From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Bishop Moore: Terror in Timor
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 07:04:03 GMT

/** reg.easttimor: 346.0 **/
** Topic: Bishop Moore: Terror In Timor **
** Written  8:07 pm  Dec 11, 1992 by cscheiner in cdp:reg.easttimor **
From: Charles Scheiner <cscheiner>
Subject: Bishop Moore: Terror In Timor

/* Written  2:22 pm  Dec 11, 1992 by apakabar@igc.apc.org in igc:reg.indonesia */
/* ---------- "Bishop Moore: Terror In Timor" ---------- */
    According to a December 11 Reuter story datelined London, Indonesian 
troops are waging a campaign of terror in East Timor following the capture 
of rebel leader Xanana Gusmao, according to a New York churchman.
    "There have been numerous arrests, Indonesian soldiers and
paramilitary forces are everywhere and secret killings are said to be
taking place," Bishop Paul Moore of the Protestant Episcopal Church said
in a letter to Britain's weekly Economist magazine.
    "The situation is so bad ... that church leaders are telling people to
be prepared for the worst," he said, citing information he had received
from "authoritative sources."
    The Indonesian government plans to put Xanana on trial in a civil
court early next year. Jakarta has not detailed the charges, but it
claims Xanana was behind protests which the government says led to an
army massacre in East Timor in November 1991.
    Moore called for international pressure on Indonesia to end human
rights abuses in East Timor, to allow international observers into the
region and to negotiate a just settlement over the disputed territory.
    "Given the history of support for Indonesia by many Western nations,
Japan and others, in a situation that has claimed more than 200,000
Timorese lives, this is the very least we can do," he wrote.

** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **

/** reg.easttimor: 346.1 **/
** Written  8:49 pm  Dec 11, 1992 by cscheiner in cdp:reg.easttimor **
The full text of Bishop Moore's letter as published in the Economist for
December 11, 1992, follows:

Terror in East Timor

Sir -- According to information I have received from authoritative sources,
the situation in East Timor in the wake of the capture of the independence
movement leader, Xanana Gusmao (November 28th (sic)), is one of widespread
terror even greater than before. There have been numerous arrests.
Indonesian soldiers and paramilitary forces are everywhere, and secret
killings are said to be taking place. The situation is so bad, my sources,
say, that church leaders are telling people to be prepared for the worst.
The Indonesians are reportedly invading the premises of at least some
churches.

People of good will should insist that pressure be brought to bear on
Indonesia to desist in its violations of human rights, allow full access to
international observers, and negotiate seriously with the parties directly
involved to bring about a just settlement in accordance with international
law. Given the history of support for Indonesia by many western nations,
Japan and others, in a situation that has claimed perhaps 200,000 Timorese
lives, this is the very least we can do.

Paul Moore
Episcopal Bishop of New York, 1972-89
** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **


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