Protests continue in East Timor
By Jon Land
The people of East Timor continue to demand the right to self-determination and reject Habibie government's offer of "special status". Mobilisations of thousands of students and young people, which have grown in size and militancy over the last month, show no sign of ending.
On June 23, 50,000 Timorese — over a third of the population of Dili — marched, shouting independence slogans, waving flags and holding banners demanding the release of imprisoned resistance leader Xanana Gusmao.
The June 24 Straits Times described the huge demonstration as a "motorcade protest through the streets of Dili, involving a convoy of hundreds of trucks, buses, cars and motorcycles". A large number of protesters ended up at the office of the governor of East Timor, Abilio Osorio Soares.
Hundreds of young people also marched to the governor's office on June 24, in memory of a Timorese youth murdered by Indonesian soldiers the week before.
The Jakarta-appointed Soares has repeatedly stated his support for the offer of "special status" and "autonomy", in contrast to the overwhelming desire of the majority for a referendum on self-determination.
Independence activists are angered by Soares' underhanded attempts to create divisions amongst Timorese. The student organisation Renetil released a statement on June 22 revealing that Soares has been manipulating traditional Timorese leaders to support his pro-integration position.
Student activists fear Soares will mobilise the traditional leaders to confront independence protests. Soares has also claimed on television that he has the support of Xanana in his attempt to promote "dialogue" amongst Timorese on the future of East Timor.
The National Council of Timorese Resistance confirmed the fears of the students in a press release on June 22. It reported that 600 people had been armed and organised under the leadership of Edmundo, a pro-Soares leader. The CNRT also stated that Indonesian troops were planning trouble at peaceful pro-independence demonstrations.