From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: TIMOR INTIMIDATION WORSE, SAYS CHURCH
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 22:17:36 GMT

/** reg.easttimor: 352.0 **/
** Topic: Timor Intimidation **
** Written 11:03 pm  Apr 15, 1992 by NOSCA@f207.n900.z90.pegasus.oz.au in cdp:reg.easttimor **
Written : Wednesday, 15/4/91 in peg: REG.EASTTIMOR, 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 werewatched. 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)
--  
** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **

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