Japan, Indonesia and East Timor<\/p>\n
(Indonesian President B.J.) Habibie said Indonesia would
\nmaintain the presence of its national army, probably to save face
\nfor its members. The president should not forget that the wary
\neyes of the international community are still focused on
\nIndonesia. It is an undeniable fact that Indonesian troops
\nprovided military training to anti-independence youths and
\nencouraged the local population to provide tips about the
\nproindependence movement.<\/p>\n
The fact that nearly 80 percent of the population supported
\nindependence in the referendum shows that the army's ploy has
\nbeen ineffective. When order is restored in East Timor,
\nIndonesia's troops should be pulled out.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Japanese government refrained from openly
\ntwisting the arm of the Indonesian government out of
\nconsideration for the stability of the Habibie government. Japan
\nhas also been unwilling over the years to play a large part in
\nsolving the conflict in East Timor. That is not the way for Japan
\nto deliver on its international responsibility.<\/p>\n
Obstacles to peace can be overcome only by a reconciliation
\namong the population, the restoration of order and a return to
\nnormalcy in the people's daily lives.<\/p>\n
-- The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-indonesia-and-east-timor-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }