--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 17:51:46 +1100
From: John Cain <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Motaain incident
Sender: John Cain <[log in to unmask]>
With reference to the "Motaain incident", thanks to Peter Nugter for
mounting the second extract from the Indonesian 1:25 000 topographic maps
on his website, http://www.mapswap.nl/
This extract confirms my opinion that it was at this "Motaain" that the
incident occured (8 degrees 58 minutes S, 124 degrees 57 minutes E). This
location fits the news reports of a coastal location (description of
"locals scattering from the beach") and also news reports of a difference
in the border between the Indonesian and Dutch maps of about 600m. Having
viewed these maps, I have the following observations and possible scenario.
THE BORDER: It seems that the border between East Timor and West Timor is
supposed to run down the watercourse, which is named "Mota Bico" on the
Indonesian 1:25,000 map and "M. Halimeak" on the 1930s Dutch map. INTERFET
troops were reportedly using the most modern and detailed map available,
the Indonesian 1:25,000 map, on which the boundary is shown as being some
500m west of this watercourse. By contrast the Dutch map seems to show the
boundary running along the watercourse (or perhaps just to the east of
it?). It is also interesting to note the two "kilometre marks" on the
1:25,000 Indonesian map -- 114 just to the east of the border shown (which
is about right measuring from Dili) and 314 about 1 km west of the border
shown (which is about right measuring from Kupang).
MOTAAIN: The location of the "Motaain" label on the Indonesian 1:25,000
maps (on the east side of the water-course) is probably mis-placed. The
main part of the Motaain is probably on the west side of the watercourse,
as indicated on the Dutch map, though some outlying parts of Motaain might
be on the east side of the stream (where Motaain is labelled on the
Indonesian 1:25,000 map).
These being the case, the incident and reporting of it start to make a
little sense:
POSSIBLE SCENARIO: The Indonesian 1:25,000 map (1993) depicts the boundary
in the vicinity of Motaain in the wrong location, placing it some 500m west
of the watercourse when it should be along the watercourse. On 10 October
1999, INTERFET, relying on this map and patrolling along the road towards
the border depicted on it, inadvertently crosses the border (note 1).
Indonesians (militia? border police?) realise INTERFET has crossed the
border and open fire (at INTERFET? into the air?). INTERFET returns fire,
killing one Indonesian policeman and injuring two others. After the
shooting finishes, the local Indonesian commander produces a 1930s Dutch
map to show where the border should be. Unfortunately Indonesia's own
"modern" and more detailed 1993 1:25,000 map shows the border in a
different location. Both sides have reasons for embarassment: Indonesia
that they fired first and their modern 1:25,000 map was incorrect; INTERFET
that they killed an Indonesian policeman and may have accidentally crossed
the border into West Timor. So neither side has much interest in providing
a clear and factual account of what actually happened, though the
Indonesians do complain to the UN (note 2).
Note:
(1) As I recall news reports at the time, INTERFET claimed that it had not
in fact crossed the border, even if the border shown on the Dutch map was
used, but that they had approached much more closely to the border than
they would otherwise have done.
(2) The Indonesian complaint to the UN, including the admission that their
troops fired first, can be found at:
http://www.deplu.go.id/new/excerptof14oct99.htm
John Cain
[log in to unmask]
(Map Curator, University of Melbourne Library, Australia)
(writing in a purely personal capacity on this occassion)
John Cain
[log in to unmask]
--- End Forwarded Message ---
|
