Statement on East Timor by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Andrews T.D.
"I am appalled by the massacre of innocent civilians and other acts of terrorism and wanton brutality in East Timor. The international community cannot remain passive in the face of such outrages. I have instructed the Irish Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Richard Ryan, to inform the Security Council of the strong views of the Irish Government on the issue. I am also conveying to the Indonesian authorities, in very strong terms, our outrage at the latest developments which fly in the face of the assurances given to me at the highest level in Jakarta last week. Following the weekend meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Finland, I am maintaining close contact with the Finnish Presidency and Portugal to ensure the EU uses its full weight to put pressure on the Indonesian Government. I will also be contacting the US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, today to convey to her my personal view of events based on my visit last week. The Government, for its part, will give all possible assistance and support to implement efforts to bring an end to the suffering of East Timor."
