We have received an urgent warning from a reliable source in Indonesia that the Indonesian Armed Forces (Abri), are planning an all-out offensive beginning this Friday, June 20, against East Timorese who are suspected to be associated with the Resista nce against Indonesia's illegal occupation of East Timor. According to the source, which is connected to the Abri high command, a total of 1,700 East Timorese have been targeted in the offensive.

Indonesian troops have stepped up a campaign of arrests and atrocities against the civilian population in the troubled territory since last month, when Indonesia staged mock legislative elections throughout the country and in East Timor. This is in rep risal for attacks by the armed East Timor resistance, Falintil, which killed 52 Indonesian police and soldiers.

Indonesia has positioned a further 15 battalions in East Timor after the elections to crack down on anyone suspected of collaborating with Falintil.

Since the attacks, over 200 East Timorese have been rounded up all over the territory in a security swoop. To date, we have reliable information that 12 civilians have been killed in Baucau alone, 130 kilometres east of the capital Dili.

The Suharto regime's use of brutal force to thwart any dissent is well-known. Because of this, the international community can no longer afford to keep its eyes shut when it comes to the East Timor question. We, once again, call on the United Nations Se cretary-General, Kofi Annan, to intervene fast before more innocent lives are lost. The brutalities of Abri, when it comes to retaliatory offensives, know no limits.

In 1983, for instance, the whole village of Kraras near Viqueque near the south coast was wiped out in retaliation against the armed resistance. In Kraras, 287 Timorese were massacred, including children and babies. This same scenario might be repeated again if the all-out offensive is launched this Friday.