Sir, - The recent fraudulent elections in Indonesia and occupied East Tim or, which drew international criticism from, among others, the United States government, have further shown that the Suharto dictatorship is hell bent on holding on to power at all costs. This is extremely regrettable as many had hoped that the elections would be a catalyst for democracy and change. With the fall of Mobuto in Zaire, General Suharto now assumes the mantle of the world's longest serving dictator.
The recent revelations in ITV's World in Action programme that certain British arms companies are secretly supplying the Indonesian regime with weapons through a third party must be a cause of concern to all fair minded people. Added to this we learn, in an indictment of successive Tory governments, that the commander of the Indonesian special forces, Major General Probowo Subyanto, has had unhindered access to these companies on British soil. One would have thought that this military official would have been arrested at the point of entry, and taken to court to stand trial for crimes against humanity.
The New Order regime is on record in saying that the British government is its greatest ally in the European Union. Many may ask why a government that has repeatedly publicly denounced political violence could even contemplate arming a regime that Amnesty International describe as "casual about mass murder."
The British Foreign Secretary has assured us all that human rights will be the cornerstone of British foreign policy. Fine sentiments indeed. But I respectfully suggest that they are worthless unless Robin Cook is prepared to stop pussyfooting around the issue and immediately impose a weapons embargo on Indonesia.
Successive Irish governments have an honourable record in defending the rights of the people of East Timor. Dick Spring and his predecessor, David Andrews, have not been cowed by the bully boy tactics of the Indonesian government. It is vital that the Foreign Minister in the next Irish Government continues that tradition and pushes for an immediate end to British arms supplies to Indonesia. - Yours, etc..
East Timor Ireland
Solidarity Campaign,
24-26 Dame Street,
Dublin 2.