Subject: DN: Timorese resistance does not believe
guerrillas attacked soldiers
Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 10:20:52 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Received from Joyo Indonesian
News:
BBC May 20, 1999, Thursday Source: 'Diario de Noticias' web site, Lisbon, in Portuguese
19 May 99
Timorese resistance does not believe guerrillas attacked soldiers
Text of report Joao Pedro Fonseca entitled: "Did the guerrillas attack Indonesian
soldiers or not?" ; published by the Portuguese newspaper 'Diario de Noticias' web
site on 19th May
The Timorese newspaper 'Suara Suara Timor'reported yesterday that Falintil [East Timor
National Liberation Armed Forces] had killed three Indonesian soldiers in the Lolotoe
region, in Maliana district.
But the information is contradictory. A CNRT [National Council of the Timorese
Resistance] spokesman confirmed the clashes to 'Diario de Noticias'. Yes, it is true, but
the Falintil guerrillas only reacted to a military offensive.
He also drew attention to the rumour that the military is mobilizing the
pro-integration militias in the Maliana area to attack the population.
The people are petrified of the consequences of this incident.
Another CNRT member said he did not believe Falintil would have attacked the soldiers:
"We have a president (Xanana Gusmao) and he takes the decisions and gives the orders.
And people obey. The orders are to act in self-defence only. Falintil does not attack
spontaneously."
Pro-independence Timorese citizens commented on the attack to 'Diario de Noticias', if
it did indeed happen. They said that "if the soldiers were in the mountains on an
offensive, being soldiers they are armed, it is natural that there might be clashes, and
men might die" .
They added: "Why are they going to the mountains at a time when the ministers are
calling for peace?" The answer is simple: "It is normal. That is the way it
should be. Falintil are fighting the Indonesian military and not the militias. Therefore
when there is disarmament Falintil will lay down its weapons when the armed forces leave
the territory."
Back to May Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
