DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR / HUMAN RIGHTS (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258730
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N officials in East Timor Wednesday found 10
bodies in a mass grave that may contain the corpses of up
to 60 victims of anti-independence militias. As VOA
Southeast Asia correspondent Gary Thomas reports from
Bangkok, the latest discovery came as East Timor's most
prominent political figures told an audience in the Thai
capital, that there must be justice for the victims of
human rights abuses in the territory.
TEXT: East Timor's best-known figures, former rebel leader
Xanana Gusmao and Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, say it
does not matter where justice comes from. They say trials
for Indonesian troops accused of human rights abuses in
East Timor could either take place in Indonesian courts or
before a United Nations-sponsored tribunal. Either, they
say, would be acceptable.
Hundreds of East Timorese were killed by pro-Jakarta
militias in a rampage after the August 30th vote for
independence. A just-released Indonesian government human
rights report accuses top army officers of responsibility
for the violence.
At a forum at Thammasat University in Bangkok Wednesday,
Mr. Ramos-Horta said an international war crimes tribunal
will not be necessary, if Indonesia takes strong action.
// RAMOS-HORTA ACT //
We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking justice. If
the Indonesian republic is strong enough, if the Indonesian
conscience is strong enough to bring the culprits of the
war crimes, genocide, rape in East Timor to trial in a
process that everybody see, yes, it was fair, it was just,
then we all would applaud Indonesia and there is no need
for a war crimes tribunal that would in fact be an
embarrassment to Indonesia.
// END ACT //
The question of how to deal with such abuses is one of the
touchiest issues a newly independent East Timor must deal
with. The territory is under a United Nations Transitional
Authority, and lacks a functioning judicial system.
Mr. Ramos-Horta says East Timorese officials are examining
the possibility of a South African-style truth and
reconciliation commission to deal with native East Timorese
accused of human rights abuses. But he emphasized that
full disclosure must come first.
// RAMOS-HORTA ACT //
Truth, above all, then reconciliation. Without the truth
being uncovered, being displayed, there cannot be
reconciliation.
// END ACT //
// OPT // He adds that talks are being held with religious
leaders on how to deal with the issue.
// RAMOS-HORTA ACT //
We have had numerous discussions with Bishop Belo and
Bishop Basilio, about how best to address the issue of
responsibility of political leaders - those who did not
take part directly in the killings, but incited the
killings - and those who, militia leaders who, executed the
killings on behalf of their political leaders, on behalf of
the Indonesian military.
// END ACT // // END OPT //
Mr. Gusmao spoke of the need to build strong ties with
Indonesia. But he says for that to happen there must be a
bit of positive publicity about East Timor's former
colonial master.
// GUSMAO ACT //
To encourage trade and economic links with Indonesia, it is
important that we take steps to counter the negative image
of Indonesia which many of our people have due to the their
experience of military excesses.
// END ACT //
Mr. Gusmao says good relations between Indonesia and East
Timor are necessary to ensure the newly-freed territory's
economic prosperity. (signed)
NEB/GPT/FC
02-Feb-2000 06:47 AM EDT (02-Feb-2000 1147 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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