Separatist hope keeps East Timor issue unresolved<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
During a recent visit to Dili, East Timor, The Jakarta Post
\nhad the opportunity to talk with the deputy military commander of
\nthe province, Col. Soekotjo HS. In the interview he talks about
\nthe issue of East Timor and his role, as a military man in the
\nprovince, in helping to resolve the matter.<\/p>\n
Question: Many people do not understand why the issue of East
\nTimor continues to drag on? Why after all these years has it not
\nbeen resolved?<\/p>\n
Answer: It really comes down to the fact that there is still a
\nlifeline, a spark of hope (for separatists) being given from
\nabroad by people like Ramos Horta.<\/p>\n
If promises persist, such as the possibility of a shadow
\ngovernment, and the fact that it is still an unresolved issue on
\nthe United Nations agenda, then it will give hope to those
\npeople. Such hope is manipulated, so they can keep on using it.<\/p>\n
Q: Is that hope realistic?<\/p>\n
A: There is still hope, and some people cling to it. There are of
\ncourse many who support integration, but there are a few who are
\nstill against it.<\/p>\n
Who they are I don't know. Who they are overseas is quite
\nobvious, but here it isn't so clear who they are. Who knows what
\npeople say in their hearts. But the point is that if hope is
\ndiminished, then they won't pursue it anymore. In the end they'll
\ngo about working and living a normal daily life.<\/p>\n
Q: So the solution has to come from abroad?<\/p>\n
A: Talking about things abroad is like finding a solution to the
\nproblem of the chicken and the egg. Which comes first?<\/p>\n
The issue can only be settled abroad if East Timor is in a
\npeaceful condition. On the other hand, East Timor can only be
\npeaceful if the issue is 100 percent resolved overseas. So which
\none comes first?"<\/p>\n
Q: So your task here is to ensure the security and stability of
\nthe province?<\/p>\n
A: My duty here is to carry out my orders by making conditions
\nsafe. Such security will hopefully help bring about a speedy and
\nbeneficial solution. I also hope for the same thing, that those
\nabroad can resolve the issue quickly, too.<\/p>\n
Q: Will any foreign resolution really help bring stability and
\npeace to East Timor?<\/p>\n
A: Look, if they can settle the matter abroad we won't have to go
\nlooking for the GPKs. They will come down from the mountains
\nthemselves when they realize that there is no longer any hope
\n(for their cause).<\/p>\n
If there are still any GPKs, it shows they still have hope to
\ngain in some sort of independence. But if their expectations are
\ntightly limited, they'll stop. Who'll think of spreading
\npropaganda when they realize that there is no longer any hope.<\/p>\n
It's like going to watch a movie. If the tickets are all sold-
\nout and the ticket booth is closed, then there's no hope anymore.
\nYou can get angry about it, but there's nothing you can do. But
\nif the booth is still open, people will struggle and push their
\nway through, just so they can get inside.<\/p>\n
Q: Given the circumstances you must have a difficult task ahead.<\/p>\n
A: My job is really to make sure that the line to the booth is
\norderly. The task of the military command is to ensure security
\nand safety -- this will help the solution abroad. We (the
\nmilitary) will always hold back no matter what we encounter.<\/p>\n
Q: So a resolution requires a combined approach from everyone.<\/p>\n
A: East Timor cannot be resolved from one person alone, it has to
\ncome from all departments. Not just the Ministry of Home Affairs
\nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs themselves. My job as deputy
\ncommander is to maintain the security of East Timor which will in
\nturn contribute toward a solution from abroad.<\/p>\n
I can't say what moves will have to be taken in order to find
\nsuch a solution. It could take 10...maybe 15 steps. I just don't
\nknow. What's important for me is to ensure the security of East
\nTimor.<\/p>\n
Q: Despite the tremendous development in the province, people
\nalways see the negative side of East Timor.<\/p>\n
A: It's easy for people to see the ugly side of things. But I'm
\nalways open when people want to come here and see the situation
\nthemselves.<\/p>\n
The envoy of the UN Secretary General was recently here.
\nSupposedly he heard there was a war going on here. I showed him
\naround and told him to go and see whatever he wanted to. Where is
\nthe war? It's all safe. You can go out and safely eat at a Padang
\nrestaurant.<\/p>\n
Of course you always have the odd one or two unfurling
\n(separatist) banners and such. But I think he can see for himself
\nwhether all of East Timor feels the same way.<\/p>\n
I just asked him to go back and report what he actually saw
\nobjectively. Don't cover up anything and certainly don't add
\nanything to it either.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/separatist-hope-keeps-east-timor-issue-unresolved-1447893297",
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