The conflict in the former Portuguese Southeast Asian colony of East Timor, illegally invaded and annexed by Indonesia nearly 18 years ago, continues to fester away. Except for a few Indonesian military officials, there have been no winners in this tragedy, only many losers.

Indonesia's suppression of legitimate East Timorese aspirations for respect of their human rights, including the right of self-determination, has been a cause for continued international tensions, affecting Jakarta's relations with neighbouring democracies such as Australia, the European Union, some APEC members states and others.
Consistent with the enhanced peace making role of the United Nations in the post-Cold War world, the leaders of CNRM - the East Timor Nationalist Resistance umbrella organisation - have advanced a plan to assist the UN Secretary General's mandate to find a solution to the East Timor conflict.

CNRM Special Representative and Co-Chairman José Ramos-Horta presented a 3-phase peace plan, first articulated by Resistance Leader Commander Xanana Gusmão shortly before his capture. The plan has been backed by Commander Konis Santana, who currently leads the Armed Resistance. It is consistent with statements by East Timor Catholic Church leader Bishop Belo and has been endorsed by Portugal who presented it to the UN Secretary General.
This peace initiative was first introduced when José Ramos-Horta addressed the Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the European Parliament in Brussels in 1993. The plan has also received enthusiastic support in the US, Canada and Japan. Indonesia's friends have been able to perceive its usefulness as a potential means of assisting Jakarta to extricate itself from its East Timor quagmire and conveniently resolve this issue.

The 3-phase EAST TIMOR PEACE PLAN is envisaged as follows:

Indonesia-Portugal talks under the auspices of the UN Secretary General, without initial East Timorese participation. Three such talks sessions have been held to date, with modest results so far. A Communiqué issued in New York after the last round of talks by the Foreign Ministers of both countries on 17 September 1993 gives reason for optimism, provided its points are actually implemented by Indonesia.
Subsequent talks, in which East Timorese need to be invited to participate, should aim to achieve:
1. An immediate end to all armed activities in East Timor.
2. Immediate and unconditional release of all East Timorese political prisoners.
3. Significant reduction of the large numbers of Indonesian military person currently in the territory.
4. Removal from East Timor of all heavy weapons, long range artillery pieces and armed transport equipment.
5. Expansion of the presence and activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) into
every district of East Timor and in strict observance of the Geneva Conventions.
6. Significant reduction of Indonesian civil servants in the territory.
7. A comprehensive population census to be undertaken by competent UN bodies.
In Access to the territory by UN Specialised Agencies such as FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and others, for the purpose of carrying out, within their respective fields of competence, a comprehensive program of restoration and protection of the environment, voluntary resettlement of displaced persons, district development projects, women and children care and public health and immunisation programs.
8. Restoration of all basic human rights in the territory, including freedom of political activities and assembly.
9. Removal of any restrictions on the use and teaching of Portuguese and Tetum languages.
10. Setting up of an independent Human Rights Commission in Dili.
11. Appointment of a Resident Representative of the UN Secretary General in East Timor, responsible for the implementation of all UN activities in the territory and for reporting on the implementation of the accords.
At the end of Phase One, the following results should be achievable:
- Normalisation of Portugal - Indonesia relations.
- Legal existence of East Timorese political parties.
- Establishment of a Resident European Community Legation in Dili, representing Portugal in East Timor.
       - Setting up of a Portuguese Cultural Institute in the territory.

This is a transition stage of autonomy in which East Timorese would govern themselves democratically through their own local institutions. This would require:
1. Election of a local Assembly with a five-year mandate, according to universally accepted democratic norms under UN supervision and technical assistance. Only East Timorese duly identified as such may vote and be elected.
2. Election of an East Timorese Governor, for a five-year term by the Assembly.
3. Powers devolved to the East Timor Assembly to include legislation concerning international trade relations, investment, property, immigration and others.
4. Withdrawal of remaining indonesian troops and further reduction in Indonesian civil servants.
5. Placement under the command of the elected Governor of a territorial police force organised by the UN. The territory is to have no army.
Phase Two may be extended by mutual consent between Indonesia and the East Timorese population. A 2/3 vote by the Assembly would be required for a proposal for an extension of Phase Two to be put to a popular referendum.
If the referendum rejects extension of Phase Two, or at the end of an extension of Phase Two, Phase Three would commence.
 

This phase covers:
The preparation for a referendum, to be held within one year of the commencement of phase three. A UN-supervised referendum is held on the three options provided by the UN General Assembly Resolution1514 (XV) of December 15, 1960: independence, free association with the colonial power (Portugal), or, integration into another independent state (Indonesia).
In the case of independence being chosen, the following would take place:
1. Election of a Constituent Assembly, and adoption of a Constitution for East Timor.
2. Election of a government of East Timor, and transfer of sovereign powers to this Government of National Unity.
3. East Timor applies for United Nations membership.
4. Declaration of East Timor as a Zone of Peace and of Neutrality, guaranteed by the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council and ASEAN.
5. East Timor accedes to and ratifies all international human rights instruments.
6. East Timor applies to join ASEAN and the South Pacific Forum.

CNRM, November 1993