=Subject: SCMP: Analysis: E Timor integration the
key to army's fortunes
Date: Sat, 01 May 1999 09:06:08 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Received from Joyo Indonesian
News:
South China Morning Post Saturday, May 1, 1999
East Timor integration the key to army's fortunes
ANALYSIS by Vaudine England in Jakarta
The defiance of East Timor's pro-integration militias against any United Nations
presence in the territory signifies the Indonesian armed forces' determination not to let
East Timor achieve independence.
"If East Timor was let go, it would discredit the whole armed forces
completely," Marzuki Darusman, head of Indonesia's National Human Rights Commission,
said yesterday.
Mr Darusman, who is also a leading member of the ruling Golkar party, admitted it was
virtually impossible to prove that Indonesia's military (Abri) was directly supporting and
encouraging the violence unleashed by para-military groups in East Timor.
But, he said, "there is no sense in denying it". "Of course Abri could
stop the militias", he said. "So if the militias are against a United Nations
presence, then Abri is against the UN."
Talks between East Timor's former colonial ruler Portugal and Indonesia are being held
under UN auspices in New York. A key subject is how to manage a promised ballot of the
East Timorese people over their future.
The ballot is tentatively set for August 8, but recent violence in East Timor -
including the massacres of scores of civilians in Liquica and in the capital Dili - have
raised serious security concerns.
For members of Abri, for whom East Timor is described as "their Vietnam", the
granting of autonomy or independence to a territory which it has allegedly controlled for
23 years would be a stunning blow.
"Abri is fighting for political survival in this country," said Mr Darusman,
referring to the popular demand that the military be excluded from politics once and for
all.
"If East Timor was let go, it would open up a chain of reactions.
"Then you could easily shunt Abri aside from politics. It's countdown time for
them."
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