STATEMENT BEFORE THE DECOLONIZATION COMMITTEE BY JOSÉ LUIS GUTERRES CHIEF OF EXTERNAL DELEGATION JUNE 1998

Mr. Chairman Distinguished Delegates

On behalf of FRETILIN I would like to thank you Mr. Chairman for this opportunity to address the decolonization committee on the question of East Timor.

As a political organization we have since ‘75 participated in the discussions of the East Timorese question at the United Nations body. During these years FRETILIN have suffered many human losses. One of our Presidents died in the battlefield as well as 90% of our National Leadership and thousands of our members have died, imprisoned, tortured and persecuted by the Indonesian Army; the most recent death was of the Mr. Konis Santana, then Secretary of the Directive Commission.

At the national leadership meeting in the mountains of East Timor Mr. Lu Olo was elected Secretary of the Directive CommissionPresidencv of FRETILIN.

During these years we have all witnessed the changes of political environment and geography all over the world: In South Africa, in the former Soviet Union, Palestine, Yugoslavia, and today in Indonesia.

STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM IN INDONESIA

We want to congratulate the Indonesian democratic opposition Leaders, Prof. Amien Rais, Labour Leader Dr. Pakpahan, Eng., Sri Bintang, Mrs Megawati Sukarno, for their role in the struggle for democracy and freedom.

I would like to pay a very special tribute to the Indonesian Youth and their organizations, for their courage, determination and sacrifices that they have shown, during these ongoing process of democratization.

To the new Indonesian military leadership General Wirianto, General Bambang Yoduyono we would like to remark their invaluable contribution in facilitating the process of democratization of Indonesia, avoiding the bloodshed in Indonesia. To all Indonesians that have fallen for freedom and democracy we extend our great respect and sympathy to their families and friends.

THE QUEST FOR FREEDOM IN EAST TIMOR In East Timor the situation in its fundamentals remains unchanged; an occupied country and its People have not yet exercised their right for self-determination and independence as demanded in various resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly.

The call of Security Council on its resolution, 384 of December 75 and 389 April 76 remains to be implemented.

We believe that the permanent members of the Security Council should have done more to implement a decision that was taken. During last years we have seen a more active role by United States. The People's Republic of China the only permanent member in Asia, that have played a major role, during the debate of the question of East Timor in the security council in the 75 and 76, have not any productive role today, in these international issue.

We appeal to Chinese Government, Japan, Australia, ASEAN and South Pacific Forum in order to help the United Nations Secretary General to bring peace and freedom to East Timor.

As Timorese we believe that the international community can do more in order to have these United Nations resolutions be respected by Indonesia in order achieve a lasting peace for East Timor. The visit by European Union during these days, have given an window of opportunity for the Timorese People to peacefully demonstrate our demands for freedom.

Unhappily some incidents have occurred and some Timorese died. We believe that perpetrators of the violence and killings should be brought to justice.

UNITY AND RESISTANCE As a political organization we know the importance of unity among the Timorese for success of our struggle for freedom and independence.

Recently in Portugal, the Timorese political parties of various tendencies have met and we have agreed to create a common political platform, in order to unify our struggle for freedom and independence and development of our country.

The formation of CNRT-National Council of Timorese Resistance had a very a positive impact in building up of consensus in East Timor towards a peaceful solution to the East Timorese question. Delegates from more than 20 political social and cultural organizations have participated in these meetings, which have reaffirmed the leadership of Commander Xanana Gusmao, as President of CNRT, elected a political figures of various tendencies to the leadership and have unequivocally reiterated the willingness to defend the right of the Timorese People for self determination and Independence.

The process of dialogue and the quest for unity within the Timorese Society will continue.

MR. CHAIRMAN

DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SITUATION The economic and social situation of East Timor have been severely affected by the dramatic changes the economic and social indicators in Indonesia and by the continuing military occupation of East Timor.

In spite of the claims by Indonesian authorities of development and massive investments that surpassed that of the Portuguese Colonial period, two important indicators released in 96, before the current economic crises, by United Nations Population Fund, indicated that life expectancy for the Timorese is one of the lowest among the 30 Least Developed Countries: 48.4 for women and 46.7 for men. The Infant Mortality Rate is in fact the worst, 135 per 1,000 births. From a self-sufficient country in rice production East Timor now depend on rice imports from Indonesia. The deforestation for military purposes, the destruction of our environment have led the majority of Timorese to live below the poverty line.

These situation requires an urgent attention.

We appeal to UN agencies and international community to deal with these problems without any further delay.

Therefore we appreciate the initiative of Prime Minister of Portugal Mr. Antonio Guterres to allocate substantive financial resources to NGOS operating in East Timor.

Concerning also with need to fulfil the more urgent needs of our People we support the minimum conditions that were presented by Bishop Ximenes Belo, the Novel Peace Laureate to President Habibie of Indonesia, to improve the everyday life, in particular those referring to free circulation and settlement of the Timorese. I firmly that believe that the implementation of these demands will help the creation of better atmosphere for the dialogue and understanding between Timorese and Indonesia.

DEMOCRACY AND TOLERANCE

Just after the Democratic triumph in Portugal in 74, we have experience a period of freedom, democracy, and tolerance. The Timorese political organizations that were created UDT, ASDT/FRETILIN and APODETI have different political options for the Timorese future.

But we all believed that only the East Timorese can decide about their future.

But the democratic process was brutally disturbed by the Indonesian political interference, military invasion, and occupation in 75.

FRETILIN, declared unilateral Independence in 28 November 75 only after the impossibility of the continuation of negotiations between all Parties, and the inability of Portugal to defend the territorial integrity of East Timor against the Indonesian intervention. The Democratic Republic of East Timor was recognized by 15 countries. But since the United Nations have not recognized the Republic, FRETILIN to abide by international law, and UN resolutions, accepts the realization of a referendum, in order to give to all Timorese to exercise their sacred right of self determination and independence under UN supervision.

XANANA PROPOSAL Four days ago, the President of the National Council of Timorese Resistance, in an interview Sydney Morning Herald, made an appeal to the Timorese to be patient. He proposed a very sensible offer to Indonesia not hold immediately a referendum, but to give a period of 5 to 10 years of preparation, during which period Indonesia would be welcomed in East Timor. We commend and support the efforts of the Timorese Leader Xanana Gusmao, to find a political compromise, that will take in consideration the legitimate strategic and security interest of the sister Republic of Indonesia. Xanana is a Leader of peace and dialogue and it is an aberration in a Democratic Indonesia to maintain behind bars of Cipinang prison.

We appeal therefore to President Habibie to release unconditionally Xanana Gusmao and all Political prisoners, Indonesian or Timorese.

SPECIAL STATUS FRETILIN clearly rejected the idea of any definitive solution, without the participation of the Timorese People. Whether, it is special status within Indonesian Republic, autonomy, association with Portugal.

FRETILIN will never accept any transitional status, that will imply the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor. We recognized the right of any Timorese to defend any political status for East Timor.

But we want to put on records that some the of rationale behind some political options are baseless and not in conformity with our past and recent history and culture and the constitution of the country involved.

Statements were made referring to the need of maintaining the presence of Indonesian army, or to associate with another Country in order to prevent civil war and to guaranty peace and stability. During the recent riots in Indonesia, in East Timor, not a single Indonesian was killed, nor the private properties of Indonesians were destroyed.

During these 24 years of war, not a single Indonesian civilian was a military target.

HUMAN RIGHTS To the accusations of human rights violations committed by FRETILIN, as for example the accusations made by Indonesian delegates during the Human Rights Commission meeting this year, I have written a letter to High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, giving all our cooperation and suggesting the creation of international commission of inquiry in order to investigate that allegations, and others, because we believe that human rights should be respected by all individuals, organizations and States.

CONTAGION EFFECT-DOMINO THEORY

We will continue to cooperate with all the political parties and associations in Indonesia in order to denounce all the human rights violations that might occur; whether in East Timor, Aceh, Irian; but we have never in any occasion encouraged or promoted the destruction of the Indonesian State.

The fears among Indonesian military that a referendum for East Timor will have a contagion effect, leading to the dismembering of Indonesia are groundless.

Indonesia, have experienced, even before the annexation of East Timor in 1976, the struggle of Republic of South Moluccas, the Aceh, Irian Jaya, Sulawesi towards self rule and independence. It is not the struggle East Timorese for Independence and freedom that have influenced their struggle, but the centralised political power in Java, that prevailed up to today, the lack of respect for human rights and the specific heritage of those islanders, that will destroy Indonesia.

We as East Timorese have reaffirmed our respect for the colonial boundaries; we have not, at any time encouraged the destruction of the Indonesian State; We firmly believe that a strong, democratic.. stable Indonesia, is in the interest of the East Timorese People, the ASEAN, Australia, and the World.

MR CHAIRMAN DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES

THE FUTURE The time has come for the East Timorese, Indonesian and Portuguese Governments, and the United Nations to engage in a serious discussions on the substantive issues.

FRETILIN will continue to make all efforts to maintain the climate in East Timor and internationally conducive to a peaceful resolution of our question. We will encourage our members to continue to participate in the Intra Timorese dialogue, and advise our members to maintain the spirit of reconciliation and fraternity in the Timorese society.

FRETILIN will do whatever it can to find with our Indonesians brothers an sisters, the possible compromises in order to respect the mutual legitimate concerns of security and strategic interests. To achieve all this, we need to initiate informal talks about a possible avenues for a common foreign affairs, defense, economic and monetary policy.

FRETILIN is firmly committed to face the challenges of today in order bring about peace, prosperity, stability not only for our beloved Country but also to Indonesia and our region.

With the help of all the Timorese regardless of their past, their political opinion today or tomorrow, we as Timorese will build a Nation of peace tolerance, justice, democracy, a Country that our future generation will be proud of.

THANK YOU

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