[asia-apec 1271] Fwd: DILI, EAST TIMOR -- Emergency Call to Action!

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 From: ASA Secretariat <asasec at netvigator.com> 

 EMERGENCY CALL FOR SOLIDARITY ACTION! 

 KESHAV PANDEY, ASA SECRETARIAT REPORTS FROM DILI, EAST TIMOR 

 Six Confirmed Dead! More deaths believed but unconfirmed as
 anti-independence groups fire and bomb East Timorese in Dili! 

 Scores Lying in the Streets of Dili as Indonesian Police and 
 Pro-Indonesian Militia wage violent attack yesterday, August 26! 

 Condemn the Violence Done by Indonesian Police and Pro-Indonesian 
 Militia! Support the Independence of East Timor from Indonesian 
 Occupation! 


 Today, August 27, friday, ASA is spearheading a protest rally in 
 front of the Indonesian Consulate at 2pm. 

 WE ARE REQUESTING YOU TO CONTRIBUTE IN AN INTERNATIONAL-SCALE 
 ACTION FOR SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY FOR THE EAST TIMORESE PEOPLE. 
 YOU MAY: 

* SEND LETTERS OF PROTEST TO THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT 
* CONDUCT A PROTEST RALLY IN FRONT OF THE INDONESIAN CONSULAR 
OFFICES IN YOUR COUNTRIES
* SEND MESSAGES OF SOLIDARITY TO PRO-INDEPENDENCE GROUPS IN 
EAST TIMOR 
* Circulate this appeal

 PLEASE ADVICE US IF YOU ARE TO RESPOND TO THIS URGENT CALL. 

 Attached below tells what happened as narrated by Keshav Pandey, 
 ASA Secretariat member who is currently in East Timor observing the 
 Referendum Process. Keshav is safe (for the moment) although they 
 do not know when they shall move next because the situation is 
 still tense. 

 Violence in East Timor may Postpone Referendum 
 
 Eyewitness Account by Keshav Pandey, Asian Students Association 
 Regional Secretariat, member of International Observer's Team in 
 cooperation with UN Assessment Mission on East Timor (UNAMET) 

 At around 5 pm today, August 26, Norman Uy Carnay (ASA Secretariat) 
 made a call to Keshav Pandey who is now in East Timor as part of 
 the International Observers Team. Keshav informs Norman that the 
 situation is quite tense now because violence has erupted in Dili 
 and other parts of East Timor which already claimed 4 dead (
 confirmed) from the pro-independence East Timorese. He reports that 
 many bodies are still lying in the streets of Dili after
 pro-Indonesian militias attacked pro-independence East Timorese. 
 He cannot account for the number since the area is a No Man's Land 
 and no one dares to approach the scene. 

 The following is the narration of events as given by Keshav Pandey: 

 August 25 A big pro-indepence rally has been staged with CNRT and 
 RENETIL and other groups. More than half of the 80,000 population 
 of Dili participated in the event, including Keshav Pandey. 

 August 26, morning 

 This day is allotted for the rally and campaigning of those who 
 are in favor of autonomy within Indonesia. Pro-autonomy groups 
 (pro-Indonesia) and militia are distributing white t-shirts and 
 blue caps. Keshav notices that some Indonesian police (who are 
 responsible for the security of the campaign and referendum) 
 changed from their uniform and wore  these shirts and caps. 

 Deputy Chief of the Militia, UREURICO GUTTERES, was speaking on 
 the balcony of the Militia Headquarters in Lecidere and forcing the
 militia and other people to join pro-Indonesia rally. Keshav 
 observes that Indonesian police are sequestering cars and 
 motorcycles of people. 

 August 26, 2:00 pm 

 The pro-Indonesian militia and groups gathered at Bemuri. Keshav 
 Observes that most of them were drunk and agitated. They started 
 tearing and pulling-out posters and campaign materials of 
 pro-Independence groups. In return, the pro-Independence groups 
 defended themselves because they were physically being attacked. 

 After this, the CNRT office in Lecidere was attacked and ransacked 
 By pro-Indonesian militia and by elements of the KODIM - the 
 Indonesian District Command and the ANGKATAN LAUT - the navy 
 forces. 

 It has been confirmed by RENETIL, the East Timorese youth and 
 Student organization, that in the ensuing confusion, two people 
 were forcibly abducted. Their identities still remain unknown and 
 so are their disposition.

 Hotel Dili has also been attacked. Other places targetted by the
 pro-Indonesian militia and the Indonesian police are KOLMERA and 
 LIQUICA where refugees stay. 

 Public housing where Chinese nationalities lived are reportedly 
 Also burned. Three cars were set fire upon. The CNRT branch, 
 International Political Front has also been burned. 

 The UN Regional Office in Lecidere has also been attacked. 

 As of now, the pro-Independence groups can only ascertain to 6 
 deaths. Among them: 

 DEDINHO GUTERRES from RENETIL 
 AEMETA (surname not known) 
 AGILDO DE JESUS (both from KULUHUN) 

 It is also said that 2 members of the militia were killed. 

 Some other information: 

 UNAMET has said that the UN Security Council will meet on Friday, 
 August 27 to discuss whether to postpone the Referendum set for 
 August 30. Pro-Independence groups retort by demanding that the 
 Referendum take place at the  assigned date and that UN 
 peacekeeping forces be deployed to ensure that it does happen. 

 Update August 27, 1:00 a.m. 

 We speak with Keshav and he has informed us that two more have been
 positively identified as killed by Indonesian forces. One is named
 Adelino de Jesus. Also, observers and journalists, some Portugese 
 and other Europeans were also shot at. Two of these are now 
 confined in the hospital and being treated for bullet wounds in 
 the legs. 

 Reference: Norman Uy Carnay 
  		Asian Students Association 
  		Tel: (85-2) 23880515 
  		Fax: (85-2) 27825535 
  		Email: asasec at netvigator.com