See below: Apr 23 TP: Xanana: “The success of the elections are my priority”
[Statements in the US and Indonesian press quoting Xanana Gusmao as saying that an international crimes tribunal is not a priority for the East Timorese give the impression that he does not consider a tribunal as important to the East Timorese. However, other comments by Xanana reveal that he considers that the establishment of an international crimes tribunal is a role that the international community must play since East Timor doesn't have the resources to do it themselves. See for example this recent interview in which Xanana Gusmao calls for an international war crimes tribunal Apr 4 DN: RealAudio of Interview of Xanana and Kirsty Sword Gusmao - BD]
April 25, 2001
Dear all,
Please see below the NGO Forum Press Release
concerning Xanana’s Statement in Indonesia that the International tribunal
is not East Timor priority. The press release was publish in two
reputable East Timor Newapaper (STL
and Timor Post) yesterday.
Any action thatyou would like to take
on this issue we will very much appreciate, and we will be happy to discuss
with you anything related to this matter.
Regards
Andrea da Costa
External Liaison Officer,
ET
NGO Forum
Dili Kaikoli.
Email: etngocentre@hotmail.com
The NGO Forum regards an International Tribunal as an option that needs to be seriously considered given that to date Indonesia has not made any progress in investigating human rights offences committed by the Indonesian military in East Timor. As Suara Timor Lorosa’e noted in its 21 April edition, we have yet to see an Indonesian general, Probowo Subianto among them, confess to Xanana in a court of justice, whether in Indonesia or at an International Tribunal, their probable involvement in cases of human rights offences in East Timor.
We believe that anyone is entitled to offer
comment on the prosecution of war crimes cases in East Timor, provided
such comments accord with the wishes of the families of the victims of
these war crimes, so as not to reopen the wounds of the families concerned.
“If an international court is not a priority
for resolving war crimes cases in East Timor, what other court is able
to ensure that the war criminals concerned do not just walk free?” asked
Arsenio Bano, Executive Director of the NGO Forum, adding that future improvements
in East Timor-Indonesia relations depend inter alia on how Indonesia completes
its investigations into the war crimes it perpetuated in East Timor, together
with its willingness to assist in the return from Indonesia of East Timorese
refugees.
End.
For further information, please telephone 0061- 0418 200 697.
The President of CNRT, Xanana Gusmao said Satruday that the success of the general election this year was still the number one priority of CNRT.
He said this when talking to reporters on his arrival back from Jakarta.
He said giving priority to the elections was more important than an international court for Timor Lorosae.
He said if an international court was talked about right now, more important issues like economic development, education, health and jobs would be overlooked.
“We are now in the process of having elections. So why don’t we concentrate our energy on it?” asked Xanana
See especially:
Apr
4 DN: RealAudio of Interview of Xanana and Kirsty Sword Gusmao
Interview & excerpt added May 10
"DN: The Indonesian government says
they'll try the people who they feel committed crimes but they are yet
to do this. Do you think an international war crimes tribunal should be
set up?
Xanana Gusmao: It is the job of the international
community. ... East Timor is a very small country and, we cannot be ambitious
to be, to be a model of justice, but we hope the international community
can do that. I believe that the (?) project of searching all the genocide
crimes in East Timor from 1975 can give to the international community
enough proof of the involvement of certain generals."