Indonesia and East Timor

Sir, - Congratulations to The Irish Times and to your correspondent, David Shanks, for the recent coverage of the situation in…

Sir, - Congratulations to The Irish Times and to your correspondent, David Shanks, for the recent coverage of the situation in East Timor. I am delighted that he did not meet the same fate as the six Western journalists who were killed by Indonesian forces in the town of Balibo when Indonesia was planning the invasion.Recently it was reported that Bishop Belo, the 1996 Nobel Peace prize winner, stated that the human rights situation had not improved. This is indeed truly shocking news and is an indication that Indonesia yet again is ignoring the concerns of the international community. I am aghast that the Indonesian government is still preventing Amnesty International from visiting the territory. This prompts the question: what have they got to hide?The recent Central Conference of American Rabbis, in a statement of support for East Timor, stated that "no people on earth has seen a greater portion of its population perish under tyranny since the nightmare of the European Holocaust."Again congratulations to The Irish Times for your excellent coverage and for not falling for the naked propaganda of the Indonesian government. - Yours, etc.,Karl Hayden,Claremont Street,Dublin 2.