The Press SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975. East Timor: Indonesia should stay out

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 14

The Press SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1975. East Timor: Indonesia should stay out

The reported attacks by Indonesia in East Timor and the military training now being given to East Timor refugees are further evidence of Indonesia’s determination to influence events in the Portuguese colony to its own satisfaction. The statements and demonstrations in Jakarta in favour of action by Indonesia against Fretilin, the party which controls most of East Timor, may be an ominous prelude to Indonesian intervention in force. So far it has been restrained

Legally and morally. East Timor is Portugal’s responsibility. Portugal, however, is at odds with itself and it is not completely clear who holds final authority in Lisbon, let alone in the eastern half of an island many thousands of miles away. Besides being ineffective, the Portuguese Government has aroused doubts in East Timor about whether it is acting in good faith, and has been giving the impression that it is shuffling the responsibility on to Indonesia, thereby betraving some Timorese. The troubles in Portugal itself are not all of Portuguese making - the Soviet Union and the United States have been pouring money and arms into the country in attempts to bring factions they favour to power. Some of the responsibility for the events and confusion in East Timor must lie with the struggle between the super-Powers.

The confusion in East Timor in no way justifies Indonesian intervention. Indonesia, which owns the western part of the island, has a legitimate concern for peace and order in the other half. It also has a legitimate concern that East Timor should not become a base for hostility against Indonesia. But these reasons could not excuse Indonesia's forceful annexation of the colony Once its soldiers entered in force, on any pretext. Indonesia would be reluctant to lose control again. Indonesia's disavowal of territorial ambitions may be believed and. considering the poverty of the area, it is not surprising. Nevertheless, while the territory is so unstable. Indonesia feels its national interest is at stake and may use this as an excuse for invasion. Here, clearly, are circumstances in which the United Nations might be used to mediate between the contending factions. United Nations intervention might mean in the end that an international force would have to support its efforts at mediation. Internationa) confidence in the United Nations is at a low ebb. but a solution to the problems in Timor should not be beyond the organisation's means.