Situation in East Timor

B5-0067, 0111, 0112, 0113, 0114 and 0115/1999

Resolution on the situation in East Timor

16-09-99

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in East Timor, having regard to the New York Agreement on East Timor, signed between Portugal and Indonesia on 5 May 1999 under the aegis of the United Nations,

A. welcoming the work by the UN mission (Unamet) during preparation and implementation of the referendum of the people of East Timor in full compliance with the New York Agreement,

B. whereas 98. 6% of the registered population participated in the referendum, in spite of threats and intimidation by the pro-integrationist militias,

C. whereas Unamet and the international observers, including the European Parliament delegation and the Council delegation recognised the legality and validity of the referendum,

D. whereas the result of the referendum clearly expresses the wish of the Timorese people for independence, with 78. 5% voting in favour,

E. whereas the results of the referendum were announced by the UN Secretary-General and validated by the United Nations, the President of Indonesia, Portugal and the international community,

F. whereas after the referendum result was announced, pro-Indonesian militias, trained and armed by the Indonesian police and army, launched a campaign of terror in the country, killing defenceless citizens, burning down houses, splitting up families, deporting communities and attacking Unamet, the Red Cross, journalists and observers, as well as committing other serious violations of human rights,

G. whereas this climate of terror and barbarity is continuing and still impeding safety and public order in the country and whereas thousands of lives have been lost and there is such desperation that the survival of an entire people is in jeopardy,

H. whereas Indonesia has clearly violated Article 3 of the New York Agreement, as it has failed to guarantee the maintenance of peace and security in the region, whether through inability or deliberate inaction,

I. whereas 24 years ago Indonesia illegally occupied the territory of East Timor, over which it does not have sovereignty, as UN resolutions recognising Portugal as the administrative authority have confirmed,

J. whereas on 12 September 1999 Indonesia finally recognised the need for the presence of an international peace-keeping force in East Timor,

1. Congratulates the people of East Timor for their exemplary conduct during the referendum process and for their high turnout in the referendum;

2. Recognises the clear democratic wish expressed by the people of East Timor to return to independence and create a new country;

3. Utterly condemns the massacres and criminal acts committed by the pro-Indonesian militias with the participation of the police and army of Indonesia against the people of East Timor, which have already brought about the deaths of an as yet indefinable number of people;

4. Calls on the United Nations to exercise the responsibilities they have assumed under Article 7 of the New York Agreement and to maintain an appropriate presence in East Timor;

5. Calls on the UN Security Council not to delay any further in sending an international force to preserve peace and security in East Timor, and calls on all the Member States to provide the greatest possible logistical and financial support, in order to speed up preparation for its deployment in the country;

6. Welcomes the decision by the IMF and World Bank to suspend the payment of loans to Indonesia due in September and calls on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the international community particularly the United Nations to ensure that, until the situation in East Timor returns to normal, they suspend or continue to suspend military cooperation, arms supplies and economic aid for Indonesia, except aid of an humanitarian nature or to support the transition to democracy;

7. Calls on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Commission, the governments of the Member States and the international community immediately to guarantee humanitarian aid for the people of East Timor and, in particular, to promote the return of displaced persons and refugees and the access of international observers, NGOs and journalists to the country;

8. Urges the Council and the Member States of the European Union to recognise the State of East Timor and establish diplomatic relations as soon as possible;

9. Calls on the United Nations to draw up an inventory of the atrocities committed in East Timor and begin identification of those responsible, and supports the proposal by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, to set up a special international tribunal for East Timor;

10. Calls on the European Union to approve a programme of economic aid and a programme for the reconstruction of civil society in East Timor, in the form of a joint action;

11. Intends to insert in the budget of the European Union for the year 2000 an appropriation for supporting reconstruction, economic activity and the constitutional process in East Timor;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments of the Member States, the UN Secretary-General, the Government of Indonesia, ASEAN and the leader of the Timorese resistance movement, Xanana Gusm o.