A
collection of items about the reconstruction of infrastructures following
the massive
violence
and destruction of infrastructure committed by militia groups trained
and supported by the Indonesian army.
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Up-Dated: Jan 29, 2002
NEW = Added
to BACK DOOR Website
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Main Contents: BD:
Reconstruction and 'Aid & Development'
Sep
20 A Popular Challenge to UNTAET’s Achievements Statement
added Sep 20
"UNTAET has recently published in the
September issue of its broadsheet Timor Tais 20 of the UN’s major achievements
in East Timor. Many of these achievements are either misleading or things
that UNTAET has been forced to do under pressure from Timorese people,
civil society and leaders and international critics. ...
11. Physical Reconstruction: The
country is still littered with the destruction from 1999. It is the most
dramatic feature of the Timorese landscape, still. Slowly this is being
addressed by Timorese themselves, in small ways in different places. ...
15. Road Rehabilitation: There is road
construction in a number of areas. Yet, those responsible leave behind
markers along the way. Some are from governments, some from NGOs and some
from individual military contingents. Why is there not a national
road programme? The result is that UNTAET mostly mends potholes."
Sep
11 AW: Operations of Telstra in East Timor Letter added
Sep 17
"Telstra at present ... [has] a near monopoly
on internet services [in ETimor]. ... internet services had been set at
US$2 per hour. ... significantly higher than Australian rates. However,
because average East Timorese wages (and most people do not have a wage)
are less than one tenth of Australian wages, telephone services are mostly
un affordable and the prices on internet services are prohibitive. ...
Telstra continues to make multi-billion dollar profits, and it seems to
me bizarre that it should extend its profit taking ethos to the poorest
corners of our region, and in particular to a devastated country which
is really still trying to get to its feet." Dr Tim Anderson, Researcher
for Aidwatch
August
2001 LHB: Childbirth: A Major Health Concern for Women
Article added Aug 22
"East Timor faces many
serious health problems; for women, childbirth is one of most pressing.
... And it must always be understood that women’s health problems are deeply
related to their socio-economic situation. Basic infrastructure and
transportation are also needed to mitigate health-related problems.
Women and their newborn children must be ensured the right to lead healthier
lives." La'o
Hamutuk: East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis
Major Report
Apr
30 KPP HAM's Secret Report on Crimes Against Humanity in ETimor
Extract added June 30
"Chapter III: The pattern of violation
of basic human rights crimes against humanity
III.6 Scorched earth & destruction
84. Field study carried out in East Timor
provided clear proof that there had been damage, destruction and burning
on a large, planned and systematic scale in various cities (Dili, Suai,
Liquisa etc). Scorched earth was implemented in relation to civilian housing,
shops, stalls, hostels and office buildings. ...
85. In this scorched earth policy there
also happened various acts of looting, stealing and robbery of goods. The
violation that occurred was violation of the right to property. It is estimated
that around 70% of the civilian buildings (shops and residences) were smashed
or burnt after the announcement of the ballot, including thousands of vehicles.
... "
Indonesian Commission of Investigation
into Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM)
Major Report
Apr
25 Suppressed UN report on East Timor destruction Extract
added June 30
"VII. The Major Crimes and the Killing
Fields
28. In summary the following violations
represented a massive onslaught on the human rights and well-being of the
people of East Timor.
f. The willful destruction, damaging
and ransacking of the houses or shelter:
This massive scorched earth campaign caused the destruction of the basic
shelter of more than 80% of East Timor’s population. In the urban areas
at least, ransacking and pillaging denied tens of thousands of East Timorese
of their worldly possessions. There was no subsequent attempt by the Indonesian
authorities to organise the return of these goods.
g. The willful destruction, ransacking
or damaging of schools, health centres, etc.: The right to education
and health are today widely considered fundamental rights. The destruction
of these facilities has in effect severely set back these services in East
Timor, especially in the field of education."
James Dunn, Crimes investigator for United
Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), 14 February
2001
Portuguese:
Dec
22 2000 OTL: Reconstruir infra-estruturas adaptadas e sustentáveis
Report added Apr 4
"a chegada dum grande número de
estrangeiros com necessidades de conforto e capacidades financeiras superiores
levou à satisfação prioritária deste sector,
ocupando edifícios e casas menos destruídas ou dando-lhe
primazia na reconstrução e fornecimento de bens. Mais de
um ano depois da chegada das NU, a imensa maioria dos timorenses, sobretudo
em Dili, vive em ruínas." Observatório
Timor Leste
Dec
22 2000 ETO: Reconstructing suitable sustainable infrastructures
Report added Dec 30
"The large influx of foreigners with different
standards of comfort and greater financial capacity has meant that satisfying
their needs has become a priority area: they took over the less damaged
buildings and houses, and were given priority in reconstruction and supply
of materials. Meanwhile, a year after the UN's arrival, the vast majority
of Timorese, especially those in Dili, are still living amidst the ruins."
East
Timor Observatory