E. Timor leader wants integration strengthened<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): A senior East Timorese politician
\ncalled on the government yesterday to improve the integration of
\nhis home province with Indonesia, economically and culturally as
\nwell as politically.<\/p>\n
\"The central government must take steps to solidify
\nintegration. Integration must also be seen in aspects other than
\npolitical ones,\" said Lopes, who is currently Indonesia's
\nambassador-at-large for East Timor affairs.<\/p>\n
Lopes, who is now based in Jakarta, arrived on Tuesday for an
\ninformal visit just a few weeks after the town was hit by strong
\nethnic rioting.<\/p>\n
The former Portuguese colony was integrated as Indonesia's
\n27th province in 1976. However, the small but active separatist
\nFretilin movement has not relented in its campaign for East
\nTimor's independence.<\/p>\n
Lopes said that East Timor is facing many pressing problems,
\nranging from unemployment to underdevelopment.<\/p>\n
Lopes balked when asked to compare East Timor's economic and
\ncultural development to the province's degree of political
\nintegration. \"That question should be directed to officials in
\nthis area, both civil and military, because they are the ones
\nthat know about it,\" he replied.<\/p>\n
To satisfy restless Timorese youth, Lopes called on the
\ngovernment for better communication.<\/p>\n
\"The government must be more introspective. They have to be
\nmore conscientious and conduct an open dialog with the younger
\ngeneration,\" he contended.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the five-Timorese youths currently taking refuge
\nat the British Embassy in Jakarta, Lopes lamented their actions
\nand argued that there was no need for them to seek political
\nasylum.<\/p>\n
The five men, all in their 20s, entered the British Embassy on
\nMonday, saying they were being persecuted for their involvement
\nin anti-Indonesian-government activities.<\/p>\n
Lisbon has since offered them asylum and they could be leaving
\nthe country as early as today.<\/p>\n
\"It's really quite simple, they can't stand being here,\" Lopes
\nremarked, adding that \"maybe they're using political asylum as a
\nway of getting a free ticket.\"<\/p>\n
He stated that if they don't like living here they should not
\nleave under the pretense of seeking political asylum. Instead, he
\nsuggested they apply for Portuguese citizenship and leave
\npeacefully.<\/p>\n
Lopes recounted that the youths, who have been in Jakarta for
\nseveral months, had previously visited his office and asked for
\nmoney. \"I gave them what I could,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lopes expressed some apprehension in speculating on the fate
\nof the five youths after leaving Indonesia, suggesting that their
\nliving situation would probably decline.<\/p>\n
\"Look at those who have left for Portugal, they don't remain
\nin school, they live poorly and they don't get government support
\nafter six months,\" he said.(yac\/mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/e-timor-leader-wants-integration-strengthened-1447893297",
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