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Statement New York, 29 September 2000 Mr. President, I should like to extend my congratulations to you, Sir, on your assumption of the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of September. My felicitations also go to your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of Malaysia, for his skillful stewardship of the Council’s activities last month. Allow me to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, for his briefing on the situation in East Timor. Mr. President, Ever since the New York Agreements of May 1999 and the holding of the popular consultations of 30 August 1999, we have borne witness to a remarkable transformation of the question of East Timor. Indeed the role of Indonesia’s new democratically elected Government led by President Wahid, immediately after assuming official responsibilities, honored the decision of the East Timorese people. In this regard, it should be noted that the letter of the President to the Secretary-General dated 25 October 1999 had conveyed the decision (no: V/MPR/1999) of the People’s Consultative Assembly and on the arrangements for the transfer of authority. Despite the sincere and concerted efforts of my Government over the past year, the Atambua incident of 6 September 2000 has regrettably brought to the forefront the residual problems, including the refugees in West Timor which have become formidable challenges for all concerned parties. In this regard, my delegation would like to reiterate its position concerning the need for a comprehensive resolution of the remaining problems on this item which can only be attained through the adoption of bold measures on four main questions, namely: (a) an investigation of the Atambua incident of 6 September 2000 and bringing the perpetrators to justice; (b) disarming the militias; (c) reaching a comprehensive solution of the East Timorese refugees; and (d) to promote reconciliation among the East Timorese. Mr. President, With regard to the investigation of the Atambua incident of 6 September 2000 and bringing the perpetrators to justice, the Indonesian Government has accorded priority to the handling of this matter. Investigations by the relevant authorities into the killing of the three UNHCR personnel as well as the murder of Olivio Mendoza Moruk are continuing. As to the former, a suspect by the name of Xisto Pereira has been arrested and is being questioned. Almost a month later since the occurrence of this tragic incident, our outrage has not abated. My delegation is constrained to point out that amidst the emotionally charged environment caused by the killing of the militia leader on 5 September 2000, police officials on duty had asked all UNHCR personnel to vacate the office under their protection. Of those 13 personnel, 10 complied with this request and were escorted to safety while three UNHCR staff chose to remain and hence could not be saved. On the question of disarming the militias, the Indonesian Government has adopted a two-step approach. The first step laid out a specific time frame for the militias to voluntarily surrender their weapons by 24 September 2000. On that date, in a ceremony witnessed by the Vice-President and other high-ranking Indonesian officials as well as UNTAET officials, the militias surrendered the weapons in their possession. This included a voluntary hand-over of 888 home assembled weapons, 34 standard weapons, 4 grenades and 1000 rounds of ammunition. My delegation would like to stress that the process of disarming the militias did not just begin on 24 September 2000 but the process was long underway since December 1999, which resulted in the seizure of 817 firearms comprising of 214 standard weapons, 603 home assembled weapons, 19,926 ammunition and 66 grenades. Mindful of the complexity of this process and to ensure that it was conducted in an orderly, peaceful and complete manner, the Indonesian Government had extended the period from 24 September to 27 September 2000. Since then, an additional 215 weapons, including 4 units of M-16s , 13 grenades and 1900 ammunition have been surrendered. Mr. President, In light of the aforementioned, Indonesia deems certain comments on the handing over of weapons of 24 September 2000 to be most unfortunate and ill advised as they reflect a failure to fully appreciate the prevailing realities of the disarming process. Every single one of these weapons could have maimed, injured or killed innocent civilians. Any shortcomings of the hand over ceremony should not detract and can not detract from the basic indisputable fact that a large quantity of weapons were surrendered to the police on that day and that accordingly security in the refugee camps and in Atambua generally has been enhanced. Moreover, the comments indicate an acute inability to recognize the political significance of the occasion, that indeed the individuals concerned have opted to pursue their legitimate aspirations through peaceful means by renouncing violence. Indonesia also takes strong exception to any suggestions that the scuffle which broke out following the handing over ceremony testify to the inability of the Indonesian police to maintain order. On the contrary, despite the potentially volatile situation, the police was able to quickly drive the emotive crowd out of the police compound, safeguard the surrendered weapons (those which were briefly retrieved were quickly surrendered to the local military commander), and protect the UNTAET personnel who were at the compound at the time and provide them with the necessary military escort, for their travel back to Motaain en route to Dili. Indeed, the commotion following the hand over ceremony confirmed the Indonesian Government’s forewarning that the disarmament would be fraught with challenges. This is not a unique local phenomenon but is in fact inherent in any effort to disarm individuals or groups bent on retaining their weapons. It is for this reason that the emphasis was first placed on persuasive methods. Further, commencing on 27 September 2000, sweeping operations or the second step has been carried out by a joint police/TNI team to persuasively or forcibly confiscate weapons which are still at large. Although, these operations are continuing they are not without risks, not least to the ordinary people at large whose safety and security are paramount. Under these circumstances, we should not second-guess those in the field with intimate knowledge of the tasks at hand nor to pontificate or rehash endless calls for Indonesia to disarm and disband militia; rather the international community should issue unmistakable words of encouragement to those who are at this very moment carrying out this important task to their level best. Understandably, Mr. President, the commencement of the forcible confiscation of weapons phase on 27 September 2000 has generated a fair degree of anxiety in Atambua in wary anticipation or due to rumors of possible violence and public disorder. It is gratifying to note that such assumptions have been largely unfounded. The overt display of force by the Indonesian police has had its intended deterrent effect on would-be trouble makers and in reassuring the general public of their safety and security. Just as important, the Indonesian police and TNI have continued to work closely with the local district authority, local community and religious leaders in promoting calm resulting in the maintenance of general law and order in Atambua. On the issue of refugees, it has always posed a dilemma to the international community, especially with its many multi-faceted problems. The question of East Timorese refugees is no exception. More than a year later, the presence of East Timorese refugees in West Timor is proving to be more of a financial burden with each passing day. Indonesia has done far more than its fair share of extending assistance to them. Urgent steps have been implemented to take over the task of providing humanitarian emergency relief due to the departure of the UNHCR and other relevant international humanitarian agencies. On 24 September 2000, the Vice-President personally oversaw the provision of such assistance in Atambua. Pivotal in this field has been the role of the Provincial Government which has since 10 September 2000, initiated phase 1 of the relief operation, namely the distribution of 1.040 tonnes of rice. During phase 2, begun on 27 September 2000 until 6 October, 918 tonnes of rice are to be distributed with additional cash in the amount of Rp1.500 per person a day for meals (approximately 130,000 refugees X Rp.1.500 = Rp.1.950.000.000). Commencing from 6 October 2000, assistance shall be channeled through the affected districts. Hence, Indonesia does not shirk from its responsibilities to the East Timorese refugees but believes that this is a shared responsibility. The United Nations, including the Security Council have an important role to play to extend the urgently needed assistance at this critical hour of need. In order to alleviate their plight, much more is needed than just rhetoric and platitudes unless these are reinforced by concrete plans of action. As always, my Government stands ready to work with the United Nations in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to resolve the outstanding problems. Mr. President, My Government has consistently called for the urgent need to promote reconciliation of the East Timorese people of all political persuasions as mentioned by previous speakers. It is hoped that UNTAET will exert the efforts to promote an all-inclusive reconciliation. So far, it is regrettable that little progress has been achieved on this track. Thus, while calls for disarmament are justifiably made to the pro-integration side, they should be equally applicable to the Falintil for the process of genuine reconciliation to begin. As merely disarming one side would only provide a short interval of peace as feelings of deep resentment and anger continue to fester and a lasting peace will prove elusive. My Government has therefore offered its hand in cooperation to UNTAET to facilitate true reconciliation and it stands ready to work towards this end. In this regard, it is pertinent to note that Indonesia initiated the meeting on 14 September 2000, in Denpasar, which was attended by UNTAET, leaders of CNRT and UNTAS. As East Timor moves closer towards the path of independence, it is of utmost importance that the pro-integration group, constituting 21.5% of its population, be encouraged to participate in its nation-building endeavors as they have the same rights and responsibilities as the pro-independence supporters. These efforts should be pursued in all earnest as it offers the only viable path to replacing decades of mistrust and enmity with a prosperous future built upon trust and amity. Only then, can its people relegate this conflict to the past and look forward to opening a new chapter in their lives characterized by peace, harmony and stability. In an effort to assure that the Council be kept apprised of the ongoing developments, the Special Envoy of Indonesia was dispatched to brief its Member States on the comprehensive plan of action to disarm the militias as well as other important measures that it had already undertaken. As a follow-up, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Dr. Alwi Shihab, will return to New York on 12 October 2000 to brief the United Nations Security Council and the Secretary General on the progress that the Indonesian Government has made in implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1319 (2000). These endeavors by my Government, reflects its sincerity and commitment to assure a channel of open communication and information between Indonesia and the United Nations on the unfolding situation. Thank you, Mr. President.
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