THE LATEST reports from East Timor indicate that the Indonesian security apparatus in Dili is carrying out a forced 'show of hands' throughout the population as to whether or not they support the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.
At first sight it might appear that this plebiscite by gunpoint would have no international credibility. But this is exactly the same procedure used in the polls to assess support for integration in West Papua in 1969 and in East Timor in 1976, and later accepted by the Australian government as a satisfactory procedure.
This move by the occupation forces follows events last week when at least 100 East Timorese students fought with security forces on the campus of Dili's university. This was the latest in a series of clashes between the East Timorese civil population Stop the Hawks Hear JOHN PILGER and House (opposite Euston Station)
London forces. Witnesses say the clash was sparked by the appearance of plain clothed Indonesian security officers on the campus.
East Timorese youth have been in the forefront of fresh protests at the Indonesian occupation. In the past six months there have been at least three clashes on or around the Dili campus.
Latest reports indicate that up to 400 students are now effec. tively barricaded inside the university which is surrounded by security officers armed with riot shields and batons.
The situation in East Timor is still very tense. The Indonesian authorities have expelled all foreign journalists from the country and are now attempting to crush the civil resistance that developed in the glare of media publicity during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Conference in Jakarta.
Murder
Reports from the leadership of the CNRM (National Council of Maubere Resistance) have. given fresh evidence of the use of British-made Hawk aircraft to intimidate and murder the civilian population of East Timor.
Jose Ramos Horta, the CNRM's special representative, says that Hawks have been used consistently in East Timor over the last three months. One particular incident described is that of an attack on a remote hamlet which led to the destruction of six houses. According to the report over 30 people, mainly women and children, were killed.
In the House of Commons, Jeremy Corbyn MP and Chris Mullin MP challenged defence procurement Minister Roger Freeman over the use of hawks in East Timor.
Freeman promised to investigate the issue, but in the same question time announced that he had no knowledge of a big arms deal with Indonesia under negotiation. This is either a lie or wilful ignorance.
It is common knowledge that discussions are under way for the purchase of Scorpion light tanks. (made by the Coventry based firm Alvis) and the Indonesians have a shopping list that runs into billions.
The Indonesian government has been attempting to organise a propaganda offensive to offset the torrent of bad publicity it has suffered. This has been a spectacular failure.
Even a special trip organised by Jakarta to present its side of the story in May 1994 led to another series of highly critical articles in the international press over the occupation. The APEC conference has produced another disaster.
The Indonesian government claimed in a press release dated November 18 that "there were no riots in Dili. What happened was an outbreak of violence as a result of a quarrel of a personal nature between traders.' The Suharto regime is clearly hoping the international attention will fade and the Indonesian army will be able to continue its genocide in East Timor.
It is up to international solidarity movement to make sure that it does not.