Documents on East Timor from PeaceNet and Connected Computer Networks Volume 26: December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994

Published by: East Timor Action Network / U.S. P.O. Box 1182, White Plains, NY 10602 USA Tel: 914-428-7299 Fax: 914-428-7383 E-mail PeaceNet:CSCHEINER or [email protected] For additional copies, please enclose US$10. per volume to cover costs; add an extra $3. for interna- tional air mail. Activist rate: $6. domestic, $8. international. These documents are usually produced approximately every two months, and mailed to subscribers. If you would like to subscribe, send $60 for the next six issues (US), or $78 for international air mail. Reduced rate for activists: $36 in the US, $48 international. Subsidized rate are available for groups in Third World countries working on East Timor. Checks should be made out to “ETAN.” Tax- deductible contributions can be made out to “WESPAC Foundation/ETAN.” The material is grouped by subject, with articles under each category in approximately chronological order. It is also available on IBM-compatible diskette, in either Word for Windows or ASCII format. Reprinting and distribution without permission is welcomed. Much of this information is translated and supplied by TAPOL (London), Task Force Indonesia (USA), CDPM (Lisbon), CNRM, Free East Timor Japan Coalition, Mate-Bian News (Sydney) and other activists and solidarity groups, but they are not responsible for edi torial comment or selection.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

XANANA GUSMÃO COMMUNICATES FROM PRISON...... 6 XANANA: THE EAST TIMORESE MYTH ...... 6 INDONESIA ALLOWS FAMILY VISIT TO TIMOR’S XANANA...... 7 COMMENT FROM TAPOL: ...... 7 “SEND A MESSAGE TO XANANA” CAMPAIGN ...... 7 XANANA FOR TIME’S MAN OF THE YEAR ...... 8 XANANA LEAK PROBED ...... 8 XANANA LETTER TO THOSE WHO SENT HIM POSTCARDS ...... 8 TWO LETTERS FROM XANANA GUSMÃO WRITTEN TO SUPPORTERS IN THE UK...... 9 INDONESIA BARS RELATIVES AND RIGHTS GROUP FROM VISITING DISSIDENT LEADER ...... 9 LETTER FROM XANANA GUSMÃO TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS ...... 10 JAILED TIMORESE REBEL LEADER OFFERS TO SERVE LONGER SENTENCE ...... 12 LETTER FROM XANANA TO PRESIDENT SUHARTO ...... 12 INDONESIAN ACTIVIST HITS RESTRICTIONS ON JAILED REBEL ...... 12 TIMOR LEADER MAKES JAIL PLEA ...... 12 EAST TIMOR REBEL SAYS MISTREATED IN INDONESIAN JAIL...... 13 XANANA GUSMÃO SAYS HE WAS TORTURED; TIMORESE REFUGEE SEEKS SANCTUARY (RTP)...... 13 XANANA: “I WAS TORTURED” (PUBLICO)...... 13 EAST TIMOR LEADER PUNISHED ...... 14 XANANA’S LETTER IN THE MEDIA...... 14 LBH TO REPRESENT XANANA GUSMÃO ...... 14 XANANA DENIES PRESIDENTIAL CLEMENCY REQUEST, REPORT SAYS ...... 15 Page 2 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

UN OFFICIALS TO VISIT GUSMÃO IN JAKARTA PRISON ...... 15 XANANA GUSMÃO SENDS TAPED MESSAGE TO EAST TIMORESE RESISTANCE...... 16 XANANA GUSMÃO PRISON LETTER: COMPLAINS OF LIFE IN CAPTIVITY AND ABOUT HIS LAWYER ...... 18 XANANA LETTER STIRS CONTROVERSY IN JAKARTA ...... 18 BAN ON VISITS TO XANANA TO BE LIFTED ...... 19 JAKARTA SUSPENDS VISITATION RIGHTS FOR REBEL LEADER ...... 19 HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SEEK VISIT WITH JAILED REBEL LEADER...... 19 JAKARTA WILL NOT FREE GUSMÃO ...... 19 JAKARTA TO FREE REBEL FOR A PRICE ...... 20 XANANA’S RELEASE SHOULD NOT LET INDONESIA OFF THE HOOK...... 20 IPJET APPEALS FOR XANANA AND OTHER POLITICAL PRISONERS ...... 20 EAST TIMOR LEADER XANANA NOT TO BE MOVED TO ISLAND JAIL...... 21 REBEL LEADER FACES EXILE ...... 22 EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD DEMAND XANANA GUSMÃO’S UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE...... 22 THE REAL STORY BEHIND GUINEA’S PROPOSAL ...... 23 INDONESIAN MP’S ALLOWED TO MEET XANANA...... 23 HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE XANANA...... 23

OTHER TIMORESE POLITICAL PRISONERS...... 23 TIMORESE FLAG RIPPER SENTENCED TO 22 MONTHS ...... 23 RELEASE OF EAST TIMORESE STUDENTS NOT A “CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURE”...... 23 LISBON ON ASYLUM-SEEKERS RELEASE...... 24 TIMES OF ANGER: THE SEVEN STUDENTS TELL FOREIGN MINISTER OF THEIR ORDEAL IN TIMOR ...... 24 INDONESIA DEFENDS MASSACRE SENTENCES ...... 24 M. SOARES TO APPEAL TO UN SECRETARY-GENERAL...... 25 RODNEY LEWIS (ICJ AUSTRALIA) ON SENTENCING DISPARITIES ...... 25 SIX PRISONERS WANT TRIALS DECLARED INVALID...... 26 TIMORESE POLITICAL PRISONERS’ LETTER TO THE INT’L COMMISSION OF JURISTS ...... 26

EVENTS INSIDE EAST TIMOR...... 28 VOICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS...... 28 HEALTH IN EAST TIMOR ...... 29 VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS OF EAST TIMOR ...... 32 ALLEGED EAST TIMOR REBEL SURRENDERS IN INDONESIA...... 35 OFFICER JAILED FOR PROTECTING XANANA ...... 35 HORTA: TIMORESE USED AS HUMAN SHIELDS BY INDONESIAN MILITARY...... 35 JAKARTA DENIES REPORTS OF EAST TIMOR EXECUTIONS...... 36 ARMY SAYS TWO GUERRILLAS KILLED ...... 36

EVENTS IN INDONESIA...... 36 SDSB HUMAN RIGHTS PROTESTERS RELEASED ...... 36 DEMONSTRATORS BEATEN UP BY ARMY OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT BUILDING...... 37 ANOTHER GROUP OF STUDENTS PROTEST AT THE HOUSE, JAKARTA...... 37 HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS RAMPANT IN IRIAN JAYA, SAYS ACTIVIST...... 38 MASSIVE SURABAYA STUDENT PROTEST ...... 38 TAPOL URGENT ACTION: RELEASE THE 22 STUDENTS!...... 38 TAPOL WRITES TO UK FOREIGN SECRETARY...... 39 ASIA WATCH CONDEMNS STUDENT ARRESTS IN JAKARTA...... 39 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGENT ACTION ON 22 INDONESIAN STUDENT ACTIVISTS ...... 40 PROSECUTORS TO PROCEED AGAINST DEMONSTRATORS...... 41 INDONESIA ASSURES INTERNATIONAL GROUPS ACCESS TO EAST TIMOR ...... 41 US CONGRESSMEN SECURE PROMISE OF EAST TIMOR INSPECTION FROM SUHARTO ...... 41 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 3

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TEAMS TO VISIT PROVINCES ...... 41 ADNAN BUYUNG REFUSES TO MEET DUTCH PARLIAMENTARIANS ...... 42 RIGHTS ACTIVIST ON TRIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY INSULTING SUHARTO...... 42 GOVERNMENT LASHES OUT AT EAST TIMOR BISHOP ...... 42 ALATAS: EAST TIMOR GROUPS CAUSE INDONESIAN IMAGE PROBLEM ...... 42 RIGHTS WATCHDOG ADAMANT IT HAS TEETH...... 43 ADITJONDRO: JAKARTA’S CONTRADICTIONS ...... 43 GEORGE ADITJONDRO THESIS ABSTRACT ...... 44 THE DEFORESTING OF IRIAN JAYA ...... 44 MORE SBSI ACTIVISTS ARRESTED ...... 46

INDONESIAN MILITARY RESTRUCTURING ...... 46 KALBUADI HAUNTED BY CRIPPLES, WIDOWS FROM ET CAMPAIGN ...... 46 THEO SYAFEI REPLACED ...... 46 SUHARTO URGES MILITARY TO REMAIN ALERT...... 46 MANY ABRI OFFICERS TRANSFERRED ...... 46 SLIMMING DOWN BAIS ...... 47

TIMORESE EXTERNAL RESISTANCE ...... 48 HORTA’S RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF 1993 DIPLOMATIC STRUGGLE...... 48 TIMORESE LEADERS: MORE UNITED THAN EVER ...... 49 ASAHI INTERVIEWS MARI ALKATIRI ...... 50 NEW CNRM BROCHURE...... 50 TIMORESE RESISTANCE REITERATES PROPOSAL FOR TALKS WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS ...... 52

COLLABORATORS IN PORTUGAL...... 53 EAST TIMOR: GALVÃO DE MELO WITH ALATAS ...... 53 SUHARTO’S DAUGHTER TO VISIT LISBON...... 53 VISIT BY PORTUGUESE OFFICIAL WILL GO AHEAD WITHOUT OBSTRUCTIONS...... 53 MBAK TUTUT INVITES EAST TIMORESE CITIZENS IN PORTUGAL ...... 53 DURÃO BARROSO: “I AM NOT SAYING I WILL NEVER RECEIVE THEM...”...... 54 LETTER FROM MNSGR. BELO, BISHOP OF DILI...... 54 MELO: FALL OF FRETILIN ONLY A MATTER OF TIME...... 54 INDONESIA-PORTUGAL: A THAW IN RELATIONS SOON?...... 54 INTOLERABLE ...... 55 PORTUGUESE CUSTOMS CLEAR INDONESIAN COTTON ...... 55 MELO: EAST TIMOR CAN’T AFFORD INDEPENDEN CE...... 56 BISHOP OF DILI WILL NOT RECEIVE GALVÃO...... 56 INDECENT PROPAGANDA...... 56 INFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA...... 57

LONDON “RECONCILIATION” TALKS...... 57 INDONESIA-SPONSORED EAST TIMORESE ‘DIALOGUE’ IN LONDON ...... 57 MORE ON LONDON TALKS ...... 57 LONDON TALKS SHROUDED IN SECRECY...... 58 EAST TIMORESE HOLD SECRET TALKS IN LONDON ...... 58 TIMORESE MEET IN LONDON (SPONSORED BY JAKARTA)...... 59 MORE ON LONDON TALKS ...... 59 BISHOP BELO ON THE “CONCILIATION” TALKS IN LONDON ...... 59 LONDON TALKS UPDATE ...... 60 ABILIO ARAUJO INTERVIEWED AT TALKS ...... 60 BACKGROUND ON TALKS PARTICIPANTS ...... 61 ALATAS: EAST TIMORESE SLANDER CAMPAIGN AGAINST INDONESIA ...... 61 Page 4 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

ABILIO ARAUJO CAN GO TO INDONESIA...... 61 VOICES OF HOPE ... OR OF OPPRESSION...... 62 DIVISIONS CONCERN TIMORESE LEADERS ...... 63

INDONESIA’S PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN...... 63 INDONESIA DFA ON CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EAST TIMOR ...... 63 PORTUGUESE RESPONSE (A MONTH LATER)...... 64 INDONESIA LAUNCHES HUMAN RIGHTS PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN ...... 65

DEATH OF A NATION APPROACHES RELEASE; SECOND MASSACRE ALLEGED ...... 65 TV FILM ON EAST TIMOR NEXT MONTH ...... 65 TIMORESE RESPONSE ...... 65 ETRA’S RESPONSE...... 65 KEATING’S RESPONSE...... 66 - TV COVERAGE...... 66 ABC TV COVERAGE - DEATH OF A NATION ...... 66 FORCED BIRTH CONTROL IN EAST TIMOR ...... 67 DILI, THE BLOODY AFTERMATH (STAHL) ...... 67 STAHL IN THE SUNDAY TIMES ON TIMOR...... 68 THE WEST’S DIRTY WINK (PILGER)...... 68 LETTERS TO THE GUARDIAN ...... 73 WOUNDED VICTIMS OF TIMOR CARNAGE MURDERED IN MILITARY HOSPITAL ...... 73 EAST TIMOR REVISITED...... 74 JAKARTA DENIES DILI EXECUTIONS...... 74 INDONESIA SAYS EAST TIMOR MASSACRE REPORT IS FALSE ...... 74

ECONOMIC AND LABOR ISSUES...... 75 INFID’S PERCEPTION OF THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES ...... 75 THE INDONESIA TEST...... 75 BENTSEN ARRIVES IN JAKARTA...... 76 BENTSEN CALLS INDONESIA TO FURTHER IMPROVE HUMAN RIGHTS ...... 76

PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET BOUTROS-GHALI ...... 76 PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR EAST TIMOR MEET WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ...... 76 PARLIAMENTARIANS MEMORANDUM TO UN SECRETARY-GENERAL...... 77 UN PRESS RELEASE ON PET PRESS CONFERENCE...... 79 LAWMAKERS ASK INDONESIA TO PULL TROOPS OUT OF EAST TIMOR ...... 80 VOICE OF AMERICA: EAST TIMOR APPEAL ...... 80

UN MISSION’S TRAVELS ...... 81 NEW UN INITIATIVE EXPECTED SOON ...... 81 MANUEL MACEDO RECEIVED BY U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY ...... 81 JOLLIFFE ON U.N. MISSION ...... 82 UN ENVOY IN EAST TIMOR TALKS ...... 82 UN OFFICIALS TO SEE GUSMÃO ...... 83 UN OFFICIALS MEET XANANA GUSMÃO ...... 83 FRANCESC VENDRELL OF THE UN VISITS INDONESIA...... 83 UN ENVOYS SEEK GREATER HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING IN EAST TIMOR ...... 84 UN ENVOY SEEKS TALKS ...... 84 JUDGMENT WITHHELD: UN ENVOY TO JAKARTA MEETS TIMORESE IN AUSTRALIA...... 84

OTHER U.N. ACTIVITIES ...... 85 UN BID TO SETTLE EAST TIMOR ROW...... 85 HORTA: BAR INDONESIA FROM UN SECURITY COUNCIL...... 85 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 5

UN DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE MEETS ...... 85

EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA...... 86 REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN MEDIA COMMENTARY ON EAST TIMOR...... 86 LETTER TO SUHARTO AT DARWIN DEMONSTRATION ...... 89 CHALLENGE TO TIMOR GAP PACT TO GO AHEAD ...... 90 TIMOR GAP LEGISLATION CHALLENGE FILED IN AUSTRALIA COURTS ...... 90 EAST TIMOR LEADER DEFENDS GAP ACCORD...... 90 BISHOP BELO SEEKS A CONCRETE SOLUTION ...... 91 RESPOND TO RICHARD WOOLCOTT...... 91 THE ANACHRONISM THAT REFUSED TO BE ...... 92 MAN FLEES TORTURE IN EAST TIMOR, SEEKS ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIA ...... 93 XIMENES: ALATAS LIES ...... 93 ALATAS SAYS DISSIDENT’S ALLEGATIONS OF TORTURE RIDICULOUS...... 93 THE INDONESIAN CONNECTION (WITH KEATING)...... 94 EAST TIMOR: THE PROBLEM PERSISTS ...... 95 HUMAN RIGHTS NOT MARGINAL PROCESS...... 95 “PONTIUS KEATING AND JUDAS EVANS WASH THEIR HANDS WHILE TIMOR IS CRUCIFIED...” ...... 96 “EVIDENCE ACCUMULATES AGAINST INDONESIAN BRUTALITY EAST TIMOR” ...... 96 KEATING URGED TO ACT AT UNHRC ...... 97 DARWIN WOMEN MEET ANITA KEATING ...... 98

EVENTS IN EUROPE...... 98 RECENT ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA...... 98 TAPOL PROTESTS AT EPIFA REPORT...... 98 THREE MP’S ATTEND SWEDISH SEMINAR ...... 99 24-HOUR IRISH XMAS FAST FOR EAST TIMOR ...... 99 DUTCH POLITICIANS TO MEET SUHARTO ...... 100 GERMAN WAR EQUIPMENT TO INDONESIA...... 100 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINATIONS...... 100 FINLAND TO SELL MORTARS TO INDONESIA...... 100 EURO MP’S ANGRY WITH PORTUGAL...... 101 “FOUR MONTHS FOR EAST TIMOR” CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE...... 101

EVENTS IN BRITAIN...... 101 HUNGER STRIKER IN PLANES PROTEST...... 101 CALL TO ACTION AGAINST BRITISH AEROSPACE...... 101 UK-RI RELATIONS UNDER SCRUTINY...... 102 AID AGREED BEFORE 500M JET ORDER...... 103

EVENTS IN PORTUGAL...... 103 PORTUGAL REJECTS “EMBASSY” IN JAKARTA...... 103 PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR FULL ACCOUNTING OF DILI MASSACRE ...... 103 DURÃO BARROSO INTERVIEWED ...... 103 (TIMORESE STUDENTS) TOGETHER FOR TIMOR ...... 104 DA CRUZ: PORTUGAL CHANGES MAY MAKE EAST TIMOR SETTLEMENT EASIER ...... 104 TIMORESE REFUGEES STOPOVER IN LISBON ON ROUTE TO AUSTRALIA...... 104

EVENTS IN CANADA...... 105 CANADA GRANTS EAST TIMOR Rp 250M ...... 105 ETAN/CANADA UPDATE # 29 ...... 105 CANADA’S AID / MORALITY DILEMMA ...... 106 INTERNATIONAL WEEK - SEMINAR ON ET IN CALGARY ...... 106 Page 6 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

EAST TIMOR RECOGNIZED AT THE (MODEL) U.N...... 106

EVENTS IN JAPAN...... 107 JAPANESE PARLIAMENTARIANS WRITE BOUTROS-GHALI...... 107 JAPANESE CITIZENS GROUP PETITIONS JAKARTA-BOUND GOVERNMENT TEAM...... 107

EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES...... 109 CALIFORNIA ECUMENICAL COUNCIL SUPPORTS TIMOR ...... 109 TIMORESE MARTYR REMEMBERED IN SAN FRANCISCO...... 109 CALL TO ACTION: EAST TIMOR BETRAYED AGAIN...... 110 U.S. STATE DEPARTMEN T 1993 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON INDONESIA...... 111 U.S. STATE DEP’T RELEASES REPORT ON WORLDWIDE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES ...... 121 U.S. REPORT RAPS CHINA, INDONESIA...... 122

RESOURCES...... 122 GEOFFREY GUNN’S BOOK AVAILABLE SOON ...... 122 EAST TIMOR RADIO DOCUMENTARY RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD ...... 123 ANTARA KITA AVAILABLE...... 123 SEASIA_INFO, INDONESIA BRIEFING BOOKS AVAILABLE ...... 124 NEW BOOK ON EAST TIMOR...... 124

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES ...... 124 ASIA-PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON EAST TIMOR IN MANILA MAY 31 - JUNE 4...... 124 MANDELA CRITICISED ON EAST TIMOR ...... 125

(where the Suharto regime has thrown to- Resistance, has accused him of intentionally gether both its Indonesian adversaries and damaging Fretilin’s network in the interior. XANANA GUSMÃO some from the Timorese resistance) as he His supporters point to his progressively COMMUNICATES FROM was while he was up in the mountains. moderate line - the guerrilla forces becoming The latest reports received on his situa- non-partisan, his stepping down from Fre- PRISON tion refer to the time when he went on hun- tilin, and the creation in 1988 of Maubere ger strike for three weeks, on account of his Resistance National Council (CNRM) - transfer from Semarang prison (for common which made him become the charismatic XANANA: THE EAST criminals) to Cipinang (housing both Indo- leader of the entire Resistance movement, TIMORESE MYTH nesian political prisoners and members of both armed and civilian. the Timorese resistance). An Indonesian From aspiring emigrant to Marxist Publico, 10 December 1993. By Adelino source, that managed to speak briefly with leader Gomes. Translated from Portuguese Xanana, confirms that he remains firm in his José Alexandre Gusmão was born on 20 convictions. Meanwhile, in the outside (LISBON) A year has now past since June 1946 in Laleia, Manatuto. He studied world, Xanana’s name and the East Timor Xanana was captured. It was the Indonesian at the Jesuit seminary in Dare, and later at cause have become one and the same, and army’s greatest victory in 18 years of op- the Dili high school. He became a civil ser- the tributes keep coming (Order of Liberty, erations in East Timor. But the way in vant, and studied in the evenings. Pen Club recommendation for the Sakharov which he defeated Jakarta’s strategy, con- Shortly before 25 April 1974, he decided prize). fronted the judges, and still holds out against to emigrate to Australia with his family Information supplied by the “Freedom his jailers, have led his followers to believe (Emilia and son Eugenio). He got as far as for Xanana, Freedom for Timor” Commis- him to be “the perfect reflection of the Darwin, but changed his mind when he re- sion, on which this background on the leader Timorese people’s soul.” As is always the turned to Timor, as the political parties is based, paints a picture of moderation and case, there are shaded areas in the hero’s were already organising. He did not join coherence. However, it is difficult to fully biography. The following letters show how Fretilin straight-away, however, as he was guarantee the reliability of his “official” the guerrillas were living, suffering and feel- not enthusiastic about politics. It was at biography, given the clandestine circum- ing just before the capture of their Com- that time the he won the Timorese Poetry stances. The shaded areas mainly occur mander in Chief. Prize, with a poem entitled “Mauberiadas,” during the period between the Indonesian One year after his arrest, in the house of inspired by Luis de Camöes’ epic poem. invasion on 7 December 1975, and the end a resistance leader’s relatives, in one of the As a photographer for Fretilin’s Informa- of the 1980s. neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Dili, tion Department, Xanana was at East Some guerrillas who surrendered, in par- Xanana Gusmão is isolated in Jakarta’s Timor’s border with Indonesian Timor at ticular Paulino Gama, accuse Xanana of political prison, sentenced to 20 years im- the time of the invasion, taking photos of having taken part in executions and massa- prisonment. However, contrary to what his Jakarta’s military incursions, which had cres perpetrated by Fretilin, while Abilio jailers had intended, the guerrilla leader is started in mid-October 1975. He began to still as much a nuisance to them in jail Araujo, leader of the external wing of the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 7 use the name Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Araujo (Fretilin), Moises do Amaral (UDT), INDONESIA ALLOWS FAM ILY and “merely carried out” the orders from and Monsignor Martinho Lopes who, al- Fretilin’s leadership, which were “exclu- though he turned down this invitation from VISIT TO TIMOR’S XAN ANA sively aimed to organise the people.” Xanana, agreed to work as an adviser. JAKARTA, Dec. 14 (Reuter) - Indonesia The death in combat, on the last day of The opening of the territory to the out- has allowed members of Xanana Gusmão’s 1978, of Fretilin Chairman and leader of the side world in 1989, enable the resistance’s family to visit the imprisoned East Timor armed resistance, Nicolau Lobato, took urban network to organise demonstrations guerrilla leader for the first time since he was Xanana by surprise in Ponta Leste, where which, given the violence of the military sentenced six months ago, refugee and exile he was working as the political commis- authorities’ reaction, gave the struggle an sources said on Tuesday. sioner’s assistant. He then started on the international dimension (the visits of Pope The fate of Xanana, serving a 20-year long, nearly two-year, trek towards reestab- John Paul II, October 1989, the US Ambas- sentence for leading a separatist movement lishing and reorganising the resistance net- sador, January 1990, and the Apostolic in the former Portuguese colony, has been work, which had been practically destroyed. Nuncio, September 1990). the subject of concern by some Western At the 1st National Conference, held in The situation came to a head as the time nations and international human rights the central area in March 1981, he became approached for the Portuguese parliamen- groups. Chairman of the National Resistance Revo- tary delegation’s visit, in October 1991. The Xanana was originally sentenced to life lutionary Council (CRRN), and national visit had been arduously negotiated at the imprisonment but this was reduced to 20 political commissioner of the Fretilin Marx- UN between Portugal and Indonesia. When years by President Suharto in August. ist-Leninist Party. Two years later, on 21 the visit was cancelled by Portugal on ac- The sources said Xanana, now at Cipi- and 23 March, he steered the negotiations in count of the restrictions imposed by the nang prison in Jakarta after a brief spell in Lari Gutu with the territory’s Indonesian Indonesians, about two thousand Timorese, the central Javanese town of Semarang, was Military Commander, Col. Purwanto. This bearing flags and banners (prepared clandes- visited last week by family. International resulted in a break with the most radical tinely to be displayed in front of the visiting Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) offi- wing of the guerrilla command, which op- MPs and media) demonstrated against the cials accompanied them. posed the initiative. death, a few days previously, in the Motael A ICRC official said the visit was organ- A cease fire was agreed between the par- church, of the anti-integrationist Sebastião ised as part of a twice-yearly visit to pris- ties, and lasted until June, when General Rangel. oners across Indonesia. Murdani, Commander in Chief of the Indo- “Soul of the people” It was not clear which members of nesian Armed Forces, issued an ultimatum The demonstration coincided with visit Xanana’s family visited him. He has been for the guerrillas to surrender. Mutual accu- to Dili of the UN Special Rapporteur on allowed occasional family visits since he sations of cease fire violations followed Torture, as well as foreign reporters, who was captured in November 1992 but the until, in August, Timorese in the Indonesian filmed an Indonesian contingent of soldiers London-based Amnesty International or- militia, based in Craras and commanded by open fire on a crowd of civilians, killing and ganisation said it had not been allowed to Virgilio dos Anjos, attacked and killed an wounding hundreds of people. The video see him since he was sentenced on May 21. Indonesian Major and his entire Zipur B tape of the Santa Cruz massacre shook Por- Sources close to Xanana said he was on a platoon (except for a Captain and one Sol- tugal, embarrassing governments with close brief hunger strike in late August but diplo- dier), and joined up with the guerrillas, tak- ties with Indonesia, and transformed the mats said he now appeared to be in good ing with them the weapons they had cap- problem of East Timor into a cause, of health. tured from the Indonesian troops. which Xanana would become the banner. Jakarta sent troops into East Timor in In 1984, at the 2nd Fretilin National Con- The circumstances in which the guerrilla 1975 and annexed the tiny territory the ference, Xanana advocated the opening up leader was captured, one year ago today, are following year in a move not recognised by of Fretilin’s political base as the only way still unclear. His imprisonment opened a the United Nations. Xanana, 47, led a dwin- to achieve independence. The years that new chapter in the painful history of dling band of guerrillas fighting Indonesian followed were to prove him right: the resis- Timorese resistance to Indonesian occupa- forces. tance’s support base widened, and gained tion. But in his final statement before the the solidarity of the local church, and large COMMENT FROM TAPOL: court in May 1993, Xanana Gusmão took sectors of the population, especially young his captors by surprise, and once again be- This report gives the impression that AI people, as well as leaders of parties which came Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Com- was allowed to see Xanana prior to 21 May, had fought Fretilin. mander of the “glorious Armed Forces of when he was sentenced. This is not correct. In December 1988, the creation of the East Timor’s National Liberation.” To our knowledge, AI has never been al- Maubere Resistance National Council The Timorese Mandela had been found. lowed to see him, nor have other NGOs (CNRM) was formalised. The word “Revo- It was impossible for the Indonesian repres- although the International Commission of lutionary” was dropped from its name, sive apparatus to tame the former guerrilla Jurists and Asia Watch observers would showing adjustment to the new situation leader, and this is what finally turned him have ‘seen’ him, i.e. not met him, when they inside the territory as well as abroad, where into the symbolic banner of his people’s attended some hearings of the trial. AI did Fretilin and UDT (the protagonists of the fight for self-determination. Yesterday, the not attend the trial at all, so would not even civil war, between August and December CNRM’s representative in Portugal, re- have ‘seen’ him in this sense. 1975) had been in alliance since 1986. ferred to Xanana as the “perfect reflection The CNRM, chaired by Xanana Gusmão, of the Timorese people’s soul.” had always appeared as the cupola of an “SEND A MESSAGE TO organisation, of which two inseparable XANANA” CAMPAIGN structures were a part: the Falintil com- mand, led by Xanana himself, and the lead- From ETRA, 19 December 1993 ership of the Resistance Delegation Abroad The East Timor Relief Association Inc. (DRSE), a “troika” consisting of Abilio (Australia) supports the campaign “SEND Page 8 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

A MESSAGE TO XANANA” as it was Irene Fisher and 45 other members of the ana Falcao, someone from Costa de Caparica initiated by “Freedom for Xanana, Freedom congregation tells us “Don’t give up, because as long as for East Timor” Commission representing Uniting Church, Rowllan Park, Kingston, there are friends and people concerned about all the groups campaigning to pro- Tasmania you, freedom will be achieved!.” tect/liberate Xanana. This commission is The C&S School in Ourique reminds us based in Lisbon. XANANA LEAK PROBED that “Solidarity is the only source of life; To give practical support to this cam- suffering is part of life, but friendship is paign, ETRA has produced 5000 cards for UPI, 30 Dec. 1993 long-lasting!” And we believe it, because this campaign. The front of the card reads: JAKARTA (UPI) – The Indonesian gov- Ines Tomaz, Helena Neto, Luis Heleno, and Xanana Gusmão - Symbol of the National ernment authorities are investigating an ap- Claudio Lima write to us from Lisbon say- Resistance (with Timorese motive on the peal made by the jailed East Timorese inde- ing “We are with you! Courage!,” and João background) and at the back is for each per- pendence leader Xanana Gusmão in a letter Miguel Ventura Santos Andrade from Co- son to write their message of support to to the International Commission of Jurists, imbra wants us to know that he, and many Xanana. armed forces commander Gen. Feisal Tan- others “are at your side and will never lose If you or your group are interested in ob- jung said Wednesday. the strength to fight. Freedom for Timor!” taining some of these cards to mount the Tanjung told reporters that the govern- And that very freedom is at the heart of our campaign, please contact the office of East ment would first investigate how Gusmão’s fight. Cristina Correia, from Lisbon, en- Timor Relief Assn. Inc. in Sydney via the letter was leaked abroad from his prison in courages us: “Don’t ever stop fighting for tel. 02 - 7287395 or 8915861 Jakarta. what you believe to be right.” The message fax. 02 - 891 2876 or 7266319 You can “We will see whether the motive behind from Natalino Cunha is “Fatherland or also write to PO Box 23, FAIRFIELD, it was for money or another reason,” Tan- Death! The fight goes on!” NSW - 2165. jung said. We fully support Palmira Lourenco, who WAITING FOR PEACE POSTCARD Gusmão, 46, leader of the armed wing of asks for “Courage and Unity!,” and (...) Reis CAMPAIGN the East Timor Liberation Front Fretilin, and Fausto Reis reinforce that with “United until the final victory, until Timor is free!.” East Timor Relief Association (ETRA) was convicted of plotting against the state and illegal possession of firearms, and sen- As Victor Dias, from Ourique, says: “Life has produced postcards titled: East Timor - without freedom is like a garden without Waiting for Peace addressed to UN Secre- tenced to life imprisonment last May by a court in Dili, the capital of East Timor. flowers.” tary General Boutros-Boutros Ghali. The Luis Miguel Cunha, from Linda-a-Velha, message is: Gusmão’s sentence prompted strong in- ternational criticism. is confident that “soon I will embrace you in “I appeal to you to continue to use your Timor,” and explains: “Just as the Portu- good offices to find a peaceful, just and President Suharto, in a bid to ease criti- cism over Jakarta’s handling of East Timor, guese dictatorship fell, along with all the comprehensive solution for the people of others, the Indonesian dictatorship will also East Timor through the implementation of reduced Gusmão’s sentence to a 20-year jail term last August. fall!” Yes, Luis Miguel, East Timor will be all the relevant resolutions passed by the open to welcome its friends. And then, my United Nations; this can only be achieved Gusmão is being held in Jakarta’s Cipi- nang prison. surviving warriors will show whoever wants with the inclusion of the representatives of to “get to know the lands of Timor” how we the Timorese National Resistance in any It was widely reported this week that Gusmão has asked in a letter to the Geneva- stood such a long guerrilla was, where we future negotiations.” fought, where we lost our best men, where (front cover of the postcard is a painting based International Commission of Jurists for his trial to be annulled. we suffered defeat, where we won battles, reflecting Timorese women waiting for etc. I promise that to Luis Miguel, and to all peace by Timorese artist Sebastian Silva) In his letter, Gusmão also asked to be represented by a Portuguese defense lawyer. of you! Meanwhile, Amelia from Oeiras reminds us that the struggle is still neces- XANANA FOR TIME’S MAN OF He accused his Indonesian defense counsel Sudjono of being “dishonest” and having ties sary: “I wish you the best of luck in your THE YEAR with the Indonesian authorities. fight against Indonesia!” With luck and your constant support, “We will overcome” Letter to the Editor in TIME Australia, 27 XANANA LETTER TO THOSE (Maria Alice Tavares). December 1993 And what support! What can we say WHO SENT HIM POSTCAR DS XANANA’S EXAMPLE about this long list of “friends and people” who speak aloud in unison: “We are with Translated by Maubere People’s Rights We WISH TO NOMINATE XANANA you”? Just that. We know that you are with Commission (CDPM) from Portuguese, GUSMÃO to be TIME’S Man of the year. us, and that gives us strength and courage! abridged, 4 January 1994 Xanana represents a tiny race of very proud And to give back some of that strength, I and dignified people whose Christian faith Cipinang, 27 November 1993 say to Ana Luisa Quiterio (Benedita ?), and sets an example to the rest of us. In their Dearest Friends, Ana Paula Teixeira (Oporto) that I think it plight, it may help the East Timorese to is not as difficult as you say, and you just know that all over the world there are peo- The message from Paulo Jorge Ambrosio need to be familiar with fear, and feel it a ple who care, not least here in Australia, (Mem Martins) is “solidarity against re- pression"; the cry from the C&S School in few times. That goes for Maria Alice Ta- when our Government has betrayed them. vares too, and - you will not be so sur- The East Timorese lead by Xanana, re- Ourique “Free the innocent one! Here’s to your total freedom! A long embrace - Good prised! gardless of the daily fear and atrocities Thank you Margarita Correia (Lisbon), meted out to them, have never taken repri- Luck Friend!,” which also included Leonor. While the message from Jorge Falcao, Mi- but I don’t think I deserve so much praise. sals on the Indonesians or Javanese now Nevertheless, I treasure it as a present from farming their land. randa do Corvo, is “Freedom for Timor!, and “Courage, Victory is Ours!” from Suz- you. Thank you also to Ana Tavares for your feelings. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 9

“Christ is with me” (isn’t that right Ana Flowers are nature’s way of celebrating just the most restricted piece of land to Pinto from Lisbon, and Father Mario de and, there is a common saying that life cultivate. Oliveira?) Your postcard, along with another without liberty is like a garden without But we, the Timorese, believe in our abil- 399, reached me Teresa Eusebio from Lis- flowers. If liberty is one of the main aspira- ity to develop our beloved country; we bon. tions that people have during their lives, believe in our will-power, in the energy of Dear Friends, liberty must be inherited across generations. our initiatives and in the creativity of our I embrace you with deep gratitude, on It is my simple duty, along with my feelings. However, everything has its limits, behalf of all the Timorese who have been compatriots, to struggle for liberty through- because we are poor, and we will need an able to involve themselves in a dignified way out my life, to take on this essential role. I immense amount of support from you. of fighting for our people’s freedom. have to do this to rescue liberty for the gen- We need it now. I believe that you have We were very moved to receive yester- erations to come and to pass on this pre- heard that the grants of 175 Timorese Uni- day, 26 November, such a delivery of Por- cious heritage. versity students, who signed a letter to pro- tuguese solidarity, originating mainly, I be- I send you my fondest thoughts in the test about the Santa Cruz massacre, have lieve, from young people. name of all Timorese who are prisoners, been cut by the murderous colonial govern- As I’m unable to reply to each of you in- those who are held without trial in Cipinang ment. If I understand it correctly, “working dividually, by means of this letter I wish to and in East Timor. together with the poor in developing coun- publicly express our appreciation, and my Yours sincerely, tries,” means thinking that, in the current own particular appreciation for your gesture Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. situation of East Timor, the condition of of solidarity. –––––––– these students could be included in your We are always counting on you, as we objective. Only with a sound education can will always need your support! Thank you, My greetings, young people provide for the needs of their Portuguese friends! I am immensely grateful to you for re- country and we are struggling for the right to Here follow the hundreds of names of all membering me. I am profoundly moved by conduct our own destiny. those who sent greetings/postcards. They your solidarity because it makes it possible Please contact Ramos-Horta, my per- are listed mainly according to place of origin for me to believe that in this troubled and sonal representative outside East Timor and (from all over Portugal, and one from Brus- egotistical world there are still good people the special representative for the CNRM sels), trade union organisations and other who are willing to concern themselves with (National Council for Maubere Resistance). groups, and under the headings “Unsigned,” the fate of others. Help us to liberate ourselves now and “Illegible Address,” “Illegible Signature.” My country, my beloved East Timor, help us to educate people for the future. Xanana Gusmão ends the list with “Once which is still locked in a struggle against Help us to build a new nation, which is again, thank you friends! Fatherland or continuing colonial repression inevitably peace-loving and happy! Until then the Death! The Struggle Continues! Resist and belongs in this category. My people have slogans in the mouth of every The struggle overcome! Viva International Solidarity! been struggling and suffering for these 18 is continuing on every front! To resist is to Long Live the Heroic Maubere People!” years of cruel and violent military Indone- win! sian occupation and my people are strug- Long live international solidarity! TWO LETTERS FROM XANANA gling to be free and are suffering to achieve With compliments, GUSMÃO WRITTEN TO their right to self-determination and national Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, SUPPORTERS IN THE UK independence. Member of CNRM and Commander of Cipinang, 27 November 1993 We will win, with your support! And in FALINTIL a free and independent East Timor we My Greetings, Timorese will need help from CAFOD, INDONESIA BARS RELAT IVES It is a pity that I have not mastered Eng- Christian Aid, SCIAF and Traidcraft; our AND RIGHTS GROUP FROM lish, but I will make an effort to learn it nation will have a strong desire for peace during these years in prison, especially since and harmony and will be preoccupied with VISITING DISSIDENT LEADER its national reconstruction in every domain. it will enable me to receive your letters and UPI, Jan. 9 make the most of your simple gesture to We are a peace loving and hard-working show that you remember - a gesture stem- people. In the Portuguese colonial period we JAKARTA (UPI) – The Indonesian gov- ming from real commitment - that moved me were portrayed as lazy, just because our ernment Sunday barred relatives and human deeply. ancestors ran away from the forced labour rights representative from visiting an East I am grateful that you are thinking of me imposed upon them. Today, the Indonesian Timorese independence leader, charging the but, before me, think too about my people assassins, with their policy of transmigra- jailed Xanana Gusmão tarnished the gov- who find themselves captive in a huge tion, still say that we are lazy in order to ernment’s image overseas. prison which was once their country of justify their military occupation and they The ban came only one day after Presi- birth and the country they believed in. give all the facilities to the [non-Timorese] dent Suharto told U.S. Rep. Richard It is a country which has lost the colour transmigrants. Gephardt, D-Ga (actually, MO), that inter- of its wild flowers. They have been replaced The truth is that, by applying the tactics national organizations will be assured access with plastic flowers which go under the of burned earth [burning the grasses and the to East Timor to investigate alleged human name ‘development’ (the Indonesian word forests], the invaders have destroyed every- rights violations in the former Portuguese for development was used here). This has thing during the huge operations against the colony. happened because the occupation forces defenceless population who resisted ‘en Baharuddin Lopa, director general of cor- came 18 years ago to burn our forests, our masse’ during the first three years. When rectional institution, told the official news mountains and our plains in military opera- they had gained control by the end of 1978, agency Antara that “the decision was taken tions designed to persecute those fighting the population of East Timor was herded because Gusmão has tarnished the good for freedom. into the areas surrounding the villages, and image of Indonesia abroad.” today they are living along the roads with Page 10 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Lopa cited a letter of appeal to the Ge- Greetings! I am outlining below areas in gence agency; he is now commander of neva-based International Commission of my case which I consider require clarifica- the Jakarta Military Command.] During Jurists and the Portuguese government tion: the second half of January, while in de- leaked by Gusmão, asking them to annul his A. “CHOOSING” MY LAWYER tention at the attorney general’s, General trial by an Indonesian court. Hendro showed up with the lawyer. 1. At the police headquarters in Jakarta, I Gusmão is now serving a 20-year jail There, all I could do was just sign the received a letter from the LBH [Legal Aid term at Jakarta’s Cipinang prison. statement “recognising” my lawyer. Institute], offering its services at my Lopa said the government had allowed “family’s request” (quote from said let- B. Mr. Sudjono’s conduct the representatives of the International ter). Committee of the Red Cross and relatives to 1. At the outset of the trial I brought up the visit Gusmão without being accompanied by I was already familiar with the LBH, possibility of my speaking to journalists. Indonesian officers but it turned out that he even before the trial of our university stu- He told me that this was not allowed, and “violated a gentlemen’s agreement” by send- dent compatriots in Jakarta. that he would be the one to have all con- ing a letter overseas. On 22 December 1992, if I am not mis- tact with the press. The East Timorese dissident leader was taken, I replied accepting the offer just for Throughout the whole process, there was convicted of plotting against the state and the period of the trial, because I did not visibly close coordination between the illegal possession of firearms, and sentenced want to upset my own plans. Because of lawyer and the BAIS, to whom (the law- to life in prison by East Timor’s Dili district this, they [the Indonesian authorities] yer himself admitted) he was obliged to court in May. started telling me to be very careful about report back to with all the details of each Indonesia’s President Suharto, in a bid to who I chose, giving other reasons. Suddenly, session. The BAIS was in charge of him, ease criticism over Gusmão’s sentence and there was a shower of letters from lawyers and together they acted so as to isolate Jakarta’s handling of East Timor in August and lawyers’ associations. Surprisingly, me. reduced Gusmão’s sentence to a 20-year jail some of these letters were dated earlier than 2. On the day I was stopped from reading term. the date on the LBH’s letter. I stuck with my defence in Portuguese, and stated that In response to a question whether the offer from the LBH, explaining to them that, I did not acknowledge him as my lawyer, ban would violate Gusmão’s rights, Lopa given that it was the first I had received, and we were given a recess to discuss the challenged said, “It was Gusmão who first given that it had been at my family’s re- problem. quest, it was more ethical to accept the violated human rights.” I told Mr. Sudjono that he could only con- He said the government had actually con- LBH’s offer. I believe it was on the 28th of that same tinue acting as my lawyer if he accepted sidered giving a remission to Gusmão, “but the following conditions: with his latest behavior, he has lost his right month that I noticed a newspaper article to get such remission.” (which they had probably not noticed) men- a) I would read out my defence statement, Suharto told a visiting U.S. congressional tioning my name, the LBH, and Mabes Polri and he would have to support me in group led by Gephardt that there would be [Indonesian Police Headquarters]. I asked this. no problem with groups or organizations or the team of enquiry to explain the content to b) It would be his responsibility to de- individuals visiting East Timor to investigate me. They were saying that it was about the fend my case, strictly in the matter of whether or not human rights had been re- LBH protesting, when a colonel explained the Indonesian laws themselves, the in- solved. that he had rejected the LBH request to terpretation of which I should be able During a talk with Suharto, Gephardt contact me, and his refusal had been based to understand from his defence. The said a concern existed in the United States as on the LBH not having produced any docu- political side of the question would be well as other countries with regard to people ment showing that it was “at the family’s left entirely up to me, without any in- that have been imprisoned and a concern request.” terference from him. with regard to the ability of human rights It was then that they asked me whether I c) In accordance with the above point b), organizations to visit the area to see human knew the LBH. I said I did not. They talked he would have to remove from his de- rights conditions. about the trials resulting from the Jakarta fence everything which, either explic- Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, a demonstrations. They said that the LBH itly or implicitly, conflicted with my few months after the departure of Portugal’s was not to be trusted, and even said that political position. I had also under- colonial administration, and Jakarta annexed because the LBH had not been able to prove stood a little of the concluding part of the territory of 600,000 inhabitants a year that their offer was “at the request of (my) his defence, and expressly indicated later, a move never recognized by the United family,” my letter in reply to them had been that it should be removed. Nations. retained. They handed it back to me so I d) He would not read his defence on that could write another letter, refusing. I had no day, and would only do so after I had read out mine. LETTER FROM XANANA other alternative. After that, more letters appeared - and 3. The following day, with bags packed and GUSMÃO TO THE even police lawyers came forward. I rejected ready to go back to Jakarta, he turned up INTERNATIONAL all of them. Furthermore, I stated that I did at the prison. I put to him the question of COMMISSION OF JURISTS not even need any lawyers. the translation of my speech [into Indo- 2. Finally, Mr. Sudjono was introduced to nesian]. He simply suggested that I try to Translation by CDPM, Annotations by me. I told him I would have to think do it myself - knowing all too well that I TAPOL, Jan. 10, 1994. about it. He came a second time, and as- did not speak his language well. He Cipinang, 1 December 1993 sured me that he had some connection promised to ask the police chief for pa- per and pencil. Mr. President of the International Commis- with General Hendro [Priyono] of the sion of Jurists, BAIS, today “panglima.” [Major-General One day before the next session, he came Hendro Priyono was in charge of Section back. I then asked him to take the docu- A of BAIS, the army’s strategic intelli- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 11

ment to Father José Antonio, as I be- He went on to say that the sentence handed Mr. Sudjono was stating that I acknowl- lieved he could translate it correctly. That down was not final, and that he would be edged integration. I kept that magazine, afternoon, however, he returned to tell appealing to a higher court for the sen- but that same night the BAIS took every- me that, after consulting the Judge, who tence to be reduced, and would not fol- thing away from me that was paper would not give his authorisation, it had low all the steps of the judicial machin- (written or blank). The letter which I had been agreed that the following day I ery. Then he said he was just acting written to the LBH, while I was at the should hand over the document to the within the limits of his territory and that police headquarters in Jakarta, was also Judge, and then he would have it sent for the conditions of our agreement still held. taken from me then. translation. He asked me to draft a letter. Again I re- At the end of August, or early in September, Before commencement of the session, he fused, because it would have gone against I cannot remember exactly, Mr. Sudjono came to me asking that I read out his de- my principles to request a reduction of came to seem me in Semarang. I told him fence. I refused, as this could have en- the sentence, given that I did not accept I had seen the police magazine article. Af- cumbered the reading out of my own. At any sentence at all. Then he said it was ter a few moments of embarrassment, he this, he stressed that everything had been simply a personal letter, just to comply said it had restricted circulation. I said the agreed, and that I would inevitably get to with certain bureaucratic formalities, as article had surprised me, as it could have read out mine. the Judge would only accept his declara- meant a change in his position. He replied 4. When the Judge ordered me to stop read- tion if he presented a letter from me. I that it did not. I did not wish to press the ing, I was surprised to see Mr. Sudjono must again confess that it did not occur issue further, because what was of most hurriedly collecting the document from to me to discuss with him the credential importance for me then was to get trans- my hands and handing it over to the problems of January, and again, after I ferred here. Judge. From that day to this, no copy had refused him as my lawyer. Without 4. While still in Dili, during the whatsoever of my own defence statement an interpreter, it is so hard for me to un- talks/arguments about the question of has been given back to me. derstand Indonesian! “grasi,” I said to the Chief of Police and 5. We had agreed that, in the final session, I The text he dictated to me surprised me, and to other military, that I was prepared to would have the opportunity of express- I stopped writing, telling him that I could appeal to President Suharto to release all ing my opinion on the sentence which not write in this way. Again, he insisted Timorese political prisoners since I as- would be passed on me that day. that it would be of a personal nature and sumed full responsibility. The promise to was only to be shown to the Judge. Since both the Procurator and the Judge had give me paper and pencil was postponed considered me an “Indonesian citizen,” I asked him for the declaration he had men- until I came to Semarang. during the interval I pointed this out to tioned and, after telling me a long story In mid-October, now here in Cipinang, Mr. him and said he ought to protest, and that involving travelling, etc., he said that he Sudjono reappeared, and I put the matter I too, at the end, would clarify on that would only be finishing it that very night, to him. Much to my surprise, he agreed point. and handing it over to the Judge the fol- immediately, and said he would get me a lowing day, when he would then travel I was just about to begin to speak, when the list of prisoners and detainees in East back to Jakarta. He promised me a copy, Timor. Once again, the agreement be- Judge ordered the trial over. There was but to this day I have not seen one! not the slightest reaction from Mr. Sud- tween us was recalled and clarified. Since jono. The letter, addressed to him, went roughly he never again came back with the list, on as follows: “I request that you kindly ask 13 November I handed in a request to the 6. Mr. Sudjono was always trying to con- for grasi.” Before giving it to him, I asked prison chief to contact Mr. Sudjono, and vince me to remain totally passive and in him for a commitment to respect my po- let him know of my wish to speak with silence. litical position, and, in accordance with him. The only time he was of any help was our agreement, to limit his activities to As of yesterday, 30 November, there was when (on my insistence) he convinced the the area we had agreed. no news from him. judges to avoid confrontation with me dur- 2. I raised this question of requesting “grasi” ing the session in which I was questioned. It Having decided to break with Mr. Sud- frequently with the police chief and po- jono, since I learned here of the disloyalty, I was still not the right time and, at any price, lice doctor in Dili. The night I arrived in I wanted to avoid confrontations, with ques- am sending today a request to the LBH to Semarang, it was discussed with the take up the show they set up around the tions and answers. I knew that if that were Kanwil [meaning ‘regional representative to happen there, they would start searching “grasi,” and knowing about his case. office’ but not clear for which agency] I have also asked the LBH to appoint a my cell, and I would lose what cost so much and Procurator. In reply to their ques- to write. And I did not have any more paper lawyer for me. tions, I again clarified for them my politi- and pencils, which I had managed to hide cal position, the agreement with the law- and take with me from Jakarta. Mr. Chairman of the International Com- yer, and the letter. mission of Jurists: C. “GRASI” In both the LP Semarang and Cipinang I appeal to the ICJ, and I appeal to all in- 1. In early June, Mr. Sudjono came and documents, I stated my Timorese citi- ternational organisations linked to Interna- spoke to me about asking for “grasi.” I zenship. In Semarang, all those who went tional Law, to initiate actions of protest, and must confess that I really did not under- to my cell saw “I’m not Indonesian citi- a campaign (using this document if neces- stand the meaning of the term. He ex- zen.” sary) for the annulment of the previous trial plained that it was a reduction of sen- 3. On 12 August, the second day of my proceedings. tence. I rejected this idea out of hand, hunger strike, in the police prison, the As a foreigner, a Timorese citizen in my telling him that I did not accept any sen- doctor brought me in some magazines. own conscience, and Portuguese citizen in tence from any Indonesian court. Although my Indonesian is not good, I the eyes of international law, I request the did understand some passages in which intervention of a Portuguese lawyer, in order Page 12 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. to facilitate communication, to be assisted Considering that till the day of my cap- prosperity for the brotherly Indonesian by lawyers from the LBH. ture on the 20th November 1992, I was the people. I hope that my appeal is only one Thanking you in anticipation of your at- one directing the activities of the resistance among many cries for peace, harmony and tention, in East Timor; understanding among nations and peoples. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Considering that in the Court in Dili I With highest respects, Member of the CNRM and Commander claimed full responsibility for all the activi- Signed. Xanana (signature) of the Falintil ties practiced till then; Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão Cipinang, 1st December 1993 Considering, on the other hand, what was Jakarta/Cipinang, 31 Oct. 1993. stated to me by the competent authorities in JAILED TIMORESE REBEL Dili that no other trial would take place after INDONESIAN ACTIVIST HITS LEADER OFFERS TO SERVE mine which lasted from January till May RESTRICTIONS this year; LONGER SENTENCE Considering that such a decision relieves ON JAILED REBEL any individual of guilt; Reuter, 9 January 1994 Dateline: Sydney. UPI, Jan. 11. [Bracketed comments by Considering that there are individuals Abridged TAPOL] who are now in prison for having executed A jailed Timorese rebel leader offered to activities of the resistance under my com- JAKARTA – A prominent human rights serve a longer term if Indonesian President mand; activist Tuesday warned that barring jailed Suharto released fellow rebels, according to a Considering also that there are others East Timor independence leader Xanana copy of his letter obtained by Reuters. who were arrested in connection with my Gusmão from receiving visitors would dam- There was no indication of the Indone- capture and that as a consequence of the age Indonesia’s international reputation. sian government’s response to the letter. lack of a trial they are in prolonged deten- Human rights activist [and lawyer] Nur- Gusmão was captured in November 1992 tion; syahbani Katjasungkana [former chief of the and sentenced to life by an Indonesian court In view of all the above, it is completely Jakarta Legal Aid Institute] called on the six months later. logical and legally plausible that the said government to review its decision, saying In the letter dated October 31 1993 and individuals, a list of whom I am enclosing, “such a ban will prompt a new problem for smuggled out of his cell in a Jakarta prison, be the beneficiaries of yet another act of Indonesia internationally.” Gusmão says that as he directed the rebels, generosity by Your Excellency. “Xanana has the right to be visited by his he should serve the life meted out and fellow In what concerns me, Your Excellency, relatives and others,” Katjasungkana said. rebels released. Mr. President, taking into account that I The government barred visits by relatives “I appeal to Your Excellency, Mr. Presi- continue to claim for myself the right to be and human rights organisations after Gus- dent, for all of the prisoners of conscience considered a Portuguese citizen in accor- mão sent an appeal for his release from mentioned above to be unconditionally re- dance with the United Nations’ General prison [he did not appeal for his release but leased in return for an extension of my sen- Assembly resolutions which recognize Por- for the annulment of his trial] to the Ge- tence,” Gusmão said in a letter authenticated tugal as the Administering Power just as neva-based International Commission of by Timorese sources. France, legally and politically exercises cir- Jurists [The remainder of the story relates to cumstantial physical power over New Cale- Director General of Correctional Institu- Xanana’s letter to the International Com- donia. tion Baharuddin Lopa said the “decision mission of Jurists.] Taking also into account that in the con- was taken because Gusmão has tarnished text of my own resistance, I consider myself the good name of Indonesia abroad.” LETTER FROM XANANA in all liberty to be a citizen of East Timor; President Suharto on Saturday told visit- TO PRESIDENT SUHARTO Bearing in mind that for this reason and ing U.S. Representative Richard Gephardt, because I never accepted, I do not accept the majority leader in the House of Repre- Official translation by the Executive Office of and will never accept any verdict imposed sentatives, that international organizations the CNRM Co-Chairman and Special Repre- by Indonesian courts; would be assured access to East Timor to sentative I appeal to Your Excellency, Mr. Presi- investigate alleged human rights violations in the former Portuguese colony. Cipinang, Jakarta, 31 October 1993 dent, to release unconditionally all prisoners of conscience mentioned above in exchange Gusmão, 46, leader of the armed wing of Mr. President Suharto for an even heavier sentence against myself. the East Timor pro-independence move- Your Excellency Finally I wish to appeal once more to ment, was sentenced to life in prison after Allow me, first of all, to address to you, Your Excellency, Mr. President, for a greater his capture, but Suharto reduced the sen- Your Excellency, Mr. President, my best willingness for dialogue regarding the case of tence to 20 years. wishes. East Timor. Only a frank and constructive Indonesia annexed East Timor by force I am Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, the dialogue can bring peace to East Timor and shortly after Portugal withdrew in 1975. Leader of the Resistance against the Indone- stability, harmony and understanding among The United Nations still recognizes Portugal sian presence in East Timor. all parties to this conflict. Only a just solu- as the administering power of the territory. The Court in Dili imposed on me the life tion based on the UN resolutions may en- sentence. Your Excellency, Mr. President, able all interested parties in the problem a TIMOR LEADER offered me, in August, a reduction in the peace of the spirit and complete openness MAKES JAIL PLEA sentence to 20 years in prison. This is an act towards a true peace and lasting coopera- of generosity for which I am enormously tion. The Guardian, 11 January 1994. By Marga- grateful. Finally, I wish Your Excellency, Mr. ret Coles Allow me, Mr. President, to explain the President, the best success in leading the Xanana Gusmão, the jailed East Timorese reasons for this petition. Indonesian Nation and the supreme goals of resistance leader, has been prohibited visits the Non-Aligned Movement. I wish also all East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 13 from relatives and the Red Cross after ap- ing, ‘have you rested?’ I felt like spitting in to leave and enter my cell. My movements pealing for a campaign for the annulment of their faces. are restricted to this block. This is prison his trial and the appointment of a Portu- life. Only the body is imprisoned. The guese lawyer to act on his behalf. XANANA GUSMÃO SAYS HE WAS mind, the spirit are still free. Fortunately Amnesty International has condemned TORTURED; TIMORESE REFUGEE free, to be still able to fight, to fight with Indonesia’s action, which breaches a United SEEKS SANCTUARY (RTP) you for the liberation of a people which Nations covenant on the treatment of pris- RDP Radio Lisbon in Portuguese 12 Jan 94. History has linked with you Portuguese. oners. Editorial report History to be found in the very language in Mr. Gusmão made his appeal in a letter which I address you, and in which you to the International Commission of Jurists Xanana Gusmão has revealed “in a mes- speak to me, in which we communicate, smuggled from Jakarta’s Cipinang prison, sage to his supporters in Portugal,” that he understand each other, embrace each other. where he is serving a 20-year sentence for was “tortured in Bali,” the radio reported. Before, I always used to think how diffi- rebellion. “Xanana says he was prevented from cult life in prison would be. Inside, natu- In it he repudiates Indonesia’s claims that sleeping at the time of his arrest,” the radio rally, we are prevented from going ahead, he has accepted East Timor’s “integration” added. prevented from acting freely. But, above all, into Indonesia, and that he either sought or Another Timorese refugee, Vincente Xi- I think life in prison is yet another of life’s accepted “clemency” and the reduction of menes, has arrived in Australia, according to lessons. For me, it is a lesson because I am the life sentence passed on him last May the radio, which added that he “fled East learning to comprehend myself. I am learn- after a trial which Amnesty called “a trav- Timor after being tortured” and “is now ing to be, to understand, to study everything esty of justice.” waiting for Canberra to grant him political that it’s possible to see around me, every- He says he was forced to refuse an offer asylum.” thing that emerges in day to day life. of representation by lawyers from Jakarta’s The radio added that the 38-year old Prisons - I have been in a few. Each one Legal Aid Institute and accept another law- “was jailed and tortured for months in Dili is different, in all kinds of conditions. I was yer. “During the whole process a close co- prison” before escaping. in the military police prison in Denpasar, ordination was evident between the lawyer Ximenes, the report continued, “said he Bali. Four or five guards were posted in and the BAIS (military intelligence). He told is a businessmen with clandestine links but front of my cell there. They did not stop me that he had a duty to report to the au- without much contact with the Timorese making noise. They did not stop looking at thorities the details of each session.” resistance network” and that “he suffered me, watching my every move. I was hand- Mr. Gusmão was told that he must read electric shocks and beatings for days, all cuffed. But they did not want me to be able his defence statement in Indonesian, of because the Indonesians wanted material to to think. They made a lot of noise. I was which he has little knowledge. He was also enable them to accuse former governor [of unable to sleep for three consecutive nights prevented from making a statement in re- Dili] Mario Carrascalão.” and three days, twenty-four hours a day. sponse to the verdict, despite a prior agree- “Eventually he gave in - after losing 20 There were orders not to let me concen- ment. relatives in the Santa Cruz [cemetery] mas- trate. There were orders not to let me think. Indonesia’s prisons director, Baharuddin sacre and after months of maltreatment he And the orders were carried out to the very Lopa, said on Sunday the government had was forced to sign a document accusing letter. I was exhausted, totally exhausted. been considering remitting more of Mr. Carrascalão of collaborating with the resis- Fatigue weighed me down. My whole body Gusmão’s sentence, but that he had now tance,” the radio added. was .. I would pick at the food just to settle “lost his rights to such remission.” For more on Vicente Ximenes, see the Aus- my stomach. I smoked. It was all planned. Last year Britain increased its aid four- tralia section of this Documents compilation At around midnight they would start calling fold and the Government helped secure a out, asking me “Have you rested?” I felt like deal to sell 24 BAe Hawk jets. XANANA: “I WAS TORTURED” spitting in their faces. Had I rested? “I’ve (PUBLICO) been three days and three nights without a wink of sleep.” Exhausted. EAST TIMOR REBEL SAY S Message from the Timorese leader con- MISTREATED IN I studied their questions, their aims. I firms Amnesty International’s suspi- studied what it was they wanted. I cried a INDONESIAN JAIL cions lot. I cried in order to act. I knew that it Publico, 12 January 1994. By Joaquim T. de was, temporarily, simply a way for me to Reuter, 12 January 1994. Abridged Negreiros. Translated from Portuguese. be able to defeat the enemy later on, a way (Lisbon) Jailed East Timor guerrilla leader Abridged to unmask him at a later stage. But it was Xanana Gusmão has accused his Indonesian (Publico has acknowledged that the headline hard for me to do, extremely hard. I had captors of deliberately depriving him of “I was tortured” is not a quote taken from learned something in the guerrilla, and I de- sleep, according to a letter published here on Xanana Gusmão’s message below.) cided to go ahead. I decided not to row Wednesday. against the current. Not because I was afraid Gusmão, 45, said in the message to sym- It has been confirmed: Xanana Gusmão of being touched - I knew I would not be. I pathisers in Portugal, published in the Lis- was subjected to sleep deprivation torture in was too “important” for them. I was too Denpasar prison. The allegation was made bon daily Publico that guards constantly valuable a piece for them. I had to be treated made a noise outside his cell them mock- by the Timorese leader himself in a message with kindness, as their compatriots are usu- ingly asked if he had rested well. “They are addressed to the “Portuguese solidarity” ally are. At night, whenever I was able to under strict orders not to let me concentrate, movement, dated November 1993 but which think for a few moments, and while they not to let me think,” he said in a message has only now become known, and which were laughing with satisfaction, believing sent from Cipinang jail in November. Publico reproduces below: they had achieved a great victory, I would “I spent three consecutive nights and Xanana’s message recapitulate all the steps, summarising every days, 24 hours per day, without sleep. “Today is Saturday. Just as on any other point. Around midnight, they would call me, ask- day since I arrived here, there are set times Page 14 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

There are thirteen cells, each with space tary of the official National Commission for the Association has received a copy of for two people. Two people, two prisoners. Human Rights, had to say. (The problem for Xanana’s letter but has not yet circulated it. I am here, mixed in with murderers, thieves, him was that his service and his subordi- and the insane. Timorese companions are in nates were under the spotlight for allowing LBH TO REPRESENT another cell, another block. Leaving this such a breach to happen.) XANANA GUSMÃO block is not allowed, and so we never meet.” According to Lopa in the 30 December Cipinang Prison, November 1993 reports, there is a sixty percent possibility The following in the unabridged translation Xanana Gusmão that the letter was not written by Xanana at of a statement issued 17 January 1994, by all but by ‘anti-Indonesian elements abroad’ who then sent it to Jakarta for dispatch INDONESIAN LEGAL AID EAST TIMOR LEADER FOUNDATION (YLBHI) PUNISHED abroad. (On the same day, armed forces commander-in-chief General Faisal Tanjung Jl. Diponegoro, 74, Jakarta 10320. Tel: 3145518/3904226. Fax: 330140 The Age, By Guardian. 12 January 1994 was quoted as saying he was almost certain that the letter was genuine.) Lopa went on The attitude and measures taken by the Xanana Gusmão, the jailed East Timorese to say that there was a thirty percent chance Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation resistance leader, has been prohibited visits that the ICRC had taken the letter out (the (YLBHI) regarding Xanana Gusmão, Kay from relatives and the Red Cross after ap- ICRC has since denied this), and a ten per- Rala pealing for a campaign for the annulment of cent chance that prison officers had been his trial and the appointment of a Portu- The need for an investigation and a pub- prevailed upon or bribed to pass the letter lic explanation guese lawyer to act on his behalf. Amnesty out. International has condemned Indonesia’s Much of the reporting discusses the pos- Xanana Gusmão who has been sentenced action, which breaches a United Nations sibility that the documents were brought out to twenty years is now serving that sen- covenant on the treatment of prisoners. by Xanana’s mother who, with his sister, tence in Cipinang Correctional Institution. Xanana made his appeal in a letter to the visited him on 10 December, escorted by an He was initially sentenced to life imprison- International Commission of Jurists smug- ICRC delegate. It is said that although visi- ment but in response to a clemency request gled from Jakarta’s Cipinang prison, where tors to the prison are carefully searched submitted by his lawyer, the President he is serving a 20-year sentence for rebel- when they go in, it is easy for them to commuted the sentence to twenty years. It lion. In it he repudiates Indonesia’s claims smuggle documents out because there is no was widely suspected that the clemency that he has accepted East Timor’s integra- body search on the way out. In any case, an hearing and submission on Xanana’s behalf tion into Indonesia and that he either sought ICRC visit would have taken place without was not in accord with the Criminal Proce- or accepted clemency and the reduction of the presence of any Indonesian officials. dural Code (KUHAP) and the Law on the life sentence passed on him last May Asked whether the authorities would Clemency. To this is now added the ques- after a trial which Amnesty called “ a trav- question Xanana about the matter, Lopa tion of treatment not in conformity with esty of justice.” said they probably would though it was universally-accepted principles regarding difficult to believe anything he said. imprisonment. XANANA’S LETTER However, on 31 December, Lopa is re- Recently to everyone’s astonishment, IN THE MEDIA ported in Waspada as saying that Xanana Xanana sent out a letter from Cipinang Cor- was questioned and said he gave the letters rectional Institution to the International TAPOL Report, 16 January 1994 to his mother on 10 December. Whether Commission of Jurists (ICJ). He complained Lopa believed him or not is unclear. about a number of things as reported in the A wad of clippings which reached mass media, including the matter of his TAPOL yesterday reveals that Xanana’s Another idea, reported by Republika on 3 January, is that Xanana may have had the communications with the outside. It is as- ability to smuggle out letters has stunned tonishing because: the authorities. The story was widely re- help of Dicky Iskandardinanta, an Indone- sian banker who is serving a sentence for (1) his letter infuriated the Indonesian ported by all the main papers under banner government cq the Director-General of Cor- headlines across several columns on 30 De- corruption, to pass his documents out. Ac- cording to Republika, Xanana is learning to rectional Institutions who announced the cember. Many parts of the reports are iden- temporary suspension of visits to Xanana tical. sculpt from Dicky and so meets him regu- larly in Cipinang. by the International Committee of the Red The story hit the press after Lisbon’s Cross. He had been obliged to take this ‘Publico’ published his letter to the Portu- One other comment comes from the East Timorese lawyer, Manuel Tilman, who now measure because Xanana’s letter was con- guese government (which we in London sidered to have tarnished Indonesia’s repu- have not yet seen). The reports say that his practices law in Macao, and who paid a visit to East Timor early this year. Tilman has tation on the international arena and more- letter to the government - in which, accord- over was not in accord with S.1917:708, ing to these reports, he asked the Portuguese been living in Portugal for many years. (He attended the London talks before Christmas articles 44, 48, 68 and 69. government to take action to secure his re- (2) Xanana’s letter asserted that his law- lease - is more or less the same as his letter as a member of Abilio Araujo’s team.) Surya (31 December 1993) quotes Til- yer collaborated with the government to his to the International Commission of Jurists. personal disadvantage, thus challenging the (His letter to the ICJ asked them to seek the man as saying the Portuguese Lawyers As- sociation of which he is a member will not trial proceedings which are now deemed by annulment of his trial and does not speak law to have been concluded. about pressing for his release.) intervene in the judicial affairs of another Clearly there is consternation at country. “(The Xanana case) is a matter for In responding to these matters, we need Xanana’s ability to get letters out of Cipi- the Indonesian judiciary and we will not to look back at the events which followed nang Prison. interfere even if Xanana asks us to do so. his arrest. Here is a summary of what professor of Intervention can only take place at the re- Before Xanana’s trial began, the Indone- law Baharuddin Lopa, chief of the Prison quest of Indonesia.” According to Tilman, sian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) re- Service at the Ministry of Justice and secre- ceived a request for legal aid and obtained East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 15 power of attorney from his parents and his In the concluding section of his letter, he clemency as the press has reported, the wife. This was conveyed directly to the said: “I would like to ask whether I can have Jakarta Post said Tuesday. Police Headquarters (the official detaining the assistance of a lawyer from the LBH, in The Post quoted Luhut Pangaribuan, top authority investigating the case) via the view of my status as a convicted person, as executive of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foun- intermediary of Colonel (Pol) Drs. Ahwil regards the Indonesian legal aspects, and dation, as saying Monday that José Alexan- Luthan. Nevertheless, a request for a meet- whether the LBH can ensure that this law- dre Xanana Gusmão did not request presi- ing was rejected for unacceptable reasons. yer will visit me periodically.” This is a dential clemency because it goes against his The YLBHI then sent a letter to Xanana via request for legal aid from the YLBHI and the principles, adding that he has been a victim the intermediary of the same official and YLBHI does not reject it. The YLBHI there- of manipulation. received a reply from him via the Police; the fore wishes, together with others such as the Luhut cited Xanana’s letters to the Ge- letter was written in Portuguese with a National Commission for Human Rights, to neva-based International Commission of translation into Indonesian. It said basically carry out open and direct investigations of Jurists and the Portuguese government when that he did not accept legal aid from the everything that has happened to Xanana. he and a delegation from the foundation met Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation. No fur- Whether or not others are aware of it, this with Baharuddin Lopa, secretary general of ther communication with Xanana was al- has become a matter of public concern the government-backed National Commis- lowed. which needs to be resolved is a responsible sion of Human Rights. It is now apparent that the contents of fashion. Luhut raised the issue of Xanana in the the letter sent via the Police Headquarters In consideration of all the above facts, the meeting, alleging that his trial was fraught were not in conformity with the real situa- YLBHI will send a team consisting of the with irregularities. tion. On 30 November 1993, Xanana wrote following persons: He said the foundation had discovered a a letter to the YLBHI saying: ..”. I was pro- 1. Dr. Adnan Buyung Nasution number of irregularities during the trial and hibited from accepting your offer of assis- 2. Frans H. Winarta SH doubts the independence of Xanana’s law- tance. I still had in my possession the letter 3. Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan SH, LL.M yer and translators, without disclosing any which I had written to your organisation at to meet and hold face-to-face discussions details. Police Headquarters and I was intending to with Xanana in order to find out what pre- send it to you at the first opportunity but cisely happened to him and to hear from UN OFFICIALS TO VISIT on the eve of my departure from Semarang him what he now wants. For these pur- GUSMÃO IN [30 September 1993], BAIS [the Strategic poses, the YLBHI demands that the gov- Intelligence Agency] agents confiscated ernment cq the Director-General of Correc- JAKARTA PRISON every piece of paper from me.” tional Institutions (Prof. Dr. Baharuddin AFP, 17 January 1994. Abridged The letter went on: “You will certainly Lopa SH) who is also Secretary-General of know that I do not master the Indonesian the National Commission for Human Rights, Two senior UN officials will visit jailed language and I think you know that this is respect the basic human rights of Xanana by East Timorese independence movement also the case with English. I was only able giving the aforesaid YLBHI team the oppor- leader Xanana Gusmão in his Jakarta prison, to understand in a very general sense the tunity to meet Xanana as soon as possible, sources close to the delegation said Mon- defence mounted by Mr. Sudjono.” so as to be able to fulfill its function as the day. Elsewhere in the letter, he said: “It was legal assistants of Xanana. Visits to Gusmão were suspended Janu- my resolve (let’s say, a decision) on that We also propose that the National Com- ary 9 after a letter he wrote seeking a new day, to say good-bye to Mr. Sudjono.” mission for Human Rights join the YLBHI trial was smuggled out from Jakarta’s Cipi- With regard to Clemency, he wrote: “I re- team in order for it to investigate this matter nang Prison without the Indonesian govern- ject that Clemency because it contradicts thoroughly and adopt a position and take ment’s knowledge. The letter was addressed my principles since it implies/suggests that I measures as befits its responsibilities, in to the International Commission of Jurists. accepted the punishment.” He says further: accordance with the aims and purposes for The envoys, Tamrat Samuel and Francesc ..”.I have found out about the manoeu- which the National Commission for Human Vendrell, arrived in Jakarta Sunday and had vres/tricks surrounding this Clemency which Rights was established. talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali resulted in an intensive, widespread propa- In our opinion, any disciplinary punish- Alatas. Alatas would not confirm that the ganda campaign through the radio and the ment whatsoever cannot, under any circum- envoys would visit Gusmão, but told AFP press. No wonder he said: Don’t believe stances, be legitimate because until now, there was a ‘possibility’ that they would do anyone! I am the only way with outside there has been no clarity or openness. so. [Original, English].” 17 January 1994, Jakarta He said his talks with the envoys cen- The quotes from Xanana’s letters regard- For the Executive Council of the tered on new discussions on East Timor he ing legal aid, the trial proceedings and Clem- Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, was scheduled to have with the Portuguese ency reflect his dissatisfaction that things (signed) Foreign Minister on May 6, under the aus- proceeded in ways that did not conform Dr. Adnan Buyung Nasution, Chair pices of the US Secretary-General. He said with the laws. Hence, these letters from Frans H. Winarta, SH, Secretary the envoys would visit East Timor on Janu- Xanana which have suddenly made many ary 19 to see developments there. people very angry will not die down simply XANANA DENIES PRESIDENTIAL The two envoys who arrived here from by taking repressive action. What really CLEMENCY REQUEST, REPORT Portugal where they spent one week were needs to be done is to check everything set SAYS due to meet Indonesian State Secretary forth in public by Xanana. This checking Kyodo News Service, Jan. 18. Slightly Murdiono later Monday. They will leave should of course be done openly, honestly abridged Indonesia on January 25. and objectively so that the treatment (pun- ishment) meted out to him is proper, correct (Jakarta) A jailed East Timor independ- More information on the visits of Samuel and proportional. ence fighter did not request presidential and Vendrell to Xanana Gusmão and oth- ers can be found in the “UN Mission’s Page 16 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Travels” section of this document compila- Brothers and companheiros in the strug- its own ashes, a resistance that is always tion. gle, if we look into the past we see that in purified with its own blood, sweat and its history our resistance has endured many tears. XANANA GUSMÃO SENDS difficult phases and extremely delicate peri- Leaders and cadres of the clandestine TAPED MESSAGE TO EAS T ods. front, last year was a difficult year, a year of Since December 7, 1975, the first year of emotions, a year of speculation, a year of TIMORESE RESISTANCE the war supplied the first images of the real trauma, moral, psychic and political. drama of our people. The population of the But in spite of everything, the sacred flag of For release January 17, 1994 whole country was forced to abandon their liberation continues to fly from the peak of The following is an unofficial translation of houses, their work, their lands and endure Ramelau and Matebian, from the peak of an audiotape recorded by East Timorese the first epoch of famine. Kablake and Tanamam mountains. Now, let Resistance Leader Xanana Gusmão on De- From September 1977 to November 1978 us go brothers and companheiros of the cember 7, 1993, and smuggled out of Cipi- was an extremely difficult period of survival struggle, let us proceed on our march to nang prison in Jakarta, where he is serving in the mountain bases of support. Intense victory! victory! yes! companheiros! vic- a 20-year sentence. It is being released by bombardments of a people fiercely encircled tory! I know that victory is too sweet a the National Council of Maubere Resistance by dozens of battalions and forced to march word, a word that costs so much to pro- (CNRM). in circuits of starvation, disease and death nounce, a word that has become as old as For copies of the original audiotape (in Por- bearing witness to their own extermination. the war itself after eighteen years of this tuguese), please contact the East Timor Ac- 1979 marked the year of strategic defeat. difficult resistance, a word that has been tion Network/US. The Honored Nicolau Lobato was slain on painful so many times, a word that so many the battlefield, dozens of the Fretilin Central times has been so desperate and so many MESSAGE Committee members were killed or assassi- times so bitter. National Council of Maubere Resistance, nated, another large number of Fretilin Cen- Victory is not an empty word, it is not a National Army for the Liberation of East tral Committee members surrendered, taking word of consolation, and it is not the anes- Timor - FALINTIL with them 90% of the guerrilla fighters and thetic of the struggle. Victory is a concept - weapons. victory means Homeland. All of our willing Message of December 7, 1993. 1980, more than the first wave of massa- sacrifices to keep our country. For our peo- Leaders and cadres of the Clandestine Front, cre across the National territory ... 70% of ple victory means restitution of peace in our the literate were practically exterminated country and the restitution of liberty for our Brothers and colleagues in the struggle, while famine and disease reduced the popu- people. We are fighting because of that. Today, December 7, 1993, we celebrate lation to skin and bones. We resist in order to win, and we have to the 18th anniversary of the cowardly inva- 1981 was the second wave of massacre win, and we will win with whatever difficul- sion of our beloved country, East Timor. and the beginning of mass imprisonment on ties and at whatever cost. We have to con- We feel the weight of 18 years of the con- Atauro island. Also in 1981, months before tinue to be determined in this, to fight to tinued and brutal military occupation of our the national reorganization, we lost 4 mem- win, and we have to stay engaged in the country, in the sweat of each day, in the bers of the Fretilin Central Committee, 3 fight to win. We have the responsibility in blood of many compatriots which is being companies of the Falintil Army, and many this difficult struggle in which our people spilled as a consequence of the criminal members and people as the result of Opera- face the powerful and ever more “cam- repression of the Indonesian assassins. We tion Once And For All, “Operasi Kikis,” baliante” enemy. As the responsible ones let feel the weight of eighteen years of our suf- where all of the male population was forci- us continue to direct our efforts to orient the fering which we endure in the face of the bly mobilized against the guerrilla Resis- struggle of our people. Let us continue to intelligence machinery. After eighteen years tance in the mountains. direct our efforts to orient the participation we feel the weight of conscience as the pa- In 1983 and 1984, the third wave of mas- of our people to support our heroes in the triots we are and think how difficult it is to sacres surged again in the National territory. jungle. continue the struggle again and again. We In 1985 to 1990, there was not a single The big propaganda of the enemy this feel the weight of 18 years on the Maubere year that did not register destruction here year was that there is no one that is able to soul under siege from uncertainty and with and there, imprisonments, tortures and dis- conduct the struggle. They said that in the our most profound hopes always shaken, appearances. jungle there are only illiterates. In Jakarta but we are always fed by the flame of lib- In 1991, the 12th of November showed before my trial and even in Dili they told me erty, the cry for peace, and the thirst for once again the high price of the dedication of that. ‘What a pity! What do they know victory. the Young Timorese people. The 12th of about politics?’ ... I asked them if when An especially difficult year, this last one. November was the testimony in blood of Indonesia fought against the Dutch all Indo- A year crowned once again by the unsus- the Timorese leaders in the capital. In spite nesian people knew politics, all people were tainable desire of the occupationists to make of everything the struggle continued and that masters. They were silent companheiros; the Maubere Resistance be silent; A year of sea of blood served to reinforce the patriotic they were silent and purely shameful. The moral testing, a year of political hardship. conscience of our people and served to rein- colonialist has a paternalist’s conception of Those who could not bear the violence of force the spirit of responsibility and the the colonized–a conception of the superior- the storm, today they continue to have salt spirit of combat of the cadres of the Clan- ity of the colonizer. Whatever we do is in their mouths; others who were shaken by destine Organization. The struggle is ex- wrong and they pretend for us do what we the earthquake today continue to be disori- tremely difficult in a truly prolonged resis- already know how to do and then tell us ented; some gave up believing in themselves tance. A small defenseless people in a piece about what they want: “we are here to teach and perhaps are now ashamed of their of country. It costs so much, it is costing so you what you do not know.” smallness of spirit–the minority who prefer much and is going to cost still more, a resis- It is not difficult to understand that all to choose the easy way, the life of capitula- tance that is always sustained by its own Indonesian politics is based upon the mili- tion. energies, a resistance that renews itself from tary, that they are considered the brains and East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 17 the intellectuals of Indonesia. Retired gener- have been many battles and many valuable but everyone has to be ready and capable to als are placed in Golkar and in the govern- commanders have been killed. But new respond to the struggle when the time ar- ment; active generals are given places in the commanders emerge and the Armed Resis- rives. We combat in order to combat better, provinces and as district officials, sergeants tance continues. In March this year we cap- we fight to learn how to fight better and we in the hamlets and soldiers in the neighbor- tured six weapons from the enemy. Theo resist to learn how to resist better, we hoods. ... The true intellectuals of Indonesia, Syafei went to the place of combat to try to organize to learn how to organize better. they do not know politics; according to the recapture the arms of his men. The fact that Our school is our own action, our actions military, the Indonesian students are chil- he went to the place of combat of the guer- come from our defeats, our capacity emerges dren. The military, yes, they have power rilla fighters means that a sensation of pow- from our difficulties. over everything and maintain repression erlessness was felt by the generals and bro- So, dear brothers and companheiros of over everything. Their average people and ken morale on the part of the soldiers... The the struggle, let everyone throw off the functionaries will not suffer sanctions if generals who are in the districts and the nightmare of this year, let everyone bring they venerate the power of the military. commanders who control Dili, all of those new energy from within themselves, and let And this is their own people. For the mili- who never went to the jungle, they only us clarify ourselves and prepare our bodies tary those who are not in the army do not know how to arrest, to persecute and to for another year of the Resistance. ... even know hunting, they do not have the torture the people. ... Brothers and companheiros of the strug- capacity to think. And this is with their From 1975 to 1993, there have been gle, to end let me discuss an event of which I own people! So what do they think about many defense ministers of Indonesia, many am aware. There is a lot of propaganda in us, the people who refuse, resist and fight national commanders of ABRI, many army our country, which the enemy pretends to against them. commanders in Dili, and hundreds of battal- call reconciliation–this secret meeting which I believe that brothers and companheiros ion and company commanders that have will be held in the United Kingdom. It is a still remember the story of a waiter who operated in the jungle. But from 1979 until pity that some of the Timorese abroad are because he knew the residence of the admin- this moment there have been only 50 guer- only able to play the games of the enemy. istrator very well and because he is Apodeti, rilla fighters, according to the propaganda of Everyone knows that nothing will result he became the administrator. Or other sto- Benny Moerdani. Benny Moerdani wrote a from this fakery. Those who are abroad do ries like “babinsas” who are supposedly book and confessed to being not guilty not know the character of the enemy, they more clever than the Timorese administra- about what has happened in East Timor do not know what we know about the en- tors of the Districts. This is the colonialist’s since the invasion. This gives off the sensa- emy. Really we admire that Timorese who obsession with superiority that makes the tion of defeat; it gives a clear sensation of call themselves independentists held meet- assassins and occupiers of our country the expression of shame. I declared that I ings out of the context of the United Na- minimize our people, minimize our capacity recognize that the military is defeated on the tions and Portugal. for thinking and reacting. It is the obsession ground, but I did not say that the Falintil is In 1990 I initiated a proposal with Portu- that they are powerful, that they can say defeated. In other words, we recognize our gal. I said that we, the Timorese could meet everything and can do everything, that per- incapacity to defeat the powerful TNI by with Indonesia by ourselves without Portu- mits the murderous occupiers of our Coun- military means; strategically we were and gal. Abilio Araujo opposed this. Today he is try to minimize the conscience of the are a small and weak army and unable to the head of those who are abroad and frus- Maubere people. Indonesia’s Doctors and alter the military situation. Yet, until today trated. We must not be afraid, dear brothers graduates in East Timor are no more than the barrels of our weapons continue to sing and companheiros. “While the dogs are pumpkins in the garden, all of them are stu- the song of the liberation of our country. barking the caravan is passing.” Our people pid and are liars. No, brothers and compan- While we recognize our military incapacity, have the experience of 18 years of the heroic heiros in the struggle, we cannot be fright- Jakarta has to recognise its political incapac- march. We will determine our victory. I ened by the propaganda of our enemy and ity on the ground; on the ground of complex wish appeal and urge that all the leaders of their lackeys. We have to put ourselves political struggle, on the ground of political the clandestine front in 1994 enjoy many above all of this propaganda, whoever is actions and relations that develop in our successes in the struggle of our people. frightened by it is being cowardly. We can- country. While the occupiers of our country Patria ou morte! (Homeland or death!) not be cowardly in our resistance, which has do not recognize this, our guerrilla fighters A luta continua sem treguas em todas as already persisted for 18 years. All of those will not vacillate and are always ready to frentes! (The struggle continues without who were born in 1975 are now 18 years give their lives for the nation and for the quarter on all fronts!) old, and our children begin to fight in the people. All of the clandestine leaders have Viva o heroico povo de Timor Leste! (Long womb of their mothers. When the diplomats to grasp the fact that as long as there is still live the heroic people of East Timor!) visited our country there was a group of a guerrilla fighter, the weapon of liberation young people in the house of the Bishop. will continue to spew forth the fire of Free- Viva as gloriosissimas FALINTIL! (Long They were put out and the Nangala assas- dom. And if there are no guerrilla fighters, live the glorious FALINTIL!) sins began to look for their leaders. We can new leaders and new guerrilla fighters will Viva o CNRM! (Long live the CNRM!) not understand what produces this valor in emerge from the Clandestine Front move- Resistir e Vencer! (To resist is to win!) the children. No, companheiros, we must ment, and they will be responsible for the Com os Calorosos abracos de (With the always believe in ourselves in our mental struggle. The Maubere people grow many warm embraces of) faculties, in our capacity to act politically. capable children; the Maubere people have Xanana Gusmão No one is irreplaceable. But, yes, it happens educated many valuable patriots. When the Responsavel principal do CNRM e Co- that in Indonesia the old dictator and assas- Maubere people are exterminated, there, mandante das Falintil sin Suharto – no one can replace him. yes, the “putras” of Indonesia can satiate Principal leader of the CNRM and Com- During these 18 years of war there have themselves on our bodies. In the guerrilla we mander of Falantil been many devastations, many cadres have do not form commanders but everyone has Cipinang, December 7, 1993 in Jakarta. disappeared, but new leaders emerge and the to be ready to command one day. In the struggle continues. In these 18 years, there Clandestine Front we do not form cadres, Page 18 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

XANANA GUSMÃO PRISON ing body of East Timor by the United Na- Xanana as “unstable” and prone to change tions, it should seek to repatriate him. his mind. Soedarman also said that it was LETTER: COMPLAINS OF In a second letter to the International strange that Xanana referred to himself as a LIFE IN CAPTIVITY AN D Court of Justice, Xanana requested that the citizen of Portugal, because at the time he ABOUT HIS LAWYER court overturn his conviction and that he submitted his plea for clemency he admitted have the right to be represented by a Portu- that he was an Indonesian citizen. RTP Television International, Lisbon, in guese . He complained in the letter that his A “political expert,” Professor Dr. Ju- Portuguese, BBC world broadcast summary court-appointed lawyer, Sudjono, was dis- wono Sudarsono, expressed the view that translation, Jan 19. honest and maintained ties with the Indone- the letter was not consistent with Xanana’s Excerpts from report (FE/1895 B/3 [8]) sian authorities. attitude (the regime’s version), saying that Xanana asked that a new trial be held in they should check its validity in case Portu- Xanana Gusmão [jailed Timorese resis- front of an international court. Furthermore, gal was using it to resurrect the East Timor tance leader] has written a letter in which he the letter confirms suspicions that Xanana question. states he expects the Indonesians to make had never agreed to presidential clemency Reflecting the regime’s sensitivity over his life even harder. RTP has had access to and that the whole process had been stage- the issue, on December 30, the chief of the this personal letter, which was written to a managed by the regime. armed forces (ABRI), Feisal Tanjung, said friend. In the letter Xanana described every- Xanana was sentenced to life imprison- that a joint investigation would be con- day life in prison. Rui Araujo reports: ment by a Dili court on May 21. Delays and ducted by ABRI and the ministry of justice [Araujo over library pictures] ...Four controversy had dogged the trial since May to establish how the letters were smuggled pages long and in English, (?based on) Indo- 5, when Xanana requested that he be al- out of jail. nesian but above all in Portuguese, were sent lowed to read his defence speech in Portu- As usual, the authorities began trying to illegally to a young American woman: Dear guese. The court first rejected Xanana’s find a convenient scapegoat - first accusing somebody [pictures show letter with name request, then on the following day changed the International Red Cross, which it said crossed out]: in the letter Xanana talks its decision, only then to stop Xanana’s had “broken a gentleman’s agreement,” then about everyday life, the surrender of some presentation to the court after he had read suggesting that there had been collusion and the struggle of others, including himself, just three pages. between Xanana and unnamed no- against Indonesia and against his lawyer. A report from the International Commis- government organisations. Tanjung also The declarations of my lawyer Sudjono sion of Jurists concluded that Xanana’s trial attempted to question whether the letter with regard to my being sorry and my re- was unfair, even when judged by the stan- was genuine. Finally it was admitted that quest for clemency are the last act of the dards of Indonesian law. prison guards had probably been bribed to farce staged by the BAIS [Strategic Intelli- Throughout the trial, the authorities or- get the letter out. gence Agency] men around my case. Will chestrated a massive disinformation cam- On January 13, Baharuddin Lopa, the there be an opportunity for me to expose paign, the dominant theme of which was secretary general of the government’s new this and rid myself of the man? Xanana also that Xanana was sorry for his actions and “independent” National Human Rights speaks of the everyday isolation, his and now accepted East Timor’s integration into Commission formed in December, who is that of his men in the woods of Timor. The Indonesia and considered himself an Indone- also the director general of correctional insti- wonderful, but unfortunately brief, escapes sian citizen. tutions, placed a ban on further visits to which my mind was able to enjoy were the Only days after he was convicted, the Xanana, including by the International Red occasions when I was able to meet the In- campaign was intensified with a series of Cross. This was justified by Lopa on the ternational Red Cross and Mr. Amos Wako. newspaper articles with titles such as “By grounds that “Xanana had actively worked They were moments when I was really able pleading for clemency, Xanana confesses his to tarnish Indonesia’s image overseas” and to leave myself and contact the world, con- guilt and begs forgiveness,” which argued that he had to be disciplined “for disgracing tact life. that the guilty verdict and sentence had been the people and the nation of Indonesia.” I leave my cell at determined times; I am vindicated by Xanana’s plea. Following the In response to criticism that the ban con- not allowed to leave my block. Neither I nor alleged request for clemency, President Su- travened international human rights conven- the other five Timorese are allowed to con- harto reduced Xanana’s sentence to 20 tions, Lopa responded by arguing that “the tact each other. I am not allowed visitors. I years. rights of the nation should also be re- don’t know until when, but I expect things Although at the time there had been no spected” and defending the “dignity” of the to get worse. But this is not a problem... reports of international criticism in the In- nation is not a violation of human rights. He [Passage omitted: reporter’s final com- donesian media, comments by foreign minis- also noted that Xanana had lost any chance ments] ter Ali Alatas in May revealed that the re- of a sentence remission, which is reviewed gime was in fact coming under considerable each year depending on the conduct of pris- XANANA LETTER STIRS international pressure. Then in June, the oners. CONTROVERSY IN JAKAR TA government suddenly announced that it had In a rather strange comment, Lopa added rejected Portuguese charges of irregularities that the ban was partly intended to “pro- Green Left #129, Feb. 2. By Jana D.K. during the trial, describing them as “replete tect” Xanana from assassination attempts; JAKARTA - In late December, contro- with baseless accusation, malicious interpre- no explanation was given as to why such a versy erupted here after it was reported that tations, distortions of facts and ever more risk existed or from whom. the Portuguese newspaper Publico had strident innuendo.” Human rights activists reacted by printed a letter by jailed Fretilin leader In a classic example of being caught in its reminding the regime that the 1955 conven- Xanana Gusmão in which he requested that own web of lies, the regime is now endeav- tion of the UN, on standard minimum rules the Portuguese government help free him ouring to explain Xanana’s “sudden” change for the treatment of prisoners, states that a from prison. The letter also said that, since of attitude. On December 29, for example, prisoner has the right to complain to inter- Portugal is still recognised as the administer- the coordinating minister for politics and national organisations or other recognised security, Soesilo Soedarman, described channels if mistreated. Although Indonesia East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 19 has failed to ratify the convention, as a Alatas said two high-ranking U.N. offi- “because he misused the privilege for politi- member of the UN it has a moral obligation cials are currently in Indonesia to view de- cal reasons.” to respect and abide by the convention. velopments in East Timor in a preparation Gusmão was sentenced last May to a life Xanana is still the holder of a Portuguese for a fifth-round of tripartite U.N.- imprisonment by East Timor’s Dili district passport. sponsored talks between Indonesia and court after he was convicted of plotting In a rather sudden turnabout, on January Portugal. against the state and illegal possession of 18, it was reported that Lopa had agreed to Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, a firearms. look into the case. In the first ever such few months after the departure of Portugal’s Pangaribuan said earlier that he found a meeting, Lopa met with executives from the colonial administration, and Jakarta annexed number of irregularities during Gusmão’s Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) the territory a year later, a move never rec- trial and that the group’s lawyers were pre- to discuss the matter and announced that ognized by the United Nations. vented from representing him. there was a possibility of a joint visit by the The annexation was opposed by many Indonesian President Suharto, in a bid to commission and YLBHI. residents and resulted in a bloody civil war ease international criticism over Gusmão’s that reportedly claimed the lives of as many sentence and Jakarta’s handling of East BAN ON VISITS TO XAN ANA as one-third of East Timorese population. Timor, in August reduced Gusmão’s sen- TO BE LIFTED Jakarta earned international condemnation tence to 20 years. when the military squashed a demonstration Meanwhile, reports from Lisbon quoted The Age (Melbourne), 19 January 1994 in Dili by firing into a crowd. a Portuguese-speaking man alleged to be ATVI News (ABC - Australia), 21 Jan. 1994 Gusmão calling on remaining Fretilin rebels (AP) The ban on visits to imprisoned to continue a campaign for independence. Reader: Indonesia has defended its deci- East Timor rebel leader Xanana Gusmão will Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, a sion to suspend the visiting rights to jail be lifted in February, Indonesia’s director- few months after the departure of Portugal’s East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmão. For- general of correction institutions, Mr. Baha- colonial administration. Jakarta annexed the eign Minister Ali Alatas says Gusmão ruddin Lopa, yesterday told 18 human territory a year later, a move never recog- abused privileges extended to him by play- rights advocates who came to protest the nized by the United Nations. ing politics from his prison cell. ban. Mr. Lopa imposed the ban on 8 Janu- The annexation was opposed by many Xanana Gusmão rights was suspended ary on the grounds that Xanana had violated residents and resulted in a bloody civil war after he successfully sent a letter to the prison regulations by smuggling a letter to that reportedly claimed the lives of as many International Committee of Jurists calling the Portuguese Government and the Interna- as one-third of East Timorese population. for an International Court to hear his case. tional Commission of Jurists. The United Nations is attempting to bro- Foreign Minister Alatas says no one should ker a fifth round of talks between Indonesia be surprised that prison authorities has now JAKARTA SUSPENDS and Portugal, which U.N. officials still view taken action. As well as writing a letter as the administrative authority in East VISITATION RIGHTS FOR Xanana has also managed to have a tape Timor. REBEL LEADER recording smuggled out of his cell to BBC. On the tape Xanana Gusmão reaffirmed the UPI, 20 Jan 94 determination of the East Timorese to con- JAKARTA WILL NOT FREE JAKARTA – Jakarta has suspended visi- tinue its fight for independence. GUSMÃO tation rights for the leader of an armed rebel group seeking to make East Timor inde- HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS The Age (Melbourne), 21 January 1994 pendent of Indonesia, Indonesian Foreign SEEK VISIT WITH JAILED Jakarta, AFP: The Indonesian Govern- Minister Ali Alatas said Thursday. ment has no intention of releasing the jailed Alatas said visits to jailed East Timorese REBEL LEADER East Timorese rebel leader, Xanana Gusmão, independence leader Xanana Gusmão, 46, UPI, Jan 21 and allowing him to go into exile, the Foreign were temporarily suspended because Gus- Minister Ali Alatas, said today. Mr. Alatas mão allegedly misused his visitation rights JAKARTA – Indonesia’s human rights said the Government was not contemplating to smuggle out of his prison a letter dealing activists are seeking Jakarta’s permission to freeing or exiling Gusmão, who is now serv- with political issues. meet with jailed East Timorese rebel leader ing a 20-year jail term at a Jakarta prison. “All actions provoke reaction,” Alatas Xanana Gusmão, who early this month lost Meanwhile a leader of the 1974 Portu- said. his visitation rights, and activist said Friday. guese revolution said East Timor was too Gusmão, who serving a 20-year jail terms Luhut M. Pangaribuan, director of Indo- small and poor to be independent and that in Jakarta’s Cipinang prison, recently sent a nesia’s Legal Aid Institute Jakarta chapter, the former Portuguese colony was better off letter to the International Commission of said a request for a visit was sent Thursday as part of Indonesia. Jurists and asked the Geneva-based interna- to prison authorities. tional rights group to annul his trial by an The government temporarily suspended Indonesian court. visitation rights for Gusmão early this Gusmão, who heads the armed wing of month in retaliation for the jailed dissident’s the East Timorese Fretilin pro-independence smuggling of a letter from his prison to the movement, was jailed for plotting against International Commission of Jurists. the state and illegal possession of firearms. In the letter, Gusmão asked the Geneva- Alatas said he summoned representatives based human rights organization to annul his of the International Committee of the Red trial by an Indonesian court. Cross and questioned them about why they Indonesia’s foreign minister Ali Alatas accompanied Gusmão’s relatives during a said Thursday Gusmão, 47, was to blame visit to the rebel leader. Page 20 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

JAKARTA TO FREE REBEL Jonathan Humphreys, of the Coalition torture and all kind of other human rights for East Timor said today: violations, has been the arrest, ill-treatment FOR A PRICE “Whilst we would welcome the release of under detention, trial under Indonesian law Observer, 30 January 1994. By Hugh Xanana and all Timorese political prisoners, and conviction to heavy sentences of East O’Shaughnessy there is no way that this should be linked to Timorese who have resisted the alien rule in a lessening of international outrage over the their country. Among them is Xanana Gus- TAPOL has no independent confirmation of occupation of East Timor and the genocide mão, the leader of the East Timorese armed this story. O’Shaughnessy is unlikely to put that is being perpetrated there by the Indo- resistance. Ma’Huno, his successor, has his name to a story unless he is sure of its nesian military.” been arrested but not put on trial. Others, accuracy. If it is true, it is more than likely Mr. Humphreys also said that the Indo- like Gregorio da Cunha Saldanha, Francisco that the deal is being negotiated not by the nesian authorities and the British Foreign Miranda Branco, Jacinto Raimundo Alves, EU as a whole but by some of the Twelve. Office are extremely nervous about the Filomeno da Silva Ferreira, Bonifácio No prizes for guessing which.. showing of John Pilger’s film about East Magno, Carlos de Santos Lemos, Juncio de Xanana Gusmão, the jailed leader of the Timor, scheduled to be screened by Central Jesus Martins, Saturnino da Costa Belo, resistance to the Indonesian occupation of TV on 22 February 1994. João Freitas da Camara, Fernando de East Timor, is to be freed from prison and “The Indonesians are inviting journalists Araujo, Virgilio Guterres da Silva and sent to Guinea-Bissau under a deal being to go to East Timor, prior to the film. They Agapito Cardoso have been arrested and worked out with the European Union, ac- will get a guided tour that will yield them convicted only for upholding the right to cording to diplomatic sources. little information about the real situation in peaceful demonstration in support of the In return for Gusmão’s release, the EU East Timor,” Mr. Humphreys said today. inalienable right to self-determination of will moderate criticism of Indonesia at next He continued: “The British government will peoples. month’s meeting of the UN Human Rights try to play down its role as a leading arms The International Platform of Jurists for Commission in Geneva and continue to seller to the Suharto dictatorship, particu- East Timor has written several letters to supply arms to General Suharto’s Indone- larly in the light of revelations of the Scott you on this subject: on 18 May 1992, refer- sia. Inquiry.” ring to the imprisonment of thirteen East Indonesia is highly sensitive to the wide- Timorese in Dili and Jakarta in the aftermath spread international condemnation it re- IPJET APPEALS FOR XANANA of the Santa Cruz massacre of November ceived after its troops massacred several AND OTHER POLITICAL 1991 and requesting the exercise of your hundred demonstrators at the Santa Cruz good offices for their protection; on 20 No- cemetery in the Timorese capital, Dili, in PRISONERS vember 1992, the day Xanana Gusmão was arrested, conveying its deep concern regard- 1991. From the International Jurists Platform for ing his safety and urging you to intervene in Powerful new evidence of further atroci- East Timor, Feb. 1, 1994 ties in East Timor is expected in a television order to obtain his release; on 5 December documentary, Death of a Nation, presented To all friends of East Timor: 1992, together with the London-based by John Pilger next month. The British and It is rumoured about a imminent release Catholic Institute for International Rela- Indonesia governments fear the programme of Xanana Gusmão, but at the cost of a tions, reiterating that appeal; on 18 May will strengthen the lobby against the sale of smoother sale of Western arms to Suharto’s 1993, denouncing the illegality of Xanana’s Western arms to the Suharto regime. criminal regime. Against such unacceptable trial; on 24 May 1993, protesting against Gusmão was sentenced to life imprison- arrangement, IPJET’s International Council the life sentence imposed to him and inform- ment by a kangaroo court last year after has initiated an appeal for the unconditional ing you about the arrest and torture of an- occupying forces arrested him. release of Xanana and all the other Timorese other East Timorese, Rui Antonio da Cruz. political prisoners, to be undersigned by Amnesty International has issued many XANANA’S RELEASE SHOULD NOT jurists, statespersons and public figures. documents which totally or partly refer to LET INDONESIA OFF THE HOOK Please pass it to all persons you know who the arrest, ill-treatment and unfair trial of Press release of the British Coalition for may fit in one of those categories. The un- these East Timorese and has protested East Timor, 30 Jan. 1994 dersigned text should be returned before 15 strongly against the violation of their inter- March to: nationally protected rights by the Indone- It is reported today by Hugh O’Shaugh- Secretariat IPJET, Gruttohoek 13, 2317 sian authorities. Since 1991 alone, one can nessy in The Observer, that Xanana Gus- WK Leiden, Netherlands mention three Statements to the United mão, imprisoned leader of the East Timorese Best regards, Nations Special Committee on Decoloniza- resistance to Indonesia’s brutal and illegal Pedro Pinto Leite (Sec.gen. IPJET) tion and fourteen press statements and hu- occupation of the former Portuguese colony, man rights reports. Concerned with the fate is to be released under a deal which will Appeal to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the unconditional of the detainees, Amnesty has initiated sev- involve the European Union softening its eral urgent actions. criticism of Indonesia’s human rights record release of Xanana Gusmão and the other Timorese political prisoners The International Committee of the Red at next month’s meeting of the UN Human Cross was obliged in May 1993 to suspend Rights Commission in Geneva. Britain has a His Excellency Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali once again the prisons visit programme in vested interest in the world remaining silent Secretary-General of the United Nations East Timor, because all the conditions of the over East Timor as it sells vast amounts of Your Excellency, ICRC had not been met. In September 1993 weapons to the Jakarta regime, which have One of the most worrying consequences ICRC officials announced that the process been used in the slaughter of the defenceless of visiting detainees had been resumed, but population of East Timor. One-third of the of the invasion and illegal occupation of the territory of East Timor by the Indonesian that they had not been able to do it as regu- population have perished since the Indone- larly and as completely as they wanted. We sian invasion in 1975. armed forces, in addition to the massacres, extrajudicial executions, ‘disappearances,’ remind you that the ICRC was prevented by the Indonesian authorities from entering East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 21 the territory from 1975 to 1979; in that which was under physical and psychological donesia’s occupation of East Timor, since period, some 200,000 people, one third of duress and without the assistance of a coun- Indonesia is a Party to the Convention; the original population, were killed by the sel. They further denounce the irregularities Considering that the trials of Xanana Indonesian army, through weapons or by of their trials: they also were not allowed to Gusmão and the other Timorese political the starvation which accompanied the illegal chose their own counsels, but were imposed prisoners, flowing from the annexation of use of force. lawyers upon them by the military; they East Timor and the imposition of Indone- Other NGOs, like Asia Watch, have pub- were put under strong pressure to renounce sian criminal laws upon the territory, were lished reports denouncing the arrest, ill- the opportunity to elaborate their defense thus illegal acts of the occupying power; treatment and trials of East Timorese. The and to confess their guilt; independent ob- Considering that Xanana Gusmão, after International Commission of Jurists suc- servers were in most cases prevented from his arrest, was held incommunicado, was ceeded in sending an observer to one of the entering the courtroom; the detainees were removed from the territory of East Timor sessions of Xanana’s trial. Last November, used routinely as prosecution witnesses and and was subjected to physical and psycho- in Geneva, the ICJ issued a report which threatened before giving their testimony. logical torture, and that the same happened consubstantiates the observer’s findings: They also ask for their trials to be annulled to many of the other Timorese political that in several respects the trial process had and demand the International Commission prisoners, contrary to the international pro- violated the rights of the accused, that it had of Jurists and IPJET’s intervention. hibition against torture; not been in conformity with international We know from reliable sources that the Considering that Xanana Gusmão and the standards of fair trial procedure and that it situation concerning the prisoners has dete- other Timorese political prisoners were not had even breached the provisions of the riorated after these letters were made public. allowed to freely choose their legal counsel, Indonesian Code of Criminal Procedure. In response, and under the ludicrous justifi- that access to their trial was often, and par- The European Parliament has also ex- cation that Xanana Gusmão had “tarnished ticularly at important moments, denied to pressed several times its concern about hu- the good image of Indonesia abroad” the international observers, that prosecution man rights violations in East Timor. The Indonesian authorities have immediately witnesses were intimidated and that those same concern has been frequently expressed barred relatives and human rights represen- who did not act according to the wishes of in the United States Senate and in the tatives from visiting him. In Dili, the other the prosecutor were removed from the United States House of Representatives. East Timorese prisoners have also been put courtroom; And the United Nations too, through the under strong pressure. Considering that Xanana Gusmão was Commission on Human Rights and the Sub- With all these facts in mind, the under- not allowed to read his defense statement on commission on Prevention of Discrimination signed, jurists, statespersons and public the ground that it was “irrelevant to the and Protection of Minorities, has strongly figures from many countries from all conti- case"; criticized the Government of Indonesia in nents, join with the International Platform Considering that the treatment of Xanana March and August 1993. of Jurists for East Timor in making the fol- Gusmão and the other Timorese political We are of course sure that you have been lowing appeal: prisoners and the way their trials have been following the situation of Xanana Gusmão Considering that the Indonesian invasion conducted constitute violations of interna- and the other Timorese political prisoners and continuing occupation of East Timor tional legal standards and even of the Indo- closely and that you are doing everything constitute an illegitimate use of force and a nesian Criminal Procedures Code itself; possible to ensure their safety and physical breach of territorial integrity contrary to the Deeply concerned regarding the safety of well-being, as well their treatment in accor- principles of the UN Charter, acts of aggres- Xanana Gusmão and the other East dance with internationally acceptable legal sion and crimes against international peace Timorese detainees, standards and procedures. according to the General Assembly Defini- We ask you to use your good offices to But meanwhile new facts have come to tion of Aggression, a denial of the inalienable emphasize to the Indonesian Government light. The International Commission of Ju- right of the people of East Timor to self- that these matters constitute grave breaches rists received at the end of December two determination and a clear violation of the of Indonesia’s international obligations, and letters smuggled out from the prison from Declaration on the Granting of Independ- that the individuals responsible for them are East Timorese. One was from Xanana Gus- ence to Colonial Countries and Peoples; liable under International Law; mão, at the Cipinang prison in Jakarta; the Considering that International customary We urge you to intervene and exercise other from Francisco Miranda Branco, Ja- law, reiterated in one of the principles of the your influence in order to obtain the imme- cinto Raimundo Alves, Gregorio da Cunha 1970 Declaration on Principles of Interna- diate and unconditional release of Xanana Saldanha, Filomeno da Silva Ferreira, Juncio tional Law Concerning Friendly Relations Gusmão and of all other detained East de Jesus Martins and Saturnino da Costa and Co-operation Among States, determines Timorese. Belo, at the Central Prison in Dili. In his that no territorial acquisition resulting from Yours sincerely, letter, Xanana Gusmão explains how the the use of force shall be recognised as legal; Indonesian military have rejected his choice Considering that General Assembly EAST TIMOR LEADER for a legal counsel from the YLBHI (Indone- Resolution 31/53, of 1 December 1976, XANANA NOT TO BE MOVED sian Legal Aid Foundation) and how they reaffirmed in its paragraph 1 “the inalienable have forced him to accept a lawyer who is right of the people of East Timor to self- TO ISLAND JAIL under their control, and whose deceitful determination and independence and the Kyodo, Feb. 2, 1994 performance he further describes in detail. legitimacy of their struggle to achieve that He then reaffirms his East Timorese and right” and that Xanana Gusmão and the (Jakarta) Indonesian Armed Forces Portuguese citizenship, asks for his trial to other Timorese political prisoners were (ABRI) chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung on be annulled and demands the intervention of engaged in that legitimate struggle at the time Wednesday denied news reports that the a Portuguese counsel, assisted by lawyers of of their capture; jailed East Timor guerrilla leader Xanana the YLBHI. In their letter, the other six East Considering that in any case the IVth Gusmão will be moved to an island prison Timorese prisoners denounce the conditions Geneva Convention of 1949 applies to In- following the smuggling of letters and tapes of the questioning which led to their trials abroad after a recent family visit. Page 22 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

“It’s not true that we will move him in central Java, Lopa said: “There is no such EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD out,” he said. plan.” The state-run news agency Antara on Deputy Attorney General for Intelligence DEMAND XANANA GUSMÃO ’S Tuesday quoted Sukarno, deputy to the Affairs Sukarno told the official news UNCONDITIONAL RELEAS E Indonesian attorney general for intelligence agency Antara Tuesday that Gusmão could affairs, as saying Xanana might be moved to be moved to Nusakambangan “as long as all TAPOL issued the following Press Release 3 Nusakambangan island following the smug- requirements of the moving procedure are February 1994 gling of letters, tapes and statements from met.” TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Cipinang jail to the International Commis- Lopa also said Gusmão may get his visi- Campaign, has today called on the European sion of Jurists (ICJ) and Portuguese gov- tation rights next week after a month of Union and the British government to press ernment in December. suspension. for the immediate and unconditional release Nusakambangan island is a maximum se- The government suspended visitation of Xanana Gusmão, leader of the East curity prison for long-term inmates near the rights for Gusmão Jan. 9, after the jailed Timorese resistance presently in Cipinang town of Cilacap in Central Java, 428 kilome- dissident smuggled a letter from his prison prison in Jakarta. We utterly reject the pro- ters southeast of Jakarta. Xanana is serving to the International Commission of Jurists. posal, reported in the Observer on Sunday, a 20 year sentence for separatist activities. In the letter, Gusmão asked the Geneva- to release Xanana into exile in Guinea- “If all conditions for such a transfer are based human rights organization to annul his Bissau, a conditional release which would be met, we will move Xanana to Nusakamban- trial by an Indonesian court. traded off for the European Union’s contin- gan island,” Sukarno said, but did not clarify ued silence on the issue of East Timor. what the conditions are. REBEL LEADER FACES There have been a variety of reports and Sukarno also reiterated denials that the EXILE rumours as to the Indonesian government’s government plans to free Xanana as part of plans for Xanana. It has been reported on a deal with the West African state of Guinea The Daily Telegraph Mirror, Feb. 3, 1994. Indonesia’s official ANTARA news agency Bissau. Similar article in the Melbourne Age. that he could be transferred to an isolated “Don’t believe in this hearsay,” he said. maximum security prison on Nusakemban- “We have no plan at all to set him free.” Reuter, Jakarta: Jailed East Timor guer- gan island. It has been said that his rights to Britain’s Observer newspaper reported rilla leader Xanana Gusmão may be moved receive visitors, suspended last month, may Sunday that the European Union had to an island prison because he smuggled out be restored, probably in a controlled and reached agreement with Indonesia to have letters and tapes during a recent family visit. selective way, or that they will not be re- Xanana released and sent to Guinea Bissau. The official Antara news agency yester- stored. day quoted the attorney-general’s intelli- These conflicting reports only indicate UPI, 2 Feb. 94 gence deputy, Soekarno, as saying the rebel that Xanana has become an enormous politi- leader may be moved to a prison off central JAKARTA – The Indonesian govern- cal embarrassment to the Indonesian regime, Java. which has consistently striven to treat him ment has denied a report that it plans to Gusmão is serving a 20-year term for release jailed East Timorese rebel leader as a common criminal rather than a political separatism. prisoner and to limit his contacts with the Xanana Gusmão from prison and allow him “If all conditions for such a transfer are to spend his life overseas, news reports said outside world. Now that Xanana is making met we can move Xanana to Nusakamban- his voice heard from Cipinang, in letters to Thursday. gan island.” Soekarno said. He did not say Baharuddin Lopa, director general for supporters, international human rights or- what the conditions were. ganisations, and heads of state, smuggled correctional institutions, told local media Xanana who has led East Timorese resis- that Gusmão’s trial had finished and “the from his prison cell, the Indonesian officials tance to Jakarta rule since Indonesia’s inva- are seeking some means to silence him if case is no longer in question.” sion in 1975, has been a focus of western “As far as the government regulation, possible, or at the very least to reduce the concern after his capture in late 1992. degree to which he can publicly embarrass there is no indication to release Gusmão Indonesia suspended visiting rights after from his prison,” Lopa said. them. he smuggled out letters, tapes and state- TAPOL insists that the only acceptable Gusmão was sentenced last May to a life ments from Jakarta’s Cipinang jail during imprisonment by East Timor’s Dili court solution is Xanana’s unconditional release. family visits in December. We call not only for his release, without after he was convicted of plotting against Nusakambangan is a maximum security the state and illegal possession of firearms. conditions, but also for the release of the prison for long-term inmate near the town of young Timorese jailed in the wake of the Indonesian President Suharto, in a bid to Cilacap in central Java. ease international criticism over Gusmão’s Santa Cruz massacre of November 1991, Soekarno reiterated denials the govern- and for the release of all Timorese political sentence and Jakarta’s handling of East ment planned to free Xanana as part of a Timor, in August reduced the sentence to 20 prisoners, held either in East Timor itself or deal with the west African state Guinea in Indonesia. years. Bissau. Lopa made a statement to response a re- Xanana himself has asked the Interna- The London Observer on Sunday said the tional Commission of Jurists to recognize port broadcast by an international radio European Union had reached agreement with saying that the Indonesian government his trial as invalid and to have it annulled. Indonesia to release Xanana and send him to Xanana is anything but a ‘common crimi- planned to release Gusmão from prison and Guinea Bissau. spend his life overseas. nal.’ His transfer from Cipinang, where In response to a question on whether political prisoners are held, to the high secu- Gusmão would be moved from his current rity jail in Nusakembangan, would be com- cell at the Jakarta’s Cipinang prison to the pletely intolerable. As long as he is held in high-security Nusakambangan island prison prison at all, he should be able to receive visitors freely, and should be treated in ac- cordance with all UN principles on the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 23 treatment of prisoners, principles which the The state-run television station Televisi Indonesian regime has signally ignored. All Republik Indonesia showed one of the MPs, OTHER TIMORESE other Timorese political prisoners should be Suhardi, speaking to journalists after visiting POLITICAL PRISONERS treated in accordance with these principles Gusmão in his jail in Cipinang. as well. “Xanana still expects to meet lawyers from (Legal Aid Foundation) LBH,” Suhardi TIMORESE FLAG RIPPER THE REAL STORY BEHIND said. SENTENCED GUINEA’S PROPOSAL Gusmão was shown but did not speak. Wearing a long beard, he appeared healthy TO 22 MONTHS and smiled when Suhardi asked him whether Publico, 9 February 1994 UPI, 21 Dec. 93 he was happy in jail. Indonesia has not yet replied to Guinea- Suhardi said Gusmão spent his time JAKARTA – An Indonesian court has Bissau’s offer to receive Xanana Gusmão as drawing, painting and making furniture, from sentenced an independence activist from an exile, Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Bernar- which he made money. East Timor to 22 months in prison for rip- dino Cardoso, told Publico. Through the Corrections officials lifted the suspension ping an Indonesian flag, news reports said Secretary General of the UN – “an institu- of Gusmão’s visiting rights Wednesday. The Tuesday. tion whose position on the issue may be suspension was put in place in early De- Alberto Rodrigues Pereira, was sentenced relied upon to be independent and bal- cember following the publication of his let- Monday by Judge Heironymus Godang in anced,” – and through Jakarta’s representa- ter to the Geneva-based International Com- Dili, the capital of East Timor, the Sura- tive at the UN, the Bissau Government mission of Jurists by Portuguese newspa- baya-based newspaper Jawa Pos reported. informed the Indonesian authorities of is pers. “After considering accusations submitted availability in this respect. In the letter, Gusmão asked the commis- by the prosecutor, witnesses testimony, “During the second semester of last year” sion to annul his trial by an Indonesian evidence...the court concludes that the sus- contacts were initiated, and continued fol- court. He also asked to meet lawyers of the pect was undoubtedly guilty of ripping the lowing a favourable response from the non-governmental LBH, who earlier had Indonesian national flag,” Godang said in his Guinea-Bissau Government to a proposal pledged to defend him. verdict. from Indonesia to establish diplomatic rela- Prosecutor Sudiro Husodo, who asked tions. This was brought up at a meeting last HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS for a three-year prison term, said the 21- May in Jakarta, when the Non-Aligned year-old suspect ripped the red and white Summit was being held. NOT ALLOWED TO SEE flag on Aug. 16, the eve of Indonesia’s 48th Bernardino Cardoso denied there was any XANANA independence anniversary, in Aimutin, a link between Guinea’s offer and the Indone- village on the western outskirts of Dili. sian proposal. “We are not setting the re- AP, February 10. slightly abridged Pereira went on trial mid-October, just a lease of Xanana Gusmão as a condition for JAKARTA - Imprisoned East Timor re- half-month after another East Timorese, agreement on establishing relations, just as bel leader José Alexandre Gusmão will not Pedro Sarmento Da Costa, was sentenced to we cannot accept any demand to abandon be permitted to see visitors from a human one year for defacing the Indonesian cur- the position we have always held on East rights group, Indonesia’s prisons director rency, rupiah. Timor,” he said, and added that “as a State said Thursday. Da Costa was convicted of writing a note which itself emanated from a fight,” Guinea- Gusmão met Thursday in his cell with a to President Suharto on a 10,000 rupiah Bissau will continue to support “the parliamentary commission on legal affairs, ($4.7) bill, demanding compensation for Maubere people’s just fight for self- which was accompanied by the director victims of the pro-independence demonstra- determination.” general of prisons, Baharuddin Lopa. tion on Nov. 12, 1991. The leader of Guinean diplomacy, who Gusmão asked to meet with the Indone- At least 50 East Timorese youngsters has been in the post for a year, said he could sian Legal Aid Foundation, LBH. The foun- were killed as Indonesian soldiers fired into be meeting Ali Alatas in May, during a dation’s leader and a prominent human a pro-independence protest in Dili. The meeting to discuss the next chairmanship of rights defender, Adnan Buyung Nasution, incident prompted international criticism of the Non-Aligned Movement, currently held has requested a meeting several times. Indonesia. by General Suharto. He refused, however, to But Lopa ruled out the request. set a timetable for the establishment of dip- “What is Xanana’s interest to meet with RELEASE OF EAST lomatic relations. He did say that prelimi- the lawyer from LBH?” asked Lopa. “If all TIMORESE STUDENTS NOT nary contacts “which could lead to diplo- the people who want to visit him, his cell matic relations being established,” were will be full. If his relatives want to meet A “CONFIDENCE BUILDING being handled through the Indonesian Am- him, they are permitted.” MEASURE” bassador in Dakar. Asked how he feels, Gusmão, who was painting at his cell at the Cipinang prison in CNRM Media Release, 30 December 1993 INDONESIAN MP’S ALLOWED eastern Jakarta, said: “How is my feeling? Mr. José Ramos-Horta, co-chairman of TO MEET XANANA No one wants to live in jail.” He seemed the CNRM, today commended the Interna- healthy with a partly grey beard. tional Committee of the Red Cross, for their AFP, February 10 1994. slightly abridged role and persistent efforts in finding safe JAKARTA – Several MPs visited jailed passage out of Indonesia for seven East East Timorese pro-independence leader Timorese students. The students, political Xanana Gusmão on Thursday, a day after refugees, had unsuccessfully sought asylum Indonesian authorities restored his visiting in the Swedish and Finnish embassies in rights, a television report said. Jakarta earlier this year. The ICRC assisted Page 24 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. the students, now in Lisbon via the family Timorese people be taken by the Govern- Meanwhile, according to the Timorese re-union scheme. ment of Indonesia. Resistance Joint Representation in Portugal, “In reality the students have been forced the Indonesian Government’s authorisation to leave their homeland, East Timor, de- TIMES OF ANGER: THE SEVEN for the students to leave was a “positive” prived of their basic rights to freedom and STUDENTS TELL FOREIGN initiative, in spite of it being “clearly moti- security, their have endured hardship MINISTER OF THEIR ORDEAL IN vated by Indonesia’s propagandistic inter- through arbitrary arrest, detainment and TIMOR ests, just one month away from the start of torture, at the hands of Indonesian Military, Publico, 1 January 1994. By Ana Sa Lopes. the UN Human Rights Commission in Ge- are we now to thank Indonesia every time Translated from Portuguese neva.” they expel an East Timorese from their own Yesterday morning, Foreign Minister country? (Lisbon) Yesterday, the seven young Durão Barroso listened to the “detailed and Mr. Ramos-Horta warned that the so- Timorese men met with Durão Barroso, moving” account of the case of the seven called “reconciliation talks” held in London who heard from them “a detailed and mov- students, three of whom had been seriously recently were the work of pro-integration ing account” of live in East Timor. In the wounded during the Santa Cruz massacre, puppets and the brainchild of Indonesian afternoon, they spoke to the press at the and who were forced to go into hiding for a intelligence aimed at splitting the East “Timor Centre” in Lisbon. Their memories year, under assumed identities, in order to Timorese resistance movement. He said are filled with deaths, although “Portugal avoid capture. Durão Barroso reassured the that, most of the exiled elements at the Lon- and the rest of the world only got to know seven Timorese about their immediate fu- don talks, have no links with the resistance about it” after the massacre broadcast by ture, promising student grants, equivalent to and some in fact have been expelled from the television. those given to students from the Portu- movement. “Chico” Lopes (Francisco Lopes da guese-speaking African Countries “Indonesia, seeming to allow the students Cruz, Suharto’s Timorese adviser) interro- (PALOPS). “They want to continue their to leave, cannot and should not be construed gated them, as if he were “an Intel agent” studies, and the grants will allow them to as part of the confidence-building measures, (the Indonesian secret service). After their perfect their Portuguese, so that later on precisely for the reason that they are de- appeal to the Finnish Ambassador in Jakarta they will be able to work and fully become prived of their fundamental right to freedom for asylum being turned down, the seven integrated in society,” the Minister said. and security in East Timor. students were transferred to the house of Meanwhile, in spite of seeing their release as “Indonesia’s attempts to label the Lon- the President’s adviser, and interrogated on “a positive sign” coming from the Indone- don meeting of East Timorese puppets who several occasions, over three weeks. “Chico” sian Government, Durão Barroso said it have no legitimacy is only another attempt Lopes (as they call him) wanted to know should not be forgotten “that the heart of to change the international nature of who was organising them, who the leaders the Timor problem has still to be resolved.” Timorese conflict.” were, “whether it was Xanana or Ximenes Almost at the same time as the seven Belo who was behind the demonstrations.” students were arriving, General Galvão de LISBON ON ASYLUM-SEEKERS They replied that it was neither of them, Melo, Chairman of the General Assembly of RELEASE and that the young people themselves or- the Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Associa- Statement from the Portuguese Ministry for ganised spontaneously. The house of tion was leaving for Indonesia. During the Foreign Affairs. December 30, 1993. Pro- “Chico Lopes” was not safe for them, and visit, which started on Monday, Galvão de vided by their Embassy in Washington. so they contacted Haji Princen (Indonesian Melo intends to invite ambassador Lopes da human rights activist) and asked for protec- Cruz to visit Portugal next March. In state- The seven East Timorese that sought ref- tion. ments made to the LUSA news agency, uge in the Swedish and Finnish Embassies in Yesterday morning, the seven Timorese Galvão de Melo said he hoped that the For- Jakarta, last June, have been allowed to were received by Foreign Minister Durão eign Ministry would issue a visa to Su- leave Indonesia and are expected to arrive in Barroso. In the afternoon they spoke to the harto’s ambassador. Lisbon today after a journey organized by press at the “Timor Centre.” They were not the International Committee of the Red sparing in their criticism of the Finnish Em- INDONESIA DEFENDS Cross. bassy, which they had originally ap- The Portuguese Government considers proached, in their belief that “it was a coun- MASSACRE SENTENCES this a step that could lead towards an im- try, European and democratic, which re- provement of the atmosphere surrounding The Age (Melbourne), 31 December 1993. spected human rights,” but which eventually By AAP, Gordon Feeney the talks being held between the two parties turned out to be a place “in which the Indo- on the question of East Timor, under the nesian military had complete freedom of The Indonesian consulate in Darwin has auspices of the United Nations Secretary action, and were able to come and go as they released what is believed to be Indonesia’s General. pleased.” first written response to criticism of sen- Albeit positive, this development does But neither did Portugal escape the accu- tences handed out in the wake of the 1991 not allow for the drawing of conclusions as sation of not having done anything to help Dili massacre. to the current situation prevailing in that Timor, until the Santa Cruz massacre, The document defended the conduct of territory that should remain under the close broadcast to the world on TV. According to trials of the soldiers involved with the scrutiny of the international community. 20-year-old Valentim da Conceicão, “It was shooting and East Timorese protest organis- The Portuguese Government, while re- only after the 12 November that Portugal ers, but acknowledged problems in the In- maining fully committed to the search for a and the rest of the world opened their eyes donesian military in relation to events like global, just, and internationally acceptable to the Timor issue. The sad part is that for the Dili massacre. solution to the question of East Timor, the last 17 years there have been worse “Such incidents can happen because part would welcome that further concrete steps massacres, and nobody said anything at of the apparatus is still limited in their pro- aiming at the respect for the human rights all!.” fessional capabilities or because they are and fundamental freedoms of the East facing special situations threats so that they East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 25 are forced to take steps to defend them- service of sworn interpreters,” Mr. Alatas the demonstration that turned into a massa- selves,” it said. wrote. cre. Joining us is Rodney Lewis, Sydney’s It said the soldiers opened fire to “restore Mr. Gusmão was jailed for life after being human rights and also a member of the In- order because the Dili demonstrations of 12 found guilty of armed rebellion, and illegal ternational Commission of Jurists. Rodney November 1991 threatened to become a possession of firearms. The sentence was was also an observer at the Dili trials. physical conflict which disturbed or- later commuted to 20 years. Presenter: How significant do you think this der/security.” is, this document? “(The soldiers) are liable for the acts... M. SOARES TO APPEAL TO Rodney: Well, it’s the first time we have (for) deliberately disobeying orders from UN SECRETARY-GENERAL superiors, which they should not have done, seen any official response to the report we because there was no order from their supe- prepared last year for the International Publico, 8 January 1994. Translated from Commission of Jurists, Geneva. riors to shoot.” Portuguese. Unabridged At least 50 (sic) people were killed when Q: Were you surprised that they have gone soldiers opened fire on a group of protesters The President of the Portuguese Republic as far as a response in sorts although not who had attended a funeral in Dili. is going to appeal to the UN Secretary Gen- directed to you? eral for increased efforts to discover the The Indonesian Government was widely Rodney: Well, a lot of surprise because criticised for the disparity between sen- whereabouts of the Timorese who went missing after the massacre at Santa Cruz, there has been such a long silence. The re- tences imposed on soldiers and protest or- port that we did eventually was combined ganisers. East Timor, in November 1991. This promise was made by President with the report of ICJ’s observer to the Ten soldiers were sentenced to up to 18 Jakarta trials which was taken place at the months’ jail while East Timorese protest Mario Soares to the seven young Timorese men, who recently arrived in Lisbon, after same time last year. And that went to the organisers received five years to life. Commission of Human Rights in Geneva, as The document said: “It has often been being retained in Jakarta for the past six months. a result of that Indonesia received a lot of asked why the sentences of the demonstra- disapprobation if I can put it that way from tors are higher than the military... Yesterday at the Belem Palace, the seven students (who themselves went missing the international community through the “The reply is in the different sanctions Commission on Human Rights in about July (for offences) the leaders of the demonstra- after taking part in the peaceful demonstra- tion at Santa Cruz) told Mario Soares in of last year. Arising out of the trial, and tors were accused of, which has a life sen- arising out of the whole Dili massacre affair. tence as a maximum...while the armed forces person about their escape from Timor after the massacre, going underground in Jakarta, Q: In your report did you raise this issue members get only two to four years for about the disparity in the sentences that disobeying their superiors or a maximum of being persecuted by the Indonesian Army, being refused asylum which they had sought were handed down, for the demonstrators five years’ jail for unintended acts which up to 20 years up to life and for the sol- cause the death of other people.” from the Swedish and Finnish embassies, and the long wait before embarking for Por- diers 18 months perhaps, I think was the A Sydney human rights lawyer, Mr. highest wasn’t it? Rodney Lewis, who was an observer at the tugal. trials of demonstrators, condemned parts of As well as giving the President an ac- Rodney: Yes, clearly that was one of the the document as “an abuse of language” and count of their ordeal (which they had al- most unsatisfactory aspect of the whole said: “It would be amusing if it wasn’t so ready given to the Foreign Minister, straight affair. The people with the guns were the serious.” after their arrival in Portugal), the seven people who were charged with offences Mr. Lewis, a member of the executive Timorese left a sealed envelope addressed to which carried the lighter sentences. And the committee of the Australian Commission of him from Haji Princen, the Indonesian hu- people who had planned the demonstration, Jurists, said the document revealed that man rights activist, in whose home the seven were the ones who were charged with other soldiers had faced civil charges as well as had been given protection until leaving for offences bearing a much heavier penalty military charges. Lisbon. including the penalty of death. He said the use of the civil charged “unin- On leaving the audience with the Presi- Q: And they weren’t carrying arms. tended acts which cause the death of other dent yesterday, José Manuel Sousa, on behalf of the whole group, said “We came to Rodney: No, No, the people who had the people” in relation to the Dili massacre was arms were the military. “ludicrous.” thank the President of the Republic in per- The head of information at the Darwin son for Portugal’s efforts in the settlement Q: How important was it though that they consulate, Rachmat Murni, said the docu- of our problem, and for taking us in.” have acknowledge to the extend, that ment was written last month at the request there are problems within the military in of the Foreign Minister, Ali Alatas. RODNEY LEWIS (ICJ Indonesia, that soldiers disobeyed orders The document and a letter by Mr. Alatas AUSTRALIA) ON and that these sort of incidents as were demonstrations can turn nasty are a about the jailed rebel (sic) leader Xanana SENTENCING DISPARITIES Gusmão were included in the January 1994 problem in terms of the way the military handle them. edition of ‘Indonesia Newsletter,’ published ABC Radio (?), Jan. 9, 1994 by the consulate. Rodney: Well, the military have a very Presenter: Indonesia has come out in de- heavy hand in dealing with demonstrators In the letter by Mr. Alatas to be a fense of the disparity in sentences between woman identified only as “Ms Potter,” he and demonstrations, there is a very interest- the East Timorese demonstrators and Indo- ing precedent which occurred in 1985 I think rejected criticism of the conduct of the nesian soldiers of the trials following the criminal trial of Mr. Gusmão. it was in Jakarta itself, which is now know- 1991 Dili massacre. The Indonesian consu- ing as the “Tanjung Priok riots” where a “The trial of Mr. Gusmão was conducted late in Darwin has released a document de- in accordance with the laws and regulations number of people were shot dead as a result fending the trials and acknowledge problems of a much lovelier, a much more unruly of Indonesia. Throughout the trial proceed- though within the military at events such as ings he was assisted by counsel and had the demonstration in Jakarta, where the military Page 26 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. met those demonstrators opened fire with Rodney: I imagine so, I imagine that’s what TIMORESE POLITICAL PRISONERS’ automatic weapons and killed a number of has induced them to prepare this reply. LETTER TO THE INT’L them. So, there is a precedent for this in Q: So, in the sense that it’s up to groups like COMMISSION OF JURISTS Jakarta itself, the capital city. yourself and others to keep the pressure Translated from Portuguese by CDPM. Q: How comfortable are you with the notion on. 28 Sept. 1993, The Central Prison, Dili that it is just soldiers disobeying orders Rodney: We certainly intend to look in de- from superiors. tail at this reply and if it is appropriate and The Chairman Rodney: Not comfortable at all, but there I suspect it will be because I had a bit of a International Commission of Jurists isn’t hard available evidence yet to the con- look at that already. If it is appropriate we Excellency, trary. I think the opinion that you have will respond in writing to the Indonesian We, the political prisoners of East Timor, there that was published by the Indonesian authorities. survivors of the 12 November 1991 tragedy, Consulate goes on to talk about how, what Q: In a sense though they are defending are taking the liberty and have the honour of happened was not Government policy. And themselves not acknowledging that the addressing you to bring to your attention I think that that should be conceded. Never- are changes to be made. our juridical process, orchestrated by the theless, what followed and the way in which occupying government, as follows: the rule of law was applied is very much a Rodney: Yes, that is right. But one would matter in the life of the Indonesia Govern- have expected that, not that they defended I. East Timor’s Status Quo ment. themselves vigorously at the Commission a. For centuries East Timor was a Portu- on Human Rights in Geneva last year for guese colony, whose statute was revoked Q: As we talked of the disparity, they argued example. the case that it was different sanctions in following UN resolution 1514 (XV) of 12 a sense apply for civilians versus soldiers Presenter: Yes. Rodney thanks very much December 1960, when it then became a that is the offences that they may get be- for your time this morning. Non-Autonomous Territory under the ad- cause they are different offences i.e. sol- ministration of the Portuguese Government. diers versus civilians. Now would that SIX PRISONERS WANT b. Under UN resolution 1514 (XV) of 12 not be something that has to be ad- TRIALS DECLARED INVALID December 1960, the Portuguese Govern- dressed. ment, as administrating power, assumed responsibility for creating conditions which Rodney: Well, the difference was according Portuguese Catholic RadioRenascenca in Portuguese, 12 Jan 94 would lead to freely exercised self- to the opinion which has been published, determination for the people of East Timor. was in the charges themselves, that is, there Six Timorese prisoners have asked the In- c. Following 25th April 1974, Portugal were a set of charges brought against the ternational Commission of Jurists to declare established a program for the decolonisation military people which carried much lighter null and void all the trials and sentences of of its overseas colonies, including East sentences, potentially than the charges that the Indonesian courts against the people of Timor. were brought notably potentially than the East Timor. d. Indonesian troops invaded the Terri- charges that were brought notably subver- In an extensive document, comprising tory on 7 December 1975, and simply an- sion, the anti-subversion law charges that several pages, the six Timorese jailed for nexed East Timor to its Unitary Republic. were brought against the demonstrators - participating in the Santa Cruz demonstra- Today, after 18 years, this situation contin- that beats the whole question. I mean, when tion reveal all the illegalities which sur- ues to be unacceptable to the Portuguese you have automatic weapons and you turn rounded their trial. Government and to the International Com- them on the crowd of people, who according The six men, including Saturnino da munity at large. all of the available evidence and information Costa Belo who became famous for shouting e. In the wake of the Territory’s annexa- were not offering any violence whatever to “Viva East Timor” during the trial, said that tion by Indonesia, and abandonment by the military people there, then I think, and a lawyer was never present during the Portugal, an impasse situation emerged, in this is certainly the view that was expressed preparation of the case. which: in my report last year. What you have is The defendants were constantly under 1. Portugal recognises East Timor in its homicide in one degree or another and seri- pressure because of the threat of receiving Constitution as a Non-Autonomous ous assault for those who were wounded heavier sentences if they insisted on defend- Territory under Portuguese administra- and permanently disable and there is no way ing themselves. tion, while on the road to self- getting around that. The Indonesian secret services were al- determination for national independ- Q: How much do you think is this public ways present in the background guiding the ence. It condemns the illegal presence (unclear) largely directed at the western trial. of Indonesian forces in East Timor as countries that have been critical of Indo- After noting the false accusations which an obstacle to the successful comple- nesia and handling of the massacre and were never proved in court, such as the tion of the decolonisation program. accusation that the protesters carried fire- also critical over the whole East Timor 2. Under its 1976 Law No. 7, Indonesia issue. arms, the document stresses that the Indo- nesian court’s sentence was far from judi- recognises East Timor as its 27th Prov- ince, on the basis of the request for In- Rodney: Well, the, I think the report itself cially impartial because the perpetrators of was headed a counter-media release to the the massacre [Santa Cruz cemetery] were tegration, dated 30 May 1976, made Australian Section of the International Ju- presented as witnesses and the victims as without any prior REFERENDUM. rists. It seems to have directed to us. defendants. 3. The United Nations recognises East Q: Yes, do you think it’s a feeling that they Timor as a Non-Autonomous Territory are feeling pressure because of this criti- under the administration of the Portu- cism? guese Government - the administrating power, and condemns the presence of East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 27

Indonesia in the Territory as a violation hours a day (except on Sundays), by five eral occasions with being severely punished of international law. officials at a time. under the law, if their statements in court 4. The legality of the political and mili- Furthermore, throughout the entire pre- did not correspond to those made previ- tary resistance of the East Timorese trial proceedings, the accused never had ously during the pre-trial proceedings. The people is based upon UN resolutions access to defence lawyers although, on the witnesses themselves had already been sen- 2621 and 3314 (XXIX), which define Police Commander’s instructions, a local tenced by the Court of Judges during that the right of a people to fight against government lawyer was available. investigation, and had also been threatened foreign domination and tyrannical op- B. The Judicial Proceedings that their families would be constantly har- assed in the future, treated with ridicule and pression, and to request and receive After undergoing various transformations mockery, and subjected to other forms of help from other nations and peoples, directed by the BAIS and the military au- psychological coercion. and from humanitarian organisations. thorities, and once finally found to be ade- In addition to these witnesses from the These resolutions also state that con- quate, the case was remitted to the Court for group itself, other witnesses were presented flicts of this nature, against foreign trial. by the SGI, notably: domination, are considered interna- After some time, the accused were · demonstrators captured and imprisoned tional conflicts. brought to Court. On the very first day of by the SGI, who had been terrorised the trial, the problem of choice of lawyers II. East Timorese people tried for politi- with threats, and ordered to give their arose: the Dili Court rejected out of hand the cal offences by Courts of the Indonesian testimony in court; Government of Occupation. lawyers (who belonged to the YLBHI) cho- sen by the defendants’ families, claiming · individuals belonging to the group of A. The pre-trial period: that a local lawyer had already been made military forces who had been involved in In the wake of the 12 November 1991 available to the defendants. Although the the Santa Cruz massacre. tragedy, the occupying government sought a accused persisted in their choice of the C. The Defendants’ Case way to offset the international community’s YLBHI lawyers, the Court upheld its rejec- The verdict of the Occupier’s court was demands, justifying the savagery committed tion, forcing the YLBHI lawyers to lodge a very far from complying with juridical ob- by its troops against the demonstrators. To protest before the Supreme Court of Ja- jectivity, because the criminals of the mas- this end it chose a few East Timorese peo- karta. This controversy confirmed the pre- sacre were called as witnesses, while the ple to be used as scapegoats. We were vious approaches which had been made to victims of the massacre were the accused. among those chosen. us by delegates from the Attorney General’s On this basis, the defendants refused to The pre-trial proceedings took a very Office. They had warned us that the sen- accept the verdict and, as a form of protest, long time. During the first stage, which tence would be greater if we defendants’ they resolved to appeal to the Superior lasted a month, we were interrogated by chose YLBHI lawyers, considering that the Court, even though a decision of irrevocabil- members of Indonesian military intelligence. problem might attract national and interna- ity from the latter was a foregone conclu- The interrogations were long and intensive, tional attention if the YLBHI were involved, sion. starting at 7 am, and sometimes even lasted in which case the Government’s political The status quo of East Timor does not until 3 am the following day. Throughout designs would be put in jeopardy. The judi- give the occupying government the right to that period we were subjected to ill- cial authorities also tried to tempt the de- try East Timorese people for political or treatment and severe psychological pres- fendants, saying that a lesser sentence separatist offences. The right of the East sure. After a month, the results of this pre- would be passed if they did what they were Timorese people established by the UN trial investigation by military intelligence told by said authorities, such as not arguing resolutions affirms the legality of the na- were passed on to a commission called their case, admitting their guilt, and asking tional resistance’s fight against the foreign “Pro-Justitia.” The victims to be tried by the President for a pardon. All these entice- domination, which illegally occupies the the court had been selected. This Commis- ments and warnings were coldly rejected by territory of East Timor using armed/military sion, composed of members of Police Intel- the defendants, who opted to uphold the aggression, and against the tyranny of said ligence as well as Intelligence from the At- truth in spite of the consequences. occupying Government which is oppressing torney General’s Office, was then to study It is worth noting that the trial proceed- the people of East Timor, and preventing the cases and how to present them, condi- ings in the Court took longer than is cus- them from freely choosing their own des- tioning them to the Indonesian Penal Code. tomary. This was meant to show to the tiny. The second stage of the pre-trial proceed- world that trial proceedings are carried out The impasse in which East Timor has ings, investigated by the “Pro-Justitia” according to the established norms. The been placed, and the incapacity of the UN Commission, lasted longer - for two months. occupying government announced that the (on which the problem of East Timor is This was because of the constant consulta- trial would be open to everyone, without dependent) to find a solution to the 18-year- tions, and elaboration by the military au- exception. What in fact happened was that long conflict, have led to a situation in which thorities and by the BAIS in Jakarta. They the civilian population and even some mem- the political interests of the occupying gov- study and prepare the process, adapting it bers of the prisoners’ families, were ernment prevail and outweigh any attempts to the law in force, i.e.. Law No. 11 of 1961 stopped from attending. The courtroom was to achieve juridical objectivity by trying (subversion) and Law No. 106 and 110 actually full of members of civilian and mili- East Timorese people. The juridical positiv- (separatism), and adjusting it according to tary Intelligence, and others of similar kind. ism which Indonesia uses to justify the trial the occupier’s political aims. The Witnesses: of East Timorese, is totally lacking in credi- The investigations at this second stage The first witnesses called were the mem- bility and impartiality because it is guided became more intense, involving different bers of the group themselves. They were by Indonesia’s policy of imposing its posi- commissions from the Attorney General’s called one by one to give their evidence, and tion on the question of East Timor, which it Office in Jakarta, and the BAIS. Prisoners stated what the activities of the group were. unilaterally claims to be a fait accompli. were subjected to questioning for over 12 It so happens that, while being investigated as witnesses, they were threatened on sev- D. The Sentence of the Court Page 28 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

As had been anticipated right from the III. We hereby appeal to the ICJ, of apologetic for his command of Portuguese, start of the proceedings, the defendants which you are Chairman, to endeavour he writes down his views on the restructur- were given the maximum sentences for Sub- to: ing of the Resistance, the activities of repre- version and Separatism. · put pressure on the Indonesian Govern- sentatives on the outside, and the future of The sentence passed by the Court of the ment to allow investigation by interna- the struggle. This is, after all, what Xanana occupying government never took into ac- tional groups of jurists within the terri- Gusmão has requested in his circular, which count the juridical status of the territory of tory of East Timor. arrived, by tortuous route, a few days pre- East Timor or the defendants’ testimonies. viously. Among political arguments and · Put pressure on the Jakarta Government On the contrary, the defendants’ testimo- to allow the accused the materials and the military evaluations, the human testimonies nies were arbitrarily used, and turned into freedom necessary to be able to contact are put down on paper - views which the “judex facta” to incriminate and condemn the various international juridical organi- armed resistance combatants usually only them. sations, namely the IPJET (International share amongst themselves. It should be noted that the false informa- Platform of Jurists for East Timor), In mid-1992, echoes had reached East tion given during the trial, especially the Chaired by Pedro Pinto Leite in Holland, Timor of the cyclical disagreements between accusation that the demonstrators were in in order to lodge an appeal with an im- representatives of the Timorese Resistance possession of firearms (though the Court partial court. abroad. Xanana Gusmão, (to be captured a was unable to produce any proof in support few months later), decided it was time to of this, other than the statements of the · Contribute towards an exact definition of sound out the feelings of his men, scattered witnesses who had been previously in- the juridical statute of East Timor and, in throughout the interior. The guerrillas set structed by the SGI) was taken into consid- particular, the resolution of the contro- about writing dozens of letters, in which eration by the court as “judex facta” to find versy over the Timor Gap between Por- “they say how they are living and suffering, the defendants guilty of being the master- tugal-Indonesia-Australia. and how they feel and hurt.” minds and leaders of the demonstration. · Intervene, as far as the ICJ’s competence You, on the outside... E. Appeal to the Superior Court and the allows, in order to invalidate all the trials “We, the Falintil here in the bush, do not Supreme Court of Justice in Jakarta: and sentences which lack credibility and impartiality, carried out by Indonesia’s give our support to one to then condemn As a protest against the sentence passed courts affecting East Timorese prisoners. another, or respect one and disrespect an- by the Court of the occupying government, · Attend all juridical proceedings and trials other, or love one to then not love another, the defendants decided to appeal to the etc. ... We have never done that. What we Superior Court and, straight-away, to the of East Timorese prisoners by the Indo- nesian occupier’s courts. have done is to respect and consider all of Supreme Court of Justice in Jakarta. you, both here in our Fatherland and on the · to get all those responsible for the slaugh- The Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) es- outside.” ter of 200,000 East Timorese lives tablishes the fundamental right of a defen- B. (Team Commander), E.L.e M.K. (sol- brought to justice at the International dant to appeal to the Superior Court if s/he diers), and Court at The Hague. disagrees with the local court’s sentence. In S. (Security Chief), in the mountains of East order to prepare the appeal, to be in contact We end here, convinced that the interna- Timor, 15.6.1992 with lawyers, and exercise other rights tional jurists’ organisation which you Chair stipulated in the Indonesian Penal Code will bring the dawn of a new day of justice “The lack of consensus among you, who are connected with the appeal procedure, the to our people, who have been longing for it at the forefront of our people, constitutes a defendant must be given all the necessary for 18 years. failure on all fronts for our struggle. It leads assistance. While in other countries citizens’ Respectfully yours, to disunity, dividing once again our people rights, guaranteed by the Constitution and l. Francisco Miranda Branco to kill each other.” laws, are to be respected and recognised 2. Jacinto das Neves R. Alves Idem unconditionally, the opposite is the case in 3. Gregorio da Cunha Saldanha “As we have already said, here in the bush East Timor. Not only were we denied these 4. Filomeno da Silva Ferreira we, the Falintil, believe in all of you. We rights but we were put into total isolation. 5. Juvencio de Jesus Martins repudiate individual ambitions.” The only sunlight we could see reached us 6. Saturnino da Costa Belo Idem through little squares. “I am not going to enumerate the disagree- In the ruling of the Superior Court and ments between the leaders of our process, the Supreme Court in Jakarta, the defence EVENTS INSIDE but I and all of us want, our brothers to try statements presented by our respective EAST TIMOR to resolve the problems, and come to mutual lawyers are notably absence. understanding, and not each one to look out Although until now no exact explanation just for himself. That only reflects your has been given on these two cases, there is VOICES FROM THE disunity, lack of understanding, and per- another case in which the defence lawyers MOUNTAINS sonal ambition, which we, your brothers in complained that they did not receive the the interior, who day and night long for your results of the appeals lodged. According to Publico, 20 November 1993. By Joaquim T. well-being, are suffering for.” the law, lawyers have a right to receive a de Negreiros, Translated from Portuguese N.B. (Section Commander) and copy of the documents for their informa- N.S. (Platoon Commander), 15.6.92 tion. East Timor’s interior, June 1992. “I think that organising and reorganising, F. Prison Conditions (See annex) Using up the few sheets of exercise book structuring and restructuring, appointing and he had left, the guerrilla writes a reply to his dismissing, are all just formalities. The ac- Commander in the fading light of the after- tivities carried out are the same.” noon. Using his words sparingly (it must all Idem fit into such little space), in Tetum, or East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 29

“What good have the Fretilin leaders abroad “Regarding the articles sent by our brother “Dear brother and companion in sweat and done to lessen the suffering of the Falintil B., I want to confirm that I did receive the tears, I hope not to have to pass on this and the Maubere People?” four (uniform) shirts, but not the hand gre- letter to you, because if I did, you might die A.L., 13.7.92 nade.” laughing at my “philosophy” and reasoning “So I prefer no clarifications, unless the Idem borrowed from other brothers.” Fretilin leaders out there in Lisbon can send “Disciplinary action has been taken against F.R.L., undated us or get for us some super-sonic aircraft or L.K. for having got the pretty B. (N.’s wife) Ideology tanks, which would save us from this certain pregnant. There was general consensus on “In 1981, when the Falintil Commander death.” this measure.” introduced Marxism-Leninism, we merely F.R.L., undated L., 16.6.92 followed the former teaching. And we came “You showed us how to love each other, “Whatever is sent to us, no matter how to clearly recognise the change from the and so you should be a reflection of that, insignificant it may seem, has a very special revolutionary to the social democratic sys- you were our teachers.” meaning for us.” tem. If this caused a step backwards in our Signed by 13 guerrillas, from III Unit, Idem struggle, the time to resolve the matter is not Cruzeiro sub-region, undated “If there is a spare Falintil flag around, I now!... What we should be concerned about Pain and hope would be grateful if you sent it to us.” is the problem of our Fatherland’s occupa- A.L., 8.3.92 tion.” “In the hard years of constant war, suffering S.S. (nurse), undated and sacrifice, today we feel as though we are After the war, the educated doctors “I know that the introduction of Marxism in hell.” “We cannot visualise anyone but you, dis- M.B. and N.S., 15.6.92 was a mistake. But the mistake was made, tinguished doctors, representing our and now we have to be able to admit it, and “The truth is that, after 16 bloody years we Maubere Nation after the war.” correct it with determination.” are still resisting, offering ourselves to Death B., E.L., M.K., and S. (undated). A.D.D., 10.6.92 and, even today we are surviving to continue “All of us here in the Resistance know that, the sacred work of our fallen heroes - those “During the first three years, I did not at- after the war, the seats in the Government tend the political sessions, at the Ceforpol buried and those not.” will go to you, doctors, and not to us here in Idem (Political Training Centre), but from what I the rank and file of the Armed Resistance, saw from the notes taken by my compan- “If we accept the sacrifices, the deaths, and who have but little education. Most of us ions who went to Ceforpol, they were notes all our sufferings, it is because we have the can neither read nor write, and were herds- on the History of Humanity, Dialectical same rights as all the others in the world, to men and simple farmers before the war.” Materialism, Historical Materialism, Phi- live a life free of evil.” A.L., 13.6.92 losophical Materialism, the thoughts of Signed by 13 guerrillas, Cruzeiro sub-region, “Of course, the Armed Resistance is not Mao, etc.” undated fighting in order to get seats (in the govern- Idem “We will only cry when its all over.” ment).” “It was said in 1975 that Marxism was the Signature illegible, 17.5.92 Idem Living Science. Today, it is Dead Science in Everyday things Apologies, respect, and grammar East Timor.” “Before the batteries got here, X. fell twice “We apologise for everything which does T.B., 13.6.92 while carrying the video recorder. At first, it not please you, but this is all we have to “My loving embraces to you! Your birthday worked for four minutes on “play.” When I offer towards the sacred duty of giving, is approaching, and I have nothing to offer changed to “camera” it went for about three while we still have life and limb with which you.” minutes. Fine! But when I put it on “play to get around the hills and vales of our land, M.B., undated back” to see the recording, the image was all Timor.” “Combative greetings, and robust em- white.” B., E.L., M.K., and S., undated braces!” Illegible signature, 13.7.92 “Colleagues, we ask you to bear with us and A K Company, 15.5.92 “I managed to partially cure T.’s illness all our limitations, - our Portuguese, learned “Respectfully, and emotionally, I send you with the Grivin you sent. Send more for from a grandfather, which you may not even our combative greetings, and best wishes for him, as well as for the group, as this kind of like.” long life and constant vigilance.” fungal disease is the most common here in M.B. and N.S., 15.6.92 F.R.L., undated the bush.” “I confess that my theoretical knowledge is “Goodbye, and see you soon.” Idem very limited for answering such questions. B, 16.7.92 “The food given to us by the people is not We know that our educated theoreticians “Until our next meeting, God willing.” enough, and even the supply of natural have either already been killed in this land of L., 21.3.92 foodstuff is becoming scarce or has run out Resistance, or have abandoned their ideas altogether in various parts of our country.” and joined the enemy, leaving the heavy T.B., 13.6.92 burden of responsibility for the men on my, HEALTH IN EAST TIMOR “Instructions accompanying all the supplies or our, shoulders.” By Helda Buergel. From Medicine and War: (both the first lot and the second) sent to us, A.L., 13.6.92 International Concerns on War and Other indicated that we were to distribute it “You must try to understand the content of Social Violence, Vol. 9 No. 2, April-June equally between the forces and our people. my writing, and not be confused by the 1993. slightly abridged. And this is exactly how it was distributed.” grammatical errors, - I have had only four I came to East Timor as a tourist in Sep- Idem years primary education.” tember 1991. I had been concerned with the S.S. (nurse), undated Page 30 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. independence of East Timor already in the Lospalos and made a brief visit to the agri- ernment-led projects such as immunization 1970s as part of my work in the Vietnam cultural school in Fuiloro. Everywhere I programmes or agricultural projects. Who Solidarity Movement, and I came into con- went I was heartily welcomed, asked to give wants to take advice when the adviser is an tact with the Salesians - a Catholic order my opinion on medical matters and taken on Indonesian soldier with a rifle in his hand? working also in East Timor - by chance house calls in the villages. The Indonesian government has used the through a charity that is working in my My impression is that the standard of army to destroy villages and forcibly re- region. I decided to extend my holiday trip health among the Timorese is very poor and move people, the idea being that they reset- to Bali and take a 10-day excursion to East the measures being taken by the Indonesian tle along roadsides where control is easier. Timor. On my arrival in Dili, I was met by government are having no impact on the Many had to leave the terraced and irrigated two Salesian Sisters who received me and cycle of poverty, numbers of children being fields now left derelict. They all remember my travel companion very cordially, gave us born, malnourishment and illness. Especially forced early morning roll-calls at times when accommodation for a whole week and after the events at the end of last year, the they had to go to field work, and even today treated us like members of the family. On feeling remains that, on the contrary, for the from time to time people disappear from the very day of our arrival we drove with Indonesian government, a solution that in- field work and never come back. How could Sister P. to Venilale, which is a fairly large cludes the death of a large number of people, anyone imagine that the peasants of East village in the middle of the mountains. I whether by disease or direct intervention, is Timor will accept lessons in agriculture and could already see some of the country’s on the whole acceptable. Although rudimen- construction from these same soldiers? main problems: forest areas are cleared out, tary, church facilities seem to offer the best The local military command has forbid- the soil is widely eroded, villages along the basis for bringing about effective change and den villagers to provide food and clothing big roads are poor, with people living in improvement for the population in this part for their relations in Fretilin when they often ramshackle huts made out of natural of the world at the moment. come back from the forests at night, and materials giving them a poor quality of shel- Civil Rights Abuses civil servants are supposed to report any ter, Evidence of military activity is wide- such contacts being made. Methods of forc- Obviously the health situation cannot be spread - ruined stoneblock houses, grave- ing people to denunciation are multiple and divorced from the political context of the yards, police posts, heavy weapons and violent. They offer money or threaten their country. Everywhere in East Timor the tank tracks on the roads. Soldiers are seen lives, and very often these threats have been people are longing for their independence as everywhere. With heavy weapons, they carried out. So there are many spies. How much today as they were 16 years ago. This patrol in groups, in markets, in the villages, can these civil servants expect to launch wish is openly expressed again and again at searching vehicles on the roads, driving successful immunization campaigns and the greatest possible risk. The sole answer trucks recklessly on the narrow mountain have their advice followed, still less be ac- the Indonesian government had for this was roads - more than once we were nearly cepted as friends? violence. forced over the edge by military cars. Indo- In contrast, the Catholic Church has Of course local people cannot forget the nesian soldiers are armed with modern credibility among the Timorese. The church forced military occupation of their country - automatic weapons, while soldiers of has always been neutral and in its defence of every family has its dead and injured to Timorese appearance carry old guns. The the rights of the individuals has even found remember. And the army continues to con- whole country gives the impression of being itself in the firing line. Even today in church- trol the country through terror. Spying, under occupation. run schools many pupils are the children of house searches and killings are everyday Moreover, the large number of grave- Fretilin members, but the priests do not occurrences, and from time to time people yards is impressive, and inspection of the exclude them on that account. Schools run disappear. The Hotel Flamboyant in Baucau dates of deaths shows that most people had by the church are also better than those run has been partly converted into an interroga- died within the last 15 years. Independent by the government. They are built solidly tion and torture centre, The presence of the witnesses estimate that more than 200,000 and offer a broadly-based education. Gov- International Committee of the Red Cross people have died within the last 16 years ernment schools, on the contrary, seem to (ICRC), with the special task of monitoring through murder, undernourishment or dis- be a sham. Pupils do not have books but conditions of detained political prisoners, ease, directly or indirectly as a consequence learn by rote. The final results in East Timor testifies to the truth of these assertions. The of the Indonesian invasion. government schools are below Indonesian work of this organisation is permanently We were based in rooms in Venilale from standards. and systematically handicapped; for exam- where we visited Fatumaca, Lospalos and After the invasion, the Indonesians had ple, after the massacre of November 1991, Baucau. For two afternoons I took part in killed nearly 311 the Timorese teachers who ICRC members could not visit the detained the outdoor clinic in Venilale, and on one had begun to build up an education system. prisoners for many days on the pretext that half-day I accompanied Sister P. to Bad- Then they sent Indonesians as teachers to they would interfere with the interrogations. umory, a small village where she holds an Timor, who could not speak the native lan- I was shown many examples of violence. outdoor clinic once a week. I visited the guage, and pupils have to learn Bahasa In- Mr. Aleixio Ximenes, elected president of Puskesmas, that is the health service of the donesia nowadays. In a village school in the Baucau parliament, member of UDT and Indonesian government, in Venilale. I saw a Venilale that I visited there were four class- convinced of the need of national independ- malaria screening session in a school and had rooms, very dark, with benches and tables ence informed me that only two weeks be- a long discussion with the doctor of the and about 60 children in every classroom, all fore my arrival the military had been behind Puskesmas, who enabled me to visit the of them small and thin. I did not see a single a plot to have him assassinated that even the hospital at Baucau where I spoke at length book. The children owned copy-books with Timorese employed by the Indonesian gov- with the physicians. I visited Fatumaka and the letters crooked, obviously copied with- ernment are spied on and treated as second took part in a surgery in a village nearby out any system. I was told repeatedly that class citizens - giving them an even greater with the orderly of the outpatient unit. In children have great difficulty in following interest in seeing an independent East Lospalos I visited the outpatient unit and the lessons; because of their malnutrition Timor. It comes therefore as no surprise met the Canossa Sisters working there. I they cannot concentrate for long. that local people are suspicious of all gov- also saw the schools of the Salesians in East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 31

The large number of adults murdered or least 20 cases of severe lymph node tuber- also a dentist. The dentist is said to extract disappeared in jail or elsewhere has led to an culosis, some with abscesses, and several teeth because there is no time or material to extremely high number of orphans. Some women with severe cavitation of the lung. make fillings and therefore people are afraid have to be fed by their relatives, impairing Tuberculosis is commonly transmitted from of going there and go very late. their living conditions, others are brought up mother to child, and entire families have The hospital buildings are situated on a in the continuously growing church orphan- been wiped out; I have seen a family con- large sector of ground, They are new but ages. sisting of five children between two and 13 poorly equipped and managed. Everything Agriculture and Nutrition years who had recently lost their parents is in short supply. Starting with the food, I through this disease. Three of the children was told that the hospital kitchen would Agriculture on the meagre soils of East were also very ill, infected with the condi- supply all patients with food of first or Timor was always based on traditional tion, as probably were the other two. Two second standard. But the kitchen was out of methods; the plough was unknown and the more sisters had been in Baucau hospital for food at 11 a.m., a single rice pot was cook- soil was broken up by letting water buffa- a week for their TB treatment. Parasites and ing, and family members of many patients loes trample over the fields, or by digging skin infections are the results of poor were cooking meals on campfires at the back sticks. But because of the favourable climate awareness of hygiene. The simple grass huts of the buildings. and well organized village structures, food standing on the bare soil are crawling with Hygiene is abysmal, the wash-room, if supply in the villages was sufficient in the insects and all animals of the region have existent, is often dirty, bedsteads corroded. past; a good variety of edible plants was free access. People who have been forcibly Patients with tuberculosis were only sepa- available. But now the effects of forced resettled are less likely to build their huts on rated from surgical patients by a curtain, moves have left fields uncultivated, and the stilts, the traditional way of construction, although at the time of my visit the hospital scorched earth tactics of the Indonesian giving some protection against vermin. To- was not full. I saw incorrectly applied plas- army have led to deforestation and erosion. day domestic animals run through the open ter casts. The treatment of seriously ill pa- As a result of military actions and intimida- huts, there are no toilets and hardly any tients is made impossible by lack of equip- tion the inhabitants were prevented from running water, children have to be raised ment (bladder catheters, nasogastric tubes, working in the fields. New fields worked by without nappies, leading to the spread of artificial nutrition, disposable materials). the old methods brought insufficient har- parasites through animal and human faeces. Medical supplies are only delivered every vest. The male members from many families Child mortality is high. I saw one mother three months, always less than required. have fled to work in the resistance or are in breastfeeding her second living newborn Infusions are in short supply and cannot be jail or murdered. Knowledge cannot be child; she had lost five other children within produced locally, The surgical emergency transmitted. A whole new generation has their first year of life. The women are tired room was very dirty with a single, faulty grown up under war conditions and much out at 30 after multiple pregnancies, and AMBU bag. The operating theatre was knowledge seems to be lost. easily become victims to tuberculosis. There equipped with the basic necessities but was Even if peasants can grow enough food is no gynaecological support. Birth takes unhygienic. There was a modern anaesthetic for their own needs, some of it has to be place at home with ancient and often un- breathing machine that could not be used sold on the market to pay for shoes, cloth- healthy customs. One of these is to burn an because anaesthetic gases (nitrous oxide and ing and other essentials. Small, undernour- open fire in the hut of a parturient woman halothane) were not available; anaesthesia is ished and ill-looking women are seen in the until the child is four weeks old. The new- performed with an ancient ether evaporator, markets in East Timor selling a few maize born child is not dressed during this time. if oxygen, that has to be delivered from Dili, cobs or sweet potatoes or a chicken. As the huts have no chimney, mother and is available. During my visit I was told that There is a very low level of knowledge child are sitting the whole time in dense the oxygen supply was interrupted because about nutrition and good practice in prepa- smoke which damages the sensitive lungs of the oxygen filling machine in Dili was bro- ration of food. The staple diet consists of a the newborn. A midwife is only called if ken. Only a few basic laboratory tests are maize porridge or plain rice with no vegeta- there are complications in the birth, If a possible, fewer than are found in the average bles or meat. There are very few cows on hospital stay is needed it is very difficult to practice at home. the is and so that very little milk is available. transport the women there because of the Blood for transfusion has to be brought Breastfeeding is the only source of infant bad conditions of the roads, and even in in from Dili (6 hours’ drive away), so that food, and if the mother is unable to produce hospital too often there is no help. There are urgent transfusions are impossible. Blood enough milk her infant will die or become, many eye infections in children, some of grouping and matching is inadequate, and the while undernourished, vulnerable to infec- which can lead to blindness. Rhesus factor cannot be cross-matched. tions. Health Facilities This did not seem to disturb the doctors Health Problems much, as they estimated only 10 per cent of There is a large hospital in Dili, capital of The well-known problems of a Third the Indonesian population to be rhesus East Timor, which I could not visit but World country are complicated by the spe- negative! which has a good reputation. Several medical cial conditions in East Timor, resulting from It has to be said that although the doctors specialists practise in Dili. There is another its political situation and the predominant are inexperienced and overtaxed under the hospital in Baucau and a smaller one in Los customs. The two fundamental problems are stress of the conditions, they are certainly Palos. malnourishment and lack of hygiene. The willing and enthusiastic. Obviously this At the time of my visit, Baucau hospital most prevalent diseases are tuberculosis, description would not be out of place in had three working doctors, two of whom endemic malaria, pneumonia, parasitic infes- many Third World countries, but the frus- were Indonesian students sent over by the tations, skin infections and severe anaemia, trating fact is that Baucau Hospital has the government for two years to do their intern- especially in children and women after many potential but is being neglected. The wards ship, not fully trained and lacking experi- childbirths, and are related to undernutrition. are half empty although there is no shortage ence. One of them is also responsible for the Tuberculosis is widespread and the under- of patients. The Puskesmas, established by local Puskesmas. There is also supposed to nourished Timorese are easy victims. Within the Indonesian government in every largish be a paediatrician, whom I did not meet, and three days in the outdoor clinics I saw at town, only cover some 30 per cent of the Page 32 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. health care needed, and 70 per cent of their gled in from the West, and that those sup- Dr. Helga Burgel studied medicine in Mun- work is concentrated on organizing cam- plied on state prescription have no notice- ster and Heidelberg and qualified in 1974. paigns for the early detection of malaria, able effect. I have brought back some sam- She is now a senior anaesthetist at Kreisk- tuberculosis, vaccination, prevention of ples bought in pharmacies and had them rankenhaus Sinsheim. She became involved infections, advice on nutrition, family plan- analysed in a well-known laboratory. The with opposition to the Vietnam War and ning and so on. As already noted, Indone- contents were identical with those declared became interested in other Third World sian students are working as doctors doing or the label, problems while a student. She has been a their internship, working independently Visits by doctors from abroad are very member of IPPNW-Germany since 1984. without medical supervision but under the welcome. They are lodged for : month at a Correspondence: Johannisstrasse 18, 6940 control of the military. They are offered time if they are willing to share in the work Weinheim, Germany. inducements to work in Timor and even of the health teams and advise and train higher incentives if they stay on once here. health workers. Such a stay can be a very They do not speak Tetum, the language important experience for any young doctor, VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS most spoken in Timor, and have hardly any and is a useful support even if it does not OF EAST TIMOR practical experience. They do not have the change the situation entirely. supplies for an adequate service, and some- The Need for Change From Andrew McNaughton, Darwin, Aus- times the Puskesmas doctors in Venilale tralia, based on a visit in May 1993 A change in the situation can only take have to ask the Sisters for antibiotics. In place on the political level. As long as the some cases the local people were too suspi- Introduction suppression of the people in East Timor cious to take drugs prescribed for them by I am an Australian Doctor who decided continues - and there is no sign of a change - the Puskesmas. Some of the Puskesmas can to visit East Timor to gain my own impres- so people will go on dying from undernour- perform simple laboratory checks such as sions of that country. I became concerned as ishment and curable diseases, and nothing haemoglobin. Hundreds of people go to the a result of hearing about the Dili massacre of will improve. Even the wish for independ- very committed church health workers in 1991, then meeting East Timorese refugees ence, however expressed, is a revolution the weekly outdoor clinics and surgeries, and learning something of the events since against state doctrine according to the Indo- and mostly, they follow the Sisters’ advice. Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor. I nesian government and is uncompromisingly But they are overtaxed and their work is a speak some Spanish that helped me com- persecuted. The independent existence of drop in the ocean. There are some experi- municate in Portuguese. I was able to visit the military apparatus within the Indonesian enced workers among them, but most are East Timor in May of this year for two state is furthermore a guarantee of uncon- semi-skilled. Very little diagnostic work can weeks. This coincided with the last days of trollable violence and tyranny throughout be undertaken, and diagnosis is mainly based the trial of the Resistance Leader Xanana the country. In this connection world-wide on verbal complaints from the patients. Gusmão. action is required. We cannot permit the Even a superficial physical checkup is im- I spent some time in Dili as well as parts rearmament of Indonesia with modern possible in the middle of the masses of pa- of the countryside, and was able to speak to Western weapons systems for them to be tients and with no privacy. Sometimes anti- a number of church people including Bishop brought into action against the people of biotics are given for ‘safety’s sake,’ often Belo, the head of the Church in East Timor, East Timor, Recently, the German govern- with too low a dosage to cause resistance. some other priests, an ICRC representative ment has decided to send weapons, includ- Some medicines, such as eyedrops or ear- and some journalists and diplomats (in Dili ing 39 warships, from the armed forces of drops, are completely lacking in the surger- for Xanana’s trial) as well as a number of former Eastern Germany to Indonesia. This ies. The best conditions I found were in the local people. must be most strongly condemned! church-run surgery in Los Palos. There is a For convenience I have dealt with my quiet examination room, registry, a corner Bibliography impressions under the headings below. In for administering injections and bandages, Amnesty International publications, De- the interests of the safety of individuals and a dispensary. In Venilale there is one cember 1991 - July 1992. with whom I spoke, I have avoided specific small room without electric light, but at least Araujo A. Ost Timor, Die Loricos singen details of names and places. there are some sanitary facilities and an wieder. Albatros Verlag, Reihe Asien as- Interview with Bishop Belo examination bed, divided from the rest of the tuell; 1978. I spoke to Bishop Belo, and started by room by a curtain. There are plans to con- Tapol. Bulletins nos. 111-112, 111 North- asking what would be the most useful con- vert an old Red Cross building which was wood Road, Surrey CR7 8 HW. tribution that I could make as a medical commandeered by the army into a small doctor interested in the problems of East clinic with some beds, so that patients living References Timor. He replied by saying that as an Aus- far away can stay for some days. A 1. Ludwig, K. Osttimor, das vergessene tralian I should be aware that one of the Timorese nurse will be returning from her Sterben. Reihe bedrohte Volker, pogrom main obstacles to a solution in East Timor training in the Philippines to take charge of Taschenbucher 1013, 1985. was the position adopted by the Australian this project which, it is hoped, will be com- 2. Frankfurter Rundschau, 24 July 1992. Government. He pointed out that Australian pleted in about one year’s time. The outpa- (Accepted 26 Jan. 1993) Governments had consistently acted as tient room at Fatumaka is even darker and facilitators and apologists for Indonesian worse equipped. The Salesians are planning policy and not sought lasting solutions in a hospital at Suaai with 50 beds, and the East Timor. He suggested that Australians Sister (not a Salesian) who will be supervis- interested in seeing a resolution in East ing this, had just arrived the day I left Timor should be trying to alter the Austra- Timor. lian government’s position. There have been complaints that the Then I asked him about the current hu- drugs manufactured in Indonesia perform man rights situation. He replied that al- very poorly in comparison to those smug- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 33 though the rate of killings was reduced com- for themselves the system under which they access completely. I feel this point is rele- pared to the worst periods, that there was live. He said that the people had not been vant because some people cite the presence more to human rights than that alone. He given the right to choose. of the ICRC as evidence that human rights said that the freedom for people to express Human Rights in General violations don’t occur : firstly the minuscule themselves, and to talk openly and live as size of the human rights monitoring (one I was able to speak privately with a they choose was also a human right and one person at the time I was there) , secondly number of priests during my trip on the that was absent in East Timor. He also the frequently thwarted access, and thirdly subject of human rights. One commented talked about the freedom of cultural expres- the inability to report findings publicly that during the early to mid 1980’s, viola- sion as a form of human rights and one that make the ICRC unable to report adequately tions were so frequent that dead bodies were was also being suppressed, such as the en- on the human-rights situation in East Timor. found and disappearances occurred almost forced speaking of Bahasa Indonesia and daily. The Trial of Xanana Gusmão suppression of Tetun and Portuguese. Another commented about the massacre Coincident with my trip was the last Other methods of cultural dilution and of a whole village of around 300 people that days of the trial of the captured Independ- suppression he mentioned are through had occurred nearby in the early 1980s. I ence leader, Xanana Gusmão. As I was told transmigration of people of other ethnic also saw large numbers of graves including that there was open access to the trial, I backgrounds into East Timor and the en- gravestones with more than 70 names on presented myself to the relevant police sta- couraging of conversion to Islam. This may them dated in the early 1980s in one regional tion on the morning in question to obtain the be implemented indirectly, e.g. through fa- graveyard I visited. necessary permit. However I was told that I voritism in employment. The Bishop com- A man I spoke to had been a prisoner on could not enter the court room as all seats mented also that employment and education Atauro Island where he saw many fellow had been taken by local people. I was opportunities tended to by-pass the prisoners die. More recently I was told of shown a list of 40 to 50 East Timorese Timorese and to be offered to people of number of human rights violations within names, all in the same hand writing , who I other ethnic backgrounds. the last 6 months: was told had applied before me. Another social and cultural disruption · The arrest of approximately 200 people That night when I asked one of the dip- that he commented on was due to the con- held in detention with many subjected to lomats about who was present in the court tinuous presence of a large number of for- mock executions at night in the bush with he commented that those present appeared eign troops . Apart from intimidating the guns fired off beside their heads. to be asleep during the proceedings. It is my people this had also resulted in a massive opinion that East Timorese people would upsurge of illegitimate children and conse- · One person was tortured and then not take the risk of seeking permission to quent disruption of the structure of tradi- stabbed to death and returned in a closed attend a trial of this nature and then fall tional family life. coffin that the people were not allowed asleep in court. I am doubtful that these However, he said that gross physical to open. Another person disappeared at people were East Timorese. Interestingly, human rights abuses still occur regularly, that time and has not been seen since. Gusmão’s statement smuggled from jail including sweeping arrests and detention of · In the same area, reports of people being comments on the courtroom being stacked people often occurring in midnight raids. He hung from the ceiling of the local police with plain-clothes military personnel. said that torture of people was common and station and beaten. I understand that journalists attempting that disappearances and possible deaths still · Elsewhere I was told of the arrest of at to arrive that day were stopped at Bali and I occur. He pointed out that it is often impos- least 60 (probably closer to 100) young know that the only foreigners present in the sible to get access to people in prison to people who where held incommunicado court were 3 diplomats and a representative check on their physical state. for up to 4 months. Many of these were from the International Council of Jurists I asked him about his views on develop- tortured. who were at the back of the court and un- ment by Indonesia and what the effects had I was told that it was common if not rou- able to hear proceedings. An outside loud been. He started by saying that the East tine to torture people in detention. I was speaker (previously used) was kept turned Timorese had never asked for this develop- also told that this was frequently done by off. This was the day that Gusmão was to ment to occur. He pointed out that the pulling out fingernails, burning with ciga- read his defence statement, and I understand building of roads was necessary for the mili- rettes, and electric shocks to the body. I was that he was stopped within the first few tary occupation, and also used to justify the struck by the local perception that this was pages of a long prepared statement. As this continuous presence of Indonesian soldiers a regular part of the detention process. was the only day that he was allowed to in the countryside. As I was leaving East Timor I was told of read his statement, the result was that his On the subject of education he pointed the arrest of a further 8 young people. I defence was not heard and also was inacces- out that the enforced learning of Bahasa know nothing of the outcome. sible to outside observers. On the last day Indonesia and history from an Indonesian Prior to leaving I spoke informally with a of the court hearing when foreign journalists angle was a vehicle for repression of East Red Cross representative who acknowl- were present Gusmão was not allowed to Timorese culture rather than primarily edu- edged privately that it was often difficult or speak. cational. impossible to get access to people in jail and It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that He said that overall he felt the Timorese that on gaining access it was common to find there was an orchestrated campaign to make would be better off without the presence of they had been physically abused. He ac- sure he wasn’t heard. As I understand it, the military and the associated “assistance.” knowledged that he was frequently ap- under Indonesian law, a defendant has the He said that the first step to peace was the proached for help and often felt frustration right to make a full statement. It is worth withdrawal of Indonesian troops from East at being in a position where his requests making clear that his statement was subse- Timor. I asked him how would the Timorese were ignored. He pointed out that the brief quently able to be released after being smug- vote if given the chance for self- of the ICRC is to help where possible but gled out of the country but this was cer- determination. He answered that it was not keep all relevant findings secret as publicity tainly not with the cooperation of the Indo- up to him to say how they would vote, but may jeopardise their work and close the nesian authorities. that it was their fundamental right to choose Page 34 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Impressions of Military Occupation and left me in little doubt I was being watched migration project at Suai, as well as other Surveillance by them and a man who seemed to be sta- transmigration to the south coast. During my time there I was struck by the tioned outside the hotel. My impression is that transmigration presence of military and police in almost all At one point I tried to take a photo in numbers are in multiples of tens of thou- locations. This varied from extremely obvi- Santa Cruz cemetery. As I raised the camera sands at least, although I was told the offi- ous and open presence in multiple locations I was tapped on the shoulder by a plain- cial figures were around four thousand. around Dili and rural centres to much less clothed man who said he was “security.” He The People’s Response said that photos were prohibited in the obvious presence in smaller villages I vis- During my trip there were some con- cemetery (subsequently church people told ited. In one regional centre I saw groups of straints : time, language, and especially the me that this was a military decree). Looking more than 60 armed soldiers travelling on difficulty of talking freely to East Timorese round the area as I left I saw a number of the back of trucks. Along the roads I fre- people due to the omnipresent military and Javanese looking men in plain clothes con- quently saw military depots and encamp- police and their informers. However, there versing with the man who had forbidden the ments, and also groups of armed soldiers on were a number of occasions when I could photo. I was told later that “security” or foot patrol. speak with young East Timorese people, plainclothed army personnel watched this In each small village I visited I came and hear their feelings about the current area closely presumably because of its asso- across depots of 6 - 10 soldiers who seemed situation. That left me with a strong impres- ciation with the Dili massacre. Interestingly to be based in local houses. These were not sion of a continuing resentment of the Indo- when driving in a car at one point with some immediately obvious - in fact on one occa- nesian presence, and a continuing desire for diplomats and an aid worker they were loath sion I accidentally entered one of these de- self determination. to even drive past the cemetery (let alone pots trying to find a drink, misled by a beer This impression seemed consistent in all stop there) apparently fearing that this sign hung on the doorway. My impression the areas I travelled to. Any discussion of could be construed as a political act. is that the military presence numbers in the politics or any talk of the Indonesian occu- On another occasion I visited a town in tens-of-thousands. This impression was pation and its consequences could only take the mountains arriving in the late afternoon reinforced by some German visitors with place in moments of privacy and would be by truck. I was subsequently questioned at whom I spoke. Their experiences were fairly accompanied by furtiveness, and lowered length by 3 different police officers for similar and their feeling about the military voices. For example at the university I was about 3 hours in 2 different police stations. I numbers was quite comparable. It was inter- warned about “escondidos” (hidden ones), was told I could not stay in the area and esting to me that having travelled through the expression seemingly used for plain- must leave by the first bus at 7 next morn- the rest of Indonesia prior to ET they felt clothes police and informers. ing. I had done nothing wrong. that the military presence was vastly more Some individual examples come to mind - During conversations with any foreigners obvious in ET. a young boy about 12 years old telling me or locals it was not unusual to have someone On one occasion I was in a remote town how “the people suffer.” He kept repeating move within earshot then either ask a num- and found a concert occurring at night. It the word “suffer” in poor English and told ber of pointed questions or else studiously transpired this was performed by and for me both parents had been killed by Indone- look the other way. This reinforced the the local Indonesian military, indicating to sians. Another time I asked a group of sense of being frequently watched, which I me that though not at first obvious, there youths what they thought of the Indone- must say I was not alone in feeling. were a lot of military personnel in the vicin- sians. They replied in unison “no gusto!” I feel that an assessment of total military ity. In that same town as we left on the bus (we don’t like them). When travelling in numbers in East Timor would be very diffi- we initially drove round picking up passen- cars, East Timorese would illustrate their cult, because of the number of “security” gers and we ended up in a military base feelings by making hand signals out of view personnel in plain clothes, the tendency to hidden from the main road and appearing to under the dashboard. locate bases away from where they can be contain at least one hundred soldiers. That On return to Australia a photo of a group seen from main roads and the deployment of was a recurring impression as a number of of youths on a truck in the mountains re- small groups of soldiers in multiple loca- times buses or trucks would stop at appar- vealed that they were making a resistance tions such as villages and mountainous rural ently remote locations on mountain roads salute to me. One well educated man I met areas. and a number of Indonesian soldiers would told me emphatically that the vast majority appear from the bushes apparently picking Transmigration of Timorese are against the Indonesian pres- up supplies. I was told by some Timorese My contact with people gave me the ence. When I pressed him on the percentage that in their particular region there were perception that there were a large number of he said “over 90%.” He said that “ if the many small military encampments distrib- people living in East Timor who had arrived Indonesians had no guns they would be gone uted through the hills. Given the hidden from elsewhere in the last 10 - 15 years. in a matter of days .” nature of much of the deployment I think it These areas included Java (particularly Su- The most graphic example occurred when would be hard to assess numbers. rabaya), Sumatra, Lombok, Flores, Ambon, I passed a group of 3 youths in the street. A I found that as I travelled around I ap- and Kupang among others. This was very voice called out “independencia.” I looked peared to be frequently under surveillance. I striking in Dili where at least 2 out of 3 of around and one of the youths pointed to an was often questioned by police and was the people I spoke to came from somewhere Indonesian flag making a fist and shaking it. approached by people in plain clothes who else but was reinforced by the presence of As we were in line of sight of one of the asked repeated pointed questions about my transmigrants in every town I visited. The ubiquitous military depots this was a very intentions. Whilst staying alone in a previ- majority of small businesses appear to be in risky thing to do- I think he took this chance ously empty hotel in one regional centre I the hands of transmigrants, and most stu- to show his feelings to a foreigner. heard one of two men who had booked into dents I spoke to at the University were The East Timorese people to whom I the adjacent room using a” walky-talky” from other places. I was advised specifically spoke, consistently appeared to support during the night. This combined with the of 500 Javanese families moved to a trans- and show respect to Xanana Gusmão. questions they had asked me about my visit East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 35

The Armed Resistance Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 af- project a commitment to the resolution of As far as the armed resistance is con- ter intervening in a civil war there between the conflict in East Timor, for the consump- cerned I became aware during my trip that FRETILIN and pro-Indonesian forces. The tion of the international community. they were still active in at least two areas: territory was a Portuguese colony for more The human rights situation in East Timor when I considered travelling to Los Palos I than 400 years but was abandoned by Lis- continues to deteriorate. On December 2 was advised by a priest not to go because 3 bon in its 1976 anti-colonial drive. 1993, Indonesian ‘red berets’ arrested three soldiers had recently been shot there and I East Timor is now claimed as Indonesia’s East Timorese, Martinho Maia, Lucas Maia was told if I talked to anyone they would be 27th province although the United Nations and Gastao Mendonca and tortured them in under suspicion. I was also told that there still recognizes Lisbon as the legal adminis- the Colomera prison in Dili. On October 28 were guerrillas active in the Bacau region. trative power. 1993, two young East Timorese were exe- Tight security and the very large military The Indonesian military deployed in the cuted in Colomera, Dili, by members of the presence around Same, made me feel that territory has said more than 1,000 members Indonesian intelligence service. The two there must be instability in that area too. or supporters of FRETILIN have surren- were identified as Matias da Costa, 24, and Foot patrols on a number of mountain dered following the capture last year capture Duarte Dias, 22. roads and at frequent intervals through some of its leader, José Alexandre Gusmão, leav- We accuse the Indonesian army of the public places (such as the market place in ing only about 100 armed rebels remain in cold-blooded murder of six East Timorese Bacau ) as well as the existence of military the jungle. civilians in Baucau in October 1993. The depots in most locations I visited suggested Gusmão, 46, is serving a 20-year term at Indonesian military authorities then alleged military activity in other areas. the Cipinang Prison in Jakarta. that East Timorese freedom fighters killed six civilians in a village in the Baucau dis- Conclusions OFFICER JAILED FOR trict. However, evidence now proves that My overall impression was of a distinct PROTECTING XANANA the killings were the work of Indonesian resistance to, and resentment of the Indone- troops belonging to Battalion 301. Those sian presence, particularly amongst younger Jakarta Post, February 14 killed were freedom fighters captured and people. forced to work for the Indonesian military My perception is that if these underlying (Dili, East Timor) A local police officer since 1982, who had failed to produce ‘re- resentments are not addressed openly, “sta- was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment sults,’ i.e., to capture or kill their former bility” will only be maintained by continu- for giving protection to East Timor rebel comrades. ous military occupation . I find it difficult to leader José Alexandre “Xanana” Gusmão Indonesian army presence in East Timor avoid the conclusion that a fundamental when he was still at large. now stands at more than 10 battalions. injustice has occurred with Indonesia’s oc- The local military court said Augusto Pa- Some of these are identified as battalions cupation and is continuing and that the In- reira provided sanctuary at a suburban home 512, 515, 611, 502 and 745. In addition, donesian presence is not widely accepted by for Xanana before his arrest in November there are others stationed in the towns of the East Timorese people. 1992. Lospalos, Baucau, Vikeke, Same and Ainaro. A free act of self determination is not Judge Lt. Col. H. Pakpahan took into ac- East Timorese have been drafted into bat- only a right but, I feel, also a practical ne- count the dedication of Augusto to the po- talions 741, 744, 745, ‘Team Seran,’ ‘Saka,’ cessity if there is to be a lasting peace in lice service in passing the sentence, which ‘Alfa,’ ‘Makikit,’ ‘Samodok,’ ‘Loriko’ and East Timor. was six months shorter than demanded. ‘Sakunar,’ and forced to march in front of (Compiled with the assistance of East Timor Further information about Timorese police the Indonesian army units as shields against Relief Association, Darwin, 13 August 93.) officer Augusto Pereira, 44 years old, from a the freedom fighters. This is the re- protected source: enactment of a previously and oft used cruel ALLEGED EAST TIMOR He was charged and convicted of violat- military strategy, which involves the forci- REBEL SURRENDERS IN ing military regulation #120, having help ble use of thousands of civilians, women and hide Xanana Gusmão for three years. children, to provide a human cover for ad- INDONESIA The February 3 trial, in military court vancing Indonesian troops. Catholic Church 1627 in Dili, was presided over by Lt. Col. leaders have strongly condemned this prac- UPI, 20 Dec. 93 H. Pakpahan. The other two judges were tice in the past, which has led to thousands JAKARTA – An alleged member of the Maj. Sumari and Police Captain M. Ginting. of civilian deaths. Revolutionary Front for an Independent He was sentenced to 18 months, and is East Timorese political prisoners con- East Timor, or FRETILIN, has surrendered being held in military prison in Dili. tinue to be denied their basic rights under to the Indonesian authorities in the former – Charlie Scheiner, ETAN/US conditions which breach internationally Portuguese colony, the daily Kompas re- accepted norms on the treatment of prison- ported Monday. HORTA: TIMORESE USED AS ers. CNRM has repeatedly expressed its A spokesman for the East Timor Mili- HUMAN SHIELDS BY deep concern about the deplorable treatment tary Command was quoted in the report as given to imprisoned East Timorese Resis- saying the rebel, Manuel Racudy, gave up INDONESIAN MILITARY tance Leader Commander Xanana Gusmão. Friday. Press release from CNRM, 17 January Indonesian authorities have consistently He quoted the 51-year-old Racudy as denied his mistreatment in prison. Xanana saying he surrendered after finding the Fre- Statement by José Ramos-Horta Co- has meanwhile been able to inform the out- tilin struggle was longer supported by the Chairman and Special Representative of the side world, by means of documents in his people, while he had been separated from National Council of Maubere Resistance own handwriting, of the physical and psy- his group and was running out of food sup- CNRM denounces the renewed campaign chological torture he is being subjected to by ply. of violence against the East Timorese by the his captors. As a result he has been confined Simbolom said Racusy, 51, had been in Indonesian Military while the Indonesian to isolation. CNRM again denounces and the jungle for about 17 years. Government engages in gestures designed to strongly condemns Xanana’s illegal impris- Page 36 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. onment and his ongoing mistreatment. We Sumadi did not identify the two East ARMY SAY S TWO protest against the cowardly behaviour of Timorese who were met by De Melo during the Indonesian military, who continue to his six day visit to East Timor, which began GUERRILLAS KILLED deny the rights of the East Timorese. January 11. AP, 20 January 1994. Dateline: Dili Against this background, Indonesian au- However, he said the meeting between de thorities made a small gesture of good will Melo and the pair had been recorded on Indonesian soldiers have killed two rebels by allowing safe passage out of Indonesia video and will be shown later in Portugal. in a clash in East Timor, the local military late last month for seven East Timorese A statement issued Monday by José commander, Col. Johnny Lumintang said on students who, in June 1993, had sought Ramos Horta, leader in exile of the National Thursday. He gave no details however about asylum at the Finnish and Swedish Embas- Council of Maubere (East Timor) Resis- the clash Monday in Lautem regency, about sies in Jakarta. We condemn and will con- tance, claims that two East Timorese identi- 130 kms east of Dili. tinue to denounce the Indonesian military fied as Matias da Costa, 24, and Duarte It was believed to be the first clash this authorities for imposing a reign of terror in Dias, 22, were executed by Indonesian intel- year between the Indonesian soldiers and East Timor, which forces East Timorese to ligence service in Dili, East Timor, on Octo- members of the Revolutionary Front for an flee their country. However, we take note of ber 28. Independent East Timor, Fretilin (sic) this small gesture. We also encourage the The East Timorese pro-independence Indonesian authorities to show more genuine movement has mounted armed resistance good will by drastically reducing its military against Indonesia since Jakarta invaded the EVENTS IN INDONESIA activities in East Timor, offering a cease-fire, former Portuguese colony in 1975 and de- releasing all East Timorese prisoners and clared it its 27th province the following allowing them to remain in their own native year. SDSB HUMAN RIGHTS country under conditions of complete secu- Horta also claimed that the Indonesian PROTESTERS RELEASED rity. army had killed six East Timorese civilians, We note with satisfaction the visit to former rebels, in a village in the Bacau dis- Abridged from Jakarta Post, Dec. 13, 1993 Portugal, Indonesia and East Timor of a trict in October. The Indonesian military has The police released three student pro- special envoy of the UN Secretary-General. said the six were killed by East Timorese testers Saturday, after holding them for We are grateful that the special envoy will rebels. questioning for one day. They were released be making a special visit to Australia for De Melo, who chairs the recently- at 4 p.m. today, Joko an activist of the Pijar informal consultations with members of the founded Portugal-Indonesia Friendship As- Foundation, an NGO for the promotion East Timorese community. CNRM reiter- sociation, is a staunch anti-communist who human rights, said on Saturday. ates again its willingness to cooperate fully headed the junta which overthrew the The three students were arrested in the with the Secretary-General in his efforts to Caetano regime in Portugal in 1974. wake of protested, involving around 40 negotiate a lasting resolution of the conflict. in presenting himself as the ambassador students from across Java island, in front of In this regard, we share the views of the of Indonesia to Portugal,” Belo said. “The the State Secretariat on Friday afternoon. Secretary-General, expressed in his recent presence here of that type of person is of no The protests, in which the students carried report to the UN General Assembly, that an interest to anyone.” banners reading, “Human Rights Commis- improvement in the human rights situation De Melo “came to talk to the people of sion is an Instrument of Legitimatization of in East Timor is a sine qua non condition for integration (with Indonesia) and tell them Authority,” was held in connection with a resolution of the core of the conflict. We there is no other way but integration, when human rights day. add that the visit of the Secretary-General’s we know the question must first be put to The arrest by uniformed and plainclothes special envoy to Indonesia and East Timor the people,” Belo added. officers was said to have taken place after offers an opportunity for the Indonesian “He has made a very bad impression, the protest at 1 p.m. Friday at a bus shelter authorities to put into practice their pro- raising the question if he is a real Portuguese in front of Minister of Home Affairs build- fessed good will by releasing all East or a false Portuguese.” ing, Central Jakarta. Timorese prisoners. De Melo said on arriving in Indonesia Joko said they didn’t know the reason that talking of a referendum in East Timor for the arrested, aside from the demonstra- JAKARTA DENIES REPORTS OF “smacks of hypocrisy.” He said he was also tion. Some speculated the officers were EAST TIMOR EXECUTIONS convinced that Lisbon’s attitude towards its trying to find out whether the three carried Agence France Presse, January 18, 1994 former colony would change this year. stickers which defamed the President. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, A colleague of the protesters, named (Jakarta) Indonesia on Tuesday denied al- said Tuesday two envoys of the UN Secre- Nuku Sulaeman, had been earlier detained legations reported in Portugal that the Ja- tary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali – Tam- for having stickers which read “SDSB - karta government had organized the execu- rat Samuel and Francesc Vendrell – were in Suharto Dalang Segala Bencana” (SDSB tion of two East Timorese rebels. Indonesia to prepare for the upcoming talks (lottery) - Suharto the mastermind of all Sumadi, an official interpreter who ac- on East Timor between Alatas and his Por- disasters). companied retired Portuguese general Carlos tuguese counterpart Durão Barroso on May When contacted, Lt. Col. Latief Rabar, Galvão de Melo on a visit to Vice President 6. spokesman for the city police, said on Sat- Try Sutrisno, quoted Try as saying that urday that the three students were picked overseas news reports about East Timor For more on the De Melo visit, see the sec- up for questioning to find out if they had could be proved false. tion on “Collaborators in Portugal.” For connection with Nuku Nuku’s case. “Two people who were said to have died more on the Samuel/Vendrell visit, see “UN in East Timor, it turns out, De Melo has Mission’s travels” section, both in this com- been able to meet,” Sumadi quoted Try as pilation of Documents on East Timor. saying. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 37

DEMONSTRATORS BEATEN As they waited for the promised meeting meet with the ABRI faction in House. The with Wahono, the crowd took part in protesters scattered as the troops swept UP BY ARMY OUTSIDE spontaneous drama performances criticis- them out and onto a waiting truck. Some PARLIAMENT BUILDING ing the arbitrary actions of the govern- sustained bruises. “I was kicked in the back ment. They sang songs and recited po- three times as I was trying to get away. “ The following is the translation of a docu- etry. Intel agents were watching them as Gugun Daud, a student from Surabaya- ment received by TAPOL from Jakarta on all this was happening. based Airlangga University said. 14 December 1993: 14.10 Before the meeting with the chair of The protesters of the Front for Indone- Two hundred people who took part in a Parliament had taken place, fifty anti-riot sian Student Action came from various uni- demonstration at the Parliament Building in troops entered the lobby, formed a barri- versities in Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Bali Jakarta today, 14 December 1993, were cade and moved forward, rough-handling to congregate in the foyer of the House, beaten and roughed up by military who had the crowd. The crowd which included reading statements and verses and singing been drugged to dull their senses. After children as well as elderly people were si- songs in criticism of the Suharto’s admini- forming a military barricade, they moved lent as they tried to withstand the shoves stration. Last night, the Front issued a list of forward armed with rattan batons and rub- and truncheon blows of the troops. But twenty six activists whom it said had been ber truncheons, pushing the crowd of peo- the troops, who appear to have been detained following the clash at DPR in the ple back, beating them as they pressed on. drugged so as to deaden their senses, afternoon. The demonstration was usually The demonstrators who included both chil- pressed forward, clubbing people in their forthright in each direct criticism of the dren and old people, scattered in all direc- way. When the helmet of one of the sol- President. Banner waving students charged tions as truncheon blows rained down and diers fell, he did not stop to pick it up the government with suppressing pro de- they were trampled on by soldiers who had but pressed on, and started kicking a stu- mocracy movements. In a written statement, lost all sense of feeling because they had dent who was trying to protect some the protesters said the Government has been been drugged. Many of those who scattered women and children. involved in gross violation of human rights, sustained injuries and twenty people were Some young people who were already such as extra judicial detention, eviction of taken away by the military to an unknown writhing in pain and unable to move were the poor and intervention in labor disputes. destination. Among those taken away was pushed and kicked, causing them to roll They blamed the Government for con- Yeni, a student at the National University over and over. In another corner, women troversial incidents, such as the killings of who is unwell, three people from Bogor and and young people were chased beyond members of Moslem group in Majalengka, others who come from Jakarta, Bandung, the fence and to other friends, by troops West Java, and villagers in Madura, East Semarang, Salatiga, Solo, Surabaya, Jember, who beat them all the time with their Java, both occurring this year, and the Tulungaung, Jogjakarta and several places truncheons. shooting of at least 50 demonstrators in Dili, outside Java. After the crowd took stock, they realised East Timor in 1991. Many of the demon- Chronology of the mass action (by that twenty people had been arrested and strators were also involved in a similar pro- students and members of the taken away by the military to an un- test at the State Secretariat last week. known destination. Among them were Dedy Ardian and Yeni community) at the Parliament building Damayanti, who were only just released This action undertaken by students and on 14 Dec. 1993 after being arrested at that demonstration. members of the community was calling The raid apparently surprised the demon- 10.00 More than two hundred people, in- upon the DPR-MPR to convene an extraor- strators who observed that there was a cluding students and people who have dinary session to dismiss Suharto as Presi- minimum presents of security forces in the been affected by land conflicts at Nipah, dent and bring him before a court to answer morning when they met with the House’s Rancamaya, Cijayanti, Aceh, Haur for all the violations and corruption which member Sabam Sirait from the Indonesian Koneng and elsewhere came to Parlia- have occurred during the time he has been in Democratic Party (PDI). He said PDI ment to raise a whole range of human office. shared the student’s concern. “ The PDI rights issues, land disputes and the ar- This action was a continuation of an ac- believes that Indonesian political system rests of dozens of students and young tion taken on 13 December 1993 when a must be overhauled to allow greater democ- people during the past few years. crowd of people which went to the De- racy” Sabam said. The crowd of people gathered outside the partment of the Interior was also subjected Before yesterday’s incident, both the Building and moved to enter, shouting to violent treatment by the security forces. slogans and yells against oppression. government and the military said recent They also carried a number of banners ANOTHER GROUP OF STUDENTS demonstrations were still within acceptable and posters about human rights abuses PROTEST AT THE HOUSE, limits since they had not created public and land disputes in many parts of Indo- JAKARTA disturbances. Armed forces (ABRI) Chief nesia, a wide range of issues that have Gen. Faisal Tanjung during a hearing with erupted under the new order regime led Adapted from Jakarta Post, 15 December House of Representatives Commission I on by Suharto. 1993 security affairs on Monday, however, warn 11.00 The crowd of people entered the Troops dispersed around 50 students that the authorities would act swiftly the lobby of Parliament and engaged in spon- who were demonstrating yesterday to de- moment the borderline between the protest taneous activities as they waited. A few mand that the People’s Consultative As- and riot is crossed. He noted that these pro- people were meanwhile holding negotia- sembly (MPR) convene a special session to test were now reaching what he called “near tions to arrange a meeting with Wahono, evaluate President Suharto leadership. Secu- the limit of our political culture” . chair of Parliament and the People’s As- rity forces in anti riot gear arrested over 20 Warning sembly (DPR/MPR). Wahono received of the protesters at the House of Represen- Coordinating Minister of political affairs the group and promised to hold a meeting tatives (DPR) at 2 p.m. after a brief scuffle. and security Susilo Soedarman warned ear- at 14.00. The troops clubbed and kicked the stu- lier yesterday on a separate occasion that dent demonstrators who were waiting to Page 38 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. certain parties were taking advantage of MASSIVE SURABAYA TAPOL URGENT ACTION: these demonstrations so that they are no longer “pure” in terms of motivation. Asked STUDENT PROTEST RELEASE THE 22 to comment on Monday’s student protest UPI, 21 Dec. 93 STUDENTS! demanding the resignation of Minister of Home Affairs Moh. Yoggie SM because of JAKARTA – Thousands of Indonesian TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Cam- the way he handled the bloody incident in students lined the streets of Surabaya to paign, issued the following URGENT Nipah. East Java, Susilo responded : protest the arrest of 21 demonstrators who ACTION 22 December 1993: “Surely they have the right to speak. If we criticized President Suharto for his admini- stration’s record on human rights. STOP THE CRACKDOWN AGAINST muzzle them, then we will be charged with PEACEFUL PROTESTERS violating their basic rights.” He added, how- The protests Monday at the state-run ever, that people should not abuse the Surabaya Institute of Technology involved Twenty-two student activists under ar- greater political openness now being pos- students from various universities and acad- rest in Jakarta for taking part in peaceful tered in the country. “Openness yes, but it emies in the East Java’s capital, a security demonstrations are likely to be tried before entails responsibility.” Both Faisal and guard at the university said during a tele- the end of 1993 on charges of “insulting the Susilo said the government is now consider- phone interview. Head of State.” TAPOL has called on the ing legislation that regulates street demon- “It was the fourth and the biggest protest British government to protest in the strong- strations. Susilo noted that demonstrations against the arrests in this city,” said the est terms at this grave abuse of the right of are regulated in other countries. guard, who refused to be identified. peaceful protest and to call for the immedi- Meanwhile, the daily Jawa Pos in Sura- ate, unconditional release of these 22 men and women. It is also calling for worldwide HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS baya reported that thousands of students rallied on the campus, shouting “long live pressure on the Indonesian military regime RAMPANT IN IRIAN JAY A, democracy, long live students, long live to stop terrorising peaceful demonstrators SAYS ACTIVIST people.” and stop violating the right of assembly and The students were protesting the arrest free expression of opinion. UPI, December 16, 1993. of 21 other students, including two women, The arrests have led to mass protest ral- JAKARTA – An Indonesian human by Jakarta anti-riot police during a demon- lies in the East Java capital, Surabaya and to rights activist said violations of human stration last Tuesday against President Su- a call for the immediate release of the 22 by rights are rampant on Irian Jaya, the coun- harto at the parliament building. the Legal Aid Institute in Jakarta, which has try’s easternmost province, a news report The 21 demonstrators, who are awaiting set up a defence team in preparation for said Thursday. trial, called for a Special People’s Consulta- their trials. Bambang Widjojanto, this year’s winner tive Assembly Meeting to investigate vari- The first to be arrested was Nuku Sulae- of the Robert Kennedy Human Rights ous human rights abuses and military sup- man, an activist of Pijar Foundation, who Award, was quoted by the daily Jakarta pression in the country under Suharto, who was taken into custody on 25 November, Post as saying the local military often ex- has been ruling Indonesia since 1968. because of a sticker distributed to demon- ploits the indigenous people of the province The protest in Surabaya also criticized strators in Jakarta who were calling for the by labelling them as members or supporters House Speaker Wahono, saying his remark national lottery to be halted. The sticker of the Free Papua Movement. that the Jakarta demonstration was “dis- accused President Suharto of responsibility “In Irian, human rights abuses are far courteous” contradicted his capacity. for a series of massacres, going back to the worse than in Java,” Bambang told a gather- “Wahono said we humiliate other people Tanjung Priok massacre of Muslims in Sep- ing of human rights activists celebrating his at another’s house...he forgets that the par- tember 1984 and including the mass killings election as the award winner. liament building is our house, also the house in Aceh, the Santa Cruz massacre in Dili in “The Irian Jayans can be easily accused of the Indonesian people,” shouted one of November 1991 and more recent killings in of being members of separatist groups and the speakers at the rally. West Java (July 1993) and Nipah, Madura detained without proper trial,” added Bam- Suharto warned that those who criticized (September 1993). bang, a former chairman of the Irian Jaya the country’s political system could be The other 21 were arrested on 14 De- chapter of the Indonesia’s Legal Aid Insti- treated like members of the outlawed Indo- cember when two hundred people, including tute. nesian Communist Party. women and children involved in recent inci- Irian Jaya, formerly West Papua, became Suharto came to power after leading the dents in West Java and Madura, as well as an Indonesian province in 1963. Since then, country against the communists in their students from all parts of Java, held a dem- the Free Papua Movement has been fighting abortive coup attempt in September 1965. onstration outside Parliament, calling for a for independence or being merged with On Monday, the Indonesian Legal Aid special session of the MPR (People’s Con- Papua New Guinea, which occupies the Institute criticized the arrests in last week’s sultative Assembly) to impeach the presi- eastern part of the island. demonstration and the arrest of a human dent because of his responsibility for a Meanwhile the daily Media Indonesia rights activists who was accused of distrib- whole series of human rights violations. reported that the local authority would use uting stickers insulting the president. Security forces attacked the demonstrators all means to encourage the Irianeses wander- The activist, Nuku Sulaeman, and the with batons, beating them back and tram- ing in the jungles to return home. students will be tried before the end of the pling on those who fell. At least four people Quoting the local Social Office in year on charges of humiliating President were injured and 21 were loaded onto Jayapura, the daily said more than 1,600 Suharto. trucks. Irianeses are still wandering the bordering Critics have accused the Suharto admini- Only four of the 21 names are available areas. stration of being authoritarian, corrupt and so far: Yeni Damayanti (24) - one of the two Initially, at least 10,000 Irianeses fled nepotistic. women - a student at the National Univer- their homes over incursions by the Indone- sity, Jakarta; Pius Lustrilanang (25) and sian troops in pursuit of the rebels. Bambang (22) both students at Parahyangan East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 39

University, Bandung; and Saef Lukman (22) Also write to your own government, urg- unconditionally all the 22 people now in a student at an Islamic college in Cianjur. ing them to make similar demands of the police custody. We also urge you to call on Since this crackdown, Suharto has Indonesian government. the Indonesian government to end these warned that demonstrations of this kind Letters to the national press would help strong-arm methods against peaceful dem- “reflect the tactics of the banned communist publicise this campaign. onstrators which are a serious violation of party.” This is a clear sign that he intends to [NB: East Timor solidarity groups are in freedom of assembly and freedom of expres- get tough with his critics. Major-General particular urged to join this campaign. Note sion. Hendro Priyono, Jakarta military com- that the pressure on Suharto includes accus- We hope that these matters will be dis- mander, has said that such protests “will ing him of responsibility for the Santa Cruz cussed with the Indonesian authorities by not be tolerated,” suggesting that the army massacre.] the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Ken- will use even more brutal methods to deal Copies can also be sent to Yayasan Pijar, neth Clark, when he visits Jakarta on 31 with any protesters. Jl Penggalang No. 10, Jakarta 13140. They December. We would welcome your assur- The Jakarta Police Force has since an- do not have a fax machine. ance that these matters will be raised with- nounced that all 22 detainees are under in- Please do what you can in the next few out delay by the British government. tense interrogation and may go on trial be- days despite the fact that the holiday season Yours sincerely, fore the end of the year under Article 134 of is now upon us. Thank you. Carmel Budiardjo the Criminal Code for ‘insulting the head of TAPOL state’ which carries a maximum penalty of ASIA WATCH CONDEMNS six years. TAPOL WRITES TO UK FOREIGN STUDENT ARRESTS IN JAKARTA As pro-democracy forces in Indonesia SECRETARY For immediate release, December 22, 1993 press ahead with a comprehensive criticism TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Cam- Asia Watch today condemned the arrest of Suharto and his regime for their many paign, sent the following letter to Douglas of 21 students for taking part in a peaceful crimes in the past decade, Suharto and the Hurd, Secretary of State for Foreign and protest in Jakarta against President Suharto armed forces could be preparing for a major Commonwealth Affairs 22 December 1993: last week and urged the government to re- crackdown, employing iron-fist methods as lease all 21 immediately and uncondition- part of their “security approach.” In solidar- Dear Mr. Hurd, ally. The students have been charged with ity with those pressing for the restoration of The Jakarta Police Force announced yes- insulting the President under Article 134 of democracy in Indonesia, TAPOL believes terday that 22 student activists who were the Criminal Code and if convicted, could that a worldwide protest campaign is needed arrested recently for taking part in peaceful face sentences of up to six years in prison. to put pressure on Jakarta and on the many demonstrations are likely to be tried before The demonstration of about 100 students governments who continue to maintain close the end of the year for “insulting the head of in front of the Indonesian parliament was links with this regime. state.” Under Article 134 of the Criminal forcibly broken up by Jakarta anti-riot po- You are urged to write to the following, Code, they could get up to six years. lice at about 2 p.m. on December 14. The calling for the immediate and unconditional Nuku Sulaeman of Yayasan Pijar was ar- students, all members of the Front for Indo- release of all 22 detainees in Jakarta and for rested on 25 November in connection with a nesian Student Action, had been demanding a halt in the crackdown against peaceful sticker that was distributed to people dem- that a special session of the People’s Con- demonstrators: onstrating against the national lottery. The sultative Assembly, a policy body that sticker held President Suharto responsible President Suharto, meets every five years, be convened to hold for a number of massacres since 1984. The Bina Graha, Jakarta President Suharto accountable for human other 21 were arrested during a demonstra- Fax: (at the Foreign Ministry) +62 21 rights violations and abuse of authority. tion of about 200 people outside Parliament 367781 or 367782 Among the human rights violations cited in a on 14 December. The demonstrators were written statement were arbitrary detention Major-General Hendro Priyono, rounded on by armed troops who beat them and military intervention in labor disputes. Military Commander of Jakarta, with batons and trampled on those who fell. The students also said that President Su- Pangdam X/Jakarta Raya, Four people were injured as they fled the harto should be held responsible for using Markas Besar Kodam X Jaya, attack. The protesters were demanding a violence against civilian protesters in Tan- Jl Maygen Soetoyo, Jakarta special session of the MPR to call Suharto jung Priok in 1984, East Timor in 1991, and Fax: +62 21 361471 to account for many grave abuses, including Madura in 1993. At least 100 people are Major-Gen. Moh. Hindarto, Jakarta Police a number of massacres, committed by his believed to have been killed in each of the Chief, government in the past ten years. first two incidents when the army opened Kapolda, President Suharto has since alleged that fire on Muslim demonstrator and pro- Markas Besar Kepolisian Jaya, Jakarta the demonstrators “reflect the tactics of the independence marchers respectively. Four outlawed PKI,” indicating that he intends to Haji Utoyo Usman, Minister of Justice, villagers were killed in late September when clamp down harshly on anyone daring to Department of Justice, the army fired into a crowd protesting the criticise him. The Jakarta Military Com- Jl Rasuna Said Kav 6-7, construction of a dam on the island of mander, Major-General Hendro Priyono, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan Madura, off the coast of East Java. has declared that such protests “will not be Fax: +62 21 321625 “These arrests are in clear violation of the tolerated.” Letters for publication could also be sent to: internationally-recognized rights to freedom The right to peaceful demonstration is of expression and assembly,” said Sidney The Editor, Jakarta Post, now under grave threat in Indonesia. The Jones, Executive Director of Asia Watch. Jl Palmerah Selatan 15, Jakarta 10270 decision of the authorities to put the dem- “Indonesia prides itself on moving toward Fax: +62 21 549 2685 onstrators on trial is a violation of their right greater political openness, but openness by to engage in peaceful protest. definition means tolerating dissent. The TAPOL urges you to call on the Indone- students should be freed at once.” sian government to release immediately and Page 40 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

A week earlier, many of the same stu- AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL four students were reportedly beaten and dents had been involved in a demonstration URGENT ACTION ON 22 trampled on by soldiers using rubber clubs in front of the State Secretariat. Three of INDONESIAN STUDENT ACTIVISTS and tear gas to force the protesters out of them had been detained briefly and released. the main lobby of the parliament building. Those arrested and charged in the wake of 23 December 1993 The four were among 21 people who were the December 14 demonstration were identi- EXTERNAL (for general distribution) subsequently arrested. fied as Teddy Paulus, Adi Kurniawan, M. AI Index: ASA 21/29/93 Since the demonstrations police have re- Rifki, B.H. Kholid, Suwito, Priyadi, M. portedly stated that Nuku Sulaiman and the Farid, Anthony Leroy Ratag, A. Yunus, Distr: UA/SC 21 activists will be charged with insulting Fery H. Idachus, W. Nicodemus Tuturong, UA 441/93 Arrest of prisoners of con- the president and will face a maximum pen- Saep Lukman, Masduki, Andi Martono, science / fear of ill-treatment / legal con- alty of six years’ imprisonment if found Gunadi Aswanto, Tony Sinaga, Andrianto, cern guilty. Police sources have also said that the Hendrik Dikson, Sunandar, Munasir Huda, 22 will be brought to trial before the end of Yeni Damayanti and Simarmata. Nuku Sulaiman, student at the National the year. Political trials in Indonesia consis- The Indonesian government’s reaction to University and 21 student activists tently fail to meet international standards of the protesters illustrates its ambivalence Amnesty International is seriously con- fairness and Amnesty International is con- towards freedom of expression. President cerned for the safety of Nuku Sulaiman and cerned that, in addition to being prisoners of Suharto said on December 17 that the stu- 21 other student activists currently detained conscience, the students will face an unfair dents were behaving like Communists and in Jakarta. They were arrested on 25 No- trial if brought before the courts. should be grateful for the stability that had vember and 14 December after taking part in On 17 December President Suharto re- allowed the Indonesian economy to grow. peaceful demonstrations. Amnesty Interna- sponded to the protests by accusing the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces tional fears that the 22 may be at risk of ill- students of using tactics similar to those of General Feisal Tanjung, speaking in the treatment by military or police officials the now banned Communist Party of Indo- interval between the two demonstrations, while in custody. It considers them to be nesia (PKI). In 1965 President Suharto came said that the protests were reaching “the prisoners of conscience and is concerned to power after crushing a coup attempt the limit of our political culture” and disturbing that they may face an unfair trial if brought authorities attributed to the PKI, until then national development. Several government before the courts. a legal political party. In the immediate af- officials hinted of third-party involvement Nuku Sulaiman was arrested along with termath of the October 1965 coup an esti- and questioned how pure the motivation of four others on 25 November. He had par- mated 500,000 to one million civilians were the students had been. Coordinating Minis- ticipated in a demonstration outside Indone- arbitrarily executed by government forces or ter of Political Affairs and Security warned sia’s parliament (DPR) building during a by groups acting with their support. Those students against taking advantage of greater hearing about the national lottery. Nuku killed were alleged members of the PKI or openness in Indonesia and said that the Sulaiman was reportedly arrested after dis- members of its affiliated organizations. tributing pamphlets which accused Presi- government was considering legislation that RECOMMENDED ACTION: dent Suharto of being the “mastermind” of a would control street demonstrations. Jakarta Please send telegrams/faxes/express and military commander Hendro Priyono number of “disasters” including the killing of dozens of Muslim activists in Tanjung airmail letters in English, Indonesian or in warned that the military would not tolerate your own language: any more protests insulting the head of Priok, North Jakarta in 1984; the November 1991 Santa Cruz massacre in East Timor, · Protesting against the arrest and deten- state. And Jakarta Police Chief Major Gen- tion of Nuku Sulaiman on 25 November eral Mohammed Hindarto said that the ar- during which an estimated 200 unarmed civilians were killed by Indonesian troops; and the 21 students arrested on 14 De- rests would serve as a warning to those who cember; might want to engage in similar actions in and the killing of four villagers during an the future. October 1993 protest against the Nipah · Urging the authorities to guarantee their “There should be no trade off between Dam project in Madura, Java (all these hu- safety and well-being while in custody; economic development and protection of man rights violations have been independ- · Urging the government to ensure that, freedom of expression,” Jones said. “And ently documented by Amnesty Interna- while in detention, the detainees are per- arresting students is a poor way to demon- tional). Nuku Sulaiman was subsequently mitted regular visits by lawyers of their strate commitment to human rights.” reported to have been taken to the Central choice, doctors and relatives; The arrests have sparked massive pro- Jakarta Police Station where he is now being · Saying that you believe that all the stu- tests in Surabaya, Malang and other cities held. His four companions were released. dents are prisoners of conscience, de- on Java. Since May, with an extraordinary On 14 December there was a further tained solely for the peaceful and legiti- outpouring of public protest over the death demonstration outside the parliament build- mate expression of their political views of a young labor organizer named Marsinah, ing, during which riot police and soldiers and urging the government to release apparently at the hands of factory managers reportedly clashed with about 200 students them immediately; who were protesting against the suppres- and the local military, expressions of disaf- · Expressing concern that the 22 may face sion of human rights in Indonesia. The dem- fection with government actions and policies a trial which fails to meet international onstrators read statements which again cited have been more vocal and visible than ever standards if brought before the courts. before. In addition to the Marsinah murder, cases of human rights violations, including issues which have drawn particular criticism the killings at Tanjung Priok, Santa Cruz in APPEALS TO: have been the state lottery, now abolished, East Timor and at the Nipah Dam protest. President Suharto and the Madura killings in September. The statements were directly critical of [Salutation: Dear President Suharto] President Suharto, with one banner report- President RI edly saying: “Drag Suharto before a Special Istana Negara Meeting of the People’s Consultative As- Jl. Veteran, Jakarta, Indonesia sembly (MPR).” During the demonstration, East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 41

Telegrams: President Suharto, Jakarta, INDONESIA ASSURES “If that’s the case...that would be very Indonesia helpful in our government’s willingness to Faxes: (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs INTERNATIONAL GROUPS continue the GSP treatment,” he said. +62 21 7781/7782 ACCESS TO EAST TIMOR Gephardt also asked Indonesia to lower its tariffs on imports in line with the Gen- Gen. Edi Sudrajat UPI, 7 Jan 94 [Salutation: Dear Gen. Sudrajat] eral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, saying Menteri Pertahanan dan Keamanan JAKARTA – Indonesian President Su- such a move could give greater access to (Minister of Defence and Security) harto told U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt Sat- each others’ markets. urday that international organizations will Jl. Merdeka Barat 13, Jakarta, Indonesia US CONGRESSMEN SECURE Telegrams: Gen. Sudrajat, Menteri Per- be assured access to East Timor to investi- PROMISE OF EAST TIMOR tahanan dan Keamanan, gate possible human rights violations in the Jakarta, Indonesia former Portuguese colony. INSPECTION FROM SUHARTO “We were told by the president that AP, 8 January 1994 Abridged Maj. Gen. (Pol) Mohammad Hindarto there would be no problem with groups or [Salutation: Dear Maj. Gen. Hindarto] organizations or individuals to go there to (Jakarta) A delegation of US Congress- Chief of Police, Greater Jakarta see for themselves whether or not the prob- men led by Richard Gephardt of Missouri Markas Besar Kepolisian Jakarta Raya lems have been resolved,” Gephardt told met President Suharto Saturday to express Jakarta, Indonesia reporters shortly after meeting Suharto. concerns over human rights. Rep. Gephardt Telegrams: Markas Besar Kepolisian, The East Timor situation was a concern told reporters after the meeting the US is Jakarta Raya, Jakarta, Indonesia in the United States as well as other coun- concerned about human rights violations in Please send copies of your appeals to dip- tries, said Gephardt, who led a visiting East Timor and limitations on access to the lomatic representatives in other countries group of U.S. congressmen. area by human rights organisations. and, if possible, to the following: “We will continue to pursue the ques- He said Suharto told his delegation no tions that have been raised,” he said. one wishing to investigate the human rights Ali Alatas situations in the area is prohibited from Minister of Foreign Affairs Indonesian troops invaded East Timor soon after Portugal withdrew in 1975. Ja- doing so. Menteri Luar Negeri The delegation, all Democrats from the Jl. Taman Pejambon 6, karta annexed the territory of 600,000 in- habitants one year later but the United Na- House of Representatives, included Fortney Jakarta, Indonesia H (Pete) Stark and George Miller from Cali- Faxes: +62 21 36 7782 tions does not recognize Indonesia’s sover- eignty and still regards Portugal as the ad- fornia, Norman D. Dicks of Washington PLEASE SEND APPEALS ministrative power. State, Michael L. Synar of Oklahoma, Rosa IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send Washington recently decided to cut off L. de Lauro of Connecticut amd Thomas appeals after 31 January 1994. its military training aid to Indonesia over (Chet) Edwards of Texas human rights condition in the former Portu- PROSECUTORS TO guese colony. For the same reason, the HUMAN RIGHTS PROCEED AGAINST United States rejected last August Jordan’s COMMISSION TEAMS TO request for authorization to sell four used VISIT PROVINCES DEMONSTRATORS U.S.-made F-5E jet fighters to Indonesia. UPI, 5 Jan 94 Gephardt and six other U.S. congressmen Radio Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, in were in Indonesia for 3-day talks with gov- Indonesian, 9 Jan 94 JAKARTA (UPI) – Indonesian prosecu- ernment ministers on various issues. The National Human Rights Commission tors are to receive dossiers this week on 21 In response to a question about the will do its best to uphold human rights in demonstrators arrested for humiliating prospect of the Generalized System of Pref- Indonesia. Speaking to reporters in Jakarta President Suharto by protesting the gov- erence granted by the United States to Indo- yesterday [8th January], Ali Said, chairman ernment’s human rights record, reports said nesia, Gephardt said the administration in of the National Human Rights Commission, Wednesday. Washington would have to make a decision said the commission has its programmes to The dossiers, to be provided to prosecu- about Feb. 15. implement, adding that the commission tors on Jan. 8, are in preparation for court Gephardt also raised questions about members will be grouped into five teams, action against the students, who were among workers’ rights in Indonesia, including their which will travel to several provinces in 100 students who staged a protest last right to organize and collectively bargain. Indonesia to introduce themselves and seek month accusing Suharto’s government of Washington has accused Indonesia of fail- information on the human rights situations human rights violations. ing to provide internationally-recognized in their areas. In related development, police arrested a labor rights and has threatened to revoke Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after total of 19 students Tuesday who were trade privileges under the Generalized Sy s- his meeting with Ali Said, retired Portuguese among 30 protesting December’s arrests. tem of Preferences unless Jakarta improves general Galvão de Melo, chairman of the A similar demonstration was conducted its record by February. Indonesia-Portugal Friendship Association, by 300 students in the southeast Sulawesi Indonesia’s exports to the U.S. in 1992 said he was enjoying freedom of travel and provincial town of Palu. There were no were valued at more than $4.3 billion. About was able to meet anybody he wished during reports of arrests from the Palu demonstra- $642 million in goods were covered by pref- his stay in Indonesia. The Portuguese visitor tion. erential rates. said Indonesia was no different from other Students have cited the killings of scores Gephardt said he was aware of Jakarta free countries in the world. He is scheduled of a pro-independence demonstration on government’s willingness for workers to be to visit East Timor tomorrow and hold talks Nov. 12, 1991, in the former Portuguese able to associate and collectively bargain on with Bishop Belo and several military com- colony of East Timor as an example of a plant-by-plant basis. abuses. manders in the province. Page 42 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

ADNAN BUYUNG REFUSES In answer to questions, Lubis said that GOVERNMENT LASHES OUT besides meeting government officials in the TO MEET DUTCH regions, they should also meet regional AT EAST TIMOR BISHOP PARLIAMENTARIANS NGO activists. Such meetings should take United Press International, January 20, place in public and be quite transparent for 1994 Media Indonesia, 14 January 1994 the press See Events in Europe section for more about JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minis- the Dutch delegation. RIGHTS ACTIVIST ON TRIAL ter Ali Alatas lashed out Thursday at East Timorese Bishop Filipe Ximenes Belo, who (Jakarta) Human rights activist Dr. Ad- FOR ALLEGEDLY INSULTING has called for a referendum to determine the nan Buyung Nasution refused to take part in SUHARTO future of the former Portuguese colony an- a meeting with Dutch parliamentarians nexed by Jakarta 17 years ago. headed by Wim Deetman [Speaker of the UPI, Jan 15 Belo is the pope’s representative in East Dutch Parliament] because he considered JAKARTA – In a major crackdown on Timor’s capital of Dili charged with over- that such a meeting would be of no value in anti-government demonstrators, a human seeing pastoral activities, not political mat- bringing about improvements in the human rights activist went on trial Saturday on ters, Alatas said at a news conference. rights situation and the struggle for democ- charges of defaming President Suharto. “We will welcome Bishop Belo’s sugges- racy. Nuku Soleiman, 29, chairman of the Pijar tions” concerning humanitarian issues, but According to Adnan Buyung, he also re- Foundation, is charged with handing out the religious leader oversteps his bounds in jected the meeting with the Dutch delegation stickers that insulted Suharto outside the suggesting a referendum, Alatas said. because it would take place in private - House of Representatives in November, said Belo has repeatedly suggested a referen- clandestine - with a very limited attendance. state prosecutor Zubir Rachmat. dum, the same proposal repeatedly made by Buyung was willing to have such a meeting Soleiman, on trial in Central Jakarta Dis- Portugal, which is still regarded by the on condition that it would be held in the trict Court, is charged with handing out United Nations as the administrative power open with the participation of intellectuals stickers that suggested Suharto was to blame in East Timor despite Jakarta’s move in such as Abdurrahman Wahid and activists for the suppression of human rights in the 1976 to annex East Timor. from other NGOs. shooting of farmers on the island of Madura, The annexation was opposed by many Buyung, who is also director of the East Timor’s 1991 massacre and military residents and resulted in a bloody civil war Foundation of Legal Aid Institutes, told action in Aceh on the northern end of Suma- that reportedly claimed the lives of as many Media yesterday that initially he was in- tra. One of the stickers said, “Suharto Mas- as one-third of East Timorese population. vited through the intermediary of the Dutch termind of All Calamity.” Jakarta earned international condemnation ambassador to have lunch at a room in Hotel “The defendant had intentionally de- when the military squashed a demonstration Indonesia with the delegation, together with famed President of the Republic of Indone- in Dili by firing into a crowd. Marzuki Darusman, (deputy) chairman of sia” through the distributed stickers, Rach- the National Human Rights Commission, mat said in his indictment. Mukhtar Pakpahan, the chairman of the ALATAS: EAST TIMOR If convicted, Soleiman could face up to a independent trade union SBSI, and T. Mu- GROUPS CAUSE maximum of six years in prison. lya Lubis, Executive Director of the Centre At Saturday’s court session, human INDONESIAN IMAGE for the Study of Human Rights. rights activists crowded into the courtroom PROBLEM Buyung said that it was regrettable that while dozens waited outside to hear the the Dutch parliamentarians had wanted to testimony, but there were no open demon- The Australian, 21 January 1994. By Patrick have a clandestine meeting with human strations. Walters rights NGO activists. They have no reason The trial of Soleiman was a clear warning (Jakarta) Indonesia still had an interna- to fear an open meeting with NGO activists to other demonstrators which have become tional image problem largely due to the ef- and hold an open discussion about human more vocal in expressing their opposition to forts of a a small but vocal group of cam- rights. These are matters of the state and the military-backed government. paigners on the East Timor issue, the Minis- nation; they are not private affairs. Suharto, in response to a wave of anti- ter for Foreign affairs, Mr. Ali Alatas, said Responding to Buyung’s refusal to meet government demonstrations, had warned yesterday. the Dutch parliamentarians, Mulya Lubis recently he may start treating protest organ- Mr. Alatas said the group consisted of said this was the most appropriate position izers as communists. Fretilin remnants supported by certain non- to adopt. Such a stand would convey the The judges panel hearing the case ad- government organizations “ of doubtful view that the question of human rights and journed the trial until Jan. 24 to give the credentials but strong political motivations” democracy must been placed at the top of defense team time to respond to the prose- and section of the media of some countries. the agenda of the Dutch parliamentarians’ cution. The shrill campaign had managed to dis- visit. If they do not do so, their visit here Defense attorney Abdul Hakim Garuda tort views about Indonesia in Western par- will be useless. Nusantara expressed hope the trial would be liamentary forums and made more difficult Mulya Lubis said that the Dutch delega- fair. “If it can run fairly, it would represent the honest appraisal by Indonesians of cer- tion should be prepared to listen to all kinds a good contribution to democracy in Indone- tain things that needed to be improved in- of information, not only that coming from sia,” he said. side the country. the government side but also from NGO Mr. Alatas said Indonesia had no inten- circles. By only listening only to informa- tion of freeing jailed East Timorese rebel tion from the government, it will be difficult leader José “ Xanana” Gusmão. Press report for them to obtain a comprehensive picture from Lisbon earlier this week suggested that of the human rights situation and develop- Gusmão could be freed into exile following ments on the democracy front in Indonesia. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 43 negotiations with the West African State of RIGHTS WATCHDOG Mr. Lopa is also secretary general of the Guinea-Bissau. human rights commission. “It was never requested by Guinea- ADAMANT IT HAS TEETH Asked about the perception of a conflict Bissau and neither are we contemplating it,” The Age, 30 Jan 93. By Lindsay Murdoch. of interest in a commission member being in Mr. Alatas said. charge of jails where human rights are some- He said Gusmão had only himself to (Jakarta) A leading member of Indone- times subject to abuse, Mr. Darusman said blame for the suspension of his right to sia’s human rights commission has defended the commission may not necessarily see receive visitors at Jakarta’s Cipinang jail. the fledgling organisation, saying the Suharto things the same way as Mr. Lopa. This follow the smuggling of a letter from government’s credibility will be seriously Mr. Darusman, chairman of a sub- Gusmão to the International commissions of damaged if its advice is not taken seriously. committee designed to monitor and investi- jurists asking them to intervene in his case. Mr. Marzuki Darusman, a former MP, gate specific cases, said the immediate aim Mr. Alatas claiming Gusmão had been admits the 25 member commission had yet of members is to make the public and gov- playing politics, said that if the visits were to receive a budget and does not have pow- ernment aware of its role. misused for political reasons, “ don’t be ers other than to give advice but he insists We don’t have executive powers. But the surprised that we reacted politically too.” its openness and transparency will restrain decree makes it clear that we have powers of He said the foreign media, including the the government from tampering or meddling investigation,” he said. “We can initiate and Australian press, had occasionally fallen in its work. conduct investigations on request.” into “ridiculous” characterisations of Indo- Any meddling would defeat the purpose Mr. Darusman said that while it is not nesia. “ No country is perfect in matters of of setting up the commission in the first the role of the commission to meddle in human rights. No country is perfect in their place, he said. court cases, it could ask a court to speed up economic and political policies.” President Suharto announced the com- the hearing process. In the course of lengthy press conference mission in June last year in an attempt to Mr. Darusman said the commission could yesterday, Mr. Alatas said he believed In- improve Indonesia’s image on human rights. also make a recommendation direct to a donesia had made considerable improve- The move followed a stepping up of in- government minister or the president. ments in addressing United States concern in ternational pressure on Jakarta over its hu- The commissions biggest category of labour issues such as minimum wage rates, man rights record around the country, in- cases is expected to be land eviction, he said. trade union associations and child labour. cluding the former Portuguese territory of Washington had given Indonesia until East Timor [...] ADITJONDRO: JAKARTA’ S Some human rights groups have said they February 15 to show some progress on CONTRADICTIONS workers’ conditions if it were to continue to are worried about the commission’s mem- bership and its ability to challenge the gov- receive preferential trade access under the Diario de Noticias, 6 February 1994. By ernment on policy and specific human rights Generalized System of Preference scheme. Catarina D’Orey A report by the Indonesian Government cases. addressing these concerns is due to be sub- No noted human rights activists are He is Indonesian, a priest, and university mitted to the US Special Trade Representa- among the commission members, who com- professor in central Java. George Aditjondro tive this week. prise lawyers, religious leaders, former par- carried out research on East Timor, the re- “Labour relations are becoming more im- liamentarians and intellectuals. The commis- sults of which refute the “official views” of portant. It is in our own interest to continu- sion is chaired by a former head of the Su- the Suharto regime. ously improve these things - not because preme Court, Mr. Ali Said. George Aditjondro begins by refuting the somebody else tells us.” Mr. Alatas said Mr. Darusman said in Jakarta that a official thesis of Jakarta, according to which Indonesia and Malaysia would resume talks presidential decree gives the commission a the invasion of East Timor in 1975 was on the disputed islands of Sipadan and Liga- comprehensive mandate, including the abil- carried out by “volunteers” on the request tan next week in Kuala Lumpur. The two ity to investigate specific cases and to re- of Timorese parties. small islands of the cost of East Kalimantan view laws contrary to human rights promo- He talks about “the culture of violence” had been a major irritant in bilateral relations tion and protection. “We can investigate prevailing since that time in the territory, in in recent years. anything related to human rights. You name reference to the various kinds of aggression “ The Malaysian side is on the island of it. We want to be effective,” he said. practiced by the occupying army. Sipadan. We have said we want the status Mr. Darusman said some people have But that is just the beginning. He goes on quo to apply. It’s a problem. We have to cast doubt on the commission’s independ- to disprove Indonesia’s claim of having solve it. We are going to solve it.” ence because it was formed under a presi- stimulated “economic vitality” in the He also revealed that Indonesia planned dential decree. But he said members cannot Maubere territory since 1975. His research to host a fifth informal workshop on con- be sacked before the end of a five year term showed that, on the contrary, there has been flict resolution in the South China Sea in and “the focus of the public will be on the a progressive fall in agricultural and live- August. The workshops have focused on commission.” stock production during that period. trying to build co-operation on economic “The moment you have a commission To this phenomenon may be added the issues affecting the Spratly islands while and the government is subjected to a greater monopolistic appropriation by Indonesian companies operating and trading in Maubere concurrent efforts to settle sovereignty is- degree of openness then it can never go back sues have been proceeding. to a situation where you do not have a coffee, sandalwood and marble. In addition, Brunei, China, Malaysia, The Philip- commission ... there is no going back.” there is the obvious Indonesian discrimina- pines, Taiwan and Vietnam have all laid The commission is scheduled this week tion in the construction of roads and com- claim to parts of the Spratlys in the South to review a controversial ban on jail visits to munications. In this there seems to be no China Sea. East Timor guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmão room for doubt about Jakarta’s favourable which was imposed by the director general bias towards areas in which Indonesian mili- of correction, Mr. Baharuddin Lopa. tary are based, to the detriment of others of Page 44 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. no military interest, where “not even bridges resettlement, and a prohibition to inhabit 13,000-island Indonesian archipelago. No- are to be found.” and cultivate the reservoir’s green belt. where is this more apparent than in the Still in a critical vein, George Aditjondro This simplistic picture developed out of valley town of Wamena, the van’s destina- investigated the transmigratory movements four levels of information distortion by the tion. of Indonesians to East Timor. In this con- media in conjunction with the advocates and Though naturally devoid of the luxuriant text, he raises the question of the survival of critics of the dam. First, they repeatedly forest that is the province’s life-giving mar- rural populations in Maubere territory. claimed that massive grass roots resistance row, Wamena is the main draw for the gaggle Aditjondro says that they have been up- to large dams had not happened before dur- of tourists who journey to Irian Jaya. The rooted from their villages in the mountains ing the New Order administration, which is market in the dusty town center packs a full and relocated in “settlements,” with no pro- incorrect. Second, they underemphasized dose of National Geographic splendor: Bare- vision of fields for growing their crops, and the grass roots resistance to the project site, breasted women haggle over piles of bril- here lies the question of their survival, since outside that particular hamlet. Third, they liantly colored vegetables, fruits and roots. their modus vivendi has been taken from underemphasized various other adverse Fierce-looking warriors, some not long them. Furthermore, the Indonesian profes- social effects experienced by the people weaned from a culture of cannibalism and sor denounces the disrespect on the part of living around the reservoir, apart from headhunting, stand in clusters chatting with the Indonesian migrants who occupy the forced resettlement. Fourth, they underem- cousins clad in slogan-bearing T-shirts. lands of the Timorese country people and phasized the impact of the entire irrigation Until recent times, the Irianese lived rela- “do not even pay them compensation.” project, of which the dam was only one tively undisturbed. So, too, did the hodge- Concerned about the current situation, component, upon the local villagers living in podge of endemic creatures that rival Aus- Aditjondro fears that the oil and natural gas the dam’s command area as well as the im- tralian fauna–including the bird of paradise, operations in East Timor will lead to new pact of resettling the displaced villagers the world’s most opulent and showy bird, waves of migration and occupation of lands upon the host population in a watershed in and tree-dwelling kangaroos. They flourish by the forces commanded by Suharto. Bengkulu, Southern Sumatra. This informa- in Irian Jaya’s rain forest, which covers the tion distortion was the result of the inter- bulk of the province’s 163,000 square miles, GEO RGE ADITJONDRO THESIS play of various media strategies carried out the largest remaining stand of trees in a na- ABSTRACT by the dam advocates as well as the critics, tion that is second only to Brazil in rain Extracted from list posted by David Bour- supported and amplified by the media. In forest acreage. Anthropologists, herbolo- chier Feb. 1. addition, various political, cultural, and eco- gists, biologists and other scientists consider nomic forces outside the media influenced Irian Jaya a treasure trove of previously Order No: AAC 9318813 ProQuest - Dis- the coverage of the Kedungombo dam as undiscovered cures and an evolutionary sertation Abstracts well. roadmap. It is also home to much of the Title: THE MEDIA AS DEVELOPMENT Based on the findings of this thesis, some earth’s remaining Stone Age civilization. ‘TEXTBOOK’: A CASE STUDY ON theoretical implications in the fields of edu- None of which has been able to with- INFORMATION DISTORTION IN cation, political language, and social impact stand the forces of mammon. Each year, THE DEBATE ABOUT THE SOCIAL analysis are forwarded. In addition, the the- Indonesia loses 3 million acres of green–an IMPACT OF AN INDONESIAN DAM sis also recommends certain practical sug- area the size of Connecticut. Annual ply- Author: ADITJONDRO, GEORGE gestions to the anti-Kedungombo activists, wood exports have tripled since 1986; at the JUNUS who have embanked on campaigns to halt current rate, the country’s old-growth forest School: CORNELL UNIVERSITY (0058) the construction of two new large dams in will have disappeared entirely by midway Degree: Ph.D. Date: 1993 pp: 410 Indonesia. through the next century. The provinces of Borneo, the largest island in the Indonesian Source: DAI-A 54/02, p. 400, Aug 1993 THE DEFORESTING archipelago, are already heavily denuded, Subject: EDUCATION, ADULT AND OF IRIAN JAYA and Irian Jaya is now the chief magnet for CONTINUING (0516); SOCIOLOGY, the chain saw. GENERAL (0626); MASS The Nation magazine (NY), Feb. 7, 1994. By Last year, the United Nations’ Year of COMMUNICATIONS (0708) Russ W. Baker, an investigative reporter, a Indigenous People, would have seemed an Abstract: The objective to do this disser- contributing writer at The Village Voice. ideal time to address such devastation. But tation was to obtain an understanding of the aside from the recent bestowal of the Robert Carrying its odd trio through a valley nature of public discourse about the social F. Kennedy Human Rights Award on Bam- deep in Irian Jaya, the van made excellent consequences of large development projects bang Widjojanto, an Indonesian lawyer time. The driver, a young hipster from far- as mediated by the printed media. The pub- fighting to save 250 Irianese tribes, scarcely off Java in jeans and reflecting sunglasses, licity surrounding the displacement of local a peep was heard from abroad. cranked up a scratchy tape of Indonesian villagers by Kedungombo, a medium-sized Meanwhile, “progress” waits for no one. rock and drummed away on the dashboard. irrigation dam in Central Java, Indonesia, One hundred sixty miles north of Wamena, The wiry old man next to me, toothless and was selected as a “magnifying lens” to look in Jayapura, a coastal boomtown and the sporting nothing save his tribe’s traditional into the media coverage of similar large de- capital of Irian Jaya, one finds a hotel with penis gourd, grinned sweetly as we made velopment projects built during the New TV movies, Fuji film shops and petty thiev- dust fly. But his cheeriness could only mo- Order administration. ery and alcoholism galore. AIDS has arrived, mentarily transcend a sobering reality: that The findings of this case study show thirty-seven cases so far, probably brought his culture, which dates back 10,000 years, how the wide spectrum of adverse social in by Thai fishermen. may be wiped out in ten. effects and resistance to them were reduced When I stepped from a bus, a drunk Irian Jaya is having a nervous breakdown. into a dramatic story about the persistent pinched me hard, with malice. Perhaps that Change here is way too rapid for this fragile resistance of one hamlet community, was a message for the United States, one of land, the western half of the island of New Kedungpring, to three overlapping govern- the leading importers, along with Japan and Guinea and the easternmost province of the ment policies: unfair compensation, forced Germany, of Indonesian hardwood. But in East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 45 the hierarchy of colonialism, the villain is only active, armed resistance is sparse, geo- to Suharto’s avaricious family, which is also the Malay and the Chinese, scanning graphically limited, and bottled up by the often likened to the Marcos clan. His wife timber production schedules in the high- army’s superior numbers and firepower. and children pop up at the helm of state-run rises of distant Jakarta. Rifle-toting troops are everywhere in the and private firms reaping enormous benefits Shortly after President Suharto took province, functioning as a virtual private from resource-depletion enterprises, includ- power in the mid-1960s, Indonesia received security force for Suharto’s lumber cronies. ing mining, oil drilling and logging. a $200 million development loan from a I made my way up the road to the dispir- One Indonesian press photographer dis- fourteen-nation consortium, and Suharto ited dwellings of fishermen and farmers who covered the official links when he tried to launched myriad initiatives, enough to alarm tenaciously cling to a fading way of life. take pictures of a logging operation in Irian many over the mounting national deficit. There I met Daniel, a village elder sporting a Jaya. Soldiers grabbed his camera and threw But not Suharto, who responded cheerily in canary yellow T-shirt promoting Golkar, it in the river. “This is Mrs. Tien Suharto’s a 1971 speech, “We do not need to worry the government party that wins every elec- company,” an officer snarled. “You make our heads about debts, for we still have tion despite its lack of popularity. Daniel is trouble, we’ll kill you–no problem.” Suharto forests to repay those debts!” Since that no convert; it’s just that the T-shirt was reportedly assures the loyalty of the armed time, a handful of businessmen and generals free. forces by providing some generals with their have made fortunes from stripping forested The shirt was also the only thing the own logging franchises. provinces. government actually delivered. Advance men Among the foreign operations that have On Java, the island where half of all In- had offered a veritable catalogue of benefits: presumably paid their dues for operating in donesians live, the ancient forests are long schools, clean water supply, more food, Irian is the American firm Freeport McM o- gone. Now, the only Javanese to bear wit- money and jobs for locals. The first four Ran Copper and Gold, which plans to dou- ness to the mutilation of the country’s for- items never materialized, and what jobs ble the production of its already vast mining ests are the “transmigrants,” the men and there were didn’t go to indigenous people. operation in a remote and beautiful area. women at the bottom of the economic totem An army of skilled laborers from previous Mobil Oil and Conoco, too, are firing up pole who are sent to distant provinces to chopping grounds, supervised by Korean their engines. relieve population pressures on Java–and to and Filipino managers, usually end up with The grand capitalistic venture reaches harvest the natural riches. most of the paychecks. In Demta, villagers beyond the New Guinea landmass. Biak, an On a wet early morning drive through the hired to help cut timber were replaced be- island to the north, once looked like Irian coastal jungle west of Jayapura, I passed fore the first year’s harvest was out. from the air: a carpet of deep green. Today, traditional wooden houses on stilts and “Now we live as before,” Daniel said it resembles a balding man with a bad hair- villagers harvesting coconuts. Soon, though, with a sigh, “but our forest has been cut.” cut. That ill-considered pluck job left Biak’s the landscape changed, to workers laying Often, logging is done by bulldozer, com- residents waiting, like everybody else, for blacktop and then block upon block of one- pacting the soil and causing disruptive run- promised riches that never came. story cement buildings. The houses, and a off. Another casualty is the game on which The locals buckled under heavy govern- new mosque, are for the transmigrants, who residents depend for food, and which clear ment pressure, selling access to their com- share neither a culture nor a history with the out at the first whine of the saw. Tribe munally owned forest for a paltry $14,000. indigenous peoples of Irian Jaya. Indonesia, members find they can no longer ceremoni- Barito Pacific, the world’s largest plywood 90 percent Muslim, is the world’s most ally affirm their chief’s sovereignty by pre- and hardwood export company, owned by a populous Islamic country, and its ethnic senting him with a bird of paradise. “The close friend of Suharto, also agreed to pay makeup is primarily Malay and Chinese. bird moves away, and we have no more $2 per tree (worth perhaps 250 times that The Irianese, on the other hand, are pride,” Daniel said. on the world market). But at the beach, Melanesian–black as Africans–and animists, In a zero-sum equation, vanishing species where villagers carved dugout canoes from though Christianity has a strong foothold get replaced by television and its sunny the few remaining trees, they told me they thanks to waves of missionaries with pri- version of reality. The moment electricity were never compensated. vate air forces that carry them to the most comes to the larger towns, so does Papa In a sardonic tribute to “progress,” na- remote and inhospitable terrain. Suharto, a mainstay of nighttime entertain- tives have named the entire gutted region Inherently unworkable, the government’s ment. The great one, now in his sixth un- “Barito” after the perpetrator. “They put in transmigration program is already stum- challenged five-year term, is seen touring the road, they cut down the trees. They ran bling–largely because efforts to plant rice, an factories and villages and praising the bene- everything,” explained John, a 20-year-old alien crop, failed. The government is having fits of development. As citizens prepare for who earned a dollar a day as a surveyor for second thoughts about exporting people, but bed, the broadcast day concludes with the the company. the resource depletion and the logging con- solemnly intoned government creed, the five Today, Biak is exhausted, the loggers tinue. principles of his political philosophy, long gone. It is common to see a resident Our four-wheel-drive emerged from the known as Pancasila: belief in God, humani- with a chain saw cutting one of the few jungle into the sun at the coastal town of tarianism, nationalism, democracy and social remaining trees, like a man so degraded he Demta, a former fishing hamlet turned lum- justice. Pancasila is the artificial glue that thinks nothing of selling a lung for a week’s beryard and port. At a roadblock, we de- holds together a country of 900 populated food. Meanwhile, villagers are being forcibly barked so a light-skinned soldier could exam- islands and scores of ethnic and language resettled in the interior to make way for a ine my surat jalan, a travel pass that is man- groups, many of whom have nothing in five-star hotel and golf course, which Su- datory in most parts of Irian. Then, like a common. harto is expected to dedicate. lot of soldiers looking to cash in, he pointed A sixth Orwellian unprinciple could be On Yapen, a cigar-shaped island to the to a purportedly rare parrot he had chained added: economic justice. Suharto has tire- south of Biak, the timber companies con- nearby, and suggested I purchase it. lessly added roads, schools and industrial tinue the devastation. Near the small village Although the Irianese, almost to a per- capacity during his twenty-five years in of Wooi, a Jakarta-based company cleared a son, believe the Indonesian presence is an power. But most of the benefits have ac- 120-foot-wide swath for a logging road, occupation akin to that in East Timor, the crued to a handful of billionaire cronies, and obliterating more than half the communal Page 46 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. fields of cassava, sweet potatoes and beans. four held for question in Bekasi, West Java, which may or may not be connected with Again, the same story: The company never another twelve were arrested at 9 pm Syafei’s removal. The changes include the paid the villagers for the land, despite angry Thursday, local time, while attending a replacement of chief-of-staff for social- insistence that the property was theirs–by meeting at the SBSI’s office in Tangerang, political affairs of the armed forces after tradition, by law and by verbal contract. West Java. All are understood to have been only seven months in the job. Also an over- Instead, the company chose to dole out a taken to the District Military Command in haul of BAIS, the Strategic Intelligence token payment for each fruit-bearing tree it Tangerang Agency, has been announced, the apparent leveled. The amount was appallingly low for aim of which is to clip the wings of Murdani a source of continuing sustenance: one-fifth and eliminate his continuing grip on many the value of one year’s fruit crop. Then, INDONESIAN MILITARY positions in the armed forces because of his fulfilling a promise to employ local workers, RESTRUCTURING control over intelligence forces for so many the logging company hired natives to fell years. trees at 2,500 rupiah, or about $1.25, a day. (Indonesia has among the lowest average KALBUADI HAUNTED BY SUHARTO URGES MILITARY wage rates in Asia; although the government TO REMAIN ALERT sets a minimum wage for each province, CRIPPLES, WIDOWS FROM rates often dip far below that.) ET CAMPAIGN UPI, 24 Jan 94 After three months, though, nobody had seen a single rupiah. Company foremen From David Bourchier, Melbourne. Jan. 9 JAKARTA – President Suharto called on claimed they were having trouble getting the This provides a rare glimpse into the psy- the Indonesian Armed Forces to remain alert funds from Jakarta, and warned that wages chological (and physical) scars that the against any threats to replace the state ide- would now be contingent on good produc- Timor conflict has caused the Indonesian ology and discredit him and his 25-year tion. So desperate were workers that, after military. Interesting also is Kalbuadi’s at- administration, news reports said Monday. going months without pay, they broke into tempt to unload some of the blame for his “I called to you to keep a vigilance a company storehouse and stole food. actions to ‘the state,’ recalling (fore- against these efforts at finding alternative to In June 1992, 40 percent of the Wooi shadowing?) his lifetime friend Murdani’s Pancasila,” Suharto told Antara, the official electorate sent a message to Jakarta by bra- effort to distance himself from the Timor war Indonesian news agency. zenly voting against the parliamentary can- in his auto/biography. In fact it would be Suharto met with high ranking navy offi- didates of Indonesia’s ruling party. Jakarta hard to find two men with a greater hand in cers Sunday at his “Tapos” ranch, about 40 sent one back: Officials canceled construc- directing operations in Timor in the 70s and miles (65 km) south of Jakarta. tion of a primary school planned for the 80s. - David Bourchier He did not say what party or group was village. So far no one has been paid. trying to replace the Pancasila, a five-point Lt-Gen (Ret.) Dading Kalbuadi, Indone- creed that includes multi-religious tolerance, Elsewhere on Yapen, interlopers are sia’s ambassador to India and the first com- crushing other precious habitats. Near the as the sole principle guiding the social and mander in East Timor after the invasion state activities. town of Serui, mountain villagers took me to (1975 - October 1978), has admitted that he a clearing where the ornately plumed bird of Suharto also publicly criticized a book, is haunted by his past. In an interview in titled “Prima Dosa” or “Prime Sins,” as a paradise daily performs a balletic spectacle. Jakarta Jakarta (24-30 July 1993:30) he Though a feathered orchestra surrounded us distorted account intended to discredit him says: and his administration. in the lush forest, no birds of paradise “I feel really terrible, because more of my emerged that day. Even fewer are likely to “They are intentionally distorted on boys died than under any other panglima, facts,” he told the Republika newspaper. be spotted on the lavish golf course planned and more wives were widowed.... You guys for Japanese tourists in this most remote of Suharto said the book claims that Suharto know the Taman Seroja housing complex was behind an abortive communist coup spots. [for disabled veterans of the East Timor A golf course will look pretty good com- attempt on Sept. 30, 1965, coup because Lt. war]? I don’t have the courage to go there, Col. Untung, the leader of the coup, was one pared with the dusty devastation on Java, because I feel such pity. It was all because more than 1,500 miles to the west. Traveling of Suharto’s staff. of me. Even though I was just carrying out Suharto rose to power after he played a across that vast island in a sweltering bus, I the orders of the state.” found myself wedged among packages and major role in putting down the 1965 upris- Cited in “Current Data on the Indonesian ing that led to the fall of President Sukarno. too many people. Observing my sweaty Military Elite, January 1, 1992- August 31, discomfort during the fifteen-hour ride, an 1993” by the Editors of Indonesia, issue No MANY ABRI OFFICERS Indonesian man sitting near me offered a 56, October 1993 p.126 sympathetic excuse for the stifling heat: TRANSFERRED “The trees...” he said, shrugging. “Without them, it is hot. Unfortunately, they cut THEO SYAFEI REPLACED Editor, 27 January 1994. By Bekti Nugroho. Translated from Indonesian by Gerry van them all down.” TAPOL Report 24 January 1994 Klinken. Antara newsagency reported on 21 Janu- Original title: Sudden changes in Cilangkap MORE SBSI ACTIVISTS ary that Major-General Theo Syafei has ARRESTED been replaced as commander of the Udayana Abridged Military Command, which oversees East From TAPOL, Feb. 10. Timor. Seventeen Senior ABRI officers are being According to a release issued today by He is being replaced by Brigadier-General transferred in ABRI Headquarters in Cilang- Amnesty International, altogether 19 SBSI Adang Ruchiatna. kap, as follows: activists are now under arrest. In addition to This replacement comes along with a who was becomes the three leaders held in Central Java and the number of other changes in the armed forces East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 47

Lt-Gen Hariyoto Soc.-Pol Chief unknown, in ment Board). Or rather, Wanjakti recom- Gerry asked whether anyone had info on PS ABRI HQ mended a different person as the all- Syafei’s replacement Adang’s background. Vice-Adm. Insp. Gen. ABRI Transport important Kassospol - Maj-Gen Hendro- Here’s what I have. - David Bourchier Soemitro Dept.? priyono. Some see the new appointments as R. Adang Ruchiatna Puradiredja, Air Vice-Marsh. Pangkoopsau II Insp.Gen. “Habibienasi,” others as “ijo royo-royo” Brigadier-General Isbandi Gondo ABRI (Islamicization), but observers Arbi Sanit and Amir Santoso see it in terms of Born 24 November 1943, Jakarta (Sun- Maj-Gen R Har- Gub. Lemhanas Soc.Pol.chief danese) tono ABRI “redefining” (reducing) ABRI’s political involvement, as desired by Suharto. 67 Class 8, National Military Academy Maj-Gen R Pra- Terr.Asst Chief unknown, [AMN] mono Gen.Staff HQ An article by Suryansyah in the same is- sue (“Just changing shirts?” ) discusses the apparently reduced and East Timor Sumanegara Pangab HQ role of political intelligence to accompany Maj-Gen Rus- Coord. Expert unknown, in 86 worked with Hendro Priyono in intelli- the dissolution of Bais and its replacement madi Siddik Pangab HQ gence in Jakarta by a new agency called Badan Inteligens Maj-Gen I Made As’t Gen. Plan- unknown, 89-91 Assistant for Intelligence, Kodam ABRI BIA. Bais was set up by Murdani in IV/Diponegoro (Central Java) and tempo- AR ning Pangab Defence 1983 on the South Korean model of the Maj-Gen Subarda unknown, HQ unknown, rarily at Joint Services’ Staff and Com- 1970s. It was more powerful even than mand School [Seskogab] Midjaja Defence Bakin, and dealt especially with the tricky Maj-Gen Moetojib Com’dr Abri Staff Gub. Lemha- situations - East Timor, Aceh, Lampung, 91-92 Commander, Korem 091/Aji Suryana- Col. nas petrus (shooting of criminals), and ideologi- takusuma (HQ Balikpapan) 3.I.91 - Maj-Gen Theo Udayana Com’dr Com’dr Staff cal screening of parliamentarians and public 1.IX.92 Syafei Col. servants. Whereas Bais resided directly -93 Chief of Staff, Kostrad First Infantry Maj-Gen Bantu Intel.Ast. Chief Asst Gen. under the ABRI Commander, BIA will re- Division Hardijo Gen.Staff Planning side under ABRI Chief of Staff, a lower 93-94 Commander, Kostrad First Infantry Pangab ranking officer. The old Bais had 8 depart- Division 93 - ?.I.94 (replacing Brigadier- Maj-Gen Arie Dep.Chief Bais Asst.Intel ments, the new will have only 5. But much General Ilias Yusuf). [Colonel to Brig- Sudewo Chief,Gen. of the personnel will be the same: headed by Gen] Staff/ Chief Maj-Gen Arie Sudewo. Observers interpret 94- Commander, Kodam IX/Udayana (Bali BIA the change as in the context of reduced and Nusatenggara) ?.I.94 - (replacing Maj-Gen Moch Ast. Soc-Pol Soc- Terr.Ast ABRI political involvement, and [implied Maj-Gen Theo Syafei) Ma’roef Pol Chief Abri Chief Gen. here, but explicitly in the recent FEER arti- Staff cle on the same subject] as an attempt to Sources Editor 24 April 93; Current Brig-Gen Adang Comd’r Div I Udayana clip the wings of dissident thought within Data...(Indonesia, Cornell) 1993b:137,147; Ruchiatna Kostrad Comd’r ABRI that continues to look to Benny The Australian 22 Jan 94 Brig-Gen Drs Arie Dir. “D” Bais Dep. Chief Murdani. Murdani reputedly has an office J Kumaat BIA at Bais to the present day. These offices (in SLIMMING DOWN BAIS Brig-Gen Hari Dep.Ast Soc-Pol Ast. Soc-Pol Tebet) will now be vacated - they’ll move (I Remark: Much food for thought here. Is Maj-Gen R Hartono’s career has been in Theo Syafei’s transfer a promotion? If the Editor, 3 February 1994. By Aries Kelana. Kostrad and in Siliwangi. He has held lower chain of promotion in the list above is a Translated from Indonesian. Abridged level commands in Macassar (Ujung Pan- good indication (Commander Sesko ABRI-> Gives a little more detail on the restruc- dang), Cirebon, and Bengkulu. His most Gubernur Lemhanas -> Kassospol) it is. turing of Bais to become BIA. Quotes from senior positions have been as Brawijaya What do we know of Adang Ruchiatna, the Richard Tanter’s “Intelligence Agencies and Commander (East Java), and as Commander new Udayana Commander? Why is only Third World Militarization” about Bais. of the ABRI Staff College (Sesko). He is 52. Udayana singled out for commander rota- Bais had eight directorates (interior, foreign, [Comment:- no service in East Timor, no tion, no other Kodam? military, security, planning R & D, man- intel. background?]. In an interview he said Hariyoto is regarded by journalists in Ja- agement, intelligence production, supervi- he saw no need for ABRI political involve- karta as close to Hartas and Murdani - is he sion), plus two sections (section I for un- ment to be as prominent as in the ‘60s. being punished for harbouring “Sembiring” known purposes, and a special section for Ex-Kassospol (Soc.-Pol Chief, the officer type views, which were expressed in too little Vietnam). Bais was formed by Benny Mur- mainly responsible for ABRI’s Dual Func- enthusiasm for Harmoko, and too much for dani following Malari of 1974, and incorpo- tion) Hariyoto had only been in his position Megawati? rated Pusintelstrat and Kosatgasintel (the for 7 months. Speculation has it he is being latter previously under Kopkamtib). Bais punished for lack of performance during The best observers in Indonesia think that these transfers and the restructuring of Bais was directly under Pangab. It began to take PDI Extraordinary Congress and Golkar are positive for democratization in Indone- over the coordinative function allocated to National Convention. Hartono is actually a Bakin, which is directly under the President year senior to Hariyoto (AMN 1962), same sia. They will continue the process of the political marginalization of ABRI, and will and thus ought to have been more senior. class as Wismoyo Arismunandar. Reports Bais was involved in much violence in Indo- say the sudden transfers were not routine, strengthen Suharto’s prestige, and hence that of his protégé Habibie. nesia, from Aceh to East Timor. because they did not pass through the Wan- Restructured as BIA, it will now reside jakti (Dewan Jabatan dan Kepangkatan – Gerry van Klinken ––– under ABRI Chief of General Staff, headed Perwira Tinggi - Senior Officers Appoint- by his Assistant for Intelligence. It will have Page 48 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. only five directorates. But does the change national TV, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas did same day the Indonesian presiding judge mean it will be less effective? ABRI parlia- not hide his satisfaction and overbearing banned Xanana from reading it. mentarian Abu Hartono says “its role and confidence and did not mince words in stat- Amos Wako, Personal Envoy of the UN mission will not change.” ing that there were no more reason for nego- Secretary-General, visited East Timor in late tiations with the capture of Xanana. March 1993 and met with Xanana. This was The second round of talks between the an important acknowledgment of Xanana’s TIMORESE EXTERNAL Foreign Minister of Portugal and Indonesian stature and the importance of the East RESISTANCE in Rome in April 1993 was a different one Timor issue. In an ironic twist, the Indone- for Portugal and East Timor. Foreign Minis- sian authorities accused Mr. Wako, the At- ter Durão Barroso arrived in Rome with a torney-General of Kenya, of having “influ- HORTA’S RETROSPECTIVE strengthened position following the CHR enced” Xanana into changing his “original” victory. position. VIEW OF 1993 DIPLOMATIC The CNRM was on the forefront of the Progress in the US position STRUGGLE battle in those excruciating days and weeks, Credit is due to the Clinton Administra- the CNRM Special Representative was in tion which within only two months of tak- By José Ramos Horta, Matebian News, 14 Four world capital cities (New York, Lis- ing office reversed previous US position on December 1993 bon, London, Geneva) to counter Indone- East Timor in the CHR. The US joined with 1993 which is drawing to a close was an sia’s propaganda claims. the EC, Canada, the Nordic countries and eventful year for the Timorese resistance on As it happened in the first round of talks several African and Latin American in co- the diplomatic front. in New York in December 1992, the CNRM sponsoring the CHR resolution on East was present also in Rome through José Commission on Human Rights Timor. Ramos-Horta. However, while the Timorese The first victory scored by the Timorese In July 1993, prompted by 43 US sena- political parties were absent from New in 1993 was the vote in the Commission on tors, President Clinton raised the issue of York, the leaders of FRETILIN and UDT Human Rights (CHR) where out of 53 East Timor with the Indonesian dictator joined the CNRM in Rome in a united front. members of this UN body, 23 voted with a when the two met in Tokyo during the G7 The CNRM was present in the third strongly-worded resolution condemning summit meeting. The meeting turned out to round of talks which took place in New Indonesia for gross and systematic human be a total PR fiasco for Indonesia as several York on September 17 with leaders of rights violations in East Timor and only 12 Indonesian newspaper editorials noted. FRETILIN and UDT. sided with Indonesia. Indonesia had arrived The CNRM was in Washington for the The third round produced some tangible in Geneva with the confidence as leader of battle in the US Senate over arms sales to results. Foreign Minister Alatas put his the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Indonesia. It is to be noted, the CNRM signature on a agreement to facilitate access the arrogance over the capture of Xanana maintains a professional lobbyist in Wash- to East Timor by UN specialised agencies Gusmão, certain that it would inflict a crip- ington, Mr. Bruce P. Cameron, with more and human rights bodies. Timorese resis- pling blow on the Timorese. than 20 years of work in the US Congress. tance participation in the talks is an already While Indonesia expected that Xanana The Senate Foreign Relations Committee acquired fact. It is now almost certain that a Gusmão’s capture and forced “confessions” voted without dissent in support of the meeting will take place between the Secre- would result in demoralization inside and Feingold Amendment to the Authorisation tary-General himself and overseas resistance outside East Timor and erosion of the sup- Bill conditioning arms sales to Indonesia. representatives. It is hoped that before the port internationally for the cause of the East This was no doubt the most significant vic- end of the year a political mission of the UN Timorese, the opposite took place. Best tory in the US which sent a strong signal to will visit East Timor for talks with the evidence of this was the CHR vote. Jakarta. clergy and members of the civil society. The The month of August witnessed another Secretary of State Warren Christopher CNRM has advocated in its peace plan the major victory for the Timorese resistance. wrote a confidential letter to both the Portu- modality of “indirect talks” as long as Indo- After a full month of intense lobby, the guese and Indonesian Foreign Ministers nesia refuses to seat face to face with resis- Geneva-based UN Sub-Commission on urging “progress” in the New York round. tance leaders. This modality is satisfactory Prevention of Discrimination and Protection This accounted for the tangible progress and has drawn the Timorese gradually into of Minorities adopted perhaps the most noted above. the negotiation process. politically significant resolution on East Working in public or discretely, the Timor. The resolution contained references Xanana’s trial and sentence CNRM has invested time, energy and re- to the previous UN Security Council and In May 1993, as Xanana’s trial drew to a sources in the US over many years. Certain General Assembly resolutions on East close, the CNRM Special Representative activities must remain in the realm of se- Timor and, for the first time, the 4th Geneva released in New York the full text of crecy such is the nature of diplomacy, but Convention relating to treatment of civilian Xanana’s Defence Plea, thus completely fruits of this are visible. population and prisoners in time of war. outmanoeuvring the Indonesians who were CNRM Latin America offensive The CNRM was in full force in Geneva not aware at the time that the original ver- The CNRM undertook some initiatives with its Special Representative leading the sion of that historical document had been regarding Latin America. Its Director- battle and assisted by José Amorim Dias, smuggled out of the country. This was no General for International Relations visited Nelson Santos and Adalberto Alves, all doubt the most embarrassing moment for Chile and Argentina in August/September CNRM diplomatic and political cadres. Indonesia. The CNRM had access to the and had fruitful discussions with NGOs and original version of the Defence Plea a few Negotiations under UN auspices senior government officials. The film “Cold days in advance and had given advance cop- When the first round of talks took place Blood” was shown on Chilean national TV. ies to Reuters and the Portuguese daily O in New York in December 1992 less than Contacts were made with Latin America Publico which carried lengthy excerpts the one month after Xanana’s capture and his diplomats in Geneva and New York. humiliating display on Indonesian and inter- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 49

In July 1993, at the Brazilian city of Sal- Joaquim Trigo de Negreiros (Publico) and ranking Portuguese diplomatic representa- vador de Bahia, the Third Ibero-Latin Manuel Acacio (TSF- Radio) about their tion). American Conference of Heads of State and organisations’ policies, and strategies to find There was general agreement on three fac- Government included a reference to East an acceptable solution to the problem of tors considered essential to bringing about Timor in the Final Declaration. This was no East Timor. change in East Timor’s situation: continuing doubt significant since East Timor was the In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the strength of armed and popular resistance only issue outside the region that was dis- three leaders, together for the first time in a within East Timor, maintaining international cussed at all. public debate in Lisbon, spoke of their pressure, and changes within the Jakarta Human Rights Prize common goals, and their readiness to exer- regime itself. Fretilin’s representative said cise flexibility in their positions in order to that support for the East Timor cause was On October 24 the Special Representa- achieve those goals. They were, they said, increasing within Indonesia itself, and that tive was present at the inauguration of a more united than ever. closer links should be maintained with those “Human Rights Street” in Nuremberg as The Peace Plans of the three organisa- people and organisations sympathetic to the guest of the Mayor along with 14 other tions concurred in many aspects, especially cause. José Ramos-Horta, for the CNRM, world personalities. in the first phases which would precede a considered that the guerrilla war, combined One of the most important events of the referendum on self-determination. Included with continuing international pressure were year was the 1993 Professor Thorolf Rafto in the first phases would be withdrawal of beginning to reap rewards - the Indonesian Human Rights Award given to the people of Indonesian forces, release of political pris- civilian population had realised that their East Timor through the CNRM Special oners, access to the territory for humanitar- leaders’ policy on East Timor had so far Representative. This served to highlight the ian organisations (e.g. UNHCR), and legali- failed, there was growing opposition, and issue of East Timor not only in Norway but sation of political activities and parties. changes would come about eventually. in the whole of the Nordic countries and There would have to be a readaption period There was general praise for Portugal’s enhances the chances of Bishop Dom Carlos for the Timorese people, now in exile diplomatic efforts, especially under the to be the 1994 Nobel Peace recipient. throughout the world, to return and readjust leadership of Foreign Affairs Minister Toward 1994 and beyond to life in East Timor. Time would also be Durão Barroso. In view of the space limitation, this was needed to organise the electoral process, and There were differing views on the con- not to meant to be an exhaustive CNRM resolve many complex issues linked to hold- tinuing presence of Indonesians in East “Activity Report.” We tried to highlight ing a referendum (e.g. would non-Timorese, Timor, following a withdrawal of troops only some of the main facts. However, the resident in Timor and married to Timorese, from the territory. The CNRM representa- diplomatic struggle has many other sides to be eligible to vote?; a carefully supervised tive believed a distinction should be made it. Many CNRM cadres travelled the world census of the whole population would have between the Indonesian invaders of East with different missions. For 1994 the to be carried out before any voting, etc.). Timor and the Indonesian people who had CNRM has already a full agenda - the The Fretilin representative stressed the emigrated to the territory in search of a bet- Commission on Human Rights in Geneva importance of international support and ter life. The latter category, he maintained, (Feb./March), a visit to Norway and Iceland recognition during the transition stage, and who were not there for any political rea- in March, the 4th round of talks in May in believed that the UDT and CNRM Peace sons, but who had been fleeing poverty and Geneva, the Asia-Pacific Regional Confer- Plans were not irreconcilable. He recalled starvation, should not necessarily be ex- ence on East Timor in May/June in Manila, that UN Resolution 1541 required that self- pelled from East Timor. UDT, however, visits to Thailand and Malaysia in April, determination should follow a period of upheld that Indonesians in East Timor to- etc.. Apart from these more “conventional” autonomy, and agreed that this time would day, whether rich or poor, were necessarily activities, 1994 will be rich in other activi- be needed to resolve the issues already re- in agreement with the spirit of occupation. ties - hopefully a major documentary will be ferred to. The little wealth in East Timor, he main- shown in England and around the world in The Peace Plans diverged when it came to tained, should go to Timorese who are starv- February; a group of world renown artists Portugal’s role in the future of East Timor. ing and dying in their own country because will display their work dedicated to East The UDT leader recalled various pro- Indonesians are there stealing all they can Timor in September 1994 in New York. The Portugal demonstrations in East Timor, and get their hands on. Fretilin’s representative lobby in the US will continue to be a top said that, contrary to what happened in believed that each case should be studied priority and a renewed Latin America offen- Portugal’s other former colonies, the depar- before reaching a decision: there were vic- sive will be effected. ture of the Portuguese from Timor was re- tims as well as exploiters among the Indone- gretted by the majority there. As East sians. TIMORESE LEADERS: MORE Timor’s best ally, UDT upholds that the All three leaders agreed that the young UNITED THAN EVER former colonial power should return to East people within East Timor are as committed Timor in order to complete the decolonisa- as ever to the struggle for self-determination, From CDPM (Maubere People’s Rights tion process. However, the CNRM special while the guerrillas were respected by the Commission), 16 December 1993 representative suggested that, although Por- people in general. The Resistance, both tugal is considered a strong ally, any role it armed and clandestine, far from being de- On 15 December, Lisbon’s Timor Centre may play in the future should be seen in the feated as Indonesian would have the world became the forum for three leading Timorese context of the European Community. In the believe, had reorganised earlier in the year politicians to publicly respond to questions CNRM’s view, a settlement which included and had seen a considerable increase in its put to them by three Portuguese journalists a return of the Portuguese to the territory numbers and strength. There would be no and others present. would be far harder to negotiate with Indo- end to the fight until the people of East The three political leaders, Mari Alkatiri nesia than, for example, one which sup- Timor were free to exercise their right to (Fretilin), João Carrascalão (UDT) and José ported the establishment of an EC diplo- self-determination. Ramos-Horta (CNRM), spoke to journalists matic mission (which would include a high- Oscar Mascarenhas (Diario de Noticias), Page 50 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

ASAHI INTERVIEWS MAR I The Clinton administration in the U.S. is And a meeting to be held next year in Ma- taking quite a serious view of the situation, nila, “The East Timor Issue and Democrati- ALKATIRI and in March of this year Secretary of State zation in Indonesia,” which is being spon- Asahi Shimbun, December 16, 1993. By Christopher told the Senate Foreign Rela- sored by a Catholic organization, will repre- ITOH Masataka tions Committee that ‘the situation in East sent a new step and pull together the inter- Timor merits renewed attention by the Clin- national support we have garnered so far. Abridged (East Timor background section ton administration.’ In July of this year the I: The massacre at the Santa Cruz cemetery omitted). Translated from Japanese by Jean State Department stopped the transfer sale Inglis was a shocking incident, but does that by Jordan of U.S. made fighter planes to alone account for the growing circle of Translator’s remarks: This interview was Indonesia. support? made while Mari Alkatiri was in Japan for a Q. How about United Nations moves? A: No, it’s not just that. The people of Asia speaking tour sponsored by the Free East A. In March this year the UN Human are in the process of liberating themselves. Timor Japan Coalition in November in Rights Commission adopted a resolution They see the East Timor liberation struggle which four Timorese spoke in sixty places. calling, among other things, for access to the as overlapping with the democratization Mr. Alkatiri went on to South Korea to mo- territory by an investigation team. Twenty- movements which they themselves are car- bilize support there as well. Asahi Shimbun two countries voted in favor of the resolu- rying out. They are able to understand our is a major daily. A large photo of Mr. tion, twelve voted against, and fifteen ab- struggle very quickly. The people of Asia Alkatiri appears with the caption: “‘The stained. Among those in favor were the are seeking active political participation. people of Asia are in the process of liberat- U.S., Great Britain, France, and Russia. That helps our struggle. ing themselves,’ said Mari Alkatiri, Central Japan abstained. Committee Member of the Revolutionary I: And what is happening as far as the Indo- Front for Independent East Timor.” Support for the Movement from South nesian people, the most important, are Korea concerned? Headlines: Q. Influential Asian countries like China and A: Antigovernment movements have been Human Rights Awareness Growing in De- India were opposed, and South Korea very severely repressed up to now. Al- veloping Countries abstained, I believe. though we know that democratization in Support from Asia for East Timor Inde- Indonesia is indispensable to the liberation A. With a population of about 200 million, pendence of East Timor, it just wasn’t happening. Indonesia is a very large Asian country, and Overlapping with Democratization Trends However student organization and the like Japan and other Asian countries defer to the Interview with Central Committee Member are now criticizing the government both for wishes of the Indonesian Government. Also, Mari Alkatiri Indonesia’s own human rights violations and because Indonesia is the largest country in for human rights violations in East Timor. Headlines for background section (omit- the Islamic world, it has solid support from At the Fifth East Timor Symposium, held ted here): Islamic nations. this July in Portugal, the former colonial UN Supports Right of Self-determination But peoples and the governments are not ruler, six people participated from Indonesia Indonesian Government Ignores It the same. What is very encouraging for us is and reported that ‘the democratization the fact that we are increasingly getting movement is moving forward little by little The Third World is always criticized by support from NGOs in the various Asian by linking up workers, students, and peas- the advanced Western countries for its lack countries. Around 1987 our supporters in ants. Although admittedly very limited, of democracy and awareness of human this region were only in Japan and Australia. some of the press is calling for self- rights. But democratization movements are But since the Santa Cruz massacre, support determination for East Timor.’ taking root in developing countries too and movements have been spreading in South interest in human rights is growing. On the Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malay- I: And what about the struggle in East occasion of his visit to Japan, I asked Mari sia, Singapore and Thailand. In Korea, the Timor? Alkatiri (44 years old), a central committee human rights movement Saraban (translator: A: Santana, thirty two years old, has taken member of the Revolutionary Front of In- phonetic) chaired by MR. Soh Joon Shik over as chairman in place of Chairman Gus- dependent East Timor (Fretilin), about hu- (brother of Soh Sung, the ethnic Korean mão, who was captured last year. Both the man rights awareness in developing coun- Japanese resident who was imprisoned in military and political organizations are being tries, as seen from the support given for his South Korea) invited me to South Korea in rebuilt and fighting is going on in the central struggle. November. I’m told that this is the first time and eastern sections of the island. The clan- Interviewer: ITOH Makataka (editorial a South Korean human rights organization destine movement is also very active. staff) has taken up support for a foreign country. Clinton Administration Takes a Serious Linking Organizations with Student NEW CNRM BROCHURE View Involvement From CNRM, Dec. 22, 1993 Itoh: The independence movement in East I: How much support do you expect? Timor, integrated by Indonesia, has con- Following is the text of a brochure introduc- A: They invite us and listen to what we tinued for eighteen years. To what extent ing CNRM which has just been released. have to say. In most cases we pay our plane have you gotten international support? Please assist with distribution. Hard copies fare and they cover our expenses in their come on a single A4 paper sheet and will be Alkatiri: The massacre by Indonesian troops countries. We can’t expect them to give us available from the CNRM Media and Com- that took place at Santa Cruz cemetery in substantial financial support. But we are munications Department, whose address is Dili, East Timor in November 1991 drew very grateful that so many people in these in the brochure which follows below. the attention of countries around the world, countries are so earnestly listening to us. All and support began to come in from various these organizations are increasing and hold- EAST TIMOR countries. ing more meetings every year on the issue. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 51

National Council of Maubere Resis- regime, the Political Front operations are funds required for CNRM operations and tance clandestine. Commander Xanana Gusmão special projects. Conselho Nacional de Resistencia remains the titular head of the Resistance. Media and Communications Department Maubere Mission The Information and Media Relations C.N.R.M. The chief mission of CNRM is to lead Department takes a central role in the area -an introduction- the resistance against Indonesian aggression of information dissemination. It is led by its The East Timor problem and enable the East Timorese people to Director, whose function is to ensure close freely determine their future in accordance relations with information media interna- The territory of East Timor, a Portuguese with their internationally acknowledged tionally. The Department is solely respon- colony for over 400 years, is located on the human right of self-determination. Simulta- sible for the issue of CNRM public state- fringe of the Indonesian archipelago, be- neously to the conduct of East Timorese ments. tween Southeast Asia and Australia in the resistance activities, CNRM is attempting vicinity of the South Pacific. It is at least Community Relations Department to develop the governing institutions of a equal, if not larger, in size and population Fosters the development of close and future state of East Timor. Inside East than some 30 independent member states of harmonious relations between the various Timor and Indonesia, CNRM is supporting the UN. East Timor has been the scene of a sectors of the East Timorese community in the development of the human resources major and tragic conflict since 1975. In that exile. required for a future administrative bureauc- year Indonesia invaded this 19,000 square racy; undertaking measures to protect the CNRM’s Cultural Department kilometre territory, maintaining to this day culture and language of the country; and Has the task of advancing and promoting its illegal presence in defiance of interna- monitoring the human rights situation and East Timorese culture overseas. The De- tional condemnation, including United Na- informing on violations. Overseas, CNRM partment assists East Timorese music com- tions Security Council Resolutions. The is leading a diplomatic struggle aimed at posers, drama writers, painters to perform armed forces of the huge Indonesian Repub- achieving, within the United Nations and exhibit their works. It organises exhibi- lic have maintained a brutal war of genocidal framework, a peaceful resolution of the East tions and performances and assists with proportions, in a futile attempt to crush the Timor issue in a manner reflecting the aspi- publications. Members of the Cultural De- resistance of most sectors of the approxi- rations of the majority of its people and partment are also involved in the develop- mately 600,000 East Timorese. Massive acceptable to the international community . ment of a Tetum language school in Darwin, human rights violations have caused the Australia, which teaches East Timorese death of over one third of the local popula- Organisational structure overseas children in exile the language and culture of tion. The resistance against Indonesian oc- The conduct of the CNRM diplomatic their ancestors. cupation remains strong as international struggle has required the establishment of support for the cause of freedom and self- Departments of International Relations, East Timor Centre for Documentation determination of the East Timorese people Information and Media Relations, Commu- and Information grows. nity Relations, Culture, and a Centre for Operating from Australia, this CNRM- C.N.R.M. origins and composition Documentation and Information These are associated centre produces and distributes assisted by some technical and advisory number of publications. They include Mate- The East Timor-based National Council bodies. Resource limitations are a major Bian News published monthly. Daily news of Maubere Resistance, CNRM, is the su- hindrance however. As more human and postings on electronic media are also per- preme organisation of all East Timorese material resources become available, these formed on conferences such as reg.easttimor nationalists struggling for self-determination structural components will be developed and reg.indonesia. and independence of their country. CNRM further and additional organs required for the was officially launched in 1988 by Resis- CNRM policies for an independent East functioning of CNRM will be added. tance Leader Commander Xanana Gusmão, Timor aiming to unite all Resistance factions in one International Relations Department Aware of the country’s location, CNRM effectively coordinated national effort. Is led by its Director General and has a believes in close and harmonious relations CNRM brings together the leadership of the number of CNRM East Timor Representa- with all neighbouring states in Asia and the Resistance Armed Forces in East Timor, the tives placed in several key locations in the South Pacific. The independent Republic of Political Resistance Front inside Indonesia world. These include Australia, Canada, East Timor will seek membership of both and occupied areas, and the Diplomatic Europe, Portugal, South East Asia, and the ASEAN and the South Pacific Forum. Close Resistance Front operating overseas. Par- USA. Subject to resource availability, fur- ties with Portugal will also be maintained, ticipation in CNRM is open to all East ther appointments in Asia, Europe, and given the high moral standing it has shown Timorese nationalists seeking self determi- Latin America are under consideration. The through its abiding commitment to East nation and independence, regardless of any tasks of CNRM Representatives include Timorese self-determination. political party affiliations they may also diplomatic activities with multilateral or- East Timor is at the crossroads of three hold. ganisations, human rights organisation, lob- major cultures and religions: Melanesian, Leadership Structure bying governments, liaison with local non- binding its people to its South Pacific broth- government support groups and other im- ers and sisters; Malay-Polynesian, as many Following Commander Xanana Gusmão’s portant pressure groups. Public diplomatic of its people trace their roots to Southeast capture in late 1992, CNRM is now co- activities include keeping close relations Asia; and, European, a result of the four chaired by the Commander-in-Chief of the with mass media organs and other means of centuries of Portuguese-Catholic presence. East Timor Resistance Armed Forces informing public opinion. The Director This influences give the East Timorese na- (FALINTIL), Nino Konis Santana; the Head General directs these activities and is also tion-state a distinct character. East Timor of the Political Front; and the Head of the involved, together with the Special Repre- will be a potentially valuable partner for Diplomatic Front, Special Representative sentative and his delegates, in the raising of ASEAN and South Pacific Forum member José Ramos Horta. Given the nature of the states in their relations with the European struggle and of the Indonesian governing Page 52 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Union, Africa and Latin America. The ma- be channeled into food production to feed commencement of this phase, whereby the jority of East Timorese exiles are resident in the population. Policies will be a result of population may choose between free asso- Australia and Portugal. They would con- close consultation with the people in each ciation or integration into Indonesia, or in- tribute to the bridging role of East Timor region, town and village. The cooperation of dependence. between their adopted countries and South- UN Specialised Agencies will be sought. A CNRM Addresses (Australia): east Asian and South Pacific states. reforestation program to save the badly Media and Communications Department- CNRM envisages an independent Repub- damaged environment will be launched to- lic of East Timor without a standing army. gether with international bodies. Interna- Suite 25A, 2A Bayswater Rd, Kings External security will rely on a Treaty of tional partnership in mineral explorations Cross NSW , 2011 Neutrality, guaranteed by the Permanent such as oil will be sought. However, the tel. +61 2 368 0762 , fax 356 4970 Members of the UN Security Council. environment must not be sacrificed for short e-mail: [email protected] Working with its neighbours and the UN, term gains. The ‘Timor Gap Treaty’ will be International Relations Department East Timor will endeavour to declare the looked at, clarification sought, and renegoti- GPO Box 1174 Darwin NT 0801, e-mail country’s surrounding seas a Zone of Peace, ated. The sea boundary dispute will have to [email protected] and to work towards demilitarisation of the be settled through an international tribunal. Information and Documentation Centre Southeast Asian and South Pacific regions. East Timor Peace Plan CNRM aspires to a strong democratic PO Box 481, Fairfield NSW 2165, tel. Consistent with the enhanced peace mak- state based on the rule of law, emanating +61 2 728 7395 ing and peace keeping role of the United from the will of the people expressed fax 726-6319, e-mail: [email protected] Nations, the leaders of CNRM have ad- through free democratic elections. Develop- vanced a plan to assist the UN Secretary ment of a free information media, as inde- TIMORESE RESISTANCE General’s mandate to find a solution to the pendent as the judiciary, will be encouraged. East Timor conflict. Presented by CNRM REITERATES PROPOSAL Firmly believing in the universality of hu- Co-Chairman and Special Representative FOR TALKS WITHOUT PRE- man rights, transcending state boundaries José Ramos Horta, the plan is congruous and prevailing over state sovereignty, an CONDITIONS with statements by East Timor Catholic independent East Timor will contribute to Church leader Bishop Belo. It is consistent Press release from the Joint Representation the strengthening of the UN human rights with current approaches by Portugal and the of the Timorese Resistance in Portugal. Lis- machinery. The creation of an international UN for the resolution of this conflict. The bon, 31 Dec. 1993. Translated from Portu- human rights court and a penal court to try plan has also received support in the US guese war crimes and crimes against humanity will Congress, Europe, Canada and Japan. Indo- be actively supported. All human rights 1. The Timorese Resistance welcomes nesia’s friends have been able to perceive its treaties will be submitted to its Parliament the arrival in Portugal yesterday, following usefulness as a potential means of assisting for ratification. the Portuguese Government’s diplomatic Jakarta to extricate itself from its East Free education and health care are essen- efforts, of the seven Timorese students Timor quagmire and conveniently resolve tial for the welfare of the population. Sig- who, on 23 June 1993, had sought political this issue. nificant investments in these areas will be asylum at the Finnish and Swedish Embas- Phase One -normalisation- (one to two required, as part of human resource devel- sies in Jakarta. years): Indonesia-Portugal talks under the opment. The money saved from not sup- 2. We express our appreciation to Mr. auspices of the UN Secretary General, with porting a standing army will be well used in Haji Princen, Indonesian human rights activ- East Timorese participation, to achieve an these areas. ist, and to the International Red Cross, for end to armed activities in East Timor; re- A healthy, sane and happy society can- their direct contributions towards finding a lease of East Timorese political prisoners; not be based on hatred and revenge. There- settlement to the case. We are equally grate- reduction of Indonesian military personnel; fore a general amnesty and national recon- ful to the media, namely the Portuguese and removal of armaments.; expansion of Inter- ciliation will be proclaimed, aimed at forgiv- Indonesian press, and to various interna- national Committee of the Red Cross activi- ing current enemies. Because of its credibil- tional organisations - especially Amnesty ties; reduction of Indonesian civil servants; ity and standing over the past twenty years, International - for the important role they population census; access by UN Special- the East Timor Church will be expected to played. ised Agencies for restoration and protection play a major role in the social healing proc- 3. We consider the Indonesian Govern- of the environment, resettlement, district ess. The issues of resettlement for the many ment’s decision to finally allow the development, women and children care and thousands up-rooted throughout the last Timorese students to leave to be a positive public health and immunisation; restoration two decades, as well as compensations for initiative. However, we note that this deci- of all basic human rights, removal of restric- properties lost will need to be addressed. sion was obviously motivated by Indone- tions on Portuguese and Tetum languages; Also, over 100,000 Indonesians have settled sia’s propagandistic interests, just one setting up of an independent Human Rights in East Timor, many of them looking for a month away from the commencement, in Commission; appointment of a UN Secre- better life. Those who are willing to abide Geneva, of the next UN Human Rights tary General Resident Representative in by East Timorese laws and live in harmony Commission sitting. East Timor. as members of the society will be welcome 4. In spite of propaganda to the contrary, Phase Two -autonomy- (five years): This to stay and join in building a better future the East Timorese National Resistance is is a transition stage of autonomy in which for everyone. The wealth of their culture active and will continue to be so. There is no East Timorese would govern themselves could be an enriching contribution to the sign of any significant act on Indonesia’s democratically through their own local insti- future of East Timor. part to solve the problem. Their current tutions. East Timor is potentially self-sufficient schemes aimed at substituting the National Phase Three -self-determination-: Covers in most agricultural goods, meat and fish. It Resistance with other interlocutors will not preparation for a self-determination referen- also has large oil reserves and other minerals. work. dum, to be held within one year of the After independence, economic resources will East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 53

5. We wish to reiterate the proposal, The association which will be inaugurated Fanny - the name by which JE Habibie made two years ago by the Timorese Na- on 17 January will send a delegation to Lis- [Indonesian ambassador to London and tional Resistance, of talks without pre- bon which she herself will head. “We want brother of the high-powered Minister JB conditions within the framework of the UN. to convince the Portuguese government that Habibie] is known - was the busiest person Meanwhile, it is up to Indonesia to exercise we are for peace.” of all in preparing for Mbak Tutut’s meeting flexibility in its position, and to start with Hardiyanti, who is also a member of the with the anti-integration East Timorese in tangible measures, namely, the release of governing board of GOLKAR, was involved London last December. For several days, Xanana Gusmão and all the Timorese na- in the historic meeting in London last month Fanny has been in Jakarta to report the tionalist prisoners. between East Timorese leaders and those results of Tutut’s meeting with ‘President’ living in exile in Portugal and other countries of Fretilin [the inverted commas are in the text] Abilio Araujo to Foreign Minister Ali COLLABORATORS IN VISIT BY PORTUGUESE Alatas. The Indonesian ambassador to Lon- PORTUGAL OFFICIAL WILL GO AHEAD don was delighted that the Foreign Minister was “very satisfied indeed.” WITHOUT OBSTRUCTIONS According to Fanny, Mbak Tutut’s meeting (she is also deputy chair of Golkar) EAST TIMOR: GALVÃO DE Radio Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, in with Abilio Araujo was part of the Indone- Indonesian, 12 Jan 94 MELO WITH ALATAS sian government’s strategy. At first the Maj-Gen Theo Syafei, the commander of Diario de Noticias, 6 January 1994, Trans- atmosphere at the meeting was very tense the 9th Udayana Regional Command, has lated from Portuguese. Abridged. but by the end, there was a warm spirit of stressed that the visit by former general, friendship. (Lisbon) “Very constructive.” This was Carlos Galvão de Melo, the head of the As a way to loosen things up, Fanny an Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesper- Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Association, whispered in Abilio Araujo’s ear that Tutut son’s comment yesterday to describe the PIFA, to East Timor would not be ob- is a very reliable businesswoman who han- meeting in Jakarta between Ali Alatas and structed. dles personal relations in a very humane Portuguese General Galvão de Melo. “It Speaking to journalists in Denpasar, the fashion. And in the talks, Tutut spontane- was a friendly, very constructive meeting, regional commander clarified that de Melo ously invited overseas East Timorese to which contributed towards a better under- would be free to talk to anyone or visit any come and see the land of their birth while at standing of the position of both countries on place he wished in East Timor. Therefore, the same time visiting other parts of Indone- the question of Timor,” said Irawan Abidin. no restrictions would be placed on him sia. “Abilio was very appreciative of this,” General Galvão de Melo arrived in Ja- compared to (?Manuel Tilman), a Macau said Habibie. karta on Tuesday for a visit which will last (?programmer), who was originally from The intention was that Manuel Macedo - until 19th January. The trip will include a East Timor and has been visiting Dili in the a businessman from Portugal would visit visit to East Timor, from 12 to 15 January, past week. Indonesia last August together with East and even a meeting with President Suharto The regional commander hoped Galvão Timorese exiles. They also met Mbak Tutut on 19th. de Melo, who had been given the freedom to [this seems to suggest that Macedo did go to visit East Timor, would observe personally Indonesia together with some East SUHARTO’S DAUGHTER TO the situation which exists there. He also Timorese]. VISIT LISBON hoped de Melo would then clarify to the “He wants to do business” said Habibie. Portuguese community what he observed At the London talks, they wanted to discuss Jakarta Post, 8 January 1994 Abridged without distorting any facts. at greater length the question of improving Suharto’s eldest daughter, commonly known Meanwhile, after a meeting with the re- these ties between Indonesia and Portugal. as Tutut, is taking on an increasing political gional commander, de Melo said his current The plan was that on 17 January, exactly role particularly in foreign affairs. Her spe- visit to East Timor had no specific bearing a month after the London talks, the Indone- cial sphere of interest has now clearly be- and that it was only aimed at further foster- sia-Portugal Friendship Association would come East Timor. ing ties between Indonesia and Portugal. be officially established and that Mbak Tu- tut would invite 20 East Timorese now – Carmel, TAPOL MBAK TUTUT INVITES EAST exiled in Portugal. “Mbak Tutut has of (Jakarta) Leading businesswoman, Siti TIMORESE CITIZENS IN course considered the question of how to Hardiyanti Rukmana, who is expected to finance the trip,” said Habibie when asked chair the new Indonesia-Portugal friendship PORTUGAL about this aspect. association says she hopes the ties between Republika, 12 January 1994. Translated The impression is that the overseas East the two countries will be restored this year. from Indonesian. Timorese were very impressed by the ac- The association which will be inaugurated tivities of JE Habibie, the Indonesian am- next week hopes to help pave the way to [Only words in square brackets are added. bassador. This sympathetic, friendly ap- the resumption of relations. Hardiyanti, the Carmel, TAPOL] proach was touched on by Rogerio Lobato, eldest daughter of President Suharto met Mbak Tutut [Mbak means ‘elder sister,’ the younger brother of Nicolau Lobato, the General (ret’d) Carlos Galvão de Melo of Tutut is how Suharto’s eldest daughter, Siti Fretilin leader who was murdered in 1978. Portugal, who chairs the Portugal-Indonesia Hardiyanti Rukmana is popularly known] In a letter [to Habibie?] he explained how Friendship Association in Lisbon, at her will invite 20 East Timorese citizens in Por- difficult it was for him, when it came to office in Jakarta on Wednesday. tugal. The plan was that they would come meeting the Indonesian ambassador and his “On this occasion, we are announcing when the Indonesia-Portugal Friendship staff, to forget the murder of his brother, but that we have been given the trust to chair Association is officially set up, on 17 Janu- he was able to appreciate the good pros- the friendship association in Jakarta,” she ary 1994. pects opened up by the meeting so he now told reporters. Page 54 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. said he believes that the time has come for which, in the context, it does not have” and MELO: FALL OF FRETILIN mutual forgiveness. whose “ public statements have been badly JE Habibie said that Portugal’s position chosen and counterproductive to its stated ONLY A MATTER OF TIME is often unclear. But he feels certain that it aims.” Jakarta Post (14 Jan, Dili) and AFP (18 will be possible to resolve the East Timor On the subject of the next negotiating Jan, Jakarta) Summarised. question provided that Indonesia can win round scheduled for May in Geneva with people’s confidence. In order to do this, Ali Alatas, Durão Barroso said he was “not The chairman of the Portugal-Indonesia Indonesia needs to adopt an attitude of expecting significant progress,” which did Friendship Association, (PIFA), Gen. openness and display its goodwill. “We “not mean that I do not wish there would (ret’d) Carlos Galvão de Melo says its only need to be patient. We should watch the be.” He refused to comment on whether a matter of time before Fretilin is com- reverberations of the London meeting,” he visas might be issued to Ali Alatas and pletely crushed. said. Francisco Lopes da Cruz to visit Portugal, “The Fretilin remnants abroad led by As for the desires of East Timorese saying that he never speaks about visas Ramos-Horta have no longer any influence youths to leave for Portugal, Habibie did not “before they have been requested.” over the East Timorese living overseas. think that this would damage Indonesia’s Their activities are practically meaningless.” image on the international arena. He is in- LETTER FROM MNSGR. He was speaking before meeting East Timor governor, Abilio Osorio Soares Wednesday. clined to think that we should encourage BELO, BISHOP OF DILI people to go there. “Then they will see for He had met Udayana military commander, Major-General Theo Syafei in Denpasar. themselves that in Portugal they become From CDPM, Translated from Portuguese. fourth-class citizens,” he said He said he is very impressed with the Jakarta, 14 January 1994 progress of development in East Timor. To: Dr. Paulo Remedios DURÃO BARROSO: “I AM “There is no doubt that the situation is CSC Tata Mai Lau much better than when it was still a Portu- NOT SAYING I WILL NEVER Macau (via Hong Kong) guese colony.” RECEIVE THEM...” Dear Dr. Paulo, Meanwhile Governor Soares said Melo My sincere and respectful good wishes told him “that he would do the best he could Publico, 13 January 1994. By Ana Sa Lopes. to convince the Portuguese government that Translated from Portuguese to you. I am in Jakarta to deal with matters of in- the majority of the people here support (Lisbon) Yesterday, the Foreign Minister terest to Timor, and from here I wish to East Timor’s integration with Indonesia.” met with the Parliamentary Commission on express my deep gratitude for your com- AFP reported meanwhile that Melo’s East Timor. At the meeting he stated that pany during my brief visit to Perth, W. visit to East Timor was strongly condemned “it would be giving the wrong diplomatic Australia, last December. by Bishop Belo Tuesday in an interview signs” to receive the Portugal-Indonesia At the moment, General Carlos Galvão with Portuguese Radio, TSF. “He has in- Friendship Association adding that “The de Melo and Dr. Manuel Tilman are in sulted the people of East Timor in present- Indonesian Foreign Minister has, on various Timor. Both are always accompanied by ing himself as the ambassador of Indonesia occasions, been urged to receive the Resis- informers (bufos). The Timorese generally to Portugal. The presence here of that type tance representation, but has not done so believe that these visits only serve to benefit of person is of no interest to anyone,” said until now.” He did, however, allow for a the Indonesians, not the Timorese. The Belo. possible change of heart: “But also, I am not General’s statements have been truly offen- saying I will never receive them. The matter sive. INDONESIA-PORTUGAL: A would have to be seen in the light of certain In general, the plight of young people is THAW IN RELATIONS SOON? tactical objectives, and always taking into difficult. There are many in Jakarta; dis- consideration the principles which, for us, trusted by the Indonesians, they are always By Yuli Ismartono are inalienable.” harassed. I think that many are going to try JAKARTA, Jan 15 (IPS) - A visiting Regarding the audience given by the For- to leave, making their way from here to Portuguese ex-air force general who is said eign Ministry to Gen. Galvão de Melo Macau. to have close ties with Portugal’s president (Chairman of the Friendship Association) in The meeting in London, in which Father has predicted the fall of FRETILIN, the his personal capacity, Durão Barroso said Francisco Fernandes was also present, is rebel group leading the independence move- that the General was “a person who had seen in a very negative light by the Timorese ment in East Timor. belonged to the National Salvation Junta, inside. Indonesian television said that the Retired General Carlos Galvão de Melo, who had once played an important role at a Reconciliation Meeting was held to show who is on a tour of Indonesia and East particular period in history,” and that he support for Integration! It was too. Timor, also told reporters here this week was “an older person, to be respected,” I am going to see if I can make it to that he is confident relations between Lis- “whether or not one agrees with his opin- Macau in May or June. bon and Jakarta would improve soon. ions, a person with a certain status..”. It was No more news at present. Again, my best Indonesia and Portugal have been at odds even “a nice talk, which covered subjects wishes and thanks for everything. over East Timor for the past 17 years. other than East Timor.” At the end, the Kind regards to all those working in the A former colony of Portugal, East Timor Minister told the journalists that “receiving CSC Tata Mai Lau. became Indonesia’s 27th province following Galvão de Melo held no political signifi- Yours sincerely, a plebiscite, the results of which remains cance whatsoever,” and that the Foreign (signature) unrecognised by the United Nations and Ministry did “not accept intermediaries,” Carlos Filipe X. Belo, SDB many Western countries. Lisbon broke off other than the UN, to deal with issues Apostolic Administrator relations with Jakarta a year later in protest. linked to East Timor. FRETILIN, the Portuguese acronym for Durão Barroso warned not to “overesti- the Revolutionary Front for the Independ- mate said Association, giving it importance East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 55 ence of East Timor, has been resisting the a thaw in the two countries’ frosty rela- represent foreign interests, to the detriment Indonesian annexation since. About 100,000 tions. of their own country. East Timorese died because of the conflict in Still, he notes that the Portuguese press The interview given by Boutros Ghali’s the late 1970s. remains hostile to Indonesia and says media special envoy to the Chairman of the Portu- But de Melo, the most senior Portuguese there would be the hardest to convince of gal-Indonesia Friendship Association is an political figure to visit Indonesia in years, Indonesia’s policies toward East Timor – initiative has brought shame upon the UN, now says it is only a matter of time before particularly with recent news that Gusmão and requires an immediate and unequivocal FRETILIN collapses. has been denied visitation rights because of a response from the Portuguese authorities. “The FRETILIN remnants abroad led by letter he allegedly wrote and smuggled out of No country which seeks international re- (José) Ramos Horta have no longer any jail. spect for its name and positions would take influence over the East Timorese living The FRETILIN leader is said to have ad- such humiliation without reacting vigorously overseas,” he said at a press briefing here. dressed the letter to the Geneva-based In- - and not just for formality or protocol’s “Their activities are practically meaning- ternational Commission of Jurists requesting sake, but for reasons of basic dignity. If less.” help in annulling his trial by an Indonesian national sovereignty has not yet become an Reports reaching here say rebel activities court in Dili, since he is a Portuguese citi- anachronistic abstraction, then the award by in Timor itself have slowed down drastically zen. Gusmão also wants a retrial because he the UN of interlocutor status to a private ever since FRETILIN leader José Alexandre says he was given inadequate representa- organisation distinguished only for its of- Gusmão was captured by the Indonesian tion. fence to that sovereignty, cannot be ac- military in 1992. Indonesia has been trying to have diplo- cepted as normal, “pragmatic” or “responsi- He is currently serving a 20-year prison matic negotiations with Lisbon, which is ble.” sentence at Cipinang Correctional Institu- still recognised by the United Nations as the Mr. Manuel Macedo and General Galvão tion in Jakarta for treason and illegal posses- administrative power over East Timor. But de Melo merely represent the political and sion of firearms. the massacre of scores of protesters in Dili economic interests of a collaborationist De Melo, chairman of the newly-created by Indonesian troops in November 1991 fifth-column in alliance with the Indonesian Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Association, overtook such attempts. dictatorship. Now, if there is one issue on is visiting Timor island as part of his fact- This June, however, Indonesian foreign which there is full consensus in Portugal finding trip that follows a landmark meeting minister Ali Alatas is scheduled to meet among political parties, institutions and between Indonesian East Timorese and their again with his Portuguese counterpart at the public opinion, that issue is Timor. Fur- exiled counterparts in Europe, Australia and U.N. headquarters in New York. thermore, at a time when the resistance is Macao. Past dialogues ended inconclusively as once again raising its voice against Jakarta’s The meeting that took place last month in Portugal persisted in demanding a referen- oppression, the schemes of Suharto’s London was the result of diplomatic efforts dum be held in East Timor, a proposal that friends, and the shameful respectability by Indonesian Ambassador-at-large Fran- Indonesia repeatedly rejected. conferred on them by the UN Secretary cisco Xavier Lopes da Cruz, who hails from COMMENT FROM CHARLIE General, are stabs in the back for Portuguese Dili, the capital of East Timor. The two-day SCHEINER, ETAN/US and Timorese alike. breakthrough talks brought together It was a mistake for Durao Barroso to of- FRETILIN president Abilio Araujo and Please read with the usual grain of salt ap- ficially receive Galvão de Melo, when the Indonesian President Suharto’s daughter, propriate for IPS articles. A few errors at General’s role in the Jakarta connection was Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana. first glance, among many: Xanana is head of already clear and notorious. But that meet- De Melo has invited Rukmana, a senior CNRM, not Fretilin. The next Alatas- ing was still exclusively “Portuguese,” be- member of Indonesia’s ruling Golkar party, Barroso meeting is May 6, in Geneva. There tween Minister and citizen. Now, however, to visit Portugal later this year. never was a ‘plebiscite’ of any credibility. Jakarta’s Portuguese friends have been ele- It was de Melo who headed the junta that Gusmão doesn’t want a retrial – he rejects vated to a position of reputability by the overthrew the Caetano regime in Portugal in any sentence by an Indonesian court and has highest authority in world affairs. 1974, an event that spurred Lisbon to aban- asked for an annulment of the earlier trial. If Manuel Macedo wants to buy cheaper don East Timor, though not relinquishing And so forth. shirts, and Galvão de Melo enjoys exotic formal sovereignty. holidays in exchange for favours for Suharto, In Dili, de Melo met with Timor Gover- INTOLERABLE that is their business, but when the UN nor Abilio José Osorio Soares. holds meetings with them and Portugal does “De Melo told me that he would do the Publico, 15 January 1994. By Vicente Jorge not react, that is just downright intolerable. best he could to convince the Portuguese Silva. Translated from Portuguese government that the majority of the people (Lisbon) Democracy is a system tolerant PORTUGUESE CUSTOMS here support integration with Indonesia, of all opinions, even those of its enemies. CLEAR INDONESIAN despite the fact that up to now the United However, being democratic does not mean Nations has not yet recognised the action,” being indifferent. The views of the Jakarta COTTON said Soares. dictatorship’s Portuguese friends are, of Jornal de Noticias, 16 February 1994 De Melo has indicated he was impressed course, admissible as long as they are seen with the progress of development in Portu- as personal views of independent citizens (Lisbon) Fifteen tons of cotton yard from gal’s former colony, and the tolerance to- and, as such, are subject to the ethical and Indonesia arrived on Wednesday to the Port ward Christianity, given Islam’s dominance political judgment of public opinion. How- of Leixoes (Portugal), and were cleared by in Indonesia. ever, what is not tolerable is that an interna- customs without a hitch, in spite of the The general admits his mission to forge a tional figure of such standing as the United trade boycott decreed by the Government. better understanding between the peoples of Nations’ Secretary General, agrees to talk The importer was Manuel Macedo, Chair- Indonesia and Portugal has no official back- with - even indirectly - citizens, who only man of the Portugal-Indonesia Friendship ing, but he is convinced it would help lead to Association. Page 56 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

The raw material, 15 tons of cotton yarn, that the former Portuguese colony was bet- INDECENT PROPAGANDA to be turned into cloth for making, among ter off as part of Indonesia. other articles, shirts and sheets in a textile East Timor was “too little, too poor, to Publico, 27 January 1994. By Vicente Jorge factory in Ermesinde, was imported by become independent,” retired general Carlos Silva. Translated from Portuguese businessman Manuel Macedo and cleared Galvão de Melo told a news conference The press conference held two days ago customs on Monday, without any problem. toward the end of his 16-day visit to Indo- by General Galvão de Melo and his partner The businessman said that the import of nesia, including a trip to East Timor. friends of Jakarta was the final act in gro- goods from Indonesia is legal and that there The anti-communist general was one of tesque and degrading buffoonery, whose is not such boycott on trade with that the leaders of the junta which overthrew the only objective is to sell in Portugal the southeast Asian nation which, in 1975, an- Caetano regime in Portugal in 1974 in order propaganda of the dictatorship that op- nexed the territory of East Timor under to halt the fighting in Portuguese colonies. presses Timor. Suharto’s Portuguese associ- Portuguese administration. De Melo said there has been greater pro- ates are so anxious to feature in the demon- Everything was done above board. The gress in East Timor in 17 years of Indone- stration of their services to Indonesia, that payment for the goods was made by trans- sian rule than in 400 years as a Portuguese they can no longer disguise their jealousy of fer to Indonesia through a Portuguese bank, colony. each other. They all talk at the same time, emphasised Manuel Macedo, adding that He said he had nothing against a referen- and argue among themselves over the quality “the boycott is just hypocrisy on the part dum but thought it was hypocritical for of privileged speakers or interpreters of of the Government and President of the Portuguese politicians to call for one. Indonesian interests. Republic.” Indonesian troops invaded East Timor in Galvão de Melo - who has a glorified idea Macedo, who intends to conduct December 1975, and Jakarta unilaterally of himself being Alatas’s ambassador - 2,000,000,000 Escudos worth of business annexed the territory as its 27th province in turned furiously at Nuno Rocha when the this year with Indonesia, said he had fol- 1976. latter, attempting to rival the General’s lowed all the trade and imports regulations, The United Nations still views Portugal statements, interrupted to emphasize the established by the European Union, which as the administrator of East Timor. A UN goodness of Indonesia’s intentions. And authorises Indonesia to negotiate with mem- decree stipulates the need for self- Manuel Macedo - who at least is more di- ber states. determination for the East Timorese, and rect and shameless - once again exhibited his Manuel Macedo added that Portuguese Portugal has been demanding that a referen- considerable rewards from his business deal- businessmen are already doing business with dum be held in its former colony. ings with Timor’s occupiers. the Indonesians, but that they use a third De Melo, invited here as chairman of the The fifth-column of Jakarta’s Portuguese country, mainly Holland, as a stopover for Lisbon-based Portugal-Indonesia Friendship friends must not be allowed to continue the their merchandise, before it arrives in Portu- Association, told journalists after meeting indefinite abuse of the Portuguese press for gal. This procedure makes the product more Indonesian President Suharto earlier their indecent propaganda. In the pluralist expensive, he said. Wednesday that integration with Indonesia spirit, for which it is known, Publico pub- The freighter that transported the eight was the best solution for East Timor. lished the views of citizens supporting containers loaded with cotton yarn from The general said that Suharto did not ask Timor’s integration in Indonesia. However, Indonesia to Portugal arrived Wednesday of him to convince the government and people it is now perfectly clear that that openness last week in the Port of Leixoes, where it of Portugal to recognize Indonesian sover- of spirit has been taken advantage of by the was cleared by customs on Monday morn- eignty in East Timor. pro-Indonesia fifth-column in their eager- ing, and then taken to Manuel Macedo’s ness to exhibit the services rendered to the textile factory to be spun into cloth. BISHOP OF DILI WILL NOT Suharto dictatorship. The creation of the so- Comment from CDPM (Maubere Peo- RECEIVE GALVÃO called Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Asso- ple’s Rights Commission): ciation, and the recent propagandistic jour- The Portuguese Government has never Radio Renascenca, 19 Jan. translated. neys of some of its leaders, fit into a cam- decreed an official boycott on Indonesian General Galvão de Melo, who is expected paign orchestrated and financed by Jakarta products, claiming that this is not possible to arrive in Dili today, may find himself to consummate Timor’s annexation. while Portugal is a member of the European deprived of one of his most important con- As from today, Publico will no longer Union (EU), given that such is not the posi- tacts. Yesterday, Mnsgr. Ximenes Belo, give coverage to the propaganda activities of tion of the EU. Bishop of Dili, said he would be unavailable this group of individuals, which represents Following the Dili massacre, the Portuguese to meet the Vice-Chairman of the Portugal- nothing but a shameful attitude of subservi- Government appealed to both Portuguese Indonesia Friendship Association. “Why is ence to the foreign occupier of Timor. From businessmen and consumers, and recently, he interested in coming here, I ask myself?,” now on, Publico will only print information the Foreign Minister renewed that appeal the Bishop told Radio Renascenca, keeping considered to be truly relevant to the issue. not to import or buy Indonesian products. his view on Galvão de Melo’s visit to him- Furthermore, we appeal to the Portuguese Manuel Macedo’s statements referring to self until after 17th January, when Galvão press - which, in general, has given such “hypocrisy” are intended to cause confu- de Melo is due back in Jakarta, where the wide coverage and been responsive to the sion. General’s visit commenced. Timorese drama - to understand the urgent Before leaving for Bali, where he is to need to put an end to this indecent propa- MELO: EAST TIMOR CAN ’T meet with the Indonesian Military Com- ganda. If there are causes and principles AFFORD INDEPENDENCE mander of the Region, before continuing his which justify the noble role of the press, the journey to Dili, Galvão de Melo told Agence problem of Timor is certainly one of them. Agence France Presse, January 19, 1994 France Press that he was sure that the Por- tuguese Government’s “attitude” towards A leader of the 1974 Portuguese revolu- Timor would change “during this year.” tion said Wednesday that East Timor was too small and poor to be independent and East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 57

INFORMATION AND War was being covered. Like all positions, MORE ON LONDON TALKS the stand we have taken on the propagandis- PROPAGANDA tic activities of Indonesia’s friends is cer- Radio Netherlands, 13 December 1993. By Publico, 30 January 1994. By Vicente Jorge tainly arguable and controversial. But we Jill Jolliffe in Lisbon. Silva Translated from Portuguese. prefer take it full in the face than to lend Dateline: Hilversum. Broadcast in Indone- ourselves to spotlighting in our pages an sian, translated. No matter how complete, all-embracing, indecent propaganda circus, which only and generous their information criteria may exists in reality because of all the attention It is a matter for the record that Bishop Belo be, no newspaper, TV channel, or radio given to it by the Portuguese media. does not support these talks. In response to station ever reports everything about all that claims to this effect by Abilio Araujo in an happens. Of course, this has something to interview with the Portuguese press several do with the obvious physical and material LONDON months ago, Bishop Belo was quoted as impossibility of covering all issues, but saying that he would only support talks in basically it is because informing means “RECONCILIATION” which the national resistance council, the choosing, opting between what is relevant TALKS CNRM, and its overseas representative, and what is not. Journalistic editing is not a José Ramos-Horta, participated. bureaucratic function involving unsystem- – TAPOL atic and indifferent recording of current INDONESIA-SPONSORED events. It means noting, organising and se- EAST TIMORESE ‘DIALOGUE’ On Tuesday, 14 December, the first lecting material, according to rules and crite- meeting will take place in London between ria of importance and relevance to the pub- IN LONDON pro-integration and anti-integration groups of Timorese. The meeting will be held in lic, which vary according to the nature and TAPOL Report, 13 December 1993 direction of the media. It is this which de- private and will go on for three days, to fines the outline and characteristics of each Talks between East Timorese from the discuss various issues regarding East Timor, information channel, and the mutual confi- exterior and from the interior are to take the former Portuguese colony which was dence established with its readership, view- place in London on 14 and 15 December at a invaded by Indonesia in 1975. The talks are ers or listeners. hotel, the name of which has not yet been taking place on the initiative of Indonesia Publico considered that the activities made public. A press conference is due to be and will be informal in nature; they will not (mere propaganda organised by individuals held on Thursday, 16 December. touch on the status of East Timor. The fol- lacking any political representation whatso- These talks have been promoted by Ja- lowing is Jill Jolliffe’s report: ever) of the so-called Portugal-Indonesia karta and strongly advocated by Abilio Friendship Association do not justify news Araujo, former head of the Fretilin External The announcement of the talks came coverage. This attitude, which was made Delegation, as a way of seeking agreement from Macao and was made by Father Fran- public and clearly explained (see Publico of with ‘pro-integration’ and ‘anti-integration’ cisco Fernandes, an East Timorese priest 27.1.94) became a controversial issue and East Timorese personalities, and hoping who has been living in exile since 1976; he led to, in some cases, expression of pure thereby to take the East Timor issue out of will be taking part on the pro-independence political hypocrisy. MP Pacheco Pereira - the hands of the UN-sponsored negotiations side. the same one that inspired the failed attempt between Indonesia and Portugal. In an interview with the Portuguese news to restrict freedom of information within These talks, sometimes referred to as agency, LUSA, Fr. Fernandes said that the Parliament (Assembly of the Republic) - ‘conciliation talks,’ have been shrouded in talks in London were the first of the dia- seized the opportunity to accuse Publico of secrecy up to the last moment and even late logues which may prove fruitful in finding a practicing censorship. There were also me- on Monday, the Indonesian embassy in solution. The solution may begin with the dia chiefs who, while acknowledging the London was denying all knowledge of the demilitarisation of East Timor, the release of ethics behind our attitude, seemed intimi- event. The talks were earlier to have taken East Timorese political prisoners, and free dated by their practical consequences. place in Madrid but did not take place for access for the press and international agen- Publico is not confusing information and reasons that remain unclear. Some sources cies to East Timor. Fr. Fernandes will be opinion. But for exactly this reason, it does say that the leaking of information about the one of the team of ten people which will be not wish to confuse information and propa- event caused the cancellation. led by Abilio Araujo, former leader of Fre- ganda, especially when such propaganda Preliminary lists of names deleted. tilin who was expelled last August by the reaches levels of obscenity on a par with the Fretilin leadership which is close to José activities of Jakarta’s Portuguese agents. Ramos-Horta. Although it is true that no text published in A pro-integration team composed of the Publico inferred any identification of the same number of people will be led by Rov- paper with the positions held by Indone- ing Ambassador Francisco Lopes da Cruz. sia’s propagandists, it is also true that the We are nationalists and will never betray media coverage given to their activities, East Timor, said Abilio Araujo. He also said apart from being way out of proportion, has that the Portuguese Government is fully given them such relevance that it can only informed about the talks and is taking a serve to benefit their interests and those of neutral and active [?] position. the Suharto regime. According to Abilio Araujo, the prepara- Journalists are permanently confronted tions for the talks have involved Indonesian with political and ethical issues, in which Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and the Indone- the borderlines between information and sian Defence Minister [General Edy Sudra- propaganda are often blurred. There was jat] but no Indonesians will be taking part. much hot debate about this when the Gulf Page 58 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

The only people taking part will be East According to one journalist, Governor with Indonesia after the Portuguese colonial Timorese, he said. Abilio Soares was among the team arriving administrators pulled out from East Timor Indonesia and Portugal have been talking from Jakarta. in 1975. since 1982 but without result. We Timorese Further, we have now been told that no The ten-man delegation from the Portu- have been kept out, although we are the priest from the Dili diocese is attending the guese-based East Timorese group is headed ones who are most directly involved. There talks. This places doubts on the information by former Fretilin executive Abilio Araujo. are now signs that Indonesia is willing to we have about the presence of Fr. Antonio Two priests from East Timor, Father make concessions by for instance allowing Costa in the team ‘from the interior.’ Francisco Fernandez and Father Rogiero the East Timorese who participate to leave The designation ‘Dr.’ used in our list of Lobato, are also taking part in the reconcilia- Indonesia. Abilio was not prepared to give participants should read ‘drs,’ the title for tion talks. Father Lobato is the special rep- the names of the pro-integration people in an ordinary degree. resentative of the influential Bishop Belo of the talks. Why the secrecy? Dili. Araujo said he recognises the risk of ma- According to Indonesian diplomats, the One might have thought that an event like nipulations by the Indonesian government reconciliation talks, which will last three this should be given a high profile, so why but “we are very clear in our minds about days, were organized by Indonesian Foreign the secrecy? This may be because the Indo- what we want, which is to create a good Minister Ali Alatas, and Army Chief Eddy nesians recognise a risk factor and would climate of understanding. We want dialogue Sudradjat. prefer to avoid having to publicly explain and reconciliation and we cannot continue Indonesian diplomats said that Araujo away a failure. What failures may happen? living with illusions.” has placed three conditions on reaching a Possibly, failure to reach any agreement, According to Araujo, the East Timor solution to the East Timor problem. He has though one would have thought that enough Catholic Church, including Bishop Belo, demanded that East Timor be demilitarized, preparatory groundwork had been done to fully supports these talks [!] although that all political prisoners be released and ensure that this does not happen. Another Bishop Belo himself will not be taking part. that a free press be allowed in the former possibility - that they might agree to ask for Portuguese colony. concessions that Jakarta will not be able to Lopez Da Cruz, who is one of the advi- LONDON TALKS make. Hence the need to avoid such an em- sors of President Suharto, said that Jakarta SHROUDED IN SECRECY barrassment. would be prepared to give limited autonomy In fact, the event itself is far from being to East Timor and has stressed that the TAPOL Report, 14 December 1993 secret and we here can assure readers that Indonesian army has recently reduced its there are any number of journalists rushing First a caveat: TAPOL has been receiving a presence on the island. round London trying to find out where they whirl of information in the past 24 hours - Da Cruz says there is only one army are having lunch or dinner, where they are names, times of arrival and lots more. Lots combat battalion left in remote East Timor staying, where the talks are to be held. of people have been phoning to see if we and all other troops there are engaged in know anything, but we have had to say, ‘Not Why in London? development projects. much.’ We have put together these reports in We here have no rational explanation, ex- Col. John Lumintang, who is commander the belief that readers of reg.easttimor will cept that London is as good as any other of the military district which overseas secu- want to follow events surrounding the Lon- European capital. Does the British Govern- rity in the troubled area, recently said that don Talks. We cannot vouchsafe the reliabil- ment know about the talks? Yes, the Foreign Jakarta planned to “gradually reduce the ity any of the detailed information we have Office have told inquirers that they have number of troops as socio-economic condi- been putting out but would guess that much been told they will take place but have not tions improved.” or most of it is correct. Anyway, we will keep given or been asked for any logistical sup- Indonesian diplomats are reluctant to say you posted.... port. Commenting on the talks, an FO offi- whether the ongoing reconciliation talks –––––––––– cial said only that they would welcome it if have been successful. “It is an affair for the The ‘conciliation talks’ between East East Timorese could reach agreement. East Timorese, we don’t want to meddle in Timorese which are scheduled to start today their affairs,” a senior diplomat said. “We in London are shrouded in secrecy. Journal- EAST TIMORESE HOLD are just creating conditions and a good cli- ists inquiring at the Indonesian embassy SECRET TALKS IN LONDON mate for these talks, which we fully sup- have only been told, “We know nothing.” port,” he added. An official did say that the second man, By Bob Mantiri, IPS But Brussels-based supporters of Fretilin are skeptical about the talks. They accuse Effendi Arizal, went to Heathrow to meet BRUSSELS, Dec. 14 – Indonesian and Lopes da Cruz this morning. the Jakarta government of “trying to split Portuguese-based East Timorese are holding the East Timorese front abroad.” The team from Lisbon were due to arrive reconciliation talks in London, Indonesian on a BA flight landing at 11.05, but they EC diplomats in Jakarta, however, say diplomats said here today. that President Suharto is eager to solve the were not on the plane, nor on another that It is the second time in the last three arrived from Lisbon a little later. Some jour- East Timorese problem as soon as possible. months that the two parties have held talks Since the massacre of East Timorese pro- nalists now believe they may have sneaked in private. They first met in Madrid in mid- independence demonstrators on Nov. 12 in in last night. October. One journalist spotted Lopes da Cruz Dili – when some 180 people were shot The delegation of the pro-Indonesian dead by Indonesian troops – Indonesia has and his group arriving late morning at Heath- East Timorese group is led by former East row, Terminal 4, and being met by Arizal received continuous criticism from the inter- Timorese Vice-Governor Francisco Lopes national community. Effendi of the Indonesian embassy. He tried da Cruz, Indonesia’s roving ambassador. to follow the entourage on their trip into Indonesia’s five partners in the Associa- Cruz has also been an executive member tion of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) London, but lost track of them when they of the Democratic Union Party of East sped through some red lights! have blamed Jakarta for the grouping’s fail- Timor (UDT) – which favored integration ure of getting an economic cooperation East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 59 agreement with the European Community towards the meeting being seen in a disfa- Despite all the evidence to the contrary, (EC) off the ground – due to the East Timor vourable light in the eyes of the main sectors the Indonesian embassy, many of whose conflict. of the Timorese Resistance abroad. staff were present, insist that the event has CORRECTIONS! (from TAPOL) Abilio Araujo, former Fretilin representa- not been arranged by the Indonesian gov- tive in Portugal, who is already in London ernment. IPS really has a flair for getting things for the meeting, does not see the meeting in The hotel was surrounded by plain- wrong. the same way. For Araujo, the meeting is to clothed Indonesian intelligence agents and ‘Father’ Rogerio Lobato is not a Catholic discuss humanitarian and cultural issues and, security officers, armed with walkie-talkies priest at all. He was Fretilin’s minister of by mutual agreement, integration will not be and keeping unwanted intruders out. When defence in 1975 and left East Timor shortly on the agenda. He believes the meeting Abilio Araujo was interviewed, he and the before the invasion. He remained on Fre- should be considered a complementary journalist were surrounded by about seven tilin’s external committee but spent several (“lateral”) initiative to the negotiations Indonesian officials; they were videod and years in prison in Angola on corruption sponsored by the UN Secretary General, every word spoken was monitored. Araujo charges. To describe him as ‘the special which involve the Foreign Ministers of Por- appeared to be very nervous throughout the representative of the influential Bishop Belo tugal and Indonesia. interview. of Dili’ is simply ludicrous. Abilio Araujo’s intention is to make the We now have the official list of partici- It’s interesting to learn - and this is al- London meeting the first of a series of meet- pants, which is as follows: most certainly true - that the talks were ings, which would be held more frequently From Indonesia: organised by Foreign Minister Alatas and than the ministerial level meetings (the next Francisco Xavier Lopes da Cruz and ‘army chief’ Eddy Sudradjat, except that Edi round of which is scheduled for March in Mrs. da Cruz Sudradjat is not army chief. He is now, and Geneva). Everything depends on the out- Guilherme dos Santos has for months been, Indonesia’s Minister come of the first experience, which the for- Armindo Soares Mariano of Defence. mer Fretilin representative cautiously de- Francisco Xavier do Amaral TAPOL scribes as “preparatory.” Araujo’s cau- Francisco dos Santos Ribeiro tiousness is justifiable, given the difficulties Florentino Sarmento TIMORESE MEET IN there will be in dealing with some of the Tarciso dos Reis Amaral more sensitive issues. LONDON (SPONSORED BY Maria Aurelia M. Reis Soares JAKARTA) Negotiation of prisoners José Piedade One such issue is that of the release of Rui Augusto Gomes Publico, 15 December 1993 By Joaquim T. prisoners, which the exiles will wish to raise Francisco Kalbuadi de Negreiros, Translated from Portuguese in London, and on which Indonesia has From outside: In the eyes of the dominating structure of made conditional upon the re-establishment Abilio Araujo the Resistance abroad, this is nothing but of diplomatic relations between Indonesia Fr. Francisco Fernandes another Indonesian maneuver. For Abilio and Portugal. Portugal recently rejected the José Belo Araujo, it is an opportunity for dialogue to viability of opening an Indonesian “desk” (a Antonio Araujo complement the UN sponsored negotiations kind of diplomatic representation in embry- Fr. Constancio Gusmão - with Jakarta as sponsor. onic form) at the Thai or Spanish Embassy Manuel Tilman An informal dinner to be held last night in in Lisbon. This would have been corre- Rogerio Lobato London signalled the start of the so-called sponded by the installation of a Portuguese Manuel Jaime Ximenes “reconciliation meeting,” to be held over the “desk” at the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta. next two days. The meeting will be the fo- Marcos de Orleaos Rogerio Pereira rum at which a delegation of Timorese, inte- MORE ON LONDON TALKS grated in the Indonesian politico- Lourencio Lameiras administrative machinery, and a heterogene- TAPOL Report, 15 December 1993 It is not clear whether there will be a ous group of exiles, not belonging to the press conference. The participants and their The ‘reconciliation talks’ between East Indonesian sponsors may think it better to structure currently dominating the Resis- Timorese from inside and outside East tance abroad, sit at the same table. end the meeting by issuing a statement and Timor were held today at an undisclosed avoid any confrontation with the press. The meeting, which has been succes- location, about thirty miles from London. sively scheduled and then postponed since The meeting took place in an exclusive hotel BISHOP BELO ON THE last April, and finally set for today and in the countryside, well away from any tomorrow, has been strongly condemned by residential centre. The two journalists who “CONCILIATION” TALKS IN the “troika” of the Diplomatic Front’s Co- went did so on the strict understanding that LONDON ordinating Commission, composed of they would not divulge the name of the Ramos-Horta (CNRM), Mari Alkatiri (Fre- hotel or its location to anyone. The ar- 15 December 1993 tilin), and João Carrascalão (UDT). They rangement for them to visit the location and Interview by: Rui Araujo (RTP-TV) & José see the initiative as a diversion technique interview some of the participants was Lopez (Portuguese Radio), conducted in employed by Indonesia to “divert” the made by a senior diplomat at the Indonesian Portuguese Timor issue from its international setting, embassy, Arizal Effendi who was clearly in and involvement of the UN. charge of everything. [It is likely that it was Rui Araujo(RA): Bishop Belo, what do you An Indonesian diplomatic effort the qualifications of Effendi as a slick opera- think about the Timorese reconciliation The determined efforts of Jakarta’s di- tor, perhaps even a BAIS man, that swung talks in London? plomacy in the preparation of the meeting, Jakarta’s decision is favour of holding the Bishop Belo(BB): What is happening? I made clear by the activities of the Indone- talks in London.] have no knowledge of this? sian Embassy in London, have contributed Page 60 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

José Lopez(JL): Bishop, we are in London LONDON TALKS UPDATE Q: You have long been known as one of the and the meeting began this morning. leading Fretilin figures for East Timorese BB: I don’t know anything about this meet- TAPOL Report, 16 December 1993 independence. Why have you decided now ing. I was in Australia and people told me Shots on Portuguese RTP-TV of the to join these talks which are being held by about it. Now the meeting is happening, but ‘reconciliation talks’ between East Timorese Indonesia and which most people in- I don’t know anything about it. which took place yesterday at a secret loca- volved in Fretilin are boycotting? RA: What do you think, in principle, of a tion about outside London somewhere near A: First of all I would like to say that I took meeting between the Timorese resistance Cambridge, showed the location surrounded the initiative, I made the invitation to Mr. outside and pro-integration Timorese? by and swarming with Indonesian security Lopes da Cruz some months ago and I am officers (as we described in our report yes- very happy that their response was very BB: I don’t have any thoughts about it. I positive. So this initiative is an initiative know nothing about it. terday). Shots of the opening session of the meet- taken by myself and fully supported by RA: Bishop, do have any comment about ing, taken by RTP journalist, Rui Araujo, Mr. Lopes da Cruz. I would like to greet the Abilio’s statement that you support this the only Portuguese journalist to be given Indonesian authorities that also helped that kind of meeting? access, show Abilio Araujo who headed the this meeting could take place. It is a sign of BB: As I have not heard anything from team from outside, the anti-integration side, goodwill that we appreciate very much. Abilio I cannot make any comment. speaking. He is heard saying that anyone As for the talks I would like to say that RA: Abilio issued a statement this morning who does not support these talks will find everything that is related with reconciliation which asserted that you guarantee and themselves left out of a solution to the ques- is always a good thing. That’s why every- support these reconciliation talks between tion of East Timor. He reiterated his asser- one should support it. I am sure that sooner the Timorese resistance and the pro- tion, made on several earlier occasions, that or later - and for my part I will do my best - integrationists. the East Timor Church and Bishop Belo to open, to enlarge the participation of the himself, support the talks. Timorese outside in this process. And I am BB: I can’t affirm or reject them and I can- There appears to be some confusion over sure that one day the people who will come not say whether or not I support them. I the agenda. Araujo was quoted earlier as to see our brothers who come from East have to wait for developments at the UN. saying that matters such as demilitarisation Timor will be more than today. RA: Bishop, I have another question. Have and the release of political prisoners would Q: The problem is that very few people you been contacted by Abilio Araujo or be on the agenda. It now appears that the imagine that Indonesia can offer anything any person from the Indonesian admini- agenda consisted of two points, ‘develop- even approaching autonomy for East stration about this meeting? ment’ and ‘justice.’ Timor and if you get anything less than BB: I have not been contacted by anyone. I There are no signs yet of any final com- that, it doesn’t seem like a major break- have not been contacted. No one has con- muniqué from the meeting. through. There will still be a big division tacted me. Bishop Belo denial between Indonesia and the East Timorese RA: What is your reaction to this meeting? Bishop Belo was interviewed yesterday and the Portuguese who want independ- BB: I would say that if Portugal and Indo- in Dili by phone for Portuguese Radio. He ence. nesia are discussing the issue, under UN made it clear that he was not in a position to A: I don’t say that the Portuguese want auspices, why do other people have to in- speak freely. Asked whether he supports independence. I don’t say what the others terfere in the middle of this process. moves towards reconciliation now taking want. I would like to say what we, the East place at a meeting in Britain, he replied: JL: Bishop, two weeks ago I telephoned you Timorese want. We want life, we want a “What meeting? What reconciliation? I at the Portuguese Consulate in Mel- better life, we want development, we want a know nothing about any meeting.” Pressed bourne, after the dinner with the Portu- good and bright future for our people and by the interviewer who said that Abilio guese Consul. At that time you said that for our children. And that’s why I believe Araujo had said the talks have his support, eventually a large meeting between the that the Timorese leaders who are in East Bishop Belo said he had not been informed Timorese could be a positive thing, even Timor, who are playing an important role of any talks and had not received any infor- before the next round of talks between both in administrative and in political things, mation from anyone about them. He said Portugal and Indonesia. have a very important role. And since they that of course he supports reconciliation are working together with our people, we BB: But now we have to wait for the talks which should include all elements in East want to hear from them what is the level of between Portugal and Indonesia. Timorese society, but he feels that nothing the life in East Timor. And our main concern RA: Are reconciliation talks between the should take the place of the talks that are at this moment is the life, the physical and Timorese still possible? going on under the auspices of the United spiritual life of our people. BB: Yes, it is possible. If it is not possible Nations, most recently in New York and Q: Have you abandoned the goal of inde- we have to find a way to make it so. But for earlier in Rome. pendence yourself? now we have to wait for the talks between ABILIO ARAUJO A: I myself I used to say that our right of Portugal and Indonesia under UN auspices. self-determination has been denied for 400 RA: Thank you very much, Bishop Belo. INTERVIEWED AT TALKS years. London, 18 December 1993 Q: And what about the accusation that some of your colleagues would make that the The following is an interview of Abilio reason that you have now decided to join Araujo made on 15 December 1993 by the these Indonesian-sponsored talks is be- BBC World Service during the East cause you were expelled from the Fretilin Timorese ‘reconciliation talks’ at an undis- Central Committee earlier this year? closed location somewhere near Cambridge: East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 61

A: First of all I must say that I was not was for many years charged with looking ABILIO ARAUJO CAN expelled. I am president and this is still so. after the general’s horses. In a lengthy inter- But for this meeting I came in my personal view in an Indonesian journal some months GO TO INDONESIA capacity. Because I want that these talks are ago, do Amaral described his present highly AFP, 23 December 1993, Dateline: Jakarta. talks of Timorese, non-party talks, and we controlled life, kept in fairly agreeable Slightly abridged come here as old friends, as brothers, to physical conditions with a nice house, paid meet each other. And I would like to say for by some army generals. He also con- Comment: Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, known again that these talks are an initiative taken veyed a sense of pride in his earlier political as Mbak Tutut, Suharto’s oldest daughter, by me some months ago and I still don’t activities. has long been known to have business and understand why people continue to say that Francisco Kalbuadi was adopted soon af- property interests in East Timor. It was her it is something that is bad. Why? ter the invasion by General Dading Kal- foundation, Yayasan Tiara, that inveigled buadi, one of the leading commanders of the young East Timorese to leave for Java for Q: Are you worried at all about being ma- well-paid jobs, only to become low-paid nipulated by the Indonesian government? invasion. Timorese sources describe him as a ‘sinister character’ who is deeply disliked workers in various factories. She is now A: I want to say clearly that, first of all, we by the Timorese because of his corrupt thought to be the chair of the Indonesian- are in a process of dialogue at all levels. If business activities associated with the mili- Portuguese Friendship Association and there is dialogue, why are Timorese forbid- tary and his objectionable lifestyle. Sources planning to take an active part in business den to talk to each other? The destiny of our suggest that he may by on the team ‘to keep deals with Portuguese businessmen eager to people, first of all, stays in our hands. an eye on Xavier do Amaral.’ trade with Indonesia. There are rumours Q: But with Indonesia keeping a very close Armindo Mariano Soares was formerly that she visited Lisbon recently. watch on what you’re doing because, af- of Apodeti. He is a close associate of Abilio The Indonesian ambassador, Fannie ter all, this meeting here has involved the Osorio Soares, the present ‘governor’ of Habibie, who also figures in this story, is the help of the Indonesian embassy and a lot East Timor. He was district chief of Dili brother of B.J. Habibie, arms industry su- of Indonesian staff. during Mario Carrascalão’s term as gover- premo, Suharto’s right-hand man, with A: I only, I only can thank the support as I nor. great political clout. It is enlightening to see did already since the beginning. Without the Maria Aurelia, also a member of Apodeti, that such regime cronies are, it seems, to support, without the understanding of the is the daughter of the late Arnaldo Araujo, become Abilio Araujo’s sponsors when he Indonesian government, we would not come co-founder of Apodeti and the first Indone- visits Indonesia which, this story suggests, here. And it is a positive aspect. It shows sian-appointed governor after the invasion. may soon happen. that there is goodwill from the Indonesian Indeed yesterday, there were rumours that government and I want to stress this. ALATAS: EAST TIMORESE Abilio was already in Jakarta, but we re- Q: Thanks very much indeed. SLANDER CAMPAIGN frained from posting anything for lack of AGAINST INDONESIA verification. BACKGROUND ON TALKS Meanwhile, Jakarta is still silent about the PARTICIPANTS Radio Netherlands, ‘Gema Warta.’ 21 Dec. recent talks in the UK, nor does this item 93. Language: Indonesian, abridged. make any reference to them. TAPOL Report, 18 December 1993 Radio Netherlands interviewed Foreign – TAPOL Referring to our final official list of par- Minister Ali Alatas on 20 December, just ticipants at the talks, here is some informa- after last week’s Indonesia-sponsored Lon- FORMER PRO-INDEPENDENCE tion about the personalities who took part don meeting between groups led by Abilio MOVEMENT HEAD ALLOWED TO in the ‘reconciliation talks’ on the Indone- Araujo and Lopes da Cruz respectively. RETURN TO INDONESIA sian side: Alatas complained that Indonesia often Indonesia will allow entry to the former Xavier Francisco Lopes da Cruz was has to experience negative reporting and president of the East Timor pro- deputy governor of East Timor in Indone- criticisms from NGOs, such as Amnesty independence movement, Abilio Araujo, as sia’s first administration set up in 1976. He International and others, regarding East long as he refrains from meddling in sover- was a signatory of the so-called ‘Balibo Timor. Such reporting is not based on facts, eignty issues, reports said here Thursday. Declaration’ (so- called because it was in it distorts the truth or presents “half- “We will welcome anyone who wants to fact signed in Bali) of 30 November 1975 truths.” This is part of a campaign against return ... on condition he will not question which asked Indonesia to integrate East Indonesia which shows no concern for the the political status of East Timor, which is a Timor. truth, Alatas added. part of Indonesia,” the Republika daily Lopes da Cruz has often attended inter- According to Alatas such slander cam- quoted Coordinating Minister for Security national gatherings as a member of Indone- paigns are led by a small number of people, and Political Affairs, Susilo Sudarman as sian delegations, ‘representing’ East Timor. mainly ex-Fretilin or Fretilin members who saying. He was for a number of years a member of lost out in the integration process of East The daily said Araujo met on December Suharto’s Supreme Advisory Council, until Timor into Indonesia. Furthermore, these 20 in London with several Indonesian offi- being appointed earlier this year Special people carry out their anti-Indonesia slander cials, such as Deputy Chairman of the ruling Indonesian Ambassador for East Timor campaign under the assistance of Portugal. GOLKAR party, President Suharto’s affairs. The number of slanderers is small, very daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, Ambas- Xavier do Amaral was the first president small in fact, and their names are well sador at large, Lopes da Cruz, and ambassa- of Fretilin who was replaced by Nicolau known to the Indonesian government. They dor for Britain Fannie Habibie. Lobato in 1977; he was held in custody by have been successful in influencing certain Araujo was ousted earlier this year as the the Fretilin forces until he was captured by NGOs, but they do not reflect world opin- president of the Revolutionary Front for an Indonesian troops. Since then he has lived ion on East Timor, Alatas concluded. Independent East Timor (Fretilin) because within the Dading Kalbuadi household, and he was involved in setting up the Indone- Page 62 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. sian-Portuguese Friendship Association this The matter can be further illustrated by Besides these Portugal-based leaders, the year. examining the dramatis personnae of those “reunion” also attracted a strong push from It is also said that Portuguese general involved in the London meeting. Chief Macao led by lawyer Dr. Manuel Tilman, a Galvão Melo, a member of the European frontman for the Indonesian side at London former Timorese member of the Portuguese Parliament Indonesian Friendship Associa- was, not surprisingly, former Timorese parliament (198081) (Independent Social tion (EPIFA) would visit Indonesia on Democratic Union (UDT) supremo turned Democratic Party) and self-styled UDT January 4. [Melo is not a member of Indonesian collaborator, and currently president in Macao. Other members of the EPIFA, not being an MEP. But he was the presidential appointee cum roving ambassa- so-called “grupo do seis” or group of six main speaker at an EPIFA meeting in the dor for Indonesia on East Timorese affairs, from Macao included the highly respected European Parliament in Strasbourg last F.X. Lopes da Cruz. Timorese community leader Father Fran- week. - TAPOL] Having started out his political career in cisco Fernandez. Correction: colonial Timor as a representative of the No communiqués issued forth from this Caetanoist Accao Nacional popular party, meeting except the decision taken that this The recent EPIFA meeting in Strasbourg Lopes da Cruz did not arrive alone at the would be the first of a series of talks, the was addressed by Macedo, the Portuguese London meeting. next to be held in an ASEAN country, most businessman who heads the Portuguese- Besides top Indonesian diplomats from probably Malaysia, and with further meet- Indonesian Friendship Association, not by the London Embassy as well as from Indo- ings to be held in other Asian countries. General Melo. nesian missions in Spain and France, repre- Given the secret and private nature of the sentatives of Indonesian intelligence, includ- diplomacy one can only speculate as to the VOICES OF HOPE ... OR OF ing figures close to presidential confidante quid pro quo offered by the Indonesian side OPPRESSION and eminence gris Minister for Research and in return for the extraordinary gesture of Technology Habibie, were also in atten- granting visas to Rogerio Lobato, Tilman The Nation (Bangkok), 8 January, By Geof- dance. and others to visit Indonesia (and East fry Gunn While Lopes da Cruz spoke long at this Timor?). Geoffry Gunn discusses the recent meet- meeting of the tragedy of the “grand It appears now that notwithstanding ob- ing in London of East Timorese leaders and Timorese family” separated by time and vious divisions between UDT and Fretilin Indonesian officials and questions who are space, of the need for “unity of all for the among the overseas Timorese, Jakarta has the legitimate representatives of the East good of all,” it was after all the language of successfully opened a rift between those Timorese people. “integrasi,” not a formula that envisaged an who support the so-called “reconciliation” –––– independent Timor outside of Indonesia. process and those who resist. Besides the exercise in London designed This is not surprising as neither Fretilin In late December wire agencies reported to win over the cream of Timorese society leadership (José Ramos Horta or Mari that East Timorese exile Rogerio Lobato, a in the diaspora, Lopes da Cruz has also been Alkatiri (sic)) nor the UDT leadership (João former senior member of Fretilin, would active on Indonesia’s behalf over the past Carrascalão) are in agreement with this di- visit Indonesia from 4 January with former twelve months in an albeit unsuccessful plomacy. Neither has Portugal or the UN Portuguese General Galvão de Melo, a attempt to win over the Vatican to Jakarta’s lent its endorsement to the Indonesian initia- member of the revolutionary council which views. tive. ended the dictatorship in Portugal in May Taken together, this diplomatic push by While individual members of the East 1974. The visit was “the latest move in Indonesia seeks to remove two major obsta- Timorese leaders’ delegation assert that they Jakarta’s effort to mute international attacks cles to the legitimization of its rule in East still claim self-determination to be the objec- on its role in East Timor Timor: opposition from the Church and no tive, that they still regard Xanana Gusmão How did this extraordinary turn of events less, from the most troublesome and least as the rightful leader of a future independent eventuate? What is the meaning of this di- manageable quarter of all, the leadership of East Timorese state, that the reconciliation plomacy outside the ambit of the United the overseas Timorese who have hitherto talks are not out of line with the UN spon- Nations? What risks does this private and shown one face and stood for one supreme sored dialogue on East Timor, the affair erstwhile secret diplomacy entail? goal, the liberation of their homeland. raises more questions than it answers. Between 14 and 15 December, a meeting Heading the “reconciliation” group of Impatience on the part of the East occurred in a house outside London between overseas Timorese was erstwhile senior, or Timorese with the snail’s pace of the UN- two groups of Timorese. One consisted of rather expelled, Fretilin leader, Abilio initiated talks is understandable, but the pro Indonesian East Timorese along with Araujo. Styling himself “Head of Delegation rush to embrace the Indonesian government Indonesian officials while the other com- of Leaders of the Diaspora,” Araujo de- in private diplomacy obviously carries prised self appointed representatives of the scribed the meeting in an opening speech as enormous risks. East Timorese people in exile. “an exciting historical (sic) for our beloved First, it plays directly into the hands of Styled the “fraternal reunion between Timor.” Indonesian propaganda aimed at splitting Timorese leaders from Indonesia and the The presence in London of Rogerio Lo- the fragile unity of the East Timorese na- diaspora,” this meeting can be seen as a bato, founder of the Fretilin armed forces, or tionalist movement, namely between ac- diplomatic triumph for the Indonesian side. Falantil, and brother of the late Fretilin ceptable leaders (Abilio Araujo) and unac- Not only had a section of the Timorese in commander Nicolau, might be taken as a ceptable leaders (José Ramos Horta and exile been lured into dialogue with their pro- diplomatic coup on the part of Jakarta, but Mari Alkatiri). integrationist compatriots, but the Indone- it should be recalled that Jakarta’s new Second, it is a delusion to expect Indone- sian side had managed to sow discord “ally” also served a long time in a Luanda sia to offer the slightest concession on self- amongst the overseas Timorese while at the prison on the charge of trafficking in dia- determination for East Timor to any single same time conferring legitimacy on “accept- monds and abusing Angolan diplomatic group of East Timorese when Jakarta has able” as opposed to “unacceptable” leaders privileges. shunned the international community and of that community. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 63 ignored the numerous UN resolutions on the DIVISIONS CONCERN issue for almost two decades. INDONESIA’S PUBLIC Neither would recent outbursts by the TIMORESE LEADERS RELATIONS CAMPAIGN Indonesian president against pro-democracy Diario de Noticias, 3 February 1994 activists in the Indonesian capital offer any hope for the East Timorese self- On 19 December Xanana Gusmão re- INDONESIA DFA ON ceived a letter, in prison, from Azancot determination cause in any quarter. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS Third, it might be said that by focussing Menezes, claiming the chairmanship of the minds on leadership questions, which have Political Commission of UDT (abolished by IN EAST TIMOR always bedevilled the East Timorese free- the UDT Congress in 1992). Statement by the Department of Foreign dom cause, Indonesia detracts from the In his reply, excerpts (of the 7 page Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; Jakarta, unity of resolve required by the Timorese if original) of which are given below, Xanana 3 December 1993 ever and whenever the UN pushes Indonesia appeals for unity among Timorese abroad, to honour an internationally acceptable ref- reaffirms confidence in Ramos Horta and in Comment: This is Indonesia’ latest restate- erendum on self-determination. the CNRM’s peace plan, he reiterates sup- ment of its position. Most of what it says has Finally, by entering into secret diplo- port for the UN’s continued mediation, and been addressed from various sources in macy with Indonesia, the “reconciliation” condemns the “reconciliation strategy,” led previous postings. It seems odd, though not group threatens to prejudice the UN spon- by Abilio Araujo (Fretilin) at the London unsurprising, that Indonesia would highlight sored dialogue on East Timor. meeting. Portugal’s characterization of November 12 Pushed to extremes (unless this too is the “(...) We, in the fatherland, have had little in Dili as a ‘massacre,’ while calling on Indonesian strategy) the splitist tactics pur- luck with our leaders on the outside. When- Portugal to pay attention to “reports from sued by Jakarta in dealing with the Timorese ever we receive news, it concerns the failings impartial observers.” That a massacre took threaten to recreate the devastating condi- within the parties, which so weaken the place November 12 1991 is certainly the tions of civil war such as transpired in East Timorese capacity to resist. Both Fretilin consensus of most observers. Also notewor- Timor in 1975. and UDT play at contradictions, and try to thy is Indonesia’s insistence that Portugal is Clearly, what concerns Jakarta is the drag us into this “status quo” of Timorese bound by the terminology of the 1992 state- creation in Lisbon last August of the all- political life. We are amazed at how ment from the Human Rights Commission. party Coordinating Committee for the Dip- Timorese abroad are unable to get along. We Especially, since Indonesia chooses to ig- lomatic Front whereby the three major ele- just cannot understand the mechanism nore two post-invasion Security Council ments of the Timorese resistance seek to which inclines Timorese intellect towards resolutions, which under the UN Charter take a common stand, especially in the UN eternal leadership disputes! are binding on all members. Finally, we can initiated discussions on East Timor such as “(...) And if that were not enough, an- only presume that in para. 2 Indonesia at the third round of talks on East Timor other group is scheming a new strategy: doesn’t mention the visit of the Swedish par- held in New York on 17 September 1993. “reconciliation” strategy (...) Our people liamentary delegation, because it disagrees Those East Timorese leaders behind the deeply regret this political infantilism. (...) I with its harsh conclusions. think the time has come for Timorese to push for reconciliation with Jakarta would – John Miller, ETAN/US be well advised to direct their energies to- become reconciled - I do not mean the ri- wards obliging Indonesia to adhere to the diculous “reconciliation” that took place in The Department of Foreign Affairs of the letter and spirit of the 17 September 1993 the UK. (...) Do you agree with the strategy Republic of Indonesia deeply regrets that meeting, notably the stipulation set down of Abilio Araujo and his cronies? despite the understanding achieved during by the UN Secretary general that Indonesia (...) Ramos Horta is my personal repre- the last meeting between the Foreign Minis- facilitate unconditional access to the terri- sentative, and the CNRM’s special repre- ters of Indonesia and Portugal in New York tory by United Nations, human rights moni- sentative. I am still the main leader of the on 17 September under the sponsorship of tors and other interested parties including CNRM. (...) I do not want to be chairman of the UN Secretary-General, the Government journalists (respectively, the fourth and anything, as I am not ambitious in that way. of Portugal continues to make unsubstanti- sixth points of the statement by the UN But now, today, I am claiming the leader- ated charges against Indonesia and to twist Secretary General’s spokesman on East ship of the fight for myself. (...) Neither I facts surrounding the issue of East Timor. Timor.) nor my guerrillas (...) will sell even one cen- Such statements, supported neither by facts Bargaining for visa rights with Indonesia timetre of our fatherland. Our fatherland is nor reports from impartial observers, can to enter East Timor pending the implemen- our life’s gift! (...) The Falintil gave up all only undermine the ongoing dialogue be- tation of these determinants and, indeed, that a normal life has to offer them, and tween the two countries which is aimed at pending the fourth round of UN-sponsored continue to be prepared to die for the father- bringing about a just, comprehensive and talks on East Timor to be held in Geneva on land. And they say “yes” to the CNRM internationally acceptable solution to the 6 May is tantamount to trading with the peace plan. question of East Timor, and call into ques- devil and should be condemned as such. (...) Our people suffer. How can you tion Portugal’s sincerity in carrying out its (Geoffrey Gunn is the co-author of a save our people? How can you free our commitments under the present dialogue. A clear proof of bad faith on the part of forthcoming book, “A Critical View of people? “ (...) Western Journalism and Scholarship on East the Government of Portugal is the deliberate Timor since 1975.”) use of the term “massacre” in a Statement by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Af- fairs to describe the incident of 12 Novem- ber 1991 in Dili. The Government of Portu- gal is bound by the 1992 Chairman’s State- ment of the Commission on Human Rights. The Chairman’s Statement specifically em- Page 64 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. ploys the term “incident” which was agreed waged by their Government against In- PORTUGUESE RESPONSE (A upon by the parties concerned. donesia is doing harm to only to Indone- MONTH LATER) In the interest of truth, the Department sia but to their own country as well. of Foreign Affairs would like to cite the Diario de Noticias, 4 January 1994. By A. 4. The East Timor Military Command has following facts to set the record straight on Sampaio & P. Ferreirinha, Translated from been formally disbanded and replaced the current situation in East Timor: Portuguese with a regular military command struc- 1. With regard to the incident of 12 Novem- (Lisbon) Yesterday, the Portuguese Gov- ture identical to that found in each of In- ernment opted to ignore an Indonesian ber 1991 in Dili, the Government of In- donesia’s other provinces. Of the eight donesia has made every effort to resolve communiqué, accusing Portugal of acting in battalions currently stationed in the “bad faith” with regards Timor, and of ef- all outstanding issues related to this tragic province, seven are devoted to the im- event. In line with this, the Government forts to discredit Jakarta. plementation of development projects When contacted by Diario de Noticias, of Indonesia has worked closely with the throughout the province. By 1995, all but Secretary-General of the UN and has Minister Durão Barroso made no comment. two of these battalions will have been The Government clearly prefers to con- kept him informed of all steps it has phased out of East Timor. taken. This include undertaking an ex- gratulate itself on the release of the seven haustive search for all persons who were 5. The Government of Indonesia would also Timorese, who arrived in Lisbon last week, listed unaccounted for after the incident. like to reiterate that the people of East and to believe that this was a sign of flexibil- In this intensive search, the Government Timor have exercised the right to self- ity and opening on the part of the Suharto of Indonesia involved a number of na- determination by choosing in 1976, inde- regime. tional and local government agencies and pendence through integration with Indo- But, already this year, Indonesia pre- sought and obtained the assistance of nesia under UN Resolution 1514 (XV) sented the Portuguese Government with an civic and social organizations, community and Principles VI, VIII, and IX of Gen- recriminatory communiqué, issued by the and religious leaders as well as the general eral Assembly Resolution 1541 and the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. The document public. As a result of these efforts, many relevant provisions of General Assembly classified the term “massacre” (used by of those listed as unaccounted for have Resolution 2625 (XXV). This act of self- Portugal to describe the Santa Cruz “inci- been located. A good number of them ac- determination has been confirmed three dent”) as “evidence of bad faith.” The com- tually presented themselves to the East times through he active participation of muniqué, made public yesterday by the Timor authorities after having learned the people of East Timor in Indonesian Indonesian Embassy in Berne, points out that those earlier found by the authorities national elections. More recently, 35 East that Portugal ought to respect the term “in- were treated well and were allowed to go Timorese Tribal leaders presented a cident,” adopted in 1992 in a statement home. statement to President Suharto empha- issued by the UN Human Rights Commis- sizing their commitment to integration sion. The document warns that such termi- 2. Concerning access to the province of East with Indonesia. nology jeopardizes the talks that are under- Timor, the Indonesian Government has The steps taken by Indonesia in the way between the two countries, which “aim made serious efforts to comply with the province are in line with the understanding to find a fair and internationally acceptable understanding reached on 17 September reached during the 17 September 1993 meet- settlement to the question of Timor.” Ja- 1993. For some time now, the Interna- ing that both the Portuguese and Indonesian karta considers it “imperative” that Portugal tional Committee of the Red Cross and a Governments would carry out confidence- demonstrate its good faith and readiness to number of Non-Governmental Organiza- building measures in order to engender a fulfill what was agreed in September 1993. tions have been active in East Timor. Re- favorable climate for dialogue between then. “This will only be achieved if Portugal puts cently, 20 defense attaches based in em- Indonesia is fully committed to cooperat- an end to its efforts to discredit Indonesia, bassies in Jakarta and a delegation from ing in good faith with the Secretary-General its spreading of groundless accusations and the European Parliament toured the prov- of the United Nations in his efforts to find a distortion of the facts.” ince. Also recently three prominent Por- just, comprehensive and internationally The document states that not all Portu- tuguese civic leader, namely Mr. Manuel acceptable solution to the question of East guese agree with their Government’s posi- Joaqim Rodrigues Macedo, Mr. Gaspar Timor. In this regard, the Government of tion, and refers to the Portugal-Indonesia Silvio Lopes Santa Rosa, and Mr. José Indonesia welcomes the positive result of Friendship Association as an example of Martins visited East Timor. It should be the last dialogue between Indonesia and this. noted that following their visit, these Portugal under the auspices of the Secre- Australia and Timor three gentlemen made a statement that tary-General. If these discussions are to be reports circulated in Portugal do not re- Secret Australian Governmental docu- successful, we feel it is imperative that Por- ments made public this week have revealed flect the positive developments that have tugal demonstrate its good faith and com- taken place in East Timor. the extent of that country’s involvement, mitment to implement the understanding of since 1963, in Timor’s destiny. 3. The Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Asso- 17 September 1993. This could only be When the Indonesians entered Dili on the ciation (PIFA), was established on 21 accomplished if Portugal immediately ceased morning of 7th December 1975, nothing was October 1993 in O Porto (sic), Portugal its efforts to discredit Indonesia through the done in Canberra. The invasion was ex- to promote mutual understanding be- dissemination of baseless accusations and pected. The “go ahead” had already been tween the peoples of Portugal and Indo- distortions of facts as well as its support of given months before by the Australian Em- nesia through cultural and economic activities that only serve to hinder the proc- bassy in Jakarta, and even by the Prime channels. This organization represents a ess of development in a province that was Minister Gough Whitlam himself. private initiative of leading Portugal citi- neglected during hundreds of years of Portu- The Australians did not want an inde- zens, and is a clear indication that guese colonization. pendent Timor. It was thought that, at that enlightened circles in Portugal recognize time, Australia’s position was just beginning that the disinformation campaign being to form: Timor belonged to Indonesia, and in East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 65 the eyes of Australia’s politicians, that was head of the East Timorese pro-independence the reality. Three years later Australia be- movement FRETILIN, no foreign journalist DEATH OF A NATION came the first and only country to recognise has been allowed access to the territory. APPROACHES RELEASE; Indonesian sovereignty over Timor. How- Gusmão was sentenced to life imprison- ever, government documents now reveal that ment in May last year, but the sentence was SECOND MASSACRE Australia’s role in Timor’s destiny began, commuted to 20 years in jail by President ALLEGED not in 1975, but twelve years before, in Suharto. 1963, when the Australian Government had Another gesture showing Jakarta’s sensi- already considered the inevitability of tivity about its international image, was a TV FILM ON EAST TIMOR Timor’s annexation. The documents prove visit by Indonesian legislators on February NEXT MONTH that the attitude of Prime Minister Menzies, 10 to see Gusmão in his Cipinang prison in 1963, was identical to that of Whitlam in cell. From TAPOL, Jan. 14 1975. One of the scenarios studied at the Just before the visit, the authorities re- A film on East Timor, entitled ‘Death of time was for support and finance to be given newed visiting rights for Gusmão after they a Nation,’ made by one of the UK’s leading to Jakarta for the creation of an anti- were suspended at the beginning of January journalist and documentary filmmakers, colonialist group, whose task it would be to when it was found out that he had clandes- John Pilger, will be shown on the main in- destabilise the situation enough to facilitate tinely sent a letter to the Geneva-based dependent TV channel, ITV at 10.40 pm on Indonesia’s entry into Timor. International Commission of Jurists request- Tuesday 22 February 1994. ing the annulation of his trial. Simultaneously with the appearance of INDONESIA LAUNCHES In November last year, military advisors the film, the Oxford based monthly, ‘New from 12 countries, including the United HUMAN RIGHTS PUBLIC Internationalist’ March 1994 issue, which States and Japan, visited East Timor at the RELATIONS CAMPAIGN will be on sale from the third week of Feb- invitation of their Indonesian counterparts. ruary, will be devoted to East Timor. John During the visit, the territory’s garrison Agence France Presse, February 14, 1994. Pilger is the guest editor. The New Interna- chief, Colonel Johny Lumintang, confirmed By Pascal Mallet tionalist has a world-wide circulation. that troop sizes had been scaled down from Those wishing to inquire about the show- Indonesia has launched a public relations 10 to eight battalions, signaling a relaxation campaign in an effort to charm the United ing of ‘Death of a Nation’ in other countries of Indonesian military presence in the terri- should contact John Pilger at home: 081 Nations Human Rights Commission and tory as called for by the United Nations avoid further humiliation for its treatment of 673-2848 or at Central Productions: Tel. following the Dili Massacre. 071 637-4602, Fax 071 580-7780. East Timor. But the US State Department in its an- The exercise comes at an appropriate nual report on human rights in the world, TIMORESE RESPONSE time with discussion of the human rights published in January, said: “In East Timor, ABC radio, 9 am news. 12 February 1994 situation in East Timor, a former Portuguese where largely cosmetic changes in the force colony unilaterally annexed by Jakarta in structure resulted in minimal reductions in Reader: The East Timorese community in 1976, scheduled to take place under the UN troop presence, no significant progress was Australia says a new television documen- commission from February 23 to March 9, noted in the search for the about 60 persons tary will prove that the 1991 Dili massacre diplomatic sources said. still missing from the November 12, 1991 was part of an ongoing campaign by the Indonesia’s claimed sovereignty over shooting incident in Dili.” Indonesian government. British film maker East Timor is not recognized by the United A British television tea which secretly Max Stahl, and an Australian born journalist Nations, which considers Portugal to hold toured East Timor at the end of last year is John Pilger. “Death of a Nation,” is said to administrative authority over the territory due to release its preliminary report in Lon- contain footage of the aftermath of the kill- until a decision can be made on the terri- don on February 15 and on the ITV network ing. The director of the East Timor Relief tory’s right to self-determination. a week later. Association Agio Pereira says the documen- Portugal obtained a resolution from the The British report is seen as potentially tary will prove Indonesia wanted to elimi- commission on March 11, 1993 demanding damning for the Indonesian military authori- nate East Timorese resistance. that Indonesia explain alleged human rights ties, observers here say. AGIO PEREIRA: If you look into the his- violations in the territory. Britain’s Guardian newspaper and Aus- tory of East Timor since the invasion un- The resolution also called for an account- tralia’s Sydney-based Morning Herald pub- til today, so many massacres have taken ing of some 60 people still listed as missing lished in their Saturday editions interviews place. We were lucky that - lucky in a after Indonesian soldiers opened fire on a with the authors of the upcoming report, in sense that certainly because of the death demonstration in the provincial capital Dili which the Indonesian military is compared of more than 200 Timorese and the film- on November 12, 1991. to the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. ing of the event by western journalist According to authorities, the shootings The foreign ministry has reacted to the that have managed to bring the issue out. left 19 dead, but independent estimates put reports saying they were a publicity victory the toll from what has become known as the for FRETILIN and its allies. ETRA’S RESPONSE “Dili Massacre” at 115. 12 February 1994, ABC radio 12 pm news As part of the current campaign to boost its public image ahead of the UN debate, READER: The man who showed the Indonesia’s foreign ministry has invited world evidence of the slaughter of the Pol foreign journalists based here to tour East Pot regime in Cambodia, has condemned the Timor from February 14-18, but has given Indonesian for doing the same thing in East no guarantee for free travel within the terri- Timor. In a new film called “Death of a tory. Since the trial nine months ago of José Nation,” journalist John Pilger talks to peo- Alexander “Xanana” Gusmão, the former ple who claimed there are systematic killings Page 66 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. and torture. He also talked to former diplo- were killed a day later. An East Timorese REPORTER: Screening on British inde- mats from Australia and Britain who admits relief worker who helped translate inter- pendent Television later this month, Death the West knew that Indonesia was going to views with witnesses where the film claims of Nation, reopens wounds which resulted invade the island and they were happy for were involved in the second massacre, says from the 1991 massacre in East Timor’s that to occur. Mr. Pilger says the killings on the victims were taken to hospital by the capital - Dili. the province are continuing despite interna- Indonesian military. “My brothers killed and executed in tional pressure. AGIO PEREIRA: It was then that they front of my eyes by the Indonesian JOHN PILGER: Well, I can’t see why the continued the massacre, by killing them, military.” pattern should - the pattern should stop. by bashing them or giving them poisons, The documentary claims that the 1991 I mean East Timor is a place where the medicine to kill them. killings in Dili didn’t stop at the protest. It accuses the Indonesian military of killing most extraordinary brutality has taken REPORTER: Mr. Pereira says the new witnesses over a three-day period. And place for 18 years. claims add weight to the views of mass ex- includes claims soldiers murdered hospital iled East Timorese that at least 280 people READER: The Sydney-based director of patients by stabbing them, crushing their died in the massacre. The film goes further, the East Timor Relief Association Agio heads with rocks and running over them saying up to further 400 might have died. Pereira says he hopes the documentary with trucks. The film claims 200,000 peo- will make a change in the Australian gov- AGIO PEREIRA: And this evidence of ple, a third of East Timor’s population have ernment attitude towards Indonesia. course points to one simple truth. That been killed since Indonesia took control in the argument of Gareth Evans that the AGIO PEREIRA: We have worked so hard 1975. Although produced and narrated by massacre was an aberration by a section to bring all these truth out, so that the controversial Australian journalist John of a military is a total lie. world community can take a stronger Pilger. stand. If the world community takes a REPORTER: A timely demonstration in Excerpts of film: stronger stand, than Australia will follow Darwin, where the Prime Minister offered a Pilger - This filming is been done in secret the train. The history of the occupation cautious response to the new allegations. without the approval or knowledge of the of East Timor proves that is a systematic PRIME MINISTER: I am afraid Mr. Pilger Indonesian authorities. killing, is not an incident as some Minis- is always, his credibility is always under REPORTER: Its drawn from the work of ters in Australia would prefer to call it. a cloud. Our Ambassador has got a rou- three undercover teams, including new foot- tine visit with the Indonesian Foreign age from Max Stahl, whose pictures of the KEATING’S RESPONSE Minister in the next day or so, so we’ll 1991 massacre generated international out- rage. ABC RADIO NATIONAL, 12 February be putting some questions to Indonesian AGIO PEREIRA: Even the mothers that 1994. 2 pm news The introduction was the Government and no doubt we’ll get a re- lost their sons were frightened to say, yes same as 12 pm news. sponse. my son was killed. Because then you are a REPORTER: East Timorese groups say READER: Prime Minister Paul Keating witness, you are alive, you will disappear. they call on United Nations to hold a full says fresh report of further killings follow- They know they will disappear, because it inquiry into the massacre. ing reports the 1992 Dili massacre will be was not the first massacre, the only differ- raised with the Indonesian government by AGIO PEREIRA: Provided that a proper ence is that is the first one covered by a TV Australia Ambassador at Jakarta. He says and thorough investigation is done, then camera. the government will seek further information you will uncover a very very bad picture REPORTER: The Free East Timor on the claims from the Indonesia Foreign with Governments like the Australian movement says it hopes the film shocks the Minister. Government and Jakarta would not like world into action. Today politicians were PAUL KEATING: Our Ambassador is to see it at all. reacting cautiously. going to a routine visit with the Indone- REPORTER: Mr. Pereira’s group and OPPOSITION LEADER HEWSON: I sian Foreign Minister in the next day or others say the pressure is once again on haven’t seen the detail yet. And I am look- so, so we’ll be putting some questions to Australia to pursue the truth about the Dili ing forward to speaking to Andrew Peacock the Indonesian Government and no doubt massacre. about it. I think the international community we’ll get a response. The report showed pictures of Darwin’s would be appalled if that would be true. East Timorese community and Australian PAUL KEATING: Those were the - TV COVERAGE supporters protesting with crosses during murky period I don’t think any of us pro- SBS (Special Broadcasting Service, Austra- Paul Keating’s visit yesterday. fess to know the full details. There were still lia) 12 February 1994 people missing, unaccounted for. But nor ABC TV COVERAGE - DEATH OF A can we rely upon the reports that we have. READER: Australia’s Ambassador in NATION REPORTER: But those reports have Jakarta today met Indonesia’s Foreign Min- ABN 2 (TV) 7 pm (first story), 12 Feb. 1994 prompted an official response. Australia’s ister Ali Alatas following new allegations of Ambassador in Jakarta has today been hold- another massacre in East Timor. But Prime READER: Australia is pursing allega- ing routine talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Paul Keating has questioned the tions of further atrocities by Indonesian Minister Ali Alatas. Paul Keating says he credibility of one of those involved in the troops during the Dili massacre. The claims has asked the Ambassador to raise the new documentary making the new claims. Lon- is .... that is not one but three separate lots allegations at that meeting. don based Australian journalist John Pilger. of killing. According to a British documen- Michael Maher from Jakarta: REPORT: Journalist John Pilger says he tary to be aired later this month, civilians and film director David Munroe secretly were systematically slaughtered to stop Q: Michael, how is the Indonesian Gov- visited East Timor last year and uncovered them from talking, some as they lay in hos- ernment responded to these latest claims. evidence that a large group of survivors from pital beds. MICHAEL: Angela, just a short time ago the massacre at Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili I spoke to the official spokesman from the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 67

Indonesian Foreign Ministry Mr. Irawan. DILI, THE BLOODY based on the testimony of my witnesses and He strongly rejected the latest allegation that the difference between official figures and a a second or third massacre. Mr. Irawan said AFTERMATH (STAHL) list jointly compiled by the Catholic Church they all claims, first made immediate after- Sydney Morning Herald, February 12 1994. and a Timorese civilian resistance group of math of November 1991 killings in Dili. He By Max Stahl. people missing in the aftermath of the ceme- said he wasn’t surprised at the allegations tery massacre, I believe that between 50 and have been made now with the United Na- Max Stahl, the British film maker whose 200 people may have perished in this man- tions Human Rights Commission is pres- dramatic footage of the 1991 Dili massacre ner. ently seating in Geneva. And because UN focused world attention on East Timor, Abilio, now 24 years old, was in his last sponsored talks between Portugal and Indo- returned to the troubled Indonesian province year of high school when he joined the dem- nesia on East Timor are scheduled to begin last year and uncovered damning new evi- onstration of November 12, 1991. He sur- in May. Essentially Jakarta regards these dence on the fate of the survivors. vived the first fusillade by diving behind a latest claims as a bid by the East Timorese On November 12, 1991, Indonesian tree in the Santa Cruz cemetery. resistance to keep the issue of East Timor troops in the East Timor capital of Dili, “After the shooting into the crowd, the alive. opened fire on a 3500 strong crowd of soldiers advanced, telling all those not READER: As we heard on the report mourners and demonstrators who had wounded to stand up,” he told me. “Those Prime Minister Keating asked our Ambas- marched from the town centre to the Santa who did were cut down with knives.” sador in Jakarta to raise the issue with the Cruz cemetery, 5 km away, to commemo- Abilio stayed down. “I had no wounds, Indonesians, what came of that? rate the death of a young man killed by the so they used a gun to beat me head my head MICHAEL: The issue was raised by military two weeks before. and made a hole. They beat me until I Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesian Alan The exact death toll has never been estab- fainted - until they thought that I was dead.” Taylor in a meeting he had with Indonesian lished. He was thrown into Mercedes truck “full Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in Jakarta to- Initially the Indonesian army put it at 50, of dead bodies.” He came to and played day. Mr. Taylor handed copies of Austra- but that was later dropped to 19. At the dead as the truck arrived at the hospital. lian newspaper reports on the allegations to same time witnesses - including a number of “I was conscious, even though wounded, Mr. Alatas but told the Minister that the Western journalists who were present at the but I tried to concentrate. Two [soldiers] got Australian Government had no evidence cemetery - spoke of more than 100 deaths out first and asked, ‘Anyone still alive come which would confirm the story. However, and many more injured. down so we can treat you.’ “ Ambassador told the ABC that the Austra- A year later, the Governor of East Timor, “One or two wounded colleagues at the lian Embassy would be following the matter Abilio José Osorio Soares, was quoted in back of the Mercedes got out first, but were up with the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. Forum Keadilan magazine as saying that 200 stabbed by the Indonesians, so I continued people were killed that day. “ As far as I’m to play dead.” Channel 10 also covered the story on their concerned, “ the Governor opined, “I think 10.30 pm news bulletin. Abilio was then stacked together with the even more should have died.” dead bodies in a mortuary about 4 metres by The report of the Indonesian Govern- FORCED BIRTH CONTROL IN 8 metres, “piled high” with the dead and ment’s National Investigative Commission, injured - “up to 100 or more maybe, like a EAST TIMOR released in December 1991, said the soldiers carload of sand.” opened fire to protect themselves against a “I saw two guys come in. One had Some more information on forced birth con- violent demonstration and killed 50 people. striped shorts with socks. The one with trol in Indonesian-occupied East Timor. But just as there has been doubt about shorts and socks was holding a rock as big From Maggie Helwig, British Coalition for the dead, so too is there confusion about the as this - a huge rock, used for building East Timor, Feb. 15. fate of the missing survivors. The same houses. Another fellow was holding medi- In Death of a Nation, a documentary by official report listed the number of injured as cine in a plastic jar. John Pilger due to be released today, Pilger ‘more than 91,’ those missing as 90 and “Colleagues that were badly wounded lay speaks to a British doctor who infiltrated number initially detained as 308. there screaming. He just threw that rock on East Timor and visited several clinics. He There have been unsubstantiated reports their heads, just once, and if they survived, says, “A large number of people were being of mass burials and secret mass graves, of he threw it again, at their chest. given birth control, out of all proportion to ‘disappearances’ and extra-judicial execu- “It made a loud noise. It sounded like other medical efforts going on ... 500 women tions. To date, the numbers of dead, injured cracking coconuts as they fall from a tree to were receiving Depo Provera shots in one and missing have never fully tallied. the ground. So loud ! But I pretended to clinic; very little else seemed to be going on But a laboratory technician and a survi- ‘sleep’ and watched with the corner of my in this clinic.” He also reports that women vor I interviewed in East Timor late last eyes as one threw the rock and the other were given Depo Provera injections with no year said Indonesian soldiers, doctors and gave tablets - a big white tablet that has a explanation that these were contraceptive hospital staff murdered scores of injured strong acidic smell. Those who took those shots. A (male) Timorese in exile, Abel survivors at a hospital in Dili. tablets .... I never saw them again.” Guterres, also says that he knows of women They claimed that Indonesian soldiers at Abilio says he talked his way out, claim- who were forced to receive Depo shots or the hospital crushed the skulls of the ing that he was a police informer sent to spy given shots with no explanations. wounded with large rocks, ran over them on the demonstrators, but not before he had with trucks, stabbed them and administered taken two pills. He vomited them up after - with doctors present - poisonous they gave him a ‘strong burning sensation.’ disinfecting chemicals as medicines to ‘finish José, now also 24, was a laboratory tech- off’ scores of wounded demonstrators in the nician on duty in the same hospital in No- wake of the massacre. vember 1991. I interviewed him at a secret It is not possible to quantify accurately location in Dili during my stay there last the number who died in the hospital. But year. Both he and Abilio have since fled to Page 68 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Europe, although their families remain be- would become extremely acid and respond His family, I was told by close friends, hind. by hyperventilating (the hard breathing José had been warned not to speak about his “Mercedes and Indonesian Hino military described). Death would be by ‘circulatory disappearance. I was told they, like all fami- trucks began arriving loaded with dead and collapse” - a form of heart attack. lies with relatives among those killed at wounded,” he said, “Ten trucks in all.” A large dose, say 28 grams or more, Santa Cruz, were being persecuted and José said there were ‘up to 800 men’ would normally be fatal, but not normally threatened. from three battalions (the military police, the 5 or 6 pills ( a total of 3 grams) José the police and a local battalion) surrounding observed. However, it is clear that people STAHL IN THE SUNDAY TIMES ON the hospital, ensuring that no one unauthor- already weak and in a state of shock from TIMOR ized could get in or out. loss of blood would be far more vulnerable. The London Sunday Times of today, 13 “They just dumped [the wounded] These pills were regarded in the hospital February 1994, carries a half-page spread of down. Some were frightened and they stood as “lethal poison,” says nurse Joaquim an article by British cameraman Max Stahl, up, so orders were given to run them over. Gusmão, 57, who worked in the same hos- entitled “Indonesians fed ‘death pills’ to the That Hino truck just ran them over. pital for three years between the late 1970s wounded.” “But those that did not die .. the Indone- and early 1980s before moving to Portugal The contents are much the same as in sians wanted to kill them but did not have where he now lives. Stahl’s article that appeared yesterday in the courage. So soldiers came into the labo- In 1993, the UN Commission on Human both the Sydney Morning Herald and the ratory and asked me for some poison that Rights voted to condemn Indonesia for its Melbourne Age. would kill people quickly.” failure to complete a thorough investigation José explained to them that there was into the November 12 incident. The com- THE WEST’S DIRTY WINK only sulfuric acid but that was ‘very hot, mission says that Indonesia had never satis- and it would make the people scream if they factorily explained what happened to the (PILGER) injected it.’ The Indonesians, he said, ‘were 207 ‘missing’ demonstrators included in a By: John Pilger. The Guardian, 12 February worried about that.’ list submitted in late 1992 to the Commis- 1994 ‘So they brought over the pills. Even if sion’s Working Group on Enforced and only slightly wounded, the victims sit Involuntary Disappearances. Ghost gum trees rose out of the tall grass; down, their breath gets harder and harder, This is part of a larger list of 273 names then without notice this changed to a forest and they die slowly, after about 15 minutes, of dead or missing feared dead, compiled of dead, petrified shapes and black needles maximum.’ from information provided by the Catholic through which skeins of fine white sand José estimated the total number of dead Church and researchers of the main drifted like mist. Such extraordinary land- and dying at about 300. Many had obvi- Timorese civil resistance movement, the scape reminded me of parts of central Viet- ously died of injuries sustained in the ceme- Timorese Clandestine Front. nam, where the Americans dropped ladders tery. By late last year, replies concerning only of bombs and huge quantities of chemical “After they were killed, they [the Indo- 22 of the listed people were received from defoliants, poisoning the soil and food chain nesians] took their shoes off, their clothes, Indonesia and only 8 of those were deemed and radically altering the environment. In their hats and other things, separated them relevant by the working group. East Timor this is known as the “dead into groups of 10, wrapped them into a When I returned secretly to East Timor earth.” white sheet and took them to a dump.” late last year, I sought to corroborate the It is an area whose former inhabitants are Throughout this orgy of killing and abuse testimony of my two witnesses. either dead or “relocated.” You come upon of the wounded, two doctors, whom José I took the case of one man on this UN these places on the plateaux and in the ra- named, were in attendance in the hospital list - a schoolteacher from a town not far vines of the Matabian mountains, in the east supervising proceedings, says José. from the capital. His name is Tomas, and he of the island, where the Indonesian pilots in José smuggled several of the lethal “pills” appears on both the UN and Indonesian their low-flying US and British fighter air- out of the hospital and I took them to Lon- lists of ‘disappeared persons.” craft have had a bonanza. “They made the don where they were analyzed at the Met- Tomas came and sat next to me inside the rocks turn white,” said a man who lived ropolitan Police’s forensic science laborato- Santa Cruz cemetery as the Indonesians there and survived. On the rim of these ries. They consisted of 600 mg of parafor- closed the ring around the demonstrators places, which lie like patches of scar tissue maldahyde, an extremely powerful and po- after the shooting on November 12. I filmed all over the body of East Timor, are the tentially lethal disinfecting fumigant, in him there, cowering behind a headstone, crosses. common use in hospitals. nursing a leg wound. The police told his These are great black crosses etched “I would never give it to a patient in any relatives they had no record of his arrest. against the sky and crosses on peaks, circumstances,” says neurobiologist Dr. Yet I last saw and filmed him when the crosses in tiers on the hillsides, crosses be- Harold Hillman, a London-based member of cemetery was completely surrounded and side the roads. In East Timor they litter the Amnesty International’s medical advisory the shooting had ceased. The Indonesian earth and crowd the eye. Walk into the group. If swallowed, says Dr. Jonathan soldiers and police were methodically clos- scrub and they are there, always, it seems, Caplan, a British doctor with experience of ing the ring to arrest all those inside. on the edge, a riverbank, an escarpment. investigating poisons, such a pill would be Even if there had been the slightest The inscriptions on some are normal: ‘dramatically poisonous, and the symptoms chance to escape, Tomas could not have those of generations departed in proper time [ as described by José and Abilio] are ap- taken it. He had just one wound - in the leg. and sequence. But look at the dates of these propriate to what you’d expect.” He had stopped to bind it with a handker- normal ones, and you see that they are prior Its effects include burning of the throat chief. He could barely hop and the cemetery to 1975, when proper time and sequence and stomach, dizziness, lethargy, ataxia was enclosed by a 2 metre wall. He was ended. Then look at the dates on most of (staggering, José described those “even reportedly seen again in the hospital where them, and they reveal the extinction of slightly wounded, immediately sitting all the wounded were taken. After that he whole families, wiped out in the space of a down”) and lapsing into a coma. The body was never seen again. year, a month, a day. “RIP. Mendonca, East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 69

Crismina, 7.6.77...... Mendonca, Filismina, ment” under Margaret Thatcher and John US. They are perfect for moving in and out 7.6.77...... Mendonca, Adalino, Major, Alan Clark approved a sale of of mountains. They have a terrible sound 7.6.77...... Mendonca, Alisa, ground attack aircraft to Indonesia, valued at when they are coming into bomb, like a 7.6.77...... Mendonca, Rosa, more than #500 million. At the time he told voice wailing. We immediately go to the 7.6.77...... Mendonca, Anita, 7.6.77...... ” Parliament, “We do not allow the export of caves, into the deepest ones, because their I had with me a hand-drawn map show- arms and equipment likely to be used for bombs are so powerful. They fly in ing the site of a mass grave where some of oppressive purposes against civilians.” low...and attack civilians, because the peo- those murdered in the 1991 massacre of 250 When I asked him how this worked, he ex- ple hiding in the mountains are civilians. people in Dili, the capital, had been plained that it applied to “police-type Four of my cousins were killed in Hawk dumped; I had no idea that much of the equipment [such as ] riot guns, CS gas and attacks near Los Palos. Most people in East country was a mass grave, marked by paths anti-personnel stuff,” but that “once you get Timor know about the British Hawks. Why end abruptly, and fields inexplicably bull- into military equipment, you’re into a dif- doesn’t the British Government send a fact- dozed and earth inexplicably covered with ferent category of decision.” finding mission and ask the people?” tarmac; and by the legions of crosses that I said, “Hawk low-flying aircraft are very The British connection with the horrors march all the way from Tata Mai Lau, the effective at policing people on the ground.” of East Timor is a scandal arguably as great, highest peak, 10,000 feet above sea level, He replied, “No, they’re not....aircraft are if not greater, than any - including the Scott down to Lake Tacitolu where a Calvary line used in the context of a civil war. Now de- Inquiry - currently appearing on the front of crosses looks across to where the Pope pending on which side you support in the pages. Shortly before the massacre in the said Mass in 1989 in full view of a crescent civil war, you tend to regard the other peo- Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, on November of hard salt sand beneath which lie, say local ple as being oppressed or repressed.” 12, 1991, Douglas Hurd urged the EC to people, countless human remains. “But,” I said, “East Timor isn’t a civil “cut aid to countries that violate human What has happened in East Timor is one war. This is an illegal occupation, which the rights.” Shortly after the massacre the Brit- of the world’s great secrets. “Does anyone British Government acknowledges to be an ish Government increased its aid to the Su- know where East Timor is?” asked Alan illegal occupation.” harto regime to 81 million, a rise of 250 per Clark, the former Defence Minister, on “I’m not into that. I don’t know anything cent. The Minister for Overseas Aid, Bar- Channel 4 not long ago. When I repeated about that.” oness Chalker, claimed in Parliament that this to him recently, he said, “I don’t really “Well you were the minister.” this was “helping the poor in Indonesia.” In fill my mind much with what one set of “Yeah, but I’m not interested in illegal fact, a large proportion of all British aid to foreigners is doing to another.” It was a occupations or anything like that...... I mean Indonesia is made up of Aid for Trade Pro- typically blunt Clark riposte, which itself you call it illegal...” visions (ATP); and much of this is the sup- was instructive, for it allowed a glimpse of “"No, the United Nations does.” ply of weapons: British Aerospace, maker how the unthinkable was normalised: how I said ministers had often talked about re- of the Hawk aircraft, is among the British decisions taken at great remove in distance ceiving guarantees from the Indonesians that weapons companies helping Indonesia’s and culture had unseen and devastating ef- the Hawks would not be used in East poor. (In January last year, the Armed Ser- fects on whole nations of people, albeit Timor. vices Minister, Archie Hamilton, claimed foreigners. “Well, I never asked for a guarantee. That that the sale of Hawks was “providing East Timor, half an island 300 miles must have been some thing that the Foreign jobs.” British Aerospace has since laid off north of Australia, was colonised by Portu- Office did.....a guarantee is worthless from 4,000 workers.) gal 450 years ago. The Portuguese partly any government as far as I’m concerned.” The British war industry has provided a Latinised and insulated the territory from When Jonathan Aitken, who today has vital prop for the Suharto dictatorship since the upheavals of the western half of Timor, Alan Clark’s job at the Ministry of Defence, 1978, when Foreign Secretary David Owen which was part of the Dutch East Indies was asked in Parliament: “How many dead dismissed estimates of East Timorese dead that became Indonesia in 1949. In 1974, the or tortured East Timorese are acceptable to as “exaggerated” and sold the Indonesian old Salazarist order in Lisbon was swept the Government in exchange for a defence generals eight Hawk aircraft. Britain has aside by the “Carnation Revolution” and contract with Indonesia?” he replied, “That since sold, or agreed to sell, a further 40 Europe’s last great empire began to disinte- is a ridiculous question.” But of course it Hawks. These are in addition to Wasp heli- grate virtually over night. With the Portu- was not. copters, Sea Wolf and Rapier SAM missiles, guese preoccupied by events at home, the Eyewitnesses have now described in de- Tribal class frigates, battlefield communica- Indonesian military dictatorship of General tail Hawk aircraft attacking civilian areas. tion systems, seabed mine disposal equip- Suharto invaded East Timor in 1975, and José Gusmão, presently exiled in Australia, ment, Saladin, Saracen and Fernet armoured have illegally and brutally occupied it ever said, “I watched a Hawk attack on a village vehicles, a fully-equipped Institute of Tech- since. The result: some 200,000 Timorese in the mountains. It used its machine guns nology for the Indonesian army and training dead, or a third of the population. and dropped incendiary bombs. The Hawk for Indonesian officers in Britain. In 1992, Few places on the planet may seem more is quite different from the American planes; Margaret Thatcher received an Indonesian remote than East Timor. Yet none has been it has a particular nose. You can tell it any- award for “helping technology.” She said, “I as defiled and abused by murderous forces where.” am proud to be one of you.” and as abandoned by the “international Other eyewitnesses, who cannot be iden- James Dunn, the former Australian con- community,” whose leaders are complicit in tified, spoke about the distinctive noise sul in East Timor and adviser to the Austra- one of the great unrecognised crimes of the made by the Hawks, and of people being lian parliament, has made a study of census 20th century. I write that carefully: not even trapped in rockfalls and bombardment. statistics since the Indonesians invaded. Pol Pot succeeded in killing, proportion- “I first saw the Hawks in 1984,” said “Before the invasion,” he told me, “East ately, as many Cambodians as the Indone- José Amorim. “They were standing at the Timor had a population of 688,000, which sian generals have killed East Timorese. airport at Baucau, where they are based. was growing at just on 2 per cent per an- Britain’s role is also little-known. As the They are a small aircraft, not at all like the num. Assuming it didn’t grow any faster, minister responsible for “defence procure- OV-10 Bronco and the Skyhawk from the the population today ought to be 980,000 or Page 70 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. more, almost a million people. If you look at tion was singled out. An eyewitness de- December 5, 1975, on a visit which a State the recent Indonesian census, the Timorese scribed how he and others were ordered to Department official described to reporters population is probably 650,000. That “tie the bodies [of the Chinese] to iron as “the big wink.” Two days later, as Air means its actually less than it was 18 years poles, attach bricks and throw the bodies in Force One climbed out of Indonesian air- ago. I don’t think there is any case in post- the sea.” On the north-west coast, the Chi- space, the bloodbath in East Timor began. World War Two history where such a de- nese population was decimated. The killing On his return to Washington, Kissinger cline of population has occurred in these of whole families appeared at first to be sought to justify continuing to supply them circumstances. It’s incredible; worse than systematic, then arbitrary. Soldiers were by making the victim the aggressor. At a Cambodia and Ethiopia.” described swinging infants in the air and meeting with senior State Department offi- Where are all these missing Timorese? smashing their heads on rocks, with an offi- cials, he asked, “Can’t we construe [East The estimate of 200,000 was first made in cer explaining, “When you clean the field, Timor as] a communist government in the 1983 by the head of the Roman Catholic don’t you kill all the snakes, the small and middle of Indonesia as self defence?” Church in East Timor. A report last month large alike?” “Indonesian troops,” wrote Told that this would not work, Kissinger by an Australian parliamentary committee John Taylor, “had been given orders to gave orders that he wanted arms shipments referred to “at least” 200,000 deaths. crush all opposition ruthlessly, and were “stopped quietly,” but secretly “started How they died has been Indonesia’s and told they were fighting communists in the again” the following month. In fact, as the its allies’ great secret. Western intelligence cause of Jihad [holy war].” killing increased, US arms shipments dou- has documented the unfolding of the geno- Western governments knew in advance bled. According to the Centre for Defence cide since the first Indonesian paratroopers details of virtually every move made by Information in Washington, had it not been landed in the capital, Dili, on December 7, Indonesia. The CIA and other US agencies for the supply of Western arms to Indone- 1975 - less than two months after two Aus- intercepted Indonesia’s military and intelli- sia, the East Timorese resistance movement, tralian television crews were murdered by gence communications at a top secret base Fretilin, might have beaten off the Indone- the Indonesian military, leaving just one run by the Australian Defence Signals Direc- sians. foreign reporter, Roger East, to witness the torate (DSD) near Darwin. The information Five days after the invasion, the UN invasion. He became the sixth journalist to gathered was shared under treaty arrange- General Assembly passed a resolution that die there, shot through the head with his ments with MI6. Moreover, leaked diplo- “strongly deplore[d]” Indonesia’s aggression hands tied behind his back, his body thrown matic cables from Jakarta, notably those and called on it to withdraw its troops into the sea. sent in 1975 by the Australian Ambassador “without delay.” The governments of the As a result, in the age of television, few Richard Woolcott, showed the extent of US, Britain, Australia, Germany and France images and reported words have reached the Western complicity in the Suharto regime’s abstained. Japan, the biggest investor in outside world. There was just one radio plans to take over the Portuguese colony. Indonesia, voted against the resolution. Ten voice at the time of the invasion, picked up Four months before the invasion, Am- days later, as Western intelligence agencies in Darwin, Australia, 300 miles to the south, bassador Woolcott cabled his government informed their governments of the scale of rising and falling in the static. “The soldiers that General Benny Murdani, who led the the massacres, the Western powers reluc- are killing indiscriminately,” it said. invasion, had “assured” him that when In- tantly supported a Security Council Resolu- “Women and children are being shot in the donesia decided to launch a full-scale inva- tion that unanimously called on “all States streets. We are all going to be killed. I re- sion, Australia would be told in advance. to respect the territorial integrity of East peat, we are all going to be killed....This is In a remarkable cable sent to Canberra in Timor.” an appeal for international help. This is an August 1975, Woolcott argued Indonesia’s The Secretary-General, Kurt Waldheim, SOS. We appeal to the Australian people. case and how Australian public opinion dispatched an envoy to East Timor, who Please help us...” might be “assisted.” He proposed that was so restricted by the Indonesian military No help came. According to the historian “[we] leave events to take their course....and that his visit was worthless. The Portuguese John Taylor, people were subjected to act in a way which would be designed to offered the UN a warship in which to take “systematic killing, gratuitous violence and minimise the public impact in Australia and the envoy to a Fretilin-held part of the is- primitive plunder.” The Bishop of Dili, show private understanding to Indonesia of land. “The Indonesians,” signalled the CIA, Costa Lopez, said, “The soldiers who their problems.” He added, “We do not “are considering whether to sink this ves- landed started killing everyone they could want to become apologists for Indonesia. I sel...” find. There were many dead bodies in the know I am recommending a pragmatic rather This was enough to frighten away the street - all we could see were the soldiers than a principled stand but that is what UN. In striking contrast to action taken killing, killing, killing.” national interest and foreign policy is all against Iraq in 1991, neither the Secretary- At 2 pm on December 9, 59 men were about.... General nor the Western powers uttered a brought to the wharf and shot one by one, There was not a word of concern for the word in condemnation of Indonesia for fail- with the crowd ordered to count. The vic- interests or the fate of the East Timorese, ing to comply with a Security Council reso- tims were forced to stand on the edge of the who were, it was apparent, expendable. lution, and for violating almost every human pier facing the sea, so that as they were shot Sir John Archibald Ford, the British Am- rights provision in the UN Charter. their bodies fell into the water. Earlier in the bassador, recommended to the Foreign Of- On the contrary, in a secret cable to Kiss- day, women and children had been executed fice that it was in Britain’s interests that inger on January 23, 1976, the Ambassador in a similar way. An eyewitness reported, Indonesia should “absorb the territory as to the UN, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, “The Indonesians tore the crying children soon and as unobtrusively as possible.” The boasted about the “considerable progress” from their mothers and passed them back to US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, he had made in blocking UN action on East the crowd. The women were shot one by having recently watched US power and his Timor. Later, Moynihan wrote, “The De- one, with the onlookers being ordered by the own ambitions humiliated in the “fall” of partment of State desired that the UN prove Indonesians to count.” Saigon, indicated to Jakarta that the US utterly ineffective. This task was given to As in Pol Pot’s Cambodia, the first to die would not object to the invasion. Kissinger me and I carried it forward with no incon- were often minorities. The Chinese popula- and President Ford arrived in Jakarta on siderable success.” East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 71

Since 1949, when Indonesia won its in- “ the scale of the fighting.....has been greatly “It is the Indonesian civilisation we are dependence from the Dutch, its “potential” reduced.” bringing [to East Timor],” said the Indone- as an “investor’s paradise” has been an arti- The opposite was true. The genocide was sian military commander in 1982. “And it is cle of faith in the West. “With its 100 mil- then at its height. Eyewitnesses to the on- not easy to civilise backward people.” lion people, and its 300-mile arc of islands,” slaughts in East Timor spoke of scenes Timorese occupy few jobs other than as declared Richard Nixon, “Indonesia contains reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno. “After Sep- drivers, waitresses, broom-pushers and, of the region’s richest hoard of natural re- tember [1978],” wrote a priest, “the war course, officials in the puppet administra- sources [and is] the biggest prize in South intensified. Military aircraft were in action tion. The teaching of the Timorese language East Asia.” Indeed, in the seabed off Timor all day long. Hundreds of human beings die is banned. “Before the invasion we lived a lies one of the world’s great oil and gas daily, their bodies left as food for the vul- typical island life, very peaceful,” said Abel. fields. tures. If bullets don’t kill us, we die from “People were always very hospitable to In the bloody events that brought Su- epidemic disease; villages are being com- foreigners. The Portuguese mostly left us harto and the generals to power in the mid- pletely destroyed.” alone. It is difficult to describe the change Sixties, estimates of the number of killed With film director David Munro, cam- since then, the darkness over us. Of 15 in range from 300,000 to almost a million, eraman Max Stahl and aid worker Ben Rich- my immediate family only three are left: most of them landless peasants accused of ards (the last two are pseudonyms), I filmed myself, my mother and a brother who was being members of the Indonesian Commu- secretly in East Timor shortly before shot and crippled. Up until 1985 or 1986, nist Party (PKI). The then US Secretary of Christmas. By remaining most of the time in most of our people were concentrated in State, Dean Rusk, said that America was the mountains, David Munro and I avoided what they called central control areas; we prepared to back a “major military campaign the main military routes. At first, people lived in concentration camps for a long, long against the PKI.” This was passed on to the seemed absent; but they were there. From time. Only in the last three or four years generals by the US ambassador in Jakarta the highest crest the road plunged into a have some of us been allowed to return who told them that Washington “is sympa- ravine that led us to a river bed, then de- home, but we can be moved again at any thetic with, and admiring of, what the army serted us. The four-wheel drive forded the time. Indonesians use local people to spy on is doing.” In 1990 a former US official in river and heaved out on the other side, the others. People usually know who the Jakarta disclosed that he had spent two where a boy sat motionless and mute, his spies are and they learn to deal with it. Cer- years drawing up a “hit list” for the gener- eyes following us. tain things are not to be said widely even als. The bloodshed of Suharto’s coup almost Behind him was a village, overlooked by within the family. 30 years ago was a precursor of the genocide the now familiar rows of whitewashed slabs “You see, we have got to pretend that in East Timor. and black crosses. We were probably the everything is okay. That is part of finding a Thereafter, events proceeded with an un- first outsiders the people here had seen for a way to survive for the next day. But a hu- shakeable, terrible logic. In 1974, after Por- very long time. The diffident expressions, man body and mind have limitations and can tugal decided to leave its colony, the prime long cultivated for the Indonesians, changed only take so much. Once it boils over, peo- minister of Australia, Gough Whitlam, met to astonishment. ple just come out and protest and say things Suharto and told him that East Timor was The village straddled the road, laid out which mean they will find themselves dead “economically unviable” to be independent like a military barracks with a parade ground the next day. I suppose you can compare us and should become part of Indonesia. and a police post at the higher end. The to animals. When animals are put in a cage As the fate of the Timorese was being militia were trusted Timorese. The remote- they always try to escape. In human beings decided by others, the Portuguese literally ness might have explained this; the Indone- it’s much worse. I mean, we the people in stepped aside, retreating to nearby Atauro sians remain terrified of the guerrillas of East Timor call it the biggest prison island in Island, the aptly name “Isle of Goats.” The Fretilin, the nationalist resistance still fight- the world. You must understand that. For us infant independence movement was left to ing on without any help, after 18 years. In who live here, it’s hell.” decolonise itself and to defend the nation the late Seventies and early Eighties, famine Was it Primo Levi who said that the against one of the largest military powers in claimed many thousands of lives in such worst moment in the Nazi death camps was Asia. camps, as people were denied adequate land the recurring fear that people would not Almost a year after the invasion, Gough on which to grow subsistence crops. Al- believe him, when he told them what had Whitlam’s successor, Malcolm Fraser, flew though we saw no starvation, most people happened, that they would turn away, shak- to Jakarta. He said his government now were terribly malnourished. ing their heads? This “radical gap” between “acknowledged the merger,” but “only for After we had turned south, we saw other victim and listener, as psychiatrists call it, purely humanitarian reasons.” Fraser was camps where many of the faces were Java- may well be suffered en masse by the East accompanied by the managing director of nese: the product of a “transmigration pro- Timorese, especially the exiled communities. BHP, Australia’s biggest corporation. BHP gramme” aimed at unravelling the fabric of “Who knows about our country?” they ask had recently acquired a controlling share in Timorese life and culture, and reducing the constantly. “Who can imagine what has the Woodside-Burmah company, which had indigenous population. happened to us?” been drilling for oil on and offshore East A curious militarism seemed to invade all In 1989, Bishop Carlos Belo, head of the Timor - a country recently dismissed as life. Traffic stopped for marching school- Catholic Church in East Timor, appealed “economically unviable.” girls, jogging teachers and anthem-singing directly to the world in a letter to the then Other Western governments vied with postmen (“Tanah Airku: My Fatherland UN Secretary-General, Perez de Cuellar. each other to “sympathise with Indonesia’s Indonesia”). Signs announced the “correct” “We are dying as a people and as a nation,” problems” by selling Jakarta arms - which, way to live each day “in the spirit of Moral he wrote. He received no reply. not surprisingly, were used in East Timor. Training.” In an Orwellian affront to the Today there are probably no more than When Foreign Secretary David Owen signed Timorese, one sign told them, “Freedom is 400 guerrillas under arms, yet they ensure the first deal with Indonesia for Hawk air- the right of all nations,” quoting Indonesia’s that four Indonesian battalions do nothing craft, he said that not only were the esti- own declaration of independence. but pursue them. Moreover, they are capa- mates of the killings “exaggerated,” but that ble of multiplying themselves within a few Page 72 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. days, for they are the focus of a clandestine pression that it is not human rights, justice stomach and manipulated his organs and resistance that reaches into every district and truth that are paramount in international intestines. Indonesian soldiers are trained in and has actually grown in strength over the relations, but the power behind a crime that these methods. They did this to him in four years. In this way they of course continue has the privilege and power of decision. It is sessions.” to dent the fact of “integration” with Indo- evident that the invading government would Back in Dili, an old man approached me nesia. never have committed such a crime, if it had in the hotel courtyard, asking me in a whis- Domingos is 40 and has been in the jungle not received favourable guarantees from per to contact his family in exile in Austra- since 1983. “My wife was tortured and governments that should have a more mature lia. I walked away at first, then turned back burnt with cigarettes,” he said, “She was sense of international responsibility. Gov- and drew him into a passageway. “All my also raped many times. In September this ernments must now urgently consider our children are in Darwin,” he said, “I sent year [1993], the Indonesians sent the popu- case!” them out. It cost a lot in bribes. Now I long lation of her village to find us. My wife We drove into Dili in the early afternoon. to see them.” I asked him if he had ever tried came to me and said ‘I don’t want to see It was too quiet: not the quiet of a town to leave. He shook his head and ran his fin- your face because I have been suffering too asleep in the sun but of a place where some- ger across his throat. “Will you take a letter much....’ At first I thought she was rejecting thing cataclysmic has happened and which for me?” he asked. “Post it anywhere but me, but it was the opposite; she was asking is not immediately evident. Fine white colo- here. They open everything. I have not had me to fight on, to stay out of the village and nial buildings face a waterfront lined with a letter for eight years.” I agreed to collect not be captured and never to surrender. She trees and a promenade with ancient stone the letter that evening. said to me, ‘You get yourself killed and I benches. The beauty of this seems uninter- The massacre of mostly young people shall grieve for you, but I don’t want to see rupted. From the lighthouse, past Timor’s who marched peacefully to the Santa Cruz you in their hands. I’ll never accept you oldest church, the Motael, to the long- cemetery on November 12, 1991, remains giving up!’ I looked at her, and she was sad. arched facade of the governor’s offices and like a presence in Dili. They had set out to I asked her if we could live together after the the four ancient cannon, the sea shines all place flowers on the grave of a student, war, and she said softly, ‘Yes, we can.’ She the way to Atauro island, where the Portu- Sebastião Gomes, who had been shot dead then walked away.” guese administration fled in 1975. Then, just at the church two weeks earlier. When they Domingos and his wife came from a vil- beyond a marble statue of the Virgin Mary, reached the cemetery, they themselves were lage now known by the Timorese as the the eye collides with rusting landing craft shot down by waiting troops, or they were “village of the widows.” During the summer strewn along the beach. They have been left stabbed or battered to death. of 1983, almost 300 people were massacred as a reminder of the day Indonesian marines What was different about this massacre here. Their names appear on an extraordi- came ashore and killed the first people they was that foreigners were present, including nary list compiled in Portuguese by the saw: women and children running down the the very brave British cameraman, Max church. In a meticulous script, handwritten beach, offering them food and water, as Stahl, who hid his videotape among the in Portuguese, everything is recorded: the frightened people do. gravestones and has been back to East name, age of each of the murdered, as well as Moving east, we reached Baucau in dark- Timor to film with us. In our documentary, the date and place of death, and the Indone- ness. Baucau is a former Portuguese resort Death of a Nation, we will show that a sec- sian battalion responsible. that once claimed a certain melancholy style ond, unreported massacre took place, that Every time I pick up this list, I find it and where holiday flights used to arrive day and the following day. strangely compelling and difficult to put from Australia. (“Come and get a whiff of The Australian foreign affairs minister, down, as if each death is fresh on the page. the Mediterranean,” says an old Trans- Gareth Evans, described the 1991 massacre Like the ubiquitous crosses, it records the Australia Airways brochure.) Today, the as “an aberration.” There is remarkable film Calvary of whole families, and bears witness airport is an Indonesian air force base and of Evans and his Indonesian counterpart, Ali to genocide.....Feliciano Gomes, aged 50, Baucau a military “company town,” sur- Alatas, toasting each other in champagne Jacob Gomes, aged 50, Antonio Gomes, rounded by barracks. On the seafront stands flying over the Timor Gap oilfields, having aged 37, Marcelino Gomes, aged 29, João the Hotel Flamboyant. We climbed the long just signed a treaty to exploit East Timor’s Gomes, aged 33, Miguel Gomes, aged 51, staircase in darkness and called out. A oil and gas. When asked about the moral Domingos Gomes, aged 30...... Domingos Timorese man emerged from the shadows basis of the treaty, he replied, “What I can Gomes, aged 2..."shot.” limping and coughing terribly. “What do say is simply that the world is a pretty So far I have counted 40 families, includ- you want?” he asked. “A room?” I said. He unfair place.” Within two months of the Dili ing many children: Kai and Olo Bosi, aged 6 turned and struggled along a deserted colon- massacre, 11 contracts were issued under and 4..."shot” ...Marito Soares, aged one nade and flung open two doors. There was the Timor Gap Treaty. year..."shot”...Cacildo Dos Anjos, aged no water, a fan that turned now and then, a According to Roger Clark, a world au- 2..."shot.” There are babies as young as mattress coated with fungus and a window thority on international law at Rutgers Uni- three months. At the end of each page, a without glass. He left us with our echoes. versity in the US, the Timor Gap Treaty priest has imprinted his name with a rubber The Hotel Flamboyant was, until recently, a also has a simple analogy in law. “It is ac- stamp, which he asks “not to be used in the torture centre. quiring stuff from a thief,” he said. “If you interests of personal security.” In handwrit- “My father was tortured several times,” acquire stolen property from someone who ing and with a typewriter whose ribbon had said Mario. “He refused to join the new stole it, you’re a receiver. The fact is that seen better days, he introduced the list with administration. They took him to the police [the Indonesians] have neither historical, nor an eloquent, angry appeal to the world. headquarters, then sent for me and my sis- legal, nor moral claim to East Timor and its “To the commercial governors,” he ters and brothers to see him being tortured. resources.” wrote, “Timor’s petroleum smells better They said to us that if we followed our Hours before I left East Timor, I met the than Timorese blood and tears. So who will father’s example, this is what would happen old man who wanted me to post a letter. be the one to take the truth to the interna- to us. They beat him with iron bars at first, After all the years of separation, he said, tional community? Sometimes the press and then they did something to him that you with tears in his eyes, he had not been able even the international leaders give the im- learn in karate. They put their hands on his to compose his thoughts and put them on East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 73 paper in time for my departure. Instead he make any sane person wonder what the hell WOUNDED VICTIMS OF gave me a telephone number in Darwin for we are doing supplying a dictator like Gen- Isabella, his eldest daughter. I telephoned eral Suharto with arms to massacre the peo- TIMOR CARNAGE the number when I got to Bangkok. A re- ple of East Timor. MURDERED IN MILITARY corded voice said it had been disconnected. Comments by Alan Clark – the minister HOSPITAL None of these terrible events had a vision responsible for defence procurement at the of those who fought and died to free Indo- time – who approved the sale of 500 million A SECOND MASSACRE IN DILI nesia from European colonial oppression. GBP of ground attack aircraft, reveal the real SMH, February 14. page 1 - extracts only. Their struggle for independence from the moral stance of the government when he By Stephen Hutcheon, foreign editor. Dutch produced great popular movements said: “I’m not interested in illegal occupa- Scores of injured East Timorese who sur- for democracy and social justice. For 14 tions or anything like that,” and “I don’t vived the 1991 Dili massacre were brought years Indonesia had one of the freest par- really fill my mind much with what one set to a nearby military hospital and murdered liamentary democracies in the world. Today of foreigners is doing to another.” by Indonesian troops and hospital staff, many Indonesians understand this and are Having the blood of some of the 200,000 according to evidence gathered by a British silent out of necessity. But for how long? murdered East Timorese on its hands does film maker. The slaughter in East Timor is unworthy of not seem to bother the Government, which Mr. Max Stahl, whose dramatic footage such a nation. has increased its aid to Suharto by 250 per of the 1991 incident helped generate an in- As to the future, the US has, as ever, cent in the last couple of years. “Back to ternational outcry, slipped back into the pivotal power. A proposed Congressional basics” does not come much more basic than former Portuguese colony late last year to action to ban arms sales represents a per- back to machiavellian politics. research the massacre and its immediate ceptible change in American outlook and David Badman Street, Somerset aftermath for a British TV documentary. understanding. In 1993 the UN Human That documentary, ‘Death of a Nation,’ will Rights Commission called on Indonesia to John Pilger has lost none of his skill in screen on British ITV channel on February allow international experts on torture, execu- this long overdue exposure of Indonesia’s 22. The 78 minute program is narrated by tions and disappearances to investigate illegal occupation of East Timor and the the expatriate Australian journalist and au- freely in East Timor. This month the UN 200,000 deaths that have followed. thor John Pilger. Commission will summon Indonesia into its Britain still sells arms to Indonesia, and Part of the documentary will feature in- dock. There are fragments of hope, which intends to sell more Hawk aircraft, planes terviews conducted by Mr. Stahl during the public opinion, directed at Jakarta’s spon- reported as being used against East 3 months he spent in East Timor last year sors and arms suppliers, can transform into Timorese villages. Our MPs must stop this with two witnesses to the events that took real action. By all accounts, Timorese resis- sale. place at the Wira Husada hospital on Nov. tance should have been wiped out years ago; This Malaysian dam for arms deal is not 12,1991. but it lives on. Recent opposition has come unique. British aid to Indonesia has in- .... most vociferously from the young genera- creased despite Douglas Hurd’s insistence Mr. Stahl estimates that between 50 and tion, raised during Indonesian rule. It is the on cutting aid to countries that violate hu- 200 people may have died both outside the young who keep alive the nationalism man rights. Is this because we sell Indonesia cemetery and at the hospital subsequent to minted in the early Seventies and its union Hawks and other military equipment? the initial killings. Just as the exact death toll with a spiritual, traditional love of country East Timor reveals the hypocrisy of the has never been established, so too the fate of and kinship. It is they who bury the flags West in crushing Iraq for invading Kuwait the missing and their number are still unre- and maps and draw the subtle graffiti of a while tolerating the genocide of the East solved. In late 1992, an arm of the UN sleeping face resembling the tranquil figure Timorese people over 19 years. Is this be- Commission on Human Rights submitted a in Matisse’s The Dream, reminding the cause Indonesia will be sharing the large oil list of 207 demonstrators who could not be Indonesians that, whatever they do, they reserves off the East Timorese coast with accounted for in the wake of the massacre, must one day reckon with a Timorese re- the West? asking for information on their whereabouts. awakening. Ken Cole, Preston It has yet to receive a satisfactory response. When Amelia Gusmão, wife of the resis- In March 1993, the commission voted to tance leader Xanana Gusmão, was forced Your front page (February 12) reports condemn Indonesia for its failure to com- into exile, young people materialised along the appointment of a new BAe chief and plete a thorough investigation into the No- her route to the airport and stood in tribute elsewhere refers us to John Pilger’s report vember 12 incident. to her, then slipped away. The enduring on the secret slaughter in East Timor. Last July even the Indonesia military’s heroism of the people of East Timor, who BAe manufactures Hawk aircraft. Hawks own investigating committee could turn up continue to resist the invaders even as the have a vital role in turning much of the coun- only two people of the 66 it found were still crosses multiply on the hillsides, is a vivid try into a mass grave. “Most people in East missing in the wake of the massacre. reminder of the fallibility of brute power Timor know about the British Hawks,” says Mr. Stahl, an experienced journalist, won and the cynicism of others. the article. Most people in Britain still an Amnesty International Press Award in don’t. 1992 for his film ‘In Cold Blood’ which LETTERS TO THE GUARDIAN (Dr.) Margaret Johnston Bolton, Lancs. screened on Britain’s Yorkshire Television Tuesday February 16/94 in 1991. His expose of life in East Timor The excellent article by John Pilger under Indonesian rule culminated with ex- (Weekend Guardian, February 12) spotlight- cerpts from the footage he shot on the day ing the genocide of the East Timorese, in- of the massacre. vaded by the Indonesians in 1975 and sub- ject since then to an appalling catalogue of torture, brutality, and butchery, is enough to Page 74 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

EAST TIMOR REVISITED can’t be ignored. Of course, as Mr. Keating a time when Indonesia and Portugal have said that the weekend, “this is was a very been having meetings to try to solve the The Sydney Morning Herald, Editorial 14 murky period” and it is unlikely that any- problem,” Mr. Irawan said. February 1994 body knows the full details. (To that extent, Mr. Stahl’s accounts of people who said On Saturday, the Herald published an ar- Canberra’s low-key response to these alle- they survived the hospital killings were ticle by British film-maker Max Stahl in gations - Australia’s ambassador to Indone- published in the Herald yesterday and are to which he reported what are alleged to be sia was instructed to raise them in a routine be detailed in a television documentary to be witness accounts of a second wave of kill- meeting with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister - aired in Britain on February 22. ings of unarmed East Timorese in Dili on is an appropriate one for now.) But surely The documentary, called Death of a Na- November 12, 1991. This, time, it is said, the fact that nobody knows the full details tion, will be narrated by the Australian jour- survivors of the original massacre were in- is precisely the point. nalist John Pilger. Both Mr. Stahl and Mr. volved. One of Mr. Stahl’s sources says he Only a full accounting of the Dili massa- Pilger visited East Timor last year despite saw Indonesian soldiers stabbing to death cre will permit the whole truth to be known. restrictions on visits by foreign journalists. wounded demonstrators taken from the And only then will it be possible to put this The documentary accuses Jakarta of geno- cemetery as well as mortuary officials fin- terrible tragedy to rest. To its credit, Jakarta cide against the East Timorese since Indone- ishing off others by crushing their skulls and has permitted envoys of the UN Secretary- sian troops invaded in 1975. administering poison. A second source, a General to visit East Timor. But it has It is expected to be shown at the UN hospital laboratory assistant, said he saw baulked at any comprehensive outside in- Human Rights Commission, which will Indonesian soldiers driving trucks over vestigation. Meanwhile, most East Timorese discuss Indonesia’s record on human rights. wounded East Timorese and poisoning oth- are fearful of talking to foreigners in the The allegations come as Jakarta has been ers. Indonesian officials deny the claims and presence of Indonesian authorities and sus- co-operating with increased efforts aimed at maintain that this is just another case of picious of co-operating in local inquiries. finding an internationally acceptable solu- pro-independence sympathisers trying to While these remain the only options, mys- tion to the East Timor issue. The United stir up trouble. But things are unlikely to tery will continue to shroud the events of Nations still regards Portugal, which occu- stop there. November 12, 1991. pied the territory for 400 years, as the ad- Mr. Stahl’s report does not provide con- ministering power. clusive evidence of a second massacre. This JAKARTA DENIES DILI An official Indonesian inquiry found that is not to suggest that it is wrong, only to EXECUTIONS at least 30 people were killed in Dili when admit that it lacks the expert and exhaustive Indonesian troops opened fire on demon- verification necessary to substantiate a claim The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February strators. of this kind. But it does raise - or rather 1994. By Lindsay Murdoch. raises again - nagging questions about the Singapore, Sunday: Indonesia has INDONESIA SAYS EAST Dili massacre and its aftermath that no-one strongly denied allegations of a second TIMOR MASSACRE REPORT seems able to satisfactory answer. The round of killings in Dili after the 1991 mas- IS FALSE United Nations High Commissioner on Hu- sacre of anti-Jakarta demonstrators, saying man Rights has been waiting since late 1992 they are the invention of the East Timor Reuter, February 15. slightly abridged for an explanation of the whereabouts of resistance group, Fretilin. (Jakarta) Indonesia on Tuesday blasted 207 demonstrators missing since November However, the Government is worried as false a report published in Australia alleg- 12, 1991. The Catholic Church in East that the allegations, made by the British ing as many as 200 survivors of the 1991 Timor believes that there are more like 270 film-maker Max Stahl, will damage efforts Dili massacre in East Timor were later killed people still unaccounted for. Even the Indo- this year to negotiate an international set- by Indonesian troops. nesian authorities admit that there are more tlement of the East Timor conflict. “That report was sensational and unrea- than 60 people still missing in the wake of Officials of Indonesia’s Ministry of For- sonable, so I think not much attention will the incident. Well, where are they? eign Affairs believe the release of a docu- be paid to it,” Foreign Minister Ali Alatas Perhaps they fled overseas. But it is hard mentary on the alleged accounts of East told reporters. to imagine even 60 people doing that under Timorese survivors is timed to cause maxi- Charges of more deaths in the former the noses of the Indonesian military and if mum embarrassment to Jakarta ahead of the Portuguese colony are raised in a documen- they did why haven’t they since identified United Nations Human Rights Commission tary produced in Australia. themselves to allay the concern of their in Geneva, which starts next week. The documentary, titled “Death of a Na- family and friends? Perhaps they fled to the The director of information at Indone- tion” alleges between 50 and 200 injured mountains and joined the guerrillas. But the sia’s Foreign Ministry, Mr. Irawan Abidin, East Timorese from the Dili massacre were Indonesian military insists that the insur- yesterday dismissed Mr. Stahl’s allegations brought to a nearby military hospital and gency has all but flickered out and it can’t that scores of captured demonstrators were brutally murdered by Indonesian troops and have things both ways. Perhaps the missing stabbed, poisoned or crushed at an Indone- hospital staff. have gone into hiding within East Timor sian military hospital, saying in a statement “It is totally untrue that ... there was a itself. But what would they be hiding form released in Jakarta: “It never happened.” second massacre,” Alatas said. after more than two years and, in a place the Mr. Irawan said the same claims were Indonesia said 50 people died after sol- size of East Timor, why haven’t the local made in the days after the massacre outside diers fired on a crowd, which they said was authorities been able to track them down by Dili’s Santa Cruz cemetery on November becoming too unruly. now? 12, 1991. He said they would serve only to Unofficial sources have said that as many That seems to narrow it down to two ex- damage Fretilin’s credibility. as 180 people were killed. planations: either the missing are being kept “The allegations will not contribute to The documentary, details of which were in isolated detention or they re dead. And it any solution to the problem to any solution reported in Australian newspapers over the is in this context that Mr. Stahl’s report to the problem of East Timor, especially at weekend, was produced secretly by Austra- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 75 lian expatriate journalist John Pilger and conditions occurred simultaneously with the tional level, this would be taking a gamble British filmmaker Max Stahl for Britain’s opening up of the Indonesian economy. on Indonesia’s reputation for handling la- ITN television network. Concern for laborers and worker condi- bor conditions. What is required in Indo- “I think that if we see the person and see tions is widespread among Indonesians and nesia, to assure others as well as our- his reputation, we will know what kind of is based on the following factors, among selves, are concrete actions. film it is,” Alatas said referring to Pilger. “It others: This case is also of critical importance to may repeat and merge other things that have 1. Workers of Indonesian citizenship are show that Indonesia is not only concerned no relevance (about East Timor)” Alatas strategic to Indonesia’s industrialization about this issue because of the outside pres- said. process and have the right to a decent sure. We must fully recognize that with or In Sydney, Prime Minister Paul Keating standard of living in accordance with the without the GSP facility, improvements of on Saturday said Australia’s ambassador to Indonesian constitution. the social and economic conditions of work- Indonesia would raise the allegations of ers must take place as the respect of the further East Timor deaths with Indonesian 2. The freedom to meet and organize is human rights of laborers is mandated under Foreign Minister Ali Alatas during a routine guaranteed in the Indonesian constitution. our constitution. Furthermore, American meeting. The right to organize provides a forum in business interests operating in Indonesia, “We’ll be putting some questions to the which to voice the concerns of one’s eco- whether directly or indirectly through trade Indonesian government and no doubt get a nomic class. Therefore, the right of work- partners, must initiate actions which respect response,” Keating said. ers to hold a forum which is owned and the human rights of workers, in general, and The Australian Council for Overseas Aid controlled by the workers themselves improve worker conditions, in specific; (ACFOA) on Monday said in Sydney that will make labor conflicts easier to manage among others improve workers’ wages – Australia should press for a UN inquiry and more transparent. Another result of without burdening production costs in In- during the current session of the UN Com- allowing for forums will be the develop- donesia–, ensure workers’ freedom to ex- mission on Human Rights in Geneva to ment of healthier conflict resolution press their opinions, and resolve labor dis- investigate the allegations. mechanisms which will help avoid the putes directly with the workers in a fair and The Commission is scheduled to discuss occurrence of violence which will invaria- transparent process for all sides. the human rights situation in East Timor bly arise in the future if existing labor Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, SH, LLM between February 23 and March 9. conditions persist. Ir. Agustinus Rumansara, MA , Chairperson 3. A logical consequence of Indonesia’ s Indonesian Steering Committee involvement in the global political and INFID Secretary-Jakarta ECONOMIC AND LABOR economic arena is the requirement to fol- ISSUES low and respect internationally recog- THE INDONESIA TEST nized norms, including standards of hu- man rights, international standards for Editorial, New York Times, Jan 15, 1994. INFID’S PERCEPTION OF workers and others. Can the United States use the threat of THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM 4. INFID views the issues surrounding the trade penalties to get authoritarian govern- OF PREFERENCES Generalized System of Preferences as fol- ments to treat their own people with more lows: the improvement of labor condi- respect? Indonesia presents an important Press Release in Jakarta, August 16, 1993 tions, wages, and insurance, and the free- test case. After closely monitoring community re- dom of workers to meet and organize The Clinton Administration must decide action to United States’ plan to withdraw themselves without the interference of by next month if Jakarta has relaxed its re- from the Generalized System of Preferences security apparatus in resolving labor dis- pressive labor policies enough to warrant (GSP) and the Indonesian government’s putes are urgently required actions that renewal of a special U.S. trade preference plan to anticipate this withdrawal by form- the government needs to take as these are that allows $650 million worth of Indone- ing a special team to lobby the American constitutional rights granted to every In- sian goods to enter the United States duty- government, INFID (International NGO donesian citizen. The pressure to with- free. Forum on Indonesian Development) is of draw from the GSP is evidence that as Congress decided in 1984 that the prefer- the following opinion: Indonesia becomes more involved in in- ence, meant to help developing countries, The condition of workers in Indonesia is ternational arenas, the more pressure of should be withheld from those that fail to still less than satisfactory not only to work this type it will receive, if not this year, maintain minimum international standards of forces, but also to NGOs, the mass media, then next year. Therefore, this is not an labor and union freedom. Since then, several and the intellectual community in Indonesia. excuse to refuse or postpone actions to countries have seen their privileges tempo- The number of worker strikes and demon- improve workers’ conditions in Indonesia rarily suspended. strations has increased over recent years, as by hiding behind the narrow banner of But under Presidents Reagan and Bush, revealed by the mass media and investiga- nationalism – for example, Indonesia not the penalty was very sparingly applied. By tion conducted in several sectors. wanting to submit to pressure from taking on Indonesia, a large regional power In specific, labor conditions which are at- America. As stated above, workers’ and part of the dynamic East Asian growth tracting the most negative attention are: rights are guaranteed by the constitution. region, the Clinton Administration inten- workers’ wages and insurance coverage It is also not acceptable to resolve this tionally signalled a new course. which are quite low, the involvement / inter- problem by forming a diplomatic team, Already the threat of penalties has had ference of security forces in labor disputes, which is bound to bring new conse- good effect. Over the past few months In- the difficulty of workers to openly gather quences of its own. Economic losses in donesian has announced a series of steps for meetings, and the severe limitations the form of import taxes on Indonesian expanding labor union rights and raising placed on workers to form unions. These products can be avoided if such a team minimum wages for some of its poorest were successful; however, at an interna- workers. No one seriously believes these Page 76 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. steps would have been taken now were it Timor. For the same reason, the U.S. re- “Progress has been made on human rights not for the Clinton initiative. jected last August Jordan’s request for au- and workers relationships,” he said. “(And) But are these advances enough to justify thorization to sell four used U.S.-made F-5E We expect more will be done.” renewal? Indonesian labor activists still face jet fighters to Indonesia. Indonesia last week revoked a controver- severe repression, including harsh prison Indonesia also faces the loss of trade sial decree allowing the military to effec- sentences, military intervention in strikes privileges for goods entering the U.S. mar- tively break up industrial disputes. Jakarta and restrictive rules on union democracy and ket. also raised the minimum daily wage for jurisdiction. Washington has accused Indonesia of fail- workers in the capital city and industrial The Administration will make its deci- ing to provide internationally-recognized areas. sion based on what Treasury Secretary labor rights and has threatened to revoke At the meeting with the Indonesia Bentsen reports after a two-day visit to trade benefits under the Generalized System Economists Association, Bentsen noted the Indonesia that begins tomorrow. The right of Preferences unless Jakarta improves its growing importance of the Asia-Pacific re- criterion should not be whether Indonesia record by February. gion to U.S. businesses. has eliminated all remaining abuses, but Alatas said Indonesia has tried to im- “The success of nations such as Indone- whether Bentsen believes it is now commit- prove “our system, policy and our govern- sia is critical to the United States,” he said. ted to continued reform and liberalization. ment regulations in the field of labor.” “Exports are increasingly important to our During his two-day stay, Bentsen will economic well-being.” BENTSEN ARRIVES IN pay a courtesy call on Suharto and meet Bentsen also said he had invited APEC JAKARTA with several high-level government officials, finance ministers to meet informally in Ha- including Finance Minister Marie Muham- waii March 18-19 to discuss development in UPI, Jan. 16 mad and Central Bank Governor Sudradjat Asia-Pacific nations and the opening or Djiwandono. markets and investment in the region. JAKARTA – U.S. Treasury Secretary At the conclusion of his visit in Indone- Lloyd Bentsen arrived in Jakarta Sunday for sia, Bentsen heads to Thailand and China. a two-day visit to discuss strengthening PARLIAMENTARIANS economic relations and encouraging U.S. investment and trade in Indonesia. BENTSEN CALLS INDONESIA MEET BOUTROS-GHALI Bentsen, arriving from Moscow where he TO FURTHER IMPROVE was traveling with U.S. President Bill Clin- HUMAN RIGHTS ton, scheduled the trip to Indonesia to “rec- PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR ognize the importance of the U.S.-Indonesia UPI, 17 January EAST TIMOR MEET WITH UN bilateral economic relationship,” said a press JAKARTA (UPI) – U.S. Treasury Secre- SECRETARY-GENERAL statement released by the U.S. embassy in tary Lloyd Bentsen called on the Indonesian Jakarta. government Monday to improve its human Press release issued by P.E.T. 3 Feb. 1994. Bentsen’s visit was expected to build on rights conditions, including its treatment of Parliamentarians from four countries met the goodwill established between Clinton workers. with United Nations Secretary General Dr. and President Suharto during their meetings Bentsen said he raised that issue during Boutros Boutros-Ghali on Thursday, Feb- at the G-7 summit in Tokyo and Asia Pa- his meeting with Indonesia’s Finance Minis- ruary 3rd at 11:30 am at UN headquarters in cific Economic Cooperation gathering in ter Mar’ie Muhammad and President Su- New York to discuss the question of East Seattle. harto and a discussion with Indonesia Timor. Indonesia will host an informal meeting Economists Association. Members of the PET delegation were: of APEC leaders in November. “President (Bill) Clinton came to office Lord Avebury (House of Lords, UK), Foun- Bentsen, the first member of Clinton’s with a strong commitment to promoting der and Chair, Parliamentarians for East cabinet to visit Indonesia, also was expected democracy and human rights,” Bentsen said. Timor, and chair of the all-party Parlia- to discuss prospects for U.S. investment in “I know that some read this commitment mentary Human Rights Group. Indonesia as well as improvements in trade with apprehension. We not trying to argue opportunities for U.S. goods under the Gen- Hon. John Dardis, Senator (Progressive that our way is the only way, just that de- Democrat, Ireland), Party Chairperson eral Agreement Trade and Tariffs. mocracy and market economies produce Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said recently what people want.” Hon. Ingela Martensson, MP (Liberal Party, that U.S.-Indonesia ties are “basically good” Washington has accused Indonesia of fail- Sweden). Ms. Martensson visited East and “quite solid.” But, he concedes there ing to provide internationally recognized Timor as part of a Swedish parliamentary have been ups and downs in the relation- labor rights and threatened to revoke its delegation in September 1993, the first ship. trade benefits under the Generalized System foreign politicians allowed into the terri- “Right now we have some problems with of Preferences unless Jakarta improve its tory since 1991. the perceptions of a group of members of labor record. Hon. John Langmore, (Labour Party, Aus- Congress, both senators and congressmen on Bentsen said a decision would be made tralia), Member, Foreign Affairs Commit- the questions of East Timor, human rights, on Feb. 15. tee democratization of democracy,” Alatas said. The treasury secretary, the first member A message of support was also received But he expressed hopes their doubts of Clinton’s cabinet to visit Jakarta, said at from the Japanese Diet Members Forum on would not seriously affect relations between news conference that, despite the human East Timor. the two countries. rights issue in Indonesia, he is optimistic In a memo to the Secretary General, the Washington recently cancelled its $1.5 that President Clinton will attend the Asia- delegation called for the withdrawal of Indo- million on Military Education and Training Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders in- nesian troops and the holding of a referen- to Indonesia over human rights conditions in formal meeting scheduled in November. dum on self-determination for East Timor the former Portuguese colony of East under strict international supervision. Pend- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 77 ing the holding of the referendum, the par- In answer to the suggestion that a White time. The hope was expressed that the rule liamentarians urged the Secretary General to Paper be commissioned by the UN on the of international law, which had been en- open an office in East Timor to oversee its events of 1975-76, the Secretary General forced at a high cost in human lives and demilitarization, provide humanitarian aid, said he would consider this but cautioned destruction of the environment in Kuwait, and monitor human rights. The Parliamen- that it might be seen as confrontational. would be applied equally to all other in- tarians’ memo also asked the Secretary Gen- Right at the end of his remarks, the Secre- stances of the kind, including particularly eral to urge Indonesia to comply with the tary General concluded that he did not think East Timor. terms of the 1993 resolution of the UN the possibilities under Resolution 37/30 had Your predecessor confirmed that all the Human Rights Commission. Compliance been exhausted. Resolutions of the Security Council and of with the resolution would be “the most This was the second meeting between the General Assembly which had been important confidence-building measure PET and a UN Secretary General. On passed in the years following the Anschluss needed.” The resolution called on Indonesia March 21, 1991, delegation of six members of 1975 remained in force, including Security to allow visits by two UN Special Rappor- of parliament from Australia, Canada, Brit- Council Resolution 384 of December 22, teurs and two UN Working Groups which ain, the Netherlands, Japan and Portugal met 1975, which called on the Government of investigate torture, extra-judicial execution, with Boutros-Ghali’s predecessor, Javier Indonesia to withdraw its forces from East disappearances and arbitrary detention; free Perez de Cellar. Timor without delay, and Security Council access to the territory by human rights or- The 1994 meeting with the Secretary Resolution 389 of April 22, 1976, which ganizations; and the release of political pris- General came at the end of visits by his two urged member states to cooperate with the oners. special envoys on East Timor to Portugal, United Nations in facilitating the decolonisa- The Parliamentarians also asked the Sec- Indonesia East Timor and Australia. The tion of the territory. retary General to set up a UN commission envoys met with representatives from the The core issue of self-determination Since to study of the events leading to Indonesia’s governments of Indonesia and Portugal, and the breakdown of the arrangements for a invasion and annexation of the territory. East Timorese leaders, including Xanana visit to the territory by Portuguese Parlia- The Secretary General told the MPs that Gusmão, the imprisoned leader of the East mentarians in November 1991, and the Santa the Portuguese and Indonesians had agreed Timorese resistance. The special envoys’ Cruz massacre of November 12, 1991 in to avoid discussion on the substantive issue mission will help the Secretary General which an estimated 275 peaceful demonstra- of self-determination. There was also no prepare for the next meeting between the tors were murdered by Indonesian troops, likelihood that East Timorese representa- Foreign Ministers of Indonesia and Portugal there have been three meetings of the foreign tives could be involved in the discussions scheduled for May. Since December 1992, ministers of Portugal and Indonesia under being held under Resolution 37/30, which the Secretary General has hosted three such your auspices. No progress has been made were confined to the states only. He said meetings between Indonesia and Portugal on in addressing the issues of principle dealt that for the foreseeable future, the concen- the future of the territory. with in the Resolutions of the Security tration had to be on confidence building Indonesia invaded East Timor in Decem- Council and the General Assembly. measures such as the release of political ber 1975. The invasion left over 200,000 The Indonesian Government have stuck prisoners and the reduction of Indonesian dead, a third of the pre-invasion population. to their position that the annexation of the troops in the territory. He said that some The United Nations Security Council and territory was validated by the vote of the improvement in the human rights situation General Assembly have condemned the ‘Regional Popular Assembly’ of May 31, was perceived. invasion. The UN does not formally recog- 1976, and that the process complied with Mrs. Ingela Martensson who was in East nize Indonesia’s annexation of the territory the requirements of General Assembly Timor in September, 1993 told the Secretary and still considers Portugal the administering Resolution 1541 of 1960. They claim that General that Bishop Belo had said that there power. the members of this Assembly were chosen was no improvement and she herself had on the principle of one man one vote in the been unable to interview East Timorese PARLIAMENTARIANS capital, Dili, and elsewhere they were ap- freely. She said that even representatives of MEMORANDUM TO UN pointed ‘in accordance with the tradition the aid agencies were unwilling to speak to and identity of the people of East Timor.’ the delegation about the political situation. SECRETARY-GENERAL There is no evidence that any elections were The Secretary General said that the ideal held even in Dili. According to many solution to Xanana Gusmão’s detention is ON THE QUESTION OF EAST TIMOR Timorese who were there at the time, all the to release him altogether. The Secretary A Memorandum submitted to the UN 37 members of the ‘People’s Assembly’ General had just received word that visitors Secretary-General On behalf of the were hand-picked by the occupying forces. would be granted access to him. He was not Delegation of Parliamentarians for East The conditions for a free and fair election sure whether this included the International Timor in Dili did not exist since many of those Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or the February 3, 1994 who would have been eligible to vote had legal representative Xanana Gusmão had fled into the countryside, and the town was said he had wished to appoint. (In a letter to Introduction under military occupation. the International Commission of Jurists, On the occasion of a meeting with your The talks between the Foreign Ministers dated December 1, 1993, Xanana Gusmão predecessor, Sr. Javier Perez de Cuellar, on of Portugal and Indonesia, held under your explained that he had been coerced into ac- March 25, 1991, PET referred to the cardi- auspices in December 1992, April 1993 and cepting Mr. Sudjono , a person associated nal principle of the United Nations, that September 1993, have failed to address the with the army’s strategic intelligence agency territory cannot be acquired by force. It was question of self-determination. Your report as his legal representative at the trial, but he pointed out that recent events in the Gulf, on the question of East Timor to the 1993 now wished to appoint someone nominated where the international community had UN General Assembly on September 20, by the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) as his taken firm action against an aggressor, had only days after the third Indonesian- counsel.) focused attention on past acts of aggression Portuguese talks, stated that it was proving that had not been dealt with firmly at the difficult Page 78 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

“to make progress on the core issue owing sion of the territory to Indonesia in June Commission’s resolution adopted by a large to the wide difference in the positions of 1976 have never been subjected to formal majority in March 1993: the two sides.” international scrutiny. It is suggested that · Not only have civilians not indicted for though you added that you were the UN commission a study of those violent activities not been released, but “moderately encouraged by the substance events by a panel of independent experts, more have been arrested and held without and tone of the discussions held on Sep- and publish a White Paper setting out charge or trial for non-violent activities. tember 17, 1993..” their findings. The numbers of political detainees has PET note that all sides had realised the 2. The Secretary-General should formally increased. need for confidence-building measures to propose, to all the parties concerned, the · No military personnel have yet been pave the way for discussion of the core withdrawal of the Indonesian armed charged with responsibility and appro- issues. We propose that forces from the territory, and the holding priately punished for the Santa Cruz 1. The Governments of Portugal and Indo- of a referendum under strict international massacre. While military personnel nesia, and Representatives of the people supervision, in accordance with the Reso- charged with ‘disobeying orders’ got off of East Timor, be invited to submit by lutions of the General Assembly and the with trivial sentences, eight East the end of March details of confidence- Security Council. He should also propose Timorese involved in the peaceful Santa building measures they consider feasible, the establishment of a temporary admini- Cruz demonstration in Dili and two in- so that agreement may be sought on as stration in the territory, to ensure that volved in the peaceful demonstration a many of these measures as possible be- the registration of electors is conducted week later in Jakarta are serving harsh fore the next meeting of Foreign Minis- properly and that freedom of expression sentences. ters, and and of assembly is observed during the · There has been no attempt by the Indo- 2. The Governments of Indonesia and Por- period leading up to the referendum. nesian authorities to account for the hun- tugal be invited to agree that the substan- 3. Pending moves to deal with the core issue dreds of dead and missing in the Santa tive question of self-determination be of self-determination, it is proposed that Cruz massacre and to return the bodies to considered at the next meeting of Foreign the UN establish a permanent presence in the families of the dead; Ministers scheduled for May 6, 1994. East Timor under the direct supervision · In its March 1993 resolution, the UN of the Secretary-General’s office, for the Human Rights Commission urged Indo- Implementation of the Secretary- following purposes: nesia to invite the Special UN Rappor- General’s mandate under 37/30 a) to oversee the demilitarisation of the teurs on Torture and on extrajudicial, PET note with satisfaction that in Janu- territory and the removal of all summary or arbitrary executions and the ary 1994, that you instructed a team of heavy weapons and military equip- UN Working Groups on Arbitrary De- Secretariat officials led by Director of Politi- ment; tention and on Enforced and Involuntary cal Affairs, Mr. Francesc Vendrell to visit b) to enable the UN specialised agen- Disappearances to visit East Timor. Lisbon, Jakarta, East Timor and Australia to cies to take care of the humanitarian There has been no progress at all in im- work out an initiative that will pave the way needs of the people; plementing this decision. towards solving the core issue of self- · The trial and sentencing of East Timorese determination. PET welcome the fact that in c) to monitor the human rights situa- resistance leader, Xanana Gusmão, has Lisbon, Jakarta, East Timor and Australia, tion in cooperation with the East been condemned as unfair by the Interna- the mission held meetings with East Timorese church and independent tional Commission of Jurists, and they Timorese groups to hear their views. In Indonesian human rights NGOs such called for the trial to be annulled. In Ja- particular, PET were delighted to know that as the Legal Aid Institute; karta, the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute the mission held a private consultation with d) to restore to the people of East is seeking to redress the injustices perpe- jailed East Timorese resistance leader, Timor freedom of assembly, free- trated during the trial. In a letter to the Xanana Gusmão, in Cipinang Prison, Ja- dom of association and freedom of ICJ last November, Xanana Gusmão karta. Your mission signals for the first time expression. made it clear that he was not free to ap- a move by the UN to consult East Timorese It is recognised that the Indonesian Gov- point the defence lawyers he wanted, opinion, as required by Resolution 37/30. ernment would not take to these ideas im- that the lawyer he was forced to appoint UN initiatives in East Timor: The East mediately, but over the 18 years since the collaborated throughout the trial with the Timorese people have suffered from war invasion, the absence of any sign of deter- military authorities, and that the applica- and foreign occupation for nearly two dec- mination to uphold the principles of the tion for presidential clemency was made ades. It is high time for the UN to take con- United Nations Charter and of the Declara- without his consent and against his stated crete initiatives to bring an end to their suf- tion on the Granting of Independence to principle not to accept any verdict of an fering in the short-term in a way that will Colonial Countries and Peoples has been a Indonesian court. lay the basis for resolving the core issue of serious hindrance to progress. self-determination. Now that your office has The human rights situation A free and · Despite the promise made by Indonesia initiated informal consultations with East fair assessment of the views of the East at the bilateral talks under your auspices Timorese people, PET feel that the time has Timorese people can take place until human last December to allow greater access to come for specific moves to pave the way for rights abuses have ended and until all East humanitarian and human rights organisa- a formal act to assess the views of the peo- Timorese now in jail, particularly resistance tions, access to the territory has not im- ple regarding their future. PET suggest the leader, Xanana Gusmão, are unconditionally proved. Australian parliamentarians were following: released. denied permission to visit. Permission to 1. Indonesia’s version of the circumstances The human rights situation continues to visit East Timor requested by other par- of the military invasion of East Timor in deteriorate and Indonesia has done nothing liamentarians such as those from the UK December 1975, and the events which to comply with the UN Human Rights and Finland has not yet been granted. (A followed, leading to the supposed acces- letter to the Indonesian Ambassador in the UK from the Parliamentary Human East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 79

Rights Group requesting permission for The current mission of the Secretary- The Ministers, so far, had agreed to avoid two or three MPs to go to East Timor General to East Timor and the capitals of discussion on self-determination because no was acknowledged, but a definite reply is Portugal, Indonesia and Australia, which common ground had been reached on that still awaited). Visits by a Swedish par- was led by Francesc Vendrell, Director of issue. The Secretary-General had also said liamentary mission and a team of US East Asian and Pacific Division in the De- that the people of East Timor had not been congressional aides resulted in mass ar- partment of Political Affairs, was taking included in the discussions being held under rests and mistreatment of East Timorese place at what might be “a very crucial mo- General Assembly resolution 37/30, because youths. ment in the affairs of East Timor,” said Lord those were intended to be discussions be- · Reports of human rights violations in Avebury, chairperson of the Parliamentari- tween States. That resolution called on the East Timor continue to be received. ans for East Timor and Member of the Brit- Secretary-General to initiate consultations Bishop Belo has identified many prob- ish House of Lords. with all parties directly involved to explore lems in this regard and exposed the fact Lord Avebury, along with other members avenues for achieving a comprehensive solu- that tight security measures have made it of the parliamentarians for East Timor, met tion. impossible for East Timorese to express with correspondents at Headquarters this Lord Avebury pointed out that the lan- their views publicly when foreign mis- afternoon at a press conference sponsored guage of the Assembly resolution had called sions visit the territory; for instance by the Mission of Sao Tome and Principe. for consultation with all the parties con- when the team of congressional assistants That country is coordinator of the group of cerned. The Secretary-General had assured visited Dili in September 1993. five Portuguese-speaking African Countries the delegation that consultations with the (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, people of East Timor, outside of the frame- It is recommended that the Secretary- Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe). work of the formal process, had been con- General: The Parliamentarians had just completed a ducted. i. make it clear to the Indonesian authorities morning meeting with the Secretary-General The Secretary-General had also told the that their compliance with the terms of during which they had submitted to him a delegation, Lord Avebury continued, that the 1993 resolution of the UN Human memorandum on the question of East there had been some improvement in the Right Commission represents the most Timor. human rights situation in East Timor. Lord important confidence-building measure In the memorandum, the parliamentarians Avebury referred to the visit to East Timor needed, as an expression of their goodwill call for the holding of a referendum on self- by Ingela Martensson, a member of a Swed- and recognition of the wishes of the in- determination for East Timor. Lord Ave- ish delegation who were the first foreign ternational community. In particular, the bury stated that the issue of self- politicians allowed in the territory since Indonesian authorities should be per- determination bad been stressed in the meet- 1991. He said that a group from the United suaded to allow the two Special Rappor- ing with the Secretary-General in the hope Kingdom had requested permission to visit, teurs and the two UN Working Groups that it could be part of the next round of but had not received a reply as yet. The referred to in the resolution to carry out meetings between the Foreign Ministers of Secretary-General did inform the delegation investigations as required under the terms Portugal and Indonesia which is to be held in that the International Committee of the Red of the resolution. Geneva on 6 May. He added that the Ven- Cross (ICRC) had been granted access to the ii. impress upon the Indonesian authorities drell mission would have an important effect imprisoned East Timorese resistance leader, the need to allow free and unfettered ac- on the next round of discussion. A report on José Alexandre “Xanana” Gusmão. Ideally, cess to the territory for parliamentarians, that mission was due in the near future. the Indonesians should agree to release Mr. for journalists as well as for human rights The delegation, Lord Avebury went on to Gusmão, but the granting of access was a organisations, in particular Amnesty In- say, did recognize that there were a number positive step, Lord Avebury said. The Sec- ternational and Asia Watch. of confidence-building measures that could retary-General had also stressed that it was iii. urge the Indonesian authorities to release help towards an ultimate political solution. necessary to proceed carefully in discus- unconditionally all East Timorese politi- Those measures included such things as the sions, because there were elements in Indo- cal prisoners, whether tried or not. withdrawal of Indonesian troops and the nesia that were opposed to any and all con- opening of a United Nations office in East cessions. iv. press for the annulment of the manifestly Timor to monitor human rights and demilita- Ms. Martensson, who was a Member of unfair trial of resistance leader, Xanana rization. The delegation considered Indone- the Swedish Parliament, said that the Swed- Gusmão, and to secure his release so that sian compliance with the terms of the 1993 ish delegation, which had not met any initial he can play his rightful part in consulta- resolution on East Timor of the Human resistance to its request to visit East Timor, tions to reach a solution to the question Rights Commission to be the most impor- was forced to travel under very tight secu- of East Timor. tant confidence-building measure. That reso- rity and control. Thus, they were unable to lution called on Indonesia to allow visits by have unrestricted access to the average citi- UN PRESS RELEASE ON PET the Special Rapporteurs and Working zens of East Timor. They could not gain a PRESS CONFERENCE Groups of the Commission on Human clear picture of the human rights situation. Rights to investigate torture, extrajudicial She expressed astonishment over the Secre- Press release distributed by the United Na- killings, disappearances and arbitrary deten- tary-General’s assessment of an improved tions Department of Public Information. tions. The resolution also called for free human rights situation, when her own ob- Caveats theirs. access by human rights organizations to servation had been to the contrary. Her FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED East Timor and the release of political pris- delegations’ contacts with Bishop Belo, as NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY, Not for oners in East Timor. well as with civil rights lawyers in Jakarta, Distribution or Dissemination The Secretary-General believed that the had revealed that the situation for the East talks so far with the two Foreign Ministers Timorese people had not improved. The 3 February 1994 had been positive, Lord Avebury said. The Bishop had said that the people of East PRESS CONFERENCE ON EAST TIMOR Secretary-General felt that there was politi- Timor were “in a prison.” cal will to reach at least partial solutions. Page 80 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

The third member of the Parliamentarian information. The Secretary-General had resolution of the crisis stemming from East delegation, John Dardis, Senator from Ire- given no indication of the amount of access Timorese opposition to the Indonesian oc- land, said the meeting with the Secretary- granted to Mr. Vendrell. cupation. General was “a positive sign in itself.” He A correspondent inquired about contacts In a memorandum handed to Boutros- mentioned that Ireland was pursuing the the delegation might have with people of Ghali, the delegation called for a referendum issue of East Timor through the European East Timor. Lord Avebury said they had on self-determination for the former Portu- Union. The Union had supported the contacts with a group of East Timorese guese colony and asked him to urge Indone- ICRC’s access to Mr. Gusmão and had refugees in Lisbon and their information had sia to comply with a 1993 U.N. human obviously achieved progress in that area. He been valuable. A tape and a detailed letter rights resolution, which called for investiga- expressed the wish that the issue of self- from Xanana Gusmão had been smuggled tion of rights abuses. determination would be higher on the agenda out and transcripts of both would be made Boutros-Ghali is scheduled to mediate of the Geneva meetings, but he understood available. They dealt particularly with the another round of talks between the Portu- the sensitivities involved. situation of Mr. Gusmão’s legal representa- guese and Indonesian foreign ministers in Lord Avebury added that the delegation tion. The Secretary-General had not yet May. had suggested to the Secretary-General that been made aware of those documents, but The delegation said it disagreed with a a white paper be published giving an objec- the United Nations would receive copies. U.N. assessment that human rights have tive version of the events of 1975 and i976 Responding to a question about the re- improved in East Timor. which he said involved Indonesian military port of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary- “It is not our perception,” said Ingela intervention in East Timor, the holding of a General to Indonesia and East Timor, Amos Martensson, a member of Sweden’s Liberal subsequent vote to create an assembly, and Wako, on his visit of February 1993, Lord Party. eventually “the annexation of East Timor.” Avebury said the report had, of course, not Martensson, who visited East Timor last The Indonesian version of those events been made public. The Parliamentarians had September, said the Roman Catholic Church claimed that the intervention was requested called for the release of that report. The on the island believed the human rights by the citizens of East Timor and the elec- world was entitled to know what Mr. Wako situation has deteriorated. tion was held under legitimate circum- had discovered, regardless of how critical it stances, he said. The Secretary-General had might be of Indonesia. VOICE OF AMERICA: EAST said that he would take the suggestion of a Commenting on a meeting of East TIMOR APPEAL white paper under consideration. Mr. Timorese in London, he said that any such Boutros-Ghali had cautioned, however, that meeting was welcome. The problem was 03-Feb.-94. By Elaine Johanson, Dateline if such a white paper were critical of the that all East Timorese could not take part in United Nations Indonesian view, it might create a confronta- such a meeting. However, the participation tional situation and jeopardize the discus- of many Indonesians in such discussions Intro: a delegation of parliamentarians has sion process under resolution 37/30. was a very positive sign. All the parties called on the United Nations to put more Lord Avebury said that the Secretary- concerned must be allowed to make their pressure on Indonesia on the question of General had not been able to respond to a views known. East Timor - a former Portuguese colony number of specific elements in the Parlia- that Jakarta invaded in 1975 and forcibly mentarians memorandum, as he had not had LAWMAKERS ASK annexed the next year. In a meeting with Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali time to study its contents. INDONESIA TO PULL In response to a question about other Thursday, representatives from Britain, delegations visiting East Timor, Lord Ave- TROOPS OUT OF EAST Ireland, Sweden and Australia said the bury said that to his knowledge the Swedish TIMOR East Timorese should be allowed to hold delegation was the only such group. a referendum to decide their own future. Responding to a question on other cases UPI, 3 Feb. 94 V-O-A’s correspondent Elaine Johanson of Indonesian aggression brought before the UNITED NATIONS (UPI) – Legislators reports: United Nations, he said that there had cer- from four countries asked U.N. Secretary- Johanson: Anticipating another meeting tainly been a history of Indonesian expan- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali Thursday to between the foreign ministers of Indone- sionism since the formation of that State. call for the withdrawal of Indonesian troops sia and Portugal in Geneva May sixth - The question of East Timor should be from East Timor, a former Portuguese col- the Parliamentarians for East Timor say viewed in that context. Mr. Dardis reiterated ony located at the eastern end of Indonesia. it is imperative that these high-level talks that resolution 37/30 limited the issue to a East Timor has been occupied by Indo- start focusing on self-determination. But dispute between two Member States. nesia since 1975. U.N. human rights organi- apparently Secretary-General Boutros- Asked about the possible release of zations have claimed that since then, up to Ghali was not enthusiastic about the idea. Xanana Gusmão, Lord Avebury replied that 200,000 inhabitants of the island have died while the ideal situation would be Mr. Senator John Dardis of Ireland says Mr. from famine and fighting related the Indone- Boutros-Ghali - who is the interlocutor in Gusmão’s release, the next best thing was to sian occupation. gain free access to him. He noted that Mr. the talks - feels it would be premature at The lawmakers from Britain, Ireland, this point to push the issue of a referendum Gusmão had recently dismissed his ap- Sweden and Australia met with Boutros- pointed legal representation and asked for because it could de-rail the political discus- Ghali at U.N. headquarters in New York to sions: his choice of legal counsel. The new legal press for the withdrawal of Indonesian representative should be allowed the same “We would very much like that the troops and for the organization of a referen- question of self-determination would free access to him as the ICRC. dum under “strict international supervi- When asked about the amount of freedom be farther up the agenda than it is. But sion.” we realize the sensitivities involved granted Mr. Vendrell on his visit, Lord Ave- Britain’s Lord Avebury said that the bury said Mr. Vendrell’s report was due on and the Secretary-General did make a U.N. leader told the group there is a political very strong case to us that it was a 8 February and would, perhaps, supply that will to reach a “common ground” on the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 81

step-by-step process and that it was tuguese and Indonesian foreign ministers While Manuel Macedo got a green light important not to rush things.” under UN auspices. for the meeting with Vendrell, Minister The point is that Indonesia is not even We hope that a full translation of Mr. Durão Barroso described the Association as close to conceding sovereignty over East Barossa’s important interview will be the product of Indonesian “bribery.” Ma- Timor. posted on the conference shortly cedo had already reacted with a communiqué The parliamentarians admit the best they in which he refers to the Minister’s state- can hope for on the agenda of the may meet- MANUEL MACEDO RECEIVED ment as “repugnant because unfounded, rash ing is confidence-building measures, specifi- BY U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY and gratuitous.” cally on human rights. They asked for unre- Timorese at the Table stricted visits by human rights groups and Publico, 15 Jan. 1994. By A. Leite & J. T. de Francesc Vendrell’s other contacts in parliamentary delegations. They also want Negreiros Translated from Portuguese Lisbon - more predictable than last night’s Indonesia to release unconditionally all East meeting - have doubtless convinced him that Timorese political prisoners to create a more (Lisbon) Boutros Ghali’s envoy took the Timorese have not given up the quest favorable climate for negotiations. The most everyone by surprise by receiving the man for their own place at the table set for nego- prominent among them is Xanana Gusmão - who Durão Barroso described as someone tiations, currently underway, with the UN a resistance leader who has become a light- “bribed” by Jakarta. The meeting, held in Secretary General’s mediation. ening rod for international protests and ap- utmost secrecy, took place early yesterday This hope is shared by the different ten- peals. evening. And there are more surprises in dencies within the Timorese resistance. The Indonesia’s human rights record came store: on Monday, it will be Galvão de problem is that each of the two tendencies into bold relief in 1991, when the Indonesian Melo’s turn to meet with Vendrell. heard by Vendrell in Portugal favours a dif- army opened fire on a crowd at a cemetery The surprise meeting between UN Secre- ferent form of representation. in the Timorese capital, Dili. tary General’s envoy, Francesc Vendrell, Yesterday, Abilio Araujo talked in Lis- The question of East Timor has been on and the Chairman of the Portugal-Indonesia bon about the possibility of the Timorese the U-N’s agenda since 1975. The U-N has Friendship Association, Manuel Macedo, reinforcing their presence in the process by refused to recognize Indonesia’s annexation lasted for about half an hour. The meeting, way of two delegations, one made up of and still considers Portugal the administering which was kept secret until the last mo- exiles, and the other consisting of Timorese authority. ment, was not on the envoy’s official now integrated in the Indonesian administra- But human rights groups are not optimis- schedule for the visit. tive set up. It should be remembered that tic about the international community’s “The day before yesterday (Wednesday) Abilio Araujo is the “father” of the Ware commitment to East Timor. They point to I expressed interest in having a meeting,” “reconciliation” meeting, that brought Indonesia’s position as an oil-rich nation Manuel Macedo told Publico, adding that Timorese from both “sides” face to face. It and a leading member of the non-aligned. “in spite of the meeting not being on the agenda, UN officials in Lisbon made them- is these two sides that he would now like to selves available for it.” see involved in the negotiations. UN MISSION’S TRAVELS Contacted by Publico, the UN Informa- This is not a new idea. It was suggested tion Centre Press Officer in Lisbon, José straight after the unblocking of the diplo- Manuel Calafate, started by stating that he matic dialogue between Lisbon and Jakarta, NEW UN INITIATIVE had no “details” on the matter, although he when the then Foreign Minister, Deus Pin- did not deny there had been contacts. By heiro, and Ali Alatas met for the first time EXPECTED SOON the end of the afternoon he was more ex- for an exploratory meeting to deal with this TAPOL report, 10 January 1994 plicit, and confirmed that Francesc Vendrell very problem - the form which future nego- would, in fact, be meeting with Manuel tiations should take. At that time, it was According to Reuter from Lisbon Sun- Macedo, but that it was not yet clear even suggested that the two Timorese dele- day, the Portuguese Foreign Minister, whether the meeting would take place at the gations could be “associated” with the Por- Durão Barossa, told the Lisbon newspaper, UN offices in Lisbon, or somewhere else. It tuguese and Indonesian delegations. Publico, that a new UN initiative on East was night by the time Vendrell and Macedo The format finally adopted, however, left Timor is expected soon. met. the Timorese on the sidelines, and only gave Meanwhile, according to TAPOL’s own “This meeting proves that the UN is far them the chance to have lateral contact with sources, a UN mission composed of senior more interested in resolving the situation (in the three protagonists: Durão Barroso (who officials from New York will be arriving in Timor) than the Portuguese Government,” substituted Deus Pinheiro at the head of the Lisbon this week and will hold meetings said Macedo straight after the meeting. He Portuguese Foreign Ministry), Ali Alatas, with Portuguese officials on Friday. The was pleased by the “very considerate” way and Boutros Ghali. mission will then proceed to Jakarta for in which he had been received by Boutros Before hearing the advocates of the further consultations and visit East Timor Ghali’s envoy. According to Macedo, Ven- “double” delegation, Vendrell will be hearing for an unspecified period of time. TAPOL drell showed interest in the Association’s the views of Timorese who oppose any understands that the initiative mentioned in activities, and was “surprised” to learn that approach towards Jakarta, (repudiating Mr. Barossa’s interview relates to this se- its Chairman had not been received by the initiatives such as Ware), and uphold that ries of UN visits. Foreign Minister and the President of the only the resistance should be represented at Mr. Barossa gave a wide-ranging inter- Republic. the talks. view on a number of international develop- Next Monday, Francesc Vendrell will be The matter is sure to be brought up again ments; he made a number of comments meeting General Galvão de Melo, currently in Jakarta, where Vendrell is headed for this about the question of East Timor. He made in Timor on Jakarta’s invitation, as leader of morning, and in Dili, the following stop on no mention of Friday’s meeting but said that the Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Associa- his journey. Yesterday, Boutros Ghali’s a UN initiative was being taken in advance tion. envoy was received by Mario Soares, and of the May 1994 meeting between the Por- had a working lunch at the Foreign Ministry Page 82 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. with Durão Barroso. He returned to the UN Vendrell has said that he is ready to UN ENVOY IN EAST TIMOR offices in Lisbon late in the afternoon for a meeting anyone who wants to discuss East meeting with representatives from the Timor. Besides meeting the Portuguese TALKS Maubere People’s Rights Commission, and president and foreign minister, as well as The Age, by Jill Jolliffe. 17 Jan. 1994 the organisation Peace is Possible in East members of the Parliamentary Commission Timor. His meeting with Manuel Macedo for East Timor affairs, Vendrell also met the (Lisbon) A special representative of the was the last, in Vendrell’s pass through resistance group, CNRM, including UDT UN Secretary-General is bound for Indone- Lisbon. and Fretilin leaders. Speaking for Fretilin sia and East Timor after two days meeting Luis Cardoso [actually, Cardoso is the Portuguese officials and East Timorese See “Collaborators in Portugal” section for community representatives. more on this subject. CNRM representative in Lisbon, and is not Fretilin, TAPOL] said he was extremely Reliable sources in Lisbon say Jakarta is planning to release some long-term East JOLLIFFE ON U.N. MISSION happy about his meeting with Vendrell. There can be no solution outside the UN, he Timorese prisoners, and to free imprisoned guerilla leader Xanana Gusmão, under terms Radio Netherlands broadcast the following said; he proposed that representatives of the of exile being negotiated with the West Afri- report in Indonesian on 17 January 1994. CNRM should be involved in the consulta- can government of Guinea-Bissau. Translation. tions between Indonesia and Portugal. This need not necessarily be at the next round but Mr. Francesc Vendrell has been sent by The question of East Timor can only be thereafter, according to Cardoso. Zacharias Dr. Boutros-Ghali to consult Portuguese, solved in a way that is acceptable to the da Costa, representing the UDT also praised Indonesian, and East Timorese opinion in people of East Timor, said Francesc Ven- the UN for having consultations with East preparation for the next round of talks be- drell, envoy of the UN Secretary General, Timorese representatives. tween the Portuguese and Indonesian foreign Boutros Boutros-Ghali, in Lisbon before The consultations have reached a very ministers in Geneva in May over East leaving Saturday for Jakarta. Vendrell met difficult stage and need to be pushed for- Timor, the former Portuguese colony in- Portuguese government officials and various ward, said Zacharias. By contrast with vaded by Indonesia in 1975. East Timorese groups in Portugal. Vendrell Abilio Araujo, I regard the UN role as some- He left Lisbon amid controversy after plans to meet Foreign Minister Ali Alatas thing very positive, said the UDT represen- meeting Mr. Manuel Macedo, president of and ambassador Lopes da Cruz in Jakarta tative. Abilio is former Fretilin leader who the Indonesian-created Portuguese Indone- and hopes also to meet the leader of the East met pro-integration groups at recent talks in sian Friendship Association. The meeting Timorese resistance, Xanana Gusmão, who London sponsored by Indonesia. was described as shameful by one newspa- is in Cipinang Prison. Here is our report of Before the visit to Lisbon by Vendrell, per, but a UN source said the meeting oc- his visit to Portugal by Jill Jolliffe: Abilio Araujo speaking to the news agency, curred only because Mr. Vendrell had agreed –––––––– LUSA, accused the UN for being responsi- to meet everyone who wanted to speak with Francesc Vendrell, Director for Asia- ble for the situation in East Timor because, him about East Timor. Mr. Macedo is con- Pacific at the UN [actually, he is Director since the Indonesian invasion in 1975, the sidered a paid apologist of Indonesian pol- for Political Affairs, TAPOL] hopes for UN has ignored requests for peace troops to icy. some practical improvements in the human be sent. Araujo has since admitted that he Mr. Vendrell earlier met members of the rights situation in East Timor and for an said to Vendrell that consultations about a East Timorese National Council, including improvement in the trust between Indonesia resolution of the East Timor question can officials of the Fretilin and UDT parties and and Portugal, as a step towards resolving the only be undertaken by the UN. The people a dissident group of East Timorese involved East Timor question. Progress is being of East Timor want an honourable solution in controversial Indonesian-sponsored nego- sought through dialogue under the auspices and an end to the war, Araujo said. tiations. He also met President Mario of the UN Secretary General, in the search However, most East Timorese in Portu- Soares, the Foreign Minister, José Durão for a settlement that is acceptable to the gal doubt whether the Jakarta government is Barroso, and a parliamentary commission on people of East Timor, said Vendrell. He prepared to make any concession, as Araujo East Timor. added however that the way forward is still claims. The decision to allow the seven East He is expected to talk in Jakarta with long. Timorese who asked for asylum to leave Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, pro- Vendrell has been mandated by the UN Indonesia was taken as a result of an inter- Indonesian Timorese leaders Mr. Francisco Secretary General to assess the opinions of national campaign, not because of the con- Lopes da Cruz, and visit Mr. Gusmão. In Portugal, Indonesia and East Timor, in sultations between Lopes da Cruz and Timor, he is expected to meet Carlos Belo preparation for the next round of talks be- Araujo in London. and political and military leaders. tween Portugal and Indonesia in Geneva on Meanwhile, sources in Lisbon say that Before leaving, Mr. Vendrell said he May 6. the Indonesian government plans to release hoped for practical improvements in human While in Lisbon Vendrell met Manuel several East Timorese prisoners, including rights in East Timor and increasing confi- Macedo, leader of the Portugal-Indonesia Xanana Gusmão. These sources say that the dence-building measures between Portugal Friendship Association, an organisation that Indonesian government is holding talks with and Indonesia as a step towards a lasting has been sponsored by Jakarta. Portuguese the Guinea Bissau government with a view solution. “The way forward is through dia- government officials refuse to meet Macedo to releasing Xanana Gusmão as a “refugee” logue under the auspices the UN Secretary- because they regard him as being in the pay to the former Portuguese country in West General to solve the issue of the East of the Indonesian government and an ally of Africa. Timorese people,” he said, but added “there (retired) General Carlos Galvão de Melo is still a long way to go.” who is at present on a visit to Indonesia and After his principal meeting with the East East Timor. Vendrell had a meeting with Timorese community, Mr. Luis Cardoso, Macedo which the Lisbon daily described as the representative of Fretilin, said: “We “shameful.” stressed that there can be no solution out- side the UN framework.” East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 83

Matebian News correction: He said Gusmão was in good physical gal, government and East Timorese circles and mental condition. were very positive about the Vendrell mis- Mr. Luis Cardoso is not representative of Vendrell was accompanied by U.N. offi- sion which is taking place in implementation Fretilin as reported above; he is the repre- cial Tamrat Samuel. of the mandate of the UN Secretary- sentative of CNRM in Portugal. The U.N. officials are in Indonesia to col- General. lect information on the disputed Indonesian Vendrell is one of the most experienced UN OFFICIALS TO SEE province of East Timor in a preparation for UN diplomats on the question of East GUSMÃO another round of U.N.-sponsored talks be- Timor. Under the former Secretary-General, tween Indonesia and Portugal, scheduled for Peres de Cuellar, he was reportedly pushed The Age, 18 January 1994 May 6 in New York. aside because he was critical of the Jakarta (AFP) Two senior United Nations offi- Gusmão’s independence movement was government. cials will visit the jailed East Timor inde- formed after Indonesia invaded in 1975 and On his visit to Jakarta, the Indonesian au- pendence movement leader Xanana Gusmão annexed the island after it gained independ- thorities gave him a cool reception. There in his Jakarta prison, sources close to the ence from Portugal. The United Nations was a striking contrast between the exten- delegation said in Jakarta today. Visits to does not recognize Indonesian authority sive media coverage given to the visit to Gusmão, who began a 20-year sentence in over the island province. Indonesia of the pro-Indonesian retired Por- 1993, were suspended on 9 January after a In the third round of talks in September, tuguese general, Melo, and the lack of media letter he wrote seeing a new trial was smug- Jakarta and Lisbon reached an agreement for coverage of the Vendrell visit. gled out from Jakarta’s Cipinang prison. the first time on a number of confidence- Vendrell was taken aback when LBH ac- Gusmão, who lead the armed wing of the building measures. tivists asked him about a ‘Kompas’ report Fretilin pro-independence group, was jailed Visits to Gusmão, serving a 20-year jail quoting him as praising development in East for plotting against the state and illegal pos- term in Jakarta’s Cipinang prison, were Timor. The UN diplomat said this was un- session of firearms. suspended early this month in retaliation for true and he would be writing to protest to a letter he smuggled out of prison to the the newspaper which is regarded as the best UN OFFICIALS MEET XANANA International Commission of Jurists. Indonesian newspaper. There was hardly GUSMÃO See Xanana Gusmão section for more on any reporting at all of Vendrell’s brief meet- AP. 24 January 1994. Abridged these discussions. ing with Major-General Theo Syafei [Udayana regional military commander] who Unless we have missed something, there has FRANCESC VENDRELL OF is about to be transferred to a post at armed been no report of the UN officials visiting forces headquarters. Nor was there any East Timor which, we understand should THE UN VISITS INDONESIA reporting about Vendrell’s meeting with have been part of the trip. Alatas’ angry Bishop Belo. While Bishop Belo recently Radio Netherlands, 25 January 1994. tirade against Bishop Belo for calling for a denounced the Portuguese general, Melo, he Translated from Indonesian referendum may have been made in the con- welcomed the Vendrell visit to East Timor. text of a UN visit to Dili where the officials Two special envoys of the UN Secre- Haji Princen recently had a long discus- would certainly have wanted to meet Belo. tary-General, Francesc Vendrell and Tamrat sion with Bishop Belo; he told Vendrell But did it ever take place? – TAPOL Samuel, are deeply concerned about the about the plans of the LPHAM and the (Dili) Two UN officials visited East human rights situation in East Timor and LBH to open a branch in Dili. Timor rebel leader, Xanana Gusmão Mon- about the circumstances of the East Timor In Vendrell’s opinion, the human rights day. Francesc Vendrell, Director of the UN resistance leader, Xanana Gusmão who is situation in East Timor needs to be continu- Department of Political Affairs, said he was now imprisoned in Cipinang Prison. The ally monitored. In this connection, the Indo- sure that Gusmão was in good physical and two diplomats left Indonesia Tuesday for nesian human rights activists acknowledge mental condition and that he would report Australia after visiting Portugal, Indonesia that East Timor’s right to self- on the meeting to the UN Secretary-General. and East Timor for two weeks. Indonesian determination, in the form of a referendum, “I am satisfied with my visit because he human rights activists Adnan Buyung is an integral part of the human rights situa- talked with me freely,” Vendrell said. Nasution and Haji Princen acknowledged tion. But we need to find ways of present- The UN officials have met with officials, that East Timor’s right to self-determination ing this so as to avoid being accused of including Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and is an integral part of the human rights ques- ‘treachery,’ said Princen, who was called a were to leave Tuesday for Australia tion. traitor by Vice-President Try Sutrisno after This is our report from Hilversum: he returned home from a visit to Portugal UPI, January 24 The day before their departure from Ja- last year. JAKARTA – Two U.N. officials Mon- karta, two envoys of the UN Secretary- Princen said that Vendrell also spoke day visited jailed East Timor independence General were able to meet Xanana Gusmão, about the possibility of implementing an leader Xanana Gusmão, whose loss of visi- as well as meeting several human rights ac- ‘act of free choice’ or referendum. According tation rights earlier this month sparked pro- tivists, Adnan Buyung Nasution, Frans H. to Hendardi, the political opening up of East tests from human rights groups. Winarta and Hendardi from the LBH and Timor is essential before a referendum can “I am satisfied with my visit, because Haji Princen from the LPHAM. The envoys be held. Gusmão talked with me freely, “ said U.N. said that they found Xanana Gusmão in a Besides the human rights situation in official Francesc Vendrell. good state of health. general, Vendrell devoted special attention Vendrell declined to elaborate. “I will re- Vendrell and Samuel are known to be to the fate of Xanana Gusmão, in particular port all information from my meeting to making every effort to collect as objectively the role that the LBH can play to secure U.N. Secretary-General” Boutros Boutros- as possible all the necessary information in justice for the jailed East Timorese leader. Ghali. preparation for the talks between Indonesia The LBH has invited the National Com- and Portugal in Geneva on 6 May. In Portu- mission on Human Rights which has been set up by the government to visit Xanana Page 84 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Gusmão together with LBH lawyers. The In East Timor, the envoys met with “All my colleagues and I are satisfied human rights activists also said that even Governor Abilio Soares, chief of the East with the initiative of the UN Secretary- though Foreign Minister Ali Alatas is bound Timor legislature,, Antonio Freitas Parada, General in sending this envoy to Indonesia to implement Jakarta’s foreign policy, he chief of the local military command, Colonel and East Timor and to Australia, specifi- can be regarded as the best of our diplomatic Lumintang, a number of tribal leaders, the cally to meet us,” he said. representatives. Some sources believe that Dili Bishop, Carlos Ximenes Belo and other He said Mr. Vendrell head “sounded out the deadlock reached over East Timor is the public figures. our views on confidence-building meas- result of the hardline policy of certain mili- The majority of the East Timor leaders ures.....to create a climate conducive to a tary circles and it seems that Vendrell un- expressed the hope that the United Nations settlement.” derstands this very well. would be able to bring the talks between Mr. Ramos-Horta said it was up to In- Princen regards Vendrell as being very Indonesia and Portugal to a conclusion satis- donesia, not Portugal or the Timorese, to genuine. He spent more time asking ques- factory to all parties, according to José create a climate of confidence by pulling its tions than making comments. Gaspar Piedade, chairman of the East Timor troops out of East Timor, releasing political Based on the results of this UN mission, chapter of the National Youth Committee. prisoners and “stopping the torture and the it seems certain that there will need to be José proposed that the UN sponsor a arrests.” positive progress on the human rights front visit to the territory by a Portuguese delega- and case of Xanana Gusmão before a refer- tion and by East Timorese living in exile, to JUDGMENT WITHHELD: UN endum can take place, and before more con- give them a first-hand look at the situation ENVOY TO JAKARTA MEETS crete discussions take place at the negotiat- in East Timor more than 17 years after its ing table about resolving the question of integration with Indonesia. TIMORESE IN AUSTRALIA East Timor Diario de Noticias (DN), 28 January 1994. UN ENVOY SEEKS TALKS By Antonio Sampaio, Translated from Por- UN ENVOYS SEEK GREAT ER Canberra Times, 27 January 1994 tuguese. HUMAN RIGHTS (Sydney) The UN envoy to Jakarta, MONITORING IN EAST MELBOURNE: A special envoy of United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Francesc Vendrell, was in Australia to meet TIMOR Boutros-Ghali arrived in Australia yester- Timorese representatives. He gave assur- day for talks with East Timorese exiles as ances that Xanana is in good health, and said Jakarta Post, 26 January 1994. Abridged part of UN efforts to resolve the East Timor the UN is going to present some of its own Two United Nations envoys fresh from a dispute. ideas for settling the conflict. visit to East Timor, have proposed that the Senior UN representative Francesc Ven- Francesc Vendrell, Boutros Ghali’s en- Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) open an drell had a three hour meeting in Sydney voy to a round of consultations involving office in the former Portuguese colony to yesterday with representatives of the East Portugal, Indonesia, and the Timorese Resis- help monitor the human rights situation Timorese independence movement, move- tance, was cautious in his approach when there. ment spokesman José Ramos Horta said. interviewed by the Diario de Noticias (DN): YLBHI officials said the proposal came Mr. Vendrell head of the UN’s Asia sec- DN: How did the meeting go with Timorese during a meeting on Monday with Francesc tion, arrived in Australia after ten days in leaders in Australia? Vendrell and Tamrat Samuel, special envoys Indonesia and East Timor, where he met Francesc Vendrell (FV): It went like all the of UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- government officials and jailed Timorese others I have had since New York. They Ghali assigned to prepare for the next meet- resistance leaders. have been very positive. I have had the op- ing between Indonesia and Portugal to re- Australia is the third stop in a tour that portunity of listening to the opinions of the solve the East Timor question. The founda- began in Portugal. Timorese community, both in Australia and tion was represented at the meeting by Ad- His trip stems from a meeting between in Portugal, and I want to hear still more. nan Buyung Nasution, Hendardi, Princen the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign min- DN: Has everyone been cooperative? and Franz [Winarta]. isters last September, at which they agreed “The two envoys proposed that YLBHI to implement “confidence-building meas- FV: Portugal and Indonesia cooperated fully open an office in East Timor to provide legal ures,” aimed at speeding efforts between the in the preparations for my visit. I was able counselling and to help monitor the human two countries to resolve their dispute about to contact whoever I wished. The meetings rights in the territory,” said Franz H. East Timor. have been fruitful, and a lot has been Winarta, the foundation’s executive secre- It prepares for the next meeting between achieved. This has really been a preparatory tary. the foreign ministers of the two countries in mission for the May meeting, so as to help Winarta said the meeting on Monday dis- Geneva on May 6. the Secretary General come up with some cussed the human rights situation in Indone- The talks have been taking place under ideas to present both parties. sia in general. the auspices of the UN Secretary-General DN: You made a point of visiting Xanana The UN envoys also queried about the since 1982, aimed at finding an internation- Gusmão. fate of convicted East Timor rebel leader, ally acceptable solution to the question of FV: I was with Xanana Gusmão in his cell. José Alexandre ‘Xanana’ Gusmão and the former Portuguese colony, which Indo- All I can tell you is that he is in good physi- whether YLBHI had succeeded in meeting nesia invaded in 1975 and annexed the fol- cal and mental condition. Obviously, I can- his request for legal representative. lowing year. not reveal what we discussed during our YLBHI executives last week met mem- Mr. Ramos-Horta, spokesman for the meeting, as I must report on that to the bers of the National Commission on Human East Timorese Council of National Resis- Secretary General. I am satisfied with the Rights asking that they jointly visit tance, declined to give specific details of contacts I made with people from Portugal, ‘Xanana’ to discuss his request for a trial by yesterday’s meeting. and naturally, with having been able to talk an international court, after alleging irregu- with whomever I wished. larities by the Indonesian court. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 85

DN: Who were you in touch with in East another indication of its lack of respect of Timor? OTHER U.N. ACTIVITIES human rights. FV: With the local authorities, the Gover- The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, said earlier this week that Indo- nor, and the Military Commander, and with UN BID TO SETTLE EAS T various Timorese. I spoke at length with nesia had no intention on freeing Xanana Mnsgr. Bishop Ximenes Belo. I met several TIMOR ROW into exile, and that Xanana had himself to missionaries, and also Ma’Huno and blame for having his visiting rights revoked The Australian, 11 Jan. 1994. By Reuters Ma’Hodo. earlier this month. LISBON: Portugal said yesterday that Mr. Alatas said Xanana has sent a copy DN: We know Xanana is imprisoned, but of a letter to the Geneva-based International there is confusion about Ma’Huno and the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, would launch initia- commissions of jurists to a Portuguese Ma’Hodo. What is their current situa- newspaper last month. In it, Xanana asked tion? tives soon to try to solve its dispute with Indonesia over East Timor, but it saw no the commission to annul his trial. FV: I cannot comment on their conditions, early solution. “ This comments by Mr. Alatas only re- but I can assure you that they are in good “There is a total divergence between the inforces the universal perception that Indo- physical shape. two governments-Portugal and Jakarta,” nesia doesn’t respect human rights and fun- DN: But are they imprisoned on not? Portugal’s Foreign Minister, Mr. José damental freedoms.....,” Mr. Horta said FV: Let’s say they are both living under Manuel Durão Barroso, told the Lisbon yesterday. restricted conditions. daily Publico. “It is not in Indonesia’s interests because “I only see a possible solution in the long Mr. Alatas has made it a top priority this DN: Under house arrest? term and through a policy of small steps.” year for Indonesia to win a seat in the secu- FV: I can only say that they spend some The former colony was invaded by Indo- rity council. time on military bases in Dili. nesian in 1975 and annexed a year later, “There is no way they can win a seat on DN: Some analysts suggest that little pro- leading to a rupture of relations with Portu- the Security council unless they try and find gress has been made in previous meet- gal. a solution in East Timor,” he said. ings. Indonesia as been widely criticised for Indonesia’s armed forces have name a human rights abuses in the territory of new commander for a Military district in- FV: I disagree. If we look at the last meeting, corporating East Timor, the official Antara in New York, we can see that there were 750,000 people, where a dwindling band of pro-independence guerrillas still opposes news agency said yesterday. three or four things, which might appear of Major General Theo Syafei, who as- little consequence, but which are in fact Indonesian rule. The UN still does not rec- ognise Indonesian rule of East Timor, but sumed the Udayana command after the mas- important. It was agreed, for example, that sacre in East Timor in November 1991, is there would be greater access to Timor for the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Por- tugal have been meeting twice a year under being replaced by Brigadier General Adang humanitarian organisations - my visit was an Ruchiatna. example of that. It was also agreed that the UN auspices since 1992 for exploratory Secretary General would continue to moni- talks. tor the situation in Timor and maintain con- Mr. Durão Barroso said he was skeptical UN DECOLONIZATION tact with the Timorese. These are all steps about the prospects for his next meeting COMMITTEE MEETS forward. with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, in Geneva in May. Abridged from United Nations Press Re- DN: Indonesia has always said “no” to “I think it is always prudent to maintain lease, 15 February 1994 contacts with the Timorese. A favourite a certain skepticism, while being construc- argument is that the Timorese have al- tive. We are still some way away from this SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE ready taken a decision on their future. meeting and there will be some initiatives by TO DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE, FV: In the contacts maintained during the the secretary-general of the United Nations SAYS CONDITIONS MUST BE 1980s, the Timorese were never consulted. before then,” he said. ESTABLISHED FOR FREE CHOICE IN For that reason too, this opportunity shows Mr. Durão Barroso did not say what sort NON-SELF GOVERNING TERRITORIES that progress has already been made. of initiatives Dr. Boutros-Ghali might take. Renagi Renagi Lohia, of Papua New Guinea, DN: But access to Timor for NGOs has not Re-elected Committee Chairman been unrestricted - Indonesia prohibited HORTA: BAR INDONESIA While the inalienable right of colonized the ICRC from visiting Xanana. FROM UN SECURITY peoples to freely choose their destiny was FV: I am not aware of the details of Indone- COUNCIL now universally recognized, there was still a sia’s decision regarding the ICRC. I thought need to establish in Non-Self-Governing that visits, in general, would not be allowed, The Australian, 22 January 1994. By Helen Territories the political, economic and social but I did not know that the Red Cross was Signy and agencies conditions that would promote the exercise included. of that free choice, the Special Committee Indonesia should not be allowed to sit on on decolonization was told this afternoon as DN: Have you decided what you will tell the the United Nations Security Council until a it began its 1994 session.... Secretary General? solutions was found in East Timor, the co- Also this afternoon, the Special Commit- FV: I have a lot of ideas about what I will chairman of East Timor’s resistance move- tee re-elected Renagi Renagi Lohia of Papua report to him. I think we ought to concen- ment, Mr. José Ramos Horta, said yester- New Guinea as its Chairman, for a third trate on finding solutions which help the day. term. In his statement, Mr. Lohia said that Timorese people. Mr. Horta, who is visiting Sydney, said the Special Committee was hopeful that it Indonesia’s recent statements about the would be in a position to usher in the mil- jailed rebel leader Xanana Gusmão were Page 86 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. lennium with a clean slate and the absence of had never recognized the decolonization some of the sting from that barb’ as he sees any colonial territories on its list.... process of East Timor as being com- the Mabo process shows a Government and The Special Committee also elected Fer- pleted. ‘disparate parties’ committed to ‘real recon- nando Remirez de Estenoz Barciela (Cuba) He stated that Portugal had no claims ciliation.’ He commends the Federal Gov- as one of its Vice-Chairman. The following whatsoever over the territory of East ernment here arguing that the ‘giant ques- officers were also re-elected: Andrew G. Timor, but continued as administering tions of prior rights, justice, the recognition Bangali (Sierra Leone) as Vice-Chairman; Power for the Non-Self-Governing Terri- of genocide and crippling racism’ are more Farouk Al-Attar (Syria) as Rapporteur; and tory of East Timor to defend the rights of important than the republic debate and is- M. Amor Ardhaoui (Tunisia) as Chairman the East Timorese people, in whom Por- sues of ‘self-image and national pride.’ of the Subcommittee on Small Territories, tugal has maintained a moral and histori- Clearly a debate could be mounted here Petitions, Information and Assistance. cal interest. Portugal was actively en- as to whether the Federal Government’s Speaking on the question of East Timor, gaged in ongoing talks regarding East response to Mabo was motivated by such one of the items on the Special Committee’s Timor, and was open to the expression noble sentiments. However the real reason agenda were representatives of Indonesia and fulfillment of the desires of the peo- Begbie raises the issue at all is to make the and Portugal.... ple of East Timor. comparison between how at a time when The Special Committee comprises the 24 Aboriginal issues ‘so stirred the national member States: Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Chile, Articles relating to the Geneva meeting conscience’ we have ‘wimped out’ on East China, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Ethio- of the U.N. Human Rights Commission Timor where ‘occupation, repression and pia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia are in East Timor Documents volume 27, genocide have unfolded with barely a squeak and Montenegro), Fiji, Grenada, India, In- for completeness. from the same party and Government that donesia, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Papua New has laboured long and honourably over Guinea, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Mabo and related issues.’ Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA Begbie identifies part of the problem as Republic of Tanzania and Venezuela.... apathy generated through the television Statements news media where the ‘60 second news REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN grab’ on East Timor will be ‘driven from REZLAN ISHAR JENIE (Indonesia) said MEDIA COMMENTARY ON thought a moment later by the next story.’ that his delegation regretted the inclusion He argues the result is we become compla- of the so-called question of East Timor EAST TIMOR cent as ‘the sense remains that we’ve cov- on the agenda of the Special Committee ASIA PACIFIC NEWS COMMENTARY. ered, or dealt with, or given a hearing to, the for 1994. The people of East Timor had subject at hand.’ Television becomes the exercised their legitimate right to self- No.1. November 1993. East Timor ‘democratic medium’ through which we determination and had achieved inde- A Selective Review of Australian Electronic ‘expiate our guilt’ via a ‘fair hearing’ as pendence through integration with Indo- Media and Press Opinion. Written and ‘armchair tourist’ television watchers. nesia on 17 July 1976. That decision of Compiled by Jefferson Lee. Hence Begbie argues that if there is a ‘con- the East Timorese people had been taken Postal Address: PO Box 703, Leichardt spiracy of silence’ on the Timor issue it is in accordance with the principles of the NSW 2040. one ‘we all share’ as we turn off the televi- United Nations Charter and relevant Annual Subscriptions: $30/$20. sion ‘with a vague sense of having ‘got United Nations resolutions. Issue: The Keating Visit to Jakarta: October across’ subjects like this one (i.e. Timor).’ During the decolonization process, 1993. Survey Area: The Canberra Times Again one gets the feeling Begbie is pander- the United Nations had been kept fully Columnists 24.10.93 - 2.11.93. ing to his complacent Sunday readers? But informed of the situation in East Timor, he is also indirectly addressing the issue of 1. Richard Begbie, ‘Mabo, East Timor, and a he went on. East Timorians (sic) had par- the role of the media in suppressing the East glance at the American tourist syn- ticipated in national and provincial elec- Timor issue in Australia. Clearly, as a par- drome,’ Canberra Times, Sunday tions, and if the question was the promo- ticipant in may of the recent rallies on East 24.10.93, p.8 (opinion column). tion and protection of political aspira- Timor in Sydney, I can say the absence of tions and the socio-economic well-being Begbie’s column preceded Keating’s arri- reports from most media institutions indi- of the East Timorese people, the answer val in Jakarta. It did not address it directly. cates the ‘conspiracy of silence’ is more was to support the decision of the East This column was the only one of those un- related to censorious, sensationalist and Timorese people to enjoy the freedom der review that was openly sympathetic to politically compliant media than it is to the and economic and social prosperity avail- the East Timorese cause. He begins rather issue of some unquantifiable viewer stupor able to them as the twenty-seventh prov- limply by referring to an earlier column induced by over-exposure to the tragedy of ince of Indonesia. where he raised the ‘vexed and infinitely sad world events. Admittedly, if anything, the situation in East Timor.’ Surely the issue is media construction of world news does JOSÉ CAETANO DA COSTA PEREIRA clear-cut by now? Begbie here is either pan- exacerbate the problem by presenting inter- (Portugal) said that his country could not dering to the middle class readership of the national news in a disempowering and de- see how Indonesia could say that the Sunday edition of the nation’s capital daily sensitising format. question of East Timor had no place on or stylistically he doesn’t want to lead into But Begbie redeems himself by claiming the agenda of the Special Committee, es- his article too heavily? We shall see. the ‘anaesthetising’ mass media demon- pecially since that question was included He then argues that ‘cynics have ob- strates the value of ‘the stirrer,’ ‘the dissi- in the agenda of both the General Assem- served that in matters of human rights Aus- dent,’ ‘the eccentric voice of conscience.’ bly and the Special Political Committee, tralia’s moral stance and diplomatic courage Here he identifies the late Patelisio Finau, and the Security Council remained seized increase with the distance of the issue from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tonga who of that situation even today. The United our shores.’ He suggests the Federal Gov- spoke out about the muted Irish anger over Nations and the international community ernment’s stand on the Mabo issue ‘takes East Timor directed at Keating when he East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 87 visited Ireland. Finau said ‘I am happy to trol’ and attempt to water down any inter- sia...’ (as) US President Clinton (will) pur- see... that the politicians in Ireland showed national pro-East Timor action by immedi- sue these in Indonesia next month. their unhappiness towards your Prime Min- ately making qualifying statements of disas- ‘The ACTU leader said his visit to Indo- ister... And I’m glad that the American’s sociation. Thirdly we have a ‘mono dimen- nesia would not conflict with statements are... not selling arms to Indonesia until sional’ obsession that all that matters in our made by PM Keating, that human rights human rights violations in East Timor are bilateral relationship is trade and defence abuses in Indonesia should not be the sole fixed up.’ Begbie notes Finau’s death and cooperation. If Cole-Adams addressed any focus of International attention... ‘I think salutes ‘it (was) nice to know that you of these issues to Keating they were not the PM was right to raise the question of a stood with downtrodden neighbours in their reported. constructive approach...but we’re obliged as struggle for self determination before it was 3. Gerard Noonan, ‘PM has deft touch in a country to campaign for human rights and too late.’ links with Indonesia,’ Canberra Times, trade union rights.’ Begbie also lists Bishop Tutu as another Thursday, 28.10.93, p.15, (features) Ferguson’s apparent concern for Indone- supporter of the Timorese cause. He notes sian trade union rights should be viewed in Noonan here was profiling the success of that in all the press euphoria about a peace the light of the most recent AKSI Newslet- Keating’s CHOGRM trip to Cyprus and deal being struck in South Africa to end ter which exposed the way that visits to where the Jakarta visit fitted in. He argued it Apartheid prior to Tutu’s visit to Australia Jakarta by ACTU officials have been used was ‘probably (Keating’s) best week as there was barely a mention of Agio Pereira’s by the Suharto regime to bolster the gov- Prime Minister’ as domestic things like speech on behalf of Xanana Gusmão at the ernment-run tame-cat official trade union Mabo, the Budget, the $8 pay rise, all fell Canberra Pen meeting. Thus Begbie put a movement. It complements the way that into place. The Jakarta visit occurred on the question to Tutu on East Timor at the Na- Ferguson and other ACTU leaders con- heels of Golkar leadership election and the tional Press Club address to which Tutu spired to keep the issues of East Timor and loosening of Indonesia’s foreign investment responded. ‘Wherever there should be injus- Bougainville off the agenda at the recent guidelines which positioned Keating well to tice done, then we have no option, those of ACTU Congress in Sydney. discuss APEC and Australian investment. us who are Christians, but to say we stand Noonan argued ‘Keating himself appears to 5. Ian Warden, ‘PM’s Chamberlainesque with those who have legitimate aspirations, have a soft spot for Indonesia, and the In- trip to Indonesia under fire,’ Canberra those who are the downtrodden.’ donesians appear to be responding in kind.’ Times, Friday, 29.10.93, p.8 (regular col- 2. Peter Cole-Adams, (Political Editor trav- Hence ‘Keating scoffs at those within the umn: ‘capital letter’). elling with the PM in Jakarta), Keating Labor Party who want him to take a tougher Here columnist Ian Warden attacks Ted has ‘convivial’ Suharto meet,’ Canberra line on Indonesia over human rights abuses.’ Mack’s parliamentary statement on Keating Times, Tuesday, 27.10.93, p.3, (news Noonan informs how the Keating Gov- in Indonesia wherein Mack refers to him as report). ernment ‘politely but firmly rejected over- ‘coming dangerously close to being the Cole-Adams reports Keating received a tures from the US unions for Australia to Chamberlain of Asia.’ Warden argued, ‘Vis- ‘warm welcome’ in Jakarta for his ‘position push for stronger trade union rights conven- iting Jakarta in recent days, Keating, with on human rights’ where Keating described tions in the GATT negotiations - a more pressing matters of economics to discuss his meeting with Suharto as ‘convivial.’ aimed at countries like Indonesia.’ This with our hulking neighbour, seems to have Alatas reiterated that if ‘developed countries follows the visits of the congressional dele- taken pain not to nag, nag, nag his hosts cannot resist the urge to tell developing gation and a separate one from the Clinton about human rights matters. This is an ap- countries how they should be and what they Administration’s Office of Trade Represen- proach consistent with his policy that ‘one should do, then do it in a balanced way... Sit tative to Jakarta to determine whether deals with a country on the totality of its down quietly and talk earnestly...’ Keating ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status should re- relationship,’ a principle that seems to mean argued what he had said in the US was that main in the light of abuses against trade that one should no more dismiss a nation for ‘one deals with a country on the basis of the union rights. Noonan suggests Keating’s having a flaw than one would condemn a totality of the relationship.’ On East Timor, silence here is in order to push his APEC friend with lots of good qualities just be- ‘We have made clear our position on these initiative where the Indonesian payback has cause he or she engages, in his or her own human rights issues, but we are not a mono- been to ‘not rock the boat’ and allow APEC time and consenting adults in private, in a dimensional government.’ ‘enthusiasts’ like Keating’s to ‘have their perversion one does not approve of.’ While Keating has a point here - Austra- head while gently warning they don’t want Warden thus wrongly ascribes the un- lia would not wish to be judged solely in the ASEAN to be swamped.’ Hence Noonan doubted ‘good qualities’ of the Indonesia international arena on its woeful record on agues it is Keating’s ‘pragmatic conserva- people to Suharto and the Indonesian Gov- black deaths in custody or treatment of tism’ that determines his response to ‘Indo- ernment. He suggests a principled stand on Cambodian ‘boat people,’ nevertheless, nesia’s bloody handling of the East Timor the genocide of East Timor is ‘dismissing a Keating’s Government is virtually ‘mono- issue.’ Adjoining this article is a cartoon of nation’ rather than what it really is - a le- dimensional’ on the East Timor aspect of two chimpanzees - Suharto and Keating - gitimate attempt to isolate the repressive bilateral Indonesian relations. Firstly, we are scratching each other’s backs. butchers of Dili in the eyes of the world. He the only Western country to fully deny East 4. No source, ‘Indonesia IR concern, ACTU reveals his own appeaser role with the de- Timor any sovereign rights to exist as a expresses doubts about workers rights, scription of Indonesia as ‘hulking’ which separate entity from Indonesia. Secondly, at Canberra Times, Friday, 29.10.93, p.12. suggests they are perhaps too big for little all crucial international forums, such as the (news item) Australia to criticise? He side-steps why we UN Human Rights Commission we go out should ‘nag, nag, nag’ Suharto & Co - “Sydney: The President of the ACTU, of our way to side with the Jakarta elite and namely their intransigence in failing to allow Martin Ferguson, said yesterday that there against the East Timorese. On the rare occa- self-determination to East Timor. As a print were serious doubts about whether or not sion that Australia is embarrassed enough to media apologist for Keating, Warden himself Indonesian workers experienced basic de- support a collective vote for East Timor appears ‘Chamberlainesque’ here. For to mocratic rights... He also supported US (1993) our delegates go into ‘damage con- suggest the slaughter of tens of thousands of queries about human rights issues in Indone- Page 88 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Timorese is a mere ‘flaw,’ and then to draw career attacking conservative politicians, looking and self-sufficient in defence orien- upon a metaphor to claim that criticisms of fascist radio commentators and crusty right- tation doesn’t enter the Booker vocabulary. that ‘flaw’ is the same thing as unfounded wing academics in the student press, now Allied with the Indonesian Junta we can and illogical prejudice against homosexuals seems to have joined the toadies with an ward off the imaginary bogeyman. (i.e.. so as to imply that it is not a ‘flaw’ at early honorary retirement into the Woolcott Booker predicates his remarks on an op- all), suggests strongly that Warden feels the School of Appeasement. Shame, Warden, timistic assessment of the ‘growing maturity slaughter in East Timor is no cause for con- Shame! of the Indonesian political system’ where cern. For the logic of his persecuted homo- 6. Peter Cole-Adams, ‘In ruthless mode, Suharto is encouraging the military to with- sexual analogy could well be - we criticise Keating prepares for Australia’s most draw from the dominant role and to allow Indonesia for something they either can’t ambitious diplomatic manoeuvre,’ Can- more civilian involvement in Government. help, hurts no-one or is none of our business berra Times, 30.10.93, p.15 (column). He cites the election of Harmoko as Golkar (i.e.. some of Warden’s implied reasons why head and the rehabilitation of General Adams explored Keating’s trade diplo- we shouldn’t condemn a homosexual person Nasution, a long time advocate of this strat- macy around APEC and GATT. He argued for their ‘perversion’). But the reality of egy, who recently said the military should Keating was selling APEC to the ASEAN Timor is the exact opposite - the Indonesian ‘respect and not harass civilians’ and not leaders in ‘principal to principal’ meetings occupation does hurt people (Timorese), the interfere in everyday politics. Not a word using the argument that ‘drawing the US and Indonesian Generals can do something about here of the endemic nepotism, corruption or Japan into a more formalised and effective it (pull out their soldiers) and it is Austra- recent military offensive on Timor. Have the trading partnership, far from increasing their lia’s business to help the Timorese (histori- Generals really changed their spots Mal- ability to dominate smaller countries, will cal debt/human rights reasons). colm? impose constraints upon them, reducing Warden goes on to bemoan that ‘Mr. Booker argued not just ‘security’ but our their ability to impose their will through Mack is unable to share in Mr. Keating’s ‘economic future’ was also dependent on unilateral action or to destabilise the markets charitable attitude to Indonesia,’ This is our near neighbours like Indonesia. He dis- through bilateral deals.’ because Mack correctly accused Indonesia agreed with Keating’s APEC strategy ‘More controversially, he has repeated of being ‘a military dictatorship... with con- which, by attempting to construct a ‘Euro- the view that developed nations should sistently the worst human-rights record in pean Community’ in the Asia-Pacific, was approach human rights issues, not by pub- the world.’ Warden disagreed. His next sen- ‘putting all our eggs in a particular basket.’ licly hectoring countries like Indonesia, Ma- tence accuses Mack of giving parliament ‘a Thus he maintained, the Keating argument laysia and China, let alone imposing sanc- kind of catalogue with body counts that that this would ‘lessen the dominance of the tions on them, but by seeking to influence contained the sort of figures one normally US (in the region)’ seems ‘disapproved by them within the ‘totality’ of a wider, mutu- associated only with discussions of astron- experience in the EC.’ Booker suggests that ally beneficial relationship.’ omy and of distanced in space, of atrocities the US are using Keating’s Asian diplomacy ‘He argues that such an approach, far the Indonesians had inflicted on various to draw ASEAN unwillingly into a Pacific from representing a retreat from human people of our region.’ Warden clearly be- trading bloc should GATT fail. Booker rights, represents a more effective way of lieves the statistics of the death toll used by points out the ASEAN bloc have different pursuing them. He may be right, but the Mack to tell the story of East Timor, and interest than those of the US. Booker stops East Timorese will be unimpressed. They presumably West Papua and Aceh, are ex- short of saying the obvious - that Keating is have their dead to count.’ tremely exaggerated, to the point of fanciful. a classic ‘stalking horse’ for the multina- But Warden does not even reveal to his 7. Malcolm Booker, ‘A foe we cannot af- tional corporations in Australia and acts on readers what those figures are (Are they too ford to have,’ Canberra Times, Tuesday, behalf of their interests and not those of the embarrassing to Indonesia and Keating?) 2.11.93, p.9 (weekly opinion column by struggling Australian farmers, workers and Nor does he offer any evidence to refute the retired diplomat). small business communities. accuracy of Ted Mack’s figures. The heading on Booker’s latest article Booker ends with the non-argument Warden attempts to cover himself for do- says it all. The Keating-Suharto collabora- about cleaning up our own backyard over ing all this ‘dirty work’ on behalf of the tion is ‘good news’ because Indonesia is Aborigines first. He ignores the support that Indonesian Embassy in his final paragraph ‘one enemy that Australia cannot in any the Aboriginal community have offered the with ‘straight’ reporting which, when read circumstances afford,’ and, as a friend, ‘it East Timorese diaspora in Australia. He in the context of the column, was nothing can greatly enhance our security and eco- attempts to clobber the East Timor solidar- but cheap sarcasm at worst or covering his nomic prosperity.’ Booker then takes the ity movement with the sins of the Federal own tracks at best. He concluded ‘Mr. Defence Department line and argues the and State Governments and their racist po- Mack thought it was Neville Chamber- breakdown of the bipolar superpower model lice forces and gaolers. He allows Keating to lainesque of Mr. Keating to talk to Indone- of international relations has created new avoid a principled stand on Timor with the sia’s ‘ruling clique’ as though they were uncertainties in the Asia-Pacific where Aus- lame excuse it would be hypocritical. (Com- jolly decent chaps when the world knew tralian security can now only be assured if pare with Begbie). He forgets that ignoring that they were brutes.’ Why does Warden Indonesia served as a ‘protective barrier’ to the plight of the Timorese only adds to the put ‘ruling clique’ in inverted commas here? our north. He argues the recent book by hypocrisy of lip-service to Aboriginal Solely to distinguish these words as coming DFAT/Senator Evans, Co-operating for rights. It certainly doesn’t cancel it out as from Mack? No. More likely to suggest that Peace, correctly pointed out ‘in the next though it never existed. Thus we find Mack is using inappropriate hackneyed Pacific War there will be no US forces to Booker arguing that Keating was right in clichés. Clearly, from the tone of the con- rescue Australia,’ even under an expanded ‘down-playing human rights in his discus- struction of this sentence, Warden would UN system. Instead, ‘our fate will depend sions with Indonesian leaders’ simply be- rather the reader believes that Suharto & Co on what friends, or enemies, we have ac- cause Australian ‘politicians, judges and are ‘jolly decent chaps’ as opposed to quired in our own region.’ Clearly the op- churchmen’ denied Aboriginal rights for ‘brutes.’ Shame, Warden, Shame. This for- tion of a neutral Australia or one that is ‘more than 200 years.’ Booker can’t have it mer left-wing satirist, who began his writing independent of military alliances or inward- both ways. If Keating is one such person East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 89 then Booker should be advocating his re- Booker concludes with ‘The Malaysian Looking beyond Begbie’s view the pic- moval from Prime Ministership. If, on the PM Mahathir, has rightly said there should ture only deteriorates. Cole-Adams and other hand, Keating has his hands tied by be an ‘Australia Watch’ and ‘America Noonan report Keating in Jakarta in predict- the sins of his forefathers, Keating should be Watch’ as well as an ‘Asia watch.’ Human able form - accepting the trade agenda as the setting the example of raising the East Timor rights should begin at home. All very true core issue and Timor the peripheral. Cole- issue with Suharto in the same spirit as he Mr. Booker, but as the saying goes, it Adams is honest enough to admit this failing does the Aboriginal issue in Australia - as a shouldn’t end there. What ‘the clean up with ‘(the Timorese) have their dead to brave act of cleansing the past wrongs. your own back yard’ argument used here count.’ Noonan sees Keating as ‘pragmatic Booker’s logic is akin to saying Keating and ignores is that the source of oppression is conservatism’ rather than what he is - com- Suharto should both come together with usually similar or the same - what the Aus- plicit in genocide. Warden’s view is just smelly underpants and then pretend that tralian Aboriginals and East Timorese have plain lamentable. Hiding behind his own there is no odour in the room. in common is that they both suffer as a hyperbole he viciously attacks Ted Mack’s But it is Booker’s choice of words that result of the failure of Governments to re- principled stand on the diplomacy of trade gives the game away. He argues it is ‘ab- spect the rights of indigenous people - with to undermine the East Timor cause. Blame surd’ for Australia to ‘lecture’ Indonesia on land rights, sovereignty and human dignity the victim, blame the activist, never the human rights. Just like Wardens ‘nag, nag, being key issues in common. Both peoples murderers or their collaborators. Like War- nag’ jibe. Booker’s semantics dress up Aus- are exploited and repressed on behalf of den, he feigns a token gesture of concern for tralian complicity in genocide with language trans-national mining corporations whose the Timorese. But the diplomat’s cover is that purports to be anti-colonialist. He mim- only concern is to rip off the resources already blown. ics the anti-colonial rhetoric indulged in by without compensation. Mr. Booker’s attack (Author’s Note: The comments in this news- the contemporary Asian dictators as they on the East Timor solidarity groups, be- letter are the personal views of the author hit back at the criticisms of Australian hu- cause of the parallel existence of the Abo- and should not necessarily be ascribed as man rights activists with a distorted view of riginal question, is akin to blaming the pow- representing any others who wish to circu- the post-war decolonisation period. For erless and the victim for the problem. He late them in other publications.. example, I was recently involved in a per- should be telling Keating and Suharto to sonal argument with a member of the Indo- ‘clean up their own back yards’ and not COMMENT FROM HAROLD nesian Embassy in Canberra during a confer- those who are brave enough to speak out CROUCH, ANU: ence break where he tried to deny that Aus- against oppression. Jefferson Lee’s survey of Canberra tralian students and workers ever assisted CONCLUSION. Times’ columnists writing about East Timor the anti-Dutch Indonesian independence Clearly what this brief survey shows is condemns one of them - Ian Warden - as movement. The Sydney Wharfies wonderful that the national capital daily newspaper ‘just plain lamentable’ and ‘a print media documentary film has put the lie to that one The Canberra Times is, on the whole, hos- apologist for Keating.’ In fairness to War- many times in the past. tile to the cause of East Timor independ- den, it needs to be pointed out that he is not Booker is also uncertain as to where he ence. There is an almost total acceptance of a foreign affairs commentator but a political stands personally. He argues, ‘Some find it the Keating ‘push to Asia’ strategy which satirist (and, in my view, a very sharp one). sad to contemplate the suffering of the East involves a capitulation to the demands of One of the risks of political satire, as Jeffer- Timorese, they should be outraged at the the Jakarta elite, all in the interests of son Lee’s survey illustrates, is that readers sight of the bodies of Aboriginal youths ‘friendly relations.’ Of course such a con- sometimes take it literally. lying on floors of police cells.’ Why ‘some’? clusion can only be regarded as a prelimi- Should not everyone be outraged at the vio- nary one. A broader study would have to LETTER TO SUHARTO AT lations of human rights in Timor. Why ‘sad investigate the overall news coverage de- DARWIN DEMONSTRATION to contemplate’? Clearly Booker implies the voted to the East Timor issue over a longer most we should do here is mount a passive, time span. It would also have to encompass From Andrew McNaughton, Dec. 13. inward-looking response, one that doesn’t discussions of letters-to-the-editor (pub- The following letter was left at the Indone- involve anger and action.’ By comparison he lished and unpublished), the use of headings advocates ‘outrage’ at Aboriginal deaths in sian consulate in Darwin after the demon- on articles, the placement of article and the stration marking the 18th anniversary of the custody, especially as they are ‘youths’ editorials of the paper. ‘lying on the floors of police cells.’ These invasion. The letter was left outside rather Nevertheless, of the five journalists sur- than being presented to the staff because of are active words, identifying a specific injus- veyed here (in seven articles), only one, tice in emotive language. Of course, Booker the refusal of consulate staff to receive any Richard Begbie could honestly be described East Timorese. About forty people attended a is right in saying that Aboriginal deaths as sympathetic to the East Timor cause. should be our first priority. But this sen- smallish but very emotional demonstration Even Begbie is at pains to find excuses for at which a number of people spoke of their tence construction suggests his real aim is to the Keating Government inaction while at take the heat off Indonesia. The evidence is personal losses of family and friends. The the same time depicting the general public as demo ended with the symbolic burning of the clear. It is ‘they,’ (i.e.. the East Timorese apathetic in a way that probably under- solidarity activists in Australia), who should Indonesian flag in response to the refusal to scores the widespread public support of meet Timorese by the consulate staff. be directing their attention to the Aboriginal East Timor. He also side steps the blatant issue. Not only is Booker absolving the real censorship of the electronic media, prefer- Dear President Suharto, perpetrators of Black deaths in custody - ring to concentrate on the same issue of the police, politicians, the system of We approach you in this way and on this television news construction and format. day, the 18th anniversary of your unfortu- (in)justice in Australia - from immediate Again, no mention of the black-out imposed responsibility, but he is indirectly targeting nate invasion of East Timor, in a spirit of on the world’s media by the Suharto regime hope that we can achieve a constructive those most likely to be in sympathy with inside Indonesia and East Timor. the victimised as hypocritical for having dialogue towards resolving the horrendous concerns elsewhere. Page 90 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. problems this invasion and occupation has CHALLENGE TO TIMOR GAP The Australian Broadcasting Corporation brought. Radio and Radio Australia have reported as The invasion and occupation are and al- PACT TO GO AHEAD follows on 10 December 1993: ways were illegal and immoral. This has Jakarta Post/Reuter, December 10. The High Court is expected to set a date been repeatedly confirmed be the UN. Canberra (Reuter): Australia’s High today for its hearing of the first part of a though many countries and world leaders are challenge to the Timor Gap Treaty. only now prepared to apply pressure to Court yesterday approved a court challenge to the 1989 Timor Gap treaty established to Lorraine Davis reports Darwin man José resolve this matter. Gusmão and two others are challenging the We believe that now you and many fair- exploit suspected massive oil reserves lying under the sea between Australia and Indone- validity of the legislation which set up the minded politicians and citizens wish to get Gap’s Zone of cooperation. rid of the “sharp stone in the shoe” which sia. The case is being brought against the The Timor Gap Treaty between Austra- East Timor has become to Indonesia. We lia and Indonesia was signed four years ago. feel that this could be done if you would be Australian government by Timorese exiles living in Australia. It settled sea-bed boundaries between the willing to ask the military to withdraw. two countries and set up three zones for A possible starting point is the Peace It challenges Canberra’s right to sign the treaty with Jakarta, whose rule over East exploiting sea-bed oil and gas resources, Plan put forward by C.N.R.M. (the Na- including the joint zone of co-operation. To tional Council of Maubere Resistance) and Timor is not internationally recognized. A court spokeswoman said a date for the implement the treaty, the two countries we urge you to consider this immediately. passed supporting legislation in their na- Timorese people and their supporters in hearing had been set for August 1994 and was expected to take three days. Legal ex- tional parliaments... and it is this legislation many parts of the world would be willing to the East Timorese are challenging. Today it assist in the resolution of this long-standing perts say a successful challenge could mean Australia having to compensate oil compa- is expected the Chief Justice of the High problem. Court will be presented with a set of agreed You have the prestigious and powerful nies that have signed the treaty to explore the region between north-western Australia facts, and four questions to be determined position of occupying senior roles within by the full bench. the Non-Aligned Movement and APEC and and East Timor. as you head towards formal retirement from “It is illegal for both Australia and Indo- A second ABC report the same day stated: international politics we believe that you are nesia to enter into a treaty to exploit the The Chief Justice of the High Court has uniquely able to use your experience and resources of the Timor Gap when under asked lawyers for three East Timorese and statesmanship to bring about a solution in international law neither country has sover- the Commonwealth to prepare and lodge East Timor. eignty over the area,” said a spokeswoman submissions by June. The alternative is that the issue will not for National Council of Maubere Resistance The East Timorese, including José Gus- be resolved and will only fester and continue (CNRM), an umbrella Timorese rebel group. mão from Darwin, are challenging the Fed- to be a blight on the Indonesian nation. The The former Portuguese colony of East eral legislation which enacted the Timor Gap only people benefiting from the current Timor was integrated into Indonesia in Treaty between Australia and Indonesia. situation are members of the army hierarchy 1976. At a hearing in Melbourne today, the who grow fat on the spoils of that already Chief Justice was presented with a set of poor country. TIMOR GAP LEGISLATION agreed facts, and four questions to be deter- As exiled East Timorese and Australian mined by the High Court. CHALLENGE FILED IN A member of the East Timorese legal supporters we tell you that we and many AUSTRALIA COURTS others will never give up the struggle for a team says the Chief Justice ordered both parties to prepare and lodge written submis- true act of self-determination by the From CNRM, December 14 Maubere people of East Timor. We feel that sions on the four questions, before they’d it is very much in Indonesia’s interests to CNRM’s José Ramos Horta, José Gus- be referred to the full bench. resolve this so that economic progress in the mão and Abel Guterres, have challenged the region is not jeopardised and the respect of legality of the Australian Parliament’s Legis- EAST TIMOR LEADER lation to implement the Timor Gap agree- the international community is maintained. DEFENDS GAP ACCORD We urge you to use your position as a ment signed between Australia and Indone- statesman and act with courage to resolve sia in 1989. UPI, Dec. 16 A first hearing took place on December 9, this ongoing conflict. Today, 18 years after JAKARTA – The Chairman of the Pro- the original invasion, you maintain control in and the first full bench High Court hearing has been set for June. vincial House of East Timor, Antonio Fre- East Timor by the presence of your troops itas Parada, Thursday defending the Timor but you have not won the hearts and minds CNRM faces significant legal costs to carry out this initiative. Gap Accord between Indonesia and Aus- of the East Timorese people. We urge you tralia and questioned the legitimacy of the most strongly to use your authority to al- We therefore appeal to all those who wish to assist with this further arena of the pact’s critics. low a referendum to be held to resolve this “For Indonesia, the issue of integration matter. struggle for justice for East Timor, to make donations towards these costs. has been over, so it can develop any eco- Signed by a number of East Timorese and nomic cooperation including the one con- Australians. Your donations can be made by cheque payable to CNRM, mailed to GPO Box cerning the Timor Gap,” Parada said. 1174, Darwin NT Australia 0801. Please He was reacting to a recent Australian mark donations ‘Legal Challenge.’ court ruling allowing East Timorese natives in Australia to challenge the country’s sign- ing of the accord. The Timor Gap Accord was signed be- tween Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 91

Alatas and his Australian counterpart, Ga- priests. So there is this necessity, urgent RESPOND TO RICHARD reth Evans, in December 1989. It divides the necessity to build a new seminary to form seabed between East Timor and Australia more candidates for the priesthood. WOOLCOTT into three zones for the exploration of oil AB: Why do you think it is that so many ETIS call from Australia, Dec. 20. and gas, with the largest area to be jointly people are Catholic in East Timor? administered by both nations. Warmest greetings to those people suf- At the time of the signing, Alatas said the BB: It is normal you know, the Timorese fering under the Suharto Military Regime in pact represented “de jure” recognition on people is of naturally religious, this is a kind East Timor and in other islands known as the integration of East Timor into Indonesia. of identity of the people, so they are ‘Indonesia.’ East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, Timorese, they are catholic. We would like to draw your attention to was annexed by Indonesia in 1976 following AB: In Indonesia the Pancasila are five an article published in the Australian na- a civil war between pro-independence and strong State ideology says that all Indo- tional magazine, The Bulletin (Dec. 14) writ- pro-Indonesian forces. The United Nations nesian must follow one of the five major ten by Richard Woolcott (Australia’s am- still recognizes Portugal as the administering religions. The Catholic Church was vir- bassador to Indonesia in 1975). R. Woolcott power of the territory. tually the only shelter during the war often writes for the magazine as well as for “The citizenships of those filing the against Indonesia from 1975 to 1983, The Australian newspaper. complaint should be examined. If they are when some 200,000 people have said to As ambassador he was highly instrumen- Australian citizens, then they have no rights have died. So it is hardly surprising that tal in shaping Australia’s disgraceful policy to complain,” Parada said. so many Timorese are now catholic. In on East Timor which has remained un- He said even refugees who want to return Australia last month Cardinal Clancy changed since 1975. This policy is in direct to East Timor have no right to complain, called for a stronger stand on human contrast to Australia’s supposed commit- since the accord was signed on their behalf. rights abuses in East Timor by the Aus- ment to universal human rights as espoused tralian Government - a move which in the UN declaration. Although Woolcott BISHOP BELO SEEKS A Bishop Belo firmly supports particularly has and continues to consistently ‘rational- considering tens of thousands of ise’ Jakarta’s inhumane suppression of CONCRETE SOLUTION Timorese died in the Second World War people, while denigrating human rights sup- porters, he now seems intent on washing his ABC Radio National, Australia (Religion supporting several hundred Australian hands of any direct involvement in the Report). 17 Dec. 1993 marines against the Japanese. BB: It is time the Australian Church do Timor tragedy and of absolving himself of The following interview with Bishop Belo is any blame for the deaths of innocent men, transcribed by the Matebian News team. something, because during the 2nd World War many Timorese died for the Australian women and children. 1975 August - The Australian Ambassa- Presenter: The East Timorese Catholic people. So now it is time to pay, to show dor to Indonesia, Richard Woolcott sends a Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo has just left the solidarity. I think that the intervention cable to the Department of Foreign Affairs Australia after his first visit here. His aim of his Eminence the Cardinal - it is OK up in Canberra, stating “the department might was to establish relations between the Dili to date. It is important. well have an interest in closing the present diocese and the Australian Catholic AB: Just after the massacre in East Timor gap in the agreed sea-border and this could Church and to raise funds for a seminary there were rumours circulating that you be much more readily negotiated with Indo- in East Timor. He was also here to com- have been intimidated by Indonesian nesia than with Portugal or and independent memorate the anniversary of the Dili armed forces. Portuguese Timor. I know I am recommend- massacre of November 1991. Bishop visit BB: Not only after 12 November, many ing a pragmatic rather than a principled coincided with Cardinal Clancy criticism times. stand, but that is what national interest and of the Australian Government over its foreign policy is all about.” “Although we position on human rights abuses in East AB: So what sort of intimidation did you know it is not true, the formal position of Timor. Anthony Balmain spoke with receive from Indonesian armed forces? the Indonesian government is still that there Bishop Belo after a mass he delivered to BB: Many many many oppression, family is no Indonesian military intervention in the Timorese community in Liverpool, abroad they have difficulties to get permis- East Timor.” Sydney. He prepared this report. sion to stay for long time. This is what kind (source: Walsh, JR and Munster, G.J. Belo: Yes the freedom, and the respect for of oppression - from the church. Documents on Australia Defence and For- human rights and let the people walk freely AB: Amnesty International and East Timor eign Policy, 1968-1975 (Banned 1980).) to ricefields, to the coffee fields and let them representatives claim that arrests and In this article he makes several attempts, be Timorese. torture are still part of daily life. In 1991 some less subtle than others, to ‘re-write’ Anthony Balmain: Bishop Belo speaking at Bishop Belo told he had received death history. his residence in Dili the capital of East threats after he wrote a letter to the In the beginning of the article, he refers to Timor just before the Dili massacre in United Nations calling for referendum on the military invasion and subsequent mass 1991. When Indonesia invaded East self-determination. This time he con- murder of East Timorese civilians as ‘the Timor in December 1975 only a quarter firmed that he is seeking a concrete solu- Indonesian landing.’ In his flawed article, he of the population were catholic. Today, tion in negotiation between the UN the raises the well-worn argument of the differ- 90% of the approximate 800,000 people Secretary General, Indonesia and Portu- ences in culture (between Indonesia and living in East Timor practice Catholicism. gal on the future of East Timor. Australia) and the need to be sensitive to the Despite funding difficulties and a short- Presenter: A mass commemorating the Indonesian Government’s perception of age of clergy Bishop Belo says Timorese Dili massacre of 1991 at the Motael church reality. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see the are increasingly turning to Catholicism. in Dili two days after the massacre. That need to be aware of anything else, least of all Bishop Belo: The number of Catholics are was Anthony Balmain for the religion re- the rights of the East Timorese people. It is increasing, there are 674,000 but there are 72 port. strongly recommended that those concerned Page 92 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. about following Australia’s shameful role in the territory in the five years to 1980, the Portuguese Timor had “no military impor- East Timor read the article and respond to period of heaviest fighting. tance to Australia.” the magazine; During that period, demographers esti- Second, Australia’s public advocacy of The Bulletin, GPO Box 3957, SYDNEY, mate, as many as 100,000 to 200,000 East the principle of self-determination, which NSW, 2001 Timorese died, many from starvation, out of had let us to “ a direct criticism of Portu- AUSTRALIA. Ph (02) 282 8200 Fax a population of about 688,000. guese colonial theory in the United Na- (02) 267 4359 At a meeting in Canberra on February 5, tions.” We urge the Indonesian government (cur- 1963, the Menzies Cabinet registered its The Prime Minister, he said, had written rent chair of NAM to immediately) with- opinion that Indonesian would eventually to the Portuguese Prime Minister, Dr. Sala- draw its troops from East Timor as a sign of move against Portuguese East Timor. there zar, pointing out that the Australian Gov- reconciliation and in line with the final decla- was, Cabinet felt, “no practicable alternative ernment was concerned that “ in the absence ration of the Non-Aligned Movement in to eventual Indonesian sovereignty” over of any intention of allowing the Timorese 1979 which expressed the NAM’s purpose Portuguese East Timor. people to express a choice as to the interna- was to ensure “the national independence, It would not be acceptable to Australia or tional relationships and status which they sovereignty, territorial integrity and security the West of Indonesia to proceed against desire there will arise a serious threat to the of non-aligned countries in their struggle Portuguese East Timor with arms and this peace of the territory.” against colonialism, neo-colonialism and all had to be brought home to Jakarta, Cabinet Barwick went on to note that Portuguese forms of foreign aggression, occupation and decided. Timor was an “anachronism” and “not ca- domination. “But otherwise the course which it pable of political independence.” From, E.T.I.S. - East Timor International seemed best to follow is for Australia to As a result, Indonesia sought to incorpo- Solidarity. bring such quiet pressure as it can upon rate East Timor “by genuinely peaceful Portugal to cede peacefully and in addition means and providing that this was in the THE ANACHRONISM THAT to explore ways by which the international accordance with the freely expressed wishes REFUSED TO BE community might bring pressure on Portu- of the Timorese,” Australia would have little gal,” Cabinet decided. choice but to acquiesce. The Age, 1 January 1994. By David Jenkins When representatives of Britain, the If there was a contradiction in Australia’s United States, Australia, New Zealand met policy of accepting the idea of an Indonesian Australia which until 1961 was opposed in Washington a week later, the Minister of takeover of East Timor but wanting the to Indonesia gaining control of Dutch West External Affairs, Sir Garfield Barwick, later Timorese to have a say in their future, it did New Guinea, decided early in 1963 that it told Cabinet, “all delegations appeared to not come to the fore. During the 1960s and could live with an Indonesia takeover of agree on the inevitability of Indonesian early 1970s, East Timor was largely ignored Portuguese East Timor, a development it moves against the territory and they made by outsiders. saw as “inevitable,” the 1963 Cabinet pa- plain their belief that their governments That raises an obvious question. Why, if pers reveal. would take no military measures in support an Indonesian takeover was envisaged as Anticipating an Indonesian move against of the Portuguese.” early as 1963, was it another 12 years be- East Timor, the Menzies Government de- At this meeting, the British and Ameri- fore the territory fell to Jakarta? There were velop a police which was marginally tougher cans expressed the opinion that Australia no serious military impediments in Indone- on the question of self-determination than was in the best position to attempt to influ- sia’s way. that endorsed by the Whitlam Government ence the Portuguese towards a policy of According to Mr. James Dunn, Australia at the time of Indonesian invasion 12 years improving conditions in East Timor with an consul in Dili between 1962 and 1964 and later. eventual move in the direction of self- the author of an important book on the terri- The Government agreed, in a decision determination. tory,” East Timor survived, in a funny short kept secret at the time, that there might be The British and the Americans said they of a way, through default because Jakarta advantages in East Timor becoming part of appreciated the efforts Australia had already wanted to demonstrate that it was not ex- Indonesia, subject to referendum to ascertain made in this regard. But because of their pansionist.” the wishes of the East Timorese people. treaty difficulties with the Portuguese they Sukarno had more important fish to fry, The Whitlam Government, which became expected Australia “ to take the main role in including West New Guinea and Malaysia. to office a decade later, likewise saw East influencing the Portuguese to adopt a more His successor, Suharto, was anxious to Timor becoming a part of Indonesia, subject realistic attitude.” promote a responsible image internationally, to proviso that there should be an “ interna- Australia, it is clear, saw no future in that largely because this was in keeping with the tionally acceptable” act of self- approach. The Portuguese were stubborn temperament, but partly, too, because he determination, which was not necessarily and inflexible. our policy was evolving. Dur- could not afford to alienate foreign donors the same as a genuine referendum. ing World War II and for some years there- and investors. Neither in 1963, nor in 1975, does Can- after, Barwick, noted in a background paper Only when the Portuguese empire crum- berra seem to have given much thought to of February 21, 1963, it was Australian bled did Suharto move, taking an inordinate the possibility that many East Timorese policy to regard Portuguese Timor as being time about it in the view of his fellow gener- might not wish to become part of Indonesia, of strategic importance to Australia. als. a major shortcoming in our policy as it tran- “In consequence,” he said, “it was felt The subsequent act of self-determination, spired. desirable to keep a friendly Portuguese ad- a unanimous show of approval for Indonesia East Timorese resisted bitterly when the ministration in control of the island.” from a chamber of deputies hand-picked by Indonesian army invaded the territory in More recently, he went on, Australian Indonesians, was by no stretch of the imagi- 1975. according to Indonesian and foreign policy had been influenced by two others nation, “internationally acceptable.” It has military sources, 1,500 Indonesian troops factors, First, a new defence assessment that yet to be recognised by the United Nations. were killed and perhaps 5,000-6,000 were whether controlled by Portugal or Indonesia, wounded in the struggle to gain control of East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 93

MAN FLEES TORTURE IN Mr. Carrascalão was an active supporter of Mr. Ximenes also has a document which, the resistance group, Fretilin. he said, was given to him by the Indonesian EAST TIMOR, SEEKS Mr. Ximenes said that the resistance forces at the time he was released from ASYLUM IN AUSTRALIA movement in East Timor was “very strong” prison in Dili last year. with almost 500 armed guerrillas continuing In a translation of the document by the The Canberra Times, 12 January 1994 to defy Indonesian forces in the jungles of Immigration Department, a Col. M. Sim- DARWIN: An East Timorese man who the former Portuguese colony. bolon is said to have stated that Mr. Xime- has just fled his homeland to seek refugee He said that many Indonesians soldiers nes provided reports on East Timor to East status in Australia has alleged that he was supported the independence struggle. Timorese people in Australia. repeatedly tortured by Indonesian authori- “Sometimes they dig a hole and leave “The concerned (Mr. Ximenes) has ex- ties. ammunition and food for the resistance pressed his regret and has stated that he will Vicente Floriano Dias Ximenes, 38, also fighters,” he said. not repeat his actions again,” the document said that the pro-independence movement in Mr. Ximenes said, “As long as the Indo- said. East Timor was stronger than ever. nesian military force operates in East Timor, “If at any time in the future it becomes In Darwin, Mr. Ximenes said that in late the violation of human rights will never apparent that the concerned is still involved November last year he had disguised himself finish.” in the activities of the Klandestin, or any in Indonesian military uniform to cross the A spokesman for the Indonesian em- other illegal activities, he will be sentenced.” border into West Timor by car, and then bassy in Canberra declined to comment on An Australian Foreign Affairs’ spokes- bribed his way on to an Indonesian navy the case. man said Canberra was relaxed about Mr. ship. He said that he had travelled from Alatas’ comments and would not become Surabaya to Jakarta by train, before flying XIMENES: ALATAS LIES involved in the row as the statements were to Darwin. West Australian. Sat Jan 22 1994 not aimed at an Australian. Mr. Ximenes said that he had fled his DARWIN: An East Timorese asylum homeland because he had feared he was ALATAS SAYS DISSIDENT’S seeker who says he was tortured by Indone- ALLEGATIONS OF TORTURE about to be arrested and tortured again. His sian authorities yesterday rejected state- home in the East Timor capital, Dili, had ments by Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali RIDICULOUS been visited by Indonesian soldiers, and an Alatas that his claims were ridiculous. INDONESIA LASHES OUT AT MEDIA Indonesian informer were looking for a man Vicente Floriano Dias Ximenes, 38, ar- named Vicente. By Margo Kinston and AAP. The Canberra rived in Darwin on December 23 and alleged Times, 22 January 94 He arrived in Darwin on December 23 on that he was repeatedly tortured with electric a tourist visa, and is in the process of ap- shocks by Indonesian soldiers in a Dili Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas plying for refugee status. His wife remains prison last year. has lashed out at the Australian media for in East Timor. He has applied for refugee status in Aus- reporting the alleged torture of an East Mr. Ximenes, a businessman, said that he tralia. Timorese dissident now seeking refugee had been involved in a “clandestine” resis- In earlier reports, he said he had escaped status here, claiming the man’s story was tance organisation but had not had direct East Timor by crossing the border into West “ridiculous” and that the Government had contact with the armed guerrilla forces op- Timor in a car dressed in an Indonesian never hear of him. posing the Indonesian occupation. He said army uniform. The claim came despite the naming of the that he had been imprisoned from February He said he then bribed his way on board man, Vicente F.D. Ximenes, 38, as an “un- until August last year after Indonesian an Indonesian naval ship and eventually tried detainee” as of March last year by the forces found documents at his house which flew to Darwin via Singapore. reputable human-rights agency Asia Watch, were signed by the resistance leader Xanana In Jakarta yesterday, Mr. Alatas said a on the basis of a list provided by the Indo- Gusmão, who is now in jail. small group of East Timorese exiles, journal- nesian military. Mr. Ximenes hit back, say- “I was tortured with electric shocks on ists and activists were trying to discredit ing in Darwin yesterday, “Mr. Alatas is a three separate occasions,” Mr. Ximenes Indonesia. liar. He never knows what happens is East said. “Electric cables were attached to my He said he had laughed at the reports of Timor. He’s a liar about East Timor prob- big toe and my thumb. They put rubber Mr. Ximenes’ claims. lems.” thongs in my mouth to stop me shouting. I “We don’t even know this guy,” he said. The Canberra Times carried and Austra- passed out from the electric shocks.” “Here was someone who claimed he was lian Associated Press report on January 12 Mr. Ximenes said that during interroga- tortured, then he got an Indonesian army that Mr. Ximenes, a businessman who came tion, he had also been beaten on his head and uniform, joined a navy ship... and now he to Darwin on a tourist visa in December and body with pieces of wood. A major in the has reached Australia. What a ridiculous applied for refugee status, had claimed he Indonesian army had been in charge of the story.” had fled East Timor in November by dis- sessions, along with three other officers. Mr. Ximenes said yesterday his story guising himself in an Indonesian army uni- He said that the Indonesians officers had was true and that Mr. Alatas was not fully form and bribing his way on to a navy ship. wanted to extract accusations fro him aware of events in East Timor. He said that he had feared being arrested and against an outspoken former governor of “Mr. Alatas is a liar. He’s a liar about tortured again, by beatings and electric East Timor, Mario Carrascalão. East Timor problems,” he said. “They know shocks, after the army had found a docu- He said that Mr. Carrascalão was par- me.” ment in his house signed by now jailed resis- ticularly hated by the Indonesian officers A 1993 report by human rights group tance leader Xanana Gusmão. because of his role in helping to force an Asia Watch had Mr. Ximenes on a list of Mr. Alatas told a press conference in Ja- inquiry into the 1991 Dili massacre. “untried detainees as of March 1993.” karta on Thursday that the Australian media Mr. Ximenes said he had eventually suc- The report said the list was provided by persisted in reporting wild claims against his cumbed to the torture and had signed a pre- the Indonesian forces. country’s human-rights record as part of a pared statement containing allegations that Page 94 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. plot to discredit Indonesia internationally, THE INDONESIAN would throw it back to the situation of ten- and he cited the Canberra Times’s report. sion that existed in the early 1980s. “There’s still all kinds of news that grabs CONNECTION (WITH There is a lot at stake for Australia in the the headlines. The latest one in Australia - I KEATING) way it manages its relations with Indonesia, was so amused. Here was someone who the world’s largest Muslim nation and an claimed he was tortured, then he donned The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 January increasingly important country on the world Indonesian army uniform, joined a navy 1994. By Lindsay Murdoch stage. ship, fled to Singapore or to outside, and Evidence given to a parliamentary inquiry Mr. Suharto is chairman of the 108- now he has reached Australia and he is tell- last year revealed that anti-Indonesian sen- member Non-Aligned Movement. By the ing the story about him being tortured.” timents in Australia are widespread. middle of next century, Indonesia is likely to “What a ridiculous story. We don’t even They simmer just below the surface, the be one of the world’s most significant know this guy and I strongly doubt this inquiry heard, but are quickly aroused by economies. whole story. In a small society like East incidents such as the killing of anti-Jakarta Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Timor, do you really think that a total protesters in the former Portuguese colony Australia expanded by 14 per cent during stranger can don an army uniform, and join of East Timor. 1992-93 to more than $3 billion. Australian the naval ship and not be asked, ‘On what One witness before the Joint Standing firms have invested about $2 billion in the business are you? Where are your travelling Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade country - about 2.3 per cent of the total papers?,’” Mr. Alatas said. referred to the “widespread suspicion and approved non-oil/gas investment in Indone- “Come on, this is ridiculous. Yet, scream- even hostility...generally based on sheer sia. There will be continue to be irritants and ing headlines in the Australian press right ignorance and the longstanding fear...of a misunderstandings in the relationship: views now. My ambassador gives me the fax and threat from the north.” differ on issues such as human rights and it says, ‘What do I think?.’ I say ‘Laugh or On any informed assessment, the likeli- seems there will always be problems with snort or whatever.’ Come on, I mean this is hood of the hordes to our north pouring illegal fishing in Australian waters. ridiculous, if that kind of thing can still find across into Australia are negligible. Australian businessmen are often frus- credence.” The ignorance of many Australians about trated by differences in cultural, social and Mr. Alatas said that the claims were de- the vast and complex society of 184 million business practices in Indonesia. signed to embarrass Indonesia in the lead-up people on our doorstep is understandable, But according to Australian trade experts, to a meeting of the United Nations human- given that probably no other two neighbor- Indonesians are keen to work with Austra- rights commission later this month. ing countries have as different cultures, lan- lian, partly because of the perception of Despite the direct intervention of Indo- guages, legal systems, religious, populations Australia as a unthreatening balance to the nesia in a refugee application in Australia, and economies. economic powerhouses of the northern the Federal Government said that it was Given these differences, tolerance has not hemisphere. “relaxed” about the Alatas comments. always been shown in the way on side has Few nations are as diverse as Indonesia, A spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs treated the other. But as sure as one can be which has 350 distinct ethnic groups, almost Minister Gareth Evans said that Mr. Alatas about these things, the two-way relation- every one with its own language. It stretches “seems to have been referring to one article ship is getting stronger. 5,200 kilometres across 13,600 islands. in one newspaper. Indonesia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, With 87 per cent of the population Muslim, “In recent times, the Australian media’s Mr. Ali Alatas, was asked the other day it has more Muslims than all of the Arab awareness, understanding and coverage of whether there was anything sinister in the world. Indonesia has increased quite dramatically. frequent visits to Indonesia of Australian Mr. Suharto has just launched a second It wouldn’t be fair to judge the whole Aus- politicians. His reply was blunt. “Do not 25-year plan for development, which dip- tralian media coverage on the basis of one look for conspiracies where they do not lomats and analysts say is optimistic but article in one newspaper,” she said. exist,” he said. achievable. It projects growth at an average Mr. Ximenes said yesterday, “My story The most remarkable aspect of relations rate of 7 per cent. is true. “they (the Indonesian military) between Jakarta and Canberra is the rapport Mr. Suharto’s raget is for Indonesia’s per know me.” between the Prime Minister, Mr. Keating, capita income to quadruple to about $3,000 He produced a document translated by and Indonesia’s President, Mr. Suharto. at 1989-1990 constant prices. In 23 year’s the Australian Immigration Department Although they come from vastly differ- time, he wants the average Indonesian to live headed “Military command report...Dharma ent backgrounds, Mr. Keating has turned to the age of 70, an increase of eight years intelligence task unit.” It states that Colonel out to be something of a hit with Mr. Soe- on the present life expectancy. He wants the Simbolon certified that Mr. Ximenes had harto, a publicity-shy authoritarian leader infant mortality rate to be 26 deaths per been “thoroughly investigated” and it had who has ruled the country since 1967. 1,000 births, reduced from 145 per 1,000 been proved that he had given only to help Pak Harto, as the President is known, is now. the resistance and had reported on East said to have enjoyed viewing a tape of Mr. The Sate philosophy and structure is timor to East Timorese people in Australia. Keating’s none-too-subtle put-downs of the strictly based on Pancasila, meaning “five Mr. Ximenes said yesterday that the car Opposition in the Australian Parliament. principles": belief in God; just and civilized he had travelled in was not stopped at the Mr. Suharto likes the way Mr. Keating is humanity;; unity of the country; democracy; border between East and West Timor be- leading Australia’s thrust into Asia. He likes and social justice. cause he had been in an Indonesian army the way Mr. Keating told the United States Indonesia is the world’s fourth most uniform, and that he had paid $A178 in last year that it should not push Indonesia populous nation after China, India and the bribes to board the navy ship. too far on human rights. United States. The Foreign Minister, Senator Evans, was moved last year to say that he genu- inely believed that the relationship was now so good and soundly based that nothing East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 95

EAST TIMOR: THE PROBLEM (admittedly lightly) some of its own troops the figure could in fact be as much as over the Dili massacre. When Xanana was 200,000. PERSISTS caught, he was brought to public trial and Prior to Indonesia’s military assault Sydney Morning Herald, 27 January 1994. then had a life sentence reduced to 20 years Timor’s population was 688,000 and grow- Editorial in prison. Jakarta has permitted fact-finding ing at 2 per cent a year. It follows that it missions-such as the one by the UN Secre- should now be nearly one million. In the According to a spokesman for the East tary-General’s two envoys - to visit East circumstances, the fact that the Timorese Timorese resistance, Mr. José Ramos- Timor. But perhaps most importantly as population is today still around 650,000 Horta, the United Nations, “is no longer Indonesians would see it, Jakarta has begun people is a staggering indictment of the im- only listening” to Indonesia and Portugal to develop East Timor after centuries of pact of integration, disclosing, as it does, a over East Timor but is sounding out ideas neglect under Lisbon’s colonial rule. catastrophic loss of population. for a settlement now as well. Obviously it is The reluctance of the East Timorese to We are forced to judge the Suharto regime in the interests of Mr. Ramos-Horta and his express their gratitude, however, is perfectly by such actions, as well as by its achieve- colleagues to encourage that view. And yet understandable. Nobody has asked them if ments in economic development and politi- there is no reason to deny it. Two envoys of they want to be integrated into Indonesia. cal stability. the UN Secretary-General, Dr. Boutros And nobody n Jakarta seems to care if the The implementation of international hu- Boutros-Ghali, have spent the past week in cost of development in East Timor is the man rights, which Asians themselves have Indonesia talking to officials, visiting im- annihilation of a distinctive East Timorese endorsed, as having universal application, is prisoned rebel leader Xanana Gusmão, and culture. Under those circumstances resis- not a marginal process, to be left to the making first-hand observations in the trou- tance to Indonesia’s presence in East Timor snail-like pace of change permitted by au- bled province of East Timor itself. That’s a is not about to go away. Either Indonesian thoritarian regimes in countries like Indone- far cry from the UN role implied by Dr. officials will have to get used to all the out- sia. Boutros-Ghali when he offered to mediate side pressure over East Timor or they will To put it plainly, until the governments “informal consultations” between Indonesia have to get more serious about the search for of such countries free up their societies, by and Portugal in September 1992. The UN a just, comprehensive and internationally allowing the evolution of democratisation - appears to have abandoned a fairly passive acceptable solution. now accepted as a universal phenomenon - role on East Timor for a modestly active it will simply not be possible for Austra- one. HUMAN RIGHTS NOT lians to form the kind of informal neigh- That can only add to Indonesia’s frustra- MARGINAL PROCESS bourly relations envisaged as part of our tions over East Timor. More than two years new relationship with Asia. after the Dili massacre focused international The Australian, Tue, Feb. 1, 1994. Letter Moreover, the fashioning of effective re- attention on Indonesia’s presence in East from James Dunn gional co-operation arrangements in relation Timor, the issue shows no signs of disap- to our mutual security and environmental pearing again. Last year, the US cut military Comments from ETRA: the following article interests is dependent, to a significant ex- aid to Indonesia over its record in East was published in the section “letters to the tent, on a regional consensus on the humani- Timor. This month, the US Senate Foreign Editor.” It was a reply to an article written tarian standards and principles formally Relations Committee considered barring all by Greg Sheridan under the title “When our endorsed by the majority of the world arms sales until Indonesia complies with vision of Indonesia loses sight of the truth,” community, including many Third World UN resolutions on self-determination for the published by The Australian, on page 9, countries. East Timorese. Next month, East Timor will section “OPINION,” on the 25th of Janu- It is only then that the gap that persists again be raised at the Geneva-based Human ary, 1994. between Australia and Indonesia can be Rights Commission. And it is a rare high- Copies of this article can be sent to you on bridged. In this context the Timor case is a ranking meeting between Indonesian and request. testing issue. other officials these days where the subject (Sydney) Some of the “truths” Greg Until there is a more just settlement of of East Timor doesn’t arise - if only in a this outrageous act of annexation, a settle- perfunctory fashion. Sheridan referred to in his article (The Aus- tralian, 25/1) about the Australian relation- ment that an increasing number of concerned Last week, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Indonesians would favour, the Australian Mr. Ali Alatas, implied that this kind of ship are at best questionable. I was taken aback by his disparaging re- vision of Indonesia will remain essentially ongoing interest in East Timor arose from tarnished. misperceptions created by Indonesia’s for- marks about the references in the recent Parliamentary Committee’s report to human Looking ahead to our future relations eign detractors. Certainly exaggerated with the region and back to the support the charges have been made against the behav- rights issues involving Indonesia. He ridicules the report’s reference to the Timorese gave us in WW II, we have an iour of Indonesian authorities in East Timor. obligation to support a negotiated settle- But many more matter-of-fact ones have loss of “at least 200,000 lives” as the result of Indonesia’s forced integration to the terri- ment that takes into account the aspirations also been made and they can’t be so easily of the Timorese as well as our sensitive dismissed. Moreover when Indonesia agreed tory. Mr. Sheridan dismisses the parliamen- tary report’s treatment of issues like human relationship with Jakarta. It is encouraging, to resume talks with Portugal over East therefore, that our parliamentarians should Timor it went on record as viewing the pur- rights and East Timor as “muddled” and “foolish.” continue to address such matters. pose of the talks as a “search for a just, James Dunn comprehensive and internationally accept- It seems to me that it is he who is mud- dled and ill-informed, from his comments on (Former Consul in East Timor, able solution to the question of East Timor.” Moruya, NSW) Those talks have got nowhere, Indonesia the loss of 200,000 lives. Of course no one shares at least half the blame. really knows the exact figure but, speaking In its own eyes, Jakarta has made signifi- as one who spent some time in East Timor, cant concessions on East Timor. It punished Page 96 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

“PONTIUS KEATING AND “EVIDENCE ACCUMULATES This is ridiculous, even if only for our own blatant self interest. JUDAS EVANS WASH THEIR AGAINST INDONESIAN We need to guard against the possible in- HANDS WHILE TIMOR IS BRUTALITY EAST TIMOR” troduction of infectious disease for example, CRUCIFIED...” or to avoid later high cost community prob- Press Release from Australians for Free lems as a result of unresolved psychoses East Timor, Feb. 5 94 Press Release from Australians for a Free due to torture. AFFET calls for an urgent East Timor, 2 Feb. East Timorese refugee Vicente Ximenes revision of government policy on this mat- We thank Sen. Christabel Chamarette has arrived in Darwin, having escaped from ter. (Mary Magdalene?) for extracting a con- Timor after being tortured and harassed. * * * * * * temptible statement on East Timor from While Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minis- On the same 7.30 Report two other East Gareth Evans clarifying the Australian Gov- ter Ali Alatas resorted to trying to ridicule Timor refugees nervously recounted some of ernment’s do nothing stance on the vexed his story, to sycophantic chuckles from the their torture and abuse experiences as fol- issue of the lack of human rights of our im- pliant local media, Vicente further explained lows, but also expanded from the raw mate- mediate neighbour East Timor. on the ABC 7.30 Report how he bribed his rial. Beri Seree was arrested along with her This comes the day after a pompous way out as follows: sister, father, brother and husband, and was statement by PM Keating threatening ever- “The corruption made by Indonesia af- interrogated. The military used to go to the lasting damnation for the remote country of fects Generals to a soldier. A soldier must women’s gaol and say they were going to do North Korea, in line with our usual ap- seek a living, the important thing for them is interrogations but it was often just an excuse proach to get seriously involved with small money... they’ve got no ideology” to go in to “see the women” (read raped, countries a long way away, but to ignore The corruption in Indonesia comes from often gang-raped). (One old Timorese man human rights abuses on our doorstep. the top, with President Suharto and all his was forced to have sex with a young girl in While North Korea is not at present ac- family and cronies and top generals being front of the Indonesians). The memories of cepting UN demands for access to its nu- the biggest thieves. For example in a widely this time still haunt Beri Seree. clear installations, Indonesia has been in not reported Press Release last year I high- Sahe was subjected to daily tortures, in- breach for 18 years of both Security Council lighted that Suharto’s favourite Minister cluding electric shocks and cigarette burning. and General Assembly Resolutions requiring Habibie is a Billionaire, with many Euro- Once he was kicked to the point he was it to get out of East Timor. pean castles, and who pushes for the devel- badly injured and thought he would die, and What moral right have Pontius Keating opment of high tech industries such as these begged for medical assistance. He was sneer- and Judas Evans got to demand Kim Il ridiculous Atomic Reactors so that he can ingly told he was a prisoner and could not Sung’s head but not President Suharto’s? extract huge bribes, without which a project expect any. In fact in his 3 years in gaol he The East Timor Peace Plan outlined by or Company is not authorised to proceed. knows of no visits from Red Cross, nor any the East Timor National Council of Resis- Ferdinand Marcos learned too late you medical assistance. Two friends died in gaol tance (CNRM), the unquestioned pre emi- can’t take it with you. with him from malnutrition and torture. nent resistance authority, has been widely This corruption has bastardised the In- Conditions were very cramped and un- acknowledged as a reasonable basis for nego- donesian nation, with huge disparity in hygienic. The ration was a handful of rice a tiating a settlement. wealth, plus a rampant military which has day. One torture was to force him and oth- Envoys of the UN Sec Gen have just attacked Malaysia, forced the takeover and ers into a tank of sewage, where they might been to Jakarta where they saw Xanana now genocide of West Papua, and the mili- be held for days, and “lizards” (actually Gusmão and to Australia meeting all resis- tary takeover rape and genocide of East small crocodiles) are put into the tank, with tance groups including CNRM co-chairman Timor, and is the real power in Government jaws unbound if the “correct answers” are José Ramos Horta, and giving hope that at - but its a great friend of successive Austra- not provided. last the UN is to get serious. lian Governments. Why? And what’s in it Every Thursday night from 12-1 the mili- So far the Indonesians have blatantly ig- for them? tary took people away from the prison, and nored implementing positions on East However the fight in East Timor is not these “disappear” (read murdered) - among Timor agreed at the so far farcical Indonesia- yet over, and Indonesians should not be them Sahe’s cousin. The memories of those Portugal talks under the auspices of the UN surprised given their own experience in the 3 years in gaol still haunt Sahe. late 1940’s, see later. Sec Gen. * * * * * * * Such matters will be further exposed at Vicente Ximenes called for International Red Cross and bodies such as Amnesty The excellent ABC TV program “Ride the UN Human Rights Commission hearings the Tiger” continued last night, part 2 having in Geneva starting 23rd Feb., only a day International to have access to East Timorese prisoners, indeed we would say to some great bits relevant to the above. after the world wide release of the new John The old farm man who fought against the Pilger/Max Stahl film “Death of a Nation,” prisoners throughout Indonesia. It is amaz- ing that such access has declined in the 2 Dutch after WW2 was asked why he joined which Indonesia is not looking forward to. the struggle for independence. His answers Apart from the Hypocrisy of not ac- years since the Dili Massacre and the world attention that at last brought. But this is were as follows: tively seeking a legal and just resolution to So we could be free the East Timor horror (300,000 dead so far, explained by the fact that the real rulers on the ground are the unrepresentative swill For the people or 40% of the population), Keating and Not just for ourselves Evans are also Recalcitrant in refusing any that are the brutal military, and there is no big pressure from Australian leaders. We wanted freedom, you see funds to allow East Timorese Australians at For the people, not just ourselves least to take part in the various UN negotia- Vicente Ximenes came here on a Visa and seeks asylum. He has some severe medical Everyone wanted freedom tions and other meetings. So we all fought together When will you cease washing your hands needs, but there are no procedures in place it appears for access to the medical system. We weren’t fighting for our own sakes. and help, Mr. Keating? HEART AND SOUL? East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 97

It was for the people from the Mission and beat and tortured most gross human rights violations in our FREEDOM OR DEATH? them. times, has been ignored by successive Aus- Yes, we were ready to die for the people We need to redouble our efforts to FREE tralian governments, including your own. Heart and soul! EAST TIMOR. This has done little for the international I ask, is it so hard for Indonesians, and Rob Wesley-Smith standing of our country. Australian Governments, to understand that We draw your personal attention this these sentiments also fuel East Timorese, KEATING URGED time to Australian ongoing duplicity at the West Papuans, and I guess Freedom Fight- TO ACT AT UNHRC Commission on Human Rights, which is ers most places?! currently holding its annual meeting in Ge- Amongst the many remarks of the old in- From East Timorese in Darwin, Feb. 12, neva. tellectual freedom fighter were the following: 1994 Rather than supporting this important We were fighting for 3.5 years ... how are institution’s role of upholding respect for you able to sustain for one year in the EAST TIMOR & DARWIN human rights as a way to ensure a more just mountains without supplies, money, noth- PM Keating must act on Indonesian re- international order, Australia has consis- ing, just yourself and your gun ... only how calcitrant contempt for UN Commission on tently sided with one of the main and most to fight ...even beaten by tanks and planes ... Human Rights East Timor resolutions. repugnant violators: the military dictator- still they are not surrendering ... its a kind of A representative of Darwin East ship of Indonesia. tenacity. Timorese and Australian supporters today The zeal of Australian diplomats, to as- (Ask Xanana Gusmão now in gaol in Ja- handed a letter to PM Keating during his sist their Indonesian colleagues - or even karta, he lasted 16 years like that, other Darwin visit, while a large group of demon- more, to do the job of defending the horrific heroes continue to this minute in East strators protested Australia’s ongoing du- Indonesian human rights record in East Timor). plicity at the Commission on Human Rights Timor on Indonesia’s behalf - at past Com- (In 1949 with victory against the Dutch) meetings in Geneva. mission on Human Rights meetings, has ... I felt so free, I felt so emotionally in- The Commission is currently holding its been shamefully obvious to many. volved, involvement so deep and profound - yearly meeting. However, despite Australian collabora- and it doesn’t seem to exist any more. A Indonesia has been severely criticised at tion, Indonesia has been severely criticised revolution in the classical sense is starting past meetings for the human rights situation at past meetings. In 1992 in order to avoid a now, but that moment was just the creation in East Timor. In 1992 in order to avoid a strongly critical resolution, Indonesia bound of the National State, that’s all. I mean, how strongly critical resolution, Indonesia bound itself to improve the human rights situation to get our own Republic of Indonesia? itself to improve human rights. Indonesian in East Timor. Indonesian failure to honour What has been lost since 1945? Every- failure to honour its commitments led to the its commitments led to the passage of a thing’s been lost, even the dream’s been passage of a highly critical resolution in highly critical resolution in 1993, which lost. Seemingly we have to fight again to get 1993. Indonesia has totally ignored the reso- Australia in the end was forced to vote for. our dream realised maybe. How does it feel? lution, and the human rights situation in Indonesia has totally ignored the resolution. BAD, SAD. East Timor has further deteriorated in the The human rights situation in East Timor You lose an atmosphere last year. has further deteriorated in the last year. You lose an emotion The letter reminds the PM that Australia In the light of this ongoing display of In- You lose a world of freedom and integ- was forced to vote for the resolution in donesian recalcitrant contempt for interna- rity, you see. 1993, despite its consistent previous efforts tional norms and its offensive derision of The explanation for how this dream of to protect Indonesia. It urges the PM to members of the international community - freedom for the people has been corrupted change the zeal of Australian diplomats to including Australia - we urge your govern- and shattered in Indonesia was also supplied assist their Indonesian colleagues - or even ment to strongly condemn continuing Indo- in the program by General Nasution, found- more, to do the job of defending the scan- nesian human rights violations against the ing military commander, and instigator of dalous Indonesian human rights record in people of East Timor, and to actively seek a the limited “dual function” role. “Sukarno East Timor on Indonesia’s behalf - evident further resolution to this effect at this year’s would like to do more, but after Suharto was at past Commission on Human Rights meet- Commission on Human Rights meeting. President he used military officers in politi- ings. Furthermore, we urge the Australian gov- cal and economic positions ... no longer (summary of letter deleted) ernment to seek a genuine solution to this middle of the road.” MEMBERS OF THE EAST tragic conflict in our neighbourhood. The Thanks ABC Australia for that which we TIMORESE COMMUNITY peace plan presented by the East Timorese do get from you. In the USA, from the time and AUSTRALIANS FOR A FREE EAST Resistance outlines such a possibility, and of President Ford and Henry Kissinger leav- TIMOR has been well received at the level of the ing Jakarta on 6/12/75 or the massive inva- ph/fx: 275478, 811176, 832113; GPO United Nations, the US Congress and oth- sion of 7/12/75, until the Dili Massacre of Box 2155 DARWIN ers. We urge Australia to also support this 12/11/91, East Timor was not mentioned by 11 February 1994 initiative, and promote its broader accep- USA’s ABC, the NBC and CBS evening The Hon. Paul Keating MHR tance. news shows, while to now Nightline and the Prime Minister of Australia Our positive contribution to the resolu- McNeil-Lehrer shows have never mentioned tion of the tragic East Timor issue would be it. Dear Prime Minister, a sign of our nation’s genuine, rather than But the struggle continues. There are We welcome you to Darwin, the closest opportunistic, involvement with the South- more Indonesian soldiers than Timorese Australian location to one of the most cruel east Asian community. By encouraging civilians in many parts of East Timor, and and protracted military conflicts in the Indonesia to allow a truly just and interna- the gross abuses continue. For example last Southeast Asian region. This is a conflict tionally acceptable solution to the East month at Ossu the red Berets arrested boys which, despite the international attention it Timor problem, Australian diplomacy could has attracted as a prominent example of the genuinely contribute to regional harmony Page 98 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

and well-being. It would also bring Australia Since the invasion, rape, torture, starva- INDONESIA - JAKARTA GO-AHEAD into line with current international thinking tion, imprisonment and death have been FOR MORE HAWK AIRCRAFT on the issue. carried out by the Indonesian army upon a Financial Times (UK), December 7, 1993 On behalf of members of Darwin’s East defenceless population composed mostly of The Indonesian government has informed Timorese community and its Australian women and children. Meanwhile their hus- senior air force officials that they may begin supporters, we very much hope to initiate a bands, brothers and sons face death or indis- discussions regarding the purchase of 16 continuing dialogue with you on this matter. criminate arrest and are kept indefinitely in Hawk aircraft from British Aerospace. At Sincerely, unhealthy prisons without charges. present, the air force is equipped with ap- Tony Jefferies, Australians for a Free Dear Mrs. Keating, in addition to suffer- proximately 80 combat aircraft. East Timor ing from the above, we are forced to witness José and Fatima Gusmão, the complicity of Australian governments in BAE IN TALKS TO SELL 16 AIRCRAFT on behalf of East Timorese community this crime against humanity. Since 1975, TO INDONESIA members successive governments of this nation, in- Financial Times (UK), December 8, 1993 cluding the present one, led by your hus- British Aerospace (BAe) may sell 16 DARWIN WOMEN MEET band, have turned blind eyes to the dramatic Hawk aircraft to Indonesia following a gov- ANITA KEATING plight of their closest neighbours, the East ernment approval of negotiations on the Timorese people. purchase. On 25 November BAe announced On February 11th a group of East Timorese As women, we appeal to you Mrs. an agreement with Indonesia to explore fur- women and Australian supporters were able Keating in this International Year of the ther cooperation on production of turbo- to meet Anita Keating, the wife of the Austra- Family, to increase your concern towards prop planes and cars. lian Prime Minister, in Darwin and hand the plight of the families of East Timor. her a copy of Michelle Turner’s Sincerely TAPOL PROTESTS AT EPIFA “TELLING” (stories of East Timor from On behalf of East Timorese women in 1942 to the present) and the following letter. Darwin: REPORT Ines Casimiro, Veronica Maia, Nini Lopes Mrs. Keating assured us she would read the On 13 December 1994, TAPOL wrote to the Supporters: Judy Conway, Debbie book on the flight back to Canberra. President of the European Parliament to Sewell, Alana Eldridge Box 2155 protest about a visit by European Parlia- Darwin NT 0801 mentarians to Indonesia, based on the re- ph/fax 275478 EVENTS IN EUROPE port produced by the delegation’s chairman, 11 February 1994 Janssen va Raay: Mrs. Anita Keating To the President of the European Parliament Egon Klepsch, Dear Mrs. Keating, RECENT ARMS SALES TO INDONESIA 97-113, rue Belliard Welcome to Darwin, Australia’s gateway B-1040 Bruxelles, Belgium to Asia and to its closest neighbour East From Arms Transfers News, Produced bi- 13 December 1993 Timor. weekly by Farndon House Information Mrs. Keating, we are a group of East Dear Mr. Klepsch, Trust, Unit 53, Listerhills Science Park, I am writing to express my dismay about Timorese and Australian women, who wish Campus Road, Bradford, BD7 1HR U.K. to call your attention to the suffering of the a report I recently received. The document, +44 274 738388; Fax: +44 274 738230 E- labelled confidential, is a report by James East Timorese people, in particular the East mail:[email protected] Timorese women, as a result of the terror Janssen van Raay on the EPIFA visit to perpetrated by the Indonesian army since JAKARTA TOLD TO REACT WISELY Indonesia. As you know EPIFA is the its invasion of East Timor on 7 December TO SWEDISH ARMS SALES PLAN European Parliament Indonesian Friendship Association and its aims are clearly reflected 1975. Kyodo News Service, November 18, 1993 For the last 18 years the East Timorese in the name. have been subject to the brutal rule of the Abdurrahman Wahid, the head of Indone- As expressed in the European Parliament Indonesian military, a regime famous for its sia’s largest socio-religious organization, on many occasions, human rights violations gross violations of the human rights of its said the government should react cautiously in the Indonesian archipelago are still very people. to the Swedish proposal to halt arms sales much on the agenda. The Parliament has Consequently, East Timorese mothers to Indonesia. The government should at- adopted several resolutions on East Timor and daughters have endured atrocious and tempt to improve the country’s foreign and the Parliament’s Human Rights Sub- unjust violations of human dignity, depriva- policy performance. He said that East Committee conducted a hearing on human tion of freedom and the most basic human Timor was viewed as a disputed territory rights abuses in East Timor. Against this rights. by the international community. background we might have expected a more serious preparation for EPIFA’s visit to Contraceptive methods imposed by the 3 IMPORTED WARSHIPS ARRIVE IN Indonesian government during the 1980s Indonesia. INDONESIA FROM GERMANY were aimed to sterilise women through use I see from the report that the MEPs from of, what is in other countries, the illegal drug Kyodo News Service, November 23, 1993 EPIFA only met top-ranking Indonesian Depo Provera. This was aimed at reducing Two corvettes and a tank landing ship ar- officials and representatives of business. By the East Timorese population. This policy rived in Indonesia from Germany. Twelve of contrast with previous visits by MEPs to was introduced by a government responsible the 39 craft bought from Germany have now the region, they appear to have made no for the decimation of one third of the popu- been delivered. The first 9 to be delivered attempts to meet representatives of Indone- lation of East Timor, which in 1975 are undergoing renovation at the PT PAL sian non-governmental organisations, in amounted to 700.000 people. shipyard in Surabaya, East Java. East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 99 particular in the field of human rights and botanists, forestry and agricultural experts THREE MP’S ATTEND the environment. will confirm that the permanent resettlement Mr. Janssen van Raay’s views on the of shifting cultivators or forest gatherers is SWEDISH SEMINAR East Timor issue are publicly known and likely to lead to ethnocide or even genocide. From Tommy Pollak, Dec. 19 conform with the official views of the Indo- My second complaint concerns page 3 nesian government. We also know that, to which reports a visit to the office of ITCI, On the Fourth of December 1993 the this day, the international community has the International Timber Cooperation of (Swedish) East Timor Committee organised not recognised Indonesia’s annexation of Indonesia. ITCI is fully owned by the Indo- a seminar. The subject was the role of the East Timor. His more than cordial relations nesian army and possesses a huge forest church in East Timor. Invited speakers were with the Indonesian authorities are also concession of 470,000 ha. Realising the José Antonio Amorim Dias, representative well-known. For the record, I would say dominating role of the military in Indonesian of the CNRM in Europe, and Steve Alston that it is my understanding that Mr. Janssen daily life, I would have expected the MEPs from the CAFOD in England. Also invited van Raay’s views do not reflect the views of to have shown some hesitation at being were the members of the Swedish parlia- the majority of MEPs. Although I strongly hosted by an army company. Although the ment which visited East Timor in Septem- disapprove of Mr. van Raay’s views on mission leader was probably aware of this, ber. Of these Hans Goran Franck, Social East Timor, the complaints I wish to raise it is very likely that the majority of MEPs Democrat, and Ingbritt Irhammar, Center here are not about East Timor. on the mission were not aware of it. But as Party, participated as well as Karl Goran There are two disturbing sections of the seasoned politicians, they cannot use igno- Svartberg also a parliamentarian for the So- visit which I feel can only be accounted for rance of the facts as a valid excuse; they cial Democrats. by poor preparations for the visit. should surely have been more circumspect Approximately 30 attendants listened to On page 4, the report mentions a visit to about the programme and the companies the speakers, deeply moved when José East Kalimantan where the MEPs were who had agreed to host them. Amorim gave an account for the brutal kill- guests of the companies PT Kalhold Utama, Mr. Janssen van Raay’s report gives a ing of his father by the Indonesian occu- a plywood and glue factory, and PT Kiani very disappointing account of a visit by pants. Steve Alston informed about the very Hutani Lestari (wrongly spelled by Mr. distinguished members of the European special conditions for international aid to the Janssen van Raay). These companies are Parliament. I do not know whether other Timorese church. Ingbritt Irhammar and part of the Kalimanis Group owned by the members of the mission have written their Hans Goran Franck reported about their timber tycoon Bob Hassan, one of the very own reports or whether Mr. van Raay’s findings and about the new export ban for few privileged businessmen in Indonesia report represents the mission as a whole. band wagons. who can drop in on President Suharto unan- Until I know whether they view their visit The audience to an active part and the nounced. In October, a few weeks before the to Indonesia in a different light, I can only questions and answers parts were long and EPIFA visit, a logging company of the Ka- conclude that the other EPIFA members interesting. limanis Group bulldozed at least half of the were ill-informed, ill-prepared and naive. A video produced by the Swedish jour- Bentian forest. Bentian is the name of an Finally, may I ask whether the European nalist Ragnar Hedlund, who accompanied indigenous tribe, one of the many Dayak Parliament has a Code of Conduct about the Swedish MPs to East Timor in Septem- tribes living in Kalimantan. They are shifting missions undertaken by its members, in ber, was also shown. The seminar closed cultivators and are one of the very few particular to ensure that such missions meet with the serving of Timorese food. tribes on this globe who cultivate rattan. a wide-ranging selection of groups and or- More information can be obtained from Their forest is full of tropical fruit trees and ganisation. If so, I would be grateful to re- Jan-Erik Forsberg - East Timor Commit- the Bentian have been cultivating this forest ceive a copy. I would also like to know tee for at least 150 years. The cultivated rattan whether my organisation, TAPOL, as an Box 70341, S-107 23 STOCKHOLM estates, fruit trees and ancestral burial NGO with extensive contacts in Indonesia, Ph/fax:+46-8-648-3193 jefors- grounds have been destroyed on the pretext can make its views known to members of [email protected] that the forest is not productive. It is highly your Parliament. In particular, is there a likely that the plywood the EPIFA MEPs forum at the Parliament where we would be 24-HOUR IRISH XMAS FAST saw in PT Kalhold Utama was plundered able to present our information to MEPs, so FOR EAST TIMOR from the Bentian forest. It is not difficult to as to rectify the one-sided and very damag- imagine what the Dayak people feel about ing picture given in Mr. van Raay’s report? Irish Times, 23 December 1993. Slightly MEPs allowing themselves to be hosted by Relationships with countries like Indone- abridged companies that have devastated their liveli- sia should be seen in their entirety, and Two members of the East Timor Ireland hoods. should encompass human rights. Although Solidarity Campaign will fast for 24 hours It is important to note in 1993, the year not written under the aegis of the European on Christmas Day to highlight the plight of designated by the UN as the year of the Parliament, the EPIFA is a blemish to the Timorese families who have been moved indigenous peoples, that the Dayak people fine tradition of the European Parliament. from their homes to resettlement camps. are pre-eminent for their management of Sincere greetings, During the fast, the campaign members will sustainable forestry, in stark contrast with Liem Soei Liong, EDITOR demonstrate for several hours outside the the practices of timber conglomerates like cc Members of the EPIFA delegation, British Embassy to protest against its role the Kalimanis Group. Members of the Intergroup for East as the largest supplier of arms to Indonesia. Another disturbing thing on page 4 is Mr. Timor, SOS Timor, CMP and other Janssen van Raay’s comments on transmi- NGOs gration. This widely criticised programme is at the moment being revived by the Indone- sian government and one of its aims is to re- settle the many indigenous peoples onto permanent sites. Anthropologists, ethno- Page 100 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

DUTCH POLITICIANS TO See “Events in Indonesia” section for Adnan NOBEL PEACE PRIZE Buyung’s refusal to meet with the delegation MEET SUHARTO when it arrived. NOMINATIONS By Bob Mantiri From Jan-Erik Forsberg, Swedish East GERMAN WAR EQUIPMENT BRUSSELS, Jan 7 (IPS) - A high level Timor Committee, Jan 22. Dutch parliamentary delegation will arrive in TO INDONESIA Nominations for 1994 Nobel Peace Prize Jakarta Saturday to discuss East Timor and should be submitted to the human rights issues with President Suharto SDP UNSATISFIED WITH Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Par- and Indonesian MPs, the speaker of the GOVERNMENT EXPLANATIONS liament before 31 January 1994. This infor- Dutch parliament said here Friday. Publico, 8 January 1994. By Maria E. mation was given to the Swedish East Timor Speaker Wim Deetman will lead the dele- Pedrosa. Translated from Portuguese Committee by staff at the office of MP Mr. gation, which also consists of the leaders of (Bonn) Yesterday, Social Democrat dep- Franck, in the Swedish Parliament. the Netherlands’ main political parties. For uty Klaus Kuber, the SDP’s spokesperson The address to the Nobel Committee is: many of the Dutch politicians it will be their on human rights in Asia, said that the Ger- Det norske Stortings Nobelkomite (Nobel first visit to Indonesia. man Foreign Ministry’s replies to a series of Comittee of the Norwegian Parliament) As well as visiting Jakarta the Dutch po- questions from 50 SDP parliamentarians Drammensveien 19, 0255 OSLO 2, Norway litical leaders will also make a trip to the about the supply of 39 ships from the for- Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo was nomi- Indonesian province of Kalimantan, for- mer German Democratic Republic’s navy to nated for the 1994 Peace Price, on the 6 merly East Borneo. Indonesia, were hypocritical and sparse. October 1993, by the three Swedish parlia- A visit to East Timor, which was re- The questions centered on the costs of mentarians who visited East Timor in Sep- quested by the Dutch delegation, was re- supplying the ships, the ships’ war equip- tember. jected by the Indonesian government, a dip- ment, and the violation of human rights in lomatic source said. East Timor. FINLAND TO SELL MORTARS The visit was originally planned two Totally unsatisfied with the govern- TO INDONESIA years ago, but it had to be postponed after ments’ explanations, the SD deputy told Indonesian troops in November 1991 killed Publico that he will follow-up the enquiries. TAPOL Report, 6 February 1994 hundred of East Timorese who were demon- It will certainly not be difficult to continue strating for an independent East Timor. The Finnish government decided on 20 the parliamentary initiatives, bearing in mind January to grant permission to Vammas, a The Dutch government protested against that the government’s dubious clarifications the violations of human rights, but Indonesia fully state-owned munitions company, to about the use to which the ships will be put export sixty mortar units to Indonesia. The then severed development aid contacts with - coastline protection, to combat piracy - the Netherlands and sent all Dutch devel- decision came shortly after the Finnish Min- have been overshadowed by other revela- ister of Forestry, Martti Pura, returned from opment aid workers home. tions, such as the DPA news agency’s re- But relations in political and economic a five-day visit to Indonesia during which port in November that the supply of Ger- negotiations were held on Finnish participa- field have recovered in the meantime. “It is man ships to Indonesia included five thou- has grown and become much more mature,” tion in several major pulp-and-paper pro- sand tons of ammunition, spare parts for jects which are in preparation in Riau and Deetman said. five years, and credit of over 390 million “In that light it must be possible to dis- elsewhere. Marks for purchase of materials. Contacts in Finland believe that the deci- cuss East Timor and human rights in an The sale of the ships to Jakarta violates open and frank manner. We expect that our sion to export mortar units to Indonesia commitments undertaken both internally may have been a condition from the Indone- Indonesian colleagues will raise these mat- and externally. Internally, it goes against the ters,” Deetman said. sian side, a ‘sweetener,’ to safeguard Finnish policy, recently outlined by the respective business prospects in the ever-burgeoning But he stressed that other issues like minister, on development aid. This policy economic cooperation in the field of culture pulp-and-paper industry in Indonesia. prohibits countries which receive German Under Finnish law, weapons may not be and education will be part of the talks. credits to use the latter for the purchase of “But above all, the purpose of our visit is exported to areas of conflicts or countries arms. Externally, the sale of the ships to where serious human rights violations occur. to deepen and widen our contacts with our Jakarta goes against an OEU resolution, counterparts in the Indonesian parliament,” The pressure on Finland to supply passed unanimously in June 1993, which weaponry as a condition for obtaining lucra- Deetman added. expressly forbids the sale of arms to Indo- He said that the visit would be followed tive contracts for Finnish suppliers of heavy nesia. equipment for pulp-and-paper plants and up by an official visit of Dutch prime minis- The Bonn Government alleges that the ter Ruud Lubbers and foreign minister Pieter for Finnish consultancy firms, is a sign of transaction precedes the OEU resolution. Jakarta’s determination to diversify its Kooijmans. It also expected that Queen But, on being questioned by the SDP about Beatrix would make a visit in the near future weapons suppliers, now that some western fulfilling that commitment in the future, the countries have shown an interest in cutting to Indonesia after several invitations from government response was that it would President Suharto. arms exports to Indonesia or making them “think about it.” conditional on human rights conduct, par- An official of the Dutch government’s in- With regards guarantees, and preventative formation office said the Queen has been ticularly on the situation in East Timor. measures, should Jakarta ever use the ships Today, Sunday, TAPOL, the Indonesia Hu- reluctant to visit Indonesia as long as the for reasons other than coastline protection - human rights and East Timor issues are still man Rights Campaign, faxed the following the object of another of the SDP’s questions protest to the Finnish Minister of Defence stirring emotional debate in the Dutch Par- - Bonn would only say that it was in no liament. Elizabeth Rehn and Minister of Foreign doubt about the Suharto Government’s Affairs Heikki Haavisto: “contractual honesty.” Dear Minister, East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 101

TAPOL has learnt with dismay of your This was announced at the conclusion of resources available for organising local initia- government’s decision last month to grant a an Intergroup meeting, by Euro MP Rui tives. We need you all! Help break the si- licence to the state-owned company, Amaral (PSD). It was decided that, under lence. VAMMAS, to export sixty mortar units to the circumstances, it would be better to Indonesia. cancel the conference. In the knowledge that Finnish law pro- Included in the budget for the conference, EVENTS IN BRITAIN hibits the export of war material to areas of which was sent to the Minister on 1 De- conflict or to countries where serious human cember last year, were the costs for Austra- rights violations occur, we would ask you to lian and Japanese MPs to travel to Brussels. HUNGER STRIKER IN acknowledge that this export is in breach of The meeting ought to be held in late June, PLANES PROTEST your country’s formal obligation with regard and would last for a day and a half. About to arms exports. As you surely know, both 120 parliamentarians from 30 European Western Daily Press (UK), Dec. 8, 1993 these criteria make Indonesia ineligible for countries (4 per country), about 40 from the Peace campaigner Hugh Dowson vowed the supply of weaponry from Finland. An rest of the world, as well as 30 Euro MPs last night to continue his hunger strike de- 18-year long conflict continues in East would be taking part in it. spite feeling weak and cold. Timor which is under illegal Indonesian According to the budget for the confer- Mr. Dowson, aged 45, from Bath, is occupation, in defiance of two UN Security ence, the travel and accommodation ex- camping outside the Rolls Royce base in Council and eight General Assembly resolu- penses alone would cost over 30,000,000 Filton, Bristol, in protest at British Aero- tions. Human rights violations continue Escudos, without counting the costs of pub- space plans to supply Indonesia with Hawk unabated in East Timor, as well as in many licity, publications, translations and secre- aircraft. parts of Indonesia. tarial back-up. Mr. Dowson, who plans to starve him- TAPOL takes particular exception to this self for 100 hours, claims the aeroplanes will deal, in the knowledge that your government “FOUR MONTHS FOR EAS T be converted into Ground Attack aircraft, refused to grant asylum to three young East TIMOR” CAMPAIGN IN equipped with missiles. Timorese who entered your Jakarta em- FRANCE And he says they will be used to kill bassy last year, seeking refuge. This incident thousands of people on the island of East and the information that these young East Timor, 300 miles North West of Australia. TURNING ON THE SPOTLIGHT Timorese presented to your ambassador He said: “I felt like packing it in when I enabled your government to be better in- from Agir Pour Timor, Feb. 94 woke up with my feet sticking out of the formed than most governments about the Are we coming to the end of the silence tent and it was raining. But I am still hoping human rights situation in East Timor. which for many years has surrounded the to make it until Thursday.” TAPOL protested at the time at your situation of the Timorese people? During Mr. Dowson claims that 200,000 people government’s refusal to grant asylum to the next four months, many important or- have been killed on the island of East Timor these East Timorese. Now we must protest ganisations will be taking part in a campaign since Indonesia invaded the Portuguese col- again, at your decision to allow the export of of information and solidarity. ony 18 years ago. war material to Indonesia. Peuples Solidaires, which is an initiative He is campaigning for a referendum to be We appeal to you, as a matter of ur- of Agir Pour Timor, France-Libertes/ Fonda- held for the population of East Timor to gency, to reconsider the decision and halt tion Danielle Mitterand, the International decide if they want Indonesian control. And any further export of war material to Indo- Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), La he wants the British Government to stop nesia. Cimade, Justice and Peace, the General Con- supplying aeroplanes to the Indonesian Yours sincerely, federation of Workers (CGT), the Federa- President Suharto. For those wishing to protest to the Finnish tion Syndicale Unitaire )) education work- A spokesman for Rolls Royce, which government about this deal, here are the ers, the National Union of Secondary School supplies the Hawk engines to British Aero- fax numbers you will need: Teachers (SNES)FSU), and the Coordina- space, said: “British Aerospace has sold Minister of Defence: +358 0 653254 tion of Portuguese Associations in France Hawk air craft to Indonesia since the early Minister of Foreign Affairs: +358 0 (CCPF), have all, at the time we go to press, 1980s. We have only ever sold our products 629840 announced their participation. Many other to countries approved by the British Gov- Finnish News Agency: +358 0 69581335 human rights, solidarity, union and other ernment.” Major Finnish daily, Helsingin Sanomat; organisations are following the preparation Attention, Pekka Hakala: +358 0 60287 of the campaign with interest and will decide CALL TO ACTION AGAINST about their participation in the coming days. BRITISH AEROSPACE EURO MP’S ANGRY WITH From March to June, many informational events will take place, almost all over 2 Jan 94 PORTUGAL France. The campaign is intended to be open British Aerospace (BAe) manufacture Diario de Noticias, 14 February 1994. By and to allow each participating group to address its constituency and new audiences, Hawk aircraft which Indonesia uses to Fernanda Gabriel commit genocide in East Timor. with whatever actions they feel are most (Strasbourg) The Euro MPs who are appropriate, and choosing whatever objec- HELP STOP FURTHER BAE DEALS TO members of the Timor Intergroup are angry tives seem to them to correspond best with INDONESIA with Foreign Affairs Minister, José Manuel the Timorese people’s need for solidarity. Join the Day of Protest against British Durão Barroso. They need 70,000,000 Es- We are sending out an urgent appeal to all Aerospace in particular, and the arms trade cudos to organise an interparliamentary the readers of this bulletin asking them to in general. conference on East Timor in Brussels, but take an active part in this campaign. We can British Aerospace (BAe) make military the Minister is only prepared to allow them send you more detailed information on the aircraft, including the Hawk. BAe have sold 10,000,000. Page 102 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

24 Hawks to Indonesia. Indonesia invaded been condemned by the UN Security Coun- ers, don’t just sit around waiting for cus- East Timor nearly 20 years ago and, in this cil. Since the invasion about 200,000 East tomers to come along and buy death off the short time period, have murdered a third of Timorese people have been killed without shelves. No, the arms companies dream up East Timor’s original population. Experts proper reason. This is about a third of the new deadlier weapons and then go out and believe that British Aerospace are now original population. There have been 10 UN persuade armed forces all across the world planning to sell 144 more Hawks to Indone- resolutions, adopted by both the General that they need these new toys to stay sia. Such a deal may spell the end for the Assembly and the Security Council, which ahead. The recent Scott Inquiry heard how East Timorese people. Such a deal must be have called for Indonesia to withdraw. British Aerospace had lobbied to supply stopped. However, Indonesia continues daily to in- Hawks to Iraq. Indeed a senior BAe man- There will be a day of nonviolent direct crease the blood on its hands. For example, ager, whilst on secondment to the MoD, action (NVDA), vigils and leafletting at a in November 1991, Indonesian troops went to the Baghdad arms fair despite a veto North West British Aerospace factory, opened fire on peaceful demonstrators at a by the Foreign Office. sometime in the early Spring. There will be a cemetery in Dili killing over 270 people and Contacts for More Information planning and training day for this action on wounding hundreds more. A further 350 For more information on East Timor con- Saturday 15th January at Longsight Library, people “disappeared.” Demonstrators were tact: Manchester. The doors will open at 10 am mercilessly gunned down, in full view of TAPOL who campaign against human for drinks and the fun will start at 10:30 am. Western journalists, at the end of a funeral rights abuses in Indonesia. 111 Northwood The day will involve education on the is- commemoration for an activist killed 2 Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 8HW. sues, training for NVDA and planning for weeks earlier. Film footage of this horrific Tel: 081-771 2904 the action itself. (People are encouraged to act was smuggled out. Much of the film was British Coalition for East Timor who organise planned nonviolent protests at too shocking to be shown on TV, but a raise funds for the victims of the war and other BAe sites.) short clip was broadcast around the world. also campaign for the withdrawal of Indone- This was the first time that the public had “We are dying as a people and as a nation.” sian forces from East Timor. PO Box 2349, heard about East Timor and the enormity of Bishop Belo, Apostolic Administrator of London E1 3HX. Tel: 071-639 4700. the human suffering there. Dili, 1989 The Irish East Timor Solidarity Cam- “You have to leave your conscience at the Hawk Deals to Indonesia paign who work throughout Ireland on the door.” On June 10th 1993, Indonesia signed a East Timor issue. 210 Le Fanu Road, Bally- Don Maclen, then Director of Public Af- 500m contract with British Aerospace for fermot, Dublin. fairs, BAe 24 Hawk aircraft and associated equipment For more information about British For more details contact Michael (061- and training. It is widely believed that Indo- Aerospace write to the British Aerospace 860 4469), Tricia (061-881 7460) or Chris nesia intends to purchase no fewer than 144 Campaign, 18 Chesolm Road, Stoke New- (071-275 9150). Also see overleaf for more Hawks to equip 6 squadrons with 24 war- ington, London N16 0DR. info on East Timor and BAe. planes each. This would cost Indonesia well If you’d like to get involved with the ac- over $1.5 billion. According to the military UK-RI RELATIONS UNDER tion, come along to the planning and training magazine “Jane’s Defence Weekly” (9/1/93) SCRUTINY day at Longsight Library, Manchester, on each squadron will be supplied with 2-seat Saturday 15th January. trainers and single-seat Hawks to provide From TAPOL, Jan. 29 Mail [email protected] for more reconnaissance and close cover for troops. Comment: A major row has broken out information. With so many military operations already about the British government’s funding of a Introduction to the issues underway throughout Indonesia and East Timor, the role of aerial reconnaissance is dam project in Malaysia which has been Indonesia crucial and additional Hawks would effec- exposed as a ‘sweetener’ for arms sales to In Indonesia, the situation is very grim. tively increase Indonesia’s illegal military Malaysia. The dam project itself has also Protests against the authoritarian govern- hold over its occupied territories. been strongly condemned as a ‘bad buy’ by a former senior official at the Overseas ment are met with arrest, maltreatment, British Aerospace subversion trials and extra-judicial execu- Development Administration. British Aerospace (BAe) is Europe’s tions. Millions of former political prisoners The row has led to considerable media and largest weapons manufacturer, and is the have been denied their civil and political parliamentary interest in aid going to other third largest in the world. Apart from fighter rights. But don’t expect to hear much, if countries with whom the UK has recently and bomber aircraft, BAe also produce anything, about any of this because there’s concluded major arms deals, in particular bombs, land-based military vehicles, mines no such thing as a free press. In 1965, Gen- Indonesia. The following is an example of and the occasional civil aircraft. The com- eral Suharto seized power in a bloody coup the items appearing in the past few days in pany is not particularly bothered to whom with about a million people murdered in his the British press. they sell (and about 3/4 of their sales are drive to annihilate the mass-based left wing exports). For example, BAe’s subsidiary movement. It’s not as if the killings ended Royal Ordnance were happy to accept a then. They’re still continuing today both in 50m contract by the Kuwaiti government to Indonesia and West Papua, Aceh and East clear battle areas and oil wells of explosives Timor. whilst BAe-built planes had dropped Royal East Timor Ordnance explosives on Kuwait and Iraq Timor is a small island, 300 miles north- just 2 months earlier. And, of course, the west of Australia (see map). East Timor Gulf War was good news for BAe with their was invaded on December 7th 1975 by In- shares increasing by 100m within just 2 donesia, just two weeks after independence days of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. British from Portugal. The invasion itself has twice Aerospace, just like all the other arms deal- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 103

The issue is now under the scrutiny of the remarks of Sir Tim Lankester, former per- that Indonesia provide a full account of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee of the manent secretary to the Overseas Develop- East Timorese who disappeared during an House of Commons. ment Administration, to MPs last week army massacre in the former Portuguese when he condemned the project as “an colony. AID AGREED BEFORE 500M JET abuse” of the aid system. Speaking after a meeting with the presi- ORDER Jack Cunningham, the shadow Foreign dent, the spokesman for a group of seven Secretary, said that Mr. Yatin’s intervention East Timorese students granted asylum here The Independent, 29 January 1994. By: illustrated the need for a “rigorous inquiry” said Soares had agreed to appeal to the UN Chris Blackhurst into Pergau. The Independent has revealed chief to get a full list of those who disap- Britain agreed to provide state aid to In- the dam was related to the building of a peared after the massacre by Indonesian donesia shortly before clinching a 500m secret special forces base in Malaysia and troops in the capital of East Timor on No- military aircraft order. that Stephan Kock, an intelligence advisor vember 12, 1991. In his Budget last year, Norman Lamont, who also played a part in the Iraq “Super- Indonesian troops fired on a crowd in a the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, an- gun” affair, was involved. Mr. Cunningham cemetery in the city, killing by official ac- nounced extra export credits for Indonesia. said: “Quite clearly, ministers have been counts 50 people although some 90 others This was because an impending 500m order concealing the real nature and content of are believed to have disappeared. for Hawk jet fighters from British Aero- their dealings with Parliament for some con- The seven students arrived in Lisbon last space threatened to eat up the Export Credit siderable time.” week after being allowed to leave Indonesia Guarantee Department’s allocation for the The Prime Minister attempted to play six months after they requested political Far Eastern country. down Mr. Yatin’s remarks. Replying to a asylum at the Finnish and Swedish embas- Then, in April last year, Douglas Hurd, letter from Sir David Steel, the Liberal De- sies in Jakarta. the Foreign Secretary, visited Indonesia and mocrat foreign affairs spokesman, John Several of them were seriously wounded agreed to make a preferential loan of 65m for Major said Mr. Yatin “left office in 1987, in the Dili massacre but later recovered and a power station. Barely two months later, well before the agreement was reached on made their way to Jakarta. the Hawk contract was signed. the Memorandum of Understanding on de- Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 be- The deal has since attracted criticism be- fence sales” between the two countries. fore declaring it a province a year later. The cause of the Indonesian government’s bomb- UN has never recognised Jakarta’s rule over ing of rebels in East Timor. Indonesia’s civil the former colony. rights record has also been attacked. EVENTS IN PORTUGAL Last month, after a visit from Air Chief DURÃO BARROSO Marshall Sir Michael Graydon, chief of Britain’s air staff, Indonesia said it wanted PORTUGAL REJECTS INTERVIEWED to buy a further 16 Hawks. Earlier this “EMBASSY” IN JAKARTA Publico, 9 January 1994. By T. de Sousa, J. month, Kenneth Clarke, the Chancellor, also T. de Negreiros, R. Vaz. Translated from visited Indonesia as part of a Far East trade Expresso, 10 December 1993, Translated Portuguese mission. from Portuguese The World Development Movement, a (Lisbon) An EC diplomatic source has Interview with the Portuguese Foreign Third World pressure group, yesterday revealed that the Portuguese Government Minister claimed Indonesia was another example, rejected a proposal, made by the UN Secre- Timor - only in the long-term after Malaysia, of Britain using state aid as a tary General, that Portugal and Indonesia Q.- You have said that, sometimes, govern- “sweetener” to win arms orders. temporarily install diplomats in “friendly” ment are forced to go against their re- Ben Jackson, of WDM, said: “The Gov- embassies. The proposal was for two Indo- spective public opinions. Could Timor ernment says it uses aid to tackle poverty nesian diplomats to work from the Thai become one of these cases in time? and promote good government. But when Embassy in Lisbon, while two Portuguese arms deals are in the air, these commitments diplomats would be based at the Dutch A.- I do not see how it could. In fact, I think go by the board.” mission in Jakarta. The idea was proposed it is once of those cases in which there is The Foreign Office denied Indonesia had last September by Boutros Ghali during the great national consensus, involving widely received aid in return for arms. A spokes- last round of talks on East Timor. Ali Alatas varying sectors of the public. And there has man said the 65m was not aid as such - it is reported to have accepted the proposal been a great deal of consensus in the actions was not a gift but a loan, “albeit at lower immediately, while Durão Barroso rejected taken by the President of the Republic and than commercial rates.” the idea out of hand, on account of the “lack the Government. I cannot see, at the mo- Further evidence emerged today linking of conditions to make the proposal practi- ment, any reason for such a forecast. aid to the Pergau dam project in Malaysia to cable” Q.- However, the view that Portugal ought arms sales. Rais Yatin, the country’s former to be more flexible in its position on self- foreign minister, claimed that payments of determination, and ought to concentrate 234m from Britain were “undeniably linked” PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT its efforts on ensuring respect for human to weapons purchases and military con- CALLS FOR FULL rights, is gaining a lot of support among struction contracts. ACCOUNTING OF DILI various sectors. Mr. Yatin’s comments, made to journal- MASSACRE ists in Malaysia, were the first confirmation A.- I believe that there are two levels, and from anyone close to the Malaysian gov- Agence France Presse, January 7, 1994 that the fight on one level ought not to jeop- ernment that the British money was given as ardize our objectives on the other. There is a a “sweetener” for arms deals. (Lisbon) President Mario Soares said basic problem - which has to do with the Mr. Yatin also described Pergau as a Friday he would write to UN Secretary right to self-determination and with the “gross irregularity” - a view that echoed the General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to demand territory’s statute - and there is also the Page 104 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. general problem of human rights. We have to we would take it as a positive signal on his Friendship Association, which reported that develop our action on two fronts. For ex- part. Portuguese Prime Minister Dr. Cavaco da ample, the release of these seven Timorese But the fact of the matter is that the situa- Silva disclosed the plan in an interview with was, in itself, a good thing. We ought to tion in this process is not, shall we say, Portugal’s independent TV Channel 4 on value this, but we should not build up the symmetrical. The difficulty is in creating Monday. idea that our fight is limited to human rights conditions of trust in the territory itself. Da Silva reportedly said that the party issues. The effort has to be made - above all, if not plans to urge the parliament to drop East What has happened is this. Because we have exclusively - by Indonesia. Timor and Macao from the constitution and achieved some important results (whether at put territorial affairs under the government’s the UN Human Rights Commission, or the (TIMORESE STUDENTS) authority. Article 293, paragraphs 1 and 2 on self- focus on the negotiating process), this has TOGETHER FOR TIMOR led to greater discussion of the subject, and determination in the Portuguese constitution has naturally led to some dissenting voices Publico, 8 February 1994. Abridged now states that overseas “territories” like being heard. I see no problem in this. In a East Timor and Macao are under the author- democracy, there are no tabu subjects. As yet, they have neither statutes, nor ity of the government, the president and the money, but their valuable link to the parliament. Q.- The achievements you have referred to, Maubere Resistance National Council Lopez said if the parliament complies are all to be found on one front - the hu- (CNRM) gives the actions, announced yes- with the Social Democratic Party, East man rights front. Why is it that we seem terday in Oporto in support of the Timor talks will become a lot less compli- to be stuck on the fundamental question? Timorese cause, credibility. By next Octo- cated with only the government to deal A.- There is a total and absolute difference ber they ought to have transformed the pre- with. in the opinion of the two governments - the sent student solidarity movement into a “The Portuguese government will have Portuguese and Indonesian. For this reason I legal organisation called the Together for more elbow room to seek a comprehensive have been extremely careful not to give pub- Timor Association (AJPT), in time for one solution to the East Timor question,” said lic opinion any illusions about a quick set- of their first objectives: the concentration in the former East Timor deputy governor and tlement. I can only see one possible solu- Oporto of national initiatives to mark the member of the Supreme Advisory Council. tion, in the long-term and by way of a one third anniversary of the Dili massacre. He added that one factor that has always step at a time policy. Yesterday, Antonio Nova Araujo and delayed the solution of the East Timor issue Q.- Doesn’t the release of the seven young Timorese university student Lurdes Bessa, is that the Portuguese government, president men signify a change in Jakarta’s policy? both members of the founding commission and parliament have conflicting views. of the AJPT, announced the four objectives Lopez said he has increasingly seen signs A.- I do not believe it represents any fun- designed for this year: to draw up and make damental change. It is a positive sign which I of Lisbon’s softening stance on East Timor; public the Association’s statutes; prepara- the Social Democratic Party’s plan is one of welcome, while being cautious about the tion of a budget to enable financial support limits of such a gesture. those. to be sought from organisations and/or com- Some journalists have called him from Q.- Are you still skeptical about the next panies; to spread “as much information as Lisbon, asking for his comment on the pos- meeting in Geneva? possible,” with the help of the CNRM, sible restoration of ties between Indonesia A.- Yes. I think it is always wise to be a through the Portuguese media and foreign and Portugal severed in the wake of the civil little skeptical, though constructive. The press correspondents; to set up the Asso- war in East Timor that led to the territory’s meeting, in May, is still quite far off, and ciation’s “commission of honour.” integration with Indonesia in 1976. there are going to be some initiatives taken (...) by the UN Secretary General before then. TIMORESE REFUGEES Q.- In Rome, it was decided that the two DA CRUZ: PORTUGAL STOPOVER IN LISBON ON countries would attempt confidence- CHANGES MAY MAKE EAS T ROUTE TO AUSTRALIA building measures. Were these releases TIMOR SETTLEMENT given by Jakarta as an example of a Jornal de Noticias, 15-16 Feb. Abridged measure of confidence? Did the Portu- EASIER 44 Timorese refugees, between the ages guese Government acknowledge the re- Jakarta Post, February 10 leases as such? Is Portugal now going to of 1 and 72, arrived in Lisbon on 15 Febru- give something in return? (Jakarta) Portugal’s powerful Social De- ary from Macau. For most of them, Lisbon mocratic Party is reported to be seeking to is merely a stopover on their way to Aus- A.- Our recognition of Jakarta’s act as a change that nation’s constitution to place tralia. gesture of good will has already been an jurisdiction for territorial affairs, which Although Timorese refugees in Macau, excellent gesture on our part. In fact, the would include the East Timor question, who wish to settle with their families in issue was brought up at the meeting I had completely within the hands of the execu- Australia, are only seven hours away from last September with Minister Alatas. I chal- tive. that country, since 1991 the Australian lenged him to give positive signs, and sug- F.X. Lopez da Cruz, Indonesian ambas- authorities insist that they must first travel gested the release of these seven Timorese sador at large in charge of East Timorese for over 14 hours to Lisbon, stay in Portugal as being one possible area. He asked me affairs, said the plan has raised hope in Ja- while the their applications are dealt with, what assurances could he have that, if they karta that the dispute between the two and then travel at least another 20 hours were released, such a gesture would not be countries over East Timor can be resolved back to Australia. The Canberra Govern- used as a pretext for yet another anti- soon. ment will only accept residency applica- Indonesia campaign. I said that, if that was Lopez said he obtained the information tions which are processed through Lisbon. his concern, I would certainly guarantee that about the Social Democratic Party’s plan According to Father Francisco Fernandes, yesterday from the Portuguese-Indonesia expelled from East Timor in September East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 105

1976, and living in Macau since 1989, many quirements, but because the Portuguese ment on aid to East Timor took a tone that refugees choose Australia because they have colonial administration itself, presumably dismissed the criticisms, levelled by church relatives there and as it is near East Timor. with direction from Lisbon, has been refus- and human rights organizations. He says there are many more Timorese who ing to grant Portuguese passports to CIDA has now decided to go part of the want to leave East Timor, but they have to Timorese refugees in Macau itself. That is, way towards changing that. After hearing wait their turn, as Macau cannot cope with Portugal is requiring the East Timorese to go the resistance view that only aid programs so many. Since April 1993 alone, over 200 to Lisbon to have the paper work proc- funnelled through the Catholic Church Timorese refugees arrived in Macau, await- essed. Of course Australia may have addi- should be approved, and after meeting East ing repatriation to Lisbon. tional regulations. In any case, I’d suggest Timor Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo in Ot- At Lisbon airport, some of the few refu- that CDPM clarify this, and if it is true, tawa, CIDA agreed to fund a project spon- gees who could speak Portuguese referred to some pressure might be put to bear on the sored by the church. It also approved a what had prompted them to leave their Portuguese government. grant to the Legal Aid Institute of Indonesia, homeland: the only independent human rights group in “We fled because there is no freedom in the country that is able to function legally. Timor, but we hope to go back one day, EVENTS IN CANADA A legal aid centre will be set up in Dili, the when our country becomes independent,” capital of East Timor, thereby providing an said 39-year-old mother of six, Luisa Tjim. invaluable monitoring of the human rights She went on to explain that she speaks very CANADA GRANTS EAST situation. little Portuguese because the Indonesians do TIMOR Rp 250M Existing aid projects continue, but CIDA not allow Timorese to learn the language. has indicated its willingness to continue “People cannot live in a country where Jakarta Post, 7 December 1993 consulting the East Timor Alert Network on there is no liberty,” said 26-year-old José (Jakarta) The Canadian embassy will the appropriateness of its aid program. Antonio, who also intends to return home provide a grant of Rp 250m (US$120,000) Sources also say that $30 million in aid when East Timor becomes independent. in support of community and village devel- projects to Indonesia suspended to protest “I was waiting 8 months in Macau to opment projects in East Timor. the massacre of more than 250 Timorese come to Portugal,” said Elisabete Oliveira. Canada’s ambassador, Lawrence T. Dick- civilians in 1991 can be considered to be She has no family in Portugal, but hopes to enson said the fund provided by the Cana- cancelled for good. “study and work” until she can “go back to dian Fund for Local Initiatives will be used Meanwhile, an official in the Department Timor,” “when the situation there changes.” to support a wide range of initiatives in the of Foreign Affairs has responded to the Filipe will also be staying in Portugal. He province (sic) with special attention being demand that Canada announce an embargo is one of the many young Timorese who given to women’s issues and poverty alle- on weapons sales to Indonesia. In a letter to was arrested and imprisoned (for a month in viation. ETAN/Ottawa, Marius Grinius, head of the 1992) and beaten by the Indonesians. He The fund will also be used for agricultural Asia Pacific South Relations Division, wrote said that “there are many young students in training in Fuiloro, Lospalos. that “Canada has adopted a very stringent Indonesian jails,” including his own brother. This year the embassy will fund small- policy.... At the moment, every contract Among those waiting to receive the new scale projects in Indonesia worth about Rp involving the sale to Indonesia of equipment arrivals was Manuel Soares, a former cus- 1.6 billion ($750,000), half of which is allo- which could conceivably be used against its toms official in Dili, where he was born and cated for activities in East Timor. population is subjected to close scrutiny lived until escaping to Portugal in 1987. He and invariably refused.... We share your left East Timor because of the repression, ETAN/CANADA UPDATE #29 concern that Canadian equipment or parts widespread since Indonesia’s occupation in could eventually find their way to Indonesia 1975. “As a customs official, it would have January 10, 1994 From the East Timor Alert and are active in multilateral fora in promot- been easy for me to get rich there,” he re- Network/Canada. Abridged. ing the adoption of stricter measures by the vealed, but went on to say that it would not US and others to ensure that Canada’s pol- have compensated the lack of freedom, and Canada moves an inch icy on arms sales is not circumvented in this the surveillance to which the people are Canada will be refocusing its aid program way.” subjected. in Indonesian-occupied East Timor to ad- Grinius added that Canada has urged In- “All correspondence gets there, even dress concerns that the existing program is donesia to release jailed resistance leader though the delays are incredible. However, not helping the people. Following extensive Xanana Gusmão and grant free access to before being delivered, all letters are read by consultations with overseas leaders in the East Timor for international humanitarian the Indonesians.” To sidestep this censure- East Timorese pro-independence movement organizations. ship (which is possible because “the Indo- CNRM, East Timor’s Catholic Bishop, and The government’s moves in 1993 are nesian authorities order 16 or 17-year-olds members of the East Timor Alert Network, small steps towards reversing Canada’s to translate all the letters”), the Timorese the Canadian International Development history of support for its “friend,” Indone- have created a system of codes, so messages Agency (CIDA) has started the ball rolling sian president Suharto. They are evidence may be sent without the Indonesians realis- on several projects that circumvent govern- that the years of lobbying and the letters of ing. “Nobody likes that regime,” says ment-controlled channels. hundreds of Canadians are beginning to pay Manuel Soares, adding, like all the others, CIDA has been one of the top donors in off. ETAN urges our supporters to write to that he will only return to his country East Timor in recent years, and has a his- the new minister of foreign affairs, Andre “when Indonesia leaves.” tory of ignoring the charge that its “aid” Ouellet, and his junior minister for Asia Comment from Lorne Rider: programs there actually serve to legitimize Pacific affairs, Raymond Chan (and please send a copy to Parliamentarians for East I had been informed with some disgust Indonesian military rule over East Timor, Timor c/o David Kilgour MP. All can be that the reason this detour was necessary which is not recognized by the United Na- written postage free at House of Commons, was not (only?) because of Australian re- tions or the government of Canada. As re- cently as the spring of 1993, a CIDA docu- Ottawa Ont., K1A 0A6.) Page 106 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

The government should be thanked for aid. At its annual meeting in Paris in July What this contretemps has proven is un- the measures it has already taken, but urged 1992, the consortium of donors actually clear. Canada has salved its conscience and to do more. Specifically, Canada should increased assistance to Indonesia to over registered its protest, although it has learned announce a formal embargo on the sale of US$ 4.5 billion. the problems of fighting for human rights weapons to the Indonesian armed forces and Canada, for its part, refused to partici- alone. Indonesia has become a little more encourage other countries to make similar pate in the meeting. Its silence was to make open but remains resolved to liberalize at its declarations; ensure that all aid going to East a point to the Indonesians, now growing own pace, with or without Canada’s help. Timor actually helps by channelling all aid impatient with the world’s favorite boy The lesson seems to be in dealing with through the Church, International Commit- scout seemingly meddling in their internal tough regimes without international solidar- tee of the Red Cross, or Legal Aid Institute; affairs. ity, economic aid is a dubious instrument of and consider linking trade with Indonesia to As Foreign Minister Ali Alatas recalls political influence. respect for human rights as it has done with today, Indonesia was considering unilater- aid. ally cancelling Canada’s aid program, which INTERNATIONAL WEEK - East Timor Alert Network/Toronto PO would have soured relations with a leading SEMINAR ON ET IN CAL GARY Box 562, Station P, trading partner in Southeast Asia. After all, Toronto, Canada, M5S 2T1 Phone/fax 1- Indonesia had thrown out the Dutch and International Week at the University of 416-531-5850, Email [email protected] their $ 100-million a year in assistance when Calgary, sponsored by the Students’ Union, they were fed up listening to lectures on The University of Calgary; the Student CANADA’S AID / MORAL ITY human rights. Resource Centre, International Centre, Divi- DILEMMA Why didn’t they do the same to Canada? sional of International Development, and Alatas says Canada had no colonial legacy many campus clubs and organizations, will Mixing money and morality and meant well, implying that made it easier be held from February 7 till 12, 1994. can be frustrating to tolerate, as one suffers silently a cantan- On Wednesday 9th, there will be a semi- kerous old aunt. nar: The Financial Post, January 21, 1994, By His response shoed a shrewd understand- “Indonesian Presence in East Timor” Andrew Cohen ing of the politics of aid in Canada. Before (12:00 - 1:00 pm, MacEwan Student Centre, JAKARTA - In a world where national Dili, Brian Mulroney had pushed for a Room 276); After showing a video - Cold sovereignty is no longer a licence to abuse stronger international response to human Blood : The Massacre of East Timor, Paul human rights, foreign aid is a weapon. When rights at the Commonwealth and la franco- Salim will discuss Canadian foreign policy authoritarian regimes turn nasty, they can phonie summits. Having nailed its colors to towards Indonesia and East Timor. now expect democracies to respond by link- the mast, the government had to deal firmly This seminar is sponsored by East Timor ing economic assistance. with Indonesia, particularly as opposition Alert Network in Calgary. The ends are honorable. But mixing critics and human rights activists began money and morality can be frustrating and clamoring for ending all aid. EAST TIMOR RECOGNIZED often fruitless, as Canada learned recently That pressure was probably the reason when it tried to use its aid program to make Ottawa refused to lift the suspension in AT THE (MODEL) U.N. Indonesia a little more liberal. Paris in 1992, whatever its reservations From: ETAN-Windsor/Essex County, Janu- Our exercise in persuasion began on Nov. about the influence wielded by a country ary 30, 1994. Author: Jason Amyot 12, 1991, when Indonesian troops opened contributing 1% of Indonesia’s total interna- fire on peaceful demonstrators in Dili, the tional assistance. Indeed, Canada was iso- The University of Windsor’s Model capital of East Timor. They killed as many lated as other donors found other ways to United Nations was held January 29th and as 200 people. express their displeasure. Even the Dutch 30th, and for the second year in a row East Canada condemned the massacre. A were asking to restore their program. Timor was granted full nation-state status. month later, having reviewed its aid pro- By late 1992, a year after the massacre, Last year in an attempt to gain recognition gram, it suspended three proposed projects Canada was quietly reassuring the Indone- for East Timor, Shawn Hupka decided to that provide “direct assistance to the gov- sians it wasn’t suspending all new projects, participate in the annual event. “I expected ernment of Indonesia. “ Before restoring aid, as the Indonesians thought; rather, it was to receive observer state status, the status Ottawa said it wanted to see if Indonesia planning to commit new money. “If we that the P.L.O. was assigned that year. punished those responsible and made gen- hadn’t,” says one Canadian diplomat here, Member status allowed me to participate at eral progress on human rights. “we would have been marginalized.” a level that would not have been possible In reality, only one of those projects was Last June, at the donors meeting in Paris, otherwise.” Although Hupka was not dis- likely to be approved. Indonesia still re- Canada returned to the table. It said it re- satisfied with the decision, he was careful to ceived around $ 45 million in aid from Can- mained concerned about human rights but continuously remind the other participants ada in 1991-1992, and a little less in 1992- noted Indonesia had established a human that East Timor was not a free nation. “I 1993. The suspension was symbolic. rights commission, allowed monitoring by used the podium to discuss the relevant But even this mild penalty illustrated Ot- international bodies and permitted a lively agenda items while also relating them to the tawa’s dilemma: how to punish a notorious debate. Amnesty International called this injustices the U.N. failed to alleviate in East regime without sacrificing an aid program window-dressing. Timor.” trying to advance women, encourage sus- Late last year, Ottawa announced it The agenda of the 1993 forum included a tainable development and forge commercial would fund new aid projects. Curiously, discussion about Cyprus, the Civil War in links? Or, more pointedly, how to support though, it maintained the freeze on those the former Yugoslavia, and Haiti. Hupka, political freedom while fostering economic three suspended projects. To lift it, says the aware that East Timor’s foreign policy is development? diplomat, would constitute “a vote of confi- limited to the pursuit of independence, tack- Other countries - Britain, France, Japan dence” in Indonesian democracy which these led the issues from the perspective of hu- and the United States - refused to suspend new projects apparently did not. manitarianism. “All of my resolutions and East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 107 most of my amendments failed because East Timor. We are very glad to know that wonder, begin to involve itself in a positive many delegates voted with the United you will come to Japan on December 20 and way by, for instance, encouraging the Indo- States, whose policies were unacceptable to sincerely welcome your visit. It is our hope nesian Government to allow greater access East Timor.” that your visit to Japan will provide an to East Timor? As it happens, there are The 1994 agenda included debates about opportunity for the Japanese people to Japanese Catholic groups which are pres- the situation in Somalia, U.N. Security become enlightened on many difficult issues ently seeking to establish, in collaboration Council reform, and international nuclear facing international society today. Knowing with the local people, long-term humanitar- waste disposal. Once Again Hupka formed of your dedicated efforts to achieve a peace- ian projects in East Timor. These organiza- his own policies with the probable inten- ful and just solution to the East Timor issue, tions have already obtained NGO funding tions of East Timor in mind. “The resolu- we take the occasion of your upcoming visit from Posts and Communications and the tion on {UNSC} reform” “was very dis- remaining territory in Asia where decoloni- projects in East Timor. At this stage the appointing for me, because it was very radi- zation has yet to be carried out and as such issue of access is indeed an important one, cal and failed because of a tie.” The resolu- remains on the agenda of the Fourth Com- and we ourselves applied to the Indonesian tion called for the abolishment of the veto mittee of the United Nations General As- Foreign Ministry in June of 1991 for per- while also making decisions of the Security sembly. In East Timor itself, where the mission to visit East Timor. Unfortunately Council binding with a 2/3 majority. “My people have yet to exercise their right to our request was not accepted at the time. speech about how the reformed {UNSC} self-determination. Indonesian military rule But now we are seeking the possibility of would have meant sparing the lives of al- casts a dark shadow over the lives of the trying again next year. most 250,000 people was followed by si- people, depriving them not only of their You may also be encouraged to know lence from the General Assembly. I believe civil and political rights, but of their eco- that there are grass roots groups in Japan many delegates were unaware of East Timor nomic, social and cultural rights as well. deeply concerned about the situation in East or its relationship to the UN.” The final At the same time, it is important to recall Timor, and at the invitation of these organi- vote was 9 for and 9 against with an unusu- the fact that Japan has enjoyed extremely zations four East Timorese recently visited ally high 10 abstentions. close political and economic ties with Indo- Japan and spoke at public meetings in sixty The greatest irony of both events was nesia. We are convinced that Japan is places throughout the country. Hupka receiving “Rookie of the Year” in uniquely positioned to contribute to a solu- Finally, if your schedule allows, we 1993 and “Best Overall Delegate” in 1994; tion to the East Timor issue and have called would be very grateful for the opportunity both awards were designed to go to the dele- on the Government on a number of occa- to meet with you during your stay in Japan gate(s) who best reflected the foreign policy sions to come forward with that contribu- to discuss what is being done in Japan, or of the nation they represented. “Although tion. Therefore we would like to ask you to could be done in the future, to work for they were aware that East Timor has no use to the full your visit to Japan to express progress on this extremely pressing issue. elaborate foreign policy beyond self- your concern about and commitment to the With every good wish for your continued liberation, they felt I remained true to the East Timor issue in meetings with the Prime good health, we are probable intentions of East Timor. I hope Minister, the Foreign Minister and other Respectfully, that I did.” officials, as well as in your statements to the Tomiko Okazaki P.S. The prize for Best Delegate in 1994 media. was a Pocket Atlas by Bartholomew. The As you know, a new administration has Map of Indonesia does not have a political come to power in Japan, and we are seeing JAPANESE CITIZENS GROUP division between West and East Timor. signs of change. Japan does not now, and PETITIONS JAKARTA-BOUND Hupka plans to write the publisher. has never in the past, recognized Indonesia’s GOVERNMENT TEAM integration of East Timor. The Govern- ment’s policy with respect to the sover- “LINK FOREIGN AID WITH HUMAN EVENTS IN JAPAN eignty issue is one of deferring to the nego- RIGHTS IN EAST TIMOR!” tiations taking place under the United Na- tions Secretary-General’s auspices. Minis- Press Release from Free East Timor Japan JAPANESE try of Foreign Affairs officials have stated Coalition, 4 Feb. 1994 PARLIAMENTARIANS WRITE with regard to the issue of self- The following petition from the Free East BOUTROS-GHALI determination that Japan will act in accor- Timor Japan Coalition was submitted to dance with your initiatives. Recently Prime MATSUNAGA Nobuo, the head of an eco- Translation supplied by Free East Timor Minister Hosokawa made clear his “support nomic cooperation survey team due to ar- Japan Coalition for United Nations negotiations” on the rive in Indonesia on February 6. The Coali- occasion of the state visit of Portuguese tion is composed of eleven citizens groups in Secretariat of the Diet Members Forum President Soares in October. Japan campaigning for a just solution to the on East Timor It is our hope that with your encourage- East Timor issue. Room No.639 Members Building No. 1, ment the Japanese Government will begin a House of Representatives 2-2-1 Nagata-cho, more active level of support for your en- To Survey Team Chief MATSUNAGA Chiyoda-ku deavors by using its cordial diplomatic ties Nobuo: Tokyo, 100 Japan with Indonesia to urge greater progress in We are citizens deeply concerned with December 10, 1993 the negotiations taking place. the human rights situation in Indonesian- Dear Secretary General Boutros Boutros- We are very encouraged by the break- occupied East Timor. It has come to our Ghali, through that was achieved in the negotia- attention that a team is being sent to Indo- We are members of the Japanese National tions under your auspices on September 17. nesia from February 6 to 13 to conduct a Diet who have been involved in the issue of Could not the Japanese Government, we general economic cooperation survey. We Page 108 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. submit the present petition in the hope that 2. In his letter to the International Commis- bereaved families received any compensa- serious consideration will be given by the sion of Jurists, Xanana Gusmão stated tion. And although Indonesia promised to government to the human rights situation in that his Indonesian lawyer had not acted search for the missing, no progress at all East Timor and Indonesia. in accord with his wishes in his defence has been made. We hope that you will Basic Principles and that he wanted a retrial (Reuter Jan. base your judgments on results, and not 9). be mislead by empty promises by the In its ODA Charter, the Japanese Gov- Indonesian Government. ernment affirmed that in the execution of its 3. The Indonesian authorities are reported official development aid program sufficient to be planning to transfer Xanana Gus- 4. We ask that you call for humanitarian attention would be paid to the promotion of mão to Nusakanbangan Prison, located on treatment of Xanana Gusmão in keeping democratization, basic human rights and an island off the southern coast of Cen- with international norms. guarantees of freedom in the recipient coun- tral Java (Reuter, Feb. 1). 5. President Suharto said in January that tries. 4. Nuku Sulaeman (29), a staff member of there would be no problem for foreigners You yourself, representing the Japanese an Indonesian human rights organization, to visit East Timor to ascertain whether Government at the United Nations World Yayasan Pijar, is on trial on charges of in- or not human rights problems still existed Conference on Human Rights last year in sulting the president because of a sticker (Jiji, Jan. 9). We would like you to recon- Vienna, made very clear statements with he distributed at a demonstration. The firm this point. regard to the following points: sticker made reference to the Santa Cruz 6. The Indonesian Government has an- Firstly, that although there are some massacre, when Indonesian troops indis- nounced that it is reducing troop strength countries which contend that human rights criminately shot at East Timorese youth in East Timor and that the remaining are an internal affair, expressing concern in November 1991 (AFP, Jan. 15). troops are participating in development over, and calling for improvement with re- 5. A human rights report recently issued by projects. We would like you to find out gard to involuntary detention, disappear- the U.S. State Department states that if, in the case of this East Timor-style ances, torture and the like in whatever coun- human rights violations are continuing in “development” involving the participa- try these may occur does not constitute Indonesia and blames the most serious tion of soldiers, development aid leads in interference in the domestic affairs of that violations on the military. The report fur- any way to supporting the presence in country. ther concludes that there has been no East Timor of the military. Please inves- Secondly, that basic freedoms and human meaningful progress in accounting for 60 tigate whether development projects are rights must not be sacrificed to develop- persons missing since the Santa Cruz used to pay soldiers, whether develop- ment. Basic freedoms and human rights massacre whom the Indonesian Govern- ment projects can be viewed (from the must be respected by all countries, regard- ment promised to try to locate (Reuter, point of view of the military) as being less of the cultural, political or economic February 2). even partially military in nature (for ex- system or of the stage of development the ample, maintaining law and order), and Our Requests country may be in. Indeed, respect for hu- whether this military participation occurs man rights facilitates development. Thus We therefore submit the following re- in the case of any development projects Japan’s development assistance must con- quests to the economic cooperation survey funded by Japan. team: tribute to the advancement of the rights of 7. We ask that the report on the results of 1. We ask that in your discussions with the individual. your survey, as well as the content of officials in Indonesia you affirm the With regard to the East Timor issue, the your discussions, be made public. Japanese Government does not take a posi- thinking of the Japanese government with tion on the sovereignty issue, but is follow- respect to development and human rights Signed by KIJIMA Masamichi on behalf ing the negotiations between Portugal and as contained in your statement to the of the Free East Timor Japan Coalition. Indonesia under the auspices of the UN World Conference on Human Rights: that Mr. Kijima is the coordinator of the Tokyo Secretary General. However the fact that it development is not something that can East Timor Assn. does not make a judgment on the sover- take precedence over human rights, and Groups Affiliated in the Free East Timor eignty issue does not mean that Japan has to that regardless of the stage of develop- Japan Coalition in: refrain from actively engaging Indonesia ment, due consideration must be given to Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, with regard to human rights issues. fundamental human rights, in this case, Okayama, Zentsuji, Kure, Shimonoseki, The Human Rights Situation in East particularly political and civil rights and Oita, and the Catholic Justice and Peace Timor the rights of the individual. Council. For further information, contact the In the light of recent information, we 2. We ask that you convey in no uncertain Tokyo East Timor Association, tel. would like to call your attention in particu- terms that the human rights situation in 0422557937 lar to the following: Indonesia and East Timor will be taken 1. Indonesian authorities temporarily sus- into consideration in the administration pended visits by the International Red of Japan’s official development assis- Cross to Xanana Gusmão, the East tance. Timor resistance movement leader who is 3. We ask that you inquire about the results serving a 20 year prison term for illegal of the investigation into the whereabouts possession of weapons and insurrection of those missing from the Santa Cruz (Reuter, Jan. 8). The action was taken massacre. Although the Japanese Gov- because a letter he sent a letter to the In- ernment stated at one point its approval ternational Commission of Jurists (ICJ) of the steps taken by the Indonesian at the end of last year angered authorities. Government after the massacre, the latter has yet to reveal the names of those killed or their actual number, nor have the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 109

WHEREAS the United States govern- Adopted at the Annual Meeting of the North- EVENTS IN THE UNITED ment is not yet working to implement the ern California Ecumenical Council, Novem- STATES United Nations resolutions calling for with- ber 18, 1993, San Francisco, CA. drawal of the Indonesian military from East Timor and for self-determination for the TIMORESE MARTYR CALIFORNIA ECUMENICAL people of East Timor; and REMEMBERED COUNCIL SUPPORTS TIMOR RECOGNIZING our moral and religious duty to respond to acts of inhumanity and IN SAN FRANCISCO The following resolution on East Timor was genocide and to rescue a people, a nation, adopted by the Northern California Ecu- and a culture from annihilation; By Anne Treseder, Journal Portugues- menical Council at their annual meeting on THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that California, Dec. 16, 1993 November 18, 1993, in San Francisco, Cali- the Northern California Ecumenical Council Bay Area high school students marched fornia. The Northern California Ecumenical calls on President Bill Clinton and the U.S. to the Indonesian consulate in San Francisco Council is comprised of 14 different Protes- Congress to take immediate administrative last weekend to honor the memory of tant and Orthodox denominations. and legislative steps to halt all United States Domingos Segurado, one of 271 Timorese military aid, economic aid, and weapons – Anne Treseder, ETAN/San Francisco killed by Indonesian soldiers at the Santa sales (both commercial and government-to- Cruz cemetery in Dili, East Timor, on No- RESOLUTION ON EAST TIMOR government) to Indonesia until the Indone- vember 12, 1991. WHEREAS Indonesian armed forces in- sian government: The students, members of the human vaded and seized the former Portuguese 1. Ends all forms of inhumane treatment in rights group Amnesty International, were colony of East Timor on December 7, 1975; East Timor, including torture, extra- accompanied by parents, friends, and other and judicial execution, and arbitrary arrest and human rights campaigners as they partici- WHEREAS the Indonesian invasion and imprisonment; pated in a Human Rights Day Consulate occupation of East Timor have resulted in 2. Permits unrestricted access to East Timor Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, December 11. the death of approximately 200,000 by international human rights organiza- The group, numbering approximately 130, Timorese (one-third of the population) ac- tions such as Amnesty International and marched to eight different consulates in San cording to Amnesty International estimates, Asia Watch; and Francisco during a four-hour walk. making it the worst slaughter relative to 3. Complies with United Nations Security Domingos Segurado, who was 28 years population since the Holocaust; and Council resolutions 384 and 389, with- old when he was killed, had been the sole WHEREAS the United Nations General draws its armed forces from East Timor, surviving member of his family. His parents Assembly and Security Council have never and allows a United Nations supervised and brothers had all been killed by the Indo- recognized the Indonesian purported an- plebiscite in East Timor to facilitate a nesian army, which has occupied East nexation of East Timor and have passed process of genuine decolonization and Timor illegally since 1975. He was a teacher numerous resolutions calling for Indonesia self-determination; and at the Portuguese school in Dili, the capital to withdraw from East Timor; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the of East Timor, and had been active in the WHEREAS the government of Indonesia Board Secretary be instructed to immedi- widespread non-violent resistance to Indo- refuses to honor these United Nations reso- ately send copies of this resolution to the nesian rule. A reporter who met him several lutions, and continues to illegally occupy President of the United States, to the two months before he died described him as “an East Timor and to commit gross violations U.S. Senators from California, to each extremely gentle man.” of human rights there; and Member of Congress from Northern Cali- In a moving speech at the door of the In- WHEREAS the Indonesian government fornia, and to the appropriate editors of the donesian consulate, a student representative has displaced Timorese families from their major newspapers; and remembered Segurado and the many other ancestral homes and has moved over BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the victims of Indonesian human rights abuses, 100,000 Indonesians into East Timor in an Northern California Ecumenical Council both in East Timor and within Indonesia. He attempt to dilute the Timorese population urges church leaders and congregations in asked that the people responsible for these and culture; and Northern California to communicate the abuses be brought to justice. He vowed that WHEREAS many Timorese are now in- above concerns to the President and to their Domingos Segurado would not die in vain. carcerated in Indonesian prisons for engaging U.S. Senators and Members of Congress; to Amnesty International has more than one in peaceful protest against the Indonesian educate themselves about East Timor; and million members and supporters in 150 occupation of their country; and to work on behalf of East Timor within their countries throughout the world. It works to WHEREAS in October 1992, the United own communities. free prisoners of conscience, to ensure fair States Congress eliminated military training BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the and prompt trials, and to end all torture. It (IMET) aid to the Indonesian government in Northern California Ecumenical Council is currently campaigning against “disappear- response to its actions in East Timor; and send this resolution to the Southern Asia ances” and extra-judicial executions, such as WHEREAS in March 1993, the United Office of the National Council of Churches the Indonesian army’s execution of Domin- States government reversed its previous of Christ in the USA asking that human gos Segurado. Amnesty International has position and supported a strong resolution rights and Justice for East Timor be pro- long been active in the effort to end human passed by the United Nations Human moted in their member churches. rights abuses in East Timor. The organiza- Rights Commission criticizing Indonesian tion was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in human rights violations in East Timor; and 1977 for its work on behalf of worldwide WHEREAS the United States govern- human rights. ment continues to sell weapons to the gov- ––––– ernment of Indonesia despite its illegal and brutal occupation of East Timor; and Page 110 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Speech delivered by Amnesty International As Amnesty International members, we bassy have confirmed that the intended cut- high school student in front of Indonesian call upon the Indonesian Government to put off of Indonesian training never occurred, Consulate, San Francisco, California, De- an end to these human rights abuses. according to PDD director Caleb Rossiter. cember 11, 1993, as part of Human Rights We call on them to permit unhindered Speaking in an interview last month, Day Consulate Walk-A-Thon: monitoring of human rights in Indonesia and Rossiter disputed arguments that U.S. train- We stand here today in front of the Con- East Timor by the United Nations and by ing of the army occupying East Timor will sulate of Indonesia in memory of Domingos Amnesty International. somehow improve the lot of the Timorese Segurado. Domingos was one of more than And we call on them to adhere to the living under that occupation. “We’ve learned 200 people massacred on November 12, Universal Declaration of Human Rights. through bitter experience that we don t pro- 1991 at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili in On Human Rights Day, we remember all fessionalize a repressive military by training the occupied territory of East Timor. those who have died at the hands of the it,” he said. “We simply make it stronger.” That day, Indonesian troops opened fire Indonesian government. He expressed the hope that Congress will on a peaceful march for independence. Some But today we remember, especially, the act on this issue when it reconvenes early people wore shot while attempting to flee life of 28 year old Domingos Segurado. this year. the area, others were beaten and stabbed. We light a candle for him So once again we are painfully reminded Let us take a few moments to remember so that he will be remembered for that the rescue of a people is accomplished who Domingos was. his non-violent deeds through persistent pressure on Congress, He was born in Ossu, a small town in so that he will not be forgotten day-to-day monitoring of Administration East Timor. so that he will not have died in officials, and relentless follow-up. He studied the Indonesian language at vain. The Indonesian military still occupy East school and was trained as a teacher. Thank you. Timor today, and Amnesty International He was the sole surviving member of his reports that the terror has not subsided. The family. His parents and brothers had all CALL TO ACTION: EAST Timorese, who are powerless in world poli- been killed by the Indonesian army. TIMOR BETRAYED AGAIN tics, still wait for the world community to He was described by a reporter as an ex- hear their cries and come to their aid. They tremely gentle man. He was working with By Phil Lawson, United Methodist Review are Christians, so they rely on their faith in the young people in East Timor, teaching (USA), Cal-Nevada Perspectives. January God to sustain them. They trust that God them nonviolent means of speaking out. 14, 1994, Page 2. will not forsake them or let their country He was only 28 years old when he died. die. Indonesia’s slaughter of 200,000 East What is happening in Indonesia? Why is We, who are also Christians, know that Timorese has been in defiance of world the Indonesian government killing its own God works through God’s people, and I opinion. citizens? believe we can take heart in the knowledge The human rights abuses in Indonesia Eighteen years ago, on Dec. 7, Indonesian that religious communities across the coun- read like a house of horrors: military forces invaded the country of East try are beginning to mobilize to rescue East There are at least 300 political prisoners Timor. Over the years, the Indonesian mili- Timor from its long nightmare. serving lengthy sentences after unfair trials. tary have caused the death of one-third of We as United Methodists of the Califor- In the province of Aceh, an estimated East Timor’s inhabitants. nia-Nevada Annual Conference share the 2,000 civilians, women and children in- Only in 1992 did the U.S. Congress ef- concern. Our bishop Melvin Talbert pleaded cluded, have been unlawfully killed, some- fectively protest that invasion, as it cut off the case of the East Timorese in his pastoral times in public executions. military training (IMET) funding to Indone- message (“East Timor: For I Was A Hundreds, possibly thousands of villag- sia. The action of Congress made me feel Stranger,” [CN/UMR, Aug. 27, 1993].) ers have been arbitrarily arrested. that our national conscience is stirring. In a resolution passed by the California- Torture and ill-treatment of prisoners, Last month, however, I was distressed to Nevada Annual Conference last summer, we peaceful demonstrators and criminal sus- discover that this small victory was as frag- called for an end to all U.S. aid and arms pects continue to occur on a daily basis. ile as East Timor itself. On December 6, the sales to Indonesia until Indonesia respects And the death penalty is officially carried Washington, DC-based Project on Demilita- human rights and allows self-determination out on many Indonesian citizens. rization and Democracy (PDD) revealed in East Timor. More recently, a similar reso- But these are just statistics. Let us re- that Indonesian officers are still being lution on East Timor was passed by the member the names and faces of individuals: trained at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Northern California Ecumenical Council. Syafulah, a man from the Aceh province, Ft. Benning, Georgia, and at other sites, The resolutions passed by both bodies made was held for at least five months at the Po- despite the Congressional ban. The Indone- reference to – and took inspiration from – lice Mobile Brigade headquarters in Medan. sian government is now simply allowed to this forthright action by the U.S. Congress. Witnesses have said he was stripped naked purchase the training that it had received for The resolutions that we passed have been and kicked and beaten. He was then “disap- free in previous years. This is truly outra- ignored. The good intentions of our Senators peared.” geous. and Congresspeople have been betrayed, Another man from the city of Pontianak In a June 30, 1993 letter to Secretary of And tiny East Timor, helpless as always in was arrested in March 1992. He died in State Warren Christopher, Senate Foreign the swirl of world politics, has been be- police custody three days later. The police Relations Committee Chairman Claiborne trayed yet again. said he had died of natural causes but an Pell and Senate Foreign Operations Sub- It is time for us to turn our outrage into eyewitness said that three police officers committee Chairman Patrick Leahy had letters, phone calls, and personal visits to had beaten him. Relatives pointed to cuts warned the State Department that any pro- the offices of our elected representatives. and bruises on his corpse. posal to allow Indonesia to purchase U.S. We must insist that our country not aid and military training “would be directly contrary abet the occupiers of East Timor. Let us be to the intent of Congress.” Nonetheless, the conscience of America that knocks and both the Pentagon and the Indonesian Em- knocks, and will not go away. Let our devo- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 111

tion to Timor grow ever more strong and separatist groups in Aceh, Irian Jaya, and RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS enduring. East Timor. The police also continued to SECTION 1. RESPECT FOR THE Our U.S. Senators can be contacted by use excessive force in apprehending sus- phone at 202/224-3121. Members of the pected criminals. INTEGRITY OF THE PERSON, House can be reached at 202/225-3121. In contrast to its restrictive political sys- INCLUDING FREEDOM FROM: U.S. Senators may be written c/o U.S. tem, Indonesia has an increasingly deregu- a. Political and Other Extrajudicial Kill- Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510. (Members lated and dynamic economy which has pro- ing of Congress may be written c/o U.S. House duced significant material gains for a wide Political or extrajudicial killings occur of Representatives, Washington, D.C. segment of Indonesian society. Indonesia most often in areas where separatist move- 20510.) nevertheless remains a poor country. Agri- ments are active and when law enforcement The White House Comment Line is culture and extractive industries, especially is involved. Punishments for security force 202/456-1111. The White House Switch- oil and gas, remained important sectors of members who commit extrajudicial killings board is 202/456-1414. (President Bill the economy. But a broad and expanding seldom correspond to the crimes committed. Clinton and First Lady Hilary Clinton may manufacturing sector accounted for a grow- All police and military personnel tried for be written c/o The White House, 1600 ing percentage of exports. Gross domestic killing or mistreating prisoners, or for any Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. product growth for 1993 was expected to be other criminal activity, are tried by military 20500.) 6.5 percent, and inflation appeared under courts; the sentences, when imposed, are For more information about UMC out- control. Corruption and influence peddling rarely heavy. reach on East Timor, please contact East are endemic and continued to distort the Security forces often employ harsh Timor Religious Outreach, c/o First St. economy. measures against separatist movements John’s UMC, 1600 Clay Street, San Fran- Although progress was made in a number (especially in East Timor, Irian Jaya and cisco, CA 94109, 415/474-6219. of human rights areas, serious abuses con- Aceh), including extrajudicial killings of Phil Lawson is pastor of the Easter Hill tinued. In East Timor, where largely cos- civilians. In 1993, however, while occasional United Methodist Church in Richmond, Cali- metic changes in the force structure resulted clashes were reported between separatist fornia. He serves as Chair of the California- in minimal reductions in troop presence, no groups and security forces in these areas, Nevada Conference Board of Church and significant progress was noted in the search confirmed killings of civilians by govern- Society and president of the Northern Cali- for the about 60 persons still missing from ment or vigilante forces continued to be far fornia Ecumenical Council. the November 12, 1991, shooting incident in lower than in the recent past. The Interna- Dili. Extrajudicial arrests and detention, tional Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT torture of those in custody, and excessively judged the situation in Irian Jaya improved violent techniques for dealing with sus- 1993 HUMAN RIGHTS to the point where it no longer needed an pected criminals or perceived troublemakers office in Jayapura and could cover that REPORT ON INDONESIA continued in many areas of Indonesia. Legal province adequately from Jakarta. The safeguards against arbitrary arrest and deten- February 1, 1994 ICRC is, however, seeking to open an office tion are frequently ignored. The armed in Aceh because it judges the situation there Despite a surface adherence to democ- forces continued to be responsible for the serious enough to warrant a constant pres- ratic forms, the Indonesian political system most serious human rights abuses. The cur- ence in the province. While accepting re- remains strongly authoritarian. President rent military leadership in several specific sponsibility for the military shooting of Suharto, now in his sixth 5-year term, domi- instances showed a greater willingness to civilians in Dili, East Timor, on November nates the Government. The President, a admit misconduct publicly and take action 12, 1991, the Government made little pro- small group of advisors, and the military against offenders, although such steps con- gress in accounting for those missing in the dominate the political, economic, and social tinued to be relatively rare. The judiciary incident (see Section 1.b.). The Government life of this heavily populated and disparate remained largely shackled by the executive has not officially acknowledged or ac- nation. The Government requires allegiance branch and military, although progress was counted for thousands of civilians killed to a state ideology, known as “Pancasila,” made in the area of judicial review. Wide- during military operations against separatist which includes belief in a supreme God, a spread corruption in the legal system con- guerrillas in Aceh during 1989-91. just and civilized humanity, national unity, tinued to be a serious problem. The armed forces made several public democracy, and social justice. The year 1993 saw a bolder and more as- pledges in 1993 to reduce by stages the The military justifies its role in political sertive press, which suffered less official number of troops in East Timor, a move and social issues, including an automatic censorship and which was less willing to expected to reduce tensions and the inci- unelected presence in national and local submit itself to self-censorship; a liberalized dence of human rights abuses. The first parliaments, through a “dual function” con- public dialog on human rights; the selection pullout of two battalions was to take place cept giving it special civic rights and respon- late in the year of members for a National in October, although by early December the sibilities in addition to its defense and secu- Human Rights Commission, although its status of this pullout was not clear. In April rity roles. The armed forces, including autonomy remains in question; and a sharp the Special Operational Military Command 165,000 police, total about 445,000 and reduction in the number of Indonesians for- for East Timor was disbanded and replaced regard their primary role as maintaining bidden from traveling abroad. Fewer Indone- with a command structure similar to that in internal security. They act quickly to sup- sians were tried under the harsh and arbi- the other 26 provinces. The composition of press what they regard as threats to secu- trary antisubversion law, and several long- troops was reportedly changed to empha- rity, whether separatist movements, crimi- term convicted subversives were released. size civic action over combat missions, al- nal acts, or alleged subversive activity. The The Government maintained its open and though civic action troops also carry weap- validity of this “security approach,” which humane policies toward Indochinese refu- ons and conduct patrols. Despite these often leads to human rights abuses, was gees. changes, most sources in East Timor contin- again the subject of open debate in 1993. Security forces continued operations against Page 112 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. ued to report an oppressive military pres- several meetings with local officials a few 66 names of people they believed were still ence throughout the province. days before. Security forces initially re- missing from the incident. Since then, vari- In law enforcement, excessive force is ported the crowd, which numbered some ous officials have claimed that a handful of sometimes employed in apprehending sus- 500, had acted in a threatening manner and these people have been located alive, having pects or coping with alleged criminals. In continued to advance on them, despite sev- hidden from authorities since the incident. In Jakarta, for example, police continued to eral warning shots fired by the troops. Hu- a related case, authorities claimed that two employ deadly force against suspects who man rights groups decried the use of what of four Timorese who sought asylum in the reportedly were fleeing or resisting arrest, they called excessive force and conducted Swedish Embassy in Jakarta in June were killing 13 in January 1993 alone. Human their own investigation, which found no among the missing from the Dili incident, rights monitors estimated between 60 and evidence of warning shots and placed the although the names of the two Timorese 70 people had been shot by police in the demonstrators at a considerably greater were not on the military’s list. Government capital by the end of the year, although distance from security forces. Armed Forces spokesmen broadly implied that their failure exact statistics were not available. In the Commander Feisal Tanjung in mid-October to locate those missing was primarily due to province of North Sumatra, a policy of publicly acknowledged a breakdown in mili- the success of those persons in evading shooting criminal subjects in the legs, some- tary discipline had occurred. He relieved the detection. Many knowledgeable observers, times repeatedly, continued. Press accounts commanders of the police and army units however, continued to believe that most of indicate that through early December police involved, and remanded the two dozen mili- the missing are dead and that the military in North Sumatra had shot 74 suspects, 8 tary and police personnel involved to knows where their bodies are. fatally, who were allegedly resisting arrest. Armed Forces headquarters for possible c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Human rights groups protested that the further disciplinary action. No criminal pro- Degrading Treatment or Punishment methods used are unjustifiably harsh and ceedings had been initiated against them by Torture is against the law in Indonesia. In violate due process. Police have generally year’s end. practice, while the situation has improved in asserted that those killed were dangerous A 24-year-old labor activist, Marsinah, recent years, torture and other forms of criminals, and have denied a repetition of the was murdered in May in East Java shortly mistreatment remain widespread, and legal officially sponsored “mysterious killings” of after leading a labor action at the factory protections are both inadequate and widely the mid-1980’s directed against criminal where she worked. Nine civilian employees ignored. The Criminal Procedures Code elements. In a few instances, official action of the company were arrested in October in (KUHAP) provides that statements from was initiated against police for using exces- connection with her murder, and trials were witnesses or suspects must be elicited with- sive force. Press accounts indicate that five begun in November. At least one Army out pressure of any kind, and establishes policemen were detained in June in North officer was also arrested and a second re- pretrial procedures to give suspects or their Sumatra in connection with the death of lieved of his post, although the status of families the right to challenge the legality of Syamsul Bahri, who was shot earlier that their cases was unclear in early December. an arrest or detention. The Indonesian month while allegedly resisting arrest. Testimony and press stories alleged collu- Criminal Code (KUHP) makes it a crime A military court in Medan began hearing sion existed between company officials and punishable by up to 4 years in prison for testimony in August against a policeman security forces in Marsinah’s abduction and any official to use violence or force to elicit who went to a house where a dispute was murder. Security forces often intrude in a confession. under way and shot a suspect in the head labor matters and intimidate labor activists Nonetheless, torture continues, with the when he tried to surrender. The policeman (see Section 6). highest incidence occurring in cases which was charged with murder. Authorities de- b. Disappearance are judged to affect national security such as clined to reveal the disposition of this case. In general, politically motivated abduc- those involving areas of separatist activity. Four members of a religious sect were tions are not common in Indonesia. Security According to the Lawyers Committee for shot dead and a dozen others wounded by forces in areas with active guerrilla insurgen- Human Rights, methods of torture include police in late July in West Java. The police cies often hold suspects for long periods electrocution; slashing with razor blades and began shooting after members of the sect without formal charges, but these cases knives (including inside of the mouth); beat- attacked two policemen with farm imple- usually end with official acknowledgment of ing on the head, shins, and torso with fists, ments, killing one and wounding the other. detention (see Section 1.d.). The Govern- batons, iron bars, bottles, rocks, and lengths The policemen were attacked after they ment vigorously prosecuted a case against of electric cable; sexual molestation and approached the sect’s compound seeking to an official of the Democratic Party of Indo- rape; kicking with heavy military boots; arrest two members for a previous assault. nesia, (PDI), the smallest of the three al- burning with lighted cigarettes; threats and The sect and its leader, who was killed in lowed political groupings, who was accused deliberate wounding with firearms; immer- the attack, had rejected contacts with the of kidnapping members of a rival party sion for long periods in fetid water; isolation outside world. Various religious leaders faction in 1991. The trial, however, was and sleep deprivation. Use of torture is condemned the attack as excessively violent widely regarded as an effort to undermine particularly frequent in Aceh. Reliable re- and urged security forces to exercise greater the PDI leadership, and the accused party ports suggest that a majority of Acehnese restraint. Several of the sect’s survivors official was subsequently acquitted. A labor still held in 1993 in connection with the were tried and convicted on assault charges activist was abducted and killed in East Java Aceh Merdeka (Free Aceh) movement had and received sentences of between 3 and 12 after leading a strike at the watch factory undergone some form of torture at some months. where she worked (see Section 1.a.). time during their incarceration. An Acehnese Four persons, including a 55-year-old Government efforts to account for the parliamentarian convicted of subversion in woman and a teenage boy, died in Septem- missing and dead from the November 12, July, Haji Usman Mohammed Ali, claimed ber when security forces opened fire on a 1991, military shooting of civilians in Dili, during his trial he was beaten during his demonstration in Madura, East Java. The East Timor, remained inadequate. In April interrogation and forced to sign statements demonstrators were villagers protesting the military officials in East Timor turned over incriminating himself. Several of the wit- construction of a dam, who had raised their to a representative of Asia Watch a list of nesses called to testify in the trial of East concerns over the project without success at East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 113

Timor separatist leader Jose “Xanana” In areas where there are active guerrilla and were therefore “free,” they were re- Gusmao were also reliably reported to have movements such as East Timor and Aceh, quired to spend each night at the home of been mistreated while in custody. people are routinely detained without war- military officers. Police often resort to physical abuses rants, charges, or court proceedings. Bail is e. Denial of Fair Public Trial even in minor incidents, and prison condi- rarely granted, especially in political cases. The judiciary is subordinate to the execu- tions are harsh, with violence among prison- The authorities frequently interfere with tive and the military, and procedural protec- ers and mistreatment of inmates by guards access to defense counsel. Extensions of tions, including those against coerced con- reportedly common. However, the incidence periods of detention are routinely approved. fessions, are inadequate to ensure a fair trial of mistreatment by prison officials drops Pretrial proceedings are rarely initiated. In in many cases. A quadripartite judiciary of sharply once a prisoner has been transferred addition, suspects charged under the 1963 general, religious, military, and administra- from police or military custody into the Antisubversion Law are subject to special tive courts exists below the Supreme Court. civilian prison system, and prison condi- procedures outside the Criminal Procedures The right of appeal from district court to tions generally have improved in recent Code which allow, for example, the Attor- high court to Supreme Court exists in all years. Officials have publicly condemned ney General on his own authority to hold a four systems of justice. The Supreme Court, police brutality and harsh prison conditions suspect up to a year before trial. This 1- with a current backlog variously estimated and occasionally instigate disciplinary ac- year period is renewable without limit. Sp e- at 13,000 to 17,000 cases, does not consider tion, including transfer, dismissal, and trials cial laws on corruption, economic crimes, factual aspects of a case, only the lower leading to prison, but such actions are an and narcotics are similarly exempt from the courts’ application of law. Initial judgments exception to the rule of general impunity. code’s protections. The Agency for Coordi- are rarely reversed in the appeals process, Political prisoners are usually mixed with nation of Assistance for the Consolidation although sentences are sometimes increased the general prison population, although in of National Security (BAKORSTANAS) or reduced. A three-judge panel conducts the Cipinang prison in Jakarta high-profile operates outside the code and has wide dis- trials at the district court level, poses ques- political prisoners are held together in a cretion to detain and interrogate persons tions, hears evidence, decides guilt or inno- segregated area. In 1993 the ICRC and sev- thought to threaten national security. cence, and assesses punishment. eral foreign parliamentary delegations were National estimates on the number of arbi- Defendants have the right to confront allowed to visit prisoners in Cipinang in trary arrests or detentions without trial are witnesses. An exception is allowed in cases Jakarta and described the facility as Spartan not available. In Aceh 73 people accused of where distance or expense is deemed exces- but adequate. The ICRC was also granted being members of Aceh Merdeka were re- sive for transporting witnesses to court, in access to other prisons in Java, Sumatra, leased without charges or trials in 1993 after which case sworn affidavits may be intro- East Timor, Aceh, and other provinces, periods of detention that sometimes ex- duced. In cases tried under the 1963 Anti- although it suspended prison visits in Aceh ceeded 2 years. Added to those released in subversion Law, trials in absentia are per- and East Timor at various times when it felt 1991 and 1992, some 906 persons had been mitted, and an Acehnese accused of separa- authorities were violating agreed-upon terms held, often incommunicado and without tist activities, Dharma Bakti, was con- for the visits. These disagreements were all knowing the charges against them, in con- demned to death in absentia April 6. eventually settled, and the visits resumed. nection with the 1989-91 Aceh insurgency. The use in trials of forced confessions Many of those released were required to d. Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile and limitations on the presentation of de- report back to the authorities at regular in- The Criminal Procedures Code contains fense evidence is common. The defense in tervals. Some 100 Acehnese were believed protections against arbitrary arrest and de- the subversion trial of Haji Usman Mo- to be awaiting trial at year’s end. tention which are routinely violated in prac- hammed Ali, for example, claimed that wit- In East Timor military authorities con- tice. The code specifies the right of prison- nesses it tried to call were too afraid of ret- tinued the practice of detaining people ers to notify their families. Warrants must ribution by the authorities to testify on his without charges for short periods and then be produced during an arrest except under behalf. The defense attorneys in the case of requiring them to report daily or weekly to specified conditions, such as when a suspect two students tried in Semarang, Central police after their release. There were credible is caught in the act of committing a crime. Java, noted that while the prosecution called reports of scores of people being detained Warrants are issued by police investigators 15 witnesses, a defense motion to call 8 was without charges at various times during the to assist in their investigations or if suffi- rejected by the judges, who said they had year for enforced “civics training” in areas cient evidence exists that a crime has been the right to be selective in who could testify. outside the capital of Dili. This particularly committed. Despite these requirements, One defense witness was eventually al- occurred during the visits of high profile arrests are often made without warrants, lowed. Defendants do not have the right to guests, such as the April visit to East Timor such as in the Marsinah murder case in remain silent and in several cases in 1993 of the U.N. Secretary General’s Special which several suspects were held for 18 were compelled to testify in their own trials. Envoy, Amos Wako, and the August- days without warrants or notification of The Criminal Procedures Code gives de- September visits of two U.S. Congressional their families. fendants the right to an attorney from the staff delegations. Two former leaders of the Defendants are presumed innocent and moment of their arrest through the investiga- armed East Timor resistance, Jose “Mau- may be granted bail. They or their families tion and trial. In capital cases and those hudu” da Costa and Antonio Gomes “Mau- may also challenge the legality of their arrest involving a prison sentence of 15 years or hunu” da Costa, remained under tight mili- and detention in a pretrial hearing and are more, a lawyer must be appointed. In cases tary control in 1993 although charges had entitled to sue for compensation if wrong- involving potential sentences of 5 years or not been formally filed against either man. fully detained. The code also contains spe- more, a lawyer must be appointed if the Mauhudu was arrested in January 1992 and cific limits on periods of pretrial detention accused desires an attorney but is indigent. Mauhunu in April 1993. They were in East and specifies when the courts must get in- Destitute defendants can obtain private legal Timor in August-September 1993 making volved to approve extensions, usually after help, such as that provided by the Legal Aid speeches on the merits of integration with 60 days. Institute (LBH). In practice, however, de- Indonesia. Despite public announcements fendants are often persuaded not to hire an that they had been granted an “amnesty” Page 114 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. attorney, or access to an attorney of their ideology or broad outlines of state policy, or 1993, including members of the banned choice is impeded. East Timor separatist which could disseminate feelings of hostility Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI), Mus- leader Jose “Xanana” Gusmao, for example, or arouse hostility, disturbances, or anxiety lim extremists, and those convicted of sub- stated in his final defense statement that his among the population. It has been attacked version in Irian Jaya, Aceh, and East Timor efforts to engage an attorney from LBH as excessively vague and harsh, and inap- were about 300. Scores, and possibly hun- were thwarted by authorities, who “forced” propriate to Indonesia’s current level of dreds, more were believed to be serving him to hire an attorney known to the police. stability and development. While the law sentences under felony hate-sowing or sedi- In the trial of Haji Usman Mohammed Ali, continued to be defended by public officials tion laws. At least some of these persons the defendant did not meet his Legal Aid such as the Attorney General, the Govern- advocated or employed violence, but many Institute attorney until the day his trial ment showed greater discretion in its appli- are political prisoners who were convicted began. cation. For example, Fretilin leader Jose for attempting to exercise such universally The judiciary is not independent. The “Xanana” Gusmao was charged under fel- recognized human rights as freedom of Supreme Court does not have the right of ony statutes of the criminal code rather than speech or association or who were convicted judicial review over laws passed by Parlia- under the Antisubversion Law. Sentences in in manifestly unfair trials. Several persons ment. Although the Supreme Court has several of at least eight subversion trials held convicted of subversion were granted early since 1985 had the power to review ministe- in 1993–six of them in connection with releases in August and September, including rial decrees and regulations, the court has Aceh Merdeka–were far lighter than in the Islamic preacher A.M. Fatwa, who was not yet used this power. Chief Justice Pur- past. convicted and sentenced to 18 years in 1985 woto Gandasubrata in early 1993 laid out The most prominent political trial of for allegedly instigating the 1984 riot in procedures under which limited judicial 1993 was that of East Timor resistance Tanjung Priok. review cases could be brought to the court, a leader Jose “Xanana” Gusmao, who was f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, move that was hailed as a significant step charged under felony statutes with attacking Family, Home, or Correspondence toward greater judicial independence. While the Indonesian State, leading a rebellion, and Judicial warrants for searches are required judges receive guidance from the Supreme illegal possession of firearms for his role in except for cases involving suspected subver- Court on legal matters, they are civil ser- leading the armed East Timorese resistance. sion, economic crimes, and corruption. vants employed by the executive branch Authorities allowed access to his trial in Dili However, forced or surreptitious entry by which controls their assignments, pay, and by a wide range of observers, including dip- security agencies occurs regularly. Security promotion. They are subject to considerable lomatic missions, foreign and Indonesian agencies intimidate by conducting surveil- pressure from military and other govern- journalists, and foreign human rights organi- lance of persons and residences and selec- mental authorities. Such control often de- zations such as the International Commis- tively monitoring local and international termines the outcome of a case. The Chief sion of Jurists and Asia Watch. Although telephone calls without legal restraint. Gov- Judge of the State Administrative Court in Gusmao may not have freely chosen his ernment security officials monitor the Medan, for example, issued a restraining defense attorney (see above), he was repre- movements and activities of former mem- order in January 1993 against the military sented by an able group of lawyers who bers of the PKI and its front organizations, commander in Medan after the commander conducted a vigorous defense and had fre- especially persons the Government believes intervened in the leadership struggle of the quent access to their client. Nonetheless, the were involved in the abortive 1965 Commu- Batak Protestant Church (HKBP) (see Sec- trial’s conduct appeared to violate several nist-backed coup. The Government stated in tion 2.c.). The commander publicly criti- provisions of the Criminal Procedures Code late 1990 that this latter group then totaled cized the judge, whose home was vandalized and to many observers did not meet interna- 1,410,333 people. These persons and their shortly after he handed down his decision. tional standards for a fair trial. For example, relatives sometimes are subject to surveil- A few days later the judge was suddenly many of the witnesses who testified against lance, required check-ins, periodic indoctri- told he had been assigned to attend a 2-week him were themselves in custody, and their nation, and restrictions on travel outside legal workshop far from Medan. While he testimony was either hearsay or possibly their city of residence. Their legally required was gone, his deputy took over the case and coerced. Gusmao was prevented from read- identification cards carry the initials “e.t.” vacated the restraining order. ing aloud his own defense statement on the which stand for “ex-tapol,” or former politi- Corruption permeates the Indonesian le- grounds it was irrelevant to the charges cal prisoner, which readily identifies them to gal system. In civil and criminal cases, the against him, even though the Criminal Pro- prospective employers or government offi- payment of bribes can influence prosecu- cedures Code places no such limits on the cials. For the first time, various groups in tion, conviction, and sentencing. Public un- contents of a defendant’s final statement. 1993 made public pleas to end these official rest concerning the implementation of a new Access to the trial by outside observers was and unofficial restrictions on former political traffic law with stiffer fines was partly briefly restricted toward its end when Gus- prisoners. driven by fears that police, many of whom mao became less cooperative. Gusmao was are poorly paid, would be even more aggres- found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. SECTION 2. RESPECT FOR CIVIL sive in demanding bribes from motorists. He subsequently asked for and was granted LIBERTIES, INCLUDING: Various public officials have campaigned Presidential clemency, which reduced his a. Freedom of Speech and Press against corruption by police and judicial sentence to 20 years. On August 12, he was A significant increase in the amount and officials, but public respect for the legal transferred at his request from Dili, East system remained low. Timor. At year’s end he was in Cipinang quality of public debate on sensitive issues The 1963 Antisubversion Law, which prison in Jakarta. occurred in 1993. Think tanks, newspapers, carries a maximum penalty of death, re- The Government does not make available and academic institutions mounted seminars mained a focus of legal concerns in 1993, statistics on the number of people currently on a wide range of previously taboo topics although the number of cases prosecuted serving subversion sentences or sentences such as human rights and democracy. The under the law dropped sharply. The law under the felony hate-sowing or sedition printed media in particular published factual makes it a crime to engage in acts that could laws. Informed estimates of the number of stories and editorials reflecting a wide range distort, undermine, or deviate from the state people serving sentences for subversion in of opinions, many of them critical of the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 115

Government. These improvements in the network, which in Jakarta and Surabaya prior approval for smaller gatherings as well. print media, including the nation’s 273 daily includes a second channel. Private and edu- While obtaining such approval is fairly newspapers which are largely privately cational television companies broadcasting automatic, the authorities occasionally owned, came despite continued government in Jakarta and Surabaya continued to expand withhold permission. The Government did controls over publishing permits, the to other areas. Some 586 private radio not permit the Indonesian Workers Welfare amount of advertising permitted, and the broadcasting companies exist in Indonesia in Union (SBSI) to hold its July 29 annual number of pages allowed in newspapers. addition to the Government’s national radio congress (see Section 6.a.). On August 12, While the practice of telephoning editors to network. New regulations were promulgated Surabaya police refused a permit for the caution against publishing certain stories in 1993 that will allow private radio stations Surabaya Arts Council to open an art exhibit continued–the so-called telephone culture– greater latitude in producing their own news and poetry reading celebrating the life and its incidence was sharply lower. Self- programs. memory of a murdered labor activist (see censorship, however, continued to be a pub- Foreign television and radio broadcasts Section 1.a.). Student gatherings have often licly acknowledged brake on free expression. are readily accessible to those who can af- been the target of disapprovals, and political Military authorities continued in some cases ford the technology, and satellite dishes activity at universities, while no longer for- to issue orders to local journalists on what have sprouted all over the archipelago. No mally banned, remained tightly controlled. they could print. Journalists in East Timor, efforts are made to restrict access to this The 1985 Social Organizations Law for example, were instructed in March not programming. (ORMAS) requires all organizations, includ- to report details of an outburst in favor of The Government closely regulates access ing recognized religions and associations, to East Timorese independence by a witness in to Indonesia, particularly to certain areas of adhere to the Government’s official ideology the trial of resistance leader Jose “Xanana” the country, by visiting and resident foreign of Pancasila. This provision, which limits Gusmao. Also in March, Medan newspa- correspondents, and occasionally reminds political activity, is widely understood as pers were told they needed prior military the latter of its prerogative to deny requests being designed to inhibit activities of groups approval to report on developments in the for visa extensions. Foreign journalists, for which seek to make Indonesia an Islamic Batak Protestant Church leadership struggle example, were unable to get permission to state. The law empowers the Government (see Section 2.c.). visit East Timor prior to the February start to disband any organization it believes to be While public dialog was generally more of the trial of resistance leader Jose acting against Pancasila and requires prior open, the Government still imposed exces- “Xanana” Gusmao, and several requests government approval for any organization’s sive restrictions on free speech. For exam- were denied after the trial ended in May. acceptance of funds from foreign donors, ple, in contrast to a generally more permis- The importation of foreign publications and hindering the work of many local humanitar- sive attitude toward public demonstrations, video tapes, which must be reviewed by ian organizations. police reacted harshly in breaking up a government censors, requires a permit. Im- c. Freedom of Religion peaceful demonstration on December 14 at porters sometimes avoid foreign materials The Constitution provides for religious the Parliament, arresting 21 people and in- critical of the Government or dealing with freedom and belief in one supreme God. The juring more than a dozen in the process. The topics considered sensitive, such as human Government recognizes Islam, Christianity, 21 were charged with hate sowing and in- rights. Foreign publications are normally Buddhism, and Hinduism, and permits prac- sulting the President and were still in cus- available, although several issues were de- tice of the mystical, traditional beliefs of tody at year’s end. Two students arrested layed or embargoed in 1993 when they car- “Aliran Kepercayaan.” Although the popu- prior to the June 1992 parliamentary elec- ried sensitive stories, especially those deal- lation is overwhelmingly Muslim, the prac- tions for criticizing the election process and ing with the business activities of the Presi- tice and teachings of the other recognized advocating the casting of blank ballots or dent’s family. faiths are generally respected. Various re- staying away from the polls were brought to While academic freedom is provided for strictions on certain types of religious activ- trial in Semarang on charges of insulting and in law, constraints exist on the activities of ity exist. sowing hatred against the Government (see scholars. They sometimes refrain from pro- According to official statistics, nearly Section 1.e.). The distribution of a Septem- ducing materials that they believe might 400 “misleading religious cults” are banned, ber edition of the Far Eastern Economic provoke government displeasure. Publishers including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Baha’i. Review that carried a story about the trial are sometimes unwilling to accept manu- West Java authorities banned an Islamic sect was delayed nearly 2 weeks. The students scripts dealing with controversial issues, in late July after a violent confrontation were found guilty in November and sen- although a number of books on controversial with police that left five dead (see Section tenced to 4 months in prison. topics were published in 1993, such as hu- 1.a.). Because the first tenet of Pancasila is Human rights monitor Adnan Buyung man rights activist Adnan Buyung belief in a supreme being, atheism is forbid- Nasution was blocked by university au- Nasution’s revisionist look at Indonesia’s den. The legal requirement to adhere to Pan- thorities from addressing a seminar in early early experiment with representative democ- casila extends to all religious and secular December at the University of Indonesia, as racy. The Attorney General banned at least organizations. The Government strongly was the outspoken poet W.S. Rendra. A seven books in 1993, most dealing with opposes Muslim groups which advocate prominent Muslim intellectual, Arief Budi- religious topics. establishing an Islamic state or acknowledg- man, was barred from appearing in June at a b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and ing only Islamic law. conference on the disabled in Surakarta, Association In December 1992, the Northern Sumatra Central Java, and a well-known poet, Emha Freedom of assembly and association are regional military commander intervened in Ainun Najib, was banned by authorities recognized by the Constitution. Nonethe- an internal leadership dispute within the from performing in the same city in May, less, significant controls are placed on citi- Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP), ostensibly because they posed threats to zens who attempt to exercise this freedom. Indonesia’s largest Protestant church. Citing security. All organizations must have government the failure of church members to agree on a The electronic media remained far more permission to hold regional and national new bishop at a church conference the cautious than the printed media. The Gov- meetings. Local jurisdictions often require month before and the possibility that the ernment operates the nationwide television Page 116 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

church dispute could affect public order, the leave the country under ICRC auspices in SECTION 3. RESPECT FOR military commander named an interim late December. At the same time the au- POLITICAL RIGHTS: THE RIGHT OF bishop to replace the incumbent, whose 5- thorities banned foreign travel by some 300 CITIZENS TO CHANGE THEIR year term was due to end in February 1993. Indonesians who had defaulted on loans to GOVERNMENT Although the Government stated the mili- state banks. A 1992 law designed to regular- tary became involved only after a request ize travel restrictions appeared responsible Citizens do not have the ability to change from the church’s Central Leadership Coun- for the overall reduction in the number of their government through democratic means. cil, past criticism of the Government by the blacklisted persons, although not all its pro- Under the Constitution, the highest author- former bishop may have been a factor. The visions were implemented, especially the ity of the state is the 1,000-member Peo- military intervention sparked demonstra- requirement to notify banned travelers in ple’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). It tions in several cities, and some 150 church writing and review existing cases every 6 meets quinquennially to elect the President members were detained in January. On sev- months. and Vice President and set the broad out- eral occasions security forces assisted sup- Restrictions exist on movement by Indo- lines of state policy. Half of its members porters of the new leadership to take control nesian and foreign citizens to and within come from the national Parliament, 80 per- of church buildings by force. Tensions parts of Indonesia. Permits to seek work in cent of whose members are elected. The reached a peak in May when some 70 peo- a new location are required in certain areas, other half are appointed, giving the Gov- ple were detained in Tebing Tinggi, North primarily to control further population ernment control of the MPR and selection Sumatra, following outbreaks of violence movement to crowded cities. Special per- of the President. In March the MPR elected between church members. Most were re- mits are required to visit certain parts of Suharto to his sixth uncontested 5-year term leased, but trials were expected for the Irian Jaya. Security checks affecting trans- as President. While in theory, the President dozen or so still in custody. portation and travel to and within East is subordinate to the Assembly, in fact, he There is no legal bar to conversion be- Timor occurred sporadically in 1993, and and a small group of active duty and retired tween faiths, and conversions occur. How- curfews in connection with military opera- military officers and civilian officials exer- ever, proselytizing by the recognized relig- tions were occasionally imposed. Former cise governmental authority. ions or in areas heavily dominated by one political detainees, including those associ- The military, under a “dual function” recognized religion or another is considered ated with the abortive 1965 coup, must doctrine, is assigned a role in both security potentially disruptive and is discouraged. notify authorities of their movements and and sociopolitical affairs. Members of the Foreign missionary activities are relatively may not change their place of residence military are allotted 20 percent of the seats unimpeded, although in East Timor and without official permission (see Section in national, provincial, and district parlia- occasionally elsewhere missionaries have 1.f.). ments, and occupy numerous key positions experienced difficulties in renewing resi- Indonesia continued its generous attitude in the administration. The other 80 percent dence permits on unspecified “security toward Indochinese asylum seekers in 1993 of national and local parliamentary seats are grounds.” Laws and decrees from the 1970’s and continued to carry out its responsibili- filled through elections held every 5 years. limit the number of years foreign missionar- ties under the Comprehensive Plan of Ac- All adult citizens are eligible to vote, except ies can spend in Indonesia, with some exten- tion. It has granted first asylum to over active duty members of the armed forces, sions granted in remote areas like Irian Jaya. 145,000 Indochinese asylum seekers since convicted criminals serving prison sen- Foreign missionary work is subject to the 1975 and continued to operate a refugee tences, and some 36,000 former PKI mem- funding stipulations of the ORMAS Law facility on Galang Island. Screening of all bers. Voters choose by secret ballot between (see Section 2.b.). asylum seekers was completed in Septem- the three government-approved political Indonesians practicing the recognized re- ber, and plans were being made to repatriate organizations, which field candidate lists in ligions maintain active links with coreligion- some 8,000 asylum seekers and resettle each electoral district. Those lists must be ists inside and outside Indonesia and travel some 2,000 refugees. The Government screened by the Agency for Coordination of abroad for religious gatherings. The Gov- stressed that these movements must be Assistance for the Consolidation of National ernment organizes the annual hajj pilgrimage, handled humanely and in cooperation with Security (BAKORSTANAS) (see Section and more than 100,000 Indonesians made it international organizations such as the U.N. 1.d.), which determines whether candidates in 1993. High Commissioner for Refugees were involved in the abortive 1965 Commu- nist coup or pose other broadly defined d. Freedom of Movement Within the (UNHCR). Indonesia also continued its cooperation with the UNHCR and the security risks. Critics charge these screen- Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, ings are unconstitutional, since there is no and Repatriation ICRC regarding the return of residents of Irian Jaya who had fled to Papua New way to appeal the results, and note that Through the early part of 1993 the Gov- Guinea during separatist violence in the they can be used to eliminate critics of the ernment drastically reduced the number of eastern portion of the province. Acehnese Government from Parliament. people barred either from entering or depart- who fled to Malaysia during the height of Strict rules establish the length of the po- ing Indonesia. From a publicly announced separatist violence in 1990-91 continued to litical campaign, access to electronic media, figure of 8,897 “blacklisted” people in Janu- return to Aceh. Others continued to seek schedules for public appearances, and the ary, the total fell to a few hundred by Au- asylum in Malaysia, including a group who political symbols that can be used. gust. Several prominent human rights fig- entered the UNHCR compound in Kuala GOLKAR, a government-sponsored organi- ures, including Haji J.C. Princen, Adnan Lumpur in 1992 claiming their lives would zation of diverse functional groups, won 68 Buyung Nasution, and General Abdul Haris be threatened if they returned to Indonesia. percent of the seats in the 1992 elections. Nasution were permitted to travel abroad, Two small political parties, the United De- and military spokesmen said no one was velopment Party and the Democratic Party banned any longer from foreign travel for of Indonesia (PDI), split the remaining vote. political reasons. Seven East Timorese who By law all three political organizations must had unsuccessfully sought asylum at two embrace Pancasila, and none is considered an Western embassies in June were allowed to opposition party. The leaders of all these East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 117 organizations are approved, if not chosen, first time in 15 years that AI was officially number of Indonesian women do not experi- by the Government, and their activities are allowed to enter Indonesia. A representative ence such social and economic freedoms. closely scrutinized and often guided by of Asia Watch was allowed to visit Jakarta Although women constitute one-quarter government authorities. The Government and East Timor during the trial of Jose of the civil service, they occupy only a disrupted the July national congress of the “Xanana” Gusmao and was given wide ac- small fraction of the service’s top posts. PDI in Medan and refused to ratify its re- cess to government and nongovernmental They make up about 40 percent of the over- election of Soerjadi as general chairman, organization (NGO) officials. Three differ- all work force, with the majority in the rural helping instead to form an alternate “care- ent representatives of the International sector. Despite legal guarantees of equal taker” council to elect a general chairman. In Commission of Jurists were also allowed to treatment, women seldom receive equal pay December the Government finally suc- attend Gusmao’s trial. The ICRC continued for equal work and disproportionately ex- cumbed to popular pressure within the PDI to operate in East Timor, Irian Jaya, and perience illiteracy, poor health, and inade- and allowed Megawati Sukarnoputri, the Aceh, and to visit prisoners convicted of quate nutrition. There is a common belief daughter of Indonesia’s first president, to participation in the abortive, Communist- that women will work for a lower wage, will become the PDI’s top officer. backed coup in 1965 as well as convicted do work a man would not do, and will not GOLKAR maintains close institutional Muslim extremists. Although the ICRC complain. Women are often not given the links with the armed forces and KORPRI, experienced problems in conducting prison extra salary that is their due when they are the nonunion association to which all civil visits in May in Aceh and in May and June the head of household. Women workers also servants automatically belong. Civil servants in East Timor, the problems were resolved have complained of being sexually victim- may join any of the political parties with for the time being. ized by foremen and factory owners. Al- official permission, but most are members of A special envoy of the U.N. Secretary though several voluntary, private groups GOLKAR. Former members of the PKI and General, Amos Wako, was allowed to visit work actively to advance women’s legal, some other banned parties may not run for Jakarta and East Timor in April, and other economic, social, and political rights and office or be active politically. The 500 U.N. officials attended sessions of Gus- claim some success in gaining official cogni- members of the national Parliament (DPR) mao’s trial. Indonesia was a vigorous par- zance of women’s concerns, traditional atti- consider bills presented to them by govern- ticipant in the June World Conference on tudes which limit women’s aspirations, ment departments and agencies but do not Human Rights in Vienna and joined the con- activities, and status undercut state policy draft laws on their own, although they have sensus on the concept of the universality of in some areas. the constitutional right to do so. The DPR human rights. Just prior to the conference, The Indonesian National Police reported makes technical and occasionally substan- the Government announced the formation of 1,341 rape cases for 1991 and 1,356 cases tive alterations to bills it reviews. It remains a National Human Rights Commission for 1992. However, women’s rights activists clearly subordinate to the executive branch. headed by former Supreme Court Chief believe rape is grossly underreported in SECTION 4. GOVERNMENTAL Justice Ali Said. The names of the other Indonesia, shame being one of the primary ATTITUDE REGARDING commission members were announced in reasons. Some legal experts state that if a December. Although skepticism existed women does not go immediately to the hos- INTERNATIONAL AND about the commission’s independence from pital for a physical exam which produces NONGOVERNMENTAL the Government, and virtually all the private semen or other physical evidence of rape, INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED human rights monitors who had been asked she will not be able to bring charges. Anec- VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS to join refused, many of those appointed dotal evidence also suggests some women The Government generally ignores calls were viewed by human rights activists as fail to report rape to police out of fear of by domestic human rights groups and activ- credible spokesmen for human rights and being molested again by the police them- ists for investigations of alleged human democracy. selves. rights incidents, although the armed forces SECTION 5. DISCRIMINATION A common belief, even among women of did conduct its own review of the Septem- BASED ON RACE, SEX, RELIGION, the upper classes, is that women who walk alone at night will be perceived as “fair ber Madura incident which resulted in disci- DISABILITY, LANGUAGE, OR SOCIAL plinary action against four officers. While game.” Many women go to great lengths to various domestic organizations and persons STATUS avoid being in public alone in the evenings. interested in human rights operate energeti- Women The danger inherent in returning home alone cally, some human rights monitors face gov- Although President Suharto and other of- in the evenings is acknowledged by govern- ernment harassment such as frequent visits ficials periodically affirm that women are ment regulations requiring employers to by police or agents from military intelli- equal to and have the same rights, obliga- provide transportation for women workers gence, interrogations at police stations, or tions, and opportunities as men under Indo- who are required, through either overtime cancellations of private meetings (see Sec- nesian law, this is only partly true. Women work or shift work, to return home at night. tion 2.b.). The Government considers out- often find it more difficult to exercise their However, this regulation is often honored side investigations of alleged human rights legal rights. For example, in divorce cases only in the breach, as are provisions granting violations to be interference in its internal women often bear a heavier evidentiary women maternity and menstrual leave. affairs and emphasizes its belief that linking burden than men, especially in the Islamic- The Government has acknowledged the foreign assistance to human rights obser- based family court system. Although some problem of domestic violence in Indonesian vance is unacceptable. Indonesian women enjoy a high degree of society, which some say has been aggra- Nonetheless, the Government in 1993 economic and social freedom and occupy vated by recent social changes brought about showed itself far more receptive to interna- important mid-level positions in the civil by rapid urbanization. However, longstand- tional human rights groups and concerns. It service, educational institutions, labor or- ing traditional beliefs that the husband may hosted, along with the United Nations, an ganizations, the military, the professions, “teach” or “control” the wife through sev- Asia-Pacific workshop on human rights in and private business, the overwhelming eral means, including violence, also contrib- January, and allowed a representative of ute to the problem. The Government pro- Amnesty International (AI) to attend, the vides some counseling, and several private Page 118 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. organizations exist to assist women. Many indigenous groups clash with development sion. A 1992 traffic law implemented in of these organizations focus mainly on re- schemes, the developers almost always win. 1993 notes specifically the right of the uniting the family rather than on providing Concerns have also been raised about the handicapped to special transportation ser- protection to the women involved. There are Government’s transmigration programs, vices such as specifically designed tools and no battered women’s shelters in Indonesia. which frequently disrupt the social and facilities, special regulations for obtaining Many women rely on extended family sys- economic life in the recipient communities drivers’ licenses, and appropriate vehicles. tems for shelter during cooling-off periods. when transmigrants are relocated from SECTION 6. WORKER RIGHTS In general, the problem of violence against populous Java to less populated outer is- women remains poorly documented. lands. a. The Right of Association Female genital mutilation, which is National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities Private sector workers, including those in widely condemned by health experts as both export processing zones, are free to form Indonesians exhibit considerable racial physically and psychologically dangerous to worker organizations without prior authori- and ethnic tolerance, with the important women’s health, is widely practiced in In- zation. However, only a union can bargain exception of official and informal discrimina- donesia. In Java it usually occurs within the on behalf of employees or represent work- tion against ethnic Chinese, who comprise first year after birth and is performed either ers in the Department of Manpower’s labor about 3 percent of the population. Since at a hospital or by a local shaman or dukun, courts. Private sector firms without unions 1959 noncitizen ethnic Chinese have been especially in rural areas. Usually a small are required to issue company regulations denied the right to run businesses in rural section of the tip of the clitoris is cut. Total covering terms of employment. Workers are Indonesia. Regulations prohibit the opera- removal of the clitoris is not the objective of supposed to be consulted prior to the issu- tion of all Chinese schools for ethnic Chi- the practice, although it does occur if in- ance of these regulations. Department of nese, formation of exclusively Chinese cul- eptly performed. Manpower approval is also required for tural groups or trade associations, and pub- Children company regulations (see Section 6.b.). lic display of Chinese characters. Chinese- In order to be recognized as a union, a Indonesia is a signatory of the Conven- language publications, with the exception of workers’ organization must register as a tion on the Rights of the Child and was on one officially sanctioned daily newspaper, social organization with the Department of the organizing committee of the World may neither be imported nor produced do- Home Affairs under the ORMAS Law (see Summit for Children. The United Nations mestically. Private instruction in Chinese is Section 2.b.) and meet the requirements for Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and NGO’s discouraged but takes place to a limited recognition by the Department of Man- active in child welfare are also active in In- extent. State universities have no formal power, namely: union offices in at least 5 of donesia, and UNICEF in particular has quotas that limit the number of ethnic Chi- the country’s 27 provinces, branch offices praised government efforts to improve the nese. No laws prohibit speaking Chinese, in at least 25 districts, and 100 plant-level lives of children through poverty alleviation but the Government lays heavy stress on units. If, because the industry or type of and improvements in primary education, the learning and use of the national language, work is localized, with the result that a un- maternity services, and family planning. Bahasa Indonesia. Ethnic Chinese were for- ion is confined to only a few locations, e.g. Law No. 4 of 1979 on children’s welfare bidden in 1993 to celebrate the Chinese new mining, the union needs 10,000 members for guarantees certain rights to children and year in temples or public places. Despite registration purposes. These requirements defines the responsibility of the State and these limitations, many people of Chinese were introduced by Ministerial Regulation parents to nurture and protect them. Im- ancestry have been successful in business per-03/men/1993, signed by the Minister of plementing regulations have never been de- and the professions, and the enforcement of Manpower in February 1993. veloped, however, and the law’s provisions restrictions is often haphazard. Some ethnic While the current recognition require- have yet to go into effect. Chinese have enjoyed particular government ments are lower than those specified previ- Although child sexual and other physical favor. Social and religious groups exist ously, they still constitute a significant bar- abuse is known to occur in Indonesia, espe- which are, in effect, all Chinese and not rier to recognition and the right to engage in cially cases of incest between stepfathers proscribed. Chinese is spoken in businesses collective bargaining. In addition, Ministerial and stepdaughters, some experts in child and by the public at entertainment events. Regulation per-03/men/1993 requires that a care believe its incidence in Indonesia is People with Disabilities union be set up “by and for workers” (Arti- relatively low. Laws exist which protect The disabled in Indonesia do not receive cle 1.a.). The Ministry of Manpower inter- children from indecent activities, prostitu- special programs or attention, and no na- prets this clause to deny recognition to tion, and incest, although the Government tional law specifically addresses their status. groups in which what it considers non- has made no special enforcement efforts in Virtually no public buildings or public workers, such as lawyers or human rights these areas. means of transport are designed specifically activists, are involved as organizers. Indigenous People for access by the handicapped, and the In September 1993, the Serikat Pekerja The Government recognizes several in- handicapped face considerable discrimina- Seluruh Indonesia (SPSI, All Indonesian digenous population groups in Indonesia, tion in employment and education. The Workers Union), the only recognized union, based largely on criteria relating to isolation. press, for example, reported in 1993 the began a transformation from a unitary (cen- The Government recognizes these groups’ case of a university student confined to a tralized) to a federative (decentralized) rights to participate fully in Indonesian wheelchair who was told in the fourth year structure. As of October 1993, 12 of its 13 political and social life; considerable efforts, of a 5-year biology degree that she would industrial sectors were registered as inde- for example, were made to insure that iso- not be permitted to complete her course of pendent unions. This change was made pos- lated groups participated in the 1992 elec- study because university rules forbade the sible by regulations, kep-438/men/1992, tions. It is widely believed, however, that admission of handicapped students in her signed by the Minister of Manpower in the Government’s approach is basically department. Public outcry and debate of the October 1992, and per-03/men/1993 of Feb- paternalistic and designed more to bring issue was significant; she was permitted to ruary 1993. The former removed the re- these groups into the Indonesian family than obtain her degree, and issues of the handi- quirement that a (plant-level) union be a to protect traditional ways of life. Where capped received considerable public discus- component of the SPSI while the latter low- East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 119 ered the requirements for (nationwide) union of Manpower has refused to recommend the quired to join KORPRI, but a small number recognition. However, to become final, the registration of the SBSI as a social organiza- of state enterprises have SPSI units. SPSI’s constitution must be altered. This tion under the ORMAS Law on the grounds Unions may draw up their own constitu- can only be done at a SPSI congress; the that its founders were not workers but hu- tions and rules and elect their representa- next one is scheduled for 1995, or a special man rights activists and lawyers. According tives. However, the Government has a great congress could be convened before then. to the SBSI, only two members of its execu- deal of influence over the SPSI and its feder- As of September, the SPSI had 11,184 tive board are lawyers, and the rest are ated unions. The head of the SPSI is a senior units out of roughly 26,000 organizable workers. Government officials have said member of GOLKAR, and he and two other work sites. It claims a membership of about that if the SBSI reconstitutes itself as an senior SPSI officials are members of Parlia- 1.9 million dues-paying members, about 2.5 NGO, it would be registered under the ment representing GOLKAR. With one percent of the total work force. However, if ORMAS Law. The SBSI, however, has exception, all members of the executive agricultural workers and others in categories refused to accept this offer. council are members of GOLKAR. These such as self-employed and family workers Until October 1992, when it was re- persons have been given positions in the who are not normally union members are placed by Ministerial Regulation kep- new federated industrial sector unions. The excluded, the percentage of union members 438/men/1992, Minister of Manpower De- Minister of Manpower is a member of the rises to approximately 6 percent. cision 1109/men/1986 defined the proce- SPSI’s Consultative Council. Numerous There is, de facto, a single union system, dures for establishing an SPSI factory unit. regional officials also are GOLKAR mem- and it is the Government’s stated policy to This regulation enjoined workers to consult bers, sometimes serving in regional legisla- seek to improve effectiveness of the recog- with the employer during the process of tures. According to credible reports, the nized SPSI unions rather than ease the proc- setting up an SPSI branch. In practice this Government interferes in the selection of ess for the formation of alternative organiza- often meant obtaining the employer’s con- SPSI officers, especially by placing retired tions. The only unions recognized by the sent for the establishment of a unit. While military officers in mid-level SPSI positions. Department of Manpower are those which this regulation was in effect, there were The Government has stated that it intends previously constituted the SPSI’s industrial numerous reports that employers would to cease the practice of placing military sectors. The Minister of Manpower has agree to the organization of SPSI units only officers in union positions and eventually to stated that any unions which form in the if they were allowed to select the units’ remove the officials with significant future should affiliate with the SPSI federa- officials. Employers justified this action GOLKAR connections. tion and that the Government will not rec- under the terms of Ministerial Decision Under the Criminal Code, police ap- ognize any unions outside the federation. 1109 which also specified the requirements proval is needed for all meetings of five The Government has indicated that it is for union officials including “high educa- people or more of all organizations outside looking at the possibility of permitting non- tional background” and possession of “cer- offices or normal work sites. This provision union plant-level worker associations to tain qualities: reliable, highly disciplined....” also applies to union meetings. Permission conclude legally binding labor agreements Employers argued that they were in the best is routinely given to the SPSI. In October with employers. position to know which employees pos- 1992, police and the military halted an SBSI Two other labor groups, Setia Kawan sessed those characteristics. Because of this, meeting, for which a permit had not been (Solidarity), also known as Serikat Buruh many current SPSI factory units are led by requested, and briefly detained its organizers Merdeka (SMB, Free Trade Union), and individuals selected by employers and who for questioning. On June 19, police halted a Serikat Buruh Sejahtera Indonesia (SBSI, have little credibility with their units’ mem- seminar on freedom of association being held Indonesian Workers Welfare Union), have bers. The new regulation states that em- in the SBSI’s offices while an International been organized but are not registered. In ployees must only notify their employer Labor Organization (ILO) official was pre- existence for 2 years, Setia Kawan is essen- that they wish to form a union and that they sent. In July the police and military pre- tially moribund while the SBSI, created in may proceed if they do not receive a re- vented the SBSI from holding its first con- 1992, continues to attempt to form the nec- sponse from their employer within 2 weeks. gress because the Government had not essary number of factory-level units to meet Despite this new provision, strikes continue granted the union’s request for a permit for the requirements of the new registration to occur because employers attempt to pre- the meeting. A union may be dissolved if the regulation. The SBSI has twice attempted to vent the formation of union branches. These Government believes it is acting against register with the Department of Home Af- strikes are invariably successful and the Pancasila, but there are no laws or regula- fairs as a social organization, on October 28, formation of an SPSI unit follows shortly tions specifying procedures for union disso- 1992, and August 10, 1993. In the first in- thereafter. lution. There have been no actual cases of stance no action was taken on its applica- Civil servants are not permitted to join dissolution. tion, and in the second an official of the unions and must belong to KORPRI, a non- The SPSI maintains international contacts Department of Home Affairs refused to union association whose central develop- but is not affiliated with any international accept the SBSI’s documentation. Registra- ment council is chaired by the Minister of trade union organizations except the Asso- tion under the ORMAS Law is required for Home Affairs. Teachers must belong to the ciation of Southeast Asian Nations all organizations in order to function legally Teachers’ Association (PGRI). While tech- (ASEAN) Trade Union Council. Some ele- (see Section 2.b.). Although the ORMAS nically classed as a union (its status was ments of the SPSI, now registered as indus- Law does not specify any requirement for changed from association similar to trial sector unions, maintain links with in- approval from other government bodies, a KORPRI in April 1990), PGRI has contin- ternational trade union secretariats. The spokesman for the Department of Home ued to function more as a welfare organiza- SPSI still has its application pending for Affairs stated his department could not tion and does not appear to have engaged in membership with the International Confed- accept the SBSI’s registration without a trade union activities. State enterprise em- eration of Free Trade Unions. positive recommendation from the Depart- ployees, defined to include those working in While Pancasila principles call for labor- ment of Manpower. In line with its policy enterprises in which the state has a 5- management differences to be settled by that only unions organized “by and for percent holding or greater, usually are re- consensus, all organized workers, with the workers” can be recognized, the Department exception of civil servants, have the right to Page 120 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. strike. However, state enterprise employees role is to protect workers. There are credible sidered to be in the public service domain, and teacher rarely exercise this right. Before reports that for some companies consulta- but this does not always legally limit orga- a strike can occur in the private sector, the tions are perfunctory at best and usually nizing. There are a number of joint ventures law requires intensive mediation by the with management-selected workers. There between government and private enterprise Department of Manpower and prior notice are also credible reports to the contrary which have SPSI units and which bargain of the intent to strike. However, no ap- from U.S. companies. collectively. proval is required. Only about half of the factory-level SPSI The military, which includes the police, In practice, dispute settlement proce- units have collective bargaining agreements. has been involved in a number of labor dis- dures are not followed fully, and formal The degree to which these agreements are putes. Workers have charged that members notice of the intent to strike is rarely given. freely negotiated between unions and man- of the security forces have attempted to The Department of Manpower procedures agement without government interference intimidate union organizers and have beaten are time consuming, and decisions are varies. By regulation, negotiations are to be strike leaders. In June, two officials from the handed down usually only after a prolonged concluded within 30 days. If not, the matter SBSI in Medan were detained by police and period has elapsed. These processes have is submitted to the Department of Man- physically abused as a result of their at- little credibility with workers and are power for mediation and conciliation or tempt to organize a union in a factory. In mostly ignored. Strikes, therefore, tend to be arbitration. Most negotiations are concluded May a woman union activist in Surabaya sudden, the result of longstanding grievances within the 30-day period. Agreements are was murdered. In addition to several offi- or recognition that legally mandated benefits for 2 years and can be extended for 1 more cials and employees of the factory at which or rights are not being received. While strike year. According to Indonesian and non- she worked, the commander of a local mili- leaders are not arrested for illegal strikes, Indonesian NGO’s involved in labor issues, tary unit was arrested in connection with they often lose their jobs. The number of the provisions of these agreements rarely go the murder, and a second officer was re- strikes has continued to increase over the beyond the legal minimum standards estab- lieved of his post (see Section 1.a.). Mem- last few years, most of them over failure of lished by the Government, and the agree- bers of military intelligence also attended companies to pay legally mandated mini- ments are often merely presented to worker and monitored trade union education semi- mum wages or because companies are resist- representatives for signing rather than being nars run by the Asian-American Free Labor ing the formation of a factory-level union. In negotiated. Institute (AAFLI), even though these pro- 1992 there were 112 “illegal” strikes offi- Regulations expressly forbid employers grams were approved by the Department of cially recorded by the Department of Man- from discriminating or harassing employees Manpower. The military command in Sura- power, but the actual number most likely because of union membership. There are baya also halted an AAFLI-SPSI- was larger. credible reports from union officials, how- Department of Manpower-approved pro- b. The Right to Organize and Bargain ever, of employer retribution against union gram designed to organize new SPSI units. Collectively organizers, and the SPSI claims that some Police and military in a number of instances employers discriminate against its members have been present in significant numbers Collective bargaining is provided for by and workers who wish to form SPSI units. during strikes, even when there has been no law, but only recognized trade unions may A significant number of strikes during the destruction of property or other violence. engage in it. As noted in Section 6.a. above, last year were the result of employers’ re- Military officials occasionally have been the Government is considering permitting fusals to permit the establishment of SPSI reported present during negotiations be- plant-level workers associations (non-SPSI units. In nearly all of these cases, employers tween workers and management. Their pres- groups) to conclude legally binding agree- consented to the establishment of an SPSI ence has been described as intimidating by ments with employers. The Department of branch following the strike. Some employers plant-level union officials. Manpower promotes collective bargaining reportedly have warned their employees Labor law applies equally in export proc- as an instrument of industrial relations in the against contact with union organizers from essing zones. context of the national ideology, Pancasila. the unrecognized SBSI organization. The majority of the collective bargaining c. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Charges of antiunion discrimination are agreements between the SPSI and employers Labor adjudicated by administrative tribunals. are negotiated bilaterally. Forced labor is strictly forbidden and en- However, many union members believe the Once notified that 25 employees have forcement is generally adequate. The Gov- tribunals generally side with employers. joined a registered union, an employer is ernment, however, is often slow to investi- Because of this perceived partiality, many obligated to bargain with it. As a transitional gate allegations of forced labor. Press re- workers reject or avoid the procedure and stage to encourage collective bargaining, ports and NGO’s have alleged that there present their grievances directly to Parlia- regulations require that every company with have been cases of fraudulent recruitment of ment and other agencies. Administrative 25 or more employees issue company regu- Timorese workers for employment in Java decisions in favor of fired workers tend to lations defining the terms and conditions of and forced labor by logging companies in be monetary awards; workers are rarely employment. Before a company can register Irian Jaya. reinstated. The provisions of the law make or renew its company regulations it must it difficult to fire workers, but the law is d. Minimum Age for Employment of demonstrate that it consulted with the union often ignored in practice. The ILO Confer- Children or, in its absence, a committee consisting of ence report in 1993 regretted that Indone- Child labor continues to be a serious employer and employee representatives. In sian legislation was contrary to the require- problem in industrial areas. The Govern- companies without unions, the Government ments of ILO Convention 98 with regard to ment acknowledges that there is a class of discourages workers from utilizing outside protection against acts of antiunion dis- children who must work for socioeconomic assistance, such as from NGO’s, during crimination. reasons, and in 1987 the Minister of Man- consultations with employers over com- Workers may organize without restric- power issued regulation per-ol/men/1987, pany regulations. The Department of Man- tion in a private enterprise, even if it is des- “Protection of Children Forced to Work,” to power prefers that workers seek its assis- ignated vital by the Government. If the state regulate this situation. This regulation legal- tance and believes that the Department’s has a partial interest, the enterprise is con- izes the employment of children under the East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 121 age of 14 who must work to contribute to The law establishes 7-hour workdays and U.S. STATE DEP’T RELEASES the income of their families. It requires pa- 40-hour workweeks, with one 30-minute REPORT ON WORLDWIDE HUMAN rental consent, prohibits dangerous or diffi- rest period for each 4 hours of work. The RIGHTS ABUSES cult work, limits work to 4 hours daily, and daily overtime rate is 1 1/2 times the normal requires employers to report the number of hourly rate for the first hour, and twice the WASHINGTON (FEB. 1) DPA - The children working under its provisions. It hourly rate for additional overtime. Regula- U.S. State Department’s annual human does not set a minimum age for children in tions allow employers to deviate from the rights showed some gains, but more wide- this category, effectively superseding the normal work hours upon request to the spread, systematic abuses of human rights colonial-era government ordinance of De- Minister of Manpower and with the agree- in Asian countries. cember 17, 1925, on “Measures Limiting ment of the employee. Observance of mini- The report sent to Congress on Tuesday Child Labour and Nightwork of Women,” mum wage and other laws regulating benefits said that China took some positive steps on which is still the current law governing child and labor standards varies from sector to human rights issues in 1993, including the labor and sets a minimum age of 12 for em- sector and by region. Employer violations of release of some prominent political prison- ployment. The 1987 regulation is not en- legal requirements are fairly common and ers. forced. No employers have been taken to often result in strikes and employee pro- But the report also said that Beijing has court for violating its restrictions on the tests. The Minister of Manpower continues refused to give a full accounting of the thou- nature of employment for children, and no publicly to urge employers to comply with sands of persons who were picked up when reports are collected from establishments the law. However, in general, government the 1989 democracy movement was force- employing children. There are no statistics enforcement and supervision of labor stan- fully suppressed. available to determine whether child labor is dards are weak. The U.S. summary was critical of the a significant factor in export or any other Both law and regulations provide for Chinese government for suppressing reli- industries. minimum standards of industrial health and gious freedom and political rights in Tibet, The Government sometimes refers to Act safety. In the largely Western-operated oil which is occupied by China. No. 1 of 1951, which was intended to bring sector, safety and health programs function The report will be the starting point for into force certain labor measures, including reasonably well. However, in the country’s the judgment to be made by the Clinton provisions on child labor which would re- 100,000 larger registered companies in the administration in May about whether to place those of the 1925 legislation. How- non-oil sector, the quality of occupational continue to grant China Most Favoured ever, implementing regulations for the child health and safety programs varies greatly. Nation (MFN) tariff treatment. labor provisions have never been issued. The enforcement of health and safety stan- The report was more harsh in the as- Thus the child labor provisions in the 1951 dards is severely hampered by the limited sessment of North Korea, which is de- Act have no validity. number of qualified Department of Man- scribed as one of the most repressive re- In September the Government announced power inspectors as well as by the low level gimes in the world. The survey cited reports it would review its child labor regulations of employee appreciation for sound health of “sporadic, small-scale civil disturbances with the intention of tightening enforcement and safety practices. Allegations of corrup- in some cities, apparently caused by food of restrictions on child labor. At year’s end, tion on the part of inspectors are not un- shortages.” the review was not completed, nor had any common. Workers are obligated to report The U.S. summary says that political change in practices been implemented. hazardous working conditions; and while opponents, as well as repatriated defectors, were summarily executed by the North Ko- e. Acceptable Conditions of Work employers are prevented by law from retali- ating against those who do, such retaliation rean government. In the absence of a national minimum does occur since the law is not effectively Thailand was seen as one of the relatively wage, area wage councils working under the enforced. bright spots in East Asia. The return to supervision of the National Wage Council It is also important to note that govern- democratic government was solidified. Al- establish minimum wages for regions. These ment policy has had the direct and intended though there were signs of police abusing councils are quadripartite bodies consisting effect of markedly improving the material their powers of arrest, there were also indi- of representatives from labor, management, condition of the Indonesian labor force both cations that the Thai government was trying government, and universities. They also in terms of per capita income and income to investigate the cases. establish a basic-needs figure for each prov- distribution. In Vietnam, although there continued to ince–a monetary amount considered suffi- be severe restrictions on freedom of speech, cient to enable a single worker or family to press and assembly, there were signs that meet the basic-needs of nutrition, clothing, The full text of all the U.S. State Depart- the Vietnamese populace was more free to and shelter. While Indonesia has succeeded ment’s human rights country reports for engage in entrepreneurial activity, without in dramatically lowering the level of poverty 1993 are now available on the new VOA interference from the government or Com- throughout the country, the minimum wage gopher. If you want to view them or get them munist party. rates have lagged behind the basic needs emailed to you, use your system’s gopher With some restrictions being eased on figures. However, effective January 1, 1994, program, typically just typing travel and contacts with foreigner, the U.S. gopher gopher.voa.gov the minimum wage for most provinces will report said there “appears to be increasing be raised to the basic-needs figure, with the They are under the miscellaneous documents separation between the (Communist) party minimum wage in the remaining areas being menu. Be aware they are in ‘as is’ format, and the state.” adjusted as of April 1, 1994. Labor law and i.e., ASCII files running over 80 characters Indonesia was described by the U.S. re- ministerial regulations provide workers with a line and you will likely have to re-format port as remaining “strongly authoritarian” a variety of other benefits, such as social them with your word processor before read- despite a “surface adherence to democratic security, and workers in more modern facili- ing or posting them elsewhere. reforms.” ties often receive health benefits and free – John MacDougall (apaka- The Indonesian military continued to meals. [email protected]) play a strong role in the political process, by claiming special civic rights and respon- Page 122 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. sibilities, in addition to its defence and secu- violent techniques for dealing with sus- As for Singapore, concerns included the rity responsibilities. pected criminals or perceived troublemakers intimidation of the opposition and restric- The U.S. report said, “Although progress continued in many areas of Indonesia,” said tions on press freedom. The report said the was made in a number of human rights areas, the report. affluent city state retained wide powers to serious abuses continued.” There was no While it noted that the military leader- detain people and restrict their travel and progress in the investigation into the killing ship showed “greater willingness” than in freedoms of speech and association. of about 60 persons in East Timor in No- the past to admit misconduct publicly and “There was no evidence of a change in vember 1991. take action against offenders, security forces the Government’s basic willingness to re- The U.S. survey said, “Extrajudicial ar- often employed “harsh measures” like strict human rights when it deemed that rests and detention, torture of those in cus- summary executions of civilians and against necessary in the pursuit of its policy goals,” tody and excessively violent techniques for separatist movements in East Timor, Irian it added. dealing with suspected criminals or per- Jaya and Aceh. Vietnam also continued violating human ceived troublemakers continued in many Unlike China, Indonesia’s trade privileges rights during 1993, largely by severely curb- areas of Indonesia.” have been linked to its labour policies. ing freedoms of speech, press, assembly, Washington has given Jakarta until Feb. 15 and association, as well as worker rights and U.S. REPORT RAPS CHINA, to show “advances” in the labour front to the right of citizens to change their govern- INDONESIA ensure its General System of Privileges ment, said the report. WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (IPS) - Two would not be withdrawn. Hanoi was also scored for its sharp reac- Asian countries that enjoy trading privileges Many South-east Asian governments, tion to the attempt of Buddhist activists to with the United States – China and Indone- along with Beijing, have been critical of the assert their independence from the govern- sia – have come under attack in the U.S. linking of Western concerns for human ment-sponsored Buddhist church. State Department’s 1993 human rights re- rights to trade and aid, calling it not only But the U.S. State Department also noted port released here Tuesday. meddling in internal affairs but also a new the easing of travel restrictions and “increas- The report said modest human rights form of neocolonialism. ing separation” between the ruling Commu- progress was achieved by Thailand, South Indeed, the six members Association of nist Party and the State. Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam and the South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Regarding Burma, the report said the ex- Philippines, but Beijing and Jakarta still had Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, pressions of deep concern by the interna- serious problems. Malaysia and the Philippines – took the tional community over the past three years At a press briefing called to release the lead with China, Vietnam and Iran in voicing “have failed thus far to have an appreciable annual report Tuesday, U.S. State Depart- out such views during the International Con- impact on the behaviour” of the Rangoon ment Counselor Tim Wirth said China had ference on Human Rights in Vienna last military junta, which it said was a “serious taken additional steps so far this year on June. violator of international human rights human rights issues, including the release of ASEAN governments and other countries norms.” some prominent political prisoners. in South-east Asia got mixed reviews in the Still, it noted that Rangoon commuted all But he said Beijing’s performance still U.S. State Department report. death sentences handed down since 1990, fell short of the “overall significant pro- Thailand was cited for its commitment to released 700 political prisoners, and permit- gress” required by the administration of civil liberties and relaxation of press con- ted the first-ever meetings between prison- President Bill Clinton to renew China’s trols, along with the Philippines where the ers and foreign visitors as well as family preferential trade status when it comes up downward trend in serious abuses of human visits to Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for review in early June. rights was noted. who has been under house arrest for the The report said Beijing’s “overall human But both countries still had serious past five years. rights record fell far short of internationally abuses, said the report. Thailand has prob- The report added, though, that there was accepted norms as it continued to repress lems with summary executions and abuse of “no marked increase in the level of abuses in domestic critics and failed to control abuses criminal suspects, discrimination and vio- 1993, in large measure because (the ruling by its own security forces.” It also noted lence against women and children, and the junta) had already been so successful in that “perhaps thousands of political prison- persistent widespread use of child labour. intimidating the Burmese people.” ers” remain in detention. Principal abuses by Filipino security The report praised major democratic ad- Similar observations were made by the forces include summary killings, disappear- vances in Taiwan and South Korea during U.S. State Department on the performance ances, arbitrary arrests, torture, and harass- 1993. But it said North Korea “continues to of another key Asian trading partner, Indo- ment of suspected insurgents and their sup- deny its citizens the most fundamental hu- nesia. porters. man rights.” It said 1993 saw a “bolder and more as- The report said a wide range of abuses The report said, “Individual rights is an sertive press” in Indonesia along with also derived from illegal activities of the alien concept that the state leadership per- greater public dialogue on human rights, a police and military personnel, including ceives as potentially subversive to the goals sharp cut in the number of citizens banned “protection rackets, political gangsterism, of the State and party.” from travelling abroad and fewer prosecu- kidnap-for-ransom syndicates and assis- tions under an anti-subversion law. tance to illegal loggers.” But it said there were still “serious It said there was “very little observable RESOURCES abuses,” many of them committed by the progress in trying, convicting and appropri- military. The report also described the gov- ately punishing the perpetrators.” ernment of President Suharto as “strongly The Malaysian government continues to GEOFFREY GUNN’S BOOK authoritarian ...despite a surface adherence arbitrarily arrest and detain citizens without AVAILABLE SOON to democratic forms.” trial and limits judicial independence and “Extrajudicial arrests and detention, tor- freedom of associations and the press, said The book by Geoffrey C Gunn, East ture of those in custody, and excessively the report. Timor Calling: A Critical View of Western East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 123

Journalism and Scholarship on East Timor used their rifle butts like baseball bats, beat- sales, but Senator Bennett Johnston blocked Since 1975 will be published by Journal of ing Allan until they fractured his skull. the amendment from reaching the Senate Contemporary Asia Publishers in Manila, , –––– floor. At this moment, President Clinton is available in May 1994. defying the intent of Congress by continuing Peter Wesley-Smith Wallace: Accepting this coveted silver baton to train Indonesian troops. And he is ship- for WBAI and Pacifica Radio are produc- ping fresh M-16s, machine guns, and parts EAST TIMOR RADIO ers Amy Goodman and Allan Nairn. for attack planes – all to support an illegal DOCUMENTARY RECEIVES Amy Goodman: occupation that defies the UN Security Council. PRESTIGIOUS AWARD I want to thank you very much for this honor, and to thank WBAI Pacifica Radio, If you want to understand what the United States is doing, think of this baton as Excerpt from the DuPont-Columbia Broad- which believes that you go to where the an M-16. [Takes award baton and points it cast Journalism Awards ceremony January silence is, and say something. I also want to at his head.] It is pointed at the head of an 27, 1994, Columbia University, New York thank Paul Ruest and Julie Cohen who par- innocent Timorese who has dared to stand City. Transcribed from national broadcast ticipated in this project. up and ask for the end of the occupation. on PBS television. On November 12, 1991, we were in East Timor for the second time, when thousands Washington pauses, considers, says “don’t Mike Wallace (MC): of Timorese decided to march to protest the forget human rights,” and then hands the I have been asked by the DuPont- occupation of Indonesia, and you heard troops new ammo and says: “go ahead, Columbia jury to present the radio award; what happened in the videotape. They open fire.” Repeat that scenario 200,000 apparently they were impressed that I was marched to the cemetery, Indonesian sol- times, and you begin to grasp the enormity around in the wonderful radio days before diers marched up and without warning or of the crime. television. This year’s award goes to WBAI provocation, they opened fire and gunned Audiotapes of the award-winning documen- in New York and Pacifica radio for their them down. They beat us, fractured Allan’s tary can be purchased for $10 from the East documentary “Massacre: The Story of East skull, and then were deciding whether to Timor Action Network/US. The producers Timor.” For nearly two decades this tiny execute us. They put the guns to hour have placed it in the public domain. country has been the victim of aggression by heads, U.S. M-16’s and only when we said nearby Indonesia. WBAI producers Amy “We are from America” did they take them ANTARA KITA AVAILABLE Goodman and Allan Nairn went to cover the away. We could only think it was because story of East Timor when a massacre broke we were from the same country their weap- From John MacDougall, Feb. 1 out. Their dramatic report recounting their ons were from. We were lucky that day, Antara Kita Nos. 35 (January 1994) and ordeal in the midst of battle was included in because we were alive. All around us, the No. 36 (February 1994) have now been sent a radio documentary. Here, now, is an ex- Timorese were dead. More than 200 were to email subscribers and will be mailed to cerpt: gunned down that day. print subscribers on Wednesday. One of the

Allan Nairn: world’s last true bargains, you can read in Allan: When they reached the cemetery, these latest issues such feature articles as the crowd had swelled to maybe 5,000 peo- The blood that we saw oozing out to cover that cemetery road is blood that is on Laine Berman’s “The Family of Girli: The ple. And we saw marching up along the Homeless Children of Yogyakarta” and same route that the Timorese had come, the hands of the government of the United States, and also on the hands of the US Martha Belcher’s “The Indonesian Envi- came a long column of Indonesian troops. ronmental Movement: A Directory of Amy: Allan suggested that we walk to press. The 1975 invasion of Timor was ap- NGOs.” There are a few little surprises, too, the front of the crowd between the soldiers like Athonk’s cartoon and the story of the and the Timorese. Because Although we proved by President Ford, and as Timorese were herded into death camps for mass exe- brothers Wesley-Smith. Plus, of course, a knew that the army had committed many very nice sample of citations of recent massacres, we hoped that we as foreign cution, the US stepped in to block the United Nations from taking effective action, scholarship on Indonesia. journalists could serve as a shield for the John MacDougall & Rita Smith Kipp, Timorese. and kept sending in the fresh weapons which the Indonesian army used to do the co-editors Allan: Soldiers marched straight up to us; P.S. Don’t miss the amazing news about the they never broke their stride. And when job. The result has been a genocide which has new directory of Indonesianists. Coming in they got a few yards past us, within a dozen Antara Kita No. 37 (March 1994). yards of the Timorese, they raised their killed 200,000 Timorese civilians – a third of rifles to their shoulders all at once, and they the original population, the largest propor- WHAT IS ANTARA KITA? opened fire. tional slaughter since the Nazis. Antara Kita (“Between Us”) is the offi- [Sounds of shooting and screaming] And what have the US networks done cial bulletin of the Indonesian Studies Com- The street was covered with bodies, cov- during this US-sponsored genocide? During mittee, the group within the Association for ered with blood, and the soldiers just kept the 15 year 11 month period, starting from Asian Studies in the U.S. responsible for on coming. I could see their limbs being torn, the announcement of the ‘75 invasion and helping to advance the study of Indonesia. their bodies exploding. The soldiers did not running up until the massacre we survived, The editors invite all foreign scholars and all stop. They just kept on shooting until no the ABC, NBC, and CBS evening news Indonesian scholars – whatever their area of one was left standing. shows did not run a single story on East specialization – to enter a subscription now Amy: A group of soldiers grabbed my Timor. Nightline and McNeil-Lehrer have to Antara Kita. microphone and threw me to the ground, never mentioned it. And US radio and print, Subscription rates: kicking and punching me. At that point though occasionally mentioning the killings, A 4-issue paper Antara Kita subscrip- Allan threw himself on top of me, protect- have inaccurately omitted the US role. tion sent by first class mail in the U.S. and ing me from further injury. The soldiers then Last fall, the Senate Foreign Relations Canada and by airmail elsewhere costs U.S. Committee voted to restrict the US arms - US$6; Canada - US$7; Other Western Page 124 East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994.

Hemisphere: US$8; Europe - US$9; Asia, · constitute invaluable reference works for In the U.S., the book can be ordered for Africa, & elsewhere: $10. any private or institutional library, $10 postpaid from the East Timor Action A 4-issue email Antara Kita subscrip- · may be used like regular textbooks, Network, PO Box 1182, White Plains, NY tion costs US$5 anywhere (email copies 10602. · may be disassembled and re-combined to may not be further distributed electronically yield customized textbooks, Review in Peace News, with photo: by the subscriber) Timorese children enjoy a moment of You may enter your subscription for as · may be reproduced for courses without freedom: from East Timor: getting away few as 4, or as many as 12 issues, of Antara need for further permission, with murder?, a new photo-book by journal- Kita at this time. Make your checks payable · are available in updated editions every 3 ist Hugh O’Shaughnessy. Don’t be put off to the Indonesian Studies Committee and months so readers can always get the lat- by the overbearing cover photo of an Indo- mail them to: Antara Kita, 7538 Newberry est information. nesian soldier. Most of the book contains Lane, Lanham-Seabrook, Maryland 20706, COST OF INDIVIDUAL BRIEFING portraits of, and stories about, ordinary USA. All subscriptions must be paid in BOOKS AND SPECIAL REDUCED Timorese people surviving and resisting advance. If invoices are required, an addi- PRICE FOR THE SET under the occupation. GBP 6 (plus GBP tional US$3 charge will be due. If checks are 1.50 for postage and handling) from the sent in a negotiable currency other than U.S. Briefing Books (loose-leaf, in folders or British Coalition for East Timor, PO Box dollars, please add the equivalent of US$3 to shrink-wrap): 2349, London E1 3HX. your check. The Indonesian Military Elite (109 pp, $33) Law and Political Liberty in Indonesia (459 pp, $138) SEASIA_INFO, INDONESIA The Petition of 50 Group and the Tanjung Priok MISCELLANEOUS BRIEFING BOOKS Incident (100 pp, $30) ARTICLES AVAILABLE Transmigration, the Environment, and Indigenous Peoples (255 pp, $76) From John MacDougall, Feb. 6. Political Islam in Indonesia (166 pp, $50) ASIA-PACIFIC CONFERENCE SEASIA-INFO is a read-only list which Irian Jaya (126 pp, $38) ON EAST TIMOR IN MAN ILA occasionally forwards news of informational East Timor (473 pp, $142) resources on Southeast Asia. If you wish to Aceh (110 pp, $33) MAY 31 - JUNE 4 submit an item to the list, or to sign-off the Indonesia’s Economy (279 pp, $84) list, please email the list administrator Recent Dissertations on Indonesia (245 pp, $73) Warmest Greetings of Solidarity and Peace! [email protected] (John A. Mac- Set of 10 (2322 pp, now $500 plus postage. Something is happening in Manila on Dougall). Thank you. (regular total cost is $697 plus postage, May. And we invite you to be part of it. This is bringing home to Asia one of the TEN BRIEFING BOOKS ON so the reduced price represents a savings world’s most legitimate people’s struggles: CONTEMPORARY INDONESIA – HOW of $197, 28% off prices if the Briefing Books were purchased individually) the struggle for East Timor Independence. THEY CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS, Since Indonesia forcibly annexed East ORGANIZATIONS, AND LIBRARIES Briefing Books postage ($4 each surface, $8 Timor in 1975, the Timorese struggle has The January 1994 editions of a set of 10 each airmail) generated support from peoples around the Briefing Books – loose-leaf compilations Make checks or money orders payable to globe especially in the West, but it has yet from Indonesia Publications’ analytic and INDONESIA PUBLICATIONS. All orders to galvanize solidarity where it belongs, documentary periodicals on Indonesia – are must be prepaid and include complete cur- Asian leaders specially those of ASEAN now available at greatly reduced cost in this rent mailing address. Shipment occurs the countries to which Indonesia plays a big period of tight budgets. If the entire set of next business day for orders paid in US brother role to the hilt. 10 is purchased, the price is reduced by dollars. Allow a week for checks in other But a legitimate people’s issue will al- $197. This represents a 28% savings. currencies to clear. ways seek its just forum. If only some of the Briefing Books are Mail orders to INDONESIA Thus international, Asian and Philippine needed, they may be purchased individually. PUBLICATIONS, 7538 Newberry Lane, NGOs and people’s organizations, together In a best effort to fill persisting personal, Lanham-Seabrook, MD 20706, USA. with other international institutions, agen- organizational, and library information gaps Phone: (301)552-3251. Fax: (301)552-4465. cies and solidarity groups long steeped in on Indonesia, the Briefing Books Email: [email protected] Internet. issues and struggles of human rights, peace · help readers become current quickly on These prices remain valid through March and justice will convene an Asia-Pacific key topics, 31, 1994. All prices in U.S. dollars. Conference on East Timor (APCET) in the · permit an in-depth appreciation of is- Philippines on May 31 to June 4. sues, NEW BOOK ON EAST TIMOR The three-day conference will be at- tended by some 200 international luminaries · supplement news periodicals from Indo- East Timor: Getting Away with Murder, a including friends from Indonesia and East nesia Publications and other news new book with text and photographs by Timor. Three years after the Dili Massacre, sources, journalist Hugh O’Shaugnessy, foreword by the gathering will tackle the legal, political · reduce endless phone calls, letters, and Glenys Kinnock. and cultural dimensions of the East email tracking down experts, Available for GBP 6 (plus GBP 2 post- Timorese struggle. This will be held at the · provide hard-to-get, full-text primary age) from the Coalition for East Timor, Box University of the Philippines, the country’s source documents, 2349, London E1 3HX. Free to anyone who premiere state university. Other related · provide translations available nowhere makes a standing donation of GBP 15/year caucuses and meetings are scheduled after else, or more to the Coalition (contact us for a the three-day conference. standing order form). East Timor Documents, Volume 26. December 13, 1993 - February 15, 1994. Page 125

Come and enrich this gathering of kindred need to support a movement and its leader souls and colleagues. suffering under the jackboot of one of the Come and express concrete solidarity world’s most repressive regimes. with our East Timorese friends. We hope to see you in May. Meanwhile, we remain in steadfast solidarity. APCET Philippine Convenor’s Group #2 Matulungin cor. Malakas Sts. Diliman Quezon City, Philippines Telefax 921-6774

MANDELA CRITICISED ON EAST TIMOR The following letter from Carmel Budiardjo of TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign, appeared in the New Statesman and Society on 11 February 1994: The Editor, Tom Carver’s analysis of the corrupting influence of power on the ANC concen- trated on domestic issues. Let me expand the discussion to foreign affairs. In October 1990, Nelson Mandela visited Indonesia for what was virtually a State Visit. Before he went, the East Timorese resistance movement abroad urged the ANC to persuade him not to go or to talk publicly about Indonesia’s illegal occupation of East Timor. He ignored both requests. He was feted by Indonesia’s dictator, Suharto, given a grant of $10 million and a state medal. East Timor’s tormentors went out of their way to display support for the ANC and its leader. Appeals by Aboriginal groups for support during his visit to Australia, imme- diately after his Jakarta visit were cold- shouldered on the grounds that this would mean ‘interference in an internal affair.’ Since then, many calls have been made on the ANC leadership and Nelson Mandela personally to repair the damage of that visit by speaking out against Indonesia for its shameful record in East Timor. After the East Timor resistance leader, Xanana Gus- mão, was arrested in November 1992, unlawfully tried and sentenced to life im- prisonment, Mandela was asked to support actions calling for Xanana’s release. After months of prevarication, he wrote in June last year to our Irish colleagues who have spearheaded the approach to the ANC. He said: “Please bear in mind that as a lib- eration movement we have a limited capac- ity at present to influence the direction taken by any regime. If you can send a mes- sage to Xanana Gusmão, tell him to be strong.” Mandela, more than anyone, knows the importance of international solidarity, both for himself and for his movement. Yet the prospect of power has blinded him to the