WRITTEN QUESTION P-2895/00

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(6 September 2000)

Subject: Reappearance of the?militias' in East Timor and the new EU policy for Indonesia

In recent weeks tensions have risen in East Timor, and incidents have occurred claiming fresh victims. At the origin of this lies the renewed activity of the so-called militias. It has been confirmed that East Timor has been infiltrated by trained and armed elements originating in neighbouring West Timor. According to UN sources, there appear to be over 100 such armed infiltrators; other independent sources suggest the number may be nearer 300. Evidence on the basis of those agents who have been detected suggests that these people are former members of the Indonesian armed forces using material and equipment of those forces.

Media reports have publicised these circumstances and the deep concern which they are generating, affecting life and security in the territory and jeopardising the lives and safety of both native Timorese and the civilian and military personnel of the UN and various humanitarian organisations.

The reactivation of these militias has only been possible thanks to the collaboration and training with which they are still being provided in West Timor by influential elements in Indonesian society which are hostile to peace and freedom for the Timorese and continue to enjoy unlimited freedom of movement under the Indonesian regime, which itself remains subject to numerous factors of uncertainty. For a year now reports have been accumulating of the wide freedom of movement enjoyed by the armed militias in the displaced people's camps in East Timor and of the coercion which they are imposing on many of those who fled to those camps in the wake of last year's brutal wave of military and paramilitary violence. These phenomena have met with indifference or, at best, only minimal attention at official level internationally.

Even if today's circumstances are very different from those of a year ago, these developments have reopened an old and unfortunate question, namely that of de facto duplicity on the part of Indonesia. One may even ask whether the EU's launching of a new policy towards Indonesia was not in fact premature, given that the Indonesian government has not been in a position to guarantee a correct attitude on the part of all the authorities in the country including the de facto authorities towards the nation and people of East Timor, and has not effectively prevented or punished, throughout its territory and especially in West Timor, all actions carried out or planned against that nation and people.

Is the Commission aware of this grave resurgence of the militia crisis, and is it taking a firm stand on the matter with the Indonesian authorities? What guarantees has it obtained from the Indonesian authorities, and how effective does it believe these to be in the light of the facts? Is the Commission considering taking action if necessary to suspend the arrangements for closer cooperation launched by it in the meantime under the new policy towards Indonesia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 2000)

The Commission is aware of the situation referred to by the Honourable Member, in particular the actions of the paramilitary units in the border region of East Timor.

There can be no doubt that the problem can only be resolved by the Indonesian government's intervention, since it clearly holds political responsibility.

The Commission will pass on its grave concern to the Indonesian authorities.

The Commission does not believe that reconsidering Community policy on Indonesia and suspending co-operation would be constructive or encourage reform there.