Sir, - A referendum to determine whether East Timor settles for "special autonomous status" within Indonesia, or opts for total independence, is due to take place on August 21st or 22nd, if present UN arrangements are not again postponed. But current events do not inspire confidence in a free, fair and democratic ballot.
It is beyond comprehension, in the light of Indonesia's savage misrule during the past 23 years, that Portugal and the United Nations should have agreed to Article 3 of the Accord signed in New York on May 5th last, which states:
"The Government of Indonesia will be responsible for maintaining peace and security in East Timor in order to ensure that the popular consultation is carried out in a fair and peaceful way in an atmosphere free of intimidation, violence or interference from any side."
It is ludicrous to expect the Indonesian security forces, which have been responsible for the extermination of countless thousands of East Timorese, to become angels almost overnight.
Ireland, to its credit, has played a major role in the international campaign for an independent East Timor, thanks largely to Tom Hyland, whose Trojan work is well known. Our Foreign Minister, David Andrews, earlier this year made a momentous decision to travel to Jakarta to meet the East Timorese rebel leader, Xanana Gusmao, who is under house arrest. This, coupled with his dramatic meeting in Dili with the Nobel peace prize winner Bishop Belo, did much to raise international consciousness of the issue, and highlighted it within the council of EU Foreign Ministers. It is good to note that his important contribution is being suitably recognised by his appointment as special EU representative for East Timor, an honour which he richly deserves, but which, obviously, carries grave responsibilities with it.
There is little more than a month to go to the referendum, and much has yet to be done. It is vitally important that maximum EU and all other possible international pressures be brought to bear on the three signatories to the accord, particularly Indonesia, to effect disbandment and disarming of the pro-integrationist militia gangs. Furthermore, the Indonesian army of occupation should be withdrawn to barracks on election day. There are also concerns that the number of UN-recruited international civilian police and army personnel to be deployed on the ground, as well as the numbers of international observers, is not enough to ensure that the wishes of the people be freely and fairly recorded. - Yours, etc.,
Gearoid Kilgallen, Crosthwaite Park South, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.