Military must be neutral for peace solution in E. Timor

Military must be neutral for peace solution in E. Timor

Recent bloody clashes in East Timor have again jolted the
nation, already shaken by a seemingly endless spate of religious
and ethnic conflicts. Dr. Franz Magnis-Suseno, a Jesuit priest
who teaches social philosophy at Driyarkara School of Philosophy
and the University of Indonesia, thinks the military should take
a neutral stance in East Timor.

JAKARTA (JP): Things are escalating in East Timor after months
of increased activity by prointegration militia in the area near
the border with West Timor. Newspapers reported that two people
were killed allegedly by military-backed militia in Liquica
regency on Monday, April 6.

The next day, again according to newspaper and radio reports,
the militia stepped up their activities in Liquica. What happened
has not yet been independently established. It seems that some
people fled into the compound of the local church. Outside the
compound were members of the prointegration militia. Then there
were shots. It also was reported that during the whole episode
ABRI soldiers stood behind the militia looking on. I wonder
whether they were actually grinning. Anyway, there were
conflicting reports about the incident. The military said five
people were killed. Bishop Belo said at least 25 died.

But the military says many things. In January, after President
Habibie announced his intention to allow the people of East Timor
choose between wide-ranging autonomy or independence, rumors
circulated the military were arming the prointegration militia.
This was denied by Armed Forces leadership. Now, two months
later, the military do not even bother to deny the allegation.

On April 17, again under the protection of the military, the
prointegrationists took over Dili. They rampaged unchecked
through the city. One of the targets was the house of Manuel
Carrascalao, brother of former governor Mario Carrascalao,
killing a number of people sheltering in the house, including
Carrascalao's son. When Carrascalao -- who escaped and took
refuge at Bishop Belo's residence -- asked the military for
protection, they said they could do nothing. The next day the
militia continued their cleansing of proindependence East
Timorese.

Prointegration militia alleged proindependence forces attacked
first. But nobody seems to have noticed that attack. Domestic and
foreign journalists were not allowed to cover the violence.

This is indeed an extraordinary development. The military,
whose brutal 23-year presence in the province prevented the East
Timorese from enjoying a normal life, now say they cannot do a
thing. In fact, they are doing more than one thing; they are
protecting acts of barbarism, plunder and murder. It is
incomprehensible. It is nothing less than the open sabotage of
the policies of President Habibie. The President had the bravery
to break the taboo and say East Timor was not an integral part of
Indonesia. He did it not only out of respect for the East
Timorese themselves, but also because of a realistic assessment
of Indonesia's national interests. The interesting thing was that
Habibie's decision did not stir any noticeable opposition from
Indonesia's mass organizations or opposition leaders (with the
noticeable exception of Megawati Soekarnoputri). The military, of
course, kept silent.

And now, by providing an umbrella of protection under which
the militia are clearing out, by force if necessary, the
proindependence party, the military are openly sabotaging
Indonesia's sincere endeavor to end one of the most deplorable
and controversial chapters in the history of the republic. At the
same time, the military are stealing from the East Timorese their
right to declare freely their wishes for their future.

But why are they doing it? Are they merely unable to, for
once, put national interests before their own? Are they
disappointed at finally having to let the East Timorese people
decide for themselves?

Or is it something more sinister? A covert revolt by rogue
elements against the military leadership in Jakarta? A kind of
dress rehearsal for sabotaging the upcoming general election
across Indonesia? Or are we facing insubordination against the
civilian President, preparing the ground for another "March 11",
as in 1966 when the military took over from president Sukarno?

These are serious questions and they deserve an answer. And no
answer will suffice other than the effective neutralization of
the prointegration militia. Because one thing should be
completely clear: Indonesia has a vital interest in positively
ending the "problem of East Timor". It is a question of self-
esteem -- we do not want to leave the place in a mess. It is also
a question of our international standing. And it is a question of
sober self-interest: We ourselves lose by having an autonomous
province or an independent neighbor engulfed in civil war. The
relationship between Indonesia and East Timor is not one of
"lose-win", but of "lose-lose or win-win". If East Timor ends up
in chaos, it is bad for us, while if the province enjoys peace,
democracy and prosperity, we win.

And of course, do we really have the heart to again bring
suffering, despair and death to our tormented neighbors?

There is still time to end the craziness and stop the
situation from getting out of hand. A peaceful solution is still
possible. But only if the military do the honest thing and, in
scrupulous neutrality, stop all violence, no matter who commits
it. Do it for the sake of our country.