Renewed war in East Timor
The Indonesian military has increased troop numbers in eastern East Timor and is engaged in a renewed war against the people, according to the Australian East Timor Network (AETN).
AETN said last week that it has reliable evidence that a massive troop buildup in recent weeks is resulting in clashes with the population, including beatings, rapes and deaths.
On October 6, the East Timor Action Network in the United States condemned the troop build-up in East Timor and called on the Indonesian government to allow international monitors to survey the troops on the ground, and verify troop withdrawals.
Reports on September 24 had put the number of Indonesian troops in eastern East Timor at 20,000, and stated that several thousand troops had been added to the area since the much touted withdrawal of 400 troops in August. It is now clear that several thousand more troops have been added, AETN said.
Since April, the East Timorese resistance has been observing a cease-fire, and the recent student-led dialogues about self-determination have been taking place in many areas in the east in full view of the military.
AETN reports that last week Indonesian troops made several attacks on resistance fighters' camps and "disappeared" seven civilians from Rai-Mean near Viqueque. Helicopters have been arriving in Dili carrying a lot of wounded soldiers, it said.