WASHINGTON D.C. (BWA)--The Baptist World Alliance has condemned the bloodshed in East Timor, much of which is now being directed at religious leaders, and has appealed to the governments of Australia and the United States of America as well as the United Nations to do all they can to help.

The East Timor statement was issued because of the BWA concern for human rights and because of a strong appeal for help from the Baptist Union of New South Wales, Australia.

Phil Skinner, general superintendent and Gerry Ball, president of the Union, asked the BWA"to encourage swift action by the member states of the United Nations to protect the vulnerable people of East Timor."

"We trust you share our view that the international community cannot stand idly by while this tragedy unfolds," they said.

In a September 10 letter to President Bill Clinton of the United States and Kofi Annan, UN general secretary, Denton Lotz, general secretary of the BWA, speaking for Baptists around the world said, "we are shocked and horrified at the tragic repression and indiscriminate killing of civilians by the Indonesian militia in East Timor."

Lotz praised both Clinton and Annan for the peace initiatives they had already made and for the pressure they were putting on the Indonesian government to prevent the uncontrolled killing by the militia.

"It is a matter of great concern to millions of Baptists as well as Christians and all men and women of goodwill around the world that we be able to show a complementary concern for all people of the world as recently was shown in Kosovo," Lotz said. "It is important that the people of East Timor be protected and that the Indonesian government be persuaded to prevent further bloodshed."

Lotz pointed out to the UN general secretary that the bloodshed "is a result of a UN sponsored referendum for independence and autonomy, and therefore it is equally important for the UN to see to it that this bloodshed stops immediately. "All initiatives to restrain the militia and the Indonesian army from indiscriminate acts of looting, killing and repression are necessary," he told Clinton.

Lotz praised Australian Prime Minister John Howard for "taking the leadership" in calls for an end to the East Timorese human carnage and shared with him the concern expressed by the Australian Baptist leaders. He supported his call for a UN peace-keeping force and assured him of the commitment of the BWA to work with all non-governmental organizations in trying to relieve the suffering of the people of East Timor through Baptist World Aid (BWAid).

Already Baptists are involved in helping the East Timorese refugees who have fled to other parts of Asia.

Paul Montacute, BWAid director reports, many humanitarian organizations are standing by ready to assist in East Timor once peace has been restored, and are now positioning relief supplies.

Australian Baptist World Aid (ABWAid) is already working in Indonesia and currently is focusing on Buton in South East Sulawesi where 60 - 80,000 have returned from Ambon, Timor and Irian Jaya. David Groves, ABWAid Director, indicated that houses are being rebuilt on government owned land for less than A$200 (US $150).

For East Timor, ABWAid will be working through the Australian combined churches group, in providing funds and relief.

BWAid will channel funds and its work on behalf of the suffering people in East Timor through its Australian partner.

Donations should be designated for "East Timor" and sent to :-

Baptist World Aid
Baptist World Alliance
6733 Curran Street
McLean, VA, 22101, USA
Phone: +1 703 790 8980
Fax: +1 703 790 5719
Email: BWAid@bwanet.org
Contacts: Paul Montacute or Lee Hickman

A US tax receipt will be issued.

Donations may also be made by Visa or MasterCard, in US dollars. State the Gift Amount in US$; Card No; Exp. Date; Signature of donor; and name as it appears on credit card.

Cheques in British Currency
Baptist Union of Great Britain
Baptist House
Box 44, 129 Broadway
Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8RT
England, UK
Phone: +44 1235 517700
Fax: +44 1235 517715
Email: international@baptist.org.uk
Contact: Philip Putman

Germany and Rest of Europe.
This is a BWA Bank Account
Spar-und-Kreditbank
Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden
Postfach 1262
61282 Bad Homburg v.d.H.
BLZ 500 921 00
Konto-Nr.791-03
Germany

Checks in Canadian currency
Canadian Baptist Ministries
7185 Millcreek Drive
Mississauga,
Ontario L5N 5R4 Canada
Phone: +1 905 821 3533
Fax: +1 905 826 3441
Email: msmith@cbmin.org

Cheques in Australian currency
Australian Baptist World Aid Inc
Locked Bag 122
Frenchs Forest
NSW 1640
Australia
Phone: +61 2 9451 1199
Fax: +61 2 9452 4720
Email: David.Groves@abwaid.org
Contact: David Groves

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