Subject: RT: Jakarta responsible for Dili killings -
Australia
Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 10:17:55 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Received from Joyo:
April 17, 9:42 p.m. ET
Jakarta responsible for Dili killings - Australia
SYDNEY, April 18 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Sunday the
Indonesian government was responsible for the increasing violence in East Timor following
the latest reports of killings in Dili.
``I am very concerned at the way in which the situation has deteriorated and the
Indonesian government cannot escape responsibility for at least some of that, if not all
of it,'' Howard said in an interview on Australian television.
Hundreds of pro-Jakarta militiamen went on a rampage in the capital of East Timor on
Saturday, injuring scores of people and torching several vehicles and houses.
A leading pro-independence activist Manuel Carascalao told Reuters his teenage son and
several other people were killed when his house in Dili was attacked.
Howard said he would be contacting Indonesian President B.J. Habibie to express
Australia's ``deep concern'' at the Dili killings and ``growing evidence'' Indonesian
troops have failed to prevent the killings by pro-Jakarta militiamen.
``You would have to wonder whether these pro-integration militiamen are not getting
some kind of permissive response from the Indonesian army,'' Howard told Channel Nine's
Sunday programme.
``The rest of the world will expect the Indonesian army to show discipline and
restraint and to promote stability and cooperation in East Timor,'' Howard said.
``Now the complete opposite of stability and cooperation is occuring at the moment, and
it is of huge and immediate concern for the Australian government because this is a
country on our doorstep,'' he said.
Howard said the increased violence was threatening the U.N.-sponsored autonomy ballot
in East Timor scheduled for July.
``Its harder to see it being credible,'' said Howard, but added it would be
unsatisfactory to postpone the ballot.
Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and annexed it the following year, a move not
recognised by the United Nations.
After a 23-year guerrilla war for independence, in January Jakarta offered East Timor a
vote on autonomy or independence, but since the offer the territory has been racked by
violence between pro-independence and pro-integration forces.
Back to April Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
