Asia Times: Timorese surprisingly confident despite polling delay



	June 26, 1999	atimes.com

Southeast Asia

Timorese surprisingly confident despite polling delay
By Farhan Haq

UNITED NATIONS - Pro-independence leaders from EastTimor are surprisingly optimistic about UN peace efforts intheir homeland, despite a delay in an August poll to determine thestatus of the territory.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan confirmed in a report to the15-nation Security Council that there would be a ''two-weekpostponement'' in the ballot on East Timor's self-determinationfrom the scheduled date of Aug. 8. ''At the present time, I would be unable to certify that thenecessary conditions exist to begin the operational phases of theconsultation process, given the security situation throughout muchof East Timor and the absence of a level playing field,'' Annansaid.

Annan blamed much of the violence on the ground on militiasloyal to Indonesia, East Timor's occupying power. ''In many areas, pro-integration militias, believed by manyobservers to be operating with the acquiescence of the army, carryout acts of violence against, and exercise an initmidatinginfluence over, the population,'' Annan argued. ''Militia activities continue to have a constricting effect onpolitical freedom, silencing pro-independence activists and theirsupporters and forcing them into hiding, thus jeopardizing thenecessary openness of the consultation process,'' he added.

Despite such a bleak assessment, Timorese pro-independenceleaders Wednesday re-affirmed their support for UN efforts in EastTimor. All sides to the dispute agreed that ''the existence ofconditions of security and tranquility in East Timor is a sinequa non condition for the holding of a free, fair and democraticconsultation,'' said Xanana Gusmao, leader of the Timoreseseparatists, who is under house arrest in Jakarta. As a result, he added, his side has ''full confidence'' inAnnan's evaluation of the timing and conditions for a vote.

Jose Ramos Horta, co-winner of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize, saidthat the current deployment of the UN Mission in East Timor(UNAMET) already has improved the situation, and still could leadthe way for a fair vote on Timorese self-determination. ''In spite of the problems, I remain confident that the processis irreversible,'' Ramos Horta said Wednesday. ''UNAMET has met our entire expectations,'' he said. ''Theyhave performed with integrity and with impartiality.'' Despiteongoing tensions with the pro-Indonesia militias the securitysituation ''is beginning to improve in the capital."

The difference in the atmosphere has been dramatic since UNAMET -which will comprise some 900 officers in all, including roughly270 police and 50 military liaison officers - began deploying,Ramos Horta said. ''Since the beginning of the deployment of UNAMET . . . there hasbeen an extraordinary feeling of hope among the people of EastTimor,'' Ramos Horta said. ''The United Nations is really seen asbeing on the side of the people."

Yet the Timorese leader acknowledged that there remain manyflaws in the agreement - signed in New York on May 5 betweenIndonesia and Portugal, East Timor's former colonial power - thathas paved the way for the August vote. The agreement, he argued, placed Indonesia's ''army ofoccupation'' in charge of security in the run-up to the elections. That responsibility, Ramos Horta said, has not been met andpowerful voices ranging from Annan, in his current report, toAmnesty International blame pro-Indonesia militias for thecurrent violence. (Amnesty accused the militias of responsibilityfor at least 34 killings of pro-independence Timorese in recentdays.)

Indonesian officials, however, insist that logisticalproblems - rather than security considerations - are the cause ofany delay. On Wednesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatasvoiced his dismay over Annan's announcement of a delay anddemanded that the United Nations provide the reasons for any lag.

While warning of continuing violence, Annan in his report alsosaid that ''security conditions in the cities of Dili and Baucauhave visibly improved.'' Yet, he added, ''the welcome atmosphere of relative calmexperienced in Dili and Baucau has not extended throughout therest of the territory. In particular, the situation in the westerndistricts remains very serious."

Beyond the violence and intimidation, there are several otherpotential pitfalls lying in the way before Timorese can voteeither to accept autonomy under Indonesian rule or chooseindependence. Ramos Horta said it would be ''a sign of good faith'' if XananaGusmao and other East Timorese political prisoners werereleased in advance of a vote. But Jakarta so far shows no signthat it will set the separatists free.

Even a new date for balloting could prove controversial. Aprecise two-week delay would mean that the vote would be held onAug. 22, which is a Sunday. But Jakarta has said that the voteshould not take place on Sunday, to avoid offending sensibilitiesof East Timor's Catholic majority. However, Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, the lead Catholic officialin Dili, responded that Catholics could vote on Sunday. RamosHorta said his side was willing to compromise, and drily added, ina comment on the Jakarta government's statements on Catholicsensitivities, that ''we are very touched by that sentiment."

(Inter Press Service)

back to the top

©1999 Asia Times Online Co., Ltd.

Southeast Asia Sex News | Asian Sex Gazette