(Ed. Note: The following is a statement by AHRC released on 13 September 1999)

Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the decision of the Indonesian government to allow sending an international peacekeeping force to Indonesia. AHRC also support the call of East Timorese leaders Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta to expedite sending the peacekeeping force. We further support their call to send emergency food aid to East Timor immediately, particularly to the refugees and displaced people in hiding and in the mountains.

The situation in East Timor still remains one of utmost danger and urgency. It is essential to seek the cooperation of the Indonesian government to keep the situation under control and to agree to proper conditions under which the peacekeeping force can function effectively. The discussions taking place at New York on logistical and operational issues must be conducted in a sprit of cooperation. The aim of the discussion should be to implement the decision to send peacekeeping forces as soon as possible to East Timor.

We also call upon all civil society organization to continue their efforts to cooperate with the East Timorese people in their hour of great danger and need. The vigils mounted last week must continued till actual landing and the working of the peacekeeping missions. Beside this civil society organizations can also help by making their own contribution to food and other humanitarian needs of the East Timorese. Having watched the pictures of the havoc caused on these innocent, peace loving and freedom-seeking people, it is not difficult to imagine what help they need to get back their homes and to get on with their lives. Voluntary actions towards this end can make a vital difference to this situation in the same way global popular pressure has turned trends of colossal violence, which took place last week in East Timor.

(Ed. Note: The following is a statement by AHRC released on 13 September 1999)

Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the decision of the Indonesian government to allow sending an international peacekeeping force to Indonesia. AHRC also support the call of East Timorese leaders Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta to expedite sending the peacekeeping force. We further support their call to send emergency food aid to East Timor immediately, particularly to the refugees and displaced people in hiding and in the mountains.

The situation in East Timor still remains one of utmost danger and urgency. It is essential to seek the cooperation of the Indonesian government to keep the situation under control and to agree to proper conditions under which the peacekeeping force can function effectively. The discussions taking place at New York on logistical and operational issues must be conducted in a sprit of cooperation. The aim of the discussion should be to implement the decision to send peacekeeping forces as soon as possible to East Timor.

We also call upon all civil society organization to continue their efforts to cooperate with the East Timorese people in their hour of great danger and need. The vigils mounted last week must continued till actual landing and the working of the peacekeeping missions. Beside this civil society organizations can also help by making their own contribution to food and other humanitarian needs of the East Timorese. Having watched the pictures of the havoc caused on these innocent, peace loving and freedom-seeking people, it is not difficult to imagine what help they need to get back their homes and to get on with their lives. Voluntary actions towards this end can make a vital difference to this situation in the same way global popular pressure has turned trends of colossal violence, which took place last week in East Timor.