ETAN is cautiously pleased that Indonesian government officials have indicated they may finally be willing to grant East Timor its independence (see p. 1). But ongoing abuses by the Indonesian military, including creating paramiliary units attacking East Timor’s civilian population, indicates that the Habibie regime is willing to continue its dirty war.

On January 27, the Sydney Morning Herald cited "reliable sources" who described militias armed by the Indonesian military "killing and mutilating civilians and terrorising local villagers" in the southern town of Suai.

Estafeta readers should support resistance leader Xanana Gusmão’s call for "an end to military hostilities [and] a climate of greater political tolerance."

Call or write the State Department directly

SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, U.S. Department of State: (202) 647-5291; fax: (202) 647-6434; secretary@state.gov

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR E. ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS STANLEY ROTH (202) 647-9596, Fax: (202) 647-7350

INDONESIA DESK, U.S. State Department, (202) 647-1823; fax: (202) 647-7350

The State Department must support a permanent international presence in East Timor — to prevent further human rights abuses and to monitor the genuine withdrawal of Indonesian troops prior to a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination. The full Congress has gone on record supporting a referendum on self-determination. The U.S. State Department must now follow that lead.

Urge your Congressional Representative and Senators to call the State Department to press the Administration to support a permanent UN presence in East Timor, free and open access to East Timor, the withdrawal of Indonesian troops and the release of all political prisoners. Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

 Also urge your Representative to end remaining U.S. military training to Indonesia

Write or phone your member of the House of Representatives; tell them to support Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Lane Evans’ (D-IL) "International Military Training Transparency and Accountability Act". This bill expands upon Nita Lowey’s (D-NY) International Military Training Accountability Act, closing loopholes for U.S. military training of Indonesian troops. Encourage your member to sign on as an original co-sponsor.

Call your REPRESENTATIVE via the Congressional Switchboard at (202)224-3121 or their local office. Write to: Rep. _________, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515.

ETAN’s website contains the text of current legislation and co-sponsors.