Subject: JP: Ministers call for restraint in E.
Timor
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1999 09:14:38 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Received from Joyo Indonesian
News:
Jakarta Post 08 August 1999
Ministers call for restraint in E. Timor
DILI, East Timor (JP): A 50-strong delegation of Indonesian ministers and senior
officials flew in here on Saturday, calling on both proindependence and prointegration
forces for restraint ahead of a landmark ballot on the disputed province's future.
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Feisal Tanjung warned that the
period between the ballot campaigning on Aug. 11 to Aug. 27 and the planned ballot on Aug.
30 would be particularly vulnerable to clashes between the two rival factions.
"It's up to both parties to create a conducive and peaceful condition for the
ballot. Indonesian police will carry out firm action on anyone violating the law and
order," Feisal said during a joint media conference here.
The officials' visit was the second, intended to check on preparations for the
self-determination vote. The first visit was in July.
Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto said the
government would arrange a meeting between jailed proindependence CNRT leader Jose
Alexander "Xanana" Gusmao, who is the commander of the Falintil armed wing, and
leaders of the proindependence militia on the ground in the hope they will agree to lay
down their arms.
"The handing over of all guns and other weapons must be an absolute priority.
Xanana needs to brief his followers across East Timor and socialize the importance of
peace," Wiranto said.
Wiranto, however, declined to explain arrangements for Xanana, who is being held in a
special detention house in Central Jakarta, to meet the guerrillas who are holed up in
mountain bases in East Timor.
Wiranto explained that the warring parties agreed recently to turn in their weapons
before the ballot campaign period begins.
"But further talks are needed within both groups (proindependence and
prointegration). I have met with the new CNRT coordinator, Leandro Isaac, and he said it's
important to meet Xanana.
"If both warring parties do not keep their word, standard police procedures will
be used," Wiranto said.
Among the ministers in the entourage on Saturday were Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas, Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus, Minister of Justice Muladi, National
Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, Minister of Health Farid Anfasa Moeloek, Minister of Social
Services Justika Sjarifudin Baharsjah and Minister of Education and Culture Juwono
Sudarsono.
At the same media briefing, Alatas estimated it would take a week for the August 30
autonomy ballot result to be completed.
"(The process) will include vote counting inside and outside the country," he
said.
Alatas said the next People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will discuss MPR Decree No.
6/1978 on East Timor integration to Indonesia. If the majority of East Timorese choose to
be independent, the Assembly, whose members will be installed in October or November, will
then decide whether to revoke the decree on the integration and replace it with one that
declares the separation of East Timor.
"Therefore, there will be a certain period of some months when people have to wait
for the MPR decision (to confirm) the ballot result," he added.
During that particular time, Alatas said, East Timorese and related parties must
exercise self restraint and avoid conflicts.
During the visit, Wiranto, Feisal and Roesmanhadi went to visit the office of the
Committee for Peace and Justice, whose membership comprises representatives of various
organizations in East Timor, including proindependence groups, prointegration groups, the
local government, the military, police, non-governmental organizations and religious
leaders.
Justika went straight by helicopter to Atambua in West Timor, where 60,000 East
Timorese refugees have sought safety, fleeing violence in their villages near the border
dividing the island with West Timor, AFP reported. In a separate meeting with Alatas,
United Nations Mission on East Timor head Ian Martin warned that mission members may be
pulled out if security worsens in the run-up to the vote, AP reported on Saturday.
Further talks to coordinate security measures in the tense region will be held next
week in Jakarta between the UN, Indonesia and Portugal, Ian said. "I told Alatas that
if East Timor is in a dangerous situation, then the U.N. mission will have a plan to
evacuate its staff," Martin was quoted after the meeting.
The warning came a day after voter registration for the ballot ended on Friday, with
439,580 people registered, 427,190 of whom live in East Timor. Over the past several
months, clashes between proindependence and prointegration militias have marked the
regions. U.N. offices and staff conducting the voter registration drive have also been
repeatedly attacked by interested factions.
Under the terms of the referendum accord, Indonesia is responsible for maintaining
security.
Separately, chairman of the East Timorese Front, Lopes da Cruz, reminded that the
campaign for the autonomy ballot in East Timor was different from that for the general
election.
"A general election is held once every five years, while the autonomy ballot will
be the only one and will determine the fate of East Timorese," Lopez was quoted by
Antara on Saturday while opening a course for proautonomy campaigners here.
"Therefore, campaigners of the wide-ranging autonomy concept (under the Indonesian
government) have to persuade people in a peaceful way," he said. "A victory for
the autonomy proposal means a victory for all," he added. (33/edt)
Back to August Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu |
