EAST TIMOR: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

JOSI RAMOS Horta, the Nobel Laureate from East Timor, this weekend engaged in diplomatic encounters with members of the Government at a speed that d put most Olympian athletes in the shade. Dr. Horta was in Ireland at the invitation of the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign (ETISC), which was founded in Ballyfermot in 1992, after members had seen a television documentary on the genocide carried out on the people of East Timor by the occupying Indonesian forces.
Dr. Horta also met with a phalanx of media people, anxious to highlight ways in which Ireland can support the case for East Timorese independence through its diplomatic, historical and cultural links with the US.

Siobhan Long: Are you optimistic that the EU Common Position on East Timor, published in February 1996, will be enacted in practical terms by the individual members of the European Union?
Dr. Horta: There are discussions already under way about providing direct assistance to East Timor, through non-governmental organisations already based there, as well as the Catholic Church and related agencies. That s humanitarian and development assistance, but also within an overall framework supporting the development of a civil society within East Timor.
What kind of response would you like Ireland in particular to make?
Ireland has been one of the countries which has been most supportive of East Timor s struggle for self-determination. If at all possible, we would like to see Ireland using its good offices and connections network in the US to mobilise the Irish-American community, because the US is the only superpower with influence in the region, and its role is crucial to the resolution of the East Timor conflict. If the Irish-Americans in the US take an interest in the struggle of our people, this could generate a lot of pressure on the US administration to change policies which so far have been in support of Indonesia.
One of the tasks which you have set yourself on the current round of diplomatic meetings is to press the EU for a ban on arms sales to Indonesia. What response have you received from the EU to date?
I raised this issue in my speech in the European Parliament because our position is firm opposition to arms sales to Indonesia. France, Germany and the UK have not supported our case to date because there is no strong public opinion there in support of East Timor, and they do not have any commitment to human rights. So their policies are not the most positive.
Can you describe the effect of the genocide of one-third of the East Timorese people, on the national psyche?
The East Timorese are a very traumatised society. More than 20 years of torture, of repression, execution, rape and warfare have left the society traumatised, but at the same time, they are solidly determined to pursue the struggle for self-determination.
Bishop Belo, who was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with you, has recently refused to participate in any further talks in the so-called All Inclusive Intra-East Timorese Dialogue. Can you afford to be at all optimistic about the chances for meaningful dialogue?
I have no illusions about the so-called Intra-Timorese Dialogue or the UN-sponsored talks between Portugal and Indonesia, only because Indonesia remains totally inflexible, and acts in extremely bad faith. So we have to persevere in the resistance at home and at the same time continue with our intentional campaign to bring pressure to bear on Indonesia.
Do you think there s anything to be learned from Ireland s recent experiences, with the breakdown in the peace talks?
All I can say is that it is obvious in the case of Ireland, East Timor, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, brute force by one side or the other does not resolve the conflict. There has to be goodwill, courage and a vision towards a peaceful settlement of the conflicts.
What role do you see President Robinson having, given the fact that she is mooted as a likely candidate for the post of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights?
She is uniquely qualified for the job. It is a job with great potential benefit for the cause of human rights but it requires an individual of high standing, with a solid political and diplomatic background, someone who can have easy access to heads of state in countries that matter. Someone with experience of the Human Rights field and one who can also engage in dialogue with everyone, both government and non-state actors. President Robinson has all these qualities and would bring prestige and strength to the job. She was the first parliamentarian back in 1975 to raise the issue of East Timor in the Irish Parliament.
Has Kofi Annan s recent appointment of a UN envoy to East Timor been a cause for optimism that the UN is, finally, finding its teeth because it seems to have been a toothless tiger to date on matters relating to East Timor?
The appointment is a major step forward because there is a feeling of good faith and commitment from the new UN Secretary General. The special envoy has a solid diplomatic background in Pakistan which is perceived as an unbiased background. We have found him to be a serious impartial mediator.
What has the Nobel Peace Prize done for the profile and morale of the East Timorese people?
It s given them tremendous faith and optimism and they see that their day-to-day sacrifices and efforts have some repercussion internationally. They see that they are not alone, and it has enabled us to get past the diplomatic doors which had previously been closed to us.
What else do you want the Irish Government and people to do to assist your call for self-determination?
We are completely satisfied with the way the Irish Government has stood up for our struggle, within the European Union, at the UN and publicly. We are very aware of, and grateful for the support which the Irish people have given us, and we know that this country backs us in our search for a solution to the East Timorese struggle.
ETISC Support postcards can be obtained at: ETISC, Room 13, 24-26 Dame Street, Dublin 2. Phone & Fax: (01) 671-9207. e-mail: [email protected]. http:/www.teiematix.ie/East Timor/ETIndex.html.