The UN Human Rights Commission will go ahead with an inquiry into alleged human rights atrocities in East Timor with or without co-operation from Indonesia, a spokesman said yesterday.
"We would hope for co-operation from Indonesia, but if they fail to give their co-operation, it will not deter us from going forward," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
Jakarta yesterday rejected plans for a UN fact-finding mission into reported atrocities, saying foreign experts can instead join its own human rights probe. The Philippines defended its decision to vote against the war crimes investigation, while Thailand said having Thai troops in East Timor would make it easier for Jakarta to swallow "the bitter pill" of international forces.
The United Nations' main human rights body overrode Indonesian objections to an investigation and voted on Monday for an international inquiry – a possible first step towards establishing a war crimes tribunal for East Timor.
Jakarta has been adamant that it should be allowed to investigate the reports that its army and militias, which the army supported, were involved in widespread killings and pillaging.
"Indonesia rejects the UN fact-finding inquiry on human rights violations in East Timor and also the UN resolution issued on September 27 in New York about the situation in East Timor and conditions following the ballot in August," Justice Minister Muladi said.
He said President Bacharuddin Habibie would issue a government decree explaining the rejection. "However, the Government welcomes foreign human rights experts to join the National Human Rights Commission on East Timor," Mr Muladi said. "The commission is expected to expedite its inquiry."
The Philippines said its opposition to a war crimes investigation was "part of larger diplomatic initiatives" to help restore peace in East Timor.
President Joseph Estrada said the no vote at the UN Human Rights Commission on Monday was in line with the non-interference policy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Philippines, along with China and other Asian countries, voted against the proposal. Japan and South Korea abstained. Thailand's Acting Foreign Minister said yesterday the deployment of troops from Thailand to East Timor should make it easier for Indonesia to accept the multinational force.
"To send the international force to East Timor is a bitter pill for Indonesia to accept," Sukhumbhand Paribatra said. "Thailand sending its troops there will make this pill easier to swallow."