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.     The United Nations Mission in East Timor The Indonesian Embassy in Washington The East Timor Action Network The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta The Carter Center

Xavier Basora of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada asks: If Indonesia were ever pressured to renounce its occupation of East Timor and give it its independence, would East Timor be a democratic state? If so, how would you go about ensuring that the bad habits of the Indonesian regimes aren't perpetuated by an independent East Timor?   Jose Ramos-Horta responds: Again, let me quote from past CNRM writings: CNRM envisages an independent Republic of East Timor without a standing army. External security will rely on a Treaty of Neutrality, guaranteed by the Permanent Members of the U.N. Security Council. Working with its neighbors and the U.N., East Timor will endeavor to declare the country's surrounding seas a Zone of Peace, and to work towards demilitarization of the Southeast Asian and South Pacific regions. CNRM aspires to a strong democratic state based on the rule of law, emanating from the will of the people expressed through free democratic elections. Development of a free information media, as independent as the judiciary, will be encouraged. Firmly believing in the universality of human rights, transcending state boundaries and prevailing over state sovereignty, an independent East Timor will contribute to the strengthening of the U.N. human rights machinery. The creation of an international human rights court and a penal court to try war crimes and crimes against humanity will be actively supported. All human rights treaties will be submitted to the East Timorese Parliament for ratification. Free education and health care are essential for the welfare of the population. Significant investments in these areas will be required, as part of human resource development. The money saved from not supporting a standing army will be well used in these areas. A healthy, sane and happy society cannot be based on hatred and revenge. Therefore a general amnesty and national reconciliation will be proclaimed, aimed at forgiving current enemies. Because of its credibility and standing over the past twenty years, the East Timor Church will be expected to play a major role in the social healing process. The issues of resettlement for the many thousands up-rooted throughout the last two decades, as well as compensations for properties lost will need to be addressed. Also, over 100,000 Indonesians have settled in East Timor, many of them looking for a better life. Those who are willing to abide by East Timorese laws and live in harmony as members of the society will be welcome to stay and join in building a better future for everyone. The wealth of their culture could be an enriching contribution to the future of East Timor. Please note that we have set up institutions to foster education and protection of human rights. The Melbourne based East Timor Human Rights Center is an example. The Center is developing human rights education programs targeted at the East Timorese community, to promote a culture of respect for human rights.