Paul Mulvey, Sydney – A mystery Australian intelligence officer from the 1970s could prove whether the federal government knew five Australian journalists were executed by Indonesian forces in East Timor in 1975. But, despite extensive inquiries and searches, nobody knows where he is.
The mystery man showed an 18-month-old intercepted wire to two top-level government officials at the Defence Signals Directorate at Shoal Bay near Darwin in 1977, but was not identified at the time and has not been heard of since.
The two commonwealth officials, George Brownbill and Ian Cunliffe, today told court the intercept indicated the federal government knew the men were killed on orders from Indonesian commanders.
Mr Cunliffe said it proved the government was lying by claiming the men had been killed in crossfire.
NSW deputy state coroner Dorelle Pinch and family members of the Balibo Five made a plea for the man to come forward and give evidence at the inquest into the death of Brian Peters, a Channel Nine cameraman who was among the five men killed in Balibo on October 16, 1975.
Ms Pinch also has asked for anyone else who worked at Shoal Bay in 1975 to come forward. The man was described by Mr Brownbill as a young man who was probably a non-commissioned officer.
"On behalf of the relatives, I want to make a call to this person because it's very important for the outcome of the inquest that he make himself known to the coroner as soon as possible," said family lawyer Rodney Lewis.
"That's in the interest of justice and the interest of the outcome for the relatives. He obviously knows the source of it (the report) and knows more about it."
Ms Pinch said earlier calls for the intelligence officer had received no response, possibly because of fears he could have been breaking the Crimes Act on security issues.
"This is not the case. Mechanisms are now in place so people can be security cleared to assist me in this inquest," she said.
Ms Pinch asked anyone with information to call Detective Sergeant Steve Thomas on 02 9384 6140 or Crime Stoppers on 02 9384 6110.