Where Were Indonesias Democrats When Dili Burned?
By Krisna Suryanata and Keith Mattson A human tragedy is unfolding in East Timor. The estimated death toll following last week’s plebiscite is already in the hundreds and rising, and the terror and forced exodus of residents is all too familiar after Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo. So far, the international community has behaved like helpless bystanders. But the most conspicuous bystanders of all are the Indonesian people who only three months ago participated in the first open elections since 1955. The people who overthrew Suharto, demanded free elections and voted to replace Habibie’s government should rally to support the overwhelming choice of the people of East Timor. But Indonesian voices that demand the military to take responsibility, or allow international peacekeepers to restore order, have so far been isolated. Instead, we see coverage on “organized” demonstrations in Jakarta against the United Nations, Australia and United States to protest what is portrayed as foreign intervent
