The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church stands in solidarity with the people of East Timor in their struggle for self-determination. Their more recent act of declaring independence from Indonesia by way of a referendum is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and courage even in the face of repression and brutality.

   But after the East Timorese people expressed their desire for independence from Indonesia, they are now in a state of carnage of genocidal proportions. The Indonesian government is to be held completely responsible and accountable for the wholesale slaughter now occurring in this tiny half-island. It must end!

   The international community has expressed outrage at the brutality of the Indonesian armed forces and militia. Silence and inaction cannot be an acceptable response to carnage and repression. We now include our voice and support in the call for peacekeeping forces to be sent to East Timor to secure a just and durable peace and order, and enforce the will of the East Timorese for self-determination. Wavering by the Indonesian government must not deter such efforts.

    With millions of dollars of military aid, training, and economic assistance, the United States is complicit in the brutal oppression of the people of East Timor. It must do whatever it can to stop the Indonesian government from further oppressing the East Timorese people. We commend the United States for statements of commitment to collaborate with the United Nations in its planned peacekeeping effort in East Timor. US military and economic assistance must be suspended until a just and peaceful solution to enforce the will for self-determination by the East Timorese is ensured. In the meantime, humanitarian aid to East Timor must be ensured.

    The United Methodist Church calls on the Indonesian government "to withdraw its military occupation forces from East Timor, and to cooperate with the United Nations in a process bringing about self-determination for East Timor . . . " ("East Timor," 1996 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, pp. 599-602.)

September 16, 1999