Shackleton calls for judicial inquiry over Balibo

August 21, 1996
Issue 

In July, Tom Sherman's preliminary evaluation of evidence about the deaths of five journalists at Balibo in East Timor in October 1975 was presented to the Australian government. It concluded that the Indonesian military was probably responsible for the murders.

HIRLEY SHACKLETON, veteran East Timor independence campaigner and widow of one of the journalists, Greg Shackleton, spoke to Green Left Weekly's BEN REID and JAI STEWART about the findings.

"Overall the findings are quite contradictory. The investigation states that Indonesian officers with 'irregular' troops, that is East Timorese, committed the atrocities at Balibo. This is an attempt to still frame what happened within the myths of Operation Komono in which the deaths were said to be the result of the civil war. We know this was really a coup orchestrated by the Indonesian military.

"Greg knew when he went there that peace had already been achieved. He went to investigate why the incursions were happening across the border at Balibo.

"Despite this, the investigation admits the Indonesians were crossing the border and were involved in the murders. Its conclusions make clear that the actions of the murderers were under the direction of Indonesian officers. It has established prima facie evidence upon which a judicial inquiry should proceed."

Shackleton elaborated on why a full judicial inquiry was needed. "A lot more witnesses refused to cooperate with Sherman as they thought it would be part of a whitewash, which it has been to some extent. But Sherman himself concluded there should be a full judicial inquiry. He knew there were people who would not give evidence unless there was."

Shackleton made it clear that there is a link between the unwillingness of the Australian government to undertake a full investigation of the Balibo incident and its desire to maintain close diplomatic ties with Indonesia.

"The leaders of both parties think that the Indonesian government is putting money into Timor. But this only goes to the generals, the land owners and the transmigrants.

"Businesses are owned by the Suharto and Murdani families are exploiting the resources of East Timor. This is what the Timorese need for their livelihood — the air the land and the sea. Yet Australian companies and the government couldn't wait to get their grubby hands on the Timor Gap oil."

Shackleton appealed for support for the national day of action on August 25 against Australia's legal recognition of Indonesia's annexation. "It would be a very good step in the right direction. Currently Australia is helping Indonesia to try to remove East Timor from the agenda of the United Nations. The government's de jure recognition is a matter of deep shame for all Australians and a campaign for its reversal should get our absolute support."

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