Indonesia/East Timor

Jakarta accepts blame for 1999 slaughter

Article published on the 2008-07-15 Latest update 2008-07-15 14:06 TU

Jose Ramos Horta (L) with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
(Photo: Reuters)

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday accepted a truth commission report that blames Jakarta for the 1999 violence in East Timor which claimed an estimated 1,400 lives. But he made no commitment to find and punish those responsible, despite calls for them to face an international court.

"We have conveyed our very deep regret about what happened in the past, that caused casualties and material damage," Susilo said, with East Timorese President José Ramos-Horta standing beside him after a meeting on the island of Bali.

But, he continued, "We cannot move forward and reach our dreams if we always focus our attention on the past," indicating that he does not wish to pursue the matter much further.

The violence, which erupted as East Timor broke away from Indonesian rule, included arson, rape and murder. Indonesia has previously blamed it on Timorese militias opposed to independence.

The final report has not been made available, but leaked drafts show that the commission blames militia members, police, local Indonesian civilian administrators and the Indonesian military for "a campaign of violence and political repression conducted against individuals".

The only person jailed over the violence so far has been militia leader Eurico Guterres, who was cleared of involvement by the Indonesian Supreme Court in April.

Former armed forces chief Wiranto has been indicted by United Nations prosecutors for crimes against humanity in connection with the events, but he is still free and will stand for Indonesia's presidency for the second time next year.

The UN boycotted the truth commission which did not name names and has no powers to prosecute.

East Timor has refrained from demanding legal action, preferring to build good relations with its powerful neighbour.

"There is a mixed reaction, of course, from East Timor," Asmara Nababan, of the Centre of Democracy and Human Rights Studies in Jakara, told RFI. "The families of the victims really want to see justice delivered for these atrocities … but from the élite there is a signal that they are already satisfied with the report."

"Justice is not, and cannot be only prosecutorial, in the sense of sending people to jail. Justice must also be restorative," said Timor’s Ramos-Horta on Tuesday. "We as leaders of our people must lead our nations forward."