The people of East Timor are living their lives in fear. The uncertainty there is further exacerbated by the absence of credible media and accurate information. Rumors fly about constantly. During the few days I was there, numerous stories, often conflicting, circulated about additional shootings, arrests, beatings and other terrifying acts, none of which could be confirmed by the time we left. On occasion rumors would incite an East Timorese reaction which would then provoke the army to react causing still more abuse.
Uncertainty causes fear which stimulates further terror swirling about the people of East Timor.
Men and women on the street were fearful to speak with me about conditions there, especially when in the vicinity or presence of other unknown civilians. Even in private, people spoke of conditions only in a hushed whisper and were clearly fearful. All of these acts of intimidation causing a climate of fear do not help and the Indonesian government should be encouraged to abandon them. The U.S. Government should do all it can to draw attention to the problem of East Timor and to human rights abuses and religious persecution elsewhere in the country. Congressional resolutions, for example, which call attention to these problems are healthy and should be pursued to encourage diplomatic and political solutions.