From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Timor: Horta Interview
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 08:29:58 GMT

/** reg.easttimor: 356.0 **/
** Topic: Horta interviewed by 'Editor' **
** Written  8:18 pm  Dec 23, 1992 by gn:tapol in cdp:reg.easttimor **
Horta interviewed by Editor
 
12 December 1992
The interview was conducted (presumably in New York) by Tatiek
S. Hafidz.
 
Q:   What is your comment following the arrest of Xanana?
A:   The news of Xanana's arrest made me very sad indeed. As
long as he is in the hands of the Indonesian authorities, they
must be held responsible for everything that happens to him.
 
Q:   Isn't your struggle losing more and more support?
A:   Slowly but surely, I'm certain, we shall get more and
more support. We shall appeal to people at all levels. We
shall work by means of diplomacy, particularly in the USA, to
change policies towards Indonesia.
 
Q:   You and Xanana have been accused of masterminding the
Santa Cruz Incident.
A:   Oh, who do you think I am? That was an action by the
people of East Timor. But I wouldn't completely deny the
charge. Of course, I supported that action. But I have no
money to provide financial support. Even for my own everyday
needs, I sometimes experience problems. The salary I get for
teaching at the University of New South Wales, Sydney is very
modest. I'm not as rich as some people think.
 
Q:   But you receive many donations.
A:   Yes, that's true. But those funds are used for
humanitarian purposes.
 
Q:   So how do you make contact or do your networking with
East Timor?
A:   I admit it is becoming more and more difficult to make
contact, especially now that some movements are being more
rigorously controlled. We still have many ways of
communicating. but you wouldn't expect me to discuss this with
you. This would mean violating the first law of a guerilla
ha... ha... ha....
 
Q:   How large are your forces in East Timor today?
A:   Our forces are indeed very weak. I will admit that.
 
Q:   So, will Fretilin abandon the armed struggle now that
Xanana has been captured?
A:   No, we shall continue the struggle to the end, even if
only a handful of people are left.
 
Q:   What's the point? Wouldn't it be better for you to
surrender to the Indonesian government?
A:   We agreed to enter into negotiations. We would be very
happy to sit at the negotiating table, to explore all
possibilities for a peaceful solution. But don't forget, the
important thing is that the people of East Timor have the
right to determine their own fate.
 
Q:   It's the aspiration of the East Timorese to integrate
with the Republic.
A:   Foreign Minister Alatas always says that the East
Timorese people are happy to be integrated with their brethren
in Indonesia and like eating fried rice - which I also like.
But why does he refuse a referendum which he is bound to win?
 
Q:   Your struggle is of no significance. The evidence: in
mid-December, Foreign Minister Ali Alatas of Indonesia and the
Portuguese Foreign Minister will meet under UN auspices, but
Fretilin will not take part.
A:   I don't understand Ali Alatas' way of thinking. He is
usually open to constructive ideas. But this time, I truly
fail to understand why it should be like this. If you want to
discuss East Timor, people like myself, Belo and Xanana should
be drawn in.
 
Q:   What in your opinion are the characteristics of Xanana? 
A:   He is very intelligent. He is a leader of great stature
and modesty. For me, he's a great leader, a leader for
Southeast Asia.
 
Q:   But Xanana is disappointed with you because you have used
the name of the party for personal interests. And recently,
you've had a dispute with Mrs Xanana. Isn't that true?
A:   Yes, it's true. We had a disagreement over money. It was
about how funds for the struggle should be used. She wanted
the money to be sent to East Timor to support the struggle
there. But I was of a different opinion, that the money should
be used for the struggle at the international level. We
finally reached agreement that the money should be used to
finance the international diplomatic efforts of our movement.
** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive