RI plans to upgrade ties with E. Timor<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is considering elevating
\nIndonesia's diplomatic relations with East Timor and is seeking
\ninputs from the House of Representatives (DPR) on her plan.<\/p>\n
"We've received a letter from the President seeking input from
\nlegislators," House Commission I chairman Ibrahim Ambong said
\nhere on Thursday. Commission I is in charge of, among other
\nthings, foreign relations.<\/p>\n
At present, Indonesia only has an Interest Section office in
\nDili, East Timor -- Indonesia's former 27th province.<\/p>\n
According to Ambong, there were pros and cons concerning the
\nplan to upgrade ties with East Timor.<\/p>\n
In her letter, Megawati said she had been influenced by the
\nfact that many other countries had already established embassies
\nin Dili.<\/p>\n
Ambong said the countries included Japan, the United States,
\nBritain, Australia, and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that legislators within the House's foreign
\ncommission were divided on the issue.<\/p>\n
"Due to strong pros and cons we will delay talks on this
\nissue. We want to hear from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan
\nWirajuda first," Ambong added.<\/p>\n
East Timor seceded from Indonesia in August 1999 after a
\nUnited Nations-organized ballot showed a landslide victory for
\nthe pro-independence group.<\/p>\n
However, then pro-Jakarta militias -- backed by certain
\nmilitary personnel -- vented out their anger by launching bloody
\nrampage across the former Portuguese colony, laying to waste
\nalmost 80 percent of the infrastructure there.<\/p>\n
Some military and police personnel, former government
\nofficials, and militia leaders were brought to trial but most of
\nthem were acquitted.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-plans-to-upgrade-ties-with-e-timor-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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