Speaking at a seminar in Jakarta Thursday, Bishop Belo said the vast majority of East Timorese people want a referendeum to determine East Timor's future. He said that whether or not a referendum is held depends on the results of talks between Indonesia, Portugal and the UN. And if a referendum is held, he said, it should be supervised by an independent and authoritative body. "As for me myself, I leave it to the people of East Timor to determine their own future."
He said that it was simply not true to say that integration was the end of the matter for East Timor. He said that some Timorese still want to maintain the link with Portugal, some want to be independent and some favour integration with Indonesia.
"Those in favour of integration are a small minority, while those wanting a referendum comprise the majority whose numbers are growing all the time," said Belo.
He said that a referendum could give people the choice between integration, supporting the status quo, or independence. "A referendum is the most democratic way to resolve the issue but this will have to depend on the talks between Indonesia, Portugal and the UN."
He rejected the idea that the situation in East Timor was akin to a war against ABRI, the Indonesian armed forces. The current problems were the result of an accumulation of problems which had been allowed to fester. The proposal to grant East Timor a special status has been strongly rejected by the people of East Timor, as manifested by a large demonstration that took place on 29 June." There were about 700 trucks bringing people who were in favour of a referendum. But then others who were pro-integration held a counter demonstration, leading to chaos."
Asked whether ABRI were the ones responsible for the current crisis, Belo said. "Not only ABRI but everyone, the Indonesian nation which has allowed the problems to continue unresolved. Certainly, ABRI has adopted decisions that have been implemented by certain elements, but everyone must also bear some responsibility because people have simply refused to acknowledge the difficulties."
The reason for this was that information about East Timor has always been very one-sided. "It's a taboo subject, with the result that the general public in Indonesia dont know what is going on. And the situation today is the result of all this, he said. Asked about ABRI's dual function, Belo said that virtually all the problems in East Timor had been caused by elements within ABRI. Had it not been for the dual function, things in East Timor would be far more tranquil.
On the mass exodus of people from East Timor, Belo said an independent team should be set up by the central and local governments to investigate who was spreading terror. "According to some, the intimidation has come from ABRI, others say it has been spread by masked men. While others say that people are leaving just to go home for a vacation."
Belo said those who had left should return so as to keep the economy going. "People alsways refer to East Timor as the 27th province so why are they leaving? They are not being true to the spirit of nationalism, leaving when things get tough. If they say they have been intimidated, well, I have often been intimidated but I'm not leaving."
[Slightly abridged translation by Tapol]