Documents on East Timor from PeaceNet and Connected Computer Networks Volume 39: June 28 — August 31, 1995
Published by: East Timor Action Network / U.S. P.O. Box 1182, White Plains, NY 10602 USA Tel: 914-428-7299 Fax: 914-428-7383 E-mail PeaceNet:CSCHEINER or [email protected] These documents are produced approximately every two months and mailed to subscribers. For additional or back copies, send US$30 per volume; add $5 for international air mail. Discount rates: $15 for educational and non-profit institutions; $8 for U.S. activists; $11 international. Subscription rates: $180 ($90 educational, $48 activist) for the next six issues. Add $30 ($18 activist) for international air mail. Further subsidies are available for groups in Third World countries working on East Timor. Checks should be made out to “ETAN.” The material is grouped by subject, with articles under each category in approximately chronological order. It is also available on IBM-compatible diskette, in either Word for Windows or ASCII format. Reprinting and distribution without permission is welcomed. Much of this information is translated and supplied by TAPOL and BCET (London), Task Force Indone- sia (USA), CDPM (Lisbon), CNRM, Free East Timor Japan Coalition, Mate-Bian News (Sydney), East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign, ETIC (Aotearoa), Australians for a Free East Timor (Darwin) and other activists and solidarity groups, but they are not responsible for edi torial comment or selection.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORICAL REVIEW ...... 7 INDONESIA’S DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO REVISE EAST TIMOR HISTORY (1959 PERMESTA SURVIVORS)...... 7 INDONESIAN MILITARY CHIEFS KNEW (OF DILI MASSACRE IN ADVANCE) ...... 7 CHRONICLE OF AN UNEXPECTED INVASION (OF US EMBASSY) ...... 10 EAST TIMOR’S ILLEGAL INTEGRATION...... 11 EAST TIMORESE SIGNATORY REJECTS INTEGRATION PACT...... 15 FROM ‘GANYANG MALAYSIA’ TO ‘GANYANG FRETILIN’...... 16 TIMOR: INVASION “BEGAN” 20 YEARS AGO ...... 18
EVENTS IN EAST TIMOR...... 19 HORS LIGNE: ISLAND OF FEAR ...... 19 ABRI DENIES KILLING OFFICIAL ...... 22 ICRC WARNS OF TENSION IN EAST TIMOR ...... 22 BLOOD OATH (ET STUDENTS RESISTANCE) ...... 22 ‘RESISTANCE IS STRONG’...... 23 ETCHRIET REPORT ON RECENT EVENTS ...... 23 INDONESIA PLANS TWO-BATTALION CUT IN EAST TIMOR...... 23 AI UA: SABALAE FEARED ARRESTED AND TORTURED ...... 24 EAST TIMORESE SAY FEAR RETURNS TO DILI...... 24 INDONESIA ARMY SAYS IT WILL NOT LEAVE ...... 25 BROCHURE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST TIMOR ...... 25 COFFEE FARMERS PROTEST FOR HIGHER PRICES ...... 26 Page 2 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
LATEST INDONESIAN ARMY ATTACKS, AND GROUND SETTING FOR FUTURE EAST TIMORESE CIVIL WAR..26 FOREIGN JOURNALISTS IN TIMOR...... 27 ICRC EXPRESSES CONCERN TO FOREIGN JOURNALISTS ...... 27 PEACE RETURNS TO TIMOR TOWN, BUT TRADERS STAY AWAY...... 27 INDONESIA CELEBRATES EAST TIMOR INTEGRATION ...... 27 INDONESIA PARADES CAPTURED REBEL...... 28 RIOT TENSIONS LINGER IN EAST TIMOR ...... 28 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED...... 29 YEARS ON INDONESIA’S SIDE, COLONEL SAYS ...... 29 RENEGING ON BALIBO PACT MARS TIMOR ANNEXATION CELEBRATIONS...... 29 INDONESIA MILITARY SAYS EAST TIMOR STABLE...... 30 MEPS AND CONGRESS MEMBERS TO VISIT...... 30 JAKARTA’S CELEBRATIONS RING HOLLOW FOR EAST TIMORESE...... 30 EAST TIMORESE YOUTHS ARRESTED AND TORTURED...... 31 BISHOP OF DILI CELEBRATES TIMOR LEADER’S MARRIAGE...... 31 INDONESIAN PARLIAMEN TARIAN ASKS SPECIAL STATUS FOR ET ...... 32 SUHARTO MAY VISIT EAST TIMOR NEXT YEAR...... 32 REPORTED INJURIES / KILLINGS IN BAUCAU...... 32 BAUCAU STILL TENSE AFTER RIOTING...... 33 FOUR KILLED IN TIMOR SHOOTINGS...... 33 INCREASED NAVAL PATROLS OFF TIMOR ...... 33 ETCHRIET REPORTS RECENT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS...... 33 INDONESIA MILITARY CHIEF SHOT IN EAST TIMOR...... 34 TIMOR TO RECEIVE UNCENSORED RTP (PORTUGUESE TV) ...... 34 TIMORESE TOWN HIT BY COFFEE PROTEST...... 34 PAPER SHORTAGE...... 34 SOLDIERS SHOOT DEAD TWO EAST TIMORESE...... 34 INDONESIA TO RELEASE 276 TIMOR PRISONERS...... 35 TIMORESE INTEGRATION CEREMONIES MARRED BY CONTROVERSY...... 35 ETCHRIET HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON ERMERA VIOLENCE...... 37 CNRM: AT LEAST 8 TIMORESE KILLED ...... 37 AI ALERT ON BAUCAU AND ERMERA ARRESTS...... 37 NINE TIMORESE ARRESTED IN VEMASSE...... 38 INTERVIEW OF KONIS SANTANA ...... 38 INDONESIAN MILITARY EAST TIMOR OPERATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS...... 38 US CONGRESSMEN END VISIT TO TIMOR ...... 39 AMNESTY PROMISED FOR REBELS ...... 39 TIMORESE CLAIM RESISTANCE LEADER CAPTURED...... 39 SEVEN ARRESTS IN DILI...... 40 NEW WAVE OF REPRESSION ...... 40 ETCHRIET: EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS...... 41 TIMORESE WOMEN WRITE WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN ...... 41 TWO SUMMARY EXECUTIONS...... 41
XANANA’S ACTIVITIES...... 41 JAKARTA PRISON RIOTS XANANA GUSMÃO’S SECURITY IN DANGER ...... 41 DILI BISHOP SAYS AUTHORITIES DENYING HIM ACCESS TO XANANA...... 42 XANANA WRITES AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCES...... 42 WHO IS XANANA GUSMÃO?...... 42 TIMOR GUERRILLA LEADER TO LOSE THREE-MONTH REMISSION ...... 44 XANANA MAY BE ISOLATED IN CIPINANG...... 44 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 3
EVENTS IN INDONESIA...... 45 TRUTH AND STABILITY...... 45 LAWYERS SAY WORLD BANK PROJECTS ABUSED RIGHTS...... 45 EAST TIMOR ART, CULTURE ON DISPLAY IN JAKARTA...... 46 SUHARTO: WEST JEALOUS OF INDONESIA...... 46 PRAMOEDYA DENIED PERMIT TO TRAVEL ...... 47 ARBITRARY ARRESTS OF EAST TIMORESE IN JAKARTA...... 47 SPRIM POSITION PAPER ON INDONESIAN DEMOCRACY AND LIBERATION OF EAST TIMOR ...... 47 LATIEF AND THE ‘GRASI’ ISSUE ...... 52 INDONESIAN INTELLECTUAL (ARIEF BUDIMAN) WINS LEGAL BATTLE ...... 53 NEW-STYLE MONITORING FOR EX-TAPOLS...... 54 THE 1965 POLITICAL PRISONERS – THE CASE FOR A GENERAL AMNESTY ...... 54 AI ON IMMINENT EXECUTIONS...... 55 ALATAS DENIES EXECUTION REPORT...... 56 NEW INDONESIAN ATROCITIES IN WEST PAPUA...... 56 INDONESIAN PROGRESSIVES RE-LAUNCH PRO-DEMOCRACY ORGANISATION ...... 57 INDONESIA TO SCRAP NEED FOR PERMITS FOR GATHERINGS ...... 58 INDONESIA PLANS INVESTMENT BOOST IN REMOTE EAST...... 58
AJI JOURNALISTS ON TRIAL ...... 58 INDONESIA JOURNALISTS ACCUSE MINISTER ...... 58 AJI TRIALS CONTINUE NEXT WEEK ...... 59 MAVERICK JOURNALISTS VOW TO FIGHT ON...... 59 INDONESIA: THE PRESS ON TRIAL...... 59
PIJAR’S TRI AGUS SUSANTO ON TRIAL...... 61 ADVISORY FROM CNRM ...... 61 SPARKS OF STRUGGLE: A GLIMPSE AT PIJAR ...... 62 TRI AGUS GOES ON TRIAL...... 63 TRIAGUS TRIAL PROMPTS PROTESTS ...... 64 TRIAGUS’ DEMURRER ...... 65 TRIAGUS SUSANTO REJECTS SOEHARTO REGIME’S OCCUPATION OF EAST TIMOR ...... 66 RENETIL SOLIDARITY FOR TRIAGUS...... 67
INTRA-TIMORESE DIALOGUE FALLOUT...... 67 TIMOR SURPRISE: UNEXPECTED DECLARATION SHOCKS JAKARTA...... 67 LOPES SUSPECTS FOUL PLAY AT VIENNA MEETING...... 68 INTRA-TIMORESE – WHAT NOW?...... 69
PORTUGUESE AND INDONESIAN MINISTERS MEET AGAIN...... 69 CNRM: JAKARTA SHOW PLOY AHEAD OF INDONESIAN/ PORTUGUESE MINISTERIAL MEETING...... 69 CHRONOLOGY OF MINISTERIAL MEETINGS SINCE 1992...... 70 DURÃO BARROSO STATEMENT BEFORE GENEVA TALKS ...... 70 ALATAS STATEMENT AFTER GENEVA TALKS ...... 71 UN PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ ON EAST TIMOR TALKS...... 71 UN TIMOR TALKS STALEMATE...... 71 NO NEW TIMOR DIALOGUE BEFORE JANUARY: ALATAS ...... 72 NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL...... 73 HEADWAY IN E TIMOR TALKS...... 73
EVENTS IN EUROPE...... 74 FLEMISH NGOS ASK FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING TEAM IN DILI ...... 74 WORLD COURT DECIDES ON EAST TIMOR ...... 74 Page 4 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
TIMORESE RESISTANCE IN BRUSSELS ...... 74 CHAINING AT PARIS AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY ...... 74 PROTESTS AT THE INDONESIAN EMBASSY IN MADRID...... 75 GERMAN BISHOPS CONDEMN INDONESIA...... 75 QUEEN BEATRIX TO VISIT INDONESIA...... 75 EP WARNS INDONESIA: FUTURE RELATIONS WILL DEPEND ON DEVELOPMENTS IN EAST TIMOR ...... 76
CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INDONESIA MEETS IN PARIS ...... 76 DEMONSTRATION AT CGI IN PARIS, JULY 18 ...... 76 U.S. STATEMENT AT CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INDONESIA ...... 78 CANADA RAISES EAST TIMOR AT CGI ...... 79 INDONESIA WINS $5.36 BILLION IN DEVELOPMENT AID ...... 79
EVENTS IN PORTUGAL...... 80 A SHOT FOR SUHARTO (INDONESIA IMPEDES PORTUGUESE ATHLETES) ...... 80 HORTA: PORTUGAL SHOULD SUPPORT TIMORESE GUERILLA RESISTANCE ...... 80 JOSÉ GUSMÃO: EAST TIMOR’S STRUGGLE MUST INSPIRE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENTS ...... 80 HOLIDAYS PAID BY “FRIEND OF INDONESIA” ...... 81 TIMORESE TAKE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PORTUGAL IN THE COURT OF THE HAGUE...... 82 RDP-INTERNATIONAL’S DAILY BROADCASTS TO TIMOR...... 82
BOUTROS-GHALI VISITS PORTUGAL ...... 83 U.N. CHIEF OPTIMISTIC TIMOR DEAL CAN BE DONE...... 83 SECRETARY-GENERAL MEETS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OF PORTUGAL ...... 83 MARIO SOARES “CONDEMNS” THE UN FOR SILEN CE ON EAST TIMOR ...... 83 BOUTROS-GHALI: “MY FUNCTION IS TO BE NEUTRAL ON THE QUESTION OF EAST TIMOR”...... 84 POLICE INTERVENE IN TIMORESE DEMONSTRATION ...... 85 TIMOR DISCUSSED IN LISBON WITH UN ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL...... 85 CARRASCALÃO SAYS GHALI GIVING IN TO JAKARTA...... 86
EVENTS IN ENGLAND ...... 86 A CLASS ACT TO FOLLOW ...... 86 PLEDGE OF RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH AEROSPACE...... 88 TIMOR AND PAPUAN FLAGS ON 17 AUGUST ...... 88
EVENTS IN IRELAND...... 89 SPRING’S EAST TIMOR RECORD ‘DISAPPOINTING’ ...... 89 IRELAND TO THE FORE IN SEEKING INTERNATIONAL ACTION ON EAST TIMOR...... 89 IRISH EAST TIMOR GROUP STAGES PROTEST ...... 90 PEACE WALK TO HIGHLIGHT WESTERN HYPOCRISY...... 90
EVENTS IN ASIA-PACIFIC ...... 91 EAST TIMOR REQUESTS OBSERVER STATUS AT OSAKA APEC MEETING...... 91 YWCA CALLS FOR INDONESIAN WITHDRAWAL ...... 92 PRAMOEDYA THANKS MAGSAYSAY FOUNDATION ...... 92 NEW REPORT FROM FORUM-ASIA ...... 93 ACET ON JAPAN’S ROLE IN EAST TIMOR ...... 95 HORROR OF EAST TIMOR IN 1942 TO BE DISCUSSED ...... 97
EVENTS IN BRAZIL AND AROUND THE WORLD ...... 97 BRAZILIAN JOURNALISTS SUPPORT ITAMAR’S SOLIDARITY ...... 97 BRAZIL’S FRANCO: A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE...... 98 BRAZIL WORRIED ABOUT TIMOR SITUATION...... 98 CHISSANO PROPOSES “SINGLE FRONT” ...... 99 MEXICO: TIMOR SELF-DETERMINATION A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE...... 99 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 5
EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA...... 99 RUNNING FOR COVER: DISSIDENT SEEKS ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIA...... 99 MEETING: EAST TIMOR – OIL OR JUSTICE...... 99 CIETSA CRITICIZES UPCOMING AUST.-INDO. MILITARY EXERCISES ...... 100 BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY – BHP’S ASIA MOTTO ...... 101 DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION: FOREIGN-POLICY MISSTEPS DIM EVANS’S POLITICAL LUSTRE ...... 101 INDONESIAN SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED...... 102 RI FORMALLY PROTESTS FLAG BURNING INCIDENT...... 103 CNRM WELCOMES AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER’S STATEMEN T ON PLANNED VISIT TO EAST TIMOR 103 AUG. 17. DEMO IN MELBOURNE...... 103 TWO DEMOS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AGAINST GARETH EVANS / INDONESIA’S NATIONAL DAY ...... 104 EAST TIMOR, INDONESIAN SOLIDARITY DEMONSTRATION IN DARWIN...... 105 POSITION AGAINST BURNING INDONESIAN FLAGS...... 105 PROTEST AT AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY IN JAKARTA...... 107 INDONESIA IMPORTERS WARN OF AUSTRALIAN GOODS BAN ...... 107 “FLAG PROTESTS RAISE BURNING ISSUE” ...... 108 TANJUNG AND SUDRADJAT EVADE OZ DEMONSTRATORS...... 108 BILL MAY BAR INDONESIA FROM AUSTRALIAN ARMY TRAINING...... 109 AUST.-INDON RELATIONS ‘UNHURT’ BY FLAG ISSUE...... 109 AUSTRALIA’S KEATING TO VISIT INDONESIA...... 109 SYDNEY DILI MASSACRE COMMEMORATION ...... 110 UN HAS FAILED – E TIMOR REPS ...... 110
CONTROVERSY OVER EAST TIMORESE REFUGEES IN AUSTRALIA ...... 110 ‘BOAT PEOPLE’ RELEASED, BUT NOT YET OK TO STAY ...... 110 FREED TIMORESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT...... 111 VISAS FOR TIMORESE RISK TIES: INDONESIA ...... 111 EAST TIMORESE ‘BOAT PEOPLE’ FEAR TRIP BACK TO TORTURE...... 111 BOAT PEOPLE RELEASED ...... 112 TIMORESE BOAT PEOPLE RELEASED ...... 112 MORE ON ASYLUM SEEKERS ...... 112 ILLEGALS LIKELY TO POUR IN: JAKARTA...... 113 “WATERSHED” HOPE FOR TIMORESE REFUGEES...... 114
MANTIRI REJECTED AS AMBASSADOR ...... 114 MANTIRI APPOINTMENT ATTACKED IN OZ ...... 114 THE MANTIRI APPOINTMENT...... 114 FURY OVER MANTIRI APPOINTMENT...... 115 PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR EAST TIMOR (AUSTRALIA) WRITES GARETH EVANS...... 116 MANTIRI REMARKS IN ‘THE AUSTRALIAN’ ...... 116 LABOR MP’S SAY STAND ON ENVOY ‘WEAK’ ...... 117 AUSTRALIA: AMNESTY IN TIMOR PROTEST...... 117 MANTIRI PUTS TIES FI RST AS PRESSURE MOUNTS...... 117 MANTIRI CHOSEN FOR TIMOR EXPERIENCE...... 117 INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRALIA DEFIANT...... 118 MANTIRI INTERVIEWED...... 118 EDITORIAL, JAKARTA POST ...... 118 CONTROVERSIAL NEW INDONESIAN ENVOY MAY WITHDRAW ...... 119 INDONESIA SCRAPS APPOINTMENT OF EN VOY TO AUSTRALIA...... 119 “LOYAL SOLDIER” MANTIRI ACCEPTS ENVOY CANCELLATION...... 119 MANTIRI NOT TO BE AMBASSADOR ...... 119 Page 6 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE? ...... 120 INDONESIA AND TIMOR...... 120 EAST TIMOR’S LONG REACH EXPOSED BY ENVOY ROW...... 120 EAST TIMORESE CLAIM TRIUMPH FOR AUSTRALIAN MORAL VALUES ...... 121 JAKARTA POST ON MANTIRI WITHDRAWAL...... 122 JAKARTA BOWS TO PROTEST OVER GENERAL AS ENVOY ...... 122 FOR THE SAKE OF A TANTRUM WE LOSE OUR STATUS IN ASIA ...... 122 MANTIRI AFFAIR A TEST OF RI-AUSTRALIAN RELATIONS...... 123 JAKARTA, CANBERRA WILL OVERCOME PROBLEMS: ENVOY ...... 123 INDON-AUSSIE TIES REMAIN STRONG DESPITE MANTIRI AFFAIR ...... 123 “DIPLOMATIC BUNGLING” ON MANTIRI ...... 124 MANTIRI AND RI AMBASSADORS...... 125 JAKARTA KEEN TO SEN D NEW ENVOY ...... 125 INDONESIA SAYS ENVOY CHOICE IN ITS HANDS ...... 125
DARWIN CONFERENCE ON INDONESIA AND REGIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION ...... 126 INFIGHT/LPHAM OPEN LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS...... 126 XANANA GUSMÃO MESSAGE ...... 126 SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FROM FREE EAST TIMOR JAPAN COALITION ...... 127 OPENING ADDRESS ...... 128 SPRIM STATEMENT...... 129 STATEMENT BY INDONESIAN DELEGATION...... 129 CLOSING STATEMENT...... 130 DARWIN CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON EAST TIMOR ...... 130 INDONESIAN REPORT: AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE ON EAST TIMOR ...... 131 PIJAR LETTER TO CNRM ...... 131
MELBOURNE MEETING ...... 131 XANANA: INDEPENDENCE IS NEVER AN END IN ITSELF...... 131 WITNESS FROM DILI ...... 132 MELBOURNE EAST TIMOR SOLIDARITY CONFEREN CE ...... 135
EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND ...... 135 (NZ) GOVERNMENT INCONSISTENT, SAYS LEE...... 135 NZ PROTEST AT EXERCISE WITH INDONESIANS...... 135 PROTEST ACTIVITIES IN NZ...... 135 ETIC: JOINT AIR FORCE EXERCISE “SHAMEFUL” ...... 136 NEW ZEALAND ENVOY CALLED IN OVER FLAG BURNING...... 136
EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES...... 136 REP. JOHN PORTER ON EAST TIMOR ...... 136 CALIFORNIA-NEVADA METHODIST 1995 RESOLUTION ...... 137 CONGRESS DISCUSSES IMET...... 138 US AMBASSADOR PRAISES SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR...... 141 NEW US AMBASSADOR TO INDONESIA NOMINATED...... 141 US ADMIRAL: OUT OF EAST TIMOR ...... 141 HOUSE DEBATE ON REFUSAL TO DEBATE IMET ...... 142 HORTA TO RECEIVE PRIZE ...... 144 INTEGRATION DAY: ETAN/LA DEMO...... 144 U.S. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PUBLIC POLICY STATEMENT...... 144 CORPORATE PREDATOR: FREEPORT-MCMORAN AT HOME & ABROAD ...... 145 U.S. POST OFFICE DELETES EAST TIMOR...... 149 INTEGRATION DAY IN CALIFORNIA...... 149 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 7
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS AND FINANCE: THE INTERNATIONAL ARMS TRADE...... 150 ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES COMPROMISE TO TRANSFER SOME WEAPONS TO PAKISTAN ...... 152 WHITE HOUSE HAS OFFERED TO TRANSFER F-16S TO INDONESIA IN THREE-WAY DEAL ...... 152 DR. KISSINGER: WHAT ABOUT EAST TIMOR?...... 154 IN CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE...... 156 FREEDOM, FOR SOME INDONESIANS ...... 156 AUGUST 17 IN LOS ANGELES ...... 157
EVENTS IN CANADA...... 157 ETAN/OTTAWA PROTEST JULY 17 ...... 157 CANADIAN MINISTER SEES IMPROVEMENTS ...... 157 ETAN/CANADA OPPOSED NEW AID TO INDONESIA...... 157
RESOURCES...... 158 ACTIVIST KIDS HELP EAST TIMOR ...... 158 MORTEN HARKET SINGS EAST TIMOR...... 158
collect data on the struggle of the East ises by the Indonesian officials were meant HISTORICAL REVIEW Timorese people, especially the Viqueque to make the people satisfied. movement of 1959.” Alexandre Jesus, from Ermera, told the meeting that many innocent people were INDONESIA’S DESPERAT E A participant in the meeting sent the follow- ing signed report: detained by the Portuguese authorities at the time. Upon arrival in Angola, the Portuguese ATTEMPT TO REVISE EAST On the 8 of June the Secretary of the political police separate the deported into TIMOR HISTORY (1959 Governor Abilio Soares told us, those of two groups: those guilty of involvement in 1959, in a very bold and menacing tone, that PERMESTA SURVIVORS) the rebellion, and those who had no in- we must get together and write a national volvement... CNRM Media Release, 2 July 1995. history stating that the East Timor people Indonesia is currently desperately trying already wished integration with Indonesia as In 1959, 14 Indonesian survivors of the to manipulate the events of 1959, coercing far back as 1959. This history would be sent failed separatist PERMESTA rebellion in people to affirm that they already in 1959 as soon as possible to the Central Govern- Sulawesi fled to Portuguese Timor where wanted integration with Indonesia. ment in Jakarta, to be published by [Presi- they were granted asylum. Feeling ill at ease Where were the Indonesians in 1959? dent] Suharto and forwarded to the United with the Portuguese system, they attempted Why did they not come immediately to help Nations, as evidence of the desire since 1959 to exploit local dissent among some us then? of the whole East Timorese people to inte- Timorese ethnic groups, instigating an ama- It was only in 1975, after the Portuguese grate with Indonesia. teurish rebellion against the colonial admini- allowed East Timor to be free, that the In- The meeting was chaired by the Gover- stration in the Viqueque area. The Indone- donesians dared to invade this territory. nor’s secretary Mr. Chiquito Osorio and sian Consul in Dili supported these efforts, What shame on them! other Indonesian officials. He insisted that in opposition to the official position of Dili, June 15, 1995 Jakarta. The badly planned rebellion failed, we surrender any official documentation of the time in our possession which may be causing the expulsion of the Indonesians, INDONESIAN MILITARY some 150 casualties and 60 Timorese de- useful to support this argument. Mr. José ported to Angola and Mozambique by the Duarte, uncle of the Governor and of the CHIEFS KNEW (OF DILI Portuguese colonial authorities. meeting’s Chairman said he had such docu- MASSACRE IN ADVANCE) It is reported from Dili that Indonesia is ments, which he would make available to the now trying to rewrite history, attempting to Indonesian authorities. UNITED NATIONS, (July 12) IPS – A force the surviving 1959 deported to state Indonesia is at present planning to build a three-year-old U.S. military intelligence that their rebellion had been aimed at inte- monument in Viqueque as a memorial of the document that was leaked recently may gration with Indonesia, so as to be able to killing of many Timorese in 1959 by the shed light on the role Indonesia’s top mili- claim that pro-Indonesian integration feel- Portuguese at the ‘Watu Lari’ river. It is tary brass played in a 1991 massacre in East ings have been present for a long time among planned to invite the Minister Secretary of Timor. many East Timorese, reaching an over- Sate Murdiono to the laying of the first When Indonesian army soldiers massa- whelming majority in 1975. stone on 1 September 95. The monument cred more than 200 Timorese at the Santa A letter (005/866/depsos/VI/1995) was should be inaugurated by 10 November 95. Cruz cemetery in Dili on Nov. 12 1991, sent on 5 June by the Government Secretary The Governor’s Secretary and Chiquito Jakarta’s military heads insisted that the to the 1959 deported, calling for their atten- Osorio said they would visit the 13 regen- killings were not official policy. dance at a meeting of the Indonesian 50th cies to find out the names of all the casual- A handful of soldiers linked directly to Independence Anniversary Committee on 8 ties of 1959 and locate heir descendants, so the shootings of the Timorese, who were June at 09.00, at the Governors office in that they can jointly write the history and carrying out a peaceful funeral procession, Dili. The agenda of the meeting was “to join in building the monument. These prom- Page 8 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
were convicted of their role and sentenced to Last year, Bacre Waly Ndiaye, a U.N. DOI: 6 APR 92 (AS OF 1430 EDT) jail. special reporter on extra-judicial executions, But the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency called the Santa Cruz deaths “a planned TEXT: 1. xxxxxxxx THE DILI (DIA), in a secret communiqué dated Apr. military operation designed to deal with a INCIDENT HAS CHANGED THE 6, 1992, indicates that two top-ranking In- public expression of political dissent.” PROSPECTS OF KEYS (sic) donesian generals knew in detail about the As high as the death toll may have been – PLAYERS IN THE MANEUVERING FOR Santa Cruz killings. One of them, Gen. Try Nairn cites 270 deaths – the Santa Cruz PROMOTION. Sutrisno, accused of masterminding the mas- killings may only be the tip of the iceberg. 2. xxxxxxx MINISTER OF DEFENSE sacre, is now Indonesia’s vice president. Simon de Faux, an Australian nurse, said AND SECURITY MOERDANI FEELS In the classified cable, a DIA official in after visiting East Timor in February and THAT GENERAL TRY SUTRISNO, Washington says that “Minister of Defense March that “I was told since Santa Cruz PRESENT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, and Security (Benny) Moerdani feels that there’s been another six massacres of equal COMMITTED POLITICAL SUICIDE BY General Try Sutrisno, present Commander- magnitude.” HIS ROLE IN THE DILI INCIDENT in-Chief, committed political suicide by his Some 200,000 people, approximately ON EAST TIMOR LAST NOVEMBER. role in the Dili incident on East Timor last one-third of East Timor’s population in ONCE VIEWED AS A LIKELY VICE- November.” 1975, were killed in the immediate aftermath PRESIDENT AND SUCCESSOR TO The DIA official goes on to conjecture, of Indonesia’s 1975 invasion and annexation PRESIDENT SOEHARTO, HE MIGHT, incorrectly, that Sutrisno may have lost his of the then-Portuguese colony the following AT BEST, BE MADE MINISTER OF chances of becoming vice-president, while year. DEFENSE AND SECURITY AFTER Moerdani stood to gain politically in his U.N.-brokered talks between Indonesia’s MOERDANI. stead. and Portugal’s foreign minister have brought But, as one U.S. journalist who was pre- some improvement of religious and cultural 3. xxxxxxxx CONVERSELY, sent at the Santa Cruz massacre argued, the rights in the largely Catholic and Tetum- MOERDANI NOW SEES MG TANJUNG, important thing about the cable is that it speaking island. But most aspects of Indo- RECENTLY CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMY confirms that one top Indonesian general nesia’s military rule remain unchanged and MILITARY HONOR COMMISSION knew that another’s role in the killings was a have not been investigated. INVESTIGATING THE DILI serious and potentially career-ending one. INCIDENT, AS A RISING STAR, The journalist, Allan Nairn, said in a TEXT OF US GOVERNMENT MEMO LIKELY TO BECOME THE NEXT statement to the U.N. Decolonization Here’s the text of the US government memo COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. ARMY CHIEF Committee: “Both Gen. Moerdani and Gen. received by Allan Nairn under the Freedom OF STAFF SUDRADJAT, WHO IS NOW Sutrisno should be brought before a U.N.- of Information Act. Some areas were ASSESSED AS BEING IN GOOD convened tribunal and questioned under blacked out by the US government – these HEALTH AND VERY POPULAR IN THE oath.” are indicated by lower-case xxx’s. I’ve tried ARMED FORCES, IS CONSIDERED He added that they should be asked, to preserve the layout as closely as possible, THE TOP CANDIDATE FOR THE “What does Moerdani know about the mas- to make it easy for those who are used to IMPORTANT POSITION OF VICE- sacre and, specifically, Sutrisno’s role in it? reading this stuff to evaluate the memo. It is PRESIDENT. What orders did Sutrisno give to the regional all in upper case. 4. xxxxxxxx MOERDANI HIMSELF commander, Gen. Sintong Panjaitan, and, IS SEEKING TO BECOME SPEAKER through him, to the commanders on the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OF THE PARLIAMENT. HE SAYS ground in Dili, Gen. Warouw and Col. Gatot *** BEGIN MESSAGE 93 *** THAT FOR DEMOCRACY TO BE Purwanto?” SERIAL=DODID97-5A UDN=X(19860) SUCCESSFUL, THE LEGISLATIVE That chain of command has never been CLASS=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx BRANCH NEEDS A POPULAR, identified. But, in the past, the generals who DE YUEKJCS #1167 0980305 FORCEFUL, AND WELL-CONNECTED dominate President Soeharto’s regime have ZNY MMORN LEADER. MOERDANI FEELS HIS often been outspoken about their support ZKZK PP IZD NDA RLK DE CURRENT POSITION IS SOMETHING for a violent crackdown on Timorese protes- P 061631Z APR 92 OF A FIGUREHEAD, AND WHILE THE tors. ZEM CURRENT SPEAKER IS ALSO RATHER Sutrisno, two days after the Santa Cruz xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx POWERLESS, MOERDANI FEELS HE massacre, told a public meeting of military REFORMATTED COULD RISE TO THE CHALLENGE graduates that the funeral marchers were PTTCZYUW RUEKJCS1167 0980305- AND INCREASE THE INFLUENCE OF “people who must be crushed, “ and added, xxxxx-RUCRDIB. THE SPEAKER AND THE “In the end, they will have to be shot ZNY xxxxxx PARLIAMENT. down.” P 061631Z APR 92 Gen. Herman Mantiri, who last week FM DIA WASHINGTON DC//J21-6A// S. xxxxxxx COMMENT: IT IS was withdrawn as Indonesia’s choice for TO DIACURINTEL CONCEIVABLE THAT MOERDANI ambassador to Australia, added in 1992, RUCJACC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB KNOWS OR BELIEVES THAT THE “They were opposing us, demonstrating, FL RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE even yelling things against the government. AIG 7036 PARLIAMENT VIS-A-VIS THE To me this is identical with rebellion, so that BT EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE is why we took firm action.” xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx THEORETICALLY POWERFUL Activists worldwide have demanded a PEOPLE’S DELIBERATIVE COUNCIL SERIAL: DODID 97-5A Nuremberg-style U.N. investigation into the IS TO INCREASE. OTHERWISE, IT Santa Cruz killing and other atrocities com- SUBJ: INDONESIA: SUCCESSION IS UNLIKELY THAT MOERDANI mitted during Indonesia’s 20-year occupa- SPECULATION. (U) WOULD SEEK WHAT PRESENTLY IS A tion of East Timor. RELATIVELY POWERLESS THOUGH East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 9
PRESTIGIOUS POSITION. tuperative contemporary remarks made licly, to Soeharto’s dismay, since, among UNDOUBTEDABLY, (sic) MOERDANI about the massacre while Soeharto was other reasons, Soeharto and even Benny SEES THE SPEAKER’S OFFICE AS A on a trip abroad. It is common knowledge didn’t consider Try sufficiently bright FORUM TO PRESENT THE that Soeharto felt Try had bungled “han- and shrewd to be first in line for succes- MILITARY’S VIEWS. SHOULD HE dling” of the incident. Soeharto almost sion to the Presidency. OBTAIN THE POST, MOERDANI immediately launched his now equally CE: 4. xxxxxxxx MOERDANI HIMSELF IS WOULD BE ACTIVE IN PRESSURING well-known personal damage control ex- SEEKING TO BECOME SPEAKER OF THE SOEHARTO GOVERNMENT TO ercise as a result. THE PARLIAMENT. HE SAYS THAT ACCORD TO MILITARY INTERESTS. CE: ONCE VIEWED AS A LIKELY VICE- FOR DEMOCRACY TO BE xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx PRESIDENT AND SUCCESSOR TO SUCCESSFUL, THE LEGISLATIVE PRESIDENT SOEHARTO, HE BRANCH NEEDS A POPULAR, JOHN MACDOUGALL COMMENT: MIGHT, AT BEST, BE MADE FORCEFUL, AND WELL- Charlie Scheiner (CS) remark: Here’s the MINISTER OF DEFENSE AND CONNECTED LEADER. MOERDANI text of the US government memo received SECURITY AFTER MOERDANI. FEELS HIS CURRENT POSITION IS SOMETHING OF A FIGUREHEAD, by Allan Nairn under the Freedom of In- JAM: If reported correctly, Benny was AND WHILE THE CURRENT formation Act. obviously wrong. Try, in fact, became SPEAKER IS ALSO RATHER Vice President in maneuvers carried out John A. MacDougall (JAM) remark: I’m POWERLESS, MOERDANI FEELS HE by Benny himself and Harsudiyono Har- relieved to learn this is a declassified COULD RISE TO THE CHALLENGE tas. document released under the FOIA, not a AND INCREASE THE INFLUENCE “leak” of a “secret” document as the IPS CE: 3. xxxxxxxx CONVERSELY, OF THE SPEAKER AND THE story describes it. MOERDANI NOW SEES MG PARLIAMENT. TANJUNG, RECENTLY CHAIRMAN CS: Some areas were blacked out by the US JAM: Benny didn’t get that job, ostensibly OF THE ARMY MILITARY HONOR government – these are indicated by DPR Chairman. However, the DPR and COMMISSION INVESTIGATING lower-case xxx’s. MPR chairs then (and so far still) get oc- THE DILI INCIDENT, AS A RISING cupied by the same person. It is incon- JAM: The blacked out areas at the beginning STAR, LIKELY TO BECOME THE ceivable that Soeharto would allow of each paragraph are classification levels NEXT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. for the respective paragraphs. A classi- Benny, out of favor for some time, to oc- fied document gets marked according to JAM: This in fact did eventually occur. But cupy the MPR Chair. The person in this the highest of these portion classifica- the appointment came as somewhat a position has the job of making sure all tions. The highest classification level surprise. After all, the talk here is about a goes smoothly when the MPR “elects” would appear near the top of the cable Major General, not an active or retired 3- the President. Almost surely Benny’s and has been blacked out. So it is impos- or 4-star officer. It is very hard to predict remarks are substantially under-reported sible to know from what we see what the the career fates of Major Generals in the here to the point of being misleading. Indonesian Army. Just consider that all overall classification level is. The subject CE: S. xxxxxxx COMMENT: IT IS the Kodam commanders are Major Gen- of the cable, the succession, is marked U CONCEIVABLE THAT MOERDANI erals. for unclassified. This is not a cable per se KNOWS OR BELIEVES THAT THE about the Dili massacre. CE: ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE CS: I’ve tried to preserve the layout as SUDRADJAT, WHO IS NOW PARLIAMENT VIS-A-VIS THE closely as possible, to make it easy for ASSESSED AS BEING IN GOOD EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE those who are used to reading this stuff HEALTH AND VERY POPULAR IN THEORETICALLY POWERFUL to evaluate the memo. It is all in upper THE ARMED FORCES, IS PEOPLE’S DELIBERATIVE COUNCIL case. CONSIDERED THE TOP IS TO INCREASE. CANDIDATE FOR THE JAM: Here the cable writer inserts a brief JAM: I suppose I am one of those “used to IMPORTANT POSITION OF VICE- end-opinion, a common practice. But in reading” this stuff. Brief cables of this PRESIDENT. sort are almost always capitalized for fact the DPR did not experience an in- purposes of OCR (optical character rec- JAM: Edi eventually became Minister of crease in power. The opposite happened. Defense and Security after holding sev- ognition). CE: OTHERWISE, IT IS UNLIKELY eral powerful posts simultaneously for a THAT MOERDANI WOULD SEEK Cable excerpt (CE): 2. xxxxxxx MINISTER very brief time. But whose assessment WHAT PRESENTLY IS A OF DEFENSE AND SECURITY this is remains unclear. The sentence RELATIVELY POWERLESS THOUGH MOERDANI FEELS THAT GENERAL dangles and does mention Benny explic- PRESTIGIOUS POSITION. TRY SUTRISNO, PRESENT itly. Edi was considered too independent UNDOUBTEDABLY, (sic) COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, an Army Commander for Soeharto’s MOERDANI SEES THE SPEAKER’S COMMITTED POLITICAL SUICIDE taste and almost certainly was not being OFFICE AS A FORUM TO PRESENT BY HIS ROLE IN THE DILI touted by him as the (then) next Vice THE MILITARY’S VIEWS. INCIDENT ON EAST TIMOR LAST President. It would be very odd for NOVEMBER. Benny to have been unaware of this. JAM: This is pretty elementary bad choice JAM: The cable says nothing specific Benny’s group strategized on how to of language at best. Benny has always about the nature of Try Sutrisno’s role, if block Soeharto from putting Habibie in as represented more than “the military’s any, in the Dili incident. Benny’s remark Vice President. After pondering an ap- views.” He knows acutely “the military” about Try’s role likely refers to Try’s vi- proach of offering Soeharto three names, does not hold unitary views. When in one they opted to push Try only, and pub- or another office, he often commented on Page 10 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
a wide array of subjects with no ostensi- in it? What orders did Sutrisno give to the Last year, Bacre Waly Ndiaye, a U.N. ble military connection. He knows a DPR regional commander, Gen. Sintong Panjai- special reporter on extra-judicial executions, Chairman cannot simply act like the chair tan, and, through him, to the commanders called the Santa Cruz deaths “a planned of the DPR’s ABRI faction. on the ground in Dili, Gen. Warouw and military operation designed to deal with a Col. Gatot Purwanto?” public expression of political dissent.” CE: SHOULD HE OBTAIN THE POST, MOERDANI WOULD BE ACTIVE IN That chain of command has never been JAM: In fact, the Special Rapporteur’s PRESSURING THE SOEHARTO identified. But, in the past, the generals who conclusion is not supported by hard evi- GOVERNMENT TO ACCORD TO dominate President Soeharto’s regime have dence in his full report. The conclusion is MILITARY INTERESTS. often been outspoken about their support pure inference, not deduction. Only cir- for a violent crackdown on Timorese protes- cumstantial evidence is presented. In ad- JAM: Enough has already been said to give tors. dition, the language is loose. “Planned” an indication of the quality of much DIA JAM: There were multiple chains of com- may well hold true for certain elements of political reporting. mand affecting East Timor operations at the killings, especially military maneu- IPS excerpt (IPS): UNITED NATIONS, that time. The article seems to suggest vers made in the very short time frame as (July 12) IPS – A three-year-old U.S. that Allan Nairn believes one of these, the demonstrations proceeded. But noth- military intelligence document that was originating from the then ABRI Com- ing appears in the report – or anywhere leaked recently may shed light on the role mander (Try), did in fact carry deliberate else I know – showing that there was a Indonesia’s top military brass played in a orders to carry out the massacre. There is previous overall plan for a massacre. Yet 1991 massacre in East Timor. in fact no available evidence supporting the Special Rapporteur’s inference still this. There is also no available evidence gets uncritically repeated. Hard evidence JAM: Plainly the document sheds no light implicating Sintong Pandjaitan in order- is what is needed. I would personally be at all on the role of any Indonesian mili- ing, or following orders, to launch such a glad to look at it, then draw the necessary tary officer in the Dili massacre. massacre. The court suit against him in conclusions publicly and then take ap- IPS: But the U.S. Defense Intelligence the US was won on the legal technicality propriate actions. Agency (DIA), in a secret communiqué that neither he nor any defense attorney IPS: But most aspects of Indonesia’s mili- dated Apr. 6, 1992, indicates that two representing him showed up for the trial. tary rule remain unchanged and have not top-ranking Indonesian generals knew in The court then ruled in the plaintiff’s fa- been investigated. detail about the Santa Cruz killings. vor. Such is the quality of American jus- tice. JAM: It is difficult to understand how such JAM: Plainly the document does not say an uninformed sentence, especially the this at all. It touches only on political IPS: Sutrisno, two days after the Santa Cruz final four words, could have escaped a handling of the massacre, not the massa- massacre, told a public meeting of mili- knowledgeable editor’s hand. cre itself. tary graduates that the funeral marchers were “people who must be crushed, “ IPS: One of them, Gen. Try Sutrisno, ac- and added, “In the end, they will have to CHRONICLE OF AN cused of masterminding the massacre, is be shot down.” UNEXPECTED INVASION (OF now Indonesia’s vice president. JAM: These were in fact the gist of Try’s US EMBASSY) JAM: Plainly the document does not point intemperate remarks when he lamely the finger at Try as “masterminding the Publico, 25 June 1995. By J. Trigo de Ne- tried to handle damage control shortly af- massacre.” I know of no evidence he did greiros. Translated from Portuguese, ter the massacre. Even DPR members so. Abridged considered this outburst foolish and IPS: But, as one U.S. journalist who was counter-productive. But they did not Lisbon – The first time it was mentioned present at the Santa Cruz massacre ar- draw the inference this meant Try was in an Indonesian hospital ward. Domin- gued, the important thing about the cable planned the massacre. gos Alves, a leader of the East Timorese is that it confirms that one top Indone- Students’ National Resistance – Renetil – IPS: Gen. Herman Mantiri, who last week sian general knew that another’s role in had managed to get permission to visit Fer- was withdrawn as Indonesia’s choice for the killings was a serious and potentially nando Araujo, Renetil’s Secretary General. ambassador to Australia, added in 1992, career-ending one. Araujo, imprisoned in Cipinang since No- “They were opposing us, demonstrating, vember 1991 and in poor health because of JAM: This was common knowledge. It even yelling things against the govern- ill-treatment in prison, had been admitted to hardly needs more “confirmation.” ment. To me this is identical with rebel- the Cikini hospital, near the big Indonesian lion, so that is why we took firm action.” IPS: The journalist, Allan Nairn, said in a prison, for treatment. statement to the U.N. Decolonization JAM: This is indeed the gist of what Man- Here was an opportunity to talk to him Committee: “Both Gen. Moerdani and tiri told Editor some months after the about an idea that was just starting to ger- Gen. Sutrisno should be brought before a massacre. Now he has made clear that minate. It was October 1994, and just one U.N.-convened tribunal and questioned “all Indonesians” deeply regretted the month away from the APEC summit, which under oath.” killings. Why did IPS not report these would bring Bill Clinton and a battalion of widely publicized remarks? The answer foreign journalists to Jakarta. JAM: Not a very realistic proposal, is it. Is is plain. The article is a hatchet job. In his hospital bed, Fernando Araujo it productive to indulge in millenarianism heard of the plan to organise a demonstra- of this sort? IPS: Activists worldwide have demanded a tion outside the US Embassy, while Presi- Nuremberg-style U.N. investigation into IPS: He added that they should be asked, dent Clinton and all the foreign press were the Santa Cruz killing and other atrocities “What does Moerdani know about the in Jakarta. committed during Indonesia’s 20-year massacre and, specifically, Sutrisno’s role occupation of East Timor. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 11
That was the original idea – dangerous, (trump card), in an attempt to encourage from here to Jakarta, so as not to arouse any but a chance not to be missed: a Summit in their reticent companions. suspicion. Jakarta coinciding with another Santa Cruz The decision to go ahead was taken a Bus 16 hours is a long time. Some anniversary. It was a perfect scenario to week before 12 November. Meanwhile, in Timorese ... slackened their discipline .. and attract attention. Domingos would have to order to mislead the Indonesians with the language of East Timor was heard in the study a plan, and Xanana Gusmão’s views counter-information, Renetil circulated ru- carriages. It was enough to alert Suharto’s would have to be sought. mours about something happening on 14th. police. At least this is how Renetil’s leaders Some days after this conversation, The preparation of operation “Trepe” explain the “reception” they received on Araujo was discharged from hospital. He was well underway when the students re- arrival to Jakarta’s station. was sent back to Cipinang prison, where ceived an urgent message from Cipinang. As they descended from the train the Xanana Gusmão is also imprisoned. After giving the Renetil leaders the green Timorese realised that Indonesian police 4,000 Rupees were enough to bribe the light, Xanana Gusmão had thought about the were waiting for them. Reacting quicker than guard to allow Domingos Alves into Cipi- matter and decided to send some instruc- the others, a group led by Carlos da Silva nang prison with Fernando Araujo, and then tions. He wanted 300 people on the demo, Lopes managed to leave the station without to get access to Xanana’s cell. and even went in detail about how many problems. Domingos Alves had more diffi- Their meeting lasted 6 minutes. Domin- demonstrators should come from where – so culty. He gave orders for the other Timorese gos remembers Xanana’s words when he many from Jakarta, so many from Den- to split into groups of no more than five, was first confronted with the idea of the pasar, so many from Surabaya ... and to try to separately reach the Embassy demonstration outside the US Embassy, to “We became frightened,” recalls Domin- area. coincide with the APEC Summit: “I trust gos Alves. Renetil at that time had about 30 Looking back on the performance of the Renetil. I realise that you know how to activists ready to go into action. Xanana police, today Domingos considers that proceed.” With this carte blanche from the wanted ten times that number. Last minute “they made a big mistake.” By trying to highest authority, Domingos Alves and efforts to mobilise put the number of arrest the Timorese as soon as they got off Carlos da Silva Lopes began to study the Timorese with the necessary “mental out- the train, instead of following them dis- viability of the operation. The matter was look” for the operation at 78. creetly, the Indonesians made the demon- discussed among the principle leaders of the Out of those 78, only three or four lead- stration unworkable and forced the Timorese student organisation, in Jakarta ers knew that the invasion of the US Em- Timorese to go for the more radical option. and in Bali. bassy was a possibility. The others knew From that moment on, the three or four Naturally, the Indonesian authorities only of the demonstration. This was a “leaders” knew that there was no alternative were aware of the potentially explosive “leadership secret,” explained Domingos, to the occupation of the Embassy, whatever situation – the Summit coinciding with the adding that it was usual procedure in Renetil the outcome of that might be. Santa Cruz anniversary. Anticipating prob- actions – “the others automatically follow.” This objective, however, would not be lems, Jakarta’s military commander, Hendro TETUM ON THE TRAIN easy to reach. The Timorese regrouped near Priono, issued explicit public warnings: if the US mission. In a taxi, Domingos and At a pre-established time on 11 Novem- there are demonstrations, we open fire. other leaders tried to locate the various ber, the activists gathered in Surabaya, East groups scattered around the area. Of the 78 THE LEADERSHIP’S SECRET Java. For security reasons this meeting took activists that had left Surabaya, only 28 The warnings, Domingos recalls, made place in Indonesia’s second largest city, were left. The others had fallen into the considerable “psychological impact” on which is about 16 hours away from the hands of the police. some students. The more cautious of them capital by train. With the railings of the US Embassy in proposed that a petition addressed to Bill The Timorese travelled to Jakarta by sight, the Timorese prepared themselves for Clinton be delivered to the US Embassy, train. The presence of secret police inform- the decisive step. Hours later, pictures of without any demonstration. Others insisted ers wherever there are large numbers of them would be all over the international TV that there be a protest demo and suggested people – trains, buses, etc. – is well known. networks, while East Timor would, through that the operation be code-named “Trepe” Domingos has, therefore, given his compan- them, once again attract the world’s atten- ions a clear warning: not a word of Tetum tion.
EAST TIMOR’S ILLEGAL INTEGRATION By Paul Salim, July 19, 1995 If all materials are collected, most likely the majority discuss Hu- The author’s note: This article is an English version of “HUT ke 19 man Rights of East Timor, that is, Integrasi Illegal Timor Timur” which was posted into numerous 1. Self-Determination, Indonesian mailing lists two days ago to observe the 19th Anniver- 2. Massacre of 200,000 East Timorese and torture of prisoners sary of East Timor’s illegal integration into Indonesia. along with extrajudicial killings, all of which have been conducted by the Indonesian Armed Forces. Ladies and Gentlemen: This situation is caused by the “extreme” difficulty of how to The 17th day of July 1995 is the 19th anniversary of East counter directly the propaganda of the Soeharto Regime, who for Timor’s illegal integration into the Soeharto Regime’s territory of instance says that sealed roads during the Portuguese rule were only Indonesia. Since the integration, numerous articles on East Timor 12 Km long, whereas the ones during its rule are 536 Km long. Usu- have been published in newspapers, magazines, scientific journals ally, a participant of discussion reacts to the propaganda by saying: and Internet media; also, several radio talk shows and television pro- “Well, it is true that the Soeharto Regime has developed East Timor, grammes on that subject have been presented; and last but not least but all of the development is at the cost of sacrificing 200,000 East some rumours have circulated. Timorese as well as self-determination.” IMHO, this statement is very week, in that the propaganda, instead of being challenged, is Page 12 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
avoided; so, finally, only Human Right issues of East Timor always decreases to 60& appear. Now, let’s see how one can directly counter the Soeharto Re- Besides, there is another difficulty to explain whether Islamiza- gime’s propaganda which is quite powerful. tion and harassment of catholic followers in East Timor indeed oc- 1. Catholic Churches and Islamization in East Timor cur. One example is given in a movie “Death of a Nation” where John Pilger is forced to tell a story that the East Timorese people During the Portuguese rule, it is stated that less than 30% popula- (because of a former Portuguese colony) are always predominantly tion professed Catholics. One needs to inquire what was the religion Roman Catholics, and must undergo Islamization from the occupy- of the majority of the East Timorese (i.e., 70% population)? Several ing Indonesian troops who are mostly Muslims. From statistics, sources printed before the political turmoil in 1975-76 show that the however, at the beginning of the 1970s, only 30% population pro- majority of East Timorese was Animists [1,2], so it is not surprising fessed Catholics, and today the catholic followers have increased to that in 1972 only 196,570 people out of 639,051 population were 91.4% population. Therefore, we can see the weakness of John catholic followers [3]. Pilger’s statement. For observers who are not familiar with the polity of the Soeharto On this historic day, I am very pleased to offer some discussions Regime, it will be very difficult to address whether Islamization and which will hopefully be useful for East Timor activists around the harassment towards catholic followers in East Timor are possible, world to counter directly the propaganda of the Soeharto Regime in because as shown in Table 1 the number of catholic followers has the future. increased to 91.4% population and the number of catholic churches This article is divided into two paragraphs: has increased eight-folds! 1. contradictions for the Soeharto Regime’s propaganda Ladies and gentlemen ... the Soeharto Regime was established af- ter the so-called Gestapu “coup” which occurred in the evening of 1.1. Catholic churches and Islamization in East Timor 30th September 1965. The Soeharto Regime’s official statement with 1.2. construction of sealed roads regard to the “coup” is that the communists (the Indonesian Com- 1.3. construction of health care facilities munist Party [PKI] and its alleged sympathizers along with People’s 1.4. construction of education facilities Republics of China) were behind it which caused the death of 6 top 2. the current situation of East Timor economy Army generals and one lieutenants. Although the involvement of the aforementioned parties is still open to question, General Soeharto in 2.1. value of East Timor currency (ETC) a hurry banned the PKI and other “communist” activities in Indone- 2.2. export of East Timor and Oil in the Timor Gap sia after he obtained Supersemar from Soekarno (the former presi- CONTRADICTIONS FOR THE SOEHARTO REGIME’S dent of Indonesia) on 11 March 1966. Since 1966, though no law PROPAGANDA was written, all Indonesian citizens have been required to declare their religion (i.e., they are not allowed to be Atheists!). Strangely, The first and most important propaganda is used to convince In- religions allowed to be chosen by Indonesian people have been se- donesians as well as people around the world that there is no Islami- lected by the Soeharto Government, as follows: zation in East Timor. A proof given by the Soeharto Regime is very a. Islam powerful in the form of data showing that the number of catholic b. Catholics churches in East Timor has increased from 100 (during the Portu- c. Protestant guese rule) to 793 today. In addition, the number of catholic follow- d. Buddhism ers has also increased from 30% population to 91.4% today. e. Hinduism The second propaganda which is not less important than the first f. Confucianism. one is about the development progress of sealed roads from 12 Km Therefore, Animism which became the predominant religion of (during the Portuguese rule where was available only in Dili) to 500 the East Timorese during the Portuguese rule is not at all fit to any Km today which is available in all Regencies (“Kabupatens”) six religions “offered” by the Soeharto Regime. Not surprisingly, throughout East Timor. after the illegal integration in 1976, the people of East Timor have Moreover, there are two more important propaganda used by the been forced to choose one of the six religions, and as a result the Soeharto Regime to show that Portugal has done nothing during its majority of them now is catholic followers. Thus, it is very obvious 450 years of colonialism in East Timor. that the increase of the number of catholic followers and catholic A summary of all four propaganda is given in Table 1. churches does not mean that Islamization and harassment towards Table 1 – The Soeharto Regime’s Propaganda on East Timor catholic followers in East Timor never occur! Under Portugal Under Indonesia To answer whether the Islamization and harassment ever oc- (before 1975) (today) curred, one needs to use specific indicators. One of them is as said by Bishop Belo, “on Sunday mornings the local authorities organize The number of 100 (less than 30% 793 (91.4% population) community activities which clash with the village Catholic Mass” churches (number of population) [4]. The other indicators are the act of two Muslim Indonesian sol- Catholic followers) diers trampling on Holy Communion wafers at a Roman Catholic The length of sealed 12 Km (only in Dili) 536 km in all 13 Regen- church in the village of Remeksio on 28th June ‘94, and a harassment roads cies of two catholic nuns by four Muslim Indonesian soldiers on the The number of heath 2 hospitals only in Dili 10 hospitals and 197 campus of the University of East Timor (UNTIM) during an en- care facilities employing 3 doctors and infirmaries in every Sub- trance examination on 13th July last year. 2 dentists district employing 110 2. Construction of sealed roads doctors & 14 dentists It is very ridiculous that the Soeharto Regime underestimates the The number of 30(Primary), 5(Junior 580(Primary), 94(Junior construction of sealed roads conducted by the Portuguese govern- schools and illiteracy High), 1 (Senior High) and High), 44(Senior High), 1 ment in East Timor. Statistical data from 1965 to 1968 from the rate illiteracy rate 92% (Univ.) and illiteracy rate East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 13
“Instituto Nacional de Estatistica (Lisboa, Portugal)” are given in Table 3 – Health Care Facilities in East Timor detail in Table 2 below. Year Table 2 – Land Transportation in East Timor Subjects 1959 1960 1966 1968 Year Health Institution 16 n.a. 22 26 Subjects 1965 1966 1967 1968 Public Hospital 3 3 10 10 Road length (Km) 1956 1920 1962 1968 Private Hospital 1 1 1 1 of 1st class 582 526 526 526 Infirmary & Maternity Hospital 12 n.a. 10 14 of 2nd class 476 397 610 610 others n.a. n.a. 1 1 of 3rd class 259 270 151 151 Subsidiary Laboratory n.a. n.a 1 2 of no class 639 727 675 713 of bacteriologic n.a. n.a. n.a. 1 Expenses for development and 3442 n.a. 10506 12135 others n.a. n.a. 1 1 maintenance of the roads (in 1000 Escudo) Personnel in service 140 104 129 154 Note: n.a. = not available; 1000 Escudo = US$ 40 Doctor 13 9 19 22 Source: “Anuario Estatistico – 1966,” vol. II (Provincias Ultramarinas), p. 188, Pharmacist 1 1 1 2 Instituto Nacional de Estatistica – Portugal (1966); “Anuario Estatistico – 1968,” Analyst n.a.. n.a. 1 1 vol. II (Provincias Ultramarinas), p. 134, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica – Nurse and assistant 54 25 88 101 Portugal (1968) Midwife 12 10 14 14 Consequently, during the Portuguese rule in East Timor, the Others 60 59 6 14 minimum length of sealed roads (which was of the first class) was already 526 Km. There are two problems here: Health care budget (1000 Esc.) 6718 5932 9597 15629 a. the Soeharto Regime lies to the people of Indonesia and around for health institution: 5845 4993 9597 15629 the world that the length of sealed roads in East Timor during the - personnel wages 3399 3047 5982 9753 Portuguese rule was only 12 Km; in fact, the sealed roads have been - others 2446 1946 3615 5876 526 Km long, not to mention other types of roads which were 1,500 for health assistance 873 939 t.t. t.t. Km long. And every year, the Portuguese colonial government had spent million of Escudos for the roads. Note: n.a. = not available; 1000 Escudo = US$ 40 b. the Soeharto Regime claimed to have constructed 524-kilometer Sumber: “Anuario Estatistico do Ultramar, 1960,” pp.40,42, Instituto Nacional de sealed roads (536 Km minus 12 Km) in East Timor; in fact, the re- Estatistica-Portugal (1960); “Anuario Estatistico, 1966,” vol. II (Provincias Ultra- gime only constructed maximum 10 (!) Km of sealed roads (536 Km marinas), pp.23-24, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Portugal (1966); today minus 526 Km during the Portuguese administration). “Anuario Estatistico, 1968,” vol. II (Provincias Ultramarinas), pp. 57-58, Instituto 3. Construction of Health Care Facilities Nacional de Estatistica The Soeharto Regime one more time lies to the world about the It is seen that 8 hospitals (10 today minus 2 during the Portu- construction of heath care facilities in East Timor. To prove it, let’s guese administration) which are claimed to have been built by the look at Table 3 below. Soeharto Regime are in fact inherited from Portugal before 1975! A further explanation is probably required to show why the number of infirmaries and maternity hospitals have increased 14- folds since Indonesia annexed East Timor. An infirmary (“klinik"/"puskesmas”) in Indonesia is usually a health institution of poor quality, which is without any laboratory facility, employs 1 or 2 nurses, and also 1 or 2 inexperienced doctors. From my observa- tion, all new graduates of the Faculty of Medicine in Indonesia are obliged (punishable by law) by the Soeharto Regime to perform health care duties in designated regions during 3 years after their graduation. So, briefly speaking, new doctors have to undergo “forced labour” in Indonesia during their first 3 years. And, it is they who support “puskesmas” throughout Indonesia including East Timor. Since the new doctors are inexperienced, it is not surprising that “puskesmas"/"klinik” cannot handle patients who require spe- cialists. Please note that specialists outside “puskesmas” always charge patients with much higher rates than the “puskesmas” doc- tors. Therefore, the operating cost for Indonesia’s “puskesmas” is very low, because: 1. the health facility is very poor, 2. doctors that work at “puskesmas” are under the programmes of “forced labour” from the Soeharto Regime, and they are inexperi- enced (because they just graduate from the Faculty of Medicine) so that their wages are automatically expected to be very low. So, it is not too surprising if the Soeharto Regime has been able to set up more than 180 “puskesmas” since 1976 employing more than 120 inexperienced doctors. Page 14 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
4. Construction of Education Facilities (Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa) The Soeharto Regime also does not tell the truth about the con- Military Academy 2 2 - - struction of education facilities in East Timor. Please refer to: Others 1 1 2 19 Table 4 – Education Facilities in East Timor before 1975. Total 15 24 18 39 Year 1958/59 Year 1965/66 Year 1971/72 Source: “Anuario Estatistico, 1963,” vol. II (Provincias Ultramarinas), p.57, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Portugal (1963); “Anuario Estatistico, 1966,” vol. School Teach Stu- School Teach Stu- School Teach Stu- II (Provincias Ultramarinas), p.51, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Portugal er dent er dent er dent (1966); “Anuario Estatistico, 1968,” vol. II (Provincias Ultramarinas), p.91, Kindergarten 41 62 2616 1 2 18 Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Portugal (1968). Public Frankly, there were few East Timorese who pursued higher edu- Catholic 40 61 cation during the Portuguese rule. However, two important points Private 1 1 should be brought up: Primary 111 177 5893 164 462 1848 339 667 3376 a. East Timorese university students were educated in Portugal 8 0 with high standard of university education (typical of European high Public 4 8 102 168 quality of education) Catholic 60 115 41 194 b. at this moment, even the Soeharto Regime is unable to break Private 47 54 21 100 the Portuguese record of sending East Timorese to study abroad. It is not caused by unavailable funds, but caused by a fact that almost Secondary 2 18 183 3 57 679 8 76 1359 every East Timorese sent to study overseas requests a political asy- Lycée 1 10 137 2 49 612 1 14 197 lum to a country where s/he is studying! As a result, since the illegal Public 1 39 integration of 17th July 1976, almost no East Timorese has been Catholic sent to study abroad by the Soeharto Regime! Public 1 10 1 10 EAST TIMOR’S ECONOMY Technical 1 8 46 4 39 930 East Timor’s economy is another subject of discussion which has Public always been avoided for the past 19 years. To highlight some impor- Catholic 1 8 tant points, let’s look at two of them given below. Private 1. Value of East Timor Currency (ETC) Ecclesiastic 1 8 67 3 23 232 The value of East Timor Currency (ETC) will be compared to an Teacher international currency, such as US Dollar. Please see Table 6. Training Table 6 – One US Dollar Valued in ETC Source: “Anuario Estatistico do Ultramar, 1960,” pp.51-52, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Portugal (1960); “Anuario Estatistico, 1966,” vol II (Provincias Ultra- Year ETC/US$ marinas), pp.49-50, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica-Portugal (1966); “Europa 1961 28.75 World Year Book,” vol. II, p.1314 (1976) 1972 25.12 According to the education programme in Indonesia in the 1970s, 1975 (December) 27.10 Indonesian children are given compulsory education in primary 1976 (the Day of Illegal Integration) 415.00 schools for 6 years. Even, in East Timor during the Portuguese rule, 1980 626.99 primary schools were important education institutions. Conse- 1985 1110.60 quently in the early 1970s, East Timor had 339 primary schools employing 339 teachers and educating 33,760 (!) students. However, 1990 1842.60 according to lies of the Soeharto Regime, at that time there were only 1995 2290.00 30 primary schools, so that 92% population was reported to have Source: before 1975 from “The Europa World Year Book"; after 1975 from “Inter- been illiterate. Not only that, but also the Soeharto Regime claims national Financial Statistics” published by IMF the construction of 550 primary schools (580 today minus 30 during Before East Timor was occupied by Indonesia, its currency was the Portuguese administration). It is very incorrect because, by look- very valuable and it only required 27 ETC (i.e., Escudo) to buy 1 ing at Table 4, one can count that only 141 (580 today minus 339 US$. But, on the day of the illegal integration, East Timor Currency from Table 4) primary schools ever built by the regime! was devalued as much as 15.3 (!) times. Today, due to economic How about East Timor’s tertiary education facilities during the mismanagement by the regime, 1 US$ is worth 2,290 ETC (i.e., Portuguese rule? Table 5 below will show you the detailed informa- Rupiah), or 85 times worse than during the Portuguese rule, or 5.5 tion. times worse than on the day of the integration. Table 5. The Number of East Timor’s University Students and Their Interviews with three East Timorese in North America reveal that Education Places since 17 July 1976 the Soeharto Regime has never requested the East Timorese people to hand over their Escudo to be replaced with Year Rupiah. So, it can be expected to happen that: Higher Education ‘61/2 ‘62/3 ‘65/66 ‘67/8 1. the wealth of East Timor during the Portuguese rule (valued in University of Coimbra (Universi- 2 7 7 7 Escudo) vanished on 17 July 1976 (the day of illegal integration) dade de Coimbra) 2. Indonesia’s Rupiah currency circulated in East Timor for the University of Lisbon (Universidade 4 5 4 8 first time through markets which were set up by the occupying In- de Lisboa) donesian forces and where the East Timorese sold their produce. University of Porto (Universidade 2 5 - - Also, Rupiah currency circulated through wages of public servants. de Porto) Rupiah’s currencies which were widely used in East Timor for the first time were Rp. 100, Rp. 25, Rp. 10, and Rp. 5. Technical University of Lisbon 4 4 5 5 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 15
2. Exports of East Timor and Oil in the Timor Gap tion of oil in the Timor Gap, which had lately been discussed at the The author found an interesting fact that East Timor’s exports International Court of Justice, have declined tremendously since the annexation by the Soeharto 2. why Portugal never had in mind the exploitation of oil in the Regime (see Table 7 below). Timor Gap during its administration. Table 7 actually has given some possible answers, that is, Table 7 – The Ability of East Timor to Export 1. because the balance of international trade of East Timor under Imports Exports Ratio of Portugal was not too bad (i.e., the ratio of overseas imports and Overseas exports ranging from 1.2 to 2.4), Portugal could easily correct East Imports & Timor’s balance of payments (including exports, imports, and other Exports transfer payments) using subsidies. So, Portugal did not need to Year Unit from Portu- from Over- to Portu- to Over- (5)=(2)/(4) exploit the Timor Gap’s oil in order to correct East Timor’s balance gal#(1) seas (2) gal# (3) seas(4) of payments, 1960 1000 Esc 16569 51227 7609 23042 2.2 2. however, the economic condition of East Timor is very differ- 1966 1000 Esc 65091 76377 3944 31472 2.4 ent since it is annexed by Indonesia. It can be understood from the fact that East Timor’s imports reach 12.4 times as high as its exports 1968 1000 Esc 93354 59917 6254 49098 1.2 (note: please compare the number with 1.2 to 2.4 during the Portu- 1991* 1000 US$ - 2134 - 172 12.4 guese rule). Because East Timor’s balance of trade has so much dete- # including Portugal, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, S. Tome & Prin- riorated, there are two options for the Soeharto Regime of Indonesia cipe, Angola, Mozambique, Goa-India, dan Macao to correct East Timor’s balance of payments every year: * Januari-Mei 1991 a. the Soeharto Regime must give heavy subsidies to East Timor, Source: “Anuario Estatistico do Ultramar, 1960,” pp. 83,88, Instituto Nacional de b. or, East Timor must look for ways to increase its exports. Estatistica-Portugal (1960); “Anuario Estatistico, 1966,” vol. II (Provincias Ultra- Since: a. probably, the Soeharto Regime does not have anymore marinas), pp. 91,97, Instituto Nacional de Estatistica- Portugal (1966) “Anuario sufficient subsidies for East Timor b. and, East Timor does not have other resources for exports, Estatistico, 1968,” vol. II (Provincias Ultramarinas), pp.177,181, Instituto Na- except oil in the Timor Gap, cional de Estatistica- Portugal (1968); Central Bureau of Statistics, “Indonesia there is only one alternative for the Soeharto Regime of Indonesia, Handbook 1994,” pp.97 that is, to exploit oil in the Timor Gap, even in the midst of heavy It is very surprising that economic records of East Timor under criticisms around the world! the Portuguese administration cannot be maintained by the Soeharto Regime. Please see that during the Portuguese rule, the ratio of ove r- REFERENCES seas imports and exports (note: overseas = excluding Portugal and 1. “The Europa World Year Book,” vol. II, p. 1311 (1976) its dependencies as described under Table 7) always ranged between 2. Jill Jolliffe, “East Timor: Nationalism and Colonialism,” p. 16, University of Queensland Press (1978) 1.2 and 2.4. Today, East Timor under Indonesia has imports which 3. “The Europa World Year Book,” vol. II, pp.1248-1249 (1976) are 12.4 times as much as its exports. It means that East Timor has 4. Vatikiotis, M., “Troubled Timor,” Far Eastern Economic Review, been converted by the Soeharto Regime into the biggest importer!! p. 44, 16 November 1989 Again, not many observers realize: 1. the relationship between the bad balance of international trade (i.e., overseas imports over exports) of East Timor and the exploita-
EAST TIMORESE The Indonesian military held a formal who was governor of East Timor from 1976 ceremony in the East Timor village of Balibo until his unceremonious removal in January, SIGNATORY REJECTS on Monday in front of foreign journalists, to 1980. INTEGRATION PACT commemorate the declaration, which Jakarta Indonesia used the Balibo declaration as cites as evidence of East Timorese support justification for its full-scale invasion of the By Jeremy Wagstaff, Reuter. Abridged. for integration. territory a week after its signature, its an- JAKARTA, July 18 (Reuter) – One of Gonçalves said he was the first signatory nexation the following year and in part its six signatories to a 1975 declaration, which to renounce the declaration, but academics refusal to heed calls for a referendum on Indonesia claims as justification for its inva- said at least two others may have indicated East Timor’s future. sion of East Timor, said on Tuesday he had their rejection of its contents. It was not Gonçalves said he had decided to with- withdrawn his support for the document, possible to contact other signatories, three draw his support after failing to persuade calling it a sham. of whom live overseas. Jakarta to change its policy in East Timor. Guilherme Gonçalves, a former governor One, Alexandrino Borromeo, said during He wrote a letter formally cancelling his of East Timor, told Reuters he now rejected the Balibo commemoration on Monday he signature on June 3 this year, a day before the Balibo Declaration, signed by him and stood by the declaration’s contents and that handing it to U.N. Secretary-General five other senior East Timorese under Indo- those who opposed integration were a mi- Boutros Boutros-Ghali during an unprece- nesian protection before Jakarta’s invasion nority. dented round of East Timorese talks which of the former Portuguese territory. Gonçalves said the declaration was in fact the two attended in Salzburg, Austria, he “I withdrew my signature from integra- signed by four East Timorese in nearby Bali, said. tion because what I wanted from it has not and then by two others in the East Timor “After integration, conditions have wors- been given by Indonesia. After 20 years of town of Atambua, a day after the then ened: killings, rape, torture and its makes integration, the problem of East Timor has dominant party in East Timor, Fretilin, had East Timorese people no longer trust Indo- not been resolved. declared independence. nesia. East Timorese, from teenagers to “Integration has failed,” he said at his Ja- “Whether we believed in it or not, we had adults, want independence and should be karta home. no choice. We had to sign,” said Gonçalves, allowed a referendum,” he said. Page 16 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
FROM ‘GANYANG MALAYSIA’ opening sentence in its preamble that “inde- volunteers to ‘crush Malaysia’ (‘ganyang pendence is the right of every nation, and Malaysia’); TO ‘GANYANG FRETILIN’ therefore colonialism wherever in the world (b). the TNI feared for the economic has to be abolished.” ramifications of a prolonged ‘Konfrontasi’ LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE (2). The British colonial forces in the re- campaign. KONFRONTASI PERIOD THAT MAY gion and its Western allies, including Austra- In other words, the Army played a deci- BE RELEVANT IN ENDING THE lia, crushed this independence movement in sive role in ending the ‘Konfrontasi’ pre- INDONESIAN OCCUPATION OF Brunei as well as in the neighbouring territo- dominantly for ‘domestic’ reasons. Interest- ries of Sarawak and Sabah (then, North Bor- ingly enough, many TNI officers who EAST TIMOR neo), since some political parties in those helped to end the ‘Konfrontasi’ were later Revised version of the paper presented at the territories had also supported the PRB’s economically rewarded by the New Order International Conference on Peacemaking idea to set up a federation of the (North) by involving some of them in business con- Initiatives for East Timor, organized by the Borneo territories, instead of joining the glomerates, such as the late Ali Moertopo’s Department of Political Science of the Aus- Kuala Lumpur-led Malaysia federation. wife obtained shares in Hasyim Ning’s car tralian National University (ANU) in Can- (3). The ‘Konfrontasi’ campaign against trading company, which later joined Bam- berra, July 10-12, 1995. – by George Adit- Malaysia was influenced a.o. by Indonesia’s bang Trihatmojo’s Bimantara Group, Benny jondro fear of being encircled by forces aiming at Murdani became closely associated with Introduction destabilizing the young republic. As we Robby Sumampouw’s Batara Indra Group, know from the late 1950s history, the USA, Syarnubi Said became a major shareholder in Many academics and activists have Malaya, and Singapore had supported the Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian, and A.R. Ramly searched into the histories of other nations PRRI rebellion in Sumatra and its counter- has become the president commissioner of and peoples to find models to solve the East part Permesta rebellion in Sulawesi. PT Astra International. Timor ‘problem.’ In this conference, for (4). The ‘Konfrontasi’ campaign was (8) Although Indonesian diplomats and instance, we have seen how the peacemaking supported in Indonesia not only by Sukarno politicians who have refused East Timor’s initiatives in South Africa, Western Sahara, and the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), right for self-determination have often stated and in Palestine have been used as models. as it is often stated later to scapegoat those that the clock of history could be turned What is still missing is to look into Indone- two political “ghosts,” but also by the back, in the ‘Konfrontasi’ case the clock has sia’s own history of dealing with the inter- Army, including General Nasution, then the been turned back. Indonesia did end the national community, to search for ways to Army’s chief of staff, as well as some Army confrontation against Malaysia). Ironically terminate Indonesia’s occupation of East commanders in East and South Kalimantan, some of the underlying factors which caused Timor. Hence, as an Indonesian citizen I as well as religious groups, such as the Is- the opposition in North Kalimantan against want to fill in that gap by searching into lamic student organization HMI and its Tunku Abdulrachman’s Malaysia idea, still Indonesia’s own history of confrontation Catholic counterpart, PMKRI. exist or have reemerged today, such as: with the international community. In this (5). The ‘Konfrontasi’ campaign served brief paper I want to present some lessons · the demand for greater democracy in to obscure domestic economic and political Brunei, which has became a Malay Mus- which can be learned from a turbulent period rivalries, by forcing the nation to concen- in Indonesia’s history, which even led to the lim monarchy, thereby marginalizing the trate on ‘common enemies’ outside the non blue-blood population from political nation’s withdrawal from the UN, namely country. the ‘konfrontasi’ period of the early 1960s. decision-making while reducing the non- (6). A new province, Central Kalimantan, Malay and non-Muslim Dayak, Chinese What lessons can be learned from the was born partly due to the ‘Konfrontasi’ and Eurasian descendent population of Konfrontasi period? campaign, where its capital, Palangkaraya, Brunei to second class citizen. The mon- (1). Indonesia once supported, and not was built with USSR support to anticipate archy has not abolished its 1962 emer- crushed, an independence movement near its attacks by the ‘nekolim’ (neo-colonial and gency security law and has recently de- borders: that independence movement was imperialistic) forces from Northern Borneo. tained a PRB leader, Zaini Haji Achmad Tun Azahari’s Partai Rakyat Brunei (PRB), The first governor of Central Kalimantan, a and expelled an Australian citizen from which proclaimed the independence of the province with a predominant Dayak popu- the sultanate; Unitarian State of North Kalimantan lation, was Cilik Riwut, who had fought in (NKKU = Negara Kesatuan Kalimantan Indonesia’s independence war as an Indone- · Dayak opposition against Malay domi- Utara), and its armed forces, TNKU (Ten- sian air force officer. This indicates the con- nation in Sabah and Sarawak in the politi- tara Nasional Kalimantan Utara), on 8 De- vergence of tactical interests of the Central cal as well as economic scenes, has in- cember 1962 in the capital of Brunei. This Kalimantan Dayak groups, Indonesia’s air- creased. See for instance the opposition lesson is important to emphasize, for two force (AURI), and the USSR. of the Punan people against the Kuala reasons. First of all, the PRB’s nationalistic (7). The Indonesian Army (TNI), which Lumpur-approved timber concessions as and rather socialistic independence move- had been actively involved in the ‘konfron- well as the overall Dayak opposition ment has often been overlooked or even tasi’ campaign (Benny Murdani was in- against the Bakun dam. Meanwhile, in distorted by many Western observers and volved in the campaign as an undercover the neighboring Indonesian province of standard Western textbooks, by portraying TNKU soldier), later turned into the main West Kalimantan, a Dayak renaissance is the ‘Konfrontasi’ era mainly as Sukarno’s or negotiating force to terminate the campaign also occurring, focusing against the eco- Indonesia’s expansionism, preceding Indo- and reconcile with the new-born Malaysian nomic domination over the Dayak’s way nesia’s incorporation of East Timor. The state, for the following reasons: of life by the Jakarta-approved timber second reason to bring this fact up is to (a). the TNI feared that prolonging the concessions as well as internationally show that Indonesia was once more commit- campaign would provide the Indonesian funded oil palm concessions. Hence, it is ted to the Bandung spirit of the 1955 Afro- Communist the opportunity to mobilize understandable that Kuala Lumpur and Asian conference, as well as the 1945 Indo- mass support under the guise of recruiting Jakarta have organized joint border pa- nesian constitution, which states as the trols to prevent the emergence of a pan- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 17
Dayak solidarity, by labelling the dissi- ple (see the late Adam Malik’s support for Say). Members of the two Catholic groups dents as “remnants of PGRS (Pasukan the independence of East Timor, as stated were actually not so much in speaking terms Gerilyawan Rakyat Sarawak = Sarawak orally and in a letter presented to José with each other. And as in the case of the People’s Guerilla Troops) and PARAKU Ramos-Horta, published in ‘Sinar Harapan’ ‘ganyang Malaysia’ campaign, the ‘ganyang (Partai Rakyat Kalimantan Utara = North on June 17. 1974). The Foreign Affairs Fretilin’ campaign has been the backbone of Kalimantan People’s Party),” or, in the Minister later changed its position due to the rising star of Benny Murdani in the past case of the Punan blockade against the the following factors. and Prabowo Djojohadikusumo in the pre- logging roads, as being instigated by (2). The Western powers – the USA, the sent. Western elements, thereby obscuring any UK, and Australia – changed their strategy (6). A new province, East Timor, was forms of locally-rooted nationalism in the from direct intervention in the case of ‘Kon- born out of this “anti-European colonialism” island. frontasi’ to intervention by proxy. These campaign, while its neighbour, Nusa Teng- (9). The ‘Konfrontasi’ campaign could Western powers enabled or facilitated the gara Timur (NTT), especially West Timor, only be fully ended after a major change of pro-Western Indonesian troops to invade also benefited from the road building in- guard in Jakarta, from Sukarno to Suharto. East Timor to crush the East Timorese in- vestment to facilitate the movement of Interestingly enough, both political leaders dependence movement using Western-made troops by land from West Timor to East had played very important roles in an earlier arms – after the initial invasion of December Timor, And as in the case of the ‘Konfron- liberation campaign, namely the ‘Trikora’ 1975, the USA provided Indonesia with tasi’ campaign, West Timorese ethnicity and campaign against the Dutch in West Papua, new US arms (e.g. the OV-10 Bronco the Christian belief were mobilized and ma- where Sukarno acted as the political mobi- counter-insurgence airplanes) as well as nipulated to support the “anti-Fretilin” lizer of the entire Indonesian population, facilitated arm transfers from Israel (Ameri- (read: anti-Portuguese and anti-Communist) and Suharto as the Sukarno-appointed can Skyhawk airplanes and Israeli UZI campaign of Ali Murtopo and Benny Mur- commander of the ‘Mandala’ military opera- guns). dani. Many Apodeti partisans during the tion against the Dutch occupation troops in (3). When the possibility emerged of an 1975 invasion were West Timorese Chris- what was then called West New Guinea. independent – and socialist – East Timor tians, who later received parts of the East Hence, it is important to note that these nation in its backwaters, the Indonesian Timorese war loots in the forms of coffee “anti-Western colonialism” campaigns in regime still feared external support for plantations and mansions deserted by the New Guinea and Borneo forged the nation’s “separatist” movements. In other words, an former owners who had fled overseas. psyche against what has later been cast by independent East Timor was feared to pro- (7). In contrast to the ‘Konfrontasi’ Suharto’s New Order regime also as an vide bases for West Papuan and South campaign, the Indonesian Army has “anti-Western colonialism” campaign in East Moluccan independence movements. Even strongly opposed appeals to withdraw its Timor by portraying Fretilin as a Portu- twenty years later, when international and troops from East Timor, so that the conflict guese puppet. clandestine support for an independent East can be solved in a peaceful manner, due to (10). A new regional inter-governmental Timor has even increased, many Indonesians the following reasons): alliance was born out of the ashes of the still fear the East Timor’s independence (a). The leadership of the Indonesian ‘Konfrontasi’ campaign, namely ASEAN, may create a “domino effect” to other parts Army leadership was dominated by Timor which includes four nations which had been of the archipelago. This fear means that the War veterans, who had lost many of their against the original Malaysia idea of Tunku 50-year old republic still has to come to colleagues in East Timor, but had also Abdulrachman and his British supporters, terms with other forms of nationalism earned their stars and stripes from their namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Singa- within its borders using more democratic, involvement in the occupied fatherland of pore, and Brunei; one nation which had been non-violent means. the Maubere people. In other words, a mili- the target of the campaign, namely Malay- (4). The ‘ganyang Fretilin ‘ campaign has tary withdrawal from East Timor may be sia, and one nation that had been neutral been supported not only by Suharto and the interpreted by them as having sacrificed during the campaign, Thailand. Armed Forces (ABRI), the main political their members and earned their medals for a (11). The oil reserves in Brunei, was the forces in Indonesia after the liquidation of useless cause (cf. the current public debate underlying motive of resistance of the Brit- Sukarno and the PKI, but as was the case of in the USA and in Australia, due to McNa- ish colonial forces and their puppet govern- the ‘ganyang Malaysia’ campaign, by many mara’s statement on the uselessness Viet- ment, the Sultan of Brunei, against Tun civilian religious opinion leaders, such as nam War!); Azahari’s independence movement, and Catholics (Frans Seda [former Indonesian (b). The existence of major trouble spots later oil also became the basis of the Sultan’s ambassador in Brussels], Ben Mang Reng such as East Timor, West Papua and Aceh resistance against joining the proposed Ma- Say [former Indonesian ambassador in Lis- legitimizes the Armed Forces’ predominant laysia federation and eventually dropped boa], and the Catholic magazine ‘Hidup’), political role, by having a real significant out from that federation to form his own Protestants (Saban Siagian [outgoing Indo- threat ‘within’ Indonesia’s borders; in other quasi-independent state. In other words, the nesian ambassador in Canberra] and his words, fires are needed to justify the fire- British and other Western oil interests in Protestant newspaper ‘Sinar Harapan,’ fighter constant presence in the house; Brunei – as well as Sabah and Sarawak – which had given the OK sign for the inva- (c). The above-mentioned trouble spots was the bottom line in preventing a national- sion), and Muslim politicians (Jaelani Naro serve as laboratories and training grounds to ist and rather socialist movement from tak- in the past, and currently, Lukman Harun improve the military’s counter-insurgence ing over power in those territories. and Aisyiah Amini). and combat skills and to promote their carri- (5). The ‘ganyang Fretilin’ campaign also ers; So, what do those lessons from the served to obscure some domestic political (d). Many Army officers from East ‘Ganyang Malaysia’ era teach us about conflicts by providing a second wind to the Timor and the Udayana military command the New Order’s ‘Ganyang Fretilin’ declining role of General Ali Murtopo and have benefited from the Army protection of campaign? the right wing Catholic politicians (the CSIS the Batara Indra Group’s business interests, (1). Indonesia initially supported the in- group and the Nusa Tenggara Timur [NTT] which they would lose if the security prob- dependence movement of the Maubere peo- clique of Frans Seda and Ben Mang Reng lems in East Timor have been solved; Page 18 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
(e). Many civilian politicians who have Saunders, Graham, 1994. A history of Brunei. governor of the Portuguese territory at the been involved in aiding the take-over of East Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. time, colonel Lemos Pires, has himself re- Timor, such as Frans Seda, Ben Mang Reng Pour, Julius, 1993. Benny Moerdani: Profile counted how he feared that there would be of a soldier statesman. Translated by Tim Say, and the Wanandi Brothers have also Scott. Jakarta: Yayasan Kejuangan Pan- an armed confrontation. He therefore tried, been awarded economically for their ‘loy- glima Besar Sudirman. in vain, to bring the two parties to the nego- alty’ to the military rulers of the New Order Zaini Haji Ahmad, Haji (ed), 1987. Partai tiating table. in defending the Army’s interests in East Rakyat Brunei: The People’s Party of On 8 August the UDT declared a strike Timor. So, not surprisingly, they have been Brunei. Selected Documents/Dokumen in Dili and made an ultimatum to the gover- the strongest defenders of the New Order’s Terpilih. Kuala Lumpur: Insan. nor to remove the “communists” from his East Timor policy; Government as well as the radical leaders of (f). Even if Suharto as President of the TIMOR: INVASION “BEGAN” Fretilin. Republic would want to let East Timor go, 20 YEARS AGO Without waiting for a reply the UDT he would certainly not want to risk a major went from words to action during the night collusion with the Army by raising that Diario de Noticias 10 August 1995 Lisbon from the 10 to 11 August, taking the police possibility, especially with his current Twenty years ago the UDT started a command without resistance where it was rather shaky political power. movement to overthrow the government furnished with arms. Hundreds of armed (8). The clock of history has also been which, months later, provided the Indone- men occupied the main strategic points of turned back in East Timor, not by the major sians with a valuable pretext to invade the Dili and only met resistance at the airport. supporters of the invasion, as was the case territory. The few Fretilin leaders who did not of ‘Konfrontasi,’ but by the victims of the One of the main facts which Indonesia manage to escape in time to take refuge in invasion. East Timorese nationalism has not uses to justify the invasion of East Timor the mountains were imprisoned. At other died, but has instead been revived by a new happened twenty years ago, in the early points in the interior of the territory there generation of the Maubere people in East morning of 1 August 1975, when militants were confrontations. Still trying to avoid the Timor, in Indonesia, and in the diaspora; of the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) worst, Lemos Pires decided not to respond their heroic example have found resonance started a coup d’état in Dili – the agency to the UDT coup with force as he did not among the younger generation of students Lusa recalled yesterday. want to appear as an objective ally of Fre- and intellectuals in West Timor and in Java. Founded by men connected to the colo- tilin in the eyes of Indonesia. He also knew (9). Learning from the history of ‘Kon- nial administration such as Mario Carras- that his military forces were divided be- frontasi,’ the occupation of East Timor may calão and Francisco Lopes da Cruz (today tween sympathisers of both parties. also be ended after a complete change of both are ambassadors in the service of Ja- When requested to negotiate a treaty, guard in Jakarta, when the current pseudo- karta), the UDT was the first political party Fretilin presented the governor with the military regime will be replaced by a democ- to appear in East Timor after the 25th of conditions that the UDT be disarmed and ratic civilian government. Hence, it needs April. Unlike Fretilin, an extreme left that all of its leaders be released from more fundamental changes than replacing movement which openly defended the com- prison. These conditions were not met. one (retired) general with another (retired) plete independence of the Portuguese col- After various attempts, the efforts to general, or even with civilian family mem- ony, and Apodeti, which promoted integra- avoid civil war were frustrated and in the bers or cronies of those retired generals. tion into Indonesia, the UDT sought the following days it was Fretilin’s turn to begin (10). Out of the ashes of the ‘ganyang autonomy of the territory and maintenance mobilising support, both among the civil Fretilin’ campaign, a new ASEAN may be of the link with Portugal. population and among the Timorese military born, an ASEAN which is not a conspiracy However, and according to Lusa, which of the Portuguese army. of the ruling elites to control their struggling cites “recently made confessions"- the main The division between the two camps was minorities, but an extended ASEAN which leaders of the UDT were gradually manipu- now irreversible. While Lemos Pires pro- may include a Free East Timor, a Free West lated by the Indonesian secret services. ceeded to evacuate Portuguese and foreign Papua, a Free Aceh, a Free North Kaliman- They were invited to visit Jakarta on vari- civilians by sea to Darwin the civil war ex- tan, a Free Moroland, and a Free Patani. ous occasions and there they were con- ploded on the 19 August. The governor (11). Oil, or the knowledge of off-shore vinced that Indonesia would never accept a abandoned Dili on the night of the 26 Au- and on-shore oil reserves in Timor, has also regime in Dili which had communist partici- gust and headed for the island of Ataúro. been an important underlying factor for the pation (i.e. Fretilin). From there he followed, helplessly, the Western support for Indonesia’s annexation In August 1975, upon their return from development of the civil war, which ended of East Timor. yet another visit to Jakarta, João Carras- with the flight of the UDT elements to the Murdoch, July 17, 1995 calão and other leaders of the UDT broke Indonesian part of the island, leaving only Fretilin on the territory. Literature consulted: the weak alliance which united them against Apodeti. They started anti-Communist Indonesia was therefore given the pretext Boyce, Peter, 1968. Malaysia and Singapore to intervene. On the 28 November Fretilin in international diplomacy: documents demonstrations in Dili which were aimed at and commentaries. Sydney: Sydney Uni- distancing not only the leaders of Fretilin unilaterally proclaimed independence. On versity Press. but also the officials of the MFA [the left the 7 December more than ten thousand Government of the Republic of Indonesia, wing of the Army at that time], who were Indonesian soldiers invaded East Timor. 1964. Why Indonesia opposes British- accused of supporting this party. made ‘Malaysia.’ Jakarta. COMMENT FROM ESTEVAO Mackie, J.A.C., 1974. Konfrontasi: The In- Indonesian Rumour CABRAL, FITUN: donesia-Malaysia dispute 1963-1966. The Indonesian secret services, mean- Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press. I am particularly unhappy the way Lusa while, were spreading the rumour that Fre- describes FRETILIN. Mind you, FRETILIN Mukmin, Hidayat, 1991. TNI dalam politik tilin were receiving arms from the Soviet luar negeri Indonesia: Studi kasus penyele- was not an extreme left as has described in saian konfrontasi Indonesia-Malaysia. Ja- Union, China and Vietnam and that they the article. FRETILIN leaders were mainly, karta: Pustaka Sinar Harapan. were preparing to take power by force. The East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 19 what they described themselves as Social spies.” He meant agents of UNTEL, Indo- same role as in Poland under communist democrats and not “extreme left.” There nesia’s intelligence service. rule. The Santa Cruz massacre symbolizes was in fact some members who were mem- The driver was from West Timor but atrocities committed during the first 1 4 bers of the MRPP, the Portuguese extreme business is better in Dili because of the huge years when travel to East Timor was pro- left. This does not mean that FRETILIN as a Indonesian military and civilian presence. hibited. I entered the cemetery despite the party was nor will be an extreme party. I am He at once showed his colors: “You know, ban and saw that all tomb inscriptions are in surprise that after many years that the prove East Timorese are never content. There Portuguese in a form of passive resistance. itself and worked hard for the independence weren’t even any roads when it was Portu- A military cemetery is opposite. “Forbid- of East Timor, LUSA or at least Diario de guese.” Indonesian troops closely control den to foreigners,” a guard said. Noticias still hold this right wing expression the road into Dili. Vila Verde, a suburb, is The hotel faces the sea, the beach full of which make no good or contribute to the full of Indonesian transmigrants who own all rusted hulks of invasion barges. Fighting struggle. the stores. Mosques are everywhere. “Why must have been fierce. “Viva Xanana” was are there no Timorese?” I asked. “I don’t scrawled on one boat, referring to the hero EVENTS IN EAST TIMOR understand your question,” replied the of the independence cause who was recently driver. captured and sentenced to life imprisonment Entering Dili, two statues symbolize In- by a Jakarta court. HORS LIGNE: donesian occupation. One is of two giant Independence Day celebrations split Dili. ISLAND OF FEAR hands cradling a symbolic province of Timorese ignored them and defied orders to “Timor Timur.” The other is of a man tear- fly Indonesian flags. The other side of town By Armand Guillain in the Summer 1995 ing off Portuguese colonization chains – a was full of celebrating official and quasi- issue of “Hors Ligne – The Magazine of contradiction as East Timor is shackled by official trans-migrants. Jakarta uses “volun- Style and Adventure,” published in Geneva. Jakarta. I was warned that the Hotel Tour- tary trans-migration” to describe its transfer The English-language article, with 14 pho- ismo is full of spies. The driver insisted on of people from over-populated to under- tographs, spreads out over six pages. A leaving me there, I asked to go to a small populated areas. German-made vessels made slightly abridged French version follows on family boarding house. “Foreigners can only available by the U.N. every week unload one page. Misspellings reproduced here are stay at the Tourismo, or the Hotel Dili,” he hundreds of Javanese all over the archipel- in the magazine – I guess they testify to the replied aggressively. I insisted on the board- ago to reduce over-population and prevent writer’s learning from oral testimony of East ing house, run by a trans-migrant family independence moves. Timorese rather than books. – Charlie from Java. They claimed they were fully Only East Timor gets trans-migration Scheiner booked though the place was empty, and though it is West Timor which is sparsely claimed the military books all rooms by the populated. Indonesia wants to implant Is- Intro: year, lam while getting rid of its increasingly mili- It is 20 years since Portugal gave up East A Timorese told me the situation had be- tant Javanese integrists. But transmigrants Timor which declared independence but was come worse since the 1991 Santa Cruz are not that happy. East Timor is not the quickly invaded by Indonesian forces. Over cemetery massacre. Jakarta said 50 people paradise they were promised. They live 400 years, Lisbon stripped the half island of died but Amnesty International says troops mediocre lives – small restaurants, small its precious sandalwood trees. East shot down 261 people. Two foreign journal- shops, and flourishing prostitution because Timorese fleeing into the mountains ists risked their lives in taking photographs of the soldiers. “Putas,” Timorese call the stripped other trees of bark – to boil and eat and film. The cemetery is off-limits for tour- prostitutes from teeming Jakarta. Independ- in trying to survive Jakarta’s starvation ists. ence Day featured military parades, flags, strategy. Holland long before had peacefully As it was, the taxi driver was right and I speeches. “When we win our independ- ceded West Timor to Indonesia though West had to stay in an authorized hotel. The Ho- ence,” a young Timorese woman told me, “ Timorese today show signs of unrest, But tel Dili was empty and sinister, Opulence of we will declare Aug. 17 to be a day of na- East Timorese have never stopped fighting old had gone and only a few plants recalled a tional mourning,” Military police arrested Jakarta, now under growing world pressure previous patio. The idle employees resented me three times, saying photos were forbid- to allow a vote on independence. Indonesia my arrival. They were lethargic from admin- den. claims resistance is communist, an argument istrative red tape. They didn’t talk and I At 20,000 sq. km., East Timor is just un- which hardly holds up these days. think most were Indonesians. The room was der half the size of Switzerland. The native Hors Ligne is ready to receive any official expensive – and disgusting. population comprises dark-skinned moun- Indonesian comment on the following report Walking around showed that terror is tain people and coastal people who often by photojournalist Armand Guillain after a omnipresent. Military units occupy old are half-castes with some Portuguese blood. dangerous three-month visit. Portuguese buildings. The Banque Ultra A plateau stretches up to mountains almost –––––- Marina houses the local Indonesian Navy 3,000 meters high. Weather varies from The Merpati domestic Indonesian airline headquarters. Timorese were forcibly desert aridity to virgin forest. The Portu- plane landed at Dili, capital of East Timor. evicted all over. The old Mercado municipal guese indeed built only 20 kilometers of José, the only East Timorese, watched de- market is now a military training center. paved road and Timor was paralyzed in the barking Indonesian soldiers and traders with Next to the Balide Church is a neglected rainy season. Indonesia has certainly built contempt. He considers himself an expatri- tract. A young Timorese told me: “The new roads – for military convoys, ate because he works in Indonesia and gets a Saint José Catholic school used to be here On the coast road from Dili to Baukau, ticket to visit his family once a year. A cab but they recently tore it down.” soldiers man control points as all over East driver offered his services while I was talk- CHURCH ALSO RESISTS Timor. They insisted I request a “travel pass” although only an identification form is ing with José. “I’m sorry but I can’t share Domingo studies theology on the nearby needed, Near Baukau is a Timorese village your taxi. Be careful, this place is full of island of Flores and is proud of being where everyone must fly an Indonesian flag. Timorese. The Catholic church plays the Transmigrant settlements have pushed into Page 20 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. military-controlled zones and are easily There is an eerie calm. In a collective taxi a It was impossible to tell them that the recognized by wooden houses. Beaches young Timorese was arrested as being “ir- rest of the world so far shows little interest. testify to East Timor’s 1960s nickname of regular.” Other passengers muttered menac- ––––– “The Lost Bali.” ingly. A nun calmed them down, preventing TREES BURNED DOWN what could have been a bloodbath. Army SIDEBAR: barracks are everywhere in a war zone be- Further on, the road runs through narrow “WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP” tween Lautem and Tutuala. I saw countless passes where all trees were burned down. For 20 tireless years, José Ramos-Horta hidden and camouflaged military vehicles. “Indonesians burned them to block infiltra- has been East Timor’s voice around the On the Los Palos plateau, Indonesian con- tion by FALANTIN,” said my guide (I’ll world, its “foreign minister.” He represents voys give the lie to an alleged “Pax Indone- call him Antonio). FALANTIN is the resis- his people at the U.N., which has never sius.” Here, there are undoubtedly more tance force and a nightmare for Indonesia, recognized Indonesia’s claim to the terri- soldiers than Timorese. Indonesians dare not especially after the sentencing of Xanana tory. His small salary comes from an Asia- enter the area around Tutuala, the eastern- and his replacement as commander by Konis Pacific diplomacy training center at the Uni- most town. Troops only control villages, Santana, who scorns diplomacy. versity of New South Wales in Australia. not the hills and mountains. A “luxury” Magnificent scenery contrasts with na- Human rights and church groups, many hotel, without electricity, was the scene of tive sadness. Ironically, marble has been Portuguese, pay his travel expenses. He recent killings. discovered and Antonio alleged President stays with friends to cut costs. Multilingual, Another major war zone is around Suharto’s daughter claimed it all. Marble he speaks softly but with conviction that Viqueque in the south. To get there I had to plus minerals, offshore oil (exploited by East Timor will one day vote on independ- return to Dili and drive over the central Indonesia with Australians) and re-planted ence. “Otherwise there will be no meaning mountainous “spine” of East Timor. Local sandalwood trees explain why Portugal to life,” he told in an interview. Timorese were amused by a “traffic jam” of called East Timor “Eldorado.” But now it is “To call East Timor an island of fear, military vehicles due to a collapsed bridge. an Eldorado soaked in blood. The plateau even terror, is sadly correct,” Ramos-Horta In this war zone there were even more around Manatuto was abandoned to erosion said. “A film made in 1976 when we were troops than at Los Palos. At Same, a after repeated fires, set deliberately or, as occupied was titled ‘Island of Fear – Island Timorese called José advised me to leave Indonesia claims, caused by nature. of Hope.’ We have never given up hope. quickly – “we hear machine-guns at night.” Near Baukau, troops increased. Hilltops Actually, there are now more reasons for Already numerous along the coast, the num- bristled with antennas. Army convoys were hope than ever. At the U.N. Human Rights ber of Timorese cemeteries in this area is numerous and a major attack was clearly Commission this year, Indonesia for the astounding. There’s one cemetery for some planned. Baukau is run down. The walled first time agreed to a Timor visit by the of the 60,000 Timorese who fought in market is a Timorese sanctuary. Transmi- U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. World War 11 for Australia which has never grants took over the citadel and parks. It is The European Union made a very strong repaid this debt of honor but instead recog- like South Africa during apartheid. I heard of statement against Indonesia, and Germany nizes Indonesian annexation! Inscriptions executions of innocent hostages after an and France sent investigation teams which again are in Portuguese. At Ossu, the forest Indonesian officer was killed. Resistance reported a catastrophic situation. Canada was allegedly destroyed with napalm. members told me of the latest plans to win did the same. These are still only words and Viqueque is divided like Baukau. Trans- independence through a new strategy there are still no sanctions against Jakarta, migrants took over Timorese homes and adopted by Santana. One student said, but we are now being heard.” built wood cabins like mushrooms. Each “Portuguese is our language of war. We use Ramos-Horta said there were more than morning, all young Timorese must take part it to exchange information because the Indo- 700,000 East Timorese in 1975 but “not in paramilitary exercises. Viqueque grew nesians can’t understand.” Suddenly he more than 500,000” today. Indonesia says because Indonesia forced coastal people to rushed round the corner: “Watch out for the 600,000. “Even then, it would mean at least migrate to the mountains and vice versa, pig” (an approaching Indonesian dressed in 1 00,000 people were killed or died of star- Famine was inevitable. civilian clothes and presumably a spy). I vation and disease as only 15,000 or so left, A FALANTIN member explained its offered the man a coffee, he asked me what I half of them ethnic Chinese. Indonesia uses strategy. “We only attack when sure of was doing, told me what Indonesia was killings, starvation, trans-migration and even capturing weapons and ammunition. We doing for East Timor, and left. The student sterilization of all women who go to hospi- have gradually re-built our stock of arms to reappeared, giving me letters to carry tals which means they don’t go and many be ready when Santana wants.” Leaving for abroad. die as a result,” Up to 200,000 Muslim Ermera in the west, I listened to Indonesians Battles ruined much of Baukau like other Indonesians, mainly from Java, “have been preaching family planning. As Timorese places. Wheat, corn, rice and vegetables are sent in as settlers and given stolen land” have been decimated by around one-third by grown but much farmland is now arid. Fam- (East Timorese are 90% Roman Catholics). famine and disease, especially malaria, birth ine exists because of massacres, forcible Settlers include official “trans-migrants,” control is not exactly needed. I was told that displacement of people, an confiscation of traders and civil servants. “But many are women are automatically sterilized if they farm animals. A huge military cemetery leaving, afraid after recent riots and because enter hospital. outside Baukau is evidence of Indonesian they are targets of abuse.” In Dili before leaving, I secretly met losses in the invasion and continued fighting. Jakarta says it has 6,000 troops in East FALANTIN officials who explained the In the hills, Indonesian troops are always on Timor but Ramos-Horta said, “FALANTIN peace plan they want to negotiate: 1) A the move. In one village I saw soldiers National Liberation Forces and FRETELIN, transition period supervised by Portugal and quickly change into civilian clothes – an the original armed resistance but now mainly during which the Indonesian Army with- American delegation was due. political, can prove the number is as high as draws. 2) Indonesia helps rebuild Timor. 3) SOLDIERS EVERYWHERE 20,000 because of captured documents” (he After 10 years Timorese vote either for full showed some to HL). “On our side we have “Pacification” of the very east was im- independence, association with Portugal, or no more than 1,200 fighters in the moun- possible. Most people speak Portuguese. integration into Indonesia. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 21 tains but a big underground opposition in- remarks made in an interview by José “photojournalists” or “journalists,” falsely cludes priests, nuns, taxi drivers, people in Ramos-Horta, East Timor’s representative claiming that their visit to certain parts of the administration and even East Timorese to the U.N., HL declared its readiness to the country is “dangerous.” Whatever moti- conscripts in the Indonesian Army – and accept any official Indonesian comment. vation drives them there is unlikely to be an who are limited to only five bullets each! Mr. Leonardo dos Reis, Information Officer objective one. There are some collaborators, mostly crimi- at the Indonesian Mission to the U.N. Please allow me to ask M. Guillain some nals, and we have a list of about 500.” European Office in Geneva, did respond and hypothetical questions. Isn’t it rather Ramos-Horta said Jakarta rejects an in- HL herewith publishes his letter. At the strange that an article written by a tourist- dependence referendum “because it knows same time, HL must point out that it knows turned-photojournalist or by a 99 per cent of the people would vote ‘yes’ Armand Guillain as a respected professional photojournalist-turned-tourist, or by a self- and that would be a disaster for the military photographer and journalist. Due to its proclaimed photojournalist, can be regime.” But there is “growing international length of seven double-column pages, it was considered objective and credible? Would support for a vote and even in West Timor, not possible to publish the article by Mr. someone, in order to justify his claim to be a where people are Protestants from earlier Thomas Michel referred to by Mr. dos Reis photojournalist or journalist, arrogantly Dutch occupation, there are occasional riots and which, in summary, said that Indonesia challenge the targeted government to and attacks on Muslim migrants.” An East- has done much for East Timor’s develop- respond to his biased and unfounded article West Timor federation could evolve but ment. As for attacks on Indonesia’s occupa- aboutAs anit? Indonesian of East Timorese ori- “that is not in our plans for the time being.” tion and calls for a referendum, Mr. Michel gin, I have to be honest to myself. Reading Is independence truly possible? “We be- wrote: “Unfortunately, most of the assump- articles such as the one written by M. Ar- lieve it is. Look at other countries. Duvalier tions on which the accepted wisdom is mand Guillain only reminds me of the hand- fled Haiti and the military regime has gone. based are subject to debate, or at least to ful of people who currently resort to ma- The military were forced out in Argentina. serious qualification.” chiavellian methods where “the end justifies Even the mighty Soviet Union has col- At the same time, HL publishes a com- the means” in order to fulfill their objectives, lapsed.” But if Indonesian subjugation con- ment by Mr. Ramos-Horta on the letter at the expense of the basic interests and tinues? “We will never give up because for from Mr. dos Reis, and publication of the needs of the East Timorese. centuries we have been-rooted to our land. two letters reflects our basic policy of giving Sir, the more I read M. Guillain’s article, Indonesia has destroyed our sacred trees, the opinions of both sides on any conten- the more convinced I feel that it is nothing our sacred rocks. Submission would mean tious issue. more than an exercise in misleading sensa- losing the meaning of life.” Dear Sir, tionalism, since it is replete with misrepre- sentations of the real situation in the prov- ––––––– Having read the article entitled “An Is- ince. Take just one example. Had M. Guil- PHOTO CAPTIONS: land of Fear” written by a photojournalist lain had the sincere and honest intention of Armand Guillain, which appeared in your Napalm is used to burn vegetation; an In- depicting the true religious life of the East summer edition (no. 68), may I take the donesian soldier on patrol; prostitutes from Timorese people in an objective and credible liberty to offer a modest general comment Jakarta; East Timorese are forced to train for manner, he would have sought an authorita- on it. I should be very grateful to you if you Indonesian parades and other events. tive view from the person most competent could publish this comment on the “letters Locals maintain Roman Catholic prac- in this matter, in this case archbishop [sic] to the editor” column in the next issue of tices in face of Indonesian attempts to im- Belo. Alas, he failed to do so and only con- your magazine. plant Islam. Birth control centers are all over sulted a cab-driver. Whatever his intentions, Any reasonable person would assume in effort to further reduce native East in my eyes M. Guillain appears as a hate- that an article written with proper integrity Timorese numbers. monger through this spurious article. would require its author to be himself a man At right, the people’s “foreign minister” Lastly, Sir, I would like to submit an arti- of integrity. As a matter of fact, what is at and delegate to the U.N., José Ramos-Horta. cle written by a gentleman who, I am pretty stake is the integrity of M. Guillain when he Graveyards abound and Amnesty Inter- sure, is not out to distort the truth. I would claims to be a photojournalist and dares to national says 261 people were massacred at appreciate if you could publish the article engage in what can only be described as Santa Cruz cemetery. These native houses written by M. Thomas Michel, Executive adventuristic journalism based on so-called are part of a prison camp. At right, parading Secretary of the Federation of Asian Bish- “dangerous three-month visit” to East pro-Jakarta transmigrants from Java. ops Conference, entitled “East Timor: the Timor, which he clearly intended his readers East Timor natives are forced to fly In- case for integration.” I would also like to to consider as a first-hand piece of investiga- donesian flags for Indonesia Independence point out that M. Robert L. Kroon, a Senior tive reporting. Day. Editor of Hors Ligne, wrote an article on A real photojournalist or journalist who East Timor entitled “Stepchild of history” TIMOR DEBATE wishes to do a professional reporting job for published in Hors Ligne in 1993. It is indeed a newspaper or make a freelance visit to This appeared in the following issue of Hors my wish that M. Guillain could consult Indonesia, including East Timor, could only Ligne, pp. 86-87. these two articles. do so after obtaining valid accreditation from In its summer issue, Hors Ligne pub- Thank you, Sir, for your kind attention the competent authorities – a common prac- lished an article on East Timor by photo- and for your cooperation in publishing the tice which is universally accepted and rec- journalist Armand Guillain who described in unbiased view of an East Timorese who has ognized. It is doubtful whether M. Guillain words and photographs the continuing op- no axe to grind. was accorded such an accreditation. position of the local people to annexation Sincerely yours, May I stress that this is not a hypotheti- by Indonesia. The United Nations has never Leonardo dos Reis, Information Officer cal case. Indonesia is full of so-called petty- recognized this action but rather the inde- Geneva, 22 June, 1995 class tourists wandering freely all over the pendence gained by East Timor from Portu- country. Many of them intentionally abuse –––––––––– gal, its former colonial occupier. In view of their given status as tourists and pose as Dear Sir, the critical nature of the article as well as Page 22 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Congratulations and many thanks for the find it ironic and interesting that Mr. dos BLOOD OATH (ET excellent reportage on my occupied country, Reis should now refer to bishop Belo as East Timor. Mr. Armand Guillain captured “the person most competent” while we have STUDENTS RESISTANCE) the tragic reality of East Timor and the pro- heard before Foreign Minister Ali Alatas Publico, 25 June 1995. By J. T. de Ne- foundest feeling of anger and revolt of our leveling personal insults at the bishop greiros. Translated from Portuguese. people. whenever he denounces the gross and sys- Abridged I feel compelled to reply to the letter of tematic violations of human rights in East Mr. Leonardo dos Reis of the Indonesian Timor. Mr. dos Reis, it seems, does not The meticulous check by the security and Mission in Geneva. As an East Timorese agree with his boss. Bravo! information department is followed by a who lost four brothers and sisters in the José Ramos-Horta solemn blood oath taken before God and the hands of the Indonesian security forces and Geneva, 3 August 1995 People’s Heroes. Only then does an indi- who knows of entire families and villages vidual become militant of the East Timorese that have been wiped out from the face of ABRI DENIES Students’ National Resistance – Renetil. Seen today as being the heart of the un- the Earth since the Indonesian invasion of KILLING OFFICIAL East Timor in 1975, I cannot but praise derground resistance to the occupiers of East Timor, Renetil emerged on 20 June journalists who dare to uncover the hidden Jakarta Post June 14 1995 tragedy of my country. 1988 in Denpasar, on the island of Bali. Mr. Leonardo dos Reis is an East [Note: This is clearly the same Raul men- It all began about two years before then, Timorese but like the French who had col- tioned in the list of arrestees; this report when Jakarta started allocating student laborators and puppets during World War seems to suggest that he has been killed] grants to Timorese students, which allowed II, we too have our own share of opportun- Dili, East Timor – Although the investi- them to continue their university studies ists who have sold their soul and dignity to gation is still in process, local military chief outside the territory. Putting into practice the enemy. Col. M. Simbolon denied reports yesterday Xanana’s 1983 orientation – “Timor’s war Mr. Leonardo dos Reis did not identify that members of the armed forces (ABRI) is the art of living side by side with the en- specific faults in Armand Guillain’s article. have killed a civil servant. emy” – ten Timorese on student grants, He chose instead to engage in a typical In- “People who said that a certain Raul was studying in Bali, decided to turn their cir- donesian style by leveling personal attacks shot dead by the military should be able to cumstances to the advantage of the inde- against the messenger of the bad news. How produce his body. I have to see the body pendence cause. laughable it is for the little puppet of the myself to obtain reliable proof,” Simbolon Once Renetil had become organised Indonesian dictatorship to lecture about told reporters. within Indonesia’s universities, it rapidly professionalism and integrity. Mr. dos Reis A reliable source told the Jakarta Post implanted itself inside East Timor itself, works for a brutal dictatorship that has that Ainaro Regent Norberto Dos Santos where it quickly took on the vital role of trampled on every fundamental human right has filed a report with Vice Governor Jo- being the “bridge” between the guerrilla and and allows no free media. In fact, three lead- hanes Haribowo claiming that soldiers shot underground movements. ing magazines were closed down last year. at two men they suspected of being thieves. It also undertook its own actions. In Thus I think it is just a bit too much for Mr. One of them turned out to be Raul, the re- 1988 – no longer an organisation within dos Reis to lecture the rest of us on how gent’s treasurer who was carrying Rp 8 Fretilin but a non-partisan structure – Re- journalists should do their job. million (US$3,500) in Ainaro civil servants’ netil was mentioned in a letter addressed to The problem is not my little country fel- paychecks from the bank. John Paul II. The following year, some of its low Mr. Leonardo dos Reis. Poor fellow. He militants made the headlines when they is no more guilty than the little gendarmes ICRC WARNS OF TENSION asked for political asylum (which was de- nied) from the Japanese and Vatican embas- who served under Petain or the black pup- IN EAST TIMOR pets who worked as informers of the apart- sies in Jakarta. In 1990, was behind the heid regime in South Africa. The real issue Diario Economico, 20 June 1995. Trans- petitions sent to George Bush and Mario here is Indonesia’s occupation of East lated from Portuguese. Soares. It organised Australian journalist Timor which has been universally con- Robert Domm’s visit to Timor, and sent a Lisbon – The Chairman of the Interna- demned. And the question is why Indonesia letter of protest against the Timor Gap tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is not prepared to accept the proposal for agreement to the UN Secretary General. Cornelio Sommaruga, said yesterday in Lis- an internationally-supervised referendum in In 1991, following the frustrated visit of bon that the atmosphere in East Timor is East Timor. If Mr. Armand Guillain is so Portuguese MPs to East Timor – the stu- very tense. wrong and little Mr. Leonardo dos Reis is so dents had worked very hard to make the Sommaruga, who is in Portugal on busi- right about how the East Timorese people most of the MPs’ presence in the territory – ness, told of numerous accidents and arrests feel, then why doesn’t Indonesia accept a there was Santa Cruz, when Renetil suffered which have occurred recently in the former referendum in East Timor? its hardest blow. Portuguese colony, and revealed that the Last but not least, Mr. Reis suggested Outraged by the massacre, Renetil’s lead- ICRC has regularly contacted the military that Mr. Armand Guillain should have ers organised a daring protest in Jakarta on authorities in the territory “to denounce sought the views of the bishop of Dili, 19 November. It resulted in the arrest of certain attitudes which are just not tolerable Mngr. Ximenes Belo. I fully agree. But seventy people, including Fernando Araujo, in terms of respect for human rights ....” Mngr. Belo’s views are well-known: he has the Secretary General, and the total collapse repeatedly called for a referendum to deter- of Renetil’s structure. mine the will of the people of East Timor Renetil resurfaced in force three years and has stated that “the Indonesians treat later, with the occupation of the US Em- the East Timorese like dogs.” He also told a bassy in Jakarta. Polish journalist how Indonesian security forces attempted to murder him twice. I also East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 23
‘RESISTANCE IS STRONG’ ETCHRIET REPORT ON was denied access to the body. It is said that Esau Sesa was an unusually bright person, Green Left, July 2 RECENT EVENTS considered a likely future governor for the Recent arrivals from East Timor, who East Timor Centre for Human Rights Infor- province. must remain anonymous, have told Green mation, Education and Training (CNRM Left Weekly that the Indonesian occupation East Timor National Council of Maubere INDONESIA PLANS forces are stepping up their campaign of Resistance) report No: 01/07, 3 July 1995. TWO-BATTALION CUT detention and terror, aimed specifically at IN EAST TIMOR young people in order to destroy their spirit 1. Dili killings and stop them from joining the resistance. In mid June three killings took place in JAKARTA, July 4 (Reuter) – Indonesia One arrival said, “They use many means the Vila Verde area of Dili. The victims were plans to cut the number of troops in East to oppress the people, especially the young. all young male anti-integrationists. It is pre- Timor by two battalions – or 1,400 men – But they are not afraid despite that oppres- sumed that this has been the work of SGI before next April, the armed forces com- sion. Sections within the students burn cars (military intelligence units). One of the dead mander-in-chief Feisal Tanjung said on and military motorcycles every day, but this has been identified as Nelson da Costa Tuesday. is not reported. The resistance is strong.” Mello Ribeiro. “At this moment in East Timor, seven in- However, the situation is desperate. 2.Former Governor’s house attacked fantry territorial battalions are operating and “The people are suffering, especially the On Tuesday 27 June at night the house it is planned for the 1995/1996 financial young people ... They cannot sleep in the of former East Timor Governor Guilherme year it will be decreased by two,” Tanjung same house every night; they must move Gonçalves was attacked by unknown per- told a parliamentary commission. “So in from house to house to keep ahead of the sons in Dili. Only slight damages were in- 1996/1997 there will be left five battalions military.” flicted. The house is inhabited by Gon- that have a role,” he said reading a 31-page One arrival predicted the genocide of his çalves’ daughter, husband and children. document answering questions from the people. Soon, he said, “The East Timorese Gonçalves lives in Jakarta. The attackers commission. The Indonesian financial year people will disappear – they will all die.” were thought to be military/intelligence ap- runs between May 1 and April 30. The East Timorese also spoke about paratus personnel, who shouted abuse at the Jakarta-based military attaches say it is “cultural genocide,” about the increasing residents. Guilherme Gonçalves participated difficult to judge the number of Indonesian pressure of not being allowed to congregate at the recent UN Secretary General spon- troops based in East Timor, but they say in groups or to carry out traditional cultural sored intra-Timorese talks in Austria, where there are at least two more battalions than activities. he issued a strong statement. It attacks the officially admitted by Jakarta. People are not allowed to visit their present conditions in the territory, calls for Some say there could be more than dou- neighbours; if they do, they are reported by Indonesian military withdrawal, an act of ble the official figure of almost 5,000 troops. one of the many government spies, and will self-determination, condemns recent massa- The Indonesian forces face between 100 be visited by the military. This usually re- cres, and denounces the 1975 Balibo declara- and 500 active guerrillas of a lightly-armed sults in someone from either or both house- tion requesting integration with Indonesia pro-independence movement. holds being held for questioning. Even visit- (which Gonçalves was forced to sign) as a The guerrillas have been conducting ing a sick relative or friend can cause their fraud. armed resistance since Indonesia invaded torture and death, or yours. East Timor in December 1975 and annexed 3. Jakarta East Timorese arrests The Indonesian occupation forces’ policy it the following year in an act not recognised of keeping community members isolated is a On 4 June 30 East Timorese youths were by the United Nations. The U.N. regards move that the recent arrivals say is designed arrested by Jakarta police for no reason. Portugal as the administering power. to “weaken and eventually wipe out East They were held for questioning for several Tanjung said the three companies of Timorese culture.” hours. It appears this was done as a preven- armed mobile brigade riot police would not Pressure is also still on from the forma- tive measure, since the youths were sus- be affected because they had a different role tion of “ninja” groups, which roam at night. pected of organising some form of demon- from the territorial soldiers. The new arrivals say that these ninjas are stration at the time of the Intra-Timorese In Indonesia soldiers are split between definitely from local military battalions and UN Secretary general sponsored talks in active combat battalions and territorial sol- also include local Javanese business people. Austria. diers who have a dual role of maintaining They say they are not East Timorese, as the 4. Beni Irabaram disappearance security as well as developing local infra- Indonesian authorities have claimed. At Irian Jayan participants at Darwin Expo structure. present there are three Indonesians to every ‘95 informed on 30 June about the disap- East Timorese person in Dili. pearance since last January of Beni Ira- One of the military’s strategies is to baram, driver of the Government Secretary “borrow” an East Timorese person’s car – of Sorong(?) Regency, where 3 East one cannot refuse. That night the car is used Timorese were jailed while attempting to in ninja raids. The military do not even try flee Indonesia several months ago. Beny to hide their activities from the locals, only Irabaram was accused of having assisted the from the outside world. East Timorese. But the East Timorese say that all this is The same people informed of the death making young people more determined to under suspicious circumstances in Jakarta resist the Indonesian tyranny. The young recently of Esau Sesa, Regent (Bupati) of people are saying, “Even if we die, we will Manokwari in Irian Jaya. The deceased had die for independence.” been sent for 6 month straining to Jakarta, and died after 2 months there. His family Page 24 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
AI UA: SABALAE FEARED RECOMMENDED ACTION: “No one has been arrested. No one. That news is ... irresponsible,” armed-forces ARRESTED AND TORTURED Please send tele- grams/faxes/express/airmail letters in Bahasa spokesman Brigadier-General Suwarno Indonesia, English or your own language: Adiwijoyo told reporters on Tuesday. UA 156/95 Fear of Torture / Arbitrary Amnesty said in a report obtained in Ja- arrest 3 July 1995 · urging the authorities to clarify the whereabouts of Remigio Levi da Costa karta that Sabalae, 39, had been arrested EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Tilman and Pedro Nunes Sabalae; with Remegio Levi da Costa Tilman, 21, and were probably being held by military au- Index: ASA 21/32/95 · seeking assurances that they are being thorities in Dili. EAST TIMOR Remigio Levi da Costa treated humanely in accordance with in- Tilman, 21 ternational standards; Pedro Nunes Sabalae, 39 · calling on the authorities to allow the two EAST TIMORESE SAY Amnesty International fears that Remigio men access to the International Commit- FEAR RETURNS TO DILI tee of the Red Cross, lawyers and their Levi da Costa Tilman and Pedro Nunes Reuter, July 6/95 Sabalae may be tortured in military custody. families; The two East Timorese men were ar- · urging that they be immediately and un- East Timor residents said on Wednesday rested at 4am on 30 June 1995 in the capital conditionally released, unless they are to tension had returned to the territory’s capi- of East Timor, Dili, apparently on suspicion be charged with a recognizably criminal tal following the deaths in mysterious cir- of being involved in pro-independence ac- offence under existing laws. cumstances of two youths in recent weeks. tivities. Details of the arrests are unclear but Residents contacted by telephone in Dili APPEALS TO it is believed that they are being held in the 2,000 km (1,200 miles) east of Jakarta, said headquarters of the military intelligence unit COMMANDER RESORT MILITARY the youths were widely suspected to have (Satuan Tugas Intelijen – SGI) of the Sub- COMMAND (KOREM) been killed for alleged opposition to Indone- Regional Military Command for East Timor 164/WIRADHARMA: (covers East sia’s 20-year-old rule over the former Portu- (KOREM 164/Wira Dharma), in the Col- Timor): Col. Mahidin Simbolon [Saluta- guese colony. mera district of Dili. Amnesty Interna- tion: Dear Col. Mahidin Simbolon] Mar- “The suspicion is that they were killed tional’s fear for their safety is heightened by kas KOREM 164/Wiradharma Dili, East because they were considered to be trou- the frequent reports it receives about torture Timor (Indonesia) Faxes: +62 390 21 624 blemakers. Now all youths are afraid to go of prisoners in SGI detention. Telegrams: Panglima Korem Dili, East out after dark,” one resident said. Timor One youth was identified as Nelson BACKGROUND INFORMATION Ribeiro, 27, a driver for a group of local Torture of suspected pro-independence MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Ali nuns. Residents said the two died on the activists in East Timor is systematic. Recent Alatas S.H. Menteri Luar Negeri Jl. way to hospital after being found last month reports of torture in SGI detention include Medan Taman Pejambon No.6 Jakarta, in a suburb of Dili with their necks broken the cases of Hendrique Belmiro da Costa Indonesia Faxes: +62 21 345 0517 and faces smashed. and José Antonio Belo. Hendrique Belmiro CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL Police and military officials in Dili were da Costa is one of 27 facing trial for their COMMISSION ON HUMAN not immediately available for comment. alleged role in demonstrations in November RIGHTS: Lt. Gen. (ret.) Ali Said Ketua, It was the first reported attack since the 1994. He was arrested on 4 December by Komisi Nasional Hak Azasi Manusia military earlier this year ended a siege over SGI officers and held at SGI until 3 Febru- (KOMNAS HAM) Departemen Keha- several months by gangs – dubbed ‘ninjas’ ary during which time he was subjected to kiman RI Directorat Jenderal Pemasyara- because of their black masks – who attacked torture, including electric shocks. As a result katan Jl. Veteran No. 11 Jakarta Pusat, people at night apparently because of their of the beatings he received, he required Indonesia Faxes: +62 21 525 3095 (c/o political activities. seven stitches to a wound on his head. José Ministry of Justice) Indonesian authorities have denied any Antonio Belo, arrested for participating in a links with the gangs. Residents said there PLEASE SEND APPEALS pro-independence demonstration on 9 Janu- were few reports of such activities since IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send ap- ary 1995, was held at SGI until 13 January uniformed military returned to the streets in peals after 15 August 1995. during which time he was beaten – report- February, but said the deaths of the two edly to the point of losing consciousness – INDONESIA DENIES REP ORTS youths had scared a populace intimidated tied up, hung upside down overnight, sub- TIMOR LEADER CAPTURED after years of iron rule by Jakarta. Indonesia jected to electric shocks and denied food. invaded the territory in 1975 and annexed it The arrest of Remigio Levi da Costa Til- Reuter, July 4. slightly abridged the following year in a move not recognised man and Pedro Nunes Sabalae is consistent Indonesia on Tuesday denied reports it by the United Nations. with a pattern of short-term and arbitrary had captured the leader of East Timor’s The U.N. is due to host a further round detention of real or alleged opponents to underground resistance to Jakarta’s rule in of talks in Geneva this week between the Indonesian rule of East Timor. Thousands the territory. The London-based human- foreign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal, of East Timorese have been held without rights group Amnesty International said in a which it still regards as East Timor’s admin- charge or trial for periods ranging from a few report on Monday that Pedro Nunes Sa- istering power. days to several months, since late 1991. balae was captured in the capital, Dili, on Residents said clandestine leader Pedro Many have been denied access to their rela- suspicion of pro-independence activities. Nunes Sabalae, reported by London-based tives and lawyers and some are known to East Timorese sources said Sabalae Amnesty International to have been ar- have been ill-treated and tortured. Others headed the civilian wing of the National rested, had not been seen in Dili since Fri- have been tried and sentenced to prison Council of Maubere Resistance (CNRM), day, but they could not confirm reports he terms for their peaceful activities. the main group fighting Indonesia’s 20-year- had been captured. East Timorese sources old control over the former colony. said Sabalae headed the so-called clandestine East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 25 movement, the civilian wing of the National It is aimed at keeping people informed 2. Social and Political Sciences (Government Council of Maubere Resistance, the main about East Timor University and hopeful Studies and Public Administration De- group fighting Indonesian rule. there will be some willing personalities and partments). institutions out there who are interested to 3. Agriculture (Agricultural Economics, INDONESIA ARMY SAYS have institutional links with us. As part of Agronomy and Animal Husbandry De- IT WILL NOT LEAVE ‘go-international’ attitude, the UNTIM partments). executives have the pleasure and honour to UNTIM executives are exploring possi- Reuter, 6 July 1995. Abridged provide this simple brochure as a basic in- bilities to allocate more resources to open a formation for further contacts. Dili – Indonesia’s military commander in new faculty of economics in the year The University is famous for its ‘infa- 1995/1996. Early in the 1990s the Univer- East Timor, Colonel Mahidin Simbolon, has mous demonstrations’ (as expressed by a said the Indonesian army will not leave the sity began to develop new lecture rooms at number of people) over the last year and it the Faculty of Education compound and troubled territory because separatist move- continues to be the centre of attention of ments still operate there. starting development on a new laboratory policy makers in Dili and elsewhere. The for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry De- “There are movements which are against good thing is that it now takes initiative to Indonesia. Whatever happens, the armed partment near Hera Village about 20 Km pioneer links with other Indonesian Univer- East of Dili. forces will not withdraw from East Timor,” sities as well as foreign Universities in Aus- he told reporters late on Wednesday. Sim- A long term programme is underway to tralia, USA and New Zealand. Hope this respond to demands of the rapidly-growing bolon only referred to the Fretilin guerrilla information is of helpful for readers out movement, which is seeking independence economic studies as Indonesia continues to there. hunger for these skills. In this high-demand from Indonesia. Anyone wishing to have a copy of the He said Fretilin would gradually lose its area, a master plan has been created and the brochure, for further information, please University is starting to develop a 20 Ha. strength because more East Timorese had contact Director of Planning, Development been trained by the armed forces to attack Campus in Hera Village to more fully inte- and External Relations Bureau: Helder da grate inter-related studies on campus. the separatists fighters, he said. Costa (MR.) Simbolon said 200 Fretilin guerrillas were It starts to maintain a reputation for re- still roaming the forests of East Timor, UNIVERSITY OF EAST TIMOR sponding quickly to the needs and demands 2,000 km (1,250 miles) east of Jakarta, An Introduction of the community and its expanding courses is tailored to benefit temporary East Timor armed with around 106 guns and some gre- Emblem of the University nades. Fretilin has engaged in armed resis- society. Added to traditional imperatives for tance since Indonesia invaded East Timor in Planning, Development & External Relations increased primary production and effi- December 1975 and annexed it the following Department ciency, a diversifying economy is producing year, a move never recognised by the United Jl. De Balide, Kaikoli growing demands in areas such as innovative Nations, which regards Portugal as the ad- Tel. (+ 62 – 390 – 21027) research and development, human resource ministering power. Fax : (+ 62 – 390 – 22752) development, areas to which the University Armed forces commander General Feisal Dili, East Timor of East Timor contributes through its Fac- Tanjung said last week Jakarta planned to Indonesia ulty of Agriculture. cut the number of troops in East Timor by Background No less important are the social and cul- tural needs of a changing and increasingly two battalions – or 1,400 men – before next In 1986, Universitas Timor Timur complex society, the University contributes April. Seven infantry battalions are now (UNTIM) _ The University of East Timor through its faculties of education, social and based there, he said. Jakarta-based military was founded by the former governor of East political sciences. As a group, these three attaches say it is difficult to judge the num- Timor, Mario Viegas Carrascalão who dedi- faculties integrate a range of disciplines cru- ber of Indonesian troops in East Timor. cated much of his energy to the promotion cial to East Timor’s continued economic Some attaches say there could be more than of education. well-being. double the official figure of almost 5,000 The University of East Timor was estab- troops. lished as a private University by the “Lo- From 500 students in the first year rosae Foundation” on May 14, 1986. The (1986), the University roll grew steadily to BROCHURE ABOUT THE opening ceremony marking the opening of over 1.926 students in 1994. The composi- the University was launched by Mario Vie- UNIVERSITY OF EAST TIMOR tion of students studying at this university gas Carrascalão on October 1, 1986. Due to is characterized by a 60 % East Timorese From Helder da Costa, July 10 the blooming of high-school graduates in the and 40 % non East Timorese. This makes mid 1980s, the government of Indonesia, The brochure entitled “ UNIVERSITY up to a 1:25 average ratio between Lecturer and East Timorese leaders endeavoured to OF EAST TIMOR : An Introduction” is and Students in the 1993/1994 academic found a higher education institution to ad- published by Planning, Development, and year. The first graduating class of 56 stu- dress the human resource needs of expand- External Relations Bureau of the University dents was in 1992 and 70 % of these are ing economy of both East Timor and Indo- of East Timor in November 1994 on the eve employed in East Timor. The second gradu- nesia itself. of the signing of MOC between East Timor ating class of 93 received their Bachelors The University today is a thriving insti- University, (UNTIM) Dili, East Timor, and Degree from UNTIM on October 29, 1994 tution of well over 2,100 full time students Northern Territory University, (NTU) and 73 % of these are employed in East comprising three faculties : Darwin, Australia on 29 November 1994 in Timor. 1. Education and Teacher Training (English, Dili, and is going to be updated every year. Presently there are 73 faculty members at Indonesia, Math and Biology Depart- The brochure contains background informa- UNTIM. In order to enhance the academic ments). tion of the University (faculties, number of qualification of its teaching staff, 16 of them students), University Structure, The Cam- are now taking postgraduate studies (mas- pus and Beyond, and Recent Developments. Page 26 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. ters and Ph.D.) in Indonesian Universities teria is under consideration to be built East Timor police chief Colonel Andreas and foreign Universities such as Australia, within short time. Neither hostels accom- Sugianto confirmed the riot but said no ar- New Zealand, and the United States. This modation, nor housing complex are available rests were made. was made possible owing to several scholar- for students and teaching staff. “Nobody was hurt in the incident,” he ship from different organizations such as The main campus is surrounded by a said. AIDAB, NZODA, Ecumenical Scholarship Public Library and other government agen- The farmers called on the government to Program, OSW, Bochum, Germany, and cies making the University of East Timor raise coffee prices from 1,500 rupiah (six OTTO Bappenas, Jakarta. These include the centre of Tertiary Education in the town U.S. cents) per kg (2.2 lb.) to 2,500 rupiah scholarships from the Lorosae Foundation, of Dili. The Library of the University has a (US$1.10) per kg, saying local businessmen Dili, and the Indonesian Bishops Confer- collection of over 5,000 volumes in both were only willing to pay between 700 ence, Jakarta. To date, ten former scholar- Indonesian and English. rupiah (three U.S. cents) and 1,500 rupiah. ship holders have returned to UNTIM after A close association exists between the Coffee is the major commodity produced accomplishing their studies in the Universi- UNTIM campus has been actively involved in East Timor, which Indonesia invaded in ties of Gajah Mada, Hasanudin University, for expanding research and scientific com- 1975 and annexed the following year. The Ujung Pandang, Ohio State University, In- munity that is emerged in Dili as one of the United Nations still regards Lisbon as the stitute of International Management, USA, district’s major asset to the region. The administering power in the territory. Macquaire University, Sydney and Massey varied activities which UNTIM students University, Palmerston North, New Zea- and staff pursue also contribute immeasura- LATEST INDONESIAN AR MY land. bly to the city’s cultural and sporting life. ATTACKS, AND GROUND University Structure Recent Developments SETTING FOR FUTURE EAS T The council of the ‘Lorosae Foundation” During the early of this decade the Uni- is the governing body which the cooperation versity of East Timor has continued its TIMORESE CIVIL WAR of University acts. It is chaired by the Head tradition of entrepreneurial expansion. A National Council of Maubere Resistance of the Foundation. key development was a decision to establish Press Release, 15 July 95 The Rector as Chief Executive Officer is possible domains of cooperation with other accountable to the Foundation, and assisted Indonesian Universities in Java (Sanatha Latest Dili reports refer to a strengthen- by three Vice Rectors namely (a) Vice Rec- Darma University, Satya Wacana Christian ing of Indonesian Army operations during tor for Academic Affairs; (b) Vice Rector for University, Gajah Mada University, IKIP the current dry season in the illegally occu- Administration and Financial Affairs, (c) Jogyakarta, The Catholic University of pied territory. In the east, centre and south Vice Rector for Students Affairs and the Soegyaranata, Bogor Agricultural Institute), Indonesian Army troops use anti-guerrilla Deans of the Faculties, each responsible for and Nusa Cendana University, Kupang. tactics, watching key points and launching policy advice and implementation in specific In the international sphere, an exciting surprise day or night raids on villages, in- areas of university activity. initiative is being underway through the cluding entering peoples houses. The Registrar (Head of Student’s Aca- establishment of academic cooperation be- Actions involving intense exchange of fire demical Administration Bureau) is responsi- tween UNTIM and Northern Territory with East Timorese Falintil Resistance ble for the functions and activities of the University, Darwin, Australia, Georgetown fighters on 7-9 July are reported to have Registry, which comprises the central ad- University, Washington, USA, University taken place between Dili and Baucau as well ministrative structure of the University. of Western Sydney, Sydney and Massey as between Baucau and Los Palos. Special Heads of Departments, Directors of Bureau University, New Zealand. Indonesian ‘red beret’ troops involved are such as Public Administration, Planning, Scope of cooperation for this program in- from battalions 745, 432, and 320. Development and External Relations, Re- cludes the following fields, educational ad- Despite their numerical strength and search Centre Director, Unit supervisors ministration, staff exchanges and teaching equipment superiority, the Indonesians have and the University Librarian are each ac- projects., research and institutional devel- failed to succeed, other than capturing a few countable for the effective management of opment. The aim of this mutual benefit bags of rice, some clothing, and a photo their respective functions and activities. programme is to address the need for the camera from the Falintil Resistance forces, Each level of University management from strengthening of UNTIM’s institutional who suffered no losses. the University Council downwards is ad- capacity. Meanwhile there are no further news vised by appropriate committees, reflecting about the whereabouts of CNRM clandes- the University commitment to collegial gov- COFFEE FARMERS tine leader Sabalae who disappeared on June ernance. 30 together with his driver Remigio. They PROTEST FOR HIGHER may well have been executed by Indonesian The Campus and Beyond PRICES troops, in line with the new Indonesian Situated on the centre of East Timor’s Army threats to the East Timorese popula- capital of Dili, East Timor University’s 4 Dili, East Timor, July 10 (Reuter) – Cof- tion who recently announced that anyone hectare mini campus is the unique envy of fee farmers in East Timor have burned a caught in anti-Indonesian actions would be other similar institutions. Throughout its market to demand higher prices for their immediately shot on the spot. Indonesia development, the campus setting has been coffee, residents said on Monday. should be pressed for clarification as to the enhanced and preserved by careful planning. They said a police presence was appar- whereabouts of the two men. The campus is a self-contained and well- ent in Gleno, 65 km (40 miles) west of Dili, It is also reported that East Timorese serviced community and students enjoy a after more than 50 disgruntled farmers clandestine front youth activist Edu, is in a modest range of facilities. In addition to staged a protest there on Saturday and critical condition in Dili Central Hospital lecture rooms, laboratories, library, these burned down the market to express their after being savagely attacked on 6 July by include a student shop and a centre for anger over low coffee prices. Indonesian intelligence operatives who had computing services run by the student co- been pursuing him for some time. operatives (KOPMA). Furthermore a cafe- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 27
Most disturbing are reports that the In- ple had not accepted integration. Father Access by foreign journalists to East donesian Army is recruiting hundreds of Marcus Wanandi (sic) said the population Timor is severely restricted, with only two youths from several regions of East Timor was still burdened by memories of the war Australian reporters travelling with their for military duty. Primarily those who have during which thousands of Timorese were ambassador allowed to visit since early at some stage had to work for the military in killed. He said the Indonesian army, in par- January. the past are being selected. This irresponsi- ticular, needed to set a better example in Of the 700-strong Buginese trading com- ble attempt at localising the East Timor East Timor to achieve reconciliation. munity driven out in January, locals say occupation can be expected to lay the foun- [Comment: As in a previous foreign journal- none has returned to the rebuilt market in dation for a new serious future conflict ists trip, Marcus Wanandi, an Indonesian the town 180 km (112 miles) east of the among East Timorese. priest, was trundled out for the occasion. capital Dili. For comment: Kate Khoori +61 2 368 Interestingly, though, his criticisms mirror Officials were unsure of how many had 0396, José Gusmão +61 89 275478 remarks made by Ali Alatas a few weeks come back, estimating only about 115 Bugi- ago. TAPOL] nese lived in the town. FOREIGN JOURNALISTS IN On a tour of the “new market,” rebuilt TIMOR PEACE RETURNS TO TIMOR with the help of the Indonesian military, an officer seeking Buginese traders to show TAPOL report, July 17 TOWN, BUT TRADERS STAY Reuters found only people from different AWAY parts of Sulawesi, an Indonesian island Foreign journalists in Jakarta are today south of the Philippines. going on a trip to East Timor at the invita- By Jim Della-Giacoma, Reuter (abridged) tion of the military authorities there. The trip will last for five days; invitations were BAUCAU, East Timor, July 18 (Reuter) INDONESIA CELEBRATES issued at very short notice. – Peace has returned to the East Timor sea- EAST TIMOR INTEGRATION For many months, foreign journalists side town of Baucau, but hundreds of ethnic have encountered difficulties when asking Buginese traders who fled racial rioting The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 July 1995. for permission to visit East Timor. The seven months ago have yet to come back, By David Jenkins, Asia editor authorities evidently plan a stage-managed setting a potentially ominous precedent for BALIBO, East Timor: In a rousing mili- trip to counter the continuing flood of multi-ethnic Indonesia. tary-style ceremony held less than 100 me- alarming news about the human rights situa- “The situation is safe. The problem in tres from the house where five Western tion in East Timor the market is over,” Major Soedjawo, the journalists were killed by Indonesian com- acting-commander of the Baucau military mandos in October 1975, Indonesia yester- district, told foreign correspondents. day celebrated the 19th anniversary of its ICRC EXPRESSES CONCERN In January, townspeople rioted and TO FOREIGN JOURNALISTS formal incorporation of East Timor. burned down the two Buginese-dominated The ceremony, which was presided over markets, incensed by an ethnic Buginese by the Indonesian general responsible for BBC World Service 18 July 1995, Dateline: man’s fatal stabbing of a native Timorese on Dili Abridged East Timor, was held in this dusty mountain New Years Day. hamlet to mark the so-called Balibo Declara- One can only wonder at the brazen arro- At least five people were killed in the ri- tion of 1975, under which a number of con- gance of the occupation forces to hold a oting, which added racial conflict to East servative East Timorese came out in sup- ‘celebration’ of integration in the way de- Timor’s catalogue of woes. port of integration with Indonesia. scribed below, and not to have the slightest Town life has now clearly returned to The deaths of the journalists, who were concern at the impression it might have on normal, but the Buginese traders have not covering Indonesia’s clandestine war against visiting foreign journalists. – TAPOL returned. East Timor, have never been adequately The International Committee of the Red “Some went to Los Palos (to the east), explained. Cross has expressed its concern about the some to Dili and others went home to their Indonesian sources maintain they were humanitarian situation in East Timor. In a own villages. Only those people working for caught in the crossfire. Some foreign experts rare statement, a Red Cross official in East the government came back,” a Sumatran on East Timor believe at least two may have Timor said the situation has worsened since trader told Reuters. been killed in an attempt to destroy evi- the beginning of the year with an increase in The incident highlighted the tensions be- dence of Indonesian involvement in the at- arrests and a number of unexplained killings low the surface in ethnically-diverse Indone- tack. and disappearances. sia which has more than 250 different ethnic Indonesia launched its full-scale attack on The official Symeon Antoulas, said there groups in its population of more than 190 East Timor, with parachute landings on Dili, was still considerable hidden tension in East million. on December 7, 1975, seven weeks after the Timor despite the surface calm. He said the Children have now claimed the fountain deaths at Balibo. organisation remained concerned about an in the old Baucau market as a swimming Yesterday, as the cocks crowed, three increase in detentions, unexplained killings pool, but the once bustling market place East Timorese students raised the red-and- and disappearances but described the work- remains flattened, bulldozed in the days white national flag at the local soccer field. ing relations with the authorities as good and following its torching. As the flag was hoisted, several thousand said Red Cross access to prisoners was Vergilio Marcal, the regent of Baucau, people sang Indonesia Raya, the national unrestricted. told foreign journalists visiting the town on anthem. Residents in Dili and elsewhere continue a military-sponsored trip that as Indone- Indonesia has always been sensitive to complain of harassment and intimidation sians, the Buginese were still welcome. about the deaths of the Western newsmen, by the security authorities. A prominent “I would like people to come here to in- who were covering the war for Australian Catholic priest here told the BBC that after vest, open shops here and help the people,” TV stations. two decades of Indonesian rule, many peo- Marcal said. Page 28 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
In July 1976 I was the first Western cor- Timorese independence movement. They “We were walking in the forest when we respondent to reach Balibo, arriving by heli- were armed with 104 weapons, including G- were met by the local militia,” he told re- copter with visiting Indonesian dignitaries. 3 assault rifles and M-16 rifles. Fretilin had porters from his hospital bed. “There were But I was repeatedly turned back by police 3,000 “clandestine supporters,” in East five of us, but my friends all ran,” he said. and soldiers when I tried to locate the house Timor, in other parts of Indonesia and over- No others were captured or shot, he added. where Channel 7 journalist Greg Shackleton seas. Gusmão, who had only been a rebel for had painted a Southern Cross and the word Asked what sort of operations Fretilin about a year, said he had not been interro- “AUSTRALIA” on an outside wall in an conducted, he said: “Robbery and agitation gated by the military since his capture, al- attempt to gain some protection during the among the people.” though soldiers had visited him “as friends.” expected Indonesian onslaught. Later, in the mountain town of Aileu, Military officials present at the interview Yesterday, five foreign journalists were students marched in carrying the flags of said Gusmão would not be tried or impris- flown to Balibo by Indonesian Air Force US, Poland and Malaysia as well as the UN oned after he recovered. “He would be al- helicopter. Security men were again out in flag. This might have struck some as pre- lowed to return to the community,” one force, as they so often are in East Timor. sumptuous Nineteen years after “integra- said. But this time nobody stopped me from tion” the UN continues to recognise Portu- Gusmão made a plea for all his fellow setting off in search of the house. gal as the administering power in East fighters to come out of the forest and give There is, however, no sign today of the Timor. themselves up. cross or the word “AUSTRALIA.” They In Jakarta, there is a monument to the have long since been painted over. journalists who died at Balibo. Nothing it RIOT TENSIONS LINGER IN Back at the playing field, as the local Bu- says, can explain these senseless deaths. EAST TIMOR pati (Regent) Guilerme dos Santos, the Raja That, I have always thought, is an artful use of Memo, read from a prepared speech, of the English language. Some people in The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday, Timorese men stood before him with hand- Indonesia and Australia know precisely July 19, 1995. By David Jenkins, Asia Editor written signs carrying messages such as what happened. Bu 19 years later, nobody “Kami cinta integrasi” (“We love integra- is talking. BAUCAU, East Timor, Tuesday: Unex- tion”). plained killings and disappearances revealed This was a change. When Indonesian of- declining human rights conditions in East INDONESIA PARADES Timor, the head of the local office of the ficials visited this area for an hour or two in CAPTURED REBEL 1976 to “ascertain the wishes of the local International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Dr. Symeon Antoulas, said today. people,” the East Timorese of Balibo and By Jim Della-Giacoma, Reuters, Excerpt. other towns had large, professionally Dr. Antoulas’s statement, unusual for an painted signs written in a good, declamatory DILI, East Timor, July 19 (Reuter) – In- ICRC delegate in the field, comes in the English, a language less familiar to them than donesia put a captured East Timorese rebel wake of an Amnesty International report on Indonesian. on show for foreign media on Wednesday as five East Timorese reportedly dragged from From the old Portuguese fort above the it launched a new youth group designed to their homes by solders in January. playing field, Shackleton and the others promote integration in the troubled former The five have not been seen since. would have had a clear view of the road Portuguese colony. The Red Cross leader was voicing his winding down the mountains to the Indone- With a large ceremony to be held on concerns as other sources reported today sian-occupied town of Batugade, which lies Thursday in the presence of Vice-President that fighting had broken out among prison- on the stunningly beautiful waters of the Try Sutrisno to celebrate the 19th anniver- ers at the jail in Baucau, East Timor’s sec- Ombai Straits. sary of integration last Monday, officials ond city. At least one prisoner was reported Unfortunately for them, the Indonesians, were keen to show those who oppose inte- dead. came on Balibo from behind, having slipped gration are a minority. But the Bupati (district commissioner) in across the border well away from the coast. However, in launching the Gada Paksi, Baucau, Mr. Virgilio Marcal, said conditions Today, Indonesian and East Timorese offi- the Youth Guard of Integration Upholders, had returned to normal since the January 1 cials mingled easily at the fort as suckling Jakarta-appointed East Timor Governor riots, when troops opened fire on demon- pigs were roasted. Afterwards, the visitor Abilio José Osorio Soares implied that not strators, reportedly killing at least five. was left with a sense that this was in every everybody yet agreed with integration. The demonstration was sparked by re- way an Indonesian celebration, albeit one “This organisation is the defender of in- sentment against Buginese traders who have incorporating many Timorese traditions. tegration,” he told the gathering of around moved into the province over the pat six Because Balibo is on the border with In- 200 people at the Dili Hotel, including its years, displacing East Timorese in petty donesian West Timor, pro-Indonesian sym- new members in their tan, military-style trade. pathies are stronger here than elsewhere. uniforms. In an interview at his office today, Mr. In an interview, General Adang “I hope it will show that integration is Marcal told the Herald there was no resent- Ruchiatna, head of the Bali-based Udayana truly the aspiration of the people,” he said. ment against people who came into East command, said Indonesia had seven “territo- An interview with foreign media on Timor from Indonesia’s other provinces. Wednesday with the leader of the Gada The more who came, the better, he said. rial” battalions of Kostrad, the crack Army Strategic Reserve. Paksi was suddenly changed for a talk with They brought investment funds and skills, According to Western military sources, an injured rebel recuperating in a Dili mili- which were sorely needed in East Timor. Indonesia has about 12,000 soldiers and tary hospital. “I would be happy to welcome another policemen in East Timor. The man, who said he was in his 30s and 10,000 Buginese,” he said. Smoking a clove-scented cigarette, Gen- who identified himself as Cipriano Gusmão, According to the Bupati there are at pre- eral Ruchiatna gave a remarkably precise said he had been captured during a firefight sent 115 Buginese in Baucau. Some had fled accounting of enemy dispositions. There with local militia in the Baucau area in early following the riots, which he said had were 214 members of Fretilin, the East May. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 29 started by “accident,” but he believed all had YEARS ON INDONESIA’S had a dual function as a security and devel- now returned. opment force. Mr. Marcal, who has been in East Timor SIDE, COLONEL SAYS He said of the eight battalions stationed for two years, also stressed that working Reuter, 20 July 1995. By Jim Della- in East Timor, seven were so-called territo- conditions for the ICRC were good. It was Giacoma, abridged rial battalions with the task of developing allowed to work in the territory and had the infrastructure. However, two territorial access to detained people and their families, Dili, East Timor – Armed rebels resisting battalions would be withdrawn, as an- he said. Jakarta’s rule in the former Portuguese col- nounced, in September, he said. But Baucau still bears the scars of the ony of East Timor will never be totally January riots. eliminated, the enclave’s Indonesian military RENEGING ON BALIBO PACT commander said on Thursday. “Where in The old market in the heart of town, a MARS TIMOR ANNEXATION flamboyant but dilapidated colonial struc- this world have security-disturbing move- ture, remains closed. An adjoining restaurant ments been solved totally? It is not possi- CELEBRATIONS and cinema, have not been re-opened. ble,” Colonel Mahidin Simbolon told a news The Irish Times, Friday July 21st 1995. By Army officers kept a closed eye on five conference after an Integration Day cere- David Shanks visiting journalists during a visit to Baucau’s mony in Dili. second market, also burnt to the ground in “But their strength, their numbers, their As Indonesia celebrates the 19th anniver- the riots. ability and their activities can be decreased,” sary of its formal annexation of East Timor, Yesterday, in the mountain town of he told his first such conference attended by David Shanks reviews recent developments Aileu, the Indonesian military commander foreign journalists. “Finishing them off is over the disputed territory: for the islands east of Bali, Major General not a reachable target,” he said. Indonesia this week celebrated the 19th Adang Ruchiatna, vowed to “wipe out” the Armed rebels have been active in East anniversary of its formal annexation of East remaining guerrillas. Timor since Indonesia’s invasion of the Timor as its 27th province. territory in December, 1975. The 19th anni- Part of the commemoration of “Integra- ANNIVERSARY CELEBRAT ED versary of its unilateral annexation on July tion Day” included the lifting of a ban on 17, 1976, which is not recognised by the foreign journalists which has affected the AFP, 20 July 1995, Abridged United Nations, has been commemorated in Irish Times. ceremonies across the territory this week. Dili – Indonesia rounded off celebrations Banners were hung across streets in the Major-General Adang Ruchiatna, the capital, Dili, proclaiming congratulations on to mark the 19th anniversary of its annexa- commander of the Bali-based Udayana mili- tion of East Timor, firmly reiterating its East Timor’s integration. The actual cere- tary region, said on Monday there were mony, which President Suharto earlier this opposition to any form of autonomy. only 200 rebels active in East Timor with Officials reported no pro-independence year was planning to attend, was carried out just over 100 weapons backed by a 3,000- with military precision. unrest, as civilian and military leaders member clandestine network throughout watched a military parade in front of gov- Taking away from the occasion, however, Indonesia. Foreign military attaches in Ja- was the withdrawal this week by one of the ernment buildings, cordoned off from the karta, believe actual rebel numbers could be rest of the city by heavy security. six signatories of the 1975 “Balibo Declara- more than double the official figure. tion"-which Indonesia has often used to Locals were not invited to the ceremony. Simbolon, who took up his posting as the In a press conference held at the start of the justify its invasion. military commander in East Timor in late Mr. Guilherne Gonçalves, then leader of celebrations, Governor Abilio Soares said May, said after the pro-independence rebels “autonomy makes no sense for East Timor,” a small integrationist party, Apodeti, and failed to achieve their aims old age would later rewarded with the governorship of East adding that over 99% of funds for its devel- claim them. opment came from the central government. Timor, has now called for a referendum on “They have already been in the forest 20 the territory’s future status, saying “integra- He said the current discontent was among years. As people they also have limits to members of the intellectual and political tion has failed,” according to Reuter. their ability and health,” he said. On It is believed two other signatories to the classes and was due to “personal frustra- Wednesday, foreign reporters, travelling as tions over local politicians.” declaration, which Indonesia has used to part of a military-sponsored group in a rare counter demands for a referendum, have also Between 500 and 600 servicemen from opportunity to visit the tightly restricted the Indonesian army, airforce and navy changed their minds; “We had no choice. We territory, were allowed to talk with a cap- had to sign,” Mr. Gonçalves said. He also joined police and youth movement represen- tured rebel in a Dili military hospital. tatives in the tightly regimented parade in confirmed a widely held belief that the dec- Simbolon said the injured rebel in his 30s, laration, a week before the invasion was in Dili. who he had only been fighting in the forest In his speech Colonel Mahidin Simbolon fact signed in Bali and not in the Timorese for a year, would be allowed to return to his town of Balibo. drew a parallel between East Timor and the village. once violence-torn Northern Ireland. Devel- As Indonesia prepares to celebrate on Ruchiatna, flanked by Jakarta-appointed August 17th another anniversary, the 50th opments there had shown that “all countries East Timor Governor Abilio José Osorio have their problems but they always manage anniversary of its post second World War Soares and Simbolon, said that eight battal- declaration of independence from the Neth- to peacefully resolve them through dia- ions, 5,000 Indonesian troops, were sta- logue,” he said. erlands, there are many signs of friction in tioned in East Timor. However, he said the this south-east Asian giant of almost 200 island of Bali, with about four times East million diverse peoples. Timor’s estimated population of 850,000 On Wednesday, for instance, about 1,500 people, had only one battalion of 600 women clothing workers in a company with troops. licenses for brands like Arrow, Benetton, Ruchiatna said the apparent discrepancy Disney and Swatch, staged a noisy demon- was because the Indonesian armed forces stration outside the national parliament in Page 30 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Jakarta calling for wages in line with the INDONESIA MILITARY SAYS the Friendship Association. He has arranged national minimum wage and better condi- a number of groups to visit Indonesian and tions. And this week a Red cross official in EAST TIMOR STABLE East Timor in the past. Dili spoke of a very tense atmosphere in Reuters, Excerpt. So far we only have the names of the East Timor, where recent murders had gone British MEPs who will be in the group. unexplained. JAKARTA, July 21 (Reuter) – Indone- They are: Bryan Cassidy, John Corrie and To coincide with the independence cele- sia’s military dismissed recent reports that Robert Sturdy, all Tories. van Raay will be brations, a delegation of US Congress and political tensions and security problems still leading the group. European Parliament members will visit plagued the troubled territory of East We understand that members of the US East Timor from August 9th for ten days. Timor, the official Antara news agency said Congress have also been invited to take part The MEP’s visit is being organised by a on Friday. in the trip. right-wing Dutch MEP, Mr. Janssen Van “Certain quarters abroad always like to Raay, of the European Parliament Indonesia sing old, worn-out tunes. They always say JAKARTA’S CELEBRATIONS the situation in East Timor is worsening or Friendship Association. RING HOLLOW FOR EAST But the permission for journalists ap- there is political tension or security is pre- pears to have been a once off concession at carious,” Major-General Adang Ruchiatna TIMORESE the last minute by the military. Ireland’s told reporters on Thursday in the capital The Weekend Australian, 22-23 July 1995. Indonesian embassy in London was unable Dili, 2,000 km (1,250 miles) east of Jakarta. By Patrick Walters. to say whether the six-month ban has been Ruchiatna, commander of the Bali-based lifted permanently. Udayana military region with jurisdiction Dili – Indonesia officially celebrated this Last Friday Mr. Tom Hyland of the East over East Timor, was responding to a ques- week the 19th anniversary of the integration Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign and 20 tion about reports from the International of East Timor as prominent East Timorese picketers attempted to hand in a letter of Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that chose to question the basic foundations of protest to the Indonesian ambassador over indicated the situation was worsening. the territory’s incorporation by Jakarta. “the continuing illegal occupation of East Ruchiatna denied the report, Antara said. At integration ceremonies across the ter- Timor.” Embassy officials refused to accept ICRC’s head in Dili Symeon Antoulas ritory, government officials contrasted the the letter to Mr. Junus Habibie, Mr. Hyland said on Wednesday in a rare public state- virtues of two decades of Indonesian devel- said. The embassy apparently did receive ment that East Timor was still tense. opment with the long period of stagnation the letter later and said it contained “nothing “The situation is calm on the surface, but under Portuguese colonial rule, choosing to new.” tense underneath as a result of killings, dis- ignore the worsening political situation in It asked that Mr. Habibie’s government “ appearances and arrests that occurred be- the territory. move the dialogue forward in an effort to tween January and April,” he said in Dili. November, 30, 1975, according to Ja- find an internationally acceptable solution to “Since certain cases are unresolved this is karta, the people of East Timor first ex- this terrible conflict....The substantive issue generating fear,” he said. pressed their desire to become part of Indo- of East Timor’s status should be ad- Antara quoted Ruchiatna as denying an- nesia. dressed.” other report distributed by the ICRC to Balibo was a keystone in establishing the The issues were addressed by the Foreign foreign press in Dili that some 20 East legitimacy of Indonesia’s claim to East Ministers of Portugal and Indonesia at a Timorese had been missing there since May Timor after its armed forces invaded and meeting on July 8th chaired by the UN Sec- 20. annexed the province a week later. retary general, Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghali. “The information is totally inaccurate. It is one of the keystones cited in the A communiqué said the ministers would Please do check and re-check information, 1976 Law No.7, which formally incorpo- continue their efforts to find a just, compre- the truth of which is not yet certain,” he rated the territory. This week one of the six hensive and internationally acceptable solu- said. East Timorese leaders who signed the Balibo tion. declaration, Mr. Guilherme Gonçalves, re- But bellicose statements this week from MEPS AND CONGRESS canted. the regional army commander for East MEMBERS TO VISIT Balibo, he said, was a political stratagem Timor. Indonesia has no intention of negoti- foisted on the East Timorese. “The truth is ating meaningfully. “I want to finish Fretilin TAPOL Report, 22 July 1995 nobody wanted it. It didn’t reflect the true (East Timor Liberation Front) once and for Following a specially prepared visit to feelings of the East Timorese,” Mr. Gon- all, down to the last man,” General Adang East Timor by foreign journalists who have çalves told the BBC. Ruchiatna declared on “Integration Day,” been prevented for months from visiting the In a separate magazine interview he said estimating rebel strength at “less than 200” country, another stage-managed trip will integration had not turned out as the people fighters. By September he hoped to be able take place in August. of East Timor had hoped. The people of to withdraw two battalions. He acknowl- A group of Members of the European East Timor should be free to choose their edged, however, that the rebels had support Parliament will be visiting Indonesia and own destiny by holding a referendum on from within the public and Timor admini- East Timor in mid August. The European integration or separation with Indonesia, he said. stration. section of the group is being organised by The Irish group traveled to London to the European Parliament’s Indonesia Mr. Gonçalves’s view on the inadequacy meet Mr. Chris Cole as he was released Friendship Association, set up several years of the 1976 integration process and the from Pentonville prison, where he had been ago at the behest of the Indonesians. Balibo declaration in establishing a legitimate serving a four-month sentence “for attempt- In charge of the group is Janssen van basis for Indonesian rule is widely shared by ing to stop the transfer of British Aerospace Raay, Christian Democrat MEP from Hol- the political elite in East Timor. weapons from Britain to Indonesia.” land, well-known as a close associate of the The new military commander of the Indonesian government, who is secretary of province, Colonel M. Simbolon, vowed to finish the Fretilin guerilla movement “once East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 31 and for all.” He estimated the movement’s the original declaration had contained draft- BISHOP OF DILI strength at less than 200 men. ing errors. “This is not a conventional war where East Timorese who attended the Austrian CELEBRATES TIMOR there are certain boundaries,” he said refer- talks regard the meeting as a new milestone. LEADER’S MARRIAGE ring to the Indonesian military’s continuing A leading East Timorese non-government struggle to subdue local resistance. spokesman, Mr. Florentino Sarmento, said Correio da Manha, 24 July 1995. In Dili, the International Committee of this week: “The fact is that parties who Lisbon – There was a hymn in Tetum, a the Red Cross, in a rare public statement, fought each other years ago were able to sit Timorese dialect, before the bride and groom described conditions in the territory as around and talk amicably was a very posi- came into the Cachoeiras church, Vila Franca “tense,” with a number of unexplained dis- tive result.” de Xira, where Ximenes Belo, the Bishop of appearances and killings in recent months. He argues strongly that Jakarta must re- Dili, yesterday celebrated the wedding of A t the same time the Government’s op- think the basis of the integration of East the Timorese leader Abilio Araujo. Talking position to the issue of political autonomy Timor with a measure of political autonomy to journalists, Araujo said that he regretted for East Timor has hardened noticeably, essential for future political stability. the ceremony could not have been in East with local officials including the Governor, As Mr. Sarmento observes, for many Timor. Mr. Abilio José Soares, firmly ruling out East Timorese the word “integrasi” (integra- “My mother is there. The first thing that any special political dispensation from Ja- tion) now has largely a pejorative meaning I am going to do afterwards is to phone her” karta. symbolising a long-running military occupa- stated the Timorese leader, who belonged to “The central Government will never grant tion rather than the harmonious, fruitful the founding group of the East Timor Lib- such a special status to East Timor,” Mr. developing partnership spoken of by Indo- eration Front (Fretilin). Soares, once a n ardent public proponent of nesia’s pro-consuls in Dili. Araujo was very pleased that Bishop autonomy, told visiting journalist on Thurs- Ximenes could be present as they had been day. EAST TIMORESE YOUTHS colleagues for some years at school in the The provincial Government realised it ARRESTED AND TORTURED territory. He also confirmed that the mar- could not hope for any kind of special riage marked his re-entry into the Catholic status when 99 per cent of the money Green Left weekly, July 24. By James Ba- Church. needed for East Timor’s development came lowski During the sermon Ximenes Belo praised from Jakarta. the virtue of hospitality to migrants, the Mr. Abilio’s new public position on the On July 24, activists from the newly poor and refugees and remembered “those autonomy issue contrasts sharply with his formed organisation Indonesian Pro- who are suffering,” noting that it was impor- previous statements supporting the granting democracy Movement and Maubere Peo- tant to value suffering as “a complement to of some kind of special political status for ple’s Independence (SPRIM) informed the Passion of Christ.” East Timor. Green Left Weekly that several East After the “Yes” of the bride and groom, The volte-face comes as Jakarta has been Timorese youths had been arrested and who have been companions for 23 years, scrambling to salvage something from last tortured over the weekend by the Guntur there was a fraternal embrace from the month’s meeting of 30 East Timorese in military police in Tanah Abang, Central Bishop, who had emphasised the impor- Burg Schlaining, Austria. Jakarta. tance of “love filled with altruism” and la- The Burg Schlaining meeting, which This was later confirmed in a July 25 Na- mented the high rate of divorce in a Catholic brought together prominent East Timorese tional Council of Maubere Resistance country like ours. from both inside the territory and Fretilin (CNRM) media release, which stated that Araujo, a graduate in Economics, belongs members exiled abroad, provided graphic four youths – Herculano (28), Camilio (24), to a group that transformed the Timorese evidence of Jakarta’s inability to manage Seti (25) and Aniceto (23) – were arrested at Social Democratic Association (of which even its own political supporters in the around 11pm on July 22. According to Ce- Ramos Horta was General Secretary in province. lestino, an eyewitness who managed to 1974/75) into a revolutionary organisation Not only did the talks not bread down in avoid arrest, before being arrested they were with a Maoist tendency that took on the acrimony, but a remarkable sense of unanim- beaten and kicked by police, who accused name of Fretilin. He is one of the few mem- ity prevailed between previously warring them of creating an unspecified “distur- bers of the first Central Committee that is parties. bance” at an earlier gathering of East still alive and politically separated himself The UN-sponsored dialogue produced Timorese. from the leader of the resistance, Xanana the very outcome least desired by Jakarta: a All four remain under arrest at the mili- Gusmão, even before the Santa Cruz Ceme- declaration that called for further meetings in tary police centre in Guntur and although tery massacre. parallel with the Portugal-Indonesia dialogue police have refused to comment on the exact There was later a split within Fretilin and on East Timor, chaired by the UN Secre- reasons for the arrests, it is believed that the main leaders in exile, with the consent of tary-General. they were carried out on the orders of the the resistance leadership at home, have dis- It commended the role played by the Indonesian intelligence agency, BAIS. tanced Abilio Araujo, who is no longer in Roman Catholic bishop of East Timor, SPRIM activists also believe that one of charge abroad. Araujo, however, considers the four may have died as a result of the Bishop Carlos Belo, and upset Indonesia by that it is “the others” who are the dissi- referring to a UN declaration that provides injuries inflicted under torture. dents. for greater participation by the UN in any Araujo, who belongs to a family of “Li- settlement of the4 East Timor issue. urai,” traditional chiefs, has in recent years Clearly embarrassed by the letter and promoted closer relations with pro- spirit of the declaration, Indonesia’s ambas- Indonesian Timorese. sador-at-large, MR. Lopes da Cruz, issue a “correction note” three weeks later saying Page 32 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
INDONESIAN REPORTED INJURIES / newed ethnic rioting in the troubled territory last Thursday, East Timor’s military com- PARLIAMENTARIAN ASKS KILLINGS IN BAUCAU mander said on Tuesday. SPECIAL STATUS FOR ET ‘The Australian,’ July 24, 1995. Associated “The incident took place in Baucau last Press. summarized Thursday and there were no fatalities,” Translated from Portuguese, abridged Colonel Mahidin Simbolon told reporters. Jakarta, July 24 (Lusa) – Salvador Janu- Witnesses reported that 2 policemen & 1 “We haven’t arrested anybody,” he said, ario Ximenes Soares, an Indonesian parlia- civilian were seriously injured and 1 person adding that one East Timorese was also mentarian of the Golkar party and an East killed during a violent demonstration in Bau- injured in the riot. Timorese, defended in an interview today to cau yesterday. Speaking on condition of Baucau, 130 km (81 miles) east of Dili, newspaper “Kompas” that Indonesia con- anonymity the witness said that East was the scene of race riots seven months ago cede a special status of autonomy to East Timorese youths angered at the killing of 2 after an ethnic Buginese man fatally stabbed Timor. Soares argued that both the popula- of their friends by a Javanese woman trader a native Timorese on New Year’s Day. tion and the Timorese government wanted marched to a market place yesterday and Local East Timorese vented their anger ET to become a “special territory” and ap- burned down 20 shops. The 2 police & 1 by rioting and burning down the town’s two pealed to that the ET governor immediately civilian were injured by stones & rocks Buginese-dominated markets. start a study on the subject. thrown by demonstrators. All 3 were taken At least five people were killed in the in- The ET governor, Abilio Soares, made a to hospital. cident. similar request in 1994, which was rejected One civilian was stabbed to death by Witnesses and church sources in Baucau by president Suharto. death by a demonstrator, said Mr. Manuel said 20 shops at a local market were burned Indonesia defends that ET already has a Carrascalão, member of the provincial as- down last Thursday by some 60 East special status because 90% of its budget sembly. Timorese who earlier held a street protest comes from Jakarta. The reports were denied by Col. Mahidin following unconfirmed reports that a Java- Simbolon, military commander for East nese migrant killed a Timorese man during a SUHARTO MAY VISIT EAST Timor, who said that only a few people brawl. suffered minor injuries from the demonstra- TIMOR NEXT YEAR The witnesses, who said the situation tion. The outbreak of violence was appar- was still tense on Tuesday, said the protest- ently caused by an East Timorese woman, Reuter, July 24, 1995. (abridged) ers chanted anti-immigrant slogans. Paulina, who claimed that 2 of her relatives Simbolon declined to give more details Jakarta, (Reuter) – Indonesia’s President were killed by a Javanese woman trader in a about the incident but said officials from the Suharto may make a rare visit to troubled fight at a market place. Dili-based International Committee of the East Timor next year to inaugurate a huge The article starts with a report on a Red Cross had been allowed to visit Baucau. statue of Jesus Christ, the territory’s gover- speech by President Suharto. Antara reports nor said on Monday. that President Suharto warned that unspeci- CNRM ON BAUCAU RIOTS, Jakarta-backed Governor Abilio Soares fied foreign countries, jealous of Indonesia’s KILLINGS AND DETENTIONS said Suharto had welcomed an invitation to achievements, were trying to divide the come to inaugurate a number of government National Council of Maubere Resistance country. Press Release, 27 July 1995 projects. ‘There are other countries which are not “He welcomes the invitation, but he has happy with the progress that we have been Reports from East Timor’s second city, yet to study it because of his tight schedule achieving,’ he said on Saturday (22/7). Baucau, again refer to a serious new out- this year... Maybe next year,” he said. ‘Therefore they try to raise various issues break of violence perpetrated against the Suharto last visited East Timor in the late and rumours to divide us again.’ East Timorese population by Indonesian 1980s. He was speaking during the maiden voy- transmigrants and the military occupation Soares said Suharto was expected to in- age of an Indonesian made ship from Sura- forces. augurate the 27-metre (88-foot) tall statue baya to Jakarta. Last 1 January at least three persons that was built by Indonesian artists and Those issues included human rights, were killed and over 20 arrested and se- sponsored by the country’s airline, Garuda working conditions & democratization, verely mistreated as a result of unprovoked Indonesia. President Suharto said. ‘We have our own Buginese transmigrant attacks on East The statue has been criticised as insensi- doctrine. As a sovereign country we will Timorese. The ethnic clash also left many tive by several East Timorese figures who never adopt or copy their concepts.’ He shops in Baucau destroyed. say it is politically motivated. added that these un-named countries should This time a Buginese man is said to have Soares said construction of the statue, respect the concepts upon which Indonesia knifed an East Timorese, leading to a retalia- whose cost was not revealed, was aimed at bases its policies. He said that the Dutch tion fight in which three East Timorese were countering charges the predominantly managed to rule Indonesia for 350 years by killed, 10 arrested and several shops burned. Catholic area was being turned into a Mos- successfully applying the ‘divide & rule’ These repeated ethnic clashes, which are lem area. policy. ‘Let us not repeat our past mis- a new phenomenon in East Timor, result He said the placement of the statue’s takes.’ from the unjust situation promoted by the arms and head would be completed soon but Indonesian illegal occupation authorities. he did not say when the statue would be ETHNIC RIOT HITS TIMORESE Native East Timorese are clearly being dis- fully completed. TOWN, POLICE INJURED advantaged in their own land by the unwel- Reuter, July 25, 1995 (abridged) come newcomers colonising their land. Complaints about the inflow of transmi- Dili, East Timor, July 25 (Reuter) – grants have been increasing in recent years. Scores of East Timorese burned shops and This is adding a new dimension of conflict injured two Indonesian policemen in re- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 33 to the already complex East Timorese situa- a separate incident, reports reaching Dili dictatorship with the rapidly deteriorating tion created by Indonesia.. said yesterday. East Timor situation. The ceaseless efforts Last week the Dili based International Troops of the Baucau area military com- of the East Timorese people to free them- Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) repre- mand shot the two men – allegedly separa- selves from the oppressive Indonesian yoke, sentative, Dr. Symeon Antoulas, said the tist rebels – in Wailakama on July 22, even by braving the seas as the recent 18 situation in East Timor has worsened since sources in Dili said. They identified them as boat people, are proof of the Maubere peo- the beginning of the year with an increase in Marcelino da Silva Belo, head of the local ple’s rejection of Indonesian colonialism. arrests and a number of unexplained killings Catholic Youth group, and Augusto Freitas The only response Jakarta seems capable of and disappearances. He added that consider- Belo, a high-school pupil. is to turn the territory into a Buru or Gulag able hidden tension in East Timor remain Troops rounded up villagers to witness prison island. despite a surface calm, noting that the ICRC the shooting in front of the meeting hall. This latest development also once again remained concerned about an increase in In a separate incident on Monday, seven evidences Jakarta’s already clear deep con- detentions, unexplained killings and disap- men attacked the base camp of a road build- tempt for Australia, and the failure of Aus- pearances. ing company in Samagia and shot dead a tralia’s appeasement approach towards the CNRM strongly condemns the irrespon- company worker and a civilian, another Suharto dictatorship. For years Indonesia sible attitude of the Indonesian occupation source said. has been ignoring Canberra’s pleas to take authorities in East Timor, who refuse to action to stem ongoing illegal incursions into take concrete steps to protect the local INCREASED NAVAL PATROLS Australian waters by Indonesian fishermen. population and put an end to the intolerable OFF TIMOR Jakarta always claims not to have the re- situation in the territory. sources to patrol the seas. July 28, 1995 After the successful flight of 18 coura- geous East Timorese victims the fear of BAUCAU STILL TENSE Radio Australia’s 0700 GMT newscast, AFTER RIOTING further exposures of the unending oppres- quoting Antara, said that Jakarta plans to sion and human rights violations perpetrated increase naval patrols off Timor, and espe- Jakarta Post, July 28, 1995 by the Indonesian Army in East Timor, cially between Timor and northern Austra- seems to have made resources available for Dili, East Timor: Baucau was still tense lia, in an attempt to foreclose a repeat of future intensive maritime border patrolling. yesterday, a week after a riot in which 20 May’s escape of 18 East Timorese to Dar- Over half a decade after the collapse of shops were destroyed and three people win. the infamous ‘iron curtain’ in Europe, the were injured. Asia Pacific region sees the erection of an The July 20 incident in Kota Baru re- INDONESIAN SEA PATROLS STEPPING UP anachronistic and odious ‘batik curtain,’ as portedly broke out after an East Timorese the Suharto dictatorship desperately at- native was murdered by a Javanese migrant A report in ‘The Australian’ on July 29 tempts to prevent loosing its grip over East in a brawl. quotes Antara news agency as reporting that Timor and to protect itself from the winds Eyewitnesses said yesterday that mem- Indonesian naval patrols around East of freedom and democracy increasingly bers of Armed Forces deployed at the Timor will be increased to prevent other blowing towards the Indonesian archipelago. town’s entrance roads stopped and de- East Timorese sailing to Australia. Admiral manded ID cards from everyone going in and Gofar Suwarno, deputy for planning to the ETCHRIET REPORTS out of Baucau. Anyone failing to produce an navy chief of staff is quoted as saying the ID card was not allowed to continue their decision was taken in late May. RECENT HUMAN RIGHTS journey. CNRM MEDIA STATEMENT, 31 July 1995 VIOLATIONS Baucau regent Virgilio Maria Dias Marcel said required the security authorities to The National Council of Maubere Resis- East Timor Centre for Human Right Infor- check on travelers after learning that many tance is dismayed at the 28 July statement mation, Education and Training Report of the rioters were not local residents. by an Indonesian Admiral, that navy patrols #02/95, 28 July 1995 Virgilio said he believed the rioters were around the illegally occupied territory of 1. East Timorese clandestine front youth “outsiders” brought in to incite unrest in East Timor shall be stepped up to prevent activist Edu, is in a critical condition in Dili Baucau, which is about 130 kilometres east future East Timorese boat people attempts Central Hospital after being savagely at- the capital. to flee to freedom in Australia. tacked on 6 July by Indonesian intelligence Maria Vernanda, a Dili resident who was This vindicates statements in recent operatives who had been pursuing him for taking her son back to school in Baucau, said months by East Timor Catholic Bishop some time. she was denied entry yesterday. “Our bus Ximenes Belo that East Timor is a prison. 2. On 22 July 1995 at around 11 pm, was stopped and everyone on board was Testimonies from both locals and visitors four East Timorese youths were arrested by asked to produce their IDs. After that we consistently denounce the oppressive and the Military Police in Tanah Abang, Central were asked to return to Dili without clear unjust situation, and the progressively dete- Jakarta, and subjected to maltreatment, tor- reason,” she told The Jakarta Post. riorating human rights conditions in the ture and imprisonment without due legal territory. process. According to eye witnesses, the FOUR KILLED IN José Ramos Horta, CNRM Special Rep- four youths involved are Herculano (28 resentative, said from Geneva, where he is TIMOR SHOOTINGS years), Camilio (24 ), Seti (25) and Aniceto attending this year’s meeting of the United (23 ). New Zealand Herald 1 August 1995 Nations Human Rights Sub-Commission on According to Celestino (21), an eye wit- Prevention of Discrimination and Protection DILI (AFP) – Indonesian troops shot ness to the incident who managed to avoid of Minorities, which is again to discuss East arrest, before being arrested, the youths dead two young men in East Timor while Timor this week, “the recent Indonesian pro-independence rebels killed two others in were hit and kicked after being accused of statement shows the despair of the Suharto arranging a gathering of East Timorese and Page 34 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. creating a “disturbance,” without the exact nese migrant during a brawl, residents and The residents said the farmers wanted the nature of the disturbance being specified. church sources said. government to raise coffee prices from 1,500 The four remain in detention in Guntur, Aid workers said on Saturday the situa- rupiah (US$0.67) to 2,500 rupiah ($1.12) the Greater Jakarta military police centre. tion was still tense in that area. per kg because local businessmen were only According to Iksar, a Military Police officer, willing to pay between 700 rupiah ($0.31) the youths were picked up on the orders of TIMOR TO RECEIVE and 1,500 rupiah per kg. the military intelligence agency BIA. Iksar UNCENSORED RTP The official Antara news agency quoted was unable to say when the youths would East Timor’s police chief Colonel Andreas be released and give precise reasons for their (PORTUGUESE TV) Sugianto as saying on Saturday that police arrest, as it had been BIA who ordered their picked up scores of farmers who staged a Expresso, 29 July 1995. arrest. He added that questions should be protest and then burned houses and shops referred to BIA Lisbon – East Timor will be receiving in the first incident on July 23. 3. Ethic tensions as a result of the unjust transmissions from RTP International [the “We picked them up only to give them situation promoted by the Indonesian au- public TV channel] at the end of October. counsel and let them meet with relevant thorities, have again caused major riots in This guarantee was given by the minister in officials. We did not arrest them,” he was Baucau. A Buginese man’s knifing of an charge, Lums Marques Mendes, to the quoted as saying. East Timorese led to fights in which, accord- Bishop of Dili, Ximenes Belo, at a meeting Antara quoted East Timor’s governor ing to unconfirmed reports, three East this week in Lisbon. The decision to make Abilio Soares as saying after the July 23 Timorese were killed, 10 arrested and many the international transmissions from RTP incident that legal action should be taken shops burned. Such ethnic clashes are a new available to the territory occupied by Indo- against the farmers for what they did. phenomenon in East Timor, resulting from nesia entails that the Portuguese state will Coffee is the major commodity produced native East Timorese being disadvantaged in have to hire another satellite – apart from by East Timor. their own land by the unwelcome Indone- those already used to broadcast RTPI to the The Ministry of Trade office in Dili said sian newcomers colonising their country. rest of the world. East Timor had 250,000 hectares under 4. Last week Sabino, an approximately Marques Mendes explained to the Ex- coffee with a total production of 10,000 20 year old youth at Gari Wai was shot and presso that “this was the only to ensure tonnes each year. brutally stabbed to death by an Indonesian that the transmissions arrived to that zone It said 6,000 tonnes of coffee is exported army member. At the same incident, Naz- in good technical condition and without any mainly to Japan, Singapore and China from ario, an East Timorese man from Wailili, possible interference from Indonesia.” He East Timor. was badly wounded by Army members, added that the high number of satellite while another East Timorese, whose name is dishes in Timor led one to believe that there PAPER SHORTAGE as yet not available, was illegally arrested would be no difficulties in receiving RTPI. and detained at the local military command A short-wave transmitter for the territory Forum Keadilan, 31 July 1995. Translated in Baucau. had already been launched in March of this from Indonesian. abridged year. This was started up after Portugal had Regional papers like Suara Timor Timur INDONESIA MILITARY CHIEF received complaints that the normal RDP [East Timor], Pos Maluku, Suara Maluku, transmissions were arriving in Timor in bad SHOT IN EAST TIMOR Haluan, Singgalang, Semangat, and even conditions – suspectedly due to Indonesian Jawa Pos, are reducing their size, reducing Reuter, 29 July 1995. Abridged “noises.” “The most important step, how- their circulation, and increasing their sub- ever, is television” the junior minister added. Dili – An Indonesian officer was scription rates in response to a continuing The date for the beginning of the RTPI paper shortage. wounded by unidentified gunmen in East transmissions coincides with the inclusion in Timor on Thursday, a week after East the programming of programmes teaching Timorese burned shops in renewed ethnic Portuguese. SOLDIERS SHOOT DEAD rioting in the troubled territory, a military TWO EAST TIMORESE source said on Saturday. TIMORESE TOWN HIT BY He told reporters that Captain Basarudin, Reuter, 3 August 1995. Jakarta. By Jeremy chief of the Vemasse military precinct, was COFFEE PROTEST Wagstaff shot in his stomach when he was riding his Reuter, 30 July 1995. Abridged Indonesian troops near the riot-torn town motorcycle. Basarudin was taken to hospi- of Baucau fired last week on East Timorese, tal, but the extent of his wound was not Jakarta – East Timorese farmers burned killing two youths, after a local military immediately known, the source said. A col- houses and shops on Sunday in Ermera commander was shot, residents from two league sitting behind Basarudin was unhurt, town to demand higher prices for their cof- Timorese towns said on Thursday. The but the attackers then burned the motorcy- fee, the second such incident in a week, killings capped several weeks of fresh un- cle, said the source. residents said. rest, including three riots, arrests and re- “It is still not clear who attacked Basa- The residents told Reuters by telephone ports of clashes between troops and guerril- rudin,” said the source, who refused to be from Ermera, 65 km (40.6 miles) west of las opposing Indonesia’s 20-year-old rule identified. East Timor’s capital of Dili, that dozens of over the former Portuguese colony. East Two Indonesian police officers were in- farmers set fire to a number of houses and Timorese police chief Andreas Sugianto jured and 20 shops at a local market in East shops to express their anger over low coffee declined to comment on the incident in the Timor were burned down on July 20 by prices. “I saw smoke and there are many village of Bucoli a week after ethnic riots about 60 Timorese who earlier staged a police here,” one resident said. swept the nearby town of Baucau. street protest following unconfirmed news Police were not immediately available for Residents of Dili, East Timor’s capital, about the murder of a Timorese by a Java- comment and it was not clear if there were quoted the military as confirming the inci- casualties. dent but said the troops opened fire in self- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 35 defence. They said one soldier was badly giving remissions ends on August 16, 1995,” kind of autonomy he said that “autonomy wounded. Benny Mathaos, the regional head of the makes no sense for East Timor” and de- “It’s still very obscure as to what hap- Justice Department, told Antara on Sunday. scribed the current – but unspecified politi- pened. The official version is that the sol- Independence Day is celebrated on Au- cal discontent – as originating from members diers opened fire in self-defence, that one gust 17. Jakarta-appointed Governor Abilio of the intellectual and political classes and as was badly wounded by one of the youths, José Osorio Soares, as representative of the being due to “personal frustrations over and that seems plausible enough,” one Dili Justice Minister Utoyo Usman, may offer local politicians.” resident said by telephone. more prisoners early release, Mathaos said. On July 17 celebrations were rounded off In Baucau, residents said Fretilin guerril- Antara did not identify those being re- with ceremonies in Dili and the small town las had claimed responsibility for the shoot- leased or say what types of crimes they of Balibo, 180 km from the capital, where ing of the local commander, Captain Basa- were jailed for. the so-called Balibo declaration of support rudin, who was hit in the stomach while Last month Amnesty International said for integration was supposed to have been riding his motorcycle in Vemasse district. up to 250 East Timorese were known to signed in 1975. In Dili, civilian and military Troops rushed to the scene and fired on have been arrested arbitrarily in the territory leaders watched a tightly regimented mili- youths who had set fire to the captain’s since November 1994 for suspected pro- tary parade of around 500 troops joined by motorbike, they said. independence activities. “representatives” of the youth movement The incident was the first reported attack Mathaos said the Justice Department, who paraded in front of government build- on Indonesian troops since guerrillas at- which administers prisons in Indonesia, gave ings, cordoned off from the rest of the city tacked a military post in Viqueque on May routine remissions each year to prisoners by heavy security. Local people were not 13, killing one officer. Residents said there serving sentences of less than six months. invited. may have been more such incidents but Indonesia unilaterally annexed East Timor in Presided over by the military commander could not provide details. July 1976 in an act not recognised by the responsible for East Timor, Major-General Foreign journalists were allowed last United Nations which still regards Portugal Adang Ruchiatna, commander of the Bali- month for the first time since January to as the administering power. based Udayana military region, the ceremo- visit the territory, which has been the focus nies in Balibo itself were held less that 100 of international concern over human rights LUSA REPORT, AUG. 7 metres from the building where five Western abuses. Translated from Portuguese: journalists were killed by invading Indone- The UN’s High Commissioner for Hu- Jakarta – At least 494 prisoners in East sian troops in October 1975. Amid heavy man Rights, José Ayala Lasso, is due to Timor will be granted reduced sentences, in security, five foreign journalists were spe- visit East Timor in November and Decem- celebration of the 50th anniversary of inde- cially flown in for the occasion by an Indo- ber. Residents of Baucau said the town had pendence of Indonesia, Antara announced nesian Air Force helicopter to watch as East nearly returned to normal after last week’s today, Timorese students raised the Indonesian flag ethnic riots, the first in six months. Benny Mathaos, head of the Justice De- while others, holding hand-written signs The military arrested six people for their partment in East Timor, said Sunday in Dili reading “Kami Cinta Integrasi” (“We Love alleged role, but residents said the number that governor Abilio Soares would announce Integration”), sang the Indonesian national was higher. Witnesses said youths burned August 17 at least 276 sentence reductions, anthem, Indonesia Raya. Ruchiatna took the down a market and 20 shops during the riot, according to Antara. Mathaos added that opportunity to confidently declare Fretilin a which was quelled after troops were another 218 prisoners in East Timor should spent force announcing that “I want to fin- shipped in from the capital Dili, and an all- be granted normal annual sentence reduc- ish Fretilin once and for all, down to the last day curfew was imposed. tions. Additional sentence reductions may man” but acknowledged however, that the Dili itself was quiet, residents said. Ear- be announced before August 17. rebels had support from within the public lier this year the capital was hit by noctur- and Timor administration. nal rampages by unidentified gangs which TIMORESE INTEGRATION Returning to the theme that opponents to residents believed were linked to the mili- integration are a minority, on July 19 the tary. “In Dili it seems...normal but in the CEREMONIES MARRED BY government used the occasion to parade a mountains there are a lot of military,” said CONTROVERSY “repentant” East Timorese “rebel,” Cipriano one Dili resident. Gusmão, before foreign journalists; and But elsewhere unrest had surfaced again, By James Balowski, AKSI News Service, launch a new youth group Gada Paksi, the residents said, with the nearby town of August 10. Youth Guard of Integration Upholders, Ermera tense after two separate riots by In July last month, Indonesia officially designed to promote integration. Military farmers last month over low coffee prices. celebrated the 19th anniversary of the “inte- officials present at the interview said Gus- Coffee is East Timor’s major commodity. gration” of East Timor as Indonesia’s 27th mão would not be tried or imprisoned but province. In carefully orchestrated ceremo- allowed to return to his community. In mak- INDONESIA TO RELEASE 276 nies across the country, government officials ing a plea to others to come out of the forest TIMOR PRISONERS focused on the regime’s much touted “de- and give themselves up, Gusmão claimed velopment” of the province – contrasting that after capture he had never been interro- Reuter, 6 August 1995. Abridged this with the long period of stagnation under gated by the military, but only visited by Portuguese colonial rule. soldiers “as friends.” Jakarta – Indonesia will release early 276 In a press conference held at the start of It has also been reported that President prisoners in East Timorese jails as part of the celebrations, the Jakarta appointed Gov- Soeharto may be planning to visit East Indonesia’s 50th anniversary celebrations ernor of East Timor, Abilio Soares, also Timor next year in what is already shaping this month, the official Antara news agency chose to emphasise the issue of develop- up to be yet another ill-fated publicity said on Sunday. ment claiming that over 99% of the funds stunt. Soares was reported as saying on July “It is possible the amount of 276 prison- came from the central government. Firmly 21 that Soeharto planned to inaugurate a ers may be added to again as the deadline for reiterating the regime’s opposition to any huge, 27 metre statue of Jesus Christ, built Page 36 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. by Indonesian artists and sponsored by the Although the ceremonies themselves pro- concern at the impression it might have on government owned airline, Garuda Indone- ceeded without incident, controversy had visiting foreign journalists.” sia. Soeharto last visited East Timor in the been brewing since June 6 when one of the While Indonesia will continue with its late 1980s. The statue has already been six signatories to the Balibo declaration, diplomatic campaign in the international criticised as insensitive and politically moti- Guilherme Gonçalves, formally withdrew arena, last month’s exercise was largely vated by East Timorese figures. Soares con- his support for the document by canceling designed for internal consumption. Clear ceded that the move was aimed at countering his signature a day before handing it to U.N. parallels can be drawn with similar efforts charges that the predominantly Catholic Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali during the trial of Fretilin leader Xanana territory was being turned into a Moslem during the talks in Salzburg. Indonesia used Gusmão in 1992. While the trial and sen- area. He said the placement of the statue’s the declaration as justification for its full- tence were almost universally condemned arms and head would be completed soon but scale invasion of the territory a week after by the international community – hardly a did not say when it would be finished. its signature, its annexation the following word of this was ever reported by the Indo- The admission of continuing political year and in part its refusal to heed calls for a nesian media. In fact the regime was able to “discontent” by Soares however, belies a referendum on East Timor’s future. Refer- carry off the pantomime so successfully rapidly worsening political situation in the ring to the document as a sham, the move that when Xanana’s life sentence was com- territory – with mounting evidence of in- has brought into question one of the most muted to 20 years (as a result of interna- creased human rights violations in recent basic foundations of the territory’s incorpo- tional pressure), many Indonesians were months – and no indication whatsoever that ration by Jakarta. From his Jakarta home, outraged that a “traitor” and “murderer” of popular resistance to the occupation has Gonçalves, who was governor of East Timor his own people – as they had been lead to abated. Since last January, there have been from 1976 until his “removal” in January, believe – should receive such a light sen- repeated outbreaks of violence between 1980, told reporters that he withdrew his tence. indigenous East Timorese and Indonesian support for the document because what he Part of the reason for this, is of course, transmigrants in East Timor’s second largest had wanted from it has not been given by because regime is well aware that the inter- city Baucau, 130 km East of Dili. In a rare Indonesia adding that after 20 years of inte- national community ALREADY KNOWS public statement in July, the Dili based gration, the problem of East Timor has not what has transpired since the invasion 19 representative of the International Commit- been resolved and that “Integration had years ago. It is also easier and probably a lot tee of the Red Cross, Dr. Symeon Antoulas, failed.” Although Gonçalves admitted that more effective to leave the job of containing said the situation in East Timor has wors- he is the only of the six to formally with- and “mediating” popular protest overseas to ened since the beginning of the year with an draw his support he said that believed that sympathetic (abate privately sympathetic) increase in arrests and a number of unex- at least two others have also indicated con- governments such as the Australian Labour plained killings and disappearances. At a cerns over its contents. Balibo, he said, was party. This point and therefore the impor- meeting last month in Salzburg, Austria, a political stratagem foisted on the people of tance of building a mass protest movement which brought together prominent East East Timor, “The truth is nobody wanted it. within Indonesia itself was emphasised Timorese from inside the territory and exiled It didn’t reflect the true feelings of the East during last month’s AKSI national tour of Fretilin members abroad, Jakarta was left Timorese.” In a separate interview he said Ria Shanti, an activist from the newly scrambling to salvage something as the talks that the East Timorese people should be formed Timorese solidarity organisation produced an unusual sense of unanimity free to choose their own destiny by holding SPRIM (Indonesian Peoples’ Solidarity between previously warring parties. CNRM referendum on integration or separation with Struggle with the Maubere People). Shanti (East Timor National Council of Maubere Indonesia. Gonçalves went on to explain drew parallels between the struggle in East Resistance) described the outcome of the that the declaration was in fact signed by Timor and the Vietnam war arguing that meeting as providing graphic evidence of the four East Timorese in nearby Bali, and then while the determination of the Vietnamese governments inability to manage even its by two others in the East Timor town of people played an important role in defeating own political supporters in the province. Atambua, a day after Fretilin – who already the US, a decisive factor was mass opposi- Indonesia’s international image has also enjoyed huge popular support – declared tion by the American people themselves. come in for a battering with the decision last independence shortly after the Portuguese Although the regime has been quite effec- month to withdraw the nomination of Gen- administration abandoned the colony. tive in controlling information flow from eral Herman Mantiri as Indonesia’s ambas- “Whether we believed in it or not, we had outside, the Dili massacre in 1991 lead many sador to Australia over remarks made after no choice. We had to sign” said Gonçalves. ordinary Indonesians – perhaps for the first the 1991 Dili massacre. Concerns were also It is believed that his view on the inade- time – to begin to question their govern- raised in Jakarta last month following the quacy of the 1976 integration process and ments position and policies on East Timor. decision by the Australian government – the Balibo declaration is widely shared by Not unlike the massacre of more than a mil- who under mounting domestic and interna- the political elite in East Timor. lion people and the gaolings of thousands of tional pressure – were forced to release re- Quite aside from the controversy created others when the Soeharto regime sized cently arrived East Timorese political refu- by Gonçalves’s decision, the integration power in 1965, in ideological terms East gees being held in detention in Western Aus- “celebrations” as an attempt in convincing Timor remains an “Achilles heal” for the tralia. Most recently, Jakarta has been em- the outside would that the East Timor issue Indonesian government. While activists in barrassed by the leaking of a secret three is dead, and those who oppose integration the pro-democracy movement will say pri- year old US military intelligence document are just a “minority,” is starkly contrasted vately that they support self-determination dated April 6, 1992, which indicates that by descriptions by foreign journalists who – the debate being more one of how and two top-ranking Indonesian generals knew actually attended the ceremonies; and are when this should occur – other pro- in detail about the Santa Cruz killings. One testimony their utter failure. The British democratic organisations are now also be- of them, General Try Sutrisno is now Indo- human rights organisation TAPOL for ex- ginning to take up this question; with a nesia’s vice president. Jakarta’s military ample, commented on the “brazen arro- number making strong public statements to heads have always insisted that the killings gance” of Indonesia in holding the “celebra- this effect in overseas forums recently. This were not official policy. tion” in the way it did without the “slightest growing sentiment was demonstrated just East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 37 last month in a defence speech by Tri Agus According to one version received, five The CNRM communiqué gives account Siswowiharjo, editor of the student network Indonesian soldiers viciously beat up five also of incidents during the last few weeks magazine News from Pijar who is currently East Timorese youths, causing anger in the in the regions of Lospalos, Ermera and on trial for “insulting the President.” This is local population, which proceeded to burn Liquiça. the first time since the Indonesian invasion some shops down. In Lospalos, 15 youths were beaten by that a statement calling the occupation of According to another version, army per- soldiers on July 29, and were taken to an East Timor illegal has been made public – a sonnel attempted to incite East Timorese unknown location. The families of the 15 statement which was greeted by thunderous youths into protest actions against Indone- have requested urgent support from the applause by the public attending the trial. sia by setting fire to two market stalls in an ICRC to locate the youths. Just how sensitive the regime is to these area of transmigrant concentration. In Ermera, several East Timorese disap- developments was indicated an article by East Timorese youths did not respond, peared after confrontations on July 30 be- Irawan Abidin, director of foreign informa- and nonetheless some of them were vi- tween the population and soldiers. Among tion for Indonesia’s Department of Foreign ciously beaten up by the military. those disappeared are Fernando Maia, 27 Affairs, which appeared in the August 3 Later that night, army personnel arrested y.o., Bento, 22, Mau-Kalai, 23, Abilio, 26, issue of the Far Eastern Economic Review several East Timorese youths at their Helder, 24, and Julio, 25. titled “Indonesia claims Xanana hoax.” homes. Eight of a total of 16 have been iden- In Liquiça, 8 youths were arrested when Abidin attempts to argue that letters, state- tified. Their names are: Helder (24), single, they travelled by car to Dili, and have dis- ments and in fact nearly all forms of com- farmer; Antonio; Zeca; Fernando Maia (27), appeared. munication which have been received from married, farmer; Bento Ximenes (22), single, The CNRM also reports that residents of Xanana since his arrest in 1993 could not farmer; Virgilio Madeira, Terezinha Babo, the Covalima-Suai region have been forced possibly be genuine and that Xanana himself Francisco Soares. for some time lately to attend continual is a prisoner “found guilty of common These people are reported to be in a seri- sessions of indoctrination during which the crimes” and simply “a man who is doing ous condition as a result of beatings. They armed forces present arguments to convince time and would rather be left alone.” Al- are currently detained at the police station the population of the legitimacy of the In- though the article is clearly, as one observer (POLRES) at Gleno, and all access to them donesian occupation. put it, “really the most extraordinary accu- has been denied. sation for some time,” it takes on added The report claims that local civilian au- AI ALERT ON BAUCAU AND significance in light of a July 28 report on thorities are cooperating with the military, ERMERA ARRESTS Portuguese radio in which the Bishop of to capture further youths. Dili, Dom Ximenes Belo stated that he has AI UA196/95 EAST TIMOR. AI Index: ASA been prevented by Indonesian authorities CNRM: AT LEAST 8 21/39/95, 10 August 1995 from visiting Xanana since his arrest. TIMORESE KILLED The timing is not coincidental. In recent Fear of arbitrary detention / Fear of tor- months Xanana has been actively working Translated from the Portuguese, abridged. ture to build solidarity links between the East Arrested: Helder Timorese independence movement and pro- Sidney, Australia, August 7 (Lusa) – The democratic forces in Indonesia. Xanana is CNRM issued a communiqué today in Sid- Bento Ximenes already a symbol of heroic resistance for ney referring at least eight East Timorese Fernando Maia many Indonesian activists and the last thing killed by Indonesian soldiers in separate Abilio the regime needs at this juncture, is a popu- incidents in July. Facing Arrest: Virgilio lar pro-independence movement emerging on On July 3rd, three non-identified youths, Constâncio its own doorstep and creating that most two men and a woman, were killed in Tasi Angelo worrying of “social diseases,” the “East Tolu, about 3 Km away from the Dili cen- Isidoro Timor Syndrome.” ter. Indonesian battalion 745 is said to haven Domingos been involved, but the reason of the killings and six unnamed youths in Baucau and the location of the bodies are unknown. At least 10 people have been arrested fol- ETCHRIET HUMAN RIGHTS On July 25, soldiers of the same battalion lowing disturbances, sometimes violent, in REPORT ON ERMERA shot three youths in the Lelalai village, in East Timor during the past three weeks. VIOLENCE the Baucau region, after torture. These vic- Another five East Timorese youths may tims were identified as Sabino, Igido and face arrest in relation to these incidents. No. 4/95 date: 7 August 95. Update from Joaquim Romano. Amnesty International recognizes the right East Timor Centre for Human Rights Infor- On July 27, soldiers of the same battalion of police authorities to detain and bring to mation, Education and Training shot Marciano Freitas Belo, 25 y.o., and justice those responsible for acts of vio- On 6/8/95 ETCHRIET issued a report Augusto Belo, 19, in the Wailiakama village lence; however, it fears that those detained (No. 3/8) on latest human rights violations in the Baucau region. may be ill-treated or tortured in incommuni- by the Indonesian Army against the civilian At least 12 youths have disappeared dur- cado detention, and that the authorities may population of East Timor, stressing that ing confrontations between the population use the violence as a pretext to arrest and according to opinions received, the situation and soldiers in Baucau. imprison non-violent pro-independence is rapidly deteriorating and requires urgent Dozens of people were arrested, includ- activists. international action to press the Indonesian ing nine East Timorese identified as Paulo Four East Timorese youths – Helder, authorities to cease their current campaigns Cabral da Costa, Ricardo Freitas Boavida, Bento Ximenes, Fernando Maia and Abilio of arrests, torture and intimidation. Aleixo Boavida, Antonio Cabral, Carlito – were arrested following disturbances on 30 A message received today provides fur- Pereira, Alberto Dias Santos, Rogerio Soares July 1995 in the town of Ermera, 65 kilome- ther details on the market place violence that da Silva, Bonifacio Mateus da Silva, and tres west of the East Timorese capital Dili, took place on Sunday 30 July in Ermera. Adelino. in which demonstrators were ostensibly Page 38 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. protesting against low coffee commodity tion: Dear Lieutenant-Colonel] Kapolda Referring to the intra-Timorese dialogue, prices. The four are reported to be currently Timor Timur Dili, East Timor (Indonesia) Santana was supportive but warned that it held in different prisons in the town. Five Telegrams: Kapolda Timor Timur, Dili, may be unfruitful if the question of the po- others youths – Virgilio, Constâncio, An- East Timor litical statute of the territory is not made gelo, Isidoro and Domingos, may also face MILITARY COMMANDER REGION part of the agenda. arrest in relation to the same incident. IX/UDAYANA* Brig. Gen. R. Adang On the role of Portugal, Santana defended Ten days earlier, on 20 July, unrest in the Ruchiatna [Salutations: Dear Brigadier- that the Portuguese government create an town of Baucau some 130km east of Dili led General Pangdam IX/Udayana Markas Be- organism incumbed with the administration to the arrest of at least six people. In a sar KODAM IX Udayana Denpasar, Bali, of East Timor, which should be granted statement to reporters, Baucau Chief of Indonesia Telegrams: Pangdam funds from the government budget for the Police, Colonel Andreas Sugianto said “[w]e IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia (* main purpose of providing education and have arrested six people and they will be covers Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara and professional training for East Timorese na- tried soon after for their crimes.” He did not East Timor) tionals. Santana also defended that Portugal say what the six would be charged with or channel funds to the Timorese Catholic where they are being detained. NINE TIMORESE ARRESTED Church, so that it can establish an educa- Other sources indicate that the number of IN VEMASSE tional network throughout the territory. people arrested in both Baucau and Ermera may be higher. Translated from the Portuguese, abridged INDONESIAN MILITARY EAST BACKGROUND INFORMATION Lisbon, August 10 (Lusa) – Nine East TIMOR OPERATIONS AND Since November 1994, there have been Timorese were arrested in the last few days HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS increased, and sometimes violent, demon- in the Vemasse region, for alleged involve- strations against Indonesia’s occupation of ment in the death of a military commander, a CNRM media release, 15 August 1995. East Timor. The authorities have responded source of the resistance told Lusa today. translation of Clandestine Resistance report to the demonstrations with arbitrary deten- The Indonesian military attribute the (7 August 1995) tion, including detention of peaceful pro- commander’s death to the guerrilla, but the A report by the East Timorese Clandes- testers, beatings, torture and suspected ex- resistance denies this. tine Resistance, dated 7 August, just re- trajudicial executions. Over 100 East The same source said the commander, ceived in Darwin, contains the following Timorese were arrested following November who has not been identified, worked in ex- information on military activities and ac- demonstrations and 27 people are currently ploring sandalwood in the mountainous tions against the civilian population. The believed to be facing trial for their alleged areas of Vemasse, and was killed by work- authors ask for urgent international assis- role in these demonstrations. Between two ers. tance to protect the victims of these latest and five people were killed in Baucau in The resistance reports the following iden- Indonesian Army human rights violations. January this year when Indonesian troops tities of those arrested: Diamantino Freitas, opened fire in an attempt to quell riots in 25 y.o., Vitor Costa Freitas, 33, Cosme da KILLINGS, ARRESTS, DETENTIONS the town. Concern for those arrested in Costa Freitas, 25, Helio da Costa Freitas, AND DISAPPEARANCES recent weeks in Ermera and Baucau is 22, Filomeno Soares, 25, Evaristo de Sousa, Baucau region heightened by reports that some of those 55, João Agostinho, 29, Olimpio da Costa, detained following the November demon- 25, and Victor Freitas, 27. a. At Wailacama-Baucau members of the strations were beaten in military detention Indonesian army battalion 745 assassinated and several were allegedly subjected to elec- INTERVIEW OF two East Timorese youths, Agostinho Belo tric shocks. They were also reportedly de- and Marcelino Freitas, on 21 July 1995. The nied access to lawyers and their families. KONIS SANTANA two youth were shot dead after an incursion by Falintil into Wailacama. The youths were RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send Translated from the Portuguese, abridged accused by the Indonesian army of being telegrams/express/airmail letters in Bahasa Lisbon, August 11 (Lusa) – In an inter- involved in that incursion, in which the local Indonesia or your own language: view to radio station RDP international, Indonesian military commander (Koramil) of - urging the Indonesian authorities to Konis Santana, commander of the Timorese Vemasse was wounded. provide details of the whereabouts of all guerrilla, defended that Xanana Gusmão b. Relatives of the above victims and oth- those detained in recent weeks, as well as should participate in the next round of nego- ers were arrested and tortured on 22 July, any charges that are to be brought against tiations between Portugal and Indonesia. To allegedly for helping the Falintil guerrillas. them; Santana, the dialogue between these two José Freitas and Luis Belo were badly - urging that they be immediately and un- countries will be insufficient unless there is beaten and are seriously wounded in Baucau conditionally released, unless they are “direct participation” of the Timorese resis- Hospital. charged with recognisably criminal offences tance, and especially of Xanana. The following people have been arrested: under existing laws; Santana defended the peace plan pre- 1 Cosme da Costa Freitas, village head of - calling for all possible measures to be sented by the CNRM, and underscored the Vemasse; taken to ensure the safety of the detainees; importance of having a UN presence in ET, 2 Helio da Costa Freitas, (22),student; - calling on the authorities to allow access for achieving safety and stability. With a 3 Diamantino da Costa Freitas,( 25), stu- for those in detention to the International UN presence, said Santana, the Indonesian dent; Committee of the Red Cross, lawyers and troops should withdraw, the politic police 4 Victor Freitas, (27), student; their families. should be neutralized, and the arms pro- 5 João Filomeno Soares, (35), village head vided by Jakarta to some civilians should be APPEALS TO: of Uaigae; removed. Under these conditions, also 6 Evaristo de Sousa, (55), former village CHIEF OF POLICE FOR EAST FALINTIL could be disarmed. head of Uaigae; TIMOR Lt. Col. Sugianto Andreas [Saluta- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 39
7 Victor da Costa Freitas, (27), public of being pursued by Indonesian military AMNESTY PROMISED servant; intelligence. 8 João Agostinho, (27), public servant; FOR REBELS 9 Olimpio da Costa, (25), village head of US CONGRESSMEN END Jakarta Post, August 19, 1995 Kaitua. VISIT TO TIMOR Young people from Uailili and Gariuai Dili, East Timor: Chief of the East Timor Military Distrik Command Col. Muhidin fled to the mountains and dispersed into Jakarta Post August 14, 1995 three ‘liberated areas’ under the command of Simbolon says the Government’s offer of David Daitula, Rodak and Lere. JAKARTA (JP): A nine-person delega- Amnesty for rebels who surrender voluntar- tion of the United States Congress ended a ily still holds. Ermera – Gleno regions brief visit to East Timor on Saturday after “General amnesty will be given to GPK The following cases are reported. meeting with officials and probing into is- members (rebels) who repent and are willing People arrested and kept detained at the sues of human rights. to contribute to the development of the Police quarters in Gleno: Lead by congressman Bill Ascher (sic, ac- area,” Simbolon told The Jakarta Post after 1 Fernando Maia, (21).son of Arnaldo tually Bill Archer, R-TX), during their two- attending the ceremony of the Indonesian Maia, born in Raimorhei, arrested on 1-8-95. day stay the delegation met with East Timor 50th Independence anniversary here on 2 Sidolizio Viegas,( 20) born in Mertutu, Governor Abilio José Osorio Soares and Thursday. arrested on 2-8-95. members of the provincial legislative council He urged GPK members who are still at 3 João da Costa Neves, (20) born in (DPRD). large to surrender and participate in the Leguimena, arrested 5-8-95. Antonio Freitas Parada, speaker of the development program. Disappeared people whose whereabouts East Timor legislative council, during the are still unknown. meeting with the congressional delegation, TIMORESE CLAIM 1 Constâncio Faria asked why the world is obsessed with hu- 2 Angelino Martins man rights abuses only after East Timor’s RESISTANCE LEADER 3 Andre Salsinha integration and not while it was still a Por- CAPTURED 4 Bento Ximenes tuguese colony. 5 Antonio Lam “During the Portuguese colonial era, hu- The Irish Times, 24th August 1995 6 Cesar Manuel dos Santos man rights violations were even worse, but Reuter, Jakarta – Indonesian forces have 7 Julio why did the world not pay any attention captured and possibly killed the leader of 8 Virgilio then?” Parada said as quoted by Antara East Timor’s clandestine resistance to its from Dili. rule in the territory, exile sources and resis- INDONESIAN ARMY MOVEMENTS East Timor was integrated as part of In- tance said yesterday. It is reported that there are six Indonesian donesia in 1976, a year after the hasty with- The National Council of Maubere Resis- army battalions operating in the regions of drawal of the Portuguese administration. tance said in a statement that the under- Ermera, Gleno, Cailaco, Maliana and At- The United Nations, however, still recog- ground leader, Mr. Pedro Nunes Sabalae sabe: 711, 511, 433,727, 114, and 116. nizes Lisbon as the administrating power (39) had been captured on June on 29th Three of them are concentrated in Fatubessi there. along with his assistant, Mr. Remigio Levi and Sare. The commander of battalion 711 is The United States, though giving de facto da Costa Tilman. based in Lulirasa-Southern Ermera. The recognition of the integration, has carefully “CNRM appeals to your organisation to battalion is armed with a canon. scrutinized the implementation of human do everything within your mandate so as to There are 24 Indonesian battalions cur- rights there. ensure that Sabalae and Tilman are protected rently operating in East Timor. In the west- Following the 1991 Dili incident in which from treatment which is in violation of in- ern sector: battalions 711, 511, 433, 727, several demonstrators were killed following ternationally accepted standards,” which 114, and 116. In the centre sector: 310, 320, a clash with security officers, Washington was sent to media and human rights organi- 320(?), 106, 408, 503, 527, 144. In the east- promptly suspended its military training sations. ern sector: 754, 311, 327, 130, 431, 420, program to the Indonesian army. US Con- The army has consistently denied the 421, 611, 508, 512. gress has also blocked the sale of US mili- two since reports of their capture first sur- DISAPPEARED RESISTANCE LEADER tary equipment to Indonesia, based on hu- faced in early July. Diplomats said their It was also mentioned that according to man rights considerations, particularly in arrest would be a significant blow to the some reports, Pedro Nunes( Sabalae), leader East Timor. movement, whose 20-year resistance to of the Clandestine Resistance and his friend ‘There is no country that is free from Indonesian rule had in the past two years Remigio Levy da Costa, who have disap- human rights violations,’ Parada remarked. largely recovered from the 1992 capture of peared in early July, were captured at Tibar ‘(But) You can compare the conditions dur- its guerrilla leader, Mr. Xanana Gusmão, and by the battalion 711. They were taken to ing the Portuguese colonial period to that several deputies. Tikelali(?) for questioning. On July 3, their under the Indonesian government.’ Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese captors are said to have handed them over to Similarly, the deputy speaker of the East colony in 1975 but still faces dogged resis- SGI (Indonesian military intelligence) head- Timor legislative council, Maria LVC Quin- tance to its rule. The United Nations do not quarters in Dili-Colmera. Three days later, tao, said East Timorese people now could recognize Indonesian rule and Western coun- they were transferred to Jakarta. The latest channel their political aspirations through tries have long criticized its human rights information indicates that they might be in the legislative council. ‘The aspiration of the record there. Bali. people that is presented through this council The International Committee of the Red is never ignored.’ Quintao contended. Cross said it had received word of his cap- OTHER ture but had yet to confirm it. (REUTER). Isidro Lemos from Riheu and Felix from Mertutu have gone underground as a result Comment from Maggie Helwig, British Coa- lition for East Timor: This is not new infor- Page 40 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. mation. However, it was not the Ottawa Kupang dialect aroused suspicion. Nunes Beijing. Xanana has been subjected to a new Citizen delaying reporting. Rather, Reuters speaks mainly Tetum and Portuguese. wave of interrogation and now is also seems to have concluded at last that, since At that point Tilman attempted to resist guarded more closely by intelligence agents the Indonesian government rarely tells them the military. There are fears that he was and is in a maximum isolation cell. the truth anyway, they will report from other shot dead. There has been no news of him In East Timor on July 29, 15 young East sources. But as far as we can tell this is since that time. Timorese on the way to a birthday party based on the CNRM report which has al- Meanwhile, the resistance has received were beaten and detained by the military. ready been posted a while ago. The original reports that Nunes has been brought to Their parents have appealed to the Interna- Reuters report also contains some quotes Jakarta. The statement ends by appealing to tional Red Cross to help find them. from a Red Cross spokesman saying they the UN and the Red Cross to help confirm On July 30 a fight broke out between have had numerous reports of Sabalae’s whether was murdered and, if so, to hand several East Timorese youths and five Indo- arrest and are trying to confirm this with the the body over to his family. nesian soldiers in the Ermera shopping cen- military, but the military is still denying or CCONTLI was formed in early 1995 and tre. The soldiers beat the youths fero- refusing to confirm the reports. comprises the four main East Timorese ciously, which led to the surrounding crowd nationalist organisations which are clandes- rioting and burning shops in anger. That SEVEN ARRESTS IN DILI tinely active in Indonesia. These are evening, the military kidnapped some stu- RENETIL (East Timorese Nationalist Stu- dents. The whereabouts of these youths – Dili, August 24 (Lusa) – abridged – Ac- dent Resistance), GOD (the 1.2. Group), F. Maia (27), Berito (22), Mau-Kalai (23), cording to Dili police, seven East Timorese AST (Timorese Socialist Association) and Abilio (26), Helder (23) and Julio (25) – was youths were arrested in Dili Wednesday ANVISTI (East Timorese Solidarity Com- not known at the time of the CNRM/CEL- night in Vilaverde, while preparing for a mittee Against Violence). FC/CCONTLI statement. protest against the Indonesian occupation. The formation of CCONTLI was a major On August 1, eight youths were arrested The youths were planning a demonstration step forward in consolidating the forces of in Liquiça as they set off by car to Dili. for the visit to Dili of Indonesian Vice- CNRM inside Indonesia. They were stopped and beaten by soldiers President Try Sutrisno. According to the The statement also appeals to the inter- from Battalion 745 and then driven away in same police source, the seven are being in- national solidarity movement to assist in a Land Rover. They are still missing. Ac- terrogated by the military. pressuring the Indonesian government to cording to the statement, in some towns, Sutrisno is scheduled to arrive in ET on reveal Nunes’ whereabouts and to obtain his East Timorese have been forced to assemble August 29 for a 48-hour visit. He was release. and listen to Indonesian military officials Commander of the Indonesian armed forces Nunes joined the resistance after Ja- speak on the “legitimacy” of the Indonesian when the Santa Cruz massacre took place in karta’s invasion of East Timor in 1975. He invasion. Reports indicate that in some November of 1991. became the secretary of a Fretilin district cases where the youth have not attended, committee and later joined the Central they have been beaten and taken away. NEW WAVE OF REPRESSION Committee of Fretilin as a political commis- In Jakarta, CCONTLI’s appealed to the sioner under Xanana Gusmão. UN and other humanitarian organisations to By Max Lane, Green Left, Aug. 27 On December 17, 1987, Nunes was cap- force the Indonesian government to adhere The East Timorese resistance organisa- tured by the Indonesian occupation forces in to the agreements made by East Timorese tions have called for the release of all East Same district and was released only in 1989. representatives under UN auspices June 5. Timorese political prisoners and have ap- He rejoined the struggle in 1991 after making According to CCONTLI, the agreement pealed for help from non-government human contact with Xanana Gusmão, who by then was to end “all arrests and indiscriminate rights organisations in the search for disap- had established CNRM as the umbrella torture of the East Timorese people, espe- peared resistance leaders. group for most of the resistance organisa- cially the pro-independence East Timorese These and other demands are contained in tions. leaders.” It called on Indonesia to withdraw a statement issued on August 17 by the Soon afterwards, Indonesian intelligence its military forces from East Timor. National Council for Maubere Resistance discovered that Nunes had become active in The CCONTLI statement also demanded (CNRM), the Executive Council of the the underground movement, and he has been that the UN force the Suharto regime to Clandestine Front (CEL/FC) and the Coor- hunted ever since. Nunes took over from adhere to all the UN resolutions recognising dinating Commission for East Timorese Constâncio Pinto as head of the clandestine East Timor’s right to self-determination Nationalist Organisations in Indonesia front when Pinto was forced to leave East under international law. (CCONTLI). Timor after the 1991 Dili massacre. As head The call for a more active policy by the The statement was issued in response to of the clandestine front, he has been coordi- UN was echoed by the East Timorese-based the reported capture on June 30 of Pedro nating activities with the diplomatic front guerilla commander Konis Santana in a radio Nunes, also known as Sabalae, and his dep- and Ramos Horta, and the guerilla front and interview broadcast in Portugal on August uty Remisio Piedade Tilman. Nunes is the Konis Santana. 13. Santana defended the peace plan pre- leader of the clandestine front in East Timor. The capture of Nunes seems to have oc- sented by the CNRM, and underscored the According to the statement, Pedro Nunes curred in the midst of another wave of re- importance of a UN presence in East Timor was travelling by motorbike towards the pression and intimidation in East Timor and for safety and stability. With the UN in- town of Ermera with Remisio Piedade early Jakarta. Timorese sources in Jakarta told volved, said Santana, the Indonesian troops in the morning of June 30, when he was Green Left Weekly that Xanana Gusmão has should withdraw, the political police should stopped by the Indonesian military. On been placed under tighter security in Cipi- be neutralised and the arms provided by inspection of their identity cards, it was nang prison. This follows the detaining, by Jakarta to some civilians removed. Under discovered that Nunes was carrying one Indonesian intelligence officers, of an East these conditions, the resistance guerrillas issued in Kupang, Indonesian West Timor. Timorese woman carrying a letter from could be disarmed. The fact that Nunes spoke no Indonesian or Xanana Gusmão outlining her tasks at the The newly formed Indonesian People’s upcoming women’s NGO conference in Solidarity Struggle with the Maubere People East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 41
(SPRIM) has demanded the immediate vent the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation withdrawal of all Indonesian military and (LBH) from taking up his defence. XANANA’S ACTIVITIES police and the formation of a provisional It is also reported that pressures are be- East Timorese government to hold a refer- ing put by Indonesian military authorities endum on independence. SPRIM includes on other East Timorese, such as Nuno JAKARTA PRISON RIOTS Students in Solidarity with Democracy in Corvelho, Rui Fernandes and Francisco A–- XANANA GUSMÃO’S Indonesia (SMID) as well as the Indonesian leon to give false testimony against Belmiro, SECURITY IN DANGER Centre for Labour Struggles (PPBI). under threat of being sentenced to impris- Speaking for the Australian Coalition for onment. CNRM media release, 27 June 1995 a Free East Timor, Sydney activist Gil Messages from Dili request international Today’s reports from Indonesia speak of Scrine issued a statement calling on the Aus- efforts to protect Henrique Belmiro. intense turmoil at Jakarta’s Cipinang Prison, tralian government to “scuttle its current where East Timor National Resistance policy on East Timor” and to support the TIMORESE WOMEN WRITE Leader Xanana Gusmão is serving a 20 year peace plan formulated by CNRM. WORLD CONFERENCE ON sentence. The East Timorese nationalist WOMEN hero was captured in 1992 and sentenced to ETCHRIET: EAST TIMOR life imprisonment after a fraudulent trial in HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS Translated from the Portuguese, abridged 1993. Indonesia’s dictator Suharto was later forced by international pressure to commute East Timor Centre for Human Rights Infor- Lisbon, August 30 (Lusa) – The Timorese Women Organization sent a letter the sentence to 20 years. mation, Education and Training Human Cipinang Prison is said to be in a state of Rights report No. 5/95 26 August 95 today to the “UN Fourth World Conference on Women” in Beijing, appealing for solidar- virtual warfare today with strong brawls The following information on human ity by “the women of the world” with the taking place among various prisoner gangs. rights violations in East Timor and the cause of the East Timorese people. Clashes are also occurring among prisoners neighbouring Indonesian Nusa Tenggara The letter is signed by Lafai Lighur of the of different ethnic backgrounds. Inmates are Timur province has been received today. clandestine front, and recalls the Indonesian exposed to stabbing and serious injuries. 1. On 14 July 1995 three East Timorese invasion of ET, the human-rights violations The very serious current situation is the students travelling from the enclave of Oe by the military, the imprisonments, torture, culmination of weeks of strife, involving Cussi to Dili were assaulted by Indonesian and the murder of Timorese women during mainly Indonesian criminals of certain ethnic soldiers for no apparent reason. One of the the last 20 years. The letter appeals to that backgrounds, some of them under the influ- students is in hospital in a serious condition the women of the world recognize “the right ence of drugs, fighting with prison guards as a result. to self-determination and independence” as a and other inmates. These incidents have left 2. As a sequel to ethnic and religious ten- viable solution for East Timor. a toll of several gravely injured and an un- sions in the town of Maumere on Flores “Do not forget East Timor, do not forget specified number of possible deaths. Island (Indonesia) last May, 34 people re- the women of East Timor, their determina- The personal security of Cipinang prison main in jail awaiting trial, which is expected tion and the struggle of the people of the inmates and prison staff is severely threat- to take place soon, even if no date has been ‘land of the rising south’ (‘terra do sul nas- ened by these serious events, which have set as yet. The detainees have indicated that cente’],” said the final excerpt of the letter. their origin in the appalling conditions of the at the trial they will expose the brutal treat- corrupt Indonesian prison system. In addition to Xanana Gusmão, Cipinang ment and torture they have been subjected TWO SUMMARY to by the authorities since their arrest. contains several distinguished Indonesian 3. Similarly, in Larantuka, where religious EXECUTIONS and some East Timorese political prisoners. violence erupted in June after profanation Their imprisonment together with common Translated from Portuguese, summarized by outsiders of Catholic symbols during criminals is an additional gross violation of mass, there remain 12 local people in jail Macao, August 31 (Lusa) – Indonesian human rights on the part of the Indonesian awaiting trial. The incident was caused by troops shot two civilians in summary execu- government. three workers brought from outside to work tions on July 27, by their homes in the vil- As is now evident, even the personal se- on a project by the local Military Command lage of Wailakama, having forced the popu- curity of prisoners is in great risk and can (KODIM). Two of the three escaped, and lation to gather and watch the killings, ac- not be guaranteed by the prison authorities. one was killed by angry members of the cording to information given to Lusa by ET The serious dangers facing the prisoners in local population. residents over the phone. Cipinang, particularly those unjustly de- It is reported that the priest who had said The two dead are Marcelino da Silva tained for political reasons, such as Xanana mass at the time is under strong military Belo, leader of a Catholic youth organization Gusmão, fellow East Timorese and Indone- pressures not to testify. in the village, and Augusto Freitas Belo, a sian critics of the oppressive Suharto dicta- 4. East Timorese civilian Henrique Bel- student. torship, are further reason for strong con- miro is currently being tried in Dili for al- The incident occurred when the military demnation of the Indonesian regime. leged anti-Indonesian activities. investigated an attack against a military chief International pressure needs to be made Since his arrest last December he has that took place at the Vemasse post. The to bear on the Indonesian government to been mistreated and tortured by SGI mili- two youths were killed accused of being compel it to respect basic standards of hu- tary intelligence personnel. As a result, members of Fretilin. man rights observed by civilized states, also among others, he suffered a fractured skull. According to the same sources, the mili- with regards to the treatment of its many His mental health has been impaired as a tary did not allow the families to keep the prisoners. result of the treatment received. Nonethe- corpses, which were taken to Baucau and less, he is being made to stand trial, without then returned the next day. The ET military proper legal defence. SGI pressured to pre- authorities did not confirm the incident. Page 42 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
DILI BISHOP SAYS from prison and his repatriation to Portugal Associacão Social Democratica Timor as a Portuguese citizen. He also was sup- (Timorese Democratic Association) which AUTHORITIES DENYING HIM posed to have asked that the International was established after the “Flower Revolu- ACCESS TO XANANA Commission of Jurists assign him a Portu- tion” of Portugal. It soon copied the agenda guese lawyer because the Indonesian lawyer of the independence movements in Angola Portuguese radio, RDP, 28 July 1995 supposed to defend him actually cooperated and Mozambique and changed its name to The Bishop of Dili, Dom Ximenes Belo, with the Indonesian government. Frente Revolucionaria do Timor-Leste Inde- has said that he has been unable to visit The Portuguese government and those pendente. A year later, Gusmão was taken Xanana Gusmão in Cipinang jail in Jakarta who oppose East Timor’s integration with into the central committee of Fretilin as the since the East Timorese resistance leader Indonesia as its 27th province made great member in charge of public affairs. was arrested. propaganda capital of this letter. Nor would Even after the political exercise which The bishop told Portuguese RDP radio this be the last letter foisted upon the world saw the overwhelming majority of the East that he had tried a variety of ways to see as having been written by Xanana Gusmão Timorese people choose independence Gusmão over a period of several months but from his prison cell. Another letter, this through integration with Indonesia, Fretilin with no success. time to the June 1994 Asia-Pacific Confer- continued its violent ways by killing its “I have never seen him again ever since he ence on East Timor held in Manila, thanked political opponents. When Nicolao Lobato, was arrested,” Dom Ximenes said. President Fidel Ramos for continuing with chairman of the armed wing of Fretilin, was “He asked me to hear his confession in the conference despite the Indonesian pres- killed back in December 1978, Xanana jail but the military commander at the time sure. Gusmão assumed leadership of the rebellion sent him another priest, a Goanese priest, This was followed that August by for- and kept it until he was arrested in 1992. He and so far I have had no opportunity to see eign radio broadcasts of purported tapes of has since been tried, found guilty of com- him. Xanana Gusmão’s voice, the gist of which mon crimes and sentenced to life imprison- “It is all very difficult because they tell was that the problem of East Timor could ment. The sentence was later commuted to me that I have to ask permission from the not be separated from the problem of de- 20 years by President Suharto in response Indonesian Ministry of Justice and that is mocracy in Indonesia. Yet another letter to an appeal for presidential clemency. very difficult,” he said soon surfaced, now addressed to US Presi- Today Xanana Gusmão has achieved dent Bill Clinton, and was featured on a worldwide fame, and if you believe the BISHOP WANTS TO MEET XANANA Portuguese radio programme on November propaganda he must also be some kind of Diario de Noticias, 31 July 1995. 11 – neatly timed to coincide with the Asia- miracle worker to manage to get all those Lisbon – The Bishop of Dili, Ximenes Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting being letters and tape recordings out of prison. Belo, confirmed in Lisbon that he wants to hosted by Indonesia. This letter asked the Either that, or the Cipinang Prison authori- meet with the Timorese independence United States to intervene on behalf of East ties must have been so lax in their custody leader, Xanana Gusmão, who is serving a Timor in the same way it had intervened in of Xanana Gusmão that he could, under twenty year prison sentence. The meeting, Haiti and Kuwait. The next day, another their noses, wage a single-handed political however, has been blocked by the Indone- Portuguese radio network featured a sup- propaganda campaign against Indonesia sian authorities. In an interview to RDP, posed recording of Xanana Gusmão lashing while serving a 20-year prison term ... Or Ximenes Belo revealed that before Xanana out against Indonesia’s military presence in else he did not write those letters at all, nor was seized by the Indonesian authorities he East Timor and predicting the ultimate tri- did he record the political messages attrib- invited him to renounce a military solution umph of the anti-integrationist resistance. uted to him. and to use “other means,” namely, “dialogue The story does not end here. Earlier this In a recent interview with prison authori- with the occupiers.” In the view of the year, a Portuguese newspaper published a ties, Xanana Gusmão personally wrote Bishop of Dili, Xanana Gusmão “is a free- story based on an interview with Xanana down several statements denying that he dom fighter” and “a poet,” but he said that Gusmão by Radio Macau, which claimed to had ever written the letters attributed to him he was not sure if this was “a good strat- have obtained tape-recorded answers to by foreign media or that he had ever audio- egy.” questions that it sent to Xanana Gusmão in taped any political messages. “It is possi- prison. The tape recording criticized the ble,” he said in one written statement, “that efforts of East Timor rebel leader Abilio my friends in the revolution issued state- XANANA WRITES Araujo to engage in a dialogue of reconcilia- ments on my behalf for the success of the AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCES tion with the current leaders of East Timor revolution.” He also asked that the voice in as Indonesia’s 27th province. And again we tape recordings being circulated by Indone- See the sections on the Darwin and Mel- hear from far-away Mozambique that an- sia’s detractors be compared with an actual bourne conferences for letters from Xanana other Xanana Gusmão letter has been smug- tape recording of his voice – a most sensible Gusmão to the participants. gled out, and that the content will be dis- suggestion. A competent examination of seminated throughout the Portuguese- tapes will unmask the most clever mimic. WHO IS XANANA GUSMÃO ? speaking nations of Africa. At any rate, the real Xanana Gusmão has Who is Xanana Gusmão? spoken, and his message is not a political By Irawan Abidin. Far Eastern Economic exhortation but a denial that he ever made José Alexandre Gusmão (who now calls Review, August 3 1995 any of the fiery statements attributed to himself Vay [sic] Rala Xanana Gusmão) was him. The campaign waged in his name has In December 1993, various foreign news born in Laelia, near Manatuto, on June 20, been exposed as a fabrication. sources reported that Xanana Gusmão had 1946. And who is Xanana Gusmão? An inmate written a letter to the Portuguese govern- He attended the Seminary of Our Lady of at Cipinang Prison who had been convicted ment from his cell in Cipinang Prison in Fatima, an educational institute that has of common crimes – neither a rebel nor which he urged Lisbon to resume sover- produced many of the members of East miracle worker but simply a man who is eignty over East Timor, work for his release Timor’s political elite. In 1974, he joined the doing time and would rather be left alone. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 43
Irawan Abidin is director of foreign infor- ever they may be, should be aired in all In- experts. Abidin calls Xanana Gusmão a mere mation for Indonesia’s Department of For- donesian TV stations, and made available to criminal who wishes to be left alone. eign Affairs all interested foreign correspondents. I be- In a letter to the FEER editor, released on lieve this to be a sensible proposal and a 8 August, CNRM Special Representative LETTER TO F.E.E.R. FROM JOSÉ way to spare Indonesia of the embarrass- José Ramos Horta has challenged the Indo- RAMOS HORTA (NOT PUB LISHED) ment of Xanana’s reported statements, nesian Foreign Affairs Department to allow Geneva, 7 August 1995 I will now proceed to make arrangements a five person mission to visit Xanana Gus- to travel to Jakarta within two weeks of the mão in his prison, to ascertain whether the Dear Sir: publication of my letter in the Review. I internationally distributed statements at- In “Who is Xanana Gusmão” (FEER, the expect to be met at the airport by an EU tributed to him are true or false. The mission 6th column, August 3, 1995) the chief delegation and I hope by Mr. Abidin. would comprise an official of the European propagandist for the Indonesian military José Ramos-Horta Union, a Far Eastern Economic Review dictatorship, Mr. Irawan Abidin, alleges that Special Representative of the National member, a well known Indonesian Human all Xanana’s letters and audio-taped mes- Council of Maubere Resistance and Xanana Rights lawyer, Irawan Abidin and Ramos sages published abroad are forgery. Interest- Gusmão’s personal representative Horta. A TV crew would record Xanana ingly enough, he failed to refer to the widely cc: UN Secretary-General, European Com- Gusmão’s statements, to be shown world- published Xanana’s May 1993 Defence Plea mission, LBH and diplomatic missions in wide. Ramos Horta has expressed his inten- which he was not allowed to read in court in Jakarta tion of travelling to Jakarta for this purpose his trial in Dili. In his Defence Plea Xanana within two weeks of his letter being pub- reiterated his long-standing adherence to the HORTA CHALLENGES ALI ALATAS lished in the FEER.. right of the people of East Timor to self- PLANNING VISIT TO JAKARTA Ramos Horta also intends to use the op- determination and independence. AND DILI portunity of this journey to Jakarta, to take Mr. Abidin alleges that Xanana himself up Alatas’ challenge to dare to return to repudiated all the letters and statements CNRM Media statement, 12 August 1995 East Timor. He is making arrangements to attributed to him. Mr. Abidin wrote: “He The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Depart- travel to Dili in the company of European (Xanana) also asked that the voice in tape ment has increasingly been resorting to Union diplomats. Members of the media recordings being circulated by Indonesia’s campaigns of personal slander and denigra- could also join, so as to report what recep- detractors be compared with an actual tape tion of key East Timorese Resistance lead- tion Horta receives from his people. recording of voice – a most sensible sugges- ers, since Jakarta lacks arguments to sup- Horta will submit a formal request for tion, A competent examination of tapes will port its untenable position regarding Indo- this journey to the Indonesian occupation unmask the most clever mimic.” nesia’s illegal occupation of East Timor, and authorities. It remains to be seen whether At the heart of the story is whether to counteract persistent reports on the Ali Alatas will take up the challenge. Failure Xanana Gusmão, the resistance leader of worsening conditions in the territory, as to do so will clearly vindicate the East East Timor, now serving a 20-year sentence well as the discontent of the local popula- Timorese Resistance’s arguments. for the same “crimes” committed by the late tion. For comment: José Ramos Horta + 351 1 Sukarno and for which he was imprisoned The 16 June issue of ‘Suara Timor 297 3217 by the Dutch, still adheres to the same prin- Timur,’ the Dili published Indonesian FEER LETTERS COLUMN ON ciples for which he fought for almost 20 newspaper, contains a front page interview years in the mountains of East Timor. For with Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. Firstly XANANA once I agree with Mr. Abidin. Xanana’s Alatas tries to portray José Ramos Horta as Far Eastern Economic Review, 7 September alleged proposal for an independent verifica- afraid of returning to East Timor, suggesting 1995 Letters Column tion of the audio-tapes and written messages that he may feel guilty of an imputed hei- is “a most sensible suggestion.” nous role in the civil war. Alatas then rhet- THE MAN BEHIND THE VOICE I accept the challenge and propose the orically adds “we all know what sort if a It is regrettable that your magazine following: a team made up of five people, person he is, don’t we?” Ramos Horta is should have permitted the publication of the Foreign Editor of the Review, Mr. Ira- then accused by Alatas of “single handedly Irawan Abidin’s article, Who is Xanana wan Abidin, a representative of the Euro- running a cursing and vilifying campaign Gusmão? [The 5th Column, 3 August], pean Union, Dr. Adnang Buyung Nasution against Indonesia overseas and of abusing written by the spokesman for Indonesia’s of the Jakarta-based Legal Aid Foundation the East Timorese.” The implied message is ministry of foreign affairs and aimed at dam- and myself, as Xanana’s personal represen- that Horta surely would not dare to return aging the good image of Xanana Gusmão. tative abroad, should visit Xanana Gusmão to East Timor to face the ‘rage’ of the peo- It appears that Abidin was replying to in the Cipinang prison in Jakarta within two ple! the 5th Column by José Ramos Horta weeks of the publication of this letter in the On August 3 the Far Eastern Economic [Alatas’s Albatross, May 18] in which Review. Review published a piece by Indonesian Horta commented both on the duplicity and Our stated mission should be to hear Foreign Affairs Ministry Information Direc- deceitfulness of Indonesia’s statements on from Xanana Gusmão himself whether he is tor, Irawan Abidin. The writer aims to de- East Timor and on the difficulties faced by the author of a number of letters and audio- ceive the reader into believing that appeals Abidin’s boss, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, taped statements circulated abroad. I will by East Timorese Resistance Leader Xanana in relation to this issue. That Abidin was provide all members of the group copies of Gusmão, at present in jail in Jakarta after a unable to reply to Ramos Horta’s charges the main letters and tapes he reportedly sent fraudulent trial, and his calls for interna- against Alatas and instead had to select as a abroad. We should ask Xanana to confirm or tional support, are not his own. Abidin target Horta’s boss, Xanana Gusmão, vindi- deny the authorship of the said documents claims that Xanana Gusmão’s well publi- cates Horta. and to state on camera in Portuguese, Eng- cised messages abroad are false, and rhetori- Abidin’s aim is to deceive the reader into lish, Bahasa and Tetun his views on the cally states that they should be examined by believing that Xanana Gusmão’s calls for problem of East Timor. These views, what- Page 44 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. international support are not his own, that by qualified, independent third parties and XANANA MAY BE his messages are false, and that Xanana that the process not be converted into a Gusmão is a mere criminal who wishes to be political circus or a propaganda sideshow by ISOLATED IN CIPINANG left alone. Unfortunately for Irawan Abidin, Indonesia’s detractors. We are willing to National Council of Maubere Resistance there exist sufficient Xanana handwritten consider any serious, earnest proposals on Media Release, 25 August 1995 messages in the possession of prominent this. people around the world who regularly cor- May I also point out that my article on East Timorese Resistance leader Xanana respond with him. On Abidin’s second Xanana Gusmão was not in answer to José Gusmão to be isolated in cell of former point, that Xanana wishes to be left alone, Ramos-Horta’s earlier personal diatribe Indonesian Deputy Prime Minister that he has expressed this to prison authori- against Indonesia’s foreign minister. Minis- Subandrio ties: Let the documents be seen. ter Alatas himself had given Ramos-Horta’s According to information just received To set the record straight, all that is the perfect squelch in a letter to the editor from Jakarta, East Timor Resistance leader needed is to allow foreign correspondents in which the REVIEW published in July, ex- Xanana Gusmão may soon be transferred to Jakarta access to Xanana Gusmão. A very posing Ramos-Horta’s hollow attempt at the cell vacated last week by Dr. Subandrio simple matter. He has been allowed visitors deception. My article, on the other hand, in Cipinang Prison. The former Indonesian in the past wherever the Indonesian gov- was simply meant to demonstrate that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minis- ernment thought it could derive benefit from propaganda materials against Indonesia ter under President Sukarno, had been kept it, or, as in the case of envoys from the UN which are being passed as the work of incarcerated in strictest isolation for close to Secretary-General, when it has been impos- Xanana Gusmão could not possibly be his. 30 years by the Suharto regime. The aged sible to refuse. Let us not stray from the issue of authentic- key aide of President Sukarno was granted Kate Khoori, Media Relations Officer, ity. clemency as of 15 August in connection CNRM, Darwin, Australia Irawan Abidin , Director of Information with the 50th anniversary of Indonesia’s ––––––––––––– Department of Foreign Affairs Jakarta independence proclamation. Most of the facts Irawan Abidin de- Xanana Gusmão, leader of the East scribes are correct. But Abidin forgets to TIMOR GUERRILLA LEAD ER Timorese people has been held in isolation mention important facts about Indonesia’s at Cipinang Prison Jakarta for more than involvement in East Timor. Nineteen years TO LOSE THREE-MONTH two years, serving a 20 year “criminal” sen- ago the brutal military regime led by Suharto REMISSION tence imposed by an Indonesian court after invaded the territory administered by Portu- a fraudulent mock trial. Like Indonesia’s gal. Since then the population, which bears a Jakarta Post, 21 August 1995 Jakarta illegal occupation of East Timor, the trial religion and culture different from the one of Abridged itself represents a violation of international its Javanese invaders, has been subjected to Xanana Gusmão, the jailed East Timorese law. Indonesian human rights legal defence terror. guerrilla leader, is to have a recently granted bodies have also denounced it for violating Abidin also forgets to say that Indone- three-month cut in his 20-year sentence Indonesian law. sian society and politics are mined with cancelled for sending an unauthorised letter, Xanana Gusmão’s close and continuous corruption. In this context, you can well a prison official said on Monday. epistolary contact with important interna- imagine that getting an interview, written “He received a reduction but he has re- tional figures has been a source of profound statement or letter from a prisoner is not ceived a disciplinary punishment and his concern and irritation for the Indonesians very difficult. remission is in the process of being can- authorities. It has allowed the truth about João Francisco Pinto, Macao celled,” Mintardjo, head of Cipinang prison Xanana’s situation and that of his people to in Jakarta, told Reuters by phone. be known in important circles, contradicting ABIDIN REPLIES “He sent a letter to East Timor, which is the continuing official lies and fabrications Letter in Far Eastern Economic Review, forbidden,” Mintardjo said, adding Gusmão spread by Jakarta. September 28, 1995 had admitted he had done so. “If he wants Only three weeks ago the Indonesian to send a letter it must go through prison Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman “IF IN DOUBT, CHECK HIM OUT” officials. He may send letters to his family, Irawan Abidin claimed in the Far Eastern Two letters in the September 7 issue of but if they have a political nature they must Economic Review (3 August) that Xanana’s your magazine dispute the main point of my be examined first. He sent his letter di- communications and statements were false article on Xanana Gusmão [Who is Xanana rectly,” Mintardjo said. and made by foreign impostors. Xanana, Gusmão?, The 5th Column, Aug. 3]. The Justice Minster Utojo Usman said last Abidin said, wishes to serve his sentence in issue boils down to the authenticity of let- week Gusmão was one of 26,000 prisoners peace and avoid contact with outsiders. On ters being presented as written by Xanana in Indonesia to receive sentence reductions 21 August Reuters newsagency reported Gusmão, and of tape recordings of his sup- Gusmão was the military leader of the East from Jakarta that according to the Head of posed voice which are being circulated by Timorese armed resistance movement, Fre- the Cipinang Prison, Xanana Gusmão was Indonesia’s detractors. tilin, which has opposed Jakarta’s rule of to have a recently granted three-month re- Gusmão has repudiated the letters and the former Portuguese colony since it was mission in his 20-year sentence cancelled for recordings in writing. It should not be diffi- invaded by Indonesian soldiers in December sending unauthorised letters outside. Similar cult to arrange for a competent, independent 1975. remissions had been granted to scores of verification of the authenticity of these ma- Indonesian prisoners in connection with the terials. The documents executed by Gusmão Independence anniversary. repudiating these letters and tape recordings The National Council of Maubere Resis- can be similarly verified. The important tance (CNRM) strongly denounces the ill thing to the Indonesian government is that treatment and violation of basic human the process of verification should be done rights Xanana Gusmão and other East East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 45
Timorese prisoners are continuously being LAWYERS SAY WORLD BANK subjected to by the Indonesian authorities. EVENTS IN INDONESIA Xanana’s transfer to Subandrio’s maximum PROJECTS ABUSED RIGHTS Indonesia is a huge, diverse country. East isolation cell would be a further grave as- By Pratap Chatterjee sault on the illustrious East Timorese leader. Timor Documents cannot include all im- CNRM appeals to the international com- portant developments. This is just a WASHINGTON, July 3 (IPS) – Two munity to protest to Indonesia in the sampling. World Bank-funded projects in Indonesia – strongest terms, and press for Xanana Gus- a family planning project and a hydro- mão’s unconditional and immediate release, TRUTH AND STABILITY electric dam – have resulted in major abuses together with that of all other unjustly held of human rights, says a new report pub- political prisoners. Jakarta Post June 28, 1995 lished jointly by activists here and in Indo- From Oslo, CNRM Special Representa- nesia. Governor of the National Resilience In- Intimidation, torture and death threats by tive, José Ramos Horta added: “we strongly stitute (LEMHANAS), Lt. Gen. Moetojib protest this move which shows Indonesia’s army officers against villagers who refuse or claims that the truth need not to be told if appear reluctant to take part in the projects bad faith and its attempts to silence a pris- doing so endangers national stability. Ac- oner. We shall fight it with all our strength.” are some of the abuses documented in the companied by Juwono Sudarsono, the 108-page report which is titled “In the name XANANA IN ISOLATION newly appointed vice governor of the insti- of development: Human Rights and the tute, Moetojib made the remarks during a Translated from Portuguese, abridged World Bank in Indonesia.” hearing yesterday with the House Commis- Issued by the New York-based Lawyers Sydney, Aug. 31 (Lusa) – Xanana Gus- sion I which oversees security and political Committee for Human Rights and the Insti- mão was placed in isolation on Monday, affairs. tute for Policy Research and Advocacy sources from the resistance in Sydney told (ELSAM) in Jakarta, the report is intended Lusa today. According to the same sources, SOME TRUTHS ARE BEST LEFT UNSTATED: LEMHANAS CHIEF to focus debate at a Bank-hosted interna- prison security confiscated a letter by tional lenders’ meeting in Paris, later this Xanana on Monday, addressed to the UN JAKARTA (JP): Some truths are best month. Fourth World Conference on Women, in left unsaid if revealing them could cause The report examines five Bank loans to- Beijing. In result, Xanana was placed in unrest and disrupt national stability, the taling 212 million dollars to Indonesia for isolation in a prison cell in Cipinang. governor of the National Resilience Institute family planning projects over the last dec- Xanana’s letter contained a petition by (Lemhanas) said yesterday. ade. The loans helped fund the construction Xanana on behalf of the Timorese women, Commenting on his days as a field com- of new buildings, equipment, furniture, ve- and an appeal to the international commu- mander, Lt. Gen. Moetojib said yesterday hicles, and education materials. nity for the protection of women’s rights in that his heart always beats faster whenever It also looks at the Jakarta’s human rights Timor, according to the same sources. someone expressed an opinion that could record in building the 61-metre-high Kedung cause unrest in society, Antara reported. Ombo dam in central Java. The dam and JAILED TIMOR LEADER SAID IN When asked if journalists should publish SOLITARY CONFINEMENT reservoir, completed in 1989 with a 166- truth or lies, Moetojib replied, ‘Sure we million-dollar soft loan from the Bank, dis- LISBON, Aug. 31 (Reuter) – Indonesia have to tell the truth. But as a responsible placed 5,390 families – or almost 30,000 has put jailed East Timor guerrilla leader person, truths that could lead to excessive people – from 20 villages over a 6,700- Xanana Gusmão into solitary confinement chaos in society would be best left unsaid.” hectare area. after he tried to smuggle out a letter to an He continued: ‘In this case, a little lie In both cases, Indonesian local govern- international women’s rights forum, the wouldn’t hurt.’ ment officials, often accompanied by army Portuguese news agency Lusa reported on Moetojib was responding to remarks by officials, toured villages to inform residents Thursday. House Commission I member Krissantono about the new projects. The agency quoted East Timor sources in of the Golkar faction, who expressed con- In the case of the family planning pro- Sydney as saying Xanana was put in an cern with what he perceived as an attempt grammes, women were told that they would isolation cell on Monday after Jakarta to clamp down on people with views differ- have to accept implants of birth-control prison authorities found a letter addressed ent from the government’s. devices. In the case of the dam project, local to the United Nations Fourth World Con- Moetojib said Lemhanas was also very villagers were told that they had to move ference on Women now under way in Bei- ‘concerned’ with the recent bans certain out of the area to make way for the reser- jing. people from making public speeches. ‘How- voir. The sources said the letter was an appeal ever, if the ban is necessary for the sake of In many cases the villagers accepted the to protect the rights of Timor women which stability, then it should be imposed.’ government and army orders but those who it said had been “systematically violated” ‘It’s true that a difference of opinion is resisted or appeared reluctant were harassed for 20 years by Indonesia. the spirit of democracy, but if these differ- and sometimes tortured or made to comply Indonesia annexed the former Portuguese ences disrupt stability they should be forcibly. colony in 1976 in a move never recognised avoided,’ he said. The family planning ‘motivation and ser- by the United Nations, which has been vice delivery mass campaigns,’ officially sponsoring talks between Jakarta and Portu- known as “safaris,” were planned by doc- gal on the territory’s future. tors, village chiefs, the army and police. Xanana was captured in November 1992 Local government-sponsored women’s’ and jailed for 20 years after a controversial groups brought village women to a clinic to trial. be implanted with Inter-Uterine Devices (IUDs). Page 46 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
“In the cases where villagers were reluc- But this will not help the families who Timorese after seeing this exhibition,” Ligia tant to comply with the summons the mili- were displaced by the dam. According to the Amaral, chairwoman of the exhibition com- tary and the police will come and pick them PCR, the resettlement plans were “highly mittee, said in a press conference at the up. In such cases coercion is likely to oc- defective,” and 72 percent of the families Armed Forces headquarters yesterday. cur,” says a report put together in 1991 by affected by the dam are now worse off than “We want to eradicate the impression the International Non-Governmental Group they were before the project began. that young East Timorese are all mere pro- on Indonesia (INGI) called “Family Plan- The new human rights report has been in- testors and asylum seekers,” she added. ning Program in Indonesia: A Plight for Pol- formally presented to U.S. government offi- Ligia said that it is difficult to erase the icy Reorientation.” cials here in Washington who are expected negative impression of East Timorese peo- In one West Java village women were to go to the Bank-hosted ‘Consultative ple. implanted with IUDs without their knowl- Group’ meetings of major donors in Paris “Besides, some East Timorese are still edge or consent. “Women were reportedly later this month. The authors have recom- unaware of the importance of East Timor’s locked in a village hall by armed soldiers and mended that the Bank should make the ob- integration into Indonesia,” she said. some were injured escaping through closed servation of basic human rights a condition glass windows,” says the INGI report. for loans to Indonesia. SUHARTO: WEST JEALOUS Similar incidents were reported by villag- The ‘Consultative Group,’ which has OF INDONESIA ers who were to be evicted for the Kedumg met annually since 1992, was set up after Ombo dam. “Officers came to my house at the Indonesian government disbanded a 25- Voice of America, 7/22/95. By David Butler, night. I was interrogated and tortured. They year-old Dutch-led lender group called the Bangkok forced me to accept compensation. If I “Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia” didn’t I would be handcuffed and dragged to when the Dutch government criticised Indo- Intro: Two veteran southeast Asian lead- prison and after prison I would lose my nesia for the army massacre of protestors in ers are quoted as criticizing the west. As land,” reported Boyolali, a resident of Dili, East Timor in 1991. David Butler reports from our southeast Kedung Cumpleng, to Damama Pakpahan, a Indonesia now refuses to take loans from Asia bureau in Bangkok, one of them called Gadjah Mada university researcher. the Dutch government. That appears to for the ouster of United Nations Secretary- “As with the Kedung Ombo project, have made Bank officials and other donors General Boutros Boutros-Ghali over the where problems of intimidation seemed to more cautious about criticising jakarta’s UN’s record in Bosnia, while the other ac- occur without the Bank’s knowledge, in the human rights record. cused western nations of trying to divide its area of family planning the problem has Protest letters sent to the Bank just be- people by discussing issues of human rights been one of inaction rather than wrong ac- fore last year’s consultative group meeting and democracy. tion,” conclude the authors of the new re- in Paris about the closure of three Indone- Text: Malaysian Prime Minister Ma- port. sian newspapers received no response from hathir Mohamad told reporters Friday the Interviews conducted by IPS indicate the Bank. current Organization of Islamic Conference that junior Bank staff often receive reports This year the New-York-based group meeting in Geneva should lead a campaign to from non-governmental groups which they Human Rights Watch/Asia says that the oust Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali over pass on to their superiors. But those reports repression of journalists has increased with the UN’s failure to protect Bosnian Mus- often go ignored until international attention the arrests of several outspoken writers lims. is focussed on them. earlier this year. ... “All the problems in Kedung Ombo were “Indonesian officials seem determined to Meanwhile, Indonesian President Suharto the result of the fact that one official who choke off legitimate questioning of the ac- was quoted Saturday as saying some coun- refused to do anything about the many re- tions of its top officials. The arrests are one tries want to divide the Indonesian people ports that we gave him,” a senior Bank offi- more nail in the coffin of free expression in because they are jealous of Indonesia’s pro- cial who used to work for the Bank’s Indo- Indonesia,” says Sidney Jones, executive gress. nesia country department told IPS. director of Human Rights Watch/Asia. He said the countries were trying to di- This has been implicitly confirmed by an Groups that organise international atten- vide Indonesians by raising issues such as internal Bank study obtained by IPS. “Con- tion on World Bank project failures have worker and human rights, and democracy. temporary project records repeatedly report also recently been harassed. During the In recent years the United States, Austra- that the situation was ‘under control’ during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit lia, New Zealand and the Netherlands – the the 1987-88 period when all other evidence last year, the jakarta-based International former colonial power in most of Indonesia demonstrates that this could not possibly Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID) – have criticized Indonesia’s authoritarian have been the case,” says the confidential was denied access to the international press, rule, its treatment of workers and conditions Kedung Ombo “Project Completion Re- and its telephone service interrupted. in the former Portuguese colony of East port” (PCR) issued last December. Timor, which Jakarta annexed in 1976. The Bank’s Indonesia office issued a Portugal and Australia have been espe- EAST TIMOR ART, CULTURE cially critical of Indonesian actions in East statement to IPS confirming its support for ON DISPLAY IN JAKARTA the PCR. Timor, where most of the indigenous popu- lation are Catholics opposed to domination It said the Bank intends to implement Jakarta Post, July 6, 1995. slightly abridged recommendations included in the report: by overwhelmingly Muslim Indonesia. “These include more candour, rigorous ap- East Timorese youths, in cooperation Scores of civilians were killed in late-1991 plication of our policies on resettlement, with the Communication Forum of Eastern when Indonesian troops opened fire on closer supervision, and early discussions Indonesian Youths, will open a brief, two- protesters in the East Timor capital, Dili. with government about the project’s con- day culture and art exhibition at the Sahid The only country president Suharto criti- cepts to prevent problems from remaining Jaya Hotel today. cized by name was the Netherlands. unrecognised or growing.” “We hope that people will go away with He said the Dutch ruled Indonesia for a positive impression of young East 350 years on the principle of divide and East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 47 rule. He called on Indonesians not to make youths were picked up on the orders of vade nao Violencio e Solidardade the same mistake again and to remain united. BAIS. Timorense). President Suharto said Indonesia has its own When asked when the youths would be Translated by James Balowski, Deputy Na- concepts and will never adopt or copy released and the precise reasons for their tional Coordinator, AKSI. western models. arrest, Iksar claimed that he was unable to President Suharto was speaking Friday answer the question as it had been BAIS to THE INDONESIAN PRO- on a domestically-manufactured ship making order their arrest, and questions should be DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT AND its maiden voyage from the east Java capital referred to them. of Surabaya to Jakarta. MAUBERE PEOPLES’ INDEPENDENCE FOUR TIMORESE ARRESTED IN JAVA Background Lisbon, August 2 (Lusa) – Four East PRAMOEDYA DENIED Since the beginning of the 1990s, the pro- Timorese were arrested and tortured by the democracy movement in Indonesian has PERMIT TO TRAVEL military in Java, where they remain in cus- succeeded in emerging and pressuring the tody, according to a communiqué today in UPI and AP, 25 July 1995. Abridged New Order regime economically and politi- Lisbon by the “Comissao Liberdade para cally. This movement, spearheaded by Jakarta – Internationally celebrated Indo- Timor, Liberdade para Xanana.” worker, student and peasant actions, has nesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer is The communiqué cites the pro- been successful in revealing the horror, bru- still forbidden to travel to Manila to receive democracy Indonesian organization SPRIM tality and injustice which has been experi- the 1995 Ramon Magsaysay literature [Indonesian Peoples Solidarity Struggle with enced by the Indonesian people under the award scheduled to be presented 31 August, the Maubere People], with later confirma- New Order regime. Thus, the Maubere peo- Defence Minister Edi Sudjradjat said Tues- tion by an Australian human-rights group, ples’ struggle for independence, the day. saying that the four Timorese were arrested Maubere peoples’ agitation for the inde- Reports from Manila last week quoted on July 22 at about 11 PM, and remain in pendence struggle, will have a positive basis the Magsaysay Foundation as saying Pra- custody without charges in the military of hope if it also rests on the pro-democracy moedya, 70, has been chosen to receive the police center in Guntur (Jakarta metropoli- movement – primarily the labour, student 1995 Award for journalism, literature and tan area). and peasant movement – which has the creative communication, plus $50,000 SPRIM admits the possibility that one of strength to deal a sure blow against the New Sudradjat said the Foundation organisers the four youths may have died due to mis- Order regime. “understand” Jakarta’s decision, “so that it treatment. Since the New Order seized power after will not lead to a problem.” According to an eye witness, the slaughtering two million Indonesian people Pramoedya is the fifteenth Indonesian to Timorese were attacked and kicked by the in 1965, Indonesia has pursued an economic have been named a Magsaysay laureate. military police upon their arrest, under ac- development policy of promoting industri- The Magsaysay Award is named after a cusation of having caused unspecified dis- alisation through an invitation for the reen- popular Philippine president Ramon Mag- turbances and organized an illegal meeting. try of foreign capital and the accumulation saysay who died in a plane crash in 1967. According to the Indonesian police itself, of foreign debt. To protect and guarantee the the arrests were ordered by the military More on the Pramoedya controversy is in interests of foreign capital, in 1967 the For- secret service (BIA), which is conducting the Asia-Pacific section of this issue of eign Investment Regulations were enacted. interrogation of the four. East Timor Documents. Moreover, in inviting the entry of foreign The known names of the four youths are: capital, the attraction was based upon natu- Herculano, 28 y.o., Camilo, 24, Seti, 25, and ARBITRARY ARRESTS OF ral resource wealth and a cheep and submis- Aniceto, 23. EAST TIMORESE IN JAK ARTA sive labour force. In the beginning, the strategy of industri- Report from CNRM, 25 July 1995 SPRIM POSITION PAPER ON alisation was an Import Substitution strat- Four East Timorese youths were arrested INDONESIAN DEMOCRACY egy. Because of a rapid drop in the price of by the Military Police in Tanah Abang, AND LIBERATION oil on the world market and pressure to pay Central Jakarta, and subjected to maltreat- OF EAST TIMOR the foreign debt, the New Order regime was ment, torture and imprisonment without due forced to change this industrialisation strat- legal process on 22 July 1995 at around 11 The following is a position paper prepared egy to one of Export Orientated Industry. pm. According to eye witnesses inter- by Solidaritas Perjuangan Rakyat Indonesia Following this, the middle manufacturing viewed, the four youths involved are Hercu- dengan Maubere (SPRIM – Indonesian Peo- industries emerged who’s products were lano (28 years), Camilio (24 years), Seti (25 ples Solidarity Struggle with the Maubere exported to earn non-oil export based for- years) and Aniceto (23 years). People). SPRIM was formed in March, 1995 eign exchange. The new industrial zones, According to Celestino (21 years), an eye by SPRIM is made up of PPBI (Centre for which were established in cities such as witness to the incident who managed to Indonesian Labour Struggles), SMID (Stu- Jakarta-Bogor-Tanggerang-Bekasi avoid arrest, before being arrested, the dents in Solidarity with Democracy in Indo- (JABOTABEK), South, East and West youths were hit and kicked after being ac- nesia), STN (National Peasants Union), Bandung, Gresik- Bangkalan – Mojokerto - cused of arranging a gathering of East JAKER (Peoples Artists Network) and Surabaya -Sidoarjo-Lamongan, Semarang, Timorese and creating a “disturbance,” Maubere activists themselves, grouped in Medan and Ujung Padang, developed rap- without the exact nature of the disturbance the organisations CCONTLI (Comicao idly. The manufacturing industry’s reserve being specified. Cordenadora Organisacoes Nasionalista army of labour was quite large. From data The four remain in detention in Guntur, Timor Leste), RENETIL (Resistencia Estu- which was recorded in 1980, this sector the Greater Jakarta military police centre. dante Nasionalista Timor Leste), GOD employed 4.2 million workers; in 1985 this According one of the Military Police offi- (Groupos Onze), AST (Assosiacao Sosial- increased to 5.8 million; and by 1990 it had cers (Iksar) interviewed by phone today, the ista de Timor) and ANVISTI (Comite Acti- reached 8.2 million; while, by November Page 48 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
1993, there were 10.5 million workers em- The minimum wage forces workers to Indonesian workers held a total of 1,126 ployed in the manufacturing sector (Repub- live in tiny quarters – no more than two by strikes. Totaling around 2.8 million lost lika 20/12/93). three meters – occupied by three to six hours, and at a cost of 240 billion Rupiah. Industrial development has already put workers, the streets are dirty and muddy, The largest number of strikes, 581, occurred labour in the position of being the strategic with insufficient facilities, particularly sani- in West Java (in particular JABOTABEK) social section of the Indonesian economy. tation. In general, the quarters occupied by with East Java recording 200, North Suma- The strategic position of labour can be seen workers are old and unhealthy. The living tra 140, Jakarta 126, Central Java 54, Riau most of all in the increasing contribution by areas located around the factories are often 5, West Kalimantan 3 and South Sumatra 1. the industrial sector in comparison to oil and polluted with industrial waste. This pollu- This increased 350 percent on the previous gas and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). tion results from dumping of industrial year’s total of 312. The contribution of the manufacturing sec- waste in water channels, polluting springs Qualitatively, the development of the tor to non-oil and gas exports reached 45 and creating a putrid smell, or smoke and utilisation of different means of struggle to percent of all exports, and makes up 16 dust from factories (such as the environment achieve labour demands can also be seen. percent of the GDP (Source World Bank, surrounding the Cibinong cement factory) The use of posters, banners, and distribu- 1993; Vedi Hadis, “Labour, Politics and where air pollution is causing coughs or lung tion of written material has begun to be Industrialisation"; and Republika, January disease for workers and their families who common place in labour actions; and these 1994). live near the factory. actions are no longer just restricted to facto- The strategic role of labour in the Indone- Siding with the companies is the SPSI ries but are involving large numbers of sian economy is certainly not proportional (government controlled All Indonesian workers protesting to parliament and in to their standard of living. Workers’ lives Trade Union) The SPSI Work Units more marches and rallies through major streets and conditions are not just very poor in the often than not acts in partnership with the leading to parliament, the Ministry of La- factories themselves but outside the work- company to oppress workers. The bad qual- bour offices, and Governor’s offices; and place as well. The wages and allowances ity and integrity of SPSI has even been ad- some times actions beak out in several facto- received are simply too low to live a normal mitted to by the Secretary General of SPSI, ries in the same industrial zone; rallies in- life. Imagine, the minimum wage at the end W. Bokha, who said that many SPSI leaders volving workers from a number of factories of the 5th Five Year Development Plan only originate from the civil service appointments joining to achieve their demands; in Solo, reached 73 percent of minimum physical and easily accept bribes (Kompas, 11,000 workers from P.T. Batik Karis, after needs, and that was only obtained by 62 19/12/92). In reality, the New Order turned a one day strike on February 1, 1994, held a percent of Indonesian workers. (Republika, SPSI into the only labour organisation which rally at the Department of Labour. They 30/12/1993). may officially represent workers. The aim were able to meet with the Ministry of La- There are no guarantees of work safety of making SPSI the only organisation which bour and blocked streets causing the Minis- and the safety conditions in factories mean is “sanctioned” by the government is in- ter to be two hours late to the Indonesian workers constantly face the risk of injury or tended to prevent strikes, (Trisukses, No Employers Association conference opening illness. To contain the cost of production, 8/1/ThVII, December 1992). In all the cases, at the National Monument in Solo; at the there is a tendency by many companies to the picture is one of Indonesian workers’ same time strikes were held at 15 factories not list their workers for workers compen- suffering and this makes up the key issue at in the Berikat Nusantara zone, more than sation or medical insurance (Republika, this time. 50,000 workers from 23 factories in Medan 3/1/94). The recent changes in these schemes Departing from the above issues how- took their protests to parliament and the (from ASTEK to JAMSOSTEK) also ever, the objective conditions of the labour Governor’s office; furthermore, of late, clearly lowered workers’ guarantees of movement since the 1990s indicate a very workers have begun forming alliances with health and safety. Frequently there are pres- encouraging development. Worker actions students in the same way as alliances have sures to work continuous overtime which break out continuously, almost every day developed between peasants and students – can damage the physical health of workers. newspapers carry articles on strikes or we have seen for example such student and As in the case of the experience of workers worker demonstrations. An increase can be worker alliances in Tangerang, Jakarta and in a photographic framing factory in found both in the quantity and quality of Semarang. Cilengsi, Bogor. They were forced to work these actions: More recent actions show an unusual overtime without any time limits, and if Qualitatively, since the 1990s, the num- militancy. In Tangerang, hundreds of P.T. they refused, the were forced to resign ber of strikes has jumped dramatically com- Sangrox Indahwa workers marched to the (Kompas, 1/2/93). At a factory in Kalideres, pared to previous years. In the years 1986 local parliament in a rally stretching 15 West Jakarta, the company did not prepare to 1990, there were 46 worker actions per kilometers long. enough food for worker; imagine, a night- year on average, in 1991, 114 cases oc- P.T. CPS workers held a strike despite shift employee working from 11 p.m. to 7 curred. While according to SPSI records, in the recent killing of a work mate, Marsinah; a.m. the next morning, and the company four provinces in Java, in 1992, 344 strike in Medan, in the mist of violence by secu- only provided a single slice of bread. The occurred and in 1993, a total of 343 strike. rity personnel, thousands of workers con- result is that workers’ must work with The largest number of strikes occurred in the tinued to rally and demonstrate for around a empty and painful stomachs (Kompas, light manufacturing, although it has already week; the death of their comrades (like Pa- 19/1/93). At a export canning company, begun to spread to other sectors, such as the triono and Marsinah in East Java and Rusli P.T. Ganfa Guna Indonesia, may workers service sectors – hotels, banks and hospitals in Medan) failed to frighten workers, and have lost fingers due to the poor safety – and the transport sector such as city rather, it created a united worker solidarity. conditions; in the printing section in a can- transport strikes, buses, and even in the The demands now being presented have ning company for export in the Pluit indus- state shipping company P.T. PAL. The also developed; no longer just focusing on trial zone, how many workers have had their location of the strikes was initially restricted “normative” demands, but including chal- lungs perforated; and the many other acci- to the industrial zones around Jakarta, now lenges against government policy and inter- dents just in this one factory. they have broadened to industrial zones in vention and violence by the state, which had other cities all across Indonesia. In 1994, so far terrorised workers; as an example, the East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 49 demands which were presented by the for the freedom of workers to organise, a and regulations covering minimum redun- worker action in Medan included demands minimum wage of 7,000 Rupiah, and the dancy payments. PPBI also demanded the for a rise in the regional minimum wage, the acceptance of SPSI through a national strike formation of a democratic and independent withdrawal of Ministry of Labour Decree and finally the strikes and demonstrations in justice system, which would provide ex- Number 01/1994, and an investigation into Medan – has not been able to be disbanded plicit sanctions against companies who vio- the death of Rusli which is widely believed by the regime. Moreover, recently, and for late labour rights. to have been done by security forces; now, the first time, the Department of Labour has The process of building established fac- spearhead by PPBI (Centre for Working been prepared to have negotiations with tory committees had already been running Class Struggle) workers’ demands have be- SPSI leaders. Similarly with PPBI, which for at least five years. Ex-students, and simi- come more political; aside from demanding a just recently called for a national rally in larly young workers, initially worked to national minimum wage of 7,000 Rupiah, Jakarta and Semarang – in the framework, build labour support groups, and then to they have also demanded a free trade union, and for the first time in the history of the establish factory committees. These com- an end to military interference in industrial New Order regime, to commemorate May mittees were able to lead factory struggles and labour affairs, along with the withdrawal Day on May 1 – with a national minimum demanding wage improvements and the of five politically repressive laws – laws on wage demand of 7,000 Rupiah, freedom to freedom to organise in separate factory for mass organisations; political parties, general organise, ending military intervention in several years. PPBI is the forth independent elections, parliamentary positions and regu- industrial and labour affairs, and with the trade union organisation which has been able lations and referendums. distributing a national leaflet to campaign for to be established in Indonesia. It already has And, this positive development, caused the above three demands, politically, the 300 leading organisers, and estimates it has by a growing momentum in the student regime was not able to take any kind of between 10,000 and 15,000 active support- movement, has begin to change the sectarian, action at all. ers, and this is now growing rapidly. campus orientated character to that of a PPBI was initially established at a con- The student movement after the 1980s, broader political struggle. The student strug- gress in Ambarawa, Central Java, on 22-23 which reemerged by taking up methods of gle has begun to change it’s methods of October, 1994. Around 100 delegates at- mass action, has made no small contribution propaganda work which previously, had tended representing workers from factory to the destruction of the “culture of silence” been restricted to the limited to the sphere committees primarily from cities such as in Indonesian society, which resulted from of students on campus, to mass propaganda Jakarta, Tangerang, Bogor, Yogyakarta, the depoliticisation applied by the New work among workers, peasants and the ur- Semarang, Solo, Salatiga, Surabaya and Order regime for more than thirty years. ban poor. The development of the labour Medan. This founding congress adopted the The gains from these accumulated mass movement (strike actions) which was so public slogan: “Resist Oppression, Advance actions for other parties also provided broad marked in 1994, succeeded in capturing the Labour” (in the final development, after political training, not only for student activ- sympathy of the progressive layers of the students and peasants alliance actions had ists directly involved, but also covering a middle class (primarily students), and the become more concrete, PPBI then adopted large portion of other students not involved result was that popular sentiment began to the joint slogan – “One Struggle, One Trans- in mass action, moreover, broader society as cut into the issues which had begun to be formation"; Reduce Prices, Increase Wages"; well. We can see the positive effect of this raised by the student movement; aside from “Withdraw Law 5” and the special/sectoral from the lively actions and strikes which this was the appearance of a qualitative slogan – “A National Wage of 7,000 Rupiah have sprung up in many social sectors. The development in workers’ methods of strug- Now"; “A Free Trade Union"; “End Mili- experience of these student action were gle, due to the push from the developing tary Intervention.”) PPBI also adopted a responded to and became examples for student movement; that is, uniting workers public program of demands. The key ele- broader layers of people, as a new method and students, so that they were no longer ments this public program included: an in- of struggle and demanding their rights and alone in struggling for their rights and inter- crease in wages and compensation; im- interests. ests, but starting to work jointly in student- provements in working conditions and History notes that the student movement worker alliance actions. [ SMID (Student health standards; ending government policies under the New Order has experienced a Solidarity for Indonesian Democracy) is the which maintain low wages; returning the number of revivals which in the end failed. most significant student and labour organisa- right of workers to form their own organisa- The experience of the 1966, 1977 and 1978 tion which has taken the lead in developing tions; the right of workers to gather, free- student movements, provided valuable les- the worker-student alliance within the de- dom to express opinion and go on strike; a sons on errors and about how to fulfill the mocratic movement since the New Order reevaluation of anti-labour regulations and material conditions so that the student seized power.] laws; ending military intervention in indus- movement can become the vanguard for the In a de facto manner, workers have al- trial and labour affairs; the direct involve- creation of a democratic society, so it can ready achieved an alternative trade union ment of workers in the formulation of poli- develop in the direction of a mass democ- aside from SPSI. The sole trade union policy cies which affect workers; ending all forms ratic movement. A high level of collabora- brought in by the regime, that is SPSI, to of discrimination against women workers; tion (self conciseness) between the political control and weaken labour resistance, has and ending child labour. The program of elite and the Indonesian military and the become increasingly difficult to implement. demands included the establishment of a sectarian nature (self-isolation from the A number of independent trade unions out- national daily wage of 5,000 Rupiah (as essence of democratic strength: workers, side of SPSI already exist which have not mentioned above, now the campaign of peasants and other oppressed social been able to be prohibited or disbanded by PPBI is for a national daily wage of 7,000 groups), along with a lack of experience in the regime: SBM (Free Trade Union Seti- Rupiah), a reevaluation of Ministry of La- leading and organising the masses, was one akawan), SBSI (Indonesian Trade Union for bour Regulation Number 01/84 which only of the characteristics of the student move- Prosperity), SBT (Transport Union), and permits one government yellow trade union, ment of the 1980s, and one of the roots of finally PPBI. SBSI – which was established SPSI, a new progressive tax system which the failures and errors which were experi- without the regimes agreement, and which may only be applied for people who’s enced by the student movement before the on a number of occasions has made demands monthly wage is above one million Rupiah, period of the 1980s. Page 50 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Because of this, the lessons of the stu- activities, both in discussion and actions and Students Association (ASA) – Fretilin was dent movement’s experience of errors and mass campaigns, were carried out under registered as an observer member – and mistakes in the period before the 1980s, SMID’s flag and banner; the first open mass SMID was accepted as a member at the they have now regained a consciousness of action carried out since SMID declared itself 12th general conference in New Dili in De- their movement in the capacity to objec- was an joint action with Kepuharjo, Sleman, cember 1992. ASA also allowed SMID to be tively understand the student movement Yogyakarta peasants, which took the form present at Asia-Pacific student movement within the broader context, that is, how to of a rally to the local parliament in Yogy a- meetings. SMID utilised forums held by base their actions on the result of conclu- karta; this was followed by a hunger strike ASA by sending delegates to learn from sions drawn from understanding the Indone- in the grounds of YLBHI Jakarta, to protest more advanced movements. In a general way sian social structure and the primary social the muzzling of three national magazines ASA reflects the leadership of those ele- problems of Indonesian society, along with (Tempo, Editor and DeTik), in which 43 ments of the student movements which understanding the essence of democratic SMID activists from a number of branches were aligned with progressive political par- strength which will become a partner in their were arrested by the police; As well as this, ties in their respective countries (at least 56 struggle. Up until this time – viewed from SMID was actively involved in the SIUPP mass, national student organisations have their development – as a product of their alliance (Indonesian Solidarity for a Free become members of ASA). Furthermore, new character, the student movement is now Press), which organised mass actions and one of their members – Kamal B, a member capable of obtaining broad social support campaigns to protest the muzzling of the of the Network of Overseas Student Con- and reaching the level of becoming a part of press by the government; Then a SMID ference in Australia (NOSCA) who had been the total democratic movement. alliance action with Ngawi peasants, who to Indonesia to observe and join with the The establishment of SMID, as a national were demanding the return of their rights to Indonesian student movement – was killed organisation with a progressive, social and use land which involved one thousand peo- in the Dili massacre. And at this ASA gen- radical character, is extremely favorable from ple, two hundred students and the remainder eral conference, SMID was accepted as the the perspective of the democratic struggle in peasants, in occupying the grounds of the coordinator of the Southeast Asian Sub- Indonesia. SMID has been established since offices of the Ngawi Regent; followed by an Region. 1991, as a result of a consolidation which action with peasants of Ramunia, Deli Ser- The goals and aims of SMID, as found in its involved student activists originating from a dang, Medan. constitution are: number of cities, such as Jakarta, Yogy a- Together with Ramunia peasants, SMID 1. To unite students and the student karta, Semarang, Solo and Bandung. In the went to the parliament and held a free movement to struggle against the repressive, beginning, SMID worked using semi-legal speech rally to demand the return of lands authoritarian regimes which oppress people; methods; in all of its activities – discussions who’s right of ownership was the peasants 2. To campaign, struggle for, and create and mass actions – SMID still uses the of Ramunia, which was controlled by civil liberty; name of the organisation which joined with PUSKOPAD Dam Bukit Barisan; and then 3. Along with workers, peasants, op- SMID, such as Yogyakarta Student Solidar- a rally with P.T. GGI (Tangerang) workers pressed sectors of society and other democ- ity, the Sol Student Association, Semarang to demand an increase in the minimum wage ratic forces to campaign, struggle for and Student Solidarity, Jakarta Student Solidar- and food allowance, on January 10, 1995; create a multi-party system (outside of the ity, and the Manado Student Secretariat. Together with PPBI, a May 1 commemora- traditional parties which exist at the mo- Moving on from an analysis of the na- tive rally, celebrated for the first time under ment) which is democratic; tional political situation – which draws the the New Order regime. This rally resulted in 4. To campaign, struggle for and create an conclusion that with the “retaking” of a the arrest and interrogation of fourteen education system which is scientific, democ- number of democratic aspects (although this SMID members and leaders; together with ratic, inexpensive and people orientated; can still be seized by the regime), moreover SPRIM, SMID launched an action to the 5. To be active in building international after a number of alternative legal organisa- National Human Rights Commission to solidarity for world peace and democracy tions have been established without being oppose and protest the arrest of East which is anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist, able to be prevented by the regime, an op- Timorese comrades arrested by the Central including support for the right to self- portunity for the movement exists to more Jakarta Police on June 4, 1994; as well as determination and independence for the broadly increase the consciousness and de- this, many other mass actions have been Maubere people. And, in the same manner mands of democratic people – thus in the carried out by SMID branches which have PPBI, in its program, SMID also reflects an middle of 1994, SMID took the decision to already been consolidated, among these: a active support in assisting the Maubere change the method of its struggle toward a mass action by the SMID Solo branch pro- peoples’ struggle for independence. Because legal, political method, as an open, mass testing against the muzzling of the Jember of this, these organisations have held actions movement. University literature faculty’s magazine in or released statements both in protest over The existence of SMID in the legal, po- Solo; a joint action by the Semarang branch human rights violations against the Maubere litical arena was initiated with the organisa- with workers from P.T. Plastisindo in Sema- people and in support of the Maubere peo- tion of a Special Congress attended by rang; a joint action by the Surabaya branch ples’ independence through a referendum. around two hundred people from seven with Kediri peasants a the regional parlia- And finally, SMID, PPBI, STN (National SMID branches, conducted on the 1st and ment in Surabaya; a joint action by the Ja- Peasants Secretariat) and JAKER (Peoples 2nd of August 1994, in Puncak, Bogor (with karta branch with Ramunia peasants; and Arts Network) lead the formation of harassment and arrests by local police) and others. SPRIM. then on August 3, at the offices of the Indo- By learning from more advanced student Final developments. Represented by nesian Legal Aid Institute in Jakarta movements such as those in the Philippines, SMID and PPBI, the pro-democracy (YLBHI), SMID was able to legally declare India and Nepal, which play an active role in movement has already increased the level of itself and its political program, which had a number of international forums to obtain its activity. The are increasing and taking up been decided on at the special congress. and give international support to their peo- activist campaigns in a wide range of issues, From that time, SMID began to use open ple and anti-imperialism/colonialism, SMID including working class rights, wages and political methods. All of the organisations’ sought to become members of the Asian East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 51 working conditions, freedom of the press tion for the radical opposition against the the detention of 30 Maubere comrades who and independence for the Maubere people. Soeharto dictatorship. had been arrested on June 4, 1995. Another important political development In a situation when the elite opposition The SMID-PPBI combination is capable emerged in June, 1994; when the Soeharto cannot move forward (what happened was of reaffirming the radical strength in PRD – dictatorship muzzled three major news in fact the reverse, they have faltered after primarily that based in the provincial weeklies, Tempo, Editor and the tabloid the shock of the press muzzling), there branches which have or will be established – DeTik. A large part of the street protests emerged a significant development in the and return PRD to a more radical course and denouncing this muzzling and revealed the central leadership of PRD (United Peoples’ perspective. The other possibility is that essence of support among student activists, Democracy) which deserves attention. the SMID-PPBI combination will take over primarily those from SMID. Support was There are two examples which can illustrate the position of PRD, as a pole attraction for also organised by small groups of militant this event: radicalising the layers of students and work- activists around YLBHI, which had a broad 1. In the end of June, 1994, PRD post- ers, primarily in this country’s large cities. network of contacts in the layers of the poned a hunger strike in the grounds of In this finally, the SMID-PPBI-STN group- younger and more militant liberal-democratic YLBHI in Jakarta to protest the press muz- ing will be able to lead 10,000 peasants from opposition. zlings, perhaps in the thought that this ac- STN’s base, as a reaction against the many Not a single section of the liberal- tion would overtake other forces. Faced peasant land appropriations primarily in democratic opposition ran any serious cam- with hesitation like this, student activists Java and Sumatra which have been carried paign, that was the crucial picture of the moved forward and took the initiative to out by the New Order regime. protests against the newspaper muzzlings. organise the hunger strike which was initi- The same repression, the contemptible In reality, in many cases, these publications ated by SMID national, and PRD was only and merciless violence has also been experi- largely reflected their political views. Cer- invited as a speaker. (In a meeting between enced by the Maubere people. Since 1975 tainly, several elite opposition groups, such representatives of the national PRD net- the New Order military regime has annexed as the Petition of 50, Forum Democracy and work and representatives of the SMID na- – in a brutal colonial manner – East Timor. more vocal student groups such as PIJAR tional network, it can be concluded that was Thus began the dark times full of suffering (Information and Network Centre for Re- not just the postponement of the hunger for the ex-Portuguese colony. The massacre form) issued statements against the muz- strike which was desired by PRD, but the of two hundred and fifty thousand people is zling. A number of PIJAR activists also cancellation of this action, although plans not a thing easily forgotten by the Maubere joined in attending meetings. However, for this action had already been carried in people, who will never accept the New while this was so, without SMID’s the mass media.) Order regime as their master. Truthfully, the strength, it would not have become a mass 2. In reality, at PRD’s founding congress sprinkling of resistance has arisen (and has campaign. it had already been agreed by resolution to still not stopped) is proof that the Soeharto The lack of mechanisms such as fair elec- support the right to self-determination and a regime is not the choice of the Maubere tions, and the fact that the liberal opposition referendum for the people of East Timor people to develop their country. The Soe- has no mass, activist strategy, means that it however, in the PRD manifesto and declara- harto regime, which has been there for 19 is extremely difficult for us to estimate the tion which was published, this resolution years, has been unable to gain the Maubere authority of the elite opposition’s leader- was deviated and/or softened to become peoples’ trust, meaning that basically, it ship of the working and middle classes. It support for human rights and the democratic does not have the right to claim that East appears as if their credibility has been rights of the East Timorese people. Timor is the 27th province of Indonesia. eroded significantly as a result of their in- SMID’s technique of taking the initiative This is because the right to self- ability to defend these publications which in in the organisation of political campaigns determination is the fundamental agenda of reality reflected their own ideology. One and actions has continued since the middle the struggle of the Maubere people and, sign is the decline in PIJAR’s activities. In of 1994. SMID’s major campaign has been thus, this should become one of the de- 1993, PIJAR allied with other student directed at an effort to build student-worker mands of the Indonesian democratic move- groups were able to organise and launch a alliance, which could campaign both for ment. The resistance for the sake of the number of street demonstrations. In 1994, democratic rights as well as an improvement struggle is carried by the Maubere youth, they only organised a few actions, the major in economic conditions. The frequency of beginning with their guerrilla war resisting one being outside the State Court during the joint student-worker rallies and demonstra- Indonesian soldiers, popular mass actions in trial of activists which had been arrested at a tions has increased, both on and off campus. the cities and international campaigns and previous action in 1993 and campaigns Since the end off October, more and more negotiations under the auspicious of the around the issue of repression of ex-political these actions have been carried out jointly United Nations and international forums. prisoners. I appears that PIJAR’s activists by SMID and PPBI. SMID and PPBI have And what is being built now, although it has were also involved in the formation of also raised other issues, such as supporting yet to demonstrate its maximum capacity, is ALDERA (Peoples’ Democratic Alliance), self-determination for the people of East a push and unity within the Indonesian which primarily involves student and ex- Timor and the SMID and PPBI delegations democratic movement, so that the Indone- student activists which is not a tightly or- who visited Australia in December and sian pro-democratic movement will be able ganised group compared to PIJAR itself. So openly campaigned on the East Timor issue. to give genuine support for the Maubere far, ALDERA has only been able to organise PPBI’s new bulletin, the Worker’s Banner, peoples’ struggle for their independence. All a number of public meetings, however, also raises the issue of East Timor. They are of this must become a part of the strategy without significant involvement of the or- also one of the elements which supported and tactics of all Maubere activists to pres- ganised working class. Over this time, the November 12 action in 1994, at the sure the Soeharto regime to withdrawal its PIJAR and ALDERA initiatives in 1994 American Embassy – moreover they as- soldiers from East Timor and give the were relatively sporadic, as a consequence sisted in safeguarding the participants of the Maubere people to right to hold a referen- of their dependency on alliances with elite action (which had escaped arrest and could dum. opposition groups, however, in the future not enter the embassy) and protested to the Acts of arbitrary and indiscriminate use they may grow to become a pole of attrac- National Human Rights Commission over of power have also been experienced by Page 52 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Acehnese freedom fighters. In 1992, Two the same power. The bullets which riddle institutions, which are bear responsibility thousand Acehnese people were slaughtered the bodies of Maubere patriots are the same for the independence of the Maubere peo- for being suspected of being involved in the bullets which kill Indonesian pro-democratic ple. Free Aceh Movement. The Free West activists. The weapons which are imported Papua Moment has also brutality butchered; from America, Australia, England, Sweden II. STRATEGY AND TACTICS more than 800 West Papuan people were and Germany are the same weapons used to 1. Distribution of information throughout killed in 1991. Not yet counting the repres- kill the Indonesian and Maubere people, as all sectors of Indonesian society about the sion taken against the pro-democracy when Indonesia was under the power of Maubere People’s independence struggle; movement. Dutch colonialism for 350 years. 2. Distribution of information and build a The wars in East Timor and Aceh have We intend to show the international reaction in Indonesian society and interna- caused many children of peasants and the community that now the Maubere peoples’ tionally about the acts of the New Order urban poor to die in vain – only for defend- struggle will obtain support from the pro- regime against the Maubere people; ing themselves against the blood sucking and democratic movement which has a real 3. Push pro-democratic movement oppressive regime – that is the reason for so strength in Indonesia; we will reveal in front groups to support the independence struggle many provisions and requests from them to of the Indonesian people, the depravity, of the Maubere people in their political end this war, which has consumed so many brutality, and the illegality of the Indonesian agendas; of their children. occupation of East Timor; it is the moment 4. Convince the international community The most effective pressure to corner for us to gather our new forces to become that the people of Indonesia support the this brutal regime, and most certainly one more confident and sophisticated. independence struggle of the Maubere peo- which will broaden the scope of the cam- ple; paign over the issue of the Maubere peo- II. ABOUT SPRIM 5. Seek an opportunity and basis of mass ples’ right to independence, is the issue of SPRIM is based on a political agenda and support – with a real strength in political the Maubere peoples’ independence becom- program aiming to: democratise the whole of bargaining with the New Order regime – to ing a political program and agenda of the Indonesian society and support the self- demand Indonesian pro-democratic movement, determination and independence of the * a halt to war, which must be carried out from two sides; Maubere people. * the withdrawal of all military powers from within the country – through the pro- SPRIM is a single organisational front es- (including police) from East Timor, democratic movement, which is active in tablished in March 1995. SPRIM is made * the formation of a provisional Maubere strategic sectors along with real forces up of PPBI, SMID, STN, JAKER and the peoples’ government, (workers-students-intellectuals-democrats- Maubere comrades themselves, which are * and to value the right to self- peasants); in strategic areas (JABOTABEK, grouped in the organisations CCONTLI determination – as independence – of the GERBANGKERTASUSILA, Semarang, (Comicao Cordenadora Organisacoes Na- Maubere people through referendum, as Medan, Bandung, Solo, Yogya, Malang, sionalista Timor Leste), RENETIL (Resis- soon as possible. Bali); and with effective political tools tencia Estudante Nasionalista Timor Leste), (mass actions, dissemination of information, GOD (Groupos Onze), AST (Assosiacao LATIEF AND THE pamphlets, open campaigns) – and on the Sosialista de Timor) and ANVISTI (Comite ‘GRASI’ ISSUE other side outside the country – united with Activade nao Violencio e Solidardade the democratic movement of workers, stu- Timorense). Tapol report, August 1. dents, youth and intellectuals; in countries SPRIM in its political activities believes in the strength of mass action, and the forms The mysterious disappearance of Latief’s wherever there are Maubere and Indonesian name from among those seeking clemency in people with sympathies with the Maubere of official national and international negotia- tions, which have already been established the past few months is a matter of more and Indonesian people (East Timorese – for than passing interest. The very mention of us East Timor outside of the sovereignty of to strengthen the struggle of the Maubere people. The diversity of SPRIM’s members his name, coupled with those of Subandrio our country – Australia, Portugal, Northern and Omar Dhani, made this observer wonder Europe, Japan, America, Mozambique, proves that the struggle of the Maubere people has already received support not how Suharto could possibly allow a man South Africa, Libya, Iraq, the Philippines, like Latief go free, knowing what he does North and South Korea, Nepal and so on); only from students, but also from workers, peasants and the artistic community. This about Suharto’s links with the G30S plot- with mass actions at Indonesian embassies ters. Latief was, after all, the link between and consulates and a broad campaign of therefore, makes it easier for SPRIM’s cam- paign work to be taken to all the layers of the group and the major-general who later diplomatic pressure. The difficulty with staged his own coup to destroy the PKI and Maubere peoples’ struggle for independence oppressed society in Indonesia, which now is already indicating its initial strength which oust Sukarno. being resolved only at the official interna- Readers of this net may not know that tional negotiating table, through official in- has the potential to develop as a real democ- ratic strength. the Latief case had a significant bearing on ternational institutions such as the United Suharto’s handling of the ‘grasi’ issue back Nations, the European Economic Commu- SPRIM has already planned an initial work agenda formed of: publications – pri- in the late 1980s. Up until 1987, the rules nity, CGI and the Non-Aligned Movement, on clemency for prisoners serving life sen- is principally based on the Soeharto re- marily large scale information distribution – campaigns – most importantly those which tences were governed by a 1950 decree gime’s fear that independence is given to the which specified that lifers were automati- Maubere people this action will ignite other push the issue of independence for the Maubere people to become part of the po- cally entitled to commutation of their sen- separatist movements in Indonesia. tence to a fixed term of twenty years, after Because of this, the moment has already litical agenda of the pro-democratic move- ment, for example its inclusion in the agenda they had served five years following the arrived to unite the struggle demanding final confirmation of their life sentence. prosperity, political freedom, social justice, of newly formed alliances, KPRI (the Indo- nesian Peoples’ United Movement) – and Colonel Latief was the only one of the and genuine independence for the Indonesian three plotters – the others being Lt.-Col. and Maubere people. We are oppressed by mass actions principally aimed at related East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 53
Untung and Brigadier-General Supardjo – “The Justice Minister’s ruling management of Satya Wacana Christian who was not sentenced to death. The other means that Dr. Subandrio, the former University, over his dismissal last year for two were both given death sentences and Foreign Minister, along with Omar allegedly being undisciplined. executed in the 1960s. Latief was not men- Dhani, former air commander and Po- The state administrative court in Sema- tioned for years after his arrest in October lice Brigadier-General Sugeng Sutarto rang, 500 kilometers east of Jakarta, ruled 1965 and his whereabouts was shrouded in will live out the rest of their days in the management on Monday rehabilitate the mystery. However, he was eventually tried prison, unless President Suharto good name of Dr. Arief Budiman and com- in 1978 and it was during the trial that he deems it politically expedient to re- pensate him for the material loss he suffered confirmed that he had had a meeting with lease them.” due to the dismissal. Major-General Suharto a few hours before That moment has now arrived; we now The court room, packed by dozens of the kidnap squads were dispatched to cap- see that the release of the three has been sympathetic students and lecturers, burst ture seven generals, on which occasion he decreed by Suharto, months after the Justice into thunderous applause when chief judge informed Suharto that the plans would go minister announced a relaxation of the ruling Sugiyo read the long-awaited verdict. ahead. Latief went no further than that in introduced in 1988 which had made any Dr. Budiman, a Harvard-graduate soci- exposing Suharto’s role; he may well have further commutation for them impossible. ologist, filed the law suit with the local court known more but was keeping it for another This is indeed a good moment for Suharto to last year, charging that the management’s occasion. have taken this move, considering that his reason for dismissing him besmirched his Following his conviction and sentence, regime is engaged in a whole range of human name. Latief appealed to higher courts but the rights issues over press freedom, trying He had earlier criticized the election of sentence was upheld. The military prosecu- people for defamation of the president and the university’s new rector as undemocratic tor at his trial also appealed against the sen- the issue of permits for the holding of public and later staged protests against the new tence, asking for death, but the life sentence meetings. The situation in East Timor also rector with hundred other lecturers and was upheld. The appeals ended in 1983 continues to deteriorate. thousands of students. The management of which is when Latief’s sentence was finally The 1988 ministerial regulation also spelt the prestigious university later dismissed confirmed and he entered Cipinang Prison. out the procedure for seeking clemency Dr. Budiman. By that time, Latief had already spent 18 under the 1987 presidential decree. The The trial was attended by numerous years in jail. By 1988, he would have served application would have to pass through six noted figures, rights activists, hundreds of the statutory five years, after which time his agencies, military commands, military ap- students and lectures as well as local and sentence was due to be changed to a fixed- peal courts and the Supreme Court, before foreign journalists. Outside the court room, term sentence. its transmission to the President via the Dr. Budiman’s supporters unfurled banners In early 1987, documents were in hand at State Secretariat. Each agency would have to in praise of the court. “Justice is not blind,” the prison for him to be released and it was comment on the application before passing We must have courage to say the truth,” expected that he would be released in 1988, it on to the next one on the list. reads the posters. although the authorities had hinted that he It is hardly surprising that Latief’s clem- “Long live Arief, long live democracy,” might even be released on 17 August 1987. ency plea, lodged in 1990 has fallen by the yelled the students, referring to their popu- While these proceedings were underway, wayside. But it should not go without lar lecturer, who was a former student activ- Suharto changed the rules about clemency comment that for a couple of months earlier ist in the 1970s. for life-sentence prisoners. Presidential De- this year, Indonesian press reports were When asked about the verdict, Dr. Budi- cree No 5, 1987 dated 7 March 1987 put an suggesting that Latief might share the same man said that he was satisfied with the deci- end to the 1950 decree. From now on, life fate as Subandrio and Omar Dhani. Oddly sion, adding that he was never given a sentences could only be changed to a fixed- enough, every time his name was mentioned, chance to defend himself before the punitive term sentence by decision of the president, it was said that he had originally been sen- action was imposed on him. namely by the prisoner lodging a plea for tenced to death. This was incorrect. Some- The internationally-recognized scholar, clemency. Suharto had given himself control how, Latief’s name kept cropping up al- however, said that he would consider teach- over the fate of all life-sentence prisoners. though the facts of his case were incorrect. ing at the university again if it is managed by This meant that all the efforts regarding Under the circumstances of the highly democratic people. Latief’s release were abandoned and he had sensitive position of Latief, it is more than a “How can I give lectures in the environ- to start again, by seeking presidential clem- little tempting to suggest that somewhere in ment where people are fired simply because ency. the regime, there still lurk people who have they have opinions different from that of A year later, Justice Minister Ismail an interest in drawing attention to this ‘wild the management,” Dr. Budiman said. Saleh issued a ministerial decision on the card in the pack.’ Maybe these are the same Dozens of Australian intellectuals, implementation of Presidential Decision No people who connived to make sure that spearheaded by Dr. David Hill of Murdoch 5, 1987. This ruled that a death sentence Latief would not be sentenced to death. This University, have earlier sent a petition to prisoner who had obtained a life sentence by is all very difficult to prove but it makes rector Dr. John JOI Ihalauw, asking the new means of presidential clemency would not sense if you consider the issues at stake. rector to revoke his controversial decision. be allowed to enter another clemency plea Currently the management of Satya for the life sentence to be changed to a fixed INDONESIAN INTELLECTUAL Wacana Christian University is to dismiss term. This placed people like Subandrio, (ARIEF BUDIMAN) WINS three other lecturers. Earlier it had quietly Omar Dhani and Sugeng Sutarto in a seem- stopped its working contract with Dr. ingly impossible position as they had all LEGAL BATTLE George Junus Aditjondro, a U.S.-trained been sentenced to death, with subsequent anthropologist and an outspoken critic of P.T. Singam, West Australian Writer : An- commutation to life by means of presiden- Indonesia’s occupation in East Timor. Dr. dreas Harsono Jakarta, 8 August 1995 tial clemency. Commenting on this in an Aditjondro is currently living in Perth and article in TAPOL Bulletin (No 107, October A prominent Indonesian scholar won his seeking for a permanent resident status. 1991) I wrote the following: legal battle against his former employer, the Page 54 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Dr. Budiman doubted Dr. Ihalauw would links as part of the national reconciliation for nearly thirty years. Five are under sen- resign as many students and teachers have spirit as the nation marks its 50th independ- tence of death, sixteen have life sentences been demanding. Most schools within the ence anniversary this year. and the others are serving fixed term sen- university have totally stopped all of their The government has already announced tences. educational activities over the last two that it will be releasing three political pris- A list of these prisoners is attached. With months to boycott Dr. Ihalauw. oners who were convicted for the botched the exception of those in Cipinang Prison, A number of universities, including some coup in 1965 and officials have said that a Jakarta, information is sketchy and difficult foreign institutes, have offered a job for Dr. few others are being considered for possible to verify. Little is known about their state Budiman. He told the West Australian ear- release. of health, their access to legal aid – which is lier this year that he would like to take a Soesilo said that the ET code would not thought to be minimal or non-existent – their visiting-lecturer program in an Australian appear on new ID cards that will be issued contact with relatives and other aspects of university offered to him. after Aug. 18. He said, however, that the their personal circumstances. government is not letting down its guard, The tragedy of their lonely and much- NEW-STYLE MONITORING and monitoring of the activities of these neglected fate has recently become the focus FOR EX-TAPOLS former detainees will continue in other of concern among lawyers and human rights forms. activists in Indonesia. Earlier this month NO MORE ET CODE ‘Everybody will be monitoring them, the three life-sentence prisoners, Dr. Soe- Jakarta Post August 8, 1995 government and the people. The scrapping bandrio, former Air Marshal Omar Dhani of the ET code is not a step backward, be- and Brigadier-General Sugeng Sutarto, were JAKARTA (JP): The government an- cause we will always be watching out granted clemency and released on 16 Au- nounced yesterday that it will start phasing against the latent danger of communism.’ gust. Several other clemency pleas are said out the use of the special ET code, which Yogie explained that the decision was to be under consideration but the names are stands for ‘Eks Tahanan politik’ (former also based on reports that the former detain- not known. political detainees), on the identity cards of ees have been behaving themselves, becom- By stressing that Soebandrio, Omar former communists, beginning on Aug. 18 ing very religious. Dhani and Sugeng Sutarto were ‘not PKI,’ when it launches a new ID card system. Yogie explained that on Aug. 18, the gov- the government conveyed the message that ‘There will be no more ET code,’ Coor- ernment will formally launch the new ID clemencies were being granted on a discrimi- dinating Minister for Political Affairs and card system, with the presentation of the natory, political basis and would not apply Security Soesilo Soedarman told reporters first two cards to President Suharto and to most of the others who have never denied after heading a special meeting with minis- First Lady Tien Suharto. their connections with the PKI, the Indone- ters under his charge, Antara reported. sian Communist Party, which was banned The encoding has been widely criticized THE 1965 POLITICAL after General Suharto came to power. by human rights groups because it is highly PRISONERS – THE CASE On 17 August, the day after the three discriminative not only to the individual men were released, the Justice Minister, person, but also to their immediate relatives. FOR A GENERAL AMNESTY Oetojo Oesman announced that seven pris- The discriminative practice is mostly felt oners, four in Jakarta and three in Surabaya, TAPOL MEMORANDUM, Aug. 23, 1995 when they apply for jobs. would shortly be executed, including two The policy was introduced in the 1970s This organisation fervently believes that political prisoners being held in Cipinang to allow the government to monitor the the time has now come, thirty years after Prison. After initially refusing to mention whereabouts and activities of former detain- the political upheaval in Indonesia that names, the Justice Minister confirmed on 21 ees linked with the Indonesian Communist brought President Suharto to power, for a August that the two 1965 prisoners sched- Party (PKI). comprehensive solution to the problem of uled for execution are Sergeant-Major I The party, which in the early 1960s was some two dozen political prisoners who Bungkus and Sergeant-Major Marsudi. Both one of the largest in Indonesia, was out- have been held in prison for nearly thirty men were arrested in October 1965. The lawed in 1966 after it was accused of engi- years. We believe that the only just and Minister refused to say when their execu- neering the abortive coup a year earlier. humane solution lies in granting a tions would take place. Many PKI members and supporters were GENERAL AMNESTY. Executions since 1985 and the role of rounded up subsequently and sentenced to There are several hundred political pris- clemency hard labor on Buru Island in Maluku. oners being held in Indonesia and East The fate of the 1965 political prisoners, They were released under a general am- Timor. Most were arrested in the latter so-named because they were arrested and nesty in the late 1970s. 1980s or early 1990s as the result of clamp- tried in connection with the October 1965 Minister of Home Affairs Moch Yogie downs on a variety of movements. While events, has been neglected for many years SM, who accompanied Soesilo at the press their position continues to be the focus of because of the unremitting political stigma conference yesterday, said that at the last national and international concern, this that still attaches to the events that led to survey just before the 1992 general election, Memorandum focuses specifically on the their imprisonment. The only times in the there 1,352,896 people whose ID cards fate of the prisoners who have had to endure past when attention was drawn to their were stamped with the ET code. nearly three decades of imprisonment. existence has been when some were exe- He said however that of these, 1,316,551 The 1965 prisoners cuted, leading to international protests. were allowed to take part in the general Many of the convicted men who were election, while the other 36,345 were barred. There are twenty-four men still in prison in Indonesia, all of whom were convicted in sentenced to death in the wake of the 1965 The government’s announcement comes events were executed very soon after their amid growing demand from human rights connection with the events of October 1965. They were all tried in the late 1960s or early convictions in the late 1960s. Then, for campaigners, some statesmen and politicians more than a decade, no executions took to remove any remaining discriminatory 1970s and have already been incarcerated for over twenty years; most have been in prison place, but in May 1985, a well-known trade signs of a person’s previous communist union leader named Munir was executed. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 55
More executions followed in late 1985, in ent prisons, with prisoners having little or · Isnanto, 70, sentenced to death (date November 1987, October 1988, October no access to legal advice and relying on unknown). Arrested in 1969. 1989 and in February 1990. Altogether prison officials for help. Clemency places a · North Sumatra, Labuhan Ruku Prison: twenty-two men were executed in the five prisoner’s fate in the hands of the president. · Atmo, sentenced to life, date unknown. years from May 1985 till February 1990. Statements by government ministers at the Date of arrest unknown. In March 1990, six more 1965 prisoners time of the three releases in August made it · Robertus Henry Purnomo, sentenced to life in 1977. Date of arrest unknown. were prepared for execution but protests in clear that political considerations played a · Handan Lubis, sentenced to life in Holland and France, and intervention on crucial role. Moreover, the clemency option 1977. Date of arrest unknown. their behalf by the Dutch government, saved is not bound by legal certainties. West Sumatra, Padang Prison: their lives. Two have since died in prison of The only way to resolve the protracted · Johan Rivai, sentenced to life in 1977. natural causes aggravated by their prolonged problem of the 1965 political prisoners is Date of arrest unknown. imprisonment. by declaring a GENERAL AMNESTY. The · Djajusman, sentenced to life in 1977. After a further period of silence sur- grounds for such a move are as follows: Date of arrest unknown. rounding those on death row, it was learnt in 1. A General Amnesty would end the · Sri Soehardjo, 66. Death sentence com- July this year that clemency for Bungkus misery of the death-sentence prisoners who muted to life. Arrested in 1967. had been turned down; the prisoner was have all lived at least half their lives under · Buyung Ketek, 56. Sentenced to 15 given to understand that he might soon face the shadow of death, enduring continued years in 1986. Arrested in 1965. the firing squad. It had taken five years for uncertainty about their prospects of sur- · Suripto. Life sentence commuted to 20 Bungkus’s plea for clemency, filed in Febru- vival. Over and over again, they have lived years. Date of arrest unknown. ary 1990, to receive a reply. Similar, though through the trauma of seeing fellow- · Jakarta, Cipinang Prison: · Asep Suryaman, 69. Sentenced to death less specific, information was received about prisoners with whom they have lived in in August 1975. Arrested in September Marsudi. Then came the Justice Minister’s close proximity, being taken off for execu- 1971. announcement in 17 August about the im- tion, fearing that they could be next. · Sukatno, 64. Sentenced to death in pending executions. 2. Executing men who have all spent March 1971. Arrested in July 1969. The lack of information about names or more than twenty years in prison means · I. Bungkus, 67. Sentenced to death in times is typical of the obfuscation that has punishing them twice over, which is not July 1971. Arrested in October 1965. surrounded the 1965 political prisoners for permissible under Indonesian law. After · Nataneal Marsudi, 67. Sentenced to so many years. spending more than what would be consid- death in October 1968. Arrested in Oc- Many of the sixteen men serving life ered a ‘reasonable’ term of imprisonment, tober 1965. were originally sentenced to death and later far beyond what even life sentence prisoners · Abdul Latief, 68. Sentenced to life in had their sentences commuted to life. Until would be expected to serve in a civilized 1976. Arrested in October 1995. 1987, life sentences were automatically country, they are then taken out and shot Central Java, Nusakembangan Prison: commuted to fixed-term sentences after five by firing squad. · Wali. Sentenced to 20 years. Date of years; with annual remission for good be- 3. A General Amnesty will mean resolv- arrest unknown. · Pujo Sumarno. Sentenced to 20 years. haviour, prisoners could expect release at ing the problem of the entire group without Date of arrest unknown. some predictable date. But Presidential De- discrimination. It will mean drawing to a · Marsinu. Life sentence commuted to 20 cree No 5 of March 1987 changed all that; close a long-standing abuse in which politi- years. Date of arrest unknown. lifers were henceforth obliged to file clem- cal prisoners have been subjected to inhu- East Java, Kalisosok Prison: ency pleas to the president for commuta- man or degrading punishment, exacerbated · Maman Effendi, 74. Sentenced to life. tion. The result was that almost all the 1965 by the very length of their incarceration. Arrested in October 1965 prisoners became dependent on presidential 4. All the prisoners have spent uncon- · Alexander Warouw, 77. Sentenced to clemency for any change in their circum- scionable terms in prison. They should not life. Arrested in October 1965. stances. have to endure punishment with no end in Madura, Pamekasan Prison: Moreover, there is confusion about sight, except that of dying in prison. · Suryabrata, 67. Sentenced to life. Ar- whether a prisoner who has benefited from 5. All the prisoners are elderly, in their rested in October 1967. one clemency commutation is legally enti- late sixties or seventies. Some are declining Bali, Denpasar Prison: tled to file a second clemency plea. Some in health. Living for so long in custody is · Pujo Prasetio, 68. Sentenced to life in Indonesian lawyers insist that they are profoundly damaging to the human spirit. April 1979. Arrested in November while others say it is impossible. The three On humanitarian grounds, an end should be 1967. (This prisoner may recently have men released on 16 August had all had death brought to their suffering for the sake of been transferred to Kedung Pane Prison, Semarang, Central Java.) sentences commuted to life and were invited natural justice, basic decency and human South Sulawesi, Ujung Pandang, Gunung to file clemency pleas for further commuta- dignity. Sari Prison: tion; it is not clear whether this was an arbi- 6. A General Amnesty would lift an in- · Marcus Giroth. Death sentence com- trary step by the administration to facilitate tolerable burden on the entire Indonesian muted to life. Arrested in 1967. their release or based on a government regu- nation and represent a step towards greater · Sido, sentenced to life. Date of arrest lation. respect for human rights in a major third unknown. The need for a General Amnesty world country. London, 23 August 1995 Experience shows that the present sys- AI ON IMMINENT tem is inhumane and grossly defective. The 1965 political prisoners EXECUTIONS Clemency requires the individual prisoner to North Sumatra, Tanjung Gusta Prison, seek his own redemption. The clemency Medan: AI UA207/95 INDONESIA Imminent DP system is time-consuming and unreliable and · Sutan Mansoer Pasaribu, sentenced to AI Index: ASA 21/43/95. 23 August 1995 implies an admission of guilt. Much also life in 1975. Date of arrest unknown. depends on the circumstances in the differ- Page 56 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
UA 207/95 Fear of imminent execu- BACKGROUND INFORMATION ALATAS DENIES tion/Legal concern Fear for prisoners on death row in Indo- EXECUTION REPORT INDONESIA Seven unnamed prisoners nesia has been greatly heightened by the fact that three people – Kacong Laranu, Chan Two long-term political prisoners are Interviewed by a journalist on Dutch NOS Ting Chong and Karta Cahyadi (alias Yonki) among seven people who face imminent television August 21, after he had held dis- – have already been executed in 1995. Prior execution in Indonesia, according to Minis- cussions with Dutch Foreign Minister, Hans to this there had been no executions in Indo- ter of Justice Haiji Utoyo Usman. Respond- van Mierlo, the Indonesian Foreign Minis- nesia since 1992. The last executions of ing to questions from reporters on 17 Au- ter, Ali Alatas claimed that it was not true political prisoners took place on 16 Febru- gust 1995, the Minister refused to reveal the that the Justice Minister had said that execu- ary 1990 when four men accused of in- names of the seven or when their executions tions would take place. He said that the Jus- volvement in the 1 October 1965 coup at- are due to take place, but said that three are tice Minister had been misquoted by journal- tempt were executed. detained in Surabaya and four, including two ists. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please political prisoners, are in Cipinang prison, He countered the Dutch journalist’s send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters Jakarta. question by saying: “You know yourself in English, Bahasa Indonesia or your own On 22 August, the Indonesian Minister that there haven’t been any executions here language: of Foreign Affairs, Ali Alatas, publicly de- for a very long time.” - seeking clarification of the names of the nied that any executions would take place in seven prisoners who the Minister of Justice Comments: the immediate future and that the Minister has said will be executed; In actual fact, three executions took place of Justice’s statement had simply been mis- - appealing to President Suharto to com- earlier this year. Previous to that, one man interpreted. Utoyo Usman also qualified his mute the death sentence of all seven prison- was executed in 1992, the fourth man in- earlier statement that the executions would ers and of any prisoner sentenced to death volved in the murder for which three others take place soon, but did not deny that they in Indonesia; are soon to pay with their lives in East Java. would be carried out. “No order for execu- - expressing serious concern that the two We understand that Justice Minister has tion has yet been issued for the execution of political prisoners mentioned by the Minis- since been quoted by Antara as saying that the two political prisoners... What is certain ter are believed to be among those who were he was not misquoted. In any case, daily is that the execution order will be issued at convicted after unfair trials, and as such reports in Jawa Pos, the latest being in to- the earliest two or three days before the date their executions would be summary and day’s issue, have given the lie to Alatas. of execution...” he said. arbitrary; Clearly, he has been taken off guard by the Informed sources say that the two politi- - expressing opposition to the death pen- executions decision, coming just days before cal prisoners are Bungkus and Nataneal alty as a violation of the right to life and the a very high-profile state visit to Indonesia Marsudi. They are among a group of five right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman by the Dutch Queen. prisoners sentenced to death for their alleged or degrading treatment; expressing particular involvement in the abortive 1965 coup who concern that in the case of the two political are still detained. Four of them are in Cipi- NEW INDONESIAN prisoners, this cruelty has been greatly exac- nang prison. All five were convicted after ATROCITIES IN WEST PAPUA erbated by their prolonged detention. unfair trials and have been in detention for APPEALS TO: President Suharto [Salu- up to 30 years. Bungkus was informed at From J. Clancy, August 30 tation: Dear President Suharto] Istana Ne- the beginning of July 1995 that his appeal gara, Jl. Veteran Jakarta Pusat Indonesia Catholic Bishop Munninghoff of for presidential clemency had been turned Telegrams: President Suharto, Jakarta, In- Jayapura has filed a report on the massacre down, thereby removing the last legal obsta- donesia Faxes: + 622 1 345 0517 (via Min- of 11 unarmed civilians who were at prayer cle before execution. It is believed that Mar- istry of Foreign Affairs) or + 622 1 36 0157 with a minister of religion. Eye witnesses sudi’s appeal for clemency was also rejected AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE have stated on Australia Nat’l radio that the recently. The identities of the other two FOLLOWING: Minister of Justice: Haiji whole group of men women and children prisoners in Cipinang who are due to be Utoyo Usman S.H. Menteri Kehakiman were shot even as the priest raised his arms executed are not known. Jl.H.R. Rasuna Said Kav, 6-7 Kuningan in surrender. Rev. Martinus Kibak of the The three prisoners referred to by the Jakarta, Selatan, Indonesia Faxes: + 62 21 local Kingmi Protestant Church was the first Minister as being in Surabaya are believed to 525 3095 to die with a bullet to the head. The killers be Djais Adi Prayitno, Nyonya Sumiarsih Director General of Corrections: Prof. were identified as members of the 752 and Sugeng who were sentenced to death in Dr. Baharuddin Lopa Directorat Jenderal Trikora Battalion of the Indonesian Army. 1988 for the murder of a family of five. Pemasyarakatan Jl. Veteran No. 11 Jakarta The victims were among the many villagers Sugeng is being held in isolation in prison on Pusat, Indonesia Faxes: + 622 1 525 3095 who had fled to the jungle from the repres- the island of Nusa Kambangan, East Java sion of the army and of the security guards (see EXTRA 89/95, ASA 21/38/95, 4 Au- employed by US Freeport Gold/Copper gust 1995, and follow-up ASA 21/40/95, 16 mine. August). NGOs, including the Australian Council Amnesty International is unconditionally for Overseas Aid had detailed joint reports opposed to the death penalty as a violation on such atrocities in April/May. This time of the right to life and the right not to be the Catholic Church was able to receive subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading irrefutable evidence. The reason for the need treatment. It is particularly concerned that to kill indigenous peoples is to cleanse the the prolonged detention of some of the area for Indonesian imposed ‘peace’ and seven prisoners due to be executed has in- US/Indonesian profits. Partnerships of a creased their suffering and greatly exacer- similar kind operate throughout the 3rd bated the cruelty of the punishment. world but are secret in nature -the secrecy East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 57 being imposed by Governments in collusion JAKARTA RIGHTS GROUP TO SEND involved in the human rights abuses in with Western Press moguls. The first mod- SECOND TEAM TO IRIAN Timika,” he was quoted as saying at the ern exponent of propaganda expertise was weekend. The newspaper did not give the of course Herr Goebels. History repeats JAKARTA, Aug. 29 (Reuter) – Indone- exact day of the interview. itself in the wealthy media families and their sia’s official human rights group will send a Amaral told Reuters last week the second greed. second team to remote Irian Jaya province team would probably leave for Irian in Sep- The Bishop understands and sympa- soon to inquire into alleged rights violations tember at the earliest. thises with the previous land owners who there, the official Antara news agency said Freeport Indonesia has denied that prop- have been dispossessed like this. Villagers on Tuesday. erty or personnel at its copper and gold are taken away for interrogation if suspected The National Commission on Human mining concession on the western half of of assisting the groups of dissident anti- Rights said earlier this week U.S. copper New Guinea island was used by troops to Indonesian sections. They are detained in mining giant Freeport was not linked to the torture victims. containers owned by Freeport operators. alleged army killing of at least 16 people in However, a group of about 30 Irianese Torture methods include kicking with heavy Irian. students protesting outside parliament in army boots, beatings, starvation and apply- “We need more facts in order to be able Jakarta on Monday said Freeport must ing more sophisticated methods with shack- to say whether or not the reported human accept some responsibility for the prob- les tied to various parts for indefinite peri- rights violations have taken place,” Marzuki lems. ods. Torture is also applied in local Police Darusman, the commission’s vice-chairman, A report by the Roman Catholic Bishop stations, in the local Army Commander’s told Antara. of Irian Jaya capital Jayapura, H.F.M Mess hut, and in Freeport security post. Darusman and three other members of Munninghof, said 11 adults and children had Our Foreign Minister wrings his hands. the commission returned to Jakarta on Fri- been shot dead by troops in one incident in Our Ambassador to Indonesia visits the area day after visiting several villages 3,500 km Hoya on May 31, prompting the commis- regularly and says that ‘he hates to say it, (2,700 miles) east of Jakarta. sion to launch its own enquiry. but there is evidence of misconduct.’ Our He said the commission was still unable The military has denied killing civilians Prime Minister, a self-confessed Catholic, to draw definite conclusions about what had but has reported clashes with separatists. approaches his on-coming re-election with a happened in Timika. The Free Papua Movement (OPM) has lot of noise but nothing to interest the Left, Timika is a lowlands town overlooked by intermittently conducted an armed and po- and nothing to say before he attends Gen. mountains where PT Freeport Indonesia, in litical struggle against Indonesian control of Soeharto for a chin-wag next month. which the Indonesian government has a nine Irian, which was ceded to Indonesia by the What I must say, repeat, is that if one percent stake, has its main copper and gold Dutch in 1963. mixes with murderers, one must pay a price operations. Freeport Indonesia is an affiliate one day. If one crawls for the biggest mur- of Freeport McMoRan-Copper and Gold. “All information gathered in Timika INDONESIAN derer of them all, one will only be treated PROGRESSIVES RE-LAUNCH eventually with contempt. The USA leaders needs to be analysed before we can draw and Indonesian leaders believe they are correct conclusions,” Darusman said. PRO-DEMOCRACY above criticism. In Australia, the country’s peak non- ORGANISATION government overseas aid body on Tuesday Lusa (Aug. 30) reports also on these Ir- urged the Australian government to pressure From AKSI (Action Solidarity Indonesia) ian Jaya murders, adding that two of the Jakarta to punish those responsible. News Service, Aug. 26 dead were children (5 and 6 y.o.). “We urge the government to... press In- The Bishop’s report followed a demon- donesia to identify and punish those re- A 150 strong delegation of students, stration in Jakarta, in front of the Indonesian sponsible,” Australian Council for Overseas farmers and workers visited the Indonesian Parliament, by 40 Irian Jaya students de- Aid executive director Janet Hunt said in a national parliament on Thursday August 23 manding that the killers be taken to trial. statement. as a part of launching a campaign demanding The killings allegedly were motivated by “Australia should urge the (human rights) the repeal of five repressive political laws. protest against the expansion of the “PT commission to investigate the relationship These are the 1985 laws on elections, on the Freeport Indonesia” gold and copper mine, between Freeport security and the Indone- role and composition of parliament, on po- and also by activities of the Free Papua sian army, to recommend compensation for litical parties, on referendums and on mass Movement. “PT Freeport Indonesia” is an the victims and their families and to make organisations. Together these laws restrict Australian of the “Freeport MacMoran policy recommendations on ways to respect political parties to the existing three, pro- Copper and Gold Corp.” headquartered in indigenous rights in Irian Jaya.” vide many opportunities for the government the US. Welcoming the human rights commission to intervene in the activities of political A spokesperson of the Australian For- investigation, Hunt said the probe was “one parties and mass organisations as well as eign Ministry stated that the Minister Ga- way of putting a brake on the cowboys in restrict the role of parliament and also en- reth Evans had been informed by Oz ambas- the Indonesian army and protecting indige- sure the ability of the government to ap- sador in Indonesian, Allan Taylor, and that nous rights.” point up to 60% of some representative he was considering issuing an official reac- The Jakarta Post daily on Monday bodies. tion to these reports. The same spokesper- quoted commission member Clementino The delegation was organised by the Pro- son said that Allan Taylor had conducted Dos Reis Amaral, who had visited Timika, visional Presidium of the Peoples Democ- investigations on his own during a visit to as saying witnesses interviewed on alleged ratic Union (PRD) and was supported by Irian Jaya in April, following information torture and killings by the military had not Students in Solidarity with Democracy in that at least 37 people had been shot dead in substantiated claims by rights groups that Indonesia (SMID), Indonesian Centre for the neighborhood of the mine between June Freeport was involved. Labour Struggle (PPBI), the National Peas- 1994 and February 1995. “None of the 23 witnesses we inter- ants Union (STN) as well as student delega- viewed said that the mining company was tions from Medan and Central Sulawesi. Also present were representatives from the Page 58 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Surakarta Peoples Union, an activist organi- Centred around this month’s celebration enter the take-off stage in an effort to be- sation sympathetic to some of the ideas of of 50 years of independence from the come a developed nation. the late president Sukarno and artists and Dutch, the government has made several writers from the city of Solo, led by well- gestures, including releasing three key politi- known poet and dramatist, Wiji Thukul. cal prisoners and ending discrimination AJI JOURNALISTS The delegation had a sympathetic hearing against former political prisoners. ON TRIAL from members of parliament from the Indo- The Jakarta Post newspaper said on nesian Democratic Party (PDI) when the Wednesday that officials this year have PRD presented its demands for the repeal of turned down permits for at least five meet- INDONESIA JOURNALISTS the 5 laws and explained that its re-launch ings and had broken up 26 events on campaign would vary the slogans: lower grounds they did not have permission. ACCUSE MINISTER prices, raise wages and repeal the five politi- Antara quoted Oesman as saying the new Reuter, 27 June 1995. Abridged cal laws. The PRD delegation also attacked guidelines would be in place by the end of the current “yellowisation” campaign in the year, but the government in the mean- JAKARTA, June 27 (Reuter) – Two In- Central Java, where regional authorities are time would relax its requirements for per- donesian journalists on trial for publicly forcing communities to paint their fences mits. Organisers must currently seek per- showing hatred against the government yellow, the official colour of the ruling mission from three separate agencies. showed defiance on Tuesday, accusing a party, GOLKAR. “Sanctions will be given only after it is minister of pursuing a campaign against their The delegation’s visit also received wide found that the activities have disturbed pub- organisation. spread media coverage. lic order. The activities themselves are not “It is clear that this prosecution is engi- The PRD was formed in 1993 to galva- to be prevented,” Oesman said. neered because (Information Minister) Har- nise support for a militant pro-democratic Permits would still be required for pa- moko felt offended,” Achmad Taufik, one of programme. Its development was hampered rades, parties and gatherings on public thor- the journalists, told a Jakarta district court, following disagreements between its central oughfares, Antara said. in response to the indictment made against office holders and the majority of its local him. Media criticism of the government has representatives. The mandate for the initial lingered since last year’s closure of three presidium (headed by Sugeng B.) was with- political magazines by Harmoko. Taufik and drawn and a new provisional presidium was his colleague Eko Maryadi, members of the formed following a meeting of representa- officially unrecognised Alliance of Inde- tives from the PRD’s city support bases. pendent Journalists (AJI), have been ac- The new chairperson, Budiman Sudjatmiko, cused of expressing hatred and hostility and other office holders were announced at INDONESIA PLANS towards the government through their maga- zine Independen. According to the indict- the offices of the Institute for the Defence INVESTMENT BOOST IN of Human Rights on August 19. ment, Independen, which had a circulation FOR MORE INFORMATION REMOTE EAST of 12,000 until it was closed down in CONTACT: March, consisted of undermining reports JAKARTA, Aug. 30 (Reuter) – Indone- AKSI NATIONAL SECRETARIAT: that said, among other things, that Harmoko sian government investment in remote east- PO Box 458, Broadway, NSW 2007, had shares in several Indonesian media com- ern areas is expected to rise 30 percent by Australia. Phone: 02 690 1230. Fax: 02 690 panies. the end of the nation’s second long-term 1381. E-Mail: [email protected] AJI’s office helper, 19-year-old Danang development plan in 2020, the official Kukuh Wardoyo, is also accused of showing Antara news agency said on Wednesday. INDONESIA TO SCRAP NEED hatred against the government and is being Herman Haeruman, deputy chairman of tried separately. FOR PERMITS FOR the National Development Planning Agency “Anybody knows that Mr. Harmoko GATHERINGS for Regional Affairs, was quoted as saying was emotional because AJI’s internal bulle- the allocation of government investment was tin Independen had a complete report on the JAKARTA, Aug. 30 (Reuter) – Indone- aimed at boosting private investment and shares he and his family have in more than sia will lift a key restriction on political non-oil exports from eastern provinces. 32 media companies in Indonesia,” Taufik activity, scrapping a law requiring permits He gave no figures for current or pro- told a packed court. for any political meetings of more than five jected investment in the region, which in- Harmoko has in the past acknowledged people, the official Antara news agency said cludes Irian Jaya, bordering Papua New he owns shares in a newspaper group he on Wednesday. Guinea, and the troubled ex-Portuguese helped found while a journalist before being “Political activities or lectures and other territory of East Timor. appointed a minister, but he has never di- kinds of discussion require no permit but Last week, Antara quoted officials in rectly responded to the accusation that he only a prior notification to the police,” East Timor as saying the territory would owned shares in more than 32 media com- Antara quoted Justice Minister Oetojo need about $1.2 billion in government in- panies. Oesman as telling a news conference after a vestments to 1999 to maintain an annual Security was tight during Tuesday’s security and political ministers meeting on economic growth rate of 10 percent. hearing following protests by several stu- Tuesday. Indonesia’s first long-term development dents outside the court building two weeks Indonesia under President Suharto has plan (1969/70-1993/94) concentrated on ago when the prosecution opened its case. long limited political activity, restricting consolidating basic agricultural, health and There was a heavy presence of plain- parties to three and punishing independent industrial objectives, such as rice self- clothed military officers who mingled with moves by workers, journalists and environ- sufficiency. observers, and police officers checked the mental groups which challenge aspects of With its second long-term development bags of those who wanted to attend the his rule. plan (1994/95-2018/19) Indonesia plans to court proceedings. Taufik, 30, a former re- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 59 porter of the banned Tempo magazine, and embassies, foreign journalists and a number “We see these trials merely as obstacles Maryadi, 27, have also been accused of of AJI supporters. in our struggle, but we are sure we can over- illegally distributing the magazine and insult- Outside the court, dozens of ‘intel’ come them,” said Taufik, who was speaking ing President Suharto and Vice-President agents were busy keeping an eye on every- before the separate trials resumed. Try Sutrisno. thing and everyone. They were armed with The government has defended its ban on The three face seven years in jail if found automatic weapons, as if ready for combat. the magazines saying they overstepped the guilty. Everyone wishing to attend the hearing, bounds of their charter and threatened na- except people who were deliberately tional stability. It has also accused AJI jour- AJI TRIALS CONTINUE brought there by security, was searched by nalists of insulting the president and other NEXT WEEK police officers even though they did not crimes. have search warrants. In the previous hear- Gunawan Mohamad, founder of one of AJI Report of 13 July 1995, translated and ing, a number of young people were given the banned magazines Tempo and one of the summarised by TAPOL. Rp5,000 each to attend, so as to fill up the signatories of the declaration leading to the public gallery, leaving no seats for AJI sup- establishment of AJI, said on Monday AJI The trials of AJI journalists Ahmad porters. had a role in making people aware that jour- Taufik and Eko Maryadi and of Danang The first witness to be heard at the nalists were independent. “Journalists are Kukuh Wardoyo continued today, with a Taufik/Maryadi trial will be Tarman Az- independent, they are not the power’s tool,” ruling by the panel of judges rejecting the zam, chair of PWI Jakarta, the man who he said. “It (AJI) also serves remind the demurrers by the defendants and the defence conspired to bring about the arrest and PWI not to be the errand boy of (Informa- counsel in both cases and declaring that both hounding of a number of AJI journalists. tion Minister) Harmoko,” he said. trials will now continue. The next hearing in Some have been transferred to non- the Taufik/Maryadi trial will take place on editorial departments and two journalists 19 July. Danang’s trial will continue on 20 MAVERICK JOURNALISTS VOW TO FIGHT ON resigned in March from one publication after July. Prosecution witnesses will be called at what they said was pressure from their these hearings. editors. During the Taufik/Maryadi trial the two Reuter 7 August 1995 By Lewa Pardomuan Abridged The ban and subsequent crackdown on defendants presented a statement which was AJI members have prompted protests at read out, drawing attention to some disturb- [According to another report, the first anni- home and abroad, but the government has ing developments. versary was celebrated with a cake sporting defended its position, saying the ban was The statement (abridged) consists of five a single candle.] done for the sake of stability. AJI’s Taufik points: Indonesia’s unrecognised journalist asso- said government recognition was not impor- 1. Sympathy for two Sinar journalists ciation celebrated its first anniversary on tant. “It is not important if we are recog- who are facing possible charges (of trespass- Monday at a Jakarta court where three of its nised or not. What is important is that peo- ing) because of actions taken during the members are on trial and vowed it would not ple recognise what we are doing, which is course of their professional duties. stop fighting for press freedom. fighting for press freedom,” he said. 2. Regrets about some recent corrupt “Nothing can stop us from fighting for business practices by government officials press freedom. When there are things that INDONESIA: and members of their families. should be corrected, we will fight and move THE PRESS ON TRIAL 3. Regrets about a statement by Informa- on,” Achmad Taufik, chairman of the Alli- ance of Independent Journalists (AJI)’s tion Minister Harmoko, who is also general New publication from Article 19 chair of Golkar, against the criticisms of presidium, told Reuters. Taufik is one of the some political parties about recent Golkar three AJI members currently on trial in Ja- This summary was posted by ARTICLE 19, ‘cadres meetings’ because they are in fact karta on charges of expressing hostility and International Centre Against Censorship, electioneering for the 1997 generals elections hatred against the government through “In- Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, (electioneering should be limited to a brief dependen,” an underground magazine pub- London N1 9LH; Tel. 44 171 278 9292; period before the elections only). lished by the group. Fax: 44 171 713 1356; E-mail: arti- 4. Amazed at the ludicrous statements by Dozens of AJI members turned up in [email protected]. Harmoko asserting that Golkar is not backed court on Monday to celebrate the birthday On 17 August 1995, Article 19, the In- by the armed forces. That’s like a tree which of their organisation, sitting with the three ternational Centre Against Censorship, re- has forgotten its roots. defendants sipping soft drinks and eating leases a new report, Indonesia: The Press on 5. Reaffirm that cooperatives should be cookies in the court’s waiting room for de- Trial, dealing with the on-going trials of four the core of the national economy, as the fendants. media workers. The report is based on a way to halt monopolies, oligopolies and AJI has led opposition to the govern- two-person mission to Indonesia in June corrupt business practices that are so harm- ment’s move to crack down on errant publi- and July 1995, led by Wesley Gryk, an ful for the people. cations since last year’s banning of three international law expert and former official The statement, co-signed also by PIJAR political magazines noted for their outspo- of both Amnesty International and the UN activist Tri Agus, on trial separately, was ken coverage of sensitive political issues. High Commissioner for Refugees. The sec- drafted in Salemba Prison on 12 July 1995. Other AJI members on trial are Eko ond member of the team was ARTICLE Following the trial, a party was held in Maryadi, a journalist for the magazine and 19’s research specialist on Indonesia and the lawyers lounge at the court to celebrate Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, an assistant. If East Timor. Following is an executive sum- Taufik’s 30th birthday. found guilty, the three men face seven years mary of the report. Among those present at the hearing was in jail. While Taufik said he perceived the Goenawan Muhamad, Princen, Chris Siner, trials, which started in June, as obstacles in student activists, diplomats from several the organisation’s struggle, he said these could be overcome. Page 60 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF delegation, comprising an international law other, leading to one or more defendants INDONESIA: THE PRESS ON TRIAL expert with legal experience in both the US being convicted on the basis of evidence As Indonesia prepares to celebrate the and UK and ARTICLE 19’s research spe- given at a trial at which they were not pre- 50th anniversary of its independence on 17 cialist on Indonesia and East Timor, at- sent; August 1995, peaceful critics of the gov- tended and observed sessions of all three - unusually, access to the defendants by ernment are again under threat for daring to trials and had discussions with a wide range relatives and others wishing to visit them exercise their basic right to freedom of ex- of authoritative sources and commentators. has been made subject to specific authoriza- pression. Ironically, they are being prose- ARTICLE 19 has many grave concerns tion by the court, suggesting a possible bias cuted under legislation first introduced in the about the trials and the context in which against the defendants on the part of the early years of the century specifically to they are taking place. These are set out in court; suppress and punish criticism of the coun- more detail in the pages that follow but may - if convicted, three of the defendants try’s Dutch colonial rulers and under which be summarised thus: face up to seven year prison sentences, and nationalist leaders, including Sukarno, later - all four defendants are charged under the fourth a sentence of up to six years’ to be independent Indonesia’s first Presi- laws which breach recognized international imprisonment, on account of published dent, were once imprisoned. These laws - standards relating to freedom of opinion and statements which, in a fully democratic including the so-called “hate-sowing” ar- expression, notably Article 19 of the Uni- society committed to human rights, would ticles – were retained at independence, not- versal Declaration of Human Rights be seen as acceptable political comment and withstanding their unsavoury colonial his- (UDHR), which all states are bound to up- an example of the peaceful exercise of the tory, and have been repeatedly used since hold as a part of customary international right to freedom of expression. then to harass and intimidate peaceful gov- law; ARTICLE 19 believes that the current ernment critics and to suppress freedom of - all four defendants are charged under trials have a particular significance for the expression. laws whose constitutionality is open to future of the independent media in Indonesia These highly repressive laws were most question as they appear to violate the guar- and, thus, for the wider community of hu- recently invoked in June, when three jour- antee set out in Article 28 of Indonesia’s man rights, environmental reform and lo- nalists and a young office worker were Constitution that “freedom of speech and of cally-based organizations which looks to brought to trial in Jakarta on charges of in- the press and similar freedoms shall be pro- that media to help articulate its concerns. sulting the President and causing offence to vided by law"; Over the last few years, the emergence of the government. If convicted, three of the - significant pre-trial irregularities have the independent and alternative press has accused face prison sentences of up to seven been alleged in relation to the arrest and been one of the most promising signs of years and the other a sentence of up to six detention of the defendants (all four of change in Indonesia after long years of re- years’ imprisonment. In addition, two of the whom have been held continuously since pression and official censorship. Until they journalists are accused of breaching Indone- their arrests in March 1995), and the police were abruptly banned in June 1994, three sia’s restrictive Press Law, a charge which searches of and seizures of information and weekly publications, DeTik, Editor and carries a sentence of up to four years’ im- equipment from AJI’s premises; Tempo, had begun to take a leading role in prisonment upon conviction. - there are compelling grounds to suggest stimulating public debate about the many Three of the defendants – Ahmad Taufik, that three of the defendants have been sin- problems and challenges facing Indonesia as Eko Maryadi and Danang Kukuh Wardoyo gled out for prosecution because of their it approaches its sixth decade of independ- – are connected with AJI, the Alliance of peaceful activities in opposition to the gov- ence. This, undoubtedly, was both the main Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis ernment: these three, all journalists, face a reason for their burgeoning popularity, even Independen), which was formed in 1994 number of charges arising from statements within official and military circles, and why after the government summarily banned or assertions made, or allegedly made, by the government decided to suppress them. three weekly publications noted for their other individuals against whom prosecutions Since their demise, AJI and organizations outspoken reporting and willingness to have not been initiated; such as Pijar have striven to fill the void and comment on politically sensitive issues. The - the decision to proceed with the prose- to respond more fully to the public’s appe- fourth, Tri Agus Susanto Siswowihardjo, is cution of Danang Kukuh Wardoyo, the tite for information about the policies and the editor of a newsletter produced by a youngest of the defendants, is particularly practices of those in power than the main- Jakarta-based non-governmental organiza- troubling in view of his tenuous connection stream press, afflicted by self censorship tion, Pijar, which campaigns on human with AJI, and appears motivated by an and under threat of further bannings, dare to rights and community issues. intention on the part of the authorities to provide. The trials – the four defendants are ap- make an example of him in order to deter The consequences of doing so, however, pearing in three separate trials – appear to others from assisting even in an administra- are all too clear. AJI’s own publication, be motivated by a determination on the part tive capacity the functioning of organiza- Independen, has now been banned and four of the government both to penalise individ- tions perceived to be critical of the govern- young men face the prospect of long prison ual critics and to intimidate the media as a ment; sentences if the courts uphold the authori- whole into continued subservience and self- - a further matter of concern in relation to ties’ allegations against them. If they do, it censorship. As such, they represent little Danang Kukuh Wardoyo is the fact that, in will represent both a blatant abuse of human more than show trials designed to underline addition to standing trial himself, he has rights and a serious reverse to the cause of the government’s continuing intolerance of been summoned to appear as a prosecution freedom of expression in Indonesia. For this dissent and to warn Indonesian society at witness in the trial of the two AJI journal- to occur at a time when the country is cele- large that even peaceful dissent will be pun- ists and therefore may be at risk of self- brating 50 years of independence, and under ished with the full force of the state. incrimination; outdated and abusive legislation inherited This report on the trials is based on a - the two AJI-related trials are being con- from the colonial past, would be a particu- mission to Indonesia undertaken by an ducted before the same panel of three judges larly sad irony. ARTICLE 19 team in June/July 1995. The giving rise to fears that testimony given in ARTICLE 19 is calling on the Indonesian one trial could influence the outcome of the government to take the following steps: East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 61
- to drop the charges against all four de- sians brave enough to participate at APCET In June 1994, the New Order regime fendants and release them immediately and in Manila last June. They made very strong banned the three weeklies: “TEMPO,” unconditionally; and daring statements on East Timor, also “DeTik” and “Editor.” At the very moment - to announce publicly that the rights to reported in the media. TASS committed himself to organize dem- freedom of opinion and expression and to Tri Agus is now standing trial in Jakarta, onstrations and campaign against the ban- freedom of association and assembly will be for insulting the authorities- a serious of- ning. He also wrote sharp and witty col- fully guaranteed in future, in accordance fence nowadays- which can get a maximum umns critical to the banning in “KABAR with relevant international human rights sentence of several years jail. dari PIJAR” which widely distributed in the standards; I would like to ask all of our East Timor country. His articles and columns bring him - to repeal, as a matter of urgency, the so- solidarity friends and supporters to try hard to the gaol. called “hate-sowing” articles and to repeal or to raise public awareness in their respective At late night of 9 March 1995, dozens of amend other laws limiting freedom of ex- countries/areas about the case of Tri Agus military personnel raided PIJAR office, pression in order to bring them fully into Susanto, and the related case of 3 members confiscated its documents and office facili- line with Article 19 of the UDHR and other of AJI – the newly formed Independent ties and arrested Triagus. The arrest of relevant standards; Journalists Association – Achmad Taufik, TASS is the beginning of witch-hunt against - to lift the bannings imposed on DeTik, Eko Maryadi and Danang Wardoyo, also concerned journalists. Subsequently, several Editor and Tempo in June 1994 and the arrested last March for publishing without a member of the Alliance of Independent banning of Independen, and to scrap the permit. Journalists (AJI) were arrested. They were publications licensing system; These are all outstanding fighters for de- charged under the notorious haatzai artikelen - to ratify the International Covenant on mocracy in Indonesia, and strong critics of which are the remnant of the legal product Civil and Political Rights. the excesses of the Suharto regime, including of the colonial time, of violating article 134 ARTICLE 19 is also appealing to the the East Timor occupation. concerning “defaming the President” and wider international community to bring its Thank you in advance for your valuable article 154 concerning “spreading hatred influence to bear on the Indonesian govern- contribution. against the government” which carry a ment in order to achieve these objectives. maximum 7 years sentence. At the moment Governments who have important diplo- TRIAGUS SUSANTO: TASS is being detained at Salemba prison matic, trade and cultural relations with In- A BRIEF PROFILE OF A PRO- and he will be brought onto trial in late of donesia have a particularly influential role to DEMOCRACY JOURNALIST June 1995. play and a responsibility to do all they can Triagus Susanto Siswowihardjo (TASS), Tri Agus was elected as honorary mem- to help advance the protection and promo- 29, is a founding member of PIJAR (The ber of AJI for his courage and commitment tion of freedom of expression, including Center of Information and Action Net- to the cause of freedom of press. During the media freedom, in Indonesia. works for Democratic Reform), a Jakarta commemoration of a year of the banning of To order a copy of the report (1.00 based Non Governmental Organization es- the three weeklies, 21 June 1995 he was pound sterling plus P&P), please contact tablished by student activists in 1989. awarded the “Suardi Tasrif Awards,” an Pauline Donaldson, [email protected]. PIJAR is dedicated to taking a part in the awards for those fight for press freedom and Indonesian people’s struggle for democracy civil liberties. and human rights. TRIAGUS, THE THIRD MAN IN JAIL PIJAR’S TRI AGUS After completed his study at the Jakarta SUSANTO ON TRIAL Institute of Pedagogy in 1990, he works as a by Goenawan Mohamad journalist in “EDITOR,” an Indonesian He’s got the lean-and-hungry look of a National Weekly Magazine. He left the poet, a subdued inner energy of a wayang ADVISORY FROM CNRM Editor after serving for 2 years and then warrior. I met Triagus for the first time in a becoming a full time pro-democracy activist. gathering of angry protesters a week after June 30 During his time as student of the Institute, the banning of Tempo, DeTik and Editor, in Dear Friends, he was known as Editor in Chief of the June last year. He showed me a copy of For your information, I transcribe a mes- “DIDAKTIKA,” a prominent Student Press “KABAR dari PIJAR,” that immediately sage received from Rachland Nashidik, of critical to the Indonesia’s New Order Re- became the only medium covering the pro- the PIJAR pro-democracy movement in gime. He also known as one of the student tests. He asked me to contribute my col- Indonesia. PIJAR people have been out- leaders of Anti Violence Movement. umn, “Catatan Pinggir” to the bulletin. I standing for their activism against the Su- TASS Believes Press freedom is a fun- agreed, but out of politeness I didn’t ask his harto regime, and have taken great personal damental pillar of democracy. But at the name. Later he would invite me to talk to risks defending the right of self determina- same time he also realize that freedom of students in his alma mater, the Jakarta IKIP tion of the Maubere people, and attacking press will never be implemented within (Teachers’ College), which are normally the Suharto regime for its illegal presence in licensed news papers under siege of censor- monitored closely by police spies. He is East Timor. ship and press banning. Hence, he quitted obviously fearless, a quality hardly notice- As you are no doubt aware, many PIJAR the weekly and fully committed himself to able because of his mild manner and his people have been jailed in recent years for work for the PIJAR. In 1993, he became the recurrent faint smile in his face. their activism. In March, the Jakarta offices editor in chief of “KABAR dari PIJAR,” a The last time I met Triagus was in jail, were raided, because of the group’s unli- samizdat of PIJAR. In this alternative press when I visited him and the three people censed publication of ‘KABAR DARI he widely published his critical articles and from AJI (the Alliance of Independent Jour- PIJAR.’ Among the arrested was Tri Agus reports on the various aspect of Indonesian nalists). I remember he told me in late Feb- Susanto. Rachland happened to be away and social and political features, particularly on ruary, when we were together with was saved. He then fled to Holland. Tri Suharto dictatorial regime. Rachland Nashidik from the pro-democracy Agus and Rachland were the two Indone- movement PIJAR and many friends break- Page 62 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. ing the Ramadhan day fast in the office of tors’ movement. According to one of its the Head of State.” Nuku Soleiman was then Yapusham (Institute for Human Rights activists, demonstration had been deliber- brought to trial and sentenced to five long Studies) in Jakarta. They already got an ately chosen as a means by which to chan- years of imprisonment to be served at Cipi- information that the police would soon raid nelize aspirations which, it was felt, had nang prison. the PIJAR office, and when I asked who hitherto been blocked. Earlier, in 1990, there was another PIJAR would be ready to be jailed next, Triagus PIJAR means “sparkle” and also abbrevi- activist, Bambang Beathor Suryadi, who had raised his hand. smiling. It was a half-joking ated from Indonesian for “Pusat Informasi also been accused of “humiliating the Head repartee, I recall. In March the police did dan Jaringan Aksi untuk Reformasi” (Centre of State.” He was sentenced to four and a come and detained Triagus. of Information and Action Network for half years imprisonment. In 1993 he was PIJAR may be the organisation which Democratic Reform). It was set up in Sep- released on probation, but later on re- has the highest record of “casualties"– tember 1989 by some 40 students from arrested for having led a demonstration meaning people who went to jail because of various institutes of higher learning in Ja- against the banning of TEMPO, Editor and their political statements and expressions. karta, Bandung and Yogyakarta. According DeTik in June last year. Triagus always came to visit his friends and to its executive chairperson, Rachland Still earlier on, in 1989, PIJAR’s founder became a familiar face to the warden of Sa- Nashidik, the goal PIJAR was striving for and first chairman, Bonar Tigor Naipospos, lemba Jail. He even became an acquaintance was democracy and human rights. With a was accused of having been engaged in sub- of the prison cook. When the last time they 25-man board leading it, PIJAR has no regu- versive activities because he had organised saw him inside the prison yard, one of them lar member. discussions critical of the government. He asked: “Say, Agus, now whom are you vis- It has, however, a number of divisions subsequently got a jail sentence of 8 years iting?.” Triagus told them what happened: dealing with various matters. One is engaged and 6 months. Early in 1994 he was released “Now it’s my turn to be the one they come in monitoring developments around social- conditionally. to visit.” political questions, organize regular studies Quite recently Triagus Susanto, general His sense of humour is rather of the quiet and discussion on this subject. There is also secretary and editor of “Kabar dari PIJAR,” kind, but he’s got plenty of it. In fact, he a division whose task is to mould cadres, was arrested and kept in detention for his once took part in organizing a humour week making them feel concerned for and get in- critical writings opposing the banning of in Jakarta. It was in 1992. The military volved with social issues. The publication certain publications in June last year. In the commander of Jakarta might not know division publishes the periodicals “Kabar meantime, Rachland Nashidik, chairperson Triagus personally, but he gave a public dari PIJAR” (News from PIJAR) and of PIJAR’s executive board, finds himself, warning about NGOs working against the “Neraca Pembangunan” (Balance-sheet of up to the moment, in a state of being hunted government, and he mentioned “PIJAR.” In Development). Another division is engaged down by the military. no time, sponsors withdrew their support in organising actions and advocacy in judicial Indeed PIJAR is the only non- to the comedy festival. The humour week cases, which includes actively campaigning governmental organisation in Indonesia went on without Triagus. It seems that in for and providing defense in these cases. whose leaders have been continuously sub- the country of The Smiling General, the There is, of course, a division dealing with jected to persecution, arrest and imprison- desire to joke has its own political risk. administrative and household matters. ment. I don’t know what kind of stories PIJAR partisans have held demonstra- PIJAR has a wide network of contacts Triagus is going to write in prison now; tions on many occasions–ranging from those and cooperation. This includes contacts and some of them will be without smile, I pre- in protest against the rise of electricity fares, cooperation with NGO’s and students’ sume. Unlike the other journalists from AJI, actions on the land-issue in Rancamaya organisations in various cities in Java. Dedi Triagus still has to wait for the exact date of (West Java), actions demanding Minister of Ekadibrata of the Ampera Legal Aid Insti- his trial. If no sign of it appears in the com- Transportation Haryanto Danutirto for an tute, for instance, who is serving his terms ing weeks, he has threatened to be on a hun- explanation and calling him to account for of imprisonment in Bogor’s Paledang prison ger strike. the train-collision at Citayam (West Java) for his defense of the peasants of Cipayanti, I am writing this to appeal for an interna- down to actions opposing the SDSB lotter- has had close relations with PIJAR’s activ- tional and domestic support for Triagus. I ies and those in support of a demand for the ists. This network is all the more strengt h- don’t know how you are going to do it, but convocation of an special plenary session of ened by the regular, but certainly unlicensed, together with Ahmad Taufik, Eko (Item) the MPR (Consultative People’s Assembly) publication of “Kabar dari PIJAR” and Maryadi and Danang, Triagus deserves for the purpose of calling the President to “Neraca Pembangunan,” which carry ideas, world-wide attention and sympathy. account. The money needed to pay the cost opinions and information not to be found in (of, for example, inscription banners, post- any licensed mass media. SPARKS OF STRUGGLE: A ers, transportation and consumption) has It is understandable, therefore, that GLIMPSE AT PIJAR been obtained from voluntary donations by PIJAR has been so popular among stu- the activists themselves. dents–those who just want to find an outlet Source: Media Indonesia Minggu and other The most remarkable demonstration was for their surplus energy for struggle or those documents, July 2 that organised when they demanded the who in fact understand PIJAR’s idealism. abolition of the SDSB-lotteries at parlia- What is clear about its idealism is that there One might say that PIJAR is indeed a ment’s, at Senayan in November 1993. At is a burning desire among its activists to place where partisans of a just cause are that time, Nuku Soleiman, PIJAR’s execu- have democracy and human rights estab- assembled. Somewhere by the entrance of tive chairman (before his subsequent re- lished and make them prevail. Guaranteed its office (formerly situated in east Jakarta, placement by Rachland as a result of the by the 1945 Constitution, such aspirations but now in the southern part of the city), former’s imprisonment) was caught in the are legitimate. there was an inscription of words of “coun- act of distributing stickers in which he What has been the source of trouble is sel” to activists and visitors: “If you waver, spelled out his version of what the abbrevia- the fact that the government spurns their you just go home.” This NGO has been tion SDSB stood for–a version which the manner and style of struggle and regards widely known as the centre of a demonstra- state apparatus interpreted as “humiliating them as acts of opposition. This is espe- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 63 cially true with regard to sharp criticisms, STATEMENT BY PIJAR INDONESIA Disaster’ case. Now it’s the turn of Tri albeit the authorities can only profit from 10 July 1995 Agus Susanto Siswowihardjo (TASS) to go these criticisms, because, as they have al- on trial. leged, they want to make “improvement” on Greetings in struggle To his friends, TASS is often known as the government. Today, our comrade Tri Agus Susanto S. Tri Agus Susahin Suharto (Tri Agus who What PIJAR has striven for is in fact goes before a New Order court charged un- makes trouble for Suharto). He worked for synonymous with what the other NGO’s der Article 134 and 135 of the Criminal the student publication, ‘DIDAKTIKA’ have been fighting for: the aspirations of the Code. He faces a sentence of up to six years and is the editor in chief of ‘Kabar Dari people, first and foremost the aspirations of because he is alleged to have ‘insulted the PIJAR,’ an alternative publication that came the oppressed. The difference between them President’ in Kabar Dari Pijar No. 2, 1994. into existence when it became clear that the lies in the fact that PIJAR has chosen de- For us, everything Tri Agus and our AJI licensed press failed to disseminate accurate mocratization as the focus of its activities friends did through the medium of our pub- and factual information to the public. KDP for legal defense–today the most critical lications was perfectly legitimate and proper is not a ‘yellow’ journal, nor is it a journal sphere in politics–and that it is most vocal in any democratic society or state. The right that has been coopted by the regime. in giving expression to what it has in mind. to express one’s opinion in writing or ver- As part of the alternative press, KDP There have even been cases in which, it was bally belongs every individual and member stands by the principles of honesty, truth, felt, the blows PIJAR had struck at the of society. All restrictions, censorship or, factual reporting and up-to-date news. Al- government were too hard. PIJAR’s choice still worse, imprisonment are acts of arbi- though Tri Agus is now in detention, KDP might be ascribed to its realisation that the trary power that show no respect for the will continue to appear. This is one of the official channels for giving expression to the ideals of freedom and equality upheld in the distinctive characteristics of the alternative people’s aspirations (such as parliament and state constitution and the state ideology. press as compared with the licensed press. the press) have already been blocked. When people criticise government officials TASS is on trial in connection with an ar- This state of affairs have also been recog- and those in power, it should be treated as ticle in KDP No 2 which bore the headline: nised by people in certain circles–silently. contributions to a discussion, not as Buyung Nasution, ‘This state is being While this is so, PIJAR’s youngsters pro- breeches of the law. Dialogue and debate are thrown into turmoil by a man named Su- nounces it bluntly. Being young men and the pillars of renewal in a nation state. harto.’ women, they naturally cannot adhere to that It would be highly commendable if any- At the time the article was written, dem- piece of Javanese political culture as ex- one in a position of power is criticised were onstrations of protest against the banning of pressed in the words “ngono ya ngono ning to respond by putting forward their own Tempo, Editor and DeTik were taking place. ojo ngono” (do as you do but do not do in criticisms and arguments, not by repression They were protesting because the reasons the way you do). and coercion. given for the bannings did not make sense. It is quite possible, that their struggle This trial reveals to the general public the For instance, Tempo was banned because it might ended as their getting older. One thing irony and problems raised by the concept of exposed sleaze related to the purchase of for sure: their struggle would give a certain freedom in this state of ours, at a time of warships, a quite legitimate form of journal- meaning and has its own place in the his- rising hope in renewal and democratisation ism. There was nothing particularly new in tory. in all parts of the world. that reporting because, ever since the start We members of the PIJAR family must of the New Order, no order for defence and TRI AGUS GOES ON TRIAL yet again face repression but we recognise security related equipment has been con- this is the price we have to pay for the cluded without military involvement. TAPOL Report, July 12: struggle to uphold freedom and equality in Habibie was behaving like the ‘shadow The trial of PIJAR’s Tri Agus Susanto this country. We will continue to stand in president.’ Siswomihardjo began in Jakarta on 10 July the forefront, together with others working In the course of the protest movement 1995. Tri Agus was arrested on 10 March at for renewal. against the bannings, two PIJAR activists the office of his organisation, PIJAR. Read- To those responsible for upholding the were arrested, Beathor and TASS. ing out the indictment, prosecutor Baginda law, we know that you too face dilemma Yayasan PIJAR, better known as PIJAR Lumban Gaol said that the defendant “had and difficulties. It is our fervent hope that INDONESIA, was set up on the initiative intended to defame the good name and dig- the trial will be conducted free from pres- of a group of student press activists at vari- nity of the President.” After the indictment sure and intervention by the powers that be. ous universities in Java during the 1980s. was read out, the trial adjourned until 17 Progress and renewal are our joint responsi- TASS was one of that group. He held the July. bility. position of executive chair of PIJAR from According to a Reuter report, thirty Jakarta, 10 July 1995 1990 – 1992. PIJAR activists demonstrated outside the Bonar Tigor, Presidium Council In the course of its existence, PIJAR has been to monitor the darker of side of state court and unfurled banners saying: “Democ- ======affairs: the sharp rise in the foreign debt, the racy without freedom is impossible.” Police Yet again, a PIJAR activist is on trial. dispersed the protesters without making spread of corruption, collusion and the run- First Bonar Tigor Naipospos served five ning of the economy with the reins in the any arrests. years in prison, followed by Beathor Sury- PIJAR also distributed a statement is- hands of a very small clique of people. This adi who went to prison twice for a total of goes to show that, indeed, “the country has sued on the occasion of the trial, the full text four-and-a-half years. Now Nuku Suleiman of which follows: been thrown into turmoil by a man named is serving a five-year sentence. And re- Suharto.” cently, Yeni Rosa Damayanti, Ferry H. At present, PIJAR is led by an activist Machsus, Adrianto, Andi Hartono, Hendrik from Muhammadiyah University, Yogy a- Sirait and Wandi Nicodemus were karta. Although he hails from Yogya, he is imprisoned for between 8 months and a year not the type to be upset “by a man named because of the ‘14 December Democracy Suharto.” It is in the tradition of PIJAR to Page 64 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. be a radical opposition group, ready at all cope with criminals at the time of former at the existing political system, for him a times to go to jail. military commander of the Jakarta region, system was inseparable from the person Thank you. Major General Hendro Priyono, was also running it. PIJAR Publications Division mobilised for this purpose. Already at the Triagus was defended by a combined Translated by TAPOL entrance-gate they tried to limit the number team of attorneys from PIJAR, Nusantara of people wanting to watch the trial. Each Legal Aid Institute, and SBSI (Indonesian A TRIAL IN TIME OF MADNESS one of them was asked to produce his or her Trade Union for Welfare), with Trimedya Kabar Dari PIJAR (No.04, July 1995) identity card. Their names were noted down Panjaitan acting as coordinator. The team Amsterdam, KDP – The latest game of by agents of the intelligence service. lodged a protest over the fact that prosecu- words in Jakarta concerns the acronym In the meantime, as they entered the tor had not first given them a copy of the TASS: It stands for “Triagus Susahin Soe- court-room, they discovered that most of letter containing the charge. The trial would harto” (Triagus Makes Soeharto Suffer), it is the seats there had already been occupied by be continued on 17 July in which the defen- said. This “subversive” tainting remark is military personnel clad as civilians. Soon the dant was to read out his demurrer. now being spread from mouth to mouth, room was packed to full capacity. Some Triagus was then brought back to Sa- understandably in whispers. The “evil- people who managed to enter it had to leave lemba prison. As he left the premises, hun- doers,” of course, do so with a smile on their it again and had to satisfy themselves with dreds of youths and students who had dem- faces, treating themselves with fun. huddling together in small groups outside onstrated in front of the fully armed troops, It turns out, this time too, that mounting the building in order to follow the trial. gave him a thundering applause. A banner fear can turn into courage. Persecution, ar- Present among the audience, numbering in unfolded by the demonstrators carried the rest and imprisonment of pro-democracy their hundreds as they were, were such fig- inscription: “Have we really achieved inde- activists which the Indonesia’s New Order ures sympathetic to PIJAR’s cause as Ali pendence?” Regime has carried out recently for the pur- Sadikin, Rahman Tolleng, H.J.C. Princen, pose of further spreading the culture of fear, Marsillam Simanjuntak, Goenawan Moha- TRIAGUS TRIAL PROMPTS have only spurred people to be brave, not mad, as well as those of the younger gen- PROTESTS letting themselves to be intimidated. Resis- eration such as Amir Husein Daulay, Bonar tance to this cultural onslaught has resulted Tigor Naipospos, Rocky Gerung and TAPOL Report, 17 July 1995. Summarising in, among other things, the fact that is not Beathor Suryadi. The fact that the court a report from PIJAR, Jakarta proceedings were heavily guarded could, the imprisoned activists, but precisely those Two activists were arrested in Jakarta in power, those who have considered it a however, not deter student and youth activ- ists from Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor, Garut, today during a protest that marked the sec- necessity to throw these activists into jail in ond hearing of the trial of Tri Agus Susanto order to silence them, that have been made Yogya, Mataram and Surabaya from coming and being present there. Siswomihardjo in the Central Jakarta district to suffer. court. TASS in reality stands for Triagus Falling back on those paragraphs in the “Haatzai Artikelen” inherited from Dutch While Tri Agus was reading his demurrer Susanto Siswowiharjo, the name of the edi- in court, challenging the basis for the indict- tor-in-chief of “Kabar Dari PIJAR.” On that colonial laws, the general prosecutor, Baginda Lumban Gaol, accused Triagus ment presented by the prosecutor last morning, on 10 July, he entered the court- Monday, a crowd of some two hundred room of Jakarta’s central court of justice, Susanto of committing the sin of “insulting the President.” The cause that led to his trial people gathered outside the court, shouting: where he was to stand trial. As if he was in ‘Free Agus, Free Agus!’ A number of or- a state of mourning, he was clad in black. On could be traced back to the time when there was mounting protest against the banning of ganisations were represented in the gather- the back of his shirts, one could see the ing; protest poems were read out and state- inscription “Jaman Edan” (“A Time of TEMPO, DeTik and Editor, June 1994. Triagus then wrote a report in “Kabar ments made on behalf of the various groups. Madness”), added with the words, written When Tri Agus left the court to be driven in the small letters, “Sak Beja-Bejane Wong Dari PIJAR,” the only publication that cov- ered the protest. The report was headlined: back to Salemba Prison where he is being Waras, Isih Luwih Beja wong Edan Ning held, he was warmly welcomed and banners Kuasa” (“No Matter How Lucky The Sane “Adnan Buyung Nasution: This country has been thrown into a mess by a man named were unfurled. One read: “Are we really Are, Far Luckier Are Those Who Are Insane free?” But Entrenched In Power”). In Contrast Soeharto.” According to the prosecutor, “the person referred to by the defendant as After Tri Agus had left, the crowd moved with the police troops guarding him, who in the direction of a major thoroughfare, appeared to be overwhelmed by tension, Soeharto was President of the Republic of Indonesia.” As such, Triagus was charged carrying banners and shouting slogans. TASS now and then wore a mischievous Troops from several army units gathered to smile. with infringing on article 134 junto article 55 (1) of the penal code, threatened as he was follow the demonstration. This was the first political trial ever to be The crowd then made its way in orderly experienced by “Kabar Dari PIJAR” chief with a sentence of 6 year of imprisonment. What Triagus wrote in that article was in fashion to the Jalan Hayam Wuruk bus sta- editor. The trial had previously been post- tion; for a while, they caused a traffic jam. poned several times without a definite fact no more than covering the “night of vigil” held at the premises of YLBHI (Indo- At first the security forces were rather re- prospect of when it was to be held. De- laxed but when the crowd seemed to be nesian Legal Aid Foundation”), on 23 June manding that a date be fixed, TASS threat- moving in the direction of Monas square, ened to resort to a hunger strike. 1994, to express opposition to the banning of publications by the regime. Indeed on they suddenly became very tense and the Outside the court building it was ex- order went out to arrest and disperse the tremely hot. The building it self was heavily that occasion Adnan Buyung Nasution was one of the speakers. demonstrators. The security forces gave guarded. Truckloads of army troops had chase and two activists were arrested: Ferry been dropped to stand guard both in front Buyung Nasution himself denied, in an indirect manner, that he had pronounced Haryono Machsus (one of 21 students who and at the back of the building. The motor- was imprisoned in 1994) and Andy Lala, a ised trail troops, who used to be called in to those words. He admitted, however, that while his criticisms had so far been directed East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 65 student. They were both grabbed roughly part in an Idul Fitr celebration at my fi- honouring a number of national leaders by by police using obscene language. ancee’s home. according each of them the title “The Father The two were driven off, Ferry to the se- My arrest and detention indeed came as of Indonesian Humor.” One of them was to curity post outside the court, and Andy to no surprise. For two months earlier there be... Soeharto. the nearly attorney-general’s office. They were rife rumours around the issue of The proposal also included declaring this were later taken to the central Jakarta police planned banning of (not the arrest of people year of the golden anniversary of independ- HQ. working for) a number of alternative media ence, of the Republic of Indonesia as the Two hours later, a group of activists such as “Kabar dari PIJAR” (KDP), “Year of National Humor” -bearing in mind went to the police command, demanding the KOMPAK and Independen. the unmatched ridicule which marks the release of their colleagues. Shortly after- What struck the eye was the fact that my realities of life in the Republic of Indonesia wards, two members of the legal team de- arrest had been based upon the main report as it reaches the ages of 50. Just look at the fending Tri Agus went to accompany the contained in KDP No.02, June 1994 issue, Dresden affair and at other cases including two arrested men. under the headline, “Adnan Buyung Nasu- the Aucland affair, the AJI and Permadi At 5.30pm both men were released, but tion: This Country Has Been Thrown Into cases, the magic letter of the chairman of the only after they had been forced to sign a A Mess by Someone Named Soeharto.” supreme Court, the cases of Megawati and statement promising not to participate in The issue in question thus appeared as Mantiri. any demonstrations in support of Tri Agus. far back as a year ago already, that is, when The Honourable Council of Judges, actions were unfolding to oppose the ban- Just now I have been talking about Ar- ning of TEMPO, DeTik and Editor. TRIAGUS’ DEMURRER wah Setiawan and the question of humor. So..why only now the arrest? Was it so But in truth I was not trying to lead this before Central Jakarta’s District Court on difficult to catch me? Here one finds the odd session toward becoming a performance of 17 July 1995. News from PIJAR No.05, July and strange character of the matter. It clowneries or a comedy. To tell you frankly, 1995 doesn’t matter, though. In the heart of my I have always been acting in seriousness. heart, I said to myself: “This is a souvenir Even when I am joking. Soeharto: “This Country has been for me on the 50th anniversary of Indone- It is undeniable, however, that this ses- thrown into a mess by someone sia’s independence.” named...” sion contains an extremely humorous sub- The honourable Council of Judges, The Council of Judges, the General stance. This is attributable to the fact that Prosecutor, The Attorneys team and Com- If there should be a moment when I was the General Prosecutor’s charge against me rades Pro-democracy fighters whom I re- saddened most during the days of my deten- has been based on invention. As a govern- spect, tion behind the iron bars of Central Jakarta ment instrument, the prosecutor’s office is Thank you for the opportunity given me Police section, it was when I got word that endowed with an outstretched capability of to read out my demurrer at this session. Arwah Setiawan had really become an arwah doing things. Hence the fact that it often However, before I go into the matters relat- (=spirit of the dead). This was the case stretches out, exaggerates or dramatizes an ing to my objection to the charge levelled on when he died on 18 April 1995. All I could issues. me by the general prosecutor on 10 July, let do then in my cell was to ponder over things Although the official report presented to me express my deepest gratitude to all par- and to pray, hoping that arwah’s Arwah him by the police was incomplete in sub- ties that have shown interest in my case and would be accepted by God and given a place stance, the General Prosecutor has been given support to me as well as to the three to rest on in front of Him or at his side. compelled to submit it to the Court. This comrades activists of the AJI (Alliance of I believe Arwah died seriously, an act was because, first, I am unnecessarily – to Independent Journalist). consistent with the doctrine he had devel- quote some words from the lyric of Me- I also wish to salute the State Police, the oped during a period spanning over half of mes’s, that beautiful singer’s song – “kept State Prosecutor’s Office and Central Ja- this life-time: Even “Humor is something in detention already.” Therefore, no matter karta’s District Court, which, with their serious.” Indeed, if we had no sense of hu- what happens, “the show must go on!” inadequacies and shortcomings, in the end mor, we would have had not the strength to manage to hold a sitting which albeit not face the crises affecting Bosnia, Palestine, Second, and this is the important reason, proceeding speedily, efficiently, and at low the troubles tormenting PDI, the ever rising there are certain members of the elite who costs as laid down in the penal code, is be- prices of cement and paper, the Permadi want to relaunch the Suharto and succession lated but joyous and colourful. case, the Bintang Pamungkas affair, the East issue on the threshold of the 1997 general Timor Question down to the issue of suc- election. The honourable council of Judges, cession. That the prosecutor’s integrity has been What I had undergone was truly an un- I remember Arwah’s spontaneous inti- affected by his subjection to the influence of pleasant, nonetheless not surprising, experi- macy in his approach to people. Once I certain members of the elite can be judged ence: This was the case when I was arrested, greeted him, saying “Hallo Mr. Arwah, from the present case, in which PIJAR is and subsequently detained, on 10th March what news do you have?.” (The Indonesian again being confronted with Soeharto, fol- 1995. It was unpleasant because it took way of saying “How are you?”) “Wow! lowing as it did in the wake of Nuku place hardly 2 days after I had set foot in Sorry brother, I have not read the newspa- Soleiman’s case of his sarcastic interpreta- the capital, back from my kampong where I per, still less News from PIJAR!.” tion of what the abbreviation SDSB meant had stayed for the Idul Fitr feast day cele- Together with Arwah Setiawan, I have sometime ago. The General Prosecutor has bration. During those first two days after I worked out a plan for various activities this deliberately manipulated what was written was back, I carried out only two important year. Ranging from holding humorous per- in the KDP bulletin, namely by making an activities. On the first day I met with my formances for the TV, organising competi- issue out of a headline which contained two guru and idol, Arwah Setiawan, chairperson tions and seminars down to holding the third key words, “Soeharto” and “mess.” This of the Indonesian Institute of (the art of) Indonesian Humor Week. One proposal of despite the fact, that in their thought, the Humor (LHI). On the second day, I took mine which he had as yet to approve of was people no longer question the interconnec- Page 66 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. tion between the two words. To them the Soeharto is indeed a leading figure. He comment on Adnan Buyung Nasution’s two are identical in meaning. even wants to be called a statesman. His statement, I will quote it under the title of The Hounorable Council of Judges, “pendapat” (views), as well as his “penda- this demurrer–"Soeharto: This country has patan” (income), have invariably been a been thrown into a mess by someone “Kabar Dari PIJAR” has been published topic in people’s talks. named...” as a medium of information and communica- So it comes as big news for KDP when At a time when the nation is observing tion between PIJAR’s activists and other Adnan Buyung Nasution made a comment the 50th anniversary of independence, of the pro-democracy militants in Indonesia. After on Soeharto. If it was not he, but some un- Republic of Indonesia, a son of this land is TEMPO, DeTik and Editor had been known person who said that night that it being put on trial for his political activities. banned By The Soeharto Regime, “Kabar was owing to Soeharto that this country had This is an irony indeed. This is really ridicu- Dari PIJAR,” as if getting surplus electric landed in a mess, I would have not been lous. energy, managed to survive and appear regu- much interested in making a report of it. I wish, however, to reiterate that all this larly. A number of factors producing this Since there were two plus values present is a present to me on the occasional of fes- fact was this: those practitioners of the art in the matter, namely the fact that it was tivities celebrating the golden anniversary of of writing in the officially licensed mass Adnan Buyung Nasution who made the the Republic of Indonesia this year, coincid- media adopted the attitude of lying face statement, and the fact that it was Soeharto ing as it does with the 30th anniversary of downward, on the stomach and in a chorus that he was dealing with–moreover, I agreed Soeharto’s advent to power and the 20th voice their “understanding of the slaughter- with the views he expressed– I, without anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion and ing of the three magazines. In such circum- having to rack my brains and to use my occupation of East Timor – an illegal act stances people in society prefer looking for physical energy, lost no time in writing that which the UN and the international commu- and reading the underground, the alternative “beautiful” sentence. nity up to this moment have not recognised. media. Imbued with the fervor of resistance- These all my objections to the Prosecu- Further on, all these media, both the li- journalism, KDP continues to hold aloft the tor’s charge. I am hopeful that the Council censed and the alternative have been run standard ethics of journalism. So long there of Judges presiding over this session would professionally. The different between these was no protest made or objection raised by take them into consideration. two type of media lies in fervour and ideal- the news source against the report, KDP Thank you. ism of the persons running them. It is also would make no corrections on it. Jakarta, one month before 17 August 1995. to be found in which principle of news- As editor-in-chief, I am responsible for writing is subscribed to. For the licensed Written in the Salemba house of detention. any word written on any page of “Kabar mass media, it is the principle of 5 W’s and Triagus S. Siswowiharjo (TASS) Dari PIJAR.” I can, however, explain 1 H that count: Who, What, Where, When, whence the word or words have come. Some Why and How. For the alternative media it words may have been quoted directly from a TRIAGUS SUSANTO is 5 W’s and 2 (or 3) H’s: Who, What, statement, some others may have been taken Where, When, Why, and plus How, plus REJECTS SOEHARTO from literature. It might happen, too, that a Harto (Soeharto for short)–sometimes added REGIME’S OCCUPATION chain of words or a sentence have been the with Habibie and/or Harmoko. product of long process of pondering by the OF EAST TIMOR As to “Kabar Dari PIJAR,” it subscribes author. to the dictum: “The freedom of information Kabar Dari PIJAR (News From PIJAR), Being inseparable component of PIJAR, is the pillar of democracy and respect for No.06, July 1995 KDP, apart from voicing PIJAR’s mission, human rights. Freedom is something that has also take part in the dissemination of pro- A young Indonesian, Triagus Susanto, to be defended and fought for, not excepting democracy voices no matter whence or from declares the occupation of East Timor by the freedom of the press. whom they come from. The journalism be- the Soeharto regimes as illegal. As has al- My presence in the capacity of KDP’s ing developed by KDP is resistance- ways been the case before, this time too, the chief Editor at the night vigil organised by journalism. The resistance referred to is regime’s trial of a pro-democracy activist the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation resistance to the centralisation of power, to has turned into a means to further instill the (YLBHI) on June 24 was part of my en- uniformation of thoughts, containment of people with an even clearer political con- deavour to collect facts and data. These pluralism and to blocking of critical sense. sciousness. It is however, the first time that facts and data were then moulded to become someone has been charged of committing the The honourable Council of Judges, an informative and factual report. Any sin of “insulting the President” declares in a statement, no matter by which speaker, be it The General Prosecutor’s charge against demurrer unequivocal rejection of the Soe- by an advertising model a Haji (a pilgrim to me has been based on one single sentence, harto regime’s occupation of East Timor. Mecca), or by a prominent fighter for hu- “Adnan Buyung Nasution: This Country Amsterdam, KDP – For the first time in man rights in this country, would be re- Has Been Thrown into a Mess by Someone the history of political trials in Indonesia, an ported on with pleasure in my writing. named Soeharto.” Is this sentence, which in Indonesian youth pronounces unequivocal “Name makes news,” remains a principle essence is a political statement by Adnan rejection of Indonesia’s invasion and occu- guiding KDP. Buyung Nasution and which I agree with, an pation of East Timor. In his demurrer read To KDP, “a dog bites Buyung” is no insult? Has the prosecutor turned into an out on Monday, 17th July 1995, against the news. “Buyung bites a dog,” is no news arbiter for players of political games up prosecutor’s indictment, Triagus Susanto, either. But when “Buyung and a dog bites there? PIJAR’s General Secretary, bluntly declared each other” – only then can we speak of As a journalist who has always tried to the invasion and occupation as illegal. news. be honest and adheres to idealism, I will “To me, this (trial) is a present on the Adnan Buyung Nasution is a public fig- publish statements by any party–wheter its festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary ure. His views have always been cited by opinion is identical with or different from of the Republic of Indonesia this year, coin- people, especially those on the question of mine. Even if I have the chance to meet Soe- ciding as it does with the 30th anniversary human rights. harto, and on that occasion he is willing to of Soeharto’s being entrenched in power and East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 67 the 20th anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion well-known 19th century Javanese court Renetil therefore wishes to express its and occupation of East Timor–an illegal act writer, Ronggowarsito. deepest concern at the sterility of the Indo- which the UN and the international commu- The police attacked and forcibly dis- nesian judiciary and to express its solidarity nity have never recognized up to this day.” persed the demonstrators, detaining two of with all Indonesian pro-democracy fighters, This statement was hailed with instant the four students arrested in the process: especially our colleague, Triagus. Our thunderous applause by the public attending they are Ferry Haryono and Andi Lala, both statement of solidarity is as follows: the trial. students of National University, Jakarta. 1. It is intolerable for a Jakarta court to Triagus was one of the two PIJAR activ- Later on they were released after lawyers of be trying a genuine fighter for democracy. ists who in June 1994, to Soeharto’s wild the “Committee in Defense of The Freedom The one who should be on trial is Suharto anger left for Manila to take part in the Asia of Opinion” came to the Central Jakarta who has brought untold sufferings for the Pacific Conference on East Timor (APCET). police headquarters, where they were de- Indonesian people. PIJAR was the only Indonesian organisation tained and interrogated. 2. We call upon the Attorney General to attending the parley. reconsider the charges against Triagus, and “At a time when the nations is observing RENETIL SOLIDARITY to confront the political interests of Suharto the 50th anniversary of Independence, of FOR TRIAGUS and his cronies with a show of maturity and the Republic of Indonesia, a son of this land independence by the judiciary. is being put on trial for his political activi- Statement by Renetil, issued in Lisbon on 21 3. In order to protect the image of the ties,” he declared. The editor-in-chief of July 1995 Suharto government in the eyes of the “Kabar Dari PIJAR” rejected the prosecu- world, it is high time for the Jakarta gov- tor’s indictment that he had committed a The following statement was issued by the ernment to respect the right of free speech crime. “Stating the truth on the ground of East Timorese students association, Renetil, and the independence of the judiciary. one’s political conviction is no crime,” he in response to the trial of Triagus, editor of 4. Renetil appeals to the international pointed out. Berita Dari Pijar, which is now under way community to take concrete measures Triagus Susanto stressed that to most In- in Jakarta. against the violations of human rights in donesians the words “Soeharto” and “trou- To the Attorney General in Jakarta Indonesia and East Timor which have been bled” are now identical. Being charged of 1995 is an international year for Indone- perpetrated by the Suharto regime up to the having “insulted the President,” Triagus sia because it will be celebrating the 50th present day. Susanto is threatened with a possible sen- anniversary of its independence, the 40th Lisbon, 21 July 1995 tence of 6 years imprisonment under a law year of the Asian-African conference and Antonio Ramos da Silva, Political Com- inherited from the Dutch colonial regime. He Indonesia’s inclusion as a non-permanent mission of Renetil was arrested at midnight on March 10 this member of the UN Security Council, which year–nearly one year after he wrote in the will mean putting the state’s integrity to the main report of “Kabar Dari PIJAR” that the test on the international arena. INTRA-TIMORESE country “has been thrown into trouble by As it enters the second half century of its DIALOGUE FALLOUT someone named Soeharto.” He was quoting independence, the 30th year of the coming Adnan Buyung Nasution, who made the to power of the New Order and the 20th statement at a “night vigil” held at the prem- year of its illegal occupation of East Timor, TIMOR SURPRISE: ises of YLBHI (Indonesia Legal Aid Foun- the Suharto regime is showing the world that dation) on June 24, 1994 as a protest to the UNEXPECTED as a result of its successes it has sacrificed DECLARATION SHOCKS banning of three important newsweeklies the lives of one million Indonesian people TEMPO, DeTik and Editor. and 200,000 East Timor. JAKARTA Buyung Nasution subsequently repudi- The New Order regime has practised cen- Far Eastern Economic Review, 20 July ’95 ated the statement but admitted that the tralisation in all respects, monopolisation in prevailing political system in the country the fields of economics, politics and socio- A medieval town in Austria may seem a was inseparable from Soeharto, the actor cultural and legal affairs, for the purpose of strange setting for a meeting intended to running it. strengthening the position of the dictatorial advance the cause of peace in East Timor, The session hearing Triagus Susanto’s Suharto regime. In truth, the Maubere and the Portuguese colony that Indonesia an- demurrer was stringently guarded by the Indonesian people have suffered the same nexed in 1979. The result of the meeting, combined fully armed troops of the city’s fate because they both live under the yoke though, has been stranger still. The 30 par- garrison, Army Strategic Command, The of a regime that is obsessed with creating ticipants were all Timorese, from camps Greater Jakarta Military Regional Command and preserving mercantilism, colonialism and both for and against the Indonesian govern- and the Mobil Brigade. As the session pro- imperialism in order to secure the political ment – the second group including exiled ceeded, student and youth activists organ- objectives of Suharto and his cronies. members of the Fretilin resistance move- ised in the United Yet again, the Central Jakarta Court has ment. Many observers expected the talks to Movement of the People (KPRI) held a before it a genuine Indonesian fighter for fall apart. Instead, the delegates issued a demonstration outside the court building. democracy, Triagus, a fact that brings to declaration that called for more such meet- They denounced Triagus Susanto’s political light the nature of the regime of Suharto, the ings, directly linked to United Nations- trial and called on the public to fight for the dictator, as the country approaches its 50th sponsored talks on Timor’s future. freedom of opinion and organisation. “Free anniversary. The charges against Triagus Amid the delicate international efforts to Agus!,” “Free Agus!,” the demonstrating have no sound basis in law because he was resolve the Timor issue, however, this is masses shouted. One banner stretched out simply quoting the words of a very well just what Jakarta didn’t want. Its agitation by demonstrators bore the inscriptions of known personality who said: “This country became clear on June 27, when its ambassa- “No matter how lucky the sane are, far luck- is in turmoil because of a man named Su- dor-at-large on Timorese matters, Francisco ier are those who are insane but entrenched harto.” Xavier Lopes da Cruz, issued a statement in power"–the slightly twisted words of a Page 68 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. purporting to clarify what he had agreed to own good. “I think what they did,” says pro-Indonesia East Timorese claiming that in Austria. Specifically, he sought to dispel another diplomat, “was scare the horses.” points in the text deviate from the agreement the notion that the all-Timorese talks would Jakarta, for its part, seems to have as- reached in the meeting. run in parallel with ministerial-level negotia- sumed too much of its own delegates, ignor- The event brought together for the first tions between Indonesia and Portugal, or ing the way attitudes in East Timor have time leaders of various East Timorese fac- that the UN should have a wider role in the changed over the past 20 years. Even tions who were fiercely locked into a bloody search for a solution. Timorese who favour integration find it civil war in 1975-1976. Taking part in the Jakarta’s concern was also evident in increasingly difficult to defend Indonesia’s reconciliation meeting, which was sponsored talks on July 8 in Geneva between Indone- heavy military presence in the province and by the United Nations, were 15 in support sian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and his its refusal to accord it greater autonomy. of East Timor’s integration with Indonesia Portuguese counterpart, José Manuel Durão Jakarta may have expected the Austrian and 12 opposed, all of whom live overseas. Barroso. During these discussions, Alatas meeting to be no more than a talking shop. Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo was accepted UN proposals for a second meet- A government delegate says, however, that present as a neutral delegate. ing of Timorese. But he says he had made it by the second day Lopes da Cruz was under Because the meeting ended a day earlier clear to UN Secretary-General Boutros pressure from even his own delegation to than scheduled, Lopes explained, partici- Boutros-Ghali that the Timorese delegates issue the declaration. “We might be Indone- pants had to rush the typing of the final must not discuss the province’s political sian,” the delegate says, “but we’re also declaration, which was entirely entrusted to status. Timorese, and the people from East Timor the representatives of the anti-integration The so-called All-Inclusive Intra-East wanted something to come from the meet- faction led by Ramos Horta. Timor Dialogue in Burg Schlaining had been ing. They were even holding prayer sessions ‘Being pressed for time we left the text to intended as a “reconciliation” meeting of for its successful outcome.” them because they had the computer to Timorese factions ahead of the July 8 minis- Although the government side crafted the type it. They could have been very deceit- terial meeting. Indonesian officials had pri- first draft of the declaration, the final state- ful,’ he said. vately expected it to dissolve in rancour. ment was based largely on a counterdraft Because the dialog was held amongst ‘our But after three days of often passionate prepared by Ramos-Horta. It was only later own people,’ the pro-Indonesian delegation discussions, the Timorese produced the that Lopes da Cruz realized just what he left Stadschlaining without examining the Burg Schlaining Declaration, signed by all had signed, according to a government dele- document after it was typed. ‘If we had the delegates, pro- and anti-government gate. Seeing that he was in a difficult posi- another day, maybe we could have been alike. Among its proposals: further such tion, and perhaps nervous themselves, the more careful.’ Lopes said. meetings, timed to precede each official-level other Jakarta delegates then agreed to sign Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas meeting between Jakarta and Lisbon. The his clarifying statement. Mysteriously, the has admitted that the pro-Indonesia East Timorese strategy was obvious. Says a sea- ambassador waited three weeks to release it. Timorese were caught off-guard by the in- soned diplomat: “When you get parallel Among other things, it noted that the ref- sertion of certain points in the declaration negotiating tracks like this, linkages often erence to Resolution 37/30 violated that they otherwise would have rejected. begin to appear between the two.” Boutros-Ghali’s statement, issued after the The 15 pro-Indonesia representatives and The declaration also upset Jakarta by last UN-sponsored Jakarta-Lisbon meeting seven other delegates to the Austrian talks mentioning UN Resolution 37/30, which in January, that the intra-Timorese dialogue have already written to UN Secretary Gen- Indonesia rejected in 1982 because it out- would not discuss the political status of the eral Boutros Boutros-Ghali explaining their lined a more formal role for the international province. In that regard, Ramos-Horta position. body. Sources at the meeting say Lopes da seems to have scored a minor victory. Lopes said the declaration omits a whole Cruz was unfamiliar with the wording of the paragraph which would have acknowledged resolution, and at one point even asked ex- LOPES SUSPECTS FOUL previous efforts at reconciliation by East iled Timorese leader José Ramos-Horta for PLAY AT VIENNA MEETING Timorese leaders. his interpretation. Words were also added, without the full Since Indonesia annexed East Timor Jakarta Post, June 28, 1995 consent of representatives, that left the nearly 20 years ago it has been unable to get impression that East Timor was closed and rid of what Alatas calls “this pebble in our JAKARTA (JP): A senior East Timorese forbid people from coming and going, Lopes shoe.” And since the November 1991 Dili politician suspected foul play in the word- said. massacre, in which troops killed at least 100 ing of the final declaration for the All- He said that a reference to an old UN Timorese demonstrators, the situation has Inclusive East Timor Dialogue that took resolution was also inserted by the typist only seemed to go from bad to worse. place earlier this month. without the knowledge, let alone consent of Neither Indonesia nor Portugal, which Lopes da Cruz told journalists that the all the participants. has been demanding a referendum in the text of the final declaration deviated from Lopes declined to speculate, in view of province, have so far shown any inclination what was agreed upon during their meeting the incident, whether or not they would be a to make the kind of concessions that might in Austria. second East Timor dialog as had been sug- lead to a permanent settlement. And in the ‘The following day in Vienna, when we gested by the participants in Austria. examined the text of the declaration in Por- wake of the Austrian meeting, hardliners in The results of the meeting will be dis- the Indonesian military who warned against tuguese, we found that a few things origi- cussed on July 8 when Alatas meets for the Indonesian support for the gathering will nally agreed upon in the forum were not sixth round of talks with his Portuguese probably be saying: “I told you so.” contained in the document,’ Lopes said. counterpart in Geneva. There he will discuss Indeed, a senior Western diplomat says Some points were added without the con- the status of East Timor under the auspices he believes Ramos-Horta, the self-styled sent of the participants, he added. of Boutros-Ghali. “foreign minister” of the Timorese resis- The declaration issued at the end of the tance organization Fretilin, and his fellow meeting in the Austrian town of Stadschlain- exiles may have achieved too much for their ing has become a contentious issue, with East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 69
INTRA-TIMORESE – with the “substantive matters” may well dictate to what extent the Resistance is ex- PORTUGUESE AND WHAT NOW? pecting too much. In fact, the same is true INDONESIAN MINISTERS for a series of other recurrent issues in the Publico, 8 July 1995. By Joaquim T. de Ne- MEET AGAIN greiros. Translated from Portuguese talks: improvement in the human rights situation, opening the territory to agencies Lisbon – This is one item which should and international organisations, demilitarisa- be easier for Durão Barroso. Keen for the tion, release of political prisoners, “Timori- CNRM: JAKARTA SHOW adoption of the principle according to which sation” of high positions in the territory, PLOY AHEAD OF each new round of talks would be preceded respect for cultural identity. INDONESIAN/ PORTUGUESE by an intra-Timorese meeting, the Portu- guese Minister will certainly be taking along FUTURE MEETINGS MINISTERIAL MEETING to today’s meeting with Ali Alatas and Publico, 9 July 1995. By J. Trigo de Ne- CNRM Media Release 2 July 1995. Boutros Ghali the statement issued by the greiros. Translated from Portuguese Timorese in Schlaining, in which that very As has become habitual, in anticipation procedure is requested. Lisbon – The future of the intra- of the next round of UN Secretary General In spite of the statement, the link be- Timorese meetings was one of the points on sponsored talks between and Indonesian and tween the Timorese meetings and the Minis- which the Resistance had been hoping for Portuguese Foreign Ministers on the dis- terial talks under the auspices of the UN more from yesterday’s negotiating round. puted territory of East Timor, Jakarta is Secretary General, is bound to meet with The scenarios thought likely to come out of again intensifying its clumsy propaganda strong opposition from Ali Alatas. the meeting were, either the formal setting of ploys. The first intra-Timorese meeting met a principle, according to which each new Reports received today mention the re- with strong opposition from the Jakarta round of Ministerial talks would be pre- cent arrival in Jakarta of 30 East Timorese regime’s hard-liners, who did everything ceded by a Timorese forum, or for agree- youths to hold ‘An evening in East Timor’ possible to stop it from happening. Alatas ment on a date (for the next forum), which show at a Jakarta hotel owned by President would find it hard, therefore, to explain to would be before the next Ministerial meet- Suharto’s family. Organisers plan to add the military if such an initiative were to ing, and which would, thereby, informally further East Timorese students currently in eventually become important and part of the establish such a principle. Anyway, neither Java and Bali to the group, to reach a total negotiations framework. one nor the other actually emerged from the of 60 participants. Their show had been It is unlikely that the Indonesian Minis- meeting in Geneva. initially scheduled for 17 July, to com- ter will repeat today the statements which The final statement, agreed upon by memorate Indonesia’s 20th ‘integration’ actually questioned the need for a second Durão Barroso and Ali Alatas, merely says anniversary of East Timor, an integration edition of the Schlaining meeting, but as far that the two Ministers welcomed the hold- not recognised in international law, as the as a schedule is concerned, Ali Alatas has ing of the first of the intra-Timorese meet- International Court of Justice strongly reit- little room for manoeuvre. ings (Austria, 2 to 5 June this year) and erated on 30 June. The show has now been A schedule is precisely what the Resis- agreed with the UN Secretary General’s brought forward to 7 July, the eve of the tance hopes will come out of today’s meet- view on the need to promote another or talks between Foreign Ministers Ali Alatas ing. Mari Alkatiri, in charge of Fretilin’s further meetings of this kind. and J. Durão Barroso, to take place on 8 external relations, is hoping for an “institu- Ramos Horta, special CNRM representa- July in Geneva. tionalised link” between the Timorese forum tive, who was in Geneva with Mari Alkatiri The unhappy group of dancers and art- and the diplomatic talks. If an embryo link (Fretilin) and João Carrascalão to follow the ists, headed by Zitu, whose father was shot between the two is a result of this meeting talks closely, had expected more, and had dead in Dili by invading Indonesian troops in Geneva – and neither Alkatiri nor Ramos even hoped for some kind of institutionali- on 7 December 1975, has been accommo- Horta admit to the outcome of this bone of sation of the intra-Timorese meetings. He dated in Jakarta in a hostel normally used by contention between Portugal and Indonesia was somewhat comforted, however, by the Moslem haj pilgrims. Forced to stay in a being anything less – the next step, accord- use of the word “promote” instead of “fa- Moslem environment, the Catholic East ing to the Fretilin leader, will be the creation cilitate” as used previously, to describe the Timorese are unable to practice the rites of of an “executive structure,” representative UN’s role in the preparation of the meeting. their faith. They have asked that these, for of the Timorese of all persuasions, with a This choice of verb indicates a more active them distressing circumstances, be reported view to gaining a place at the meeting table part to be played by the UN, – a real bone to the Head of the East Timorese Catholic in the future. of contention with Jakarta when the first Church Bishop Belo. The creation of these “executive struc- meeting was in preparation. Ramos Horta’s Indonesian authorities have ordered tures” was discussed in Schlaining, but was worries, however, were far from over. group members to appear happy and cheer- eventually put into cold storage, to await Shortly after reading the statement, the ful at all times, especially dancers when on the “institutionalisation” of the intra- CNRM leader heard the Indonesian Minis- stage. Lizia Amaral, daughter of East Timorese meetings, which the Resistance ter say that the second intra-Timorese meet- Timorese pro-integration figure, and Indone- hopes will materialise today. ing would certainly not be held before the sian National Commission on Human Rights “Institutionalisation” is also the word next negotiating round. He took everyone by member Clementino Amaral, has strongly chosen by Ramos Horta, the special repre- surprise, going against what had been warned members to avoid the embarrass- sentative of the Maubere Resistance Na- unanimously approved by the Timorese ment of a recent USA and Europe tour. tional Council, to describe the future of the themselves in Austria and establishing a rule Much to the irritation of the Indonesian Timorese forum which commenced in Aus- which was not to be found anywhere in organisers, the lack of enthusiasm of East tria. yesterday’s declaration. He left no doubts Timorese performers accompanying a cul- The way in which the two Ministers and about a new bone of contention on the hori- tural tour led by Suharto’s daughter Tutut (especially) the UN Secretary General deal zon. was very obvious to the audiences,. Page 70 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Among the unfortunate participants of December 1992 DURÃO BARROSO this latest command performing group is the After the US cut military aid to Indone- STATEMENT BEFORE daughter of Jacinto Alves, whose father is sia, Deus Pinheiro’s successor, Durão Bar- currently serving a jail sentence in Java. roso, arrived in New York with the intention GENEVA TALKS Another participant, Carlos (not real name), of getting the most out of the US decision. a clandestine nationalist activist, who has Arrival statement and press conference by However, Alatas did not arrive empty Dr. José Manuel Durão Barroso, Foreign been a frequent arrest target of Indonesian handed either: the Timorese Resistance intelligence operatives in Dili, expressed his Minister of Portugal for talks on the East leader had been captured by Indonesian Timor question, 8 July 1995, Geneva. Tran- disappointment at this totally manipulated troops, and film shown on TV of a “repen- performance, adding “but what can we do, script provided by the United Nations In- tant” Xanana was used by Jakarta as its formation Service they [the Indonesians] oppress us and we “proof” that the Timorese guerrilla was have to obey and pretend to the world that close to extinction The meeting served only Mr. Barroso: So, we come here for the we are happy.” to confirm the extent of the disagreement sixth round of talks with the Government of Members of the group have asked that between the two parties, and to set a date Indonesia under the auspices of the Secre- their sad situation be brought to the atten- for a new meeting. tary-General. We hope to discuss the devel- tion of the outside world, and that no cre- opments since the first inter-Timorese meet- April 1993 dence is given to this latest act of dishonest ing. We think it was a good development in Indonesian propaganda. Separated by an apparently unbridgeable this process that the East Timorese them- gap, the two sides agreed to a suggestion selves associated to this process. After all, CHRONOLOGY OF proposed by Boutros Ghali: instead of fo- we are discussing here the future of East cusing the debate on the basic question of MINISTERIAL MEETINGS Timor, not the future of Portugal or not the the right of the Timorese to self- future of Indonesia, so we think it is good to SINCE 1992 determination, which was still obstructing associate in some say the East Timorese the talks, from that Rome meeting onwards, with this process. So I intend to discuss this Publico, 8 July 1995. Translated from Por- they should seek to create confidence build- matter with my colleague from Indonesia. I tuguese ing measures. also intend to have some talks with him Lisbon – The seventh meeting between September 1993 about the situation concerning human rights the Foreign Ministers of Portugal and Indo- The confidence building measures did lit- in the territory. nesia on the future of East Timor is being tle good. Although self-determination was Question. But minister, you can’t discuss the held today. In reality, it is only the sixth not the subject of the talks, the search for details of East Timor without some East meeting, as the first one was merely pre- commitments in the new round of negotia- Timorese representatives present at this paratory. The process started in January tions, again in New York, can be summed up meeting. 1992, when João de Deus Pinheiro, the then in a word: frustration. After four meetings, Mr. Barroso: As you know, this is it, Portuguese Foreign Minister, personally there had still not been any sign of progress. precisely. Because of the fact that East delivered a letter to the new UN Secretary Timor has not yet seen its own self deter- General, Boutros Ghali. Two months after May 1994 mination recognized by Indonesia, that Por- the Santa Cruz massacre, an unexpected and The increasing disillusionment with the tugal has to be in this process because we tragic event for East Timor that attracted negotiations between Lisbon and Jakarta are the administering power. So, we are in much international attention, Portugal takes made the Geneva meeting seem like a last the process with Indonesia, under the aus- the first step re-establishing diplomatic chance to produce something palpable, oth- pices of the Secretary-General. Of course, dialogue with Indonesia. erwise, the talks looked as though they we would like to see the East Timorese Since then, tangible results from the nego- would just fizzle out. Under this implicit associated with this process, but that ques- tiations which, for a long time, were stuck danger, some results were produced. Durão tion you should ask to my colleague from on the question of self-determination, have Barroso agreed to meet with integrationists. Indonesia. been scarce. In the second phase, progress Ali Alatas agreed to meet with Resistance resulting from the “confidence building leaders. Boutros Ghali was given carte Question: Have you any reason to believe measures” began to be seen. First, the Min- blanche to “facilitate” an all embracing dia- you can make substantive progress to- isters’ cross-meetings with integrationists logue between Timorese of various persua- day? and members of the Resistance. Then, the sions. Mr. Barroso. That depends more on the intra-Timorese forum in Austria. Today, the January 1995 Indonesian side. We are ready for substan- tial progress, but the signals coming from talks are back in Geneva, in the Palace of After over six hours of meetings in Ge- Jakarta are not so encouraging. But let’s Nations. neva, the UN Secretary General got the hope that something positive will be September 1992 green light from the two Ministers to go achieved. “Talks about talks,” as Deus Pinheiro de- ahead with preparations for the Timorese scribed them, were commenced with Ja- forum (to be held in June in Austria). The Question: How long do you intend to go on karta’s diplomatic chief. With Boutros Ghali final communiqué from the meeting outlined talking like this if progress is not present, on the 49th floor of the UN’s the dialogue which Boutros Ghali wanted to achieved? headquarters in New York, it is decided that organise. The communiqué’s third paragraph Mr. Barroso: I think dialogue is better the talks will stay on Ministerial level, and described the intra-Timorese meeting as a than any alternative. We are ready to go on the first “real” meeting is scheduled for De- forum for free exchange of viewpoints, but with this dialogue, pushing for a solution. I cember. According to the Portuguese Minis- prohibited any discussion of East Timor’s cannot tell you an exact time table. ter, the aim would be to “find a fair, com- political status. In spite of the ambiguities, Question: Do you think the decision of the prehensive and internationally acceptable” it was still a step forward. International Court Justice in the Hague solution for the occupied territory. will be a factor in these talks? East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 71
Mr. Barroso: No, I don’t think so. If you cept this jurisdiction only regarding certain sion at its 51st session, the importance of look at the decision and I’ve done it care- specific issues. which was stressed. fully, you will see that the Court cannot The whole question of East Timor is a 3. The Ministers welcomed the conven- decide because there is the lack of one party, political question, said Mr. Alatas, that ing of the All-Inclusive Intra-East Timorese Indonesia, because Indonesia does not ac- should be resolved in the political bodies of Dialogue, held in Burg Schlaining, Austria, cept the jurisdiction of the court. I already the United Nations and is not predomi- from 2 to 5 June 1995 with the assistance of said it publicly and I will say it today to my nantly of a legal nature. The solution of the the Secretary-General, which constitutes a colleague, why doesn’t Indonesia accept problem would require movement by both positive effort to help create an atmosphere international law, why doesn’t Indonesia Indonesia and Portugal on the three substan- conducive to the achievement of a solution accept the jurisdiction of the Court. So I tive issues, but this was the very beginning to the question of East Timor. They ex- make a challenge here publicly today for and it was impossible to know how long it pressed their appreciation to the Govern- Indonesia to accept the International Court would take to reach an agreement. ment of Austria for hosting the meeting and of Justice jurisdiction. Because, if you look On the question of possible self- to other governments for their support. at a sentence here you can see, it is just on a determination by the East Timorese as well 4. The Ministers welcomed the Secre- procedural basis that the court decides not as a referendum, the Foreign Minister of tary-General’s view on the need for conven- to decide in the case of Portugal against Indonesia recalled that after 1976, when the ing a further meeting or meetings of the All- Australia, because Indonesia is not present. Portuguese left East Timor in a state of Inclusive Intra-East Timorese dialogue and But an the other hand, each sentence in the turmoil and civil war, the people of East his intention to pursue the matter with the decision is a good and positive reference to Timor had decolonized themselves, and thus two parties. self-determination, because the court takes had already exercised their right to self- 5. The Ministers, without prejudice to note that both Portugal and Australia recog- determination. The overwhelming majority their respective positions of principle re- nize the right of people of East Timor to of the people of East Timor had chosen garding the political status of East Timor, self-determination, and that right has not yet independence through integration, and there have begun discussions on the substantive been fulfilled. Thank you. was no longer any need for a referendum. issues identified by the Secretary-General Mr. Alatas informed the press that he regarding possible avenues towards achiev- ALATAS STATEMENT AFTER had met the United Nations High Commis- ing a just, comprehensive and internationally GENEVA TALKS sioner for Human Rights on Friday and that acceptable solution to the question of East Mr. José Ayala Lasso would be visiting Timor. In this context, they discussed sub- Statement to the press by Mr. Ali Alatas, East Timor at the end of November or at the stantive issues related to an eventual frame- Foreign Minister of Indonesia on talks on beginning of December. work for the achievement of such a solution the East Timor question. Geneva, July 8. He also said that he welcomed the Secre- and other related issues, inter alia, the pres- From United Nations Information Service. tary-General’s view on the need for conven- ervation and promotion of the cultural iden- ing a further meeting or meetings of the All tity of the East Timorese people and bilat- At the end of the sixth round of talks on Inclusive Intra-East Timorese dialogue, as eral relations between Indonesia and Portu- the question of East Timor, held on 8 July the one held in Austria from 2 to 5 June gal. They agreed to discuss all these issues in Geneva under the auspices of the Secre- 1995, but no dates has yet been agreed in conjunction with one another. tary-General of the United Nations, Mr. upon. However, this meeting would not be 6. Following today’s discussion, the par- Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Foreign Minis- held before the next round of talks on 16 ties agreed to continue their efforts, with the ter of Indonesia, Mr. Ali Alatas underlined January in London. Concerning the reduc- assistance of the Secretary-General to find a that the discussions on substantive issues tion of Indonesian military forces in East just, comprehensive and internationally had just begun. These issues included estab- Timor, Mr. Alatas stated that this was an acceptable settlement to the question of lishment of a framework for the achievement ongoing process and that the Army leader- East Timor. The seventh round of talks of a just, comprehensive and internationally ship in jakarta had recently announced that between the Foreign Ministers under the acceptable solution to the East Timor ques- two battalions would soon be withdrawn auspices of the Secretary-General will be tion, the preservation and promotion of the from East Timor. held 16 January 1996 in London. Prior to cultural identity of the East Timorese peo- the ministerial meeting, preparatory talks ple and the bilateral relations between Indo- UN PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ will be held through the Representative of nesian and Portugal. the Secretary-General. All these issues were discussed in con- ON EAST TIMOR TALKS junction with one another, which means that they are interconnected, Mr. Alatas said. Submitted for transmission from the office of UN TIMOR TALKS In response to a query regarding the con- the spokesman for the Secretary-General. STALEMATE tention of the Foreign Minister of Portugal, July 8, 1995 Dr. José Manuel Durão Barroso earlier in 1. The Secretary-General held the sixth Voice of America, 7/8/95 the day that Indonesia did not recognize the round of talks on the question of East Timor By Gordon Martin, Geneva jurisdiction of the International Court of in Geneva on 8 July 1995 with the Foreign Intro: It was 20 years ago when four cen- Justice in a recent case concerning East Minister of Indonesia, Mr. Ali Alatas and turies of Portuguese rule ended in disorder in Timor, Mr. Alatas stated that Portugal had the Foreign Minister of Portugal, Mr. J. the tiny territory of East Timor at the east- never invited Indonesia before the Court. Durão Barroso. ern tip of the Indonesian archipelago. In The Indonesian Foreign Minister also re- 2. The Ministers discussed developments 1976, Indonesia annexed East Timor after called that his country, like the majority of since the fifth round of talks in January sending in an invasion force. From Geneva, other Member States of the United Nations, 1995, including the implementation of the Gordon Martin reports on the sixth round did not accept the compulsory jurisdiction Chairman’s statement on the situation of of talks on the future of East Timor begun of the Court, and reserved the right to ac- human rights in East Timor, agreed upon by three years ago between Portugal and Indo- consensus by the Human Rights Commis- Page 72 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. nesia under the auspices of UN Secretary- After three years of fruitless talks, Indo- Alatas said: “We are at the very begin- General Boutros Boutros Ghali. nesia’s decision to promote and preserve ning of the substantive talks and we don’t Text: Both sides in the East Timor nego- East Timorese culture, which includes al- know how long it will take.” tiations are locked in opposite positions. lowing the teaching of the Portuguese lan- A joint communiqué issued after the talks Although there are small signs of progress, it guage, were seen by exiled East Timorese said the ministers agreed to discuss a num- is clear from the latest Geneva round that dissidents as a turning point. ber of other issues “in conjunction” with the both sides remain at complete loggerheads “It’s the best we could expect,” said João main political question. on such key issues as self-determination for Viegas Carrascalão, president of the They included the “preservation and East Timor. Timorese Democratic Union, who lives near promotion of the cultural identity of the The United Nations continues to recog- Sydney, Australia. East Timorese” and improving relations nize Portugal as the administering power for “It’s a big step if Indonesia allows us to between Lisbon and Jakarta. East Timor’s 800-thousand people. But keep our cultural identity and teach our The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Indonesia shows not the slightest sign of language, but there’s further to go.” Rights, José Ayala Lasso, will visit East relinquishing its hold. As a step to moving the often turbulent Timor in November or December. Indonesia In spite of this, Portuguese Foreign Min- links between Indonesia and Portugal, the agreed in March to the visit to avoid an ister Durão Barroso described the talks Sat- two countries agreed to improve bilateral official resolution of censure at the U.N. urday as positive. He says some progress relations and work toward discussing “sub- Human Rights Commission. was made even if it could not be termed as stantive issues” on the future of East Timor. East Timorese opposition leader José big. Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas Indonesia has endured constant international Ramos Horta, in Geneva on the fringes of says the two sides are at the very beginning criticism over its handling of East Timor, the talks, told reporters “some modest pro- of substantive talks but he says they do not particularly its human rights record in deal- gress” had been made. know how long they will take. ing with dissidents opposed to Indonesian He welcomed the fact that the East The two men will meet again in London rule. Timorese would meet again because, he said, next January. There will also be another they would have to have the final word in meeting next year of various Timorese fac- REUTERS: INDONESIA AND any settlement. tion leaders. PORTUGAL EDGE FORWARD IN TIMOR TALKS NO NEW TIMOR DIALOGUE UPI ON GENEVA TALKS By Philippe Naughton By Michael Huggins BEFORE JANUARY: ALAT AS GENEVA, July 8 (Reuter) – The foreign GENEVA, July 8 (UPI) – The foreign ministers of Portugal and Indonesia met on Jakarta Post, 11 July 1995. Abridged ministers of Indonesia and Portugal, under Saturday to discuss East Timor’s future but Comment: Further evidence, if such is the auspices of the United Nations, made progress towards a final political settlement needed, that Jakarta feels very unhappy some progress Saturday toward solving the remained painfully slow. about the results of the Burg Schlaining controversial issue of the territorial status of Meeting for the sixth time since 1992, meeting. East Timor. Indonesia’s Ali Alatas and Portugal’s José – TAPOL Although there was no movement in Manuel Durão Barroso began finally to achieving the right to self-determination for discuss “substantive issues” – diplomatic Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs East Timor, the Indonesian government code for the question of East Timor’s future Ali Alatas said yesterday that a second agreed to take steps to preserve and pro- political status. meeting involving all East Timor factions mote the cultural identity of the East Barroso told reporters afterwards: “We would not take place until after he has met Timorese. are still very, very far from a final solution with his Portuguese counterpart again, “It was a positive meeting, there was of the problem. That much is clear.” which is scheduled for January. some progress,” said Portuguese Foreign Saturday’s talks, spread out over five The date (for the second dialogue) hasn’t Minister José Manuel Durão Barroso. “But hours including a working lunch, were the been set but it will definitely not be held we are still very far from a solution on the first since an unprecedented meeting in Aus- prior to the next trilateral meeting,” Alatas political status of East Timor.” tria last month of rival East Timorese fac- said, on his return from Geneva. “We cannot accept an overall solution tions. Alatas and his Portuguese counterpart that does not include the right to self- Under reported pressure from Boutros- Durão Barroso agreed at the Geneva meeting determination. It’s a right embedded in the Ghali, the Indonesians agreed that another that there should be a second round of the U.N. charter and in international law,” Bar- intra-Timorese meeting would be held next All-Inclusive East Timor Dialogue (AETD). roso said. year, although the Timorese will once again Although Indonesia welcomes another Dia- “We are still at a very early stage so we not be allowed to address contentious po- logue, Alatas rejected the proposed timeta- can’t say what will come out of the future litical issues. ble. talks,” Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Ali The two sides remain diametrically op- “If it is held prior to the meeting of min- Alatas told reporters after the five-hour posed. meeting on the issue of self- isters... then it could create the impression meeting. “I really don’t know how far we determination and a possible referendum in that the two are related to one another,” he can get.” East Timor, rejected by Indonesia. said, stressing that the AETD must not The two ministers are expected to meet “The important point is that we cannot become a second track to a political solution again with U.N. Secretary-General Boutros- accept a solution that does not accept the to the East Timor dispute, which is being Boutros Ghali to discuss East Timor in right of self-determination,” said Barroso. pursued by the UN-sponsored talks. London in January. “We can be flexible on how to proceed with “This was explained as Indonesia’s posi- In the meantime they agreed that their Indonesia...but we cannot renounce princi- tion and it was accepted by the Secretary- countries’ respective representatives to the ples.” General and also in the end by Portugal they United Nations in New York will continue the dialogue. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 73 though (the Portuguese) were not of course comprehensive solution to the case. How- on the assumption that yes, there is a pos- happy.” ever, the results so far are very few. sible compromise solution. For the time Alatas underlined yesterday the fourth In addition agreeing merely on methodol- being, however, it is not possible to reveal point in the press communiqué issued after ogy – each subject will now be seen in con- the form it will take, and the “framework” Saturday’s Geneva talks which states that junction with the others – Durão Barroso referred to in yesterday’s final statement in “the ministers welcome the Secretary- and Ali Alatas responded to Ghali’s deter- Geneva continues to be a structure which General’s view on the need for convening a mination to advance the process by making nobody knows how to set up. further meeting or meetings of the AETD respective offers, to be included on the The alternative is to paint the picture, and his intention to pursue the matter with agenda of the next meeting, which will be in scene by scene, in the hope that the frame the two parties.” London on 16 January. They were not easy will appear by itself. This seems to have Alatas said: “Please note that it only offers to make. Alatas committed himself to been the route chosen by the two Ministers. states we welcome the views of the UN get the preservation and promotion of It will only be in six months time, when Secretary-General on the need for other Timorese cultural identity underway – a they meet again with Boutros Ghali in Lon- meeting or meetings. What is certain is that first step being reintroduction of Portuguese don, that it will become clear whether this if it is eventually agreed, then it definitely language teaching in the territory – and Bar- basis, on which Portugal and Indonesia’s won’t be held before January 16 (the date of roso agreed to discuss the future of bilateral permanent representatives at the UN and the next UN-sponsored talks),” he added. relations between Portugal and Indonesia. the diplomats appointed by the Secretary Alatas said Jakarta’s and Lisbon’s repre- The two offers are big while, at the same General, is likely to lead to any significant sentatives to the UN in New York would time, small, depending on how they are progress or whether any signs of advances begin meeting at least once a month to pre- looked at. They are big if we consider them (such as yesterday’s commitments to pro- pare for the substantial issues for the Janu- to be effective efforts towards greater flexi- tect cultural identity, discuss bilateral rela- ary talks. bility, especially on the part of Lisbon who, tions, further intra-Timorese meetings, and These include creating a framework for a until now, has kept the possibility of rela- the scheduling of the visit to Timor in No- solution to the problem and the preservation tions with Jakarta like a well guarded trump vember of the UN High Commissioner for and promotion of East Timor’s culture. The card. They are only small if we see them in Human Rights) are going to be further iso- government has ruled out the teaching of relation to the still far off basic issue – the lated episodes, awaiting a wider-reaching Portuguese in East Timor’s schools, but has problem of exercising East Timor’s right to plan which will give them a clear meaning. stated that English and Portuguese private self-determination. classes are welcome. It is significant that the statement issued HEADWAY IN E TIMOR TALKS by the UN Secretary General at the end of NO LIGHT AT THE END OF yesterday’s meeting points out that the The Sydney Morning Herald, July 17, 1995. THE TUNNEL Ministers are prepared to tackle specific JAKARTA, Monday: The Indonesian issues without affecting their respective Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, returning positions of principle on East Timor’s po- Barroso, Alatas and Ghali discuss Timor from United Nations-sponsored talks with litical status. in Geneva. Portugal in Geneva, said today that a solu- It may be recalled that during the third tion to the East Timor problem was still a Publico, 9 July 1995. By Joaquim Trigo de round of talks (Rome, April 1992) it was Negreiros. Translated from Portuguese long way off. precisely the gulf between these “positions “It is true the way is still long but we Geneva – Now that the by-roads of con- of principle” which led to a radical re- don’t need to be skeptical,” he said on arri- fidence building measures have been ex- routing of the talks: from then on, the basic val in Jakarta. hausted, the talks on East Timor are back on issue was by-passed and there was concen- Mr. Alatas and his Portuguese counter- the main highway of the territory’s political tration of efforts on the so-called confidence part, Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso, have status. The problem is, however, that this building measures. Two years later, after ended the sixth round of talks on the future highway is still obstructed. While Lisbon realising that there had been little progress of the former Portuguese colony which In- and Jakarta are quite prepared to discuss the through the by-roads, the UN Secretary donesia invaded in 1975 and annexed the matter, they are still both equally deter- General decided to return to the main high- following year. mined not to budge from their respective way of self-determination. The problem The UN still regards Lisbon as the ad- basic positions, so it is therefore hard to see was, however, that the abyss still existed. ministering power in the troubled territory. any prospect of progress. In addition to the In their statements to awaiting journal- Mr. Alatas said that for the first time the statements about their intentions, the latest ists, after over five hours of meetings yes- meeting, chaired by the UN Secretary- ministerial meeting ended with a new meet- terday, Durão Barroso and Ali Alatas once General, Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, dis- ing set for January, carte blanche for Ghali again emphasised the distance between their cussed “substantive issues” – meaning East to organise the second intra-Timorese meet- points of view. The Portuguese Minister Timor’s future political status. ing, and the prospect of both sides giving repeated that a comprehensive solution was He said it was premature to comment on ground on Timorese cultural identity and still a long way off, while Jakarta’s diplo- the possibility of the UN acknowledging bilateral relations. matic chief briefly explained why: Portugal East Timor as part of Indonesia despite an The intention to start to deal with the believes that the Timorese have the right to apparent World Court boost for Jakarta main issues concerning the future of East choose their own destiny. Indonesia believes earlier this month on the Timor Gap oil Timor has still gone no further than that – that they have already chosen, and opted for exploration treaty between Indonesia and an intention. Meeting yesterday in Geneva integration. Australia. for the sixth round of talks under the aus- Trying to meet half-way “We can’t say that yet because East pices of the UN Secretary General, the For- Is there any possible way in which these Timor is a political issue. What was adjudi- eign Ministers of Portugal and Indonesia two positions of principle can meet half- cated at the World Court is a legal matter, started exploratory discussions on finding a way? Boutros Ghali’s endeavours are based whether it is legal if Australia makes an Page 74 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. agreement with Indonesia on Timor Gap,” the Economic and Social Council for the have died as a result of the Indonesian inva- Mr. Alatas said. Asia Pacific region or to the Secretary Gen- sion and Jakarta’s heavy-handed suppres- Australia and Indonesia signed the treaty eral in New York. sion of the independence movement. An in 1989 to explore the Timor Sea between East Timor is a former colony of Portu- estimated $1.4 billion worth of oil has al- Timor and Australia, estimated to hold one gal. In 1975 it was invaded by Indonesia and ready been discovered in the 23,550 square billion barrels oil. Lisbon said it was invalid after six months it was annexed as the 27th miles covered by the treaty. because East Timor, not Indonesia, had province of Indonesia. In 1991 the world sovereignty over the area. was confronted with the military terror of TIMORESE RESISTANCE The Hague-based court ruled it could not the regime, when Indonesian military forces IN BRUSSELS judge the case because Indonesia, which shot more then one hundred people at a does not recognise its jurisdiction, was not a funeral of a victim of the army. Região de Leiria, 30 June 1995. Translated party to the case – Reuter. For more information: Bert van Mulders, from Portuguese Broederlijk Delen, Huidenvetterstraat 165, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. Lisbon – The Timorese Resistance is to EVENTS IN EUROPE For copies of the EPS-Bulletin: ECSIEP, have a permanent representative based in PO BOX 151, 3700 AD ZEIST, THE Brussels. NETHERLANDS. ph: +31.3404.27827, Zacarias Costa, a UDT leader, will be FLEMISH NGOS ASK FOR UN FAX: +31.3404.25614, E-mail: ec- representing all Timorese the organisations [email protected] and was, in fact, chosen by them for this HUMAN RIGHTS important diplomatic political mission. MONITORING TEAM IN DILI Costs for the representative will be met WORLD COURT DECIDES by the twenty-five Portuguese Euro-MPs. Europe Pacific Solidarity (EPS) Bulletin, ON EAST TIMOR Representatives from the various political May/June 1995. By Peter van der Vlies groupings have recently drawn up a collabo- European Centre for Studies, Information Note: Because of the voluminous ration agreement setting out conditions for and Education on Pacific Issues amount of material and documents re- this specific assistance to the Timorese Belgium – Three Flemish NGOs ap- lating to the World Court decision on Resistance. pealed to the Secretary General of the the Timor Gap case, they are included United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, to in a separate issue (#38) of East Timor CHAINING AT PARIS continue using his good offices to find a just, Documents. Only this item is included AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY peaceful and comprehensive solution for the here, for reference. people of East Timor, through the imple- June 30, 1995 Report from Agir Pour Timor, August 1 mentation of all relevant resolutions ap- THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – proved by the United Nations. The Flemish Four activists of Agir pour Timor and Dashing the hopes of the East Timorese Justice and Peace Commission, the Lenten Tribal Act chained themselves today to the independence movement, the World Court Campaign Broederlijk Delen and the Work- gates of the Australian embassy in Paris, Friday rejected a Portuguese suit based on ing Group-Flanders believe that that can blocking the entrance for 3-1/2 hours. We the claim that Indonesia’s takeover of the only be done by the inclusion of the repre- were protesting the coming Kangaroo 95 island was illegal. The court, the judicial arm sentatives of the National Council of joint exercise, which will include Australian of the United Nations, said it could not rule Maubere Resistance in any future negotia- and Indonesian troops, the treatment of the on the case, which involved oil exploration tions. 18 East Timorese boat people who arrived rights in the Timor Sea, because it would In a letter to the Secretary General, the two months ago by the Australian authori- affect a country – Indonesia – that was not NGOs note that the human rights situation ties and, more generally, Australia’s hypoc- represented. Indonesia, which invaded East in East Timor has deteriorated drastically risy in its complicity with the Suharto dicta- Timor in 1975 and annexed it the following over the last half year, with the outbreak of torship. year, does not recognize the court’s jurisdic- urban violence, the killing of Timorese by We carried leaflets, a copy of a The Age tion. Portugal, the former colonial power in Indonesian settlers, the appearance of death article of Jul. 26 describing the tortures ex- East Timor, brought the case against Austra- squads know as ‘ninjas’ and extreme and perienced by some of the boat people, a lia, which signed an exploration treaty with violent police repression against peaceful poster of the region and a big poster from Indonesia in 1989. The lawsuit claimed the demonstrations of East Timorese youths. ETISC showing a bullet that the Indonesian treaty was invalid because Indonesia’s sei- The NGOs believe that a genuinely and army uses for birth control in East Timor. zure of East Timor was illegal. Portugal is entirely independent UN-presence in East Unfortunately, a banner explaining the na- still recognized by the United Nations as the Timor is vital at this stage in order to pre- ture of our protest was taken by the Em- legal administrator of the territory. Australia vent further atrocities. They, therefore, bassy security personnel while we were sought to defend the treaty without defend- asked the Secretary General to set up a hu- chaining ourselves. Nevertheless, the protest ing Indonesia’s seizure of East Timor. The man rights monitoring team of trained and attracted the attention of many people pass- Australian ambassador to the Netherlands, competent individuals from outside the ing by, including some who wanted to enter Michael Tate, welcomed the ruling as an region, which would operate for at least the Embassy. TRN, a television network, “overwhelming endorsement of our ap- three months. The NGOs strongly urge that took some footage and an interview. proach.” Portuguese officials declined com- the United Nations considers making the At the end, we said we would stop the ment. Independence advocates were hoping presence of such a team permanent. If this is blockade if we got an appointment with the that the case would highlight their calls for not possible, the NGOs would like a per- Ambassador in the week. An Embassy staff self determination for East Timor, 250 miles manent representative of the Secretary Gen- came and promised us to transmit our de- northwest of Australia and 620 miles east of eral to be based in Dili. The human rights mand (will it be satisfied?). Indonesia’s main island of Java. Tens of monitoring team should report directly to The text of the leaflet follows. thousands of East Timorese are believed to East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 75
STOP AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA joint military exercise with Indonesia, opera- GERMAN BISHOPS COMPLICITY! tion Kangaroo. The United States are also CONDEMN INDONESIA CANCEL OPERATION KANGAROO! participating this exercise. The presence in Demonstration at 2 pm, Tuesday, Aug. Darwin of Indonesian troops who commit- Expresso, 19 August 1995. Translated from 1st, in front of the Australian Embassy in ted atrocities in East Timor is an insult to Portuguese the East Timorese community of this city, Paris The German Catholic Bishops Confer- Australia likes to pose as a strong de- and to the Australian democracy. We demand: ence decided to mark the 50th anniversary fender of human rights worldwide. In fact, of Indonesia’s independence by condemn- for 30 years it has been supporting Su- * A human treatment for the 18 East Timorese boat people, and that their appli- ing, in unusually virulent terms, the oppres- harto’s regime, one of South East Asia’s sion it practices in East Timor. A statement bloodiest. cations to asylum be examined in accordance to international conventions on refugees. issued in Bonn by Bishop Walter Kasper General Suharto took power in 1965 over reads “East Timor continues to live under a the corpses of one million Indonesians. Aus- * The immediate cancellation of all mili- tary cooperation between Australia and regime of terror and fear. Arbitrary arrests tralia, far from condemning this massacre, and torture persist. The methods of repres- recognised the new regime and has been Indonesia. * That Australian aid be subordinated to sion and oppression employed by the Gov- actively collaborating with it. ernment and the army are brutal and inhu- In 1975, Canberra encouraged Jakarta to Indonesia’s respect for human and people’s rights. man. Since the territory was annexed, over invade East Timor, a former Portuguese 200,000 Timorese people have been killed. colony where the Indonesian army commit- * A halt to the oil exploration of the Kelp zone (Timor Gap). Many were killed solely for having claimed ted a genocide, killing 250,000 people out of the right to self-determination for their peo- 700,000. Successive Australian governments To press for these demands, activists will chain themselves to the gates of the Austra- ple. went as far as recognising de jure an annexa- Meanwhile, Indonesia ordered the release tion that was condemned by the UN’s Secu- lian embassy in Paris. Agir pour Timor, Tribal Act of various political prisoners, among whom rity Council. All this for the Timor sea’s oil, were three of the most renowned opponents that the two countries are in the course of PROTESTS AT THE of the regime, who have been imprisoned dividing between themselves. since 1965, when the Armed Forces, led by Australia is putting a blind eye to the INDONESIAN EMBASSY General Suharto, put down an alleged at- numerous other violations of indigenous IN MADRID tempted Communist uprising. Imprisoned peoples’ rights committed by its neighbour Timorese are also said to have had their in West Papua, Borneo, Sumatra... Translated from the Portuguese, abridged sentences reduced, but there is little infor- This complicity with the Indonesian mili- Madrid, August 17 (Lusa) – A group of mation on this point. tary dictatorship is far from being only pas- 35 Timorese youths, including the 29 who The released prisoners, who were mem- sive. While brave Australian individuals, last November entered the US embassy bers of the Sukarno Government, are the trade unions and NGOs take the defence of grounds in Jakarta, entered the grounds of former Foreign Minister, Subandrio, the the oppressed peoples in the archipelago, the Indonesian embassy in Madrid today, former Air Force Commander, Omar Dhani, Canberra does whatever possible to hamper for only a few minutes during which they and the former Head of the Secret Service, their action, especially on East Timor. Ban- removed the flag from its pole and set it on Sugeng Sutarto. ning radio communication with the resis- fire. Slogans were shouted for the independ- tance, seizing radio material, attempting to ence of East Timor and the release of QUEEN BEATRIX silence testimonies of the atrocities commit- Xanana Gusmão. The youths left behind TO VISIT INDONESIA ted there, etc. posters reading “stop the genocide in Quite recently, 18 East Timorese refu- Timor,” “Suharto is a murderer,” “freedom Voice of America, 8/20/95 gees, among whom an infant, succeeded in for East Timor,” and “freedom for Xanana.” Intro: Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, escaping on a rickety boat, crossing the 400 The demonstrators then left a letter in the miles separating East Timor from the Aus- two of her government’s senior ministers, embassy mailbox addressed to Indonesian and a contingent of Dutch business execu- tralian coasts. They were immediately President Suharto, referring the 50th anni- boarded by the Australian Navy and taken tives are scheduled to arrive Monday for a versary of Indonesia’s independence and the 10-day visit to Jakarta. David Butler has to a detention centre where they were kept 20th anniversary of East Timor’s occupa- for almost two months. Only thanks to the this preview from our Southeast Asia bu- tion by Indonesian troops. The letter ad- reau in Bangkok. action of the East Timorese community and vises Suharto that the “conflict will have no Australian activists have they just been Text: Queen Beatrix will be welcomed solution unless there is frank and construc- Monday by president Suharto at the state released. But Canberra, embarrassed by the tive dialog,” and calling for the “immediate publicity given to the case, threatens to send palace. She meets him later at a state dinner and unconditional release of the leader of the after laying wreaths at Dutch and Indone- them back to Indonesia or, a summum of Maubere resistance, Xanana Gusmão, and of hypocrisy, to send them to Portugal “since sian cemeteries and meeting Dutch school all Timorese political prisoners.” The letter children. they are entitled to Portuguese citizenship.” calls also for the “participation of the resis- Indonesian state secretary Murdiono said To be able to claim refugee status in Austra- tance leader in the dialog between Indonesia lia, the 18 boat people must “prove that the two leaders are to have informal – but and Portugal under the auspices of the UN not official – talks. they were tortured and that it would be Secretary-General, and the acceptance by damageable to them to return to prison” The visit comes just days after Indonesia Jakarta of the CNRM peace plan, which ... celebrated 50-years of independence from (sic). offers the betters the best guarantees for a Finally, while Canberra feigns to con- Dutch rule. An estimated one-million Indo- solution to the conflict with respect for the nesians crowded into a Jakarta park Satur- demn the resumption of French nuclear interests of all parties involved.” tests, Australia is about to participate a Page 76 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. day to end a week of celebrations centered that were introduced at the plenary session Dispossessed of their land, every day around August 17. of the report that expressed the discontent- confronted to the dangers of a true army of The closeness of the royal visit to the ment of a significant section of the deputies. occupation, in East Timor just as in West anniversary angered some Dutch veterans Many considered that the approach taken in Papua, these peoples struggle in order to be who fought unsuccessfully to retake their the report to relations with Asian countries recognized the legitimate right to choose former colony after the end of the Japanese was excessively economistic, at the expense their own destiny. Those responsible for occupation of what was then the Dutch east of a policy strategy that would give due this genocidal and ethnocidal policy are of Indies in 1945. emphasis to the problem of Human Rights. course the “New Order” government of Included in the Dutch delegation are for- The intervention of some Portuguese President Suharto and the army. But such a eign minister Hans van Mierlo and economic deputies gave expression to this discon- policy could not really function without the affairs minister G-J Wijers. tentment, although that did not neglect to complicity of the World Bank and the vari- Dutch sources told reporters Mr. Mierlo recognise the need for a new and more ad- ous donor States of the aid consortium to is expected to raise questions about human vantageous relationship with the Asian Indonesia (CGI). rights and Indonesia’s activities in East countries. Francisco Lucas Pires (EPP) re- The meeting of the “Consultative Group Timor, the former Portuguese colony Ja- gretted that the report spoke about Timor on Indonesia” (international consortium of karta annexed in 1976. “only to cast doubt on whether this should donors), organized by the World Bank, will Relations between Indonesia and the have justified the blocking of a commercial be held in Paris on July 18 and 19, 1995. Netherlands were strained in 1992, when agreement with a country like Indonesia,” There will be decided a several billion dollars Jakarta rejected Dutch aid. The aid had been without advancing “a single word condemn- loan (US $ 5.2 billion last year) to the Indo- suspended by the Netherlands after a mas- ing the indefensible situation there.” Sergio nesian government for realizing development sacre of civilians by Indonesian security Ribeiro (CEUE-EVN) considered that “to projects. This financial help is given without forces in November 1991 in the East debate a strategy for Asia is also to remem- any conditionality as for its use and has Timorese capital, Dili. ber that the people of Timor continue to disastrous consequences for the indigenous Both sides are emphasizing the economic resist the military occupation, to survive peoples, by allowing a military presence to aspect of the Dutch delegation’s visit. At genocide and to struggle for the right to self- remain on their territories, and the violation least 11 memorandums of the understanding determination.” Meanwhile Raul Rosado of their rights. between Indonesians and Dutch companies Fernandes (EDA) mentioned the secular The year 1995 is the first year of the In- are expected to be signed during the visit. contacts of the Portuguese with the East and ternational Decade, decreed by the UN, with Senior executives from companies such as found it lamentable that “this capital, accu- goal the promotion of the indigenous peo- Shell, Unilever, Philips, and Heineken are mulated by experience” had been “in recent ples rights. The commemoration of the fifti- among the 60 businessmen in the delegation. decades badly used by the Community and eth anniversary of Indonesia and the Bretton Deals already announced include con- by the nations of Europe.” Woods agreements (from which the World struction of an 80-million dollar brewery in Bank stems) must be the opportunity for a east Java – a joint venture between P-T complete reconsideration of their policy. Multi Bindang Indonesian and Heineken – CONSULTATIVE GROUP Therefore, in view of this context and in the and the opening of a new branch of ABM ON INDONESIA framework of the international consortium, AMRO bank in the north Sumatra city of it is fundamental to demand for the legiti- Medan. MEETS IN PARIS mate rights of the indigenous peoples to be Queen Beatrix will travel from Jakarta to applied. the cities of Surabaya and Yogyakarta. She While numerous “Paris clubs” are condi- is also scheduled to visit a rain forest in DEMONSTRATION AT CGI IN tioning their aid to the respect of Human Kalimantan and various cultural sites. PARIS, JULY 18 Rights, the aid granted to Indonesia in the CGI is the only one to escape this practice. EP WARNS INDONESIA: Press release from Agir pour Timor and France, far from conditioning its aid to this Tribal Act, July 14. FUTURE RELATIONS WILL clause, relies – like the other donors – on the Support demonstration, July 18 at 12 orchestration of the respectable World DEPEND ON noon. In front of the World Bank’s Euro- Bank, a procedure that secures the per- DEVELOPMENTS IN EAST pean head office, 66 avenue d’Iena, 75008 petuation of this insidious policy. TIMOR Paris So, for France, which remains one of the Indonesia first providers of military equipment to Tribuna da Europa August 95 Lisbon 50 years is enough! Indonesia, Human Rights pass after the Translated from Portuguese The situation of Indigenous Peoples interests of the military-industrial lobby Once again the E.P. has made a statement of the Indonesian archipelago has lasted (construction of Puma helicopters, installa- on the question of East Timor in a report on only too long. tion of telecommunications with military E.U. strategy with regard to Asia. It ap- use, etc.). proved the introduction of an amendment 1995 is the anniversary date of the crea- Several organizations have therefore cho- which states “the development of economic tion of the Indonesian State. The decoloni- sen to protest against such exactions and and social relations will depend on the pro- zation of the Indonesian archipelago gave have decided to organize a demonstration motion of democratic principles and on the room to the establishment of a new colonial- during the CGI meeting in Paris, during application of UN decisions relating to the ism which has been raging for 50 years, which various indigenous delegates will rights of the East Timor population.” trampling on peoples rights in total con- speak. The amendment, made on the initiative of tempt of international law. The unspeakable This event is an initiative of members of Sergio Ribeiro (CEUE-EVN) and other col- and scandalous attitude of Suharto regarding Forum Timor, among which Agir pour leagues in the Parliament, was one of many indigenous peoples has no excuse. Timor, Peuples solidaires, Cap Magellan, East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 77
Justice and Peace and Tribal Act. With the LETTER TO THE FRENCH FOREIGN account the respect for economic, social, participation of MINISTER cultural and civil rights of the populations. PaVo (Stichting Papua Volken), M. Ni- France and Indonesia played a key role in jhofflaan 2 – 2600 AE DELFT. Tel. +31-15 Agir pour Timor Press release, July 14 the settlement of the Cambodian conflict; 61 20 23 Consultative Group on Indonesia moreover, France occupies an important Coordination of the Campaign: At the eve of the meeting of the Consul- place in CGI by its financial contribution, the cosignatories wrote, adding that they are TRIBAL ACT, BP 373, 75869 Paris tative Group on Indonesia (CGI), on July convinced that the French delegation can Cedex 18. Tel./Fax: +33-1-42 09 94 41 18 and 19 in Paris under the auspices of the exert its influence on other delegations and A press conference will be held at 1 pm, World Bank, ten French international soli- use its good relations with Indonesia so that on the demonstration site, in order to have darity organizations and trade unions a decisive step can be realised in the next the voice of indigenous representatives be (ACAT, Agir pour Timor, ASTO, CCFD, months and that the fundamental rights of heard. CFTC, CGT, CRID, FO, France-Libertés, Indonesians and East Timorese are re- At the moment, we demand from CGI, Peuples Solidaires) and the International spected. the World Bank, the French government and NGO Forum on Indonesian Development its representatives at these institutions that (INFID) wrote Mr. Herve de Charette, REPORT ON THE CGI all aid to Indonesia be conditioned: Minister of Foreign Affairs, to convey him DEMONSTRATION AND THE CGI their concern regarding the situation in Indo- · to the respect of Human Rights; MEETING · to the respect of the “Universal Declara- nesia and in the occupied territory of East tion on the Rights of Indigenous Peo- Timor. Here is a translation of Tribal Act’s report. ples,” proposed this year for ratification. CGI, an international conference of pub- For more information, please contact me lic development aid donors, meets every (Agir pour Timor) at · To the respect of the Charter of Indige- year in Paris since 1992, the year it replaced [email protected] or Eric (Tribal Act) nous and Tribal Peoples of Tropical For- IGGI that Indonesia had dissolved over the at +33-1 42 09 94 41 (tel. + fax). – Bruno ests (Annex 1). link made between development aid and Kahn We demand: respect for human rights. On Tuesday, July 18 in front of the · That the right to self-determination of In the letter, the cosignatories worry European head-office of the World Bank, Indigenous Peoples in the Indonesian ar- about the inter-ethnic and inter-religious took place a demonstration of support to chipelago be recognized and that a genu- tensions in several Indonesian islands and in the West Papuan, East Timorese and all ine popular consultation by direct suf- East Timor, military and police pressure on other indigenous peoples territorially en- frage be organized, under the UN aus- Indonesian human rights NGOs, the refusal globed by a State created 50 years ago. This pices, so as to allow these peoples to de- to respect the law of labour (court actions demonstration aimed to inform the delega- cide on their future. against representatives of the SBSI trade tions of donor countries and institutions union, banned by the regime, and random · The implementation of resolutions 384 which met that day inside the building as a and 389 of the UN Security Council re- character of the minimum salary). consortium of aid to Indonesia. This aid garding East Timor. In the current climate of censorship of amounted in 1994 to US $ 5.2 billion, in- Indonesian NGOs, INFID, concerned about creasing the budget allocated the preceding · An immediate moratorium on all arms informing the political decision-makers and sales and military programs financing in year 1993 to the Suharto dictatorship. the Indonesian and international public on But the organizers took great care to pro- order to stop all forms of repression and the exact situation in Indonesia, supported intimidation by the Indonesian army. tect the delegations from an awkward con- the edition of “Prisoners of Progress,” a frontation to information and legitimate · An immediate moratorium on all funding book available in English, Indonesian and revindications of the indigenous peoples. of transmigration programs, in order to Japanese. Present at the demonstration, representa- stop land spoliation in West Papuan, The letter recalls the conclusions of the tives of these peoples asked mainly for the Dayak and Moluccan territory and to intra-Timorese meeting of Stadt-Schlaining, conditioning of Indonesian aid to the respect guarantee the respect of land rights of In- Austria, from June 3-5 under the UN aus- of indigenous peoples rights, resolutions digenous Peoples on their ancestral lands pices: need to take steps to promote peace, 386 and 389 of the UN(‘s Security Council] and the respect of the way of life. Also stability, justice and social harmony, and concerning East Timor and Human Rights. to stop all forced population displace- recommendation to the UN Secretary Gen- After a number of demands to the World ment and resettlement. eral to support the furthering of an intra- Bank that a delegation of indigenous peoples · A moratorium on the destructive projects Timorese dialogue before every [round of] be met, an encounter with an official repre- financed by the World Bank and there- negotiations between the Foreign Ministers sentative of the Bank (Denis De Tray, direc- fore: to consult the Indigenous peoples of Portugal and Indonesia. tor of Jakarta’s office) was obtained in front on mining, oil, forest etc. exploitation It stigmatizes the conference of ASEAN of the Bank’s building. Mr. De Tray claimed projects that concern them directly or in- foreign ministers which, in July 1994 in to know that the money invested by its directly; to start independent scientific Bangkok, expressed itself on the situation in body in Indonesia only benefits the “poors” investigations on the impact of such pro- Bosnia and Rwanda without mentioning the in this country. Yet, the Papuan delegate jects and to abandon those which affect, political tensions existing in South-East declared that its people, viewed by the In- in whichever way, the interests of the In- Asia, and put the stress on the development donesians and Western people as miserable, digenous Peoples. of the region in economical terms: the was in fact very rich. The only source of For more information: French international solidarity organizations grief, death and ill-being are the development and the Indonesian NGOs consider that the Eric Minnaert (Tribal Act) 33-1-42 099441 programs financed, inter alia, by the CGI search for peace cannot be partial and that a (displacement of populations, deforestation, Bruno Kahn (Agir pour Timor) 33-1-49 60 sustainable development must also take into mining exploitation, land spoliations etc.) 68 13 /[email protected] which have as an only consequence to harm Page 78 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. the physical and cultural integrity of the the U.S. Government to congratulate the entails the clear assignment of roles and indigenous peoples. To this, Mr. De Tray people and Government of Indonesia on responsibilities for each of the participating had only one answer: “These are matters Indonesia’s achievements over the past 50 parties –private agents, local government, internal to Indonesia.” A blatant contradic- years. in light of the tremendous challenges and central government agencies. The alloca- tion with an internal text of the World Bank Indonesia faced on the eve of its Independ- tion of project risk is one example of an area recognizing the rights of the in indigenous ence, it could hardly be foreseen that fifty where greater clarity of roles and responsi- peoples and committing itself to do nothing years later, Indonesia would rank among the bilities is needed in order to sustain the kind against them. A contradiction also with the world’s most promising economies. of private sector participation that is benefi- claim that it controls the use of allocated Over the past several years, Indonesia cial to both public and private sector par- funds. has increasingly demonstrated an important ticipants. At the official press conference, the leadership role in both global and interna- The power sector provides an example of World Bank expressed once more its double tional fora. Indonesia’s strong record of the serious problems that can result from language. Indeed, the World Bank, as many sustained economic growth together with the absence of an adequate policy and regu- donor States such as Japan, Great Britain or the remarkable progress it has achieved in latory framework governing private sector France boast they conform themselves and reducing poverty has earned international participation. Indonesia now faces serious promote international law, but keep a blind acclaim. The Government’s effort to share bottlenecks in the transmission and distribu- eye according to their proper interests on its development successes and to help other tion of electric power. Without a clear and incompatible acts by the States or instances developing nations’ achieve the same suc- coherent set of policies governing the devel- they fund. Indonesia boasts to “develop” cess is highly commendable. opment of the power sector, these bottle- indigenous peoples that she calls “back- In 1994, Indonesia added yet another necks could seriously impede Indonesia’ ward,” to justify a devastating policy of year to its record of strong economic per- ability to sell the power generated by newly domination and homogenization of the formance. Underpinning this performance constructed plants. We believe that the population. The genocide of indigenous was the GOI’s continued adherence to Government must resolve these policy and peoples in the Indonesian archipelago is sound macroeconomic policies. Of particular regulatory issues immediately. correlative to an ethnocide funded by the note was the Government’s successful man- Decentralization is another important CGI members. agement and containment of the spillover means of improving the efficiency and re- The conclusions of this consortium are a effects arising from the Mexican crisis. In sponsiveness of public sector investment real insult to the women and men victims of the wake of this event, it is obvious that and expenditures. We support the Govern- the Suharto regime, since US $ 5.3 billion maintaining fiscal and monetary discipline ment’s efforts to bring about effective de- dollars were allocated this year. True, fes- has taken on even greater urgency than in centralization and to empower local com- tivities for the 50th birthday of Indonesia’s the past. munities, and we appreciate the complexi- creation will have to be compensated... The Government’s strong record of pru- ties involved. While there are no simple while a new year of violation of these peo- dent debt management has been widely formulae, we believe that one key to an ples’ rights will begin. noted, and most recently has been rewarded effective decentralization strategy is to de- West Papua Peoples’ Front (Nether- via an improvement in Standard and Poor’s centralize government finances along with lands); PaVo (Netherlands); Forum Timor credit rating for Indonesia. Measures taken administrative responsibilities. The Gov- (France); Tribal Act (France) last year to pay off high-cost debt, and to ernment’s recently announced plan to grant further strengthen international reserves administrative autonomy to 26 districts is U.S. STATEMENT AT help insure against adverse external devel- an encouraging new decentralization initia- CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON opments. Over the medium term, however, tive. However, further progress depends on the most important measures will be those the difficult, yet critical task of clearly INDONESIA which increase efficiency and returns to specifying the devolution of roles, responsi- investment. Prioritizing and limiting public bilities, and resources required to make this Paris, July 18-19, 1995 sector borrowing, and adhering to open, decentralization plan successful. We also competitive, and transparent procurement believe hat the Government’s ongoing ef- STATEMENT BY U.S. HEAD OF procedures are essential to ensuring that forts to reform the Regional Development DELEGATION externally and domestically financed in- Account and to develop a municipal bond Mr./Ms. Chairman, Distinguished Delegates vestments generate maximum returns. They market and initiate a secondary mortgage and Guests: are also critical to sustaining the confidence facility are critical to the long-term success I am pleased to be here again among of international creditors and investors. of the decentralization initiative. friends and colleagues to reflect on Indone- Increasing the efficiency of public sector However, to be effective, decentralization sia’s past successes and future challenges. investment is a major focus of the World must involve the genuine empowerment of Once again, we are grateful to the World Bank’s Report. We endorse the findings of local communities. There are a number of Bank for hosting this meeting and for having the report, particularly as they related to the successful models on which to build. One produced yet another excellent report to importance of rationalizing public invest- excellent example is Indonesia’s Integrated guide our discussions. I would also like to ment and of developing a clear, competitive Pest Management Program, whereby farm- thank the distinguished Indonesian delega- regulatory framework to encourage efficient ers are empowered to make their own deci- tion, under the leadership of Minister Saleh private sector participation in the provision sions on the use of pesticides. Similarly, Afiff, for its contributions to the success of of public services. As the Report notes, Indonesia’s highly acclaimed Family Plan- the CGI. adhering to fair and transparent procedures ning program could never have been so suc- This year is especially significant; the for tendering and assessing competitive bids cessful were it not for its implementation at year in which Indonesia will celebrate its is critical to ensure that the efficiency gains the grassroots level. We want to continue to 50th anniversary of Independence. I would from private participation are passed on to support your efforts to bring about effective like to take this opportunity on behalf of consumers in the form of lower costs. An and meaningful decentralization. adequate and conducive framework also East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 79
Last year in this forum, several delegates As an economic growth model, it is in- ernment, private sector, and NGO commu- noted the slow progress made in deregulat- cumbent upon Indonesia’s leaders to com- nity to forge a new type of bilateral rela- ing the real sector. This year, however, we mit themselves resolutely to further broad- tionship which emphasizes development can all applaud the Government for its re- ening and deepening development successes. cooperation based on our two nations’ mu- lease of a bold new deregulation package. In particular, the world is now looking to tually shared interests in promoting bilat- The May package marks a significant and Indonesia to demonstrate more convincingly eral, regional and global prosperity, security, important change from past approaches. By its commitment to democratic processes in and democracy. setting specific targets for tariff reductions, public life. An important step in this direc- In closing, I would like to congratulate the May package provides greater certainty tion is for the Government to grant all Indo- once again the people and leaders of Indone- and encouragement to the private sector to nesian citizens and spokespersons the right sia on the occasion of their nation’s 50th prepare for and take advantage of the to speak and assemble freely, as provided anniversary of Independence. changes that lie ahead. By lowering most for in the Indonesian Constitution. We rec- tariff ceilings to 30%, the Government has ognize and appreciate some of the recent CANADA RAISES EAST demonstrated its commitment to deepening actions taken to honor these fundamental TIMOR AT CGI its Uruguay Round obligations. The package human rights. For example, the recent deci- also demonstrates the seriousness of Indo- sion by the Administrative Court on the Comment: I just received Canada’s state- nesia’s commitment to implementing the closing of the magazine Tempo, and state- ments today, and have not had time yet to Bogor Declaration. ments and inquiries by the National Human type them up. However, I wanted to draw While the May deregulation package is an Rights Commission demonstrate a willing- your attention to the fact that in its opening important step forward, we note the pub- ness to take independent and sometimes statement, Canada raised human rights lic’s reaction that the package did not go far controversial stances. However, we note violations in East Timor. I’ve reprinted the enough in removing special privileges and that, since the closing of the magazines last entire paragraph. It’s cautious, but encour- protection granted to certain powerful busi- year, there have been no major gains in jour- aging ... nesses. Non-tariff barriers on important nalistic freedom. We find it encouraging agricultural commodities are of particular though that no further action has been taken One other note ... for the first time in MANY concern. The costs such protection imposes to formalize the Presidential decree on years, Canada is committing a significant on medium and small-sale downstream us- NGOs proposed last year. NGOs are im- amount less than in previous years, which ers, consumers, prospective market partici- portant partners of government to promote held at approximately $35 million. This year pants, and the “disprotected” sector at large increased pluralism and civil society. Canada pledged $28 (Cdn.) in grants. deserves serious attention. The public’s We are also encouraged by the recent Sharon Scharfe, ETAN/Canada increasing awareness of these inequities and measures taken to address the human rights ... inefficiencies is a positive force for change, situation in East Timor. We hope that the 7. Mr. Chairman, on a newer front, we and we are hopeful that the Government sentencing of two officers responsible for are pleased to see the exchange between our will respond positively by dismantling the the killings in Liquisa sends a message that national Human Rights Commissions and special advantages and protection enjoyed such human rights violations will not be look forward to continued cooperation in by private and public monopolies. repeated. Though we recognize greater pub- this area particularly in areas of human re- Removing barriers to international com- lic debate complicates government policy- sources development. We have noted the petition is necessary but not sufficient to making, it also leads to greater empower- important contributions that organizations leveling the playing field for market partici- ment at the grassroots level, which Indone- such as the KOMNAS HAM and LBH can pants. There is also a pressing need to move sian experience has already shown to be a lend to an enhanced understanding of human ahead with the development and enforce- powerful force for economic development. rights, democratic movements and improved ment of an appropriate legal and regulatory As Indonesia approaches the end of its governance and their valuable roles in terms framework to promote domestic competi- first half century of Independence, the peo- of education, promotion and protection. We tion and restrict unfair business practices. ple and leaders of Indonesia can take great remain concerned, however, about recent Appropriate and enforceable rules and regu- pride in having established a foundation for development, especially in light of the pro- lations on business conduct are essential to sustained economic growth and further pov- gress noted over the past few years. The expanding opportunities for prospective erty alleviation. However, in preparing for renewed incidences of violence in East investors and businesses to compete in the the challenges the nation will face over the Timor are worrisome. The continuation of domestic and global marketplace and to next half century, Indonesia cannot afford to an intra-Timorese dialogue along the lines of contribute to the nation’s economic growth. rest on its past accomplishments. As the the meetings last month in Austria, would A rational competition framework also calls Bank’s report rightly emphasizes, in the be a positive development which we hope for the dismantling of restrictions and regu- years ahead, the Government will have to could lead to improvement. lations which impede he efficiency and eq- redouble its efforts to ensure that the coun- uity of domestic trade. Inefficient distribu- try’s workforce is fully equipped to com- INDONESIA WINS tion systems add significantly to industrial pete in an ever more open and integrated users’ and consumers’ costs. Restrictions on world economy. The government will also $5.36 BILLION IN distribution also raises the cost of interme- have to take action to ensure that Indone- DEVELOPMENT AID diate goods and thus reduces the competi- sia’s workers are guaranteed greater freedom tiveness of Indonesia’s exports. As Indone- to associate and defend their collective inter- Development News from the World Bank, sia becomes increasingly integrated into the ests. Thursday, July 20, 1995 regional and global economy, competitive In the upcoming years, the U.S. looks The Consultative Group for Indonesia, pressures make it all the more necessary to forward enthusiastically to working with the comprised of a dozen international organiza- take concerted action now to promote do- Indonesians to help them complete their tions and 18 donor nations, met yesterday mestic competition. transition to a newly industrialized country. in Paris at the World Bank’s European We plan to initiate a dialogue with the Gov- headquarters and decided to pledge $5.36 Page 80 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. billion to the country for the coming year, gal, and to enter Indonesia the Portuguese HORTA: PORTUGAL SHOULD reports the Neue Zurcher Zeitung (p.10). athletes may not use their Portuguese pass- The sum, which marked an increase from the ports. Furthermore, the letter from Indone- SUPPORT TIMORESE $5.2 billion in 1994, will be used to support sia went on to say that, given that there are GUERILLA RESISTANCE development in infrastructure, education and many extremists groups in Indonesia, the the environment. The World Bank congratu- Indonesian authorities would not be held Jornal de Noticias, 18 July 1995, lated Indonesia, one of the world’s fastest- responsible for the personal safety of the Lisbon – The special representative of growing economies, on its economic per- Portuguese. the Maubere National Resistance Council formance and sound financial management, In other words, the Indonesian Govern- has again challenged the Portuguese state to says Reuters. But Indonesia’s controversial ment is inviting the Portuguese delegation give humanitarian support to the Timorese human rights record in East Timor was not not to take part in the selection trials, that guerilla resistance, which is struggling discussed, Russell Cheetham (EAPVP) said will qualify athletes for the Olympic Games against the Indonesian occupation of East . in Atlanta. Timor. “The specific human rights (issue) was Under such conditions, the Portuguese Nineteen years after the day on which not put on the agenda here,” Cheetham is Archery Federation would be forced to Jakarta formally annexed the territory, José quoted as saying. Cheetham said about 50 withdraw from the Championship. How- Ramos-Horta argued for the establishment percent of the pledges were given by agen- ever, the Portuguese Federation has lodged a of a foundation to direct this aid to the resis- cies and the rest was from donor countries. complaint with the IAF, and has requested tance and under the charge of the High The Financial Times (p.6) reports that that alternatives to the World Champion- Commission for East Timor. members of the Bank’s consultative group ship be set up so that Portuguese athletes These demands have been made before recognized the potential threats to Indone- may also compete. A Federation spokesper- by the Timorese leaders but, according to sia’s development caused by recent volatil- son, Antonio Lourinho, said “We are not Ramos-Horta, the humanitarian aid to the ity of short-term capital flows in emerging going to just sit back and accept missing the guerrillas “has not yet been considered” nor markets and the impact of severe fluctua- Olympics. These restrictions violate IAF has there ever been any response by the tions in leading currencies on international regulations, which do not allow discrimina- Portuguese authorities to the request. markets. The group said Indonesia’s macro- tion.” He stressed, however, that the resistance economic management and steps to respond Federation Protest remained determined “to continue the strug- to external shocks merited “strong support” gle using all legitimate means at their dis- The imposition of special requirements from international donors and praised its posal.” by the Indonesian Government on the Por- GDP growth of 7.3 percent, despite the “Indonesia should be under no illusions tuguese team were expected ever since it effects of severe drought. However, the as to our determination and creativity in was known that the World Championship story says the World Bank warned that continuing opposition to the occupation of would be held in that country. However, there was a need for “continued vigilance” in East Timor” he added. according to the spokesperson, they “never macroeconomic management, and there Although the armed struggle has gone on imagined that conditions would be imposed would be a need for external borrowing. for 19 years, a period “notable for the tenac- in such a cowardly way.” Portuguese par- Also, Jiji Press reports that Japan will ex- ity and faith” which has stirred on the de- ticipation in the trials “is out of the ques- tend official development assistance of $2.1 fenders of self-determination, the guerilla tion, as it would conflict with our national billion to Indonesia, government officials warfare will continue to such an extent that, consciousness.” announced yesterday at the World Bank- in the view of Ramos-Horta, “East Timor The Portuguese Foreign Ministry, un- sponsored conference. The Australian Fi- will know independence by the end of this aware of the restrictions imposed by the nancial Review, Les Echos (p.9), and the decade.” Indonesians, originally gave the athletes the Daily Yomiuri (p.12) run related stories. The Timorese leader stated that “The green light to take part. However, it has, next three to five years are going to be deci- however, now been informed of the situa- sive” and also confirmed that the will of the tion. EVENTS IN PORTUGAL Timorese people was invincible. COMMENT FROM MARIZA CABRAL, “We will be flexible and creative in the JULY 20 exploration of ideas and will take account of A SHOT FOR SUHARTO This decision has been reversed. Foreign the dignity of the Indonesian nation and of (INDONESIA IMPEDES Minister Ali Alatas learned about it through its state interests; we will be firm, however, PORTUGUESE ATHLETES) counterpart Durão Barroso and promised to on the principle of self-determination,” con- reverse these decisions, and indeed Portugal cluded Ramos-Horta. Gazeta do Interior, 29 June 1995. Trans- is now in equal standing in the games. I lated from Portuguese don’t have the Lusa report that had this JOSÉ GUSMÃO: EAST Lisbon – Indonesia recently addressed a anymore. It said the reasons given for the TIMOR’S STRUGGLE MUST letter to the International Archery Federa- original impediments were that if the Portu- INSPIRE PRO-DEMOCRAC Y guese flag were raised and the anthem tion – IAF – informing it of the restrictions MOVEMENTS it is imposing on Portuguese athletes who played, Indonesia feared demonstrations or take part in next August’s World Archery disturbances in ET. Green Left Weekly, July 24, 1995 Championship, to be held in Indonesia. The restriction include the following: the Portu- DARWIN – During April and May, East guese flag may not be hoisted; the Portu- Timor activist JOSÉ GUSMÃO visited guese national anthem must be substituted Portugal to take part in discussions with the by the IAF’s anthem; the team’s track suits East Timorese independence movement. On must bear no reference whatsoever to Portu- his return, Gusmão, who is the representa- tive of CNRM (National Council for East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 81
Maubere Resistance) here, spoke to Green Indonesian people in their liberation strug- in Madrid waiting for a flight to Jakarta, Left Weekly’s SALLY MITCHELL and gle. while the other ten will have also arrived TOM FLANAGAN. The Portuguese president, who attended yesterday at the Spanish capital. The com- Question: What did you hope to achieve the meeting, drew out the similarity between plete group is going on today to Amsterdam in Portugal? the Indonesian struggle against the Suharto in Holland and from there on to the Indone- I went there with three main tasks: to dictatorship and the struggle of the Portu- sian capital. meet with other regional representatives of guese people who overthrew the Salazar Isti Silva, the Indonesian citizen who is CNRM, and special representative Ramos dictatorship in 1974. married with a Portuguese and established in Horta; to attend a symposium on East The Portuguese government also recog- Oporto for seven years, told Publico “the Timor at Oporto University; and, most nises the importance of the pro-democracy young people got to know each other this importantly, to meet with all East Timorese movement in Indonesia to the struggle in week, although some of the girls have political party and independence leaders to East Timor. known each other for longer.” The young discuss strategy and to reinforce our unity. Question: What do you see as the key to people stubbornly refused to give state- This was very successful. winning freedom in East Timor? ments and couldn’t resist letting fling with Question: What were your impressions We must work together with the pro- the classic “no comment.” of the movement for a free East Timor democracy movement in Indonesia in order Two of them, however, agreed to talk. there? to overthrow the Suharto dictatorship. Artur, for example admitted that “this trip East Timor is a big issue in Portugal. The We need to let the Europeans know doesn’t raise any problems of conscience Portuguese believe in our struggle like the about the atrocities committed by Suharto in because I don’t have anything against the East Timorese themselves. We have great the 1960s when almost 1 million Indone- Indonesians.” He added to this, showing support from the government and the Por- sians were slaughtered. signs of nervousness – “I’m going on holi- tuguese people. Students, in particular, play We need to work together with the Indo- day and as for East Timor, have more de- a strong role. The Portuguese student nesian pro-democracy movement to de- bates on the television to explain it to peo- movement plays an important role in mobi- nounce to the world the continuous viola- ple.” lising public opinion. Both high school and tion of human rights, not only in East For Ssnia, “its an opportunity to know university students are very active. Timor, but in all of Indonesia. and study another country.” This history One example is Portuguese high school Our liberation struggle is not only for student admitted that “it is a possibility to students who are planning to mark the anni- East Timor; it should be the source of inspi- see archaeological monuments, in Java for versary of the Dili massacre on November ration for the pro-democracy movements example.” Faced with such fascination with 12 by organising 50 double-decker buses to across Asia. history, Publico wanted to know if the fu- go to Spain and then France to deliver peti- ture historian would be interested in visiting tions to the headquarters of the European HOLIDAYS PAID BY East Timor. The young woman said she Union. “FRIEND OF INDONESIA” would be, but managed to hide her ignorance The East Timor movement in Portugal when confronted with the names of Abilio provides assistance for East Timorese who Publico, 31 July 1995. By Alfredo Leite Osorio (governor of Timor appointed by come to Portugal and they also raise funds Jakarta) and Mario Carrascalão (the ex- for people back in East Timor. It also sup- Lisbon – They’re young and they only holder of the position). ports the East Timor independence struggle want to know “a different country.” The Moments before leaving, Manuel Ma- in other countries such as Australia, helping country is Indonesia and they confess to cedo – who will also leave this month for with air and bus fares and telephone bills for knowing little about Timor. They are soon Jakarta with a third group of Portuguese – instance. going to Jakarta with the assistance of was dealing with the last details of the trip, An example of the official recognition “friend of Indonesia” Manuel Macedo to distributing cards to each of the young peo- given the East Timorese movement was the participate in Kirab Youth, an international ple with some contacts in Jakarta and, Portuguese government’s offer to allow us meeting of young people. A group of ten among these, that of Francisco Lopes da to hold a special session of our meeting of left Oporto yesterday and is going to meet Cruz, special ambassador of the Indonesian East Timorese independence organisation another six Portuguese who are already in president Suharto. and political party leaders inside the Portu- Madrid. All together, and happy, they are The costs of the trip, estimated to be “a guese parliament. The Portuguese president arriving in Suharto’s country at the begin- few million escudos” are being borne by the and foreign minister also attended the con- ning of the week. Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Association, ference at Oporto University. The foreign An Indonesian citizen resident in Porto is whose sources of income are unknown. minister especially is very active and out- accompanying the group of 16 Portuguese “The programme of this journey will last spoken on East Timor. young people, who should arrive this week until 28 August and the Portuguese will Speaking at that conference was an Indo- in Jakarta. It is the initiative of northern have to be divided into various Indonesian nesian student called Yeni Damayanti. She entrepreneur Manuel Macedo’s self-named provinces.” In Macedo’s opinion this “natu- had been jailed in Indonesia after being Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Association. rally includes East Timor.” The man in found guilty of “insulting” Suharto – she The Portuguese, who vary in age between charge of the Portugal-Indonesia Friendship 17 and 21 years of age, left yesterday from had been involved in organising a demonstra- Association also mentions that among the tion. At the conference she spoke on behalf Oporto Airport to take part in Kirab Youth, young people participating “there is a niece of the young students in the Indonesian pro- an international meeting of young people of Ximenes Belo,” the bishop of Dili, who is democracy movement who support the East which takes place every year in the Indone- presently in Portugal. The group includes Timorese struggle. sian capital. young people from diverse regions of the About being released from prison, she This group is going to join 12 other country. made the comment: “I got out of a small young Portuguese people who arrived in “I myself put my two children in the prison, to get into the big prison of Indone- Indonesia already this month, also by the first group which left for Indonesia” stresses sia.” She asked the Portuguese to help the hand of Macedo. Six Portuguese are already Macedo in an attempt to prove the credibil- Page 82 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. ity of his project. The “friend of Indonesia” RDP-INTERNATIONAL’S regularly with the Resistance abroad. Some notes that “all of the young people are going programs cover Timorese history and cul- to live with the local population and you DAILY BROADCASTS ture. The idea is to provide a kind of “kiss should ask your (i.e. the journalists) ques- TO TIMOR of life,” tailor made for the Timorese, for tions when they arrive and not when they whom the integration policy of their invad- are leaving.” Macedo believes that it is only Publico, 29 August 1995. By Leonardo ers has been so prejudicial. then that “they will be able to judge the lies Ralha. Translated from Portuguese As if to demonstrate the absence of any they tell there about Indonesia and Timor.” censorship, several supporters of integration As to the ease with which the previous LORO SA’E: VOICE OF FREEDOM with Indonesia have already been inter- group obtained the indispensable entry visa REACHES TIMOR viewed on the program. Samuel Ornelas for Indonesia – a difficult formality to over- Lisbon – For an hour every day an RDP recalls that they even brought Nuno Rocha come for any anonymous national citizen – studio links up with Timor. Four people, along to the studio. However, the broadcasts Macedo states that it can be got by anyone one of whom was once tied up and thrown are undeniably heavily in favour of the op- who, obviously, has his guarantee. “I re- into the sea to drown because of his links posite view because, in addition to all the cently made myself available to deal with with the Resistance, endeavour to keep the other reasons, some members of the team the entry visas to Jakarta for the Portuguese flame of hope burning in the hearts of the are members of the Timorese Resistance. shooting team who should be participating Maubere people. From Lisbon to Dili: far Thrown into the Sea in the championships taking place in Indo- away yet so near. About 15 years ago, Domingos Seixas nesia,” he added. Among the letters received by the RDP- International team that broadcasts each day could never have imagined that one day he would be working for RDP. In fact, he never TIMORESE TAKE to Timor (“loro sa’e” means East in Tetum, the language of the Maubere people), one is imagined that he would even be alive today. PROCEEDINGS AGAINST particularly special to them because of the He was in a boat and about to be executed. PORTUGAL IN conditions in which it was written and who His hands were already tied behind his back THE COURT OF THE HAG UE wrote it. “Carry out your task with dedica- when they tied a rope around his neck. A tion and initiative. Learn with humility and large stone was tied to the other end of the Diario Economico, 18 August 1995 desire to serve, to improve your ability to rope, so that his body would never float up activate the Fight ... bring happiness, cheer to the surface. Lisbon – A group of Timorese intend to They threw him into the sea. What hap- bring a complaint to the International Court up, and inspire with courage all those who are listening...” pened next was a miracle. “Thanks be to of Justice against the state of Portugal for God,” Domingos Seixas quietly recounts, alleged crimes against the people of East That letter, written by Xanana Gusmão, was immensely encouraging for the team “the rope worked loose, I surfaced, and Timor. floated.” His captors must have shared his Antonio Fretas Parada, President of the which, since 31 January 1994, has been transmitting a program once a day for the thoughts that God had not meant for him to Legislative Assembly of East Timor and the die that day. They pulled him back into the promoter of the initiative, told the Lusa Timorese. The hour-long program is broadcast live boat, but demanded that he give them a list agency that the alleged crimes, which were of all the members of the underground carried out by “representatives of the Por- at 19 hrs. local time (six hours earlier in Lisbon), and alternates from Portuguese to movement that he had helped to set up in tuguese state,” were committed during three Dili. periods: in 19045 (after the second world Tetum. A short-wave radio is enough to pick up the program in Timor. (...) He refused. As a result, he spent 11 war), in 1959 (the Viqueque revolt) and in years imprisoned in Jakarta until, then back 1975 (Timorese civil war). The four-person team (which includes the program’s Co-ordinator, Samuel Orne- in Timor, he was released after the Santa “Apart from the Portuguese state, some Cruz massacre. They offered him a job as a people who were responsible for crimes las, the only non-Timorese) endeavours to keep the Timorese informed about the ac- civil servant – he had been a nurse – but for committed against the Timorese people can that he would have to recognise Indonesia be cited individually, for example Lemos tivities of the Resistance as well as give them news of all the latest developments citizenship. “If I cannot be Timorese, then I Pires or the ex-minister Almeida Santos, shall be Portuguese,” was the response of who promised a referendum which never concerning Timor on the diplomatic front. Naturally, it is also an opportunity for them 44-year-old Domingos Seixas, and he subse- took place” said Antonio Parada when he quently came to Portugal, after the capture was contacted from Macao. to listen to their leaders – the team has a plentiful stock of recorded material. There of Xanana Gusmão. Antonio Parada indicated that the proc- José Filipe is younger – “about 30-years- ess “would have to be taken by the Indone- can be few more effective tonics for an op- pressed people than to be able to hear the old.” He’s also a member of the Resistance sian government,” although he did not know (currently training with RDP). In Australia, if the court at Haia would accept it given voice of freedom. The feed-back has been positive. Domin- this young Fretilin activist worked at a that Indonesia did not recognise the jurisdic- community radio station in Sydney, where tion of the ICJ, as occurred in June with gos Seixas, one of the members of the team, and he himself Timorese, believes that the Portuguese and Timorese emigrant broad- regard to the “Timor Gap” agreement. casts coexist. According to Lusa a Dutch lawyer has program is itself a form of resistance. “This broadcast is no machine gun – it’s a missile. He believes he is doing something “ex- been contacted by the promoters of the tremely important for the Timorese cause,” complaint to prepare the proceedings, for Now nobody fears the oppression, because they can hear the news we send out every and recalls that in his last message, Konis which he will receive 480 million Indonesian Santana (current leader of the armed resis- rupees (nearly PTE 33m). day. The now people feel that the world has not forgotten us.” tance) said that they were all listening – Parada did not confirm whether or not even those who looked upon integration the Dutch lawyer had been retained. Gathering information for the program can be tricky. Sporadic contact is made with favourably. José Filipe makes a point of Resistance sources inside Timor, and more clarifying the fact that his work in the team East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 83 is not influenced by his Fretilin member- SECRETARY-GENERAL Nations, mentioning especially Portugal’s ship. “Here, on the radio, I am an independ- voluntary decision to increase its level of ent. We are here to serve the Fight, and per- MEETS WITH FOREIGN financial support for United Nations peace- sonal convictions are just not relevant.” MINISTER OF PORTUGAL keeping, as well as its support in the eco- 31-year-old Rosario Cruz agrees, al- nomic and social areas. They also noted, in though she does not belong to any party. ADDRESSES INTERNATIONAL LAW the context of the fiftieth anniversary of the She has had little personal experience of her INSTITUTE IN LISBON United Nations, the necessity of revitalizing native land, as she left the island, where she and strengthening the Organization. still has relatives, in 1976. She has been on UN Press Release SG/T/1989, 24 August Following his meeting at the Foreign the team since the broadcasts began and is 1995. Received from the Spokesman for the Ministry, the Secretary-General had lunch proud of her work (“it’s good to feel that I Secretary-General. with Foreign Minister Durão Barroso and am able to contribute”). However, what Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- Diogo Freitas do Amaral, currently a pro- would give her greatest joy would be to one Ghali, on an official visit to Portugal, had a fessor at the Catholic University of Lisbon day give out the news that the Indonesians lengthy meeting yesterday evening on the and a former Deputy Prime Minister and were leaving East Timor. And when will subject of Western Sahara with Ambassador Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as a that be? Rosario’s eyes open wide and, with Ahmed Snoussi of Morocco; Emmanuel presidential candidate, who is expected to be a smile, she replies “I don’t want to give Roucounas, the independent jurist ap- elected President of the General Assembly dates, but I do believe that one day Timor pointed pursuant to the settlement plan; and in September. will be free.” Erik Jensen, the Secretary-General’s Acting The Secretary-General is also meeting On Samuel Ornelas’s desk top there is a Special Representative for Western Sahara. with Prime Minister Anibal Avaco Silva. He folder with the title “East Timor: A Nation The Ambassador delivered to the Secretary- will then receive the Secretary of State at the with a Future.” That is precisely the role of General a message from his Prime Minister Council of Ministers of Angola, Carlos the program: to keep alive the flame of hope regarding the identification process; an Feijo, who will bring him a message from by providing a voice of freedom. agreement was reached at the meeting to Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos. accelerate the process. Following that, he will meet with the mem- The Secretary-General this morning ad- bers of the organizing committee of the BOUTROS-GHALI dressed the opening of the sixty-seventh United Nations Association of Portugal. VISITS PORTUGAL session of the Institute of International Law, This evening, he will have dinner with being held at the University of Lisbon. (For President Mario Soares. text of statement, see Press Release U.N. CHIEF OPTIMISTIC SG/SM/5708 issued yesterday.) Presiding MARIO SOARES over, and also addressing the session, was TIMOR DEAL CAN BE DONE the President of Portugal, Mario Soares. “CONDEMNS” THE UN FOR SILENCE ON EAST TIMOR LISBON, Aug. 24 (Reuter) – United Na- The Secretary-General then met with tions General-Secretary Boutros Boutros- Foreign Minister José Manuel Durão Bar- roso. The two met initially for a 25-minute Jornal de Noticias, 26 August 1995. By Mo- Ghali said on Thursday he was optimistic a rais Fonseca. Abridged diplomatic solution would eventually be tête-à-tête, and then with their respective Lisbon – The Head of State, the Minister found for East Timor, the former Portuguese delegations. The Secretary-General and the for foreign affairs and the President of the colony under Indonesia occupation. Foreign Minister had a comprehensive re- Assembleia da Republica returned yester- “I am an optimist. There is a political view of international matters, including the day, in Parliament, to insist on the theme of will...(and) I believe that with hard work a situations in the former Yugoslavia; East the violation of human rights in East Timor. solution will be found even if it may take Timor; Angola, with an emphasis on the They were taking advantage of the presence time,” he told a news conference. coordinating role of the United Nations of the Secretary General of the United Na- The situation in East Timor, which Indo- system in that country’s reconstruction; tions, Boutros Ghali during a solemn session nesia annexed in 1976, was discussed at a Mozambique; and Sao Tome and Principe. commemorating the 50th anniversary of the meeting between the U.N. chief and Portu- Regarding East Timor, the Secretary- UN and of the International Court of Jus- gal’s Foreign Minister José Durão Barroso. General stressed the importance of the con- tice. The session took place in the Senate A small crowd of Timorese demonstra- tinuing series of meetings between the For- Hall and was organised by the Assembleia tors chanted “Referendum for East Timor” eign Ministers of Indonesia and Portugal, da Republica and by the Institute for Inter- as Boutros Ghali, who is here for celebra- the next round of which would be in London national Law. tions marking the UN’s 50th anniversary, in January. While noting that the positions Mario Soares (who, unlike other speak- arrived at the Foreign Ministry. of the two countries remained far apart, he ers, was improvising) was the most severe Boutros-Ghali has chaired a series of expressed his optimism that a solution by far in his criticisms of Indonesia and of ministerial-level meetings between Portugal, would eventually be found, based on his the passivity of world political figures. Af- which still claims to be Timor’s official feeling that the political will existed to work ter hearing Boutros Ghali stating that Portu- administrator, and Indonesia since talks towards that end. They also agreed on the importance of gal “has an increasingly important role on began in 1992. the world stage,” this being a reference to A referendum is one of the key demands the forthcoming World Conference on the election of Freitas do Amaral as Presi- of East Timorese opposition groups but Women in Beijing, in the context of the se- dent of the UN General Assembly, the Indonesia has refused any vote on the terri- ries of international conferences which began President of the Republic returned the com- tory’s future. with the Rio Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. plements of his ex-colleague in the Socialist The Secretary-General expressed to the International and took the opportunity to Foreign Minister his appreciation of his remember that, in the recent past, “this country’s continuing support for the United Page 84 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
wasn’t always the image of our country” in THE SILENCE OF BOUTROS Yesterday Boutros-Ghali was optimistic the democratic and civilized world. But the President of the Assembleia da on the question of East Timor and stressed The Head of State then remembered the Republica preferred to develop the theme that, although a solution a would take time, period during which Oliveira Salazar as- relating to the revolution which represented, there was the political will on the all sides sumed the functions of Prime Minister, at a world level, the progressive application and there had been progress in the negotia- without any effective supervision by de- of the principle of the “right to self- tions. “We will find a solution but it will mocratic institutions and, because of this, determination.” A reference which served take time” he confirmed. without a right of representation in the for Barbosa da Melo to introduce the com- The fact that there had been meetings be- United Nations. He also remembered the plaint regarding the situation of “our broth- tween representatives from Lisbon and Ja- incident in which the UN opted to block the ers, the people of East Timor- the territory karta to discuss the problem was very posi- Portuguese presence in New York and in of which Portugal has de jure administrative tive and showed that both parties had the which he himself signed a document in responsibility under the terms of many UN political will to resolve the question, said which he congratulated the decision that was resolutions. He regretted, however, that up Boutros-Ghali. Imagination, goodwill, po- taken then. until today this cause has not obtained the litical willingness and hard work were the essential ingredients to finding a political SUHARTO WORSE THAN SALAZAR necessary support for liberation form the Indonesian occupation, which has gone on solution, he added. Having finished the brief account of the for nearly two decades. period of the “New State,” the President of Boutros Ghali once again did not touch BOUTROS-GHALI: “MY the Republic went on to make some com- on the problem of East Timor during his FUNCTION IS TO BE parisons with the present situation, declar- contribution which was mainly dedicated to ing without any hesitation that the dictator- the difficult time that the UN was presently NEUTRAL ON THE ship of Oliveira Salazar “was a lot less seri- going through; a world with a growing dual- QUESTION OF EAST TIMOR” ous than the present Indonesian oppres- ism between the (rich) North and the (poor) sion.” After the 25 April, he argued, “Portu- South. A dualism which was elaborated on Jornal de Noticias, 25 August 1995. gal decolonised (for good or for bad)” all of by Mario Soares, who referred to the social Abridged the territories which it occupied. The de- bipolarisation that was taking place within Lisbon – Considering all of the state- colonisation was carried out, he emphasised, the rich countries themselves, the most fla- ments that were made yesterday by the “in agreement with all of the recommenda- grant example of which was, according to Secretary General of the UN on the situa- tions of the United Nations.” Soares went the President, the United States of America. tion in East Timor, there was not a single on to ask “what is the reason, then, that The Egyptian diplomat said that, among word that could be interpreted as a sign of explains why East Timor is not independ- the urgent measures that were necessary for support for the complaints or for the dip- ent?” and why the recommendations them- a more efficient role of the UN, it was in- lomatic strategy of Portugal in relation to selves not respected and complied with. dispensable that there be “a new, clearer and the Indonesian invasion. Once again Boutros Having introduced the question of the more determined political will on the part of Ghali, during the second day of his visit to flagrant contradiction in the policy of the states. It is also indispensable that the man- our country, limited himself to rigorously UN, the President of the Republic then dates of the blue berets be realistic and co- fulfilling the duty of neutrality with regard launched the final attack, at the same time herent and that the countries (principally to both Portugal and Indonesia and ex- justifying the permanent insistence of the the richer ones) assume their respective pressed his hope for a negotiated solution to Portuguese on this theme: “How can we financial responsibilities.” the conflict. accept that the UN is silent on the situation A clear example of this attitude was given in East Timor and on the clear disrespect for SOARES “INSISTS” WITH at the press conference at the Palacio das the liberty of a people?.” A phrase which, BOUTROS-GHALI ON TIMOR Necessidades yesterday, at the beginning of for the first time during the session, was the afternoon, accompanied by the minister interrupted by a long period of clapping. “IT’S A PROBLEM THAT ALL for foreign affairs Durão Barroso. Faced Yesterday the minister for foreign affairs PORTUGUESE PEOPLE CARRY IN with the insistence of journalists on the also criticised the minimalist interpretation THEIR HEART” question of East Timor, Boutros Ghali of the functions of UN leaders. A Capital, 24 August 1995. Abridged stood firmly behind the idea that the func- After mentioning that the successes of tion of a Secretary General of UN “is to find Boutros-Ghali “far outweigh the failures” Lisbon – This morning the President of a peaceful solution” for the former Portu- and having taken to pieces the relativity the Republic asked lawyers who were at- guese colony. It was not his role to give his attributed by some countries to the concept tending the 67th annual session of the Inter- opinion on anything, not even on what of human rights, Durão Barroso concluded national Law Institute to reflect on “the would be the eventual fair character of a that the UN “ cannot only be seen as the violations of International Law which are proposal which is on the negotiating table most important inter-governmental body in being committed in East Timor. Mario aimed at a referendum for the territory oc- the world, but also as the basis for a future Soares spoke in the Aula Magna of the Rec- cupied by Indonesia in 1975. international legal community.” tory of the University of Lisbon in a cere- “Any solution for East Timor requires an With this sentence the member of gov- mony opening the session which brought agreement between the parties (Portuguese ernment showed his dissatisfaction with the the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. and Indonesia) and, for the moment, “the General Secretary’s hiding behind an argu- Boutros Ghali. The Head of State “apolo- positions are diametrically opposed” he ment which led to the exclusion of the gised” to Boutros Ghali for “insisting” on added. In spite of this, together with the Timorese resistance in the negotiating proc- the matter, which took up a large part of his many difficulties that exist in the search for ess with Indonesia. contribution, but he added that “Timor is a an agreement, Boutros Ghali seemed confi- question that all Portuguese people carry in dent of the possibility to “reach peace,” and their heart.” referred to the fact that a new round of talks “A solution will take time” East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 85 between Portugal and Indonesia have been During the meeting, the delegates raised U.N. General Assembly: East Timor. The arranged for the 16 January next in London. their concerns about the Secretary General’s news we receive almost every day regarding recent public statements in which he re- imprisonment, torture, deaths and disap- POLICE INTERVENE IN ferred to the problem of Timor as being a pearances in that territory illegally occupied TIMORESE problem between the governments of Portu- by Indonesia both disturb and shock us. We gal and Indonesia, and not of the People of feel that the need to change that situation is DEMONSTRATION Timor. extremely urgent, especially since, despite The following principles were reaffirmed the commitments entered into by Indonesia, Jornal de Noticias, 25 August 1995. during the course of the audience: that the the situation in East Timor has been getting Abridged case of East Timor is one of the illegal occu- worse. Lisbon – Nearly two hundred activists in pation of a Non-Autonomous Territory by Therefore we urge Your Excellency, to favour of self-determination and independ- a third power – Indonesia -, interrupting de- ensure that the negotiating process which ence for East Timor yesterday demonstrated colonisation which was then in process; that you direct is not discredited, to exert pres- at the entrance to the Palacio das Necessi- it is peoples who have the right to self- sure on Indonesia to comply with the suc- dades, in Lisbon. The aim was to show the determination, not governments; that tute- cessive resolutions of UN bodies (some of Secretary General of the United Nations, lage over Non-Autonomous Territories is which Indonesia agreed to respect ). These Boutros Ghali, their opposition to the pre- the international community’s responsibil- are, namely, free access to the territory by sent situation in East Timor, which has been ity; that Portugal, as administering power independent observers and Human Rights occupied by Indonesia since 1975. and just advocate of the Timorese people organisations as well as the release of East Although the demonstration was peaceful until the conclusion of the decolonisation Timorese political prisoners, in particular at first, the few military police who were process, has no domination or sovereignty the head of the Resistance, Xanana Gusmão. there had to intervene at the moment when interests in the Territory whatsoever. We also ask you to take measures to- Boutros Ghali left the headquarters of the Finally, the delegates reminded Mrs. gether with the Indonesian Government Ministry for Foreign Affairs. As was stated Rosario Green that the question of Timor is aiming, not only at a gradual withdrawal of in the reporting of the JN, some demonstra- a dispute between Indonesia and the Inter- the military forces of occupation, the main tors tried to come very close to the vehicle national Community, in which the East agent of the above-mentioned Human Rights which was transporting the Secretary Gen- Timorese are the victims, and that the Secre- violations but also to promote a U.N. pres- eral of the UN which, for reasons of secu- tary General’s statements could be inter- ence on a permanent basis on the territory. rity, provoked a speedy reaction from the preted, internationally, as signifying the The presence of the U.N. may have an im- police force. UN’s transferal of the problem out of the portant role as a stabiliser and to ensure that It should be mentioned that this demon- realm of the UN (and the international all measures agreed within the negotiations stration followed a discussion between community) and onto a bilateral (Portugal framework are enforced. Durão Barroso and Boutros Ghali, which versus Indonesia) level, with the UN play- We would like to applaud the efforts you lasted for nearly one hour. Later, at the ing a merely mediatory role. Mrs. Green have been personally devoting to the East press conference, the Secretary General of was asked to pass all this on, in the hopes Timor question, as well as the commitment the UN had the opportunity to talk on the that it would lead to a public clarification by of the team you have appointed to deal with more important themes of the present world the Secretary General. the subject. They are both responsible for situation, including, obviously, the situation On the Secretary General’s behalf, Mrs. the discrete progress which has already led in East Timor. Rosario Green thanked the delegation, and the Timorese to be a part, although indi- stated her own personal belief that the Sec- rectly, of the ongoing negotiation process. It TIMOR DISCUSSED IN retary General had not intended his state- is essential to take this route, giving the LISBON WITH UN ASSISTANT ments to be interpreted in such a way. She Timorese, those who are principally af- said she would report back to him on all the fected, a an increasing say and a chance to SECRETARY-GENERAL concerns raised, and would also talk to the participate more and more. It is only when From International Platform of Jurists for Secretary General’s Spokesman about the the Timorese themselves choose their own East Timor (IPJET), Lisbon, 26 August need for a public clarification of the last destiny, by way of a real act of self- 1995. Abridged. Translated from Portu- point. determination, that the roots of the problem guese Here is the unabridged letter: can be reached and contribute to a fair and lasting solution of the conflict. Lisbon, 21st August 1995 Lisbon – The UN Secretary General’s Sincerely full agenda during his stay in Lisbon pre- To the United Nations General Secretary A Paz é Possivel em Timor-Leste vented him from personally meeting with Your Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali Associação Acadimica de Coimbra representatives from the CDPM (Maubere The below undersigned are a group of or- Associação Acadimica de Lisboa People’s Rights Commission), IPJET, and ganisations which are involved in several Associação 12 de Novembro the Coordinating Committee of the areas of Portuguese political, social, trade CGTP Timorese Resistance Diplomatic Front. union and cultural life and, for that reason, Comissão “Liberdade para Xanana, However, on 26 August, after Boutros Ghali have an important role on this country’s Liberdade para Timor” had left for New York, Mrs. Rosario Green, public opinion. We would like to welcome Comissão para os Direitos do Povo the Special Political Adviser to the UN Sec- you and hope that you will enjoy a pleasant Maubere retary General who accompanied him to and fruitful stay among us. Conselho Nacional de Juventude Lisbon, received the delegation at a Lisbon Taking advantage of your presence in Federação Acadimica do Porto hotel. Portugal, we think it is imperative to bring Movimento Cristão para a Paz They handed over a letter addressed to to your knowledge the concerns we share Plataforma Internacional de Juristas por the UN Secretary General, signed by 13 regarding an issue that you have been direct- Timor-Leste NGOs operating in Portugal. ing due to the mandate given to you by the Page 86 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Plataforma Nacional das ONGD Portu- Portugal, Boutros Ghali expressed the view In 1991 Hurd urged the European Com- guesas that Timorese participation in ministerial munity to “cut aid to countries that violate Unico Geral de Trabalhadores level negotiations was not desirable.) human rights.” Shortly after the massacre of some 270 peaceful demonstrators in a ceme- CARRASCALÃO SAYS GHALI tery in East Timor, Hurd approved “aid” of GIVING IN TO JAKARTA EVENTS IN ENGLAND 81 million to the Suharto dictatorship in Indonesia, an unprecedented rise of 250 per Diario de Noticias, 27 August 1995. Trans- cent. In 1993, at the same time that Am- lated from Portuguese Abridged A CLASS ACT TO FOLLOW nesty International described the Indonesian regime as “casual with mass murder” Hurd Lisbon – Boutros Ghali was faced yes- By John Pilger New Statesman, June 30, flew to Jakarta to congratulate the regime on terday with further criticism of the UN’s 1995. slightly abridged “recognising human rights as an important role in the Timor issue. After Mario Soares This is quite relevant to East Timor, though element in man’s freedom.” He presented and Durão Barroso, 13 non-governmental the early passages may seem not to be. Suharto with another 63 million in “aid.” Six organisations delivered a letter asking the Please read on – the next government in weeks later, a deal for 24 British Aerospace UN to take a firmer stand, “on pain of dis- Britain will probably be Labour, and it’s Hawk ground-attack planes was sealed. credit being brought upon the negotiations important to get an early fix on their foreign Hurd said the Hawks were training aircraft process.” policy. and that the regime had given “guarantees” (...) Yesterday, Boutros Ghali, who has Robin Cook, the shadow foreign secre- that they would not be used in East Timor. been evading the issue, was again confronted Alan Clark, the defence minister who nego- with the same question. Representatives of tary, has described Douglas Hurd as “a class act.” The highlights of Hurd’s recent career tiated the deal, called these guarantees 13 NGOs (including academic associations “worthless.” In 1994 Mark Higson, a former from Lisbon, Oporto and Coimbra, the two are as follows: In 1981 Foreign Office minister Hurd diplomat, told the Scott inquiry that “a trade unions, and several organisations culture of lying” pervaded the Foreign Of- linked with Timor) delivered a letter, ad- flew to Baghdad as a “high-level salesman” (the Guardian) whose mission was to sell fice. He later said: “No one in the FO is in dressed to Boutros Ghali, to the UN’s Dep- any doubt what the Hawks going to Indone- uty Secretary General, Rosario Green. The Saddam Hussein an entire British Aerospace defence system: a sale that “would be the sia are for.” letter expressed their serious concern about In 1994, the High Court found that Hurd the situation in the territory and the pro- biggest of its kind ever achieved.” He also “courted” Saddam and “celebrated” with had acted illegally in approving 234 million gress of the negotiations. in “aid” to be spent on the wasteful Pergau Given the Secretary General’s “full him the anniversary of the coming to power of the Iraqi Ba’athists. one of the bloodiest dam project in Malaysia. As the World agenda,” on his behalf Rosario Green met Development Movement disclosed, this was separately with representatives from the episodes in the history of the Middle East, which, with the west’s help, extinguished all a sweetener to clinch a I-billion deal for Timor Diplomatic Front’s Co-ordinating British arms companies. The amount of Committee (João Carrascalão and Luis Car- hope of a free and democratic Iraq. Ten years later. Hurd attacked those who op- money squandered by Hurd and other min- doso), the Maubere People’s Rights Com- isters was equal to the total British aid given mission (Luisa Teotonio Pereira and Jorge posed the Gulf war as “cynics.” He wrote: “These critics claim we supported and in 1991-92 to all the world’s poorest 47 Teixeira Lapa) and with a delegation from a countries. UDT faction. armed [Saddam Hussein] during the Iran- Iraq war. But ... we refused to sell arma- In former Yugoslavia, Hurd is known as Following the audience, João Carrascalão one of the principal architects of Europe’s said that the Resistance’s concerns about ments to both sides.” As everybody now knows, this was patently false. disastrous policies in the Balkans. The man “the UN progressively giving in to Indone- who would arm Saddam Hussein, Suharto sia’s demands” had been relayed. UDT’s In 1988, home secretary Hurd introduced the “reformed” Official Secrets Act, making and other tyrants has never wavered in his President protested that neither “mecha- opposition to the Bosnians’ right of self- nisms to verify the implementation of reso- revelation of official wrongdoing a crime. The new act was described in one study as defence against fascist “ethnic cleansers.” lutions made at ministerial meetings” nor As his final gift to the nation and the world, “mechanisms for the implementation of “the most draconian assault on free expres- sion outside wartime.” In the same year, Hurd recommended that the Queen bestow resolutions resulting from the intra- an honorary knighthood on Henry Kiss- Timorese meeting” had been created. Hurd made potential criminals of TV and radio journalists who broadcast the words of inger, who in 1969 ordered the secret and Carrascalão also relayed the concerns of illegal bombing of neutral Cambodia. causing the Timorese about Xanana Gusmão’s situa- members of certain Irish organisations. in- cluding elected MPs. the deaths of three-quarters of a million. tion, in which he is “subject to psychologi- The ties of snobbery and deference that cal torture” and to “increasing isolation.” In 1989 Hurd, now Foreign Secretary, misled parliament when he denied that the bond a section of the British media, many of Luisa Teotonio Pereira handed Rosario them self-proclaimed liberals, with a former Green a letter addressed to Boutros Ghali, government had ever given “support of any kind to the Khmer Rouge.” For three years, Eton head-boy like Hurd have ensured that urging that “on pain of discredit being almost none of the above has seen print brought on the negotiations process, he the British government had supported Pol Pot’s representation in the UN General following the Foreign Secretary’s an- press Indonesia to comply with the succes- nouncement that he is “stepping down.” sive resolutions passed by UN organisms,” Assembly and all the UN agencies, even though the Khmer Rouge had then been Instead we have been told repeatedly that specifically those regarding access to the his “gravitas” and “famously safe pair of territory for independent observers and the driven from power. Four years later, the government was forced to admit it had been hands” will be “sorely missed,” along with release of political prisoners. his “protean range” and (here comes the The letter also asks that efforts to bring secretly training a Cambodian coalition, which was dominated, militarily and diplo- prize) his ceaseless endeavours “not to in- about participation of Timorese representa- terfere in other countries’ business.” tives in the negotiations continue. (While in matically, by the Khmer Rouge. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 87
None of this ought to be surprising. After country that used them for “internal repres- hatreds” in the Balkans (making a joke about all, John Major is currently being described sion.” and that Labour would look closely at Scottish history to illustrate the limited as a “centrist.” What is equally unsurpris- every “fresh application” for weapons. I point he was making), expressed dismay at ing, though illuminating, is Robin Cook’s faxed back and asked what this meant, and if the French resumption of nuclear testing, description of Hurd as “a class act.” As Labour would let Suharto have the Hawks spoke about making the World Bank and the Cook may well be the next foreign secretary that were still on the assembly line? IMF more accountable, called for a healthy but one, the question arises: Will he be any I received a reply from his assistant with world community etcetera. In the audience different? a copy of Hansard of 11 May last year, was Alex Palmer, a young man who had Since 1945, Tory and Labour govern- when Cook asked the minister for trade, travelled on the overnight bus from Cardiff ments have had foreign policies that have Richard Needham. for “assurances” that the to challenge Cook on the Hawks-for- mostly differed only in detail and tone. 24 Hawks approved for sale would not be Indonesia. Palmer has written meticulously Clement Attlee’s foreign minister, Ernest used “on bombing runs in East Timor” as researched, often brilliant, letters to minis- Bevin, could out-Palmerston the lot of them, they have been “observed ... in most years ters and MPs on arms and human rights- Hurd included. It was not a Tory minister, since 1984.” Needham gave the standard related issues. From the replies he has re- but Denis Healey, who set up the Defence reply: that there was no evidence the Hawks ceived from the Labour front bench, he be- Sales Organisation in 1966 and “organised” had been used in East Timor and anyway lieves, like a growing number of his genera- the British arms trade: the Thatchers, the Indonesians had given “specific assur- tion, that the issue now is not so much Tory mother and son, merely followed his lead. ances” that they would not be. Inexplicably, iniquities as Labour’s hoodwinking of the Harold Wilson supported the American Cook let that pass. public. invasion of Vietnam, sold arms to racist The Hansard that Cook’s office did not He asked Cook why, given that Labour South Africa and conspired with the Nigeri- send me was for 17 November 1994 when was against the sale of arms for “internal ans to crush Biafra. Less than a year after he defended the decision of the government repression.” did the party support selling General Suharto had exterminated up to a in 1978 to sell the first Hawks to Indonesia. them to Indonesia. “l don’t,” replied Cook, million Indonesians in one of the century’s These were trainers, he said, sold “on the who added: “I am the Labour Party.” greatest bloodbaths, Wilson’s foreign secre- clear understanding” that they would not be Palmer persisted and asked for the same tary, Michael Stewart, visited Jakarta and used for any other purpose. Moreover, “yes” or “no” on the Hawks that I sought in reported that the regime was “resolved to there was “no evidence whatever” that they my fax. In response, he was treated to a fe- keep the peace” had been used in East Timor. Put together. Z6iar demonstration of a politician shovel- Again, it was not a Tory minister who his statement and Needham’s were almost ling fog into a bucket. sold the first Hawks to Suharto, but David identical. In fact, the Hawks that Labour For an unabashed view of Labour’s for- Owen, foreign secretary in the Callaghan sold, according to a British Aerospace press eign policy, David Clark. not Robin Cook, is government. The year was 1978. When release at the time, were “ground at- your man. He is proud of Labour’s “biparti- asked about the implications for East Timor, tack/trainer” aircraft with the capacity to san role. “We would be willing,” he has said, Owen said estimates of the killings there had “carry a warload of 5,000 lb.": in other “to accept the government’s reassurance” been “exaggerated” and “the most reliable” words, immensely powerful bombers. that no Hawks had been used in East Timor. figure was 10,000 and, anyway “the scale of Now all this might be dismissed as the On Trident he has said, “Labour will retain fighting has been greatly reduced.” This was usual tedious Westminster fare were it not Trident,” while dismissing the campaign little more than Indonesian propaganda: in for the fact that British military equipment, against nuclear arms as “a zany idea of the fact, the genocide was then reaching its sold to mass murderers for huge profit, con- past;” a statement that will serve as New height. tinues to cause death and destruction in a Labour’s contribution to the coming 50th Robin Cook is a deft political navigator territory that the UN Security Council, anniversary of Hiroshima. On the new and an eloquent television performer. When including the British government, regards as “world threat” that has replaced the Cold he was shadowing Trade, he was impressive illegally occupied. Indeed, the day before the War as America’s latest crusade, Clark buys in exposing the deceit of those ministers parliamentary “debate” on 17 November, the Washington line of a third world “seeth- involved in the Matrix Churchill affair: But the East Timorese resistance leader José ing with crazies and terrorists,” with “un- his limit was clearly marked. He was the Ramos Horta was in London providing the stable” dictators rattling their missiles (sup- champion of innocent businessmen treated government and opposition with up-to-date, plied, of course, by British Aerospace or its unjustly, not the Labour frontbencher who detailed evidence that Hawks were being “market” competitors). “You see,” he told would explain to a puzzled nation what used “mostly in the eastern region [of East me last year, “the threat is coming from Matrix Churchill meant: that this was a Timor] with an average of six sorties in a dictators who can actually cause damage on scandal so enormous that it might, if al- day, each bombing raid lasting ten minutes your civilized west.” I asked him to say lowed, lead to the criminal investigation of with the launching of two missiles each.” On which dictators and what threat justified the entire top echelon of government. 24 September 1994, a missile hit a hamlet Britain keeping Trident. a weapon designed Cook appeared at the recent New between Kelikai and Baguia, setting thatch- to strike first at a nuclear superpower. His Statesman and Society conference. entitled roofed houses on fire, with no survivors reply: “Some unstable dictator might have “New Labour, New World” where, accord- seen among the 30 inhabitants. There is no the wherewithal to lob a missile at France or ing to last week’s NSS, he made “his most shortage of eye-witness accounts support- Spain or Portugal or Turkey or Greece ... comprehensive speech yet,” stating the ing this kind of evidence; and they go back even if he can’t hit Britain at the moment.” “principles” of Labour’s foreign policy. A to 1983 when the first Hawks were used in “Which dictator? Where?” few days earlier I sent him a fax asking him East Timor as part of a major offensive. The “Er, down there, in Africa...” if a Labour government would continue to Hawks were, of course, supplied by a La- Clark has got this stuff from briefings at arm the murderous dictatorship in Indone- bour government. the Ministry of Defence. He is clearly sia: surely an issue by which we might gauge In his “most comprehensive speech yet” chuffed to be the first Labour defence Labour’s true intentions. His reply was that to the NSS conference. Cook supported spokesman to be “trusted” in opposition by Labour’s policy was not to sell arms to any sanctions against Serbia, referred to “ancient the service chiefs; and it would be amazing if Page 88 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. they did not trust him. What he and Cook and a further act of mass civil disobedience and Blair do not spell out is that the nuclear in Central London on 2 October. Pledge of age is unfolding again. not in the third world Resistance, c/o ARROW, CND, 162 Hollo- but right here in Britain. Trident is being way Rd, London N7. fitted with new warheads that can be tar- geted at Libya, Iran, Iraq and other accred- TIMOR AND PAPUAN FLAGS ited demons. And this policy is meant to ON 17 AUGUST encourage potential nuclear powers to agree to go along with something called TAPOL Report, 21 August 1995 “non-proliferation.” at a nuclear power like Britain should take a lead in stopping this About two dozen people took part in a new insanity by giving up Trident is, for demonstration organised by the British Coa- New Labour, “zany.” lition for East Timor, outside the Indonesian Equally zany and unmentionable is a ambassador’s residence in North London on radical reduction in the bloated British mili- 17 August 1995, the fiftieth anniversary of tary budget, even though it is generally Indonesian independence. agreed that if military spending was cut by Timed to coincide with a flag-raising half, it would still equal the average of other ceremony in the court of the residence at European countries. And if the billions of 10am, the demonstrators unfurled the flags pounds released were invested in restoring of East Timor and West Papua. Demonstra- vital industries, the public services and a tors carried posters saying: ‘East Timor and national housing programme, the British West Papua want independence too,’ ‘No people might even get a modest share of Hawks to Indonesia,’ ‘Stopping arming their long overdue “peace dividend.” But all Indonesia.’ of this is no doubt “zany.” As Clark con- The Indonesians who arrived at the resi- firms, there are no plans to convert to dence for the occasion were clearly taken by peacetime manufacturing. I hope we shall surprise by the crowd gathered outside for a have a diversification agency,” he said, “but very different kind of ceremony. At first, it will be voluntary; there will be no legisla- police asked the demonstrators to move to tion.” the end of the road but accepted their insis- In other words, Thatcher’s legacy of an tence that they had a legal right to stay industrial base distorted by its reliance on an where they were. The police were later arms industry whose biggest customer is the overheard conveying the same message to Ministry of Defence with more than 20 Indonesian diplomats when they asked the million of our money to spend every year, police to order the demonstrators to move. and which will sell to virtually any tyrant As usual, staff from the embassy came desiring the very latest missiles and bombers out to take photos of the demonstrators or razor wire for his concentration camps, is who, in turn, took photos of the embassy very likely to remain unchanged under New staff taking photographs. Labour, as will a “bi-partisan” foreign pol- Journalists from the local press were icy. “Britain,” said Tony Blair recently. there as well as a crew from Channel 4. “must maintain its historic role as a global player.” Spoken like a class act.
PLEDGE OF RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH AEROSPACE Peace News, August 1995 While Chris Cole was spending his final few moments inside Pentonville prison, London, friends and supporters outside were signing up to go in: one hour before Chris’ release, the “Pledge of Resistance” was launched. People signed a statement “pledging to the people of East Timor to undertake civil disobedience against the [British Aerospace] Hawks deal in 1995.” Copies of the pledge are available from Stop the Hawk Deal, 6 Mount St, Manchester 2 (0161 834 0295). There will be opportunities for such civil disobedience during a week-long peace camp at BAe Warton, 28 August to 2 September, East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 89
as Ireland is concerned. However, I am con- genocide by Indonesia and its military vinced that Ireland, with its proud history forces; EVENTS IN IRELAND of support for human rights, in standing by 10.To convey the Government’s position its principles on this issue, will not only internationally, in particular to Australia, assist in bringing about independence for that we seek the withdrawal of the Indo- SPRING’S EAST TIMOR East Timor but will also gain economically nesian forces of occupation and support RECORD ‘DISAPPOINTING’ in the long term. East Timor’s right to self-determination. Public opinion is changing in Australia – 7/7/95 Irish Times. By Tom Kitt, TD this was confirmed by the Australian politi- IRELAND TO THE FORE IN Tom Kitt of Fianna Fail puts forward 10 cians I met in Lisbon. Indeed the decision by proposals to the Tanaiste, Mr. Spring, to the Indonesian Foreign Minister yesterday SEEKING INTERNATIONAL strengthen Ireland’s representation of the to think twice about its appointment of a ACTION ON EAST TIMOR East Timor issue hard-line general as ambassador to Canberra is a sign that public opinion on this side of Opinion, Irish Times, 13 July, 1995. By Mr. THE time has now come for real and ef- the world is having an effect. Dick Spring. fective action by the Tanaiste and Minister The Australians have a critical role to for Foreign Affairs on East Timor and he The Government is one of the main advo- play in bringing about a peaceful resolution cates of East Timor’s struggle for justice, will have the full support of the Irish people to this conflict and I hope that their Prime in so doing. writes the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Minister, Mr. Paul Keating, will intensify Affairs, Dick Spring The tragedy is that while peace has de- his efforts. veloped in many of the troubled spots of Quite frankly, I am disappointed with THE IRISH TIMES in its editorial last the world the situation in East Timor is the lack of initiative shown by the Tanaiste Friday called on the Government to rein- deteriorating. on East Timor. He raised the matter with force its diplomatic pressure on Indonesia to As well as the severe human rights viola- the Indonesian ambassador during his recent change its policies on East Timor. The Irish tions by Indonesian security forces, Indone- visit to Dublin but what really effective Times is right. The Government should, and sian migration into East Timor is increasing action has he taken in recent times at EU or will, do more to assist the suffering people tensions, leading to urban violence. The UN level to support the cause of the East of East Timor in their struggle to achieve “Ninja” gangs, groups of Timorese youth Timorese people who are suffering silently justice and the basic human rights to which paid by the military to undertake terrorising and would benefit greatly from a stronger they are entitled. gang raids at night on the homes of identified Irish voice speaking on their behalf, at every What Ireland has done already is substan- critics of Indonesian integration, have pro- available opportunity? The Portuguese can- tial and, I believe, has contributed to the duced a heightened state of fear. not and will not solve this problem on their new signs of movement on the issue out- Indonesia was condemned for its 1975 own. lined in the editorial. The fact is that Ireland invasion of East Timor at a parliamentary I will make 10 specific proposals that the has been and will continue to be one of the forum in Lisbon which I attended recently. Irish Government should pursue: foremost international advocates of East Parliamentarians from 37 countries including 1. The Irish Government should actively Timor’s case. Japan, Australia and New Zealand and East seek the establishment of a permanent That case is a compelling one. A small Timorese representatives also condemned a UN presence in East Timor; territory has been invaded and annexed by a genocidal policy which has caused over powerful neighbour in defiance of interna- 200,000 deaths in East Timor. 2. Request the High Commissioner for Hu- tional law and the United Nations. The In- We should recall that on November 12th, man Rights at the UN to visit East Timor donesian military administration of East 1991, Indonesian troops shot and killed up and report to the Secretary General; Timor has been widely condemned, includ- to 300 East Timorese civilians during a me- 3. Support East Timor’s right to be repre- ing by the Irish Government, for its gross morial procession at the Santa Cruz ceme- sented at the UN; abuses of human rights that have involved tery in the capital, Dili. 4. The Government to support at UN and extrajudicial executions, torture, disappear- The human rights situation is so bad that EU level an arms embargo on Indonesia ances, unlawful arrests, and arbitrary deten- even those who were inclined to give Indo- and note in particular that some EU tions. nesia the benefit of the doubt are now be- states including the UK and France are The most horrific and widely known in- coming critical. Senator Gareth Evans, the still selling arms to Indonesia; cident was the cold-blooded killing of up to Australian Foreign Minister, recently de- 5. The provision of full access to East 270 people in November 1991, when Indo- scribed the Indonesian military presence as Timor for international NGOs, journal- nesian troops opened fire on a peaceful “oppressive.” He went on to say “neither ists and observers; demonstration at the Santa Cruz cemetery in threats to cut aid nor public criticism nor 6. The release of all political prisoners in- the East Timor capital of Dili. A UN inves- remonstrations behind the scenes had pro- cluding Xanana Gusmão, the FRETILIN tigation has concluded that members of the duced results.” leader; Indonesian security forces were responsible The Tanaiste in recent times has made for the killings, and has criticised the Indo- many speeches on Ireland’s foreign policy 7. Make representations to the International nesian government for failing to satisfacto- and has stated quite rightly our particular Committee of the Red Cross and rily investigate the fate of those who were emphasis on human rights. Foreign ministers UNICEF to increase their presence there; killed and those who have disappeared as a have at all time to consider balancing na- 8. Examine the role of the World Bank in result of the massacre. tional self interest against standing by their the Indonesian economy and in East More recently, in January of this year, convictions and principles. I am conscious Timor; Indonesian soldiers shot and killed six men that Indonesia, with a population of over 9. Consider the use of the Convention on in Liquiça outside Dili in an incident which 180 million people, would represent an Genocide in respect of alleged case of is seen as part of a broader pattern of abuse important economic and trade interest as far Page 90 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. and which has reinforced the need for inter- We want Indonesia to end its illegal oc- The role of each of these countries in national action. cupation of the territory. supporting the Indonesian government in Ireland has been pressing for such action We want to see a political solution on the it’s illegal occupation of East Timor will be at the UN and within the EU. We have basis of international law and justice. highlighted. maintained contact with those who may be We went to see the people of East Timor “The people of East Timor have been to- in a position to influence events, including enjoy their full human and political rights. tally abandoned by leading Western gov- the Portuguese government, the Australian We want to stop the supply to Indonesia ernments. Nothing could illustrate this bet- government, individuals inside East Timor. of arms that could be used as instruments of ter that arming the Indonesian military who And we have taken up the issue directly oppression in East Timor. continue to persecute the East Timorese. with the Indonesian government. Almost all We want to see the release of Xanana There is no concern for human rights for the the proposals contained in the action plan Gusmão and other political prisoners. people of East Timor so long as Western adopted at the recent Parliamentary Forum We want Indonesia to co-operate fully leaders put profits before morality.” said in Lisbon, from which incidentally Deputy with the United Nations, with the UN Tom Hyland, co-ordinator of the East Tom Kitt seems to have drawn most of his Commission on Human Rights and with Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign. Hyland ideas for The Irish Times last week, are Irish international NGOs. added, “The abandonment of Bosnia, the Government policy and are being actively I believe that these objectives have over- arming of the Suharto regime are clear exam- pursued. whelming public and political support in ples, if such examples were ever needed, In recent months I have had discussions Ireland, where the plight of the people of that Western governments have no interest about East Timor with Gareth Evans, the East Timor has evoked a concerned and in human rights, unless they can be ex- Australian Foreign Minister. As an impor- sympathetic response. As Tanaiste and ploited to economic or strategic advantage.” tant Pacific neighbour of Indonesia, Austra- Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will continue The PEACE WALK will coincide with lia can play a significant role in influencing to work to ensure that that concern and the week of the 50th anniversary of Indone- the Indonesian authorities to change their sympathy are translated into effective ac- sian independence. It will be one of numer- policies. We will continue to encourage Aus- tion at international level. ous events throughout Ireland this week- tralia to do so. In May I took up the matter end. Other vigils will be held in Belfast, personally with the Indonesia ambassador, IRISH EAST TIMOR GROUP Carlow, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Laois. so that the Indonesian authorities can be in STAGES PROTEST no doubt about the depth of feeling in the IRISH WALK FOR PEACE IN EAST Government and among the broader Irish The Irish Times, Friday July 14th 1994 TIMOR public about his government’s actions. ETISC Report, August 21 At the recent session of the UN Com- About 20 Irish activists began a “journey The East Timor Ireland Solidarity Cam- mission on Human Rights, Ireland was ac- of conscience” yesterday when they trav- paign held a “Walk for Peace in East Timor” tive in ensuring that the issue was given elled to London to protest outside the Indo- on Saturday 19th August 1995. The walk proper attention both by the EU and by the nesian embassy at the continuing occupation went from the Australian embassy, Wilton UN Commission itself. One of the positive of East Timor by Indonesia. Terrace, to the American embassy, Balls- outcomes of this pressure was the agree- The protest will continue with a visit to bridge, and finally ended at the British em- ment by Indonesia to invite the UN High Pentonville prison in London to attend the bassy, Merrion Road. Niall Andrews MEP Commissioner for Human Rights to visit release of a Christian peace activist, Mr. spoke at the American embassy and Senator East Timor this year, and to report to the Chris Cole, who has served a four month David Norris addressed the gathering (200 UN on his findings. This is a significant sentence for attempting to stop the transfer people) outside the British embassy. Re- commitment and one which we expect the of weapons from Britain to Indonesia. ports of the event were carried on RTE Indonesian authorities to keep to. (Today at Five) The Irish Times, The Irish The work of the Irish delegation won PEACE WALK TO HIGHLIGHT Catholic, Anna Livia Radio and on the News public praise from the leader of the East WESTERN HYPOCRISY bulletins on Network Radio News and Ire- Timor delegation at the UN Commission land Radio News, which service all local earlier this year “for its firm stand within Press release, East Timor Ireland Solidarity radio stations throughout the Republic. The the EU and in the UN in support of the Campaign 17 August 1995 Galway event was covered by Galway Bay legitimate rights of the East Timorese peo- As the United States may be about to re- FM. ple.” sume the training of Indonesian soldiers Last week my colleague, the Minister of under the IMET programme and supply F- State, Joan Burton, had discussions with 16 aircraft to the Indonesian air force, the Bishop Belo of Dili – one of the courageous Australian armed forces join with Indone- churchmen working for a political solution – sian soldiers in joint military exercises and about the situation in East Timor and the the British Government prepares to deliver ways in which the Irish Government can Hawk aircraft to the Indonesian government, help. Bishop Belo played a positive role in the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign the first intra-Timorese dialogue meeting, will stage a “PEACE WALK” to highlight which had just taken place and which we Western hypocrisy with regard to East strongly support. Timor. Ireland has consistently condemned In- The “PEACE WALK” will begin at the donesia’s policies in East Timor. But, as the Australian embassy, Wilton Terrace at 12 recent activities mentioned above show, our noon on Saturday 19th august. It will pro- policy goes beyond condemnation to include ceed to the American embassy, Ballsbridge, active international engagement on the issue and finish at the British embassy Merrion with clear objectives. Road at 1.pm. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 91
rum., aspiring to develop close rela- ship of ASEAN, and the South Pacific Fo- EVENTS IN ASIA-PACIFIC tionships with other APEC member rum. It would similarly aspire to develop states, and hopes for eventual mem- close relationships with other APEC mem- bership in the important Asia-Pacific ber states, hoping for eventual membership. EAST TIMOR REQUESTS Economic Cooperation forum.” Yours sincerely OBSERVER STATUS AT The CNRM Special Representative’s let- José Ramos Horta CNRM Special Rep- OSAKA APEC MEETING ter to the APEC Senior Officials Meeting in resentative Sapporo was personally delivered to the OBSERVER STATUS FOR ET From CNRM, July 4, 1995 meeting’s secretariat on Tuesday 5 July by Senator Yasuko Takemura, who visited East Yesterday, on July 4, the APEC Senior Offi- Dear friends of the Maubere people in cials Meeting (SOM) began at a hotel in APEC member countries: Timor last August as member of a contro- versial Japanese Parliamentarian delegation, Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido prefecture. In CNRM has sent a letter to APEC senior and Ms Naoko Takahashi. a series of APEC-related meetings which are officials meeting in Sapporo in preparation Further comment: Kate Khoori, CNRM to culminate in the Ministerial Meeting and of the November Osaka meeting, requesting Media Relations Officer, +61 2 368 0396 the Summit in the middle of November in observer status for East Timor. We are look- Osaka, this SOM is de facto the most impor- ing forward to their response! TEXT OF CNRM LETTER TO APEC tant meeting in which important agreements Our Japanese supporters suggested we National Council of Maubere Resistance are to be reached. The East Timor Sapporo ask you to send messages of support for Executive Office group and a local Amnesty International this request to the members of your coun- 3 July 1995 group joined in a demonstration held in try’s delegation to the Sapporo Senior Offi- Chairman APEC Senior Officials Meeting front of the hotel which is the venue of the cial’s Meeting, currently under way. They Sapporo Japan SOM. – Aki Matsuno are staying at the Hotel Royton Sapporo, Hokkaido Shimbun (Hokkaido’s local news- Dear Sir/madam, tel. +81 11 271 2711, fax +81 11 207 3341. paper), July 5, 1995. Translated from For your information, we append a media I am pleased to write to you to request Japanese release issued by CNRM on this, and the observer status for the non-self-governing letter sent by José Ramos Horta. territory of East Timor at the forthcoming Freedom for East Timor: Citizen’s group APEC meetings, in Osaka in mid November in Sapporo appeals CNRM MEDIA RELEASE. 4 JULY 1995 1995. Sapporo – On July 4, the day APEC CNRM Special Representative José The territory of East Timor, currently Senior Officials Meeting began in Sapporo, Ramos Horta has written Senior APEC under military occupation by Indonesia, is a citizen’s groups demonstrated in front of a Officials currently meeting in Sapporo, Ja- non-self governing territory whose right of hotel in Sapporo which is the venue of the pan, requesting observer status for CNRM self-determination has been clearly reaf- said meeting. The demonstrators called for at the forthcoming APEC meeting in Osaka firmed by over 10 United Nations General support to East Timor which is seeking next November. Assembly and Security Council Resolu- independence now and submitted a letter Referring to over 10 UN resolutions reaf- tions. Only days ago, the International from a representative of an resistance firming the right of self-determination of the Court of Justice, in its judgment on a case movement in East Timor. non-self-governing territory of East Timor, by Portugal against Australia, reiterated the The demonstration was organized jointly currently under Indonesian military occupa- status of East Timor as a non-self-governing by Free East Timor Japan Coalition, Sap- tion, Mr. Horta’s letter recalled that only territory whose people have the right of poro group and a local Amnesty Interna- days ago, the International Court of Justice, self-determination. tional group. in its judgment on a case by Portugal against Given the non-self-governing status of In the morning eight demonstrators ap- Australia, reiterated the status of East their territory, the East Timorese people are peared in front of the hotel with a banner Timor as a non-self-governing territory entitled to permanent sovereignty over its saying “Freedom for East Timor” and so on. whose people have the right of self- natural resources. The people of East Timor In the afternoon, Senator Yasuko Take- determination. are also concerned with the territory’s eco- mura, a convenor of the Diet Members Fo- José Ramos Horta added in his letter to nomic development, and its trade relations rum on East Timor accompanied the group APEC that in view of the above, and economic links to the Asia Pacific Re- in visiting the APEC office where they “The East Timorese people are en- gion, including regional environmental as- handed over a letter from CNRM’s Special titled to permanent sovereignty over pects. Representative José Ramos-Horta which the territory’s natural resources, and In my capacity of Special Representative requests observer status at APEC Osaka are concerned with the territory’s eco- of the National Council of Maubere Resis- meeting. nomic development, and its trade rela- tance (CNRM), the supreme organisation of The APEC Office said that they know tions and economic links to the Asia all East Timorese nationalists forces active about East Timor, but that it is very diffi- Pacific Region, including regional envi- in support of our people’s right of self- cult to give East Timor observer status. ronmental aspects.” determination and independence, I therefore [Note: Sen. Yasuko Takemura is elected Horta also mentioned that, aware of the respectfully request that we be granted ob- from Hokkaido. She is one of the five Japa- country’s location, CNRM has expressed server status at the APEC meetings in nese parliamentarians who visited East its support for a policy of close and harmo- Osaka in November. Timor in August 1994.] nious relations with all of East Timor’s Aware of the country’s location, CNRM neighbouring states in Asia and the South has expressed its support for a policy of APEC IN OSAKA Pacific. close and harmonious relations with all of The official programs of APEC Osaka are “The future independent Republic East Timor’s neighbouring states in Asia as follows. of East Timor will seek membership and the South Pacific. The independent Nov. 16-17 APEC Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN, and the South Pacific Fo- Republic of East Timor will seek member- Nov. 19 APEC Unofficial Summit Page 92 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Before these programs, NGOs will have support my selection for this Award. At the PHILIPPINE FOUNDATION DEFENDS some meetings same time I am also aware that this an- AWARD FOR PRAMOEDYA nouncement is not without controversy and Nov. 11-12 Public meeting in Tokyo Jakarta Post Aug. 8, 1995 (mainly on environment) that there are people who will be surprised Nov. 11 Public meeting in Osaka by this announcement and who are likely to MANILA (AFP): The foundation grant- (mainly on human rights) object to have my name equated with one so ing Asia’s most prestigious literary award Nov. 13-14 International NGO meeting great as that of the late Filipino democrat, yesterday rejected calls to withdraw its on APEC in Kyoto Ramon Magsaysay. prize to a leftist Indonesian accused of once Nov. 15-17 Lobbying Without attempting to second-guess the running a ‘witch hunt’ on writers. reasons behind my selection for this award, Pramoedya Ananta Toer will receive the YWCA CALLS FOR I nonetheless surmise that the Foundations 1995 Ramon Magsaysay Award even choice can be seen in light of recent devel- though two former winners from Indonesia INDONESIAN WITHDRAWAL opments in Asia, in particular trends to- and one from the Philippines have threat- ened to turn in their prizes in protest, the Report from Jean Inglis, FETJC, July 26. wards greater democratic change in South- east Asia as have been recently marked by Magsaysay foundation said. The World Young Women’s Christian the establishment of diplomatic relations ‘The foundation regrets having disap- Association, holding its quadrennial council between the United States and Viet Nam, pointed its esteemed former awardees but it in Seoul, South Korea from July 7-13, and the release in Burma of the political remains firm in its decision to recognize adopted a resolution on the Indonesian oc- prisoner Aung Sun Suu Kyi. These and Pramoedya,’ with its 1995 award for jour- cupation of East Timor in which it called for other changes one hopes indicate a lessening nalism literature, and creative communica- the immediate withdrawal of Indonesia from of repression among the authoritarian re- tion arts, its statement said. East Timor. gimes of Asia. A group of 26 Indonesian writers and in- Prior to the World YWCA Council, an In writing this message I express not only tellectuals last week wrote to the foundation International Women’s Summit, attended by my personal thanks as citizen of Indonesia; criticizing the decision to grant the award to 1000 women from around the world, also I hope that my receipt of this award means Pramoedya, given his role in the suppres- held in Seoul, heard an East Timorese that Indonesia, too, will experience greater sion of freedom of expression in the 1960s. speaker present her country’s plight in a democratization, and that Indonesia’s peo- Among the 26 were writer and journalist panel discussion on self-determination. Self- ple and citizenry will begin to find the level Mochtar Lubis and writer HB Jassin, recipi- determination for the Palestinian people has of dignity and freedom they all so very de- ents of the award for literature. long been a major concern of the World serve. They, like all other God’s children, The foundation acknowledged that YWCA but this was the first time that a were born not to be oppressed and not to be Pramoedya had been a member of the com- resolution on East Timor has been adopted. voiceless. munist-run Institute of People’s Culture, The World YWCA is an international It would please me immensely to attend known as Lekra, which in the 1960s at- volunteer membership movement uniting 25 the Award ceremony in Manila on August tacked a number of prominent writers. million women working in 92 countries to 31, 1995, however, a number of factors ‘The attacks and counter-attacks of the achieve common social justice imperatives might prevent me from making that trip. times were harsh and we are indeed aware by increasing the participation of women at The first is my health; a recent operation that some writers suffered badly,’ it said. all levels of society. has meant that I must avoid undue strain. Current attacks on Pramoedya ‘bear little Other Asia-Pacific-specific resolutions This, however, will not be the determining moral weight in light of the penalties already dealt with the planned French nuclear test- factor. More serious for me is the intricacy imposed upon him as well as a change in ing, the issue of Korean reunification, and of obtaining permission for me to obtain the world attitudes toward communism accom- that of Japan’s responsibility to the “com- necessary documents to leave this country. I panying the end of the Cold War,’ the foun- fort women” forced to serve as sexual slaves refuse to be treated differently from other dation said. for Japanese troops during the Pacific War Indonesian citizens and to have to submit a The foundation conceded that Ramon special request to the government’s agency Magsaysay, the popular Philippine presi- PRAMOEDYA THANKS for social and political supervision to obtain dent for whom the US-funded award was MAGSAYSAY FOUNDATION proper permits. I refuse to support the named, had ‘despised communism.’ violation of my own human rights. Another A Message from Pramoedya Ananta Toer factor is that for the past thirty years I have COLD WAR-LIKE STORM OVER JAILED WRITER’S AWARD Today July 9, 1995, the Ramon Magsay- never felt that my personal safety could be say Award Foundation announced my name guaranteed outside of my own home. This IPS, August 10 1995 as recipient of the Foundation’s 1995 and the uncertainty of not being able to It lauded Pramoedya’s works on Indone- Award for Journalism, Literature, and Crea- return to my homeland should I go abroad sian history and identity, including stories tive Communication Arts. For the honor make me hesitates to contemplate the joy of reflecting a “consistent and powerful con- shown to me, I would like to express my participating in the Awards Ceremony. cern” for common people and their struggles sincerest thanks both to the members of the In closing, I would once more like to ex- against colonial racism and feudal social Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation and press my heartfelt thanks to the Magsaysay structures. His works, however, remain to all other parties who have, in their own Awards Foundation. banned in Indonesia. way, helped to secure this prestigious award Pramodya Ananta Toer Filipino author F. Sionil José, Magsay- in my name. say awardee for literature in 1980, issued a From the number of congratulatory mes- statement saying: “To give him (Pramoe- sages that have been sent to me since an- dya) the award is to condone or approve of nouncement of the Award, I am aware that a what he had done during the Sukarno regime large number of people stand behind and when he was in power.” East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 93
José said that by awarding Pramoedya, NEW REPORT FROM scientists and others concerned with the the Foundation “diminishes the value of the human rights situation in Indonesia. awards and worse, dishonors the memory of FORUM-ASIA The Asian Forum for Human Rights and (Ramon) Magsaysay,” the popular, anti- PRESS RELEASE from The Asian Forum for Development [FORUM-ASIA] was communist Filipino president for whom the Human Rights and Development, Bangkok: launched in December 1991 by leading hu- awards are named. 16 August 1995 man rights organizations in the region. Based In response, the Foundation issued a in Bangkok with the Union for Civil Liberty formal reply conceding that as an artist ad- FORUM-ASIA announces the publica- [UCL] served as a Secretariat, it brings to- vocating “socialist realism” Pramoedya criti- tion of “INDONESIA 50 YEARS AFTER gether twenty human rights organizations in cised other works and became “avidly in- INDEPENDENCE: STABILITY AND the South and South East Asian region. It volved in the left-right polemics of the UNITY ON A CULTURE OF FEAR.” facilitates collaboration between human times.” The Asian Forum for Human Rights and rights organization in the region to promote “All of this happened 30 years ago, how- Development [FORUM-ASIA] is releasing and protect human rights and conducts hu- ever, and in an atmosphere of desperate this report on the occasion of Indonesia’s 50 man rights education and training pro- economic distress, extreme political polari- years of independence which will be ob- grammes and prepares reports and studies sation, and by 1964 and early 1965, almost served on 17 August 1995. on human rights situation in the region. hysterical public anxiety fed by rumours This is the first comprehensive report on For further information – please contact: and fear. It was a time of excesses on both the human rights situation in Indonesia since Mr. Somchai Homlaor Secretary General, sides,” it explained. independence that has been published by a FORUM-ASIA 109, Suthisarnwinichai road It noted that Pramoedya says he has been regional organization. Samsennok, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310, falsely accused of committing excesses “but The report traces briefly the historical Thailand Tel.: 66 2 2769846-7 Fax.: 66 2 has never been accorded the opportunity development of the legal and political struc- 2762183 E-mail: [email protected] formally to defend himself.” tures; the present political and legal system KBRI – OFFICIAL RES PONSE TO The Foundation added that Pramoedya and their impact on the promotion and pro- spent 15 years in jail, lived under surveil- tection of human rights; the extent to which FORUM ASIA lance and had his civil rights denied. In any rights and freedoms are protected; the eco- Note: The press release was sent by fax to case, it said, the Cold War’s end has changed nomic development and their impact on the secretariat of FORUM-ASIA on 29th attitudes toward communism. human rights; and human rights violations in August. Sukarno was thrown out of power after a armed conflict situations such as Aceh, Irian PRESS RELEASE NO. 18/VIII/95/PEN 1965 coup after which then general Suharto, Jaya and East Timor. who is still Indonesian president, took The main conclusion of the report is: In connection with the report of Forum command. Communism remains a sensitive “Fifty years have passed since the for- Asia entitled “Indonesia 50 years after In- issue in Indonesia, whose military still con- mation of the Indonesian nation state and it dependence: Stability and Unity on a Cul- siders it a threat. is sad to say that the state has not yet ture of Fear,” which was launched at the Several Indonesians linked to the Sukarno grown out of its authoritarian and centraliz- Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand regime remain in jail, though Suharto has ing tendencies. This is in effect to say that (FCCT) on August 16 1995, the Indonesian said he would free three prisoners in time the Indonesian state is still waiting for its Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand wishes to for the 50th year of Indonesian independ- democratic transformation. The Constitu- state the following: ence on August 17. tion of 1945 which is still in force and the - The fact that this report was launched The Indonesian artists argued that Pra- legal and political structures that have de- on the 16th August 1995, exactly on the eve moedya has never “publicly regretted his veloped under it still stifle the growth of of Indonesia’s Independence Anniversary past deeds, has never admitted that all his any democratic practice.” celebration already raises the question of actions at that time were a systematic anni- The Conclusions and Recommendations propriety, or better to say “impropriety.” hilation of the freedom of creativity.” of the report are attached to this press re- In light of the foregoing, it becomes obvious José said: “Weepy writers, some of them lease. that the date of the launching had been pre- do-gooding Americans who have no back- Also included is a poem ‘Keeping De- determined with malicious intent. Further, ground of the Pramoedya tyranny, have mocracy at Bay’ by Cecil Rajendra a well- the drawing on the cover is most objection- idolised the man because of his imprison- known poet from Malaysia. able. ment by Suharto.” This report is based on a visit to Indone- - We had indeed expected that Forum The Foundation said that Magsaysay, sia from 29 June to 4 July 1995 by a Dele- Asia, whose board members are respected though a staunch anti-communist who gation representing FORUM-ASIA. The and learned personalities of some Asian quelled a communist-led insurrection during Delegation comprised of Mr. Charles Abey- countries through Asian eyes. But, how the fifties, would not have “stigmatised sekara, a founder member of INFORM – a disappointing have these expectations permanently” those who joined or sup- Human Rights Organization in Sri Lanka; turned out to be. Forum Asia plainly reveals ported leftist groups. Bishop Gabriel Garol, Chair of the Philip- to assess problems of an Asian country “It is true that the Cold War is over, but pines Alliance of Human Rights Advocates through non-Asian eyes, it prefers to toe the the issue here is not right or left politics. It [PAHRA]; Mr. Somchai Homlaor, Secretary line of certain non-Asian/NGO’s which is the corruption and abuse of power by General of FORUM-ASIA and Mr. D.J. delight in looking at Indonesia through dark those who wield it over helpless people.” Ravindran, Programme Consultant of tainted glasses. FORUM-ASIA. The Delegation was headed - The Forum Asia delegation visited In- by Mr. Charles Abeysekara. donesia from 29 June to 4 July 1995, after a During this visit the delegation met with week’s visit the Forum arrogates itself the representatives of NGOs, lawyers, social right to sit in judgment over a country that consist of 13,000 island with a population 180 million people. The Forum overlooked Page 94 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. the fact that this country, Indonesia just that the world has to suffer two World Wars governments to ignore the universality of emerged from the clutches of 350 years of to harvest the fruits democracy? And have human rights: decolonisation, followed by 3 1/2 years of these two World Wars really attained the “Dictators and military authoritar- Japanese occupation during the second full implementation of democracy and hu- ians have the same principle. I don’t World War, and subsequently a 5 year revo- man rights? Should not this question better think the principle of human rights for lutionary struggle for independence to shake remained unanswered? Asian people and for European people off the shackles of its previous coloniser. - The board members of Forum Asia, as is different. It should be the same But independence could not be enjoyed the name indicates, come from Asian coun- principle. Asian-style human rights, or on a bed of roses. Domestic armed conflicts tries which are experiencing similar problem, that philosophy of human rights, is put a spoke in the wheels toward develop- or in some cases maybe more cumbersome what the ruling people in this region ment. But with full determination we have ones, than Indonesia. We should therefore try to create to suppress the people in succeeded in defending the Unitary State of like to suggest that the Forum look inward their own countries.” the Republic of Indonesia based on the pre- first to those countries which have at least Mr. Somchai says Indonesia’s economic cept of Pancasila, the Five Principles of the one of their distinguished citizens as Forum progress can not be denied. State Philosophy, against all kinds of chal- board members, or in other words clean However, he says the gap between rich lenges, from within and as well as externally. your fingers first before pointing at others. and poor is widening and many benefits - Indonesia is doing its utmost to balance Bangkok, August 28, 1995 have gone to those with high political con- the rights of the individual with those of the Embassy of Indonesia nections. Human rights, he says, should not community but as the individual is an inte- Bangkok, Thailand be sacrificed for the sake of unity. gral part of the community, the welfare of Since the FORUM-Asia report was is- the community in many cases takes prece- VOA – HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT sued, the Indonesian government has re- dence over the requirements of the individ- CONFLICT leased some long-time political prisoners, ual or of a single group. Indonesia acknowl- Voice of America, 8/30/95 and announced that former communists will edges the universal applicability of certain no longer have their history stamped on By Dan Robinson, Bangkok basic human rights and fully recognises the identity cards. duty of all Sates to promote respect for and Intro: The Indonesian government has re- Indonesia’s official news agency reported observance of human rights and fundamental sponded to a recent report by an Asian- (Wednesday) plans to ease requirements for freedoms for all. The Indonesian Govern- based human rights organization criticizing permission to hold public gatherings. ment has consistently endeavoured to ad- rights conditions in the country. As VOA’s here to the humanitarian precepts and basic Dan Robinson reports from our Southeast INDONESIA: NATION STILL human rights and freedoms as embodied in Asia bureau, Indonesia says the organiza- GRIPPED BY CULTURE OF FEAR, its State Philosophy, the Pancasila, its 1945 tion’s report focused on negative aspects of SAY CRITICS Constitution and its relevant national laws Indonesia’s development while ignoring By Johanna Son and regulations. But democracy and human human rights difficulties in other countries: rights are not just hollow slogans to be free. Text: The report by the Bangkok-based MANILA, Aug. 17 (IPS) – Signs of In- We are determined to give content to this Asian Forum for Human Rights and Devel- donesia’s giant economic gains over the last freedom, so that our people will be free opment (or FORUM-Asia) was titled – 50 years are on generous display these days, from want, ignorance, social injustice and Indonesia 50 years after independence: sta- but critics say the country’s political free- economic backwardness. bility and unity in a culture of fear. dom remains stifled by a “culture of fear.” This clearly underscore the fact that de- It concluded that authoritarianism in In- The Asian Forum for Human Rights and mocracy, human rights and economic devel- donesia continues to stifle the growth of Development (FORUM-Asia), a Bangkok- opment are fully intertwined and it is the democracy. It said Indonesia’s national ide- based network of 20 Asian human rights effectual linkage of these three essential ology – called Pancasila – is used by the groups, listed its findings in a book released elements that will steer the people towards government to impose ideological control in time for the 50th anniversary of Indone- a better tomorrow. and restrict basic freedoms of expression sia’s independence from the Netherlands - It can not be denied that Indonesia has and association. Thursday. enjoyed tremendous economic and social A statement by Indonesia’s embassy in Saying Indonesia has yet to outgrow its progress. At the beginning of Five Year Bangkok takes strong exception to the re- “authoritarian and centralising tendencies,” National Development Plan I (REPELITA port, calling its release on the 50th anniver- FORUM-Asia concluded: “The Indonesian I), 1969, Indonesian income per capita is sary of Indonesia’s independence malicious state is still waiting for its democratic trans- US$ 70, but in the year 1994 it has in- and inappropriate. formation.” creased to US$ 920. The Government of The statement accuses FORUM Asia – The book, entitled ‘Indonesia 50 Years Indonesia has emphasized education as an which comprises 20 human rights organiza- After Independence: Stability and Unity on important factor in social and economic tions from South and Southeast Asia – of a Culture of Fear,’ is the product of a five- development, as a result of these efforts the unfairly judging Indonesia through non- member mission from FORUM-Asia that literacy rate of the Indonesian population Asian eyes. visited Indonesia from Jun. 29 to Jul. 5 this has increased steadily, poverty has been The embassy defends Pancasila as neces- year. reduced from 60% to 13% and compulsory sary to preserve Indonesian unity and sup- At the House of Representatives in Ja- education has been raised to 9 years. Of port economic progress. Democracy, human karta Wednesday, President Suharto cited course, Indonesia has its shortcomings, its rights and economic development, it says, gains that include average six percent growth fallacies, its mistakes. But which country is are fully intertwined. that have drawn much foreign investment perfect or for that matter which group be it Somchai Homlaor is Secretary General of and put the country among the world’s in the form of an NGO of Forum is without FORUM-Asia and chairman of Thailand’s fastest growing economies. blame? Has democracy been fully achieved Union for Civil Liberty. He calls the reac- Dramatic improvements in Indonesia’s by the developed countries? Why is it then tion consistent with attempts by Asian quality of life on a national scale have oc- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 95 curred in just one generation, with per capita FORUM-ASIA: “Society is directed and ACET ON JAPAN’S ROLE income rising from 80 dollars to over 800 controlled through a mixture of legal restric- dollars in the last 25 years and poverty tions, coercive measures and an imposed IN EAST TIMOR incidence dipping from 60 percent of the ideology.” Here is the full text of a media release by population in the 1970s to 15 percent in Still, it says it is becoming harder to ACET sent out on August 14. It was ap- today. maintain for long “a hegemonic authoritarian proved by reps from all the ACET groups But FORUM-Asia says this is an in- structure” in Indonesia, where a growing (except CIET (ACT) who we couldn’t con- complete picture of Indonesia today. “Fifty middle class tends to demand more political tact). It was felt it was a good time to high- years after, many Indonesians are still ask- openness. light Japan’s role in ET, given that the issue ing themselves what good it really brought FORUM-Asia says NGOs are becoming of war crimes is the subject of a lot of cur- about,” Filipino Bishop Gabriel Garol, a more active though their democratic space is rent media interest in both Japan and Aus- member of the FORUM-Asia team, said “very limited,” Garol said. Last year, an tralia. It may be of less interest to others. Wednesday. environmental NGO sued Suharto for di- The subject matter is of course sensitive to The team agrees Indonesia has achieved a verting 190 million dollars meant for a refor- many, and I hope we’ve been clear enough “considerable amount of national unity” estation project to a state aircraft project. about separating the role of the Japanese given the difficulty of keeping the world’s The Suharto government has also blown govt. from the Japanese people, and criticiz- largest archipelago-state of over 190 million hot and cold over press restrictions, allow- ing Australia as well. Some people have said people together. ing a brief spell of frank criticism before since the release that maybe its a bit one- But Garol said “much of this apparent revoking the licenses of three publications in sided, while others have said it should be tranquillity was at the price of repression,” June 1994. Several mediamen from an inde- stronger. I hope no one takes offence (except implemented by state and government con- pendent association were arrested recently. those who’ve sold out ET everywhere!) trol through the ‘Pancasila’ ideology, lack of At times Indonesia seems to respond to Please note that the concept of a ‘second act an independent legislature, control of the views from outside, creating a human rights of aggression’ is not a new one, but taken labour movement, a tight watch over the commission in 1993 and reviewing laws that from an article by Japanese MP Banri press and a weak judiciary. spell out the military’s appointment to one- Kaieda in the magazine Sapio, posted on The FORUM-Asia report said: “The in- fifth of parliament’s 500 seats. reg.et back last October. fluence of the state and of the government – “On the one hand, there is more coercion the two are virtually synonymous in Indo- being applied (by the government). On the Regards, Rob South Friends of East Timor nesia – is pervasive at the political level. other, there is the attempt to accommodate,” (Western Australia) And this influence is used to deny democ- said FORUM-Asia. Still “there is a social racy to its citizens.” volcano because of many people’s sup- AUSTRALIAN COALITION FOR A Garol quoted an Indonesian legislator as pressed sentiments,” Garol said. FREE EAST TIMOR saying: “We are free in Indonesia, but free Accommodation is bound to be more Australia-East Timor Association (NSW), only to support the government.” sensitive, though, on issues touching on Australians for a Free East Timor (NT), And because political parties are subser- Indonesian sovereignty in areas like East Campaign for an Independent East Timor vient to the state, and the military “looms Timor and West Papua or Irian Jaya. This (SA), Campaign for an Independent East large” in government and the economy, “the year also marks the 20th year of Indonesia’s Timor (ACT), Friends of East Timor (WA), result of all this is that there is no place in annexation of East Timor, a former Portu- Hobart East Timor Committee (Tas), Lis- Indonesia for a civil society autonomous of guese colony. more Friends of East Timor (NSW) the state,” FORUM-Asia added. Recently some Indonesian officials have Media Release 15 August 1995 Indonesian citizens cannot freely assem- been quoted as saying the government is ble to discuss issues, it said, because meet- studying not whether to, but at what pace, JAPAN AND WAR CRIMES – PAST ings of over five people need a permit. political openness should come. At what- AND PRESENT Among others, FORUM-Asia urged Ja- ever pace democratic space may come, Ga- karta to free all political prisoners jailed in rol believes “it is going to be a long proc- Japan to announce ‘remorse’ over connection with the 1965 coup try against ess.” W.W.II, while supporting ongoing Indo- former president Sukarno’s government nesian war crimes in East Timor. blamed on communists, desist from using Japanese atrocities in East Timor in ‘Pancasila’ to impose ideological control and W.W.II. limit freedom, and remove all restrictions on political parties. Massive foreign aid package approved to Analysts say the government seems to Indonesian dictatorship despite domestic have loosened up a bit in recent years, open- criticism. ing up areas of previously-closed areas of In the next few hours, it is possible that the economy, freeing Indonesia’s leading the Japanese Parliament (the Diet) will an- labour activist a few months ago and three nounce its ‘sincere condolences’ and ‘ex- long-time political prisoners this week. press a sense of deep remorse’ for actions On Wednesday three former Sukarno of- during W.W.II. (Full text attached). How- ficials linked to the 1965 coup were freed ever, it is unlikely that Japan will apologise after 29 years in jail on orders of Suharto, for its current massive support for the most who became president soon after the foiled brutal ongoing war crime – the Indonesian coup attempt. occupation of East Timor. Japan has given But despite these, critics say government unqualified diplomatic support to Indonesia control of political life remains embedded in since the invasion of East Timor – the small state institutions and structures. Said country that was also the victim of Japanese Page 96 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. aggression in W.W.II. Japan is Indonesia’s It should be noted that many Japanese cupation. At least 200,000 have died largest donor of foreign aid. people disagree with the position of the under the Indonesian occupation. Ja- (The Japanese parliament is divided over Foreign Affairs Ministry and the govern- pan, like Australia, has a huge moral the resolution, although it is regarded by ment. Japan is home to a strong East Timor debt to the East Timorese people. many overseas, particularly in Asia, as too solidarity movement. One shining figure in Like Australia, Japan has cynically weak. Many parliamentarians, particularly this movement was the late Mr. Shohachi disregarded this debt for short-term from the LDP, object to even this resolu- Iwamura, once a platoon commander in the economic self-interest. Japan cannot tion. For this reason the scheduled an- Japanese forces in East Timor, who passed change the record of history, but it can nouncement may possibly be delayed.) away in Osaka last May. Mr. Iwamura do something now to help the East Japanese occupation troops committed visited Australia last year, where he met Timorese, by withdrawing support for terrible crimes against the East Timorese with his former opponents, the 2/2 Com- the regime that is slaughtering them during the war. After Australia violated mandos, based in Perth, Western Australia. today. In this light, the current assis- Portuguese neutrality by landing troops in Mr. Iwamura openly acknowledged Japa- tance Japan gives to Indonesia is, in Portuguese (East) Timor in 1941, Japanese nese atrocities in East Timor and the heavy practical terms, nothing less than a troops invaded East Timor in 1942, and losses caused by the conflict, and expressed second act of Japanese aggression battled with the Australian guerrilla com- the hope that Australians and Japanese, against the innocent people of East mandos through most of the year. While the who fought it out in an officially neutral Timor.” Australian troops left in late 1942, the East country, could come together and campaign For comment, source material, or con- Timorese suffered ongoing reprisals for the for a withdrawal of Indonesian troops and tacts in other states/countries as required: next three years because of their continuing for the right of the East Timorese people to Rob South ph: +61 9 470 2688 resistance and earlier unprecedented support self-determination. In 1987, Mr. Iwamura for the Australians. Between 40,000 and addressed the United Nations. In tears, he FULL TEXT OF DRAFT RESOLUTION 70,000 East Timorese died under the occu- said: “Resolution to renew the determination for pation. Some Japanese were later tried for “It is painful to speak today of the sacri- peace on the basis of lessons learned from war crimes committed in East Timor, but fices and burdens we forced upon the East history.” this was restricted to crimes against Allied Timorese, a people who had nothing to do House of Representatives P.O.W.s, not the far more widespread with the war. ... If Japan wants to build real National Diet of Japan atrocities against the local people. No war friendship with Indonesia it should tell that reparations were ever paid to East Timor. country, ‘we know from experience that no The House of Representatives resolves Two elderly East Timorese residents of country can escape the judgment of history as follows: Darwin are currently in Tokyo at the War on a war of aggression.’ ... And let the rest “On the occasion of the 50th anniversary Crimes Compensation Tribunal. They are of us remember that grovelling before the of the end of World War II, this house offers pleading not for financial compensation, but strong, while cutting down the weak, is the its sincere condolences to those who fell in for a withdrawal of Japanese support for way of fascism. ...” action and victims of wars and similar ac- the current Indonesian occupation of their It seems that both the Australian and tions all over the world. homeland. Japanese governments have ignored Mr. Solemnly reflecting upon many instances The proposed Diet resolution also states Iwamura. Japanese and Indonesian diplo- of colonial rule and acts of aggression in the that “We must ... learn humbly the lessons mats have even impeded Japanese parlia- modern history of the world, and recogniz- of history so as to build a peaceful interna- mentarians from independently assessing ing that Japan carried out these acts in the tional society.” Such sentiment is meaning- the situation. The visit to East Timor by a past, inflicting pain and suffering upon the less given the sort of assistance Japan gives cross-party Diet member’s forum last Au- peoples of other countries, especially in to Indonesia’s war in East Timor. Japan has gust was subject to heavy restriction by Asia, the members of this house express a voted in favour of Indonesia in every UN both Indonesian and Japanese Embassy sense of deep remorse. General Assembly resolution on East Timor staff. Despite promises, the members were We must transcend the differences over since the invasion. Japanese foreign aid and not allowed to leave the capital, Dili. Japa- historical views of the past war and learn investment in Indonesia has been phenome- nese Embassy staff prevented members of humbly the lessons of history so as to build nal. Just in terms of foreign aid, last month the delegation from walking freely in the a peaceful international society. Japan pledged $US 2.1 billion to Indonesia city. On their return to Bali, the highly criti- This house expresses its resolve, under for the coming year, enough to pay for the cal comments given by forum members at a the banner of eternal peace enshrined in the immense annual cost of Jakarta’s war in press conference were deliberately mistrans- Constitution of Japan, to join hands with East Timor many times over. Japan spends lated by Embassy staff, distorting the mes- other nations of the world and to pave the more on Indonesia than on any other coun- sage into one that was pro-Indonesian. This way to a future that allows all human beings try, and is Indonesia’s largest donor. Many caused a major furore when it was discov- to live together.” Japanese believe that this sort of cynical, ered on the delegation’s return to Japan. (Text in English as supplied by Japanese unquestioning support contravenes Japan’s Rob South, on behalf of the Australian Consulate-General in Western Australia.) Charter for Overseas Development Aid, Coalition for a free East Timor (ACET), which states that “adequate attention must said today: THANKS FROM IRELAND be paid to conditions with regard to guaran- “The Japanese government’s pro- To Australian Friends of East Timor. teed freedom and fundamental human rights posed ‘expression of remorse’ rings Congratulations from ETISC on your dem- in the developing country.” Again and again very hollow given the massive finan- onstration in Australia. Your demonstration Indonesia’s appalling human rights record in cial and diplomatic support Japan was carried on all TV and Radio stations East Timor and at home has come to inter- gives to Indonesia, a regime which is here in Ireland. Your burning of the picture national attention, with little effect, it guilty of massive ongoing war crimes of the Indonesian dictator Suharto received seems, on provision of Japanese aid to the in East Timor. 40-70,000 East particular attention. The focus of the report- regime. Timorese died under the Japanese oc- ing was how a country that suffered under East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 97 colonialism has now turned into a brutal has never accepted its responsibility and will tell of their experiences at the “August colonial power, with footage again of the “blood debt” to the East Timorese. 15 Citizens’ Speak-out–Past, Present, and Santa Cruz massacre. Well done. We our- According to McNaughtan, because Por- Future” to be held in Tokyo on the 15th. selves are having our demonstration this tugal was neutral during World War II and East Timor was a Portuguese colony at coming Saturday at the Australian embassy. never invited the Australians to land, under the time. The Japanese army sent in an ini- We don’t has an Indonesian one here. Well international law Australia invaded East tial 5,000 troops. done again. Keep up the good work. Peter Timor before the Japanese. There is also a (Antonio) Thirty-two relatives, including Lawlor (just started with ETISC). strong possibility that the Japanese would a brother-in-law and two cousins, were never have occupied East Timor if the Aus- killed by Japanese soldiers. Women were HORROR OF EAST TIMOR IN tralians were not there. forced to serve as comfort women. More 1942 TO BE DISCUSSED After pulling most of its forces out in that 60,000 East Timorese were killed by 1953 (sic), the Australians dropped leaflets Japanese soldiers. Every kind of human Japan Times August 14, 1995 By Cameron to the East Timorese saying, “Your friends right was suppressed with violence. Our Hay/Osaka. will not forget you.” Australian treatment of struggle for peace is still continuing today. its allies has in fact been marked by “hypoc- (Veronica) My father was conscripted to Comment: The Maias gave testimony at risy and treachery,” McNaughton said. do forced road construction. I witnessed public meetings in Osaka and elsewhere, After the war Australia extensively in- more than forty times Japanese soldiers then participated with witnesses/victims of vestigated the death of 40 of its own sol- decapitate Timorese and Portuguese in my Japanese occupation from other Asian na- diers who died in East Timor and sentenced own village and the surrounding area. The tions at rallies in Tokyo. a handful of Japanese for war crimes. But Japanese army treated East Timorese like A husband and wife from East Timor are not a single investigation was conducted into animals. The war was a nightmare. We do to testify for the first time today at a Tokyo the killing of more than 40.000 East not even have a country that can make forum about the little-known 1942 Japanese Timorese who died “mostly because they claims for compensation. occupation of their island, which resulted in were stupid enough to help Australians,” the deaths of a greater proportion of the McNaughtan said. population than in any Asian country dur- The behavior of Australia and Japan dur- EVENTS IN BRAZIL AND ing World War II. ing World War II leaves both countries with AROUND THE WORLD An estimated 40.000 to 60.000 East an obligation to help East Timor following Timorese civilians, 10 percent of the popu- its invasion by Indonesia in 1975, said lation, were killed by the Imperial Japanese McNaughton, who described Australia’s BRAZILIAN JOURNALISTS Army as it fought in what was then a Portu- acquiescence to the invasion as “betrayal on guese colony. a biblical scale.” SUPPORT ITAMAR’S When Australia first sent a 300-man con- While Japan paid compensation to Indo- SOLIDARITY tingent into the neutral Portuguese colony in nesia after the war, it has done nothing for December 1941, East Timor villagers fed East Timor, which suffered far more. As Jornal de Noticias, 26 June 1995. By Alfredo and sheltered them – without understanding Indonesia’s No. 1 aid donor and investor, Prado. Abridged that in doing so they would become a de- Japan is in an unparalleled position to influ- Brasilia – FENAJ (National Federation of fenseless pawn in a brutal guerrilla war. ence Indonesia policy in East Timor, Professional Journalists), which represents At first few villagers even understood McNaughton said. about 25,000 Brazilian journalists, has sent that Australia and Japan were at war. A So at today’s forum, which is to discuss a letter to the (new) Brazilian Ambassador Japanese force of 5.000 men arrived in Feb- Japan’s war crimes and war compensation, to Lisbon (former President of Brazil, ruary 1942, and after suffering heavy loses the Maias will not simply be unearthing the Itamar Franco) expressing their support for to the Australians, began targeting East crimes of 50 years ago, but asking Japan to his statements about East Timor. Timorese villagers for reprisals. make recompense by trying to end human On his arrival to Portugal, Itamar Franco “My parents and three brothers-in-law rights abuses that continue in East Timor expressed his determination to support the were repeatedly beaten black and blue and today. East Timorese people’s fight for their right asked several times about the Australians “I don’t want to appeal to the Japanese to self-determination. This position was whereabouts,” 69-year-old Antonio Maia government for monetary compensation,” later described by the Brazilian Foreign said in Osaka last week. Veronica Maia said. “But I am sure the Office as the Ambassador’s own “personal” “My brothers-in-law were hanged from a Japanese government knows what it can do view. Itamar Franco’s statements contradict jackfruit tree for a week,” he said. “A large for East Timor now.” the official Brazilian diplomatic position. fire was built underneath. After a week their The letter from the journalists, signed by feet were full of infections and covered in THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE the Federation’s President, Americo Cesar maggots. The Japanese used large pieces of CONTINUES TODAY Antunes, states that the stand taken by bamboo to beat them to death. Asahi Shimbun August 15, 1995 Translated Ambassador Itamar Franco “contributed “All together the Japanese killed 32 from Japanese towards strengthening world awareness members of my family. They kicked and seeking to find a fair, legitimate and peaceful Photos of the Maias appear in this section of beat my uncle and forced him at gunpoint to solution” to the conflict. an article featuring witnesses to Japanese take my nieces and two cousins to the Japa- The Journalists’ Federation expressed its occupation from several Asian countries. nese headquarters. They were repeatedly total “agreement” with the content of Itamar raped. My uncle saw it. Later they were Two eyewitnesses of atrocities commit- Franco’s statements, “in favour of inde- again sexually abused by 30 Japanese and ted by the Japanese army that invaded East pendence for East Timor, the former Portu- died. Their graves are in Lacluta.” Timorese during the second world war have guese colony, which is today the victim of Andrew McNaughton, an Australian doc- come to Japan. They are Antonio Maia (67) Indonesia’s inhuman and bloody military tor accompanying Maia, said his country and his wife Veronica Maia (66). The two occupation.” Page 98 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
FENAJ also denounces “the genocide and Kissinger to Jakarta, Indonesia invaded BRAZIL WORRIED ABOUT committed in that Portuguese-speaking terri- East Timor. tory, the tragedy of which, marked by he- It was the beginning of a massacre which TIMOR SITUATION roic resistance, has been described as the led to the stupor of international public Jornal de Noticias, 5 August. Lisbon silent Vietnam, because of the unacceptable opinion. During the following 20 long years and nebulous pact of silence surrounding the Indonesia decimated 350 thousand Timorese “Brazil welcomes the holding of an inter- harsh reality” of East Timor. by hunger, fear and barbarity, according to national seminar in Brasilia on the question In addition to expressing support for the the speech of the new Brazilian Ambassador of East Timor” said the ambassador Rego East Timorese people’s struggle, these ex- – a figure supported by Chomsky and other Barros, secretary/general of the Itamaraty. pressions of solidarity take on special po- reliable resources. Chomsky accuses the This is because, according to the diplomat, litical significance in the light of the increas- Indonesians of having turned East Timor the problem of East Timor is worrying Bra- ingly close economic and commercial links into “a little military prison.” Meanwhile zil. between Brazil and Indonesia. the world “is closing its eyes, purely be- When asked about the holding of the Diplomatic sources in Brasilia have cause of interests in petrol, precious woods, seminar, which is being prepared by the stated that the support given to Itamar’s rubber, coffee and gold.” Human Rights Committee of the Brazilian position on East Timor by the FENAJ Since 1980 José Ramos Horta, the one- Chamber of Deputies, the number two at could prepare the way for a clearer Brazilian time representative at the UN for the Revo- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) foreign policy on the conflict. lutionary Front for Independent East Timor confirmed that the problem of East Timor Until now, Brazil has limited itself to (Fretilin), has been asking Brazil to support was worrying Brazil. “We are willing to talk supporting the talks between the Foreign the independence of his country. Up until with international partners, and especially Ministers of Portugal and Indonesia, and that time, after five years of occupation, the Portuguese-speaking ones, to try to find a expressing its solidarity with the Timorese UN had approved seven resolutions (two solution” Rego Barros emphasised. people in cases of human rights violations. by the Security Council and five by the The Secretary-General of the Itamaraty Support does not go further so as not to General Assembly),demanding, in vain, the considered the negotiations between Portu- interfere, as the Brazilian Foreign Office withdrawal of Indonesia and reaffirming the gal and Indonesia to be useful and explained says, with matters of Indonesian sover- legitimacy of the struggle for independence that Brazil did not want to take any stance eignty. by the country, still officially tied to Portu- which could be an obstacle to these discus- gal. Ramos Horta himself stated that the sions. BRAZIL’S FRANCO: A occupation could be considered “a thousand The ambassador Rego Barros defended the continuation of negotiations between THOUSAND TIMES WORSE worse, more repressive and brutal in five years than all the badness of Portuguese Portugal and Indonesia as a means of finding a just and equitable solution for Timor. Jornal do Brasil, 2 July 1995. colonialism during 500 years as a colony.” Indonesian sovereignty over the ex- Fernando Gabeira, a member of the Hu- Lisbon – In his speech on arriving in Por- colony is not recognised internationally. The man Rights Committee of the Brazilian tugal, the (Brazilian) ex-President and pre- reports of barbarity and extermination are Chamber of Deputies indicated that the sent Ambassador Itamar Franco touched on consistent. When it invaded East Timor body intended to bring together in Brasilia the weak point of the Portuguese: the de- Indonesia cut the food supply and, using representatives from the Timorese Resis- mand of independence for Timor, an ex- bombardments with herbicides, destroyed tance, Portugal, Indonesia, Angola, Mozam- colony that was invaded and absorbed by the greater part of the plantations on which bique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and São Indonesia in 1975. the population depended for subsistence. Tomé and Principé. The appeal by Itamar and the reminder of Next there came attempts to strangle cul- The Deputy will have to travel to New the successive massacres that the Timorese tural identity. York this month to make contact at the have suffered was practically an appeal for a The Timorese rightly believe that the headquarters of the United Nations with the new diplomatic attitude. All of this was like various cultural manifestations which exist diplomatic representatives of these coun- music to the ears of the Portuguese, as well in the country belong not only to them but tries. as to the ears of the Timorese, the Brazil- to the whole of humanity. The successive Fernando Gabeira also confirmed that the ians, the other member countries of the massacres of the Timorese by occupying Commission is studying the possibility of Community of Portuguese Language Coun- troops and the continual drive to destroy opening an office representing the Timorese tries (ex colonies) as well as of the UN and the identity of the Portuguese ex-colony Resistance in Brasilia. everyone else aware of the tragedy of East cannot go on being destroyed by interna- On this point he remembered how many Timor. tional public opinion; nor can it be ignored Brazilians in exile in Europe followed the Only recently, in Portugal, the American by Brazil, especially now that the ever- events of 1975, which culminated in the linguist Noam Chomsky reflected on inter- silenced project to establish a Community invasion of East Timor by Indonesia, and national concern to defend the right of inde- of Portuguese Language Countries has been were in solidarity with the movements for pendence for the small Portuguese ex-colony taken out of the freezer and made a diplo- independence in the territory. which, in all of its existence, has only matic and cultural priority. Fernando Gabeira recognised that the known 10 days of freedom. The drama of It is time for the Itamars of this world to struggle of the Timorese Resistance was East Timor in fact started soon after the get seriously interested in the destiny of practically unknown in Brazil, a country Carnation Revolution in Portugal (25 April East Timor. which maintains commercial relations with 1974). The Democratic Republic of East Indonesia. Timor was declared on the 28 November 1975, after the liberation by the Portuguese Government of all of its colonies. The dream of independence, however, only lasted until the 7 December: hours after the visit of Ford East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 99
CHISSANO PROPOSES Research Centre at Murdoch University in EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA Perth. “SINGLE FRONT” Aditjondro fears being made a test case for what seems to be the government’s new Publico, 3 July 1995. Translated from Por- RUNNING FOR COVER: tuguese resolve to crack down on critics. He says DISSIDENT SEEKS ASYLUM the armed-forces chief of general staff, Lisbon – The President of Mozambique, IN AUSTRALIA Lieut.-Gen. Soeyono is “out to get me and Joaquim Chissano, has proposed that there Arief,” a reference to Arief Budiman, an- be a “single front,” composed of the Portu- Far Eastern Economic Review, 29 June other Satya Wacana lecturer who has run guese-speaking African countries, to sup- 1995. By Adam Schwartz in Perth afoul of the authorities. port self-determination for East Timor. The maximum penalty for insulting a According to Radio Bissau yesterday, Chis- Indonesia’s current political climate has proved too hot for prominent George Adit- government body is 18 months in jail. Adit- sano’s idea was raised during separate meet- jondro says he expects further charges to be ings with his counterparts from Angola jondro. A former lecturer at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga, Central filed if he returns to Indonesia for question- (José Eduardo dos Santos), Cape Verde ing. Indeed, Attorney General Singgih and (Mascarenhas Monteiro), and Guinea Java, he says he intends to seek permanent residence status in Australia, where he’s police in Jogjakarta have said they are con- (“Nino” Vieira”), held at the 31st Summit of sidering other charges against him, such as Heads of State and Government of the Or- currently on a six-month university fellow- ship. insulting the president and disturbing public ganisation of African Unity (OAU), be- order; those carry maximum sentences of six tween 26 and 28 June in Addis Ababa, Aditjondro, who faces probable prosecu- tion in Indonesia for allegedly insulting a and seven years, respectively. Ethiopia. Radio Bissau also said that they Aditjondro’s plan to stay in Australia had all expressed “great interest” in “harmo- government body, says he can’t expect a fair trial at home. Officials in Indonesia “want has drawn the ire of government officials, nising ideas” on the matter, after Joaquim some members of Golkar, the ruling party, Chissano reported that he had received “an me back so they can crush me intellectu- ally,” he says. and a few fellow academics. Singgih has been SOS appeal from East Timor.” The issue is quoted by the Indonesian media as describ- to be discussed at the Summit meeting of the His decision has set off a storm of con- troversy in Indonesia, drawn mixed reviews ing Aditjondro’s behaviour as “dishonour- Five, the date of which has yet to be set. able,” as has Lukman Soetrisno, a professor Mozambique’s President also announced from fellow activists, and may cause a hic- cup in relations between Canberra and Ja- at Jogjakarta’s Gajah Mada University. A that he intends to relay the proposal to Golkar member, Krissantono, said Aditjon- President Miguel Trovoada of Sao Tome karta. Aditjondro’s case comes against a back- dro “should return home and face the inves- and Principe, who did not attend the Addis tigation.” Ababa meeting. drop of heightened pressure on parliamen- tarians, academics and activists who have Aditjondro says he “has tried for many years to work within the system. That’s MEXICO: TIMOR been critical of aspects of President Su- harto’s rule. Aditjondro, 49, has written and why I know it doesn’t work. I’ve become SELF-DETERMINATION A spoken critically on many issues considered more aware of how people have been co- MATTER OF PRINCIPLE sensitive in Indonesia, including the military opted by the government and I think I can campaigns in Irian Jaya and East Timor, better continue the struggle from abroad.” Publico, 18 July 1995. Abridged land-compensation cases, environmental A photo of George accompanies this article, Lisbon – Minister Angel Gurria has guar- degradation, corruption, and the question of with the caption: “Dissident George Adit- anteed that Mexico has a principled position who might succeed Suharto and when. jondro would rather stay on in Perth.” with regard to Timor: “We support the The activist’s current troubles with the decisions of the UN and the consensus of authorities stem from a speech he gave at a MEETING: EAST TIMOR – the international community. Moreover, Jogjakarta seminar in August in which he OIL OR JUSTICE Mexico’s foreign policy follows the princi- deplored the lack of preparations for presi- ple of self-determination, which in this case dential succession. He also warned that the CIET(South Australia) INC PUBLIC is a principle that is unambiguously ap- prospects for democratization in Indonesia MEETING, SUNDAY 9 JULY 1995 plied.” were being endangered by resistance from the increasingly wealthy and influential RESOLUTION: families of top government officials. He This public meeting convened by the singled out for criticism the business activi- Campaign for an Independent East Timor ties of Information Minister Harmoko, Re- (South Australia) Inc on Sunday 9 July search and Technology Minister B.J. 1995 reaffirms its support for justice and Habibie and relatives of Suharto. self determination for the people of East In October, Aditjondro was summoned Timor. to police headquarters in Jogjakarta under The meeting is mindful that 1995 is being the colonial-era charge of “insulting a gov- commemorated as the 50th anniversary of ernment body,” although which body the end of World War 2 and notes the fol- wasn’t identified. He was released after 15 lowing: hours of questioning. He received a second (a) the Japanese military may not have summons in May that prompted his deci- invaded East Timor if it had not been for the sion to seek permanent residence in Austra- presence of Australian soldiers lia. He is currently undertaking a six-month (b) approximately 70,000 East Timorese teaching and research fellowship at the Asia out of a population of 500,000 died during World War 2 and of these 40,000 were Page 100 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. summarily executed for supporting Austra- Next week, Kangaroo 95, which involves · allowing the Indonesian military to par- lian forces Japan joint military exercises with the Australian ticipate in military and naval exercises (c) while Australians and East Timorese armed forces and those of several neighbours · extending diplomatic support in the UN people were united together Japanese milita- will begin. East Timor solidarity and peace and other international forums to Indone- rism during World War 2, Suharto and his protesters will join together to hold protests sia clique of generals supported it against the involvement of the Indonesian · treating East Timorese refugees seeking (d) when they seized power in 1965, Su- armed forces in these exercises. political asylum as criminals by placing harto and his generals murdered up to 3 Mr. Alcock said: “Australians have them in detention camps million Indonesian people shown the Government they are sick and (e) since the invasion of East Timor by tired of its duplicity on the East Timor – We note that during this year, you have the Indonesian military, over 200,000 East Indonesia issue. The Government continu- aptly reminded the Australian people of the Timorese people have perished and have ally states that it raises the issue of human great contribution by an earlier Australian lost access to their natural resources rights in East Timor with the Suharto regime generation in the struggle against fascism (f) successive Australian governments and yet it continues to arm and train the during World War 2. Many Australians also have continued to arm, train and participate troops that have genocide there.” recall that in this struggle, Australian sol- in military manoeuvres with the Indonesian In Adelaide there will be a protest on diers fought alongside the progressive peo- military and provide diplomatic support for Saturday 29 July at 10 am in Gawler Place ples of East Timor and Indonesia. the regime near the Rundle Mall intersection. The event We also remember that in 1965, Suharto This meeting therefore calls on the Aus- will include a number of speakers and street and other Indonesian generals seized power tralian Government to: theatre. in one of the great blood baths of the cen- tury. Amongst those murdered were a great 1. stop all arms sales and military training ––––- for the Indonesian armed forces number of progressive Indonesians who The Right Hon Mr. Paul Keating resisted Togo’s brand of fascism during 2. take initiatives in the UN to exert interna- Prime Minister, Parliament House World War 2 and who later fought for their tional pressure on the Suharto regime to CANBERRA, ACT country’s independence from Dutch coloni- withdraw it troops from East Timor and 20 July 1995 alism. Others were thrown into prison for allow an internationally supervised act of Dear Mr. Keating over 10 years; many are still imprisoned. It self determination to occur is well known that Suharto supported the 3. withdraw from the shameful Timor Gap RE: OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN POLICIES Japanese occupiers of his country. Treaty REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS IN We hardly need to remind you that this 4. cease its recognition of Indonesia’s con- EAST TIMOR same man leads a regime that has wiped out trol of East Timor On 9 July this year, the Campaign for an over a third of the population of East 5. grant immediately release all East Independent East Timor convened a public Timor. Sadly, he has been able to do this Timorese refugees from detention and meeting at the Irish Hall in Adelaide. Speak- with the help of weapons, military training them political asylum ers included Mr. Abel Guterres, President, and diplomatic support from a succession of East Timor Relief Association; Mr. Peter Australian Governments. 6. include a focus on the great sacrifice made Duncan MHR and Senator John Coulter. by the courageous East Timorese people We would respectfully point out that They spoke on the theme East Timor – Oil large numbers of Australians are deeply during World War 2 to the allied cause in or Justice. the Australia Remembers programme ashamed of the path their political leaders We have enclosed the wording of a reso- have chosen on this issue over the past 20 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY lution that was carried unanimously by years. Because of these long term policies of those who attended the meeting which we appeasement, Suharto and his generals CIETSA CRITICIZES believe needs to be brought to your atten- thought that they could arrogantly force UPCOMING AUST.-INDO. tion. In particular, we would ask you to Australia to accept Mantiri as their ambas- implement the actions that the meeting MILITARY EXERCISES sador. Ordinary Australians, who have not called on your Government to take. forgotten the policies of justice and fair play Letter to Paul Keating, July 20 Just days before the meeting, the Gov- promoted by Labor leaders of an earlier ernment you lead suffered an embarrassing time, were the ones who won the day on The Campaign for an Independent East loss of face regarding the Indonesian Am- this issue. This is the reason for Senator Timor (SA) this week sent the following bassador Designate, General Herman Man- Gareth Evans great embarrassment over the letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Paul tiri. Those Australians who support human Mantiri affair. Keating to inform him of a resolution that rights in Indonesia and East Timor believe We believe that it is good to remember was carried at its public meeting on 9 July that this situation could have been avoided if great Australian leaders like John Curtin, 1995. members of your Government had ceased Herbert Evatt and Don Dunstan. Speakers The Campaign Chairperson, Mr. Andrew the policies of appeasement promoted by who spoke to the resolution suggested that Alcock, said that the letter is a timely one as the Fraser and Hawke Governments. if you implement the actions recommended it was sent just before the Immigration De- It is important for you to be aware that in it, you would be starting to steer the partment released the East Timorese boat the Australian Government leads itself to be Government in the direction of true social people from detention at the Curtin Deten- internationally judged as hypocritical when justice that these Australians promoted. tion Centre in WA. it claims to raise human rights issues with Yours sincerely, The Government was forced to take this the Suharto regime while at the same time Andrew Alcock position because of public outcry against carrying out the following policies which aid Chairperson their detention. It is the second reversal that and abet it in its actions: CIET (South Australia) Inc. the Government has suffered on the East · providing weapons and training to the Timor issue in about two weeks. The other Indonesian military was the Mantiri affair. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 101
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY During the year ended March 31, 1995, the case in the International Court of Justice company had reported a 25.9 per cent jump where it had appealed against the agreement. – BHP’S ASIA MOTTO in operating profit to A$1.61 billion, on However the most ambitious element of Business Times (Singapore) WWW site, July sales of A$18.48 billion. But BHP’s bottom the company’s Asian strategy straddles all 28, 1995. By S N Vasuki line was eroded by a A$542 million write- the divisions of the company and positions down of its investment in the Foster’s BHP Power as a major player in the region’s AUSTRALIAN businessmen are usually Brewing Group. private power business. stereotyped as flamboyant and daring per- Though the company is no stranger to In China, the company is working on a sonalities. Hence meeting John Prescott, the Asia, some analysts would like it to expand proposal to develop a coal mine and a 2400 epitome of a conservative businessman, is more aggressively. They feel BHP has con- megawatt power station at Jiangsu province. an enlightening experience. The managing centrated too long on developed markets like In Vietnam, BHP is working on a pre- director and chief executive officer of the North America and emerging ones like Latin feasibility study to establish an integrated Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd. America at the expense of Asia. project that will include a gas pipeline, a (BHP), Australia’s largest corporation, is “There appears to be some trepidation 680mW power station and fertiliser unit. admired because of his vision and a deliber- here to take a big position in Asia,” a fund In India, though officials maintained ear- ately cautious corporate strategy. manager said. “However the region offers lier this month that BHP was still exploring There was an audible gasp from fund the best opportunities for BHP, especially opportunities, recent media reports have managers and journalists when Mr. Prescott in infrastructure development.” suggested that the company is talking to displayed a slide during the company’s Mr. Prescott dismisses such talk by em- potential partners to establish a coal mine annual results and prospects seminar in phasising that the caution was deliberate and power station. Mr. Prescott said that Melbourne a few weeks ago. The slide because the company focused on achieving BHP was monitoring the controversy over showed that BHP would be investing A$20 success over the longer term. He said that the Enron power project and its decision to billion (S$20.6 billion) and hiring 10,000 BHP saw the world “not as an oyster but as invest may well depend on the outcome. people as part of an ambitious strategy to an oyster bed.” Though the scale of the three projects are boost its international presence, especially “So we carefully analyse the risk-reward huge – with the probable cost around US$2 in Asia. trade-off before investing in a project and billion (S$2.7 billion) to US$3 billion each – In many areas, BHP is already a global are prepared to disengage if it does not take- Mr. Prescott emphasised that BHP would player, The Big Australian (as the company off,” he said. not stumble into the business. And as a first is fondly called) today has 170 different BHP’s Asian expansion strategy em- step in understanding the region’s political operations all over the globe, ranging across braces each of its major business groups – and cultural dynamics, BHP is establishing a many different industries. It is the world’s steel, iron ore, petroleum and a newly- cadre of “country managers” who will act as second largest copper producer, the second created division to explore opportunities in the company’s eyes and ears in Asia. biggest in iron ore, the third biggest coal the private power business. It is difficult to The company reckons that these manag- miner, and the third biggest manganese pro- place a number on the company’s potential ers will eventually be able to provide sound ducer. investment because many projects are still advice and capitalise on emerging investment In Asia, the company’s steel products in the pre-feasibility stage. But it is safe to opportunities. Until that network is in division has been active for decades with assume that if the company decides to go place, BHP is likely to play it safe rather production facilities in Singapore, Thailand, ahead with even half of the projects that it is than sorry in its pursuit of new business in Malaysia, Indonesia and most recently in pursuing, the investment would run into the region. Shanghai. BHP also mines thermal coal in billions of dollars. Kalimantan, Indonesia, produces crude oil It is obvious that steel will lead the com- DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION: from the Dai Hung field in Vietnam and has pany in the region. BHP has decided to FOREIGN-POLICY MISSTEPS exploration contracts in Indonesia and become a major player in Asian steel mar- China. The company has also been selling kets and has a viable business plan to make DIM EVANS’S iron ore, coal and natural gas to north Asia this happen. At the heart of the strategy is a POLITICAL LUSTRE for decades. During the 1994 financial year, plan to build and expand a network of roll- Asia, excluding Japan, contributed around forming factories around the region that Far Eastern Economic Review, 3 August 17 per cent to group sales. would be fed by “mother” plants at home. 1995. By Jacqueline Rees in Canberra “We have a clear strategy for growth,” “The strategy is to try and underpin ex- When Gareth Evans garnered an Austra- Mr. Prescott said at a recent press briefing ports from Australia, develop processing lian Peace Award and a Nobel Prize nomina- to visiting Asian journalists. “BHP would lines in Asia that meet local market require- tion for helping broker the Cambodian peace like to focus on building high quality assets, ments, and then integrate back from those to settlement, it only confirmed what many stay low on the cost curve, stick to large things like metal coated lines and paint lines Australians already thought: Their high- scale projects and concentrate on areas as market developments allow,” Mr. Pres- flying foreign minister was destined for where we have the competence.” And the cott explained in an interview with BT last greater things. balance sheet shows that BHP has the year. The senator himself appears to be among money to finance these ambitious invest- ... the believers: He has announced plans to ment plans. The Zone of Co-operation Agreement be- move from the upper to the lower house of Chief financial officer Geoff Heeley told tween Australia and Indonesia governs pe- parliament in the next elections, a step that the results and prospects seminar that the troleum exploration and production within would make him eligible for the prime minis- company was generating more cash than “it about 35,000 sq. km of the Timor Sea be- ter’s job. could consume.” Against a balance sheet tween Darwin and East Timor. Portugal, In the past few weeks, however, the that showed total assets of roughly A$28 which has never recognised Indonesia’s golden boy of the Australian government billion, BHP is generating cash flows of annexation of East Timor, recently lost its has lost some of his shine. He has come between A$3 billion and A$4 billion a year. under fire over the appointment of a new Page 102 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Indonesian ambassador to Canberra, his Against that tide of opinion, reports that Despite the recent turmoil, no one is pre- initially mild stand against French nuclear Mantiri was less repressive than other In- dicting Evans’ political demise. As Mackie testing in the South Pacific, and his harsh donesian commanders who served in East says: “He’s a resilient guy. He rolls with the reaction when Australian media reported Timor mattered little. After the demonstra- punches.” that the Chinese embassy in Canberra had tions, Australian officials calculated that it been bugged. would cost up to $600,000 a year to protect INDONESIAN SOLIDARITY Evan’s reaction to the criticism? Blame the general in Australia. CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED the press, and vow to stay on course. “It’s Nonetheless, most Australian commenta- not as if I was caught with the ministerial tors feel that whatever the Mantiri issue By James Balowski. Green Left, August 6. equivalent of my pants down on Sunset may have done to Evan’s political aspira- Boulevard,” he quips. “But when media tions, it has not caused irreparable damage Criminal proceedings are to be brought momentum has developed of the kind I ex- to Australian-Indonesian relations, which against seven student and worker activists perienced, to try to explain and defend one’s Evans and Alatas have done much to from the independent trade union PPBI positions is like asking a shark in the middle strengthen since they both became foreign (Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggle) and of a feeding frenzy to break off for a quiet ministers in 1988. the country’s largest national student or- inspection of the coral.” The problem is, the Mantiri controversy ganisation, SMID (Student Solidarity for The storm may indeed blow over, as Ev- isn’t the only flap that Evans’ critics believe Democracy in Indonesia). ans predicts. But having to defend himself he should have foreseen. He also failed to Dita Sari, secretary-general of PPBI, on foreign-policy issues is a big change for a anticipate the public fury that greeted Lukman, also from PPBI, and Kelik, Margi- man more used to receiving accolades for his France’s announcement that it was resuming yono, Akbar and Haryo, all from SMID, are achievements. Those include the 1991 Cam- nuclear testing in the South Pacific. accused of provoking and “mobilising the bodian peace treaty, his success in improv- Evans’ first reaction, in early June, was masses” of PT Great River Industries, re- ing ties with Indonesia, his successful lob- to tell Australians that the French decision sulting in a “labour disturbance.” They are bying for renewal of the Nuclear Non- was “proportionate.” He later tried to re- also charged with “resisting” officials. Proliferation Treaty, and his nurturing of the cover ground, travelling to Paris on a mis- Between July 18 and 24, PPBI, sup- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. sion to protest the testing. Emerging from a ported by SMID, led thousands of workers In the eyes of some, Evans’ domestic po- meeting with French Foreign Minister Herve from PT Great River Industries, a garment litical distractions are partly to blame for the de Charette, he was asked by reporters why factory in Bogor, West Java, in strikes and recent policy missteps. Outgoing Indonesian he hadn’t stated Australia’s case more force- rallies for better wages and conditions, and Ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian fully. “What am I supposed to do, spit in the right to organise independently of the accused Evans of having “too much on his the minister’s eye, stamp on his foot, Suharto dictatorship’s puppet union, the plate” at the height of the flap over Siagan’s thump him in the chest with my elbows?” All Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI). designated successor, Gen. Herman Mantiri. demanded a visibly unnerved Evans. PPBI leaders in Jakarta have called for in- “He is a faction leader in the Senate and The previous month, when national me- ternational support. In a letter to PPBI on he decides to move to the House of Repre- dia alleged that the government had allowed July 30, AKSI national coordinator Max sentatives, which means that his political the United States to bug the Chinese em- Lane said, “In Australia, AKSI will be or- radar has to be switched also to domestic bassy in Canberra, Evans had reacted by ganising a campaign in defence of the PPBI- politics,” Siagian said. “Now, all in all, I threatening to jail journalists who compro- SMID workers and students. We hope to think its a bit too much for one person.” mised national security. form a defence committee of trade unionists, Evans certainly was busy in the first An even heavier blow to Evans’ hopes student activists and Indonesian and East week of July, when he made a series of fran- for the top political job came when Prime Timor solidarity activists for this cam- tic phone calls to his Indonesian counter- Minister Paul Keating anointed Finance paign.” part, Ali Alatas, to convince him to cancel Minister Kim Beazley as his political heir Lane said that the Australian government Mantiri’s appointment. The request came during a party meeting on June 20. should suspend all industrial relations coop- after protests erupted in Australia over Evans’ supporters have cited other posts eration under a memorandum of understand- remarks the Indonesian officer had made as possibilities, including that of chief jus- ing with the Indonesian government. “This that appeared to defend the 1991 massacre tice of the High Court, or even United Na- agreement, signed by the Indonesian minis- in Dili, East Timor. tions Secretary-General. For the moment, ter of labour, Abdul Latief, one of the own- Alatas eventually withdrew the ap- however, he is still aiming to land a seat in ers of Great River Industries, is the umbrella pointment, but he was understandably the House of Representatives from the rela- under which the Australian government is irked: Mantiri already had been accepted by tively safe Labor Party constituency of supporting the dictatorship-controlled SPSI. Canberra, and the incoming head of the Aus- Holt, Victoria, in elections due to be held While workers are being beaten, harassed tralian armed forces, Gen. John Baker, had before May 1996. and put on trial for demanding the right to even phoned to congratulate him. Evans, a 50-year-old lawyer, entered the independent unionism, the Australian gov- The strength of the protests showed that Senate from academia in 1978. He became ernment should have nothing to do with this many Australians have neither forgotten nor attorney-general when Labor came to power agreement,” said Lane. Support for a defence committee for the forgiven the 1975 Indonesian invasion and under Bob Hawke in 1983, and after briefly subsequent annexation of East Timor. In holding two other portfolios, became foreign arrested PPBI-SMID activists has already fact, support in Australia for Timorese in- minister in 1988. been offered. “We are particularly pleased dependence may even have increased amid a “He brought an intellectual dimension to with the response from the East Timorese steady flow of immigrants from the former analysis of the main foreign-policy issues of independence movement,” Lane said. José Portuguese colony, and the continued out- the region that we had not seen for a long Gusmão, South-east Asia representative of spokenness of the Catholic Church against time,” says Jamie Mackie, emeritus profes- the National Council for Maubere Resis- Indonesian rule. sor at Australian National University. tance (CNRM); Harold Mucho, NSW coor- dinator of Fretilin; and Gil Scrine, convener East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 103 of the Australia East Timor Association of The Indonesian protest comes in the The planned East Timor visit and a re- NSW, have agreed to join the committee. wake of Jakarta’s decision to vacate the sulting change of position, should also per- The PPBI was involved in the formation of embassy in Canberra for an indefinite pe- sonally serve Evans’ political career, so the Indonesian People’s Solidarity Struggle riod. badly damaged by his naive past attempts with the Maubere People (SPRIM), a coali- to deal with Jakarta’s bad faith. tion of Indonesian organisations supporting CNRM WELCOMES A change of approach may allow recon- self-determination for East Timor. AU STRALIAN FOREIGN ciling him with the Australian public, so widely alienated by his stance on the issue RI FORMALLY PROTESTS MINISTER’S STATEMENT ON so far, and may even give him a hope of FLAG BURNING INCIDENT PLANNED VISIT TO EAS T success in his next election bid to the Lower TIMOR House. Jakarta Post, August 7, 1995 From Lisbon, CNRM Special Represen- CNRM media statement, 16 August 1995 tative José Ramos Horta commented “re- JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has sent a gardless of the well known East Timorese formal note to the Australian government Radio Australia has quoted statements by Australian Foreign Minister Senator views on Australian government policy on protesting the burning of an Indonesian flag the issue, we support the visit. We hope during a demonstration in Melbourne last Gareth Evans acknowledging -at long last- some basic truths about the situation in East that it will enlighten Evans and encourage week. him to take a strong regional and interna- Antara quoted Irawan Abidin, the chief Timor, the former Portuguese colony under illegal Indonesian occupation. After recog- tional role to push for a genuine and lasting spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Af- solution to the problem. Foreign Minister fairs, as saying that the incident did take nising that Indonesia’s aggression against East Timor has for 20 years been a “wedge Evans will also have to meet with East place and this had been confirmed by no less Timor Resistance Leader Xanana Gusmão, than Australian Foreign Minister Gareth in Australian Indonesian relations,” Senator Evans is reported to have acknowledged that whose involvement is essential for such a Evans to his Indonesian counterpart Ali true solution.” Alatas when the two met in Brunei last the level of Indonesian military [occupation] troops deployed in the territory may be as For comment: José Ramos Horta +351 1 week. 797 6428 ‘Evans put it in writing,’ Irawan told the high as 20,000- ten times as many as in news agency. comparable Indonesian provinces, that this ‘The Indonesian embassy (in Canberra) presence has a stifling effect on the people, AUG. 17. DEMO IN has sent a strong protest to show the disap- and should terminate. MELBOURNE pointment of our people with the incident,’ The Minister confirmed continuing he added. statements by the East Timorese Resistance Official report by Australia-East Timor As- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to and others, that “the situation in East Timor sociation, Aug. 17 take follow-up actions over the protest, has not improved during the past year, and 17 Aug. 95, Melbourne, Australia: About Irawan said. He did not elaborate. if anything has become rougher...,” adding 150 people, members of Melbourne’s East There is still confusion, however, as to comments on the disregard by Indonesian Timorese community and the Australia-East whether the flag burning incident actually Government policies for East Timor local Timor Association and AKSI (Indonesia did take place. culture, and the lack of any genuine at- Solidarity Action) demonstrated between Many senior government officials reacted tempts to allow autonomy to the East 11am and 1pm today outside the Indonesian strongly when the incident was first re- Timorese. consulate. ported by an Indonesian newspaper last Senator Evans said he may make his first They called for independence for East Tuesday, with some warning that it could visit to East Timor in the new year. Timor and democracy for Indonesia, recall- undermine relations between the two coun- The National Council of Maubere Resis- ing that fifty years ago Australians had tries. tance welcomes and supports the planned forced their government to change its policy But the Armed Forces (ABRI) headquar- visit by Minister Evans. It should allow him of assisting the restoration of Dutch colonial ters on Wednesday put out a statement to finally see with his own eyes the appall- rule in Indonesia and to back Indonesian saying that the incident never occurred and ing situation in the territory, and to under- independence instead. that the strong reactions from senior offi- stand why East Timorese and wide circles The protesters prevented a flag-raising cials, including some to military officers, of Australian and international public opin- ceremony to mark the golden anniversary of were therefore unwarranted. ion, as well as UN agencies, governments the proclamation of Indonesian independ- ABRI said it had checked with Indone- and NGOs have been so intensely appalled ence from taking place. They disrupted a sian missions in Australia and also military by his government’s policies on the issue. reception held in the grounds of the consu- attaches posted in Australia, neither of Minister Evans will finally be able to late by shouting slogans which could be whom could corroborate the veracity of the confirm the truth of the many voices which clearly heard by those inside. incident. have for decades been ceaselessly denounc- Earlier, members of the East Timorese The Melbourne demonstration was one ing the violent and inhuman oppression of community burned a number of Indonesian of several held simultaneously on Monday the East Timorese by the illegal Indonesian flags as guests arrived. This was filmed by a to oppose Indonesia’s participation in Kan- occupiers. Hopefully, Evans will realise that large contingent of the electronic media. garoo ‘95, an international military exercise this wedge in Australian/ Indonesian rela- For more information contact: launched on Aug. 1. tions wont be removed unless a fundamental Australia-East Timor Association Tel: Following the latest development, policy shift takes place, and Australia be- +61 3 9416 2960 Fax: +61 3 9416 2746 ABRI’s chief spokesman Brig Gen. Soe- gins to press Indonesia for a truly just and Email: [email protected] warno Adiwidjojo, has ordered military internationally acceptable solution of the AKSI Tel: +61 3 9329 1277 attaches in Canberra to recheck reports of conflict, respectful of international law. the flag burning incident, Antara reported. Page 104 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
TWO DEMOS IN WESTERN Indonesia has spent a lot of money ‘devel- portant day, and remember with pride the oping’ East Timor (if ‘insensitively’), an support Australia gave to Indonesia in its AUSTRALIA AGAINST East Timorese member of FOET questioned fight for freedom from Dutch rule, between GARETH EVANS / him incredulously about such a statement, 1945 and 1949. We recall the auspicious INDONESIA’S NATIONAL DAY pointing out that the infrastructure had been words at the heart of the Indonesian Consti- used only to increase military penetration, tution of 1945, supposedly still in force, Report by Rob South, for Friends of East and had resulted only in more killing, includ- which say: “Since independence is the right Timor (Western Australia), August 19 ing members of her family. The theatre was of every nation, any subjugation in this On Wednesday evening (16/8) about 60 deathly silent, with only her small accented world is contrary to humanity and justice protestors met Australian Minister for For- but clear voice bringing down more shame and must therefore be abolished.” We also eign Affairs Gareth Evans when he visited on Evans and his gung-ho supporters in the remember that Indonesia never laid any Murdoch University in Perth to give the room than the rest of our actions put to- claim on Portuguese Timor. Murdoch Student Law Society Annual ad- gether. The evening closed in this atmos- But we remember with sorrow the inva- dress. Organised by the Student Guild with phere. sion of Indonesia’s small neighbour, East the participation of Friends of East Timor, The following morning, around 80 mem- Timor, by the Indonesian Armed Forces in protest occurred first outside the room bers of Friends of East Timor and the East 1975 and the horrific record of atrocities and where Evans was having pre-speech cock- Timorese community braved early morning genocide ever since. We believe that by do- tails. Reports from inside the small room rain to protest the hypocrisy of Indonesia ing this, the current military dictatorship has say that our chants could be clearly heard, celebrating its own independence while bru- betrayed the most basic principles that the but most effective was the amplified re- tally denying it to its smaller neighbour. One newborn Indonesian nation stood for 50 cording of the sounds of the Dili massacre – man burnt an effigy of Suharto (an un- years ago. The occupation of East Timor apparently every time Evans paused for planned action!) and at 9am, we held a ‘die- degrades the experience of the Indonesian breath in his short address, the siren howled in’ at the entrance to the Consulate garden, people, and violates both the Indonesian and gunshots could be heard. Protestors forcing guests to tip-toe over bodies while Constitution and international law, in a heckled Evans on his way to the lecture the Santa Cruz sound recording was blasted manner so horrific it far overshadows the theatre and as he was being introduced to from speakers for several minutes. Guests worst excesses of the Dutch militarists in the audience, protestors hammered on the were given pamphlets highlighting the hy- your country prior to independence. doors and chanted, completely drowning out pocrisy of it all as they ran the gauntlet of While Xanana Gusmão remains in prison, the introduction, but when Evans rose to demonstrators. A letter of protest was pre- convicted as a criminal by the bankrupt legal speak, we were silent to hear him, although sented to the Consulate staff (see below) system of a country not his own, we see the a huge blood-spattered banner saying “Aus- and their flag-raising ceremony was delayed fate of Indonesian heroes such as Hatta or tralia’s Policy on East Timor is a Bloody for 30 minutes until the noisy protest fin- Sjahrir, suffering in the Boven Digul prison Disgrace” was raised up at the rear of the ished at around 9.45am, to the sound of camp, or of Sukarno exiled to Flores. When theatre, held up there to the end. Evans gave Agio Pereira’s ‘I’m Still Fighting’ broadcast we hear of the numerous massacres carried a dull academic speech, which stressed the through the P.A. out by the Indonesian army in East Timor, need to ‘strengthen international law and Media coverage of this and other demon- we are reminded of the brutal “Police Ac- international legal institutions.’ Evans was strations around Australia, notably Darwin tions” of the Dutch, or of the slaughter of keen to portray himself as an ‘idealist.’ and Melbourne, was extensive. (See reports innocents at Rawagedeh in 1947. And when Question time was almost completely taken already posted on reg.et). Indonesian flag- we hear of the brutality of Prabowo or the up by East Timor, and it was grotesque to burning was a central feature of the coverage remarks of Sutrisno that “these delinquents see the sudden turn around – from idealism – as Indonesia is demanding punishment, must be shot” we can think only of Ray- and the rule of law to ‘practicalities’ and and apparently Oz Minister for Defence mond “Turk” Westerling’s failed attempts ‘securing national interests.’ Some notable Robert Ray (a man who makes Evans look to hold a people down through sheer vio- issues raised were Evans’ apparent belief like Gandhi) supports the criminalisation of lence. that the bulk of the oil in the Timor Gap, the burning of national flags in Australia Of course these similarities tell us some- including that in ‘Indonesia’s zone,’ is really (!!??!!) thing. The Dutch ultimately failed to main- Australia’s (which begs the question of Reproduced below is the text of the letter tain foreign rule over the freedom-loving what on earth Australia really gained at such given to the consul. The position expressed Indonesian people. So too will the East a cost to international law and human de- in it reflects the theme that was pursued in Timorese people eventually win their free- cency). Another was the more explicit play- different ways at the demonstrations around dom from foreign domination. It is just a ing of the ‘fear’ card, referring less obliquely Australia. It was signed by representatives question of how much longer the people will than usual to Indonesia’s size, religion and of Friends of East Timor, the East Timorese have to suffer the indignities of Indonesian military. This sort of argument (that Austra- community, and by WA Greens Senator colonial rule, how many more will be killed, lia can’t do anything about East Timor be- Christabel Chamarette, who also attended. raped or tortured, and how much deeper will cause Indonesia could threaten Australia be the shame of the Indonesian nation. militarily) has always been an undercurrent 17th August 1995 Thus we believe it is a humourless irony of Evans propaganda, but he is usually re- Mr. Harijono Soeprapto that representatives of the current regime luctant to use it explicitly because he knows Chief Consul, Indonesian Consulate celebrate Indonesian independence, while it would be shot to pieces by anyone with 134 Adelaide Terrace enslaving the East Timorese and conducting fair knowledge of military realities in South- Perth WA 6000 violent repression against its own people. East Asia. It’s a powerful belief in Australia Dear Sir, We do not believe that the regime can claim the moral strength of this period of history though, and one that we should do some Today is the 50th anniversary of Indone- as their own. To attempt to do so is deeply good research on to dispel. Evans was sia’s Declaration of Independence. We con- hypocritical. This is why we are here today. shamed however when, having just said that gratulate the Indonesian people on this im- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 105
This ongoing occupation of East Timor pocrisy of the Indonesian military dictator- It was observed that compared with the makes impossible good relations between ship’s bogus celebrations – bogus because same event last year, few invited guests the peoples of Australia, Indonesia and East most Indonesians, as well as East Timorese attended this celebration, despite 1995 being Timor. We look forward to the day when and West Papuans, are still struggling for a the 50th Anniversary of Indonesian Inde- this dark period in the history of all three democratic, independent nation. The charred pendence. nations is behind us, and all our peoples can remains of the presidential flag and an ac- At 11.30, demonstrators chanting and celebrate freedom and democracy together. companying letter were presented in an beating drums (which had been given back to Yours sincerely, envelope to Darwin’s Indonesian consulate, them by police) then followed “street thea- for Friends of East Timor (WA) and for by a delegation waiting outside the consulate tre” performed by recently arrived Timorese the East Timorese Community-in-exile in gates. However, consulate staff refused to refugees, who re-enacted the beating of Western Australia accept the envelope, or to allow Australian Timorese prisoners by Indonesian soldiers. cc: Embassy of the Republic of Indone- security staff to receive and pass it on. Fi- The prisoners were pushed through the sia, Canberra. nally, the envelope was tossed over the streets to Darwin’s busy Mall, where the President Suharto, Istana Merdeka, Jakarta fence and left lying on the ground next to the theatre continued, the Timorese youths security guards. showing the techniques of torture and bat- EAST TIMOR, On the evening of the 16th, a vigil was tery used against captured Timorese. The INDONESIAN SOLIDARITY held on the footpath outside the consulate’s huge crowd of local people and demonstra- front fence – which was now fully covered tors watching the performance were visibly DEMONSTRATION IN by a 3-metre-high white plastic wall, so that affected – not only by the theatre, but by DARWIN no-one could see into or out of the consulate the fact that the actors were themselves grounds. The purpose of the vigil was to recent victims of the violence they were re- Demokrasi untuk Indonesia mourn the ongoing suffering of the Timorese enacting. Several local Timorese, Aboriginal From: Affet (Australians for a Free East people. About 40 crosses were placed and Anglo Australians presented moving Timor) against the fence, and as many candles kept speeches, as the beatings and interrogation alight throughout the night. Towards morn- continued. Finally, the demonstration con- Seven Timorese and Affet members ing, those sleeping on the footpath were cluded with chanting and drums. staged a small but significant demonstration woken to the sound of sirens, as fire-engines in front of Darwin’s Indonesian consulate arrived to put out a bushfire on the hillside today. POSITION AGAINST adjacent to the consulate. Although a lot of BURNING INDONESIAN For two and a half hours demonstrators smoke blew into the consulate grounds, the waved Indonesia’s red & white flag to sym- fire was controlled before it could cause any FLAGS bolise the cooperation, unity and solidarity further damage. From Hugh Ekeberg, AFFET, Aug. 17 with Indonesia’s pro-democracy movements At 8 a.m., the 10 to 15 demonstrators and the ordinary people of Indonesia who still present in front of the consulate were There has been a keen interest and desire continue to be victimised by the Suharto shouting through gaps in the plastic cover- to enhance the impact of the protest against regime, the Golkar party and the army. ing, as consulate staff and visitors prepared the Indonesian government on the 50th an- The demonstrators called on consular for the day’s celebrations. Protesters were niversary of their independence from Dutch staff to stop spreading fear among Darwin’s told by police to leave the area or face ar- rule, by burning Indonesia’s official flag Indonesian and East Timorese communities rest. Protesters then chanted slogans and during the ceremony marking Indonesia’s and for the removal of KOSTRAD troops waved placards from behind barricades national day.. from Australia and East Timor. Consular erected 50 metres from the consulate. By 9 This follows a week of national coverage staff took photos and appeared to pay spe- a.m., the number of demonstrators pressing in Indonesia’s newspapers where the state cial attention when calls were directed to the against the barricades had swelled to 70, media has used the 50th anniversary to consulate’s INTEL agents to cease their plus numerous spectators attracted by the whip up public resentment over the burning activities in Darwin and leave Australia. noise of drums and shouting; notable was of an Indonesian flag in Victoria at a pro- Solidarity with the Indonesian pro- the presence of local Aboriginal media stu- East Timor rally. democracy movements and victims of the dents, who not only recorded the event but This also follows on the success of the Suharto regime follows the recent conference were themselves drawn into the protest. ‘Indonesia & Regional Conflict Resolution’ in Darwin on ‘Indonesia & Regional Conflict Police banned the use of megaphones and conference which was instrumental in bring- Resolution’ where the Indonesian pro- loud music and confiscated the drums being ing members of Indonesia’s pro-democracy democracy movement declared their solidar- used, warning that the noise level must be movement to Darwin to share ideas and ity with the struggle for East Timor’s inde- kept down. A collection of painted rotten proclaim cooperation and unity in the strug- pendence. eggs was also confiscated. One activist who gle to oust the Suharto regime and enable the DARWIN PROTEST REPORT had hidden behind bushes within the police- return to the Indonesian people, the princi- barricaded area set fire to an Indonesian flag ples set out in their constitution so abused Darwin actions protesting against Indo- and was forcibly arrested. The demonstra- by the military and the Golkar party. nesia’s Independence Day celebrations took tors ignored the police’s plea to “keep it This conference should mark the matur- various forms, with a vigil and demonstra- down,” loudly beating tin cans, sticks and ity of Australia’s East Timor solidarity tions held around the city over two days. scrap metal, and chanting in both English movements by working more with the Indo- On Wed 16 August, East Timorese and and Bahasa Indonesia: “Free East Timor,” nesian pro-democracy movements and all Australians burnt Suharto’s presidential flag “"Shame, Indonesia, Shame,” “Suharto is a Indonesians victimised by the Suharto re- in Darwin. Also half-burnt was an Indone- Butcher,” and “Free Xanana!” gime. sian flag with pictures of Suharto-holding-a- As a result of the noise being made, the The burning of the Indonesian flag, there- rifle and Gareth Evans pasted onto it. The celebrations were all but drowned out and fore, would be quite distasteful least be- flags were burnt in protest against the hy- finished much earlier than had been planned. cause, as an incident, it would be used with Page 106 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. great glee by the Indonesian government to which continues despite repeated orders for sian business groups in Australia. But just win support from those currently opposed Indonesia to leave by the UN Security the suggestion shows Indonesia is aware of to them. Also, we would show a failure to Council and General Assembly. But it is the Australian governments overriding inter- consider damage to positive work already odd that particularly Australia has come est in Indonesia – trade dollars – and the undertaken by clandestine East Timor under fire for protests, although flag-burning regime must be amused that the Australian groups throughout Indonesia. occurred in at least three other nations. government seems prepared to abandon Let us embrace a new phase in coopera- What has happened to the ‘special relation- fundamental principles of human rights and tion with Indonesians and practice methods ship’ that our Foreign Minister often de- democracy in order to placate the calculated calculated to attack Suharto’s New Order scribes?” outrage of Jakarta.” government while showing growing solidar- “The burnings of Indonesian flags which “Unlike the question of East Timor, ity with ordinary Indonesians. occurred around the world were by East which is an international problem as ac- I propose three powerful alternatives. Timorese and by their civilian supporters. knowledged by the UN (as well as Australia By contrast, the burning of Australian flags at the I.C.J.), the demand by some Indone- 1. Attend future demonstrations with In- which occurred at Australia’s Jakarta em- sians that Australia expel East Timorese donesian flags to demonstrate solidarity bassy last Friday was carried out not by from Australia, and the ongoing attack by with ordinary Indonesians and thereby concerned citizens independent of govern- Indonesia on Australian refugee policy, is a demonstrate our collective potency to the ment, but by the government-backed youth blatant act of interference in Australian in- Suharto regime. group KNPI. Agence France Presse reported ternal affairs, and should be repeatedly con- 2. Burn Suharto’s presidential standard that these demonstrators also carried ban- demned as such. But this is not the first and the flag of the Indonesian army. ners which included slogans such as “Make time the Suharto regime has acted as ‘re- 3. Do all of the above. Australia Indonesia’s 28th province,” and gional bully’ on the East Timor question. I believe these alternatives will impact on “Don’t come home KOSTRAD – we’re Jakarta put outrageous and unprecedented the Suharto regime in a way we want and coming to join you” (referring to the pressure on Manila in 1994 to ban a confer- demonstrate solidarity with our Indonesian KOSTRAD troops currently training on ence on East Timor, and earlier demanded friends. I believe strongly that the burning of Australian soil in the Kangaroo ‘95 military the sacking of a Malaysian TV producer Indonesia’s red and white flag lacks tactical exercises). These demonstrators proceeded when footage of the Dili massacre was sense and blindly ignores the achievements to vandalise the Embassy with graffiti such broadcast on Malaysian television in 1992. and outcome of the ICRC conference. as “Death to Australia,” while police and Current reports from the Philippines indi- I ask people to consider these points military stood by, making no arrests. Such cate that Jakarta is again putting the screws carefully. I cannot support action against action is far more serious and belligerent in on, demanding arrest and prosecution of the Suharto regime which ignores these prin- nature than the international public protests, those who took part in last Thursday’s ciples. but Indonesia has issued no apology.” protest. Such actions illustrate how Ja- ACET: INDONESIA AND AUSTRALIA “Yet Australian officials have been falling karta’s repeated complaints about ‘outside – FLAG-BURNING, BLACKMAIL over each other to apologise to Indonesia. interference’ in their affairs are nothing but AND HYPOCRISY. Minister for Defense Robert Ray reacted sheer hypocrisy.” hysterically, calling for legislation to ban the “This sort of ridiculous posturing by the The following media release went out Aug. burning of national flags in Australia. Any Indonesian government in the region high- 22 from ACET. It was drafted by Gil Scrine such law would be a gross violation of the lights yet again how the occupation of East (AETA NSW) and Rob South (FOET WA) freedom of speech. Even in the USA, a na- Timor continually hinders Jakarta’s steps and approved by the other groups. tion where flags are taken very seriously, on the international stage. Many Indone- Once again, Indonesia has reacted hys- the burning of flags is legal.” sians are now realising that it would be eas- terically at international attention to their “Jakarta’s complaints about the treat- ier to sit down and negotiate with the East ongoing illegal occupation of East Timor. On ment of national symbols is also deeply Timorese in good faith. Australia should be Thursday August 17 there were protests ironic. The international protests last week facilitating the process of peace, rather than outside Indonesian diplomatic missions pale into insignificance when compared with acting as a fawning handmaiden to the clique around the world, highlighting the hypocrisy the actions of Indonesian troops in East of aging generals in Jakarta.” of the Indonesian regime celebrating inde- Timor, who have frequently desecrated In Sydney, ACET spokesman Gil Scrine pendence while itself exercising brutal colo- religious symbols, including the destruction reiterated this message, adding that: nial rule in East Timor. Indonesian flags of the Catholic host during Mass, and the “Australia’s own democratic traditions were burnt in separate protests in the Phil- ripping down and tearing up of the flag of will continue to come into conflict with ippines, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. the Vatican earlier this year. Attacks by Indonesia’s attempts to bully Australia and But Australia, it seems, has been selected by Indonesians on diplomatic property in In- the East Timorese. We have to make a the regime for particular punishment. donesia has a long history. In 1963 Indone- choice. If we stick with the current policy Rob South, speaking from Perth on be- sian protestors ransacked the British Em- we are bound to lose. We should instead half of the Australian Coalition for a free bassy and attacked the Malaysian embassy, take the lead in resolving the war in East East Timor (ACET), said today: in 1966 the Chinese embassy was attacked, Timor – logic suggests this because we are “To burn a national flag is of course a se- and Japanese targets were the focus of the neighbours. There is a better way, outlined rious action, not entered into lightly. We 1974 Malari riots.” in the Peace Plan devised by the East should remember, however, that the Indone- Referring to the recent threat by the As- Timorese National Council of Maubere sian people burnt Dutch flags in their battle sociation of Indonesian Importers to slap a Resistance (CNRM). The plan is similar to for freedom from Dutch rule. So too the boycott on Australian imports, South said: that used for the decolonisation of Namibia East Timorese people, fighting a military “This idle threat should be treated with from (white) South African rule. The regime many times more violent than the the ridicule such blackmail deserves. No CNRM Peace Plan is a real chance for Aus- Dutch, burn Indonesian flags to symbolise such boycott is being seriously considered, tralia to live up to its obligations to the East their rejection of Indonesia’s occupation, as has been specifically stated by Indone- Timorese and restore our reputation as the East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 107 decent nation that we all want Australia to INDONESIA IMPORTERS CPCIA DENIES BOYCOTT PLANS be.” Translated from the Portuguese, full text (The Australian Coalition for a free East WARN OF AUSTRALIAN Timor (ACET) represents a coalition of GOODS BAN Sydney, August 21 (Lusa) – Austra- East Timor solidarity groups across Austra- lia/Indonesia relations remain tense even lia.) Financial Times, 21 August 1995. Bylines: though an Indonesian economic group has For further information, sources, com- Manuela Saragosa in Jakarta and Nikki denied today that Jakarta is planning a boy- ment etc.: Tait in Sydney cott to Australian imports. Gil Scrine (Sydney) ph: +61 2 716 6354 Indonesian importers yesterday threat- The denial came from the Center for Rob South (Perth) ph: +61 9 350 5549 / ened to stop buying Australian products Promotion of Indonesian Commerce in Aus- +61 9 470 2688 Rob Wesley-Smith (Dar- following the burning of Indonesian flags by tralia (CPCIA) following information, during win) ph: +61 89 832 113 demonstrators in Australia. the weekend, that indicated the imposition Indonesia’s foreign minister, Mr. Ali of a boycott by Jakarta to the importation PROTEST AT AUSTRALIAN Alatas, has twice summoned the Australian of Australian products in retaliation for the burning of Indonesian flags by Timorese and EMBASSY IN JAKARTA ambassador in the past two weeks after demonstrators burned the Indonesian flag Australian activists in Darwin and Mel- Voice of America, 8/18/95. By Yenni Dja- and an effigy of President Suharto in Darwin bourne. hidin, Jakarta and Melbourne in three separate incidents. During the last two weeks, the Indone- The burnings were part of a protest sian government presented multiple formal Intro: Demonstrators have staged a noisy against Indonesia’s continuing occupation of protests at the Australian embassy in Ja- protest at the Australian embassy in Jakarta East Timor and coincide with Indonesia’s karta and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Friday). In this dispatch from the Indone- 50th anniversary of independence. The issue in Canberra, referring actions of protest, in sian capital, Yenni Djahidin reports the has again laid bare the differing political Australian soil, against the occupation of demonstration was a response to protests in styles between the two countries. While East Timor by Indonesia. Australia against Indonesia’s policies in East Mr. Alatas appears ready to make allow- T. Merdy, of the CPCIA, said in Sy dney Timor: ances for this, other Indonesian officials and that the boycott to Australian products is About 60 people from several govern- politicians have been less than conciliatory. not in the plans of the Indonesian govern- ment-sanctioned youth organizations “We deeply deplore that the Australian ment, which is directly responsible for the marched to the Australian embassy carrying government has been unable to prevent the control of the commercial fluxes between the banners condemning recent anti-Indonesian action of uncivilised people,” but “we have two countries. demonstrations in Australia. to make a distinction between small, irre- “As the celebration of 50 years of Indo- Once outside the embassy compound in sponsible groups out to ruin our ties with nesia’s independence have just taken part, Jakarta, protesters tore, kicked and burned foreign countries and the governments of some spirits are in a state of patriotic exalta- Australian flags they had brought with those countries,” Mr. Alatas was quoted as tion, from which may have arised sugges- them. saying. tions for a boycott,” said Merdy. Several demonstrators climbed the fence Australian ministers have condemned the A spokesperson for the Australian Min- surrounding the embassy. One attempted to flag-burnings, but have stressed they can istry of Foreign Affairs told Lusa news climb a flag pole but was stopped by police. take no substantive action. Senator Robert agency that Canberra is investigating the Others painted slogans on a billboard bear- Ray, defence minister, said the government information circulated “because they contain ing a message of congratulations from the should consider outlawing burning national a threat to the relationship between Austra- Australian government to Indonesia on the flags. But other Australian ministers argue it lia and Indonesia.” 50th anniversary of independence. Indone- would amount to a restriction of freedom. Quotes are translated from the Portuguese sian police and security officials made no In Indonesia, press reports quoted the translation, therefore are not exact. arrests. chairman of the Association of Indonesian In Australia, activists protesting Indone- Importers as saying importers will stop INDONESIAN TRADE THREAT OVER sian policies in East Timor and Canberra’s sourcing goods from Australia “one month TIMOR relations with Jakarta staged rallies in sev- from now [unless] all Fretilin members are Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 1995 By eral cities. On the 50th anniversary of Indo- expelled from Australia by that time.” Fre- nesian independence, about 200 activists Louise Williams, Tony Wright and Ian Ver- tilin is the name of the guerilla organisation render burned Indonesian flags in front of the Indo- fighting Indonesian forces for an independ- nesian consulate in Melbourne. ent East Timor. The Australian Government has ordered Australia’s ambassador in Jakarta was According to official Antara news agency its diplomats to urgently investigate a threat twice summoned to the foreign ministry to reports, Indonesia has a trade deficit with by Indonesian business leaders to ban Aus- receive Indonesian government regrets about Australia, importing US$1.5bn worth of tralian imports, as tensions escalated at the flag-burnings in Australia. Bilateral ties were goods in 1994 and exporting US$705m weekend over the burning of Indonesian also hurt by the controversy about the worth to its southern neighbor in the same flags by protestors in Australia. withdrawal of Indonesia’s nominated am- The Association of Indonesian Importers year. bassador to Australia, who was criticized Lt.-Gen Suyono, the armed forces chief announced on national television that it for comments he had made about East of general staff, said the flag-burning inci- would give the Australian Government one Timor. dents would not affect a planned visit be month to expel members of the East On Friday, leaders of the protest at the defence ministry officials to Australia at the Timorese pro-independence movement, Australian embassy in Jakarta tried but end of this month. Fretilin, or face an across-the-board ban on failed to see the ambassador. They said they imports of Australian goods and services. would hold more demonstrations. The Association of Importers is part of the powerful Indonesian Chamber of Com- Page 108 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. merce and its action could threaten imports Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Ali Alatas TANJUNG AND SUDRADJAT from Australian worth more than $2 billion has summoned Australian Ambassador last year. Allan Taylor twice in 10 days to deliver EVADE OZ Australian has a trade surplus of nearly strongly worded protests over the desecra- DEMONSTRATORS $1 billion with Indonesian. Major exports tion of the national flag at demonstrations include crude petroleum and oils ($204.5 coinciding with Indonesia’s 50th anniver- TOP INDONESIAN ARMY CHIEFS TO million), cotton ($156 million) and alumi- sary celebrations. The incidents clearly have FACE PROTESTERS TONIGHT num ($120 million). The biggest import is potential to heighten tensions between Aus- Media Release from Friends Of East Timor crude petroleum tralia and its close neighbour. (WA) 24 AUGUST 1995 Canberra must make clear to Jakarta that The two most senior figures in the Indo- it condemns flag-burning and the defiling of “FLAG PROTESTS RAISE nesian military arrive in Perth this evening any nation’s symbols, but that in a free and BURNING ISSUE” for high-level talks with members of the open society it has little power to stop such Australian government. Minister for De- protests. Editorial The West Australian, Perth, Satur- fence Robert Ray will join the Commander An arbitrary ban would strike at the heart day August 19, 1995, p.12. of the Indonesian Armed Forces, Lt.-Gen. of the liberties that distinguish Australia Feisal Tanjung, and the Indonesian Defence The following editorial encapsulates the from authoritarian regimes intolerant of Minister, Lt.-Gen.(Ret.) Edi Sudradjat for mainstream media reaction to the flag- dissent. Banning flag-burning would be an the start of a four day visit to Western Aus- burning issue here in Australia. While not act of hypocrisy from a nation which es- tralia. Australian authorities have attempted sympathetic to this type of protest, it attacks pouses the cause of democracy in interna- to keep the visit as secret as possible, but in no uncertain terms suggestions that flag- tional forums and particularly in the Asia- sources have leaked their arrival for a burning should be criminalised, a point of Pacific region. 7.30pm dinner at Perth’s Hyatt Hotel this view that may well prove useful to quote It is disappointing that Defence Minister evening. during this ongoing debate here in Oz. I Robert Ray – showing his obvious frustra- Tanjung and Sudradjat are the men re- certainly don’t agree with its focus, as it tion at the flag-burning episodes – should sponsible for every action of the Indonesian doesn’t mention the KNPI thugs flag- raise the ban as a serious legislative option. Armed Forces, including the ongoing atroci- burning/vandalism of property in Jakarta, His statement calls into question his democ- ties in occupied East Timor. There are cur- nor the fact that the occupation of ET is far ratic credentials and is likely to add to the rently 20 battalions operating in East Timor more serious crime than flag-burning. But perception that Australia is prepared to – ten times the number operating in Indone- we should bear this sort of media reaction in jettison even fundamental principles to pla- sian provinces of comparable size. mind when planning actions, and I person- cate Indonesia. Feisal Tanjung is Commander of the ally think we should always carefully con- Few nations worship their flag with the Armed Forces, the more powerful of the sider likely reactions to flag-burnings each fervour of the United States. But even in two. Tanjung took part in Operation Seroja time it is proposed – it is easily misunder- America, democratic principles takes prece- (Lotus) – the invasion of East Timor in the stood by people who might otherwise be dence over respect for the flag. The Supreme late 1970’s. After acquiring the top job in sympathetic, so if it occurs, it should not be Court in 1989 and 1990 struck down laws 1993, Tanjung swore that his army would done lightly and it should be fully explained banning flag-burning on the grounds that “destroy the rebel movement and its sup- to the media. Now we have the attention, freedom to express unpopular views porters” in East Timor (Reut.Jkt.16/6/93) – don’t we need to be a little more specific? through symbolic acts had a higher value an ominous threat given that the overwhelm- Just an idea anyway. Rob South – FOET than the right of government to enforce uni- ing majority of East Timorese support the (WA)] formity of patriotic respect for the flag. Resistance. Speaking specifically about “The West Australian” is a regional news- As shown by debates on the possibility Western political pressure on human rights paper (WA’s only daily) with a circulation of of a new flag for Australia and the official (just after the U.S. restricted the supply of 383,000 on a Saturday. recognition accorded to the Aboriginal flag, arms to Indonesia in response to their ap- national symbols can arouse passions. By The Keating Government would trample palling record in East Timor), Tanjung made their nature, flags are evocative. Because of on one of the precious tenets of democracy the extraordinary statement that “The im- the principles and traditions they represent – the right to free expression – if it went position of political morality is just as dan- – often reinforced by times of crisis such as ahead with legislation to ban the burning of gerous as communist subversion” wartime – they stir patriotism. national flags. (Kyodo.Jkt.22/9/93). It is quite evident that It is the potency that flags possess as na- Just as flags are powerful symbols of na- no political morality of any kind will be tional symbols that makes their destruction tionhood, the desecration or destruction of ‘imposed’ by Senator Ray or the Australian such a powerful – if objectionable – form of them can be a potent form of protest. Flag- Government during the visit. protest. burning is a repugnant and provocative act Defence Minister Edi Sudradjat also took But with rights come responsibilities. which attacks a whole nation by destroying part in Operation Seroja. Indeed he was the Flag-burning protests can damage Austra- its emblem, but that is not reason enough to Chief of Staff of the East Timor Task Force lia’s interests. Knowing Jakarta’s extreme deny Australians the right to express them- during 1978-79, two of the worst years of sensitivities, demonstrators need to weigh selves – even by an offensive gesture. indiscriminate slaughter of the East carefully the potential consequences of their It is easy to understand and sympathise Timorese population. Over half of his 31 protest to the nation before they take action with members of the Indonesian Govern- year military career has been spent in com- against the red-and-white standard of Indo- ment who have been outraged at Indonesian bat positions. Following the 1994 press nesia. flag-burning incidents in Australia by dem- bannings, Sudradjat demanded a 24% in- onstrators demanding independence for East crease in the already bloated military budget. Timor. (The war in East Timor is estimated to cur- rently cost Indonesia at least US$1 million East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 109 per day). With Tanjung, Sudradjat shares all controversial visit, given its proximity to the “To the Indonesian people, the issue of responsibility for the Indonesian armed Mantiri affair. flag burning is certainly a problem,” Sudrajat forces. Other Oz groups may want to publicise said through an interpreter. FOET(WA) spokesman Rob South said this visit and what it represents if speaking “The red and white flag of Indonesia has today: “This secretive visit of the two top to the media in the next week or so, but it’s a very long history and when the flag is men currently responsible for Indonesia’s unclear as to whether they will actually be burnt the Indonesian people take it person- ongoing crimes in East Timor is absolutely visiting other cities apart from Perth. We ally,” said Sudrajat, in Australia on a three- outrageous. Has the Australian government understand now that they arrived from day visit. learnt nothing from the Mantiri affair about Darwin (Kangaroo ‘95 military exercises) “We are aware that only a small number the way Australians feel? Australian sup- but that earlier sector was even more closely of people took that action and as a conse- port for Indonesia’s war in East Timor only hidden. quence we don’t believe that flag burning exacerbates Indonesia’s militarisation. The Rob South, Friends of East Timor (West- has made any difference or ruined the rela- Indonesian army is also the key obstacle to ern Australia) tionship,” he said. democratic reform in Indonesia, and yet it “It takes more than flag burning to ruin seems it is the only part of Indonesian soci- BILL MAY BAR INDONESIA the relationship and we would hope it ety our government cares to support. Unlike FROM AUSTRALIAN ARMY doesn’t happen again.” other Western governments, Australia gives Ray said the flag burnings had not helped no assistance whatsoever to human rights TRAINING the relationship, but that the two countries groups in Indonesia, yet sees fit to lavishly had robust enough ties to “ride out these The Telegraph Mirror, 25 August 1995 entertain these butchers. We suspect this sorts of problems.” may be a follow-up to the Habibie visit, to INDONESIA could be barred from train- “I guess it means different things to dif- further investigate joint arms manufacturing. ing operations with the Australian Army ferent people, but I readily assured him that Quite frankly, these men should be facing a under a private member’s bill introduced in political leaders in Australia condemned it war crimes tribunal, not a five-star Aussie Federal parliament yesterday. across the board,” Ray said. holiday at taxpayer’s expense. Australia’s Queensland Labor backbencher Garrie Sudrajat said no action had been taken Indonesia policy is now completely off the Gibson called for a ban in Australian troops against the Indonesian students involved in rails.” cooperating with the armies of any country burning the Australian flag, but said that if it (Demo venue, times, contact details etc. were which uses its armed forces to suppress happened again action would be taken. given here) basic human rights. “We disagree with what they did, we dis- Mr. Gibson said the Defence Coopera- approve of it, and if it happens again we DEMO REPORT: tion Control Bill 1995 was not aimed at any will take steps,” Sudrajat said. Friends of East Timor (WA) obtained the country in particular. “One of the things we hope is that steps last-minute details of the arrival of these But he said he has serious misgivings will be taken in the future to somehow pre- officers and Senator Ray, and prepared a about Indonesia’s human rights record. vent flag burning in either of our countries,” demonstration outside the hotel when they “Tens of thousands of our men and he said. were scheduled to arrive. However, the Aus- women have sacrificed their lives during the Sudrajat was in Western Australia for the tralian Security and Intelligence Organisation 20th century so that other people around first in a series of annual Australian- (ASIO) had earlier got wind of the protest the world could enjoy the same rights and Indonesian defence ministerial meetings. through questioning a local East Timorese freedoms that we do,” he told Parliament. Both Sudrajat and Ray said there was community member who was unaware of scope for Australia and Indonesia to coop- the likely consequences. Based on this in- AUST.-INDON RELATIONS erate in the manufacture of military hard- formation, the ‘guests’ were re-routed to a ‘UNHURT’ BY FLAG ISSUE ware. different hotel, presumably to avoid similar However, Ray ruled out the two coun- tries entering a formal defence alliance. embarrassment to that which was felt by the AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA RELATIONS Government three months ago when Minis- ter BJ Habibie’s motorcade was surrounded SAID UNHURT AUSTRALIA’S KEATING TO by demonstrators only an hour after he PERTH, Aug. 25 (Reuter) – Australian- VISIT INDONESIA landed in Perth. While disappointed that we Indonesian relations have not been hurt by were unable to voice our concerns directly flag burning protests but Jakarta hoped such CANBERRA, Aug. 29 (Reuter) – Aus- to the visitors, the over 100 who attended at incidents would not recur, Indonesian De- tralian Prime Minister Paul Keating will just 24 hours notice were entertained by the fence Minister Edi Sudrajat said on Friday. travel to Indonesia next month for talks with East Timorese community who played gui- Australian protesters burned Indonesian President Suharto ahead of November’s tars and sang traditional songs, and it was flags last week in protests against Indone- APEC summit, Keating said on Tuesday. another good opportunity for East Timorese sia’s annexation of East Timor. It will be Keating’s fifth visit to Austra- and FOET members to get together for a Indonesian students retaliated by burning lia’s northern neighbour since becoming yarn. Australian flags outside the Australian em- prime minister in 1991. In many ways the demonstration was bassy in Jakarta. Keating is scheduled to meet Suharto on successful, by evidently forcing the authori- Sudrajat, a retired general, was asked at a September 17, after arriving in Indonesia ties to reschedule the evening, something the joint press conference with Australian De- from the Papua New Guinea capital, Port generals would have been aware of. Most fence Minister Robert Ray at an airforce Moresby, following his attendance at the importantly, it raised media interest in the base near Perth whether the flag burning South Pacific Forum and Papua New visit itself, unveiling much of the secrecy issue had affected the relationship between Guinea’s 20th independence anniversary surrounding what deserves to be a highly the two countries. celebrations. Page 110 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
“I will meet President Suharto to discuss has imprisoned in detention centres East If you are interested in supporting by a the APEC meeting in Osaka in November as Timorese refugees fleeing military persecu- donation or becoming involved in the 1995 well as bilateral and regional issues,” Keating tion while accepting Lt. Gen. Herman Man- November 12 rally, please write to: said in a statement. tiri, the general who twice publicly con- NOVEMBER 12 COMMITTEE. P.O. Keating and Suharto are expected to meet doned the Dili massacre, as Suharto’s new Box 74, Bonnyrigg 2177. on the resort island of Bali, although that ambassador to Australia – now withdrawn or reply to [email protected], or tele- has not yet been confirmed, a spokesman by Jakarta. It has invited Indonesian mili- phone 02-7978717, 02-6901977, 02- said. tary forces to participate in the Kangaroo 95 7273644, or fax 02-8232769 Keating has said no country is more im- war games and trained more Indonesian portant to Australia than Indonesia. combat troops in Australia. UN HAS FAILED – Suharto, however, has not visited Austra- In 1995, the East Timorese resistance has E TIMOR REPS lia since 1975, months before Indonesian re-organised itself overseas, continued esca- troops invaded the former Portuguese col- lating activity in East Timor itself, re- OzNews (weekly Australian news summa- ony of East Timor. structured its forces inside Indonesia, suc- ries at Leaders of the 18-member Asia Pacific cessfully forced the Suharto government to http://faraday.ee.latrobe.edu.au/%7EkHorse Economic Cooperation (APEC) group are allow East Timorese in its employ to meet ll/OZNEWS, & soc.culture.australian) due to hold their third annual summit in the with the resistance leadership, and contin- Japanese city of Osaka in November to ued to be able to speak to the world through Aug. 27 Brisbane. Reps of E Timor’s re- discuss trade liberalisation. a series of letters and messages from Xanana sistance movements say the UN has failed APEC groups Australia, the United Gusmão. to develop talks with Indonesia over the States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Chile, China, On Saturday November 11 this year annexed region. E Timorese resistance leader Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Indone- people will be marching in support of the João Carrascalão says there no mechanisms sia, Brunei, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sin- following demands: to allow for the development of negotiations gapore, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and * Self-determination for East Timor! In- over E Timor under the auspices of the UN New Zealand. donesia out now Sec Gen. In a meeting in Portugal with UN * Free Xanana, free all political prisoners Dep. Sec Gen. Rosario Green, Mr. Carras- * End Australian military ties with Ja- calão said the UN was yielding increasingly SYDNEY DILI MASSACRE to Indonesian demands. COMMEMORATION karta – no support for the occupation. We make an appeal to all groups an indi- Announcement from November 12 Dili Mas- viduals who support these demands and CONTROVERSY OVER sacre Commemoration Sydney Committee, who want to see real pressure applied to the Aug. 30 Australian government to join the march and EAST TIMORESE rally to be held on Saturday, November 11, REFUGEES IN AUSTRALIA First Appeal Letter 1995. Indeed we appeal to all groups and P.O. Box 74 Bonnyrigg 2177 individuals to not only come on the day but Dear friends, help publicise and build the march and rally. ‘BOAT PEOPLE’ RELEAS ED, Sydney 1995 march and rally In this respect, we urge you to: In 1994 almost 1,000 people marched in * become a sponsor for November 12, BUT NOT YET OK TO STAY Sydney to commemorate the November 1995 commemoration rally ABC Report summary, July 17, courtesy Rob 1991 Dili massacre and to show their sup- * donate money to the November 12 South, Friends of East Timor (Western Aus- port for the demand that Indonesian with- Committee that can be used for leaflets, tralia) draw from East Timor and that Australia posters and other publicity withdraw its recognition of Jakarta’s occu- * organise a contingent with its own ban- ABC television announced tonight that pation. Hundreds more marched and rallied ner from your workplace, school church, the 18 East Timorese ‘boat people’ cur- in other cities around Australia as well. club, CAA or Amnesty group, campus, or rently in detention at Curtin Air Base, In 1995, the East Timorese community from amongst your friends and neighbours Derby, Western Australia, will be released will again be commemorating the Dili massa- * get your organisation, club or group to into the communities in Darwin, Sydney cre and again demanding Indonesia’s with- be a sponsor of the November 12 committee and Melbourne, perhaps as early as tomor- drawal and an end to Australian support for * contact the November 12 committee to row morning (Tuesday). They have been Jakarta’s occupation, including an end to find out how to get involved in preparations granted bridging visas and so join the hun- military ties between Canberra and Jakarta. for the day, write or fax your enquiry to the dreds of other East Timorese currently in It is also important that others in Australia committee. Australia who are awaiting decisions on also join the march to show the Australian Signed by: their applications for Refugee Protection government the real level of opposition to it FRETILIN – Revolutionary Front for the Visas. ABC TV noted that the Immigration and the Indonesian government’s policies. Independence of East Timor Department said that to be allowed to stay In 1995 the Australian government has East Timor Cultural Centre permanently they will have to prove that a) continued its program of visits from the UDT – Timorese Democratic Union they had experienced torture or imprison- Indonesian dictatorship’s officials, including November 12, 1991 Dili massacre survivor ment and that b) “further imprisonment refugees in Sydney from General Panjaitan, officer in command would be detrimental [sic!?!].” This last Christians in Solidarity with East Timor statement would seem to be far stricter than of Eastern Indonesia when the Dili massacre Australia East Timor Association took place and who has been ordered by a the UN definition of a refugee which centres AKSI – ACTION in solidarity with Indonesia only on “well-founded fear of persecution.” US court to pay millions of dollars of dam- and East Timor ages to the mother of one of the victims as well as from Suharto’s favourite Minister, B.J. Habibie. The Australian government East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 111
FREED TIMORESE BOAT bassy had conveyed its concern about their the evening of October 25,1991 – 3 weeks release to the Dept. of Foreign Affairs. before the Dili massacre-Indonesian soldiers PEOPLE ARRIVE IN ‘The Dept. of Foreign Affairs has con- caught him making banners for a demonstra- MELBOURNE TONIGHT veyed the decision to our charge d’affaires, tion planned for a visit by Portuguese poli- who expressed our concern that if decisions ticians. They chased him out of his house Press Release from (East Timor Centre for like this continue it will have a negative and he fled to Dili’s Motael church. Two Human Rights Information, Education and impact on our bilateral relationship. We are nights later, Indonesian soldiers raided the Training), Melbourne. 20 July 1995 surprised that the release process for the church. When he and others sheltering in the Eleven of the eighteen East Timorese East Timorese was so fast compared with church went out to face the army, his friend boat people who landed in Darwin on 30 other boat people who have been here Sebastiao Gomes,17, was shot dead and May will arrive in Melbourne late this eve- longer. We hope this will not become a another injured. It was the emotion and ning. They have been held at Curtin Air precedent for other people from East Timor tension surrounding Sebastião’s subsequent Force Base detention centre in remote – we fear this might become a precedent.’ funeral that ultimately led to the Dili massa- Derby, Western Australia. Yesterday Chief The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. cre in which at least 50 people died. Justice Alastair Nicholson of the Family Ali Alatas, said last night ‘there is no Mr. da Silva said when the military po- Court described Immigration Department ground’ for Australia’s decision. lice raided the church and arrested him the remote-area holding centres as “virtual con- Immigration officials said yesterday Aus- next morning, they took him to their head- centration camps.” tralia might send the East Timorese to Por- quarters in Gomore. Here, he claims, police Members of Melbourne’s East Timorese tugal rather than allowing them to stay in kicked and punched him and smashed their community and the Australia-East Timor Australia or sending them back to East rifle butts into him, breaking a rib. He said Association will welcome the refugees to Timor. Though avoiding direct reference to he was held in custody for several months Melbourne. A cultural group will be on hand the boat people, the immigration authorities before he was taken before a court and sen- to provide an East Timorese welcome. were adamant that strict application of the tenced to 2 years imprisonment for oppos- The Immigration Department has issued 1951 United Nations Convention on Refu- ing the Indonesian Government. the asylum seekers with bridging visas gees meant Australia was under no legal He was sent to the Comarca military which will allow them to be billeted with obligation to assess refugee claims from prison in Dili where he said the prisoners members of the East Timorese community people who held citizenship or ‘offers of were kept 13 to a cell. There were no toilets in Melbourne until their refugee status is protection’ from another country. For the or beds. They were stripped to their under- decided. boat people, their status would hinge on wear and forced to sleep on a concrete floor The welcome will take place in the up- Portuguese law, which holds that East in damp conditions. Later that month, he stairs international departure area of Mel- Timorese either have Portuguese citizenship was transferred to Kupang prison in West bourne Airport at 11 pm. or are eligible for it on application. Timor where he claimed that the maltreat- There will be an opportunity for media ment included being fed rice studded with representatives to talk to the new arrivals EAST TIMORESE ‘BOAT broken glass. After a week, the beatings and obtain first-hand accounts of their har- PEOPLE’ FEAR TRIP BACK stopped due to Red Cross intervention. rowing experiences in East Timor, resulting A spokesman for the ICRC in Dili, Mr. from the illegal Indonesian occupation of TO TORTURE Symeon Antoulas, last night confirmed that their homeland. the ICRC regularly visited Kupang. ‘The Australian,’ July 22 1995. – by Andra For further information contact John Sin- Released in 1993, Mr. da Silva was ar- Jackson. The article is accompanied by a nott on 9416 2960 (W) or 9489 7661, Mel- rested – after distributing leaflets about photo of Jacob da Silva bourne, Australia Sebastião’s death – and taken to military Jacinto dos Santos, East Timor Center for To Jacob da Silva, it is unthinkable that intelligence headquarters where he claims he Human Rights, 124 Napier St, Fitzroy VIC the Australian Government could entertain was given shock treatment. He was re- 3065, Melbourne, Australia. Tel: +61 3 sending him back to East Timor as an illegal arrested the day after he reported his treat- 9416 2960. Fax: +61 3 9416 2746 (ACFOA immigrant. The 30 year old is one of 18 East ment to the ICRC and banished to the vil- Human Rights Office). Email: etchr- Timorese boat people released from deten- lage of Natarbora and forced to work for the [email protected] tion by the Immigration Department on Indonesian military. He fled after two other temporary ‘bridging visas.’ workers were shot dead and hid out in Indo- ‘To send me back, they might as well kill VISAS FOR TIMORESE RISK nesia shortly before fleeing to Australia. me and send me back in a coffin,’ he said in Another boat person, Mr. Abel Martins TIES: INDONESIA Melbourne yesterday. Eleven of the 18, 25, said he was arrested for demonstrating in released from Port Hedland on Thursday are 1990 and held for two weeks during which ‘The Australian’ July 21, 1995 – slightly being billeted by Melbourne’s East time the soldiers interrogating him forced the abridged. Timorese community. [others are reportedly Falantil, the Timorese youth movement, Indonesia has warned Australia that its in Sydney and Darwin]. into his mouth until he was choking. decision to release East Timorese boat peo- Mr. da Silva said he believes going home Alfredo Alves Arrandhado,25, a truck ple from detention had set a precedent would mean facing certain death. The former driver and captain of the boat that brought which could damage diplomatic relations. butcher fled East Timor fearing for his life the 18 to Australia, had been involved in The warning follows the Federal Govern- after what he claimed was three years of ferrying food, medicine and information to ment’s move to free 18 detained East being tortured and imprisoned by the Indo- the resistance soldiers in the hills. He said Timorese for medical treatment following nesian military. This, he said, included being the military’s secret service surrounded his claims that they had been tortured by the administered shock treatment through wires house and lay in wait for him one night. He Indonesian military. attached to his tongue and knees and having broke free and went on the run. He said that The official spokesman for the Indone- a youth resistance tattoo removed from his he and his colleagues were shocked when sian military said yesterday that the em- hand with pliers. Mr. da Silva said that on Page 112 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. they arrived in Australia to find that they If it were an equal partnership, why Many terrors haunt Mauricio Simoes, were considered illegal immigrants. would Australia’s recognition of the Indone- now 20, but one of the worst is the memory sian sovereignty over East Timor be so vital of the ‘electric bath.’ His torturers put into BOAT PEOPLE RELEASED to the relationship? a waist-high pond and then, as Mauricio says, they ‘flicked a switch.’ From Hugh Ekeberg, Australians for a Free TIMORESE BOAT Pain shot through his body, making it go East Timor, July 23, 1995 PEOPLE RELEASED almost stiff. ‘You can’t breathe .. You can’t All the Timorese boat people being held even scream .. the pain is particularly bad at the Derby Immigration detention centre in Green Left Weekly, Jul 24. By Sean Lennon around the chest, around the heart. When they turn off the electricity, your body Western Australia were released on bridging MELBOURNE – About 30 members of visas on Friday the 21st of July. jumps all over the place,’ he says. the Timorese community gathered at Tulla- The fate of Simoes and 17 others who Their release comes after statements marine Airport on July 20 to welcome 11 of made by the Chief Justice of the Family fled East Timor for Australia in a rickety the 18 Timorese boat people who arrived in boat last May is adding to tensions between Court, Justice Alistair Nicholson, calling the Darwin on May 30. detention centres ‘prison camps & no place Australia and Indonesia. The Indonesian Perhaps hoping to avoid a demonstration, Government says that those among the for children.’ Former prime minister, Mal- the Immigration Department had put them colm Fraser on Channel Nine’s ‘Sunday’ group who allege that they were tortured are on two separate flights. On their arrival, liars; that they were not tortured and that program on the 23rd July, added to the de- however, the boat people were given an bate by calling the detention of people in Australia was wrong to release them from enthusiastic welcome. They carried a banner detention in West Australia. these centres, “unconscionable.” and small paper flags calling for freedom for Upon their release, the refugees joyfully The Australian Government released the East Timor. ‘boat people’ – 16 men, one woman and an chanted ‘Viva Timor Leste’ and ‘Viva The release of the 18 followed their suc- Xanana’ as they were welcomed by Darwin infant – to seek treatment for trauma they cessful application for bridging visas which allege they suffered at Indonesian hands. & Melbourne’s Timorese community. will give them access to specialist medical [A great many thanks to all those who Their applications for refugee status will go treatment for the torture and trauma they through the normal process and will be de- swamped the Australian government with faced at the hands of the Indonesian military mail and faxes over this shameful episode.] cided by the Department of Immigration. in East Timor. Such treatment is not avail- Simoes, one of the 11 flown to Mel- Bridging visas are special visas issued to able at the RAAF base in the remote part of people applying to stay in Australia while bourne last week and into the care of the Western Australia where they have been Timorese community, is unsure what will their refugee status is being determined. held since their arrival on May 30. These visas allow them to be released into happen next. But he is adamant he will The 15 men had all been repeatedly tor- never return to East Timor. To Simoes, the care of the community and they are tured since the 1991 massacre of more than required to report to police or immigration Indonesian Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas, 200 people at the Santa Cruz Cemetery in was telling a bad joke when he said last officials regularly. Dili. The Timorese refugees will stay with All this is an added headache for Gareth weekend, ‘Our position is that these people the Timorese community until their fate is are not being persecuted. They are not in Evans and Nick Bolkus, the Immigration decided by the Immigration Department. minister. any way in jeopardy for their lives.’ The release of the Timorese comes after Last Saturday, in the Melbourne suburb Firstly the government is receiving in- growing criticism of the federal govern- creasing criticism on it’s weak and submis- of North Richmond, about 200 expatriate ment’s handling of refugees. Justice Nichol- East Timorese, packed the local health cen- sive position with regards to East Timor and son of the Family Court said he could see no human rights in general. tre to welcome the latest arrivals and to reason to detain boat people in “virtual pledge support for their fight to remain here. Secondly upon their release, the refugees concentration camps” in the wilderness showed no fear in criticising the Indonesian They brought food and clothing, tossed cash while their applications for refugee status into a plastic bucket and sat silently as tales occupation and shouted pro-independence were being considered. slogans which were broadcast across Aus- of oppression were recounted. Jacob da Silva, 30, from Dili was 10 tralia. This in itself would make returning to MORE ON ASYLUM Indonesia too dangerous. when Indonesian forces invaded His family With protests dogging the Habibi visit, SEEKERS fled to the hills after reports that the Indo- the rejection of the Mantiri appointment nesians were killing young men. Two years The Age, July 26 1995. by Martin Daly and the refugee case, one would have to later, illness and a lack of food and medicine slightly abridged. conclude that the government will be holding forced their return. Then the torture began. it’s breath when the Indonesian troops begin The article is accompanied by a photo of Da Silva’s father was repeatedly interro- military exercises here at the end of the Mauricio Simoes and Domingos da Costa. gated. The Indonesians wanted him to ap- peal to his brother, a resistance fighter, to month. The scars on Mauricio Simoes’s young come down from the hills. They beat him Increasingly, Australians are asking face are the traces of a terrible story. The every day. His liver turned black from the themselves what kind of country do they scars were carved with a razor by his Indo- beatings and he died from his injuries, Da want to become. The relationship with In- nesian captors when he was just 16. There Silva says. His mother was devastated – she donesia has been called by prime minister is a scar from a bullet wound on his left side. fell ill and died. Paul Keating, Australia’s most important There were once deep cigarette burns on his Da Silva was first arrested in 1989 for relationship. But more and more people back. There were also burns on his hands, demonstrating for East Timorese liberation. realise that this relationship is not one be- wrists and behind his knees caused by re- He was detained for only a day but learned tween two equal partners but between an peated electric shocks inflicted by Indone- about Indonesian brutality. The soldiers, he arrogant military bully and a worried uncer- sian police and military in their East Timor says, stomped on him with their military tain and submissive Keating government. torture chambers. boots. They tied him to a chair and puts his East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 113 toes under the legs of another chair on which José da Costa, 21, a shop assistant and a ILLEGALS LIKELY TO POUR his interrogator sat. When he failed to an- member of the non-military resistance to swer questions, his interrogator jumped on Indonesian rule, went into hiding in 1991 IN: JAKARTA the chair, crushing his toes. after the Santa Cruz demonstration. Three THE AGE, 31 July, 1995. By Lindsay Mur- On his release da Silva lived on the run, days later, he was arrested. Taken into po- doch, South-East Asia correspondent continuing to organize protests. In 1991, he lice headquarters, he was pounced on by went bush with 9 others, hoping to become police who carved his face with a razor Bander Seri Begawan, Brunei, Sunday – part of the armed resistance. A lack of food blade. Indonesia has sternly warned the Federal forced them to return to Dili. He took refuge ‘When I said nothing (during interroga- Government that its recent decision to re- in Dili’s Motael church but was arrested in tion), they punched and kicked me ... burned lease 18 East Timorese boat people on an Indonesian raid. One of his friends, Se- me with cigarette butts on the back. They “bridging visas” could prompt a flood of bastião Gomes, was shot dead. It was during would tie me with my arms apart and con- illegal arrivals in Australia. a rally associated with the funeral that au- nect (electric) wires to my hands and push In the strongest attack yet in a worsening thorities opened fire in the incident known the button,” says José. He was held for a row with Canberra, Indonesia’s Foreign as the Dili massacre. week and released after his case attracted Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas angrily told jour- After months of beatings in custody, da Red Cross attention. nalists: “Look, I think if you make the Silva was sentenced to 2 years jail. Stripped Domingas da Costa, 20, was also arrested wrong decision – Australia makes the wrong to his underwear and kept mostly in a dark for demonstrating at Santa Cruz. He was decision – it’s you who will be in the end cell, he often did not know day from night. kept in a cell with four others. All were sorry and not us. We have enough popula- There was no bed, just a cold stone floor. tortured by soldiers who came to their cell tion.” He was released in October 1993. But on with two electric wires attached to a plug. Mr. Alatas said that if Australia did not December 2, 1994 was arrested again, ap- They taped the wires to the bodies of the abide by international agreements and refuse parently because he had demonstrated in prisoners and put the plug into a wall refugee status for the 18 people, it would be memory of Sebastião Gomes. Again, he was socket. The torture went on for about a setting a precedent that could prompt illegal stripped, tied to a bed and ordered to stick minute at a time and was repeated over 5 arrivals from across Asia. out his tongue. He refused. His captors put days. ‘I never demonstrated again. I was too Speaking in Brunei before a potentially a gun to his head and threatened to shoot. afraid.,’ he says. stormy meeting this week with his Austra- When he complied, they put an electric wire Mauricio Simoes was hit in the side by lian counterpart, Senator Evans, Mr. Alatas to his tongue and turned on the power. The an Indonesian bullet at the Santa Cruz ceme- refused to rule out the possibility that the torture, he says, was conducted every night, tery. He was arrested after another row could wreck relations between Jakarta ‘It was very painful. I could not feel my Timorese betrayed him. He believes that he and Canberra. “Of course it will affect. tongue.’ was subjected to particularly brutal treat- Every little thing affects, but to what extent Then they put a wire to the front of his ment because he was a member of Lafaek I don’t know. We’ll see” he said. knees and gave him electric shocks. He could (Crocodile), a political movement that fer- Australia fears that the row over the 18 only crawl back to his cell. His body con- ried supplies to the resistance. asylum seekers, many of whom claim to vulsed in pain each time a knee touched the He says he suffered torture by electric have been tortured by Indonesian soldiers in ground. shock to his knees, frequent kicks to the the former Portuguese territory, will become The Indonesians told him to wash. When head and face, near starvation and detention more damaging than the recent clash over he got into a bath, they electrified the water. in cold and filthy conditions. He was also Indonesia’s attempt to appoint a former “It appeared to last for five minutes. It felt given ‘an electric bath,’ but was taken out East Timor military commander, General like the water was boiling. Every time my when he collapsed. ‘They kept me there for Herman Mantiri, as ambassador to Austra- body went straight from the shock, they three months. It was torture every day.,’ he lia. The 15 men, two women and one child stopped. They did not want me to die,” he says. who arrived by boat in Darwin last May are said. A local priest got Mauricio released. Ar- the first East Timorese asylum seekers since Da Silva says that he was sent to do la- rested again for anti-Indonesian activities, he Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor 20 years bouring work for the military at Nataboro in was imprisoned for 6 weeks in hillside caves ago. “We know, for example, that Australia central East Timor. He escaped after hearing that had been dug by the Japanese during has a problem with Chinese wishing to set- that two of his group had been shot by the World War II. tle there,” Mr. Alatas said. “Vietnamese are Indonesians. Then he heard that Alfredo He was taken blindfolded one night to coming there and so many have passed Arrandahao, who was the captain of their what Mauricio believes was to be his execu- through Indonesian waters to go to Austra- escape vessel, was organizing a boat to Aus- tion. On arrival in Australia, he and others lia. So all we are saying is, well we are tralia. were arrested and detained. ‘We did not watching very carefully how your decision The 18 – the first ‘boat people’ from think Australia would arrest us. We thought is but we hope that international law proce- East Timor to arrive in Australia – met at a they would welcome us,’ says Jacob da dures, national law procedures, are going to lagoon at Tibar, about 5 kilometres from Silva. be followed.” Mr. Alatas said the East Dili. Tibar is infamous, says da Silva, be- Timorese had not been persecuted and cause the Indonesians massacred many there clearly did not meet international rules on after the invasion. Before casting off, they how to treat refugees. “They suddenly knelt and prayed. mounted a ship...and just went to Australia Four days into the six day journey, their and that is when we first heard about them,” water ran out. They survived heavy seas Mr. Alatas said. “We don’t even know who and evaded an Indonesian warship only they are just trying to get may be a better because visibility was so poor. Their boat life in Australia. Our point is that if that is was about 24 hours from Australia when a the case then don’t call them refugees or give coastguard patrol spotted it. them asylum because it will cause you prob- Page 114 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. lems later on. You are setting a precedent.” tribunal had ruled that Indonesia had sover- Waving Fretilin flags. That’s the enemy. If Mr. Alatas’s comments follow a series of eignty, based on the Federal Government’s they try that on now, I will not tolerate it. I criticisms by influential ministers in Jakarta, arguments in the International Court during will order (our men) to take strong action. including the State Secretary, Muirdono, Portugal’s unsuccessful challenge to the For me, I don’t think there’s anything who last week publicly questioned whether legality of the Timor Gap Treaty, she said. strange in that. We were able to learn a lot. the move had been deliberately designed to “If you said you were in Portugal it would We succeed because of experience. Theory provoke Indonesia. The boat people, who be difficult to prove persecution,” she said. without practice gets nowhere. The policy are being supported by Timorese communi- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator was correct.” ties in Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin until Evans, has said that about 1,100 East Friends of East Timor spokesperson Rob their applications for asylum are considered, Timorese in Australia were waiting assess- South said today: were released from an immigration detention ment on their refugee status. An immigration “Mantiri strongly supported the centre in Western Australia earlier this consultant, Ms Emily Sutherland, said, it 1991 killings of over 270 peaceful month on the grounds of “trauma arising out was timely, someone had “bitten the bullet,” demonstrators, and advised soon after of torture.” Australia’s embassy in Jakarta after Indonesia’s weekend warning that the massacre that he would take simi- has said the decision to release them did not Australia may be invaded by refugees. lar ‘strong action’ should the oppor- mean they would be granted refugee status. tunity arise again. He was the military But their release is being seen by many commander for the East Timor mili- Timorese as official recognition that the MANTIRI REJECTED AS tary region during the vicious crack- group suffered torture or trauma in East AMBASSADOR down in the year following the massa- Timor. Mr. Alatas indicated that it would be cre, when ‘disappearances’ at the set up to Senator Evans to raise the issue hands of his men were commonplace.” when the two men meet during a series of MANTIRI APPOINTMENT “For Suharto to personally appoint talks among South-East Asian nations and this butcher to such a position here is their closest allies. Referring to his warning ATTACKED IN OZ an insult to the Australian people. It to Australia, Mr. Alatas said: “I said that in The following short statement was released shows yet again that Senator Evans’ public, so if that question comes up in our by Friends of East Timor after the Oz For- policy on East Timor has utterly bilateral (meeting) I will say the same thing.” eign Affairs Minister’s reply to a parliamen- failed to have any positive impact or Mr. Alatas indicated that it would be up tary question on the appointment of Herman influence. It is time that Evans to Senator Evans to raise the issue when the Mantiri as the next Indonesian Ambassador. stopped acting as the Indonesian Gen- two men meet during a series of talks among erals’ most reliable apologist. The South-East Asian nations and their closest MEDIA RELEASE 27 June 1995 from nomination should be firmly rejected. allies. FRIENDS OF EAST TIMOR (Western Aus- Australians feel strongly about the Referring to his warning to Australia, Mr. tralia) (Affiliate of the Australian Coalition possible presence in Australia of war Alatas said: “I said that in public, so if that for a free East Timor (ACET)) criminals – we don’t want one here as question comes u in our bilateral (meeting) I an Ambassador.” will say the same thing.” CANBERRA TO APPROVE NEW “1995 is the 50th anniversary of Mr. Alatas denied suggestions that he INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR – WHO the end of WWII, when we remember, and Senator Evans, who have worked HAS ‘NO REGRETS’ ABOUT THE 1991 among others, the 40,000 East closely together for more than six years, MASSACRE OF OVER 270 MEN, Timorese who died defending this were no longer friends. WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EAST country. To welcome a man who has “Of course there are differences that TIMOR. taken part in the slaughter of over sometimes come up but that doesn’t mean 200,000 East Timorese since 1975 is that our friendship has been affected,” Mr. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Ga- revolting. In 1942 we dropped hand- Alatas said. reth Evans, has announced that Australia bills over East Timor saying “Your will accept the nomination of Lt. Gen. Her- friends do not forget you.” It seems man Mantiri as Indonesia’s next Ambassa- Evans has.” “WATERSHED” HOPE FOR dor to Australia. Mantiri, recently retired TIMORESE REFUGEES Chief of General Staff of the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) is notorious for his THE MANTIRI APPOINTMENT Sydney Morning Herald, 3 August, by Debra repugnantly hard-line stance on the invasion Bu James Dunn, July 1, 1995 Jopson and occupation of East Timor. When inter- Sydney – In a decision described as “wa- viewed six months after the Dili Massacre, This week the naming of Lieutenant Gen- tershed,” the Refugee Review Tribunal has when over 270 innocent civilians were eral Herman Mantiri as Indonesia’s next used the Australian Government’s own gunned down during a funeral march, in ambassador to Australia has diverted some arguments in the International Court of Jus- what has since been described by UN au- public attention from our ongoing campaign tice to grant an East Timorese man refugee thorities as “a planned military operation,” against French nuclear testing. And it ought status in Sydney. An immigration solicitor, Mantiri said: to get our attention, because the Indonesian Ms Anne Donoghue, said the decision, is- “We don’t regret anything. What hap- decision to send to Canberra an officer who sued by the tribunal member Mr. Toni Gib- pened was quite proper. As military, this is played a major role in the annexation of East bons in Sydney last Friday, would make it so. They were opposing us, demonstrating, Timor is not only insensitive: it borders on easier for East Timorese successfully to even yelling things against the government. the offensive, and will further damage Indo- claim refugee status in Australia. To me that is identical with rebellion, so nesia’s tarnished image in this country. It The would not have to jump the hurdle that is why we took firm action. ... Their will also humiliate the Australian Govern- of proving that Indonesia, rather than Portu- theme was opposing the government. Long ment, which is clearly uncomfortable with gal, had sovereignty over East Timor. The live Fretilin. Long live Xanana Gusmão. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 115 an appointment that will undermine its aim berra, no doubt contrary to Jakarta’s hopes, rights activists and spoke out against giving of improving our relationship with Jakarta. will ensure that the Timor issue remains limited autonomy to East Timor. Mantiri symbolises much that Austra- very much alive. Some sort of special status is exactly lians dislike about the Suharto regime. He what Australia has been unsuccessfully has risen to the very top of a military with FURY OVER MANTIRI urging Jakarta to give to East Timor. an appalling human rights record, serious APPOINTMENT It is considered significant that a military violations having occurred in situations un- person is replacing Mr. Siagian as ambassa- der his command. Three times during the The West Australian. Wednesday 28 June dor to Australia. Some see the move as an past twenty years he has held senior posi- 1995, p.22. by Marissa Williams, Asia Desk. outright contradiction of Australia’s human tions in relation to East Timor, a province rights stance. under tight military control. His callous * Next month, Lt.-Gen Herman Mantiri “I don’t think they regard it (our human comment following the Dili massacre, which will become Indonesia’s ambassador to rights beliefs) as particularly important – it took more than 200 unarmed Timorese lives, Canberra. certainly is an insensitive posting,” – Mr. that “We don’t regret anything...” provoked * MARISSA WILLIAMS reports on an- South said. outrage. In case we didn’t get the message he ger among East Timor groups over the ap- National Council of Maubere Resistance made similar remarks later. pointment because of the General’s defence spokesman José Gusmão said the appoint- The big question is: was Mantiri himself of the 1992 [sic] Dili massacre. ment would pave the way for Australian involved in the killing of Timorese? He was IT WAS a choice guaranteed to make acceptance of human rights abuses. a battalion commander in East Timor in waves. An Indonesian general who has been “By allowing General Mantiri to come 1976 when thousands of Timorese were an apologist for the slaughter of East here, Indonesia is trying to corrupt Austra- killed by Indonesian troops; others were Timorese civilians will become his country’s lian moral values and traditions regarding tortured, while hundreds of women, includ- ambassador to Canberra. human rights,” he said. ing girls of only 12 years of age, were raped. East Timor pro-independence groups in The posting of General Mantiri was an According to Church sources, between the Australia have demanded to know how Lt.- attempt to place more military intelligence day of the invasion and the end of that year Gen Herman Mantiri could get the job – throughout diplomatic positions in Austra- perhaps more than 40,000 people were replacing outgoing ambassador and former lia. killed by the invading army. It was a year of journalist Sabam Siagian. “It is to monitor the movements of East numerous public executions: in one area not WA Friends of East Timor spokesman Timorese people here and to try to force the far from Bobonaro in June 1976 more than Rob South said: “To welcome a man who Australian Government to contain the pro- 1000 Timorese villagers, including women commanded troops who have killed thou- testers,” he said. and children, were gunned down by Indone- sands of East Timorese is revolting.” This assertion was supported by Mr. sian troops, part of the invasion force, in “Australians feel strongly about the South, who has noticed a trend where high- which Mantiri was a battalion commander. presence here of such people.” level Indonesian Embassy officials go to We have a right to question searchingly – General Mantiri, 55, is a retired chief of protests and take photographs of East just what role did General Mantiri play in general staff of the Indonesian Armed Timorese activists. this most ignominious episode in the history Forces who spend much of his 33-year mili- Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans of the Indonesian army? Perhaps his hands tary career in East Timor. has defended the appointment of General are clean, but even so he must be well aware He was a battalion commander in the Mantiri but said the General’s views on the of what transpired, and yet he has never years after the Indonesian invasion when Dili massacre had not escaped his notice. uttered any words of compassion or re- fighting between Indonesian troops and Senator Evans said he had conveyed at morse. nationalist guerrillas was most intense. the time the Australian Government’s dis- We can gain little comfort from com- Later, he took over as head of East Timor appointment with the General’s comments ments that Mantiri is socially charming, Operations Command. to the Indonesian Government. tough and professional. Tough and profes- General Mantiri was not involved in the But while General Mantiri’s remarks sional can mean that he is an efficient killer. 1992 [sic] Dili massacre where unofficial were regrettable, they did not exclude him As for the charm factor, Himmler once got estimates put the death toll at more than from the ambassadorship. that accolade at the Nuremberg trials. What 270 civilians gunned down during a funeral “There’s nothing to suggest they repre- we have yet to hear about is his stand on march. sent a more substantial position that he’s democracy and human rights, issues very But his defence of the massacre has adopted, let along one he’s actually imple- important to us. His record as military earned him notoriety. mented,” Senator Evans said. commander of the Timor area after the Dili After the massacre, General Mantiri said “While the General’s remarks were un- massacre is not encouraging. He introduced a the action of the troops had been quite questionably extremely regrettable, it is a regime of political repression, under which proper. different matter to say they disqualify him Timorese who dared speak out for the “We don’t regret anything. They were for appointment as Indonesia’s ambassador popular desire for an end to the country’s opposing us, demonstrating, even yelling to Australia.” captive nation status, were arrested, interro- things against the government,” he said. Senator Evans admitted General Man- “If they try that on now, I will not toler- gated and often tortured. And we must not tiri’s views had put the Federal Government forget that, as commander of the region, he ate it. I will order our men to take strong in a difficult position but rejecting the ap- obviously helped cover up the Dili massa- action.” pointment would damage bilateral relations. cre. Perhaps General Mantiri has gone According to observers, General Man- The Australian Government approved through a change of heart, but on the evi- tiri’s views on the massacre are a reflection General Mantiri’s nomination on the basis dence available we have no reason to regard of mainstream thinking in Indonesia’s armed he was not personally involved in the Dili him as other than a leading representative of forces. massacre, was well-qualified for the job after the internationally discredited military arm And in his last posting as armed forces rising to top levels in the Indonesian mili- of the Suharto regime. His presence in Can- chief of general staff he criticised labour tary and was favourably known to govern- Page 116 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. ment officials in Australia because he had relationship, as important as it is, should MANTIRI REMARKS visited several times. mean that we should accept without strong Mr. South rejected any suggestion Sena- protest General Mantiri’s appointment. IN ‘THE AUSTRALIAN’ tor Evans had to accept the General’s nomi- His appointment is a clear insult not just July 1, 1995 nation. to the people of East Timor but to Australia “If Senator Evans can’t make a quiet rec- and in particular to those values of human Text of an Australian Associated Press story ommendation on the changing of the ambas- and civil rights that underpin our democ- citing an interview by Mantiri in The Aus- sadorial nomination, really what influence racy. This insensitive appointment could be tralian in which he expresses his regret does he carry in Jakarta?” Mr. South asked. interpreted by the less generous as a deliber- “from the bottom of my heart” about the “Senator Evans should stop acting as the ate snub to Australians, and particularly Dili massacre. “There’s not a single Indo- Indonesian General’s most reliable apolo- those of East Timorese origin, who have nesian who’s not very sorry about what gist. The nomination should be firmly re- continued to oppose the Indonesian admini- happened at that time, no one is not sorry jected.” stration’s historical abuse and denial of civil about that incident,” Mantiri was quoted as Mr. South said Senator Evans had evi- and human rights in East Timor. saying. I’ve not yet seen the Indonesian text dently not thought it important enough to We do not believe that any statement by of a separate Tiras interview in which his do some diplomatic lobbying behind closed General Mantiri seeking to explain his pre- remarks may well be less strong. It would be doors. viously advocated position on East Timor nice to have a fuller text of The Australian East Timorese groups said Senator Evans will be sufficient to mollify our concerns or interview, too, before the bottom line is writ- had made clear the government’s disregard those of others about his appointment. ten on Mantiri’s full views. of human rights. While we accept that it would be only in – John MacDougal ([email protected]) It would make their cause harder to the most extreme circumstances that Austra- EAST TIMOR/AUSTRALIA – Reuter, achieve but would not lessen their determi- lia would veto such an appointment we Canberra, Bernard Hickey, July 1 – Austra- nation to succeed. believe that renewed efforts should be made lia on Saturday said it was still not happy Mr. Gusmão said: “They are going to to persuade the Indonesian Government to with the planned appointment of an Indone- lobby hard to silence the voice of the East review the decision to appoint General sian general as Jakarta’s ambassador to Can- Timorese people and protesters here but we Mantiri as Ambassador. berra, despite reports the general had said he have already 20 years experience. We are It is our view that General Mantiri’s ap- was sorry about the 1991 Dili massacre. not going to break up, we are going to inten- pointment will attract public opposition Earlier this week Australian Foreign Minis- sify our efforts.” which will inevitably detract from, or retard ter Gareth Evans demanded an apology from General Mantiri will take up his post in and even harm our developing close relation- Lieutenant-General Herman Mantiri for his Canberra early next month. ship with Indonesia. comments reported in 1992 that the massa- The article was accompanied by a colour We request that you do all in your power cre was proper. Evans said Mantiri would sketch of an Indonesian officer (as no photo to dissuade the Indonesian Government have a difficult time as ambassador until the was available at that time), with the caption from proceeding with General Mantiri’s apology was made. Mantiri was reported in “Making waves: General Mantiri heads for appointment. the Australian newspaper on Saturday as Canberra.” Yours sincerely, saying he regretted the massacre and that his (signed by the parliamentarians) 1992 comments had been misquoted and PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR Comment from Rob South: This statement misinterpreted. But Evans told reporters in EAST TIMOR (AUSTRALIA) has taken the story to new heights, becoming Canberra that the reported expression of a leading item on Oz TV and radio. Note regret might not have been enough and that WRITES GARETH EVANS however that the PET letter clearly limits he would soon hold further talks with itself to the appointment, and avoids the Canberra, July 1 Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas to question of self-determination. Senator Gareth Evans, resolve the matter. The Australian quoted Minister for Foreign Affairs Mantiri as saying he regretted “from the Suite MG68, Parliament House bottom of my heart” the incident in which Canberra ACT 2600 Indonesian troops in 1991 shot dead as many as 200 mourners at a cemetery in the Dear Gareth East Timorese capital, Dili. “There’s not a We write as members of Parliamentarians single Indonesian who’s not very sorry for East Timor, an all party group of in about what happened at that time, no one is excess of sixty members, and seek to raise not sorry about that incident,” Mantiri was with you the appointment by the Indone- quoted as saying in an interview. However, sian government of Lieutenant General he declined to apologize specifically for his Herman Mantiri to be that country’s am- remarks reported in 1992 that the massacre bassador to Australia. You are of course was not regrettable. Mantiri was not per- aware of General Mantiri’s appalling record sonally involved in the massacre. Evans said in relation to East Timor, in particular his on Saturday that Mantiri’s latest reported public endorsement of acts of brutality and comments were helpful. “However, it does murder against the population of East remain to be seen whether he’s gone far Timor. enough to resolve this problem in its en- We strongly support the direction of tirety since it’s also reported this morning Australian foreign policy in developing a he declined to apologize for those remarks close and friendly relationship with Indone- he did make back in July, 1992,” Evans said. sia. However, we do not believe that this East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 117
LABOR MP’S SAY STAND ON concluded that Indonesia should withdraw Jakarta has been made fully aware of from East Timor, The Nation magazine re- Canberra’s fear that life could be made diffi- ENVOY ‘WEAK’ ported yesterday. cult for Gen. Mantiri. A senior Indonesian The Daily Telegraph Mirror, Monday, July armed forces source told ‘The Australian’ 3, 1995. By Charles Miranda AUSTRALIA: AMNESTY IN that Gen. Mantiri had the full support of TIMOR PROTEST the military as ambassador-designate. INDONESIA’S choice for ambassador to ‘We hope that Australia will focus on the Australia was totally unacceptable and the 6 July 1995, New Zealand Teletext future, not on the past. Blaming him for Federal Government had failed with its what he said in the past is counter- “softly, softly” stance on the issue, two Arrests, killings and torture had contin- productive,’ the source said. prominent ALP MPs said yesterday. ued in East Timor while prospective Indo- nesian ambassador Lieutenant-General Her- But NSW Left MP Laurie Ferguson and MANTIRI CHOSEN FOR Victorian MP Lindsay Tanner defended the man Mantiri was a senior officer there and Government policy on East Timor and the the Australian government must protest TIMOR EXPERIENCE appointment of Lieutenant General Herman against this, says Amnesty Australia. Sydney Morning Herald, July 5: David Jen- Mantiri as Indonesian ambassador to Aus- Director Harris Van Beek said the gov- kins in Jakarta; slightly abridged: tralia was wrong. ernment had to ensure Indonesia was aware General Mantiri has in the past defended of its concerns about these human rights As indications that Australia is seeking to the Indonesian military’s massacre of at violations as much as about its concerns on overturn General Mantiri’s appointment, least 50 East Timorese at Dili in 1991. General Mantiri’s reported comments con- the general has said that he is looking for- Mr. Tanner said the Federal Government doning the 1991 Dili massacre. ward to his posting but ‘is always prepared should refuse to accept General Mantiri, for the worst.’ ‘I am always ready, as an based on his previous massacre-sanctioning MANTIRI PUTS TIES FIRST officer [to serve], whether inside or outside comments and the demonstrations his ap- AS PRESSURE MOUNTS the country. But as an officer I will always pointment are likely to create in Australia. be loyal whenever my boss will make the Mr. Ferguson said it was not good The Australian, July 4 1995 Patrick Walters decision.’ enough that General Mantiri now expressed in Jakarta – abridged Asked what he would do if President Su- harto changed his mind about the appoint- regret about the massacre of civilians. This evening (July 4) Radio Australia “I think you have got to see any com- ment he said, ‘I don’t know. It’s not yet carried a report from Michael Maher in fixed [whether] he will change his mind or ments now in the context of his previous which Gen. Mantiri appeared to change his record, and quite frankly to say that people not. The main point is I’m already ap- position – he said that he was happy to give pointed to go there.’ who were demonstrating and yelling at the an explanation of his 1992 comments but government should be shot dead and to say General Mantiri was talking to Australian that this would best be done in Canberra. He reporters at a lunch he was hosting at a Ja- now I am a bit sorry is not good enough,” referred to the many friends he has in Gov- Mr. Ferguson said. karta hotel. He was accompanied by a civil- ernment/bureaucratic circles in Canberra. ian minder from Foreign Ministry. Mr. Tanner said Australia’s so-called Maher also reported the annoyance of Indo- “special relationship” with Indonesia had Addressing criticism that he was too nesian officials that Canberra had not closely associated with East Timor, he said had minimal impact. warned it more seriously of the level of Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans is that was in fact one of the reasons he had difficulties Mantiri’s appointment might been selected. Australian were always ask- continuing talks with Indonesian officials to cause. clarify the issue but Mr. Ferguson said that ing about East Timor and he was in a posi- The Australian Govt. yesterday used its tion to answer their questions was pointless. ambassador, Alan Taylor, to express to Meanwhile, East Timorese resistance ‘I know, about East Timor very much Jakarta its deep concern with the appoint- because I was there since early 1976. From leader José Ramos-Horta yesterday ment of Lt.-Gen Herman Mantiri as ambas- launched a vitriolic attack on Senator Evans the very beginning, I know already East sador-designate in Canberra, This followed Timor. And I became one of the heads of the and vowed to campaign against his becoming phone calls between Evans & Alatas late United Nations Secretary General. whole province.’ last week. Despite this first-hand knowledge, Gen- The Australian based activist also called It also came as Gen. Mantiri himself ac- the prospective Indonesian ambassador to eral Mantiri said that he could not explain knowledged the controversy surrounding his why so many young East Timorese chose to Canberra a “war criminal.” appointment “The ambitions of Foreign Minister Ga- demonstrate against ‘integration’ with Indo- ‘The first priority is not Mantiri but nesia. He hinted that there were hidden reth Evans to be the next UN Secretary- good relations between Australia & Indone- General and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate hands stirring up unrest (a common view in sia,’ he told reporters last night (July 3). ABRI). have been severely damaged by his own ‘For me it is an honour if they send me. But arrogant and hypocritical stance over the ‘I don’t why [they] demonstrate. But it depends on your Govt. now I think. If I perhaps they are influenced by the older conflict in East Timor and the human rights go there I would be very glad. If not, no situation in Indonesia,’ he said. ones. Because when East Timor was inte- problem. I hope for a good outcome, simply grated with our country they were perhaps “In these trying times, the UN needs a for the sake of the two countries. I’m just a candidate with integrity, a humble man or 3 years old or not yet born. .. I’m sure a soldier. Whatever the decision, I’ll be loyal certain group of people are influencing them, woman, a good listener, cool under pressure to my Government. I know that President and not a volatile, unpredictable, tempera- giving the bad influences.’ Suharto’s view would be that these sorts of The young demonstrators had never ex- mental, self-serving and arrogant politician problems should not break our good bilateral with a pasted-up book on the UN.” perienced Portuguese colonialism and were relations. So I will accept whatever decision ‘always dissatisfied.’ And the commander-in-chief of US forces is the Govt.’s decision.’ in the Pacific, Admiral Richard Macke, had Page 118 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
General Mantiri alternated between bouts Alatas was quoted by the official Antara Why is it regrettable? Because we lost so of optimism, in which he spoke with antici- news agency as saying the controversy was many good generals. We lost so many good pation about his new posting, and periods only a domestic political problem for Aus- colonels. We regret that incident. Who of doubt during which he acknowledged that tralia. wants an adverse incident like that? We he was ‘mentally prepared’ should he be Tanjung told journalists outside parlia- don’t want an incident like that anywhere, forced to stand aside. He placed his fate, he ment that the armed forces (ABRI) were not not just in East Timor. However, as a mili- said, in the hands of the Lord. offended by the controversy surrounding tary man and an Area Commander, if they Asked about his description of the Dili the recently retired army chief of staff. revolt and carry photos of Xanana, and go massacre as ‘proper,’ he said that while “ABRI does not feel offended because in yelling ‘Long Live Fretilin,’ ‘Long Live there was no need for him to apologize he a life of a democracy this sort of thing is Xanana,’ that means the demonstrators are was ready to make further clarification. natural,” he said. Xanana’s puppets. That’s rebellion ‘We have already made so many explana-
CONTROVERSIAL NEW dor had provoked an “irrational political “LOYAL SOLDIER” campaign” that would make it difficult for INDONESIAN ENVOY him to carry out his duties. MAN TIRI ACCEPTS MAY WITHDRAW “I would like to state that the Indonesian ENVOY CANCELLATION government, under no circumstances, is Reuter, 4 July 1995. Abridged prepared to allow Ambassador Mantiri to Reuter, July 6, 1995. abridged Canberra -- Indonesia’s controversial new become the target of such a political cam- Retired Indonesian army general Herman ambassador-designate to Australia, an army paign of demonstrations and other actions,” Mantiri said on Thursday that “as a loyal general who was reported to have said the Alatas told a news conference. soldier” he accepted the decision to cancel Dili massacre was quite proper, said on “We are not prepared to expose Ambas- his appointment as ambassador in Australia. Tuesday he may be withdrawn for the sake sador Mantiri to such possible humiliation. “I accept the decision as a loyal soldier of bilateral relations. “Hence, the Indonesian Government has and I am sure it is also according to the will Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Ev- decided not to proceed further with the of the Lord,” Lieutenant-General Mantiri ans last week demanded that Lieutenant- nomination of Ambassador H.B.L. Mantiri told Reuters shortly after Foreign Minister General Herman Mantiri apologise for his and the post of Indonesian ambassador in Ali Alatas announced the withdrawal of his comments reported in 1992, saying he Canberra will temporarily be left vacant,” controversial nomination. would have a difficult time in Canberra Alatas added. Mantiri, 54, said he had not been in- unless he did. The decision followed Mantiri’s refusal formed officially of the decision, which Mantiri, who was due to take up his po- to apologise for remarks he made following Alatas told a news conference was provoked sition in Canberra next month, told Austra- the 1991 massacre of East Timorese in a by an “irrational political campaign” that lian Broadcasting Corp. radio in a telephone cemetery in the capital Dili. would have made it difficult for him to carry interview from Indonesia it would be “no Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Ev- out his duties in Canberra. problem” for him not to come if it meant ans welcomed the decision, calling it “help- Mantiri, who retired earlier this year after good relations between Indonesia and Aus- ful.” reaching the level of chief of the armed tralia would be maintained. “Mantiri’s published 1992 comment on forces general staff, said he believed the Asked if this meant he would step down the Dili massacre would have been, for the government would look for another post for from the appointment, he said: “That is one foreseeable future, a serious impediment to him. “I will not say no to an order from my alternative I think. The first is they let me his capacity to effectively represent Indone- government,” he said. He said he hoped to go to your country and I will still be ambas- sia in Australia, and to advance our bilateral visit Australia in the future but he would sador there. And the second is they will not relationship,” Evans said in a statement. wait for what he called a cooling-off period. allow me to go there just for the sake of the “We believe that Australia-Indonesia re- “I hope to just visit as a tourist on a private two countries.” lations are best served by the course the visit to Last Saturday, Mantiri said he regretted Indonesian government has now taken.” play golf and visit my good friends the incident in November 1991 when Indo- Alatas also said he hoped relations be- there,” he said. nesian troops shot dead as many as 200 tween the neighbours, whose sometimes mourners in a cemetery in the East Timor prickly ties have improved in recent years, MANTIRI NOT TO BE capital of Dili. would not be affected. AMBASSADOR However, he refused to apologise for his “The close relations of cooperation and remarks reported in the since-banned Editor friendship between the Indonesian govern- ABC Radio, July 6. Summary from Anthony magazine in 1992 that the massacre was ment and people and the Australian gov- O’Connor quite proper and not regrettable. ernment and people have been nurtured for Evans later said Mantiri had not gone far quite some time, and should not be eroded ABC radio reports that Ali Alatas has enough to solve the problem and he would by these elements,” he said. announced that Gen. Mantiri will not be continue talks with Indonesian Foreign Min- Diplomats said the move was a signifi- taking up his appointment as ambassador in ister Ali Alatas this week in the hope of cant climb-down for Indonesia, which has Canberra. He said that the issue had become finding a resolution. counted Australia an ally in its public rela- entangled with domestic politics in Australia Evans has come under fire from within tions battle over human rights and its role in and that irresponsible elements would con- his own party for not objecting enough to East Timor, the former Portuguese colony it tinue with demonstrations no matter how Jakarta’s appointment of Mantiri. invaded in 1975. much is explained. Under no circumstances “Egg-on-face all round. The Indonesians would the Indonesian Govt. expose General clearly won’t like having been made to climb Mantiri to possible humiliation. INDONESIA SCRAPS In the circumstances the Indonesian Gov- APPOINTMENT OF down,” one senior western diplomat said. They said the hiccup was unlikely to do ernment would leave the post vacant for ENVOY TO AUSTRALIA any long-term damage to relations, which some time (not specified). reached a low in 1986 after the expulsion of Senator Evans said that this decision was Reuter, July 6, 1995. By Jeremy Wagstaff. an Australian journalist over an article about a victory for common sense, that he had slightly abridged suggested this solution to Mr. Alatas and President Suharto’s family. Indonesia said on Thursday it had can- The appointment of Mantiri, a veteran of that the relationship had enough ballast to celled the appointment of a retired general as campaigns in East Timor and Irian Jaya, had withstand this ‘squall.’ its ambassador to Canberra following public been given confidential approval by Can- He also suggested that the depth of the uproar in Australia, saying it did not want berra in accordance with diplomatic proto- reaction here should help convince Indonesia him to become a political target. col. It became controversial once it became that East Timor was not a fare away issue Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said Austra- known publicly, Alatas said. but a ‘festering sore.’ He did not accept lian opposition to the appointment of Lieu- Alatas’s characterization of the Australian tenant-General Herman Mantiri as ambassa- reaction as ‘irrational’ and acknowledged Page 120 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. that Timorese help for Australian soldiers hands of Indonesian troops. Since then, the factionalism among the Timor opposition and a feeling that the Australian Govt. could campaign by East Timorese liberation forces have all made the task of reconciliation much have done more in 1975 to dissuade Indone- has received sympathetic support here. more difficult. The military-dominated gov- sian from invading were important to the ernment of General Suharto will have to be Australian public. INDONESIA AND TIMOR put under a lot more political pressure be- fore it begins to move. VICTORY FOR Irish Times editorial. 7 July 1995 Indonesia continues to develop economi- COMMON SENSE? Indonesia’s decision yesterday to with- cally in leaps and bounds and is now en- draw the nomination of Lieutenant General countering the political and social strains of Voice of America, 7/6/95. By Robin Poke, Herman Mantiri as ambassador to Australia such growth, including vibrant movements Canberra is a very significant development in the of students, workers and dissident intellec- international campaign against the oppres- tuals and Muslims. It is an exciting period in Intro: Australian officials are pleased this, the fifth most populous state in the with Indonesia’s decision to cancel the ap- sive Indonesian occupation of Timor. The general said in 1992 of the November mas- world. pointment of a controversial army general as The campaign about Timor has struck a ambassador to Australia. Canberra was up- sacre in Dili the year before, for which he bore military responsibility as regional particular chord in Ireland, partly because set with remarks Lieutenant-General Her- the opposition to Indonesian rule has been man mantiri made about the 1991 massacre commander, that ‘we don’t regret anything. What happened was quite proper.’ led by the Catholic Church, partly because of East Timorese citizens by Indonesian of our own experience of colonialism. In an troops. Robin Poke files from the Australian The public outcry in Australia that greeted the proposed appointment con- article in this newspaper today the Fianna capital. Fail TD, Mr. Tom Kitt, makes the convinc- Text: Foreign Minister Ali Alatas made vinced the government that it would be un- acceptable. Given the close relations that ing case for a more vocal articulation of pol- the announcement Indonesia would not icy on Timor by the Government. His list of proceed. Mr. Alatas says Indonesia did not have developed between the two govern- ments, this is an important acknowledgment ten things they could do to focus interna- want General Mantiri to be a political target. tional attention is constructive and would There is little doubt the major reason for of the depth and breadth of public concern. The Australian foreign minister, Mr. Gareth lend itself to an initiative in the European pulling back the envoy was political pres- Union as Ireland’s presidency comes nearer. sure from the Australian government. In Evans, has recently become more outspoken about human rights issues in Indonesia and Now that Australian public opinion has Australia, there has been broad condemna- proved so effective a catalyst, it is time to tion of the appointment by the media, the especially about Timor, after having resisted public pressure to condemn a regional ally reinforce the diplomatic pressure on Jakarta public, and politicians. to change its policies. The appointment provoked outrage be- for many years. cause of comments the general made in a The breakthrough in Australian aware- 1992 magazine interview. He was quoted as ness promises to become a new factor in EAST TIMOR’S LONG REACH saying the massacre by Indonesian troops of international lobbying over Timor. It has EXPOSED BY ENVOY ROW up to 200 civilians a year earlier in East come when there are several new signs of Timor’s capital, Dili, was quite proper. movement on the issue. They include the Reuter items on the Mantiri climb-down, All The remarks were condemned at the time. renewed dialogue sponsored by the United dated 7 July 1995. All abridged When the appointment was announced, the Nations Secretary General, Dr. Boutros JAKARTA, Indonesia’s decision to can- Australian government called for General Boutros-Ghali. It is to be highlighted this cel its choice of retired Lieutenant-General Mantiri to apologize or face an uncomfort- weekend in Geneva when he meets the In- Herman Mantiri as ambassador to Australia able time on arrival. The general says he donesian and Portuguese foreign ministers. over his remarks on East Timor have ex- regrets the Dili incident, but he did not Indonesia invaded and occupied Timor in posed the territory’s long reach, diplomats apologize for the remarks and did not with- 1975 after the Fretilin nationalist movement said on Friday. draw his name from the nomination. The led a successful revolt against Portuguese Jakarta said on Thursday it had with- result was increased diplomatic pressure on rule, which Indonesia feared would install a drawn its candidate after Canberra, facing a Jakarta, followed by Thursday’s announce- Cuba on its doorstep. The analogy appealed growing clamour over Mantiri’s refusal to ment general mantiri will not be coming to to its western allies during the Cold War, apologise for comments about the 1991 Dili Australia, after all. but it is no longer convincing after the end of massacre, said he might face a difficult time In a related matter, Amnesty Interna- it. as ambassador. Diplomats said that while tional said Thursday arrests, killings, and * * * the matter might be little more than a brief torture continued while the general was the The weekend meeting will draw inspira- hiccup in ties between two neighbours, more senior military officer in East Timor. tion from the recent conference in Rome worrying for Jakarta is the extent to which it Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Ev- which brought together opponents and sup- illustrates how disproportionately far East ans has welcomed the announcement by porters of the Indonesian occupation under Timor’s shadow can stretch. Indonesia, saying it is a victory for common the charismatic chairmanship of Bishop “(Timor) is a very big issue in Australia sense. He also says he does not believe the Carlos Ximenes Belo. It will test the resolve and elsewhere. It does tend to dominate the bilateral relationship has been significantly to make more progress; but unfortunately relationship and, back home, the image of damaged. there is very little evidence that Indonesia is Indonesia is East Timor,” said one senior Australia’s top envoy says Indonesia prepared to relinquish its occupation and diplomat. “I am not sure this is something underestimated the depth of Australian return Timor to Portuguese rule, as the UN that Jakarta has quite grasped,” said another. feeling about the East Timorese situation. demands, pending a referendum on inde- East Timor has been a headache for Indo- Following the annexation of East Timor by pendence. The death of hundreds of thou- nesia since it invaded the former Portuguese Indonesia in 1975, five Australian journal- sands at the hands of the military, substan- colony in 1975. Although the ravages of war ists lost their lives there – allegedly at the tial Indonesian immigration and endemic have receded, human-rights concerns and an East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 121 active overseas lobby have continued to tury and which should not be sidetracked by EAST TIMORESE CLAIM embarrass Jakarta. Since troops shot dead minor clamours,” it said. up to 200 demonstrators in a Dili cemetery In editorials, Australian newspapers said TRIUMPH FOR AUSTRALIAN in late 1991, East Timor has remained a both Canberra and Jakarta had botched the MORAL VALUES major focus of rights groups and activists, appointment, saying Australian Foreign particularly in Australia, who have cata- Minister Gareth Evans had misread the The Australian, Friday July 7 1995. By logued what they say are continuing abuses. situation when he first accepted Mantiri’s Susan Horsburgh, David Nason and Le Despite allowing few foreign journalists nomination. Grand into East Timor, only two have been given Mantiri, who retired as chief of general The East Timorese community last night permits in the past six months, an under- staff of the armed forces in April, was hailed the withdrawal of Lieutenant-General ground network inside and an active exile quoted in 1992 as saying the army’s 1991 Herman Mantiri’s nomination as Indone- lobby outside ensure information leaks to killing of up to 200 demonstrators in a sia’s ambassador-designate as triumph of the outside world. In itself, diplomats say, cemetery in the East Timor capital, Dili, Australian moral values over the Keating this does not seem to be changing much in was “quite proper.” Australia protested Government’s continued “kowtowing” to Jakarta. against the remarks at the time. Jakarta. While Indonesia has accepted some of the Melbourne’s The Age newspaper said in The executive director of the East Timor criticisms, punishing military officers re- a commentary on Friday: “The general’s Relief Association, Mr. Agio Pereira, la- sponsible for the 1991 incident and the kill- decision to pull out has reduced Indonesian- belled the withdrawal a “turning point” in ing of six civilians in January, it has rejected Australian relations to a shambles, driving Australia-Indonesia relations. calls for a broad political solution to the them to their lowest point since the Dili “The immediate reaction was that it was problem. massacre. impossible to believe because for too many Mantiri’s refusal to apologise for his “Canberra and Jakarta badly misread and years the Australian Government has been 1992 remarks to a magazine that the killings mismanaged the general’s appointment.” consolidating the strategy of kowtowing to were “quite proper” appears to critics as The Australian newspaper applauded Ja- Jakarta, using East Timor as a springboard symptomatic of Jakarta’s attitude towards karta’s tact and skill and said Canberra for good relations,” he said. East Timor, a backwater of 800,000 people looked “unusually clumsy.” Gratified that Australia had taken the swamped by its de-facto ruler. Diplomats The Sydney Morning Herald wondered “high moral ground,” Mr. Pereira said the blame this on President Suharto, who ap- how both sides could have misjudged the public furore sparked by the appointment pears unlikely to make any significant ges- strength of feeling in Australia over Indone- had been essential. tures over East Timor beyond ongoing U.N. sia’s rule of East Timor. “I don’t think there was any other way talks with former colonial power Portugal The affair revealed Jakarta’s indifference to stop Mantiri coming,” he said. and informal meetings between East to world opinion and Canberra’s extraordi- “The Government has been cultivating a Timorese figures. nary ineptitude, it said in an editorial. culture of subservience to the Indonesia “Other than relatively cosmetic genuflec- regime... but when the debate came out in tion to the international community at this INDONESIAN PAPERS CAUTIOUS ON the open the Government did not have any stage,” a diplomat said, “we suspect there’s MANTIRI WITHDRAWAL other way but to reiterate to the Indonesian a trend to tough it out and that’s because JAKARTA, Indonesian newspapers on Government that Mantiri is not acceptable.” ultimately decisions in this country are Friday took a generally cautious approach Mr. Pereira said General Mantiri – as made at one level. “And he (Suharto) is not to Jakarta’s withdrawal of its ambassador- head of both Indonesian intelligence and the going to make any significant move that we designate to Canberra, emphasising the im- military in East Timor in 1977-78 – was one can detect.” portance of ties with Australia. of the key figures who orchestrated indis- Indonesia said on Thursday a public pro- criminate killings, rapes and disappearances. AUSTRALIAN PAPERS BLAME ENVOY test in Australia against retired army Lieu- He said the debate, which centred on AFFAIR ON INEPTITUDE tenant-General Herman Mantiri had made it General Mantiri’s comments that the 1991 SYDNEY, Australian newspapers unlikely he could operate effectively as Dili massacre was “quite proper,” had painted Indonesia’s withdrawal of a contro- ambassador there. struck a painful chord with many recent versial ambassador-designate to Canberra as Republika, a daily with strong Moslem arrivals from East Timor who had been vic- a humiliating climb-down n Friday, blaming views established by a group led by Re- tims of the incident. the affair on inept diplomacy on both sides. search and Technology Minister Jusuf Mr. Ben Reid, the organiser of Freedom Banner front-page headlines summed up Habibie, a confidant of President Suharto, for East Timor conference which begins in the decision to cancel retired Lieutenant- called for calm. Melbourne today said the decision to with- General Herman Mantiri’s appointment as a “We, obviously, do not want this case to draw General mantiri was evidence of do- “General retreat” and “Jakarta backs down.” become a diplomatic crisis which, in the end, mestic and intentional pressure on Indonesia In Jakarta, Indonesian newspapers on Fri- can damage relations between the two coun- over its continued presence in East Timor. day took a generally cautious approach to tries. “It shows that they are having to re- the withdrawal, emphasising the importance “If that happens, those who will benefit spond to some of the pressure they are of ties with Australia. from it will be people who are against East under by adopting face-saving measure,” “While we are leaving the ambassador- Timor’s integration with Indonesia,” Repub- Mr. Reid. “But it is not because of some ship ... vacant during a cooling-off period, lika said. fundamental change of heart by either the let us hope that wisdom and statesmanship Media Indonesia said good ties between Indonesian or the Australian government.” will prevail,” the Jakarta Post said in an countries such as Indonesia and Australia The president of Australians for a Free editorial. “At stake is a strategic alliance should be based on mutual principles. East Timor, Mr. Rob Wesley-Smith, ac- between two big countries, which is vital to “There should not be any party that dic- cused General Mantiri of cowardice. both as they prepare to enter the 21st cen- tates,” the daily added. “He can support the massacre of un- armed civilians in East Timor, but he is not Page 122 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. prepared to stand up and face demonstra- Mr. Alatas’ Australian counterpart, Mr. in Canberra for the foreseeable future, hu- tors in Australia. It doesn’t show much Gareth Evans, who warned that General miliated our Foreign Minister, made Austra- guts,” he said. Mantiri would face a tough time as ambas- lia a laughing stock in Asia, and totally and sador if he did not apologise, welcomed finally dissipated the residual goodwill that JAKARTA POST ON MANTIRI Indonesia’s decision but said he did not Australia enjoyed in Indonesia as a result of WITHDRAWAL want to see a military appointee fill the our Government’s support for the nascent post. republic of Indonesia 50 years ago. Editorial, Jakarta Post, July 7. abridged Mr. Alatas told a news conference “ The The timing is perfect. On 17 August, In- Indonesian government, under no circum- donesia will be celebrating the 50th anniver- Somehow we could not help but be a bit stances is prepared to allow Ambassador sary of its declaration of independence and saddened upon learning of the government’s Mantiri become the target of such a political the foundation of the Republic of Indonesia. decision yesterday to withdraw Lt. Gen. campaign of demonstrations and other ac- Unhappily, the clerical-fascist Portu- Herman B.L. Mantiri from his nomination tions. guese empire was not at the same time ex- as Indonesia’s new ambassador to Australia. “We are not prepared to expose Ambas- pelled from East Timor – if so, much un- Over the last several years we have wit- sador Mantiri to such possible humiliation.” happy and bloody history would have been nessed closer ties growing between Indone- General Mantiri who had earlier regretted avoided. sia and Australia. Ties have been in such a the 1991 massacre but rejected Australia’s Of course. things were not as simple as favourable state that many observers opti- calls for him to apologise for his 1992 re- all that. Like many events in Australian mistically considered the prospect of a per- marks, said as a military man he accepted history, our role in Indonesia’s independ- fect relationship, a development which the decision” and I am sure that it is also ence has been misrepresented through the would probably be topped with President according to the will of the Lord.” lying eyes of propaganda – in this case Joris Suharto visiting Australia in the near future. “Egg-on-face all round. The Indonesians Ivens’ brilliant and cynical agitprop film Then, down came the gush of cold water clearly won’t like having to made to climb made for the Waterside Workers Federation, in the form of the Mantiri controversy. And down,” said one diplomat of the row be- ‘Indonesia Calling,’ which gave the impres- suddenly we come to our senses and realize tween growing economic and diplomatic sion that our foreign policy was made by that the envisaged days of wine and roses partners. the wharfies. have turned out be a mere illusion. Under The goodwill earned by our support for the present circumstances, we feel Foreign DAVID SHANKS (IRISH TIMES) ADDS: Indonesia against the Netherlands has van- Minister Ali Alatas’ decision to cancel ished forever. But even worse are the impli- ...Another hard-line army man, General Mantiri’s nomination was the wisest step to cations of this debacle for Australia’s repu- Soeryadi, has been mentioned as the next take. tation in Asia. likely ambassador to London, to replace Mr. Although Ali Alatas has expressed hope Given a choice between the Indonesians’ Junus Habibie, brother of the powerful that this incident will not affect Indonesian- official version of what happened (which is technology minister in Jakarta. However, Australian relations, we are of the opinion pretty accurate) and the self-congratulations the London embassy said yesterday that it that it will be some time before those rela- of the war party in Australia, there is no could not confirm the appointment of the tions can return to full normalcy. doubt which most Asian countries will pre- general, who has served in East Timor. Meanwhile, we are leaving the ambassa- fer. Apart from Australia’s unhappiness at dorship to Australia vacant during a cooling- And it is the end of Senator Evans as an the Canberra appointment, Indonesia’s deci- off period, let us hope that wisdom and effective foreign minister, since he is dis- sion may also owe something to the re- statesmanship will prevail. At stake is a credited among the chattering classes in sumption tomorrow of sensitive UN spon- strategic alliance between two big countries, Australia and in the eyes of the whole inter- sored talks in Geneva on East Timor be- which is vital to both as they prepare to national diplomatic corps. tween Mr. Alatas and Portuguese Foreign enter the 21st century and which should not Whenever he turns up in the future in an Minister, Mr. Durão Barroso. be side-tracked by minor clamors. Asian country they will be laughing up their Tom Kitt also spoke on R.T.E.’s Today-At - sleeves at his humiliation. JAKARTA BOWS TO Five on his piece in the Irish Times . This The kindest thing for the Prime Minister PROTEST OVER GENERAL was also broadcast to Europe on the Astra to do would be to find another ministry for AS ENVOY satellite. Evans – perhaps he could go back to Attor- ney-General’s, where there is at present a The Irish Times, 7th July 1995. By: Jeremy FOR THE SAKE OF A gaping intellectual vacuum. Wagstaff. TANTRUM WE LOSE OUR Indeed, it may well be that Senator Evans Reuter, Jakarta – Indonesia, facing Aus- STATUS IN ASIA will find himself forced to resign, since this tralian public and official pressure over it’s affair and has rational but unfashionable choice of envoy, said yesterday it had with- Editorial, The Melbourne Age 8 July 1995. initial reaction to the French nuclear tests drawn Lieut.-General Herman Mantiri as By Padraic P McGuinness announcement will be held against him do- mestically, and his credibility abroad is at an ambassador designate to Canberra. So the war party has won a famous vic- The Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, end. tory over Indonesia, forcing the withdrawal How will this whole business be per- told a news conference that public protest of the appointment of General Mantiri as against General Mantiri for his remarks that ceived by the rather uncharitable critics of ambassador to Australia. Australia in Asia? In the first place, it will the 1991 massacre of up to 200 East We can really be proud of ourselves over Timorese in Dili, was “quite proper” had be accurately interpreted as evidence of the this – for the sake of a tantrum we have genuine racism of many Australians. made it unlikely he could operate effec- poisoned relations indefinitely with our tively. It has always been obvious that under the most powerful Asian neighbour, ensured cloak of political correctness there is a roil- that there will be no Indonesian ambassador ing magma of xenophobia and racism among East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 123 the ‘progressives’ of Australia – since they Herman Mantiri, because of an outcry over tralia which would have made it difficult for are not permitted to blow of steam in trivial remarks he had made on a 1991 massacre in Mr. Mantiri to operate? Why didn’t Can- ways, their racism is channelled towards East Timor. berra reject outright Mr. Mantiri’s nomina- permissible targets, of which Indonesia is “In our case, any time he decides to tion to pre-empt the opposition that un- the foremost. come, he is willing, I am sure, and I know he folded? I recently received a letter from a senior is keen to visit Australia. The question Was Canberra trying its best to accom- Australian Diplomat in which he described a should be rephrased: how does Australia modate Jakarta, against its better judgment, conversation with a well-known leftish Aus- feel welcoming President Suharto after but, later, found itself caught between a rock tralian journalist in his cups, who blurted this?” Mr. Siagian said. and a hard place? out, speaking of the Indonesians, how he He also said relations between Indonesia Whatever the probable answers, there is “hated the little yellow bastards.” and Australia are strong enough to cope no room for recrimination. Both sides have So the Mantiri affair will lead to a lot of with the “temporary messiness” over the paid a price: Jakarta is seen as being humili- very unfavourable re-examination of Austra- incident. Mr. Siagian, who has been Indone- ated and Canberra as being inept. lian racism, not only in Indonesia but sian ambassador to Australia for four years, What now? Both parties can bounce back throughout Asia, especially the ASEAN said the special relationship between Presi- to deepen their ties further if they see the countries which are so important to our dent Suharto and Prime Minister Paul Mantiri affair for what it is – an acid test of future. Keating had not been damaged by the dip- the resiliency of their relationship. Indeed, The next time the Prime Minister dares lomatic incident. – AP ties have attained considerable depth and to describe Australia in their presence as maturity such that it will weather the latest “part of Asia,” the Asians will laugh in his INDON-AUSSIE TIES hiccup, judging by the sentiments expressed face. REMAIN STRONG DESPITE by both sides. In the words of Robert Southey: “But Mr. Mantiri, the man at the centre of the what good came of it at last?” Quoth little MANTIRI AFFAIR storm, said after he was withdrawn as am- Peterkin: “Why, that I cannot tell,” said he, bassador: “I think it (the relationship) is Business Times, 13/07/1995. By Tye Kim “But ‘twas a famous victory.” good, nothing will change. The good rela- Khiat tions already formed in various fields will MANTIRI AFFAIR A TEST OF IT WAS a high-noon scenario by all ac- remained unchanged.” counts. But at the eleventh hour, Jakarta RI-AUSTRALIAN RELATIONS The Indonesian armed forces (ABRI) also blinked and certain quarters in Australia lost took a cautious line when ABRI chief Gen- Jakarta Post, July 8, 1995. By Meidyatama no time in clinking their champagne glasses, eral Feisal Tanjung said: “ABRI does not Suryodiningrat. Abridged exulting over their so-called victory. Those feel offended because in a democratic life it who hew to such a stark perception of the is just a normal thing.” Legislator Krissanto laid emphasis upon Mantiri affair will have to shed their blink- Foreign Minister Ali Alatas blamed the the very good rapport between President ers. row on a “small proportion” of groups in Suharto and Prime Minister Paul Keating in Indeed, it will be a travesty to view the Australia and said he hoped links would not support of his view that the Mantiri chapter incident between two good friends and close deteriorate as a result “because we value the was not likely to precipitate a marked dete- neighbours in uncompromising black-and- relationship that now has been nurtured and rioration in relations. This particular white terms. Failure to look beyond the developed between the government and strength, he said, had been lacking in previ- seemingly obvious will drive a wedge into peoples of Indonesia and Australia.” ous years. future relationship. The sentiments of Indonesian newspa- Political scientist Juwono Sudarsono said No doubt, after the dust settles, there pers were reflected by the Jakarta Post in an Thursday’s decision to withdraw Mantiri will be soul-searching in both capitals as to editorial. “At stake is a strategic alliance reflected wisdom on Suharto’s part in un- how things were allowed to come to such a between two big countries, which is vital to derstanding the pressure Keating was facing pretty pass. Some important lessons can be both as they prepare to enter the 21st cen- at home over Mantiri’s appointment. drawn: First, despite the close ties between tury and which should not be sidetracked by Indonesia could have persisted with the the two countries fostered over the past minor clamours,” it said. appointment but it knew things would only decade, there is no room for complacency. Before the affair became full-blown, Aus- get worse as a result, Juwono said. Also, both sides would do well not to tralian Prime Minister Paul Keating took take each other for granted even in everyday pains to point out that Canberra had never JAKARTA, CANBERRA matters. That means there must be room for opposed Mr. Mantiri’s appointment. “We WILL OVERCOME consultation or straight talking if need be. rejected the remarks he made about Dili. PROBLEMS: ENVOY Sometimes a peremptory “yes’ or “no’ can What we’ve not done is rejected his ap- save a lot of heartaches later, even if such pointment.” Singapore Business Times, July 10,1995. language is at variance with diplomatic- Jakarta’s reasoned stand in the aftermath speak. of the affair throws up some interesting CANBERRA – President Suharto re- In the lead-up to General Herman Man- mains keen to visit Australia despite the observations. Gone is its trademark stri- tiri’s appointment as the new envoy to dency of earlier decades. This is all the more “temporary messiness” over withdrawal of Canberra, were pertinent questions unambi- a controversial senior officer as ambassador commendable despite its new-found confi- guously raised? Did Canberra ask why Ja- dence and pride arising from the country’s designate. karta was offering General Mantiri in the Indonesia’s outgoing envoy, Sabam economic achievements, as well as its status light of his remark about the Dili massacre in as a regional heavyweight. Siagian, yesterday denied reports here that 1991, and Australians’ well-known sympa- Mr. Suharto had shelved plans to visit Aus- It is even more illuminating that Indone- thy for the East Timorese cause? sia does not feel that it has been pushed tralia following the withdrawal of the presi- Was Jakarta not aware of the existence of dent’s preferred candidate for ambassador, around by a First World country whose a vociferous Timorese community in Aus- European culture may be less than sensitive Page 124 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. to the Asian need to maintain face in a try- As a result, Foreign Minister Gareth Ev- Many Indonesians admire Australian and ing situation. What’s more, Mr. Mantiri was ans of Australia, already under attack for Western institutions and see progress in the personal choice of President Suharto. allegedly taking a soft line on French nuclear terms of extending their own freedoms simi- What is one to make of all this? Jakarta’s testing in the Pacific, publicly criticized Mr. larly. But engaging with the region also estimation of Australia and its place in the Mantiri and privately sought his with- means agreeing to differ on some issues. Asia-Pacific has undergone a sea-change, drawal. Eventually Jakarta conceded, in the A medium-sized country like Australia stemming from the fact that Canberra is seen process losing considerable face in the inter- that itself is a product of colonialism can as genuinely playing a welcome role in re- ests of its long-term relations with Austra- have a beneficial impact on the region only gional matters. Far from forgotten is that lia. as an exemplar, not as preacher. Australia was one of the first countries to These relations have made remarkable Moral outrage must be kept for real acts recognise Indonesia’s annexation of East progress in the past few years. This has of terror and oppression, not indiscreet Timor in 1975. been due partly to friendship between Mr. statements. As it is, the Mantiri affair has What is apparent in the region is that Evans and the Indonesian foreign minister, offended most Indonesians, upset bilateral Australia does not carp or cavil with a hid- Ali Alatas, and partly to a perhaps surpris- relations, damaged Australia’s standing with den agenda, but seeks to influence changes ing rapport between President Suharto and other neighbours in the Association of South for the better. For example, its concern for Prime Minister Paul Keating, who has East Asian Nations – and done nothing for human rights in East Timor, Myanmar and curbed his usually acerbic tongue when deal- the East Timorese. Vietnam has been actuated by nothing more ing with Indonesia. than altruistic and universal reasons. In But the Mantiri incident has shown how COMMENT FROM PETER WESLEY- short, Australia’s European outlook, tinged the relationship is still mainly at government SMITH with an Asian bias, has in many ways en- level. An Indonesia inching itself toward a I drafted a pithy reply (“The Australian riched the regional matrix. The apparent lack more plural political society, in which con- ‘obsession with East Timor that some oth- of rancour displayed by Jakarta over the cern for human rights plays some part, may ers find hard to comprehend’ is simply the Mantiri affair supports the new perception be learning more about the nature of Austra- reaction of fair-minded people to Indone- of Australia. lian politics and society – its strengths as sia’s brutal invasion and occupation of for- If it is any indication that Jakarta has not well as its weaknesses. eign territory in defiance of law, morality, taken the Mantiri affair to heart, it is that But it is less clear whether at the nonoffi- human decency, and the United Nations. Mr. Suharto’s planned visit to Australia is cial level Australia is making similar pro- It’s not so difficult to understand”) but I’m still on track. That puts the events of the gress. leaving town tomorrow and probably won’t past few weeks in its true perspective. Politically, Mr. Evans and Mr. Keating post it to the Tribune. But some reaction is The writer is BT’s deputy foreign editor showed more concern with short-term do- called for. mestic advantage than with the long-term Bowring is an intelligent journalist with “DIPLOMATIC BUNGLING” relationship with Indonesia they had been long experience in Asia, but this is a really cultivating. feeble contribution, attempting to combine ON MANTIRI Mr. Mantiri may not have been Jakarta’s Kissingerish realpolitik with a nod towards wisest choice, given his remarks on the Dili [headline not as above] proper human values. He does not seem to massacre. But Australian reaction was based have genuine sympathy with ethical posi- International Herald Tribune, 14 July 1995. partly on an obsession with East Timor that tions in international relations: to castigate By Philip Bowring: some others find hard to comprehend. Prox- the opposition to Mantiri as “self- CANBERRA – Diplomatic bungling, imity, wartime experiences, the mid-’70s important moralizing,” “petty and petu- self-important moralizing and a government killings of Australian journalists, and Catho- lant,” and “patronizing attitudes and moral surrender to a vociferous pressure group lic Church links all help explain the obses- crusades detached from the realities of the have combined to deliver a major setback to sion. In its support of indigenous peoples region” is grossly unfair. Australia’s relations with its giant neigh- elsewhere, Australia may also be trying to Presumably, in Bowring’s view, British bour, Indonesia, and cast a shadow over make up for its own past mistreatment of reaction to Hitler’s invasions or the West’s Australia’s efforts to present itself as an the Aborigines. to Iraq’s attack on Kuwait is also “detached Asian nation. But Timor has become a stick with which from the realities of the region,” and to re- The circumstances surrounding the recent to beat Indonesia generally, combining Old fuse to accept a prominent Nazi as German withdrawal by Indonesia of its nominee for Left distaste for capitalist and military- ambassador after the Second World War ambassador to Canberra, General Herman linked regimes and New Left emphasis on would be to misplace one’s sense of “moral Mantiri, have angered Jakarta and left Aus- environmentalism, minority and women’s outrage.” Does “agreeing to differ on some tralia looking petty and petulant. rights. issues” mean conceding that it is morally The episode should be a reminder that There is much that is moral, honest and acceptable for Indonesian generals to gun the real contribution Australia can make to disinterested in these attitudes. Nor is there down 270 peaceful protestors and then human rights and democracy in neighbouring any reason for Australia to apologize for its defend it as reasonable government policy in countries can easily be negated by patroniz- commitments to democracy, free speech, an occupied foreign territory? How does ing attitudes and moral crusades detached open government and egalitarianism. Bowring know that most Indonesians are from the realities of the region. Australian society is much more commu- offended? One doubts whether other mem- Canberra had already accepted Mr. Man- nity-oriented than countries in the region bers of ASEAN will be concerned about the tiri’s nomination before a storm of protest that criticize it for what they say are its matter, but it can be no bad thing for arose over remarks Mr. Mantiri had once excesses in pursuit of individual freedoms ASEAN, which has shamefully supported made in defense of Indonesian troop behav- and rights. Its almost trouble-free absorp- Indonesia’s subjugation of East Timor, to be iour during the Dili massacre of East tion of a large and diverse Asian migrant reminded of the depth of feeling in the West Timorese in 1991. flow has been remarkable. about “the realities of the region.” (ASEAN apologists are currently claiming that the East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 125
Association’s friendship and economic links “no problem at all” in the bilateral relation- INDONESIA SAYS ENVOY with Burma are responsible for SLORC’s ship and it was important that Indonesia release of Aung San Syu Chi, but Western have an ambassador in Canberra sooner CHOICE IN ITS HANDS pressure is just as plausible a cause.) Has rather than later. Reuter, 7 August 1995, Jakarta. Abridged Australian recognition of Indonesia’s an- Indonesia’s decision to leave the ambas- nexation of East Timor done anything for sadorial post vacant had been taken to “safe Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Ali Alatas the Timorese except to permit exploitation face” after Canberra made it clear it would said on Monday it was his country which of their oil reserves by Indonesia? And so prefer to see the withdrawal of General had every authority to choose its envoy to on ... Mantiri’s name, the admiral said. Australia and not the other way around, the But the position should not be left vacant official Antara news agency said. MANTIRI AND RI for too long. “That’s also the opinion of “They (Australia) can state their hope on the criterion of ambassador it wants, but the AMBASSADORS most people here in Indonesia,” he said, “because it is a very important relationship decision to appoint our envoy to Australia is the authority of the Indonesian govern- Forum Keadilan, 31 July 1995. Translated between Australia and Indonesia. In Austra- ment. It’s up to them whether they want to from Indonesian. abridged lia now, your vision is not towards Europe, but to South-East Asia.” except it,” Alatas told reporters. Following the unprecedented rejection of Admiral Sudomo, a close associate of Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Ev- a proposed Indonesian Ambassador, Gen. President Soeharto for the past 33 years, is ans said on Sunday in Sydney his govern- Mantiri for Australia, a table shows the a former commander of Kopkamtib, the ment wanted Indonesia’s next ambassador distribution of ABRI and civilian ambassa- powerful but now disbanded internal secu- to Australia to have no involvement in ac- dors to 7 nations important to Indonesia rity command. tions in East Timor which are “distasteful.” since the early New Order. These are Aus- In a frank acknowledgment that there had “The main point is just to ensure that it’s tralia, the Netherlands, West Germany, been “some mistakes “ on both sides, Admi- someone who hasn’t got any kind of track Japan, the UK, the USA, and France. The ral Sudomo said Indonesia needed to be record of either involvement in or support table shows that all except France (which “introspective” about the Mantiri affair. for actions in East Timor or elsewhere that has always had civilian ambassadors) started “I think it’s been a good lesson for us, are obviously distasteful,” Evans said in a off with ABRI ambassadors, but in the late especially in appointing an Ambassador to television interview. 1980s and early 1990s all except West Ger- Australia,” he said. “I think (we) have to Indonesia withdrew retired Lieutenant- many then got civilian ones. Some countries have a deeper understanding (of the prob- General Herman Mantiri’s nomination as like the UK now routinely accept only civil- lem). ambassador to Australia in early July fol- ian ambassadors from countries with power- Maybe in future we need someone who lowing protests here over Mantiri’s initial ful militaries. Australian Foreign Minister is close to the press. We know some of our refusal to apologise for comments in sup- Gareth Evans’ comment that a civilian am- ambassadors were not as close (to the press) port of the 1991 massacre in Dili, East bassador would help, appears alongside a as Sban Siagian or (the late Major-General ) Timor. comment from ex-ambassador to the Nether- August Marpaung. When a new ambassador Alatas said what Evans said was only his lands, Bintoro Tjokroamidjojo, that civilian arrives to Australia, on the first day he hope. “That’s only his hope and not condi- ambassadors is now ‘the trend.’ should call on the press and try to establish tions which we should fulfill,” he was Mantiri says top Australian General a rapport). That’s very important.” quoted as saying. John Baker told him in that controversial Although there was “no problem at all” Evans said Australia would prefer a civil- phone call: ‘Hey Mantiri, you have to come. between the Australian and Indonesian gov- ian for the post, but the main criterion was We’ll be disappointed if you don’t come.’ ernment, Admiral Sudomo said, Australia the nominee’s record on the former Portu- [This contradicts hints from the Australian was a democracy” and you must always guese colony of East Timor, which has been military; GvK]. take public opinion into consideration.” ruled by Indonesia for about 20 years. Asked about the speculation that the But Evans said ties with Alatas remained JAKARTA KEEN TO Canberra post may be left vacant for six to strong despite controversy over Mantiri. SEND NEW ENVOY 12 months, the admiral said: No, no. I’m sure about this.” Nor would Indonesia have The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 August 1995 any difficulty filling the position in three .By David Jenkins months. “So long as you can find the right JAKARTA, Thursday: Long-term rela- person, someone who is acceptable. I think tions between Australia and Indonesia had the main point may be that it’s someone not been damaged by the Mantiri affair and who can talk to the press.” Jakarta was likely to have an ambassador in In the only indication that there may be Canberra within three months, one of Presi- some residual unhappiness over the affair, dent Soeharto’s closest advisers said yester- the admiral said it had been a mistake for day. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Evans, Until now, it had been widely assumed to ask General Mantiri to clarify controver- that Indonesia would wait for six months, sial remarks in which he appeared to con- possibly 12, before nominating a new am- done the use of force during the 1992 Dili bassador, as a mark of its displeasure at massacre. having to withdraw the nomination of Lieu- “According to my opinion, it was a mis- tenant -General Herman Mantiri. take,” “Admiral Sudomo said, “Better not to In a exclusive interview with the Herald, say that. Better to remain quiet.” the chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, admiral Sudomo, said there was Page 126 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
continue endlessly to be victimised for cer- the murderers Simbolon and Prabowo con- DARWIN CONFERENCE tain political interests. tinue killing the Timorese population. While ON INDONESIA AND What is needed is not slogans and jargon, the Indonesian occupation forces remain in nor statements issued by diplomats, still the territory, persecutions, imprisonments, REGIONAL CONFLICT less words that only reflect commercial disappearances, and killings will invariably RESOLUTION interests. Nor is there any need for festivals continue. This has been the activity of or ceremonies, still less the sound of gunfire ABRI, the power holders in the Indonesian and military vehicles. First and foremost, regime. INFIGHT/LPHAM OPEN what is needed without delay in East Timor This is the same regime which orders the LETTER TO PARTICIPAN TS is total and comprehensive peace, creating a Indonesian Courts to judge a Sri Bintang situation in which the people of East Timor Pamungkas, a Permadi or prosecute a Jakarta, 17 July 1995. Surat terbuka can give full expression to their aspirations, George Aditjondro as well as other Indone- INFIGHT freely and without any pressures. sian democrats. It is ABRI which is the We are firmly convinced that all this can mentor and support of Golkar, and the pillar Dear conference participants, only be achieved by the holding of a Refer- of the corrupt conglomerates in the hands of On 25 July 1995, a conference will again endum in East Timor. We cannot see any the presidential family. be held in Darwin on the question of East other possibility. The referendum should be This is the same regime which has in Timor. We are not fully informed as to what held in accordance with internationally ac- ABRI the executor if massive massacres in will be discussed at the conference and who cepted standards, firmly upholding the East Timor, Tanjung Priok, Lampung, Aceh, will be speaking, but this is not important Right of the People of East Timor to Self- and West Papua. This is the same regime since we have heard that the conference is Determination. which denies the Indonesian society the being convened by activists from the We very much hope that all of you as- freedom of expression, opinion, and associa- CNRM as well as representatives of the sembled in Darwin will give your support to tion. It is an ABRI which does not possess East Timorese community. And we have what we plan to do in the coming days. To the most minimal spirit of humanism to also heard that several human rights activists the Indonesian participants attending the understand the word reconciliation. from Indonesia will be attending the confer- conference, we say that we are very happy This is the regime which distorts the ence. to know that you are there and we are con- meaning of Human Rights, so as to satisfy We warmly welcome your conference. fident that you will agree with us. We there- the interests of an economic power elite. It Please allow us to express our opinion to fore hope that all of you, representing vari- pilfers the universal sense of liberty and you as follows: ous human rights organisations in Indonesia, corrupts justice, oppressing the Indonesian As is widely known, the question of East will campaign together with us for a Refer- people. Timor remains on the international agenda endum in East Timor. On the 50th anniversary of the independ- and is discussed annually. In East Timor We are fully conscious that what we will ence of Indonesia, the Suharto regime has its itself, acts of resistance by those who reject be doing in the coming period will mean hands stained in the blood of the Indonesian integration occur every year. The hundreds taking risks and facing challenges. But for and the Maubere peoples. Twenty years of East Timorese who have left the country the past few years here in Indonesia, we ago the murderous generals invaded Indone- in 1995 to seek asylum in Australia is a fact have witnessed and heard daily about human sia and condemned the Maubere people to that no one can hide. rights violations that have occurred here. In the most cruel suffering. It is 20 years that During the All-Inclusive East Timor fact, quite a number of us, our comrades this regime has been lying to the Indonesian Talks held in Burg Schlaining, Austria, in who are East Timorese as well as our own people that it was the East Timorese people June this year, one of the leaders of Apo- activist comrades from Indonesia, have been who chose integration. deti, Guilherme Gonçalves, who signed the the victims of these abuses perpetrated by Today, nonetheless, our Indonesian Balibo Declaration, declared that he had the Indonesian government. It is therefore brothers and sisters are well aware of the withdrawn his signature from that Declara- no exaggeration for us to say now that “The colonialist nature of the regime. Our Indone- tion and called for a Referendum to be con- time has come for us to speak up.” sian brother and sisters increasingly under- ducted in East Timor. Indeed we can do no more than speak our stand the fallacious manoeuvres of the re- These facts make it perfectly transparent minds for we do not bear arms. Our weap- gime, and believes less and less the Jakarta that East Timor is indeed “a pebble in Indo- ons are clear thinking and our heartfelt aspi- government statements. The Indonesian nesia’s shoe.” The amount of money poured rations. people know very well the repressive char- out to finance Indonesian diplomacy for We wish you a successful conference. We acter of the Suharto regime, from their own East Timor is incalculable, not to speak of express our full solidarity with you. Please experience in the political life of their coun- the very many people who lose their lives accept warm embraces and love for every try, where ABRI plays a decisive role in the every year and the numerous human rights one of you. fraudulent electoral victories of Golkar in violations that occur in East Timor. Saleh Abdullah, INFIGHT. the Orde Baru elections, where ABRI has a In view of all this, the Indonesian Front [email protected] decisive role in curtailing the activities of for the Defence of Human Rights HJC. Princen, LPHAM politicians and pro-democracy movement (INFIGHT) and the Institute for the De- political activists, and where ABRI plays a fence of Human Rights (LPHAM) express XANANA GUSMÃO MESSAG E fundamental role in government. our deepest concern and call for the question On the 50th anniversary of independ- of East Timor to be resolved comprehen- Cipinang Prison, 24 July 1995 ence, the Suharto regime, instead of feeling sively, firmly upholding the Right of the CNRM-Falintil strong, feels threatened and does not hide its People of East Timor to Self-Determination. Dearest participants, worries. Suharto and his Generals, pretend Unless this principle is upheld we are very In the name of CNRM I greet all the par- to be able to stop the wheel of history. afraid that the people of East Timor will ticipants to this conference. In East Timor They are not prepared to accept universal standard of law, freedom, and justice. Su- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 127 harto and his generals are afraid of democ- active. It is this the democracy which today in their homeland. Only a few weeks ago a racy because they are worried of a truth is frightened of Megawati’s PDI. It is this group arrived on your shores after crossing which condemns them for their crimes the democracy which expels parliament the sea in a small boat in the hope of finding committed against the Indonesian and East members who question illegalities in enter- refuge there. Many of you have struggled Timorese peoples. prises linked to the President’s family. It is over the years and in these last weeks to A regime using force to repress, and util- this the democracy which expels a Sembiring meet the basic humanitarian needs of these ises a political police to control, is an inse- Meliala who denounces the fraudulent elec- refugees and to convey their message to the cure regime, because it is unjust. A regime tions, always won by Golkar, and which world. We salute you! not prepared to be criticised, and offended prevents an Ali Sadikin, Gus Dur, Adnan Darwin, too, is the Australian city clos- by the slightest word of defiance, is an irra- Buyung, Sri Bintang and many others, to est to the oil reserves in the Timor sea and tional regime, lacking principles. participate in conferences or in mass events. all of you gathered there will be acutely This is the colonialist New Order regime, From a regime which gags its own people aware of the cost in human suffering to the which denies the Bandung principles in a while it lies to the world, is a regime from East Timor of the unmitigated greed of Aus- Non-Aligned Movement, which tarnished which no significant changes can be expected tralia and other countries, Japan included, its image when it accepted Suharto as its on the East Timor question, which has eager to exploit these resources. The recent Chairman. This arrogant and expansionist nowadays become a question of honour for International Court of Justice finding, al- New Order regime abusively and without ABRI. A regime which has lulled the Indo- though it admirably upheld the right of the shame disrespects the UN resolutions con- nesian people in a dogmatic national ideol- self-determination of the East Timorese, fell demning the invasion of East Timor and ogy, and which nowadays feels threatened far short of dealing with the legal implica- demanding the withdrawal of the Indonesian in its political structures, increasingly cor- tions of Australia’s piracy–(as the erudite occupation forces. This is the militarist New roded by discontent, can only remain in dissenting Judge, G. Weeramantry, irrefuta- Order regime which dares to claim that the place though the support of ABRI. The bly argues in more legalistic language). Let East Timorese people freely choose integra- Indonesian people do no longer believe in us look for other fora in which to receive a tion, and is happy and satisfied with it. the so-called social justice of Pancasila. an unambiguous ruling that will render jus- While doing so, it goes on killing the popula- A regime whose corruption even involves tice to the East Timorese. Also let us reaf- tion and rejects a referendum to truly estab- the cloaks of the judges, in the pay of Su- firm the importance of NGO activities, in- lish whether the East Timorese people did harto, who punish cases of 13 trillion cor- cluding conferences such as the present one, or did not make that choice. ruption with 17 years sentences, while they in setting the issues straight and building the Suharto has tried to cover his murderous give 10 million corruption cases 15 year moral environment that will support policy face with the transparent veil of the most sentences, is unable to feel how oppressed decisions based on justice. shameless lies, while he tries to show off and exploited the Indonesian people are. With the Kangaroo 95 Joint Military Ex- with peace initiatives in other conflicts. He The Indonesian and the Maubere peoples ercises on the horizon, all of you in Darwin does this to minimise the East Timor con- must decisively fight the Suharto dictator- also doubtless feel the heaviness of heart flict so as to improve the image of Indonesia ship. The Indonesian brothers and sisters that peace-loving people experience at any as a powerful developing nation. Using the have become aware that they will never be “practice for war.”Ordinary people under- undeniable economic potential of Indonesia, free as long as the Maubere people’s self- stand well that security can not be built on the regime is refusing to seek a solution to determination and independence right con- military power, but we have yet to muster this problem which is burning Indonesia’s tinues to be denied. The East Timorese the necessary political consensuses in our hand more and more. people know very well that their daring own countries and internationally to kick Because Jakarta can impose conditions resistance to the Indonesian military occu- the military habit. After the horrible experi- on donor countries, it has the sensation that pation of their homeland, forma part of the ence of the Pacific War, the Japanese people it is the rest of the world that has to respect struggle for justice and democracy in Indo- adopted a Constitution that renounces re- Indonesia’s desires. Suharto, continuing to nesia. sort to military might, yet in the past 50 alienate his people, claims there are coun- There is no peace without democracy, years a Japanese military force second only tries which envy the Indonesian develop- and no democracy without justice. We have to that of the US has grown up. We urge all ment capacity, and therefore invent stories a common enemy: the murderous and op- of you to denounce in clear terms the up- to denigrate it. Adnan Buyung Nasution, in pressive regime of the old Suharto. coming military exercise as being incompati- a recent BBC interview, described very well Homeland or death! ble with the people’s vision of a future the Suharto character, as someone not ready The struggle continues! without war. In this regard we would like to to innovate or to change with the times. For CNRM call attention to the precedent-setting decla- Suharto is still unable to recognise that there Xanana Gusmão ration in the CNRM peace-plan that an have been errors and mistakes committed. independent East Timor will not have a Suharto tries by all means to deny that there SOLIDARITY MESSAGE military force! This is the political stance are flagrant violations of human rights in FROM FREE EAST TIMOR that all of our countries in the region should Indonesia. In fact, Suharto must behave in adopt if we are really serious about a peace- this manner, because otherwise he would JAPAN COALITION ful future. condemn himself, and would be judged for We think too that the Indonesian people the crimes who he ordered to be committed, Dear Friends from East Timor, Indonesia, must be fed up with the destructiveness and and for the corruption which he stimulated Australia and around the world: repressiveness of ABRI and will find their through excessively enriching his children Heartfelt Congratulations on the holding true interests served by demilitarization of and grandchildren, as well as the faithful of a conference on this timely theme in the their society rather than a strengthening of collaborators of his regime. city of Darwin. the military through regional military exer- Democracy, Order Baru style, has the Darwin is the city in Australia closest to cises. We hope that the conference will help objective of reinforcing Golkar, where re- East Timor and a city that has become a to support Indonesians working for a de- tired generals with the support of ABRI are second home to Timorese fleeing oppression militarization of Indonesian society. Page 128 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Many tasks lay ahead. We in the Japan permission for staff to attend or denied us This conference is structured in the belief solidarity movement have our sights on the facilities, (NT Labor politicians not in- that the individual problems in the region APEC summit in Osaka in November. We cluded). Hypocrisy because both govern- may well only be solved with a change of want to help assure that the message which ments tout Darwin as the entry point to government or management within Indonesia the courageous Timorese sent to the world Asia and the facilitator or bridgehead of itself. Our keynote speaker George Aditjon- from Jakarta is continued and built upon in dialogue and economic development, but dro will only arrive overnight, so tomorrow Osaka. We affirm the critical importance of apparently this applies only for the already I imagine he will expand on the fact that the growing movement for democratization powerful, rich and privileged, and perhaps Indonesia was established as a liberal de- in Indonesia and look forward to an expres- already corrupted. There should be no ready mocracy, and that many Indonesians today sion of that movement in Osaka. Some of acceptance or support for development, aspire to this goal once again. Our brave you are from countries that will be repre- utilising as it does the resources of the re- Indonesian guests here today I’m sure aspire sented at APEC in Osaka and we urge you gion, unless the benefits flow equitably to to this. I would like to hear from our guests to be part of the action there. As you may all. Human rights are not and should not be whether they believe that Indonesia should have heard, on July 4 Japanese parliamen- linked to economic development, they are a and will stay with a single powerful ruling tarian TAKEMURA Yasuko delivered a basic entitlement of all world citizens. central government, or if a realistic option letter from CNRM representative José This conference is about the region, not which could be supported by them would Ramos-Horta to a high-level APEC working just East Timor which many of us have been be for a Caribbean style collection of group in Sapporo, requesting observer close to as an issue, especially since the Dili autonomous regions. There are pressures on status for East Timor at the Osaka APEC Massacre of 12/11/91. I think no one who other countries in the region too, which meeting. This request needs to be supported participated yesterday in the Australia Re- Ellene Sana from the Philippines can help by the ongoing efforts of our solidarity net- members gatherings at this venue could have explain, particularly with her experience work in the weeks ahead, and other actions failed to be moved by the evidence of the with the APCET conference in Manila in to highlight the human rights concerns of appalling events of WW2 where the East June last year. And we have massive prob- people in the region need to be developed. Timorese nation lost 10% of its population lems in the environmental fields which we Please keep the APEC meeting in your own from savage Japanese reprisals after Austra- need to explore but may do so only briefly planning for the various solidarity activities lia moved Commandos into East Timor; or in the time available although these are in the that will happen in November. of the evidence that since the Indonesians end critical to all our futures. Finally, a warm embrace to all of you moved in in 1975, with the connivance of With this conference we wish to maxi- who have gathered from East Timor, Indo- the USA and Australian governments, that mise the number of contributors, plus some nesia and other countries in the region and over 30% of the nation has been killed, with basic level of knowledge must be assumed our deepest respect to the hard-working the various Australian governments sitting especially about the fact that East Timor folks in Darwin who have convened this back. We heard eloquent and passionate has been invaded and illegally occupied by conference. speeches from the men, so its more the the Indonesian military since 7/12/75, & Jean Inglis, on behalf of the Free East women’s turn today! We acknowledge War- brutal human rights abuses continue to this Timor Japan Coalition ren Snowdon MHR for yesterday and his day. The Melanesian people of West Papua support for East Timor. I think that for also suffer brutal colonisation. So we ask OPENING ADDRESS setting up the magnificent photo exhibition, speakers to speak briefly, & to spend at which we hope will touch the hearts and least half their time looking forward, if pos- by Rob Wesley-Smith, Darwin, July 27, 1995 minds of the Japanese government and peo- sible proposing conflict resolution scenarios, ple this year, and for the main organisation to be further developed in the Thursday “REGION AROUND INDONESIA – of the ceremonies, we should congratulate workshops. RESOLVE THE CONFLICTS NOW – Andrew McNaughtan. Japan may be the Aung Sung Suu Chi, the democratically DIALOGUE AND RECONCILIATION external key to changing the Indonesian elected leader and heroine of Burma, a few NOW” military government, for 2 reasons it seems weeks ago had her military detention re- to me: laxed, and in an interview stated some mat- Welcome to our conference, a conference (1) The Indonesian army derived from ters which may guide us this week. “All of the people who have a vital stake in the Japanese training, and they hardly included countries should demonstrate that they also region, from Australia, Philippines, Europe, at that time much value on human rights, believe that reconciliation is not just the best East Timor, West Papua, and Indonesia and this still needs redressing. way but the ONLY way ... If the authorities itself. (2) Japan is the largest foreign aid donor feel strong, they should feel strong enough A special welcome to the brave pro- to Indonesia, and that aid is the largest com- to negotiate ... I see the military as part of democracy fighters who have come here ponent of Japan’s foreign aid budget. So the nation, I would like to see an honourable from Indonesia. Here they are welcome to Japan should now try to redress its horrible army, we are prepared to listen to their full participation in the peaceful processes wrongs in East Timor in WW2 by liberating point of view, and I think they should be of democracy, back home they may well East Timor from its present tyrant. Even prepared to listen to our point of view, suffer extreme consequences until democ- Paul Keating said earlier this year that Ja- calmly across the table, as to why we con- racy, justice, peace and freedom are estab- pan’s treatment of Australians was “evil” in sider that a military role in politics is not lished throughout the region. Thank you to WW2, but he clearly does not extend this consistent with democratic government.” Q: all our supporters, to delegates and to sup- belief to its treatment of East Timorese who You stress the need for compromise & dia- port groups including Oporto University, lost vastly more casualties (60,000). Listen logue and the need for reconciliation, does and to staff of this superb venue. No thanks to Paddy Kenneally, Paul, who says that mean that the thousands who suffered at all to all Australian and Northern Terri- “Standup front and tell the Indonesian mili- and died over the years should be forgotten? tory government institutions including the tary that what they are doing is not accept- A: “No, they should not be forgotten, it is NT University who have all, in a generous able.” Paul, NOW! precisely because these people have died spirit of hypocrisy, denied us assistance or and suffered that we should work for recon- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 129 ciliation. We should make their sufferings SPRIM STATEMENT RENETIL, b. Timorese Socialist Asso- worthwhile ... if we build a good strong ciation, c. Group Onze Doze, d. prosperous nation then (there is some bene- Political statement issued by: Solidaritas CANVISTI ficial result).” Q: Shouldn’t the army be held Perjuangan Rakyat Indonesia dengen accountable for what they have done over Maubere (SPRIM) (Indonesian Peoples STATEMENT BY the years? A: “Everyone should be held Struggle with the Maubere People) INDONESIAN DELEGATION accountable for what they’ve done, but that On the occasion of the Indonesia and Re- does not mean we should work in a spirit of gional Conflict Resolution Conference, Dar- Statement of political attitude at the vengeance.” win 24-29th July 1995. How do we put such noble views into Indonesia and Regional Conflict Resolu- practice if we agree this is the right ap- The establishment of the New Order on tion Conference. July 28, 1995 proach? I thought it better to quote Aung the corpses of two million people is a black On August 17th 1995 Indonesia cele- Sung Suu Chi above because my own ex- page in Indonesian history that can never be brates the 50th anniversary of it’s inde- periences are probably more direct or blunt, forgotten. The brutality of this regime has pendence. Independence was won after a and I might be tempted just to say get out, now been further shown by the deaths of long struggle against the British, Dutch and or fix this problem NOW, or else! I see that 250,000 Maubere people since December Japanese colonialism. The slogan of three in South Africa Nelson Mandela is estab- 1975 caused by the New Order’s military “b"s (Buang=Exile, Bui=Jail, lishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commis- occupation. Assassination and massacre is Bunuh=Murder) was a spectre that haunted sion, to which people can apply for exon- what is carried out against all those who all those who longed for democracy and eration or low penalty if their crimes can be endanger the regime. human rights. established as being due to the political But the peoples anger cannot be con- This difficult struggle for independence pressures under the apartheid regime. Does tained any longer. Workers, students and finally produced an ideal basis that was this have a role in our region? peasants are starting to rebel in many parts formulated in the preamble to the 1945 Can this work with 20 years of brutal of Indonesia, such as the region around Ja- Constitution and Pancasila which stated: army occupation of East Timor, or over 30 karta, across several big towns in East Java, “That independence is the right of every years in West Papua, each with losses of as well as Semarang, Medan and Bandung. nation and therefore colonialism must be over 200,000 people probably 300,000 These rebellions prove that the people can- eliminated from the world as it is incom- people, killed by a lot of soldiers and com- not be forced to remain silent. The people patible with humanity and justice.” This manders with authority lines leading to the are looking for a way to free themselves statement is in accord with the UN declara- very top, or 30 years of brutal army rule in from oppression. tion of Human Rights that states that the Indonesia, with over a million or more, So we take this opportunity at the Indo- struggle for human rights and democracy is a maybe much more deaths? Well if it helps to nesia and Regional Conflict Resolution Con- struggle for all the people of the world. get the military out of these colonies, or gets ference to show our support for the follow- We, the younger generation of Indonesia, the military out of the Indonesian govern- ing demands: see that the situation in East Timor contra- ment, by allowing them to see that there will 1. The war in East Timor must stop and dicts this ideal basis. This indicates that this be few reprisals, then it perhaps it will be all Indonesian military and police forces ideal basis has not yet been implemented worthwhile. We need points of compromise must withdraw from East Timor. fully or responsibly. to even start talking. In any case, achieving 2. There should be the formation of a So today in Indonesia we must struggle 100% justice seems to be a prior dream or provisional Maubere peoples government for democracy, the promotion of human perhaps a prior misconception. and the recognition of the right to self- rights and a clean government. The situation Similar thoughts have been proposed by determination – for – Independence – for the regarding freedom of speech is still very bad. José Ramos Horta for a new East Timor free Maubere people through a referendum as At the moment an activist from the Alliance from the invader. In a CNRM document it is soon as possible. of Independent Journalists, also Tri Agus stated that “a healthy sane and happy soci- 3. That Xanana Gusmão, Mahuno and all Siswowiharjo, editor of news from Pijar are ety cannot be based on hatred and revenge, political prisoners in Indonesia be released in goal. Permadi, Sri Bintang Pamungkas are therefore a general amnesty and national immediately. being tried for political reasons. The way reconciliation will be proclaimed, aimed at 4. That the Indonesian democracy worker protests, protests of farmers being forgiving current enemies. The Church will movement must actively help distribute pushed off their land, and so on all indicate be expected to play a major role in the spe- internationally information about the New that human rights and democracy are not cial healing process,” and so on. The Burg Order’s repression of the East Timorese being respected in Indonesia Schlaining Declaration from intra-Timorese people in order to further develop the reac- We from the Indonesian delegation de- talks in Austria recently stresses the need to tion of the international community. clare: keep talking, even though the fundamental 5. That the Australian government cease 1. Human rights must be upheld in East political options are unchanged. Much more all military cooperation with Indonesia. Timor. can be demanded. This statement is issued in accord with 2. The East Timor issue must be resolved as The East Timorese gave freely and gener- the official program of SPRIM. quickly as possible through peaceful and ously to Australia in WW2 and they enrich 1. Students in Solidarity with Democracy in diplomatic means. Indonesia (SMID) our culture in Darwin. They and we and you 3. The East Timor problem must be re- now have to work together to achieve in the 2. Indonesian Centre for Working Class solved through the mechanisms set out in whole region the goals we aspire to of peace Struggle (PPBI) the UN Decolonisation convention, freedom and justice. As Sonny Inbaraj’s T- 3. National Peasants Union (STN) through dialogue between the East shirt says: “WE’VE ONLY JUST 4. People’s Artists Network (JAKER) Timorese people, the Indonesian govern- BEGUN.” Thank you. 5. CCONTL (Coordination Committee for ment and Portugal in accordance with the National Timor Leste Organisations): a. principle of self determination and Page 130 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
through a referendum held under the su- in the support for the liberation of the East DARWIN CONFERENCE pervision of the UN. Timorese, ending the unjust and illegal Indo- FOCUSES ON EAST TIMOR 4. The Indonesian armed force must with- nesian occupation, among Indonesian grass draw from East Timor. roots movements and NGOs. As in the rest Green Left, July 30. By Deb Sorensen of the world, where East Timor solidarity 5. Free Xanana Gusmão and all political DARWIN – Over the four days of the prisoners. groups continue to grow, latest being in South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, the Indonesia and Regional Conflict Resolution Indonesian delegation: strengthening of solidarity of Indonesians Conference held here from July 25, partici- 1.Eko S Dananjaya (Pijar, Jakarta) with the Maubere people is increasingly pants from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe 2.Rajiku Amin (Lekhat, Yogyakarta) evident. and the United States discussed how to 3.Agus Edi Santoso (PIPHAM, Ja- The conference saluted the courageous better establish links and to seek solutions karta) visit to Australia of nine Indonesian partici- to ongoing regional conflicts. The conference 4.Dedy Ardian Prasetyo (Salatiga) pants, who were not deterred by the fate of was particularly concerned with ending 5.Hadi Ciptono (Surabaya) their colleagues such as Dr. George Aditjon- Indonesia’s brutal occupation of East 6.Lukas (Golput, Semarang) dro, Yenni Rosa Damayanti, Rachland Timor. 7.Aida Milasari (Cut Nya Dien, Nashidik, who have been severely victim- A moving tribute, on the opening night, Yogyakarta) ised for their support for justice and free- was paid to the estimated 40-70,000 East 8.Nguruah Karyadi (Denpasar) dom for the East Timorese people, and their Timorese killed by Japanese troops as a love of Indonesia which drives them to seek direct result of Australian military presence CLOSING STATEMENT freedom of justice for the Indonesian peo- in their country during the second world ple, and full respect for the Republic’s Con- war. The tribute was organised and chaired 28 July 1995 stitution which in its preamble states that by Dr. Andrew McNaughtan as part of the The Indonesia and Regional Conflict “freedom is the right of all peoples and co- “Australia Remembers” commemoration. Resolution Conference held in Darwin on lonialism must be eradicated from all corners Labor MHR for the Northern Territory 26-28 July 1995 closed on a very encourag- of the world.” Warren Snowdon acknowledged the enor- ing note, in respect to the strengthening of Hopefully our Indonesian friends will not mous price the East Timorese people paid Australian/Indonesian people to people be victimised by the Suharto dictatorship protecting Australian soldiers, and rhetori- relations and the struggle for justice and for their trip to Darwin. cally asked “how can we even begin to re- democracy in the region, particularly with The IRCR participants also expressed pay that debt?.” regards to East Timor. their concern about the situation of political He was answered, in no uncertain terms, Indonesian conference participants in- prisoners in Indonesia and East Timor, and by all the other speakers, including Paddy cluded representatives from Pijar, Lekhat, those being prosecuted by the unjust legal Kenneally, an Australian soldier stationed in Pipham, Geni, Golput, Arek, Cut Nya Dien, system at present. East Timor during 1941-42, and several East Manikaya Kauci and Sprim. Others came The conference called for the immediate Timorese people who had helped the Aus- from Thailand, Philippines, Holland, and unconditional release of Xanana Gus- tralian soldiers. Finland, Portugal, France, the US and UK. mão and all East Timorese political prison- Kenneally received a standing ovation They unanimously agreed on the close link ers. when he said the Australian debt to East existing between the Indonesian pro- IRCR noted an appeal by 6 prisoners in Timor could begin to be repaid by Australia democracy struggle, aimed at liberating the Semarang (Saturnino Belo, Francisco Mi- getting out of the Timor Gap, and demand- Indonesian people from the Suharto dicta- randa, et. al) and José Antonio Never in ing that the Indonesian regime withdraw its torship, and the East Timorese people’s Malang, to be transferred to Dili or at least occupation troops from East Timor immedi- struggle for self-determination. to Cipinang where they would be less iso- ately. The conference received messages from lated. Other speakers at the conference in- jailed East Timor Resistance leader Xanana The Conference also expressed its cluded: Dr. George Aditjondro, Indonesian Gusmão, who stated that “the East unanimous support for Tri Agus Santoso of academic and democracy campaigner; Pro- Timorese people know very well that their PIJAR foundation, currently on trial in Ja- fessor Barbedo de Magalhaes from Oporto daring resistance to the Indonesian military karta for allegedly “insulting President Su- University, Portugal; Jim Dunn, foreign occupation of their homeland forms part of harto,” but in fact for his work on behalf of affairs expert and author; José Gusmão, the struggle for justice and democracy in democracy and East Timorese self determi- Darwin CNRM representative; Max Lane, Indonesia.” nation. national coordinator of Aksi – Indonesia A message from Indonesians Saleh Ab- Indonesia and Regional Conference Reso- Solidarity Action; and activists from several dullah of INFIGHT and P. Princen of lution participants felt confident that this Australian centres. The conference commit- LPHAM says that there is an urgent need Darwin event has been an important step in tee was chaired by Rob Wesley Smith. for a comprehensive peace in East Timor, the strengthening of genuine links between A delegation of Indonesians from several achievable only through the holding of a the freedom loving people of Indonesia, non-government organisations issued a referendum held in accordance with interna- Australia and East Timor, based on the true statement condemning Indonesian human tionally accepted standards, firmly uphold- respect for International Law, democracy rights abuses in East Timor and in Indone- ing the East Timorese people’s right to self- and peace. sia, and calling for an independence referen- determination. dum in East Timor. IRCR was very helpful to strengthen the Ria Shanti, who represented the first East links between the Indonesian pro- Timor solidarity coalition in Indonesia, democracy movement, Australian East SPRIM (Indonesian People’s Solidarity Timor and pro-democracy supporters, and Struggle with the Maubere People) also East Timorese and West Papuans. The con- issued a statement calling for the withdrawal ference clearly reflected the great evolution of all Indonesian military and police from East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 131
East Timor, the formation of a provisional With pleasure I have received the declara- Maubere government and a referendum. tion on the closing of the Darwin Confer- MELBOURNE MEETING SPRIM, which comprises student, worker, ence. peasant and artist organisations which work Thank you. with East Timorese student groups, also To my knowledge the statement was the XANANA: INDEPENDENCE IS called on the Australian government to can- first of its kind to have explicitly and NEVER AN END IN ITSELF cel all defence cooperation with the Indone- openly emphasized the significance of the sian regime. struggle waged by the Maubere people by Xanana Gusmão The conference discussed ways to shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Translation of Xanana Gusmão message in strengthen the links between the Indonesian Indonesia against the blood-stained Soeharto Portuguese to the Free East-Timor – Free- pro-democracy movement, the East dictatorship. dom in the Asia Pacific public meeting, held Timorese independence movement and its The statement constitutes a historic in Melbourne July 7, l995 attended by over supporters and the liberation struggle being document which no force whatsoever can 300 people. waged by the people of West Papua, also obliterate. And in the future, when the suffering at the hands of the Indonesian common struggle of the Maubere and Indo- Comrades and Friends, military. nesian peoples ends in the achievement of With clenched fist raised high, I come to Other ideas discussed for the Australian their lofty ideals, the statement would be- salute this Conference dedicated to the lib- solidarity movement with East Timor in- come a golden charter which would always eration of our Asia-Pacific Region. cluded campaigns to boycott certain Indone- reminds us of our duty to strive continu- The struggle of the oppressed have al- sian goods, raising awareness among travel- ously, within our respective sovereign na- ways inspired deepest bonds of solidarity lers and tourists to the region and a cam- tions as well as jointly with each other, in between peoples. paign against Indonesia’s participation in defense of a just and democratic life. The sentiments that unite peoples are international sporting events. A workshop The statement also has made a fact of motivated – by the most pure idealism for on women’s participation in the movement major importance enshrined for ever in his- peace and justice – by the awareness of a highlighted the fact that very few of the tory: the solidarity between the peoples of common cause of suffering, poverty and keynote speakers at the conference had been the world in the fight for the realization of degradation – and also by the realization women and suggested ways in which both universal values in life. Since the start of our that the ultimate cause of our common tears women and men could be more conscious of struggle for independence up to this very and misery are the same: the power of mul- the need to be inclusive. day, the people of Australia have given tinationals that dictate the same political The final conference statement, unani- continuos support to the struggle of the rules – to dictatorial regimes like Jakarta, to mously adopted, said that participants Indonesian people for the materialization of hypocritical Labor Governments like the “agreed on the close link existing between true democracy and genuine justice. Australian, and to inept democracies like the the Indonesian pro-democracy struggle, Never shall we forget this! Philippines. aimed at liberating the Indonesian people We also will always treasure in our minds The politicians sell their souls for profits. from the Suharto dictatorship, and the East the Maubere people’s solidarity with the And the rulers practice cynicism – a two Timorese people’s struggle for self- present pro-democracy struggle of the Indo- face politics that aim at repressing not only determination.” nesian people. their own people, but even worse, they are It is something noble that even in their accomplices in the repression of others. The INDONESIAN REPORT: unfathomably deep suffering as a result of theme “Free East Timor – Freedom in the AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE the Soeharto regime’s totalitarianism, the Asia-Pacific” constitutes a perspective of Maubere people are still capable of main- liberty for the people of Asia and Pacific. ON EAST TIMOR taining the clear consciousness which en- Independence was never an end in itself – ables them to draw a line of distinction be- but is a means. True independence is the Forum Keadilan, 31 July 1995. Translated tween Soeharto’s dictatorship and the peace recognition of the freedom of others, is the from Indonesian. abridged loving people of Indonesian in general. It is a respect for the supreme interests of popula- A three-day conference on ‘non-violent historical fact that the pro-democracy tions, is the respect for the most basic hu- resolutions for East Timor’ brought together movement in Indonesia today has found a man rights, is the fundamental right of peo- a wide variety of academics, activists and source of tremendous encouragement by the ples to determine their own destiny. officials. Of interest to correspondent Dewi Maubere people’s solidarity with them. When independence is only a trampoline Anggraeni was the dialogue between East Let me express, in conclusion, the confi- for rulers to enrich the families of a parasiti- Timorese living in Australia and in East dence that the “Darwin Statement” will cal elite, with the confiscation of peasants Timor. Richard Falk speaks of East Timor become a declaration of action capable of lands, and with the total disregard and indif- in terms of ‘the cruelty of geopolitics,’ but rallying the forces of the people in all parts ference for the miserable living conditions of the tone of the conference was optimistic. of the world, uniting them in a joint and workers; energetic struggle in support of the Maubere When independence blinds rulers, greedy PIJAR LETTER TO CNRM people’s cause of Independence and of the for their own well-being and the profits of Indonesian people’s cause of democracy. the grandchildren’s grandchildren, and sets Pusat Informasi dan Jaringan Aksi untuk Independence for Timor Leste! Democ- the country’s doors wide open for the inva- Reformasi (Centre of Information and Action racy for Indonesia! Down with dictator sion of international monopolies which ruth- Network for Democratic Reform) Soeharto! lessly destroys the environment; Amsterdam, August 4, 1995 Always in solidarity, When independence denies the citizens Rachland Nashidik, Chairperson the freedom to express – to assemble – to My Brave Friends, organize – and to question; When all this happens in a country with own flag and president; Then, independence Page 132 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. is but a luxurious reality for only a few, and ruption – a culture of silence – a culture of tions for the arrival of the demonstrators. a nightmare for millions of others. ABRI – a culture of fear – a culture of hy- November 12 was the commemoration of 14 When Paul Keating, of the Australian La- pocrisy, lies, and cynical adulation. This is days since the death of an East Timorese bour Party bows to the murderer Suharto, the state ideology of the New Order regime. youth. Sebastião Gomes, who was killed by he goes lower down than Fidel Ramos obey- The Asia and Pacific is a region of the fu- Indonesian soldiers. I myself was not in Dili ing the orders of Ali Alatas. ture. As such, we have to learn from the in the days leading up to the November 12 But Paul Keating is not totally realized, mistakes of the past, and we have to con- incident. I was in Ermera. But already I he does not feel completely independent, demn the mistakes of the present. knew what was going to happen in Dili: and wants to free himself from the British Let us fight for true independence of our “There would be a large demonstration crown; and Fidel Ramos pretends to lead the people. Let us fight for democracy, for jus- in Dili on Nove mber 12.” Philippines to forget the golden days of tice, for fair distribution of wealth, for the Myself, along with other youth groups Ferdinand Marcos ferocious thieving. conservation of the environment, for equal- came from cities all across East Timor to It is in this complex relationship of inter- ity, for adequate wages, for education, for Dili. Upon arriving, the preparations had national conspiracy to oppress the people bread, for the right to health, for peace, for already begun. T-shirts with the name of the of Asia and Pacific that we become con- contentment, for honesty, and for the hap- clandestine youth organisation called scious of being digging common trenches to piness of the peoples. OJETIL with symbols of the Lorico bird fight for justice and freedom. Let us fight against the international hy- and banners were ready. On November 12, I Africa was a good example of puppet- pocrisy, against government cynicism, also went to the church to join a religious like independencies. The greedy and the against the western double faced politics ceremony there. But I left early for the corrupt ascended to power, where they which turns Third World either into dicta- cemetery to help my friend with their task. installed themselves in perpetuity, and torships or into vessels. As you know, on that day several thou- choose the path of a quick and uncontrolled The struggle of the MAUBERE people is sand East Timorese youth with shouts of development, which resulted in hunger – intrinsic in this context. The search for true “Free East Timor,” and “Viva Xanana Gus- misery – draughts – and a debt that not even liberation of the peoples. mão” marched from the church to the Santa ten generations will be able to service. Let us develop in the area of Asia and Cruz cemetery. There were also many other Latin America is another example in our Pacific a greater spirit of fraternity between people, including civil servants, who joined hemisphere of national powers in collusion the peoples. Let us plant in our region the in with the demonstrators. Upon arriving at with the economic powers that rules the true basis of democracy and social justice. the Santa Cruz cemetery the demonstration world. The result is misery for factory Let us preserve the area of Asia-Pacific had become even more intense, although still workers and workers in general – isolation nuclear free, free from the threat of ozone peaceful. The crowd was met by Indonesian for peasants classes – and a violent destruc- depletion, and free from armament. soldiers who, with harsh and vile shouts, tion of the environment. People of Asia-Pacific, let us unite in the began shooting. And finally, as we all know, Disillusion gave rise to the struggle of the fight for the most fundamental human rights, more that 250 people were shot dead. peoples of those two continents. Regimes for the equal rights to explore the natural The November 12 demonstration in- are unable to effect any changes. resources, for the right to grantee the coming formed the whole world that the East To live today, the population have to generations a life free of all sorts of Timorese youth will not surrender and will pay yesterday’s debt. Their government go inequalities which consume the major continue to demand independence for East asking for more and more loans for the same part of the globe. Our struggle is part of the Timor. The massacre at Santa Cruz also end – to pay part of an unpaid debt which general struggle of all peoples of the world – reminded the whole world of the brutality of only enriched the national elites. to combat hunger, misery, oppression from the Indonesian military occupation of my In Asia and Pacific the Indonesian exam- regimes ruled by the politics of profit. country, East Timor. ple makes us fearful for the future of the Long live the militancy of the third world But the November 12 demonstration did region. people! not just fall from the heavens. There is a 50 years of independence, for Suharto, is Long live the just fight of the oppressed story behind it. The story of how East measured in the success of his grandson – people of the whole world! Timorese youth were able to rise up and who at the age of 24 already owns 36 enter- Long live the struggle of the Maubere demand the rights of their country. prises; and in the success of ABRI’s protec- people! Friends, tion of the New Order regime by pointing a for CNRM I would like to explain a little of this gun into the mouth of Indonesians: XANANA GUSMÃO story to those of you who are here tonight. 50 years of independence – with a wild Commandant of FALINTIL In the 1980s myself and may other race for physical development which Cipinang, 3 of July 1995 young people were still in school or had will cause the economic and environ- only just left to find jobs. Actually, many of mental destruction of Indonesia; 50 years of WITNESS FROM DILI us were not involved in politics or the inde- independence to be celebrated with impris- pendence struggle but were more concerned onment of journalist, imprisonment of the The following talk was delivered by Nunu with living life and being young. We knew opposition, dismissal of those who protest Santos at the public meeting “Free East that FALANTIL – the East Timorese free- the corruption in the enterprises linked to Timor – Freedom in the Asia Pacific” or- dom fighters – were still in the mountains. the presidential family and to the circle of ganised by Resistance socialist youth or- Occasionally, our parents, or other family friends in power: ganisation on July 7, 1995. members from the older generation, would 50 years of independence amidst the re- Courtesy AKSI News Service. relate to us the things they had heard on striction of MEGAWATIs, in which the radio Australia. But in general, we were not first president Sukarno is at once hero and On the afternoon of November 12, 1991 concerned with the struggle. During the 70s phantom! in Dili, I was waiting at the Santa Cruz and 80s, we had no patriotic feelings, we did 50 years of independence which is noth- cemetery. I had gone there together with a not take life very seriously. And didn’t ing more than 50 years of a culture of cor- friend who had the job of making prepara- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 133 know exactly what had happened in our themselves up in groups, not just in Dili but grasp everything he meant. But that was country. At that time, in the 80s, we and in all 12 regencies in East Timor. only the first cassette. More letters, cas- other young East Timorese were still blind And from that time, young people in settes and stores about Xanana began to be and did not understand what was mean by East Timor began to become the target of distributed. Xanana called on the youth to this struggle. the Indonesian military. Young people were rise up for their country, for the Maubere Perhaps this was because we were still often arrested, intimidated, and sometimes people. young. And perhaps also because the strug- their houses were ransacked without reason. Stand before your mirror, and see who gle in the towns was destroyed in the 70s. If someone was to be arrested, the military you are,” said Xanana in a cassette. “Who Most of the older generation, had been always arrived at the person’s house in the are you. Are you one of them, or one of us, forced to retreat from open politics and to middle of the night, and often broke up the the East Timorese and Maubere people.” look after their homes and families. person’s house. All young people were He reminded us to thing about the Such was the situation of Dili youth in under suspicion, at every moment, in every Timorese people who wore “red and white the 80s, in general. But not everyone was place. The Indonesian military presence in ties” – the colours of the Indonesian flag – like this. There were others who were dif- our country began to be felt far more than and he explained: “Who are they really, they ferent. That is, students from a school called before. Young peoples frustration and anger are the servants of Indonesia, helping people Externato. This school was the only school became very widespread. who arrive from outside.” And he asked that which could give lessons in Portuguese. This This frustration began to give birth to a we think about those in the mountains. school was for Portuguese citizens who did new attitude in us. Initially this new attitude “Those in the mountain are whose ser- not want to attend an Indonesian language was half play and very spontaneous. There vants?” he asked. The answer: the servants school. The school’s name was known was no plan or strategy. But what was clear of the Maubere people. throughout East Timor. And its teachers was that young people began to demon- Those who wear the red and white ties, were chosen from pastors and veterans who strate their frustration directly at the Indo- sleep in a comfortable bed. Those who be- had “surrendered” at the time when the nesian military. come the servants of the Maubere people, leader of the struggle, Nicalao Lobato died. When soldiers passed, young people sleep on the open ground. And he called on These people taught and gave advice on would throw cakes. But you know, the next us: which side will youth take, what will politics which were full of the issue of inde- day we began to throw rocks. The frustra- you do? pendence. tion and anger spread everywhere. There was also a pamphlet from Xanana In general there was still many youth I remember clearly one incident which which had been distributed for some time who remained silent, and those who asked can illustrate this attitude of frustration. An which said that youth are the heart of what was meant by the struggle. And may Indonesian Air Force helicopter crashed in FALANTIL and that FALANTIL is like a East Timorese youth did not yet feel that Dili. Suddenly the helicopter was sur- tree which for so long has been rooted in they should do something for their country. rounded by East Timorese youth. And East Timor. But in the 80s a section of youth had al- while the Indonesian soldiers were examin- Xanana Gusmão’s voice opened the ready begun to prepare and work with Fa- ing the helicopter and pulling the corpses hearts of all East Timorese youth. We all lantil veterans which came down from the from that machine of war, all of us – with- were moved by his call to join in struggling mountains in 1979. out a plan – began taunting them by singing against the Indonesian invaders. Many From these veterans young people began the song Indonesia Raya, the Indonesian young people took the decision to do some- to hear that the East Timorese youth must national anthem. Who knows how this could thing. do something for their country and from have happened with being planned. But that But what could we do? What did those in there began the emergence a feeling of soli- was the nature of our frustration at the In- the mountain want from us? darity among East Timorese youth. And a donesian military at that time. In my country the word ESTAFETA al- section began to join with other young peo- Previously, when our parents spoke ready had a power and authority of its own. ple from the Externato school and work about what they had heard on the radio ESTAFETA are those who come down together until December 10 1989. about East Timorese politics, we were not from the mountains to the cities bringing In 1989 an incident occurred which began very interested. Before, if we heard gunfire, word from the mountains. Before it was to completely change the political atmos- we were not very distressed. In the past if Xanana Gusmão, now it is Konis Santana. phere. The Pope arrived in Dili. At that we heard that our uncles or grand parents They also brought messages about what time, for the first time, the younger genera- were killed in the 70 by the Indonesian mili- they needed for their struggle. They built a tion of the 80s did something to show their tary, we were unconcerned. system by which ESTAFETA could arrive feelings. There was a small demonstration. But with this new atmosphere, all of this in Dili and pass on messages without being This demonstration was carried out by Ex- changed. We began to be interested in our arrested. ternato students and students from a school parent’s stories about the Indonesian inva- To carry out the task given by the in the city of Bacau. I myself was awakened sion in 1975. We wanted to hear the latest ESTAFETAS, young people established a by this incident. I was forced to think also: news from the mountains. And our frustra- clandestine group. Actually, many young “They have already done something, Am I tion, grew to become anger. people had also already left school. Schools to just remain silent?” For me, it was in 1987, that there was a are Indonesian places and young people no After the Pope had left Dili, young peo- new voice which came to the cities. This longer wanted to attend. The frustration of ple in Dili had already started to feel a re- voice was often heard in the form of cas- young people in school had also begun to be sponsibility for their nation. And feel that at settes and sometimes by letter. This was the visible. Each Monday morning, all of the that movement, the country was no longer a voice of Xanana Gusmão. Xanana began to students had to gather to sing Indonesia part of Indonesia but will become East speak a great deal to the youth in Dili and Raya while the Indonesian flag was raised. Timor. And a section of the Externato youth other cities. Often a young person would damage the working with Falantil were called upon to The first time I heard a cassette from flag’s rope so when the flag had been raised, ensure young people were not silent. They Xanana, he spoke in Portuguese. I could it would just fall straight back down again. said that the youth must work and divide understand what he said, but at first I didn’t And when they sang, the students would all Page 134 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. change the line “Indonesia negeri-KU” (In- East Timor but from the Atambua region But this does not mean that the struggle donesia my country) to “Indonesia negeri- who also joined in the demonstration be- by the East Timorese youth has ended. MU” (Indonesia your country).” cause they felt their religion had been defiled When I was in Dili last December and Janu- I had already left school and was working by the killing in the church. ary, there was another demonstration as a driver when I was first contacted by a Their was a great deal of anger among the against the occupation by Indonesia. I wit- member of the clandestine group. I often older generation. They wanted an immediate ness this, and I also saw that those who agreed to involve myself and thus became a action. But the younger generation had al- joined the demonstration were even younger member of OJETIL, a clandestine youth ready learnt to work according to a plan. than me. There is a new generation with organisation in East Timor. OJETIL was Four years of clandestine work, and follow- political space which are now coming for- openly declared for the first time on No- ing the messages from ESTAFETA had ward. As well as these young people, stu- vember 12 in Dili, but in fact it had already taught us to work with a strategy, a plan. dents on the University of East Timor cam- existed since 1990. Any young people who And 14 days after the death of Sebastião pus have also increased their activity. The wanted to be active in helping the struggle the youth of Dili and a section of veterans have already demonstrated in protest against became OJETIL activists. The establish- from 1979 began to work together. And on obscene acts again East Timorese catholic ment of OJETIL was also Xanana Gus- November 11 there was an announcement nuns by Indonesian soldiers. It is clear that mão’s idea. that all youth must go to the Motael church OJETIL and the East Timorese youth will Each youth group had different assign- to hold a special mass in commemoration of not give up. ments. Our group’s job was to provide the 14 days since the death of our comrade who With regard to this there is an issue comrades in the mountains with supplies. In was murdered by Indonesian soldiers. And which is very important. During the time the mountains they needed shoes, hats, from there, all of the youth carried flowers that I and many other young people were clothing and often, medicines. And in carry- to the Santa Cruz cemetery wearing OJETIL active within our country, there was always ing out this task, we were helped greatly by T-shirts. And the demonstration grew, until one thing which gave use hope and determi- the East Timorese people. We collected it reached the Santa Cruz cemetery. nation. We had the courage and were pre- clothing from families and ordinary people And so it happened, our demonstration pared to protest because we knew that each often gave donations. on November 12 which clearly announced to time this happened, there would also be a Sometimes, in an unconscious way, the the whole world that the determination and protest in Australia and other countries. We Indonesian government also helped. When desire of the youth and people of East kept hearing reports from Radio Melbourne general elections were held for example, the Timor. A demonstration which ended with about protests and demonstrations in Aus- Indonesian government parties would give the November 12 massacre. tralia. Without outside protests, we knew out shirts and berets to young people. Per- Reports of the massacre quickly spread that it would be easier for the Indonesian haps they thought that so many young throughout Dili, throughout East Timor. military to take and kill those people in- people came asking for shirts because of Many were also arrested on that day. Dili volved in demonstrations. We knew that if their political support. But in fact in the became deserted. For many days people did there was protest outside, foreign govern- weeks which followed, the hats and shirts not dare leave their homes. Many young ments would be forced to pressure Indone- were channeled into the mountains. In all of people were forced to hide to avoid being sia not no kill people. Yes, perhaps people this, we had to be extremely careful. We arrested and killed. And the Indonesian sol- were still gaoled and beaten, but it was far could not, for example, purchase large diers became more active. The surveillance more difficult for them to be killed. amounts of medicines directly from the became more intensive. As well as helping to prevent people chemist. We had to find different ways Dili is divided in a number of villages. who protested from being killed, foreign which would not attract attention. These villages are quite small and in each protests also gave us determination. News Over time nearly all East Timorese youth one, the military establish at least two secu- from outside as well. Before I left East became a part of the struggle. The words of rity posts. The military are everywhere. If Timor, I heard a cassette from José Ramos struggle, such as Xanana Gusmão’s, Konis young people are found in groups of two or Horta about the East Timor conference Santana, as well as leaders outside the coun- more, they are often harassed. If you are which was held in Manila, the Philippines. try like Ramos Horta, Mari Alkatiri and already known or suspected of having at- News of this kind of solidarity, always others, were awaited by all. All of society tended the November 12 demonstration, the increased our determination inside our coun- became full of concern for the development military follow you everywhere. Sometimes try. of the struggle. News and messages from even social gatherings, are full of Intel (In- Now I am in Australia but there are still ESTAFETA were quickly disseminated donesian Intelligence). There are 12 military young people which cannot come here, be- everywhere. battalions in East Timor. The Indonesian cause, for example, there is no money. And So, friends, Many groups like this government likes to claim that two of the there is a new generation who have also emerged and a large part of the Dili youth battalions have been withdrawn, but in real- become active. What should I do here in worked hard and formed clandestine groups. ity these two battalions have only be moved Australia. I must do something, like those Until the death of Sebastião in the Motael to a different province. The military are who are still inside. I think all East Timorese church on October 28, 1991 when Indone- everywhere. youth who are in Australia must do some- sian soldiers entered the church with their The political space for young people, thing, and help protest. We must always be Indonesian accomplices which used the even more so those have already be marked ready to go to every action, every event name NINJAS as participants in the November 12 demon- which supports our struggle. And for many people, this incident was stration has becoming increasingly tight and What else now we are already in Austra- considered as too much. I should note here, difficult. Our own country has become like a lia. In East Timor, all of society, each per- that for the older generation in particular, prison. We live as if we were in goal. And it son, not only knows about the demonstra- this was considered as going much too far. is because of this that many of our genera- tions by the Australian and East Timorese For them, a murder inside a church was an tion have been forced to leave Timor, our people who are here. Each East Timorese affront to their religion. What is more, there country. Many have also been forced to person knows about the plan by the Austra- were fifty Catholics which were not from leave East Timor for Australia. lian government to take oil from the East East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 135
Timor sea. There is not one person in Timor gust 12 and 13 for a solidarity conference NZ PROTEST AT EXERCISE who likes or supports these policies of the organised by the East Timor Relief Associa- Australian government. And on television, tion. WITH INDONESIANS we often saw reports about joint training Reverend Bishop Hilton Deakin opened New Zealand Herald, 22 July 1995. exercised between the Indonesian and Aus- the conference, speaking movingly on his abridged tralian military. None of East Timorese experiences in East Timor and more recently people agree with this and do not like these with recently arrived refugees. WELLINGTON – Forty East Timor in- kind of Australian policies. And all of East Salustiano Freitus from the Melbourne dependence supporters picketed outside Timorese society also say that they hope East Timorese Community emphasised the Parliament yesterday, protesting against that policies like this will be changed. need for “Timorese people themselves to New Zealand’s planned join air force train- So for us who are now in Australia, I lead the way in struggling for East Timor’s ing exercise next month, with placards read- think that we, East Timorese youth cannot freedom in Australia.” ing “Why is the New Zealand Air Force remain silent. And we also hope that the Many East Timorese presented talks on training the Indonesian military to kill the older generation who have already been in issues including personal experiences of people of East Timor?” and “Do we want Australia for some time, will push, help and leaving East Timor, the meaning of Timorese assassins as allies?” give strength to young people to do some- national identity and the complex problems East Timor Action Group spokesman thing. that would face an independent East Timor. Colin Iles urged the Government to stop I state our solidarity, the youth of East Separate workshops were also held. military training exercises with the Indone- Timor, with the solidarity movement in the A plenary on the experiences of Austra- sian military, who were likely to use the Philippines and with young people strug- lian activists featured Richard Walsham skills the New Zealand Air Force gave them gling within Indonesia itself. I express grati- from the Australian Education Union, who to further repress the East Timorese. tude to all people and groups which provide spoke of the role Australian trade unions The upcoming air force exercise, “Elang solidarity with the East Timor struggle. could play in promoting the Timorese cause. Sebrang,” gave the Government a golden I express thanks to Resistance in inviting Gil Scrine from Sydney Australia-East opportunity to deliver a strong message that me to speak at this conference. And I wish Timor Association called on solidarity New Zealand would not tolerate the human to quote a part of a letter which Xanana sent groups to give priority to opposing the rights of the Indonesian military. to Resistance from gaol in Cipinang, Jakarta: Australian government’s support of Indone- “My honored comrades in resis- sia’s occupation. PROTEST ACTIVITIES IN NZ tance the Maubere youth will always be in solidarity with you. It is the From Colin Iles, ETIC. August 18 Maubere youth who are the frequent EVENTS IN NEW It has been a busy time for us recently targets of assassination by the Indone- ZEALAND here in Wellington the capital of Aotea- sian military. The massacres at Santa roa/New Zealand. For the last three weeks Cruz and at Liquiça are evidence of we have blanketed the city with posters. this. The Maubere youth are the fu- (NZ) GOVERNMENT The most prominent asked: ‘Why is the ture of a free Timor and for that future New Zealand Air Force training the they have laid down their lives and INCONSISTENT, SAYS LEE Indonesian military to kill the people of they are still prepared to lay down The Dominion (Wellington, New Zealand East Timor? Stop this outrage Mr. Bol- their lives for the liberation of free daily) 23 June 1995. abridged ger’ Timor. While the Indonesian military On Tuesday an attempt was made to remain in Timor, the Maubere people Sandra Lee, co-deputy leader of New scale the front of the building that houses will continue to die and be massacred Zealand’s Alliance party, said the Govern- the Defence Department and hang a very but they know that their homeland ment was acting inconsistently in suspend- large banner over it. TV and radio were wait- demands this of them. ing defence cooperation with France over ing around the corner to film and report the Before ending our discussion here nuclear testing but refusing to make a similar incident, but we were thwarted by a large on behalf of myself and in the name of protest over East Timor. contingent of security guards and police the Maubere people I pass on my Accepting a 4,600-signature petition who had been tipped off by a reporter from solidarity and my warm greetings to from the East Timor calling for the Govern- NZPA, the New Zealand Press Association! you and all those in resistance.” ment to cancel a planned military exercise On Wednesday several protesters joined In accordance with the spirit of Xanana’s with Indonesia in August and suspend all the VJ march with a banner, in front of the letter to Resistance, I am certain that the future military co-operation, Ms Lee said Air Force contingent with a banner protest- young people which are newly arriving in “Our government’s response to the resump- ing the Air Forces involvement in the up- will not be silent. We will do something. tion of nuclear tests at Mururoa showed it is coming military exercises. They were Viva Timor Leste! willing to sever defence links when the be- quickly removed by police. Both of these Viva Xanana Gusmão! haviour of another country merits an ap- actions were organised by Military Watch. Viva solidaritas Australia – East Timor! propriate response. The Indonesian abuse in On Thursday a large demonstration was East Timor merits a response at least as held outside the Plaza International Hotel MELBOURNE EAST TIMOR strong.” where the Indonesians were celebrating their Foreign Minister Don McKinnon denied SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE Independence Day. Despite a large contin- there was a comparison between the two gent of police an Indonesian flag was burnt. issues. By Ben Reid, Green Left, Aug. 27 This was organised by East Timor Action. These actions were reasonably well re- MELBOURNE – Members of the East ported, including the latter on TV. The Timorese community and their supporters Tuesday edition of the Dominion carried a from around Australia gathered here on Au- half page article on ET and our military Page 136 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. cooperation with Indonesia with a large Timorese grows both here and internation- “Relations remain affected but not fatally photo of the Santa Cruz cemetery. ally.” because our relationship is strong and very This week has seen us at our busiest ever For further information: Maire Lead- deep, so it can accommodate the shocks on East Timor. beater +64 9 8493890, 8285109 or 3794420. from the recent incidents,” he said. Indonesian flags were burnt in Australian ETIC: JOINT AIR FORCE NEW ZEALAND ENVOY last month as well as during Indonesia’s EXERCISE “SHAMEFUL” CALLED IN OVER FLAG 50th anniversary of independence last Thursday. BURNING Last week an importers group threatened NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE EXERCISE to boycott Australian imports if Canberra JAKARTA, Aug. 24 (Reuter) – Indone- WITH INDONESIA ANOTHER did not expel members of the East Timorese sia has formally called in the New Zealand resistance group Fretilin who it claimed SHAMEFUL BLOT ON NEW ambassador to express concern over the were responsible for the incidents. ZEALAND’S FOREIGN POLICY burning of an Indonesian flag during a Wel- The flags have been burnt during small RECORD lington protest last week, the embassy con- protests against Indonesia’s 1975 invasion firmed on Thursday. East Timor Independence Committee (ETIC) and subsequent annexation of the former The protest follows a row between Indo- PO Box 68 419, Newton, Auckland, New Portuguese colony of East Timor. Zealand. Press Release, 24 August 1995 nesia and Australia over similar burnings. New Zealand Air Force personnel of No Jakarta called in Canberra’s envoy twice this 75 Squadron left Ohakea to take part in month to receive formal protests over sev- EVENTS IN THE UNITED Exercise Elang Sebrang with Indonesia on 23 eral flag burnings in Australia. August 1995. The East Timor Independence New Zealand Ambassador Tim Groser STATES Committee has conveyed its condemnation told Reuters he had been seeking since Tuesday an audience with Alatas to explain to the Prime Minister. REP. JOHN PORTER “It is a black day for New Zealand when the August 17 incident in Wellington which our military forces leave our shores not to was held outside a hotel where Indonesian ON EAST TIMOR protect peace but to take part in training and independence day celebrations were being held. Congressional Record, Jun-8-95 (Extensions exercising with a country whose military of Remarks) page E1179. forces are routinely used to suppress dis- However, before he received a reply from the foreign minister, acting director-general sent and political rights. While the Minister HUMAN RIGHTS IN EAST TIMOR of Defence sees no connection between the of political affairs Hamid Al-Hadad sum- exercises and the Indonesian military’s op- moned him to the foreign ministry on HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER OF erations in East Timor, this would not make Wednesday, Groser and a foreign ministry ILLINOIS IN THE HOUSE OF sense to East Timorese. They have been spokesman said. REPRESENTATIVES WEDNESDAY, bombed by Skyhawk planes and the Indo- “They indicated at a senior level the deep JUNE 7, 1995 nesian counter-insurgency plane the OV 10 concern they felt about this incident and Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, as cochair- Bronco participating in the exercise is also asked me for some background information man of the Congressional Human Rights familiar as the surveillance or spy plane and some expression of the New Zealand Caucus, I rise today to speak out about used to mount operations in the rural areas. government’s point of view,” Groser said. human rights conditions in Indonesia, and We understand that 97 New Zealand per- “The (New Zealand) government, I said, specifically, on the island of East Timor. sonnel will participate with Indonesia until regards this as a disgraceful act, (but) it is Home to nearly 200 million people, Indone- 5 September. There is to be bilateral training not against the law to burn a foreign flag in sia is the fourth most populous nation in the in air to surface and maritime attack proce- New Zealand as is the case in most Western world. Congress has already pressed the dures. Scenarios will cover air to air refuel- countries,” he said. Government of Indonesia to give the people ing, using Indonesian C130 tanker aircraft; “We think that burning the flag is dis- of East Timor greater freedom and to ensure close air support missions, some of which graceful and totally inappropriate,” he the protection of their fundamental human will be controlled by TNI-AU airborne added. rights. I am disheartened, however, by the Forward Air Controllers, and maritime at- The New Zealand internal affairs de- lack of progress on ending abuses being tack missions. partment confirmed on Thursday that under committed by Indonesian military forces Indonesian No 11 Squadron of the TNI- the 1981 Flags, Emblems and Names Protec- and the frequent reports of torture and other AU and eight NZ A4K Skyhawks will par- tion Act it is illegal to burn only the New serious abuses being committed in East ticipate. Two C130 Hercules, one Boeing Zealand flag. Timor. This year, the State Department’s 727 and one P3K Orion of the RNZAF Groser said he was told by a senior offi- ‘Country Reports on Human Rights Prac- support the deployment to and from Medan cial many groups in Indonesia had contacted tices for 1994’ states: but are not taking part in the exercise. the foreign ministry asking them to make a The (Indonesian) Government continued Indonesian aircraft are expected to be six protest to the New Zealand government to commit serious human rights abuses and A4E Skyhawks, one OV 10 Bronco (for- over the incident. in some areas, notably freedom of expres- ward air control aircraft) and one C130 Her- “I was reassured yesterday that this (in- sion, it became markedly more repressive, cules. cident) would not impact upon the relation- departing from a long-term trend towards What is New Zealand doing giving train- ship between the two countries,” he said. greater openness. The most serious included ing assistance to a military which is already Meanwhile, Alatas told reporters after the continuing inability of the people to deadly efficient at its self-appointed killing meeting with President Suharto the Austra- change their government and harsh repres- task? This exercise will come back to haunt lia-Indonesia relationship would continue sion of East Timorese dissidents. New Zealand as concern for the East despite the incidents. In November 1994, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, and East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 137
Arbitrary Executions reported that the at- COMPROMISING HUMAN RIGHTS ducted a campaign of terror, including the mosphere in East Timor continues to be [Boston Globe, April 3, 1995. Not in- abduction and beating of dozens of oppressive and resembles the conditions cluded here as it is in volume 36-37 of East Timorese who are thought to advocate inde- that precipitated the mass killings by Indo- Timor Documents.] pendence; and nesian forces in November 1991. The rap- WHEREAS on March 1, 1995 the United porteur’s report serves as a warning to the CALIFORNIA-NEVADA Nations Human Rights Commission ex- world and should be a call to action for the pressed its “deep concern over the continu- international community to prevent a repeti- METHODIST 1995 ing reports of violations of human rights in tion of severe human rights violations. RESOLUTION East Timor"; and In addition, I remain concerned about the WHEREAS in March 1995, Assistant large Indonesian military presence on the The following resolution passed unani- Secretary of State John Shattuck testified island and about reports indicating that one mously at the California-Nevada Annual before two House International Relations of the Indonesian army battalions that was Conference (meeting June 21-25 in Sacra- subcommittees that he was very concerned responsible for the Santa Cruz massacre mento) and in the process garnered more about the human rights situation in East recently returned to the region. I also op- votes than any other resolution presented. Timor, which, he testified, had begun dete- pose the mistreatment of Timorese political – John Chamberlin, East Timor Religious riorating in late 1994, and had worsened prisoners, the heightened migration of Indo- Outreach even further in early 1995, even as the vice nesian settlers to East Timor, and the ob- chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff struction of international observers who are RESOLUTION ON EAST TIMOR Cali- announced in Jakarta that he endorsed the working to monitor trials of dissidents and fornia-Nevada Annual Conference of the resumption of U.S. financed IMET training report on conditions in East Timor. I firmly United Methodist Church of Indonesian military officers; and believe that these developments demand a WHEREAS this year will mark the 20th WHEREAS the United States govern- strong response by the international com- anniversary of Indonesia’s invasion of East ment is not yet working to implement the munity. Timor; and United Nations resolutions calling for with- Indonesian President Suharto has re- WHEREAS Indonesia continues to ille- drawal of the Indonesian military from East cently cracked down on free press, causing gally occupy East Timor in defiance of ten Timor and for self-determination for the the firing of journalists who voice their dis- United Nations resolutions; and people of East Timor; and sent. This campaign to intimidate journalists WHEREAS the invasion and occupation WHEREAS the governments of Indone- is not the only repression that has intensi- have resulted in the death of over 200,000 sia and Australia and several large oil com- fied. There are frequent cases of Christians people (one-third of the population), ac- panies are presently involved in a venture to being arrested, beaten, and intimidated. cording to Amnesty International and Ro- extract oil that is rightfully the property of There is little freedom of association, as- man Catholic Church estimates; and East Timor from the “Timor Gap"; and sembly or expression, and members of the WHEREAS the Indonesian government WHEREAS in June 1993 and in June security forces responsible for these human has displaced Timorese families from their 1994, the California-Nevada Annual Confer- rights violations enjoy virtual impunity. ancestral home lands and has moved over ence expressed its profound concern for Assistant Secretary of State John Shattuck 100,000 Indonesian transmigrants into East East Timor by adopting resolutions calling recently reported to Congress that the hu- Timor in an attempt to dilute the Timorese for a cut-off of all U.S. aid and arms sales to man rights situation ‘Which began worsen- population and culture; and Indonesia until Indonesia complied with ing in late 1994, worsened further in January WHEREAS on November 12, 1991, the U.N. resolutions and withdraws its military of this year.’ I call on Members to put pres- Indonesian army massacred as many as 250 forces from East Timor; and sure on the Indonesian Government to end Timorese mourners at the Santa Cruz ceme- WHEREAS in his August 1993 pastoral their pattern of abuses in East Timor. I call tery in Dili, East Timor, which massacre column in the United Methodist Review, on my colleagues to join me in my efforts to was witnessed by Western journalists, Bishop Melvin G. Talbert was prophetic in remain vocal and keep a bad situation from whose reports to the outside world resulted calling on UMC congregations to take up further deteriorating in the renewal of a worldwide effort to free the issue of East Timor as a social justice I also commend to Members the follow- East Timor from Indonesian domination and “priority"; and ing article, from the Boston Globe dated oppression; and WHEREAS a pastor in this Annual Con- April 3, 1995, which explains United States WHEREAS in November, 1994, twenty- ference recently returned from a fact-finding shortcomings in promoting human rights in nine Timorese students conducted a nonvio- investigation to East Timor where he met Indonesia. lent sit-in on the grounds of the U. S. Em- with members of the religious community One way to continue to keep pressure on bassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the time of and confirmed that daily life in East Timor the Indonesian Government is to continue the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Coopera- reveals unremitting tension and frequent the ban on International Military Education tion) meeting there in an attempt to draw terror; and and Training (IMET) funds to them. I ap- attention to the brutal occupation of their RECOGNIZING once again our continu- plaud Representative Reed of Rhode Island country and to ask for the release of José ing moral and religious duty to respond to for the amendment he intends to offer to the Alexandre (Xanana) Gusmão and other acts of inhumanity and genocide and to res- American Overseas Interest Act to cut all Timorese political prisoners, while hundreds cue a people, a nation, and a culture from IMET funds to Indonesia for fiscal year of other Timorese demonstrated in the annihilation; 1996 and fiscal year 1997. I urge Members streets of Dili, East Timor; and THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that to support this amendment, which is a WHEREAS the Indonesian government the 1995 California-Nevada Annual Confer- strong and clear message to the Indonesian responded with stepped-up repression in ence of the United Methodist Church again Government that their disregard for human East Timor, including the torture and murder calls on the President of the United States rights will not be tolerated by the United of six civilians in the town of Liquiça in and the U.S. Congress to take immediate States. January 1995, and the employment of administrative and legislative steps to halt black-hooded “ninja” gangs who have con- all United States military aid and assistance Page 138 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
(including IMET training), economic aid, adopted by the Conference last June. On CONGRESS DISCUSSES and weapons sales (both commercial and one hand, such an expression of solidarity government-to-government) to Indonesia provides a great moral support to our suf- IMET until the Indonesian government complies fering people. They do derive great comfort Discussion on the floor of the House of Rep- with United Nations resolutions on East from the knowledge that there are compas- resentatives concerning IMET for Indonesia, Timor, withdraws its military occupation sionate and supportive people in the world from the House Gopher (gopher.house.gov). forces from East Timor; and cooperates who do not share the shameful positions of The speakers were Nita Lowey (D-NY), with the United Nations and other relevant several governments who have put so-called Frank Wolf (R-VA), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), bodies to facilitate a process of genuine self- pragmatism ahead of principle in their deal- Jack Reed (D-RI), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) determination for the East Timorese; and ings with the Suharto dictatorship of Indo- and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The amendment BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the nesia. offered, and subsequently withdrawn, would Conference Secretary be instructed to im- On the other hand, expressions of con- have banned IMET for Indonesia for an- mediately send copies of this resolution to cern and support, such as your Resolution, other year. The battle over IMET funding the President of the United States, to the do ultimately have a very favourable impact now goes to the Senate. U.S. Senators from California and Nevada, on our international efforts to discourage and to each Congressional Representatives Indonesia to persist in their current policy This is from the unofficial version of the within the bounds of the California-Nevada of occupation of East Timor and gross viola- Congressional Record. Non-substantive Annual Conference; and tion of the human rights of the people of the remarks have been edited out. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the territory. Congressional Record (House) June 27, California-Nevada Annual Conference ap- The pressure put on democratic govern- 1995. Page H6362 point a committee to explore the feasibility ments throughout the world by their con- of divesting all Conference assets from any cerned freedom and human rights upholding FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT and all corporations directly involved in the peoples, have gradually led to a by now FINANCING, AND RELATED expropriation of Timorese natural resources clearly noticeable erosion of earlier state PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, until such time as the government of Indo- acquiescence with Indonesia’s continuing 1996 nesia complies with United Nations resolu- occupation of East Timor. Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an tions and allows genuine self-determination Peoples’ pressure for a more principled amendment: in East Timor such that said corporations foreign policy by governments, sensitive to may then contract with the lawful owners of the protection of human rights and funda- Page 23, line 19, insert ‘or Indonesia’ af- said natural resources, and that that commit- mental freedoms, is nowadays a distinctly ter ‘Zaire.’ tee be instructed to prepare a report to be noticeable factor in international relations. Page 23, line 21, strike ‘Indonesia and.’ presented to the 1996 annual meeting of the We have clearly observed this in our struggle Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve California-Nevada Annual Conference; and in recent years, where an expanding world- a point of order on the amendment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the wide support movement comprising Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today California-Nevada Annual Conference again Churches, intellectuals, academics, artists, to correct a critical flaw in the bill before us. urges the General Board of Global Minis- and other individuals and organisations, is In 1992, we voted to end all international tries and the General Board of Church and producing a most favourable impact on gov- military education and training assistance for Society to make the issue of East Timor a ernmental policy change towards the Indo- Indonesia because of that country’s abysmal priority for social justice and mission pur- nesian dictatorship. While there is still a far human rights record and their continued poses, to support constituency education distance ahead to achieve the freedom of oppression of the people of East Timor. and related projects on East Timor, and to East Timor, or even that of the oppressed Regrettably, this bill reinstates IMET prepare a resolution on East Timor to be people of Indonesia, it is clear that the pre- funding for Indonesia, which has shown no voted on at the 1996 General Conference. vious unquestioned support for the Suharto significant improvement in its human rights (Adopted, June 1995) regime by many key governments such as record since the IMET ban was imposed. In that of the United States, is rapidly waning. RESPONSE FROM JOSÉ RAMOS- fact, the State Department’s own human Therefore, I take this opportunity in the rights report notes that there have been only HORTA name of the National Council of Maubere cosmetic changes in East Timor. CNRM EAST TIMOR Executive Office Resistance, the umbrella organisation of all Violent crackdowns on peaceful demon- 14 July 1995 East Timorese struggling for self- strations in East Timor continue. First, in- The Secretary, California-Nevada Annual determination and independence, to express nocent protestors are massacred and then Conference of the United Methodist Church our deepest gratitude for the valuable ongo- the military rounds up and jails the wit- USA ing support of the California-Nevada Con- nesses so that the world will never know ference of the United Methodist Church. what happens. Is this the type of oppres- Dear friend, May the concern with the injustices be- sion we want to be rewarding with U.S. It has been brought to my attention that ing perpetrated against the East Timorese assistance? I don’t think so. the California-Nevada Annual Conference of nation, and your Conference’s commitment The State Department report goes on: the United Methodist Church has once again to changing this intolerable situation, be an ‘Extrajudicial arrests and detention, torture paid important attention to the issue of East inspiration to others, particularly those who of those in custody, and excessively violent Timor and to the just struggle of the are supposed to be committed to the de- techniques for dealing with suspected trou- Maubere people to liberate themselves from fence of Christian values of justice, peace blemakers continued’ throughout Indonesia. the cruel and oppressive illegal occupation and love in our world. ‘The Armed Forces continued to be respon- of their country by the Republic of Indone- Sincerely, sible for the most serious human rights sia. José Ramos Horta abuses.’ Like on past occasions, we greatly wel- CNRM Special Representative come the ‘Resolution on East Timor’ East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 139
In November 1991, in the city of Dili, the ernment and harsh repression in East cause of this construction of the rule, I was Indonesian military slaughtered 200 people Timor.’ effectively prevented from doing this. in full view of news cameras. Sixty-five I would tell the Members of the body, if In 1992, my former colleague from Rhode people are still unaccounted for, and yet the they could have seen the film and talked to Island, Mr. Machtley, offered successfully Indonesian Government does not apologize the men and women that were there, what an amendment to cut training for funding for for these killings. On the contrary, the re- the Indonesian army did to these people the training of Indonesia military in re- gional commander of East Timor, Gen. was brutal, absolute persecution of the sponse to flagrant abuses of human rights in Herman Mantiri, said: ‘We don’t regret Catholic Church. The Congress should be East Timor. When Congress cut this money, anything. What happened was quite proper. concerned with these issues, and I strongly it send two strong messages: First, to the They were opposing us.’ urge the Members of the body to support Government of Indonesia that the U.S. will Mr. Chairman, Indonesia’s policy in East this amendment. Hopefully this will send a not tolerate any more human rights abuses Timor is about the oppression of people message to Indonesia, where by next year by the military in East Timor, and, second, who oppose Indonesia’s right to torture, things will be good and this will not be a to the East Timorese, who were finally kill, and repress the people of East Timor. It problem. given hope that someone had listened to is about the 200,000 Timorese who were their call for help and provided them a voice slaughtered by the Indonesian military when Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in in the face of oppression. they invaded in 1975. Two-hundred thou- support of the amendment offered by the Today we are debating a bill which effec- sand killed out of a total population of gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. tively restores this money. That might be 700,000. It is about genocide. Lowey). I think she makes a persuasive and appropriate if the conditions in East Timor The language in this bill is the first step compelling case. The ongoing violation of had improved, but in fact they have not. toward releasing pressure on the Indonesian human rights in Indonesia is unsustainable in I would like to emphasize that this Government to clean up its act. Without a moral way, and certainly not supportable amendment is not about the efficacy of passage of this amendment, we will continue in a budgetary way. American military training and the value of to support a government that laughs in the It is my understanding that shortly the exposing foreign military personnel to our face of the human rights principles that we Chair will be asked to rule on a point of professional military instruction. No, this is hold dear. order with respect to legislating on an ap- about sending a strong signal concerning the We, in Congress, made the right decision propriations bill. Let me just make this abuse of human rights in East Timor. in 1992 when we cut off all IMET funding comment: Presumably the Chair will con- In June and July of last year, Indonesian to Indonesia. But we must not go backward sider whether the proper time to offer the troops committed acts of sacrilege against now. I urge my colleagues to support this Lowey amendment would have been during the East Timorese church and clergy. The amendment and send a message to Indonesia the authorization bill. During the authoriza- courts are still sentencing people to long that we will not tolerate the oppression of tion bill, we labored under a rule that ate up prison terms for speaking to journalists or the Timorese people. a considerable amount of time on some very sending information critical of the govern- important amendments, that ate up a long, ment. On January 12 of this year, Indone- Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I con- long time of debate. There were dozens and sian soldiers killed six men outside Dili. tinue to reserve my point of order. [Re- dozens of amendments like this one that These six civilians were shot in retaliation peated after each speaker.] could have been offered that were not heard for a guerrilla attack the day before, but during that debate. Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in sup- sources present indicate that the six were Now, it seems to me that this kind of never involved in the attack. port of the amendment. consideration of process puts the Members Mr. Chairman, I am really sorry this At a joint hearing before the International of this House in a Catch-22 situation. You Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the amendment has to be offered. I would have cannot legislate on an appropriations bill by hoped that the Indonesian Government Pacific and International Operations and attaching conditions to spending like this. Human Rights on March 16, the Director of would have learned, and this is an opportu- That is our rule. And then you are supposed nity I think to send a message to them. The the Human Rights Watch stated, ‘In East to pursue it in an authorization bill. But Timor, violations of fundamental rights have amendment offered by the gentlewoman when the authorization bills come up, we from New York (Mrs. Lowey) is a good been especially severe, and have worsened have unduly restricted rules that cut off dramatically since the APEC summit meet- amendment. The Indonesian military should debate in an arbitrary time and never permit not be rewarded for their conduct with the ing in Jakarta last November.’ this kind of thing to come up. When we are cutting aid to Africa and are American IMET dollars. Congress and the The real shame, Mr. Chairman, the real American people value human rights and cutting many, many worthy programs, it shame that is being raised by Mrs. Lowey’s seems incongruous we would be giving dignity, and we should not be timid about amendment, is that such a meritorious and conveying that message to countries that do money in the face of these human rights critical debate will never really happen and abuses. not share our basic concerns. We should be never really get a vote because of the way prepared to use bills like this to send that I would urge my colleagues to accept the the rules of the House are being manipu- amendment offered by the gentlewoman message. lated. I think that is a shame. Mr. Chairman, the State Department’s from New York (Mrs. Lowey). I would urge country reports on Human Rights Practices Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong them to send a strong signal to the Govern- for 1994 reports, ‘The Indonesian Govern- support of this amendment and commend ment of Indonesia that we will not tolerate ment continued to commit serious human the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. further human rights abuses in East Timor. rights abuses and in some areas, notably Lowey), and the gentleman from Virginia A headline in the New York Times in No- freedom of expression, it became markedly (Mr. Wolf), for their leadership in propos- vember of last year stated, ‘Timorese worry more oppressive, departing from a long-term ing this amendment. Indeed, I attempted to world will now forget them.’ Mr. Chairman, trend toward greater openness. The most offer a similar amendment to H.R. 1561, the I urge my colleagues not to forget them, to serious abuses included the continuing in- Foreign Aid Authorization bill, but as my stick to the precedent we have now estab- ability of the people to change their gov- colleague from New Jersey explained, be- lished. We have taken a stand. We can make Page 140 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. a difference. Mr. Chairman, I urge my col- and urge our colleagues to support them. during 1994 as the ‘government continues to leagues to support the Lowey-Wolf First, before speaking about that amend- commit serious human rights abuses.’ amendment. ment, I want to commend our chairman, the Last December, a United Nations Sp ecial gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan), Rapporteur noted, the conditions that al- Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. and the chairman of the full committee, the lowed the 1991 Santa Cruz killings to occur Chairman, I rise as a supporter and a true gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston), are still present. In particular, the members believer in the International Military Educa- as well as our ranking members, the gentle- of the security forces responsible for the tion and Training program. But I am com- man from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and the abuses have not been held accountable and pelled, like my colleagues who have just gentleman from Texas (Mr. Wilson), for continue to enjoy virtual impunity. spoken, by the overwhelming evidence to their leadership in bringing this very strong The Rapporteur ‘clearly sensed terror support this amendment offered by the bipartisan bill to the floor. among many East Timorese he had the op- gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. As a member of the subcommittee, I portunity to meet.’ The situation has gotten Lowey), and the gentleman from Virginia want to personally thank Mr. Callahan for worse during the first half of 1995. (Mr. Wolf). his exceptional leadership his first time out That is all to say, Mr. Chairman, that I This is a good program, but this is the with this bill. He has consulted individually think that we should have the opportunity wrong time and the wrong place for IMET. and personally with members of the sub- to discuss this issue. If the Chair has a point For 3 years, Congress has denied IMET to committee, listened to our concerns and did of order that we cannot pass it here today, Indonesia. A careful look at the record the best that he could do under the circum- at least we should be sending a message to shows that this is no time to shift this pol- stances of our very limited allocation. That the authoritarian regime in Indonesia that if icy. When Congress, at the urging of my allocation was limited not because our they get this IMET, it is to be for enhanced, predecessor, Ron Machtley, revoked Indo- chairman of the full committee, Mr. that is, training their troops in human rights nesian participation in IMET, a clear and Livingston, did not work hard to get us a and training their military in the proper role unmistakable message was sent. We will no better allocation but just the realities of the of the military in a democratic society. longer tolerate an intolerable situation. The budget resolution. With that, Mr. Chairman, I again com- human rights abuses in East Timor must It is in that spirit of bipartisanship and mend our chairman, Mr. Callahan, and the end. Simply put, the abuses have not ended. admiration for our chairman that I hope that ranking member, Mr. Wilson, for their great IMET should not be restored. we can pass this not perfect but best possi- leadership on this legislation. This amendment is most appropriate, ble bill we could get on the floor today. I considering recent assessments of human hope when we do pass it today or tomor- Mr. CALLAHAN. Mr. Chairman, I move to rights conditions in Indonesia. To quote row that it will have the Lowey-Kennedy strike the requisite number of words. Before from the State Department’s 1994 human language in it. pressing my point of order, I want to rise in rights report, To get to the point about Indonesia, be- opposition to the amendment and speak to “The Indonesian government continued cause I know time is of the essence, it is a it just briefly. to commit serious human rights abuses and close call on the enhanced and expanded I do rise in opposition to the amendment in some areas, notably freedom of expres- IMET. Many of us have had some very of the gentlewoman from New York, al- sion, it became markedly more repressive.” serious concerns about how IMET funds though I know she is offering it because it is The most serious abuse included the con- have been used throughout the world. And based upon her own strongly held convic- tinuing inability of the people to change in some countries, it underwrites the brutal- tions as well as the other speakers who have their government and harsh repression of the ity of authoritarian regimes with U.S. tax- spoken tonight. I appreciate the strong con- East Timorese dissidents. Restoring IMET payers’ dollars. The expanded IMET is cerns of the gentleman from Virginia and the at this time would run counter to these find- supposed to be used to teach human rights gentlewoman from California, the gentleman ings and would undermine the moral force of training, democratic institutions, the role of from Rhode Island. But as the gentlewoman these findings. a military in a democratic society. And it from New York knows, under our bill, In- We have in Indonesia a situation where would be hoped that that is what these pur- donesia will not be eligible for IMET train- the benefits of IMET would be lost. The poses would be in Indonesia. And I com- ing. corruption is too deep. The violence is too mend the gentlewoman from New York Under H.R. 1868, Indonesia will only be extreme. And the repression is too severe (Mrs. Lowey) and the gentleman from able to receive human rights training under for us to hold any hope that it can be tem- Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) for bringing the expanded IMET training, as it is called. pered through education and training. IMET this resolution to the floor because it fo- Expanded IMET is specifically designed to is designed to support democracy and mili- cuses just on what expanded IMET is and help improve human rights practices of the tary professionalism, and we cannot sup- why if we would continue to grant it, if we military. This is exactly the kind of program port what does not already exist. would grant it to Indonesia, why it should I think the gentlewoman from New York U.S. aid cannot fill this vacuum. IMET is be used specifically for those purposes. should be supporting. a powerful and effective tool. It must be The concern of some of us is that funds Furthermore, I would note that the used in the right way at the right time. This sent to a country are fungible and if the House Committee on International Relations is not the time. Only through continued regime happens to be authoritarian and a has already recommended expanding IMET pressure will we be able to have the oppor- for Indonesia, and included it in the authori- violator of human rights, then we are subsi- tunity for an improvement in East Timor. dizing that even with our good intentions. zation bill passed by the full House on June Now is not the time for the United States to Others today have talked about what the 8. send conflicting messages on this issue. situation is in Indonesia in terms of human Also I note that because of the concern of Mr. Chairman, I urge the adoption of the rights. I will say that I will join with some the gentlewoman from New York, the com- Lowey amendment, and I ask my colleagues others in quoting the 1995 State Department mittee report requires that all candidates for to do the same. human rights country report which calls expanded IMET be carefully screened to Indonesia ‘strongly authoritarian’ and notes make certain they have not been involved in Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in sup- past human rights abuses. I would hope port of the Lowey-Kennedy amendment that ‘it became markedly more repressive’ East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 141 under those circumstances that the gentle- in the government’s approach. This change lutions calling on them to withdraw “with- woman would reconsider offering her needs to be maintained and should be further out delay,” has now become a liability. He amendment in light of the committee’s ac- strengthened. “My conclusion after my visit said that Jakarta’s generals should cut their tion on this very important amendment. to East Timor is that there is no other choice (and Washington’s) political losses, pull Mr. CALLAHAN. I yield to the gentle- for the people than integration with Indone- their troops and allow the Timorese, with woman from New York. sia,” the ambassador said, according to Dep- U.N. help, to hold a referendum to deter- uty-Governor Haribowo. mine their own political future. Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, before I do, I Speaking to Suara Pembaruan about his (Macke’s office, after a week’s delay, is- want to thank the gentleman again and meeting with the US ambassador, Haribowo sued three one-sentence statements to The commend him for his outstanding leadership said that the ambassador had come to take Nation, which sidestepped the question of of this committee. leave because he will be leaving his Jakarta his private remarks on Timor. The written It has really been a privilege for me to post soon. statements discussed a Macke visit to Indo- work with the gentleman. He has been open. He visited East Timor in particular to in- nesia, referred to his pubic Congressional He has worked in a bipartisan way. He has spect the results of US aid given to the Sale- testimony, and said that Macke “as a public approached each issue in a very thoughtful sian Order in Lautan District, Baucau official” does not offer personal opinions. manner. I want to thank the gentleman, (Fatumaka Technical School) and the When asked directly and repeatedly if again, and the ranking member, the gentle- Venilale Convent. When he arrived at Bau- Macke was denying the Timor comments man from Texas (Mr. Wilson). cau airport, the ambassador was met by a attributed to him, his spokesman, Col. Joe In response to the gentleman’s request, I group of priests and nuns, who took him to Chesley, said: “The statements speak for do want to ask unanimous consent to with- Lautan and then to Baucau and Venilale. themselves.”) draw the amendment. Mr. Chairman, we The ambassador thinks that the aid has Macke’s comments are a major break- will be watching expanded IMET for Indo- been well used and has reached the targets through because Washington is Suharto’s nesia over the next year. And if the human intended by his government. He said this main patron. Though Macke’s privately rights records does not improve, we will after on-the-spot visits to various planta- stated views are his own and are not yet work to cut off all IMET funding next year. tions growing peanuts, runner beans and official, they indicate that Washington is maize in Fuiloro, the Fatumaka school and beginning to feel the heat for its role in Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I ask unani- schools that are being run by the nuns in Timor. mous consent to withdraw the amendment. Venilale. That is an impressive testament to the heroism of the Timorese, who after twenty US AMBASSADOR PRAISES NEW US AMBASSADOR TO years of genocide still resist and organize. SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR INDONESIA NOMINATED Last November, for example, during a re- gional summit in Jakarta, as uprisings broke Suara Pembaruan, 30 June 1995. Trans- From Reuter and AP, June 30 out across East Timor, twenty-nine young lated and extracted from Indonesian. Timorese stole the stage from Clinton and U.S. President Bill Clinton has nominated Here is a typical account of a diplomatic Suharto by peacefully occupying the U.S. former Beijing Ambassador J. Stapleton Embassy grounds. visit to East Timor as described by the local Roy as the new U.S. Ambassador to Indo- Indonesian bigwig. It would be helpful to Macke’s shift also indicates the efficacy nesia, the U.S. Information Service (USIS) of the U.S. grass-roots movement, which discover whether Ambassador Barry really said on Friday. said what he is alleged to have said. The has sought to make Washington pay a price for facilitating the genocide. Since the No- State Department could be asked for clarifi- US ADMIRAL: cation. – TAPOL vember 12, 1991, Dili, East Timor, massa- OUT OF EAST TIMOR cre, U.S. activists – with bipartisan support The US Ambassador Robert L. Barry in Congress – have won a cutoff of Indone- said that during the three years he has The Nation Magazine, July 17/24, 1995. By sia’s IMET military training aid, blocked a served as ambassador in Indonesia, he has Allan Nairn transfer to Indonesia of F-5 fighter planes, visited East Timor four times. On his latest In a seismic political shift that augurs reversed the U.S. stand on Timor at the visit, he was very impressed with the posi- trouble for General Suharto, the Commander U.N. Human Rights Commission and se- tive developments there in terms of improv- in Chief of U.S. Pacific forces has privately cured a ban on the sale of small arms to ing the people’s welfare. Whereas formerly, told Congressional officials that the time has Indonesia. (As one who witnessed and sur- there was much social disharmony, with come for Indonesia to get out of East Timor. vived the Dili massacre, I fought and lobbied guard posts everywhere, this is no longer For the past twenty years the United States for those changes and continue to work with the case and the living conditions of the has helped Jakarta kill Timorese. But now, he grass-roots movement to reverse U.S. people are becoming much more normal. in the face of growing grass-roots resistance policy.) It is precisely in hopes of disposing He said that people everywhere are hard both in Timor and this country, Adm. Rich- of such impediments to the larger project of at work to bring about improvements. ard Macke has concluded that the Timor propping up Suharto that Admiral Macke – Therefore he thinks that the best possible occupation has become more trouble than it for one – has decided that, pragmatically, way for the people of East Timor is to be is worth. it’s easier to set East Timor free. integrated with Indonesia. The question now According to accounts from officials who MACKE SUPPORTS IMET is, how to affirm that integration. This was have discussed the matter with him – ac- his impression after meeting Deputy Gov- counts that Admiral Macke, when contacted Excerpt from Reuter and AP, June 30 ernor, J. Haribowo for an hour and a half in by The Nation, did not deny – Macke told his office in Dili, last week. Admiral Richard Macke, the commander- friends on Capitol Hill this May that Indo- in-chief of U.S. forces in the Pacific On According to the ambassador, the condi- nesia’s continued presence in East Timor, tions of the East Timorese people are get- Tuesday, urged Congress to resume funding long supported and armed by Washington in a program that trains Indonesian military ting better because there has been a change defiance of the U.N. Security Council reso- Page 142 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. officers. Congress suspended Indonesian “The admiral never made the comments these beleaguered people. Having us debate access to the International Military Educa- attributed to him by Allan Nairn in The this and perhaps adopt an amendment could tion and Training Program in 1992 in re- Nation magazine article ‘Out Of East be very helpful. sponse to alleged Indonesian human-rights Timor,’ either in public or in private,” his As I understand it, Mr. Speaker, during violations in East Timor. office said in a statement released by the the original debate, someone on the other “I recommend full reinstatement of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. side was going to offer an amendment and Indonesia IMET program in FY 96 (fiscal Indonesia said on Saturday it would seek decided not to. When I learned that, I came 1996) and beyond, without restrictions,” he clarification of comments the Washington- to the floor and offered one. I had one that told the House International Relations based magazine attributed to Macke, that he was in fact offered and it was at the desk However, Macke has previously concluded “has privately told congressional officials that first night. We then adjourned. I later that Indonesia should withdraw from East that the time has come for Indonesia to get learned earlier the next day, or later the next Timor, the former Portuguese colony it out of East Timor.” day, that there was a rule that was coming occupied in 1975 and later annexed, accord- The magazine said Macke had concluded and we had to submit, so I hastily, it is true, ing to The Nation magazine. Admiral Macke that the occupation of Timor was “more wrote it and submitted it. However, in fact I “has privately told congressional officials trouble than it is worth” because of what the had had an amendment at the desk the night that the time has come for Indonesia to get magazine called growing grassroots resis- before. I submitted one the next day when I out of East Timor,” the report said. tance in East Timor and the United States. was told, with very little notice that it was “There is indeed a great need for clarifica- Indonesia Foreign Ministry spokesman required to do that. tion,” Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokes- Irawan Abidin said that if Macke had been The question is this: Should we be al- man Irawan Abidin said about Macke’s correctly quoted, the statement was “regret- lowed to debate Indonesia? When we talked statement. “While it is a private statement, table and difficult to understand.” about Haiti there was great concern for de- it is on a policy matter and conveyed to the Macke last week urged the U.S. Congress mocracy on the other side. Indonesia now is policy makers.” “If he was correctly quoted to resume funding a programme that trains engaging in East Timor in the worst repres- then I find his statement regrettable and Indonesian military officers, suspended in sion I believe that is going on in the world, a difficult to understand in view of his sup- 1992 in response to reported violations of repression that is as bad as any going on in port for restoration of IMET for Indonesia,” human rights in East Timor. the world. However, Indonesia will be shel- Abidin said. [Update – in November, Macke was forced tered by the Republican Party from an amendment which would put some pressure INDONESIA SEEKS CLARIFICATION into early retirement because of sexist re- marks about Japanese women and the rape on them to stop the systematic denial of the OF TIMOR COMMENTS by American soldiers of a young girl in rights of the people of East Timor. Abridged. Okinawa.] As I said, negotiations are now going on trying to deal with that, but the Republican JAKARTA, July 1 (Reuter) – Indonesia Party is going to use its majority to keep said on Saturday it would seek clarification HOUSE DEBATE ON that from even being debated. having done of reported comments by the commander- REFUSAL TO DEBATE IMET that, Mr. Speaker, when they then talk in-chief of U.S. forces in the Pacific that about their concern for human rights and Indonesia should withdraw from East On July 11, the U.S. House of Representa- democracy elsewhere, it will seem hollow Timor. tives discussed why an amendment by Bar- indeed, because one of the worst cases, the The Nation magazine in Washington said ney Frank (D-MA) concerning military aid Indonesian repression in East Timor, will go in a report on Friday that Admiral Richard to Indonesia was not included in the rule, unnoticed in this actual debate. Macke “has privately told congressional which determines which amendments were I would repeat, there was an amendment officials that the time has come for Indone- to be debated. Frank’s amendment would that was to be offered. When that was with- sia to get out of East Timor.” have deleted IMET money for Indonesia. drawn, I hastily tried to make up for it, and “There is indeed a great need for clarifica- they are going to repress this and protect tion,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Irawan CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (HOUSE), the Indonesian autocracy. Abidin told Reuters. “While it is a private July 11, 1995. Slightly excerpted. statement, it is on a policy matter and con- Consideration of H.R.1868, Foreign Opera- Mr. (Tony) HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I veyed to the policy makers.” tions, Export Financing, and Related Pro- would simply like to say to the chairman of “If he was correctly quoted then I find grams Appropriations Act, 1996 the subcommittee, the gentleman from Ala- his statement regrettable and difficult to bama (Mr. Callahan), that I appreciate all understand in view of his support for resto- Mr. (Barney) FRANK of Massachusetts. the turmoil and tribulation that he has had to ration of IMET for Indonesia,” Abidin said. Mr. Speaker, we see a continuation of the go through on this bill. This is a very diffi- Macke last week urged the U.S. Congress pattern here that when amendments are cult bill, it always is, and he has been ac- to resume funding a programme that trains inconvenient, they are simply prevented commodating. He has been a gentleman, Indonesian military officers. from being offered. I gather there was some working with both sides of the aisle very, reference to my handwriting, which I will very well. I appreciate that. U.S. PACIFIC COMMANDER DENIES concede is not much better than my diction, We disagree on a portion of the bill, be- EAST TIMOR COMMENTS but what happened was I have been inter- cause it has been cut severely, in my opin- Jakarta, July 3 (Reuter) – The com- ested in the issue of Indonesia and its mis- ion. Since 1985 there has been a 40-percent mander-in-chief of U.S. forces in the Pacific, treatment to the people of East Timor for cut. We are cutting it, of course, even much Admiral Richard Macke, has denied reports some time. further this year. he had privately called for Indonesia to There are currently negotiations going on I am going to support the bill. I am going withdraw from East Timor, the U.S. Em- now between the Portuguese and Indonesian to support the bill because of the way the bassy said on Monday. Governments in which the Portuguese Gov- gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) ernment is trying to bring some help to protected the children’s programs relative to East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 143 immunization and relative to ORT, oral that I have made since I have been a Mem- dilatory tactics on an entirely extraneous rehydration therapy, and UNICEF and the ber of Congress and I am sure many other matter. kinds of programs that really affect children. Members would feel that way. I do not know what the problem really I offered an amendment that was ac- Regarding some other points that have was. I do not know whether it was a ques- cepted. The gentleman from Alabama (Mr. been made about open rules and so forth, I tion of Democratic unity or whether it was a Callahan), of course, did not like it. We de- think it is fair to go back and we can put question of a Medicaid speech or whether it bated it, but I believe that it really adds to into the procedure, if necessary, the was a question of really the committee sta- the bill. amendment process under the special rules tistics, the standings of the committees and I hope someday that maybe the gentle- by our Committee on Rules, and comparing the Ways and Means issue. I do not know man from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) and I can the 103d and 104th Congress. And yes, we what the issue was, but it clearly was not maybe travel to some of these Third World argue about definitions, I know. But accord- related to the foreign operations appropria- nations together and see some of these pro- ing to, I think, a fair and reasonable judg- tion. It was extraneous, it was dilatory, and grams, some of the immunization programs ment, we have, indeed, had many more open that is a matter of record. and some of the basic education programs rules or modified open rules in the 104th The fact that we have had a casualty here and how they really help children and fami- Congress. and had to close down I think is regrettable. lies develop. Mr. Speaker, even I think our colleagues I think that it is very clear where that came I appreciate what the gentleman has tried on the Committee on Rules on the other side from and what the problem with it is. to do. He has had a very difficult task. I have admitted that, although they feel Having said all that, I think we have done praise him certainly for the children’s por- maybe we are not doing quite as well as we our very best to make sure that all the tion of this bill. I realize it is a difficult bill. hoped we would do. I think that is a subject amendments we did know about at the time I have said before that I have favored of some debate, but I do not think it is de- that we filed were taken care of, that were structured rules and I have supported them batable that we have not had more open timely filed and that we felt had been dis- and handled them when we were in the ma- rules. I think we definitely have. cussed one way or the other. I think we jority. But the other side said that this was With regard to the opportunity for more have done a very fair and reasonable job. going to be an open rule, and I praised the amendments here, I think there are probably process of an open rule, but now we are an endless array of amendments that could Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. closing it down. come up under the foreign operations ap- Speaker, first I want to say that to say that There are a couple of amendments that propriation. I certainly had a couple of more you are sorry that the East Timor situation wanted to be offered that cannot be offered. Haiti amendments I was ready to bring out, is a victim of dilatory tactics seems to me an The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. but I think probably everybody is relieved example of the kind of disproportion we can Frank) was going to offer, in my opinion, a that that has not happened, since we have get into. We are talking about repression. wonderful amendment. already spent 6 hours on Haiti and that is Hurt feelings between ourselves should not I have been, with the gentleman from probably more than enough. get in the way of our being able to deal with Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), and even be- With regard to East Timor, I had under- repression. fore, a proponent of taking money away stood that the gentleman from Missouri The amendment that I offered, I came to from Indonesia because of the whole situa- (Mr. Volkmer), the gentlewoman from New the floor during the first period of debate, tion with the island of East Timor, which York (Mrs. Lowey), and the gentleman from found to my disappointment that people used to be a Portuguese colony and was Virginia (Mr. Wolf), had all discussed this who I thought were going to offer that taken over by Indonesia when the Portu- amongst themselves and had discussed this amendment had not offered it. I then offered guese left. Out of 700,000 people that live somewhat in the past and the fact that if it, I submitted it. It had been in fact at the on the island, 200,000 people have been there was a casualty on East Timor on this desk. This is not something that just hap- killed, in my opinion by the Indonesian matter, that it is truly a casualty of the dila- pened the morning after. As soon as I found Government and it is something that really tory debate tactics. Because had it not been out that that was not being submitted, I ought to be debated. for the dilatory debate, I suspect that would submitted it. The next day when I was told People ask me why do we mess around have happened. there was a rule, I submitted it again. with East Timor. Nobody knows about it. But for the record I must state that the As far as dilatory tactics, you are only There is no constituency in this country. It Committee on Rules met on the 29th and doing 20 minutes of amendments, so we is because of the Nation of who we are. And filed the rule on the 29th. The rule was filed. could hardly have been prolonging it. I sub- if we are going to give taxpayers’ moneys to So a day late and a dollar short, it seems to mitted it, you come out with a rule that only a country that oppresses its people, then I be the situation with the gentleman from does 20 minutes per amendment. I do not think we ought to take a second look at it Massachusetts (Mr. Frank). I am sorry that think another 20 minutes to allow us to deal and have a tremendous debate and we were it happened. with the horrible situation of repression in not able to really vote on this issue. I suggest that the gentleman from Massa- East Timor would have been a problem. To chusetts (Mr. Frank) should talk to the say to them, ‘Sorry, you don’t count be- Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I just have a few leadership in the Democratic Party and the cause we’re mad about dilatory tactics and cleanup remarks I would like to make. Much minority party about the use of dilatory we can’t spare you 20 minutes,’ I think of the commentary we have heard has been degrades the process. tactics. the subject of other debate and there is no The other point, and my good friend, the point in hashing it over at this point. Mr. GOSS. Reclaiming my time, I would gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), with assure the gentleman I do not believe that Mr. Speaker, I think we are about 80 whom I serve very happily and proudly on minutes away from ending a debate that has was the situation. I believe the Committee the Committee on Rules, has said that we on Rules dealt with what they felt they so far consumed 27 hours, which I point out began with an open rule, and I am sorry we has been some 5 hours more than the House knew were amendments that had been did not stay with an open rule. I feel exactly timely filed with us. We did not know what spent debating Desert Storm back in 1991. the same way. We did not begin with an That was probably the most important vote other amendments might have been out understanding that we were going to have there. If there had been other amendments Page 144 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. that might have been on the same basis as Mr. VOLKMER. We had discussed it. I just DC), for his efforts in defense of human yours at the time we met, what would we wanted to make sure you were talking about rights in ET. The ceremony will be in Lis- have done? this gentleman and not someone else from bon, and president Allan Gleitsman will be Missouri. But I also had an amendment on present. This prize had been awarded before Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. If the gen- Indonesia that I had planned to offer. I did to Nelson Mandela. tleman would yield further, I filed it the not, as a result of a discussion that I had night before. As soon as I was told that with the chairman of the subcommittee, but there was a requirement for putting an INTEGRATION DAY: that should not preclude any other Mem- ETAN/LA DEMO amendment in, I scribbled it out and put it bers if they wished to offer it. in. It was not written well, but it was sub- mitted to the committee before the commit- Mr. GOSS. I agree. I think what happened Wed, 12 July 95 tee voted. It had been submitted the night clearly was there was the thought, the ex- Monday, June 17th, is the 19th anniver- before and it was submitted again before the pectation, that others were going to offer the sary of what the Indonesian government committee voted. I cannot do any more than amendment, and it did not happen and we likes to call “Integration Day"–the day that. got into this dilatory process. which East Timor “legally” became part of the Republic of Indonesia after President Mr. GOSS. Reclaiming my time, I think Mr. HALL of Ohio. I thank my friend the Suharto acceded to the “request” of the that the gentleman was in fact a victim of gentleman from Florida for yielding. people of East Timor to join Indonesia. To process which was derailed by dilatory Mr. Speaker, I just want to close by say- observe this occasion, ETAN/L.A. will be tactics. ing that we did really have a discussion on holding a demonstration in front of the In- the Frank amendment. As a matter of fact, it donesian consulate. This event will also be Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. It was the was offered in committee, we had a vote on people of East Timor who were the victims. part of an ETAN/U.S. kick-off of a series of it, the vote was 6 to 3, I think it was the last events over the next few months to com- Mr. GOSS. The people of East Timor have vote that we took, and all 6 Republicans memorate the 20th year of Indonesia’s oc- been the victims for a long time. I agree it is voted against it and the 3 Democrats voted cupation (Dec. 7, 1975). Below are the par- a serious problem. I recognize the gentleman for it. So there was a discussion. It was not ticulars for Monday’s event. Hope to see to represents people from Portugal in his dis- something that we did not have a chance to you all there . trict. I understand his sensitivity. I also really talk about. We discussed it and we know that other Members of this body have voted on it. Inaugural event of the ETAN/L.A. “Twenty dealt with the East Timor situation and Years of Occupation, Twenty Years of Mr. GOSS. Reclaiming my time, the gen- Resistance” Campaign reached the conclusion not to offer the tleman is absolutely right, of course. The amendment. Monday, July 17, 1995 Time: 4:30pm- concern we have is there were other Repub- 6:30pm Place: Indonesian consulate, 3457 Mr. VOLKMER. Mr. Speaker, the whole licans who also said, ‘Look, we have got Wilshire Blvd., LA (Cross street is Mari- thing about not knowing of the amendment things we want to put in there, too.’ I just posa. We will meet in front of the McDon- of the gentleman from Massachusetts, I am said that I had another Haiti amendment. ald’s across the street from the consulate at a little fuzzy on that. I just cannot figure The line was drawn and said, what we 4:30pm.) this out. have got is what is in; if we start opening The gentleman from New York stands up up, then you are going to find all kinds of U.S. PRESBYTERIAN here and shows us a big sign that has the little notes all over this place. People have amendment of the gentleman from Massa- said, ‘I had intended to do that, had I only CHURCH PUBLIC POLICY chusetts as it was written, has now been known.’ You have to draw the line some- STATEMENT enlarged into a sign. I assume that means where. I think we drew it fairly. I think we that he had that at the time. tried to give fair treatment to the four that Meeting July 15-21 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the we have provided for in here. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) became the Mr. GOSS. Reclaiming my time, the chair- TEXT of Frank amendment: first denomination in the United States to man did not have that big sign at the time. I pass major legislation regarding East think the only reason he had it is it has be- Under clause 6 of rule XXIII, proposed Timor. Here is the text adopted by their na- come sort of a cause celebre. amendments were submitted as follows: tional governing body. H.R. 1868, OFFERED BY: MR. Mr. VOLKMER. The other thing I would FRANK OF MASSACHUSETTS – John Chamberlin, like to ask the gentleman about, the gentle- East Timor Religious Outreach man mentioned on the subject of Indonesia Amendment No. 86: Page 78, after line 6, that the gentlewoman from New York, the insert the following new section: The 207 General Assembly (1995) of the gentleman from Missouri, and the gentleman LIMITATION ON FUNDS FOR Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): from Virginia had discussed it. Was the gen- INDONESIA 1. Raises its voice of concern, not only to tleman when you are talking about Mis- speak to our own government or to the gov- Sec. 564. None of the funds made avail- ernment of Indonesia, but also, by the rights souri, were you talking about this gentle- able in this Act may be used for assis- man? and duties of partnership, to challenge Indo- tance for Indonesia. nesian partner churches to stand in solidar- Mr. GOSS. I was told that they had coor- ity with those who are oppressed in East dinated with you. If that is not true, then I HORTA TO RECEIVE PRIZE Timor. am misinformed. In any even the gentle- 2. Acknowledges that the international LUSA, July 12 woman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) and community does not accept as legal the de the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) JRH will be awarded Friday the “Interna- facto Indonesian military occupation of East apparently did have such an amendment. tional Activist Prize” of the Gleitsman Timor, and that the United Nations, not Foundation (headquartered in Washington recognizing the claim of annexation, contin- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 145 ues to hold talks on the political status of “This is a real milestone,” said Rev. John Freeport is the picture of modern corpo- East Timor and to monitor the human rights Chamberlin, national coordinator of East ratism, heedless of country or flag, ruthless conditions. Timor Religious Outreach, an ecumenical in pursuit of profit. Across the globe its trail 3. Rejects the argument that economic group based in San Francisco. “To my is marked by despoiled lands, poisoned development of East Timor is justification knowledge, this is the most definitive state- water, ruined lives-its progress assured by a for Indonesian control, pointing out that ment of support for East Timor ever powerful nexus of forces. In Irian Jaya, it is current development patterns are used to adopted as official policy by a major U. S. the Indonesian military that guarantees marginalize the indigenous people and denomination.” Freeport’s ability to do what it wants. In weaken their language and culture. Rev. Chamberlin noted that Presbyterian America, where all the regulations on the 4. Affirms that economic aid to East efforts to address the unknown tragedy in books don’t threaten its standing as the Timor should meet the stated needs of the East Timor began in 1994, when the Presby- nation’s number-one polluter, it is a clutch East Timorese and help develop the neces- tery of San Francisco passed an “overture” of compliant politicians, zealous P.R. agents sary educational and technical capacity for to the Presbyterian General Assembly urg- and hired academics. In Congress, where present and future development. ing condemnation of Indonesian actions in Freeport joins the assault on the Endangered 5. Calls for the participation of the East East Timor. The 1994 General Assembly Species Act and wetlands protections, it is a Timorese themselves in the resolution of the responded by urging all Presbyterians to multi-pronged lobbying effort and a PAC political problems with Indonesia as essen- educate themselves about East Timor and that in the past decade has disbursed money tial to their liberty and to the stability of the by participating in a National Council of to three-fourths of the Senate and a quarter entire region. Churches sponsored fact-finding mission to of the House. 6. Calls on the United States government East Timor in January 1995. “As a result of Freeport’s record with ordinary citizens to cease military aid and to place an embargo what they learned,” Rev. Chamberlin said, is another matter. In its home state of Lou- on the sale of arms to Indonesia. “the Presbyterians were moved to take ac- isiana, for example, where the company 7. Supports the application of the Chris- tion. They resolved to be a voice for the releases millions of pounds of toxic waste tian Church of East Timor (GKTT) for voiceless and stand in solidarity with the into local waters every year, public opposi- membership in the World Council of people of East Timor. It is my hope that tion has hindered it from using the Missis- Churches and other ecumenical bodies in other national religious bodies will follow sippi River as a private sewage stream. In order for the East Timorese church to have the example of the Presbyterians.” Austin, Texas, the company’s plans for a an independent voice. sprawling real estate development that [The background to this action appeared CORPORATE PREDATOR: would foul Barton Springs, the city’s most in Reports to the General Assembly 33.105- FREEPORT-MCMORAN AT popular outdoor swimming place, have so 117.] far been stymied by an enraged citizenry. HOME & ABROAD The outcome of that battle (of which more PRESBYTERIANS DECLARE later) is far from settled. But irate over such By Eyal Press. The Nation. July 31 / August STRONG SUPPORT FOR EAST modest exercises in democracy, Freeport’s 7, 1995, Page 125. Full text TIMOR C.E.O., James Robert (Jim Bob) Moffett, by Anne Treseder The Portuguese Tribune, Three days after Christmas last year a exclaimed: “I can assure you we receive San José, California (USA). Second fortnight chief of the Amungme people offered his better treatment in some foreign countries of August 1995 knife to a representative of Freeport- than we do here.” McMoRan, the U.S. multinational corpora- When it comes to creating a congenial The Presbyterian Church (USA), one of tion that operates the world’s largest gold business environment, it’s hard to rival In- the major Protestant denominations in the mine and third-largest copper mine in the donesia, which has a 10 percent stake in United States, called last week for an em- chief’s country (and Indonesia’s colony), Freeport’s regional mining operations. Jim bargo on the sale of U. S. weapons to Indo- Irian Jaya. “Take it and kill me:’ the chief Bob calls Suharto “a compassionate man,” nesia in response to Indonesia’s devastating told the executive as he held out the and indeed the dictator’s tenderness for and dehumanizing occupation of East weapon, “because I can’t stand anymore to Freeport is such that he has seen to it that Timor. see these problems.... Slice the left side of anyone who gets in the company’s way is In a hard-hitting public policy statement the body and bury each piece from here up simply removed. About a month after the on East Timor, the General Assembly of the to Grasberg [the mountain that Freeport confrontation between the Amungme chief Presbyterian Church (the denomination’s mines].... On your way back round up all and the Freeport exec, 2,000 Amungme governing body) also appealed to the U. S. the Amungme people, our pigs and every living near the mining site were ordered to government to cease all military aid to Indo- piece we have. And make a huge hole to leave their homes by the Indonesian gov- nesia. bury us with all our belongings. You cover ernment. It was a familiar action, one in a The Presbyterians noted that the interna- that and then do anything you want.” series of forced removals that began in 1967, tional community does not accept as legal The Freeport man declined the invitation, when Freeport was granted the right to ex- the Indonesian conquest of East Timor. perhaps confident that there, as throughout ploit Irian Jaya’s mineral resources. This They further noted that Indonesian “devel- the world, his company could achieve the was two years before Indonesia formally opment” of East Timor has “marginalized” same result without such personal exertions. declared the country its twenty-sixth prov- the Timorese and has weakened Timorese Irian Jaya, the western half of the island ince, following an “Act of Free Choice” in language and culture. The Presbyterians of New Guinea, is the site of Freeport’s which 1,205 representatives pre-selected by called for the participation of the Timorese cruelest and, with mineral reserves worth an the Indonesian government made a decision in the resolution of their problems with estimated $50 billion, potentially most lu- for 800,000 people. Indonesia, and challenged Indonesian crative exploits. But as dramatic as the Jakarta honors no rights of the indigenous churches to “stand in solidarity with those country’s story is, in the barest elements it Amungme and Komoro people, who have who are oppressed in East Timor.” is not unique. inhabited the rain forests of Irian Jaya, living off the land, for thousands of years. The Page 146 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
1967 Contract of Work that the regime drew beheaded for participating in a flag-raising Three civilians were killed, five disappeared up with Freeport gave the company a three- ceremony. and thirteen others were arrested and tor- year tax holiday and a 250,000-acre conces- Emmy Hafild of WALHI, a Jakarta - tured. (Freeport denies its people were in- sion. Villagers, meanwhile, were paid 10 based organization that monitors Freeport volved.) cents an hour to build roads for Freeport activity in Irian Jaya, says seventy military It was after these killings, which were in- and then, once mining began, were trans- personnel patrol the mining site. An Indone- dependently reported by the BBC, that the ferred to resettlement camps along the sian general told her Freeport helps pay Amungme chief offered his knife to the man coastal lowland, where many died of ma- their salaries. from Freeport, reasoning that in one form or laria. The company denies any link to the In- another violence would put an end to his Today, having recently won a thirty-year donesian military and any responsibility for people. Freeport currently dumps 115,000 renewal on its mining contract with Jakarta the repression of locals, but that’s not what tons of untreated tailings (refuse from the (“thrusting a spear of economic develop- on-site visitors have heard from the com- mining process) straight into the Agha- ment into the heartland of Irian Jaya,” as pany’s own employees. One recent Western wagon, Otomona and Ajkwa rivers which Moffett puts it), Freeport insists that its traveler was told by a Freeport security pass below. A report by the company’s exploitation of the country has been a bless- employee that he and his co-workers amuse own geochemistry consultants states, ing for the tribal people. At a recruitment themselves by shooting randomly at passing “Copper (‘highly toxic to many fish and session held at the Indonesian consulate in tribesmen and watching them scurry in ter- aquatic organisms’] does occur throughout New York recently, company representa- ror into the woods. That same traveler, who the river system at detectable concentra- tives showed a video depicting schools and asked not to be identified, wandered into the tions.” Freeport P.R. men claim that the health clinics that Freeport has built in the mining site while hiking and was locked up Ajkwa could pass U.S. standards for drink- region, along with a profile of New Town, for several hours in a cell jointly guarded by ing water, but when one visitor recently the bright, modem city under construction Freeport security and Indonesian soldiers. asked a Freeport security guard if he drinks for employees. Mining causes “absolutely Raisa Lerner, a graduate of Harvard Law from it, the officer laughed: “If you drink no damage to the forests” and “no acid School who spent two recent summers in that water, you’ll die.” drainage problems” to rivers below, ex- Irian Jaya, says that the main road to the Freeport, with 1994 revenues of $1.9 bil- plained the voiceover; Jim Bob Moffett mining site can be entered only with permis- lion, says it cannot afford to neutralize the himself declared that the local people “are sion, via military checkpoints (she says tailings before disposal. Instead, it plans to moving into the twenty-first century.” similar security controls the entrance to build levees along the banks of the Ajkwa to If the cataclysms of this century are any New Town). When Lerner and several “contain” the tailings, a process that, Hafild guide to the future, Moffett’s vision is wor- Amungme tried to visit a mine within the points out, will submerge 332,500 acres of rying. (This is a man, incidentally, who has indigenous homeland, they were turned rain forest in refuse and do nothing to solve Henry Kissinger on his board of directors away. The next day Lerner breezed through the problem at its source. and who counts Indonesian Foreign Minis- the same checkpoint with a Freeport sub- The company consultants’ report also ter Ali Alatas – best known for calling the contractor, who also confided that Indone- noted the ruin of nearby lakes. Of one, the genocide in occupied East Timor a matter of sian officials advised him not to hire Irianese scientists wrote, “all that remained was “cultural differences” – as a golfing partner locals. some brown, iron-like staining on the and personal friend.) Nor can the decision In previous years, local people con- clay/rock which presumably was [once] the this past March by the British RTZ Corpo- fronted the Indonesian Army within the floor of the lake.” As for the beautiful val- ration to invest up to $1.7 billion in Free- mining area in frequent and bloody clashes. leys so admired by mountain climbers, port – $850 million of it in Irian Jaya pro- The peak came in 1977, when members of WALHI reports, “When the mines shut jects-be cause for much optimism among the an indigenous resistance movement, the down ... [these] will be covered by 4 billion Amungme and Komoro. RTZ operates the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (O.P.M.), used tons of waste rock.” Meanwhile, the rain notoriously destructive Panguna cop- stolen Freeport explosives to blow up a forest is dying. Rivers swollen with toxic per/gold mine in Papua New Guinea, and in copper slurry pipe, causing a temporary waste have flooded thousands of acres, turn- 1992 was named the biggest corporate threat shutdown. There followed the Indonesian ing once-verdant areas gray and killing palm to indigenous people by Survival Interna- Army’s Operasi Tumpas (Operation Anni- trees that are the source of sago, a powdery tional. hilation), a blitzkrieg that killed anywhere starch traditionally a staple of native peo- From the perspective of one Amungme from 900 to several thousand people. ples’ diets. tribesman, Freeport is simply following the Most Amungme have since distanced Freeport is required to submit an Envi- standard Third World development model – themselves from the O.P.M., but the brutal- ronmental Management Plan to the Indone- “developing a glamorous satellite city with ity has not stopped. In 1988, according to sian government, but, as the country’s single complete facilities and a five-star Sheraton Rainforest Action Network, Freeport relo- biggest taxpayer, it can be forgiven a lot. Hotel that will only widen the gap between cated 1,000 residents to the coastal lowlands After news leaked last December that a the local people, who have nothing, and the and called in the army, which burned down majority on a state special review committee Freeport staff, who have access to resources their old huts. This past April 5, the Aus- had rejected as insufficient Freeport’s and facilities!’ Only 15 percent of the tralian Council for Overseas Aid released E.M.P., the head of Indonesia’s Department roughly 14,000 people Freeport employs in “Trouble at Freeport,” a report detailing the of Mining and Energy promptly organized a the area are locals, and most of them occupy killing or disappearance of twenty-two civil- press conference, attended by numerous the lowest-level jobs. They and their kinfolk ians and fifteen alleged O.P.M. guerrillas at Freeport representatives, to deny all. By are kept in check by the Indonesian military, the hands of the Indonesian Army since February the Indonesian government had which Amnesty International describes in June 1994. On Christmas Day, the report approved the plan. its latest report on Irian Jaya as engaging in says, Freeport and Indonesian security Freeport is an old hand at circumventing “a continuing pattern” of “political impris- forces interrupted a peaceful flag-raising environmental regulations, and it is in this onment, torture, ill-treatment and extrajudi- ceremony, where Amungme had gathered to area that the company’s international and cial execution.” One man, for example, was honor their ancestors, and opened fire. domestic tactics most closely coincide. Ac- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 147 cording to the latest figures from the U.S. vowed in the meantime to pass “royalty When activists got a citywide referendum Environmental Protection Agency, Freeport relief” legislation – i.e., tax breaks – for on the 1992 ballot to stop the development, released 193.6 million pounds of toxic mate- deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Moffett threatened to “bankrupt the city” rial into the air, water and soil in 1993, Freeport lobbyist W. Russell King, respon- with lawsuits if the people obstructed his nearly three times as much as America’s sible for an additional $300,000 in lobbying will. Freeport spent tens of thousands of next largest polluter. Since the early 1970s, for the company, lists royalty relief among dollars on an ad campaign touting its good Freeport, also a producer of phosphate his officially filed “legislative interests.” intentions. It flew Bill Collier, a writer for fertilizer, has stacked radioactive King has also been urging “amendments to the Austin-American Statesman, to Irian phosphogypsum in its home base of New the existing corporate alternative minimum Jaya, after which he wrote a series of fawn- Orleans. Phosphoric acid and heavy metals tax ... including 100% use of the foreign tax ing articles. One of them called the conflict leak from there into ground water. In 1984, credit” – which would enable multinationals between Freeport and the Irianese a problem Freeport and three other companies (two of like Freeport to make deductions to the of “mutual misunderstanding.” Today, Col- which it later acquired) petitioned for an point of paying no taxes. lier works for Freeport. exemption to the Clean Water Act to dump It stands to reason that such a corporate The referendum passed by two to one. 25 billion pounds of the toxic waste every predator would work hard to conceal its FM Properties, a Freeport subsidiary, year into the Mississippi River, the primary dirty deeds. When National Geographic promptly filed suit arguing that its project source of drinking water for 1.5 million snapped a picture of the New Orleans gy p- should proceed. As insurance, Freeport people. sum stacks for a 1992 special on water, hired ten lobbyists (five paid $25,000- The Louisiana Department of Environ- Freeport officials pleaded with the maga- $49,999 each) to pressure the Texas legisla- mental Quality, prompted by citizen pro- zine, unsuccessfully, to pull the shot. (A ture to gut Austin’s water quality ordi- test, denied the petition. Now Freeport year later, when the magazine wanted to do nances. Money talks: Both the legislature boasts that it has taken measures to reduce a story on Irian Jaya, Jakarta denied NG’s and the court capitulated. runoff from the gypsum stacks by 87 per- reporter permission to enter the country.) In Still, until Austin provides the company cent. So radioactive material continues to New Orleans, Freeport’s image-making is with a sewage system, the project can’t go seep into the ground water. Meanwhile, handled by some of the city’s leading former ahead. And the city has so far resisted Free- Freeport is a member of the Clean Water reporters: Garland Robinette, a co-anchor at port’s appeals to tax citizens to pay for a Industry Coalition, which is lobbying to the local CBS affiliate; Gerard Braud, an sewage line out to its property. Back in revise the Clean Water Act to relieve corpo- environmental reporter from the local NBC February the company offered to drop its rations from the strictures of many current affiliate; and two of CBS’s top environ- lawsuit in exchange for this public subsidy. pollution controls. It also belongs to the mental cameramen. The company sponsors After 580 people spoke out against the deal Fertilizer Institute, which is petitioning the “Focus Earth” infomercials for local TV and at a City Council meeting, the “settlement” E.P.A. to remove phosphoric acid from its sends representatives to local schools to was voted down. list of toxic substances. If that effort suc- preach about recycling and corporate com- “Freeport has been actively involved in ceeds, the company’s toxic runoff will no mitment to the environment. the outright bullying of the people of Aus- longer be considered pollution. And in higher education? Freeport bank- tin,” says Brigid Shea, a member of the City Freeport has long been advancing every rolls environmental programs at five Louisi- Council who learned that the company tried core anti-environmental measure currently ana universities. Tulane’s Freeport- to get Austin’s attorney to sign the deal on the table in Congress. Topping the list is McMoRan Professor of Environmental before the Council could vote on it. Moffett, the Shuster bill, which would eliminate Policy, James Regens, heads a working for his part, recently breezed through the E.P.A. oversight of wetlands and open group of academics, all feeding at the Free- city warning that “no Fortune 500 company many protected areas to development. port trough, whose purpose, says Moffett, is coming to Austin after what we’ve been Much of the original language of that bill is to “elevate Louisiana as a leading center through.” He also flashed a slide of an Iri- was written by a corporate lobby group for environmental studies.” For its own anese worker for Freeport: “I guarantee you evasively called the National Wetlands Coa- Freeport-endowed “environmental commu- this sombitch is glad we found a copper and lition. Freeport is a member of that group nications” chair, Loyola University is look- gold mine. . . . [Before Freeport arrived] the and since 1983 has donated $46,000 to Lou- ing for someone who will “service to the young man was raising vegetables or doing isiana members of the House, including De- needs of private industry.” whatever on the mountain with his parents.” mocrat Jimmy Hayes ($6,750), the bill’s co- At the University of Texas in Austin, Now, if he’s like most of the locals em- sponsor. The coalition is also lobbying to whose geology department has since 1989 ployed by Freeport, he’s living in a fetid weaken the Endangered Species Act; mean- had a $1.4 million contract to conduct Free- shack off the pay of his menial labor. All while, Freeport burnishes its image by fund- port’s mineral prospecting in Irian Jaya, that wealth; all that misery. It’s not that ing an endangered species center in Louisi- that aim is rich reality. The school’s chan- Freeport-McMoRan is insensitive, or even ana. cellor, William Cunningham, is on Free- diabolical. It’s just plain business. Since 1983, Freeport’s political action port’s board of directors and recently named Eyal Press is a New York-based journalist. committee has paid members of Congress a $25 million molecular biology building more than $730,000 for their favors. Louisi- after his pal and U.T. alumnus Jim Bob FREEPORT PROTESTS ana’s J. Bennett Johnston, the Senate’s Moffett and Moffett’s wife, Louise. (Jim The Nation, October 9. Letters Exchange staunchest advocate of the Suharto regime Bob pitched in a mere $2 million for the and of US. oil and mining interests, got building, four times less than what U.T. New Orleans $8,000. (Companies like Freeport, Johnston students will pay through student fees.) The Eyal Press and The Nation published a recently informed the pliant US. Trade Rep- honor came at a good time for Moffett, who malicious hit piece, “Corporate Predator: resentative Mickey Kantor, “have been since 1990 has been battling the people of Freeport-McMoRan at Home and Abroad” leaders in pay, treatment of workers ... and Austin over Freeport’s prospective 4,000- [July 31/ Aug. 7]. Press began with preju- general ‘empowerment’ of Indonesians.”) acre real estate development which would diced questions and ignored the answers Johnston is due to retire in 1997 but has spew sewage into Barton Springs. when the facts did not meet Ws precon- Page 148 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. ceived notions. He relied on hearsay and that Press himself has utterly failed to pro- photo of its radioactive gypsum stacks in innuendo to spin a story that is vicious, vide. Louisiana. inaccurate and unequivocally wrong. By Press insinuates that Freeport- Egan does not specify whose “evidence” publishing Press’s biased work, The Nation McMoRan is not liked in its headquarters proves Louisiana’s ground water is un- failed in its responsibility to present truth city, New Orleans. The reality is that the harmed. Wilma Subra, a chemist who pro- to its readers. company is consistently recognized as the vides technical support to the Louisiana It would not be possible in this limited Crescent City’s leading corporate citizen. Environmental Action Network, says the space to correct every falsehood in Press’s City Business cited Freeport-McMoRan as ground water is contaminated by radioactive diatribe. The following sampling of errors the local company that “stands out” for its leachate that runs from the stacks, adding to characterizes the entirety of the article: work to revitalize city parks, help the arts the 193.6 million pounds of toxics Freeport Press alleges that Freeport security and help save the libraries. released into the water, air and soil in 1993. workers in Indonesia amuse themselves by Press even disparages Freeport’s contri- Egan then accuses me of saying that Free- shooting at tribesmen. The truth is the secu- butions to educational institutions and port circumvents environmental law. What I rity workers don’t have guns. Press knew community organizations. These partner- wrote was that Freeport tried, unsuccess- this fact but chose to exclude it. ships have helped advance important medi- fully, to circumvent the Clean Water Act, Press charges that Freeport worked to cal research, furthered understanding of the and-foiled by popular opposition-now brags deny National Geographic access to the environment and provided greater opportu- about being a good corporate citizen. company’s mining area in Irian Jaya. The nities for disadvantaged youth in every As for the tailings, the transcript of a opposite is true: Freeport helped the maga- community in which Freeport-McMoRan 1991 meeting attended by four Freeport zine develop its story, gave logistical sup- works. officials and six nongovernmental organiza- port and provided access to its mining op- Those readers of The Nation who know tions at the Environmental Defense Fund eration and the surrounding areas to Geo- the real Freeport-McMoRan, not the fic- notes that the company dismissed the idea graphic reporter Tom O’Neill and photog- tional company appearing in Press’s con- of piping its tailings “on the grounds that rapher George Steinmetz. coction, must have thought they had awak- such a plan would be too exp ensive.” Egan Press asserts that radioactive material ened in some parallel universe where truth is now says the tailings are not toxic. Free- seeps from the company’s Louisiana gy p- stood on its head. Or perhaps they thought port’s own geology consultants, cited in my sum stacks into ground water. Evidence the piece was another hoax, such as the one article, judged the copper in the tailings clearly shows this is not the case Press ac- Victor Navasky outlined in his June 29 “highly toxic to many fish and aquatic or- cuses Freeport of circumventing environ- memo, subsequently exposed in The Wall ganisms.” mental regulations. It has not. In fact, the Street Journal. Egan claims no harm will be done to Bar- company voluntarily implemented a $30 If The Nation had a glimmer of respect ton Springs – news indeed to Austinites, million plan to reduce E.P.A.-permitted left after the memo was exposed, Press who have waged a four-year battle against discharges. The result has been an 87 per- quickly stamped it out with his heavy- Freeport and voted 2 to 1 in the Save Our cent reduction. handed effort to disguise as journalism what Springs referendum to block the company’s Press incorrectly says that Freeport re- clearly amounts to cold-blooded character plans. fuses to neutralize the tailings from its In- assassination. On one point Egan is right: The Ameri- donesia mine because it “says it cannot Thomas J. Egan can-Statesman, not Freeport, flew Bill Col- afford to.” The truth is the tailings are not senior vice president Freeport-McMoRan lier to Indonesia. Freeport flew him around toxic or acidic and do not require neutraliza- upon arrival – “spectacular” rides Collier tion. Press was told this but again mali- PRESS REPLIES described in the puff pieces he wrote about ciously ignored the truth. No wonder Thomas Egan is angry. In re- Freeport just before taking his current job as Press claims that the proposed Barton sponse to my article, The Maroon, Loyola a P.R. flack for the company. Creek Community would “spew sewage University’s weekly paper, has called for As for Egan’s claim that Freeport’s secu- into Barton Springs.” The truth is that the cutting all ties between the university and rity workers do not carry guns, a Western community is located 7.5 stream miles from Freeport. The Louisiana Citizens for Tax traveler who spent several hours in a cell the springs, will leave over 70 percent of its Justice and a host of environmental groups, jointly guarded by Freeport and Indonesian land green and includes state-of-the-art wa- meanwhile, held an August 22 press confer- security forces told me that Freeport secu- ter quality controls to achieve a strict non- ence at Freeport’s headquarters demanding rity personnel do carry guns. The April 5 degradation standard after development. to know why state officials were granting Australian Council for Overseas Aid report, Press states that in Austin, Texas, Free- one of America’s leading polluters $3.8 based entirely on local sources, goes further, port’s development plans are opposed by million in tax breaks for expenses that in- charging that Freeport security used guns “an enraged citizenry.’ What Press conven- cluded car rentals, lunches and flowers. At when they joined Indonesian soldiers and iently left out was the fact that a federal the University of Texas in Austin, students opened fire on a peaceful flag-raising cere- jury in Austin this year found that the and activists handed out copies of my article mony this past Christmas. city’s politicians had acted arbitrarily and and protested the university’s links to Other reports of abuses on company capriciously in their dealings with Freeport Freeport on September 21. grounds have since turned up. In August, and had violated the company’s constitu- Egan “conveniently left out” the fact that the Catholic church of Jayapura published a tional rights. Freeport refused my interview requests, report, also drawn from the testimony of Press writes that Freeport flew Austin- Taking Egan’s points in order, leaving his eyewitnesses, saying that on the same day American Statesman reporter Bill Collier to first, most serious, charge for last: three civilians died while being tortured by Indonesia, implying that Freeport thereby Concerning National Geographic, I wrote Indonesian soldiers in a Freeport workshop, insured favorable coverage. The fact is that that Jakarta, not Freeport, denied the initial mother was shot on a Freeport bus, and the American Statesman paid for Collier’s access to Irian Jaya. Freeport, meanwhile, fifteen were tortured inside a 3-by-6-meter trip in order to conduct the kind of first- pleaded with the magazine to not print a Freeport “container,” in which victims hand, impartial investigation and reporting “were beaten with sticks, with rifle butts East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 149 and were kicked with boots,” according to the Indonesian occupation of East Timor territory. Please let us know how we might one survivor. and U.S. complicity to the greater public. assist you in these matters. Freeport’s important “partnerships” are In San Francisco, East Timor Religious We would greatly appreciate if you not with disadvantaged children and com- Outreach (ETRO) organized the demonstra- would convey our sentiments and offer to munity organizations but with industry tion. Four clergy participated as well as President Suharto and Foreign Minister lobby groups, pliant politicians and killers. members and supporters of ETAN/San Alatas. Eyal Press Francisco and ETRO. Unlike past demon- Please accept our most cordial and re- strations at the SF consulate, the Indonesian spectful regards. U.S. POST OFFICE installation remained open during the pro- For the East Timor Action Network of DELETES EAST TIMOR test. Los Angeles, In Los Angeles, the ETAN/L.A.- Sincerely, From Charlie Scheiner, ETAN/US. organized demonstration took place from Matthew Jardine, Coordinator 4:30pm until 6:30pm. Many passersby In the July 9, 1995 postal regulations honked their horns in support of the slogans BAY AREA CLERGY CHALLENGE update, the U.S. Postal Service drew a few on the posters and banners calling for an end INDONESIA ON “INTEGRATION” political conclusions as part of their Interna- to U.S. support for the Indonesian occupa- Jornal Portugues, August 1995. The editor tional Rates and Fees “Summary of tion. As in San Francisco, demonstrators Changes": combined this with a report of Integration handed out hundreds of informational flyers Day events in Dili. by Anne Treseder 2. Country Changes to pedestrians, people going in and out of Clergy and laity from the Catholic, the Indonesian consulate, and passing mo- · Serbia and Montenegro are combined as Methodist, Presbyterian, and Muslim faiths torists. ETAN/L.A. also presented a letter Serbia-Montenegro (Yugoslavia). converged on the Indonesian consulate in (see below) to a representative of the consu- · Kampuchea is changed to Cambodia. San Francisco on Monday, July 17, for a late. KPFK–the local Pacifica Radio affili- · East Timor is deleted. It is part of Indo- two-hour vigil in support of East Timor. ate–interviewed a representative of nesia. The vigil, organized by the San Francisco ETAN/L.A. regarding the demonstration and based East Timor Religious Outreach, was In the Country Listing table at the back the five month “Twenty Years of Occupa- in observance of “Integration Day,” the day of the July “International Postal Rates and tion, Twenty Years of Resistance” campaign on which – 19 years ago – the Indonesian Fees” booklet, Indonesia is footnoted: “In- of which the July 17 demonstration marked government forcibly “integrated” East cludes East Timor.” This is the only coun- the beginning. try-specific footnote in the entire world. Timor into Indonesia after having brutally ––––––––––––––– One could write the postal service to ex- invaded the territory the previous year. plain what “East Timor is deleted” really 17 July 1995 Fourteen vigilers distributed a leaflet to means – and how, despite the best efforts of Mr. Sandoso Rahardjo consulate visitors and passersby containing then Indonesian military and its US sup- Acting Consul General the July 11 testimony of Rev. Max Surjadi- porters, this hasn’t happened yet? Consulate of Indonesia nata, an Indonesian-American minister, be- Just for information, among the other 3457 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA fore the United Nations in New York City: non-self-governing territories listed as Dear Mr. Sandoso Rahardjo: “For the past twenty years, I have “countries” by the postal service are the We have gathered today at the Indonesian watched with deep sorrow and sadness the Azores, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Falk- Consulate to commemorate the nineteenth occupation of East Timor . . . by the gov- land Islands, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, anniversary of so-called “Integration Day.” ernment of a country – Indonesia – that Greenland, Macao, Madeira Islands, Mar- In doing so, our purpose is twofold: to draw itself experienced the deep longing for self- tinique, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledo- attention to Your Government’s immoral determination and subsequently tasted free- nia, Pitcairn Island, Reunion, Saint Helena, and illegal campaign to subjugate East dom and independence.” Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Tristan da Cunha, Timor–a brutal endeavor that has resulted in The leaflet also noted the recent poignant and Wallis & Futuna. I guess the post office the death of over 200,000 East Timorese; statement of Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, likes it better if your colonizer is further and to publicize the active complicity of the head of the Roman Catholic Church in East away. (Incidentally, some UN member United States Government in the crimes Timor: “We live in a scorched land.” countries including Palau, the Federated against humanity perpetrated by Your Gov- The vigilers urged concerned people of all States of Micronesia and the Republic of the ernment in East Timor. faiths to observe “Integration Day” by con- Marshall Islands, didn’t make the list. I We call upon Your Government to take tacting California Senator Dianne Feinstein guess you can’t mail to the people there.) the courageous path of reversing its colonial (c/o U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. 20510) project in East Timor. As Indonesia ap- and asking her to vote against all U. S. mili- INTEGRATION DAY proaches the fiftieth anniversary of its de- tary aid to Indonesia. Catholic theologian Kenneth Butigan, IN CALIFORNIA clared independence from Dutch imperial rule, this year is a very auspicious time to vigil participant and instructor at the Fran- From ETAN/Los Angeles, July 21 put an end to Indonesia’s bloody occupa- ciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, tion of East Timor. added his own heartfelt plea: “All people of Demonstrations took place in San Fran- conscience and faith throughout the world cisco and Los Angeles outside of the Indo- The East Timor Action Network of Los Angeles would like to help the Government must take strong and nonviolent steps to nesian consulates in the respective cities on end the bitter horror in East Timor.” July 17th to commemorate the 19th anni- of Indonesia fulfill its obligations under versary of so-called “Integration Day.” national law to effect an immediate military Demonstrations in both cities were rela- withdrawal from East Timor and to allow tively small–about 14 people each–but were for an internationally-supervised plebiscite lively and effective in terms of publicizing on self-determination to take place in the Page 150 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS trading activities? Or are we treating icy formalizes the use of US embassies and that as, ‘this is just another export,’ agencies to market American military hard- AND FINANCE: just like selling sides of beef, refrigera- ware. THE INTERNATIONAL tors, personal computers? It seems to Aaron Karp is a professor of interna- ARMS TRADE me it’s too much emphasis on the fact tional studies at Old Dominion University that these are ‘exports’ and not in Norfolk, Virginia, and an expert on arms Voice of America, July 22. By Erica Benis, enough emphasis on the fact that they trade issues and proliferation. He says US Washington. are dangerous weapons of war, and laws governing arms exports are among the Throughout the western alliance, defense that they’re being used for purposes most restrictive in the western world. budgets have been falling for several years of warfare, not for prestige value, or “On the other hand you have in- and will continue to fall for several more. deterrence. They’re actually being dustries that are very important eco- According to the Stockholm International used to kill human beings.” nomically. They are important to the Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), since Numerous examples, says Mr. Hartung, national health. And you have to en- communism collapsed in eastern Europe in illustrate how US weapons are used for courage exports. Exports sales for the 1989, NATO’s general military spending what he considers illegitimate purposes. United States generally have been plunged from 370-billion to 322-billion dol- “The recent Turkish incursion into fairly consistent. They’ve gone a little lars. Arms purchasing dropped from 83- northern Iraq, in my opinion, was not bit down over the past ten years, but billion to 60-billion dollars. in keeping with international law. Be- not down nearly as much as everyone A direct effect of these cuts has been a cause they – among other things – else’s. So American arms exports now surge in sales of weapons abroad. bombed and burned down some Iraqi lead the world by far, not because With a projected defense budget for 1997 Kurdish villages. It was clearly not America’s exports have gone up. Eve- almost 40 percent smaller than the 1985 just a surgical strike against terrorism, ryone else’s have gone down so dra- budget, the United States is now the world’s as they claimed. Our clients, like Mo- matically.” largest conventional arms supplier: It claims rocco and Indonesia, have for more As defense budgets are shrinking in the 75 percent of the current market, with the than 20 years illegally occupied adja- developed countries, professor Karp says remainder divided among Russia, China, cent territories: Morocco in Western that governments must find ways to main- France, Britain, and others. Sahara, Indonesia in East Timor. We tain their defense industries. But the fact is According to experts, the US is well- have also seen the weaponry and that defense industries are a big drain on positioned to remain a leading weapons training that we supplied to Afghani- national economies. And states try hard to supplier far into the future. By the early stan come back to haunt us as people minimize these unpopular expenditures. 21st century, the United States is expected who trained over there at the cost of “It’s much more convenient if you to be the sole producer of the world’s most US taxpayers, in afghan rebel camps, can find someone else to finance them advanced conventional weaponry. have been implicated in everything for you. And that’s what arms exports I’m Linda Cashdan. Today on spotlight from the World Trade Center bombing are all about.” on business and finance we will look at the to suspicion that some of them may According to the Clinton administration, international weapons market, where gov- have been involved in the murders of arms exports provide a partial offset to the ernments and gun merchants compete for US personnel in Karachi, Pakistan.” severe cutbacks in US defense procurement, profits. What is more, arms control expert Wil- and a means of keeping the US defense in- Falling demand within the domestic mar- liam Hartung says, an indiscriminate transfer dustrial base from eroding too rapidly. Pro- ket has forced America’s top arms compa- of arms often has a ‘boomerang’ effect. fessor Karp says modern weapons are so nies to concentrate harder on exports. US “It seems like everywhere we turn advanced, technologies are so complicated, arms sales to developing countries have in Somalia, in Panama, in Iraq, it ends and the design skills required to develop doubled since the fall of the Berlin Wall. up that our troops often face forces on them are so unusual that maintaining pro- Third world buyers generally prefer the other side that have either weap- duction is of paramount importance. American-made weapons because of supe- ons that we gave them or sold them, or “Czechoslovakia, to use a promi- rior performance and lower prices. They that were built with equipment that nent example, had a fighter aircraft in- also welcome the political and military ties we supplied to them. I really think dustry through the 1950s until the to the United States that come with agree- that that’s just the most extreme ex- early 1960s when it was stopped for ments to purchase American arms. ample of why we’ve got to rethink political reasons. There’s no chance Domestically, the US approach to arms this whole arms policy. Unfortu- that the Czech republic today could exports has been awash in controversy. US nately, President Clinton decided not start a fighter (plane) production officials insist that conventional weapons to do that.” again. Same thing in Poland, where, are perfectly legitimate for national self- In 1995, the Clinton administration again for political reasons, fighter air- defense, and exports of such weapons adopted an arms-sales policy free of ideo- craft production stopped. It will never should not be restricted. Critics say arms logical restraint associated with the cold war start again there. And, of course, what sales fuel conflicts. era. The policy puts commercial considera- western European nations are espe- William Hartung is an arms control expert tions first. The administration has also ap- cially afraid of is that the same thing with the world policy institute. He has re- proved the sales of fighter jets and other will happen to them for economic rea- cently compiled a US arms sales report sophisticated offensive weapons to 10 sons. If they stop producing these using government figures. His assessment countries in Central and Eastern Europe. weapons, they’ll lose the capability; shows that American weapons are at the Critics contend that the policy is de- the designers will disappear; the com- center of many devastating ethnic conflicts. signed to enhance the Clinton administra- panies will go out of business and “Are we really looking carefully at tion’s goal of maintaining the country’s their own security will be perma- the consequences of our weapons overwhelming dominance of the interna- nently compromised.” tional arms market. They say the new pol- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 151
Professor Karp says the end of the East- other European union countries to re-enter on this problem. So it’s possible that West rivalry and the global recession of the the Syrian market. some selective controls might be feasi- early 1990s have forced many traditional As the sole supplier of weaponry to ja- ble.” purchasers of major weapons from the pan, and with a substantial share of the But as religious and ethnic hatreds sup- United States – aircraft, ships, tanks, and marketplace in south Korea and Taiwan, the plant cold-war tensions as a major source of missiles – to scale back their acquisitions. United States has long been dominant in east international instability, concerns have been US exports of such arms declined from 50- Asia. Right now, says Mr. Wolf, arms sales raised about unrestrained trade in “light” billion dollars a year in the mid-1980s to are booming in east Asia. weapons. These range from pistols, rifles, less than half that amount in 1994. “There’s a lot of money in Taiwan, and machine-guns to grenades, mortars and “So the market has gone down which has something like 90 billion small missiles. They are easy to transport dramatically. In effect, peace has bro- dollars of foreign exchange reserves, and conceal, and they are cheap, reliable, and ken out. While ethnic warfare is a huge and in Singapore, and in Malaysia, and widely available. They make up the arsenals problem, warfare between countries is in Indonesia. Those countries have ac- of new armies and the muscle behind war- very rare, and the sales of major tively entered the Abu Dhabi arms ba- ring ethnic groups. weapons are down. Export opportuni- zaar and the world weapons market In 1994, according to the United Nations ties are few and the firms have to fight generally, and are buying advanced institute for disarmament research, almost for them very aggressively.” weapons from us and from the French 300 companies in more than 50 countries The major marketplace for weapons since and from the Russians and the British were making small arms and related equip- 1989 has been the Middle East. It accounted as well. One can say what is the threat ment. China, with at least 16 factories, is for 56 percent of all sales agreements from they’re concerned about? The threat believed to have the world’s largest small- 1990 to 1993. The world’s leading suppliers they’re concerned about is a stronger arms industry. The United States ranks – the big five as they are called – the United and more assertive china.” fifth. States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia – As a practical matter, says Charles wolf, Before he joined Old Dominion Univer- compete vigorously for weapons’ sales to the arms trade cannot be stopped. But it can sity in Norfolk, Virginia, Aaron Karp the region. be selectively controlled. In recent years the worked for the Stockholm International In mid-march, the United Arab Emirates United States has tied arms sales to im- Peace Research Institute, where he studied hosted an arms bazaar in Abu Dhabi. Some provement of human rights, non-aggression, light and small arms proliferation in the 600 companies from nearly 50 nations ex- controls on technology transfer, and other post-cold war era. Professor Karp says the hibited a dazzling array of military technol- long-term goals. United States does not sell a lot of light ogy, including naval gunships, attack heli- The Rand corporation has recently con- arms. copters, and ground-to-air and sea-to-air ducted a study on prospective controls, “Right now there’s a prohibition missiles. focusing on so-called high-leverage weapons on exporting land mines, which are Charles Wolf is an arms expert with the systems – missiles, advanced munitions, seen as excessively injurious, inhu- Rand corporation in Santa Monica, Califor- submarines, advanced sea and land mines. mane weapons. The United States nia. He says the US dual containment policy “What we’ve tried to do is segment doesn’t sell a lot of dual-use technol- against Iran and Iraq resulted in limited US the market: distinguishing (that is) be- ogy that can be used to produce nu- weapons sales to these two countries. That tween weapons systems that we refer clear weapons or chemical weapons, has sparked fierce competition between to as ‘high-leverage’ systems – that or anything like that. It’s major weap- France, Germany, Russia and china, all wait- would destabilize regional arms bal- ons systems that are the core of the ing in line for major contracts whenever the ances – and to focus the controls by American defense market.” embargoes against the two Persian Gulf the big five suppliers on those sys- How many light arms are traded annually states are lifted. tems, allowing the large volume and in the world? That, Professor Karp says, is “The incentives are very strong. the high value exports of tanks, artil- difficult to discern. The Russians need foreign exchange lery, ammunition, surface ships and “The arms trade research is all and one of the few things that they are aircraft platforms to continue.” about government-to-government reasonably competitive in internation- Rand corporation arms expert Charles sales, selling F-16s or T-72s. No one ally is weapons. The Chinese are wolf says high-leverage systems constitute has put much work into sales of small competitive not so much in quality as only 10 percent of the global weapons mar- arms and weapons that actually matter in price. They need foreign exchange ket. Prohibiting the selling of those systems in ethnic conflicts, weapons that actu- as well. The plain fact of the matter is would impose only a modest financial loss ally kill people.” that the overwhelmingly dominant on the big five arms suppliers. However, The transfer of light arms is usually han- seller in the international weapons developing such a selective control, he says, dled by dealers. Professor Karp says that market now is the United States.” would require agreement among the big five arms dealers come in all shapes and forms. Following the 1979 peace accord between to establish a joint market mechanism. “It’s a huge spectrum that starts Egypt and Israel, US military aid to both “The point is to focus controls on with very serious business people you countries increased significantly. Jordan, those particular systems whose export can find in the phone book, who will too, is in line to receive US weapons as part to the middle east or to east Asia take you very seriously and will insist of its reward for concluding a peace accord would be particularly hazardous or on fully legal channels on licenses, on with Israel. Diplomats and analysts predict destabilizing; and would be particu- all the approvals. And it runs the that a peace accord between Israel and Syria larly difficult for NATO or US forces gamut to various kinds of illegal deal- will produce a similar result. But the others to counter if there were a need for ex- ers whom you have to find through in the big five group are not far behind. The ternal intervention. A presidential ad- costly time consuming means. The scrapping, last year, of the European un- visory board on arms proliferation spectrum ends with an enormous ion’s arms embargo against Syria, for exam- that was appointed by president Clin- number of dreamers and skimmers ple, has opened the way for the French and ton about six months ago is working who will tell you they can do amazing Page 152 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
things, but really all they can do is Aaron Karp says rifles, blade weapons, Contrary to some published reports, take your money.” and anti-aircraft missiles are the most deci- Thailand is not a prospective buyer of the Purchasing weapons requires careful sive military instruments in the post-cold planes, a senior administration official said planning, but buyers seem to know what it war battle fields. In his view, small arms, yesterday. takes to close a deal. not fighter bombers or tanks, determine Prospects for approval of the administra- “Say I was leading a small guerrilla whether new states will be created, whether tion’s plan are uncertain, congressional group and we were going to liberate old ones will be divided, whether whole sources said. Fredonia. I would probably begin by peoples will survive or not. The House has approved a nonbinding going to a major capital who is The trade in light weapons – many of resolution approving transfer of the F-16s friendly and there I would simply which are sold on the gray (semi-legal) and to a third country, but the measure is part of open up an office. And I would let it black (illegal) markets – is not only impos- a foreign aid bill that the president has be known what I wanted and I would sible to control, it is impossible to survey. threatened to veto for unrelated reasons. see who came. And through a friend of Because of a lack of basic information and In the Senate, Pressler himself has pro- a friend of a friend, channels will de- the secretive nature of small arms transfers, posed shifting the F-16 sale to a new buyer velop. In particular, if I had money to year-by-year, country-by-country statisti- and suggested the Philippines and Taiwan. spend, and I tell people what it is I cal summaries of light weapons trafficking But he told fellow senators in the “Dear want to buy, eventually people will cannot be produced. Colleague” letter last week that he opposes come offering. Now some may not Only now is the international community the waiver allowing delivery to Pakistan of have anything. A lot of them will give – especially the developed countries – be- the other military equipment. you fancy brochures and paper. A few ginning to address the sales of light arms: According to congressional sources, the of them however, will have weapons that is limiting sales of rifles; stopping the administration’s proposed waiver will be to sell.” sales of land mines; and strictly regulating added to the 1996 foreign aid authorization The best way to acquire good quality the sales of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft mis- bill as an amendment introduced by Sen. weapons, Professor Karp says, is to culti- siles. Hank Brown (R-Colo.), who has spent vate a relationship with a friendly govern- months looking for some way to end the ment. ADMINISTRATION arms standoff with Pakistan. “This is the way the Afghan guer- PROPOSES COMPROMISE rillas in the 1980’s got their weapons, WHITE HOUSE HAS TO for example. They didn’t go to the OFFERED TO TRANSFER black market. They went to the TRANSFER SOME F-16S TO INDONESIA IN United States government. And the WEAPONS TO PAKISTAN United States government made ar- THREE-WAY DEAL rangements for them. They were deal- By Thomas W. Lippman, Washington Post ing in a fully legal market, and then July 26, 1995 [abridged] WALL STREET JOURNAL, July 24, 1995. they got as much as they wanted for Page A7F. By Eduardo Lachica, Staff re- The Clinton administration has asked porter very fair market prices.” Congress for permission to deliver to Paki- Do light arms come with trainers? stan more than $370 million in military Washington – The Clinton administration “Ideally they need to. But training equipment as part of a compromise plan to is offering to transfer F-16 fighters to Indo- can come in a lot of ways. Most eth- break a six-year impasse that undercut U.S. nesia in a possible three-way transaction nic groups start out with small num- relations with a longstanding ally in South that could serve a number of U.S. foreign- bers of renegades from a national Asia. policy concerns. army, people who have been trained. The weapons transfer would not include For one thing, the deal would help restore If you look at all of the conflicts on 28 F-16 combat jets for which Pakistan has some of the losses that Pakistan suffered the periphery of the former soviet un- paid $658 million but that cannot be deliv- when legal restrictions on the sale of U.S. ion, going all the way from Moldova ered under law. The administration is seek- military equipment to suspected nuclear to the Caucusus and central Asia. ing new buyers for those planes – possibly proliferators forced the Bush administration What you find is that ethnic insurgen- Indonesia and the Philippines, according to to freeze a $658 million Pakistani order for cies start with small numbers of men senior officials – and would give the sale 17 F-16s and supporting equipment. trained in the red army.” proceeds to Pakistan. The U.S. is offering to arrange for the re- Some light weapons are in greater demand In a June 22 letter to Pressler, Clinton sale of some or all of those planes to Indo- these days than others. said any such transfer of combat jets would nesia. The proceeds could be returned to “The weapon that makes the most have to be “compatible with the national Pakistan, which would be a step toward difference – politically especially – is interest,” but the list of politically palatable fulfilling one of U.S. President Bill Clinton’s the shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile. countries that want such planes and are commitments to Prime Minister Benazir This is the high tech weapon for the capable of paying for them is quite short, Bhutto. The president told the visiting Paki- low tech end of the battle field. You according to senior administration officials. stani leader in April that it isn’t “right” for may not be able to shoot down very Indonesia is a strong possibility, officials the U.S. to keep both the planes and the many aircraft. It’s a very difficult said, but any proposal to sell the planes to money that Pakistan handed over to pay for weapon to use, but you don’t have to that country would encounter opposition them. shoot down very many (airplanes) to from human rights advocates, who have long At the same time, the administration get tremendous political recognition. accused Indonesia of political repression and Recognizes Indonesia’s need to improve its These weapons are coveted, they’re of illegally occupying the former Portuguese air-defense capability. The proposed deal hard to get, they’re not that numerous, colony of East Timor. “makes sense in terms of our broad relations they’re expensive, but there’s no sub- with Indonesia,” the U.S. ambassador- stitute for them.” designate to Jakarta, J. Stapleton Roy, as- East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 153 sured the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- Washington, told reporters that his govern- about five years, are older models that are tee when he was asked about it last week. ment would consider the Pentagon’s pro- not as desirable as newer ones. Countries The veteran diplomat who recently com- posal. with money to buy such costly items gener- pleted a tour as the U.S. ambassador to Earlier U.S. criticism of Indonesia’s hu- ally are seen as not being Interested while Beijing added that Indonesia has legitimate man rights behavior may have dulled the countries which may be interested, do not security concerns because of the persistence appetite of other Indonesian officials for have the funds. of conflicting territorial claims in the South doing further business with the Pentagon. The United States stopped all military China Sea. To signal its displeasure at being denied transfers to Pakistan in 1990 after the then Support for Sale to Indonesia certain U.S. defense equipment by an earlier president, George Bush, was unable to cer- Democrat-controlled Congress, Jakarta has tify it was not on the verge of acquiring “The U.S. Department of Defense dis- announced a preference for buying more nuclear weapons. closed its interest in Indonesia as an alter- British-made Hawks. The action, required by law, froze more nate buyer of some of the F-16s at a briefing Furthermore, some Senate aides who fol- than $1.4 billion in arms, including the F-16s for staff members of the Senate Foreign low arms transactions believe that if Jakarta and about $370 million worth of other Relations Committee earlier this month. The can be persuaded to buy American again it equipment, including three Orion anti- U.S. is also looking for new homes for 11 would rather go with the late-model F-16s submarine aircraft, Harpoon surface-to- other F-16s that were to have been delivered than with the older ones being kept in Ari- surface missiles and Sidewinder air-to-air to Pakistan under a long-term financial ar- zona with only minimal maintenance. The missiles as well as artillery pieces, radar rangement. All 28 aircraft in the aborted Philippines and Thailand are also regarded equipment, parts for F-16s and Cobra heli- Pakistani transaction remain in the U.S. air as possible buyers of the embargoed F-16s. copters and rockets for use on Cobras. force’s custody at its Davis-Monthan base The Clinton administration is seeking in Tucson, Ariz. U.S. OFFERS F-16S ORDERED BY congressional authority to deliver military There is likely to be broad support for PAKISTAN TO INDONESIA equipment, minus the aircraft. the Pentagon initiative from Congress’ Re- This would involve a one-time waiver of publican majority. Republican Sen. Larry By Carol Giacomo the law known as the Pressler amendment, Pressler of South Dakota, the author of the BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, named after Senator Larry Pressler, a South antiproliferation statute that halted the Aug. 2 (Reuter) – U.S. Secretary of State Dakota Republican. Pakistani sale, proposed in May a resale of Warren Christopher has asked Indonesia and Pakistan has been pressing hard for re- those planes to friendly Southeast Asian the Philippines to consider buying F-16 jet peal or modification of the Pressler law, countries as a counterweight to China’s fighters originally ordered by Pakistan in a saying sanctions, especially the delayed growing military strengt h. deal that was then blocked by the American arms transfer, is an impediment to closer Lockheed Martin Corp., which acquired Congress, a senior official said Wednesday. ties and has helped make Islamabad more, the F-16 production line from General Dy- State Department spokesman Nicholas not less, dependent on a nuclear option. namics Corp., says that Indonesia is as Burns said the issue was raised on Wednes- Burns, asked if the administration were qualified to acquire the planes as any other day during Christopher’s meeting with In- not worried about strengthening Indonesia, possible buyer that the U.S. can approach. donesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and on which has a poor human rights record, said Indonesia already owns 11 F-16 A’s and Tuesday with Philippine Foreign Minister that Indonesia, a nation of 180 million peo- B’s – the same models as those ordered by Domingo Siazon. ple, has a small army and a navy that is Pakistan – so it already is cleared to acquire The reactions of the ministers “were the smaller than Malaysia or Singapore. this type of U.S. military technology, Lock- same. They were noncommittal,” Burns “I don’t believe that by providing this heed said. said, Adding: “They said they would be type of military equipment that we upset One serious objection to the deal has very glad to look into whatever we had to any regional military balance here,” he said. been raised by Sen. Russell Feingold, a Wis- say to them.” He also played down the possibility that consin Democrat who faults Indonesia for “The secretary simply informed Alatas Indonesia would use F-16s against dissi- its trouble-plagued occupation of the former as he informed Minister Siazon of the Phil- dents in East Timor. Portuguese colony of East Timor. ippines that we would like to be able to give “If we are going to sell these planes to them some specific information on these INDONESIA CONSIDERING U.S. F-16 Indonesia, I hope we are getting something aircraft, including the availability and price OFFER in return -a better human rights record or a information,” he said. timetable for the resolution of the East Although such a sale had been under dis- Jakarta Post, August 3, 1995 Timor situation,” Sen. Feingold said at last cussion for some time, Burns said this was JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia need to week’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee the first formal approach made to Indonesia study first a United States offer of 20 F-16 hearing. and the Philippines by a top U.S. official. fighter jets that had originally been intended A Preference for Hawks There was a suggestion at one point that for Pakistan, the Armed Forces (ABRI) said Taiwan might be a potential buyer but the yesterday. Indonesia is eager to keep up with what idea appears to have been dropped at least ABRI chief spokesman Brig Gen. Soe- has practically become a miniature arms race in part because of the pressures it would warno Adiwidjojo told Antara news agency in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has bought a add to already strained relations with China. that Indonesia could not give an immediate fleet of F-18 Hornets from McDonnell The Clinton administration is trying to reply to Washington’s offer because such a Douglas Corp., and Singapore has ordered find a buyer or buyers for the 28 F-16 air- purchase would require the development of 18 later-model F-16 C’s and D’s to augment craft so that the proceeds can be refunded to additional Air Force facilities and personnel. its squadron of F-16 A’s and B’s. Pakistan and thus remove an irritant in rela- ‘We have to think about the military While Indonesia hasn’t said it will take tions between Washington and Islamabad. bases, the human resources and the funds the planes, State Department officials indi- But many officials believe it may be a needed, which obviously won’t be small for cated that a sale is a good possibility. Mo- hard sell because the aircraft, in storage this kind of combat plane,’ Soewarno said. hamed Siregar, the country’s ambassador to Page 154 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
The offer was made by US Secretary of in New York City on July 11, 1995, in an We had just been driven out of Vietnam. We State Warren Christopher during a meeting event sponsored by the Learning Annex. The were conducting negotiations in the Middle with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Ali subject of his speech was his new book, East and Lebanon had blown up. We were Alatas in Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednes- “Diplomacy.” The East Timor Action Net- on a trip to China. Maybe regrettably we day. The 20 planes were mothballed to an work demonstrated outside the hotel and weren’t ever thinking about Timor. I’m American hangar after Congress blocked leafleted passers-by explaining Henry Kiss- telling you what the truth of the matter is. their planned sales to Pakistan. inger’s role during the invasion and subse- The reason we were in Indonesia was actu- Foreign press reports said Christopher quent mass slaughter. ETAN also purchased ally accidental. We had originally intended had also approached the Philippines with a several tickets so key people could attend the to go to China, we meaning President Ford similar offer. event. and myself and some others. We had origi- A US State Department spokesmen After the talk, Kissinger took questions. The nally intended to go to China for five days. quoted Christopher as saying that the sale following is a transcript of the parts of the This was the period when Mao was very of the F-16s to either country would not question period relating to East Timor, sick and there had been an upheaval in upset the military balance in the region. which was the first subject raised. Kissinger China. The so-called Gang of Four was be- Soewarno said Indonesia must also con- did not mention East Timor during his pre- coming dominant and we had a terrible time sider a host of other factors before deciding pared talk. agreeing with the Chinese, where to go, what whether or not to accept the offer, one such to say. So we cut our trip to China short. factor would be the external threats Indone- Constâncio Pinto (former head of the un- We went for two days to China and then we sia will face in the next five to 10 years. derground in East Timor, arrested and went for a day and a half to the Philippines One question Indonesia has to answer is tortured in captivity, now a student in and a day and a half to Indonesia. That’s ‘whether the purchase of the F-16s is in the United States): how we got to Indonesia in the first place. congruence with the perception of external I am Timorese. My name is Constâncio So this was really at that time to tell the threats,’ he added. Pinto. And I followed your speech today Chinese we were not dependent on them. So Hawk and it’s really interesting. One thing that I that’s how we got to Indonesia. Timor was never discussed with us when Indonesia is currently in the process of know you didn’t mention is this place in- we were in Indonesia. At the airport as we acquiring 20 British-made Hawk jet fighters, vaded by Indonesia in 1975. It is in South- were leaving, the Indonesians told us that with the first delivery expected next April. east Asia. As a result of the invasion they were going to occupy the Portuguese The deal is estimated to be worth about 500 200,000 people of the Timorese were killed. colony of Timor. To us that did not seem million pound sterling (US$790 million). As far as I know Dr. Kissinger was in Indo- like a very significant event because the The government signed the Hawk deal af- nesia the day before the invasion of East Indians had occupied the Portuguese colony ter its plan to purchase US-built F-5 planes Timor. The United States actually sup- of Goa ten years earlier and to us it looked from Jordan in 1993 was blocked by Wash- ported Indonesia in East Timor. So I would like another process of decolonization. No- ington. This move by Washington prompted like to know what you were doing at that body had the foggiest idea of what would Indonesia to further diversity its sources of time? happen afterwards, and nobody asked our arms supplies away from the United States. Kissinger: What I was doing at that time? opinion, and I don’t know what we could The Indonesia Air Force already has a The whole time or just about Timor? have said if someone had asked our opinion. squadron of F-16 jets; it purchased 12 from First of all, I want to thank the gentleman It was literally told to us as we were leaving. the United States in a 1980s package deal. for asking the question in a very polite Now there’s been a terrible human trag- Meanwhile, Antara reported from the way. The last time somebody from edy in Timor afterwards. Population of East Brunei capital yesterday that Alatas and Timor came after me was at the Oxford Timor has resisted and I don’t know Christopher on Wednesday also discussed Union and they practically tore the place whether the casualty figures are correct, I the prospect of the resumption of the US apart before they asked the question. just don’t know, but they’re certainly sig- military training facility for Indonesian offi- What most people who deal with gov- nificant and there’s no question that it’s a cers, a program that was terminated in 1992 ernment don’t understand is that one of the huge tragedy. All I’m telling you is what we by Congress because of Indonesia’s handling most overwhelming experiences of being in knew in 1975. This was not a big thing on of East Timor. high office. That there are always more our radar screen. Nobody has ever heard Alatas told reporters that he casually problems than you can possibly address at again of Goa after the Indians occupied it, asked Christopher about the International any one period. And when you’re in global other than that it is now an Indian city. And Military Education and Training program policy and you’re a global power, there are to us, Timor, look at a map, it’s a little for Indonesia because it had been debated in so many issues. speck of an island in a huge archipelago, half the Congress for some times. Now the Timor issue ... First of all you of which was Portuguese. We had no reason Christopher, according to Antara, said have to understand what Timor, what to say the Portuguese should stay there. that Washington has agreed its resumption, Timor, what the issue of Timor is. Every And so when the Indonesians informed us, but the matter is now still being debated in island that was occupied by the Dutch in we neither said yes or no. We were literally the Congress. the colonial period was constituted as the at the airport. So that was our connection Republic of Indonesia. In the middle of their with it, but I grant the questioner the fact DR. KISSINGER: WHAT archipelago was an island called Timor. Or is that it’s been a great tragedy. ABOUT EAST TIMOR? an island called Timor. Half of it was Indo- nesian and the other half of it was Portu- Allan Nairn, free lance journalist: Mr. ETAN/US Report, July 11. guese. This was the situation. Kissinger, my name is Allan Nairn. I’m a Now I don’t want to offend the gentle- journalist in the United States. I’m one of Dr. Henry Kissinger, who was U.S. Secre- the Americans who survived the massa- tary of State when he visited Indonesia the man who asked the question. We had so many problems to deal with. We had at that cre in East Timor on November 12,1991, day before the invasion of East Timor twenty a massacre during which Indonesian years ago, spoke at the Park Central Hotel time, there was a war going on in Angola. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 155
troops armed with American M-16’s, was to as he put it, see to it that the UN some document and take out one sentence gunned down at least 271 Timorese civil- be highly ineffective in any actions it and try to prove something fundamental, ians in front of the Santa Cruz Catholic might undertake on East Timor... (shouts and now I think we’ve heard enough about cemetery as they were gathered in the act from audience) Timor. Let’s have some questions on some of peaceful mourning and protest. Now other subject. (applause) Kissinger: Look, I think we all got the you just said that in your meeting with point now Amy Goodman (News director, Suharto on the afternoon of December WBAI/Pacifica Radio who was in East 6,1975, you did not discuss Timor, you Nairn: My question, Mr. Kissinger, my Timor in 1990, 1991, and 1994): did not discuss it until you came to the question Dr. Kissinger is two-fold: First Dr. Kissinger, you said that the United airport. Well, I have here the official State will you give a waiver under the privacy States has won everything its wanted in the Department transcript of your and Presi- act to support full declassification of this Cold War up to this point. I wanted to go dent Ford’s conversation with General memo so we can see exactly what you back to the issue of Indonesia, and before Suharto, the dictator of Indonesia. It was and President Ford said to Suharto? Sec- there’s a booing in the audience, just to say obtained through the Freedom of Infor- ondly, would you support the convening as you talk about China and India, Indonesia mation Act. It has been edited under the of an international war crimes tribunal is the fourth largest country in the world. Freedom of Information Act so the whole under UN supervision on the subject of And so I wanted to ask the question in a text isn’t there. It’s clear from the por- East Timor and would you agree to abide current way about East Timor. And that is, tion of the text that is here, that in fact by its verdict in regard to your own con- given what has happened in the 20 years, you did discuss the impending invasion duct? the 200,000 people who have been killed, of Timor with Suharto, a fact which was Kissinger: I mean, uh, really, this sort of according to Amnesty, according to Asia confirmed to me by President Ford him- comment is one of the reasons why the Watch, even according to the Indonesian self in an interview I had with him. Presi- conduct of foreign policy is becoming military .... Do you see that as a success of dent Ford told me that in fact you dis- nearly impossible under these conditions. the United States? cussed the impending invasion of Timor Here is a fellow who’s got one obsession, with Suharto and that you gave the US Kissinger: No but I don’t think it’s an he’s got one problem he collects a bunch American policy. We cannot be, we’re Kissinger: Who? I or he? of documents, you don’t know what is in not responsible for everything that hap- these documents Nairn: That you and President Ford to- pens in every place in the world. (clap- gether gave us approval for the invasion Nairn: I invite your audience to read them. ping) of East Timor. There is another internal Kissinger: Well read them. Uh, the fact is Goodman: Except that 90% of the weapons State Department memo which is printed essentially as I described them (thumping used during the invasion were from the in an extensive excerpt here in an article podium). Timor was not a significant US and it continues until this day. So in which I’ll give to anyone in your audi- American policy problem if Suharto that way we are intimately connected to ence that’s interested. This is a memo of raised it, if Ford said something that Indonesia, unfortunately. Given that I a December 18, 1975 meeting held at the sounded encouraging it was not a signifi- was wondering if you think it’s a success State Department. This was held right af- cant American foreign policy problem. It and whether two, with you on the board ter your return from that trip and you seemed to us to be an anti-colonial prob- of Freeport MacMoRan, which has the were berating your staff for having put lem in which the Indonesians were taking largest gold mining operation in the world on paper a finding by the State Depart- over Timor and we had absolutely no in Indonesia, in Irian Jaya, are you put- ment legal advisor, Mr. Li that the Indo- reason at that time to pay any huge at- ting pressure, since Freeport is such a nesian invasion of East Timor was illegal, tention to it. major lobbyist in Congress on behalf of that it not only violated international law, Indonesia, to change that policy and to it violated a treaty with the US because Secondly, you have to understand these things in the context of the period. Vietnam support self-determination for the people US weapons were used and it’s clear of East Timor? from this transcript which I invite any- had just collapsed. Nobody yet knew what one in the audience to peruse that you effect the domino theory would have. Indo- Kissinger: The, uh the United States as a were angry at them first because you nesia was ... is a country of a population of general proposition cannot fix every feared this memo would leak, and second 160 million and the key, a key country in problem on the use of American weapons because you were supporting the Indone- Southeast Asia. We were not looking for in purely civil conflicts we should do our sian invasion of East Timor, and you did trouble with Indonesia and the reason I ob- best to prevent this. As a private Ameri- not want it known that you were doing jected in the State Department to putting can corporation engaged in private busi- this contrary to the legal advice of your this thing on paper. It wasn’t that it was ness in an area far removed from Timor, own people in the State Department. If put on paper. It was that it was circulated but in Indonesia, I do not believe it is one looks at the public actions, 16 hours to embassies because it was guaranteed to their job to get itself involved in that is- after you left that meeting with Suharto leak out. It was guaranteed then to lead to sue because if they do, then no American the Indonesian troops began parachuting some public confrontation and for better or private enterprise will be welcome there over Dili, the capitol of East Timor. worse our fundamental position on these anymore. They came ashore and began the massa- human rights issues was always to try to Goodman: But they do everyday and cres that culminated in a third of the see if we could discuss them first, quietly, lobby Congress. Timorese population. You announced an before they turned into a public confronta- tion. This was our policy with respect to Later, in an answer to a question on Cyprus, immediate doubling of US military aid to Kissinger joked: “As you ladies and gentle- Indonesia at the time, and in the mean- emigration from Russia, in which we turned out to be right and this was the policy men can see I don’t do so well on islands. time at the United Nations, the instruc- I’m better off on the continent.” tion given to Ambassador Daniel Patrick which we tried to pursue with respect to Moynihan, a he wrote in his memoirs, Indonesia and anybody can go and find Page 156 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
Tom Mahedy (UN Representative for spreads from Sabang to Merauke. Indone- Church of Christ) 258 South Columbus Pax Christi international) asked a question sian Independence celebrations were events Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10553 about the numerous UN resolutions calling of pride and joy, because the Indonesian EAST TIMOR RELIGIOUS OUTREACH for Indonesian withdrawal from East Timor. blood in my veins rejuvenated my soul and 1800 Clay Street San Francisco, CA 94109 “I want to know what your stance is on spirit and made me realize that freedom and that.” independence is the most precious gift and FREEDOM, FOR SOME possession that individuals. Independence Kissinger: On whatever UN resolution on INDONESIANS Timor is being discussed right now? Look Day celebrations are occasions of joy and gladness, reminding us of our unity and I have a lot of understanding for the suf- The New York Times editorial, Thursday, solidarity with all those who sacrificed their fering of the people of Timor that you August 17: described and I do not say it’s justified. I lives in order that we may be truly free. have not read that resolution I have not Therefore, on August 17, 1995, I will join This is a great day in many respects for read that much about it so I can’t tell you with Indonesians throughout the world in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Mus- what I think in detail, but I have great re- celebration and festivities of the 50th anni- lim country. A flotilla of 119 yachts and 21 spect for the concern of those of you versary of Indonesian Independence. tall ships is arriving in Javanese waters, who are raising the issue of Timor. All But even as I celebrate this happy event, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is in Ja- I’m saying is you have to have some re- I cannot forget East Timor. karta for a state visit and hundreds of politi- spect for those who have to put those On December 7, 1975, Indonesian armed cal prisoners are being freed to celebrate the into the perspective of an overall foreign forces invaded East Timor. They are still half-century since Indonesia proclaimed policy. there. Over 200,000 Timorese have died as a itself independent amid the tumult of Ja- result of the invasion of occupation. I know. pan’s World War II surrender. I have met the survivors. I have interviewed Celebrants can point to real achieve- IN CELEBRATION OF the witnesses. ments. Nearly 200 million people spread INDEPENDENCE To me, it is sadly ironic and, indeed a through 13,500 islands have impressively tragedy that Indonesia, the proud champion striven for national unity and have generally By Max Surjadinata, East Timor Religious of self-determination, the country that gath- prospered. The archipelago boasts one of Outreach, August 14, 1995. ered the first Afro-Asian Solidarity of na- the strongest economies in Asia. I am an Indonesian-American, born in Ja- tions at the Bandung Conference in 1953 – But little will be said about the darker karta, Indonesia. I received my early educa- is now itself a colonial power. The beloved side of the authoritarian military rule of tion in Jakarta, and my graduate and post- country of my birth, that once endured an Indonesia’s President Suharto. He came to graduate education in the United States. I am unjust occupation for more than three hun- power following the massacre of ethnic an ordained pastor of an African-American dred years of Dutch colonial rule, is now the Chinese in 1965 to thwart a purported congregation in Mount Vernon, New York cruel oppressor of a tiny neighbor nation. communist coup. Under his New Order, My father was also a pastor, who was What is being done in East Timor – in our despite promises of “openness,” dissenters imprisoned and later executed by the Japa- name – is totally contrary to the spirit of are jailed, torture is routine, parliament is a nese occupational forces occupying Indone- democracy and the innate decency of the rubber stamp and Suharto, 74 years old and sia during World War II. Indonesian people. It happens only because now in his sixth term, is virtually president As I reflect on the 50 year celebration of the present Indonesian government has kept for Life. Indonesian Independence Day, August 17, the truth about East Timor from the Indone- Little of this can be discussed in Jakarta’s 1945, two significant events vividly come to sian people. heavily censored press, and writers who my mind. When Indonesians learn the, truth, they question official platitudes face house arrest, The first has to do with some unexplain- react with shock, horror, deep sorrow, and as in the case of Indonesia’s most famous able, yet uneasy feeling as a child, during shame. Many speak out about East Timor, novelist, Pramoedya Ananta Toer. festivities on the occasion of the 50 year often at great personal risk. Some of the No subject is touchier than East Timor, reign of the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina. Al- most ardent champions of self- the former Portuguese colony that Indonesia though I still fondly remember the flag wav- determination for East Timor are Indone- invaded in 1975, then annexed. Famine ing crowds at the governor’s mansion in sians, claimed tens of thousands, and unrest has Jakarta which became the Presidential Palace That may surprise non-Indonesians, but persisted ever since. (renamed “Istana Merdeka,” Freedom Pal- it does not surprise me. I know my own Only the other day, Indonesian troops ace), the red, white and blue banners that people, and I remember August 17, 1945 – were quelling riots and killing teen-agers in were draped all around the city, and the the spirit of “Merdeka,” Freedom. two Timorese towns. beautiful fireworks at night–somehow, there I believe that just as Indonesia won its Indonesia insists that East Timor’s pre- was an uneasy feeling within me (even independence, East Timor will also be free dominantly Roman Catholic people wel- though I was very young) that I was not one day. Indonesians – who once knew the come annexation, but foreign reporters and really part of those festivities because that pain that East Timor now endures – will human rights monitors are denied unim- long period of colonial rule was often barba- insist that their government end this dark peded access to the province. rous and always demeaning to us who were chapter in Indonesian history and withdraw When the Jakarta-appointed governor of natives. from East Timor. East Timor, Abilio Soares, proposed auton- The second has to do with Indonesian Please help free East Timor. This is our omy within the Indonesian state, even this Independence Day celebrations after 1949, cause, too, because deep in our hearts, we gesture was rejected by Suharto. when the late President Sukarno would in- believe it to be true, that “injustice any- In truth, Indonesia’s dominion over East spire the nation to claim our independence, where is a threat to justice everywhere.” Timor rests on the same imperial doctrine to be proud that we are a free people, a The Rev. Max B. Surjadinata Mount Vernon that Indonesia experienced as a Dutch col- united people now enjoying freedom and Heights Congregational Church (United ony: Forcible conquest is the prerogative of unity as an island nation whose territory the powerful. East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995. Page 157
AUGUST 17 pear for resisting the illegal occupation and visit to Indonesia, secretary of state for Asia demonstrating for independence. Pacific Raymond Chan announced two new IN LOS ANGELES This year on July 17, we will demon- projects worth a total of just under $30 Report from ETAN/LA, Aug. 20, 1995 strate in solidarity with those resisting in million. East Timor, by flying independence flags The “Cooperation in Financial Sector Re- The East Timor Action Network of Los and drumming at the Indonesian Embassy. form Project” will receive $11.7 million over Angeles took advantage of am Independence MONDAY JULY 17, 11AM – 1PM five years. Its aim is “to strengthen key Day flag ceremony at the Indonesian Consul INDONESIAN EMBASSY financial ... units of the Government of In- General’s home to do outreach to the Indo- donesia and professional bodies pertaining nesian community. We handed all attendees 287 MACLAREN AVE, OTTAWA to insurance, pensions and non-tax reve- a copy (in English and Indonesian) of Rev- Sometime this year the Indonesian Em- nues.” erend Max Surjadinata’s statement that he bassy is moving to the suburbs. Let’s give “This project is purely in the interests of made to the UN Decolonization Committee them a good send-off on July 17 and let Indonesia’s governing elite,” Scharfe said. At in July as part of the testimony of East them know that they can run but they can’t a time of growing international condemna- Timor Religious Outreach. While someone hide East Timor’s genocide. tion of Indonesia’s occupation of East who appeared to be in charge of security Timor, “it is appalling that Canada contin- took the fliers out of the hands of many of CANADIAN MINISTER SEES ues to pursue its economic relationship with the attendees as they entered the grounds, IMPROVEMENTS Indonesia while other governments begin to we were able to re-give the flyer to many as restrict their support for the regime. The they left. In fact, a number of people ap- AP, 25 July 1995. Abridged Canadian government places much value in proached us as they were leaving, asking for Jakarta – Indonesia has made advances in acting multilaterally; but one needs only to another flyer. . . . . There were only three of look to the United States which has decided us at this “action.” We specifically wanted human rights with the establishment of its human rights commission, a Canadian cabi- to restricted the sale of small arms to see the to have a low key presence as our purpose full extent of this hypocrisy.” was to do outreach not to disrupt the event. net minister said Tuesday. Since it was formed in December 1993, “the human The Collaborative Environmental Project Nevertheless, it was clear that even this in Indonesia will give the Indonesian gov- token appearance greatly upset the official rights commission has achieved a lot beyond our expectations,” Raymond Chan, Cana- ernment’s environment ministry $18 million entourage as they tried to get the Los Ange- over five years. Scharfe acknowledged that les Police to get rid of us, only to be told dian secretary of state for Asia-Pacific said after meeting Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. the Indonesian environment needs protec- that what we doing was perfectly legal, and tion, but said the Indonesian environment they took many pictures of us. Without elaborating, he also said Indone- sia had made some improvements in East ministry was ill-placed to do any real good. IN NEW YORK Timor. Its impotence is shown by the recent diver- sion of funds earmarked for deforestation to ETAN activists leafletted a gala dinner Chan has invited members of Indonesia’s an aircraft development project headed by held at the Indonesian Consulate to celebrate human rights commission to visit the Cana- Indonesian technology minister B.J. their independence. Our leaflet, which dian Human Rights Commission in Septem- Habibie. pointed out the inconsistency between In- ber for comparative studies. The new aid projects come just one week donesia’s worldwide advocacy of decoloni- Chan has also signed a memorandum of after Canada expressed its concern over the zation and its practices in East Timor, was understanding for a grant of Canadian dlrs deteriorating human rights situation in East accepted by most of the guests -- although 13.5 million to help Indonesia’s law en- Timor at the Consultative Group on Indo- Indonesian security offered to relieve them forcement in the environmental field. nesia, an annual meeting of donor govern- of the troublesome peace of paper as soon ments. as they got inside. ETAN/CANADA OPPOSED The East Timor Alert Network is a na- NEW AID TO INDONESIA tional association working for East Timor’s right to self-determination. It was founded EVENTS IN CANADA NEWS RELEASE July 31, 1995 in 1987 by the Canadian Council of In response to information released by Churches, and now has local groups in seven ETAN/OTTAWA the Canadian government last week, the East provinces and supporters across the coun- Timor Alert Network (ETAN) is opposed try. Over 200 people in Ottawa recently PROTEST JULY 17 to the two new aid projects announced for demonstrated their concern about East Indonesia. Timor at a lunchtime rally. “More than ever, Announcement from ETAN/Ottawa “Canada should certainly be giving aid to we are being contacted by Canadians who On December 7, 1975, Indonesia invaded help the poorest,” said ETAN spokesper- are outraged that their government is becom- East Timor and began the mass slaughter of son Sharon Scharfe. “However, aid to Indo- ing even friendlier with this brutal regime.” the people. 20 years later, over a third of the nesia must be linked to respect for human ETAN is planning several events over the population is dead. rights, particularly given the ever-worsening upcoming months in conjunction with the On July 17, 1976, (Integration Day) In- human rights situation in Indonesian- 20th anniversary of this brutal invasion. donesia claimed East Timor as its 27th occupied East Timor. At a time of fiscal For further information, please contact province. restraint in Canada’s aid budget, it is all the ETAN/Canada Coordinators: David Web- Every year on July 17th, all East more appalling to see aid dollars being ster, (416) 534-0901 or Sharon Scharfe, Timorese People are forced to honour the handed to the Indonesian dictatorship, a (613) 822-1227 Indonesian regime by flying Indonesian flags government that is engaged in genocide.” and participating in integration ceremonies. Indonesia was Canada’s second-largest Every year, since 1975, East Timorese recipient of bilateral (government-to- have been raped, tortured, killed or disap- government) aid last year. Last week, on a Page 158 East Timor Documents, Volume 39. June 28 - August 31, 1995.
RESOURCES
ACTIVIST KIDS HELP EAST TIMOR From: Susan Snell
MORTEN HARKET SINGS EAST TIMOR Diario de Noticias, 31 August 1995. Trans- lated from Portuguese In his first solo album, Norwegian Morten Harket, former vocalist with A-ha, sings East Timor, a ballad about the situa- tion in the former Portuguese colony, which he learned about from the press. References to the lack of schools and road, the way the people have been deserted, and criticism of Indonesian occupation are set in contrast to the golden sands of the beaches and slow rhythms of the sea. “Bury my heart in East Timor,” go the lyrics, that also recall that parents and children who lived in hiding are buried there. “Where is the cross that covers our shame?,” he sings, with a melody ar- rangement which is not dissimilar to Sting’s The Dance Alone. The Wild Seed album, on the Warner label, is a significant turning point in the singer’s career.