September 14, 1999
Approved by the Jewish Community Relations Council
The Jewish Community Relations Council expresses its horror at the murderous violence which has gripped East Timor. We condemn the violence perpetrated by pro-Indonesian paramilitary forces, and backed by the Indonesian military, which is attempting to overturn by force the democratic vote of the East Timorese people who overwhelmingly voted for independence from Indonesia.
We are outraged by the current campaign of terror, murder and expulsion including the reported singling out for execution of priests and nuns, along with students and other supporters of independence.
We call upon the international community to take immediate action aimed at ending the violence, including the cessation of all military and economic ties with Indonesia except for humanitarian aid. We support the Clinton Administration's decision to cut-off military ties with the Jakarta government. Only upon credible evidence that Indonesia has upheld its responsibility to ensure the protection of human rights in East Timor should the resumption of military and economic ties be considered. We further call upon all international financial institutions to suspend economic dealings with Indonesia on a similar basis.
The agony of East Timor must come to an end. Since Indonesia invaded this territory in 1975, it is estimated that up to 200,000 East Timorese have been killed, about one-third of the pre-1975 population. The people of East Timor have voted for independence, Indonesia must now accept the outcome of this democratic vote.