Fulfilling the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize<\/p>\n
First of all, I would like to congratulate President Habibie
\non his wise decision to possibly allow an independent East Timor.
\nThis decision might help solve a problem which has troubled
\nIndonesia for many years. However, the Indonesian government now
\nfaces another problem. It has to deal with two different groups
\nof Timorese: the fanatical pro-Indonesians and the even more
\nfanatical Fretilin and their supporters. The history of many
\ncountries in the world shows that negotiations with politically,
\nideologically or religiously motivated fanatics tend to fail
\nbecause they seldom listen to rational arguments.<\/p>\n
Keeping this in mind, and in view of the growing tensions in
\nEast Timor which may trigger civil war, I urgently appeal to
\nBishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Ramos-Horta to mediate
\nbetween the groups. Both men were honored with the Nobel Peace
\nPrize in 1996.<\/p>\n
Bishop Belo should take all efforts to calm the pro-
\nIndonesian group and restrain them from resorting to violence. I
\nbelieve that these people might be open to convincing arguments
\nfrom the respected Timorese Bishop.<\/p>\n
Ramos-Horta should try to calm his followers, which I believe
\nis not an easy task. Rather than trying to turn them into
\nprofessional revolutionaries, he should teach them how to work
\nhard to build a society in which people can enjoy the benefits of
\nfreedom.<\/p>\n
This is a decisive moment in time in which both Bishop Belo
\nand Ramos-Horta can really earn the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to
\nthem.<\/p>\n
MRS. HILDE MAY<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fulfilling-the-1996-nobel-peace-prize-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }