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Scent of a normal life so close

Source
Sydney Morning Herald - August 23, 1999

Mark Dodd – After 24 years of fighting for independence, a senior commander of one of the world's most enduring guerilla groups says he is considering what once seemed unthinkable – a return to a normal life cut short when Indonesian troops stormed ashore in East Timor in 1975.

On the 24th anniversary of Falintil's independence struggle, Taur Matan Ruak, 43, the movement's deputy commander, believes peace in East Timor is a real possibility.

"What I miss most is peace," he said. "I hope it returns quickly so I can return to my family and friends. I'm dreaming of that day – we're all hoping it will be a reality."

Asked what he would do, the former Dili lorry driver said: "I'd abandon military life and work for the people affected by war – the widows, orphans and maimed." At the weekend, Falintil invited a select group of journalists and supporters to their camp in a remote corner of East Timor's south-west to celebrate the anniversary. Security was tight, and the identity of Timorese visitors thoroughly checked.

The security was needed. Yesterday, 30 suspected pro-autonomy infiltrators had been apprehended, several were badly beaten and only the intervention of senior Falintil officers prevented what could have been a lynching. They remain in custody.

Festivities started on Thursday and the campsite, complete with concert stage, communal kitchens and thatch-roof barracks, looked more like a 1970s Sunbury rock concert than a military camp. However, the presence of hundreds of armed guerillas among the estimated 7,000 civilians could not be ignored.

In the 10 years following the invasion, although vastly outnumbered in terms of personnel and equipment, Falintil carried the armed struggle against the Indonesian armed forces, quickly earning a reputation for aggressive tactics resulting in early victories. Under the leadership of Mr Xanana Gusmao, the independence movement has focused more on diplomacy than confrontation, but it continued small-scale operations against isolated army outposts, individuals and Indonesian officials.

Recalling the years of struggle, Mr Ruak dismissed the threat posed by pro-Jakarta militias. He branded them cowards, and as puppets of Indonesia who only attacked helpless, unarmed civilians. Asked if the recent change of Indonesian military commanders in East Timor signalled a more conciliatory approach by the military to the political crisis, he quoted a Portuguese saying: "The s--- changes but the flies are all the same."

All but a handful of Falintil have registered to vote and, unsurprisingly, Mr Ruak reckons on a convincing independence victory at the ballot. "So the Indonesian Government does not feel embarrassed, I will give them 30 per cent and 70 per cent for us," he said with a smile.

On Friday, about 400 fighters wearing an assortment of coloured berets and dressed in a mish-mash of uniforms, either bought locally or captured from the Indonesian military, assembled on parade to mark the 24th anniversary.

The highlight of the ceremony was a message broadcast via a satellite telephone link from Mr Gusmao, Falintil's supreme commander, under house arrest in Jakarta, where he is serving a 20-year prison sentence for inciting rebellion.

A hush fell over the crowd of 5,000 as the 20-minute speech was broadcast over a battery of loudspeakers on the hot and dusty river-flat parade ground.

"Today we are going to prepare for the popular consultation [referendum] on August 30," he said. "The crowing of the rooster has been heard and that is a sign of our independence." The crowd erupted into applause. "Viva Timor Leste – Viva Xanana – Viva Falintil," they roared.

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