For Immediate Release
Indonesia Flexes Military Muscle in Border Dispute with East Timor Where Is International Reaction?
January 21 - The East Timor Action Network (ETAN) today urged the United Nations and United States to strongly condemn
Indonesia's use of military force in a territorial dispute with East Timor. ETAN called on Indonesia to negotiate claims
through normal diplomatic channels according to international law. Indonesia recently bombed a small contested island to
establish its claim.
"Unless the U.S., UN and other nations take a strong stance now, East Timor's border will remain volatile and real
security a distant dream for the long-suffering East Timorese," said John M. Miller, spokesperson for ETAN. "The world
must act to prevent Indonesia from chipping away at East Timor's sovereignty."
"Indonesia should sit down with East Timor and negotiate conflicting claims in good faith, rather than unilaterally
assert them through military force," added Miller. "We fear that without strong international involvement, Indonesia
will not do this."
"There remain a large number of land disputes along the border, particularly involving the enclave of Oecussi. Will the
world stand by when Indonesia asserts those claims militarily?" asked Miller. "The UN must remain active in pursuing
negotiated solutions to any disagreements. Both nations must be willing to use international mechanisms such as the
World Court if necessary."
The Indonesian military (TNI) plans to permanently deploy troops on the uninhabited island called Fatu Sinai by East
Timor and Pulau Batek by Indonesia.
Australian newspapers described a UN report on a December 14 Indonesian military exercise in which a "camouflaged
helicopter bearing Indonesian markings fired a missile into the disputed outcrop…before a warship pounded the tiny
uninhabited island with heavy gunfire." Two hours later an Indonesian fighter jet, believed to be a U.S.-built F-16,
flew just above the island.
"The U.S. government should strongly protest the use of U.S.-supplied military equipment in this hostile act against
East Timor," said Miller.
The coral island lies five kilometers off the western edge of East Timor's Oecussi enclave, which is surrounded on three
sides by Indonesian West Timor and is especially vulnerable. Fatu Sinai has special spiritual significance to people of
Oecussi; its bombing is seen as deeply offensive.
Border negotiations between East Timor, represented by the UN prior to independence, and Indonesia began in September
2000. East Timor has called for a demilitarized border and has only placed police there. However, Indonesia maintains
1500 soldiers along the border.
East Timor's leadership has called for extending the UN security presence once the current UN peacekeeping mission ends
in May. UN peacekeepers withdrew from Oecussi in October 2003 as part of a planned draw-down of UN forces.
The East Timor Action Network/U.S. supports sovereignty and human dignity for the people of East Timor and Indonesia by
advocating for democracy, economic justice and human rights.
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Contact: John M. Miller, 718-596-7668; 917-690-4391
ETAN needs your support: Make a secure financial contribution: http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm
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John M. Miller Internet: fbp@igc.org
Media & Outreach Coordinator
East Timor Action Network: 12 Years for Self-Determination & Justice
48 Duffield St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097
Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet
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