DITA SARI / EAST TIMOR / URGENT ACTION

In this alert:

DITA SARI / FNPBI STATEMENT ON EAST TIMOR

The ballot, offered as a way to resolve the 24-year old crisis in East Timor has been completed. The results show that the Timorese people reject the special autonomy offered by the Indonesian government and have chosen to be a free nation.

The Timorese struggle to be a free nation have gone on for many centuries against Portuguese colonialism and then against the militaristic Indonesian government. They have paid a high price, both physically and materially to wage that struggle. The Indonesian military invasion since 1975 has cost more than 200,000 lives and led to many human rights abuses including beatings and rapes. The international community's response to the military acts of Indonesia depended on the Cold War interests of each country at the time.

After the ballot was completed and a series massacres of pro-independence forces, UN staff and journalists by pro-integration militia members (supported by Indonesian military and police) commenced, the international community has again taken a position on the issue of East Timor. In this case, the international community has condemned the Indonesian government who are thought of as no longer able to provide security in the territory.

Condemnation and international pressure has come from Australia from its government and through the call for bans on Indonesian products by Australian trade unions. In one instance, there was even the incident of flag burning at a demonstration outside an Indonesian consulate. The response to this by several forces was to retaliate and burn the Australian flag and to invade the Australian Embassy in Indonesia.

These actions show the low level of understanding of the history of the struggle in East Timor and the shifting of the conflict from the massacres carried out in East Timor to a conflict between two countries.

In responding to the situation that has arisen since the ballot in East Timor, the National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle (FNBPI) hereby express:

a. Our full support for the results of the ballot in East Timor, as a reflection of the aspirations of the East Timorese to determine their own fate
b. Our condemnation of the anti-democratic acts committed by the pro-autonomy forces of TNI and POLRI (Indonesian police)
c. Our condemnation of all acts of murder and destruction by TNI and POLRI committed against the innocent civilians of East Timor
d. Our condemnation of all acts of violence by TNI and POLRI which have driven out the Timorese from their own country

The FNPBI therefore demands:

a. Immediate withdrawal of TNI and POLRI from East Timor
b. Disbanding of militias which are supported and armed by TNI and POLRI
c. Formation and entry of international peacekeeping forces into East Timor
d. That all forces to respect the results of the ballot which is a reflection of the aspirations of the Timorese
e. End to all support given by the Indonesian government to the militias
f. End to the sending of Indonesian security forces to East Timor

We declare our full support for all the solidarity actions and strikes conducted by trade unions worldwide.

We call on the international community, especially the workers to maintain pressure on the Indonesian government through strikes/industrial action, economic sanctions and other forms of pressure.

Jakarta 11 September 1999
National Front for Indonesian Labour Struggle

Dita Indah Sari, Chairperson
Ilham Syah, General Secretary

VERY URGENT ACTION REQUEST

Rare Chance to "Lock-In" Suspension of U.S. Military Assistance to Indonesia Time Is of the Essence

Call your Representative and Senators now to support HR 2809 and S 1568. These binding pieces of legislation would "lock-in" the temporary bans on military assistance to Indonesia. HR 2809 and S 1568 stipulate conditions which must be met before the U.S. can resume military assistance (training, government transfers, and commercial sales) to Indonesia as announced by President Clinton last week. These conditions include a safe and secure environment in East Timor, the complete withdrawal of Indonesian troops, full humanitarian assistance, and the return of refugees. These phone calls must be made quickly. We only have this week to exert strong grassroots pressure to obtain widespread congressional support for the bill. Contact your local networks, friends and coalition partners.

The situation in East Timor is extremely grave and continues to deteriorate. An estimated three-quarters of the population has been forcibly displaced by the Indonesian military and their militias. People in the mountains and in refugee camps in West Timor are at great risk from starvation, dehydration, and disease. Others are being transported to unknown destinations throughout Indonesia. The U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization has estimated that 7,000 East Timorese have already been killed since the referendum. The days before the arrival of the multinational force can be the most dangerous of all. Almost no foreigners are in East Timor to witness what is happening!

Please make these calls now!

The congressional switchboard number is (202) 224-3121 or check www.congress.gov for additional contact information.

For more information, contact Karen Orenstein at ETAN: (202) 544-6911, etanko@igc.org.

EAST TIMOR RELIEF DROPS DELAYED BY INDONESIAN MILITARY

SYDNEY, Sept 16 (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard said aid drops into East Timor were not likely to go ahead Thursday because the safety of the planes could not be assured.

Howard told Channel Nine television Australia had yet to get an Indonesian military guarantee they would not shoot down the planes carrying much-needed aid.

He said difficulties were being experienced because there were no clear lines of command in Indonesia.

"We had hoped today," Howard said. "The prospect of that, I was told a few for more minutes ago, are not all that bright because we're still having trouble getting certain assurances from the Indonesian military authorities.

"We can't take the risk of the planes being shot down because they're needed for other things but we want to get the aid in as soon as possible.

"Now we're working on that over time. We've got the approval of the Indonesian minister but we haven't got the approval of the Indonesian military."

Australian troops will help deliver the aid once it arrives on the ground.

"Under the United Nations resolution, one of the tasks of the force is to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance," Howard said.

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