The situation in Dili has not gotten better. Sporadic outbreak of gang fights and violence still abound with mostly youth attacking each other with machete and those dreaded rocks. What is worse now is that gangs carry out random attacks as compared to selective ethic(east vs west) attacks in the past.
Foreigners are no longer 'immune' to attacks per se because even their cars got smashed up by rocks, even when they are inside. The gangs do not target foreigners but if you're unfortunately enough, a bored group of youth might want to burn some energy via your car.
Everyone knows that the gangs are controlled by some highly influential gang leaders. In some areas, there are not much violence/gang actitivities because the gang leaders warned their 'underlings' not to create any trouble. There are no reports of anyone from the government meeting up with these gang leaders nor are there any arrests made.
It is true that the president and prime minister are very busy at the moment but can someone tell them to go to the root of the problem? More policemen are good but that's not going to solve the problem. If the president or the prime minister or any influential govt.member would arrange to round up and meet the gang leaders, I am sure they will listen.
Not able to round them up for a peaceful talk? I don't think so. The Reinaldo case tells us how much each Timorese wants their country to be good and be proud of it, BUT right intentions can result in wrong actions as in the case of the rebel soldiers killing innocent soldiers, gangs fighting for 'no reason' etc.
So I plead again. Can somebody tell Maun Bot(President Xanana) and the Prime Minister, Ramos Horta about the need to talk to the gang leaders? Arresting a few 'underlings' will not solve anything.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Greetings! Ola!
Hello all,
I'm back from the ship! This blog is now alive and kicking again. :)
Hau hakarak fila fali ba Timor Lorosae maibe agora hau la bele. Agora hau servisu iha Singapore. Favor ida halo orasaun mai hau atu bele fila fali ba Timor Lorosae. Ema Timor, hau hadomi o! Ate manha!
Friday, August 04, 2006
Oxfarm Australia Timor Leste Emergency Appeal
If you've missed out on the MILK Timor Leste Appeal donation, don't feel so bad about yourself. Here's another place for you to contribute to the people of Timor Leste(East Timor). Oxfarm Australia is a NGO that has been working in Timor Leste since 1999 and their website tells of their mission - "In Timor-Leste, Oxfam Australia works with communities to help reduce poverty and build a better life for people."
To find out more about what Oxfarm Australia do in Timor Leste, click here
To donate to Oxfarm's Timor Leste Emergency Appeal, click here
Don't miss out on giving this time round. The people in Timor Leste really need your help. And don't forget about the orphans in Hope Orphanage too.
To find out more about what Oxfarm Australia do in Timor Leste, click here
To donate to Oxfarm's Timor Leste Emergency Appeal, click here
Don't miss out on giving this time round. The people in Timor Leste really need your help. And don't forget about the orphans in Hope Orphanage too.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Hungry Timorese Youth: Pete, Matt and Andy
After seven months in East Timor working with youths, I caught a glimpse of some of the culture and passion of the youth in East Timor. There's always lots to mention. Here's one that inspires me.
Pete, Matt and Andy are 3 close friends from Baucau, the second largest 'city' in East Timor. After completing their diplomas in office skills, they could not find jobs and when they were offered an opportunity to be further trained in computer skills, they snapped it up. So I trained them on how to teach the students in basic computing skills such as MS word, excel, powerpoint and access, classroom management etc etc. What surprised me one day was that I realised they were not receiving anything for their training work, which means that they have to pay for their initial trip to Dili, rent a house/room to live in and pay for all other expenses such as food and transportation on their own. Where did they get their money from(since they are not getting paid)? Why would they want to leave their homes in Baucau to come to Dili for an informal training and work that they are not paid for?
These guys are not lazy as many think Timorese to be. They had big dreams and aspirations. To earn some pocket money, they decided to start a computer repair service in their rented house in Dili. Of cos it wasn't easy as they had no money to buy hardware parts and could only help troubleshoot or reinstall systems & programmes, earning themselves only very little money. Nonetheless, they carry on with it and often come to me for advice in troubleshooting more problematic problems. They had this insatiable hunger to learn more and to experiment and be successful in applying their skills.
Is this the reason why they left their homes and be willing to pay for their considerable expensive stay in Dili? Yes. It is this insatiable hunger for education and for wanting to learn and be successful. Not only for themselves, but for the society and for the country. How do I know? As Pete said, "You know, we do not know what is the future ahead for us. We are not receiving any pay now and we will run out of money soon. If we get nothing out of this training, how are we going to face our families when we go back home?" Needless to say, they borrowed from their families and relatives in order to stay in Dili for that period of time. Their hope was that with the more advanced training that they could received, they could work in the training centre or be given support in their mini business endeavours. Again, Pete looked at me worriedly and said, "I don't know what we're going to do after this." As you might have guess, there was little support. In such a poor nation, I thought it was a wonderful idea for graduates to come back to the centre to be trained as trainers so that they could work as trainers. But it was not to be so. There was no plans for that to happen nor was there any plan to employ(pay) them on a part time basis so as to ease their living expenses.
Is that the fault of the centre? Not exactly. When I looked at how the budget is stretched, it is really difficult to get anything for them. The most I could do was to bring them out for a good meal to thank them for their hard work assisting me in teaching my students. We can give a thousand and one reasons, or worse, a thousand and one criticisms on what could or should be done for East Timor, the youth, the community etc etc but until we understand them as who they really are, things will never get going. Youth like Pete, Matt and Andy are in desperate need of support - unconditional support - i.e. you might get nothing out of supporting them in their studies/work. This is one of the thing we need to understand(if we want to help them). Forget about checking who is more worthwhile to "invest" in. There's no such thing there and there is no need of it. There are enough desperate youth out there who needs your unconditional help.
These 3 young men really amazes me. They are willing to sacrifice their time, their energy and their money to learn; so as to have hope. To go beyond, to fulfill dreams and aspirations, to help their country. We who are in the so-called developed nations sacrifice our time, energy and money to help ourselves(not all) but in general, don't you really think so? I cannot imagine someone who is already poor will sacrifice their whole life(and savings) on education, something which we 'first-world' people will never do or should I say, have the opportunity to do so. Education is such a common thing in our society that it is taken for granted. Someone somewhere else in the world doesn't think so. They are hungry and they will not be satisfied until their lives, society and country changed for the better.
Hey Pete, Matt and Andy, I salute the three of you. It is only now when I looked back at what you said and your passion that I saw the real courage you guys have. Don't stop learning and don't give up your dreams. Live to fulfill it.
Maun Jason
*names of the 3 youth have been changed
Pete, Matt and Andy are 3 close friends from Baucau, the second largest 'city' in East Timor. After completing their diplomas in office skills, they could not find jobs and when they were offered an opportunity to be further trained in computer skills, they snapped it up. So I trained them on how to teach the students in basic computing skills such as MS word, excel, powerpoint and access, classroom management etc etc. What surprised me one day was that I realised they were not receiving anything for their training work, which means that they have to pay for their initial trip to Dili, rent a house/room to live in and pay for all other expenses such as food and transportation on their own. Where did they get their money from(since they are not getting paid)? Why would they want to leave their homes in Baucau to come to Dili for an informal training and work that they are not paid for?
These guys are not lazy as many think Timorese to be. They had big dreams and aspirations. To earn some pocket money, they decided to start a computer repair service in their rented house in Dili. Of cos it wasn't easy as they had no money to buy hardware parts and could only help troubleshoot or reinstall systems & programmes, earning themselves only very little money. Nonetheless, they carry on with it and often come to me for advice in troubleshooting more problematic problems. They had this insatiable hunger to learn more and to experiment and be successful in applying their skills.
Is this the reason why they left their homes and be willing to pay for their considerable expensive stay in Dili? Yes. It is this insatiable hunger for education and for wanting to learn and be successful. Not only for themselves, but for the society and for the country. How do I know? As Pete said, "You know, we do not know what is the future ahead for us. We are not receiving any pay now and we will run out of money soon. If we get nothing out of this training, how are we going to face our families when we go back home?" Needless to say, they borrowed from their families and relatives in order to stay in Dili for that period of time. Their hope was that with the more advanced training that they could received, they could work in the training centre or be given support in their mini business endeavours. Again, Pete looked at me worriedly and said, "I don't know what we're going to do after this." As you might have guess, there was little support. In such a poor nation, I thought it was a wonderful idea for graduates to come back to the centre to be trained as trainers so that they could work as trainers. But it was not to be so. There was no plans for that to happen nor was there any plan to employ(pay) them on a part time basis so as to ease their living expenses.
Is that the fault of the centre? Not exactly. When I looked at how the budget is stretched, it is really difficult to get anything for them. The most I could do was to bring them out for a good meal to thank them for their hard work assisting me in teaching my students. We can give a thousand and one reasons, or worse, a thousand and one criticisms on what could or should be done for East Timor, the youth, the community etc etc but until we understand them as who they really are, things will never get going. Youth like Pete, Matt and Andy are in desperate need of support - unconditional support - i.e. you might get nothing out of supporting them in their studies/work. This is one of the thing we need to understand(if we want to help them). Forget about checking who is more worthwhile to "invest" in. There's no such thing there and there is no need of it. There are enough desperate youth out there who needs your unconditional help.
These 3 young men really amazes me. They are willing to sacrifice their time, their energy and their money to learn; so as to have hope. To go beyond, to fulfill dreams and aspirations, to help their country. We who are in the so-called developed nations sacrifice our time, energy and money to help ourselves(not all) but in general, don't you really think so? I cannot imagine someone who is already poor will sacrifice their whole life(and savings) on education, something which we 'first-world' people will never do or should I say, have the opportunity to do so. Education is such a common thing in our society that it is taken for granted. Someone somewhere else in the world doesn't think so. They are hungry and they will not be satisfied until their lives, society and country changed for the better.
Hey Pete, Matt and Andy, I salute the three of you. It is only now when I looked back at what you said and your passion that I saw the real courage you guys have. Don't stop learning and don't give up your dreams. Live to fulfill it.
Maun Jason
*names of the 3 youth have been changed
Saturday, July 15, 2006
East Timor: Coup, Mismanagement, Future
Here is one very good impartial analysis of the current events in East Timor.
----------------------------------------------------------------
East Timor: Coup, Mismanagement, Future by Rob Wesley-Smith 7th July 06 (East Timor activist since 1974)
The recent sad events in East Timor ('Timor Leste') came out of the blue to most people. Yet was it a planned coup by Australia as some allege? In an article in The Guardian 6th July Peter Symond seems in no doubt. But to use as evidence that not long before the Australian forces were invited over to quell the lawlessness they had prepared for such an eventuality is rather tenuous. Blind Freddy could see the need arising. In early 1999 I led a delegation of activists to the North Australian military command to assure them that armed intervention to save the East Timorese from Genocide was supported by human rights activists. We had campaigned on the need for armed peacekeepers since late 1998. Blind Freddy could see the need then too.
Ironically in 1999 blind Alexander Downer could not see the need for armed peacekeepers, or so he argued, so the UN was powerless to enforce its boast to stay and protect the East Timorese in the lead up to the 30th August ballot and thereafter. A couple of years ago again it was blind Alexander who argued that East Timor did not need and could not expect a modest UN delegation including military and police to stay on and help it though its early democratic pains. It is also claimed that Australia deliberately mistrained or avoided training the army so it would be ineffective. Was all this grossly negligent policy an attempt to cause a failed state?
I think the jury is out on this one, but maybe. When you factor in Australia' unrelenting tough stance on negotiations over the oil and gas spoils of the Timor Sea, where the Australian government has taken from East Timor waters over 5 x what it has returned in civil aid, and is appropriating to itself half the% to East Timor, one sees a determined push to keep East Timor poverty stricken. They have not had an economic dividend from Independence, thus rightly fuelling discontent.
But what has Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's role been in all this? Some Left commentators, ignoring all the uniting virtues required of a PM in his situation, have argued he is indispensable because he did not borrow from the World Bank or anyone else, and that he drove a hard bargain on Timor Sea issues. In 2001 he and Peter Galbraith the UN negotiator claimed they were threatened by Alexander Downer, exactly with what is not clear, but it could have been that Australia would withdraw from the UN over Maritime Boundaries, which it did in March 2002, showing a bonsai-Bush contempt for international law. But then Alkatiri with fulsome support from Jose Ramos Horta signed the Timor Sea Treaty on 20th May 2002, Restoration of Independence day, much to the delight of a beaming tricky Alexander, as he knew this would limit East Timor's negotiating position for other areas and for Maritime Boundaries. What brought about this change of attitude? The jury is still out on this one too. I hope Xanana puts a Moratorium on signing or endorsing any Timor Sea agreements until after a newly elected government has a chance to reconsider its whole position, with a view to getting a fairer share of what is theirs by International Law.
East Timor as a country was devastated by the almost complete looting, burning and destruction of its towns, many villages and its agricultural resources. You would have thought the UN and international community would take steps to help rebuild, but apart from some government buildings and some infrastructure this was not the case, leaving NGOs and the better off Timorese to shoulder most of the burden, and the majority poor population to suffer. Should Alkatiri have borrowed? Well, once Bayu Undan was locked in and substantial revenues were about to flow, then why not? This could be paid back in one year. Poverty reduction programs were urgently needed. Perhaps if meaningful poverty reduction programs had been implemented then the present discontent with the Alkatiri/Fretilin government would not have been so volatile. Whilst I blame Australia most for cutting off the funds, Alkatiri must shoulder some blame.
Again the further Left argued Alkatiri has prioritised Agriculture. This is poppycock, when the Agriculture budget was not much over 1% compared to Health being over 40%. Yet as I argued in 2000 in East Timor - Making Amends, (Lee/Taudevin, Otford), agricultural skills and resources could probably solve 80% of the Health problems by improved Nutrition (still and
even more lately a desperate need); improved clean Water supply (ditto); improved Sanitation (ditto for refugee camps); and improved Shelter (in Dili now so many houses have been destroyed by criminal acts); - the big 4 'NWSS'.
I notice Peter Cosgrove arguing that soldiers not police were needed this time around. This too is poppycock, few threats existed to the wellarmed ponderous soldiers, what was needed was police who could intervene and take thugs off the streets, and to find out who were the ringleaders. They should have been working with the loyal Timorese police, not marginalising them. Where was their intelligence coming from, and what was it if they did get any? How many houses were burned in Dili after the Aussie troops arrived until now? No one will say. Shades of September 1999 with Cosgrove in charge.
So is this recent unrest a coup, or simply discontent and impatience with the ruling hardline Fretilin party and its stern leader Mari Alkatiri with his negligible PR skills? Investigative journalist John Martinkus revealed that the Timor armed forces leaders had been approached by 2 Timorese and 2 mysterious foreigners about a military role in removing the government, but he didn't reveal names or nationality. So its still anyone's guess from Australia, Portugal, Indonesia, or USA - if forced to choose I would pick the USA, after all they have form in this area.
Has there been planning by marginalised groups in East Timor seeing no other way out from the Fretilin juggernaut? Yes. Does this amount to a coup? Not sure, it may depend on definitions. Do many Timorese welcome a government of national unity? Definitely. This should have been installed in 2002 as President Xanana wanted. Most international support groups fought for a human rights paradise, not for one party.
Deep divisions have now been burned again into Timorese society, so what needs to be done to restore a sense of unity and the way forward? Fretilin must accept some blame for the recent unrest, as apart from its hardline approach, in 2002 Alkatiri appointed as Interior minister Rogerio Lobato who had a record of corruption and manipulation, then failed at the least to stop him arming civilians. Lobato built up the Police at the expense of the Military, which had no meaningful role at all. Alkatiri was reelected recently at the Fretilin congress by shows of hands which is against the rules, then when Lobato was sacked in disgrace he was elected Fretilin vicePresident. And now they seem to want to change the parliament rules to protect themselves, though Alkatiri says he will not seek to evade the prosecutors.
Future:
Hopefully a government of national unity will now be installed. This is what East Timor most needs, an ethic of unity. Over the centuries it has been more tribal, with a 'winner take all mentality', and jealousy of the next person or group a defining factor - a major factor even now. Perhaps the Indonesian occupation united it against the oppressor, but then faced the challenge of a complete change of outlook towards constructing a better future. Many have not done this. The Falintil Defence Forces must be sorted out as an urgent first step, overall reduced and better educated, and provided with a meaningful role in border defence maybe, civil defence, green corps, overseas UN postings, etc, but the factions must be united as an example to the nation.
The public service must be chosen on competence not politics, and be given rigorous training to be efficient and noncorrupt. Efficient software for suitable accounting is needed, perhaps as developed in the NT for easy but comprehensive use by indigenous locals. A Public Service Commissioner to oversee appointments is a must. Women need to be supported for more jobs and less domestic violence. Education must urgently be got back on stream, improved, and made free, or many middle class students will be lost to Indonesian schools. Teacher training must be expanded. Those illeducated jobless macho males in Dili must be got into jobs in the countryside if possible. Poverty reduction programs which build better communications, health and environment must be implemented. (If people don't stop burning every leaf in sight East Timor will lose its soil,
water resources, food growing capacity, reefs and trees - this is an urgent national priority.) The border with West Timor should be open to free trade, both for competitive reasons and to foil corrupt cartels. Nationwide Cultural support and sharing, and Sport as intra and international activity given a chance to promote unity (Alkatiri did the opposite by banning participation in the last Arafura regional Games). Impunity for crimes especially war crimes must not be sacrificed in the
search for forgiveness and reconciliation. Discrimination based on alleged loromonu/lorosae origin must be outlawed. Industrial development was presaged on development on-land of the Greater Sunrise lng project, but this must now be a distant dream given the unrest. And so on.
News to hand is that President Xanana has appointed Jose Ramos Horta interim Prime Minister, with 2 of the more competent ministers Estanislaus da Silva and Rui Araujo as deputies, and I congratulate them all. Jose will have to act as a PM not a diplomat, (that is one who is sent overseas to lie for their country) - Timorese more than most need strong leaders.
A strong lead against all forms of corruption, which has become almost endemic, will be needed. Consistency will be important, but he has worked hard and courageously, and as chairman of the board can set a good example. Lets hope all get behind these new arrangements. As Jose is a communicator, lets see a flowering of all forms of communication - let the
100 flowers bloom.
Meanwhile East Timor will have to accept foreign peacekeepers until some of the above gets implemented and bitterness is reduced, until after the next election and then for many years a UN presence for stability and training. Should these forces be under UN or Aussie command? Maybe UN but with an Aussie commander. What we don't need is a UN of nationalities
doing training and in jobs like 2000/01 where 80 nationalities sowed confusion. Should English and Indonesian be official languages? I think so. In fact if one has to drop out it should be Portuguese. But maybe that's just my Darwinian perspective.
An important public seminar on the 'Humanitarian Response to the East Timor Crisis' is to be held next Saturday 15th in Sydney, at Petersham Town Hall, organised by AETA and 2 Sydney Councils. Speakers include the new East Timor ambassador to Australia, the CEO of Austcare ex General Mike Smith, and ngo and academic leaders. A concert forms the afternoon
aspect, and media and public are especially invited, further info (0428) 755 218 or (02)9519-4788.
Rob Wesley-Smith
mailto:rwesley@ozemail.com.au>rwesley@ozemail.com.au
61 8 89832113 0419 807175
'Australians for a Free East Timor' spokesperson
Darwin
30 years supporter of East Timor
30+ years as a tropical rural scientist
----------------------------------------------------------------
East Timor: Coup, Mismanagement, Future by Rob Wesley-Smith 7th July 06 (East Timor activist since 1974)
The recent sad events in East Timor ('Timor Leste') came out of the blue to most people. Yet was it a planned coup by Australia as some allege? In an article in The Guardian 6th July Peter Symond seems in no doubt. But to use as evidence that not long before the Australian forces were invited over to quell the lawlessness they had prepared for such an eventuality is rather tenuous. Blind Freddy could see the need arising. In early 1999 I led a delegation of activists to the North Australian military command to assure them that armed intervention to save the East Timorese from Genocide was supported by human rights activists. We had campaigned on the need for armed peacekeepers since late 1998. Blind Freddy could see the need then too.
Ironically in 1999 blind Alexander Downer could not see the need for armed peacekeepers, or so he argued, so the UN was powerless to enforce its boast to stay and protect the East Timorese in the lead up to the 30th August ballot and thereafter. A couple of years ago again it was blind Alexander who argued that East Timor did not need and could not expect a modest UN delegation including military and police to stay on and help it though its early democratic pains. It is also claimed that Australia deliberately mistrained or avoided training the army so it would be ineffective. Was all this grossly negligent policy an attempt to cause a failed state?
I think the jury is out on this one, but maybe. When you factor in Australia' unrelenting tough stance on negotiations over the oil and gas spoils of the Timor Sea, where the Australian government has taken from East Timor waters over 5 x what it has returned in civil aid, and is appropriating to itself half the% to East Timor, one sees a determined push to keep East Timor poverty stricken. They have not had an economic dividend from Independence, thus rightly fuelling discontent.
But what has Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri's role been in all this? Some Left commentators, ignoring all the uniting virtues required of a PM in his situation, have argued he is indispensable because he did not borrow from the World Bank or anyone else, and that he drove a hard bargain on Timor Sea issues. In 2001 he and Peter Galbraith the UN negotiator claimed they were threatened by Alexander Downer, exactly with what is not clear, but it could have been that Australia would withdraw from the UN over Maritime Boundaries, which it did in March 2002, showing a bonsai-Bush contempt for international law. But then Alkatiri with fulsome support from Jose Ramos Horta signed the Timor Sea Treaty on 20th May 2002, Restoration of Independence day, much to the delight of a beaming tricky Alexander, as he knew this would limit East Timor's negotiating position for other areas and for Maritime Boundaries. What brought about this change of attitude? The jury is still out on this one too. I hope Xanana puts a Moratorium on signing or endorsing any Timor Sea agreements until after a newly elected government has a chance to reconsider its whole position, with a view to getting a fairer share of what is theirs by International Law.
East Timor as a country was devastated by the almost complete looting, burning and destruction of its towns, many villages and its agricultural resources. You would have thought the UN and international community would take steps to help rebuild, but apart from some government buildings and some infrastructure this was not the case, leaving NGOs and the better off Timorese to shoulder most of the burden, and the majority poor population to suffer. Should Alkatiri have borrowed? Well, once Bayu Undan was locked in and substantial revenues were about to flow, then why not? This could be paid back in one year. Poverty reduction programs were urgently needed. Perhaps if meaningful poverty reduction programs had been implemented then the present discontent with the Alkatiri/Fretilin government would not have been so volatile. Whilst I blame Australia most for cutting off the funds, Alkatiri must shoulder some blame.
Again the further Left argued Alkatiri has prioritised Agriculture. This is poppycock, when the Agriculture budget was not much over 1% compared to Health being over 40%. Yet as I argued in 2000 in East Timor - Making Amends, (Lee/Taudevin, Otford), agricultural skills and resources could probably solve 80% of the Health problems by improved Nutrition (still and
even more lately a desperate need); improved clean Water supply (ditto); improved Sanitation (ditto for refugee camps); and improved Shelter (in Dili now so many houses have been destroyed by criminal acts); - the big 4 'NWSS'.
I notice Peter Cosgrove arguing that soldiers not police were needed this time around. This too is poppycock, few threats existed to the wellarmed ponderous soldiers, what was needed was police who could intervene and take thugs off the streets, and to find out who were the ringleaders. They should have been working with the loyal Timorese police, not marginalising them. Where was their intelligence coming from, and what was it if they did get any? How many houses were burned in Dili after the Aussie troops arrived until now? No one will say. Shades of September 1999 with Cosgrove in charge.
So is this recent unrest a coup, or simply discontent and impatience with the ruling hardline Fretilin party and its stern leader Mari Alkatiri with his negligible PR skills? Investigative journalist John Martinkus revealed that the Timor armed forces leaders had been approached by 2 Timorese and 2 mysterious foreigners about a military role in removing the government, but he didn't reveal names or nationality. So its still anyone's guess from Australia, Portugal, Indonesia, or USA - if forced to choose I would pick the USA, after all they have form in this area.
Has there been planning by marginalised groups in East Timor seeing no other way out from the Fretilin juggernaut? Yes. Does this amount to a coup? Not sure, it may depend on definitions. Do many Timorese welcome a government of national unity? Definitely. This should have been installed in 2002 as President Xanana wanted. Most international support groups fought for a human rights paradise, not for one party.
Deep divisions have now been burned again into Timorese society, so what needs to be done to restore a sense of unity and the way forward? Fretilin must accept some blame for the recent unrest, as apart from its hardline approach, in 2002 Alkatiri appointed as Interior minister Rogerio Lobato who had a record of corruption and manipulation, then failed at the least to stop him arming civilians. Lobato built up the Police at the expense of the Military, which had no meaningful role at all. Alkatiri was reelected recently at the Fretilin congress by shows of hands which is against the rules, then when Lobato was sacked in disgrace he was elected Fretilin vicePresident. And now they seem to want to change the parliament rules to protect themselves, though Alkatiri says he will not seek to evade the prosecutors.
Future:
Hopefully a government of national unity will now be installed. This is what East Timor most needs, an ethic of unity. Over the centuries it has been more tribal, with a 'winner take all mentality', and jealousy of the next person or group a defining factor - a major factor even now. Perhaps the Indonesian occupation united it against the oppressor, but then faced the challenge of a complete change of outlook towards constructing a better future. Many have not done this. The Falintil Defence Forces must be sorted out as an urgent first step, overall reduced and better educated, and provided with a meaningful role in border defence maybe, civil defence, green corps, overseas UN postings, etc, but the factions must be united as an example to the nation.
The public service must be chosen on competence not politics, and be given rigorous training to be efficient and noncorrupt. Efficient software for suitable accounting is needed, perhaps as developed in the NT for easy but comprehensive use by indigenous locals. A Public Service Commissioner to oversee appointments is a must. Women need to be supported for more jobs and less domestic violence. Education must urgently be got back on stream, improved, and made free, or many middle class students will be lost to Indonesian schools. Teacher training must be expanded. Those illeducated jobless macho males in Dili must be got into jobs in the countryside if possible. Poverty reduction programs which build better communications, health and environment must be implemented. (If people don't stop burning every leaf in sight East Timor will lose its soil,
water resources, food growing capacity, reefs and trees - this is an urgent national priority.) The border with West Timor should be open to free trade, both for competitive reasons and to foil corrupt cartels. Nationwide Cultural support and sharing, and Sport as intra and international activity given a chance to promote unity (Alkatiri did the opposite by banning participation in the last Arafura regional Games). Impunity for crimes especially war crimes must not be sacrificed in the
search for forgiveness and reconciliation. Discrimination based on alleged loromonu/lorosae origin must be outlawed. Industrial development was presaged on development on-land of the Greater Sunrise lng project, but this must now be a distant dream given the unrest. And so on.
News to hand is that President Xanana has appointed Jose Ramos Horta interim Prime Minister, with 2 of the more competent ministers Estanislaus da Silva and Rui Araujo as deputies, and I congratulate them all. Jose will have to act as a PM not a diplomat, (that is one who is sent overseas to lie for their country) - Timorese more than most need strong leaders.
A strong lead against all forms of corruption, which has become almost endemic, will be needed. Consistency will be important, but he has worked hard and courageously, and as chairman of the board can set a good example. Lets hope all get behind these new arrangements. As Jose is a communicator, lets see a flowering of all forms of communication - let the
100 flowers bloom.
Meanwhile East Timor will have to accept foreign peacekeepers until some of the above gets implemented and bitterness is reduced, until after the next election and then for many years a UN presence for stability and training. Should these forces be under UN or Aussie command? Maybe UN but with an Aussie commander. What we don't need is a UN of nationalities
doing training and in jobs like 2000/01 where 80 nationalities sowed confusion. Should English and Indonesian be official languages? I think so. In fact if one has to drop out it should be Portuguese. But maybe that's just my Darwinian perspective.
An important public seminar on the 'Humanitarian Response to the East Timor Crisis' is to be held next Saturday 15th in Sydney, at Petersham Town Hall, organised by AETA and 2 Sydney Councils. Speakers include the new East Timor ambassador to Australia, the CEO of Austcare ex General Mike Smith, and ngo and academic leaders. A concert forms the afternoon
aspect, and media and public are especially invited, further info (0428) 755 218 or (02)9519-4788.
Rob Wesley-Smith
mailto:rwesley@ozemail.com.au>rwesley@ozemail.com.au
61 8 89832113 0419 807175
'Australians for a Free East Timor' spokesperson
Darwin
30 years supporter of East Timor
30+ years as a tropical rural scientist
Thursday, June 29, 2006
I'm free but how about them?
While awaiting my return to Timor, I'm actually pretty free now. So I got myself another blog at yourwill.blogspot.com and write more personal stuffs there. My friend exclaimed the other day, "wah! now you have 2 blogs! you so free ah!" I laugh at it and smiled but sometimes having all the time in the world is not exactly a good thing. I'm sure you know what I'm saying.
Tumbleweed just posted a post about an attack on some local journalist in Timor bcos the crowds thought the journalists supported the ousted-prime minister by putting out the news about him. These people too, had a lot free time. Sadly, there's not enough jobs, not enough money, not enough food, not enough education, not enough role-models and many not-enoughs in East Timor; and this free time coupled with energy, anger, lies, manipulation and other no-goods have turn the people against each other. I am free(pun intended) but how about them? I'm free of poverty, of illiteracy, of needs and of many things but how about them? The world can't provide a solution. The freedom they got serves them no purpose nor has it benefitted them in this ever cruel world. What they really need is freedom in God. Jesus said he came to "give us life and life abundantly"(john 10:10) With such a promise of abundance, there is freedom in everything - freedom from fear of having not enough food, of not getting a job, of rejection, of disease, of poverty and of hell. They need God, they need to hear God's word, and they need to see God's love. But how to achieve this unless someone goes to them? You are free, but how about them? Go.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" Luke 4:18-19
Tumbleweed just posted a post about an attack on some local journalist in Timor bcos the crowds thought the journalists supported the ousted-prime minister by putting out the news about him. These people too, had a lot free time. Sadly, there's not enough jobs, not enough money, not enough food, not enough education, not enough role-models and many not-enoughs in East Timor; and this free time coupled with energy, anger, lies, manipulation and other no-goods have turn the people against each other. I am free(pun intended) but how about them? I'm free of poverty, of illiteracy, of needs and of many things but how about them? The world can't provide a solution. The freedom they got serves them no purpose nor has it benefitted them in this ever cruel world. What they really need is freedom in God. Jesus said he came to "give us life and life abundantly"(john 10:10) With such a promise of abundance, there is freedom in everything - freedom from fear of having not enough food, of not getting a job, of rejection, of disease, of poverty and of hell. They need God, they need to hear God's word, and they need to see God's love. But how to achieve this unless someone goes to them? You are free, but how about them? Go.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" Luke 4:18-19
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The Real Issue
The Prime Minister of Timor had resigned yesterday morning and many people in Timor are very happy. They are happy that they have gotten rid of a PM that is alleged to have a secret hit squad and responsible for the killings and violence in recent times. While the resignation of the PM might help in calming the situation further, there is still this one evil lingering behind the scene. And that is unforgiveness and grudges - between the east and west part of Timor Leste. While it is true that many people do not like the PM, blamed him for the unrest and the "rebels" cited him as the cause of their "rebellion", removing him only solve part of the whole big problem. Reconciliation between the wounded east and west of the country will take a long long time and it will be a difficult and challenging task for the interim/new government. Should President Gusmao choose not to stand for election next may(which he already indicated that he will not contest), one can only wonder whether this outbreak of violence will happen again. We all know how much the people respect and listen to the President.
Rumours and accusations can very easily re-open old wounds and cause another round of civil unrest. Unless the government deal with this east-west issue and not sweep it under the carpet(again), Timor will always be a dormant volcano. It will be calm until shaken - and then the explosion will destroy again. And this time, there will not be a xanana firefighter to put out the flames. I really hope the interim government and the UN advisers will see this as a major issue and seek to reconcile the east and west as soon as possible. Delaying it will only make Timor dormant again, preparing it for another round of explosion.
Rumours and accusations can very easily re-open old wounds and cause another round of civil unrest. Unless the government deal with this east-west issue and not sweep it under the carpet(again), Timor will always be a dormant volcano. It will be calm until shaken - and then the explosion will destroy again. And this time, there will not be a xanana firefighter to put out the flames. I really hope the interim government and the UN advisers will see this as a major issue and seek to reconcile the east and west as soon as possible. Delaying it will only make Timor dormant again, preparing it for another round of explosion.
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