Subject: US Catholic Conf: Statement on East Timor
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 1999 11:01:52 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Statement on East Timor by
Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, Chairman USCC (U.S. Catholic Conference) Committee On
International Policy
June 10, 1999
Thus far this year, the people of East Timor have experienced a level of violence not
seen since the 1970s when Indonesian forces invaded and annexed that territory. Rampaging
groups of armed militias have committed numerous atrocities upon mostly unarmed,
pro-independence communities and individuals. While there are factions among the Timorese
as well as air' armed pro-independence guerrilla movement, the vast majority of the
violence has been committed by paramilitary bands linked to the Indonesian security
forces.
On April 6, dozens of people were shot and hacked to death at the Catholic church in
Liquica, a massacre Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo of Dili has likened to that at the Santa
Cruz Cemetery in 1991. Just days later, more than a dozen people who had taken refuge in
the home of a leading pro-independence figure and brother of the former Indonesian
appointed governor were killed by roving militias. In these and other instances, reports
indicate that Indonesian police either stood by or directly participated in the attacks.
Throughout the territory, armed members of the dozen or so local militias that have
sprung up in the months after B.J. Habibie became president of Indonesia a year ago have
waged a relentless campaign of intimidation and violence directed at those thought to
favor independence. Estimates of people killed in recent months range from well over 300
to as many as 1,000. Over 40,000 East Timorese have fled their homes and farms, raising
again the spectre of hunger that devastated much of the island in the late 1970s. While
some of the internally displaced persons are in centers assisted by the Church's Caritas
workers, many are without any help and need the protection and relief that could be
provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, if allowed to enter in
sufficient numbers.
Since President Habibie announced in late January that the people of East Timor were to
be given a choice between autonomy and independence, army elements have fomented a
campaign of anti- independence violence that has swept over the island. From all accounts,
the vast majority of the violence has been committed by the pro-Indonesian militias. In
many instances Indonesian military have been reported as either doing nothing to stop the
mayhem or as encouraging and actually participating in it. It is beyond question that the
Indonesian government has jailed in its responsibility to maintain order and provide
security for the people.
In early May, the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers signed an accord at the
United Nations calling for a popular consultation in East Timor. Scheduled initially for
Sunday, August 8 of this year, the people are to be given the choice of voting for
autonomy or independence. The UN, which will conduct the consultation, has begun deploying
its personnel that will prepare for and monitor the vote; but the violence has continue.
Unless it is brought under control and the militias disbanded, the conditions essential
for a fair and free vote will be seriously lacking. At this time, a postponement seems
likely, if not inevitable. A delay, however, of more than a few months could result in the
entire consultation plan coming undone if forces opposed to the plan come to power as a
result of recent elections in Indonesia. If that were to happen, the prospect of even
greater civil strife enveloping all of East Timor cannot be ruled out.
What can be done? The Church in East Timor is urgently directing its efforts toward
achieving trust and mutual acceptance among those engaged in conflict. Nevertheless, even
such unstinting efforts have had limited impact under circumstances ruled by outside
forces bent on promoting violence and strife. The two bishops in this majority Catholic
and intensely religious country have long combined their fearless denunciation of the
violence with an insistent call for dialogue and reconciliation among contending parties.
They have formed a Peace and Reconciliation Initiative to promote dialogue and conflict
resolution among the main Timorese groups and with representatives of the police and
government.
On May 13, Ascension Thursday, the bishops with their clergy and religious led a huge,
peaceful march through the streets of Dili calling for an end to the violence. The
previous day, the bishops had joined with Protestant, Muslim and Hindu leaders in joint
prayers for peace. "We know our land was once peaceful," said Bishop Belo,
"but now it has a history of war, death, imprisonment, weeping and suffering."
He prayed that East Timorese would be kept from killing each other, and days later,
speaking of the August vote, he insisted that "after the choice is made, no group
must feel it has won or lost."
In the near term, however, decisive action by parts of the international community
seems more essential than ever and could spell the difference between a peaceful outcome
and continued bloodshed. As the numbers of the United Nations Assistance Mission to East
Timor (UNAMET) increase, they will be able more effectively to monitor and report on the
conditions that either favor or impede a successful consultation. While their present
mandate does not allow them to offer any direct protection to persons under attack, nor
are they allowed to carry sidearms, the particular circumstances of East Timor suggest a
review of that policy. Bishop Belo has just recently stated that for a successful
consultation to be held, a far larger end armed United Nations presence will be necessary.
More importantly, the Indonesian military that is widely cited as organizing, arming
and inciting many of the paramilitary mobs must end such activity and resume their proper
function of protecting the citizenry and maintaining order for this to happen, far greater
diplomatic pressure must be applied by the United States especially, but also by other
interested governments, and it must be done immediately and urgently. The window of
opportunity for effective diplomatic action here is exceedingly narrow. We respectfully
urge that our own government act decisively to take the necessary steps, including
consideration of maintaining a resident diplomatic presence in the territory throughout
this period.
We join with the bishops of East Timor, Carlos Ximenes Belo and Basilio Do Nascimenito,
and all the Church and people of that troubled land, in praying that this year will mark
the true beginning of a lasting peace, in which the rights and dignity of all will be
respected.
Back to June Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
