E. Timor braces for foreign journalists<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The authorities in East Timor are bracing
\nthemselves for the arrival of hordes of foreign journalists --
\none estimate puts it at as many as 1,000 -- to the territory next
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
The authorities in East Timor have been informed that many of
\nthe 2,500 foreign journalists, who are covering the series of
\nmeetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in
\nJakarta and Bogor, are planning a side trip to their area, whose
\nsovereignty remained in contention in international eyes.<\/p>\n
Many journalists, especially those coming from the United
\nStates, have expressed interest in visiting East Timor.<\/p>\n
Americans will make up the majority of the hordes of reporters
\ncoming for the APEC conference. About 200 reporters will
\naccompany President Bill Clinton, who will stay on after the APEC
\nmeeting on Nov. 15 for a few more days, for a state visit.<\/p>\n
A number of foreign consultants hired by the Indonesian
\ngovernment in connection with the APEC gathering recently visited
\nEast Timor to sound out warnings about the critical attitude of
\nthese journalists.<\/p>\n
The local military command said East Timor is open to foreign
\njournalists, but they have to inform the authorities in Jakarta
\nof their intention before hand.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Adang Ruchiatna, the chief of the Udayana Military
\nCommand which oversees Bali, Nusa Tenggara and East Timor
\nprovinces, confirmed that there is no ban against foreign
\njournalists visiting East Timor, the Antara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
Ruchiatna stressed that these journalists must comply with
\nlocal regulations.<\/p>\n
\"Minister of Information Harmoko has already stated that there
\nis no ban against foreign journalists going to East Timor as long
\nas they abide by the rules of the game, such as being in
\npossession of the proper permit.<\/p>\n
\"This is an independent and sovereign state. We have rules
\nhere and if foreign journalists agree to abide by them, then we
\nwelcome them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The issue of East Timor has repeatedly surfaced in U.S.
\ncongress in the last two years. The Congress succeeded in forcing
\nWashington to end military training aid programs for Indonesia in
\nprotest at the way Jakarta is handling the East Timor issue.
\n(emb\/yac)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/e-timor-braces-for-foreign-journalists-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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