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SCMP Reporter

FOR over a decade the international community has been misinformed of the history of the integration of East Timor for lack of knowledge of the real process of de-colonisation.

  In this context, allow me to give an objective account of the historical background of East Timor.

  When the Portuguese Government intended to de-colonise its overseas provinces including East Timor, the East Timorese welcomed Portugal's intention and they formed five political parties.

  Fretilin, a left-inclined party, declared itself to be the sole authority in the territory and it used terror and intimidation to try and achieve its aims. As a result, the territory was plunged into civil war.

  The Portuguese withdrew and left East Timor embroiled in turmoil and strife.

  With the weapons they had received from the Portuguese, Fretilin went on the rampage that led to nearly 3,000 deaths.

  More than 42,000 refugees had crossed the border into Indonesia's West Timor. Consequently on November 30, 1975, the other four parties proclaimed their independence and called upon the Government of Indonesia to take the necessary steps to protect the lives of the East Timorese who had declared themselves to be part of Indonesia.

  Although the Indonesian people sympathised with the wishes of the East Timorese for integration, the Indonesian Government declared that it would not accede to such wishes until a proper exercise of the right to self-determination had been conducted.

  In a public session on May 31, 1976, which was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Jakarta as well as representatives of the local and international media, the Provisional People's Assembly formally cast its vote to choose independence through integration with the republic of Indonesia.

  The Provisional Government of East Timor had tried to get the United Nations to participate in the self-determination exercise.

  In fact, a delegation of the Provisional Government was sent to New York and Geneva with the sole purpose of meeting with and inviting the relevant UN organs, the security representatives of the UN Secretary General, to participate in the self-determination exercise.

  Regrettably, all of the invitations to the relevant UN organs were greeted with a negative response as Portugal and its supporters blocked every attempt in this direction.

  Since integration, the Indonesian Government has been making great efforts to develop the economic, political and social life of East Timor as well as protecting the culture and religions of the East Timorese.

  To conclude, I should like readers to take into consideration the true historical background of the integration of East Timor, rather than the fiction.

  S. RAHAYU DARYATNO Consul/Information Indonesian Consulate General Hongkong 



Indonesia answered distress call