| nettimes_digestive_system on Thu, 9 Sep 1999 02:13:48 +0200 (CEST) |
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| <nettime> East Timor Digest (opinions, clarifications, phones, emails) |
Moderator's clarification: yesterday I said it was reported that an
Australian troopship was headed into "international waters north of
Australia". This report as it turns out is false. Last night the
Australian Army was loading armoured vehicles onto it in Darwin harbour. I
will report however that although the heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk was
reported offline for refit, on the day before the ballot it dissappeared
from its usual mooring place in Garden Island, Sydney. Does anyone know
where it is (it has a large 'L50' painted on its bow)? - SM
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Ivo Skoric" <ivo@reporters.net>
To: pnbalkans@igc.org
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 15:39:33 -0400
Subject: East Timor
Another fall-out from the "realpolitik": East Timor. The same pattern:
the U.S. guided by Kissinger or somebody from his "school"
(Eagleburger, Scowcroft, Baker, Vance, Holbroke...) lets a local
strongman oppress his people and his neighbours unchecked. Then the
strongman grows old, or dies, or gets weaker by the turn of global
markets, and the chaos sets in. The new interactive electronic media
brings that chaos painfully close to everybody and suddenly those who
thought of themselves as the world's moral authority are embarassed
into having created the worst of all possible world for millions around
the globe:
Chile, South America in general
East Timor and the rest of Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Congo and Central Africa in general
Yugoslavia or what was of it
and I am sure I missed something, but it will reveal itself sooner
than later....
Check this out: East Timorese have their cyberhome in Ireland - and it
is invaded by Indonesian hackers!
http://www.freedom.tp/press.htm
ivo
ps - there is highly interesting development in Venezuela - the LARGEST
exporter of oil to the U.S. raised the price of its oil from $7 to $17
in the past six months bringing its oil price in sync with the world
markets under the new political leadership. Venezuela also held meetings
with Mexican and Saudi oil ministers (2nd and 3rd largest oil exporters
to the U.S.). This is a serious threat for American way of life, so, I
guess, we should expect Venezuela engulfed in some sort of the civil war
soon.
Please, check:
http://balkansnet.org/raccoon/torres.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1999 15:02:02 +1000
EAST TIMOR OPINION
What is clear is that the total disregard of Indonesia and current state
of anarchy and lawlessness in East Timor has caught the international
community at unawares. It was only a few months ago that the Australian
Government advised Jakarta against a hasty withdrawl, warning of likely
disarray to follow in the running of civil posts, business (held largely
by Indonesians) and political processes.
Such concerns were anecdoted by the civil uprisings in 1974 when
Portugal left after four centuries of solitary colonial rule. A lot has
happened since 1974. A year later East Timor falls to Indonesia invasion
and a near quarter century of suppression and deadly exploitation
begins. Mass disappearances, torture and lawless killing were to go on
for years. Whole villages were wiped out in reprisal. The arrival of
food aid withheld. It is estimated that since 1975 over 200,000 East
Timorese - a quarter of the then population - have died under Indonesian
rule. In proportionate population terms the atrocities are far greater
than Pol Pot's 'clensing' of Cambodia.
The self image choice of Australia to ignore the happenings in East
Timor was made - to appease the Indonesians and not to stand alone in
south east Asia as the lone dissident. To cement a placing in Asia was
of primary trade importance at a time of regional insecurity. In 1978
Australia entered in to negotiations with Indonesia in what was to
become the Timor Gap Treaty.
To this day the position of the Australian Government has remained
unchanged with PM Howard noting in the lead-up to the 30 August ballot
that an autonomous East Timor with in Indonesia was the best result for
all peoples involved and Foreign Affairs Minister Downer mentioning that
an independent nation in the Indonesian archipelago was somewhat of an
''inconvenience''. The Australian Government has stated that its
commercial relations, i.e. Timor Gap Treaty, are better negotiated with
Indonesia than an independent East Timor. There are also strong concerns
around the primitive state of the economy of East Timor and the level of
commitment required in foreign aid. What government would want to take
on the transitional security responsibility for a mere province much
less provide over US$50m per annum in post military funding?
When we talk of economies, the Indonesian economy is in an extremely bad
way. As the worst hit country of the 1997 Asian crisis, Indonesia now
finds itself with over US$150 billion in external debt and over one
third of its population out of the workforce. It is estimated that some
40% or 90 million people are now living below the absolute poverty line.
The IMF has allocated a USD 40 billion rescue package for Indonesia
dependent on its compliance with reform measures of economic
restructuring. To date six tranches have been forwarded and in March
1999 a tranche totalling USD 3 billion was withheld on IMF concerns
failing Indonesia to abolish tax breaks and monopolies dominated by the
Suharto family. Needless to say that IMF loans and foreign aid packages
(totaling USD1.8 billion in 1998-99 of which Australia contributed AUD
108 million) are a lifeline for Indonesia and to have them withheld
together with the imposition of embargoes and international boycotts
resulting from an international encounter would have catastrophic
consequences for the people of Indonesia. Whether or not the Indonesian
military are willing to take this risk for the sake of making an example
of East Timor to other pro-independence provinces of Irian Jaya and
Aceh, is doubtful.
The recent events in East Timor has made a mockery of Australia's stand
by Indonesia. What is now clear is that the Indonesian Government is
still run by military generals and that President BJ Habibbie, good
intentions or not, has little clout. When PM John Howard met with
President Habibbie and other Indonesian officials in Bali earlier in the
year to discuss the future of East Timor, General Wiranto was not a
player in discussions, barely uttering a word. One must question the
Australian Government's much prided relationship with Indonesia when the
real power players are not fully known.
The failure of Indonesia to abide by the May 5 UN Agreement is hardly
that surprising. We only have to look to UN Security Council resolutions
384 (1975) and 389 (1976) calling on Indonesia to withdraw from East
Timor without delay, and the eight resolutions of the General Assembly
on East Timor. More recently the April 21 Peace Pact brokered by
General Wiranto has been held in disrepute as the paramilitary violence
persists with Indonesia making seemingly little effort to control it.
Evidence gathered indicates continuing complicity by the Indonesian
authorities with ongoing violence by militia groups against East
Timorese in favor of independence.
In the town of Maubisse, for example, observers witnessed the Indonesian
riot police (BRIMOB) distributing automatic weapons to militia members
travelling to a pro-autonomy rally.
It appears that already the United Nations organisation will again be
made the scapegoat for abandoning the people of East Timor when, in
fact, the blame should be sheeted home to the UN's member-states. We
must recognise that the UN is only as strong as its member states. UN
member-states - that is governments of every member country, including
Australia - have it within their power to stop the killing. Just as
Indonesia, whose prime responsibility it is, has failed, so has every
other UN member failed so far in their duty to the East Timorese. The
latest moves include a UN political delegation to Jakarta; the
implausible prospect of Indonesia military rule being imposed on a
prospective independent state that has just voted to be rid of
Indonesian military rule; and a well-armed, uncontrolled militia
supported by Indonesian troops on the ground.
The seal of independence; in what can only be seen as an emphatic
victory for the peoples of East Timor and the UN organisation has been
marred by betrayal. The failure of the Indonesian security forces to
maintain law and order as per the United Nations May 5 Agreement is
blatent as hundreds are now dead and hundreds of thousand have fled
their homes. It is now up to the international community to act, with or
without the approval of Jakarta, in the immediate deployment of ground
troops under the auspices of the UN, in to East Timor. One must
seriously question, with its economic vulnerabilities and foreign aid
dependence in mind, whether Indonesia would be prepared to engage in
international combat. If the students of Indonesia were able to topple
the regime by means of public demonstration then surely the
international community could blow over the military with the real
threat of force; even if unmatched.
Michael Palmer
Promotions Officer
United Nations Association (NSW)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 8- Sept 1999
To: Rhana Devenport , APT, Nick Tsoutas, & Artspace email subscribers
From: Michiel Dolk
Re: East Timor/ Indonesia draft resolution, APT, Brisbane
To whom it may concern:
In the context of the horror and tragedy unfolding in East Timor and in
Indonesia and our inability (including our Government) to adequately
respond to the course of events , my following comments may appear
disappointingly procedural. So be it.
I appreciate Nick Tzoutas's support in facilitating access to the
Artspace email list, but did not ask for and was disappointed with his
preface to a proposed draft resolution for the APT in Brisbane, with its
hectoring tone and inflammatory use of language.
1. I did not ask for endorsement of "the strategy proposed by Michiel
Dolk". (let us leave "strategies" to the art market) I simply did the
following:
a. advocated the use and endorsement of "procedures" - e.g a normal
democratic procedure; an international conference resolution of artists
from the Asia Pacific region.
b. extended participation in the process of drafting a resolution to
other artists by email.
c. provided a draft text which artists might use to register their
concerns with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the
Indonesian Embassy
2. It is not for anyone to determine whom or what "all artists have a
direct responsibility to act for and in support of"
3. Whether or not Indonesian artists are involved in the APT - they are
- I do not believe that a phrase such as "the Indonesians and their
gangster thugs of the militia" is useful or constructive...in the same
way I would not endorse some Indonesian perceptions of e.g "the
Australians and their journalists "
Apparently your support is being registered and is appreciated. Though I
suggested the APT might establish a separate email address,
unfortunately the APT Coordinator, Rhana Devenport's email is clogged ..
Yours sincerely Michiel Dolk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi All,
just in case anyone feels like letting Wiranto, Habibie and others in
Indonesia know what you think about what's going on in East Timor --
here's a few useful telephone & fax numbers and addresses and email
addresses.
Andy
1. PRESIDENT YUSUF HABIBIE
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Istana Negara
Gedung Binagraha
Jl. Veteran
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Faxes: +62 21 345 7782
Telegrams: President Habibie, Jakarta, Indonesia
E-mail: habibie@ristek.go.id
2. MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Ali Alatas S.H
Menteri Luar Negeri
Jl. Medan Taman Pejambon No. 6
Jakarta INDONESIA
Faxes: +62 21 360 541 / 360 517 / 380 5511 / 345 7782 / 724 5354
3. MINISTER FOR DEFENCE FORCES
General Wiranto
Menteri Pertahanan Keamanan RI
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No 13-14
Jakarta 10110 INDONESIA
Telephone: +62 21 366 184 Fax: +62 21 3845 178
4. RESORT MILITARY COMMAND (KOREM)
Colonel Mohamed Noer Muis
Markas KOREM 164/Wiradharma
Dili EAST TIMOR
Faxes: +62 390 21 624 Telegrams: Colonel Muis, East Timor (Indonesia)
5. MILITARY COMMANDER REGION IX/UDAYANA (includes East Timor)
Major General Adam Damiri
Pangdam IX/Udayana
Markas Besar KODAM IX/Udayana
Denpasar, Bali INDONESIA
Telephone: +62 361 228 095
Telegrams: Pangdam IX/Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
6. United Nations Secretary-General
Kofi Anan
New York, NY 10017 USA
Fax: 1 212 963 2155
E-mail: ecu@un.org
Or: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
EAST TIMOR HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE
124 Napier St Fitzroy 3065 Australia
PO BOX 1413 Collingwood 3066 Australia
Tel: +61 3 9415 8225 Fax: +61 3 9415 8218
E-mail: ethrc@minihub.org
Chair: Bishop Hilton Deakin Director: Ana Noronha
Andy Nehl
anehl@autonomous.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends in Solidarity with East Timor,
The news from East Timor continues to call all of us who value the
international principles of peace and freedom to action:
here are some international addresses to encourage your colleagues or
students to use for immediate advocacy now that the struggle to get
action has moved into the UN Security Council.
Anything you can do to help will be most appreciated. Every email helps!
Beth Gilligan
UNITED NATIONS
**************
Secretary-General - Mr Kofi Annan - sg@un.org
SECURITY COUNCIL
***************
President - Brazil - braun@delbrasonu.org
Canada - canada@un.int
China - chnun@undp.org
France - france@un.int
Gabon - gabon@un.int
Gambia - gambia@un.int
Malaysia - malaysia@un.int
Namibia - namibia@un.int
Netherlands - netherlands@un.int
Russian Federation - rusun@undp.org
Slovenia - slovenia@un.int
United Kingdom - uk@un.int
Argentina - argentina@un.int
Bahrain - bahrain@un.int
United States - usa@un.int
OTHER PERMANENT MISSIONS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
*********************************************
Australia - australia@un.int
Indonesia - indonesia@un.int
Portgual - portugal@un.int
International Red Cross - redcross@un.int
Vatican - vatun@undp.org
SOUTH EAST ASIAN MISSIONS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
********************************************
Cambodia - cambodia@un.int
Japan - japan@un.int
Korea (North) - Democratic People's Republic of Korea - dprk@un.int
Korea (South) - Republic of Korea - korun@undp.org
Laos - People's Democratic Republic - laos@un.int
Singapore - singapore@un.int
Thailand - thailand@un.int
The Phillipines - phlun@undp.org
USA EMAIL ADDRESSES
*******************
* President Bill Clinton - president@whitehouse.gov
* Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Senator Jesse Helms -
jesse.helms@helms.senate.gov
* Speaker of the House of Representatives - Hon. J. Dennis Hastert -
speaker@mail.house.gov
INDONESIAN EMAIL ADDRESSES
**************************
President Yusuf Habibie - habibie@ristek.go.id
On-line Learning Series of Courses
http://www.bestnet.org/~jwalker/course.htm
Member: Association for International Business
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: institute@igc.org
Subject: East Timor: What's Going On?
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
Tuesday, September 7, 1999
EAST TIMOR: WHAT'S GOING ON?
News reports from East Timor indicate that the Indonesian army and the
militias are now working together openly to wreak new terror on the
streets of East Timor's capital, Dili.
The following analysts and commentators are available for interviews:
JOSE RAMOS-HORTA, http://www.etan.org, www.easttimor.com Jose
Ramos-Horta is winner of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize and the
International Representative of the National Council of Timorese
Resistance. (He will be at a news conference at the National Press Club
at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.)
ALLAN NAIRN, http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Parliament/2487 An
award-winning journalist, Nairn has written about East Timor for The
Nation, The New Yorker and other outlets. He survived the 1991 Santa
Cruz massacre in Dili, East Timor. He is currently in East Timor and is
about to release a report that documents cooperation between the
militias, the Indonesian army and U.S. officials. He is one of the only
American reporters left in East Timor, now under martial law.
DR. DAN MURPHY, http://www.motherjones.com/east_timor A doctor from
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dr. Murphy spent nine months in East Timor working
at a clinic. He was recently deported from East Timor. He said: "To
date, statements from the administration have lacked definitive
consequences for Indonesia. The U.S. government could stop military aid,
stop joint military exercises, deny World Bank funding, recall our
ambassador, send peacekeeping forces with or without Indonesian
cooperation. The administration's current actions reflect complicity,
and tacitly give a green light to the terror.”
AMY GOODMAN Pacifica radio journalist Goodman, who has won numerous
awards for her coverage of East Timor and was recently expelled from
Indonesia because she is on a blacklist, said: "The Indonesian forces
are ethnically cleansing the East Timorese; they are burning homes,
forcing people out by the thousands at gun-point if not killing them
outright. If the U.S. would say to Indonesia, no more arms, no more
international aid or loans, the violence would stop today."
KRISTIN SUNDELL, etanfield@igc.org, http://www.etan.org A UN-accredited
observer with the International Federation for East Timor and national
field organizer with the East Timor Action Network, Sundell just
returned from her second trip to East Timor today. "The militias are
working directly with the Indonesian army. This is well-coordinated,
systematic violence. This is not militias run amok."
For more information, contact at the Institute for Public Accuracy:
Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020; David Zupan, (541) 484-9167
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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