Subject: E Timor Condemns Indonesian Troop Build-up
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 12:42:01 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>For Immediate Release Contact:
John M. Miller; (718)596-7668
East Timor Action Network Condemns Indonesian Troop Build-Up in East Timor Preparation
for Offensive Comes in Advance of UN Talks
October 6, 1998 -- The East Timor Action Network (ETAN) today condemned a massive
build-up of Indonesian troops in East Timor. ETAN called on the Indonesian government to
allow international monitors to survey the number and location of any troops on the ground
and to verify troop withdrawals.
"The build-up of Indonesian troops shows extreme bad faith as Indonesia sits down
to UN-sponsored talks on the territory here in New York," said John M. Miller,
spokesperson for the East Timor Action Network.
"Instead of threatening a military attack on the East Timorese, Indonesia should
be negotiating with them to schedule an internationally-supervised referendum on
self-determination," he added.
According to reports received from East Timor and diplomatic sources in Jakarta, large
numbers of Indonesian troops have entered East Timor in recent months. This escalation
contradicts publicly announced plans to reduce the number of soldiers in the territory. In
August, to great fanfare, Indonesia said it was withdrawing 1000 troops from East Timor,
but this was part of a normal troop rotation.
"Without outside monitoring, the international community should take any future
announcements of troop withdrawals with a grain of salt," said Miller.
The troop increase comes as Indonesia and Portugal prepare to negotiate the details of
a limited autonomy for East Timor. Talks on the autonomy plan began on October 6 at United
Nations headquarters and are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. East
Timorese leaders, who are not direct participants in the negotiations, say they reject any
plan that does not lead to a referendum on their political status. In spite of the
military build-up, East Timorese continue to express their desire for a referendum in
public meetings throughout the territory.
As recently as today, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has said that
"Indonesia will not accept a referendum." Portugal has said it will not
compromise on the principle of self-determination.
Local residents report an increased troop presence in the districts of Manatuto,
Viqueque, Baucau and Los Palos. An estimated 8000 troops have entered East Timor since
August, according to the East Timor International Support Center.
Based on their location and movements, the troops have been deployed to try to capture
or kill remnants of Falintial, the guerrilla movement of the East Timorese resistance.
Falintil has observed a unilateral ceasefire since last April.
Indonesia's President Habibie promised East Timorese Bishop and Nobel Laureate Carlos
Ximenes Belo to reduce the number of troops in the region.
On December 7, 1975, Indonesia brutally invaded East Timor and formally annexed the
territory the following July. The UN and most of the world's countries do not recognize
this act, and the East Timorese reject it. According to human rights groups and the
Catholic Church of East Timor more than 200,000 – one-third of the population –
have been killed by the Indonesian occupation forces.
The East Timor Action Network/US was founded in November 1991, following the massacre
of more than 271 peaceful demonstrators in Dili, East Timor. ETAN/US supports genuine
self-determination and human rights for the people of East Timor in accordance with the UN
Charter and General Assembly and Security Council resolutions. ETAN has 20 local chapters
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