Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Wed, 15 Apr 1992 08:25:54 PDT
From:         "Indonesia Publications/Task Force" <apakabar@IGC.ORG>
Subject:      Timor Intimidation Rises
X-To:         seasia-l@msu.edu

Forwarded from PeaceNet reg.indonesia conference:
Topic 558Timor Intimidation
NOSCAreg.indonesia11:04 pm  Apr 15, 1992
(at f207.n900.z90.pegasus.oz.au)(From News system)

Written : Wednesday, 15/4/91 in peg: REG.INDONESIA, by
NOSCA, The Network of Overseas Students Collectives in
Australia.

[This report appeared on the Mon, 13/4/92 issue of THE AGE
newspaper in Melbourne. There was also a front page article
on this particular topic on the Mon, 13/4/92 issue of the
Canberra Times newspaper. The national newspaper, The
Australian also had a similar report, but a much shorter
version].

TIMOR INTIMIDATION WORSE, SAYS CHURCH

Reporter : Tom Hyland

The Indonesian Government has taken a harder line against
dissent in East Timor since the Dili massacre and further
bloodshed is expected, according to a confidential report
by the Roman Catholic Church.

In addition, sources recently returned from East Timor say
the Indonesian Army has abandoned its "hearts and minds"
strategy against pro-independence activity since the Dili
massacre in November and begun a policy of intimidation.

These accounts support the finding of the confidential
report by Mr Michael Whiteley, the national director of
Australian Catholic Relief. The report said: "The ongoing
pressure on the Timorese can be seen from the increased
security measures... there is also a policy of intimidation
with a very obvious military presence."

"The Indonesians appear to be taking a harder line on
dissent and are prepared to take whatever action is
necessary to repress it. More bloodshed and suffering can,
most regrettably, be expected."

Mr Whitley visited East Timor in December. The report was
given to Australian Catholic Relief's national committee
and a number of bishops.

It is supported by statements from a number of recent travellers.

An Australian who has visited East Timor three times, most
recently last month, said: "As far as I am concerned, the
situation was absolutely horrible two weeks ago."

A visitor in January said political prisoners arrested
after the massacre complained to church leaders of torture:
being burned with cigarette ends, slashed with razor
blades, and beaten on the feet.

A number of the sources said they had been unable to
contact Timorese they met on earlier visits. Some had been
forced into hiding or had possibly "gone to the mountains",
a common expression for joining Fretilin independence
guerillas.

Mr Whitley said: "The atmosphere (in Dili) was extremely
tense. People came to work, went home and then locked
themselves in."

Another source saw signs of intense military activity in
Dili and elsewhere in January. She said Indonesian troops
appeared to be billeted in every neighboorhood and village,
searching for those suspected of involvement in political
activity.

In Baucau, east of Dili, she saw signs of a military
operation in the streets, involving soilders with shields,
helmets and riot masks.

"The whole time we were there we were watched. Our rooms
were searched. We were followed everywhere, and quizzed as
to where we were going and why we had come, " she said.

The new military commander in East Timor, Brigadier-General
Theo Syafei, was recently quoted in the Indonesian weekly
`Editor' magazine as saying "... if something similar to the
November 12 event were to happen under my leadership, the
number of victims would probably be higher."

An inquiry by the Indonesian Government found that at least
50 people died in the massacre and up to another 90 were
missing. Witnesses have said that more than 100 died. -AAP

--- FD 1.99c
 * Origin: NOSCA (90:900/207)
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