From: lms@rle-vlsi.mit.edu (Luis Miguel Silveira)
Subject: Re: The Indonesian dictatorship
Organization: Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of
	Technology
	<LMS.92Nov3012745@rle-vlsi.mit.edu>
	<1992Nov4.164806.11754@infonode.ingr.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 06:49:18 GMT



   In article <1992Nov4.164806.11754@infonode.ingr.com>
   soewito@infonode.ingr.com (Freddie Soewito) writes:

   This is what most Indonesians feel about East Timor.  The fact that the
   Indonesian archipelago was once united under Majapahit Kingdom.  The fact
   that East Timor was later on colonized from the Portuguese.  This gives us
   (those who learns history) a sense of "ownership" over the what was once
   Indonesian's territory.

But that was centuries ago, under conditions which are clearly not the
same ones we see now.  After ~500 years of Portuguese colonization the
East Timorese feel they are not part of the Indonesian community
anymore.

Should they now be denied that idea and its consequent way of life
because their ancestors were (800 years) ago part of another country ?

By the same token most of Europe should be given to the Romans or
(going further back into history) to the tribes that once ihnabited
the different regions of Europe.

Take the example of the Baltic states.  They wanted out of the Soviet
Union because in a recent past they were independent and because
people there felt they had the righ to their independece.  Should they
be denied that independence because they were now "occupied" by the
Soviet Union or because they were once part of the Austrian-Hungarian
empire or whatever?

In my opinion, you cannot use ancient history to assert the
correctness of your claims to land or people.  How, would you ask, do
we decide ?  Simple, we _ask_ the people who live there what they
want!

   The fact that your two provinces have never been colonized under other
   country, makes it a bad comparison with East Timor.

I agree, I never used it as a comparison, I was merely explaining what
I perceived to a question from you.

What this means however is that they would really have no reason to
want their independence.  And still, that chance is open.

The poor East Timorese which would have a much more strong on such a
claim are not even given that simple choice.

   Republic Maluku Selatan (RMS) (South Mollucan's Republic?) is one example
   of the independence movement early when Indonesians just got their
   independence.  Are they a popular vote of the people?  I am not sure,
   however they are now living in the Netherland, through some deals we made
   with the Dutch.

I do not think this solution would be deemed acceptable by the East
Timorese (just my understanding of the situation), but in the very
least these people were given a choice, which implies they were given
the right and the freedom to express their wishes.

This has not happened in East Timor and this is what Indonesia is
being blamed for.

   There are other independent movements throughout the Indonesian history.
   Each brought some crushing punishment from the military.  Each of them have
   "strong" movement for independence, some even have the time to elect their
   President, VP, PM, cabinets, etc.  Soon enough there will be 27 or more
   small "Indonesian" states all over the archipelago.  Does that mean the
   people are really dissatisfied with the government?  Or that just means
   that there are a bunch of people supported by someone rich enough to buy
   guns and people to fight.  Without quick military intervention, the common
   people will suffer a lot!  (Take Somalia again as an example)

I agree that you cannot interpret military intervention as a sign of
the will of the population.  The only way to know for sure is to have
free elections.  Then you know without a doubt what these people want.
And if they do not want to be a part of Indonesia, what do you
propose?  Force them?  Send them away?  Note that we are assuming that
a majority would vote for independence!  What if (say) 100% votes for
independence?  You would evacuate the island?

   >so would this thread of conversation).  But what if the decision were
   >to separate and form an independent country?  How would the Indonesian
   >government react to that?

   I don't know.  I am not the government.  I am not into politics.  I would
   guess probably such election to secede will never happened, so it is too
   hypotethical at this point.

Unfortunately recent history has proved you right.  But one must not
give up in the face of adversity.

   My best regards.

Same to you.

-Miguel
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Luis Miguel Silveira                            e-mail : lms@rle-vlsi.mit.edu
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