Nobel Laureate Pleads for U.S. Support

Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, an exiled leader of the East Timor independence movement and 1996 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, urged the United States to help the people of East Timor in their struggle against Indonesian occupation before an audience of about 45 students and Faculty members at Boylston Hall yesterday evening.

Dr. Ramos-Horta, who was awarded Harvard's Gleitsman International Activist Award in 1995, was introduced by Dr. S. Allen Counter, chair of the Harvard Foundation, as the "most prominent East Timorese in exile" and someone who has "had a central role in advancing East Timor's freedom struggle."

Ramos-Horta began by discussing how much had changed in East Asia and Indonesia recently.

"Just two years ago I was addressing Harvard in very different circumstances," he said. "[now-deposed Indonesian president] Suharto and the Asian Tiger myth made Indonesia appear invincible [at the time]."

Recalling that in an interview with CNN in May 1996 he had the "audacity to challenge conventional wisdom [by stating] that within two to three years Suharto will be gone," he attributed the ex-president's recent fall on rampant corruption, crony capitalism and on the flawed policies of the Indonesian government.

Ramos-Horta predicted that with the overthrow of President Suharto, who "for nearly 30 years was the darling of every Western country," East Timor's "independence will come in the next two to three years whether the United States likes it or not."

Ramos-Horta accused the United States and other developed countries of supporting Indonesia's repression in East Timor.

"United States and other Western powers actively connived in the suppression of the East Timorese people [by selling weapons to Indonesia]," he said.

Recalling a comment by a State Department spokesperson that "Suharto is our kind of guy" he compared the ex-Indonesian president to other U.S.-supported dictators including the late president Mobutu Seseko of Zaire and the late Shah of Iran.

If [the U.S. approach to Indonesia] were indeedindifference it would have been a blessing,"Ramos-Horta said. However, the "complicity [of theWest] went on and on."

He challenged President Clinton to show "moralleadership in stopping weapons flow to Indonesiaand the developing world."

Rejecting [Indonesian President] B. J.Habibie's recent offer of autonomy for East Timorin exchange for United Nations' recognition ofIndonesian sovereignty over the territory,Ramos-Horta ruled out attaching any conditions toEast Timor's autonomy.

"We are prepared to accept autonomy, to workgradually for independence, but do not ask us tosurrender the right of the East Timorese people toself-determination," he said.

Saying that "our hearts go out to Indonesianswho are now in poverty [due to the Asian economiccrisis]," Ramos-Horta expressed a desire to workwith Indonesia in resolving the dispute.

"[We would like to find some way] to allowIndonesia to disengage from East Timor with honorand dignity," he said.

Urging the United States to play a part in thepeace process, Ramos-Horta said the United States,despite all its faults, was the only power thatcould push forward for a solution.

"Is there a sense of decency, of moral courage[in the West] to realize the wrongs done to thepeople of East Timor?" he asked.

Ramos-Horta also praised the United Nations as"the only institution that can address some of thepressing issues of the day."

He concluded his speech by thanking "those whohave stood by us over the years." He alsocriticized those who "year after year tell us tobe realistic--that is, accept the rule of force."

Speaking after Ramos-Horta, State Rep. AntonioCabral (D-New Bedford), author of House bill 4575,which would restrict investment in Indonesia,urged students to write to their staterepresentative to express concern over thesituation in East Timor and to support the bill.

Students at the event said they supportedRamos-Horta and his struggle.

"I'm familiar with his work and I also try andkeep up to date with the oppressed people of theworld," said Nathan W. Hill '02.

"I found that he had a lot more presence and hewas much more dynamic than [U.N. SecretaryGeneral] Kofi Anan [who had been praised byRamos-Horta in his speech]," he said.

James A. Colbert '02 said he "was unaware ofthe situation in East Timor [and] this speechhelped me get a sense of what was happeningthere.

If [the U.S. approach to Indonesia] were indeedindifference it would have been a blessing,"Ramos-Horta said. However, the "complicity [of theWest] went on and on."

He challenged President Clinton to show "moralleadership in stopping weapons flow to Indonesiaand the developing world."

Rejecting [Indonesian President] B. J.Habibie's recent offer of autonomy for East Timorin exchange for United Nations' recognition ofIndonesian sovereignty over the territory,Ramos-Horta ruled out attaching any conditions toEast Timor's autonomy.

"We are prepared to accept autonomy, to workgradually for independence, but do not ask us tosurrender the right of the East Timorese people toself-determination," he said.

Saying that "our hearts go out to Indonesianswho are now in poverty [due to the Asian economiccrisis]," Ramos-Horta expressed a desire to workwith Indonesia in resolving the dispute.

"[We would like to find some way] to allowIndonesia to disengage from East Timor with honorand dignity," he said.

Urging the United States to play a part in thepeace process, Ramos-Horta said the United States,despite all its faults, was the only power thatcould push forward for a solution.

"Is there a sense of decency, of moral courage[in the West] to realize the wrongs done to thepeople of East Timor?" he asked.

Ramos-Horta also praised the United Nations as"the only institution that can address some of thepressing issues of the day."

He concluded his speech by thanking "those whohave stood by us over the years." He alsocriticized those who "year after year tell us tobe realistic--that is, accept the rule of force."

Speaking after Ramos-Horta, State Rep. AntonioCabral (D-New Bedford), author of House bill 4575,which would restrict investment in Indonesia,urged students to write to their staterepresentative to express concern over thesituation in East Timor and to support the bill.

Students at the event said they supportedRamos-Horta and his struggle.

"I'm familiar with his work and I also try andkeep up to date with the oppressed people of theworld," said Nathan W. Hill '02.

"I found that he had a lot more presence and hewas much more dynamic than [U.N. SecretaryGeneral] Kofi Anan [who had been praised byRamos-Horta in his speech]," he said.

James A. Colbert '02 said he "was unaware ofthe situation in East Timor [and] this speechhelped me get a sense of what was happeningthere.