Subject: JP: J. Stapleton Roy's comments on E.Timor
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1999 09:41:50 -0400
From: Joyo@aol.comJakarta Post 13 August 1999
Indonesia in transition: Some parting thoughts
By J. Stapleton Roy
Excepts from speech by the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia at the Indonesian
Council on World Affairs (ICWA) in Jakarta on Wednesday.
- Comments about East Timor only included here -
Before closing, let me comment briefly on East Timor, a problem that has lingered for a
quarter of a century and that has been a burden for Indonesia both domestically and
internationally. Coinciding with its democratic transition, Indonesia has created for
itself an unprecedented opportunity to put this issue onto a new footing that will benefit
both Indonesia and the people of East Timor. If conditions can be created so that a truly
valid voting process, internationally supervised and internationally recognized, can take
place on Aug. 30, then a major step will have been taken toward a solution, whether by
means of granting East Timor broad autonomy or by separation from Indonesia.
Such a favorable outcome cannot yet be assured. Last month I accompanied Assistant
Secretary Stanley Roth to East Timor for a three-day visit. Both of us were encouraged by
the manner in which registration was proceeding and by the improved cooperation between
UNAMET and the Indonesian military and police authorities there. At the same time, both of
us came away concerned about security. For the consultation to be a success, all eligible
voters, whether proautonomy or pro-separation, must be free to express their views and
vote for their preferred outcome without being subject to threat or intimidation. This
includes the tens of thousands of internally displaced persons who have been forced to
flee their homes due to violence and threats.
As provided for in the historic agreement signed in New York on May 5 by Indonesia,
Portugal, and the United Nations, Indonesia is responsible for ensuring a peaceful
environment in East Timor so that the voting process can take place as scheduled. We urge
all parties to work together to create such conditions, whether by ending intimidation,
sequestering arms, permitting Xanana Gusmao to travel to East Timor, or ensuring fair and
even-handed treatment for all sides.
No matter what the result of the voting process, it will be important for all parties
to respect the outcome. The problem of East Timor will not end on Aug. 30. In fact, the
most difficult challenges may lie ahead: in making sure that autonomy works if that is the
choice of the East Timorese; or in ensuring that a separate East Timor becomes a close
friend and cooperative partner of Indonesia if that is the preference of the majority of
East Timorese. In either case it will be essential that the majority act in a manner that
respects the interests and dignity of the minority.
Given the special international character of the East Timor problem, it is also
important for friends of Indonesia to act responsibly so that the treatment accorded East
Timor does not exacerbate separatist tendencies elsewhere in Indonesia, thus enabling your
country to provide a successful example of how to maintain both unity and diversity. That
can only be accomplished, of course, by ensuring social justice for the whole Indonesian
people.
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