Subject: AN: Indonesia denies report to UN S Council
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999 17:38:05 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>E. Timor : RI DENIES REPORT TO
UN SECURITY COUNCIL
Source : ANTARA, 29 May 1999
New York - Indonesia has denied an assertion in a report of the UN Secretary General to
its Security Council, which says that the security situation in East Timor is a result of
violence and intimidation committed by the pro-integrationist group backed by the
Indonesian military. The denial was signed by Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the
UN, Makarim Wibisono in a note sent to the Security Council President, M. Denis Dangue
Rewaka, Thursday.
The note has explained in three factors what is seen imbalances in the report of the UN
Secretary General, Kofi Annan. Annan's report was based on the outcome of the UN advanced
Team to East Timor.
First, based on the situation on the ground, Indonesia sees the report as an imbalanced
picture of the prevailing realities. "It would be misleading to describe that the
security situation in East Timor is a result of the continuing violence and intimidation
perpetrated solely by one segment of the society. The reality is that such violence has
been committed by both sides (pro-independence and pro-integrationist groups),"
Makarim said. For instance, he said, the report did not mention the killing of four East
Timorese soldiers when they were ambushed by anti-integrationist on May 16 in Bobonaro
village. There was also a brutal killing of a civil servant in his own house in Baucau
district, while the perpetrators fled after spraying the neighborhood with bullets and
torching three houses. In addition, intimidation, harrasment, and violence by
anti-integrationists against teachers, nurses, and doctors are continuing and has hampered
their services in the territory.
"This (the note) is not to justify nor to excuse the perpetration of such acts by
any one side, for they are unacceptable under any circumstances," Makarim said. The
note, he said, is aimed at describing the facts, and it should be stressed in orderto make
for a balanced report.
"A balanced report is crucial for progress to be made in establishing an
atmosphere conducive to the holding of a consultation," Makarim added.
Denied accusation
Furthermore, Indonesia has rejected unsubstantiated allegations based on the beliefs of
observers whose sources of information are unverifiable, which suggests acquiescence by
elements of the country's army to the militia actions. "To date, there are many UN
officials in East Timor and the report, therefore, should be based on their information
and not on the beliefs of the so-called observers," the Ambassador said, adding that
Indonesia considers the charges to be highly serious. Makarim said Indonesia's committment
to the May 5, 1999 agreements is unequivocal and it is determined to see through the
successful implementation of the agreements.
The government seriousness to meet the commitment is proved by the establishment of a
special task force at the ministerial level on May 11, to monitor and ensure the safe and
peaceful implementation of the consultation.
The third factor responded by the Ambassador in its note is the report on the
Commission on Peace and Stability which was established in Dili on April 21. The report
said that the anti-integrationists could not participate freely in the commission because
of some intimidation. "The report is misleading," Makarim noted.
Therefore, he said, it is pertinent to note that the Indonesian Foreign Affairs
Minister, Ali Alatas, has held a meeting with both pro-integrationists and
anti-integrationists to explain the substance of wide-ranging autonomy contained in the
May 5 agreements.
"The meeting has also provided an opportunity for both sides to freely express
their views. They were not apprehensive about attending the meeting," Makarim said.
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