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SPDC: Lesson from East Timor



SPDC: Lesson from East Timor
by Criticus (14-9-99)

   SPDC's state of mind regarding East Timorese problem is echoed in a
Burmese proverb: "When the bank at Nyaung-Oo collapsed the cow at
Sampan-nago got a broken leg."  It is about the people who are affected
by events far removed from them. SPDC, however, is being exposed to more
intense scrutiny by an unprecedented scenario of some Asean nations
deploying troops on the soil of a fellow member. It fears that a
multinational peacekeeping force in East Timor could weaken Asean's
cardinal principle of non-interference in one another's internal affairs
and pave the way for intervention in Burma. So as usual the SPDC, on 13
September, expresses solidarity with big Indonesian "brother".

   SPDC seemed to be shocked when the Indonesian government yielded to
international pressure on 12 September and said that it would allow a UN
peacekeeping force into East Timor after weeks of letting the
pro-Indonesian militias run riot. The multinational peacekeeping force
consisting of Australian, British Gurkhas, Filipinos, Thais and Malaysians is 
expected to be led by 4500 Australian troops.  The decision was
welcomed by President Clinton as a "step back from the brink." Although
the US is not providing troops, it is expected to play a logistical role
in the peacekeeping operations. US officials do not want any more
peacekeeping. Their hands are full with Kosovo and East Timor is low on
their list of priorities.

   SPDC hinted at uneasiness that some Asean members were keen to join a
peacekeeping force in East Timor. "We have followed closely the
developments in East Timor and greatly regret the loss of lives and
destruction of property," said a SPDC spokesman in a statement to AFP.
"We fully sympathise with our Indonesian brothers" The SPDC statement
also distanced Myanmar from the involvement of some Asean members in a
proposed peacekeeping force for East Timor.  The decision of some ASEAN
countries to be involved in peacekeeping operations in East Timor is not
a co-ordinated ASEAN position and accordingly we would not like to
comment on it." "It is our consistent policy that the deployment of an
international peacekeeping force in a territory should be implemented
only with the concurrence and agreement of the government concerned,"
said the statement.
 
  Many Robinson, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, called for a tribunal
to deal with war crimes and try those responsible for the atrocities in
East Timor. She said the names of many of those involved were known and
they would by pursued.  In Burma, the SPDC and MIS personnel are still
able to hide their multitude of sins in the name of "peace and
development". The time has come for the UN Human Rights Commission to
call their bluff.

   In fact, SPDC generals who have been holding Indonesia in high esteem,
are very disappointed when they now find out that Indonesian government
has yielded to international pressure. Their present position can also
be illustrated by another Burmese proverb: the generals have been
revering something (Indonesia) that they thought was a pagoda only to
discover that it is only an ant hill when they see a lizard (iguana)
running out of it.

   Australia, the first state to recognise Indonesia's annexation of
East Timor, is also in an awkward position. Jakarta angered that after
decades of recognition Aussies are now advocating the East Timorese
independence.  A Western military attaché in Jakarta was reported to have
said that "the Indonesians would like nothing better than to have a
crack at the Aussies".  SPDC will be very happy if the Indonesians can
do that.

( Criticus, 14-9-99 )