More problems in East Timor<\/p>\n
As the conflict between armed proindependence and
\nprointegration groups in East Timor continues to claim lives, the
\nreal casualty seems to be the credibility of the Indonesian
\ngovernment and the Armed Forces (ABRI).<\/p>\n
Reports from the province indicate the situation is
\ndeteriorating day by day. The deaths of 20 people over the
\nweekend -- allegedly the work of pro-Indonesian militiamen
\nrampaging unchecked through the provincial capital of Dili --
\nprovoked harsh international reaction. Many concerned leaders,
\nincluding Australian Prime Minister John Howard, said Jakarta
\nshould be held responsible for the bloody violence. United
\nNations Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the surge of
\nviolence and said he \"regretted Indonesia's inability to control
\nmilitias loyal to Jakarta\".<\/p>\n
ABRI's continued inadequacy to solve security problems in the
\ncountry's trouble spots -- the number of which has been on the
\nincrease lately -- is crystal clear. Despite wide-spread violent
\neruptions, ABRI leadership has remained calm. Perhaps the number
\nof Indonesians willing to forgive their apparent ineptitude is
\ndeclining. If the increasing loss of lives is not important, what
\nis?<\/p>\n
Interreligious and communal clashes as well as armed
\nseparatist movements have been subdued in such a brutal fashion
\nthe military has been forced to apologize for a number of
\ntransgressions. Currently, the number of people killed within
\nshort periods of time, the degree of cruelty visible in the
\nclashes, together with the flow of refugees seeking safety is
\nincomparable in Indonesian history, even during the revolution.<\/p>\n
The military continues to release the cliched statement \"the
\nsituation is under control\" and ABRI's leadership continues to
\nissue after-the-fact orders to provincial commanders to take
\nstern measures against those violating laws. The grimly farcical
\nnature of these statements is compounded by their announcement
\nafter the tragedy of more deaths.<\/p>\n
As in the past, the cliche will not improve the situation, not
\nin other areas, nor in East Timor, where even calls by
\ninfluential local religious leaders have been ignored. Nor will
\nthe statements help improve the popularity of the government.<\/p>\n
The problem for the East Timorese seems to be a situation in
\nwhich the group who seizes the initiative will come closer to
\nachieving their goals. Both sides in the conflict are aware that
\nABRI is incapable of anticipating where and when trouble will
\nerupt and that is why it has failed to deflect the latest
\nepisodes of violence.<\/p>\n
With so many failed attempts to keep the peace, why does ABRI
\ncontinue to reject the suggested presence of United Nations
\npeacekeeping troops in the province? It is quite understandable
\nif Indonesia sees the former Portuguese colony as an internal
\nmatter. Regarding the historical background of East Timor's
\nintegration into Indonesia, there is nothing wrong with this
\nperception as long as the safety of all citizens in the province
\nis guaranteed. However, the province has become ABRI's Achilles'
\nheel.<\/p>\n
The government should heed the presence of the newly
\nestablished East Timor Independent National Commission on Human
\nRights. Comprising 50 people representing all parties in the
\nconflict, the commission's brief is to secure peace in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
If the commission proves unable to resolve the situation, the
\nmilitary and the government will have no reason to reject the
\npresence of UN troops. The authorities should realize that they
\nare now being tried by world public opinion.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-problems-in-east-timor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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