Conference strengthens international support for East Timor

Wednesday, July 30, 1997 - 10:00

By Max Lane

OPORTO — More than 200 people attended a conference here between July 17 and 20 to discuss "Self-determination in East Timor — Democratisation in Indonesia: An international responsibility". The conference was organised by the University of Oporto in conjunction with other Portuguese universities.

Participants heard statements from church figures, non-government organisation activists and parliamentarians from the different continents and regions, including south and north America, Africa, Europe, Ireland Indonesia, south-east Asia and Australia. A delegation of East Timorese included representatives from Fretilin, UDT, Renetil, Ojetil, as well as Nobel peace prize laureate, Jose Ramos Horta. Horta spoke together with Fretilin leader Mari Alkatiri and Joao Carrascalao on a panel with Portuguese parliamentarians.

Indonesian representatives included Nico Warouw and Edwin Gozal, international representatives of the People's Democratic Party; Tri Agus S. from PIJAR; Roy Pakpahan from the Alliance of Independent Journalists; dissident academic Dr George Aditjondro; and Umam, a representative of the youth organisation of Nahdatalul Ulama. A member of the Indonesian Democratic Party also attended but did not speak.

The Australian East Timor support movement was represented by Pat Walsh from the East Timor Human Rights Centre; Andrew McNaughton from the East Timor International Support Centre; Sister Josephine from Christians in Solidarity with East Timor; and Max Lane from Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor.

Timorese from Australia included Estanislau da Silva and Harold Moucho from Fretilin; Carrascalao and Domingos Olivera from UDT; CNRM representatives Abel Guiterres and Jose Gusmao; and Agio Pereira and Ines Almeida from the East Timor Relief Association.

Following the conference, two days of discussions were held on Indonesian political developments and their relationship with the East Timorese struggle.

The conference succeeded in cementing ties between Indonesian and East Timorese activists, as well as confirming Portuguese government support for the diplomatic campaign against the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.