By Jon Land
Since the announcement on January 27 by the Indonesian regime that it might allow East Timor to become independent, the military has stepped up its recruitment of thugs for paramilitary "pro-integration" militias. Armed and paid by the Indonesian military, these squads are causing serious problems throughout East Timor.
While the use of unemployed — mostly young — and disaffected East Timorese in militias is not a new tactic of the Indonesian regime, their increased activity in recent weeks has been used by the government of B.J. Habibie to give credibility to the claim that bloodshed and civil war will occur if Indonesia withdraws from East Timor.
Reports from the southern coastal town of Suai, where there are more than 6000 refugees, are particularly worrying.
The refugees are mostly from small, subsistence farming communities, and were forced to flee their villages by indiscriminate shootings, kidnapping and torture by the militias. Severe medicine and food shortages are resulting in sickness and even death, especially among young children.
In Dili and Liquica, there are around 2000 and 3000 refugees respectively. Their situation is not as desperate, though most are too fearful to return home.
The militias claim they are "protecting" those who want East Timor to remain part of Indonesia. The Indonesian military head for East Timor, Lieutenant Colonel Supadi, told AAP correspondent Karen Polgaze on January 28: "If we don't arm them, there will be more victims on our side. It is better for there to be victims on their side. That is self-defence in line with procedure."
Supadi conceded that the militias had not received "proper" training, lacked discipline and "are quick to be emotional".
The numerical strength of the militias is unclear. Basilio de Arujo, who heads a pro-integration group called Forum for Unity, Democracy and Justice, was quoted in the February 1 Java Post as stating that pro-integration groups had 10,000 weapons.
Members of the militias have become more brazen over the last few weeks, becoming more visible in the capital Dili, walking around or patrolling the city in vehicles. In one incident, an armed gang fired into the air outside a hotel where a pro-integration group was meeting.
Starting on February 1, over a three-day period, pro-independence supporters held protests outside Santa Cruz cemetery against the actions of the militia. The demonstrations ranged in size from 100 to more than 1000.