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.