Asia Times: Huge turnout as East Timor votes in peace



	August 31, 1999	atimes.com

Southeast Asia

Huge turnout as East Timor votes in peace
By Kafil Yamin

DILI, East Timor - Hundreds of thousands of East Timorese went to the polls on Monday, fearful of violence but determined to take part in a historic vote on their future after 24 years of Indonesian rule.

Voters clutching their registration papers queued up in every corner of the capital, Dili, in sharp contrast to the scenes of terror and intimidation that persisted here until a few days ago. Many had been standing in line since 6 am.

''The enthusiasm is so high. Look at their faces. There are flashes of excitement and joy. That is the reflection of their own future,'' commented Francisco Dionisio Fernandez, a university student.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (Unamet) estimated initially that some 79 percent of the more than 450,000 registered voters had cast their ballots on Monday. A Unamet spokesman said some polling stations would re-open on Tuesday to deal with large numbers of people still waiting to vote.

In terms of number and mood, the enthusiasm for the referendum clearly exceeded that for the June general election held across Indonesia, when only few Timorese case their votes. As the day wore on, a sense of relief spread through many East Timorese.

''I have voted for my own destiny, that of my own children and maybe for my grandchildren,'' said a woman returning home from a polling station. ''I think this ballot will put the bloody conflict to an end. Things will be more certain. That's why we vote,'' said Francisco Nunes Dos Santos, a government employee in Dili.

Results of the ballot, including those cast by eligible voters outside East Timor, are expected to be known in about a week. Counting will take place in Dili. East Timorese voters were asked two questions. First, ''Do you accept the proposed special autonomy for East Timor within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia?'' Second, ''Do you reject the proposed special autonomy for East Timor, leading to East Timor's separation from Indonesia?''

Dili has been largely quiet since the weekend, despite a handful of reports of gunshots fired and other incidents in some parts of the territory. On Friday, the last day of the campaign leading to the ballot, three more people were killed in bloody clashes between pro-autonomy and pro-independence forces. But on Sunday, the warring factions pledged to stay away from more violence.

''This is a historical moment. This is the first time when we, of pro-autonomy and pro-independence (groups) who are in the field, sit down together and make a genuine agreement,'' Eurico Guterres of the Pro-Integration Forces told the press. ''In the past, such agreements had always been made by those who are in high political positions but not aware of the reality on the field.'' Falur Rate Laec, commander of Region III of Falintil, the fighting force of the pro-independence group, made similar statements. Then the two shook hands and posed for photographers.

The pro-independence vote is widely expected to win, although in a national address Sunday, President B J Habibie urged East Timorese to stay part of the ''Indonesian family''. ''Despite the government's serious intention to help them, there are East Timorese who are still rejecting Indonesia's sincere help,'' he said, urging East Timorese "not to waste this opportunity to vote for a wide-ranging autonomy''.

Now that voting has wound up, analysts are concerned about what happens next. Many fear a recurrence of violence after the result of the ballot is announced, especially if either side refuses to accept the results. ''The yardstick for a peaceful process is not today, but later when the result is announced,'' said Florentino Sarmento, an East Timorese who is also a member of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights.

(Inter Press Service)

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