So we support the prompt action the Government proposes to send a substantial force and support resources to stop the killing as fast as possible. But we must do much more, especially in view our government s disgraceful collaboration with the Indonesian government and its army over all these years. East Timor has been destroyed. Buildings and whole towns have been burned, infrastructure destroyed, food production halted. Children are without parents- many of the children are traumatised from watching their parents slain in front of their eyes.
Refugees number many thousands.
Humanitarian aid will be needed for a long time but the rebuilding must start as soon as security is restored. As a Government and as a community we must put substantial resources into reconstructing the new independent East Timor. Looking at the longer term, working together with Government support they could field a volunteer force of skilled young New Zealanders to help re-establish housing, food production, transport systems, health services, and schools. In addition to the practical help for the East Timorese the benefit to the New Zealand volunteers would be enormous. There would be wider understanding of another culture, leadership training, and the satisfaction of serving others.