Activists send video tape to East Timor conference

JAKARTA (JP): Scholar George Aditjondro and human rights campaigner H.J.C. Princen have decided to stay away from the controversial conference on East Timor in Manila, but their views will still be expressed at the forum.

George and Princen, who were invited to address the conference, abandoned their travel plans after the Philippine government barred foreign participants from taking part.

George, however, has sent the text of his speech to the conference organizers by facsimile while Princen has sent a video tape containing a recording of his presentation.

Both George and Princen are vocal critics of the government, especially when it comes to the question of East Timor.

Indonesia protested against the conference and the Philippine government, reacting to Jakarta's threats and complaints, tried unsuccessfully to foil the meeting which has the support of the Philippine's Supreme Court.

The Indonesian government has said that the conference provided opponents of the East Timor integration with a platform to attack Indonesia.

Manila, however, has succeeded in preventing a number of foreigners who were invited to address the conference from coming.

Two lesser known activists have managed to enter the Philippines and will be taking part in the conference, according to the Pijar Foundation -- an organization of students activists campaigning for human rights and democracy.

Pijar executives in Jakarta said their colleagues Rachlan Nasidik and Tri Agus Susanto Siswomihardjo entered the Philippines on Wednesday through Singapore.

They also brought a video recording of a presentation by Virgilio da Silva Uterres, an East Timorese student activist. (emb)