Subject: The Timorese Youth Press Release
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 09:47:30 -0400
From: "Bui Berani" <renetil_digarex@hotmail.com>CONSELHO NACIONAL DA
RESISTÊNCIA TIMORENSE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TIMORESE RESISTANCE (CNRT)
The Timorese Youth
Press Release
Facing the fact that, the increasingly act of intimidation, terrors and killings of the
Timorese people which perpetrated by paramilitary and armed by ABRI, we, The Timorese
Youth have moral obligation to state our position publicly. According to us, ABRI's
deceive in engineering Timorese people to kill each other. It is barbarous act; showing
the coward attitude of Indonesian government, mainly its military, to maintain its illegal
occupation over East Timor. This attitude is contradict with the commitment of Indonesian
government to the international community in solving the question of East Timor,
peacefully, democratic and honorable, as repeatedly stated by Indonesian foreign Minister
Ali Alatas since 27th of January.
During several months of provocation and terrors, the Resistance has reacted with
serenity, prudence and non-violence. The FALINTIL had been maintained in defensive
position in order to support the reconciliation process as
our political good will to create a conducive atmosphere for a just, peaceful and
internationally acceptable solution for East Timor question.
Our political good will and our commitment to peace had been perceived as our weakest
point, the situation has been worst, therefore, Xanana as the Commander in Chief of
Falintil and the president of CNRT has absolutely right and duty to respond the situation
through the statement published on 5th of April 1999.
The statement should be understood within this context and it does not implicate any
rupture of our collective will to pursue the dialog to achieve the peace and independence
in East Timor.
We, East Timorese Youth totally support Xanana's statement and We regret the slowness
of the UN to resolve the East Timor question. It seems that UN is conspired with Indonesia
and Portugal to let the Timorese people into conflict and long lasting suffering. The
indifference reaction of United Nations to solve the similar political conflicts in other
part of the globe such as the case of Kuwait, Irak, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo, UN has
shown itself more as a tool to protect economic interest of western countries rather than
an international medium to solve political conflict in the world.
Based on the realities above, especially the massacre in Liquisa, 5 of April of 1999,
We, East Timorese Youth condemn:
1. Barbarous act of ABRI in the various killings in East Timor, particularly the
massacre which took place in Liquica church on 5th and 6th of April, killed more than 25
civilians and hundreds were injured. 2. The high tension of intimidation, terrors and
killings perpetrated by paramilitary; formed, armed and supported by ABRI. 3. The
unseriousness of UN to resolve East Timor question. 4. Portugal, as administering-power
does not have a just and steady political attitude towards the solution of East Timor
question. 5. The arrogance of Indonesian government to let its army (ABRI) uncontrolled in
East Timor. 6. Deplore and deeply regret the unlawful statement of General Wiranto by
saying that East Timor is legally integral part of Indonesia, regardless on fact that East
Timor was illegally invaded and annexed by Indonesian army.
Demand:
1. The total disarmament of paramilitary groups formed by ABRI under international
supervision. 2. The total withdrawal of ABRI from East Timor under international
supervision. 3. The immediate presence of UN PeaceKeeping Force in East Timor, as the
seriousness of United Nations to uphold the implementation of its Resolutions regarding
East Timor question. 4. The involvement of Xanana Gusmão in the forthcoming Tripartite
negotiation. 5. World Bank and International Monetary Fund to review its financial aid to
Indonesia. The Funds are used to finance military operation in various areas in Indonesia
and East Timor, instead of developing the economic condition of Indonesian people.
Patria ou Morte! (Motherland or Death!) A Luta Continua! (The Struggle Continues!)
Indonesia, 9th of April 1999
Representative of Timorese Youth:
signed 1. JOSe MANUEL Organizacão dos Estudantes e da Juventude de Timor Leste
(OJETIL)
signed 2. TOMe XAVIER JERNIMO Front Nasional Pemuda Timor Leste (FRONPETIL)
signed 3. VIRGiLIO DA SILVA Resistencia Nacional dos Estudantes de Timor Leste
(RENETIL)
Back to April Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
