Nobel Prize winner against further deliveries of German weapons
Evangelical Church in Germany, EKD-Bulletin 01/1997
José Ramos-Horta at the EKD Social Service Agency
The speaker of the National Council of Maubere-Resistance in East Timor, José Ramos-Horta, was the guest of the EKD Social Service Agency on 17./18. December 1996. A few days earlier in Oslo, Ramos-Horta, together with Bishop Belo from East Timor, had received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Social Service Agency has worked together with Ramos-Horta within the framework of several international human rights organisations for many years.
Together with representatives from the Social Service Agency and Watch Indonesia, the Nobel Prize winner was received in Bonn by the President of the German Parliament, Rita Süssmuth, and visited political foundations. At a press conference in Stuttgart, the man from East Timor pleaded for more involvement of German foreign policy in his country.
His peace plan for East Timor initially calls for a limited autonomy for the region. Then step by step, democratic structures will be introduced. At the same time, Ramos-Horta spoke out vehemently against further deliveries of German weapons to Indonesia. He reminded us of the suffering of his people, and spoke of the 200.000 victims since the occupation of East Timor by the Indonesian army 21 years previously.
Ramos-Horta said that it was not a coincidence that Germany was the first country he was visiting after the prize presentation. The Federal Republic of Germany plays an important role in the relations of European states to Indonesia.
The exiled politician has formulated a training programme at the University of New South Wales in Australia. The “Diplomacy Training Programme” offers young human rights campaigners from the Asian-Pacific region an introduction to lobbying-work in international organisations and UNO. The EKD Social Service Agency makes it possible annually for many human rights activists from East Timor, Indonesia, Burma, Nepal, the Philippines and other countries to take part in such courses. Since 1984, the EKD Social Service Agency has made the situation in East Timor a theme for discussion, particularly in Germany. More than ten years ago, it helped a small group of Portuguese Christians to spread information about the war, as the people of East Timor were, at that time, virtually unknown in Germany. Later, it became involved in work with lawyers, critical Christians and Moslems.
The vice-president of the EKD Social Service Agency, Dr. Hans-Otto Hahn, said that by supporting the human rights activists, the Agency wanted to make a contribution to the search for political solutions for peace and justice in East Timor: “We don’t want our help to be seen as a front to cover up a policy of neglect. East Timor needs political engagement and active intervention for a harmonious solution to be found to the conflict. Only a political solution can prevent further bloodshed.” <>
