson: “She HUMAN RIGHTS abuses. doesn’t compromise on certain human rights Altogether, about 100,000 people are issues.” said to have died since the annexation. But Michael McGill, chief of staff for TEXT OF FEINGOLD ARMS East Timor is an issue with other U.S. of- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said the senator is SALES AMENDMENT ficials as well. The Senate Foreign Relations “continuing to seek some appropriate means Committee last week voted to tie all U.S. of making this deal possible” for Eidetics. The following is the full text of the Feingold arms sales to Indonesia to an improvement Can’t Eidetics just wait for Jordan to sell amendment to condition U.S. arms sales to in human rights in East Timor. its four jets elsewhere, then strike another Indonesia on improvements in Indonesian But in stopping the F-5 sale, the State deal for upgrade work? Skow said preparing policy toward East Timor. It was introduced Department also cited “other complications for another sale would require another big in the Senate International Economic Policy for other programs for Jordan which are investment by Eidetics-money the firm isn’t Subcommittee on August 3, 1993. The Sub- under active review.” The agency declined to sure it can afford without a guaranteed deal. committee decided not to act on it or any elaborate, and had no further comment about But he’s not giving up. other country-specific or potentially contro- Eidetics or the F-5 sale. A State Department “We are threatened,” he said. “But we versial amendments. It will be taken up by official who asked not to be identified said will figure something out. the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee the blocked sale also reflected the view that after the Senate returns from recess in early Jordan did not fully back U.S. actions in the NEW US-INDONESIA September. Gulf War. TENSION The amendment text and the description “There’s still a lot of bad feelings” to- which follows were provided by Senator ward Jordan in Washington, the official said, The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 Sept. 1993 Feingold’s office. adding that although Jordan’s King Hussein – Charles Scheiner, ETAN/US met with Clinton in June “to repair some of Jakarta, Friday, AFP: a new row is brew- the damage, it wasn’t that successful.” ing between the United States and Indonesia over the sale to Iran of French helicopters FEINGOLD AMENDMENT ON So Eidetics’ contract vanished, as did INDONESIA about $1 million that Eidetics had invested assembled by Indonesian firm Nusantara, analysts here say. At the appropriate place in the bill insert the in the project-a huge sum for the privately following: held firm. Because of its new human rights policy in Asia, Washington has vetoed the resale to Skow is especially livid because, he con- SEC __. CONDITIONS ON ARMS Indonesia by Jordan of four F-5 fighters. tends, the U.S. government earlier signaled SALES TO INDONESIA This time the Americans are worried that the deal would go through, then blocked (a) IN GENERAL - Except as provided it to make a political statement, allowing about the Indonesia’s plans to deliver seven Super Pumas to Iran. in subsection (b) the President may not – Eidetics to be a sacrificial lamb. (1) sell defense articles, defense services, “We’re not Indonesian human rights ex- The helicopters are ostensibly for civilian use but Washington fears they may be used or design and construction services, under perts,” Skow said. “It’s a new Administra- the Arms Export Control Act to the Gov- tion (in Washington), it has a whole new set for military purposes. The US secretary of State, Mr. Warren ernment of Indonesia; or of priorities, and that’s fair. But I can’t (2) issue licenses pursuant to section 38 accept being singled out as this weak target Christopher, reportedly raised the issue for the first time during a summit between of such Act with respect to a sale of defense that can’t fight back.” articles and defense services to such Gov- He noted that Boeing recently delivered President Clinton and Indonesia’s President Suharto in July. ernment. an upgraded 737 surveillance jet to the In- (b) WAIVER – The President may waive donesian Air Force, and U.S. firms are ship- the prohibition contained in paragraph (1) or ping spare parts for Lockheed F-16s-a far (2) of subsection (a) for a fiscal year if the more sophisticated fighter than the F-5-that President determines and reports to the Indonesia already operates. Congress for that fiscal year that – In a scathing letter to Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Skow said the decision Page 120 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

(1) the Government of Indonesia is per- sands of Indonesian occupying troops. most recently the establishment of a na- mitting immediate and unrestricted access in Thus, with continued military sales, we tional human rights commission in June. East Timor to international human rights are only abetting the military abuse in While welcoming these initiatives, we re- and humanitarian organizations; East Timor. main concerned that the Indonesian Gov- (2) the Government of Indonesia ha ernment’s stated commitment to human · Despite our cutoff of military assistance, ended all forms of inhumane treatment (in- rights has not been matched by concrete the Indonesians have made few changes cluding torture) in East Timor; and measures to remedy past abuse or to pre- in their human rights policies, particu- (3) such Government is in compliance vent future human rights violations from larly toward East Timor. Thousands of with United Nations Security Council reso- occurring. The Government of Indonesia has Indonesian troops continue to occupy lutions 384 and 389 relating to – consistently failed to respond adequately to the island. 66 people are still missing af- (A) the immediate withdrawal of Indone- serious concerns about human rights in In- ter the Dill massacre. Flagrant human sian armed forces from East Timor; and donesia and East Timor. Indeed the govern- rights abuses by the Indonesian Govern- (B) the respect by such Government to ment, and particularly the military com- ment continue. Indonesia is holding hun- the right of self-determination for the popu- mand, has made it clear that basic human dreds of people for “anti-government” lation of East Timor. rights can and will be set aide in the name of views. In addition, human rights groups national security stability and order. Effec- SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT are still barred access to East Timor. tively unchallenged by the international This amendment conditions the sale of Senators Pell and Boren were refused ac- community, and unchecked by domestic defense articles, defense services, or design cess to East Timor last year. and construction services, which are sub- legal or political mechanisms, the security jected to the Arms Export Control Act, to · U.S. policy on arms sales should parallel forces have continued to commit violations the Government of Indonesia on Presidential U.S. stated goals on human rights and with impunity. As a result, human rights certification of improved human rights con- democratic reform. abuse has become institutionalized in Indo- nesia and East Timor. ditions in East Timor. Specifically, the · The conditions on arms sales to Indone- In East Timor Amnesty International has amendment requires the President to deter- sia set forth in this amendment are con- evidence which confirms that human rights mine that (1) the Government of Indonesia sistent with U.S. stated policy goals. violations continue to be perpetuated in an is permitting human rights and humanitarian This amendment puts them in statute. organizations access to East Timor; (2) the institutionalized and systematic manner. Since July 1992 we have learned of the ar- Government of Indonesia has ended all AMNESTY WRITES U.S. forms of inhumane treatment, namely tor- rest of more than 400 people who have been ture, in East Timor; and (3) the Government SENATE ON EAST TIMOR detained in East Timor either because of of Indonesia is in compliance with U.N. their alleged links to pro-independence AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA Security Council Resolutions 384 and 389 groups, or because they are relatives or 304 Pennsylvania Ave SE regarding self-determination in East Timor. friends of individuals suspected of having Washington, DC 20003 such links. The true figure is probably much Existing Law Phone 202-644-0200 / Fax 546-7142 higher. The vast majority of people arrested The U.S. sends no military aid to Indone- August 2 1993 in East Timor are held in arbitrary, unac- sia, and terminated the International Mili- Dear Senator: knowledged detention, frequently incommu- tary and Education Training (IMET) pro- Amnesty International has learned that nicado. All those detained are at serious risk gram in FY93 after the Dili massacre in East an amendment to prohibit arms sales to of torture and other ill-treatment. Torture of Timor in November 1991. Indonesia re- Indonesia will be debated in the near future suspected political opponents has in some ceives $47.86 million in Development As- by members the Senate Foreign Relations cases been so severe that it has resulted in sistance, and $6.98 million in food aid under Committee. death. The relatives of real or suspected PL 480–Title II. Indonesia also receives As you may be aware, Amnesty Interna- political opponents - including young girls trade benefits from the U.S., such as US tional has been documenting gross and sys- and elderly men and women - have also been General System of Preferences (GSP) and tematic human rights violations in Indonesia subjected to torture and ill-treatment, in- support from the international financial for a quarter of a century, and in East Timor cluding rape. institutions (IFI’s.) since 1975. We believe that it is critically The identity of at least 100 civilians and Need for the Amendment (Talking important for those who participate in the possibly as many as 250, killed by govern- Points) debate on the prohibition of arms sales is ment forces in the Santa Cruz massacre and its immediate aftermath remains unresolved. · In response to the Dili massacre of 1991, Indonesia to do so in full knowledge of the range, extent and gravity of the human rights The Indonesian Government has also failed the U.S. cut off military assistance to resolve the fate of the more than 200 (IMET) to Indonesia. However, Indone- violations which have been, and which con- tinue to be, committed by Indonesian secu- people who reportedly “disappeared” after sia is still receiving weapons from U.S. the massacre. In the eighteen months since companies under the Arms Export Con- rity forces throughout Indonesia and East Timor. The involvement of the Indonesian the massacre Amnesty International has trol Act. It is inconsistent that the US received dozens of reports of new “disap- has cut off military aid on the one hand, military in the suppression of political dis- sent, not only in East Timor but in Aceh pearances” in East Timor, and at least 45 but approves arms sales and transfers on extrajudicial executions. The difficulties the other. and other regions of Indonesia, leads to seri- ous concern that the sale of arms to Indone- inherent in information gathering in East · The U.S. has taken a strong stance in sia could facilitate further human rights vio- Timor - the control of access to the territory protecting the residents of East Timor lations. by the Indonesian authorities, monitoring of from further persecution and attack. Sev- The Indonesian Government has in recent postal and telephone communications, and eral of the items on the list of pending months taken a number of initiatives aimed the close surveillance of those suspected of deals are used in East Timor by the thou- at promoting and protecting human rights, disseminating human rights information - mean that the scale of human rights abuse in East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 121

East Timor may in reality be much greater up to life imprisonment. At least 30 prison- TWENTY GROUPS SUPPORT than our information indicates. ers sentenced in the 1960s after unfair trials In Aceh extreme human rights abuse has for alleged involvement in the 1965 coup FEINGOLD AMENDMENT occurred since 1989 in the context of secu- attempt or for PKI membership remain in Letter sent to all members of the Senate For- rity force counter-insurgency operations prison, seven of them on death row. Most eign Relations Committee supporting the against Aceh Merdeka, an armed opposition of them are believed to be prisoners of con- Feingold Amendment to cut off arms sales to group active in Aceh and other parts of science. Indonesia. Full text. northern Sumatra. The vast majority of the Striking workers, peaceful demonstrators victims have been ordinary people with no and those advocating the rights of vulnerable Washington, DC involvement in the armed opposition. An communities have been subjected to arbi- August 2, 1993 estimated 2,000 civilians have been summa- trary arrest by government forces, and some Dear Member of the Foreign Relations rily killed by government troops, including have also become victims of torture and ill- Committee: children and the very elderly. Some of those treatment which has in certain cases resulted The undersigned 20 arms control, reli- killed were publicly executed, others were in death. Criminal suspects, including juve- gious, human rights, veteran and develop- “mysteriously killed,” the corpses left in niles are also reported to have been sub- ment groups urge your support for Senator public places - beside a main road, in fields jected to such treatment. Cases of torture Feingold’s efforts to bar arms sales to Indo- and plantations - apparently as a warning to have seldom been properly investigated and nesia. others not to join or support the rebels. In the prosecution of suspected perpetrators Last year, Congress cut off military aid addition, more than 1,000 people have been has been the exception rather than the rule. to Indonesia because of well-documented arbitrarily arrested by Indonesian armed Serious limitations remain on the moni- human rights abuses in East Timor, which forces and scores, possibly hundreds, of toring of human rights in Indonesia and East Indonesia occupies illegally in defiance of detainees have “disappeared” while in mili- Timor. Amnesty international has repeat- the United Nations. According to the State tary custody. At least 50 people, including edly urged the Government of Indonesia to Department’s Country Reports on Human prisoners of conscience, have been sen- demonstrate its stated commitment to the Rights Practices for 1992, Indonesia is an tenced to long prison terms after unfair tri- promotion and protection of human rights undemocratic country under “authoritarian als. Those in detention have routinely faced by adopting the recommendations of the rule” in which “President Suharto and the torture, which in some cases has resulted in Commission of Human Rights and to invite armed forces wield predominant political death. the Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Sp e- power.” The incidence of politically-motivated cial Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or Governments that Congress has barred killing and “disappearances” in Aceh peaked arbitrary executions, the Working Group on from receiving military aid because they in late 1990 and early 1991, and has declined Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group violate human rights or are not democratic in the past 18 months. Nevertheless, the on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances should not be permitted to obtain the same Indonesian Government has demonstrated to visit East Timor and to facilitate the dis- equipment or training through sales. no commitment to investigating the human charge of their mandates. It has also regu- Chairman Pell and Senator Feingold made rights violations that have occurred, nor larly called for international human rights this argument in a letter of June 2 in which allowing independent human rights monitors organizations, including Amnesty Interna- they and other Senators asked Secretary to do so. The fact that none of the sus- tional, to be permitted to visit Indonesia and Christopher to deny a request from Jordan pected perpetrators has been brought to East Timor on a regular basis, in order to to resell American fighter jets to Indonesia: justice sends a clear message to the military monitor human rights developments. “(I)t would be inconsistent for the U.S. that they can act with impunity, thereby The repeated refusal of the Indonesian to cut off military aid on the one hand, and creating a climate conducive to further viola- Government to permit such access appears approve a third-party arms transfer to In- tions. Furthermore, there is no indication of to reflect a wish on the part of the authori- donesia on the other.” any significant change in military policy or ties to conceal the full nature and extent of It appears that the State Department had practice in Aceh. In Amnesty Interna- the violations being perpetuated by Indone- adopted Chairman Pell’s position for that tional’s view there is a serious risk of fur- sian Government forces in Indonesia and particular proposed sale; we urge you to ther human rights violations in the future for East Timor. Amnesty International there- make it U.S. policy for all arms transfers to as long as the apparatus remains in place for fore believes that the international commu- Indonesia. the government to crack down again if there nity has a responsibility to take firm action Sen. Feingold’s proposed ban would be are signs of renewed opposition to Indone- to ensure that genuine human rights guaran- lifted if Indonesia Permitted free access of sian rule. tees are implemented, and that effective human rights groups to East Timor, ended Human rights violations are not limited to mechanisms are implemented to monitor torture, and complied with U.N. Security Aceh and East Timor. Hundreds of govern- their implementation, both in Indonesia and Council resolutions relating to self- ment opponents are currently in detention, East Timor. Unless this is achieved the determination for the East Timorese. These serving long sentences imposed after unfair people of Indonesia and East Timor will are the stated goals of U.S. policy. The trials. Among them are more than 100 po- continue to face the daily threat and reality Feingold Proposal will give them teeth. litical prisoners from Irian Jaya, jailed for of serious human rights violations. Sincerely, advocating Irian Jaya’s independence. At As a member of the Senate Foreign Rela- Americans for Democratic Action least 70 of them are prisoners of conscience, tions Committee, we urge you to take full Church Of the Brethren convicted of subversion and sentenced to cognizance of these facts during the forth- Connecticut Peace Action lengthy prison terms for their involvement coming debate. East Timor Action Network/US Foreign Bases Project in peaceful flag-raising ceremonies in 1989 Sincerely, Friends Committee on National Legislation and 1990. Three hundred Islamic activities, James O’Dea, Director, Fund for New Priorities in America of whom at least 50 are believed to be pris- Washington Office International Human Rights Law Group oners of conscience, are in prison having Estrellita Jones, Coordinator Asian Mennonite Central Committee (Washington office) been convicted of subversion and sentenced Affairs, Washington Office Page 122 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Nat’l Comm. on Econ. Conversion and Disarma- Egypt’s military aid for economic assis- The Arms Export Control Act prohibits ment tance. the US government from selling weapons or NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Along with Israel, Egypt is the largest re- granting licenses for commercial arms sales Lobby Pacem in Terris (Wilmington, Delaware) ceptor of U.S. economic and military aid. to countries with a consistent pattern of Peace Action gross violations of human rights. Many Presbyterian Church/USA (Washington Office) TELL CONGRESS TO END groups, including Amnesty International, Project on Demilitarization and Democracy U.S. ARMS SALES TO have documented such a pattern in East Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Timor. United Church of Christ, Office for Church in Soci- INDONESIA Foreign Relations Committee members ety and other Senators should be urged to sup- War Resisters League Action Alert from the East Timor Action port the Feingold amendment. All can be Westchester People’s Action Coalition Network/US Women’s International League for Peace and Free- phoned at 224-3121. Letters are better, and dom August 3, 1993 can be written to any Senator at U.S. Senate, Women Strike for Peace Help Stop Killing and Repression in Washington, DC 20510. Also contact your East Timor Representative at the same number or U.S. MAY BLOCK ARMS In early September, Senator Russell Fein- House of Representatives, Washington, DC SALES TO INDONESIA gold (D-WI) will introduce an amendment to 20515. All numbers are area code 202. the Foreign Aid Authorization Bill to ban Democrats: fax, phone Washington, Aug. 3 (IPS) - the united arms sales to Indonesia. He plans to do this states could ban arms sales and suspend Claiborne Pell (RI), Chair 224-4680 224-4642 in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph R. Biden Jr. (DE) 224-0139 224-5042 military aid to Indonesia in response to which will decide on the bill soon after. If human rights abuses in East Timor, if a Sen- Paul S. Sarbanes (MD) 224-1651 224-4524 approved, the bill will go to the full Senate Christopher J. Dodd (CT) unlisted 224-2823 ate initiative presented Tuesday is passed. within weeks and then to the House. Please Democratic Senator Russ Feingold pre- John Kerry (MA) 224-8525 224-2742 contact members of the Committee and your Paul Simon (IL) 224-0868 224-2152 sented an amendment to the draft 1994 for- own Senators and Representative. eign aid bill that would condition arms sales Daniel Patrick Moynihan (NY) 224-9293 224-4451 The amendment prohibits government Charles S. Robb (VA) 224-8689 224-4024 to Indonesia upon the respect for human and commercial arms sales until the Presi- rights in East Timor. Harris Wofford (PA) 224-4161 224-6324 dent certifies that Indonesia has allowed Russell D. Feingold (WI) 224-2725 224-5323 Indonesia invaded East Timor in dec. international human rights groups unre- 1975, following the latter’s hard fought Harlan Mathews (TN) 224-3679 224-1036 stricted access to East Timor, that there are Republicans: fax, phone independence from Portugal. no forms of inhumane treatment (including The united states has already restricted torture), and that Indonesia has complied Jesse Helms (NC) 224-7588 224-6342 economic aid to Indonesia in protest over with Security Council resolutions 384 and Richard G. Lugar (IN) unlisted 224-4814 the repression of the East Timorese popula- 389 that call for withdrawal of its troops Nancy Landon Kassebaum (KS) 224-3514 224- tion. from the territory and self- determination by 4774 “Indonesia commits serious human rights the East Timorese. It would prevent Indo- Larry Pressler (SD) 224-1630 224-5842 abuses in East Timor and we have already nesia from purchasing US military training Frank H. Murkowski (AK) 224-5301 224-6665 restricted aid. but, ironically, we allow them to replace the IMET military training aid cut Hank Brown (CO) 224-6471 224-5941 to purchase arms in the united states,” Fein- off by Congress last year. James M. Jeffords (VT) 224-8330 224-5141 gold told a meeting of the Senate subcom- Forty-three Senators, including all of the Paul Coverdell (GA) 224-8227 224-3643 mittee on foreign aid. Democrats on the Committee, signed a June According to his proposal, Indonesia 30 letter to President Clinton calling for a END U.S. ARMS SALES TO must accept the presence of human rights review of US policy on East Timor “with an INDONESIA observers and insure against future abuses, eye toward facilitating serious negotiations before arms purchases from the united at the United Nations that might alter the Action Alert from the East Timor Action states are approved. unacceptable status quo. These negotiations Network/US, August 20, 1993. In addition to blocking arms sales, the would be in pursuit of the right of self- Senate Committee debate scheduled for amendment would also prevent any type of determination of the East Timorese people. military collaboration between Washington September 8. Call or write today! ... We believe that the United States should As an American, you have a unprece- and Jakarta. work with its allies in Asia and elsewhere to Feingold had hoped to have his amend- dented opportunity to help end genocide in convince Indonesia by diplomatic means East Timor. Congress could soon ban U.S. ment approved by the subcommittee, in that it is not in Indonesia’s long-term inter- order to avoid debate in the full foreign rela- arms sales to Indonesia until Jakarta allows est to pursue the policies it has followed in East Timorese human rights and self- tions committee, but republican Senator East Timor since 1975.” Nancy kassebaum prevented a vote. determination. If we get it passed, this law US arms sales to Indonesia vary from will send a strong moral, political and prac- Although she claims to share Feingold’s year to year, and were over $100 million in concern for the Timorese people, kassebaum tical message to the Suharto regime. 1991. They include high- technology aircraft said she had doubts over the nature of the Debate in the Senate Foreign Relations as well as the M-16 automatic weapons Committee on Senator Russell Feingold’s proposed measures, which she wanted dis- such as were used to massacre over 271 cussed when the full committee meets, at a (D-WI) proposed amendment to the Foreign unarmed Timorese protesters at Santa Cruz Aid Authorization Bill is scheduled for Sep- still undetermined date. cemetery on November 12, 1991. A cutoff During the session, republican Senator tember 8. If approved, the bill could go would go a long way toward convincing quickly to the full Senate and then to the hank brown presented another amendment, Indonesia to alter its course in East Timor. proposing the rechanneling of 10 percent of House-Senate conference committee. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 123

There will be strong opposition, as this Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., and Rep. and ASEAN and jeopardize U.S. workers’ Feingold Amendment prevents arms-makers Lane Evans, D-Ill., want to extend their jobs. It would also directly undercut U.S. from selling hundreds of millions of dollars existing one-year ban on U.S. sales of anti- political and security strategy in Asia, par- of killing tools. We must mount an unprece- personnel mines, 85 million of which are ticularly President Clinton’s vision of a new dented grassroots campaign, telling our hidden in the soils of 62 countries around Pacific Community. Senators and Representatives that the U.S. the globe. Indonesia is an important friend of the must reverse its long history of complicity Reps. Thomas H. Andrews, D-Maine, U.S. in the genocide in East Timor. Call or write and John R. Kasich, R-Ohio, want to short- Indonesia is the fourth largest country in them today. stop any attempts to use defense-industry the world with a population of over 184 conversion funds to finance further arms The rest of the alert is the same as the Au- million and the largest Muslim nation. Indo- sales abroad. Sen. Russell D. Feingold, D- gust 3 one reprinted above. nesia has served as a force for moderation in Wis., wants no arms sold to Indonesia as –––––––––– the Islamic world and was a staunch U.S. long as it occupies and commits human- Feingold modified the Amendment slightly. supporter during the Persian Gulf War. rights abuses in East Timor. (The Clinton Section (a)(2) now reads as follows. The rest President Suharto is the current chairman administration recently told Jordan it of the amendment is unchanged. of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM). couldn’t transfer four U.S.-made F-5E jet Under his leadership, Indonesia has consis- (a) (2) on or after October 1, 1994, issue fighters to Indonesia because of East tently offered a reasoned voice in the North- licenses pursuant to section 38 of such Act Timor). South and South- South dialogue. However, (22 U.S.C. 2778) with respect to a sale of But these are little pieces of a much larger the NAM’s leaders have made it clear that defense articles and defense services to such policy issue the Clinton administration must they do not appreciate the West’s interfer- Government. decide quickly and unambiguously: ence in what they see as their internal af- Should commercial factors have more fairs. The US’s publicized use of economic LIMIT THE ARMS TRADE than secondary bearing on decisions about leverage in an attempt to achieve workers weapons sales, and should arms exports be rights/human rights goals will be counter- Editorial, Portland Oregonian, Sept. 2. encouraged to take up the economic slack productive, forcing Indonesia away from its With the end of the Cold War and con- caused by lesser Pentagon procurement? usual moderate position in order to show cerns about recession and jobs spurring the The answer to both questions is no. Un- others in the NAM that it will not be dic- process along, the United States easily wins necessarily fostering a robust arms-export tated to by the West. If the US’s relation- the dubious title of world’s largest supplier market is morally wrong. It also foolishly ship with Indonesia is compromised, a ma- of conventional arms to Third World coun- delays the shift of some U.S. military manu- jor voice for moderation will be lost. tries. facturing capacity to civilian purposes. Last year the United States took orders Indonesia has taken the lead in trying to find a peaceful resolution to the Spratly for $13.5 billion worth of weapons in the INDONESIA’S SUPPORTERS Third World – 59.9 percent of all sales. Islands dispute. It has sent one of the largest Most of the U.S. hardware was promised LOBBY AGAINST FEINGOLD contingents for the U.N. peace-keeping force in Cambodia, led efforts to improve to Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. And This was being circulated by Jakarta’s lob- the 150 advanced F-16 fighter planes that regional security dialogues in Asia, sup- byists around the Senate Foreign Relations ported U.S. efforts in Somalia, and provided President Bush promised Taiwan in appar- Committee in early September to try to defeat ent violation of a U.S.-Chinese agreement access to U.S. military vessels for repair and Feingold’s efforts. It’s full of distortions, maintenance. looked suspiciously like a desperate cam- errors and perhaps deliberate lies. paign tactic aimed at saving U.S. jobs and Indonesia has been a staunch supporter getting Bush re-elected. There’s a lot more stuff like this, some of it of the United States in pushing for a posi- Such excesses shouldn’t continue. Nor state-specific. tive conclusion to the Uruguay Round of should the United States make any substan- – Charlie Scheiner, ETAN/US GATT negotiations, and has been a leading tial weapons sales to developing countries proponent and supporter of APEC (Asia without giving careful new thought to what U.S. SECURITY AND COMPETITIVE Pacific Economic Cooperation). APEC is a drives the policy behind the sales. INTERESTS JEOPARDIZED IN cornerstone of the new Pacific Community U.S. national-security and foreign-policy INDONESIA vision of President Clinton, and Indonesia’s interests – not economic motives – should support, particularly since it will be chair- Circulated by the U.S.-ASEAN Business man next year, is important as the U.S. be the key. But already there is reason to Council. worry that Commerce Secretary Ron Brown seeks to strengthen this new regional eco- is trying to open the floodgates. Brown has September 1993 nomic group. been pitching U.S. arms to foreign buyers POSITION PAPER: Indonesia is an important market to the himself, presumably with President Clin- U.S. companies are seriously concerned U.S. ton’s approval. by a recent Congressional proposal to “con- Indonesia has a GDP of over $125 billion Bills coming up in Congress seek to ex- dition” U.S. exports of defense equipment growing at 6 percent per year. 1993 growth pand or limit foreign arms sales. Sen. Mark to Indonesia on the basis of the situation in is projected at 7 percent. Indonesia’s im- O. Hatfield, R-Ore., is talking about intro- East Timor and alleged human rights abuses. ports are projected to have exceeded $26 ducing legislation either to express the will U.S. actions to cut off aerospace and de- billion for 1992. U.S. exports to Indonesia of Congress or to limit conventional arms fense exports to Indonesia would seriously grew 79 percent from 1988 to 1991; 1992 exports unless client countries meet certain undermine existing bilateral and multilateral exports rose 47 percent to $2.8 billion and conditions. diplomatic efforts to encourage stronger account for around 56,000 U.S. jobs (U.S. Hatfield’s bill and others should help en- protection of human rights in Indonesia. It Department of Commerce estimates that courage needed debate over U.S. arms- would also negatively impact the competi- each $1 billion in exports results in 20,000 export policy. tive position of U.S. companies in Indonesia U.S. jobs). Page 124 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Indonesia’s purchasing power is increas- International Efforts are Working. Asians because it harms U.S. exports and ing. The United Nations Commission on jobs. For example, after the prevention of Its infrastructure imports over the next Human Rights recently adopted a strong the F-5 transfer, over 1200 current and 2000 decade will top $64 billion in sectors such as resolution on East Timor. That resolution potential jobs in California were lost. aerospace, electric power, telecommunica- was supported by many EC members and U.S. security interests are threatened. tions, environmental improvements, trans- the United States. As a result of that resolu- Political and security interests would also portation, construction and mining equip- tion, increasing international pressure has suffer as a result of the deterioration in U.S.- ment, health and other essential services. been brought to bear on Indonesia. Indonesian and U.S.-ASEAN relations. In- With Indonesia’s rapid development, aero- Precipitous action at this time will un- donesia as the most geographically powerful space, particularly commercial aircraft and dermine existing multilateral and bilateral member of ASEAN plays a large military satellite purchases have increased dramati- diplomatic efforts to seek further improve- role in ASEAN. ASEAN currently acts as a cally in the last few years. ments in Indonesia. Indonesia has a number balance in Asia against the arms build-up of American aerospace and defense firms of other suppliers (including the French and China. ASEAN has consistently asked the are in a competitive position. the British) who are pressing for improve- U.S. to remain committed to the region to ment in Indonesia’s human rights record in Huge opportunities for American exports off-set China’s military power. U.S. eco- East Timor while still supplying Indonesia to Indonesia exist and are rapidly expanding. nomic sanctions against Indonesia, particu- with military equipment. Further, the likely Indonesia and its ASEAN neighbors are larly on the sale of U.S. defense equipment, impact of this action will not be limited to investing billions of dollars in defense and would make it appear as if the U.S. has the defense industry. Broad U.S. economic aerospace equipment to support their grow- decided to sacrifice the region and is pre- interests, and American workers, will be ing fears that the U.S. will pull out of the pared to disengage militarily, pushing negatively affected by the proposed actions. region militarily and to counter- balance ASIAN towards accommodation with China’s recent elevation of military pur- The U.S. faces stiff competition in Indo- China’s growing military power. chases and offensive activity in the South nesia and ASEAN. Indonesia is important to the U.S. mili- China Sea. For example, Indonesia has re- Our competitors are in a strong position tary posture in South East Asia especially cently concluded a satellite contract with in terms of trade, aid, investment and tech- in the post- Philippines bases era. The U.S. Hughes Space and Communications Com- nology. Japan supplies 24 percent of Indo- is pursuing a strategy of access and “places pany for up to three third generation tele- nesian imports followed by the EC with 18 not bases,” based largely on excellent rela- communications satellites. The rocket percent and the U.S. with 13 percent. Japan tions with regional defense forces. These launchers for this satellite have yet to be takes 37 percent of Indonesia’s exports relations are crucial to the U.S. military for purchased, and U.S. firms are in stiff com- followed by the EC with 13 percent and the strategic reasons – visits, joint exercises, petition, particularly with French suppliers. U.S. with 12 percent. Yet, Japan and the EC transits and repairs. The relationships are The initial satellite contract alone was worth consistently avoid the kind of conditionality also the basis for inter-operability which the $128 million and a further $160 million will on their exports and aid applied by the U.S. US relies on especially during emergencies, be spent by Indonesia to launch these satel- When the U.S. recently disapproved the peace missions or humanitarian reasons lites. transfer of F-5 aircraft from Jordan to the which may arise in the region. While there is no current formal access agreement between Human rights record is improving. U.S., the United Kingdom stepped in and sold Hawks to the Indonesians worth over the U.S. and Indonesia, Indonesia has agreed Indonesia has recently taken significant $600 million. The proposed amendment will to allow the U.S. Navy ships access on a steps to improve its human rights record. not simply affect new sales. American com- commercial basis, to facilities in Surabaya. After the November 1991 incident in Dili, panies will not be able to provide training, The Pentagon hopes that this cooperation the government took the unprecedented step service and spare parts for existing equip- will form the basis for future written agree- of prosecuting military officers, relieving ment sold to the Indonesian military. There- ments. several of command. President Suharto has fore, competitors can argue to the Indone- also endorsed the establishment of an Indo- U.S. jobs and political credibility will be sian government that the U.S. is an unreli- nesian Human Rights Commission, a deci- lost. able partner while they appreciate the ef- sion announced at a recent U.N. sponsored On August 13th, President Clinton spoke forts Indonesia is making to improve its conference on human rights. to a large crowd of Californian defense citizens’ welfare and rights. Further, there is Recent actions by the Indonesian gov- workers who he said were not forgotten. evidence that competitors have argued (in ernment include presenting a list to Asia According to the “Washington Post,” he Indonesia and elsewhere) that such actions Watch with the names of the individuals stated that “if we succeed (in job transition), by the United States Government jeopard- who were presumed missing from the kill- this military axis could be transformed into a ize the reliability and credibility of Ameri- ings in November, 1991. Also, in an un- thriving, high-tech gateway to Asia and can firms as suppliers of advanced technolo- precedented compromise by the Indonesian beyond.” Secretary Christopher during his gies and equipment. Again, it is likely that government, Fretilin leader Xanana Gus- recent trip to Asia also highlighted the new this argument will extend to suppliers of mão’s sentence was reduced from life im- primacy for Asia in foreign policy, and the civil aviation, telecommunications and other prisonment to a 20 year sentence. special relationship developing between the equipment as well. Under the auspices of the United Na- U.S. and ASEAN. tions, Indonesia and Portugal have also been U.S. Competitiveness weakened. If the U.S. Congress eliminates defense meeting on the question of East Timor. U.S. business competitiveness is dam- equipment sales to Indonesia, the Congress These meetings have been focused on confi- aged when overall U.S. political and security will undermine the Clinton Administration’s dence building measures, including an invita- influence in any market is reduced. Unilat- efforts to keep their promises to the people tion to Portuguese journalists to visit East eral economic sanctions will reduce U.S. and sever the Administration’s ability to Timor. Additional meetings under the aegis influence, leverage, and credibility in Indo- help keep U.S. defense workers employed of the U.N. Secretary General are planned. nesia. Such action will seem illogical to through exports by cutting off a vital market for their goods. East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 125

Conclusion. est exporter of tropical hardwood and tropi- · Iron and steel The U.S. government should not “condi- cal plywood. · Oil and gas field machinery and services tion arms sales” to Indonesia because of the Growth Performance · Textile machinery and equipment human rights record in East Timor. The * Indonesia’s GDP, estimated at US$126 · Plastic materials and resins Indonesians are taking steps to resolve this billion, grew at a rate of 5.9 percent in 1992. · Paper and paperboard situation and the international community, The country’s current per capita income is · Consumer electronics led by U.S. diplomatic efforts, is taking an about US$610. The strong performance of · Electric power systems active interest in Indonesia’s progress in this its economy in recent years is attributed to area. Such a bilateral action will not effect the government’s ongoing policy of eco- · Telecommunications equipment the desired change in East Timor, will dam- nomic deregulation. age the U.S. Government’s credibility both * Indonesia’s GDP growth is expected to DOWN TO THE WIRE ON domestically and in Asia, will seriously accelerate to about 6.3 percent in 1993, and ARMS SALES CUTOFF undermine U.S. competitive interests in 6.7 percent in 1994. Indonesia, and will threaten vital security Trade and Investment Action Alert from the East Timor Action links and most importantly, will cause a Network/US, September 4, 1993 further job loss in a sector already threat- * Indonesia’s principal trade partners are ened by U.S. military down-sizing. Japan, U.S., Singapore, Taiwan, South Ko- The State Department and business rea, Hong Kong, China and Australia. Japan interests are lobbying to keep weapons INDONESIA remained the country’s largest trading part- flowing to Indonesia. The Republic of Indonesia, the largest ar- ner, absorbing 36.9 percent of Indonesia’s The Senate Foreign Relations Commit- chipelago in the world, consists of 13,667 exp orts. The U.S. ranked second with a 12 tee will vote Wednesday, September 8. islands covering an area of over 741,101 percent share. Two- way trade with Indone- square miles. The current population is sia reached more than US$7.3 billion last Call or fax Tuesday! estimated at over 188 million, making Indo- year. nesia the fourth largest nation in the world. Pressure is intensifying in the last days * U.S. exports to Indonesia amounted to before the Senate decides on the Feingold Indonesia has a very diversified natural US$2.8 billion, up 47 percent from the 1991 resource base, with plentiful primary energy Amendment to cut off arms sales to Indone- figure of US$1.9 billion. Between 1988 and sia until human rights and self-determination resources, significant mineral deposits, large 1992, U.S. exports to Indonesia grew 162 timber potential, and a developed system of are respected in East Timor. The vote will percent. Principal U.S. exports include cot- be very close. agricultural commodity production and ex- ton, petroleum products, transport vehicles, port. Business organizations, the State De- industrial chemicals, civil engineering and partment and corporations have mounted an Structure of the Economy contractors plants and equipment. intensive lobbying campaign and are urging * Oil and gas. Indonesia is the 14th larg- * U.S. imports from Indonesia totaled Senator Feingold not to introduce his est oil producer in to world, with an average US$4.5 billion in 1992, a 44 percent increase amendment. We need to counter this with as production of 1.3 million barrels per day. since 1988. Principal U.S. imports include many calls to Senators on the committee as Proven oil reserves are estimated at 10 bil- crude oil and petroleum products, shrimp, possible – so that Feingold can be sure he lion barrels, probable reserves at 10-40 bil- natural rubber, plywood, garment and ap- has the votes. lion barrels. It is a member of the Organiza- parel, and footwear. Earlier action alerts and other material tion of Petroleum Exporting Countries * U.S. investment position in Indonesia from the East Timor Action Network con- (OPEC). Indonesia is also the largest ex- in 1991 stood at US$3.5 billion (US$2.9 tain more details about the amendment, porter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). billion in the petroleum sector). which sends a strong moral, political and Proven natural gas reserves are 74 trillion Government Policies practical message to the Suharto regime. The cubic feet (TCF), probable reserves are 97 * Since 1983, the Government of Indone- amendment prohibits all government sales TCF. The country also has significant min- sia has implemented a series of economic now and commercial arms sales starting next eral deposits, including gold, copper, tin and reforms, collectively called “deregulation year. The ban will remain in effect until the nickel. and debureaucratization measures,” includ- U.S. President certifies that Indonesia has * Industry. In recent years, Indonesia’s ing the following: 1) maintenance of a com- allowed human rights groups into East industrial sector has been growing rapidly, petitive exchange rate that has provided Timor, that there are no forms of inhumane including the export-oriented manufacture of strong incentives for non-oil export devel- treatment, and that Indonesia has complied consumer products and light industrial opment; 2) strong fiscal and monetary with Security Council resolutions that call goods, and increased value-added processing measures designed to restrain expenditures, for withdrawal of its troops and self- of Indonesia’s raw materials. In 1992, the mobilize financial resources, and contain determination. Hundreds of millions of dol- industrial sector accounted for 42.9 percent inflationary pressures; 3) and trade liberali- lars in weapons purchases are at stake. of GDP. Since 1987, non-oil exports have zation and promotion of foreign investment. Last week, a group of U.S. Congressional exceeded oil exports, and currently account * Oil and gas are major revenue genera- staffers visited East Timor for less than a for 60 percent of total export value. tors for the government. As a result, Indo- day, under a restricted itinerary. Hundreds * Agriculture has traditionally served as nesian policies are aimed to reactivate oil of young East Timorese were arrested in the backbone of Indonesia’s economy, em- exploration and development and diversify advance of their visit, and sent to a “guid- ploying half of the labor force, and contrib- domestic energy consumption away from ance course” in a secret location. The Indo- uting about 18 percent of GDP and 12.5 oil. nesian authorities are trying to hide the truth percent of exports. Indonesia’s main agricul- about East Timor from Congress. At the tural products include hardwoods, rice, palm Best Prospects for U.S. companies same time their supporters argue that earlier oil, sugar, rubber, tea, coffee, and spices. · Industrial chemicals U.S. measures – cutting off military training With the world’s second-largest rainforest · Aerospace and defense equipment aid, supporting U.N. human rights resolu- (after Brazil), Indonesia is the world ‘s larg- Page 126 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. tions, and blocking a sale of jet fighter being perpetrated in East Timor,” said Fein- EAST TIMOR ISSUE SHOWS planes – are enough. But Indonesia is not gold. responding reasonably. We must show the Feingold’s amendment lays out six spe- NO SIGN OF GOING AWAY seriousness of the American people and cific criteria that must he considered by the The World at Noon (ABN 2 TV). 8 Septem- government by refusing to arm the repres- President in consultation with the Congress ber 1993 sive, 18-year- long occupation and genocide prior to the approval of any arms sale or in East Timor. transfer. Those criteria are: (see text of the The following is transcript of an interview Senators who had previously indicated amendment) between the ABC newsreader John Lombard they would support the Feingold amend- and Jakarta correspondent, Michael Maher. FEINGOLD AMENDMENT ON ARMS ment on Indonesia are being intensely lob- NEWSREADER: bied. Please call every Senator on the For- SALES TO INDONESIA (FULL TEXT, eign Relations Committee on Tuesday (or AS APPROVED BY COMMITTEE) Indonesia received a jolt from the United Wednesday morning), even if you called States over its human rights record in East them before. In this atmosphere, we can SECTION ___. ARMS SALES TO Timor. The Senate Foreign Relations Com- take nobody for granted. INDONESIA mittee has voted to link American Arms (a) Prior to approval of the sale or trans- sales to Jakarta’s improvement to the coun- try’s human rights. The Committee wants SENATE COMMITTEE LINKS fer of defense articles, defense services, or design and construction services under the to know what action Indonesia is taking to ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 curb human rights violations by the armed TO HUMAN RIGHTS et seq) for which a numbered certification is forces; it wants increase access to East required under Section 36(b) of that Act, to Timor for international human rights groups News Release from U.S. Senator Russ Fein- the Government of Indonesia or to issuance and a reduction of the Indonesian military gold, Wednesday, September 8, 1993 of licenses with respect to the commercial presence there. Contact: Bob Decheine (202)224-5323 sale of major defense articles or defense John Lombard: Michael has it been any (Washington, D.C.) – The Senate Foreign services which fall within the scope of Sec- Indonesian response to this resolution? Relations Committee voted unanimously tion 36(c)(1) of the Act to such Govern- MICHAEL MAHER: Unfortunately John today to adopt a proposal by Sen. Russ ment, the President shall consult with the this line we’ve got is breaking up - But as I Feingold, (D-WI) to link U.S. arms sales to Congress and make a determination as to understand your question- has there been Indonesia to improvements in the human whether there have been improvements in any official response from Indonesia. So far, rights situation in occupied East Timor. the human rights situation in East Timor. there has been no official reaction to the “When this provision passes Congress (b) In making this determination, the Foreign Relations Committee decision, but I and is signed into law by the President, it President shall carefully consider think it is safe to say that the Indonesian will mark a historic turning point in the – whether the civilians convicted in con- Government and the military here will be conduct of United States foreign policy,” nection with the November 1991 East taking this move very seriously. Of course said Feingold. “We will be drawing a direct Timor incident have been treated in accor- the Foreign Relations Committee recom- policy link between U.S. sanctioned arms dance with international standards of fair- mendation on what would amount in arms sales and human rights violations.” ness, including whether the Indonesian Gov- embargo is yet to be passed by the Congress Feingold’s provision was supported by ernment has reviewed the sentences of these or for that matter by President Clinton. But Republican and Democratic members of the individuals for the purpose of their commu- it is significant, I think that the State De- Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The tation, reduction or remission; partment has already giving its approval. Wisconsin Democrat had earlier convinced – whether the Indonesian Government is What we think at the moment is the the Administration to disapprove a pro- taking steps to curb human rights violations United States taking a far more critical look posed transfer of American built F-5E by its security forces, including that all mili- at the human rights situation here in Indone- fighter bombers from Jordan to Indonesia. tary personnel who were responsible for sia, then it has in a very long time. Of course “Indonesia has been engaged in a cam- ordering, authorizing or initiating the use of the Dili killings at the end of 1991, a largely paign of systematic oppression in the occu- lethal force against demonstrators in East responsible for this, but is not only the pied island nation of East Timor since 1975. Timor in November 1991, are being brought issue of East Timor which is attracting at- In November of 1991, Indonesian security to justice; tention in Washington. The US Trade repre- forces conducted a massacre of civilian dem- – whether there has been a full public ac- sentative office have threaten to withdraw onstrators that resulted in at least 100 counting of the individuals missing after the trade privileges by early next year if Jakarta deaths and hundreds of injuries. The full November 1991 incident; doesn’t reform its fairly strict labour laws. extent of this massacre and the ongoing In- – whether international humanitarian or- At the moment Indonesian workers are only donesian oppression of East Timor is not ganizations, human rights groups and others allowed to belong to State Sanctioned Un- fully known because the Indonesian gov- have been granted expanded access to East ion, just last month the United States vetoed ernment has not properly investigated this Timor; the sale of 4 fighter aircraft to Indonesian, incident. Furthermore, it has refused access – whether the Indonesian Government also on the grounds of human rights concern. to East Timor to international humanitarian has implemented stated plans to decrease Now, while the Indonesian armed forces organizations and human rights groups,” the military presence on East Timor; says it can buy it weapons elsewhere, and said Feingold. – whether the Indonesian Government is certainly there is no reason to doubt that, “Hopefully this action will serve notice cooperating constructively with the United the symbolic importance of this US (un- to the government of Indonesia that the Nations Secretary General’s efforts to pro- clear) shouldn’t be estimated. For many United States will not tolerate and will not mote dialogue between Indonesia and Portu- years during the Cold War Indonesia as a assist the kind of human rights violations gal to resolve issues concerning East Timor. vehemently anti-communist nation was very much in Washington’s good books but, now that we’ve sailed into the World Order (un- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 127 clear) of change especially it seems towards “deep concern” over Indonesian abuses in that if the bill became law it would hurt ties Indonesia’s record on human rights. Timor and urging Jakarta to permit interna- between the two countries. John Lombard: Michael, if you can hear me, tional rights observers to visit the island. The foreign ministry said Jakarta would have you got any indication of what the Washington had helped block similar be forced to look elsewhere for arms if the situation in East Timor at the moment is resolutions under the republican administra- amendment, included in a foreign aid bill on like? tions of former presidents Ronald Reagan Wednesday, were to be approved by the full and George Bush. Congress and President Bill Clinton. MICHAEL MAHER: it’s very hard John, The Clinton administration informed Ja- “The department of foreign affairs has to get accurate information on conditions in karta in June that it risked losing its prefer- expressed its deep regret about the decision East Timor. The military still very wary ential trade status under the generalized by the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- about journalists travelling there for in- system of preferences unless it showed tee,” the Indonesian statement said. stance, in fact the BBC had an application greater respect for labour union rights by “The impact of this new amendment, if it to visit the Portuguese colony knocked back next February. is accepted by Congress and the president, just a short time ago. But I think it is safe to U.S. trade representative, Mickey Kan- will certainly impact on the good relation- say, that the situation in East Timor is still tor, is expected to dispatch a special mission ship which has existed between the Repub- tense, there is still a large military presence this month to investigate complaints that lic of Indonesia and the United States,” it there and we do hear regular reports of har- Jakarta unduly restricts union activity and added. assment and detention of Timorese oppose permits child labour in violation of interna- The amendment would require Clinton to to Indonesian rule. Although the armed tional standards. consider human rights criteria in consulta- forces deny this. So, despite the wishes of Clinton reportedly raised U.S Indonesian tion with Congress before any arms sales or the Indonesian Government the East Timor president Suharto himself in early July dur- transfer can be approved. issue shows no sign of going away. ing a bilateral meeting in Tokyo. Concerns focus on Indonesia’s alleged ex- Later that month, the state department, cesses in East Timor, the former Portuguese U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE citing human rights and other “sensitive” colony which Jakarta has ruled with an iron APPROVES ARMS SALE issues, rejected Jordan’s request to sell four grip since its 1975 invasion. CURB U.S. fighter jets to Indonesia. those other Senators want a full accounting for an in- issues reportedly included Washington’s cident in November 1991 when troops shot By Jim Lobe unhappiness with Indonesia’s efforts to sell dead up to 180 people attending a funeral in Washington, Sept. 8 (IPS) - a key com- its own arms and aircraft to Iraq and Iran. the capital Dili. They want those guilty to mittee of the U.S. Senate Wednesday Feingold reportedly played a key role in be tried. unanimously approved an amendment to the persuading the administration to ban the The vote coincides with a row over labor 1994 foreign aid bill restricting future U.S. sale. rights and follows last month’s block by arms sales to Indonesia. As approved Wednesday, his amendment Washington of the sale of Jordanian F-5 jet In passing the so-called ‘Feingold requires Clinton to consider several factors fighters to Indonesia, in part because of amendment’ – named after its author, Wis- related to the 1991 massacre before approv- human rights. consin Senator Russ Feingold – the Senate ing future arms sales to Indonesia. Washing- Indonesian officials, while noting that the Foreign Relations Committee said President ton has long served as Jakarta’s most impor- adopted version was milder than previous Bill Clinton would have to consider six crite- tant arms supplier. ones, said it was still likely to ignite resent- ria before approving any arms sale to Ja- Clinton must determine whether the mas- ment in the powerful military. karta. sacre’s perpetrators have been adequately “We are worried about this (amendment). “Hopefully this action will serve notice punished, whether those missing after the We expected something to come out that to the government of Indonesia that the massacre have been the subject of a full was critical of Indonesia but did not expect a united states will not tolerate and will not public accounting, and whether civilians complete ban (on arms sales),” one official assist the kind of human rights violations sentenced to jail terms for their part in the said. being perpetrated in East Timor,” Feingold demonstration which preceded the massacre U.S. trade officials will visit Indonesia said after the vote. have been treated fairly. later this month to investigate the labour East Timor, a Portuguese colony, was in- Clinton must also assess whether interna- issue. Washington, critical of Jakarta’s vaded and later annexed by Indonesia in tional humanitarian and human rights bodies treatment of its workers, has threatened to 1975. It was also the scene of a Nov. 1991 have gained greater access to East Timor, suspend trading privileges if Indonesia does massacre of what witnesses say were more whether Jakarta has begun reducing its mili- not improve. than 100 Timorese demonstrators by Indo- tary presence in Timor, and whether it is But diplomats said the vote was much nesian troops. cooperating fully with U.N. efforts to medi- more serious as it affected fragile army ties, The Senate action, which is expected to ate disputes between Indonesia and Portugal weakened by the F-5 ban and the suspen- be upheld by the full congress, is the latest over the former colony. sion of military aid after the 1991 Dili inci- in a series of events which appear to be dent. upsetting the normally excellent ties be- JAKARTA REGRETS U.S. “If this draft resolution is agreed on by tween Washington and Jakarta. VOTE TO BAR ARMS SAL ES the Senate then it means Indonesia has to Congress last year voted for the first time provide its (arms) requirement from other to cut all military aid to Indonesia to protest Reuters wire, full text suppliers. Now it depends greatly on the the 1991 massacre in Dili, Timor’s capital. government and Congress of the United JAKARTA, Sept. 9 (Reuter) – Indonesia States to review the effect of this amend- The Clinton administration surprised ob- on Thursday expressed deep regret over a servers earlier this year by lobbying in favor ment,” the foreign ministry statement said. U.S. Senate committee vote to tie arms sales No figures were available for U.S. mili- of a European-sponsored resolution at the to human rights in East Timor and warned U.N. human rights commission, expressing tary sales to Indonesia. Although the major- ity of Jakarta’s armory comes from the Page 128 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

United States, in recent months it has PORTUGUESE FOREIGN which alleged that Indonesian authorities bought Hawk fighters from Britain and for- had interfered in a sensitive United Nations mer East German ships from Germany. MINISTRY APPLAUDS TIMOR investigation of the 1991 Dili massacre, in Indonesia has since the late 1960’s been o AMENDMENT which up to 100 civilians were killed by close ally of the United States, but the end government troops. of the Cold War and Jakarta’s hard line Diario de Noticias, 9 September 1993 The amendment attached to a foreign aid stance over East Timor has frayed ties. Translated from Portuguese. Bill by Democrat Senator Russell Feingold (Lisbon) Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry was passed unanimously by the Senate TIMOR REBELS HAIL U.S. was very pleased with the passing, by the Foreign Relations Committee. SENATE VOTE AGAINST US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, It requires the President to consider hu- of an amendment conditioning weapons man rights criteria in consultation with Con- INDONESIA sales to Indonesia. A Foreign Ministry gress before any arms sale or transfer to spokesperson said that the decision was Indonesia can be approved. Reuters wire, full text. proof of “the growing interest in interna- They include whether Indonesia is acting Sydney, Sept. 9 (Reuter) Timorese rebels tional public opinion, namely in the US, to curb human rights violations by its armed on Thursday praised a U.S. Senate commit- about the Timorese issue.” forces, increased access to East Timor for tee vote linking arms sales to Indonesia to an international human rights groups and reduc- improvement in Jakarta’s (unreadable) in CLINTON TIES ARMS SAL ES tion of the Indonesian military presence. East Timor. TO RIGHTS IN EAST TIMOR The amendment also ties approval of any Margherita Tracanelli of the National military sales to a full public accounting of Council of Maubere Resistance, the rebel The Australian, 10 Sept. 1993. AFP, Reuter, people missing after the incident and review umbrella group based in Australia, said the AAP. By correspondents in Washington, of the sentences of civilians convicted in vote was a sign of firmer support in the U.S. Jakarta and Darwin. connection with the incident. An Indonesian government for a solution to the issue of inquiry into the massacre had found that 49 East Timor. The headline is misleading: Clinton had people were killed and listed another 50 as “The international tide is turning against nothing to do with it! missing. Indonesia on the issue of East Timor,” Tra- A UNITED States Senate committee In Darwin yesterday, Timor Democratic canelli said. voted yesterday to tie US arms sales to Union spokesman Mr. Goncalo Pinto said “The unprecedented support we have in Indonesia to improvement of that country’s the amendment was a “clear indication” of the U.S. Congress reflects the fact that, at human rights performance in East Timor, in Washington’s changing stance. the end of the Cold War, Indonesia cannot what was hailed as a turning point in Wash- “This is a very polite way of telling In- hide behind an anti-communist stance while ington’s relations with Jakarta. donesia that the US is changing and will no it continues to perpetrate human rights The move came amid mounting US pres- longer support Indonesia on the question of abuses,” Tracanelli said. sure on Indonesia, including a ban on sales East Timor,” Mr. Pinto said. The amendment to a foreign aid bill, of US fighter jets in July and a threat to adopted by the Senate Foreign Relations withdraw privileged trading arrangements if US SENATE MOVE TO BAN Committee, requires the U.S. president to Jakarta does no improve its labour protec- consider human rights criteria alongside tion by February. JAKARTA ARMS Congress before any arms sale or transfer to It is also expected to increase pressure on THE AGE, 10 September 1993. By Pilita Indonesia can be approved. Canberra over its stance towards Jakarta, Clark. Similar article in Sydney Morning These include considering whether the with a Darwin-based pro-East Timorese Herald. Indonesian government is curbing abuses by independence group yesterday saying the security forces and bringing to justice “all Federal Government would be foolish to (Washington) Relations between Jakarta military personnel who were responsible for ignore the changing mood in Washington. and Washington soured further yesterday ordering, authorizing or initiating use of The foreign aid Bill will need to be ap- when the Senate foreign relations committee force against demonstrators in East Timor.” proved by Congress and signed by Mr. voted to ban United States arms sales to It rejects Indonesian claims that only low Clinton before becoming law. Indonesia until it improved its human rights level forces were responsible for a massacre The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. record in East Timor. of civilians in East Timor’s capital of Dili in Ali Alatas, said yesterday that Jakarta op- The committee voted unanimously for a November 1991, when up to 180 Timorese posed the move. proposal by a Democrat newcomer, Wis- were killed. “I have repeatedly said that the basic consin Senator Russ Feingold, to ban future The legislation also ties approval of any principle for Indonesia and most countries arms sales unless Indonesia meets six spe- military sales to a full public accounting of of the Non-Aligned is that setting any po- cific human rights conditions in relations to people missing after the incident and to a litical condition in any economic and finance East Timor. review of the sentences meted out to the co-operation cannot be accepted,” Mr. Senator Feingold was part of the congres- Timorese for taking part in the march which Alatas said. sional push that led to July’s US ban on triggered the shootings. President Clinton signalled a hardening of Jordan selling American-made F-5 fighter Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese Washington’s policy towards Jakarta in aircraft to Indonesia. colony of East Timor in 1975 and annexed it July when he raised human rights violation Friction between the US and Indonesia the following year, a move not recognised in East Timor with Indonesia’s President has been steadily growing this year. When by the United Nations. Suharto at the summit of the world’s seven President Clinton met Indonesia’s President, leading industrial nation in Tokyo. Mr. Suharto, in Tokyo on July, Mr. Clinton Pressure was increased earlier this week reportedly raised concerns about Indonesian with the release of a secret State Depart- arms sales to Iran. ment cable from the Us embassy in Jakarta, East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 129

Indonesia today defended its human * Whether Indonesia is cooperating with the opportunity to enter the market lost to rights record. UN efforts to resolve disputes. the US, said Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. “ By our standards we have implemented ADDITIONAL TEXT IN SYDNEY “In today’s world, it’s easy to get any human rights maximally,” said an armed MORNING HERALD: weapons we need to buy. As we know there forces spokesman, Brigadier General Syar- is stiff competition between the US and wan Hamid. In Jakarta, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Britain and France, which means that the He said it was up Washington to decide Alatas, said Indonesia opposed the Us Sen- amendment is not in line with America’s whether to link arms sales with human ate move. own interests,” he said. rights records. He said the Government “I have repeatedly said that the basic “It’s necessary for us to make it quite would discuss the issue. principle for Indonesia and most countries clear that Indonesia’s basic position is un- Timorese rebels praised the Senate com- of the Non-Aligned Movement is that set- changed. We have said repeatedly that it is a mittee vote. Ms Margharita Tracanelli, of ting any political condition in any economic basic principle for Indonesia and for most The National Council of Maubere Resis- and finance co-operation cannot be ac- non-aligned countries that attaching political tance, the rebel umbrella group based in cepted,” Mr. Alatas said. conditions to any form of economic coop- Australia, said in Sydney that the vote was “Our reaction is not because of fear. We eration is not acceptable.” a sign of firmer support in the US Govern- see that because that is wrong.” But he said we should await further de- ment for a solution to the issue of East The defence Minister, Mr Edi Sudrajat, velopments because not all members of the Timor. told a parliamentary hearing that the prob- Senate are in favour. The reason why some “The international tide is turning against lem was a result of misleading information oppose the amendment is that if Indonesia Indonesia on the issue of East Timor,” Ms on human rights. doesn’t buy the weapons from the US it can Tracanelli said. get the weapons it wants from other coun- Earlier this week, the State Department INDONESIA DEFENDS tries. issued an internal report under Freedom of TIMOR ROLE He said that the Indonesian armed forces Information laws showing that Indonesian do not only buy military equipment from security forces interfered with a sensitive The Canberra Times, 10 September 1993. the US. “We have got Hawks from Britain 1992 United Nations mission to East Timor Jakarta, AFP: Indonesia defended its hu- and other equipment from Switzerland, by rounding up more than 100 young peo- man rights record yesterday in the face of Sweden and Germany, and we can even ple. US Senate move to link US arms sales to manufacture some of the equipment our- Last week, human rights groups reported Jakarta to an improvement in its record in selves.” that at least 53 Timorese were arrested in East Timor. Asked whether he was afraid of the similar circumstances just before a visit from “By our standards we have implemented amendment being implemented, Alatas said: a US House foreign affairs committee staff human rights maximally,” said armed forces “Fear is not the right word to use. The ques- delegation. spokesman Brigadier General Syarwan tion is whether the US Congress is right to Speaking after yesterday’s vote, Senator Hamid. do this, especially as the linkage - with East Feingold said he hoped the arms ban would He said it was up to Washington to de- Timor - is very wrong.” Indonesia’s reaction it clear to Indonesia that the US would not cide whether to link arms sales with human has nothing to do with fear but the Indone- tolerate continued human rights violations in rights records. He refused further comment sian government feels that the US admini- East Timor. but said the government would discuss the stration is doing something wrong. “We He said his proposal, which must now be issue. cannot accept the linkage. And we can buy approved by the full Senate and the House The US Senate foreign relations commit- equipment from anywhere, in conformity of Representatives, would forge an impor- tee approved on Tuesday an amendment to with our national interests.” tant link between arms sales and human the foreign aid Bill linking US arms sales to John Monjo, when he was US ambassa- rights violations. Indonesia to an improvement in its human dor in Jakarta sent home reports that were Under Senator Feingold’s amendment, fu- rights record in the former Portuguese col- harmful to Indonesia on the question of East ture arms sales to Indonesia will depend on ony of East Timor. Timor. This diplomat from the Democratic these six criteria: The amendment was put forward by Party [sic - is this true? He was a Bush * Whether the civilians convicted in con- Senator Russell Feingold who accused Indo- appointee.] reported that Indonesia inter- nection with the November 1991 East nesia of waging “ a campaign of systematic fered with a UN mission to Indonesia in Timor incident have been treated in accor- oppression in the occupied island nation of 1992 by arresting a number of young East dance with “international standards of fair- East Timor since 1975” Timorese before a visit to East Timor by ness.” Feingold said inclusion of the clause Amos Wako, the special envoy of the UN * Whether the Indonesia Government is marked an historic turning point in the con- Secretary-General. taking steps to curb human rights violations duct of US foreign policy. It is thought that on the basis of the by security forces, including bringing those Monjo reports, the US Senate was pressed responsible for the 1991 massacre to book ALATAS: US WILL not to endorse a recommendation to sell * Whether there has been a full public ac- weapons to Indonesia. [More reported here counting of all the individuals declared miss- ALSO LOSE OUT about the amendment.] ing after the massacre. Republika 10 September 1993. Slightly Untrue * Whether international humanitarian and abridged Defence Minister Edi Sudradjat said that human rights organisations have been the Senators who raised the issue of human granted expanded access to East Timor. (Jakarta) If the amendment banning mili- rights in East Timor and linked these with * Whether the Indonesian Government tary sales to Indonesia is endorsed by the arms sales were, in all likelihood, basing has started decreasing its military presence US Senate and is not vetoed by the Presi- their assessment on incorrect information in East Timor. dent, the super-power itself will be the one to lose out because other countries will have they had received. “This can happen in the Page 130 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

US. It may be a Senator who is bent on improvement in East Timor. Mr. Alatas TOWARDS THE US, WE making trouble for us,” the defence minister noted that the recommendations to place said. “Assessments by foreigners about these conditions on arm sales had yet to be SHOULD BE MORE SAVAG E Indonesia are frequently wrong,” he said, passed by the Congress or receive backing (GALAK) referring specifically to his own experience of President Clinton. The Indonesian For- when escorting a foreigner who was amazed eign Minister made it plain that this country Jawa Pos, 10 September 1993 Article by to see the situation as it really was. wouldn’t buy arms from US if conditions Prof. Yuwono Sudarsono “Often what foreigners hear about the were attached and that Indonesia would Sudden, surprising and even confusing situation in East Timor is highly exaggerated purchase weapons elsewhere. He went to comments rose from various and different but after going and seeing for themselves, say the American Congress and Government sources in Indonesia following the US Sen- they change their minds. This person said: had to determine for themselves what kind ate “cut off” arms sale to the country. The ‘It’s really strange. Before I went to Dili, I of impact possible arms restrictions might following is from one leading Indonesia thought that Dili was full of bayonets and have on what he described as “the good intellectual Yuwono Sudarsono, Dean of the barbed wire but it turns out that I was quite relations that have developed between the Faculty of International relations at the Uni- wrong.’” two countries over the years.” versity of Indonesia and a frequent commen- The defence minister said that the role of Rosemarie: Has this been a surprise move tator in the Indonesian press on interna- information is all important. Foreigners from the United States? Is it taking the tional affairs. Unfortunately this emotional often hear things about East Timor that are Indonesian Government surprise at all? comment does not reflect his intellectual not true. If this happens, who’s to blame? ‘sense’ as a political observer rather biased We cant say good things about what we Michael Maher: I don’t think it has taken to his personal view. them by surprise, the so called Feingold have done in East Timor. – Carmel The defence minister also said that the amendment which was by the US Senate end of the Cold War had created a new mo- Foreign Relations Committee has been The provocative steps being taken by the mentum throughout the world which had led around for some time, so, it wouldn’t be a US towards a number of countries including to all kinds of demands, among others for surprise to the Indonesian Government. Indonesia on the pretext of defending human openness, democracy and human rights. However, I dare say it’s a disappointment rights, democracy and the environment are Yet at the same time, security safeguards to them. in fact nothing but a US tactic to protect its are a legitimate concern for every citizen and Rosemarie: Now, has the Indonesian Gov- economy. This is why the US attitude to- every act or decision involves a certain ernment been seen to be curbing viola- wards some countries is often two-faced. amount of risk. In his own view, the eco- tions against human rights at this stage? Before it started exerting pressure on In- nomic difficulties which have dragged on in Michael Maher: Obviously in the United donesia, the US also took a number of hos- the industrialised countries are accompanied States, that is not the case, but the Indone- tile actions against China and even against a by unemployment. “There will always be sian Government itself claims that it has very poor country like Bangladesh. The hidden political pressure which will become been implementing human rights policy here hostility towards China is explained by the far prominent in the industrialised countries. in Indonesia and in fact it says that the in- fact that China enjoys a number of advan- One form of pressure centres around human formation these US politicians were using to tages which means that it can compete for rights and this has spread to labour ques- make their judgment was misleading infor- markets with US goods. Even Bangladesh tions, arms sales and so on.” mation. has not escaped the trickery of the US on the pretext that it employs under-age chil- Rosemarie: So, what’s the next stage now, INDONESIA THREATENS TO dren. All this is clearly happening because presumably the Government would just the US needs to compensate for the weak- BUY ARMS ELSEWHERE sit and wait to see what happens in Con- ness of its economy. Indonesia had now gress? begun to emerge with an industrial section ATVI (Australian Television international) Michael Maher: Yes, I think they will be capable of damaging the markets for US 12am news 10 September 1993 playing it fairly low key here in Jakarta until goods. READER: With South Africa regaining a final decision is made by the US Congress The US has recently been playing a num- favor, Indonesia is coming under the spot- and President Clinton. Obviously if the ber of tricks against Indonesia. First it was light over East Timor. A Senate Committee decision is made to implement this link be- East Timor, human rights, the environment in the United States has moved to link arms tween arms sales and humans rights, Indo- and labour which was linked with a threat to sales to Indonesia with Jakarta’s human nesia will stronger action, it has already withdraw GSP. Now to cap it all, Senator rights record. The move has still to win make it plain, as I’ve said before, that if this Russell Feingold of the Democratic Party congressional approval but mounting US goes ahead they would buy their arms from wants to halt all sales of US-made arms to pressure has already led to a ban on sales of elsewhere. Indonesia, including spare-parts for the F-16 fighter jets, and a warning to Indonesia to aircraft which Indonesia purchased a short improve its labour laws. while ago. A short time ago I spoke to Australia TV In view of such US arrogance, it is high Jakarta correspondent Michael Maher and time for a number of countries to adopt a asked what has been the official Indonesia much more savage (‘galak’] stand. For its Government response to the move. part, Indonesia which up to the present has Michael Maher: Rosemarie, I spoke to taken a lenient attitude, always seeking to the Indonesian Foreign Minister Mr. Ali conform with US wishes, should now go on Alatas earlier this evening and he said that the offensive. The time has come for us to the Indonesian Government regrets the deci- be absolutely frank and have the courage to sion by the US Senate Foreign Relations tell the US to engage in some introspection. Committee to link arms sale to human rights There are many things that we could use East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 131 against the US if all this pressure on us con- It is virtually certain that the draft law which is pro-Fretilin/GPK. They are the tinues. will be approved by the Senate because both ones who succeeded in lobbying and pres- Numerous mistakes have been made the Democrats and Republicans supported suring a number of US members of Congress without the US comprehending [these mis- the proposed amendment tabled by Senator to “punish” Indonesia. takes] or expressing any regrets. This is true Russell Feingold which was supported by Senator Russell Feingold who sponsored especially of a number of senators who senior Senators like Sen. Claiborne Pell and the amendment is an ambitious freshman often prattle away [cuap-cuap]; their real Edward Kennedy, meaning that it could win Senator who wants to “make a name for intentions need to be investigated as they go the support of other Senators. Besides, the himself.” This is why he was only too will- on issuing statements that are bent on em- Democrats control 56 seats of the 100 seats ing to receive the Nairn and Goodman barrassing Indonesia. in the Senate. group. The Feingold amendment mentions In my assessment, many senators who A draft bill approved by the Senate could six criteria which will be applied in assessing are out to embarrass Indonesia and other conceivably be vetoed by President Clinton steps taken by the Indonesian government. newly-industrialised countries do so not but this is very unlikely to happen because [See Feingold amendment for these criteria because of any genuine interest in human the amendment is part of an aid packet for which are quoted in full in this Jawa Pos rights or democracy but simply because many countries including Israel and Egypt report.] they are under pressure from industrial in- whose influence in the US is very consider- US embassy says nothing terests which they represent. able. Besides, a bill or amendment tabled by Although the news of this pressure from In other words, US senators are behaving the same party as the President has never Congress is being widely reported, the US like merchants; if they fail to voice the con- been vetoed by the President. It is therefore embassy in Jakarta has opted to keep its cerns of the industrial interests which they extremely unlikely that President Clinton mouth shut, saying it had no comment to represent, they are in danger of losing their will veto this bill, especially since it has the make. US ambassador Robert L. Barry re- seats. Indonesia should not therefore feel absolute support of both parties which are fused to receive a Jawa Pos reporter yester- dispirited in face of all the pressures from normally in conflict with each other. day. A member of staff at the embassy told the US since Bill Clinton became president. If it is not vetoed by President Clinton, Jawa Pos to contact the head of information In fact, in my opinion, not only should the impact on Indonesia will be considerable at the embassy tomorrow. we speak frankly and go on the diplomatic because, within a short time, Indonesia will Gary L. Bricker, head of the Programme offensive against the US. The time has now not only not be able to purchase new mili- and Project Support Office at the embassy come for us to be more savage so as to pre- tary equipment, it will also not be able to said the ambassador was busy with other serve our dignity as a nation. In such a situa- purchase spare-parts for military equipment appointments but it is not clear whether he tion, Bung Karno’s [the late President Su- bought from the US in the past, including F- was lying [ia berbohong] or telling the truth. karno] statement, ‘go to hell with your aid’ 5 and F-16 fighters. These advanced tech- When asked to comment on the matter, he has again become appropriate. nology aircraft could, as a result, be said he could not make any comment. Asked To this end, our diplomatic style towards grounded because of lack of spare-parts. whether [publication of] a report made pre- the US, whether at the level of foreign min- Unfortunately, the crucial debate on this viously by the embassy had caused difficul- isters, directors-general or among our diplo- amendment was not followed closely by ties for Ambassador Barry, he said he did mats, needs to change. Although it is not Indonesian diplomats in Washington. The not know. necessary for us to start flinging counter- new Indonesian ambassador to Washington, charges at the US, we need to speak abso- Arifin Siregar, has not yet arrived in Wash- The report concludes with a quotation from lutely candidly in our diplomacy. ington to take up his post, and his deputy, the statement made in Sydney by CNRM There is no need for Indonesia to get too Drs. Tjahjono was busy up to yesterday Media Director, Margherita Tracanelli. upset and fall in line with everything the US escorting the Food Supplies Minister Ibra- wants in order to preserve our markets in him Hassan who is on a visit to the US, COMMITTEE ACCEPTS the US. If the US is indeed about to carry while the Head of the Political Department, FEINGOLD AMENDMENT; out its threat in the world of trade, then Dra Titiek Rustaman, is in Indonesia escort- Indonesia should start turning to markets in ing a US congressional staff mission. FLOOR VOTE IN Asia and the Pacific. Another senior diplomat, Drs Hanief SEPTEMBER Johan, head of information, said when con- tacted by Jawa Pos that he had just found Action Alert from the East Timor Action FEINGOLD PROPOSAL Network/US ADOPTED BY ACCLAMATION out about the matter and was unable to comment. It is evident that the Indonesian September 12, 1993 Jawa Pos, 10 September 1993 embassy has not formulated a coherent Tell Senators to Support East Timor by strategy to deal with the adoption of the By Heri Akhmadi, Slightly abridged Limiting Arms Sales to Indonesia Feingold amendment. On September 8, the Senate Foreign Rela- US cannot sell weapons to Indonesia One source said that it is quite frustrating tions Committee unanimously approved an to try to make contact with the Indonesian amendment by Senator Russ Feingold (D- US embassy in Jakarta keeps its mouth embassy because they are more preoccupied shut Wisconsin) which links US arms sales to looking after guests that coping with such a Indonesia and human rights in the Indone- (Washington)The Foreign Affairs Com- serious matter as the prohibition of arms sian-occupied territory of East Timor. The mittee of the US Senate yesterday adopted sales or the threat to cut off GSP. amendment to the Foreign Aid Authoriza- by acclamation an amendment to the draft Two US journalists, Allan Nairn and tion bill requires the President to consult Foreign Appropriations Bill prohibiting the Amy Goodman, are the source of the pres- with Congress before approving major sale of US-made weapons to Indonesia. The sure on the US. They were both witnesses weapons deals. It is believed to be the first US will only permit the sale of weapons to to the Dili incident on 12 November 1991 time arms sales to a US ally have been tied Indonesia if Jakarta improves basic human and became actively involved with ETAN- to human rights concerns. rights in East Timor. US [East Timor Action Network - US] Page 132 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Although the original wording would Jakarta and the arms industry reacted Furthermore, it has refused access to East have barred all US arms sales until self- strongly to the Feingold amendment, with Timor to international humanitarian organi- determination was achieved, it was modified Indonesian armed forces spokesman Brig. zations and human rights groups. Hopefully after intense negotiations. In the end, the Gen. Syarwan Hamid saying “By our stan- this action will serve notice to the govern- State Department promised not to oppose dards we have implemented human rights ment of Indonesia that the United States the bill, and Kansas Republican Nancy maximally.” Foreign Minister Ali Alatas will not tolerate and will not assist the kind Kassebaum praised it, saying it was likely reiterated that “setting any political condi- of human rights violations being perpetrated to pass. Virginia Democrat Charles Robb, tion in any economic and finance coopera- in East Timor.” Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Subcommittee, tion cannot be accepted.” All Senators can be phoned at 202-224- also gave his assent. This unity will be hard Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, 3121 or written at US Senate, Washington, to reproduce on the Senate floor in the face and the war and continuing military occupa- DC 20510. of increasing opposition. tion have killed 200,000 East Timorese, The amendment covers government-to- about one-third of the population. The US JAKARTA MAY BUY government sales and licenses for commer- supported Indonesia for the first 17 years of EUROPEAN ARMS OVER cial sales over $14 million, which occur a that occupation, as Jakarta’s main weapons few times each year. Although it does not supplier and a major diplomatic backer. US HUMAN RIGHTS establish a legal requirement before sales are arms sales to Indonesia vary from year to Reuters, Sept. 12. Full text. approved, there is clear Congressional intent year, and were over $100 million in 1991. and a politically binding connection between They include high-technology aircraft and JAKARTA – Indonesia will buy defense human rights and arms sales. The Indonesian replacement parts, as well as the M-16 equipment from Europe if the United States and Australian press have reported it as a automatic weapons used in the 1991 massa- links its sales with human rights, particu- “ban.” cre. larly in East Timor, Jakarta’s defense minis- Especially significant is the bill’s re- After that, the tide began to change, al- ter was quoted Sunday as saying. quirement for the President to consider though weapons sales continue. Congress “If the American government is unwilling whether Indonesia is bringing to justice “all terminated military training aid to Indonesia to sell weapons to Indonesia, we will buy military personnel who were responsible for last October. The Clinton administration defense equipment from Britain, Germany, ordering, authorizing, or initiating” the No- supported strong UN resolutions on East France, and Russia,” the official Antara vember 1991 massacre of over 271 unarmed Timor, and the State Department recently news agency quoted Defense Minister Edi Timorese protesters, which rejects Jakarta’s blocked the sale of four F-5E jet fighters Sudradjat as saying. contention that the “incident” was an over- from Jordan to Indonesia. In June, 43 Sena- He was reacting to a vote by the U.S. reaction by low-level soldiers. tors wrote President Clinton calling for a Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee Opposition is mounting, and there may review of U.S. policy on East Timor “with Wednesday proposing to tie arms sales to be a Senate floor fight the week of Septem- an eye toward facilitating serious negotia- human rights in the former Portuguese col- ber 20. A Jakarta supporter may move to tions ... in pursuit of the right of self- ony of East Timor. strike the Feingold wording from the Foreign determination of the East Timorese people. Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 af- Aid Authorization bill or, if that bill is ... We believe that the United States should ter invading it the previous year following shelved, Feingold could offer an amendment work ... to convince Indonesia by diplomatic the withdrawal of the Portuguese. Its rule to Foreign Operations Appropriations or means that it is not in Indonesia’s long-term over the territory has not been recognized other legislation. interest to pursue the policies it has fol- by the United Nations. Weapons contractors and corporate in- lowed in East Timor since 1975.” When Indonesia’s foreign ministry said Thurs- terests lobbied heavily against Feingold, and Clinton met the Indonesian President in day that bilateral relations would be hurt if will continue the fight on the floor. Business early July, he became the first US President the proposed amendment to the foreign associations claimed that all US trade with to raise East Timor and human rights con- assistance authorization bill became law. Indonesia would be jeopardized if the cerns with Suharto, who was gravely in- Indonesia has been a close ally since the amendment was approved. They warned of sulted. last 1960s of the United States, which sup- the loss of credibility of US weapons sup- Indonesia has been defiant. Many plies much of its arms needs including pliers, and raised the “Chinese threat” as the Timorese continue to serve long prison sen- fighter jets. rationale for keeping the right-wing Indone- tences for peaceful political activities. In But ties have become frayed since the sian military regime as a loyal US ally. Puff early September, hundreds of young East end of the Cold War and because of Ja- pieces in The New York Times and Fortune Timorese were arrested prior to the visit of karta’s hardline stance on East Timor, espe- magazine touted Indonesia as a good in- Congressional staffers and sent to a “guid- cially after Indonesian troops opened fire on vestment with its cheap labor and abundant ance course,” as is usual on the infrequent mourners at a funeral in the capital Dili in resources, and bolstered the view that hu- occasions that foreign or UN visitors are 1991, killing at least 50. man rights and self- determination should admitted. Arrests, torture and military oc- No figures were available for sales of U.S. never interfere with the quest for commerce. cupation continue regardless of international defense equipment and services to Indone- The Clinton Administration has threat- awareness, but Indonesia is increasingly sia, which is buying Hawk fighter-trainers ened to revoke Indonesia’s GSP trade pref- sensitive to that pressure. from Britain and former East German war- erences next February if repressive labor Senator Feingold: “Indonesia has been ships. practices do not improve. Jakarta’s strong engaged in a campaign of systematic op- The Senate committee vote follows a de- propaganda response to these warnings pression in the occupied island nation of cision by Washington in July to block the shows how much they value their largest East Timor since 1975. The full extent of sale of four U.S.-built F-5E jets from Jordan export market for manufactured goods. the 1991 massacre and the ongoing Indone- to Indonesia, mainly because of human They are unlikely to discard it over East sian oppression of East Timor is not fully rights concerns. Timor, which is peripheral to Indonesia’s known because the Indonesian government It also comes ahead of a planned visit to economy and security. has not properly investigated this incident. Jakarta by a U.S. delegation next week to East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 133 view labor practices, which Washington larly, the Committee has learned that, de- own national funds on unnecessary military says must be improved if a trade privilege is spite Congress’ decision last year to termi- expenditures. to be maintained. nate IMET for Indonesia to protest the Dili Polytechnical school. – The Committee is The arms sales proposal still has to go to massacre, the administration apparently concerned that too little of our assistance to the full Senate and be reconciled with any intends to allow Indonesia to purchase pro- Indonesia is aimed at improving the lives of House of Representatives’ measures. fessional military education courses through the people of East Timor, where in 1990 If passed, it would require President the FMS Program. The Committee would only 13 percent completed primary school. Clinton to consult Congress to determine regard a decision by the administration to The Committee is particularly concerned “whether there have been improvements in sell military training to Indonesia to be in- about the lack of economic activities East the human rights situation in East Timor” consistent with its action not to request Timorese youth, and believes that he poly- before any certified sales under the Arms IMET for Indonesia in fiscal 1994 and with technical school in Dili can play an impor- Export Control Act. the intent of Congress in terminating such tant role in addressing this problem. The I hope East Timor’s supporters in Britain, assistance in fiscal 1993. Committee urges AID to provide assistance Germany and France take this as a chal- The Committee urges the administration to the polytechnical school to promote edu- lenge. We’ll race you to see who can be the to support negotiations under U.N. auspices cational opportunities and job training. In first to stop a sale! between Indonesia and Portugal to resolve implementing this program, AID is encour- the political status of East Timor. The aged to consult with the Catholic Church in – Charlie Scheiner, ETAN/US Committee shares the view of the House East Timor, which has worked extensively Committee that the international community with the polytechnical school in the past. SENATE APPROPRIATIONS should use that forum to promote the de- Support for independent union activity.– COMMITTEE REPORT militarization of East Timor, as well as a As stated elsewhere in this report, the formula to enable the Timorese to partici- Committee believes that independent trade Unabridged excerpt on Indonesia and East pate in government through local elections in unions can play an important role in pro- Timor from SENATE Report 103-42, 103d which all parties could take part. moting democracy, and is concerned that the Congress 1st Session pp. 30-31. A commit- The Committee recognizes that the Indo- Indonesian Government has only allowed an tee report provides non-legally binding opin- nesian Government has taken some positive organization which it controls, the All Indo- ion from a committee; in this case, the U.S. steps on human rights, including giving lim- nesian Workers Union [SPSI] and its sub- Senate Committee on Appropriations. ited access to International Committee of sidiary bodies, to legally represent workers FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT the Red Cross, establishing a human rights there. The Committee encourages AID to committee in the Parliament, and tolerating provide assistance for technical support to FINANCING, AND RELATED increased public discussion of human rights. organizations that are seeking to function as PROGRAMS APPROPRIATION BILL, However, repression in East Timor by independent trade unions as an alternative to 1994 thousands of Indonesian troops reportedly SPSI. AID is encouraged to work with U.S. September 14 continues unabated. According to human independent trade union organizations in Mr. Leahy, from the submitted the follow- rights organizations, torture in detention implementing this program. ing REPORT to accompany H.R. 2295 remains common, and the human rights INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR committee has yet to demonstrate any PAPER URGES INDONESIA Last year, in response to the Indonesian power. Freedom of speech and association TO ADMIT ERRORS Government’s failure to take decisive action are restricted. Prosecution for human rights to punish those responsible for ordering and abuses is rare. Reports of extrajudicial kill- The Australian September 14, 1993. Slightly authorizing the November 1991 massacre in ings and arbitrary arrests continue, espe- abridged cially in Aceh, Irian Jaya, and East Timor. Dili, the Congress prohibited international Jakarta, AAP: A leading Indonesian military education and training [IMET] In addition to the steps enunciated in the Committee’s report last year concerning the newspaper yesterday urged the Government funds for Indonesia. to reassess its stand on human rights and to Earlier this year, Secretary of State Chris- November 1991 massacre, the Committee urges the Government of Indonesia to estab- admit past mistakes in the face of growing topher indicated that the administration criticism from the US. would take a fresh look at the situation in lish centralized public registers of detainees and ensure that detainees receive prompt The Jakarta Post said the Government East Timor, and the administration sup- ought “ to rethink thoroughly the way it ported a resolution in the U.N. Human access to lawyers and family members. While the Committee supports the goals treats basic human rights, not only in East Rights Commission which strongly criti- Timor but also in the rest of the country.” cized the Indonesian Government for human of AID’s development assistance program in Indonesia, it is concerned about reports “The Government should also magnani- rights abuses. The Committee also notes mously admit that it has not always been that the administration has not requested that Indonesia plans to spend three-quarters of a billion dollars for military aircraft from adequately transparent on the reasons and any IMET fund for Indonesia for fiscal the ways it does things and that this unnec- 1994. a British manufacturer at the same time it seeks United States assistance for economic essary shroud of secrecy smacks of the The Committee welcomes these steps, evasion of accountability and makes mean- and social development. The Committee but is concerned that the administration ingful dialogues with foreign countries un- expects to license millions of dollars in requests the administration to carefully consider Indonesia’s military expenditures necessarily difficult,” the Post said. commercial and foreign military sales of [ background paragraph on F-5 sales military equipment to Indonesia in fiscal in making decisions about allocating bilateral economic assistance to that country. With ban & Feingold amendment] 1994. The Committee urges the administra- The Post said “Whether we like it or not tion to pursue a policy toward the Indone- such funds significantly reduced because of budgetary constraints, the administration ... respect of human rights and democratiza- sian Armed Forces that sends a consistent tion have now been recognized as essential message of support for human rights. Simi- should not provide economic and develop- ment assistance to nations which waste their elements in international relations.” Page 134 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

But it praised Indonesia’s measured re- and Senate staff delegation was to round up mation of independence on November 28, sponse to the US threats and said Washing- more than 50 East Timorese activists the 1975. ton’s approach was not the best way to day before the delegation’s arrival. They are Indonesia. Indonesia was formed in seek an improvement in human rights. still in custody. 1949 from the numerous ethnic groups en- Indonesia has rejected the US criticisms Senator Feingold’s amendment is nar- compassed by the former Dutch East Indies. and warned that it will turn to other suppli- rowly targeted at the Indonesian military On June 14, 1974, the Indonesian Foreign ers if the US sets conditions for arms sales. and would condition arms sales on Presiden- Minister writes to FRETILIN to confirm The Indonesian State Secretary, Major tial findings with respect to human rights that “[t]he independence of every country is General Murdiono said at the weekend: “As progress in East Timor. Sales would not be the right of every nation with no exception President Suharto has repeatedly said, we barred. But if Indonesia continues to op- for the people in Timor . . .” and that “[f]or respect human rights - we uphold highly the press, torture, and kill the East Timorese, this reason whoever will govern in Timor in values of human rights.” that would be considered in deciding if a sale the future after independence, can be as- should be approved. sured that the Government of Indonesia will INTERNATIONAL HUMAN The Feingold amendment represents a always strive to maintain good relations, RIGHTS LAW GROUP ON compromise that passed the Foreign Rela- friendship and cooperation for the benefit of tions Committee unanimously. Senator both countries . . . .” However, Indonesia FEINGOLD AMENDMENT Kassebaum praised it as sending the appro- does not honor the Foreign Minister’s priate message. White House officials have pledge and begins covert action against self- [Letter distributed to Senate. Unabridged] indicated that they support the Feingold determination in East Timor. Indonesian International Human Rights Law Group amendment as allowing flexibility in dealing covert operations foster the outbreak of 1601 Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 700 with Indonesia while setting the right tone fighting in the summer of 1975. Washington, DC 20009 on human rights matters. –––––––– Tel. (202)232-8500 Fax (202)232 6731 Some U.S. business interests are cam- Dec. 7, 1975 September 21, 1993 paigning against the Feingold amendment, Indonesia invades East Timor, nine days The U.S. Senate claiming the possibility that commercial relations with Indonesia might be affected. after East Timor’s proclamation of inde- Re: The Feingold Amendment on Human Business interests made the same claim pendence. A large number of Indonesian Rights in East Timor when the termination of IMET aid was troops lands at Dili harbor from 20 naval vessels. There is widespread killing of civil- Dear Senator proposed last year. Congress was right to ians during the initial invasion. Tomorrow, Senator Feingold may offer terminate such aid, and commercial relations an amendment to the Foreign Operations were not disturbed. Dec. 12, 1975 reaction Appropriations Bill which would condition Since the 1975 invasion, the U.S. Con- The U.N. General Assembly, in Resolu- significant U.S. arms sales to Indonesia on gress has been a bipartisan leader in seeking tion 3485, calls for Indonesia to withdraw Presidential findings with respect to human human rights relief for the East Timorese. armed forces from East Timor immediately rights in East Timor. This amendment The Feingold amendment is the right and to recognize East Timorese self- should pass. amendment at the right time. The Interna- determination. In the interim, Portugal is Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, tional Human Rights Law Group asks that recognized as East Timor’s administering and its occupation forces have been respon- you support it. power. sible for the deaths of 200,000 East Very truly yours, Dec. 22, 1975 reaction Timorese since then – one third of the Christopher T. Corson East Timor Project The U.N. Security Council, in Resolution population. Daily military repression is so 384, calls for immediate withdrawal of In- pervasive that East Timor’s Catholic Attachments: Chronology; NY Times article donesian armed forces and for East bishop, Carlos Ximenes Belo, says that of April 24, 1993; London Times article Timorese self-determination, and it also calls political prisoners are tortured “just like of August 18, 1993; Washington Post ar- upon U.N. members and other parties to two plus two is four.” (See attached article.) ticle of July 9, 1993; Reuters article of cooperate in achieving a peaceful resolution The attached chronology “East Timor: September 6, 1993; (Media articles not and decolonization. Indonesian Action – U.S. and World Reac- reprinted here, as they are elsewhere in tion” shows that Indonesia has chosen to ET Documents.) Apr. 22, 1976 reaction defy the world with respect to its occupa- The U.N. Security Council adopts Reso- tion of East Timor – including 10 separate CHRONOLOGY: EAST TIMOR. lution 389, reaffirming Resolution 384. resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and INDONESIAN ACTION – U.S. AND July 17, 1976 General Assembly. The world was outraged WORLD REACTION The Indonesia Parliament passes legisla- when Indonesian soldiers massacred more Prepared by the International Human Rights tion annexing the territory of East Timor as than 150 unarmed East Timorese demon- Law Group: East Timor Project August Indonesia’s 27th province. Annexation is strators in 1991, but Indonesia punished the 1993 not recognized by the U.N. or the United demonstration’s organizers 10 times more States. severely than the soldiers who fired on the East Timor. In 1975, Portugal begins to crowd. When the U.S. Congress then termi- disengage from East Timor and promotes Dec. 1, 1976 to Nov. 23, 1982 reaction nated International Military Education and the start of political self-determination The U.N. General Assembly adopts eight Training (IMET)aid to Indonesia last year, among the 600,000 predominately Catholic resolutions in the years 1976 through 1982, Indonesia proceeded to make a mockery of East Timorese. Rival FRETILIN and UDT reaffirming General Assembly Resolution the trial of East Timorese resistance leader parties differ on how independence should 3485 and Security Council Resolutions 384 Xanana Gusmão. Most recently, Indone- be achieved and fight a brief civil war in the and 389. sia’s reaction to the visit of a U.S. House summer of 1975. FRETILIN establishes a de facto government, which issues a procla- East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 135

1975 to 1977 the cemetery, troops kill many wounded Nov. 25, 1991 reaction East Timorese resistance to Indonesian with bayonets and knives and beat many Fifty-two U.S. Senators send letter to the occupation is carried out from mountainous others. President expressing strong concern over the areas inland from the coast. The main roads No witness reports any provocation Dili massacre and over other incidents of and villages are controlled by the Indonesian from the demonstrators at the cemetery. torture, beatings, and human rights abuses in military. Up to 80% of East Timorese aban- Several witnesses report a short scuffle, East Timor. The Senators call for a greater don or are forced from their homes and lasting less than a minute, that took place 30 U.S. role “with an eye toward a political move to the mountains. to 45 minutes earlier at a location some dis- solution that might end the needless suffer- tance away, when an Indonesian officer uses 1978 to 1979 ing in East Timor and bring about true self- a baton on demonstrators carrying a flag. determination for the territory.” Indonesia conducts intense search and Some reports are that the officer suffered a Nov. 26, 1991 destroy operations in the mountains. Many stab wound. No other event is reported until East Timorese civilians are killed, and many Indonesian troops begin firing at the ceme- Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas others are forced to move back to coastal tery. states that the demonstrators in Dili pro- regions as the Indonesian military destroys Scores of detentions and “disappear- voked the massacre and that they ignored villages and crops. By 1979, 250,000 East ances” follow the massacre. Officially, In- warning shots, and threw a hand grenade Timorese are in resettlement camps, many donesia arrests 32 persons, eight of whom before troops opened fire. in advanced stages of malnutrition, disease, are put on trial for organizing and participat- Dec. 26, 1991 or starvation. The International Red Cross ing in the demonstration (see below). The The Indonesian National Commission of and Catholic Relief Services compare the remaining 24 are held indefinitely by the Inquiry into the Dili massacre issues its famine in East Timor to the deliberate star- military, and subjected to reeducation advance report. The Commission revises the vation of Biafrans ten years earlier. More through forced labor. official death count from 19 to “about 50” than 100,000 East Timorese die from Indo- but does not identify the dead, and the nesian aggression and occupation from 1975 Nov. 13, 1991 Commission did not investigate burial sites through 1979. Indonesia offers a succession of explana- tions of the Dili massacre in the succeeding to verify the number. 1979 to 1990 weeks, which conflict with eyewitness re- The report states that demonstrators The Indonesian army establishes tight ports. acted belligerently and “consciously exhib- control over East Timorese villages and the Indonesian Commander in Chief Try Su- ited” East Timorese liberation banners. It movements of East Timorese. From 1979 trisno states in a speech that demonstrators states that the stabbing of an Indonesian through 1984, there are several waves of in Dili had “spread chaos” by displaying officer and the wounding of a private had imprisonments, killings, and disappearances. posters with anti-government slogans and caused “a spontaneous reaction . . . among Atauro Island is used as a detention center by shouting “many unacceptable things.” the security personnel to defend themselves, for East Timorese political detainees, hous- He stated that soldiers had fired warning without command, resulting in the excessive ing 4,000 at its peak in 1982. In this period, shots “but they persisted with their mis- shooting at the demonstrators, causing another 100,000 East Timorese are killed. deeds ... In the end, they had to be shot. deaths and wounded.” The report admits (see note at end) These ill-bred people have to be shot ... and “careless handling of those who died.” Nov. 19, 1990 reaction we will shoot them.” Sutrisno is now Vice- Reaction: Two hundred twenty-three members of President of Indonesia. The evaluation of the report by Amnesty the U.S. House of Representatives send An army spokesman in Bali states that International concludes that “the mandate letter to the Secretary of State, calling atten- soldiers were ordered to shoot in Dili, be- and methods of work of the government- tion to arrests, detention, torture, and other cause 100 armed resistance members were appointed National Commission of Inquiry human rights abuses in East Timor, and for present, including resistance leader Xanana were fatally flawed and that its findings are the U.S. to use its influence to reduce the Gusmão, and soldiers had been wounded unacceptable,” that “other aspects of the “atmosphere of fear.” and their commander killed. government and military response to the Nov. 12, 1991 Nov. 18, 1991 massacre . . . have been inadequate and in- appropriate,” and that “[r]ather than pre- Indonesian occupation troops massacre Responding to pressure from the United venting future human rights violations and more than 150 unarmed, peaceful demon- States and other countries, Indonesia forms ensuring that those responsible are brought strators in a roadway between two high a National Commission of Inquiry to inves- to justice, the response has contributed to cemetery walls in the East Timor capital of tigate the Dili massacre, which issues a re- further violations.” Asia Watch also con- Dili. The demonstrators were marching to port on December 26. demns the report. the grave of a Timorese activist killed sev- Nov. 19, 1991 March 12, 1992 eral weeks earlier in an Indonesian raid on a About 70 East Timorese students in Ja- church. Just outside of the cemetery, two karta hold a peaceful demonstration to pro- Indonesia begins trying eight demonstra- Western journalists witness soldiers advance test the Dili massacre. Police arrest nearly tors detained after the Dili demonstration, in formation on the demonstrators and fire all of them. Twenty-one are in detention on criminal charges of subversion and/or in unison into the crowd, without warning. more than a week later. Five are put to trial spreading enmity towards the Indonesian Troops pursue fleeing demonstrators and for organizing and participating in the dem- government. The trials take place in Dili. fire continuously for 5 to 10 minutes. Sp o- onstration (see below). They receive prison sentences that range radic firing lasts for hours. Victims include from more than 5 years to life. Nov. 21, 1991 reaction many women, children, and elderly. Soldiers March 14, 1992 seal off the cemetery area and prevent medi- In reaction to the Dili massacre, the Indonesian General Theo Syafei, the cur- cal help from reaching wounded. Other wit- European Parliament passes a non-binding rent military commander of East Timor, nesses report that in the ensuing sweep of resolution for EC and U.N. members to impose an arms embargo on Indonesia. states that “If something similar to the 12 Page 136 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

November event [the Dili demonstration] Oct. 29, 1992 The U.S. State Department “Country were to happen under my leadership, the The Indonesian magazine Forum Keadi- Reports on Human Rights Practice for number of victims would probably be lan (Law Forum) quotes the new governor 1992” states that in Indonesia “torture and higher.” of East Timor, Abilio Jose Osorio Soares, as mistreatment of criminal suspects, detainees March 16, 1992 stating “In my opinion there should have and prisoners are common, and the legal protections are violated by the Govern- Indonesia begins trying the five East been more people killed [in Dili]. Why did ment.” Timorese students detained after the sym- only that number die? Why not all one pathy march in Jakarta on November 19, thousand?” March 10, 1993 reaction 1991. They are also charged with crimes of Nov. 20, 1992 The U.N. Commission of Human Rights subversion and/or spreading enmity towards Indonesia captures Xanana Gusmão, adopts resolution strongly criticizing Indo- the Indonesian government. The trials take leader of East Timorese liberation forces. He nesia for ongoing human rights abuses in place in Jakarta. They receive prison sen- is held for 17 days before the International East Timor, for failing to identify all those tences that range from 6 months to 10 years. Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is al- responsible for the Dili massacre, for the May 29, 1992 lowed to see him. lack of information on the numbers of peo- ple killed in Dili or still missing, and for “the Indonesia begins trying ten soldiers who The Indonesian military officially reports disparity in the severity of sentences im- participated in the Dili massacre. They are that more than 20 people were arrested posed on those civilians not indicted for charged in military court with disobeying immediately before and after Xanana’s ar- violent activities - who should have been orders or acting without orders. The trials rest, including nine members of his family. released without delay - on the one hand, take place in Denpasar, Bali. They receive Reaction: and to the military involved in the violent prison sentences that range from 8 months A U.N. report on East Timor (dated July incident, on the other. . . .” The United to 18 months. 8, 1993) states that a “wave of arrests and States supports the resolution. June 25, 1992 reaction torture” following the arrest of Xanana was Late-April, 1993 The U.S. House of Representatives cuts reported by Catholic Bishop Carlos Xime- Indonesian General Syafei states that it is $2.3 million in International Military Educa- nes Belo of Dili. The U.N. report quotes no longer necessary for the ICRC to main- tion and Training (IMET) aid to Indonesia Bishop Belo as saying, “I have received tain an office in East Timor. from 1993 Foreign Operations Appropria- letters from prisoners and ex-prisoners tell- tions. The U.S. Senate takes similar action, ing me about all types of torture, electric May 3, 1993 reaction and U.S. IMET aid to Indonesia is termi- shocks, burning of genitals with cigarettes, ICRC President Cornelio Sommaruga nated. placing people in barrels of cold water, and states that the ICRC will not close its East whipping until they say they are Timor office. July 4, 1992 FRETILIN collaborators.” Indonesian General Mantiri, the regional Feb. 1, 1993 May 7, 1993 reaction commander in charge of East Timor, states The Vice President of the U.S. comments Indonesia begins trying Xanana Gus- that “we don’t regret anything. What hap- at a journalism awards presentation on “the mão, on charges of rebellion and seces- pened [in Dili] was quite proper. As mili- outrage that has been committed against the sion and the possession of firearms. The tary, this is so. They were opposing us, people of East Timor by the Government of trial is open to certain foreign observers demonstrating, even yelling things against Indonesia.” He states that “[t]he history of but not the general public. the government. To me that is identical with the conflict there is long and complex, but rebellion, so that is why we took firm ac- Xanana is represented by counsel ap- the essence of the injustice is starkly simple. tion. . . . If people demonstrate around the pointed for him, a Jakarta lawyer with close Unarmed innocent people in their homeland idea of opposing the government, we take ties to the police and the government. Ob- have been killed and imprisoned and mis- action.” servers note that the lawyer’s opening treated.” statement, replying to the indictment, is Sept. 23, 1992 reaction short and appears perfunctory. May 17, 1993 One hundred fifty members of the U.S. Observers also note several irregularities Xanana Gusmão begins to read his de- House of Representatives send letter to the with respect to prosecution witnesses. One fense plea, which is handwritten. After a U.N. Secretary General, on the occasion of shouts “Viva Timor Leste [East Timor]” few pages, the judge orders Xanana to stop, an address to the U.N. by Indonesian Presi- upon entering the courtroom and is quickly calls the statement irrelevant, and ends the dent Suharto the next day. The letter calls removed. At the next session, a police doc- session. Excerpts from the statement show for a U.N. presence in East Timor to moni- tor states that the witness is unfit to testify that Xanana was objecting to circumstances tor human rights abuses and begin negotia- due to “mental instability,” and his out-of- of his detention, to the original invasion and tions for East Timorese self-determination. court deposition is read into the record in- continuing occupation of East Timor by It is co-signed by 142 Japanese legislators. stead. The testimony of other prosecution Indonesia, and to continuing oppression in Sept. 24, 1992 witnesses is postponed or cancelled, even the aftermath of the Dili massacre. The statement also indicates that Indonesian President Suharto addresses the U.N., though the witnesses are in military cus- officials prevented Xanana from selecting during which he stresses the “inalienable tody. counsel of his choice in violation of Indone- right to self- determination, independence, Xanana’s lawyer publicly complains of sian law. and sovereign statehood” of Palestine, and the difficulty of finding defense witnesses does not mention East Timor. willing to testify. The Governor of East May 21, 1993 Timor announces that he will not serve as a Oct.-Nov., 1992 Indonesia sentences Xanana Gusmão to defense witness and that he is prohibiting life imprisonment. Prior to the first anniversary of the Dili other provincial government witnesses from massacre, Indonesia arrests and detains sev- doing so. June 22, 1993 reaction eral hundred East Timorese. Feb. 1993 reaction East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 137

The ICRC resumes and then quickly ministration appears determined to maintain Committee about the human rights abuses of suspends visits to prisoners in East Timor, its tough stance with the Suharto Govern- the Indonesian government. because Indonesia will not permit access to ment.... The Indonesian occupation of East Timor all prisoners. The ICRC had suspended Now a senior White House official is re- has been a longstanding issue of interna- earlier attempts to visit prisoners in January ported to have confirmed administration tional concern. Five days after the brutal and May. support for a US Senate amendment that Indonesian invasion of East Timor in De- July 4, 1993 reaction would make future arms sales conditional on cember 1975, the United Nations General human rights improvements.... Assembly called immediately for Indonesia Forty-three U.S. Senators send letter to But the White House official said the to withdraw its armed forces and recognize the President urging him to raise the issue of administration would accept the amendment the right of self-determination for East human rights in East Timor with Indonesian – due to be debated by the full Senate later Timor. Since then the United Nations has President Suharto when the two meet later this year – because it was “consistent with adopted eight resolutions reaffirming human in the week in Tokyo at the G-7 economic the tenor of the dialogue we have been hav- rights in East Timor and the United States summit. The President does discuss the ing with Indonesia on human rights.” Congress has passed five resolutions con- matter with Suharto. He said the wording gave “the necessary demning Indonesian actions in East Timor. July 21, 1993 flexibility” for the Administration to pursue Moreover, Indonesian military officials The Indonesian commander of East human rights concerns, including East responsible for East Timor have made out- Timor, General Syafei, states that those Timor, within the broader relationship with rageous statements. Indonesian General who oppose Indonesia’s state ideology “do Indonesia. Theo Syafei, military commander of East not need to be tolerated and we should not “(It) allows us to continue the relation- Timor said, “If something similar to the hesitate to put them into order.” ship and dialogue, but still makes clear the November 12 event were to happen under July 23, 1993 reaction points that are felt strongly by many in my leadership the number of victims would Congress and the administration,” he said. probably be higher.” General Mantiri, re- The U.S. State Department denies per- The official was speaking in an interview gional commander, announced, “We don’t mission for Jordan to sell four U.S.-made with American journalist Allan Nairn, who regret anything. What happened was quite F5-E jet fighters to Indonesia. A State De- witnessed the Dili massacre in November proper...They were opposing us, demon- partment official states: “The combination 1991 and was severely beaten by Indonesian strating, even yelling things against the gov- of a number of sensitive issues in this case troops.... ernment...so that is why we took firm ac- made approval impossible, including human tion. rights concerns in Indonesia.” REMARKS BY SENATORS Most seriously, the identities of 66 civil- Aug. 13, 1993 FEINGOLD, LEAHY, PELL ians who were killed by government forces Responding to international pressure, In- are still unaccounted for. The task of identi- donesian President Suharto reduces the Congressional Record, September 23, 1993 fying these people was assigned to the prison sentence of Xanana Gusmão from life Armed Forces Commander in Chief, General to 20 years. Suharto also reduces the sen- Russell Feingold, D-WI, is the chief Try Sutrisno, who has since become Vice tences of two of the organizers of the Dili sponsor of the amendment to limit arms President. demonstration, but not the sentence of the sales to Indonesia. Patrick Leahy, Democrat In the past two years, human rights organizer/demonstrator who received life. of Vermont, is Chairman of the Senate Ap- groups have reported that the repression of –––––––– propriations Subcommittee on Foreign Op- East Timor residents by the Indonesian erations. Claiborne Pell, Democrat of Rhode military troops has continued unabated, and NOTE: Island, is Chairman of the Senate Foreign 200,000 East Timorese deaths between that torture of detainees remains a common Relations Committee. David Durenberger, practice. Human rights and humanitarian 1975 and 1990 is the common estimate. A Republican of Minnesota, has long been lower estimate is given in the 1993 “Infor- groups, including the International Commit- outspoken on East Timor. tee on the Red Cross, have been barred from mation Please” Almanac entry on Indonesia: INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR “Indonesia invaded the former Portu- doing their work in East Timor. Even Sena- guese half of the island of Timor in 1975, Mr. Feingold. Mr. President, I want to tors Pell and Boren were refused visas to and annexed the territory in 1976. More commend the chairman of the Foreign Op- East Timor last summer. Three weeks ago, than 100,000 Timorese, a sixth of the erations Appropriations Subcommittee, the when the first Congressional staff delegation mostly Catholic population, were reported Senator from Vermont [Mr. Leahy], for his in a few years went to Dili, at least 53 stu- to have died from famine, disease, and fight- leadership in addressing the grave human dents were rounded up and sent to “guid- ing since the annexation.” rights issues arising from the treatment of ance courses.” Their precise whereabouts The proportion of East Timorese deaths the people of East Timor by Indonesia. are still unknown, even after a Swedish Par- is genocidal, whether the fraction of the Last year, the House and Senate Appro- liamentary delegation inquired about them population killed is one sixth (100,000) or priations Committees prohibited further last week. one third (200,000). funding for the International Military Edu- The list of grave human rights violations cation and Training [IMET) program for in East Timor goes on and on. The main Indonesia because of the Indonesian Gov- perpetrator of these abuses is the Indone- US DIGS IN ON JAKARTA ernment’s failure to take decisive action to sian military. With 13 battalions of l,000 RIGHTS ABUSE punish those responsible for the November soldiers each currently deployed in East 1991 massacre in Dili. Timor, Indonesia’s occupation is growing From The Age, 22 September 1993; ex- This year’s Foreign Operations appro- more and more repressive. cerpts. by Mark Baker, foreign editor priations bill continues that policy. The For these reasons I strongly concur with Despite a pleas by the Prime Minister, Committee’s report also contains very the statement contained in the Appropria- Mr. Keating, for a softer line on human strong language which I strongly endorse, tion’s Committee report expressing the rights abuses in Indonesia, the Clinton ad- expressing the continuing concern of the concern that the United States send a con- Page 138 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. sistent message of support for human rights Timor. I have been assured that such con- Earlier this year, the Indonesian Govern- to the Indonesian Armed Forces, particu- siderations will be part of future Admini- ment joined China in opposing the United larly with regard to the issuing of licenses stration decisions on arms sales to Indone- States position at the U.N. Human Rights for commercial and foreign military sales of sian and I expect that such consultations Commission, that fundamental human rights military equipment to Indonesia by the will continue as part of Administration pol- are universal. Administration. icy. It would be unconscionable if lethal The universality of basic human rights is As a member of the Senate Foreign Rela- U.S. weapons were sold to the Indonesians something the United States, and indeed all tions Committee, I authored an amendment, and then used against the people of East countries, should support unequivocally. section 514 of S. 1467, which was unani- Timor. I know that the Clinton Administra- I do not question Indonesia’s economic mously adopted by the full Committee on tion and members of Congress share that and strategic importance to the United September 8, which requires the Admini- view. States. Indonesia is a huge country, with stration to consult with Congress and make Again, I want to commend the distin- immense resources. It a beautiful country a determination as to whether there have guished Senator from Vermont for his lead- with a rich and diverse culture. been improvements in the human rights ership on this issue and to say that it is a The United States and Indonesia have situation in East Timor before approving the great privilege for me to be working with had a close relationship in the past, and I sale or transfer of defense articles or services him on this important human rights issue. fully expect that to continue. or the issuance of licenses for commercial The work that has been done by both the But we must also be true to our own ide- sales of defense equipment subject to the Foreign Relations Committee regarding the als. notification provisions of the Arms Export criteria for consideration of arms sales to Several weeks ago the Foreign Relations Control Act. Indonesian under the Arms Export Control Committee unanimously reported Senator I am very pleased that the Clinton Ad- Act and by the Senate Appropriations FEINGOLD’S amendment to put condi- ministration supported this amendment Committee in prohibiting funding for Indo- tions on the sale of military equipment to when it was adopted by the Foreign Rela- nesia under the IMET program should send Indonesia. That was a strong statement by tions Committee and I worked closely with a very clear signal that bold Congress and the committee, and it is consistent with the the Administration in drafting that amend- the Administration are united in their disap- Congress’ action last year cutting off mili- ment which expressed both the views of the proval of the continuing human rights tary aid. Committee and the Administration regarding abuses in East Timor. I am pleased that Senator FEINGOLD the linkage between human rights concerns MR. LEAHY. decided not to offer his amendment to this and foreign military arms sales. Mr. President, I commend Senator bill, because we are under great time pres- President Clinton has made it clear that FEINGOLD for his statement. He makes sure to get it passed and onto the Presi- the human rights concerns over East Timor several excellent points and I want to asso- dent’s desk. We do not have time to debate will continue to play an integral role in pol- ciate myself with what he has said. this amendment today. icy making in this area. I have also strongly Last year, I sponsored an amendment on But I do want to say that I believe the applauded the action of the Clinton Admini- the foreign operations bill to condition mili- Feingold amendment that was adopted by stration earlier this year in disapproving a tary training aid to Indonesia on human the Foreign Relations Committee after nego- proposed transfer of aircraft from Jordan to rights. In the end. the Congress cut off the tiations with the administration is sound Indonesia in light of these human rights aid completely, because of our sense of policy. The State Department was involved concerns. The Administration consulted outrage about the massacre in November in drafting the final text, and I am confident with members of Congress prior to making 1991 of as many as 100, and perhaps more, that the Clinton administration will use its this decision and received strong support for defenseless civilians who were peacefully influence to achieve the amendment’s goals. its action on this specific sale. Additionally, demonstrating in East Timor. President Clinton and Secretary of State in July at the urging of 43 Senators, Presi- That cutoff of aid sent an unambiguous Christopher have said that promoting de- dent Clinton raised the issue of human rights message to the Indonesian military that we mocracy and human rights are central goals abuses in East Timor with President Suharto will not stand by silently and continue to of our foreign policy. I know that they are at the G-7 meeting in Tokyo. send aid if they commit these kinds of aware of the longstanding interest in the The Clinton Administration also sup- abuses. Congress in East Timor. ported a resolution in the U.N. Human The human rights problems in East Sales of military equipment, particularly Rights Commission which strongly criti- Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia are a mat- lethal and other equipment that could be cized the Indonesian Government for human ter of record. The State Department and the used to commit human rights abuses, should rights abuses. These actions were totally international human rights organizations not be approved unless the Indonesian Gov- consistent with the Congressional intent have documented them for years. ernment is dealing with these human rights expresses both in the unanimous approval Since the 1991 massacre, the Indonesian problems. of my amendment by the Senate Foreign Government has sentenced the demonstra- To those who say this is the wrong ap- Relations Committee and the views ex- tors to long prison terms, and given the proach, that the Indonesian Government pressed by the Senate Appropriations soldiers who fired the shots a slap on the will only buy its weapons elsewhere. I say Committee in the report accompanying this wrist. who else will set an example if not the measure. They have yet to come clean about. what United States? I have been very pleased with the Ad- happened to the bodies of scores of demon- Today, the United States is by far the ministration’ approach to this issue, to its strators who are still missing and presumed largest arms supplier in the world. The de- firm commitment to consult with Congress dead. veloping countries, many of which are un- before any actions are taken with regarding They have never taken any punitive ac- democratic and cannot even feed their own to the sale or transfer of arms to Indonesia, tion against those who ordered and author- people, spend over $200 billion every year and its view that these sales or transfers ized the shootings. Instead, they blame the on their armed forces. It is up to us to set should be linked to substantial improve- demonstrators for their own deaths. the standard, to stop the proliferation of ments in the human rights situation in East East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 139 weapons that are used to suppress democ- East Timorese to their Indonesian overlords. I believe that both the Appropriations racy, and to deny human rights. On November 12, 1991, Indonesian security and Foreign Relations Committee have sent I commend Senator Feingold, and the forces fired upon a procession of East a very clear signal to Indonesia that much Foreign Relations Committee for taking a Timorese who had participated in a memo- more needs to be accomplished to resolve stand on this issue. rial mass in honor of a Timorese youth the East Timor crisis. MR. FEINGOLD. killed by internal security forces in late Oc- I know the administration understands I appreciate those remarks by the Senator tober. Over 100 people were killed. Many and shares our concern, as Senator from Vermont. I know that the distinguished remain unaccounted for despite promises by FEINGOLD has observed. It has long been chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations the Indonesian Government to do so. my view that a satisfactory solution to this Committee, the Senator from Rhode Island The Indonesian authorities then arrested issue can only occur if the Indonesian Gov- Senator Pell, has also been deeply involved several demonstrators charging them with ernment – perhaps under United Nations in raising the issue of human rights abuses in subversion. After show trials, these East auspices – negotiates directly with the East East Timor and has been a consistent leader Timorese received prison sentences ranging Timorese. in the efforts to raise these concerns. I have from 5 years to life. Ten Indonesian soldiers The United States was the first country appreciated his leadership and support on also tried for participating in the massacre to recognize Indonesia’s independence. We this issue in the Foreign Relations Commit- were sentenced to prison for terms ranging have strong ties to Indonesia. However, tee deliberations. from 8 months to 18 months. The gross Indonesia should recognize that the princi- disparity in treatment is obvious. ple that led us to recognize Indonesia’s in- MR. PELL. Since then, Indonesia has continued to dependence is the same principle that leads Mr. President, I welcome and concur subject the East Timorese to arbitrary arrest us to criticize Indonesia when it denies in- with the remarks of Senator FEINGOLD or interrogation. The International Red dependence to others. concerning the situation in East Timor. He is Cross that conducts prison visits has with- Mr. DURENBERGER. (Added later to to be commended for the strong position he drawn twice from East Timor because of Congressional Record) has taken on this issue. implements placed in their way by the In- Madam President, I rise to add my voice Earlier this month the Foreign Relations donesian authorities. to those of my colleagues with regard to the Committee unanimously adopted an The State Department’s 1992 human situation in East Timor. amendment offered by Senator FEINGOLD rights report observes that in Indonesia: My colleagues are well aware of my in- that called on the President to consult with “In addition, to extrajudicial killings and terest and activity in regard to Indonesia’s the Congress and make a determination as to unfair trials, other serious human rights persistent abuse of human rights in East whether there have been improvements in problems continued. They include torture Timor. The State Department’s “Country the human rights situation in East Timor and other mistreatment of prisoners and Reports on Human Rights for 1992,” as well prior to approval of military equipment detainees, arbitrary arrest and detention, as “Amnesty International’s Report 1993” sales to Indonesia. arbitrary interference with privacy, signifi- detail reports of torture, arbitrary arrests, Many of my colleagues may be unfamil- cant restrictions on freedom of speech and unfair trials, and many other abuses, includ- iar with the situation in East Timor which press, assembly and association, and on ing harassment of human rights monitors. I sparks our concern. freedom of movement, and the inability of believe that the language in the committee’s East Timor is part of a small island, for- citizens to change their government. Other report on this bill sends a strong message to merly a Portuguese colony, which was in- problem areas include harassment of human the Indonesian Government that their record vaded by Indonesia in 1975 after Portugal’s rights monitors, discrimination and violence of human rights in East Timor will not be precipitous withdrawal. Indonesia, whose against women, and restrictions on worker tolerated. Foreign Minister Adam Malik had previ- rights.” I was pleased earlier this year when the ously assured East Timorese leaders that It is this egregious situation that contin- Clinton administration reversed previous Indonesia would support the principle of ues to provoke concern in the Congress – to United States policy and joined the U.N. self- determination, allegedly feared that the which Senator Feingold gave voice in his Human Rights Commission in rebuking small island, over a thousand miles from the amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of Indonesia for its continued repression of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, would become 1993. East Timorese. I was also among those who a Marxist hot-bed, threatening Indonesia’s Senator LEAHY and the Committee on urged the President to raise this issue with stability. However, a Catholic people, the Appropriations are also to be commended President Suharto of Indonesia during the G- East Timorese have few historical, cultural, for the forceful statement they made in for- 7 summit, which I am pleased he did. or ethnic ties to the rest of Indonesia. eign aid legislation last year when the United Madam President, this legislation, com- Following Indonesia’s invasion, East States military training program to Indonesia bined with other recent actions by the Timor was closed to outside observers for was eliminated and this year in the very United States, sends a strong message to the 13 years while the military attempted to strong language contained in this appropria- Indonesian Government that the United assert control. Estimates by international tions bill concerning Indonesia. They urge in States will no longer turn a blind eye to its human rights groups of the number of their report that the administration pursue a repression of the East Timorese, And we deaths from war or mistreatment range from policy toward the Indonesian Armed Forces will continue to press ahead and consis- 100,000 to 300,000 out of a total popula- that sends a consistent message of support tently urge the Indonesian Government to tion of 750,000. The Indonesian military for human rights. I agree. I would also agree accept internationally accepted standards of continues to maintain a force of over 10,000 that licensing of commercial and foreign human rights. although the Indonesian military says there military sales of military equipment to In- Thank you, Madam President, I yield the are less than 150 armed rebels remaining. donesia should only occur if significant pro- floor. Clearly, East Timor never did, nor does it gress is made by Indonesia in improving the today, pose a threat to Indonesia. human rights situation in East Timor and But the large security presence is testi- elsewhere in Indonesia. mony to the continued passive resistance by Page 140 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

UPDATE ON FEINGOLD FEINGOLD RESPONDS TO diplomatic effort to resolve the situation in East Timor.” AMENDMENT ON EAST INACCURATE PRESS REPORTS TIMOR Press Release from U.S. Senator Russ Fein- gold. Contact: Bob Decheine, (202)224- US AID BILL BARS MILITARY From ETAN/US, Sept. 25. 5323. September 28, 1993 TRAINING FOR INDONESIA Senator Feingold’s amendment will not (Washington, D.C.) – “Last week the In- Reuter, 30 September 1993. come up during this week’s debate on the donesian government and several news agen- foreign aid appropriations bill, because of cies inaccurately reported that an amend- Comment: With the several aid bills under parliamentary obstacles to attaching it to ment restricting arms sales to Indonesia had consideration in the US, those of us not fa- this particular bill. Feingold has decided to been dropped from the Senate Foreign Aid miliar with US congressional procedures leave it as part of the Foreign Aid Authori- Appropriations bill. These reports are not can be forgiven for getting confused. But zation Bill which is currently scheduled for true. Last week, the U.S. Senate did act on perhaps this small item can help clarify Senate action on October 18. the Foreign Aid Appropriations bill, but things for all concerned, including Jakarta. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee that was not the measure that contained the It does clarify that the IMET ban is now an agreed to the amendment, unanimously on so-called Feingold amendment on arms sales established part of US aid policy. But does September 8. It would link arms sales to to Indonesia. this mean that Indonesia is also banned Indonesia to its human rights behavior in That amendment was contained in an en- from purchasing US military training if it East Timor. tirely different piece of legislation, the Fiscal pays for this itself? Unlike in some recent years when one or Year 1994 Foreign Assistance Act. That bill Carmel the other house of Congress did not act on was unanimously adopted by the Senate (Washington) The Senate on Thursday the authorization bill, passage of the bill is Foreign Relations Committee and is awaiting passed a foreign aid funding bill barring use more likely this year. (The House of Repre- action by the full Senate. The Senate Foreign of the US military training funds in Indone- sentatives has already passed its own ver- Relations Committee does not even have sia. The bill was sent to President Bill Clin- sion of the bill.) jurisdiction over the appropriations bill ton following committee approval earlier Calls and letters to the Senate are still passed last week. this month of a separate foreign aid authori- needed. Supporters of the arms industry and The United States position on arms sales zation bill that tied US arms sales to Indo- multinational corporation who do business to Indonesia has become increasingly clear nesia to improvement of that country’s with Indonesia are expected to move to over the past several months. The cancella- human rights record. strike the Feingold amendment when it tion of the F-5E sale from Jordan to Indone- The authorization bill has been approved reaches the Senate floor. sia and the action earlier this month by the by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senate Foreign Relations Committee has but it is far from certain that the Senate will FEINGOLD AMENDMENT sent a signal to Jakarta that we are con- act on it. REPORTED ABANDONED cerned about the continuing human rights The author of the authorization bill’s violations taking place in East Timor. Those provision on Indonesia, Senator Feingold, a Abridged. violations are an impediment to the Wisconsin Democrat, said the military train- strengthening of cultural, economic and mili- JAKARTA, Sept. 27 (Reuter) - Indone- ing ban in the bill passed on Thursday was tary ties between our countries. an appropriate reaction to the human rights sia expressed relief on Monday at a reported During floor consideration of the appro- decision by the U.S. Senate to drop an situation in East Timor. priations bill, statements were made by Sen. Reacting to an Indonesian embassy re- amendment to its foreign aid bill barring Pell, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign some arms sales to Jakarta. port that apparently confused the two bills, Relations Committee; Sen. Leahy, the the Jakarta government on Wednesday said “The Indonesian Foreign Ministry feels Chairman of the Senate Foreign Operations relieved following the receipt of information it was relieved that the Feingold amendment Committee and myself, indicating that the had been dropped. from its embassy in Washington that the actions taken by the Senate Appropriations Feingold Amendment ... was no longer at- Committee in cutting off funding for Indo- tached to the proposed law on foreign aid,” nesian participation in the International CULTURAL EVENTS it said in a statement. Military Education Training (IMET) pro- The amendment, proposed by Senator gram and by the Senate Foreign Relations AND RESOURCES Russell Feingold and included this month in Committee relating to arms sales to Indone- the Senate’s Foreign Aid Bill, tied arms sales sia were totally consistent and appropriate to improvement of human rights in East reactions to the human rights situation in “TIMOR ET TREMOR” Timor. East Timor. CONCERT IN SYDNEY Debate over the amendment aggravated In the weeks and months ahead there will recent strains in ties between Jakarta and be ample opportunities to send additional From: Martin Wesley Smith Washington. signals to Jakarta and to advance legislation The foreign ministry said although the conditioning future arms sales on human Aug. 13 1993 Feingold amendment had been dropped for rights improvements. This is a critical time On Saturday November 27 1993, Sydney the coming financial year, it was still possi- for the Indonesian government to demon- new music group AustraLysis will premiere ble for the Senate to revive the bill in the strate that they have heard the signals we a song cycle about an East Timorese next session. have been sending and to implement on their schizophrenic in Darwin who committed own, the measures we have suggested. Sp e- suicide in 1990. Called “Timor et Tremor” cifically, they should take seriously the the piece was written by Peter Wesley- United Nations peace talks taking place in Smith (lyrics) and myself, Martin Wesley- New York and join Portugal in a bi-lateral Smith (music). It is scored for tenor, flute, East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 141 clarinet, piano/organ, violin & double bass, JOURNAL REVIEW - ASEAN $24 and uses tape and transparencies. Japan, Hong Kong, India $25 The title comes from a motet by Orlando INSIDE INDONESIA USA, Canada $26 Lassus. It means “fear and trembling,” Bulletin of the Indonesia Resources and UK, Europe, Africa $28 which sums up the state of many people in Information Program Seamail East Timor today. All Countries $24 We are currently writing a music theatre Inside Indonesia is a quarterly journal USA individual subscribers only send piece, called “Quito,” based on the same about Indonesia. It contains extended arti- US$25 to: Indonesia Publications, 7538 subject. This is scheduled for performance cles on a whole range of subjects, with a Newberry Lane, Lanham-Seabrook, MD next year by the Sydney Metropolitan Op- style similar to that of a quality newspaper. 20706, USA era Company and vocal sextet The Song The topics span the whole range from poli- Posted by Danny Yee Company. It is not overtly a political piece tics and business to human rights and litera- ([email protected]) 16/8/93 (it is primarily about schizophrenia and ture. Environmental issues are given more Quito’s death), but it leaves little doubt as stress than is usual. In general Inside Indo- to where its political sympathies lie. While nesia is “pro-Indonesia,” but at the same TATA MAI LAU NEWSLETTER time critical of the Indonesian government Quito was at school in Darwin, his sister Aug. 24 1993 Fatima Gusmão was on the run from Indo- over issues such as East Timor and logging. nesian troops in East Timor, losing two This probably reflects the background of its Tata-mai-lau is an organization estab- babies from starvation. A third baby was publishers (Australian academics). lished in Macao. It proclaims that it has a murdered by Indonesian troops. Quito’s The March 1993 issue was 36 pages cultural, social, welfare and educational in- aunt, her husband, and her five children were long, and included: terest in regard to East Timor, and it organ- invited to dinner by a collaborator. When · A color photo of the new vice-president izes social evenings, press conferences, they got there, they were taken out the back on the cover. seminars, etc. and produces a newsletter. of the house, where their graves had already · Five pages describing the new cabinet, Issue No 6 of the English/ Portuguese news- been dug ... Such traumatic events do not, and discussing the conflict between Su- letter (July 1993) has just been issued. I according to medical opinion, trigger the harto and top ABRI leadership over the imagine Tata- mai-lau would welcome sub- onset of schizophrenia, but they do not help election of vice-president. scribers. Contact 13 Floor Apartment B the state of mind of a sensitive adolescent · A six page report on a Monash confer- Lote 38B, Edif Lei Man, Est Alm Marques struggling to grow up in a culture com- ence on Democracy in Indonesia. Esparteiro, Taipa, Macao (tel and fax: (853) 830 414). pletely different from the one he had spent · Two pages about the replacement of Peter Wesley-Smith, his first eleven years. See Michele Turner’s Xanana as Fretilin leader in East Timor. book “Telling” (University of New South [email protected] · Five pages on the collapse of Bank Wales Press), which contains gripping ac- Summa and the conspiracy to overthrow counts by East Timorese people (including LEARN ABOUT EAST TIMOR Astra. Fatima Gusmão) of their exp eriences in ON U.S. PUBLIC RADIO post-1975 East Timor. · A two page interview with a member of Other Timor pieces I’ve done include the Aust embassy in Jakarta about Indo- Radio documentaries on East Timor will “Balibo,” for flute & tape, which is about nesia-Australia relations. be aired on a number of U.S. noncommercial Greg Shackleton’s last television report - · A page on the Indonesian view of the stations on Tuesday, September 7. Public from Balibo, East Timor, in 1975 - not long Australian character. radio listeners in Virginia, Kansas, Connecti- before he was murdered; “Kdadalak (For the · A two page story about a controversial cut, Tennessee, and North Carolina should Children of Timor),” an audio-visual piece tourist development in Gili Trawangan stay tuned. composed in 1977 (performed at the World (an island off Lombok). In addition, the national news program Music Days of the International Society for · Three pages on logging in Kalimantan. Monitor Radio will have pieces on both the Contemporary Music in Brussels in 1983); Tuesday morning and afternoon programs, “VENCEREMOS!,” another audio-visual · An appeal by Pramoedya Ananta Toer and Pacific National news will have one on piece; and “Silencio,” composed for the calling on the Indonesian government to their evening news. percussion group Synergy with film, video, respect human rights. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee tape, live computer graphics etc. · The story of two farmers in West Java will vote Wednesday, September 8, on an Melbourne composer David Hirst re- beaten up by company security after re- amendment by Senator Russell Feingold to cently composed a computer piece called fusing to accept compensation for their bar US arms sales to Indonesia until Jakarta “Colonies,” which is about East Timor. land. respects human rights and self- The Australian rock band “Midnight Oil” · A selection of brief news items. determination in East Timor. recently released a CD single (also available · Two pages of letters to the editor The programs are produced by Amy as a cassingle) called “My Country” on the Goodman, who survived the 1991 Dili mas- · A page of book reviews. Columbia label. This contains a traditional sacre and has won awards for her coverage song from East Timor called “Kolele Mai.” Definitely worth subscribing to if you are of East Timor. Midnight Oil is joined in the recording by interested in news about Indonesia and can’t the “Xanana Choir.” get enough information from your lo- cal/national papers. NEW VIDEO ON EAST TIMOR Subscription Information: (AUD$) send Announcing the broadcast of East Timor: to PO Box 190, Northcote 3070, Australia Turning a Blind Eye, Produced by Paper Airmail Individual Tiger Television with Abé Barreto Soares, Australia $15 Elizabeth Exposto, Amy Goodman, Danilo PNG, NZ, Oceania $23 Page 142 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

Henriques, Tom Hyland, Allan Nairn, Con- given here. The Indonesian Government preted. Do you agree with me that, if one stancio Pinto, Charles Scheiner always argues that East Timor has been an secretary can do her job, hiring three secre- The 30 minute video focuses on the im- integral part of Indonesia since 17 July taries will not only become waste, but also pact of the Indonesian occupation of East 1976, on which Bill of Integration was ap- hinder the most productive secretaries to Timor, U.S. policy, and the role of the me- proved by President Suharto. The making earn better standard of living ? dia. It was filmed during the Spring 1993 process of this Bill of Integration (NOT the 2. STIMULATE INVESTMENT: New Generations of Resistance Tour spon- Bill itself) is NOT valid according to Inter- My grandfather opened a barber shop in sored by the East Timor Action Net- national Laws on integration, especially Malang (East Java) and was himself a barber work/U.S. Resolution 1541(XV) of the General As- during Dutch occupation in Indonesia. Sur- In New York City, East Timor: Turning sembly. The resolution sets the condition of prisingly, being a barber was not a terrible a Blind Eye will be broadcast: Monday, a valid act of integration that “integration job at that moment. He was able to survive September 6 at 7:30 pm on Manhattan Ca- should be the result of the freely expressed his family as well as to support my father ble Channel 16, and Thursday, September 9 wishes of the Territory’s peoples ... through to study Civil Engineering at ITB in Band- at 4:30 pm on Manhattan Paragon Channel informed and democratic processes impar- ung (West Java). We realize that situation 17. tially conducted and based on universal has changed so far; but we ought not to Contact: Paper Tiger Television, 339 La- adult suffrage.” The facts are that neither the abandon small businesses which have been fayette St., New York, NY 10012; UDT-APODETI coalition making declara- our backbone for number of years. In order (212)420-9045 for Loaner 3/4 inch tapes for tion on November 29, 1975, that East Timor to create small businesses, we have to Public Access Cable broadcast. be part of Indonesia, nor the People’s As- stimulate investment by, for example, Contact: ETAN/US, PO Box 1182, sembly approving the petition’ REDUCING taxes for people that are will- White Plains, NY 10602; (914)428-7299; e- In May 1976 were chosen by any such ing to create jobs in Indonesia. And, at the mail: [email protected] for 1/2” VHS democratic processes. Also 200,000 East same time, we ought to keep our big busi- tapes. $20 each plus $3 postage and han- Timorese (with the latest 180 mourners at nesses in Indonesia by, for example, dling. Santa Cruz Cemetery in Dili) have lost their INCREASING taxes for Indonesian Citi- lives since Dec. 1975, in the hands of the zens that make investment overseas (i.e. Indonesian Army/Armed Forces. These NON-RESIDENT TAXES). What do you MISCELLANEOUS killings are contrary to the second principle think ?? ARTICLES of the Indonesian State Ideology (Pancasila) which states that Indonesia is based on 3. RESUME AN ANTI-CORRUPTION “Just and Civilized DRIVE. WHAT CLIMATE IS Humanity.” In addition, Indonesian pres- Very soon I’ll write an article about this; ence in East Timor is an act of colonization so at this time I’ll only give you a brief ac- NECESSARY TO CREATE which violates the first paragraph of the count. THE INDONESIAN DREAM S? preamble of the Indonesian Constitution When I worked at PT Spektra Matrika (UUD 45) saying that “since independence Indah - Jl. Haji Nur 5, Pasar Minggu, South Open letter from Paul Salim, Indonesian is the right of every nation, ANY Jakarta n 1985,I knew very well how the student in Calgary, to computer networkers SUBJUGATION in this world is contrary Department of Industry worked. in soc.culture.indonesia, 2 Aug. 1993 to humanity and justice, and must therefore My company was a firm of consultants My dear fellow Indonesians: be ABOLISHED.” Since Indonesia has no that depended on projects from the De- What are the Indonesian dreams ? One of legal basis for its presence in East Timor, I partment of Industry on Jl. Gatot Subroto, them is having an advanced technology dis- suggest the Indonesian Government “Get Jakarta. One time, we got a project entitled cussed by Mr. D. Prabowo in his recent out of East Timor !” “Feasibility Study of a Fatty Acid Plant” article “Teknologi yang diperlukan Indone- 1.2 CUT spending on Military/Defence and worth ca. Rp. 3,000,000. As a common practice, my company did NOT get the sia” dated 30th July 1993. He thankfully Indonesia still operates several oppres- total money, but GOT to leave 10% of it to sets criteria of how to select policies at the sive institutions such as BAKORSTANAS the people (s) at the Department of Indus- best interest of Indonesia. However, criteria (formerly KOPKAMTIB), KOREM, try from whom the project came. It is (as we know) are not sufficient to achieve KODIM, KORAMIL, etc. We all know CORRUPTION !! what we think of. that KOPKAMTIB was set up after G30S / How to battle corruption ? First of all, To achieve our dreams, we also have to 1965 to restore Security and Order. Only at bring the culprits to justice, regardless of question ourselves whether our resources that moment was KOPKAMTIB necessary. who they are !! (including the family of have been used EFFICIENTLY. It is the But what are those institutions for, these President Suharto that have amassed billions purpose of this article to discuss how to days ? I recommend in democratic and free of US dollars) turn our country around by making more society such as Indonesia that those institu- Second of all, corruption is an economic efficient use of our resources. tions be CLOSED DOWN. It is first of all matter. In point (1.3) I talked about making In my opinion, there are THREE STEPS because they are not described in our consti- our government more efficient; as a conse- to make more efficient use of our resources: tution UUD 45, and are therefore unconsti- quence, we also have to reward our produc- 1. CUT OUR ROUTINE EXPENDITURE, tutional. tive civil servants by INCREASING their SUCH AS: 1.3 MAKE a more efficient government / salaries. 1.1 GIVE UP East Timor state-owned institutions The change I proposed is not just for the Since December 1975, Indonesia has ille- We seem to have philosophy of maximiz- sake of change. I welcome any criticism for gally annexed East Timor. A full account of ing our human resources (“padat karya”). If this article from anybody including econo- this affair can be found in my upcoming we look at how Pertamina and PT Pupuk mists, lawyers, and political analysts. It is article. However, a brief explanation will be Sriwijaya operate, we realize that our phi- why I put the article in s.c.i. ! losophy “padat karya” has been misinter- Salam East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 143

BACKGROUND ON Indonesia (let’s call it NEW UDT !). The aggression or invasion in East Timor on 7th NEW UDT - APODETI coalition has since December 1975. EAST TIMOR been supported by the Indonesian Army to The second question to be asked is From Paul Salim, to soc.culture.indonesia penetrate into East Timor and to battle whether the Indonesian invasion in East against FRETILIN. Under heavy fighting, Timor is legal (especially if compared to, for Aug. 14, 1993 on November 28, 1975, FRETILIN pro- instance, the US invasion in Grenada in This piece of writing (part 0) is the be- claimed the Democratic Republic of East 1983). It is well-known that experts in In- ginning of a series of articles about the Indo- Timor; and the next day the NEW UDT - ternational Laws of invasion are split in two nesian occupation in East Timor and is de- APODETI coalition declared East Timor a groups (see source [2]): signed for readers that know nothing or little part of Indonesia. On November 30, 1975, 1. “anti-invasion” that bases their argu- about history of East Timor around the the Portuguese government rejected all dec- ment on Article 5(1) of UN General Assem- Indonesian invasion on 7th December 1975. larations and claimed its sovereignty in East bly Resolution 3314(XXIX) saying that “no The other readers could just skip this article Timor. Indonesian troops invaded East consideration of whatever nature, whether and go to the next article (part I) Timor a week later (December 7, 1975). The political, economic, military or otherwise, The purpose of the entire articles is to UN Security Council on December 22, 1975 may serve as a justification for aggression” ; give thorough discussions about WHY (with Resolution 384) and on April 22, therefore, all invasions are considered ille- INDONESIA MUST GET OUT OF EAST 1976 (with Resolution 389) deplored the gitimate, TIMOR. I would like to dedicate my writ- Indonesian invasion and called on Indonesia 2. “pro-invasion” that uses Article 2(4) ings to 200,000 East Timorese and 20,000 to withdraw all its forces from East Timor of the United Nations Charter: Indonesian soldiers that have perished in the without delay. Indonesia did not listen ! On “All Members shall refrain in their Killing Field of East Timor. December 17, 1975, the National Front international relations from the threat East Timor 1974/75 (composed of NEW UDT, APODETI, or use of force against the territory in- From 1566 to 1975, East Timor (for- KOTA and TRABALHISTA) formed the tegrity or political independence of merly called Portuguese Timor) was admin- Provisional Government of East Timor and any state, or in any other manner istered by Portugal. A survey in 1974 appointed 37 members of People’s Assem- INCONSISTENT WITH THE showed that the population of East Timor bly, while FRETILIN (supported by ap- PURPOSES OF THE UNITED was 650,000, literacy rate only 10% and proximately 60% of East Timor’s popula- NATIONS.” annual GNP per capita only US$ 40 (show- tion) battled against the Indonesian Army This group further states that the use of ing its backwardness in education and econ- throughout East Timor. On May 31, 1976, force against the territory integrity and po- omy). Given the opportunity of self- the 37-member People’s Assembly ap- litical independence of other states is determination by the Portuguese Govern- proved a petition to integrate East Timor ILLEGAL and must be BANNED, ment after the 25th April 1974 coup d’etat into Indonesia and, then, on July 17, 1976, UNLESS its purposes are consistent with in Portugal, the East Timorese formed three Indonesian President Suharto signed Bill of those of the United Nations, that is, the main political parties: FRETILIN (pro- Integration into law after being passed by promotion of HUMAN RIGHTS as stipu- independence for East Timor), APODETI the Indonesian Parliament two days before. lated under Article 1(3) of the UN Charter: (pro-integration into Indonesia) and UDT Reference: “To achieve international coopera- tion ..... in promoting and encouraging (pro-gradual independence with an extended 1. Jolliffe, J., 1978, “East Timor: Nation- respect for HUMAN RIGHTS and association with Portugal). In February alism and Colonialism,” University of for fundamental freedoms for all with- 1975, it was estimated that 5% of East Queensland Press out distinction as to race, sex, lan- Timor’s population in favour of APODETI, 10% UDT and 60% FRETILIN (source guage, or religion.” [1]); and it is shown clearly that almost PART I: Such use of force is defined as NOBODY in East Timor favoured integra- Dedicated to 200,000 East Timorese and HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION tion into Indonesia ! How can East Timor 20,000 Indonesian soldiers that have per- which is LEGITIMATE because it is the now become part of Indonesia ? Please pro- ished in the Killing Field of East Timor ONLY exception of Article 2(4) of the UN ceed. The first question is what the meaning of Charter. During the mid-April 1975 visit by UDT invasion or aggression is. According to Arti- I think in this article I do not plan to dis- leaders to Jakarta, the Indonesian Govern- cle 1 of UN General Assembly Resolution cuss which group is right or wrong because ment made clear the unacceptability of an 3314 (XXIX) (source [1]): this just makes our heads bald (“botak”). independent East Timor under FRETILIN “Aggression is the use of armed force by But it is essential to analyze whether the control. On August 11, 1975, UDT a State against the sovereignty, territorial Indonesian invasion in East Timor can be launched a coup against the Portuguese ad- integrity or political independence of an- regarded as Humanitarian Intervention. ministration in Dili, the capital of East other state, or in any other manner inconsis- Hon. Chaidir Anwar Sani (Indonesian Timor, apparently with intention to eradi- tent with the Charter of the United Nations, Ambassador to the UN) said in front of the cate FRETILIN. In the following months, a .....” Security Council between 15th and 22nd civil war broke out between FRETILIN and The term “State” in the definition: a. is December 1975 that one reason of the Indo- UDT. Apparently UDT was overpowered used without prejudice to questions of rec- nesian invasion was (as quoted from [3]): by FRETILIN and was very often driven ognition or to whether a State is a Member “The practice of FRETILIN terror- over the border into the West Timor (part of of the United Nations; b. includes the con- izing the people, brutalizing and even Indonesia). Due to the circumstances, UDT cept of a “group of States” where appropri- murdering them because they opted changed its tactics and, along with two other ate. As East Timor comes under the defini- for integration with Indonesia created parties KOTA and TRABALHISTA, joined tion of “State” and the Indonesian act of 7th a strong reaction within Indonesia. APODETI on September 7, 1975, in declar- December 1975 in East Timor fits the defi- The Government was under increasing ing themselves in favour of integration into nition of aggression, Indonesia committed pressure to take action to protect those people. What is more those Page 144 East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993.

people themselves, after having made was estimated to have risen to over 650,000 Having examined the above reasoning, I their choice, considered themselves to by mid-1974); it indicates a sharp decline conclude that: be Indonesian nationals and therefore from 1974 to 1980 particularly after the 1. the INDONESIAN INVASION in ENTITLED TO INDONESIA’S 1975 Indonesian invasion, East Timor on 7th December 1975 is NOT PROTECTION.” 1991 : 271 mourners (the most recent Humanitarian Intervention and is therefore Granting people automatic, ipso facto na- figure) at Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, East ILLEGITIMATE, tionality is not uncommon. For instance, Timor, were massacred by the Indonesian 2. all Indonesian forces must be with- thousands of Vietnamese boat people were Army. drawn without delay from East Timor be- rescued and granted asylum by the West in To complete my article, I want to quote a cause Indonesia has failed to promote Hu- the late 1970s. The more important issue of compelling story [5] that, days following man Rights in East Timor for the past 17 (!) the above statement is that the Indonesian the Indonesian invasion, large numbers of years. invasion was imperative to promote Human people were executed in the suburb of Vila References: Rights in East Timor, viz., Humanitarian Verde and in particular around the former 1. Ferencz, B.B, 1975, “Defining Interna- Intervention. But, was the Indonesian inva- Portuguese military police barracks. The tional Aggression: The Search for World sion really Humanitarian Intervention ?? population of Vila Verde was rounded up Peace,” vol.2, Oceana Publications, Inc., On 22nd December 1975, the UN Secre- by troops in green berets New York tary-General appointed Mr. Vittorio Win- (KOPASSANDHA, the Indonesian elite 2. Teson, F.R., 1988, “Humanitarian In- speare Guicciardi as his Special Representa- paratroopers - text added) and taken to a tervention: an Inquiry into Law and Moral- tive in terms of paragraph 5 of Security football field opposite the barracks. What ity, Translational Publishers, Inc., New Council resolution 384 (1975) for the pur- was going on there is told by Carlos Afonso, York pose of making an on-the-spot assessment an East Timorese student then living in Dili 3. UN Chronicle, Dec. 1975, pp.6 - 14 of the situation and of establishing contact and interviewed by Amnesty International 4. UN Chronicle, May 1976, pp.8 - 13 with all parties in East Timor and all States in 1984, as follows: 5. Amnesty International, 1985, “East concerned in order to ensure the implemen- “The green berets had found a dead Indo- Timor: Violations of Human Rights” tation of that resolution, i.e. immediate nesian by the military police barracks. They To be continued in part II withdrawal of all Indonesian forces from thought that he must have been killed by East Timor [3]. On 29th February 1976, civilians because he had been killed with a PUPPETEERS FOR after finishing his responsibilities, the Sp e- sword and not by a bullet. cial Representative in his report submitted “The Indonesians brought all of the peo- EAST TIMOR to the UN Secretary-General said [4]: “he ple across to the military police barracks. Editorial from the March, 1993 issue of had not been able to visit some parts of the They selected about 50 strongly-built men APropos, a magazine of international pup- Territory because of communication diffi- who were ordered to enter the barracks. I petry produced for the U.S. chapter of culties or because the security of his mission was one of them. There was nothing in the UNIMA, the international union of puppet- could not be assured.” barracks. When we came out, we were or- eers. Full text. It is indicated that a big war was taking dered to the north side of the barracks. We place in East Timor! On one occasion, Jose were told we were to wait for a helicopter AVANT-PROPOS Ramos Horta on behalf of the Democratic which would come to take the body away. In the fall of 1992, in East Timor, Ameri- Republic of East Timor said in front of the The helicopter didn’t come. can journalists Amy Goodman and Allan Security Council that 60,000 East Timorese “We were all told to stand, then to sit. Nairn were severely beaten by Indonesian civilians have been slaughtered by the Indo- The Indonesians prepared guns as if to fire. troops during a calculated massacre which nesian Army in 6 months after the invasion. Everyone cried out, some tried to kiss the killed some 140 Timorese and wounded The brutality of the Indonesian Army is feet of the Indonesians. Some were carrying many others. This attack on unarmed civil- also revealed as follows [5]: Indonesian flags; some were APODETI. ians by an army using American M-16 1977 : the Indonesian Foreign Minister, “A sergeant said ‘Kill them.’ Another automatic weapons and trained by the the late Adam Malik, said between 50,000 sergeant asked who was APODETI. Every- United States was merely the latest incident and 80,000 people had died in East Timor - body stood. in the 17- year illegal occupation of East this was before massive aerial bombardment “When he saw everybody stand, the ser- Timor by Indonesia which, through a policy and famine created by the Indonesian Army geant shouted ‘Fire.’ I fell and some others of repression, torture, execution and en- in areas thought to be under Fretilin control, fell on me. I had been shot in my right hand. forced starvation, is effecting the deliberate 1978 : a delegation of diplomats and I put my bleeding hand to my face and pre- genocide of the East Timorese (it is esti- journalists which visited East Timor in the tended to be dead. mated that 1/3 of the population has already month of September at the invitation of the “A car came. I thought that they had been killed). Indonesian Government reported that cap- come to collect the bodies but they left the Certainly there are many other places in tured and surrendered East Timorese whom bodies and took the Indonesian soldiers. the world where human rights abuses are they had seen in “resettlement camps” were “After they had gone, a few people stood commonplace, but we are using East Timor evidently suffering from serious malnutri- up. Some just ran a few steps and then col- as an example because of its particular rele- tion, lapsed. vance to you – our readers. We feel very 1979 : the Indonesian Foreign Minister “Four people survived.” strongly that all of us, as puppeteers active acknowledged that the food situation in East The behaviour of the Indonesian Army in in an international community, need to look Timor might be worse than that in “Biafra East Timor violates, for instance, Article 3 at other cultures not merely in terms of our or Cambodia” of the Universal Declaration of Human own specific interests (international touring, 1980 : an Indonesian census registered Rights: “everyone has the right to life, lib- festivals, cultural exchange, etc.) but with the population of East Timor as 550,000 erty and security of person.” and can NOT the larger social and political contexts within (while the last Portuguese census in 1970 be classified as promotion of Human Rights. which (in this case) all those wonderful had recorded a population of 610,000 which East Timor Documents, Volume 24. August 1 - September 30, 1993. Page 145

Indonesian dalangs and gamelans and wayang figures exist. We can help things change for the better, but to do this we must become activists. For Indonesian artists who dare question government policy, there are dire consequences. Help is needed. For the East Timorese there is now a window of opportunity – President Clinton is ready to reexamine U.S. policy toward Indonesia with regard to East Timor; we can write him and our congresspeople and urge an end to military aid to the Indonesian Dictatorship. Many of us are already activists in our own lives. Collectively, though, we can have so much strength. Perhaps it is time for UNIMA, with all its commissions, to have a commission devoted to political activity on behalf of human rights. Perhaps UNlMA- USA could even take an active role in mak- ing this happen; it seems only right, as our government has contributed materially to so much human suffering. This issue is filled with news of interna- tional collaborations and festivals. It is full of hope and so are we. We hope you enjoy it. –Editor

BRAZIL INITIATIVE ON EAST TIMOR The following letter was sent to the UN Sec- retary-General, Boutros-Boutros-Ghali on 28 September 1993: Dear Sir, Since December 1975, Indonesia has oc- cupied East Timor militarily, having caused 210,000 deaths in the last 15 years. We ask you to strive for a just solution for this outrageous situation. And, as a first step, the United Nations should guarantee that a representative of the Maubere people take part in the process of negotiations be- tween Portugal and Indonesia. Yours sincerely, Lilia do Amaral Azevedo Coordinator, Grupo Solidario Sao Domingos, Rua Haddock Lobo 1310, apto 42, 01414-002 Sao Paulo SP BRASIL Fax: 11-853.6830 Frei João Xerri, O.P. Justice and Peace promotor for the Do- minican Order in the South Cone. Rua Ati- baia 420 - Perdizes, 01235-010 Sao Paulo SP BRASIL Fax 11-656941 Marta Maria Soares de Camargo Coordinator, Renovacao Crista do Brasil, Regional Sudeste Rua Apiacas 950, casa 4, 05017-020 Sao Paulo SP BRASIL