Prabowo is the mastermind behind Dili Santa Cruz Massacre 1991

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By Loriku Dili Maubrani

Prabowo (PS) and his colleague Syafrie Syamsuddin were accused by some Organizations for Human Rights (HAM) as the masterminds of the massacre. The Human Rights organization accused Prabowo as an intellectual actor in a bloody massacre on 12 November 1991 at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, East Timor.

The tragedy of Santa Cruz, is one of the massacres recorded in the history of the New Order Government which became the focus of International World criticism, especially relating to human rights violations. On the other hand Santa Cruz massacre happened 23 years ago opened the door for historical truth in Timor-Leste to be exposed and raised the issue of self-determination in International Diplomacy.

However Santa Cruz massacre, on the other side, is the peak of clash in the military elite of Indonesia, between L.B.Murdani and Prabowo groups. As recognized by Sintong in his book, "the journey of a soldier Parako, 2009".

According to Sintong Panjaitan, "Santa Cruz Massacre” was controlled directly by the group of Prabowo (1).

The same Recognition was delivered by former commander of the SGI Pangkolokops (Indonesian Military Special Forces Intelligent Operation) in East Timor, who was fired because of the events of Santa Cruz in 1991. Gatot said, "Syafrie Syamsuddin, at the time was my outgoing deputy. But behind my back he was already organizing company A of Battalion 303 that perpetrated massacre at Santa Cruz cemetery on 12/11/1991 (2) ".

According to reportage of Radio Nederland (RN) on 16.11.2011, reviewed 20 years of the Santa Cruz massacre, "The ruling Indonesian military apparently had already sensed some unusual signs. At that time, ABRI (Indonesian Armed Forces) was preparing Timorization of security forces in East Timor, then still a 27th province. Trustworthy sources stated a number of officers from Jakarta; Syafrie Syamsuddin and his close friend Prabowo checked Battalion 744 troops in Taibesi and about a week before the Santa Cruz massacre, they left Dili. | 12 November Demonstrations broke into a riot when some demonstrators clashed with Captain Gerhan Lentara that resulted in this officer got injured.

Shortly afterwards in front of Santa Cruz cemetery, a number of unknown forces without insigne and a clear military signs ambushed the cemetery gates. Some fired a warning shot, most immediately opened fire on the demonstrators. Mass of youth got trapped in the middle of the cemetery, trying to escape, running and it was a chaotic situation. According to the investigation, allegedly around 313 dead, many of whom disappeared (RN, 16/11/2011) ".

According to an eyewitness to the massacre of Santa Cruz, 12.11.1991, "all roads leading to the cemetery of Santa Cruz were closed and it was an opportunity for Indonesian military officers to clean up the remnants of blood spilled on the ground. When the eyewitness got there, was able to see Syafrie Syamsudding cleaning up the remnants of victims’ blood in Santa Cruz cemetery ".

As the impact of Santa Cruz massacre on 11/12/1991, Commander of the Army / Armed Forces established the Military Honour Counsel (DKM) under the leadership of Major General Faisal Tanjung. The Counsel inquiry concluded that Sintong as Commander of the Udayana IX was responsible for the territory of East Timor, Brigadier General Samuel Warow as Commander Pangkolakops Teams and Colonel Gatot as commander of Inteligent Special Operation. These Officers who were fired on the basis of DKM report led by Major General Faisal Tanjung, all of them were categorized in the group of General Benny Murdani. General Benny Murdani group whose stars began to slump, was rocked by a group of generals Prabowo and Syafrie Syamsuddin. But for the respect of human rights, the massacre of 20 years ago is still a humanitarian catastrophe that has not been resolved!

Reference:

1. Sintong: The Journey of a Commando, 2009;

2. Former Commander of Indonesian Army Special Operation Task Forces (SGI) Colonel Gatot, at the time of Santa Cruz 1991 Massacre.

3. Aboeprijadi Santoso, Radio Nederland, Milestone Era, 20 Years of the Santa Cruz, 16.11.2011!

   - http://archief.rnw.nl/bahasa-indonesia/article/tonggak-zaman-20-tahun-pembantaian-santa-cruz

Frans Lolobelo Pinto

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