Bishop Roger Herft delivered this speech at the East Timor Open Forum evening, at Newcastle City Hall Thursday, September 9, 1999 in Australia.

"The massacre of innocent people in East Timor leaves the world condemned. We knew that the vote was likely to be for independence; we sent observers so that elections would be held without intimidation; we were aware that the 'independence" result would be greeted with brutality and barbarism; we knew that the added military presence would not be capable of upholding a democratic process, given its clear link to the militia and the pro-Jakarta forces. It stood to reason that they would aid the mayhem and thuggery.

With all this fore-knowledge we left the unarmed people of East Timor victims to forces of destruction. The United Nations and those of us wedded to democratic processes must acknowledge our ineptness in what we have allowed to happen.

Australians in communities across this land must have opportunities of expressing our righteous anger at this slaughter that could have been avoided.

Indonesians living in this country must know this outrage, but they must also be assured that we will not take out our anger at the Jakarta government on them - they must continue to feel safe in Australia.

In expressing our outrage we must recognise how fragile democratic processes can be if they are not girded with the moral and ethical foundations of justice for all, freedom and respect for the voice of the people, and the value of human life. We take the Christian ethic that governs our political processes too easily for granted.

What action is possible and will that action have long-term effects on our region?

Anglican Diocese of Newcastle
Contact: Helen Duncan Promotions tel: +61-2-4926-4600
Bishop Roger A.Herft - tel: +61-2-4926-3733 (o); +61-2-4926-2767 (h)
fax: +61-2-4929-4867
e-mail: angdioncl@hunterlink.net.au