Roebear, Indonesia is barely hanging on as a functional unit. It is rife with racial, religious, and ethnic tension and strife which unfortunately the Government (IMO only) is encouraging attacks on minorities in order to detract attention from their corruption and nepotism.
The press has deliberately (and in my opinion correctly) played down the situation. You may be too young to remember the mass slaughter of the ethnic Chinese Minority in Indonesia in 1965, when the rivers of Indonesia were packed with thousands of the dead.
I think we barely hang by a thread from a mass execution of the East Timorese population by the Indonesian Army..Trust me- it does not encourage energy companies to plunk down funds in this region...
East Timorese fear more attacks from anti-independence militiamen
ÿVIDEOCNN's Maria Ressa shows the continuing violence. (September 6)
Real28K80KWindows Media28K80KINTERACTIVE:East Timor: Images of the past IN DEPTH:Indonesia Votes MESSAGE BOARD:Indonesia and East Timor ÿALSO:Calls mount for U.N. intervention in East Timor
Evacuees describe Dili as a city of fear run by militias
Militias turn Dili into 'city of fear'
September 6, 1999
Web posted at: 3:17 p.m. EDT (1917 GMT)
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In this story:
U.N. denies voting irregularities affected results
Calls for intervention
Megawati blames Habibie for troubles
RELATED STORIES, SITES
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From staff and wires reports.
DILI, East Timor (CNN) -- Pro-Indonesia militias held a bloody rein on Dili Monday while some journalists, U.N. workers and residents fled East Timor's lawless territorial capital.
Witnesses said that Indonesian troops -- who previously stood idle while the militias ran a campaign of death and destruction through the city -- had begun to take an active role in the rampage. Hundreds of residents are reported to have been killed in the violence during the week since the East Timorese voted for independence.
"There is very clear evidence of collusion among elements of the security forces and the militias," said U.N. spokesman Nick Birnback, holed up in the besieged U.N. compound. "A campaign of forced deportation seems to be taking place, with the Indonesian army and militias loading people onto trucks and sending them to West Timor."
Hundreds of people were seized during an attack on the residence of 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Carlos Belo, where they had sought refuge when the militias resorted to violence as it became clear the East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence.
Belo was home when the attack took place, but was uninjured. He was later flown by police helicopter to the eastern town of Baucau while his house was reportedly burning out of control.
Belo was "deeply hurt, especially psychologically," said Baucau Bishop Basilio Nascimento. "He's in a state of shock. From the scarce words he uttered, the attack was violent."
At least 39 people were reported killed in the attack, although the report could not be verified. The pro-Indonesia forces moved next door to round up refugees sheltering in the Red Cross headquarters after torching Belo's home.
East Timorese who took refuge at the church of Bishop Carlos Belo pray during a Mass in Dili, capital of East Timor, on Sunday ÿ
U.N. denies voting irregularities affected results
Jose Ramos-Horta, who shared the 1996 Nobel Prize with Belo, blamed the violence on elements of the military still loyal to former President Suharto, who resigned in 1998 after 32 years of dictatorial rule.
"This is what they're trying to do: to scare away, force the U.N. out of East Timor," Ramos-Horta told CNN. "And (they hope) they can present the world with a fait accompli, that we all go back to business as usual -- ignore the vote, the popular will, and East Timor remains the 27th province of Indonesia."
Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975, after the territory was abandoned by Portugal, which ruled it for centuries. An agreement between Indonesia and Portugal led to last week's referendum, with all sides promising to abide by the results.
But the militias claimed that the U.N.-organized vote was biased toward independence. U.N. officials rejected that charge, saying they had investigated all 32 complaints from the pro-Indonesian side.
"I have never said no irregularities were committed," said South African Justice Johann Kriegler, a member of the United Nations' election commission. "Singly, jointly, put them all together, none of the irregularities could have affected the outcome. The people have spoken clearly and unmistakably -- 'no' to autonomy (as opposed to outright independence)."
The militias, however, were unwilling to accept the vote
"(Dili is) a city of fear," said Sister Libby Rogerson, a Caritas nun who was evacuated to Darwin, Australia, on Monday. "Everyone is frightened."
Thousands of East Timorese are fleeing the capital as rioting militias continue their attacks ÿ
Calls for intervention
In the face of increasing international criticism of its role in perpetuating the violence in East Timor, Indonesia's foreign minister defended his country's actions.
"Very often our police had to wait for reinforcements in the face of overwhelming presence of armed unruly elements," Ali Alatas said. "They have to wait until they were strong enough in order to overcome the situation."
Alatas said police had on occasion exercised "great persuasive power ... to prevent things" and had "arrested a number of people."
Armed forces chief Wiranto said Monday the government was considering granting East Timor a special emergency status which would give the military more power to act. He also said more troops were heading to the territory.
International voices, however, were nearly unanimous in charging Indonesia with not doing enough to quell the violence -- and several countries called for an intervention force.
Malaysia and Thailand said they were prepared to send troops if asked by the United Nations, and Australia put its troops on heightened alert in case the world body called for them.
"Today's activities clearly show that Indonesia is not carrying out its proper role of policing and maintaining security in East Timor," said Australian Defense Minister John Moore.
A five-member U.N. Security Council delegation was to leave New York for Jakarta Monday night to press the Indonesian government to restore order in East Timor.
The team, which will meet with Secretary-General Kofi Annan before departure, consists of ambassadors Jeremy Greenstock of Britain, Danilo Turk of Slovenia, Martin Andjaba of Namibia, Agam Hasmy of Malaysia and Deputy Ambassador Alphons Hamer of the Netherlands.
Megawati blames Habibie for troubles
Indonesian opposition leader Megawati Sukarnoputri, who earlier said she was disappointed that the East Timorese had voted to break away from Indonesia, said Monday that the current government's policies caused the East Timor tragedy.
"The violent acts .. are the responsibility of President B.J. Habibie in his position as head of state, head of government and the supreme commander of the Indonesian armed forces as well as the police of the Republic of Indonesia," said Megawati, who is expected to be Indonesia's next president.
Megawati said she accepts the results of the referendum, and called on all Indonesians to do so.
With hundreds of people reported killed in the bloodshed, Megawati called on the government to avoid any further action which could damage Indonesia's image on the international stage.
Indonesia did make one decision Monday designed to reduce violence. It reversed its earlier insistence that East Timorese independence activist Xanana Gusmao -- jailed in Jakarta -- would be sent back to Dili upon his release.
The government bowed to fears that Gusmao would be killed should he return to East Timor. Gusmao, who is to be released Wednesday, will be allowed to choose where he wants to go, Justice Minister Muladi said.
"On Wednesday I will let you know," Gusmao said. "I still don't know where to go."
Australia has offered Gusmao sanctuary. |
