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A new climate of terror in East Timor has forced the United Nations to delay a much awaited plebiscite in this occupied territory, originally scheduled for August 8. Paramilitary groups armed and trained by the Indonesian military and opposed to independence have conducted a campaign of terror this year, killing over 200 people and creating at least 20,000 internal refugees from the violence.

Pro-independence activists, students, and civil servants have been arrested, tortured, killed, and forced into hiding. Human rights and humanitarian workers, domestic and international journalists have been beaten and threatened. Entire communities have been uprooted and forced to live in militia controlled refugee camps. Though bound by recently signed international accords to guarantee the security of all East Timorese, the Indonesian military has rarely taken any action to stop these attacks.

Earlier this year, Indonesia had somewhat surprisingly finally agreed to allow a United Nations run “popular consultation” on “special autonomy” in which the East Timorese would chose either independence or a special form of autonomy while remaining under Indonesian sovereignty.

East Timor, a small former Portuguese colony, was brutally invaded by neighboring Indonesia almost 24 years ago. As many as 200,000 people or almost one third the pre-invasion population of 600,000 perished during the early years of resistance to Indonesia’s illegal occupation. Although the United Nations long ago passed eight general assembly resolutions and two security council resolutions demanding Indonesia’s withdrawal, no real pressure was ever put on Indonesia until the televised massacre of unarmed protest in the Santa Cruz Cemetery in 1991. Increased grassroots pressure from throughout the world along with the severe Asian financial crisis, which helped to topple the dictator Suharto, eventually caused Indonesia to seriously enter UN sponsored talks with Portugal (still the recognized administrative authority for East Timor).

The Timorese suffered greatly under Indonesian occupation and it is very widely believed they would chose independence in a free and fair election. Yet most hardline military elements in Indonesia believe the loss of East Timor would be a blow to the unity of Indonesia and a loss of prestige to the military. There are also immigrants to East Timor from other parts of Indonesia and some Timorese businessmen who have profited well who fear their status will be diminished if the Timorese vote for independence. This mix of weapons, money and fear has been enough to fire up the paramilitary organizations. Many of the actual paramilitary participants are forced in by threats or paid significant money.

In early June, Eurico Guterres, leader of one of the most notorious militias, was appointed to head the civil defence unit in Dili. Guterres has publicly called on his men to slaughter pro-independence activists. On April 17, within hours of one such statement in Dili at least 12 people (including refugees from previous militia attacks) were killed at the home of prominent activist Manuel Carrascalao.

U.N. officials in East Timor have vigorously protested ongoing activity by paramilitary units as a violation of the U.N. accords. In June, the United Nations decided that the proper atmosphere to conduct a free and fair vote was not present and the vote has been delayed for at least three weeks. The International Federation for East Timor is hoping to place at least 70 volunteer non-partisan observers to help bring about an atmosphere free from coercion and terror. Several D.C.-area people may be part of this team and D.C. East Timor Action Network will be holding a fundraiser in July to aid in costs. Please call D.C. ETAN in the evenings at 202-234-1325 or ETAN’s Washington office at 202-544-6911 for details and visit our website http://www.etan.org.

Nathan Osborn is with D.C. East Timor Action Network.

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