Campaign for an Independent East Timor (South Australia) Inc.
(Affiliated to the International Federation for East Timor, the East Timor
Relief Association, the Australian Coalition for a Free East Timor and the
Australia East Timor Network)
c/o Development Education Centre first floor 220 Victoria Square
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000
MEDIA STATEMENT: 24 OCTOBER 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
ATTENTION: CHIEF OF STAFF
DRAMATIC CHANGES IN JAKARTA XANANA BACK IN DILI
The following statement was released today by the Information officer of
the Campaign for an Independent East Timor, Andrew Alcock, following
events in Jakarta and Dili during the past week:
The past week has seen dramatic surprises in the region. Abdurrahman Wahid,
against many predictions has become president of Indonesia. Megawati
Sukarnoputri, the favoured presidential candidate has become his vice
president. General Wiranto has apparently been left out in the political
cold because of his suspected role in the recent slaughter in East Timor.
He will undoubtedly use his power behind the scenes to ensure that the
military maintains its influence in major decisions. It is obvious that the
Indonesian parliament has elected the popular and respected Abdurrahman to
the leadership despite his health problems because of world reaction to the
crimes of the 35 year old Indonesian military dictatorship
There was great emotion in Dili as Xanana Gusmao, the leader of the East
Timorese resistance returned. One eyewitness describes how one person in a
large welcoming crowd began to sob. The grief and suffering caused by the
24 years of Indonesian military brutality was instantly transmitted
throughout the crowd. Men and woman openly cried and Xanana also broke
down.
There is understandably much grief because during the dark era of
occupation, a third of East Timor's population has been wiped out. This
nation's people have suffered far too much because of Indonesian military
barbarity and the callous machinations of many western political leaders.
At the same time, however, there been much elation because the East
Timorese have finally won their independence.
This victory should be seen as a victory for humanity. Their courage and
determination has upset the best laid plans of many of the politicians in
the SE Asian region. Xanana has spoken of the need to work towards peace,
human rights and justice in our region. His approach has certainly
challenged the economic rationalist basis of Gareth Evans' "real politik"
approach to international relations. He is now looking for a political life
elsewhere.
East Timor is also causing questions to be asked about the policies of many
other Australian, British, American and ASEAN leaders who have put economic
rationalist considerations first when determining international policies.
Margaret Thatcher, the "patron saint" of economic rationalism, seems to see
her major role in this period of her life as preventing General Augusto
Pinochet, former Chilean dictator and alleged massed murderer from facing
charges.
It is likely that many Indonesian leaders will face charges of war crimes.
We can only hope that the sacrifice of the East Timorese people will help
to usher in a new approach to international relations which makes human
rights a top priority.
The sad reality is that the killing may not be over. INTERFET has reported
seeing armed militia groups crossing the border from West Timor into East
Timor.
In addition, a report from a western based journalist indicates that Flores
could also become prominent in a clandestine war against East Timor. There
are 7500 Indonesian troops on the island of Flores which include two
battalions of East Timorese troops. The locals fear that the influx of
troops will destabilise their society.
Locals resent the fact that the soldiers have set up markets to sell the
booty they have looted from East Timor. The population is 80% Catholic and
rumours are circulating that the army is embarked on a program of
"Islamisation" similar to Ambon.
The East Timor solidarity movement calls on world leaders to impress on the
new leadership in Jakarta that, as a matter of urgency, it needs to reign
in its generals who have caused so much death and suffering. It is also
crucial for western nations to continue bans on all forms of military
cooperation with the Indonesian armed forces until they prove that they
will be servants of a democratic Indonesian government rather than a threat
to it and other nations in the region."
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
Information Officer
Phone: 61 8 83710480 (home) 61 8 82053259 (work)
Pager: 61 8 82734382 Facsimile: 61 8 82236509
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
COMING EVENTS TO SUPPORT EAST TIMOR
FRIDAY 12 NOVEMBER 1999
EAST TIMOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
(8th anniversary of the Santa Cruz/Dili Massacre)
4.30 pm Protest Vigil
Victoria Square
(Organised by the Campaign for an Independent East Timor SA Inc)
5.45 pm Commemorative Mass
St Francis Xavier Cathedral
(Organised by the Catholic Church)
SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 1999 7PM
EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE DINNER
(28 Nov is the 24th anniversary of the declaration of independence)
Unley Senior Citizens Centre, Arthur St, Unley $20 $15 (concession)
(Organised by the Campaign for an Independent East Timor SA Inc)
SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 1999 2 - 4.30PM
EAST TIMOR BENEFIT CONCERT
Maughan Church, Franklin St, Adelaide
$6 (including afternoon tea)
(Organised by the Catholic and Uniting Churches)
--
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