Subject: AP- E. Timor Bishop Seeks Independence
From: "Paula" <paularoque@mail.telepac.pt>E. Timor Bishop Seeks
Independence
By Geoff Spencer Associated Press Writer Thursday, February 4, 1999; 4:47 a.m. EST
DILI, Indonesia (AP) -- East Timor's spiritual leader said today that a vote on
independence from Indonesia is crucial to the territory's political future but suggested
it be put off for at least a decade.
Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Belo said a 10- to 15-year delay would allow
reconciliation between rival groups.
``Only through a plebiscite can we know who is for Indonesia, and who is against
Indonesia,'' Belo said at his home in Dili, East Timor's coastal capital.
Indonesia, which invaded East Timor in 1975, has said it might consider granting
independence to the former Portuguese colony but ruled out a referendum, saying it could
lead to civil war. East Timor was riven by internal conflict when Indonesia moved in and
there are fears that old antagonisms would resurface if its troops pulled out.
Tension has escalated in recent weeks, and hundreds of refugees have sought shelter in
Dili and the town of Suai, claiming harassment by armed men.
Belo said pro-Indonesian activists who favor autonomy rather than independence were
behind the attacks. Citing church and village sources, he said the Indonesian military had
been arming paramilitary groups. Pro-independence activists have made the same
accusations.
``Naturally, it is coming from the army,'' Belo said. ``There are some civilians who
have arms to threaten the people.''
Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has denied that the military is handing weapons
to supporters of union with Indonesia. He said, however, that weapons had been given to
trained civilian guards who act as auxiliaries for the police force.
Army Col. Tono Suratman, the Indonesian military commander in East Timor, said less
than 100 guns had been given recently to the guards, reported the Suara Timor Timur, an
East Timorese newspaper. Suratman denied rumors that 20,000 guns had been distributed.
Belo, co-winner of the 1996 Nobel peace prize for his efforts to bring peace to East
Timor, also said pro-Indonesian groups were manipulating peasants with little political
knowledge by trying to convert them to their cause.
``It is better to fight with diplomacy, with intelligence, with discussion, rather than
fighting with guns,'' he said.
Despite the tension, U.N.-sponsored talks between Indonesia and Portugal -- which the
United Nations still considers the administering power -- are making progress. U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has invited Alatas and Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama
for a new round of discussions in New York on Sunday and Monday.
Alatas, who planned to leave for New York on Friday, said the talks would focus on the
details of the autonomy offer that Jakarta plans to offer East Timor.
``It's more of an informative character,'' he said. ``We will have a look at how far
we've got.''
Alatas has said that Indonesia's highest legislative body, the People's Consultative
Assembly, might discuss independence for East Timor if the territory's people reject the
autonomy deal.
A delegation of pro-Indonesian officials from East Timor met Alatas today to argue
against independence.
After meeting parliamentary leaders, President B.J. Habibie said East Timorese will be
eligible to vote in national elections on June 7, despite the uncertainty over their
political future.
© Copyright 1999 The Associated Press
Back to February Menu
Main Postings Menu
Postings of Human Rights Violations in Timor |
