East Timor:
An historic day

by Lynne Androniki

This Monday, August 30, 1999, is one of the most significant days in East 
Timor's history. It is the day that the East Timorese finally determine 
whether they will be part of Indonesia under `special autonomy' or have 
independence.

However, whilst in East Timor currently there is great excitement and 
activity as the campaign draws to a close, underneath there is a fear that 
a vote for independence will bring further violence and economic turmoil.

Currently in East Timor all community groups and parties, from the 
fledgling Trade Union Movement, student's groups, to human rights 
organisations are working toward educating the Timorese population about 
their right to vote, in what is termed a process of `popular consultation'.

Only a few months ago, the process began with the registration of each 
eligible East Timorese. To be eligible someone had to be either, born in 
East Timor or have a parent, spouse or parent of a spouse born in East 
Timor.

The closing date of the registration process was repeatedly delayed due to 
the intimidation and violence, carried out by the Militias but initiated 
and supported by the Indonesian military.

However the violence was not the only difficulty, many had problems 
obtaining the relevant documentation and many were physically too weak to 
walk to the places of registration.

Food, water and transportation needed to be arranged in order to ensure 
that all of those who were eligible to register were able to do so. 
Overwhelmingly this support was supplied by East Timorese volunteer, non-
government organisations.

The success of the registration process has been most surprising.

UN officials were noted as saying that the East Timorese have 
overwhelmingly supported this process, more so than any other country going 
through UN supported change, including South Africa.

Around 450,000 East Timorese have registered despite the violence and this, 
as well as indications given from many of the East Timorese groups, is a 
clear indication that the vote will decisively be for independence.

The question remains though as to whether Megawati Sukharnoputri will 
honour her promises so far and respect the decision of the East Timorese 
after the results of the ballot are announced in the first week of 
September.

Further it remains to be seen, that if indeed she is sincere in respecting 
the ballot results, is she able to stop the Indonesian military from acting 
independently.

The Indonesian military have clear economic interests in East Timor, as 
does Suharto's family. These economic interests lie in their control of 
resources in East Timor including land oil, marble and large plantations.

These interests are more heavily concentrated in the western area of East 
Timor, toward to border with West Timor. What is feared is that the 
military will pull out to the west and in so doing will hold onto the more 
resource rich land. In effect they will occupy a portion of East Timor.

The western part of East Timor has been the area more heavily under the 
control of the militias and it is the pro-integrationists' belief that the 
people of this area do not want independence.

As a consequence the pro-integrationists have been advocating that the 
ballot results should be known region by region, if not village by village.

The UN have made it clear though that the contents of all ballot boxes will 
first be mixed and that there will be no way of telling which way a village 
voted.

This is essential if the ballot is to be free and open, as the militias 
have been threatening reprisals if the vote of a village goes the way of 
independence.

What is further feared is that the military will pull out violently, but 
not only toward the East Timorese. There have been indications that their 
plan is to destroy all communications infrastructure, food supplies and 
food supply networks as well as any means of transportation.

The results of this could be catastrophic and as such it would be 
imperative that CPA members, trade unionists and others support the East 
Timorese in any way possible.

The Western Australian branch of the CPA held a public forum on Friday 
August 20 to discuss the latest developments in East Timor as well as to 
look at ways to assist both now and into the future.

There were three guest speakers, two from trade Unions, who had recently 
returned from East Timor and a representative from the East Timorese 
community.

Discussion included questions of control of resources come the vote for 
independence, possible trade union support if widespread violence and 
economic turmoil were to break out and the implications of World Bank and 
IMF involvement.

At the end of the meeting a raffle was held and donations were called for 
in order to raise money for much needed medical supplies in East Timor.