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Number 35 March 1996

men invaded the French embassy, and a further nine the Australian. On 27 February four East Exodus of Timorese were ejected from the Palestinian embassy after fai ling to secure asylum in Palestine. Most asylum seekers have settled for asylum Timorese in Portugal, through the mediation of the Inter­ national Committee of the Red Cross. However, many had first asked for asylum in the country youth whose embassy they were occupying. Nine asylum seekers who spent a month in the Australian embassy refused to go to Portugal, Despair is driving many young East and insisted on going to Australia. But the Timorese to leave their friends and family Australian government, which hosts the largest for the uncertainty of exile. They are East Timorese exile community, is reluctant to fleeing from relentless persecution by the accept new refugees. Australian immigration Indonesian military: harassment, rape, officials claimed the young people knew insuf­ unprovoked attacks and beatings. The ficient English to be accepted in Australia. This Indonesians, says one refugee, want to group abandoned their asylum bid in late 'kill every Timorese youth'. February, preferring to stay in Indonesia.

ince September 1995, almost 100 East Indonesian solidarity The statue of Christ the King looking out over STimorese, mostly youths and students, have The occupations at the Dutch and Russian Fatukama Bay is intended to show recognition of sought political asylum by occupying foreign embassies marked a new departure: the East East Timor's Christian identity. But with no sign of embassies in Jakarta. The exodus began when Timorese were accompanied by a number of official respect for the apsirations of the East five youths occupied the British embassy on 24 Indonesian supporters from relatively new Timorese, it may become just another symbol of September. They were all owed to leave for organisations such as Solidaritas Mahasiswa Indonesian dominance. See page 8 for story. Portugal four days later. Requests to the Dutch, Indonesia untuk Demokrasi (SMID - Solidarity

~~~~- -~~~~~~~~~~~- Japanese and French embassies followed. On of Indonesian Students for Democracy), Summary the 20th anniversary of the Indonesian invasion Solidaritas Perjuangan Rakyat Indonesia untuk of East Timor on 7 December 1995, 112 East Maubere (SPRIM - Indonesians in Solidarity This issue of Timor Link describes the Timorese and their Indonesian supporters with the Maubere People), and the Centre for growing international pressure on Indonesia staged sit-ins at the Russian and Dutch Indonesian Workers' Struggle (PPBI). These over its occupation of East Timor: the UN embassies. Pro-integrationist East Timorese also groups together constitute an umbrella High Commissioner for Human Rights has entered the Dutch embassy grounds, resulting movement known as Persatuan Rakyat proposed a UN presence in Dill; after 20 in violent confrontations in which the Dutch Demokratik, or Democratic People's Alliance, years of official reticence, the Australian ambassador was among the injured. formed in May 1994. Knowledge of and support government has launched an inquiry into the In the second week ofJan uary 1996, two East for East Timor's plight have been growing deaths of six journalists during Indonesia's Timorese women asked for asylum at the steadily among democrats in Indonesia, who invasion of East Tunor; and the European Australian embassy, and five East Timorese men link many of their own democratic aims with Union is moving to a tougher stand. We also jumped over the fence of the New Zealand the search for self-determination for East Timor. report on the preSSW'eS forcing young embassy, also seeking asylum. On 25 January, 12 This was their first high-profile demonstration Timorese to seek asylum abroad. An East Timorese entered the Polish embassy, of solidarity. The courage of the Indonesian eyewitness account tells how the authorities asking for asylum in Poland, and on 29 January activists is remarkable given that they would not tried to prevent contact between East Timor four entered the French embassy - its third have been able to secure asylum, in Portugal and the outside world on the fourth incursion by Timorese in as many months. In or elsewhere. One group was forced out of the anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre. the second week of February two more Timorese Dutch embassy after the Indonesian authorities

------IN THIS ISSUE Recent human richls violations 4 New ambassador to Australia 5 Asia-Eurupe summit 4 Munier inquilJ 6 2 Xanam's ..._requested 5 International Round-up 6 2 Portugal-Indonesia talks 5 Church news 7 3 EU comna1 padlon 5 Who ndes in fast limor? 8 4 Clnl8n meets Suharto 5 New publication: Partners in repression 8 NEWS FROM EAST TIMOR assured Dutch officials of their safetv. Some of only Bahasa Indonesia. They find they must them \\'ere forced to take refuge in a Catholic spend at least a vear or two studying Portuguese Eyewitness account church hostel aftemards to escape pursuit b\' before they can train in anything else. the securitv forces. Church representatives in East Timor have Hugh O'Shaughnessy, of The Independent appealed to the youth not to leave. They believe newspaper, reports on continuing Hardships of exile the departures demoralise those who remain repression in East Timor. Despite the efforts of Portuguese solidarity and play into the hands oflndonesian military groups and volunteers, life in Portugal for East strategists by reducing the East Timorese y fourth visit to East Timor was cut short Timorese refugees is not easy. Most East population. Mby the expulsion of all foreigners two days Timorese are accepted as students, particularly Meanwhile, foreign embassies inJakarta have before the fourth anniversary of the massacre at the universities of Minho and Oporto. With added barbed wire to their fences. Solidarity by Indonesian troops of279 unarmed Timorese subsistence grants of 17,500 escudos (about groups around the world have appealed to their at Santa Cruz cemetery on 12 November. US$11 5) a month for six months only from the governments to treat asylum-seekers with under­ The anniversary was an opportunity for the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, standing, and to grant them maximum Timorese to demonstrate their resistance to they soon find themselves struggling to survive. protection. They have asked governments to visiting foreigners, and through them to the Their housing is often poor. Students arriving help the Portuguese authorities, who, in the outside world. By expelling foreigners immediat~ nowadays experience communication difficul­ absence of diplomatic relations with Indonesia, ly before the anniversary and preventing others ties: Portuguese has not been taught in East have no personnel on hand to deal with asylum­ from entering East Timor, the Indonesian Timor during the past 20 years and they speak seekers. • occupying forces tried to remove that opportunity. The Timorese made up for this by continuing to put asylum seekers into foreign embassies in ticket was delivered too late and his passport was Jakarta (see pl). And many people travelling to Inhibited dialogue confiscated. Dili for the anniversary managed to reach their Bishop Carlos Belo of the diocese of Dili was destination, revealing deficiencies in Indonesia's The second session of dialogue between also absent. This was a blow to the remaining immigration and border controls. pro-independence and pro-Indonesian participants, given his important contribution In the days leading up to the anniversary I saw East Timorese proved disappointing. in dispelling tensions and keeping dialogue going many troops and police patrolling the streets. Pressure from Indonesia restricted the at the 1995 meeting. Indonesia put pressure on The deterrent presence was increased at night, agenda and prevented the return of key the Vatican to prevent the Bishop from attending. with riot police stationed at every crossroads and participants from the first meeting. A UN diplomat said the UN secretary general gangs of Indonesians, in uniform or in civilian considered Indonesia's action to be gross inter­ clothes, roaming the city and breaking into he second 'all inclusive intra-East Timorese ference. The Bishop's place was taken by his houses as they sought Timorese resisters. Tdialogue' was held at Burg Schlaining, Vicar General, Fr Jose Antonio da Costa. Austria, from 19 to 22 March 1996, under the The March 1996 meeting was tense and the Hawk jets buzz Dili auspices of the United Nations secretary general. statement agreed at its conclusion is short and In 1991 I reported that Indonesian troops were It brought together 15 East Timorese living uncontroversial. Strong disagreements emerged using British transport vehicles. On 10 November under Indonesian rule and 14 pro-indepen­ between the pro-integrationists from East Timor 1995 I saw two British-built Hawk warplanes dence Timorese from exile communities in and Indonesia, led by Lopes da Cruz, Indonesia's make a low pass over Dili, a manoeuvre staged to Portugal, Macao and Australia. Participants ambassador for Timor affairs, and pro-inde­ intimidate the inhabitants on the eve of the attend in their individual capacity. pendence exiles such as the leaders of the massacre anniversary. The Indonesian government, which considers Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) and the British arms sales to Indonesia continue and its annexation a Jail accompli, has always refused national liberation movement, Fretilin. There Britain has offered military training to to negotiate directly with East Timorese organ­ were even disputes about tactics between various Indonesian officers. This, and the German effort isations. The intra-East Timorese dialogue pro-independence activists. The pro-integra­ to sell part of the former East German navy to provides a way for Indonesia to consult Timorese tionists opposed most proposals for the final Jakarta, must boost Indonesia's morale. The opinion without raising the fundamental declaration from the pro-independence camp. regime knows that for now, it can ignore UN question of sovereignty, which at Indonesia's It was with heavy hearts that some of the exiles resolutions. insistence is excluded from the agenda. Only signed the statement so as not to jeopardise The Santa Cruz massacre and the capture in questions relating to the preservation of religion, opportunities for future meetings. the following year of guerrilla leader Xanana culture, language, and so on are permitted. The The main points in the document include: Gusmao shifted the emphasis of resistance from dialogue has no legal or official diplomatic status. • an expression of concern at the current guerilla to civilian groups. The importance of human rights situation and particularly the civilian opposition has been reinforced by a new Indonesia alarmed plight of East Timorese women; development. The demonstrators are younger, At the first meeting, in June 1995 (see Timar • a request for Portugal to set up an East with boys under the age of 10 protesting against Link 33, pl), the participants signed a courag­ Timor cultural centre in Dili; and the occupation. eous declaration referring to UN resolution • a request for financial and technical 37 / 30 ofl982, which upholds East Timor's right assistance for the University- for human Transmigration and immigration to self-determination. Participants from inside resource development and the teaching of The principal threat to Timorese identity is the East Timor had been warned before the meeting Portuguese and Tetum. strategy of transmigration, the transfer of of the consequences of embarrassing Indonesia. This second meeting made no progress on Indonesians to East Timor. One Timorese source Afterwards, the Indonesia authorities persuaded fundamental issues. Indonesia's attempts to suggested that the total number oflndonesians them to withdraw their support for the control the participants mean the dialogue is who have come to East Timor is about 120,000. declaration. no longer productive. However, the pro-inde­ The countryside is dotted with settlements built One participant in the first dialogue session pendence National Council of Maubere by the government on Timorese land for the who did not return was Guilherme Goni;:alves. A Resistance (CNRM) believes the process is the incomers. luirai (traditional leader) from inside East Timor only forum where East Timorese people can But the traffic is not all one way. After the and its first governor under Indonesian rule, contribute to the UN-sponsored talks between Timorese burned down Dili's Comoro market, Goni;:alves had unexpectedly spoken up for ind~ Indonesia and Portugal. It therefore continues chiefly used by Javanese, a number ofJavanese pendence on the previous occasion. This time his to support the dialogue. • are reported to have returned to Indonesia. •

2 TIMOR LINK March 1996 HUMAN RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS /)Atauro Amnesty East (jMaumeta International report Tim or alibo Alnaro Serious human rights violations continue ~~~ '--.~:::·_·J MaJ lana~tan::=•

. OecusseJ w t T": \ Suar • Pacmc '·,:-·-. / rres 11mor ~. in East Timor, according to Amnesty Ocean \) (Indonesia) : 0L.L.L.L.LJ "" lnternational's latest report on the Kilome1res territory.

Al's February 1996 report notes that: 'Despite signs of increased sensitivity on the part of the Indonesian government to national and inter­ national pressure for an improvement in the Ind/an human rights situation in Indonesia and East Ocean Timor, serious human rights violations 1000 Kllometres continued throughout 1995.' More than 200 @John Wadd1ogham political prisoners, many of them Amnesty Inter­ national prisoners of conscience, are imprisoned in Indonesia and East Timor. Many had unfair EAST TIMOR: Time for change trials. In East Timor alone, AI reported at least five disappearances, 13 extrajudicial killings, Timor, area 7 ,400 square miles, is one of the nation and an armed resistance movement hundreds of arbitrary detentions and frequent easternmost islands of the Indonesian still remains in the hills. torture and ill-treatment in 1995. archipelago and lies 300 miles north of Although the invasion has been Every year since 1992, the UN Commission on Australia, its nearest neighbour. The western condemned by successive UN resolutions, Human Rights has censured Indonesia. With part of the island, formerly a Dutch colony, the international community has done little the exception of 1993, when a strong condem­ belongs to Indonesia, whereas East Timor was or nothing to implement them, given the natory resolution was passed, Indonesia has for more than 400 years a Portuguese colony. major economic and geopolitical interests of agreed to consensus statements, which it is In 1974 Portugal decolonised East Timor, the United States, Japan and particularly committed to implement. But implementation whose newly formed political parties began Australia in the region. Indonesia's crucial has been patchy: extremely slow in some areas, discussing options for the future - federation strategic location and regional status - it has and non-existent in others. According to Al, with Portugal, independence, or integration the world's fifth largest population, and large 'the 1995 statement also called on the with Indonesia. The Timorese Democratic reserves of oil and other natural resources - government to implement the recommenda­ Union (UDT) initially favoured the first have all encouraged the world to downplay tions of the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, option but then joined a coalition with the East Timor's agony. summary or arbitrary executions in his nationalist liberation movement, Fretilin, to In recent years, however, several events December 1994 report.' The Indonesian demand independence. A small third party, have combined to break East Timor's isolation government has failed to implement the Apodeti, was used as a vehicle for Indonesian and bring its continued occupation to inter­ recommendations of these statements with the propaganda in favour of integration. national attention. In 1989 the Pope visited the exception of allowing a visit to East Timor by On 11 August 1975 the UDT staged a coup territory and in 1991 the planned visit of a the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, to pre-empt Indonesian threats to intervene if parliamentary delegation from Portugal, still summary or arbitrary executions in July 1994. Fretilin came to power. In the ensuing civil considered the administering authority of One of the few recommendations made at war, 1,500 people lost their lives. By East Timor by the UN, created huge expec­ the UN Commission for Human Rights (CHR) September 1975, however, Fretilin was in tations of change. To great disappointment in on which the Indonesian government has acted control of virtually all of Portuguese Timor, East Tim.or, the delegation was forced in is the formation of a National Human Rights following the defection of Timorese colonial October 1991 to call off its visit. Commission. The Indonesian government troops to the liberation movement's side. On 12November 1991 Indonesian troops frequently cites this as evidence of its com­ Indonesia, like the United States, was shot and killed up to 300 East Timorese mitment to improvement. True, the Komisi worried by the proximity of an independent civilians during a funeral procession held at Nasional Hak Asazi Manusia (Komnas HAM) state with radical policies and continued to the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, the East has surpassed the initial expectations of inter­ threaten East Timor, despite previous Timorese capital, for a victim of repression. national human rights organisations. It has aswrances that Jakarta would respect the right Witnessed by foreign journalists, the Santa shown more independence than was expected of the East Timorese to independence. In Cruz massacre provided indisputable but, in the judgement of human rights groups, September 1975 Indonesia closed West Timor evidence of Indonesian atrocities. it still has some way to go. to journalists and on 7 December it launched The Santa Cruz massacre has forced The Indonesian government has not granted a full-scale invasion of East Timor with the governments around the world to criticise Komnas HAM sufficient powers for it to operate knowledge of the United States and the Indonesia's brutality, injecting new impetus properly or to exercise independence according encouragement of Australia. East Timor was into diplomatic efforts to bring about a to international standards agreed at the United proclaimed the '27th province' of Indonesia. solution to East Timor's suffering. Since 1983 Nations. Nor does it have legal status in The invasion and annexation of East the UN Secretary-General has been entrusted Indonesian law. The Al report says Komnas HAM Tunor has been brutal: up to 200,000 people, with the achievement of a settlement to the is inconsistent in the cases it takes up, and has a third of the population, have died as a result dispute; and with the post-Cold War era failed to investigate cases of extrajudicial of Indonesian rule. But the majority of providing a new international climate for negt>­ execution, disappearance and torture. The Timorese have not accepted subjugation: tiations, Indonesia faces inaeased pressure to conditions necessary to undertake full and Indonesia has been unable to eliminate the reach a solution with Portugal and the East impartial inquiries are often lacking, and military desire of the East Timorese for self-determi- Timorese under the auspices of the UN. intervention and intimidation are real problems.

TIMOR LINK March 1996 3 HUMAN RIGHTS I DIPLOMATIC NEWS Resources to fund forensic work are inadequate. missioner Jose Ayala Las.so said that human rights DIPLOMATIC NEWS It \1·as reported in 1995 that Komnas HAM is violations in East Tim or were 'very grave'. The to open a branch in Dili. The office was expected Jakarta Post of 14 December reported that he to begin work in March 1996. Bishop Carlos had recommended that a UN representative EU-Asia Summit Belo has welcomed this, as has Amnesty Inter­ should be posted to Dili. The Indonesian national. However, in Al's view it would not fulfil authorities rejected this, preferring to have a The leaders of the EU states and 10 Asian the need, identified by UN Special Rapporteur UN representative stationed in Jakarta. nations - the seven members of the Bacre Waly N'Diaye, for an independent human Lasso also urged the Jakarta government to Association of South East Asian Nations rights commission which would represent East establish a legal basis for the National (ASEANJ and Japan, South Korea and Timorese civil society. Commission on Human Rights. The government China - met in Bangkok on 1-2 March Komnas HAM in Dili must include a strong pledged access to NGOs to carry out their own 1996. Human rights activists and representation of East Timorese who will be able enquiries inside Indonesia. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to resist government pressure and intimidation, On 26 October 1994 the Indonesian govern­ from Asia and Europe came to Bangkok to and work independently. According to the ment signed a Memorandum oflntent with the raise the human rights and labour issues Indonesian authorities, the office is authorised UN high commissioner, agreeing to 'cooperate marginalised in the inter-governmental only to accept complaints, make observations in the development and implementation of conference. and report to headquarters in Jakarta. • coherent and comprehensive national prog­ rammes for the promotion and protection of EU objectives for the first Asia-Europe Meeting human rights in Indonesia'. Lasso was due to (ASEM) were to break down stereotyped images UN Commissioner discuss with the Indonesian government the of Europeans as arrogant former colonialists recommends UN presence steps it might take to implement some of the and to forge relationships of equality with eco­ he United Nations High Commissioner for provisions in that document. The commission­ nomically powerful Asian states. 'We must create THuman Rights visited East Timor from 4 to er's role is to support and strengthen the human the climate of partnership,' said European 8 December 1995. After his visit, High Com- rights mechanisms of the United Nations. • Commission President Jacques Sauter. European countries fear they will be left behind in the race to advance trade and Recent human rights violations investment with the fastest growing economies in the world. ASEM is a response to initiatives Large numbers of plain-clothes military military intelligence officials in Surabaya. such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation patrolled the streets of Dill during the UN high He had just arrived from Dill, and was (APEC) forum promoted by the United States commissioner's visit. The East Timor Centre travelling to Jakarta to rejoin his wife and and Australia. EU trade with Asia now accounts for Human Rights, in Melbourne, recorded family after a short visit to East Timor. Little for 23 per cent of its external trade, but its trade several arrests, disappearances and cases of was known about Pereira's whereabouts for and investment levels in the region lag far behind mistreatment at this time. some days. He was released from military those of the United States and Japan. custody on 5 January 1996. He had been A new confidence was evident on the Asian • November 1995: Nine East Timorese denied access to a lawyer. The authorities side. From the start, the Asian states made it civilians detained and severely mistreated by believed he had been involved in occupations clear the discussion would be limited mainly to Indonesian intelligence forces (SGI) in of foreign embassies. economic affairs. Indonesian Foreign Minister Leohat, Soibada, Manatuto district. The (Amnesty International) nine were apparently beaten with iron bars Ali Alatas warned the European Union against raising human rights issues. 'For the first and given electric shocks. • 30 January 1996: During a riot at Becora dialogue to be successful, controversial and non­ (East Timor Centre for Human Rights Report, Prison, riot police used teargas and shots relevant issues should not be brought up,' he 1December1995) were fired. One prisoner was killed and up to stated. 'I can think of at least 10 issues to seriously 40 people, including prison guards, were embarrass the Europeans, but we're not •Australian aid worker Robert Kingham wounded. Fwe political prisoners and three considering raising them.' Some EU govern­ reported that Red Cross vehicles were shot at criminals escaped. and stoned in November 1995. This was ments had already backed this position, partic­ ularly the French: Foreign Minister Herve de confirmed by a Swiss official working for the • February 1996: Utilia Fdipe Ximenes Alves, Charette had visited Jakarta before the summit International Committee of the Red Cross niece of Bishop Carlos Belo, was arrested in in an effort to boost French business ties with (ICRC) in Jakarta. The ICRC has noted a Tanjung Priok. She was returning to Java from Indonesia. deterioration in the situation in East Timor Dill by ship. It appears that the military in recent months. Kingham volunteered in expected her to claim asylum in a foreign Political questions such as democracy, human East Timor during 1995, but returned home embassy. rights and environmental issues were also on after harassment. the agenda: some Asian countries expressed the desire to discuss security issues, including a com­ (Report, Wilson da Silva, Melbourne, Australia, • Threats to Ramos Horta: Jose Ramos Horta, 27November1995) representative of the National Council of prehensive nuclear test ban treaty, proliferation Maubere Resistance (CNRM) has been the of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, • 20 November 1995: About 20 Timorese victim of threats by electronic mail (e-mail). and reform of the United Nations. attempting to leave East lunor by boat to seek The CNRM suspects the Indonesian military Nevertheless, Alatas's warning was largely asylum in Australia were arrested at Viqueque. are behind the messages. The Indonesian heeded by the European Union, whose new Asia All but two were later released. armed forces have recently set up their own policy document is clearly dominated by the (A mnesty International) conference on the Internet, having realised free trade agenda. how much the international solidarity The NGO conference • December 1995: Fwe East Timorese were movement depends on email to convey arrested after preparing a message for the visit information at high speed. The messages East Timor was high on the list of concerns at the of the UN Human Rights High Commissioner. arrived from a mysterious 'Sparrow Unit' non-governmental conference. The Thai government had acquiesced to Indonesia's who announced that their primary goal is demands to ban East Timorese representative • 4 December 1995: East lunorese social 'to kill Jose Ramos Horta'. Jose Ramos Horta from entering the country worker Martinho Pereira was arrested by (CNRM Press Release) during the conference. If it was an attempt to

4 Timor Link March 1996 DIPLOMATIC NEWS prevent discussion, it failed. The NGO con­ welcomed the Portuguese initiative, but its to improve the situation in the former ference called for self-determination for East president, Joao Carrascalao, noted that Portuguese colony. The Union will also support Timor, the release of imprisoned resistance Xanana's imprisonment was illegal. He said the UN resolution on East Timar, and the UN leader Xanana Gusmao, and a UN presence in that Portugal should be careful about offering secretary general's efforts to obtain a just and East Timor, to be fo llowed by demilitarisation. It concessions - a view shared by opposition internationally acceptable solution. also denounced Ramos Horta's exclusion from parties in Portugal. • Formal adoption of the common position was the proceedings. delayed pending the resolution of the hostage The activists, led by Asians holding very crisis in West Papua, where members of the different views on human rights from those of Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM - Free Papua their governments, appealed to them not to Portugal-Indonesia talks Movement), have been holding 13 British, Dutch avoid social problems and human rights. he seventh round of talks between the and Indonesian hostages for more than two Opening the NGO conference, Thai activist TPortuguese and Indonesian foreign ministers months. A further reason for delaying its pub­ Sulak Sivaraksa affirmed that 'these rights are under the auspices of the United Nations lication was the EU-Asia summit in Bangkok at harmonious with the ethical systems of all world secretary general took place in London on 16 the beginning of March (see p4); Indonesia was cultures and cannot be undermined by the January 1996. one of the participants. opportunism of authoritarian governments, It was the first session of talks for Portugal's The common position carries more political almost all of which claim to be democratic.' Socialist foreign minister Jaime Gama. He weight than the numerous resolutions passed The NGOs presented the ASEM meeting with appears keen to regain the initiative for Portugal by the European Parliament, or previous proposals for: in what has been a protracted process. High on statements issued by the European Commission. • broad democratic participation in decision­ his agenda was a request to visit resistance leader It is supposed to provide a guideline for positions making including the full participation of Xanana Gusmao, currently serving a 20-year adopted by the European Union in international women, sentence for subversion in Cipinang prison in organisations. • cooperation between Asia and Europe on Jakarta. According to Gama, 'there can be no The adoption of the common position follows human rights education, solution to the problem of Timar without the the first reference to East Timor in European • the development of human rights Timorese themselves being involved'. He recog­ Council documents at the EU summit in Madrid protection mechanisms, and nises Xanana, among others, as an 'undisputed in December 1995. • • an end to conventional arms sales and representative of the people of East Tim or'. production. The positions of the two governments remain The NGOs called for the comprehensive diametrically opposed. The talks have so far con­ decolonisation of the Asia Pacific region: 'The centrated mainly on finding common ground on Clinton and Suharto EU should take responsibility for French which confidence between the two parties can be nder pressure from 28 US senators, President decolonisation of French Polynesia; ASEAN for built They have not directly addressed the fund­ UBill Clinton raised the issue of human rights the immediate withdrawal of Indonesia from amental question of East Timor's political status. with President Suharto when the two met at the East Timar.' • Proposals to improve bilateral diplomatic ties White House on 27 October 1995. They were have been under discussion for some time. The meeting to plan for the Asia Pacific Economic Portuguese have been unwilling to discuss this Cooperation (APEC) conference held in Osaka, Portugal asks for without concrete concessions from the Japan, in November. Both governments are Xanana's release Indonesian government, particularly the par­ committed to pushing through the goals of free ticipation ofXanana in talks and his release from trade and investment agreed at the November Dortuguese premier Antonio Guterres came prison. The Indonesian foreign minister refers 1994 APEC summit in Bogar, Indonesia. Some r to the EU-Asia summit under severe domestic to Xanana as a 'common prisoner'. newspapers, notably the Jakarta Suara Pembaruan, pressure to raise the issue of East Timor. Taking Gama's request to fl y to Jakarta to meet reported that the two presidents had also President Suharto aside informally for 20 Xanana received no clear reply. It appears that discussed the sale of American F-16 fighter jets minutes after the heads of state dinner, Guterres the Indonesian government might link the to Indonesia. • offered Indonesia a step towards normalising request to the restoration of diplomatic relations. diplomatic relations with Portugal. In return for The final, rather brief, communique of the the release of Xanana Gusmao, Portuguese ministerial meeting recognised the importance interest sections would be established at friendly of the visit to Jakarta and East Timor by the New ambassador embassies in Jakarta. Indonesia would be invited United Nations High Commissioner for Human to Australia to do likewise in Lisbon. Rights in December 1995. The proposal received wide coverage in the After the meeting, Indonesia's foreign he Indonesian government has named a Bangkok media. Since the Indonesian invasion minister Ali Alatas, told a press conference that Tsubstitute for Herman Mantiri, whose of East Timor, official contact between the two the talks had dealt with substantive issues. He appointment as ambassador to Australia was countries has been confined to bilateral meetings indicated that these could lead towards a rejected by the Australian public because of his under UN auspices between their foreign 'possible framework for a solution' but would involvement in human rights abuses in East ministers. The Indonesian leader, who had not not be drawn on further details of the seven­ Timar. The new ambassador is Wiryono Sastro­ expected talks with the Portuguese government hour meeting. He denounced the western handoyo, previously ambassador to France. at the summit, did not reject the proposal out of media's depiction of East Timar, saying that Before the French appointment he directed the hand. Some Indonesian diplomats even while it is not paradise, 'it's far from hell'. political affairs section of the Indonesian foreign welcomed it as a positive step. A further meeting between the two ministers ministry in Jakarta. Jose Ramos Horta, the East Timorese is scheduled for 29 June in Geneva. • According to The Australian of 7 December resistance leader banned from entering 1995, Sastrohandoyo is known for defending Thailand, expressed surprise at the move. He Indonesia's human rights record abroad. He felt that it could create 'a very important dynamic European Union position has been a strong advocate of the 'Asian' concept in the negotiation process', but pointed out that EU foreign ministers have decided to take a of communal, as opposed to individual, human in all likelihood Xanana would be released only firmer stance against abuses of human rights in rights. He also played a leading role in mediating on condition that he lived in exile, which he East Timar. On 29January1996 they approved the conflict in the Philippines between the would not accept. a common position committing the European Muslim Moro National Liberation Front and The Timorese Democratic Union (UDT) Union to encourage the Indonesian government the Philippine government. •

TIMOR LINK March 1996 5 INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP 1975, Dading was promoted to Brigadier-General Murder inquiry and became East Timor's first Indonesian military administrator. The Australian government has at last launched an inquiry into the killing of six PHRG report Western journalists during Indonesia's The PHRG report was written by James Dunn, a covert invasion of East Timor in 1975. leading authority on East Timor. The report was Hugh Dowson, of the British Coalition for launched at the Palace of Westminster by Dunn, East Timor, reports on new evidence of Maureen Tolfree (sister of Brian Peters, one of Indonesian responsibility for the deaths. the dead journalists), Dr Roger Berry (Mrs Tolfree's MP) and Lord Avebury, chair of the he investigation, headed by Tom Sherman, PHRG. Almost ignored in the UK, the· report Tformer head of the National Crime received widespread publicity in Portugal and Authority, started work in February and is Australia, where pressure for an inquiry expected to report in May. It was established by mounted. The Australian and other newspapers the Labour government, which was replaced by The monument in Jakarta to the five journalists highlighted Dunn's longstanding claim that the a Liberal/National coalition after elections in kiUed in Balibo. It is not known if their remains are Australian government knew what had March. The new foreign minister, Alexander buried here. happened at Balibo within 12 hours of the Downer, supports the inquiry, at least in public. Indonesian attack. Australian intelligence Five journalists working for Australian Dading Kalbuadi, then a colonel, had officials confirmed they had seen the intercepted television were killed on 16 October 1975 in commanded Indonesia's covert operation in Indonesian military radio signals, thus Balibo, East Timor; the sixth was killed in Dili on East Timor from August to December 1975. On supporting Dunn's allegation.• 8December1975. Two of the five killed atBalibo the 20th anniversary of the attack on Balibo, he were British. Neither the Australian nor the revealed parts of his 'operational plan to deceive' British government made any protest at the time, to the Sydney Morning Herald. He had ordered thereby signalling to Indonesia that the invasion his forces to rev up their noisy Soviet-made PT- could proceed. 76 tanks to fool Balibo's very few Fretilin The Indonesian government continues to defenders into expecting a frontal assault. UNITED STATES assert that it had no military forces in East Timor Dading's men, led by Colonel Mohammed Accountability bill until mid-1976. In November 1995 a foreign Yunus Yosfiah, attacked Balibo from the rear. ministry representative, Gaffar Fadyl, dismissed Dading says the journalists died in the ensuing n 7 December, Democratic Party represen­ the possibility that the Sherman inquiry might battle. Otatives Patrick Kennedy and Rita Lowey prove otherwise - 'It has nothing to do with us However, there was no battle, so Dading's introduced the East Timor Human Rights as it happened before Indonesia was there,' he account leaves out a great deal, including his Accountability Act. The bill is designed to said. role in the macabre photography session after prohibit US military and economic aid As new evidence about the Balibo killings the newsmen were executed. Their bullet-ridden programmes to the Indonesian government began to emerge in October 1995, Australia's bodies, newly clad in Portuguese army uniforms, unless the president certifies to Congress that foreign minister Gareth Evans stated that his were photographed behind machine guns for the aid will not be used 'to violate human rights government was anxious to discover the truth propaganda purposes. in East Timor or to support the occupation of about them. He said only the lack of hard data Despite the evasions, Dading's confirmation East Timor by Indonesia'. The bill, thought had prevented this. of covert action in Balibo and his identification unlikely to pass, has provided an opportunity of Yun us are important. Yun us commanded the for Congress to discuss East Timor. New evidence army units which killed Fretilin President The Sherman inquiry resulted from several Nicolau Lobato in 1978. According to the Human rights report factors: Independent on Sunday (5 November 1995), he • revelations by East Timorese luirai ( trad­ studied for a year at the Royal College of Defence he US State Department report on Indonesia itional leader) Guilherme Gorn;:alves that he Studies in London, in 1989. Today, Major Tfor 1995 accuses the regime of serious human had helped fabricate evidence to cover up General Yunus is in charge of weapons training rights abuses, saying that the number of extra­ the Balibo incident; in Bandung. judicial killings, disappearances and cases of • a newspaper interview with retired After the full-scale invasion of 7 December torture has increased. It draws attention to harsh Indonesian General Dading Kalbuadi; repression of dissidents in East Timor, Aceh and • the publication in Britain and Australia, on Call for British enquiry Irian Jaya. It laments the lack of progress in the 20th anniversary of the Balibo killings, accounting for the dead and missing of the 1991 of the British Parliamentary Human Rights Early Day Motion (EDM) 204 in the British Santa Cruz Massacre, and the 'unjustifiably high' Group (PHRG) report Timor: the Balibo House of Commons, calls for a British level of troops in East Timor, where conditions Incident in Perspective, inquiry into Balibo. The EDM, 'Killings in have worsened over the course of the past year. • subsequent interviews with East Timorese East Tunor, 16th October, 1975', has six who had assisted in the Indonesian attack co-sponsors: Roger Berry (Labour), David on Balibo; Nicholson (Conservative), Don Foster (Lib AUSTRALIA • pressure from Australian politicians, Dem),johnHume (SDLP),RevdMartin New government notably the Democratic party; Smythe (Ulster Unionist) and Dafydd Wigley • pressure from the East Timorese exile (Plaid Cymru). ff you live in the UK and your au! Keating' s Labour government was voted community and from Shirley Shackleton, MP is a backbencher, please write to him or P out of office at the beginning of March after widow of one of the journalists. her and ask them to sign it. 13 years. The new government is a conservative­ liberal-national coalition led by Prime Minister Two letters signed by Gon~alves, who served •Hugh Dowson, at 1 Oakley, Claverton John Howard. Despite promises of a tougher Indonesia as governor of East Timor, were a key Down, Bath, BA2 6DS, would be interest.eel to stand on human rights in the region, few part of the 1976 report on Balibo by Alan Taylor, see any replies. Australians expect a sharp change in overall Australian ambassador to Indonesia. policy.

6 TIMOR LINK March 1996 INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP I CHURCH Australia and Indonesia signed a security treaty Peace activists provoked riots among Christians and Muslims in on 18 December 1995, after joint military several towns in East Timor. His colleague, exercises conducted in Australia. The treaty disarm Hawk Zakarias Sake, was sentenced to four years on binds the two countries to regular ministerial hree women peace activists broke into a similar charges on 16January 1996. consultation on security issues and obliges each Tmilitary hangar at a British Aerospace (BAe) government to assist the other in case of national site in Warton, Lancashire, on 29 January and Bishop Belo receives threat. used household hammers to disarm a Hawk trainer jet bound for Indonesia. Having failed to freedom award alert security, Lotta Kronlid,Joanna Wilson and he International Centre for Human Rights BRITAIN Andrea Needham telephoned the UK's Press Tand Democratic Development, Montreal, Parliamentary delegation Association from the hangar. They are now on Canada, gave the 1995 John Humphrey freedom remand in Risley prison, Warrington, on charges award to Bishop Carlos Belo. The bishop meets Portuguese minister of illegal entry and criminal damage. received a cheque for $30,000 for human rights delegation from Parliamentarians for East Inspired by the biblical injunction to 'beat work. ATimor and the British Coalition for East swords into ploughshares' the women have Timor, led by .Lord Ave bury, Lord Brentford founded a group called Seeds of Hope - East New seminary and Ann Clwyd MP, met Portuguese foreign Timor Ploughshares. They say that BAe has minister Jaime Gama in January 1996. Gama was contravened the Genocide Act by selling Hawks he Apostolic Nuncio in Jakarta, Monsignor in London for the seventh round of ministerial to Indonesia, which uses them against the East TPietro Sambi, inaugurated a new seminary, talks with Indonesia, and the delegation urged Timorese. A fourth member of the group, Angie Our Lady ofFatima, in Balide village, near Dili, him to move to the substantive issues such as Zelter, stated her intention to mount a follow-up on 3 February. Bishops from Melbourne, self-determination for East Timor. action a few days later. She, too, has been Atambua, Kupang and Flores, as well as Bishop They urged the inclusion of leading East arrested. Carlos Belo of Dili, attended the ceremony. Timorese, such as Xanana Gusmao, in the intra­ In December 1995 the British government A group of Portuguese clergy, led by Bishop East Timorese talks. They also called for demil­ granted an export licence for the sale to Januario Ferreira, secretary to the Portuguese itarisation and a permanent UN presence in the Indonesia of 24 Hawk jets worth £500 million. Catholic Bishops' Conference had been invited, territory. The delegation sought a meeting with More than 250 British people lobbied parliament but arrived late owing to bureaucratic delays in Indonesia's foreign minister, Ali Alatas, but this on 7 December 1995 to protest against arms obtaining visas. Bishop Ferreira was the first was refused. sales to Indonesia. • Portuguese bishop to say mass in Dili since the Indonesian invasion. After the inauguration, some 20 Timorese youths shouted anti-Indonesian slogans in Tetum to divide the diocese into two or even three will and unfurled banners. Three of them were sub­ CHURCH be sensitive. Since September 1995, the sequently arrested and interrogated by police. Indonesian government appears to have been Bishop Belo invited Bishop Noburo Soma, trying to reduce the influence ofDili's bishop, former bishop of Nagoya, to attend the inau­ Inter-religious forum Carlos Belo. It has accused him of religious guration, but the invitation never arrived. The ollowing the riots in East Timor last bigotry and orchestrated anti-Belo riots in Japanese bishop had previously tried to visit FSeptember, which Indonesia attributed to Jogjakarta. Dili in order to lead prayers at Santa Cruz religious tensions, the Indonesian authorities Given the bishop's strong stand against human cemetery on 12 November 1995. The have created an 'Inter-Religious Communica­ rights abuses in East Timor, any move by the Indonesian authorities prevented him from tion and Consultation Forum'. It is designed to Vatican which appears to weaken him will be entering East Timor (see left). Bishop Soma bring together representatives of the five unpopular with the East Timorese. suspects that his invitation to the seminary was religions (Protestant, Catholic, Islamic, Hindu intercepted. and Buddhist) permitted by Indonesia's state Authorities prevent The seminary will house 150 and is located ideology, Pancasila. The forum's founding near Santa Cruz cemetery. It was built with document was to be signed in front of the peace pilgrimage financial assistance from the Portuguese and Indonesian minister of religion, Tarmizi Taher, n international peace pilgrimage was Indonesian governments, as well as Christian and the Apostolic Nuncio in Jakarta, Monsignor Aprevented from entering Dili on 9 November communities in Australia, Germany, Japan, Pietro Sam bi, on 24 October 1995. East Tim or's 1995. The party of 15 was led by the retired Holland, Belgium and the UK. President Bishop Carlos Belo designated the diocesan bishop of Nagoya, Aloysius Nobuo Soma, and Suharto's daughter is also believed to have chancellor, Fr Domingos Sequeira, to sign in organised by the Asia Pacific Coalition on East contributed. The seminary is expected to train his absence. Timor. It included Namibian and Irish parlia­ lay leaders as well as priests. mentarians, American human rights activists, Pressure on the Pope and a church leader from New Zealand. Visit of Cardinal The party had intended to lay a wreath in n 26 October 1995 Indonesia's minister Santa Cruz cemetery and pray for the victims of Etchegaray Ofor religious affairs, Tarmizi Taher, the massacre on 12 November 1991. Bishop ardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the accompanied by journalists and camera crew, Soma protested against the attitude of the CPontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and representatives of the Indonesian Council Indonesian government. visited East Timor with the council's secretary, of Ulamas, the Communion of Churches, and Mgr Diarmuid Martin, from 25 to 27 February the Indonesian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Prison sentence 1996. His mission was pastoral, aimed primarily visited the Vatican. It is believed that a request at meeting diocesan members working with the was made to the Pope to integrate Dili diocese for provocation Dili diocesan justice and peace commission. The into the Indonesian Catholic Bishops' n 22 November SanusiAbubakar, a Javanese Cardinal also met East Timor' s Governor Osorio Conference. Ocivil servant and former prison officer at Soares and the military commander, Mahidin The Vatican is known to be considering its Maliana prison, was sentenced to four years and Simbolon. options in relation to the diocese ofDili, which 10 months in prison for insulting Catholicism. It At a mass in the Immaculate Conception is too large to be manageable. But any decision was his action in mid-September 1995 which Cathedral in Dili on 25 February, the Cardinal

TIMOR LINK March 1996 7 CHURCH com:eyed Pope J ohn Paul II 's greetings and his However, the intention of the project must be prayers that the East Timorese would be able to Who rules in East Timor? questioned. Its very dimensions are significant It build mutual respect. Cardinal Etchegaray' s An enormous new statue of Christ the King stands 17 metres high, recalling East Timor's address focused on the theme of his visit: Justice is supposed to symbolise the Indonesian annexation by Indonesia on 17 July 1976. It is and peace are two matters but are closely related authorities' recognition of East Timor's placed on a 10-metre-high pedestal, making an to each other. There can be no justice without Christian identity. Father Pat Smythe, overall height of27 metres, thus reflecting East peace and no peace without justice,' he said. parish priest in Bentham, North Yorkshire, Timor's current status as the '27th province' of He emphasised the importance of the younger questions their intentions. the Indonesian Republic. The whole structure generation for the future of the church, saying rests on a plinth of five stepped layers, that the Pope 'always puts hope on the young isitors to East Timor cannot miss the huge reminiscent of the five foundational principles of generation' . He lauded the work of Bishop Vstatue of Christ the King, nearing completion Pancasila, the Indonesian state philosophy. The Belo: 'Bishop Belo is a good shepherd and on the headland overlooking Fatukama Bay, inauguration of the statue by President Suharto guide for you.' 6 km east ofDili. It is clearly visible from far away is scheduled for the 20th anniversary of the The cardinal's visit inspired a sense of and from every approach to the capital city. formal 'integration' of East Timor - 17 July. solidarity among the local clergy. One of them The project was begun in 1994 by Garuda said: This visit by Cardinal Etchegaraywas a real Airlines and Indonesian authorities in East Symbol of peace comfort, in the way in which he represented the Tim or 'to symbolise Jakarta's desire to recognise When the corner stone was laid two years ago, in attention of the Universal Church to the East Tim or's Christian character'. the presence of Governor Soares, only 200 suffering of the East Timorese people, to the Governor of East Timor, Abilio Jose Osorio Timorese turned up. By contrast, 10,000 people bishop, the priests and the religious. We felt also Soares, says the statue is 'a source of pride for had turned out a month earlier for the inaugu­ that all the people working for justice and peace, local people, especially for Christians'. He has ration by Bishop Belo of a much smaller statue the justice and peace commissions of all the announced that funds to complete it are lacking. of Christ in the mountain region of Matebian. world, as well as all the other organisations such The Provincial Administration has therefore There is no doubt that the statue of 'Kristus as Caritas, were joined with us. decreed that a proportion of Christian civil Raja' will dominate the local scene, but will the 'The big embrace extended to Monsignor servants' salaries will be deducted for a year. spirit of Christ reign there? Belo by the Cardinal on Sunday afternoon in Furthermore, each district governor in the In the Roman Catholic liturgy for the feast the Cathedral was historic for us, because it was province must donate 100 rupiah towards con­ of Christ the King there is a prayer for the a huge sign of recognition, on the part of the struction, which has already cost 1 billion rupiah growth of 'a kingdom of truth and life, of church, of the work and the growing risks of our (US$400,284). It is expected to cost double that holiness and grace, ofjustice, love, and peace'. own lives in seeking to raise our heads in this amount by the time it is completed. If the occasion on 17 July is to bear fruit in good martyred country.' The project could come to symbolise the relations between Indonesian and Timorese The cardinal would not be drawn on political desire of the Indonesian government to peoples, these sentiments should be embraced questions from journalists, saying that the acknowledge the importance of the Christian by all participants. They should also be Vatican is neutral on these. Travelling home via faith of the Timorese, and the important role of expressed in practical action. This would show Jakarta, Cardinal Etchegaray made a courtesy the local church in any peaceful development true respect for the cultural and religious call on President Suharto and also met religious of the country. If the presence of the statue identity of the East Timorese, their aspirations affairs minister Tarmizi Taher. He also met represents and evokes a genuine spirit of to control their own lives and benefit fully from members of the National Human Rights dialogue betweenJakartaand the Maubere, this their national resources, and their desire for Commission. • would be good news indeed. self-determination. •

discusses a number of examples. NEW PUBLICATION British technical cooperation with Indonesia Timar Link includes personnel training - for example, for Subscription form Partners in Repression: The Reality of the Indonesian National Police. Some individuals British Aid to Indonesia by Paul Barber trained in Britain have gone on to command in D I wish to subscribe to Timor link Tapol. November 1995. Pamphkt, 47pp, price £3. areas where severe human rights abuses have been committed. D I enclose my subscription fee of £__ Paul Barber exposes the hypocrisy of an aid British aid has also been used to fund the programme which contradicts the British Indonesian transmigration programme. This government's stated criteria for development has been used in East Timor to dilute, Indone­ aid: reducing poverty and promoting democracy, sianise and divide the local population. Address------good governance and human rights. This Barber's report highlights the failure of the aid trenchant analysis demonstrates how in reality, programme to Indonesia to promote democratic British commercial interests take precedence. processes, reduce corruption, and promote Barber sets out recent aid commitments human rights and the rule of law. It emerges pledged by donor governments and explains that the government's foremost concern is to lndMdual £10.00 for 4 issues the functions of the Aid and Trade Provision secure arms contracts. Institution £20.00 for 4 issues (ATP) , the part of the British Overseas Indonesia is no longer among the 20 poorest Development Administration's budget that helps countries in the world. And yet the government D I have previously subscribed to Timor British companies win contracts in developing is still prepared to place it among its chief aid Link countries. recipients, despite the 12 per cent cut in the aid In recent years, Indonesia has been the third budget announced in 1995. D I am a new subscriber largest recipient of ATP funding after China This booklet should serve as a basis for Please send cheques made payable to CllR and Malaysia. Like the Pergau Dam in Malaysia, campaigning by the growing numbers of people to East T'IDlor Project, c/o CIIR, Unit S, found to be uneconomic when an NGO in Britain concerned about the abuse of aid. • Canonbury Yard, 190A New North Road, prosecuted the government in 1994 (see Timur Link 29, p6; Timor Link 31, p6), many ATP • The report is available from Tapol, London Nl 7BJ. projects are of doubtful benefit. Paul Barber 111 Northwood Rd, Thornton Heath, Surrey. Tel 0171-354 088S, fas Ol 71-S59 0017.

8 TIMOR LINK March 1996