DATE=9/2/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR - HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253384
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A U-S-based human rights organization has
called on the international community to suspend all
aid to the Indonesian military. Human Rights Watch
says that would put pressure on the Indonesian Army to
halt the violence by pro-Jakarta militias in East
Timor. V-O-A's Stephanie Mann reports.
TEXT: Human Rights Watch issued its appeal following
Wednesday's attack near the United Nations office in
Dili, the East Timorese capital. Anti-independence
militias attacked a group of independence supporters.
At least three people were killed, and hundreds sought
refuge inside the U-N compound.
Pro-Jakarta militia groups are opposed to East Timor's
independence and advocate autonomy for the territory
under Indonesian sovereignty. In the weeks leading up
to Monday's referendum, the militias tried to
intimidate voters by threatening more violence if they
voted for independence.
Monday's balloting was relatively peaceful, but the
situation has deteriorated since then. Final results
are expected in a few days.
Human Rights Watch says the militias have been
terrorizing East Timor with impunity for the last
eight months. The group's Washington director, Mike
Jendrzejczyk (jen DREE zik), says it appears the
Indonesian military in some cases is assisting the
militias.
Mr. Jendrzejczyk says foreign pressure on Indonesian
President Habibie prompted his government to halt the
violence for the day of the referendum. But since
then, Mr. Jendrzejczyk says public and private appeals
have not made a difference, and the violence has
resumed.
// JENDRZEJCZYK ACT //
Under these circumstances, we feel Indonesia's
main donors -- especially the European Union,
Japan, Australia and the United States -- should
suspend all non-humanitarian assistance
immediately, until the civilian militia are
brought under control. And in addition, all
forms of military assistance, training,
provision of military technology should be
immediately suspended.
// END ACT //
Mr. Jendrzejczyk says political and diplomatic
initiatives alone are not enough to get the
Indonesian military to crack down on the militia
violence.
He says the deployment of U-N peacekeeping forces
might be helpful, but that would only happen if
Jakarta invites them and it would be weeks before they
could arrive in East Timor. A suspension of aid could
be implemented immediately, and he says it would be an
effective way of isolating the Indonesian military.
// REST OPTIONAL //
The Indonesian government receives about one-point six
billion dollars a year in World Bank loans for use in
general economic restructuring. The United States, as
a dominant member of the Bank, could influence whether
that funding is put on hold.
The United States also provides bilateral aid to
Indonesia. In fiscal 1997, Washington spent more than
18 million dollars on military assistance to Jakarta,
mostly in financing the sale of U-S military
equipment. Another one million dollars was provided
to train more than 300 Indonesian army soldiers and
officers.
In addition, the United States gives aid in the form
of economic development and humanitarian assistance
and support for democracy-building. In fiscal year
1998, the United States provided about 53 million
dollars in economic development aid and almost 47
million dollars in humanitarian assistance for
Indonesia. Support for democracy totaled less than
two million dollars.
Mr. Jendrzejczyk says the Clinton administration has
hinted to the Indonesian government that Washington
may have no choice but to cut off military
assistance. Congress is considering legislation that
would require the United States to stop such aid to
Indonesia. (Signed)
NEB/SMN/KL
02-Sep-1999 14:03 PM EDT (02-Sep-1999 1803 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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