Activists send video tape to East Timor conference

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)