JOSE RAMOS-HORTA

October 25, 1996
		Jose Ramos-Horta, exiled East Timorese resistance leader and 1996 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, responds to viewer questions and comments.

Forum introduction Can Western human rights concerns overcome commercial interests? What is the motivation behind Indonesia's interest in East Timor? How can you capitalize on the attention the Nobel Prize has brought? How can you convince Indonesia to pull out? How would an independent East Timor support itself? Are the East Timorese committed to democracy? Was East Timor a part of pre-colonial Indonesia?   Online NewsHour Special Report: The Crisis in East Timor Online Backgrounder: Behind East Timor's conflict with Indonesia. Nov. 13, 1996: A discussion with Jose Ramos-Horta. Oct. 11, 1996: Two East Timorese dissidents win the Nobel Peace Prize. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Asia.

Ian McDougall of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada asks: Given the notable failures of Western bilateral talks to resolve the independence and human rights issues in East Timor, which approaches would you recommend to draw greater attention to these issues? Do you consider it to be possible for Western nations with significant commercial interests in Indonesia to effectively pressure the Indonesian government, especially given their stance which leans toward "Official Denial?"   Jose Ramos-Horta responds: Bilateral talks between Indonesia and Portugal under the auspices of the U.N. Secretary General have been so far strikingly unproductive. The cause for that clearly lies with Indonesian intransigence and lack of commitment to the finding of a solution to the East Timor problem. We believe that the key to change is pressure on the Suharto dictatorship of Indonesia. This pressure should come from the key economic partner of Indonesia, i.e. the major Western democracies. To obtain this, a change in policy towards Indonesia is required. That will need continued domestic pressure on governments by their constituents. Any contributions you can make in terms of campaigns to change your country' s unquestioned support for the Suharto regime, would be very valuable. Contact your Representatives, join support groups, campaign etc. Also, the Indonesian pro-democracy movement needs support. The amount of domestic dissent is growing, and pressure is needed overseas regarding the regime's labor relations, human rights violations including basic civil rights. Exposure of the scandalous reality of the regime, and the East Timor situation, is having an effect. The domestic fabric is very brittle in Indonesia. Most of the New Order legitimacy has been built on myths, which do not withstand scrutiny very well. Of course big business will try to continue defending the regime...up to a point.