E. Timorese athletes to wait for MPR rule<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung
\nLaksono said on Monday East Timorese athletes could choose
\nbetween serving their country or moving to Indonesia if the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR) formalizes the separation.<\/p>\n
\"If there is no decree from the MPR, our country still
\nconsists of 27 provinces,\" he said.<\/p>\n
East Timorese voted on Saturday against integration with
\nIndonesia, paving the way to an end of Jakarta's 24-year rule of
\nthe 27th province.<\/p>\n
The MPR is expected to endorse the separation in a meeting in
\nNovember when it will also elect a new president. President B.J.
\nHabibie had indicated a formal separation could begin as of Jan.
\n1, 2000.<\/p>\n
Separately, National Sports Council (KONI) deputy chairman
\nArie Sudewo refused to comment on the status of East Timorese
\nathletes, saying KONI would wait for the MPR decision.<\/p>\n
\"We will wait for the MPR decision. We don't want to come
\nbefore them. Besides, our decision should be in tune with the
\ngovernment's policy,\" he said on Monday.<\/p>\n
The contribution of East Timorese to national sports
\nachievements is particularly notable in track events. Local
\npopular athletes include Sebastian DaCosta (tennis) and Miro
\nBaldo Bento (soccer). (ivy)<\/p>",
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