<nettime> Some Observations from East Timor

[sam@media.com.au (Sam de Silva)]

hi, - this is coming to you via mobile phone connection - thus cheap
to send - but cannot receive as its too slow and i have too many email...
below is a report of experiences so far ... maybe you can forward it to
nettime if you think is appropriate. i've been here now 2 weeks. there are
many problems and things are really far from rosey. telecommunications is a
major problem - local people have no media - untaet is dominating ... but
we are trying to do some thing about the local media issue. okay leave it
at that... doing this by mobile makes you realise every byte matters!!

happy y2k - see you soon - take it easy, sam.

--------

Some Observations from East Timor 
28th Dec 1999 - by Sam de Silva. 

East Timor is a complicated place. It has been just over  3 months since it
was 'made safe' by the INTERFET, after they finally arrived on September
20th. At that time, according to reports by the early visitors,  Dili was
deserted. Now, the roads of Dili are dusty with traffic. On the side walks,
small stalls sell beer and instant noodle packets. And at the waterfront,
hundreds of people seem to just hang around. They observe brand new United
Nations and Non-Government Organisation (NGO) vehicles - often occupied by
one or two people - buzz by, and watch foreigners walk in and out of the
two expensive floating hotels. 

The TNI/militia attacked most of the houses and buildings in Dili and the
level of destruction varies across the town.  East Timorese families are
occupying some houses - either squatting or re-establishing their old
homes. However, the international groups seem to have claimed the
best-positioned and least damaged buildings and houses.

There are reports that some of the East Timorese are becoming frustrated
and annoyed by the UN and NGO presence as well as the many foreign business
men who are here to explore the opportunities in the newest country open
for business. Some have expressed that the UN thinks everything in East
Timor needs to be rebuilt, including the brains of the people. There are
both local and international staff working for the UN. It's easy to tell
them apart as their identity tags identify them as either 'local staff' or
as 'international'. Recently there was a 'meeting' at the UN over issues of
pay and discrimination, and other local groups are planning other protests
related to other issues in East Timor. 
 
CIVPOL is the buzzword for the civilian 'transitional' police. Their job is
to maintain law and order in the towns of East Timor and assist with
training a civilian police force. But currently, there is no law, no court
system and no jail. The future of Falintil, the resistance army which
fought a 24 year long guerrilla war with Indonesia's TNI and  gave refuge
to many East Timorese during the September violence appears unknown. One UN
official questioned whether Falintil will play any role in the future of
East Timor. But Falintil appear to have great support and respect amongst
the people - and attempts to disband them abruptly might be problematic. 

In the past week, Xanana Gusmao's father died, Christmas was celebrated in
an independent East Timor, and Jose Ramos Horta had a 50th birthday party.
At the birthday party  Xanana wandered through the crowd and served the
drinks and birthday cake. Everyone seemed to have a good time.  

There are many student groups that have various opinions on the current
situation. They are very cautious about the UN, and some don't have
confidence in the current East Timorese leadership. Some even say the
leadership should have left with the Indonesians. 

This email message is a brief one. There are many other issues that need
further description and exploration. These include the distribution of
genetically engineered seeds; poisoning of people and livestock who have
eaten corn seed that was intended to be planted; 'monopolies' over
infrastructure systems; the very high cost of food; the spending of aid
funds; prostitution at the Dili Lodge and other foreigner venues; the
militia and their future; the refugees in West Timor; the role of the CNRT;
 and ofcourse the real wishes of the people of East Timor.

Falintil, the United Nations, CNRT, INTERFET, NGOs, foreign business men
and the aid organisations are some of the players in the reconstruction
matrix. We will have to wait to see what sort of place they create for the
people of East Timor. 


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