United Nations peacekeeping force
United Nations peacekeeping force
East Timor is descending toward despair. General Wiranto and
Minister Ali Alatas insist that every day, in every way, things
are getting better and better. The rest of the
world knows better; Why does President Habibie delay?
Who is giving Mr. Habibie such shortsighted advice and
discouraging him from inviting the UN troops to safeguard the
people of East Timor from the mutinous militias and regular
troops?
Where have the critics been since last January when the
referendum decision was made? Not offering alternatives, that
much we know. Why do so many political leaders now insist on
raising the flag of national pride on this particular issue? That
advice is knee-jerk nationalism, not patriotism. The UN
peacekeeping forces do not come as an invading army. This is not
an army from an enemy nation; indeed it is not from any sovereign
nation as such. Sovereignty should not even be an issue in the
debate. Military discipline, not sovereignty, is the issue.
Inviting the UN forces would not show weakness, it would show
strength. It would show that President Habibie is not dominated
by his military advisors -- who have a vested interest in
retaining control and saving face. It would show the strength of
Indonesia's civil authorities, a prerequisite for economic
recovery now that the weakness of the military hierarchy is so
clear. It would show this regime's independence from the opinions
of Minister Ali Alatas, with his overriding allegiance to
Soeharto and the status quo. It would show President Habibie's
willingness to put the welfare of a regional community above
personal political interests.
If, as some have speculated, President Habibie yielded to the
Indonesian Military (TNI) on the issue of martial law in exchange
for electoral support in November, he has precious little time
left to redeem this shameful act by replacing the TNI with UN
troops in East Timor immediately. The only ones losing face by
inviting UN assistance are the already weakened military leaders.
No, any shame to Indonesia comes not from requesting UN
peacekeepers, but from tolerating the torture and murders one
minute longer. Does President Habibie really want to sacrifice
800,000 East Timorese and Indonesia's good name in the
international community, just to appease the generals?
DONNA K. WOODWARD
Medan, North Sumatra