By Arun Pradhan
Xanana Gusmao — poet, artist and resistance fighter — has come to symbolise the struggle in East Timor. His battle has been an inspiration to his fellow East Timorese and to the solidarity movement around the world.
Fretilin (Revolutionary Front for East Timor's Independence) was founded on May 20, 1974. Its program called for immediate participation of Timorese in government, an end to racial discrimination and an offensive against corruption. Together with UDT (Timorese Democratic Union) it campaigned for independence, but Fretilin's more radical stand attracted a growing number of politicising East Timorese.
One was 26-year-old Xanana Gusmao. Born in Laleia, Xanana attended a Jesuit seminary in Dare. From the beginning of his studies, he was absorbed in poetry, but also had a head for politics.
In August 1975, UDT staged an unsuccessful coup. The Portuguese administrators left Dili. Fretilin had mobilised widespread support against the coup, and throughout September, it began to create effective administration. Xanana played a key role, initially during his work at the Department of Information and later after his election to the Fretilin central committee. Falintil — Revolutionary Armed Forces for the National Liberation of East Timor — was formed at this time.
Indonesia's invasion force moved into East Timor on December 7. The operation involved up to 40,000 Indonesian military and was clouded in disinformation and silence. Indeed, the Suharto regime had ensured relative secrecy by killing five Australian journalists in Balibo two months earlier. Xanana was the last central committee member to leave the capital.
In March this year Indonesian academic George Aditjondro released startling papers on this period of the invasion. His research indicated that 10% of the population — 60,000 people — were killed in the first two months alone. Aditjondro also supported claims that the invasion force used napalm and Agent Orange, primarily from US-supplied planes.
This horrific offensive left Fretilin decimated. Xanana, who was put in charge of one of the eastern parts of the island, found himself with a handful of fighters, with no communications or idea of who else had survived. Along with two other survivors, Serakey and Mau Huno, he began the difficult process of regroupment. Serakey was killed in 1979 while trying to make links with Fretilin in the central sector.
In 1981 the resistance survived Indonesia's "fence of legs" campaign and continued to rebuild. The effectiveness of the fight back was reflected by leaked Indonesian military documents. By 1983, the Indonesian military was prepared to hold peace talks.
From this early stage, Xanana showed his willingness for peace and dialogue. At the first talks, Fretilin put forward quite basic requests: lifting the naval blockade, contact with the outside world, the entry of foreign observers and an announcement by the Indonesian government that the UN would be engaged in cease-fire negotiations.
However, after just five months, Indonesian General Benny Murdani brought in more troops and announced he would crush any resistance, launching into a new round of encirclement and bombing.
Despite many Indonesian offensives, the resistance continued. The survival of Falantil has been possible only because of the support from the people. Xanana was able to unite broad forces around the national struggle, reflected by the formation of CNRM (National Council of Maubere Resistance) in 1986.
CNRM was launched as a non-partisan clandestine coalition of all East Timorese groups, including Fretilin, UDT and Renetil, the largest underground youth organisation. By this stage Falantil had in practice involved UDT, but in 1988 the Fretilin leadership made Falantil a non-partisan army, with Xanana remaining commander.
The Suharto regime must have hoped that Xanana's capture, now over a year ago, would defuse the opposition. Instead his continuing defiance has international public support for East Timor.
Two months ago Xanana received the United Nations Association of Australia Human Rights Award. It was given on the fourth anniversary on his offer, as head of CNRM, to enter into discussions with the Indonesian government under UN auspices. In a letter acknowledging the award, smuggled out of his prison cell, Xanana stated, "Jakarta was responsible for a criminal invasion, responsible for an assassin war which wiped out more than 200,000 Timorese ... Jakarta is the only party which is not interested in finding a solution to the problem."
He described two diplomatic fronts, the first being for support of the CNRM peace plan. "The other front would belong to international solidarity, in the form of pressure against the governments which are still respecting economic interests with Jakarta ahead of universal principles which they defend."
Xanana has broadened organised opposition to the occupation by bringing together old enemies and reaching out to resistance in urban centres. His years of dedication and his writings from an Indonesian prison cell are inspirational. But the problem for the Indonesian regime is that the movement for justice in East Timor is much more than just Xanana. Resistance involves countless numbers of people. As Xanana has pointed out, by fearing a referendum in East Timor, Indonesia fears the truth.