More problems in East Timor
More problems in East Timor
As the conflict between armed proindependence and
prointegration groups in East Timor continues to claim lives, the
real casualty seems to be the credibility of the Indonesian
government and the Armed Forces (ABRI).
Reports from the province indicate the situation is
deteriorating day by day. The deaths of 20 people over the
weekend -- allegedly the work of pro-Indonesian militiamen
rampaging unchecked through the provincial capital of Dili --
provoked harsh international reaction. Many concerned leaders,
including Australian Prime Minister John Howard, said Jakarta
should be held responsible for the bloody violence. United
Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the surge of
violence and said he "regretted Indonesia's inability to control
militias loyal to Jakarta".
ABRI's continued inadequacy to solve security problems in the
country's trouble spots -- the number of which has been on the
increase lately -- is crystal clear. Despite wide-spread violent
eruptions, ABRI leadership has remained calm. Perhaps the number
of Indonesians willing to forgive their apparent ineptitude is
declining. If the increasing loss of lives is not important, what
is?
Interreligious and communal clashes as well as armed
separatist movements have been subdued in such a brutal fashion
the military has been forced to apologize for a number of
transgressions. Currently, the number of people killed within
short periods of time, the degree of cruelty visible in the
clashes, together with the flow of refugees seeking safety is
incomparable in Indonesian history, even during the revolution.
The military continues to release the cliched statement "the
situation is under control" and ABRI's leadership continues to
issue after-the-fact orders to provincial commanders to take
stern measures against those violating laws. The grimly farcical
nature of these statements is compounded by their announcement
after the tragedy of more deaths.
As in the past, the cliche will not improve the situation, not
in other areas, nor in East Timor, where even calls by
influential local religious leaders have been ignored. Nor will
the statements help improve the popularity of the government.
The problem for the East Timorese seems to be a situation in
which the group who seizes the initiative will come closer to
achieving their goals. Both sides in the conflict are aware that
ABRI is incapable of anticipating where and when trouble will
erupt and that is why it has failed to deflect the latest
episodes of violence.
With so many failed attempts to keep the peace, why does ABRI
continue to reject the suggested presence of United Nations
peacekeeping troops in the province? It is quite understandable
if Indonesia sees the former Portuguese colony as an internal
matter. Regarding the historical background of East Timor's
integration into Indonesia, there is nothing wrong with this
perception as long as the safety of all citizens in the province
is guaranteed. However, the province has become ABRI's Achilles'
heel.
The government should heed the presence of the newly
established East Timor Independent National Commission on Human
Rights. Comprising 50 people representing all parties in the
conflict, the commission's brief is to secure peace in the
province.
If the commission proves unable to resolve the situation, the
military and the government will have no reason to reject the
presence of UN troops. The authorities should realize that they
are now being tried by world public opinion.