There is currently a climate of fear in East Timor with the launch of a sweep-up operation, called Gerakan Tuntas (Annihilation Campaign) , by the Indonesian armed forces (Abri). We have received numerous phone calls, from the territory, with the callers telling us of heavy movements of Indonesian troops in the towns of Liquica and Baucau and the capital Dili. The desperate callers also urged the international community to intervene fast to prevent mass-arrests in East Timor.

This military operation against the East Timor civilian population is in retaliation against attacks by the armed East Timor resistance, Falintil, which killed 52 Indonesian police and soldiers when Indonesia staged mock legislative elections throughout the country and in East Timor, late last month.

Ten East Timorese in Liquica are currently being detained in military installations and have been denied access to their families. The 10 were arrested by the Indonesian authorities between 12-17 June and accused of being linked with the clandestine Res istance fighting the illegal occupation of East Timor by the Indonesians.

In the town of Baucau, 130 kilometres east of Dili, five East Timorese civilians were arrested between 17-18 June. They are currently being held in custody by the Indonesian Intelligence unit. Like the 10 in Liquica, they are denied access to family and friends.

Also, on the night of June 18, in Baucau, Abri fired shots in the air to force people to flee their homes in fright. Once they were outside their houses, the Indonesian troops aimed their rifles directly at them and fired. This incident occurred in the v icinity of Baucau airport. Our sources tell us that scores have been injured and there were a few shot dead. Their bodies could not be identified because the Indonesian troops immediately took them away.

In the capital Dili, two East Timorese were detained, on June 18, by Indonesian Intelligence units. Twelve hours later, however, they were released after being very badly beaten up by the army interrogators. In Dili, now, people seldom venture out of the ir houses after 6 pm for fear of being picked up for questioning by the numerous Indonesian troops and plainclothes intelligence officers patrolling the streets in their cars and motorcycles.