Precedence: bulk
Statement of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT)
PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONFERENCE FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FOR EAST TIMOR
We the participants of the Melbourne Conference for Strategic
Development Planning for East Timor, under the auspices of the National
Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT), conclude the second phase of
preparations for independent government with great hope for the future of a
peaceful, democratic nation of East Timor. We express this hope, despite the
current escalation of violence by the Indonesian military and its agents
against the civilian population of East Timor. This calculated programme of
violence remains the only obstacle to achieving this aim of peace and
democracy in East Timor.
In five days of intensive planning, the Conference has prepared a
blueprint which marks the beginnings of a new future for our country. Our
vision is based on the fundamental principal of a free, independent,
peaceful and democratic East Timor. The CNRT is committed to working to
establish a free country where all citizens are equal before the law, where
all people have equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to all
aspects of society, and where we live together in peace.
We have developed strategic plans for development in the eight (8) key areas of:
Governance/Public Administration
Law and the Judicial System
Economics
Agriculture
Health
Education
Infrastructure/Environment
Mass Communications
-with attention to gender, culture and human rights in all these areas.
We have mapped out the way ahead for the immediate transitional
period, the establishment of the necessary institutions and programmes for a
newly independent East Timor, and the longterm vision, goals and strategies
for development across all sectors.
Throughout the Conference we have liaised with key international
development agencies and non government organisations, who have committed to
working with the people of East Timor within this structured development plan.
We have achieved a landmark in the nation building of a democratic
East Timor at this Conference. From the strategic development plans drawn up
across the sectors, we have initiated ongoing taskforces who willcontinue on
with detailed work in consultation with and support from the international
community.
The success of this Conference demonstrates to the international
community that the people of East Timor, even in the most difficult
circumstances of the current violent situation, are ready to undertake the
work of nation building in a responsible, prudent and inclusive manner. We
are desperate for the peace necessary to undertake this great challenge.
We want to make it absolutely clear that we, the participants of the
Conference, fully support the President of the CNRT Xanana Gusmao in his
moderate call for the East Timorese people to defend themselves. Xanana
Gusmao has pursued the path of dialogue at all times. In calling for the
people of East Timor to be protected he is seeking to preserve the lives of
innocent children, women and men. We note that Bishop Belo affirms Xanana
Gusmao's call as moderate and appropriate in the desperate situation in East
Timor.
We are distressed at the calculated escalation of the violence by
the Indonesian military and its agents this week in East Timor. We
understand that the Indonesian military is now targeting individuals
considered key independence supporters, particularly in Dili. The use of a
grenade to attack the church of Liquica and the storming of a priest's house
are calculated to demonstrate that there is no refuge for the people of East
Timor.
At the same time as this military escalation, the government of
Indonesia has frustrated limited international attempts at providing
emergency humanitarian relief to East Timor, by blocking shipments and
refusing offers of assistance to the people of East Timor. The Indonesian
government has also delayed again the scheduled United Nations talks between
Portugal and Indonesia on the content of the proposed autonomy package.
We reiterate that CNRT is committed to a peaceful, inclusive process
of transition to independence in East Timor. Our leaders Xanana Gusmao and
Jose Ramos Horta initiated dialogue with the Indonesian Government and
military leaders, and have demonstrated time and again their moderate and
reasonable approach.
At the end of this historic Conference, as we prepare to begin the
process of national reconstruction, we the participants of the Strategic
Planning for Development in East Timor call on:
- The United Nations Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan to intensify his
efforts to resume dialogue between Indonesia and Portugal, particularly with
the aim of immediately disarming the paramilitary forces in East Timor and
achieving a drastic reduction in Indonesian troops;
- The United Nations Security Council to discuss East Timor, with the aim of
devising realistic options for action to secure peace in East Timor;
- The United Nations to implement an immediate inquiry into the massacres on
4 and 6 April respectively, and to hold those responsible accountable under
law;
- The United Nations to deploy a mission to East Timor immediately to ensure
peaceful progress towards the act of self-determination;
- Governments of the world to demand that the Indonesian military cease its
programme of violence in EastTimor;
- The international community to support the nation building process
initiated by the National Council of Timorese Resistance at this Conference.
We therefore call for immediate international action to stop the
Indonesian army-sponsored violence in East Timor, to protect the people of
East Timor and to preserve the process of dialogue for transition towards a
solution in East Timor. We the participants of the Conference on Strategic
Development Planning for East Timor, in spite of this difficult times
endured by our people, declare our total commitment to continue to work on
the big task towards accomplishing the national reconstruction of our homeland.
9 April, 1999
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Kieran Dwyer
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/et/
East Timor Relief Association
PO Box 1102 - Parramatta NSW 2124, Australia
email : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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