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: 31 OCTOBER 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
ATTENTION: CHIEF OF STAFF
THE INDONESIAN ARMY LEAVES EAST TIMOR - WILL THE SLAUGHTER STOP?
CIET's Information Officer, Andrew Alcock, released the following statement
on the day after the Indonesian military left East Timor:
"The Indonesian Army (TNI) has finally left East Timor after 24 years of
illegal occupation, massive human rights violations and genocide. This
should be a day of great rejoicing in the SE Asian and Pacific regions.
Although the TNI departure is a tribute to the courage and the
determination of the East Timorese people, they have hardly the time to
celebrate this historic occasion or even to mourn the third of the
country's population who have been eliminated by the TNI. The East Timorese
need to urgently locate the hundreds of thousands of their compatriots who
are still missing, to get food and medical supplies to refugees and to
rebuild
their nation which has been left in ruins by the destructive and genocidal
departing army.
It is significant that the Indonesian government that is now in office is
different to the regime that sent the TNI into East Timor 24 years ago.
President Abdurrahman Wahid is widely respected for his democratic and
humanitarian views and many Indonesians and East Timorese are heartened by
his initial plans for Indonesia. A major question is, however, how long
will he be able to remain in office? It is very obvious that the health of
the President is very shaky.
Those who desire peace and justice in the region are hopeful that
Abdurrahman Wahid will stay in the presidency long enough to achieve true
democracy, civilian rule, greater social justice in Indonesia and the
punishment of those responsible for human rights violations and corruption
over the past 35 years.
Even if his health holds out, however, will he be able to implement the
changes that he has promised? The Indonesian generals, the architects of
the genocide in East Timor and West Papua, are not going to willingly
release their hold on political power. Indonesia's Vice President, Megawati
Sukarnoputri, is not only new to political power, her Democratic Struggle
Party, is linked to the military. The vice president is Brigadier General
Theo Syafei, the TNI commander in Timor following the Santa Cruz (Dili)
Massacre. He was responsible for the climate of fear and repression in East
Timor at that time.
Suggestions by the Indonesian Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono that the US
would shortly renew military cooperation are very concerning. He made this
claim after a discussion with William Cohen, US Secretary of Defence. There
are a number of reasons why it is far too soon to resume such cooperation.
Recent reports indicate that TNI personnel are still training militias in
West Timor and Flores and are coordinating their activities on the East
Timor border.
The UN and INTERFET are still seeking the whereabouts of approximately four
hundred thousand East Timorese refugees in East Timor and Indonesia. The
TNI and its militias are still searching for East Timorese activists with
the intention of eliminating them. Further, TNI soldiers are still
committing human rights violations in other parts of the region - eg West
Papua (Irian Jaya) and key areas of Indonesia (Ambon, Acheh etc).
There should be absolutely no resumption of any form of military
cooperation with TNI until its generals have shown by their actions that
they intend to respect human rights in the region and the early steps
towards democracy and civilian rule in Indonesia before such moves can be
contemplated. To hastily resume military cooperation with the Indonesian
generals would be gross irresponsibility on the part of world leaders.
Further, it would dishonour the many East Timorese, West Papuan and
Indonesian who have been their victims over the past 35 years".
Andrew (Andy) Alcock
Information Officer
CIET (SA)
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)
SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER 1999 11 AM
INVASION DAY RALLY
(24th anniversary of the invasion of East Timor)
Gawler Place near Rundle Mall
(organised by CIET, unions, churches, community groups)
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 1999 7PM
"ROAD TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE IN EAST TIMOR" DINNER
Ukrainian Community Hall
66 Orsmond St, Hindmarsh
Ring 84457292 for further information
(organised by the Organising Committee of the East Timorese in SA)
--
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