A new family friend

In six weeks time, East Timor will be formally declared independent of Indonesia. The newly and democratically elected People's Consultative Assembly cannot deny the majority wish of the East Timorese.

Indonesia will also have a new president, Cabinet and military chief.

Both countries will start the third millennium a week after the end of Christmas and Ramadhan, somewhat cleansed, renewed, two new citizens in the international community of the world's united democratic nations.

But today, East Timor is the poorest province of Indonesia, currently requiring 90 percent of its annual budget as a subsidy from the central government.

Internally, beginning next year the new Indonesian government will move forward on the second phase of its 25-year long-term development plan. East Timor was, and should remain, a part of that plan.

The greatest act of friendship the new Indonesian government can perform is to retain the small portion of the national budget it had allocated to East Timor as a direct grant toward its reconstruction and development, and guarantee this assistance to the end of the long-term plan in 2020.

Then both the world and the East Timorese will be a little more assured that the two countries, with their fine cultures and traditions, recognize each other as partners and family friends who need a helping hand for a while.

East Timor's gratitude would be reciprocated in new business and cultural ties.

Though a little early perhaps, a happy and prosperous third millennium to you both.

SEAMUS MCELROY

Jakarta