Subject: APCET Statement for August 17
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 14:09:22 +0800
From: Initiatives for International Dialogue <iiddvo@skyinet.net>JUSTICE AND
DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA NOW!
We salute the Indonesian people in its commemoration of the 53rd anniversary of their
independence from Dutch colonialism. This year’s observance is even more poignant as
it comes amid the fall of the dictator Suharto who run roughshod over the entire
archipelago in his more than three decades of rule. Not only has Suharto repressed the
Indonesian peoples, he too presided over colonizing other nations such as East Timor and
bullied his neighbors in the region specially in the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN).
But we remember the valiant struggle of the Indonesians in unshackling themselves from
the Dutch. We are inspired by that heroic chapter in this nation’s birthing. They
showed the world fifty-three years ago that colonialism was not only of a bygone era, thus
it was also very much justified to bring it down. They have showed it again bravely in the
ouster of Suharto. That is why we also believe that the Indonesian people do not
countenance its government’s own colonial ambitions in the case of East Timor. And in
other incipient nations such as West Papua or Aceh.
And even as the new regime in Jakarta has publicly committed to “build a just,
open and democratic society”, we accompany those countless victims of the Suharto
dictatorship in seeking justice. From the millions who perished in the pogrom during the
ouster of Indonesia’s founding president Sukarno, to the thousands who were waylaid
in the invasion and occupation of East Timor to the thousands more killed, raped, tortured
within Indonesia itself who were either working for a more democratic society or who were
just being themselves by virtue of their ethnic roots.
An apology from the incumbent President B.J. Habibie is well and fine. This is not
enough. Somehow it rings hollow if it is not accompanied by a resolute pursuit for
justice. It is even more dangerous to only blame “individuals from the state
apparatus” who committed the crimes for it is the same apparatus which created the
conditions for such crimes. The state apparatus was the crime. Saying otherwise is like
doing a “Pontius Pilate” and hoping the world will forget and life merrily goes
on. The Suharto regime usurped and re-packaged the ideals of the independence movement to
suit its vested and fascist tendencies.
Apologies cannot erase the pain, the loss, the blood shed by the victims of
Suharto-ism. Apologies cannot ease reconciliation even as it tries to pry open the coffers
of the World Bank.
Apologies should be accompanied by determined justice and a political will to even
charge the progenitors of the repressive policies of the past and even of the present.
From Suharto to Prabowo to hundreds or thousands other generals, soldiers and civil
servants who instigated, plotted, perpetrated the dastardly and “barbaric” deeds
against the Indonesian and East Timorese peoples.
There is no other way. There is no “Indonesian” or “Asian” way. The
only route to real reform, freedom and genuine independence is the path of justice.
Only then can Indonesia’s independence be totally celebrated, be finally redeemed.
Joint Statement Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor and Initiatives for International
Dialogue 17 August 1998 Davao City, Philipines
Initiatives for International Dialogue 27-D Galaxy Street GSIS Heights, Davao City 8000
Philippines Telefax: (63)(82) 299-2502 Tel: (63)(82) 299-2574 to 75 Web:
http://www.dvo.skyinet.net/~iiddvo or http://www.iid.home.ml.org
IID is also maintaining the following sites:
- Mindanao-Palawan Peoples Network on BIMP-EAGA (MPPN):
http://www.skyinet.net/~iiddvo/mppn or http://www.mppn.home.ml.org
- Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor (APCET): http://www.skyinet.net/~iiddvo/apcet
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) <iiddvo@skyinet.net>
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) <iiddvo@skyinet.net> 27-D Galaxy
Street GSIS Heights, Matina Work: 63-82-2992574 Davao City Fax: 6382-2992052 8000 Netscape
Conference Address Philippines Netscape Conference DLS Server Additional Information: Last
Name First NameInitiatives for International Dialogue (IID) Version 2.1
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