New approach in E. Timor needed<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor (JP): Security problems in this youngest
\nprovince of Indonesia cannot be solved by military operations
\nalone, a local military officer has acknowledged.<\/p>\n
Col. Kiki Syahnakrie told visiting Australian Ambassador Allan
\nR. Taylor on Monday that the Armed Forces (ABRI) has for some
\ntime started to employ \"legal and cultural approaches\" to
\nhandling security problems in the territory.<\/p>\n
The chief of the East Timor Military Command also expressed
\noptimism that the various security problems in the former
\nPortuguese colony would eventually subside, and that Jakarta has
\nbeen taking steps to find prompt solutions.<\/p>\n
\"The (ABRI) headquarters is now preparing a new concept to
\ndeal with security problems,\" Syahnakrie told Taylor, who was
\nasking him about East Timorese campaigns for independence.<\/p>\n
Among the solutions which Jakarta has been mulling over is the
\ndesignation of a \"special status\" for the troubled territory, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He did not explain the \"special status\" in detail but said
\nthat it should be in line with the 1945 Constitution and should
\nheed the aspirations of the majority of East Timorese who
\nconsider themselves part of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Security problems still occur here because the local
\nresidents are still easily influenced by the pro-independence
\ncampaign of the Fretilin rebels,\" Syahnakrie said.<\/p>\n
He listed a number of steps that the authorities should take
\nin dealing with East Timor issue, the first of which is ensuring
\nthat \"peace and security\" prevails.<\/p>\n
Second is ensuring that any financial assistance allocated by
\nthe government to improve welfare and boost development here be
\nused effectively, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Only then can we proceed to the political question of East
\nTimor's integration into Indonesia at international forums such
\nas United Nations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The commander said it is too early for Jakarta to set up any
\nmajor industries in the province, such as a cement factory
\nplanned for the Baucau regency, given the host of related
\nproblems it would entail.<\/p>\n
Considering the inadequate number of skilled people in the
\nregion, Syahnakrie said it is likely that major industry owners
\nwould eventually choose to import skilled workers from other
\nregions.<\/p>\n
This condition was among the reasons for ABRI to start
\nemploying alternative approaches to development here. \"We will
\nintensify development efforts focusing on agriculture, which is
\nmore suitable for the local people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Better incomes would automatically improve stability in the
\nregion, and, in turn, its image in the international community,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Syahnakrie rejected the suggestion that the authorities have
\nbeen ignoring the Catholic church's offer to help deal with
\nsecurity problems.<\/p>\n
Syahnakrie, however, acknowledged that there are \"elements\"
\nfrom the church who are against the territory's 1976 integration
\ninto Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Syahnakrie said the authorities have detained 36 people in
\nconnection with the \"Ninja\" terror perpetrated by hooded men
\nagainst local residents. Sixteen of the men will soon be tried.<\/p>\n
Ten other people suspected of involvement in the case are
\nstill at large, he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, another military officer denied foreign press
\nreports about the detention of a Portuguese journalist here. Maj.
\nLaedan Simbolon told The Jakarta Post that an intelligence team
\nhas investigated the report and found nothing to back up the
\nallegation.<\/p>\n
J. Triswoyo, head of the local office of immigration, told the
\nPost that \"the report was merely a rumor\". (yac\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-approach-in-e-timor-needed-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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