This page has been provided during the crisis in East Timor to give additional reliable information from Church sources there. We are especially indebted to the Salesians for much of the following. Other information can be found on the Jesuit Refugee Service website.
'Cardoner - Ripples of Justice' is an initiative of the Australian Jesuits to provide both material and an index on social issues from a Christian perspective, on the internet in Australia.
Information from the Salesian network is now up on the web at http://www.bosconet.aust.com/et.htm
by Julian Fox
LOS PALOS: 6th October -
Fr. Jose VP, at times very emotional, but nonetheless elated at the turn of events now in the region he has worked in for so many years (Los Palos, Fuiloro) has spoken about the events that saw him return to Los Palos from Dili at the height of the destructive aftermath to the Independence vote. In a phone call yesterday to his brother, Fr. Jose explained that on arriving in Dili with Fr. Jojo, he found himself in a situation where the army was forcing him, along with others, to go to Kupang. He managed to escape and, although his own car had been taken at that stage, he managed to rescue the Provincial's car and set off back to Los Palos!
To the question 'How did you manage to get through all that territory unscathed?' he answered simply that he knew the militias in that area or they knew him and in each case he was allowed to pass unharmed. He felt it was his duty to get back to the people in Los Palos and warn them, or they would be killed. On arrival in Los Palos he advised the local people to flee from the town into the mountains. He said he was expecting trouble as at that time they (Salesian community) were still able to follow developments on TV. The villagers instead had no concept of what was happening further West. Fr. Jose believes his actions contributed to the safety of some 4000 people around the Los Palos area.
The UN have now made their eastern headquarters at the Salesian residence in Los Palos. The commander of these forces is a New Zealander and it was he who allowed Jose to make several phone calls. According to Jose the Kiwis (NZers, for the uninitiated!) have managed to clear up many of the militias in the region but he estimates at least 20 groups still at large in that region.
Jose estimated that there are some 10,000 people still in the mountains there, but that the Salesians and Sisters are all safe and back in Los Palos with him. He commented that the Sisters Convent had been completely destroyed. This is new information, since we had understood that the destruction had only taken place in Dili.
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A new summary seems to appear early each week.
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from Julian Fox
There is concern that the camps in West Timor (Atambua, Kupang,Belu and Timor Tengah Utara) are overcrowded and controlled by the militia. "Pro-integrationist militias control many of the camps. Access to the camps is limited to non-western staff of international NGOs, hampering efforts to assess humanitarian conditions". UNHCR reports that militias are preventing IDPs from returning home. [IDP refers to displaced persons, a technical term for refugees]
- The UN World Food Program (WFP) estimates that 740,000 East Timorese,out of a total population of 890,000, will require food aid in the next six months. Of this number, 590,000 people (490,000 IDPs and 100,000 expected returnees) will require full rations, while an additional 150,000 IDPs will require half rations.
IRC provides regular updates of its activities. Some of these and the information about the situation in various parts of Timor will be of interest to readers [of AustraLasia] so I quote them here:
The Norwegian Red Cross field hospital has been set up at the civilian hospital in Dili. Its surgical component is now functioning (the equipment has been used to refurbish two operating theatres and the emergency room in the hospital and x-ray equipment has been installed) and it is hoped that the laboratory/ pathology department will be set up by 30 September. The remainder of the material supplied with the field hospital will be mobilized at a later date. Although other medical operations are well into the planning stages, the ICRC facility is currently the only one capable of providing general hospital facilities in East Timor.
With the support of local staff, the expatriate team (surgeon, anaesthetist, general practitioner, medical administrator and five nurses) is treating four people evacuated by the ICRC from Dare, and injured people brought in by INTERFET troops. The team is treating 60 people in all, including 40 patients who were already in the hospital before the ICRC assumed responsibility there.
ICRC medical personnel visited the clinic in Dare (where an average of 50 people are seeking medical help on a daily basis) and delivered some medical items for paediatric care. Four seriously wounded people were evacuated to the civilian hospital in Dili for treatment by the ICRC surgical team.
A cause for concern is the substantial health risk arising from a number of corpses in Dili, some in an advanced state of decomposition, which have not yet been collected or identified. A procedure has now been put in place. INTERFET will collect the bodies and register and record their details. The ICRC is not involved in any form of enquiry and its participation is limited to assisting with transportation to either the mortuary or burial site and organizing a brief memorial service.
Civilians are beginning to return to Dili in larger numbers. In one section of the town, between 3,000 and 5,000 people returned between 27 and 28 September, placing a significant strain on distribution networks. Four relief distribution points have now been identified and items will be distributed by a partnership of Church and local leaders.
Four field trips have been made to Dare area during the course of the last week, where some 60,000 people are in an extremely precarious situation. A limited amount of food assistance has been delivered in the form of high-protein biscuits. This was in an attempt to supplement the dwindling supplies of the most needy displaced people. Whilst stocks of fruit and vegetables are also coming to an end, many people expressed a need for supplies of rice. Shelter is not a critical problem for the time being but could become so within the next three weeks with the onset of the rainy season. Following discussions with INTERFET representatives and local community leaders, the ICRC has undertaken to truck supplies of water to several strategic points along the route between Dare and outlying areas where civilians have been seeking refuge in order to facilitate their journey back to the town.
Attempts are still being made to reach civilians in the Bacau area. A plane loaded with a land cruiser, medical aid and 3 mt rice, was unable to land at the airport there on 28 September because it proved impossible to establish radio contact on the ground. The plane was forced to return to its base in Dili but will make a further attempt today.
The ICRC/PMI team is continuing its work for the displaced people from East Timor lodged in temporary camps. Needs remain great. All available ICRC relief items have been distributed but a plane from Surabaya will deliver 3 mt rice, jerry cans, cooking pots and tarpaulins today. From then on, regular airlifts of supplies will be made to Kupang for onward transport to Atambua.
The boat from Surabaya with 750 mt of food supplies and 50 mt non-food items, together with the boat from Darwin with the Norwegian Red Cross field hospital, trucks, non-food and water and sanitation material have all arrived in Dili. The boat from Surabaya will remain offshore to be unloaded as and when stocks are required.
Thousands of families have been separated during the events of the last few weeks and have few possibilities of staying in touch with them -- or even finding them. The ICRC set up a tracing office in Dili on 28 September and has already collected 230 Red Cross messages from people anxious to contact their relatives who fled East Timor. Some have also been able to contact relatives abroad with the help of a satellite phone which they are able to use for a period of three-minutes. A tracing delegate will arrive in Kupang on 29 September to set up a plan of action for tracing and protection activities in West Timor.
Meetings have been held with various members of INTERFET, including the chief legal officer, with a view to obtaining access to people detained in relation to the troubles. As a result of these meetings, the ICRC visited four people on 26 September and a further 20 today.
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from Julian Fox
From Reuters, but now also confirmed in an email from the Canossian Sisters' Provincial Headquarters, we now have news that two Sisters, Sr. Erminia Cazzaniga (69 years old) and Sister Celeste de Carvalho Pinto 48 years old), superiors of the communities of Manatuto and Baucau respectively, were killed by unknown gunmen last Saturday [25/9?], while on a mission of mercy to bring food to people in Los Palos a little further to the East of Baucau.
Also killed with them were two deacons, the driver and a number of other people. In all, nine were killed and their bodies dumped in the river. it would appear (Reuters) that the head of Caritas in Baucau was amongst those killed.
In her letter, Sr. Haydee has this to say:
"Dear Fr. Julian - We continue to pray...we continue to let the world know". Quoting from the fax indicating confirmation of the deaths, Sr. Haydee says:
"The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ accompanies us and has visited us today in a particular manner. Sr. Iolando Vezzoli, Provincial Superior of the Province of St. Joseph, Timor, has just informed me that two of our Sisters (as named above) together with two deacons and some Lay Persons have encountered Sister Death throught he hands of some unknown soldiers. In an exquisite gesture of charity they were going from Baucau with some provisions for the refugees still on the mountains of Los Palos."
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From FMA Newsletter 25th Sept.
Sr. Marlene, who hails from California, has been in Dili throughout the past few weeks of terror and in a brief phone call today reassures us that things are improving. "We feel protected for the most part by the UN forces, and we have greater possibilities now to help the people. We have not yet been able to go in person to Venilale, but from a phone call from one of the Sisters there we know that they are o.k. and not in any danger".
Caritas has asked our Sisters for help in distributing food and other necessities - without such help they might not be able to be sensitive to particular situations and could run the risk of creating ill-felling and worse, vendettas. Large numbers of people are likely to be returning to their homes of the remnants thereof this weekend. This will create problems because there is no electricity or water nor for that matter food for so many. Things are not yet secure enough to ensure no further attacks from pro-indonesian militias.
The Sisters' information has it that a number of infants have died in the refugee centre at Dare where some 50,000 refugees remain. Sr. Paola and Sr. Carolina have spent hours visiting Dare with food and necessities, and also helped the UN forces to make contact with essential people to get the refugees attended to. The Sisters have the advantage of 'knowing the territory' and are of immense value to INTERFET. Caritas, who are attempting to distribute food drops to other parts of the island, have asked the Sisters to accompany them because of the local knowledge they have.
There is some disquiet concerning news out of West Timor amongst the refugees there. Some have managed to phone back to Dili claiming that militias are seeking them out to kill them still.
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from Julian Fox sdb (austraLasia # 230 email newsletter - Tues 21/9/99)
Using resources from ANS, the East Timorese International Support Centre in Darwin (pkf Fr. Richard Gant in Texas!), we can now at least offer as accurate a summary of situations regarding Religious as is presently possible. With the advent of INTERFER and the likely re-establishment of telephone lines, this will be updated very soon, I think.
Four Italian-born Salesian priests are confirmed as safe and well at Venilale - this comes from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are Frs Donaggio, De Pretto, Gamba and Locatelli.
The Bishop of Baucau (cf austraLasia # 230) has also confirmed that the SDB's at Fatumaca and Venilale are o.k.
Most of the Salesians who were in Dili are now in Kupang with the refugees there. One (Fr.Fraile Manuel de los Palos) has gone with a group of refugees to Flores. Fr. Andrew Wong, Provincial, is in Kupang and has been in phone contact with Salesians in Jakarta.
ANS indicates that there have been no confirmed deaths amongst priest and Religious in Baucau itself (but note the ETISC details below).
From ETISC we have the following: Revised Sunday September 19, 1999
Priests
Nuns
Protestant Minister (1 dead)
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This list has been provided through the good services of the SVD's.
Dear Julian,
Thank you. The first message certainly brings good news. One of the
priests has contacts in Antambua and Kupang if we hear any information we
will pass it on to you. So far we have only received a list of priests and
one sister who believed to been killed. They are:
I believe also that the rector at the Seminary in Kupang has made contact with sisters and priests in the refugee camps in Kupang.
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Julian Fox (using ANS and FMA newsletter)
Suppplies have arrived at the Salesian Sisters community in Dili (this confirmed by telephone) where around 80 refugees, as well as the Sisters and Novices, are located. Security is tight. Caritas International (cannot comment on whether this is the East Timor branch or whether the effort is directed from the Rome centre)have brought in the supplies. The army kept the operation under close scrutiny not even allowing CI members to enter the house.
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Note - for non-Salesians reading this, the 'Goodnight' is a traditional, familiar little gesture by the father-figure of the community before each retires in the evening. It comes from Don Bosco's own practice amongst his boys.
Julian
Translated from ANS despatch No.6. Bishop Belo gave this 'Goodnight' to Salesians and Sisters gathered to welcome him at the Casa Generalizia in Rome, and after an evening of prayer and Salesian conviviality.
ROME: 14th Sept --
"This is the second time I have had to escape from my country because of war. I won't tell you things you already know. I only want to tell you the reasons for the voilent attack on the Church and its structures.
1. The Indonesians were never happy with the result of the Referendum because for them the development of East Timor lies in Integration. For the Military it was something they couldn't abide; above all because 23,000 soldiers have lost their lives in East Timor over these years. The Catholic Church, according to them, is the main reason for what has happened because it has given the people spirit, hope and courage. And besides, they never accepted the Nobel Peace Prize idea. Now is their moment of revenge.
2. The group for Autonomy had tried to convince the Bishops that the best way forward was by autonomy.
3. The Bishops wrote a pastoral letter inviting the people to vote according to their conscience, without fear of threats, and choosing according to each one's point of view.
Because of all this the Military in general, and with the approval of Defense Minister and Army General Wiranto thought up and carried out the destruction of the Catholic Church.
When the result of the referendum was announced,they planned an attack on the Bishop. They killed 25 people while I was talking with these people on the Sunday afternoon. On the Sunday night they came together to plan an attack on the Bishop at 10.00 the following morning. I was advised both of the meeting and the plan. I sought some protection and defense, but when they arrived at 10.30 in the morning they carried out the disaster. I was inside with 5 or 6 young people who did not want me to go out. I went outside and gathered with some 4,000 refugees who had come around the area of my house and were in front of the statue of the Madonna, praying. The police chief made it clear he wanted to speak with the Bishop. I went out and he asked me where I would like to go to rest. I told him I preferred to go and see Bishop Basilio in order to consult with him.
We know that when we defend freedom and dignity we run the risk of these sorts of consequences. The Pope (who has received me with kindness and spent 2 hours with me) understands our problem and the Secretary of State will do everything in his power to see that an international force is sent in to save the rfefugees and help those deported to West Timor. I am living this moment in faith and serenity and I think to the future, to the rebuilding, so we can continue to serve the people.
My thanks to the Rector Major, to all the Congregation, and to the FMA"
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- from Jesuit Refugee Service newsletter (13 Sept)
The newsletter also contains recent reports from Dili and both parts of Timor
The JRS director in East Timor was shot dead in Dili on Saturday. Seventy year old Karl Albrecht SJ, who was set to mark his 50th anniversary in the Society of Jesus on Tuesday, is the second Jesuit to die in the pro-Indonesia militia violence which has raged across East Timor since its people voted for independence on 30 August.
Fr Karl was murdered by an intruder on Saturday night at around 11 pm, in the Loyola Jesuit residence where he lived with Jesuit Superior in East Timor, Fr Ageng Marwata, and Fr Eduard Ratu Dopo. He surprised the intruder or intruders in the courtyard, and was ordered by one of them to turn off his flashlight. When Fr Karl hesitated to do so, he was shot in the stomach. The incident was overheard by Fr Ageng, who had gone outside a little earlier to investigate as he had heard voices speaking Indonesian. Fr Ageng rushed Fr Albrecht to the military hospital, but he could not be saved.
JRS Asia Pacific director, Steve Curtin SJ, said: "It is not yet known whether Karl's murderer was mainly interested in robbery or whether Karl was actually targeted because of the help that he has given to refugees who are regarded by militias as 'the enemy'."
Fr Karl was German but had Indonesian citizenship. Since 1959, he lived and worked as a missionary in Indonesia and for most of the nineties, he was in East Timor. He worked in social action in the Dili diocese for some years and was appointed JRS East Timor director earlier this year. The past weeks bear testimony to his bravery, as he persisted in driving around and outside Dili to distribute food and medicines to displaced people. Asked by a journalist two days before he was murdered if he had barricaded himself at home, Fr Karl replied: "No, I work with the Jesuit Refugee Service, and until today I have spent my days in the street trying to take food to displaced people." Until Friday, 10 September, together with Fr Ageng, he was delivering the last of the Jesuits' meagre stockpile of rice to refugees around Dili. A young man from Dili said he had gone with Fr Karl, on the same day, to salvage some medicine from a looted and burnt Franciscan clinic to take it to the public hospital. "The nurses (there are no doctors left) told us our presence was very important to them," the young man said.
"Karl was a very fine man and a tireless friend, servant and defender of so many of the victims of violence in East Timor. He will be deeply mourned," Fr Curtin said. "A week ago, at the height of the attacks, Fr Karl drove out of Dili up the mountain to Dare to bring an older Australian Sister of Mercy, Ann Forbes RSM, to a safer place in Dili pending evacuation to Darwin." Passing the Jesuit Residence at Lahane which was being looted, Fr Karl stopped his car and prevented the looters from setting the house on fire. "Karl exercised his moral authority as a priest and as a moral man in many ways in recent weeks for the sake of humanity," Fr Curtin said. "Until now, this venerable man has been respected and listened to." Looters had come to Fr Karl's house many times trying to steal his car. But Karl had always refused to surrender his car which has been essential to him in his many missions of mercy around and outside Dili.
Fr Karl was laid to rest at 1pm, Dili time, on Sunday with a simple graveside prayer service. Prayers were led by Fr Tan Soe Ie SJ. Many diocesan priests and three sisters attended the prayers along with neighbours and some Indonesian soldiers. "His death is another terrible blow to the people of East Timor, especially to the Jesuits and all those who are sheltering with them," Fr Curtin said. There are seven Jesuits now left in East Timor, six are in Dili. Fr Marwata said last week that "whatever may happen, he and the few remaining Jesuits will stay" in Dili. There are 200 displaced people in the St Joseph Jesuit High School in Dili. Many are suffering from flu, dysentery, and malaria.
JRS International Director, Mark Raper SJ, said: "We mourn the loss of Karl Albrecht SJ as a companion and friend. At the same time, we are proud of him. A turning point for him came when he witnessed the Santa Cruz massacre in 1991. He understood more clearly then the nature of the occupation which the Timorese people have endured for 24 years. If we cannot persuade any earthly authority that the suffering of the Timorese people must end, may he now be their advocate in heaven."
The other Jesuit who died is 34 year old Tarcisius Dewantó, killed by militias in the town of Suai in an attack on a church where up to 100 displaced people, women and children, were massacred. A nun who witnessed the attack from her house nearby said Fr Dewanto was the first to die when he went out to the militiamen lined up outside the old church. He was shot immediately, and two other priests were also murdered, Francisco Soares and Hilario Pereira.
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MANILA: 14th Sept --
Nine Provincial Superiors of Congregations whose members are working in East Timor met at Don Bosco Mandaluyong to agree on a concrete gesture of solidarity with the people of East Timor. The following was accomplished:
1. An appeal to all Superiors General was drafted
2. A letter to the UN Secretary General was sent
3. A Mass for peace in E. Timor presided over by H.E. Jaime Cardinal Sin or his delegate and a solidarity rally were scheduled for Sept. 15th Our Lady of Sorrows.
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AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR FELLOW FILIPINOS ON THE EAST TIMOR CRISIS FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS IN THE PHILIPPINES (AMRSP) MAKATI CITY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1999
We ask your support for our brothers and sisters in East Timor in their struggle for true peace and freedom. We support the statement of our President, Joseph Estrada, to send a battalion from our military to be part of the peacekeeping force in East Timor. Besides this, we make the following appeal:
First, that we provide humanitarian aid for the suffering people of East Timor. We hope to organize ourselves as soon as we have a clear identification of needs and channels for assistance. We hope that you will support our call for volunteer services and material aid.
And second, that we remember the East Timorese people in our prayers.
In a letter to the Bishops of East Timor, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, said: “I call on everyone to cling to hope in the victory of the Cross, even as they are living once again the sorrowful experience of the passion.” We hope that all of us can recognize the face of Christ in them not only in their suffering but also in their courage to profess their conviction in the midst of great persecution.
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11 September 1999
HONORABLE KOFI ANNAN
Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
U.S.A.
To the Honorable Secretary-General:
Alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating situation in East Timor, we, the Religious Superiors of the Philippines with presence in East Timor, appeal to the UN General Council to intervene immediately, lest the democratic process for independence it has zealously initiated be irreversibly lost.
The systematic and unopposed expulsion of helpless Timorese from their homes and villages, the merciless killings of civilians and religious are clear signs of blatant disregard for human rights enshrined in the UN Charter.
We therefore make the following urgent appeals to you in your capacity as leader of the community of nations:
First, to send an international peacekeeping force to East Timor to put a stop to all the violence against people and the destruction to property.
Second, to ensure the entry of foreign journalists, non-governmental organizations and Church representatives to monitor and assist the people of East Timor in returning to their land and to their peaceful way of life.
We commend your initiative in the recent referendum and involvement in the counting of votes. We hope and pray that you will continue to ensure that the rights and aspirations of the people of East Timor will be respected and realized.
Respectfully yours,
(SGD)
Fr. Patrick Buzon, SDB : Provincial (South)
Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB : Provincial (North)
Sr. Celia Tacujan, FMA : Provincial
Fr. Romeo Intengan, SJ : Provincial
Fr. Victor Sadaya, CMF : Provincial
Fr. Carlo Brittante, FdCC : Delegate
Sr. Elsa Cosico, FdCC : Provincial
Sr. Lourdes Dizon, CM : Provincial
Sr. Cecilia Pagador, O.P. : Provincial
Sr. Evangelina Canag, F.S.P. : Provincial
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Today I have had two extraordinary conversations with a young man who remarkably has access to a functioning telephone in Dili.
(1)
At noon Dili time he told me that the militias are busy setting fires again today following a lull in the destruction yesterday. The military do nothing but drive around shooting into the air. Dili is almost empty. There are still groups of refugees in a number of places. Truckloads of loot are going out of the city. Loot is stored in military compounds awaiting shipment out. There are many non E.Timorese gangs looting the city with the Timorese and the soldiers. Some of the looters are from Java, many are from West Timor. The looting operation is enormous, well organised and systematic. The non East Timorese gangs are tougher and ruthless.
He wanted to know if it was true that Fr Dewanto is dead. I told him that we were as sure as we could be. He promised to pass this sad news to Fr Ageng, Fr Albrecht , Fr Eduard Calistus Ratu Dopo and Fr Tan Soe Ie who are also still in Dili.
There are two hundred refugees in the St Joseph's High school next to the minor seminary. They have flu, dysentary, and malaria. They have some medicine and some food.
(2)
At 12 midnight Dili time I was able to connect again to this young man. He told me that he and Fr Albrecht were able to drive to the looted and burned out Franciscan clinic to collect some medicines and take them to the public hospital.
There is no more shooting but a huge smoke haze hangs over the city. Many of the men refugees have come tonight from the hills to take the women and girls out of their refuges in the city because they fear a wave of rapes. The priests and sisters are left caring for the young children.
The young man tells me that at the hospital where he and Karim delivered the medicines there are only East Timorese nurses. No more doctors. The nurses tell us that our presence here still is "very important to us - thankyou for staying with us" The militias have threatened this hospital. They want to loot it also for any equipment that may be saleable. But the Indonesian Police still guard the hospital "it seems that somebody still has conscience". There are many gunshot victims in the hospital.
Although I can dial into Dili my young friend cannot dial out. He has tried many times to call out but cannot. " I sit by the phone" "I heard from two diocesan priests that Fr Barretto was seen in Dare yesterday. Therefore it is hard to believe that Barretto is really dead?"
"One week ago I got a letter from Fr Dewanto. It described a bitter life in Suai, a very hard and difficult ministry in the midst of so much hatred. "
There is news of soldiers moving east to put down the falintil. There is a noticable movement of soldiers out of Dili. It seems that a war has begun further east. Falintil is finally fighting back.
"I am very tired now but I feel that as a young Jesuit I am experiencing the real Society of Jesus. I feel that it is very good to be a Jesuit in this situation. It is actually why I became a Jesuit - now the challenge here is between life and death. When I talk to these survivors - many of whom also survived the invasion in 1975 - I feel their faith is extraordinary - this faith of the Timorese people.
A diocesan priest went to the UNAMET compound today - they proclaimed him their new bishop and thanked him for staying. I cannot sleep until 4am. I sleep unitl about 7am. A Queen of the Rosary Sister from Liquisa was here today. She took medicine from her convent and went to Atambua to help the refugees. All the sisters and the parish priest at Liquica have been ordered by the military to leave Liquisa. Where is Abel, he hasn't been seen since the 7th. The militias are hunting people down - even following them to Kupang to get them. We are very worried about Abel.
Fr Dibyawiyata called us this morning from Kupang. We are very relieved to know that Fr Sarmento reached Kupang safely with the seminarians. Fr Rutten is also there. We here Fr Maryono is in Atambua. We believe that Fr Martins and Fr Felgueiras are in Dare.
You sound very tired. Will you sleep now? Shall I pray for you ?
Please Father:
"May the blessing of almighty God come down upon you and give you courage and strength and may you hear God say to you what was said to Jesus "you are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased - and May our loving and merciful God Bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"
"Amen Father and thankyou"
"Sleep now and I will call again tomorrow. God Bless.
Goodnight "
Dear Friends, please pray for Bagus and all the people of East Timor.
Steve
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Note: Received this information via fax via Salesian Provincial Office from Salesian who has arrived in Darwin.
Dear Confreres,
I like to tell you a story. Here it is.
I left Don Bosco Fuiloro with Fr. Jose Vattaparambil to go to Dili at 4.00 a.m. I had to go to Kupang (West Timor) so as to fly to Jakarta. There was no plane available in Dili airport for Jakarta. We reached Bacau (2nd city in Timor) 6.30 and we met Bishop Basilio Do Nascimento regarding our planned trip to Dili.
He said that "the situation in Dili is bad, very bad. They (the militias) are burning houses and scaring all the people. The ecclesiastical Camara of Dili was already burned. Everybody is running away from Dili for safety reasons. It would be safe for both of you to travel along with the police escort that is leaving at 7.30 a.m." We agreed to tag along this convoy which was supposed to return Baucau people trapped in Dili. We took breakfast in Don Bosco Baucau and contacted by phone Dili via Bupati's (Mayor) house, Mr. Virgilio. We went to the Bupati's house and I was able to talk to Fr. Andrew Wong, provincial, and he informed me that I could go. "Dili is fine, you can travel" he said.
We arrived in Dili by 10.30 a.m. Since we brought Maukai (Rafael) Bishop Belo's driver, along with us in Baucau we had to pass by his residence in Lecidere. I and Fr. Jose were able to talk and compliment Bishop Belo for some 10 minutes. Then we bid farewell.
While we were about to leave the place the militias (aitarak) started shooting in the air. They were all shouting "sai, sai" which means "come out, come out". There were sporadic gunshots all around the bishop's residence. Some shots landed on the Bishop's windows and 8,000 refugees were all crying and were scared to death.
I saw Fr. Jose V taking cover near the wall and so I followed him. The gunshots were heard for almost 5 to 10 minutes. I too was scared to death. The shots were just coming behind the wall I was hiding along. I told the girls that was cooking near our place to take cover and sit down. A mother and a small boy were running here and there. So, I called them over and held the hand of the small boy who was crying. The boy was looking for his "papi" (dad). I said to him that it was "o.k. I am around", and covered him with my arms.
Gunshots were still aimed at us. Suddenly the militias entered and I saw at point blank one militia telling Fr. Jose to stand up and go out. The militias were all shouting and telling us "We are Timorese, we love Timor. Please go out because we will burn the place". Some of them were speaking Bahasa Indonesi only. They were saying "Keluar, keluar" (out, out).
I went out and joined the whole crowd that was flushed out within 5 minutes and was told to stay in front of the Bishop's house. I saw Bishop Belo also flushed out from his house while the militia had already torched one of the rooms of the house of the bishop. There were 5 or 7 young men guarding the bishop because he could have been shot or stabbed. The Bishop told us to sit. And all sat.
At that moment I started to look for Fr. Jose V. who was separated from me. Since he was the tallest among us there I was sure to find him. But he did not show up, until I started looking for him in front of the crowd. Thank God I found him. We could not talk. The people were scared like children waiting to be killed. We saw each other and that was fine for both of us.
There were many police present, 5 truckloads of military (TNI) and around 40-50 militia men with black shorts. AITARAK, I was asking myself: "Why are the police standing there and not doing anything? Why are the military TNI men there and not doing anything? The police was supposed to take care of the security of the people. They were there but not doing anything to stop burning and looting. Why? Why?" Up to now I do not know the answer.
We were under the sun from 11.00 up to 1.45. We were watching how the militias were burning the house of Bishop Belo, the police there doing nothing except to say "dudk. Semua duduk" (Sit down. All sit down). The militia TNI were there and surrounded the whole area and also were doing nothing to stop the looting of all the motorcycles and cars of the refugees. I again asked myself: "What are the policemen doing here? Why are they not arresting people who are with guns, stealing things, motorcycles and vehicles in front of their eyes. Why are not the TNI military men protecting us the refugees, but it seems they were there to protect the militias who were just waving hands to them. Even some of the policemen were just smiling and laughing at us. Why are they doing this? Why could they not do something?"
By 2.00 we were allowed to stay near the beach where there were some trees to cover us from the sun. But we were all surrounded by the militias while the whole area was secured with 5 trucks of TNI and 2 truckloads of police. I stayed in a place where most young men were and I recognised some of them from Laga. At this point the militias (aitarak) guarded us with handmade pistols, machetes arak man started intimidating a youth who was wearing a hat with an insignia of East Timor. He asked "Why are you wearing a hat?" The youth answered "Because it is hot. Becuase of the sun". The militia said to him "There is no need, remove it". He hit the youth on the head with his gun. Luckily the youth did not react and did not hit him back. He just accepted it quietly.
By 2.30 the militias had taken the keys of the motorcycles and cars and run away with the vehicles. It was over. We were told to take back our things. We found out our car was smashed. The stereo was destroyed. But we lost also our keys.
At this point of time I asked myself, why did the militias burn the house of the Bishop? How come the Indonesian police did not stop the militia (aitarak) from destrying the place? Why were the TNI military men there? What are they supposed to do there? Why the gunshots? What for?
I guess that's all for now. Your confrere, Fr. Jojo sdb
NOTE: Fr. Jose V (Fr. Jojo's companion) did not arrive in Darwin as has been widely reported. Subsequent confirmation from Fr. Jojo suggests that he may have tried to return to Fuiloro.
In the meantime Bishop Belo arrived in Darwin and asked Fr. Jojo to remain to look after the refugees there, of whom there are already some 3000 not counting evacuees. Fr. Jojo, otherwise known as Fr. Jose San Juan, Rector at Lospalos Fuiloro East Timor, remains in Darwin until further notice.
Julian Fox sdb
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Friends
Please find below two e-mail messages from East Timor
Circulate these messages to who ever would appreciate them.
Keep these people in your prayers. Dennis Handley
Dear Father
Thanks for your update on East Timor. Here is mine. As you know already, the e-mail links with the Salesian Training Center in Comoro, Dili, and also with the Jesuit Fathers have been cut. The last e-mail revealed that the director and former director of the Salesian Agriculture Senior High School in Fuiloro, far to the east of East Timor, Father Jose (Salesian from India) and Father Jojo (Salesian from the Philippines) had fled to the Center in Comoro. Their car has been burned.The latest telephone call to the Center revealed shooting in the compound. The expectation was that the 10.000 refugees and Salesians would be forcebly evacuated to West Timor. No news of the FMA sisters in Dili.
The Canossian Sisters have fled because they house would be burned down. The area around the Salesian Technical Senior High School in Fatumaka, central East Timor, seems to be relatively calm .
A Japanese journalist said he has witnessed fighting between newly arrived Indonesian battle troops and regular troops stationed in East Timor.
Dear Fr. Julian Fox,
Have you received our previous e-mail sent this afternoon?
Another very very bad news Fr. Carbonell received is the killing of six Canosian Sisters in Baucau. The Sisters refused the order to leave the convent and the militia killed them! This news Fr. Carbonell received from Fr. Luc Van Looy which was confirmed by Fr. Jose San Juan who flew to Darwin together with Bishop Belo.
East Timor badly needs help from the international community! Your network news may help us a lot.
Yours in Don Bosco Fr. Boedi
The military forces and the armed militia (most of them are also Indonesian soldiers) entered and destroyed the following places : Comoro-Dili, the Salesian training center for boys and girls ; Diocesan Seminary ; Salesian junior and senior high high school in Baucau ; the senior technical high school in Fatumaca.
The Salesians in Dili have been taken to the policeheadquarters for their safety(?).No news about the 10,000 refugies who where in the compound of the trainingcenter. The Salesians in Fatumaca left the school and fled into the mountains, together with the people, who fled for their lives.
Bishop Belo must be already in Lisbon or in Rome. We got the news that Bishop Basilio was stabbed in his hand while trying to protect the refugees in his house from the militia,his place has been burned. He fled in the mountains together with some Salesian priests.It is reported that 6 canossian sisters have been killed in Baucau, because they refused to leave their house.3 priests ( Fr. Hilario, newly ordained, who tried to protect the refugees, Fr.Francisco Soares and an unidentified priest) have been killed, and most probably also Fr.Luis Bonaparte. In Suai, together with Fr.Hilario 3 sisters also have been killed.It is reported that most of the Suai city was burned. Sr.Margarida,a canossian nun was killed in the church of Lecidere in Dili. The director of teh charity action Caritas, Fr. Francisco Baretto has been killed in Dare.
The Salesians have been driven out of the Agriculture senior high school in Fuiloro. Most probably also that school has been burned down. The word was that the former director Fr.Jose Vattaparambil and the new director had fled to Dili, but Fr Jose is in Australia now, probably in Darwin. Some Salesian sisters fled to Venelale, near the mountains.
Now all contact with Dili and Baucau has been cut off.
Latest news from The Nunciature in Jakarta: some of the sisters, seminarians, and priests from Dili are already evacuated to Kupang, West Timor. They are about 200.
The Cardoner,
© Copyright 1999 by Jack Otto.