Green Bay Press-Gazette
June 5, 2003 Thursday
People's Forum
East Timor needs international tribunal
GREEN BAY
-- An international tribunal is needed for East Timor. Recent
verdicts on Indonesia's sham trials absurdly misrepresent the carnage
of
1999 as a conflict between different Timorese factions instead of being
what they orchestrated. Many of those accused didn't even show up for
their
own day in court. Plus, they ignored the 23 years of previous illegal
occupation.
Regardless
of the outcome, more than 90 religious leaders and organizations
representing 15 faiths from 25 states have called for a tribunal. The
Indonesian court has thus far acquitted 12 of 16 Indonesian defendants.
So now what
is to be done? The United States and United Nations should
fully support the prosecution of Indonesian officials accused of committing
crimes against humanity in East Timor. The U.N./East Timor Serious
Crimes Unit has issued a total of 59 indictments against 243 persons.
Most
of those indicted remain at large, likely in Indonesia. The United States
should press for these people to be extradited from Indonesia.
U.S. Rep.
Mark Green, R-Green Bay, could do his part by pressing Secretary
of State Colin Powell to work for their extradition. Give Mark Green a
few
phone calls of encouragement at his office (920) 437-1954 or (800) 773-8579.