The challenges facing an independence E. Timor<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, The Indonesian Quarterly,
\nCentre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta, bandoro@csis.or.id<\/p>\n
May 20 will be an important and memorable moment for the East
\nTimorese as they celebrate their independence after more than 20
\nyears of political struggle against the Indonesian government. At
\nthat moment, the United Nations Transitional Administration in
\nEast Timor (UNTAET), which has been running East Timor since it
\nbroke away from Indonesia in 1999, will cease to exist. The
\nindependence of East Timor has taught the world a lesson: That
\nforeign rule is only temporary. With independence, East Timor is
\nset to join the international community.<\/p>\n
Many of us here see the East Timor issue as having been a
\nheadache for Indonesia's domestic politics and foreign policy.
\nThere was little coverage of East Timor's presidential election
\nin Jakarta's media. It seemed the country sought to downplay the
\nsignificance of independence of its former province, which came
\nabout thanks to the policy of former president Habibie that
\nallowed East Timor to finally emerge as an independent entity. It
\nis a political reality some should not ignore, including those in
\nIndonesia who continue to strongly oppose the separation of East
\nTimor from the republic of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
East Timor's independence also signals the beginning of a new
\nfight facing its leaders against a myriad of problems. The next
\nfive years or so will involve a great number of challenges, not
\nonly for the government of East Timor, but also for civil society
\nand the country's democratic institutions. We will witness, among
\nother things, how the interplay of politics, rule of law,
\neconomics and the type of regime will affect the process of East
\nTimor's transition to a fully fledged democratic country.<\/p>\n
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges East Timor is set to
\nface is maintaining the continuation and sustainability of nation
\nbuilding. It is natural that a new born nation carries with it
\ncertain risks. The new government of East Timor must, therefore,
\nguarantee, through policy priorities and directives, that such
\nprocesses be kept in motion to the extent that it results in a
\nmore favorable climate for East Timor's long-term national
\ndevelopment .<\/p>\n
The leaders of East Timor must listen to the problems of their
\npeople and make sure their government responds appropriately to
\npublic demands. it will be a rough ride after independence, and
\nthis will be the real test for president-elect Xanana Gusmao and
\nhis aides.<\/p>\n
The main source of problems facing East Timor is internal.
\nThis is because of the conflict that arose immediately after the
\n1999 referendum. It is reported that villages and towns were
\nburned to the ground, infrastructure was totally destroyed and
\nmore than 1,000 people murdered. The violence was brought to an
\nend only after the UN intervened. The suppression of the East
\nTimorese due to Indonesia's strict military rule for more than
\ntwo decades has also contributed to the internal source of
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
Rebuilding the political and economic infrastructure and the
\ntraumatized mentality of the East Timorese people will perhaps be
\nthe most difficult task facing the country's leadership. Once
\nthey achieve official independence, the most important thing is
\nthat the people of East Timor face their own challenges head on.<\/p>\n
Another important front that the government of East Timor will
\nhave to face is the extraction of its natural resources. It is
\nreported that East Timor has at its disposal oil and natural gas
\nin the Timor sea. Such resources have not yet been explored.
\nTherefore, cooperation with neighboring countries is necessary so
\nthat such natural resources can be exploited to the full and
\ncontribute to East Timor's revenue.<\/p>\n
East Timor will also have to look for other sources of
\nrevenue, which could generate regular, sufficient amounts of
\nmoney for the massive investment needed to build an education and
\nhealth system and create jobs. Thus, the economy should be one of
\nthe top priorities in East Timor's national development. East
\nTimor, however, should not cut itself off from the outside world.
\nAlthough independent, it will continue to be highly dependent on
\ninternational assistance.<\/p>\n
Being a newly born state, East Timor will certainly be
\nvulnerable to all kinds of disturbances from inside, as well as
\noutside, the country. Micro and macro level efforts are
\nimperative to prevent the nation from collapsing due to political
\nmismanagement. The one issue that may worry the people of East
\nTimor is unity.<\/p>\n
As East Timor builds the institutions necessary for
\nindependence, there is one underlying issue, namely
\nreconciliation. If internal conflict from the past cannot be laid
\nto rest, then the foundation of the new nation will be weak. In
\nother words, past conflict could cause divisions in the future.<\/p>\n
Thus, the spirit of reconciliation and of unity could perhaps
\ntackle the tendencies for division and conflict. East Timor will
\nhave to prepare for the worse and hope for the best. After
\nindependence, expectations will be very high, and the anxieties
\nand necessities enormous. It is understandable that the leaders
\nof East Timor will need a very long time before they can
\ndemonstrate to the world their political, economic and strategic
\nsignificance in the international community.<\/p>\n
East Timor has a bright future as long as the people accept
\nthat it will take time to accomplish, and as long as the people
\nof East Timor recognize they have the right to exist. Only then
\nwill they have the chance to enjoy independence and a well
\ndeserved presence in the international community.<\/p>",
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