EDITORIAL Time for Indonesian, Timorese
rights
The resignation of Indonesian President Suharto is an important
step toward bringing democracy to Indonesia. This is an important moment for
East Timor. A decision must now be made -- a decision that can be shaped by
international pressures -- as to whether the 1976 annexation of East Timor will
have been a Suharto policy or will be a permanent Indonesian government policy.
In 1975 the Indonesian army, under orders from Suharto, invaded
the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, claiming it had been invited in by
Timorese leaders. Since then, the story has been one of military occupation,
political repression, bloodshed and distant cries for help. Between 100,000 and
200,000 of the 600,000 largely Catholic East Timorese population have died at
Indonesian hands during this period.
A change at the top of the Indonesian government does not
necessarily mean the emergence of a government that respects human rights in
Indonesia or in East Timor. Nor does it guarantee a reduction or the
elimination of the dominant role of the Indonesian military. But it is an
opening.
It is, of course, our hope that a democratic government in
Indonesia could emerge that would respect the aspirations of the peoples of
Indonesia and East Timor.
The United States has been a longtime economic and military
supporter of Indonesia. It is especially important at this time that the
international community send a clear message to the new Indonesian leadership
that any continued support depends on political freedoms and human rights.
It is also time to begin arrangements for a United
Nations-supervised referendum on self-determination in East Timor.
As an immediate gesture of goodwill, the new authorities should
release all prisoners of conscience.
For too long, governments around the world have been prepared to
turn a blind eye to atrocities in Indonesia and East Timor, and in some cases
have allowed the sale of military equipment that has directly contributed to
human rights violations. This must stop. The international community should act
now to ensure that the new government does not repeat the same mistake.
It is time to urge Congress and President Clinton to formally end
all military training and all transfers of weapons, spare parts and ammunition
to Indonesia. The United States should offer Indonesia only economic
assistance, and that assistance should be conditioned on Indonesias
showing new respect for human rights.
The Pentagon recently announced the suspension of military
training for Indonesia, but a long-term ban is needed. This is the time to
support democracy in Indonesia and self-determination in East Timor.
National Catholic Reporter, June 5,
1998
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