Subject: Statement by José Ramos-Horta
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 09:46:02 -0400
From: "Gabinete Dr. José Ramos-Horta"<np98g@mail.telepac.pt>PRESS
RELEASE
STATEMENT BY JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA
Lisbon - 6 April 1999 - During the past few months I have been calling the international
community's attention to the situation in East Timor, in letters addressed to the UN
Secretary General (see letter dated 22 February 1999), to the European Union governments,
United States and Australia denouncing the constant provocation by the Indonesian army,
destabilization actions, massacres perpetrated against the civilian population, helpless
women and children.
The appeals addressed by the UN Secretary General himself and by Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright for the Indonesian authorities to disarm the paramilitary had no
favorable effect. On the contrary, the Indonesian army has pursued the weapons
distribution and aggression policy. Indonesian military presence in East Timor is now
beyond 20.000 (twenty thousand) men. Even in the humanitarian plan, the Jakarta
government’s attitude has been that of creating problems to the people of East
Timor, rising obstacles to the international humanitarian assistance to the people.
We cannot forget that the Indonesian authorities rejected the Australian offer to send
physicians to the territory. Having initially accepted the establishing of an Australian
consulate in Dili, immediately after, the Indonesian authorities went back on their
decision.
During these months of provocation and terror the Resistance has always reacted with
serenity, prudence and nonviolence. The FALINTIL have kept a defensive profile, with no
armed confrontation between them and the Indonesian army being registered. There hasn't
been any armed confrontation between the FALINTIL and the paramilitary either.
The paramilitary preferable targets are the civilian population. During all these
months, in spite of the provocation and violence acts perpetrated by the Indonesian army
and the paramilitary, Resistance leader Xanana Gusmão hasn't spared efforts to pursue
dialogue and reconciliation in order to prevent war in East Timor between the East
Timorese.
Yesterday's statement by our leader Xanana Gusmão must be taken in that context, and
doesn't show any break in our resolve to proceed dialogue as the only way to achieve peace
and independence in East Timor.
The FALINTIL have the sacred mission of defending the civilian population victimized by
the paramilitary but will not give up the spirit of reconciliation and the dialogue
process in progress.
I call on the international community to take its share of responsibility, exerting
firm, more specific and concrete pressures on the Indonesian army in view of disarming the
armed groups of the territory. Indonesia must proceed immediately to the drastic reduction
of the number of militaries in the territory. A UN force should be deployed so that
together with ABRI they can assure peace and stability in the territory. The sending of UN
civilian observers to East Timor should be accelerated.
More than ever the dialogue process under the auspices of the UN Secretary General must
be intensified. I still believe that not all is black and white. There are elements of
good will and faith in Indonesia, not only among President Habibie's team but also in ABRI
itself. Those good will elements that truly desire to build a different Indonesia
withdrawing from East Timor have in Xanana Gusmão a serious and responsible leader, with
whom they must seek dialogue to overcome the obstacles that certain forces tried to raise
between us.
I also appeal to the East Timorese youth to avoid any act of provocation and violence
against ABRI and pro-integration East Timorese.
We must recognize that there has been on our side some extremist elements, provoking
agents that contributed to the actual polarization in the territory
This is the moment for prudence, serenity and a lot of faith in our own people. The
independence of East Timor is inevitable, but this should be built through dialogue,
wisdom and serenity.
Contact: Elvira Mendes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Back to April Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
