To William Cohen

To William Cohen

Sir, you have issued a stern warning to Indonesia to control
the East Timorese militia. But what did you do when East Timor
was still under Indonesian administration in respect of the so-
called clandestine rebels? You and the West granted them refugee
status, provided political and military support as well as
awarding them generous Nobel prizes. They killed each other and
the West did nothing to stop them. But now that East Timor is
independent in accordance with the West's wishes, you want to
force the militias (pro-integration) to be refugees on Indonesian
soil and turn them into an enemy who are rebelling against the
present East Timorese administration and then you call on
Indonesia to be responsible for controlling them (disarm, punish
or wipe them out). Sir, is your judgment fair? The militia are a
frustrated group of people, don't you have any feeling of
sympathy for them, or a desire to help them out of their plight?

The West gives us aid (economic, military, whatever), but you
always attach so many strings that Indonesia is forced to act
according to your wishes and instructions. Indonesia as a whole
could also become frustrated and, as a reaction against such
conditions, reject your aid in the same way as Sukarno once did
by saying "go to hell with your aid".

Please do not act in such a way as to make Indonesia your next
enemy in the same way as you have made Libya, Iran, Iraq and Cuba
your enemies. Please search your heart and conscience. Why do
certain countries encourage terrorism against you Sir? A few
lines from you or one of your subordinates in reply would be much
appreciated.

SLAMET SUDARMADJI

Yogyakarta