East Timorese under attack
By Jon Land
The recent spate of pro-integration militia incursions along the western border of East Timor highlights the failure and unwillingness of the Indonesian government to disarm its militia gangs in West Timor.
The existence of these gangs is possible only because they continue to receive support from the Indonesian military, despite President Abdurrahman Wahid's promise in February to end this support.
In the first two weeks of March, at least 16 attacks were carried out by militia gangs near the towns of Atsabe, Batugade and Maliana. Hundreds of people have fled these areas. At least one person has been killed and 10 homes destroyed.
The attacks raise questions about the United Nations peacekeepers' ability to provide security for people living in the border region. Reconstruction and aid projects in Ermera district have been suspended because of the violence.
For the more than 100,000 East Timorese still languishing in refugee camps in West Timor, the militia gangs' presence means constant intimidation and fear. Access to the camps by aid organisations remains haphazard, resulting in insufficient delivery of food, clothing and materials for shelter.
It is believed that 500 to 700 people in the camps have died from diseases such as chronic diarrhea and tuberculosis since October. Almost a quarter of children under the age of five are malnourished, resulting in a high (and increasing) infant mortality rate. A UN report released on March 3 described food rations in the camps as being well below the recommended minimum.
Food aid is being supplied by several local and international relief organisations, including the World Food Program. The largest share of food aid, however, comes from the Indonesian government. Despite being extensively funded by foreign governments, this program will cease on March 31. According to Indonesian officials, the aid is being stopped in order to help the refugees "choose" between staying in Indonesia and returning to East Timor.
It is impossible for refugees to make a free choice under these circumstances. Apart from the daily threat of violence, a massive misinformation campaign is being waged by United Timorese Heroes (UNTAS), an umbrella organisation established in January in West Timor by the remnants of the pro-integration groups. UNTAS has been distributing a newsletter in the camps warning those who return to East Timor that they will be mistreated and that the vote for independence last August was fraudulent and manipulated.
The use of the UNTAS acronym and a logo similar to that of the UN has added to the refugees' confusion and apprehension. The activity of UNTAS and the militia gangs indicates a close working relationship with the Indonesian military and intelligence organisations. The head of the military command responsible for West Timor, Major General Kiki Syahnakri, was based in East Timor during the rampage there in September.
Syahnakri was reported in the Bali Post in early March as saying that, while he could not allow Indonesian territory to used for armed actions by the pro-integration groups, he still "respected" them. In the March 15 Jakarta Post, Syahnakri defended the role of the Indonesian military in West Timor, stating: "It's ironic that all the incidents were said to be the work of the Indonesian side".
The Indonesian attorney general's office announced on March 13 that it will begin the next phase of the investigation into the killings in East Timor, following the acceptance of the report presented by the Indonesian Commission to Investigate Human Rights Abuses in East Timor. A special team — made up of members of the military and police, prosecutors and legal experts — will now assess the report to determine who can be summoned for questioning.
Solidarity and human rights activists believe that the Indonesian investigation will be used to block the creation of an international war crimes tribunal and provide the rationale for foreign governments to renew ties with the Indonesian military. The United States, which has already resumed training of Indonesian officers, has signalled that it will increase military cooperation with Indonesia once the Indonesian investigation is completed.