Guterres and Gusmao<\/p>\n
The whole story of East Timor tells of our impotence in the
\nface of international pressure. Xanana (Gusmao), after he was
\nsentenced by an Indonesian court had to be treated like a
\npresident because of international pressure. Guterres, who loudly
\nproclaimed his support for Indonesia, was imprisoned by
\nIndonesian security officers also because of international
\npressure.<\/p>\n
Our leaders, from the chief of police up to President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, may argue that the arrest of (East Timor
\nmilitia leader Eurico) Guterres has nothing to do with external
\npressure. But the law in Indonesia cannot provide evidence that
\nit has courage enough to uphold justice. The law is still subject
\nto pressure, either from those in power or from the international
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
Guterres, who had thought he would be safe because he
\npositioned himself as an Indonesian, had to swallow a bitter
\npill. Xanana, who should suffer because he took an anti-
\nIndonesian stance, has remained free.<\/p>\n
In Aceh we are facing difficulties because no one there has
\nthe courage to exclaim his love for Indonesia like Guterres did.
\nWe worry about the situation in Irian Jaya, which is now in the
\nprocess of becoming Papua, because there are no longer people who
\ndare to shout like Guterres.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/guterres-and-gusmao-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }