---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- East Timor International Support Center [ETISC] August 4, 1999 ETISC sent this letter to the Finnish PM today: ...................................... The Prime Minister Mr Paavo Lipponen Council of state/ valtioneuvosto Snellmaaninkatu 1 FIN 00170 Helsinki FINLAND. August 4, 1999 Re:=20 Your Excellency It has come to our attention that Finnish-made 7.62-millimetre cartridges were found in East Timor's capital Dili on April 17 by Amnesty International. Amnesty reported that the spent cartridge casings carried the markings of the Finnish arms maker "Lapua". Experts in London, who have examined the casings, fear the ammunition could have been used by the Indonesian army-supported paramilitaries who are all out to sabotage the vote on East Timor's future, scheduled on Aug 30. On April 17, Indonesia-supported paramilitaries ran amok in Dili and killed at least 20 men, women and children -- with the Indonesian military and police turning a blind eye to the mad rampage. Twelve bodies were found in the home of prominent pro-independence figure Manuel Carrascalao, whose refugee-packed house was attacked. The dead included one of his sons. Dozens of people are still unaccounted for after the attack on Carrascalao's house, where 126 people were sheltering. Evidence has now emerged that Finnish arms may have been used in heinous crimes against humanity in East Timor. This runs counter to your government's aim of supporting through its foreign policy the demands of other peoples for democratic rights. The Atlanta-based Carter Center, observing the UN-organised Aug 30 vote, in a report on Aug 4 stated there is continued support for the paramilitary groups from the Indonesian military. The militias, said the Center, are carrying on their harassment and intimidation of East Timorese ahead of the Aug 30 vote. Thus, it would be inconsistent for representatives of your government to be concerned for victims injured by such arms while sale of weapons to the Indonesian army takes place. It is also against the spirit of the EU's Code of Conduct on Arms Trade to sell weapons, bullets or parts of especially light weapons to be used in areas as East Timor. I am certain that Finland, as EU president, would pay particular attention to this code. During Finland's EU term of office, the first annual review of the European Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers will take place. We respectfully request the Finnish government publish all export licences for military material issued to arms companies such as Patria Lapua Oy and Nammo Lapua. This should include all the manufacturing licences for cartridges for Indonesia granted to the two companies. It is important that the EU arms control list be more comprehensive and includes all types of major conventional weaponry, all types of small arms and light weapons, police and paramilitary equipment, military and paramilitary training equipment and services. Thanking your excellency for your careful attention to this important matter, I take this opportunity to express our assurances of highest consideration. Yours sincerely Dr Juan Federer Executive Director ETISC CC Minister of Defence Mr Jan-Erik Enestam Ministry of Defence PL31 FIN 00131 Helsinki FINLAND. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EAST TIMOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT CENTER Member of the International Federation for East Timor (IFET) ......an Australian incorporated NGO providing professional supports to the East Timorese people in their campaign for their right of self-determination..... Honorary Chairman: Nobel Laureate Dr Jos=E9 Ramos-Horta Further information available on 'Timor Today' http://www.easttimor.com PO Box 651 Nightcliff Darwin NT Australia 0814 tel:+61 8 8948 4458, fax:+61 8 8948 4498 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 4 Aug 1999 jam 11:11:35 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
