Subject: Timor resistance threatens to execute
hostages
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 22:29:18 +1100
From: Geoffrey Heard <gheard@surf.net.au> União Democrática Timorense TIMORESE
DEMOCRATIC UNION MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: 10 pm AESummerT, Monday 16/11/98
East Timor resistance threatens to execute hostages unless Indonesian army
backs off
SYDNEY: The East Timorese resistance, Falintil, is threatening to execute the
Indonesian army's regional commandant and another officer it is holding prisoner unless
ABRI stops killing innocent East Timorese civilians and pulls out of the Alas area on the
central south coast of East Timor.
The threat came from Taur Matan Ruak, Falintil field commander and deputy to the
imprisoned Xanana Gusmão, after Indonesian troops executed traditional leader, Liurai
Suku Taitudak, (note: identification by ETISC) and at least two young people, and went on
a rampage of murder and desecration at a local church. They burst into the church during
mass, shot the priest, then fired at random, killing and wounding many of the congregation
and destroying statues and symbols. The priest, either wounded or dead, was taken away by
the military and his whereabouts was unknown early today (AEST 16/11/98). Falintil
fighters captured the two officers, along with 12 other soldiers later released, in a raid
on the Indonesian regional military headquarters at Same last week. They also captured 40
guns and 3800 rounds of ammunition.
The captured officers are from the Indonesian army's 744 battalion. The 315 and 745
battalions and a contingent of marines are also in the area. The Falintil raid was in
response to Indonesia's massive secret troop build-up and attacks on Falintil on many
fronts following a period of relative calm punctuated by peaceful demonstrations by East
Timorese.
On the political front, Taur Matan Ruak appealed to Timorese inside and outside East
Timor, and to Portugal, to reject Indonesia's push to integrate East Timor with special
status. Integration under any status would amount to handing Falintil over to a murderous
Indonesian army bent on revenge and making amends for its own failures. Taur Matan Ruak
asked the President of the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT), João Carrascalão, to tell
delegates at the UN-sponsored talks in New York on East Timor's future that Falintil would
not lay down their arms until international observers were in East Timor to supervise
self-determination.
FURTHER INFORMATION: João Carrascalão, President, UDT % 0418 767 101 Issued on behalf
of UDT by Geoffrey Heard & Associates Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
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