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.