STATEMENT
BY
H.E. DR. ALWI SHIHAB
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
BEFORE THE SECURITY COUNCIL
ON THE SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR
New York, 12 October 2000
Mr. President,
I should like to preface my remarks by expressing my
Government’s appreciation to all Member States represented in
this Council for their continued interest and concern on the various
issues related to Security Council resolution 1319 (2000).
I come to New York by way of Atambua, province of East
Nusa Tenggara, which I visited on 8 October 2000 to personally view
the latest developments of the situation therein, which I am pleased
to share with the Council today.
However, perhaps I could begin by taking the liberty
of expressing my general observations and impressions of the discussions
within the Council on these issues over the past few weeks.
Mr. President,
Hardly a month goes by without inter-ethnic or inter-religious
conflicts erupting somewhere in the world. The most recent, innocent
civilians, men, women and children have been killed and wounded in Palestine.
The reaction of certain countries to such conflicts often apparently
springs from political expediency and the identity of the victims, rather
than purely humane considerations. We see that in the face of the killings
by the Israeli Army, the United Nations Security Council has passed
a resolution condemning the excessive use of force against unarmed Palestinians
only with difficulty and without even mentioning the culprit. This is
in sharp contrast to the position taken on the tragic incident of Atambua
in which three United Nations humanitarian workers were killed. In this
instance, the Security Council adopted a resolution almost immediately
and unanimously with no single member abstaining.
The true mandate of the United Nations and the Security
Council in particular is to be a voice for countries without a voice;
for poor countries against the rich ones; and for countries without
power against the big powers. The United Nations will in the end have
to be judged by history on its record of fair and just treatment of
all its members. Therefore, military might and industrial affluence
must never be the criteria for resolving national and international
conflicts.
These examples are cited neither to condemn nor to justify
the actions of this august body, which remains our only hope for peace
in a world fraught with tension. My purpose is rather to suggest that
the best and least problematic way to deal with such conflicts when
they arise within the borders of a nation-state is to encourage that
nation to deal with its own problems. This is the only way to preserve
and strengthen national sovereignty the ultimate cornerstone of world
peace and to encourage the building of institutions in nations undergoing
difficult and sensitive stages of transition.
On behalf of the people of my country, I appeal to the
conscience of this body. I ask you to allow us to nurture Indonesia’s
evolving democracy for which many of our young women and men already
laid down their lives. Our people must see that it is now their government,
their own democracy, free of undue influence and pressure, that takes
decisions in their country. This includes the very serious matter of
the recent tragic incident in Atambua, West Timor.
My Government the government of the Indonesian people
does not wish to compromise its sovereignty, neither to allow any outside
pressure which will only undermine the process of democratization in
the country. We present ourselves to you as capable of carrying out
our responsibility to meet United Nations Security Council resolution
1319 (2000). It is still fresh in our mind when some in this very room
cast doubt on the ability of Indonesia to meet its obligations. Some
even insisted on dispatching a Security Council mission to Indonesia
before allowing Indonesia to demonstrate its commitments to carry out
a thorough investigation, to disarm the militia as well as to detain
all suspects. I am here today to share with you fully what we have accomplished
in that regard. We believe that we are able to stand up to this test
of enforcing the rule of law in our own country and to bring the perpetrators
as well as the culprits of the tragic incident to justice.
Let me now briefly share the efforts of my Government
to deal with the Atambua incident.
Mr. President,
I am only too aware of the views expressed by some,
including from within this Council, that Indonesia is either unwilling
or unable to vigorously address these matters. Hesitation and prevarication
were some of the words recently employed by UNTAET to describe our efforts.
While we do not seek the approval of UNTAET for the efforts we are exerting,
given its specific mandate to East Timor, I find such comments to be
misguided, reflecting an utter refusal to acknowledge the improving
situation on the ground, a regrettable tendency to impose stereotypes
far removed from reality.
These sentiments, however, have simply served as additional
motivation for my Government to continue and indeed, to further enhance
the constructive steps it has taken.
Of the falsehoods that are being depicted, few are as
disquieting as the notion that Indonesia is exerting less than the optimum
effort in cooperating with the United Nations on this question. Indeed,
I cannot fail to discern the portrayal that Indonesia is somehow on
a collision course with the Security Council - to engineer a crisis
where there is none. The issue of Security Council Mission seems especially
pertinent in this regard.
Mr. President,
The facts suggest otherwise.
From the very outset, the Government of Indonesia has
consistently maintained an open line of communication with the United
Nations in resolving the issues stemming from, and related to the Atambua
incident in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. Thus, direct
contacts have been maintained with the Secretary-General of the United
Nations at the very highest level of Government. In addition, there
have been formal written communications with the Secretary-General and
the President of the Security Council to share information about the
steps the Government of Indonesia has taken and their results.
Illustrative of the Indonesian Government’s firm commitment
to keep the United Nations apprised of the steps it has taken to address
the problem of East Timorese refugees in the province of East Nusa Tenggara
is the assignment by President Abdurrahman Wahid of the Coordinating
Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs, Bambang Yudhoyono,
as his Special Envoy. The Special Envoy briefed the Secretary-General
of the United Nations and the Security Council on 19 September 2000.
In addition, the Government of Indonesia has regularly briefed representatives
of foreign missions in Jakarta, including Member States of the Security
Council, ASEAN and the Non-Aligned Movement, on follow-up actions to
the Atambua incident.
As a clear manifestation of Indonesia’s firm commitment
to cooperate with the United Nations, within three to four weeks
my Government plans to invite members of the Council and other interested
states to Indonesia to view first hand the progress achieved in Indonesia’s
response to the Atambua incident, including the initial preparation
stages of the registration of the refugees. For practical purposes,
the visit of the members of the Council to Indonesia could be held following
their visit to East Timor at the invitation of the Special Representative
of the Secretary-General, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Mr. President,
The period since the visit by the Special Envoy to the
United Nations Headquarters on 19 September 2000 has witnessed important
new as well as enhanced steps by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia
to comprehensively address the many issues relating to the Atambua incident,
specifically Security Council resolution 1319 (2000).
I should like to recall the following
four areas, identified in the last briefing by the Special Envoy to
the Security Council which in my Government’s view will resolve the
residual issues on the question before us, namely: (a) investigating
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) promoting reconciliation
among the East Timorese. In many of these areas, determined measures
by the Government of Indonesia have yielded significant results.
Such progress is inseparable from the deployment of
three additional armed forces battalions and two police battalions whose
main responsibilities are to maintain and promote peace and security
and law and order in the refugee camps. In addition, separate army
units are stationed along the border with the special task of assuring
security and preventing cross border incursions along the whole border.
Thus, the disarmament efforts, with the emphasis initially
on persuasive methods followed by coercive/enforcement actions,
have resulted in thousands of weapons, including standard as well as
home assembled weapons, grenades/explosives and rounds of ammunition
being confiscated. These efforts are continuing.
Some may question the significance of these efforts
in terms of the quantity and quality of the arms confiscated, as well
as the pace or method of the operation. But what is to be noted in this
respect is the indisputable fact that thousands of these weapons have
been effectively neutralized and as such has brought about a
situation conducive to undertake constructive steps in the other areas.
This should be welcomed.
My Government is cognizant of reports, including those
which we have received from UNTAET, that the so-called militia operating
inside East Timor have been equipped with modern weapons, indeed serious
allegations have been made against the TNI in this regard. Yet, Mr.
President, to this very day the Government of Indonesia is still to
receive from UNTAET a response to its demand that UNTAET substantiates
its reports and allegations with concrete data and facts - weapons and
munitions serial numbers, for example. These have not been forthcoming.
Instead, various statements were made by UNTAET accusing a lack of determination
on the part of my Government to deal expeditiously with the issues at
hand. I should say that this is unhelpful to the on-going process of
the fulfillment of the obligations conferred to the Indonesian Government
to implement Security Council resolution 1319 (2000).
With respect to the procedure of weapons confiscations,
I should like to appeal that we refrain from second guessing those in
the field who have intimate knowledge of the actual situation. The difficulties
faced should not be underestimated. Armed individuals, many without
sense of hope and in despair, are among the refugees and indeed, in
many cases they too constitute part of the refugee population. All too
easily, the recent call by UNTAET for a certain degree of ruthlessness
could translate to injuries and even fatalities among innocent refugees
and civilians. For Indonesia, their safety and security are paramount.
In our zeal to effectively disarm the militia we should not, in the
process, sacrifice the safety of the very people whom we all desire
to protect.
Hence when some are quick to question the pace of Indonesia’s
disarmament efforts, it would be advisable for them to take into consideration
the myriad and interplay of difficult questions, chief among which,
is the safety of refugees which has rendered our task infinitely more
challenging particularly in light of efforts to ensure safe, orderly
and peaceful disarmament of the militias.
In this regard, we are pleased to inform that despite
some initial anxiety in Atambua over possible violence and public disorder,
the first voluntary-phase of the disarming process has in fact been
peaceful. I had the opportunity to confirm this fact during my recent
visit to Atambua. The Government of Indonesia is keen to maintain and
enhance such a conducive security environment in order to proceed to
the next stage in our effort to solve the various pending issues relating
to East Timor, namely a comprehensive and final resolution of the question
of East Timorese refugees in East Nusa Tenggara.
The Government of Indonesia shall keep Member States
informed of the progress achieved in this disarmament process.
Mr. President,
The bringing to justice of those suspected of involvement
in the violence perpetrated in Atambua on 6 September 2000 is of utmost
priority to the Government of Indonesia. Notwithstanding this, however,
I am confident that Council Member States could appreciate the absolute
requirement for any Government to desist from interfering in investigations
by the police and subsequent legal proceedings by the judiciary in a
criminal matter. The Government of Indonesia is also bound by this principle.
I am, however, in a position to inform the Council that police investigations
into the killing of the three UNHCR humanitarian personnel have so far
led to the arrest of seven suspects. Also, as part of the investigations,
the police have re-enacted events leading up to the crime scene of 6
September 2000.
Indicative of Indonesia’s determination to uphold the
rule of law, on 4 October 2000, Mr. Eurico Guterres was arrested on
charges of inciting his followers to seize weapons already surrendered
on 24 September 2000. Mr. Eurico Guterres is one of the nine suspects
named by the Attorney General’s office in a specific case of serious
human rights violation in East Timor following the popular consultation
of 30th August 1999.
With respect to the provision of humanitarian assistance
to the refugees, the Government of Indonesia, including the Provincial
Government of East Nusa Tenggara, has continued programs aimed at minimizing
the impact on the needy of the departure of the UNHCR and other relevant
humanitarian agencies. On its part, and despite resource constraints,
the Indonesian Government has left no stone unturned and has already
spent Rp. 144 billion in State funds (over US$ 45 million) for the refugees,
including in efforts to repatriate them.
In the execution of the relief efforts, such as the
distribution of food and medicine, clean water and sanitation, the Government
has worked closely with international relief agencies predominantly
CARE International, OXFAM, as well as with a number of our own local
NGOs.
The role of the Provincial Government has been pivotal.
Since 10 September 2000, the Provincial Government has initiated phase
1 of the relief operation, namely the distribution of 1,040 tonnes
of rice. During phase 2, beginning on 27 September until 6 October
(10 days), 918 tonnes of rice was distributed with additional cash amount
of Rp. 1500 per person a day for meals. Commencing from 6 October 2000,
assistance has been channeled through the affected Districts. In addition,
regional governments have a resettlement program for 2,700 displaced
persons.
As to the resettlement program, the Government has provided
a budget for the construction of 2,300 housing units for those who intend
to remain Indonesian citizens. At the same time, the Government is also
organizing the resettlement of 400 displaced persons. For those who
wish to return to East Timor, the Indonesian Government is continuing
to work with UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF to achieve a smooth repatriation,
either immediately or according to a program linked to suitable conditions
prevailing in East Timor.
Thus, updating the registration of the refugees
has become very urgent in order to properly plan for their relocation.
Only through such an undertaking will the number of refugees who wish
to return to East Timor and those who wish to remain in Indonesia be
accurately known. It is the intention of my Government
that this process be implemented by the Government of Indonesia and
non-governmental organizations, observed and supported by United Nations
agencies.
Despite Indonesia’s sincere efforts to reach a comprehensive
and expeditious settlement of the refugee problem, we cannot
go it alone. From the outset, my Government has conveyed its concerns
to Member States that without adequate financial resources, it is an
impossible burden to bear the responsibility for approximately 130,000
refugees. It is of paramount importance that the refugee problem is
dealt with in a comprehensive manner, as under the prevailing
difficult circumstances it might become a new source of instability
and tensions leading to a further deterioration of the situation.
Given the broader dimension of the security issue pertaining
to refugees, we welcome the announced intention of four humanitarian
agencies, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Atambua Bishopric Foundation
(Yaska), the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), the Solidarity Foundation
(Yasso) and the Society Self-Help Empowerment (BST), to return and serve
the refugees’ needs. In this context, the UNHCR should reconsider the
resumption of its humanitarian activities especially in light of the
urgent plight of the refugees.
Mr. President,
The Government of Indonesia is strongly determined to
continue and to enhance steps aimed at maintaining peace and security
and law and order in all parts of the country, including East Nusa Tenggara.
To that end, the Government took the necessary measures in reforming
the military establishment with a view to reinvigorating discipline
and professionalism and discard the corrupt doctrine of militarism.
The recent military shuffle by the Government was in full conformity
with that policy. Similarly, measures taken in the East Timorese
refugees camps in East Nusa Tenggara, aimed at disarming and
disbanding of the so-called militia, bringing the perpetrators of the
Atambua incident to justice and ensuring continued humanitarian assistance
for the refugees have already yielded results. Beyond these efforts,
Indonesia shall proceed to urgently deal with what it considers to be
the root causes of the problems facing East Timor during its transition
phase, including the comprehensive and lasting settlement of the East
Timorese refugees issue. In this connection, the Government has established
an inter-departmental task force in East Nusa Tenggara province to assist
in comprehensively resolving the East Timorese refugees issue.
The international community is enjoined to support Indonesia’s
efforts in this regard. We welcome, therefore, the pledges made by donor
countries to assist us in dealing with this difficult and complex problem.
As a Member State of the United Nations, Indonesia would continue
to maintain the existing line of communication with this body, specifically
with the Secretary-General and the Security Council.
All these efforts, however, would be rendered meaningless
without a renewed action aimed at an all inclusive reconciliation among
East Timorese. Indonesia is confident that fellow Member States of
the Organization would support our call to the United Nations, specifically
UNTAET, to make this noble endeavour among its highest priority. Relegating
this issue aside would have unforeseen consequences for this conflict.
There can be no other alternative but to include the 21.5% of East Timorese
favoring pro-integration in the ongoing efforts of the reconstruction
for an independent and democratic East Timor. Hence every effort
should be exerted towards fostering trust and mutual respect and
past animosities and differences among various segments of East Timorese
resolved once and for all.
Mr. President,
Permit me to conclude in the same manner I began my
remarks by offering some reflections which, however, I am inclined
to believe, may be shared by a good number of my countrymen. That the
convening of the Security Council on 8 September 2000 was not only prompted
by the Atambua incident but was primarily due to the reported killings
of 20 refugees in Betun on 7 September 2000, an allegation which later
turned out to be totally baseless.
Mr. President,
I hope I have succeeded in demonstrating my Government’s
genuine concern with the problem at hand. What is happening in West
Timor, East Nusa Tenggara as well as other provinces of our large country
are futile attempts by some elements to destabilize the Government and
to deprive our people of the fruits of a hard-worn democracy. Preserving
democracy, upholding human rights and maintaining supremacy of law are
important elements of the democratization process in our country.
For us, to succeed in this process which constitute a weighty task,
does not solely lie on Indonesia’s shoulder, rather it is a collective
responsibility of all democratic nations.
I therefore again appeal to you all to assist us in
developing the institutions necessary for the proper running of a multi-religious,
multi-cultural democracy. The best assistance is to help us to identify
our own problems and find our own solutions to them.
I thank you, Mr. President.
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