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Is the UN achieving anything at all for East Timor??

After 23 years of illegal brutal military occupation of East Timor, in breach of the UN Charter and 10 specific resolutions, the current UN chief, who despite being many times for activist on East Timor than his predecessors, seems more concerned about a protocol breach than the substance of talks which are going nowhere because no pressure or leverage is being applied.

It seems that publication of a 'proposal' may have reduced the chances of a sell-out or capitulation. See para below:

"The Personal Representative reiterates that there have been no proposals, formal or informal, made by the United Nations on the issue of East Timor and that the Secretary-General's efforts continue in the direction of facilitating the search for a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question of East Timor".

So after 23 years, there are NO UN PROPOSALS!!! (maybe only some sell-out options for discussion). Perhaps the UN should lift its game - surely there comes a point where diplomatic language and mores are self-defeating. Perhaps Marker is too old. Perhaps no IMF or World Bank $$ until all Indon troops are out of East Timor, and 2,000 UN peacekeepers are in place!

Perhaps the UN should act on its resolutions. The US Senate resolution passed last Friday 10/7/98 is a great step forward, and all congress members and ETAN etc activists should be congratulated.

By contrast, Oz foreign minister Downer has been busy selling out East Timor and the Indonesian pro-democracy movement during the week in Indonesia, to virtually no Oz press interest.

2 UN statements appended, and a few more brief comments:

1. UN: Deplores Breach of Diplomatic Confidentiality Posted Fri, 03 Jul 1998 by J Miller

Press Release July 2, 1998 SG/SM/6628

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S REPRESENTATIVE ON EAST TIMOR EXPRESSES CONCERN AT 'DEPLORABLE BREACH OF DIPLOMATIC CONFIDENTIALITY'

19980702

Protest to Foreign Minister of Indonesia at Publication of Discussion Papers Intended to Help Search for Internationally Acceptable Solution

The following statement was issued this evening by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

It has come to the attention of the United Nations that a highly confidential letter dated 23 April 1998, addressed to Nugroho Wisnumurti, Director-General for Political Affairs in the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs, by Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, the Secretary-General's Personal Representative for East Timor, has become public.

The letter contained an annexure marked "Strictly Confidential", which was designed to provide material for discussion and brainstorming at the May 1998 round of the senior officials' meeting between Indonesia and Portugal under the auspices of the Secretary-General on the question of East Timor.

It was clearly understood and specified that the contents were exploratory in nature and meant to enrich previous discussions. They were intended to serve as a basis for a broad exchange of views and did not constitute proposals of any kind.

The Personal Representative of the Secretary-General is dismayed and seriously concerned at the deplorable breach of diplomatic confidentiality that has led to the publication of these documents. He has expressed his grave concerns in a protest to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Ali Alatas.

The Personal Representative reiterates that there have been no proposals, formal or informal, made by the United Nations on the issue of East Timor and that the Secretary-General's efforts continue in the direction of facilitating the search for a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question of East Timor.

2. UN Secretary General Statement on violence in East Timor Thu, 2 Jul 1998 posted by Sharon

UNITED NATIONS 30 June 1998

Press Release SG/SM/6620

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY EAST TIMOR VIOLENCE, URGES RESTRAINT, TOLERANCE AND PEACEFUL DISCOURSE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is concerned by recent violent incidents in East Timor which have resulted in the death of innocent civilians. While he welcomes the atmosphere of greater openness that has created wider possibilities for a discussion of the future of East Timor, he urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that such discourse is carried out in a peaceful manner, with full respect for basic human rights and tolerance for differing views.

The Secretary-General calls on the Indonesian authorities, as well as the political, religious and community leaders in East Timor, to exercise their responsibility and influence in easing tensions and encouraging peaceful and orderly conduct as people exercise their right to free expression.

The Secretary-General remains closely engaged, personally and through his Personal Representative for East Timor, Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, in intensified efforts to find a comprehensive, negotiated settlement of the question of East Timor. end

Well isn't that nice. With what results? The above equates East Timorese (seeking a glimmer of freedom after 23 years of illegal brutal military occupation by Indonesia) as on a par with the brutal military occupiers.

Is that even handed, fair, activist and concerned?

Rob Wesley-Smith

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