A misguided threat<\/p>\n
Here is why the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, according to the
\nchairman of the selection committee: It rewards those who "have
\npeace rooted in their hearts and who work to overcome the evil
\nprinciple in man".<\/p>\n
Here is what the 1996 winner, East Timorese independence
\nleader Jose Ramos Horta, threatened this week: "More than 100
\ncomputer wizards are targeting the entire computer network of the
\nIndonesian government, Army, banking and finance institutions to
\ncreate chaos" if the result of an independence vote on August 30
\nis "unfair" -- that is, not to his liking.<\/p>\n
Few would deny that Mr. Horta is a brave man, or that East
\nTimor has suffered through colonial neglect and military
\noccupation, none of it designed to benefit those who live there.<\/p>\n
As an election to determine whether it gains autonomy or
\nindependence draws near, violent militiamen with links to the
\nIndonesian Army have been attacking residents who want to break
\nfree.<\/p>\n
So it is no surprise that Mr. Horta is angry and frustrated.
\nHe fears Indonesian officials will sabotage the vote and keep
\ncontrol of East Timor by duplicitous means. But Mr. Horta's
\nthreat is neither in keeping with the spirit of the prize he
\nvalues so highly, nor with an international effort to bring
\npreelection calm to a territory in desperate need of law and
\norder. Rather, it could encourage those who oppose the vote by
\nforce.<\/p>\n
In addition, the appeal to computer hackers is yet another
\nexample of using extralegal means whenever one's own version of
\njustice seems at risk. Mr. Horta's motives are understandable,
\nbut his call to action is not among the reasons why peace prizes
\nare awarded.<\/p>\n
-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-misguided-threat-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }