Dili – At the moment in East Timor underground leaflets are being distributed which smack of playing people off against each other [ie anti-and pro-integration supporters - JB] and threats which are upsetting society. The leaflets threaten to finish-off East Timorese people who are anti-integration and anti-Habibie.

Not only that, each night in the kampungs (urban villages), many nationalist youth groups and "ninjas", who in the past have created tension in East Timorese society, have reappeared and are operating each night.

All groups suspect that the "ninjas" are looking for and targeting leaders of pro-referendum groups and speakers at demonstrations in order to finish them off. This situation reminds many people of the situation leading up to the Santa Cruz incident on November 12, 1991.

What follows is an underground leaflet which is currently be distributed in East Timor.

Completely wipe-out the pro-independence movement in East Timor

On July 24 at 1pm, a secret meeting was held at the 164 WD Dili Military Command (Korem) between ABRI officers and Apodeti [a pro-integration political party] leaders to discuss the concept of autonomy for East Timor. In a statement the Apodeti leaders had already pressured the Jakarta government to formulate a Special Autonomous Government in East Timor in following manner:

All administrative activities of the Special Autonomous government, including development in all areas, will be carried out purely by the indigenous East Timorese with the exception of: the judiciary, defence and security, be consistent with [the state ideology of] Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution and will continue to be under the Indonesian flag, along with continuing to use the Indonesian Rupiah.

In anticipation of the prospect of a resolution to the problem of East Timor which has been dominated by Fretilin and UDT (Timorese Democratic Union) figures, Apodeti leaders have begun preparing its military strength, which has been established by Apodeti members throughout East Timor including the West Timor Zone (?)... where these cadres have already been armed by the Indonesian Government (ABRI), with full financial and military support to confront East Timorese nationalist/independence groups if East Timor later achieves independence through a referendum. podeti's [military] strength has already reached 10,000, armed with M-16 assault rifles and deployed throughout East Timor and in a short time this will be increased by 25,000. For the moment they are under the command of the Rajawali, Saka, Alfa, Makikit, Halilintar groups along with the 744 and 745 Local Batallions throughout East Timor.

For as long as the autonomous government continues toward a referendum, all people – East Timorese who are anti-intergration will be first be wiped out from the soil of Loro Sae (East Timor).

During the period of the autonomous government, Apodeti leaders will not tolerate any political activities carried out by UDT Indonesian-Portuguese decedents who have so far been opportunistic in character.

If a referendum is able to be held in East Timor, 80 percent of members of the committee to prepare the referendum in East Timor must be made up of Apodeti members as the only party which is trusted by the Indonesian government.

It is believed that because of the economic and political importance of ASEAN to the US, the UN on behalf of the US will play dirty during a referendum in East Timor. This was proven when the format for autonomy by president Habibie was presented via the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Alatas, in New York, which got a big reception from the UN.

[On July 7, MateBEAN also reported on attempts to mobilise pro-integration supporters. The following is a translation of a copy of an original letter issued by the Maliana Sub-District to village heads which was included in the MateBEAN report.]

Bobonaro Regency Government Maliana Sub-district

Maliana, July 26 1998

Number: --/26/Um/Kec.M/VI/1998,-
Status: High priority
Appendix: - Regarding: Pronouncement
To: Village heads of the Maliana sub-district

In relation to the above, this is to inform you to rapidly prepare as many people as possible for tomorrow morning, 5am and send them to Dili for an "Anti-Referendum" demonstration.

All facilities, food and drink will be provided by the government and transport has already been prepared at the Maliana public square.

All village heads and village personnel must involved themselves in the intended activity.

This is to be given the fullest attention and carried out enthusiastically.

Maliana District Head
Signed and stamped: Drs. Julio Barros Registry Number : 010 174 890

CC: Regent of Bobonaro (as a report)
Sdr. Muspika, Maliana district
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[Translated by James Balowski]