After the ballot

After the ballot

Though it may sound rather absurd to some people given the
momentousness of the event, not many Indonesians -- possibly not
even President B.J. Habibie who set the process in motion -- may
be aware of the full ramifications of Monday's UN-supervised
self-determination ballot in East Timor.

Ever since 1976, Jakarta has regarded the former Portuguese
colony as its 27th province, in defiance of the United Nations
and most of the rest of the world, which have consistently
regarded the territory as a non-self-governing territory under
Lisbon's jurisdiction.

During those 23 years, Jakarta has administered the half-
island, often with an iron fist as resistance from
proindependence fighters and activists continued to smolder.
During that span, a bureaucracy controlled by Jakarta has taken
hold and various interests -- social, commercial as well as
political -- have grown roots.

Little wonder that so many protests and charges of partiality
in favor of the proindependence camp have been hurled at the
United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) by pro-Indonesia
parties -- not to mention the violence that preceded the ballot.
After all, those pro-Indonesia interest groups have a good deal
to lose if the vote should turn out in favor of independence.

But while such protests and charges of partiality are
understandable enough coming from those directly involved in the
balloting in East Timor on Monday, similar charges voiced by
critics in Jakarta -- especially when coming from government
officials -- may give some reason for apprehension since they
could indicate a sense of official dissatisfaction on the part of
authorities in Jakarta over the course of developments in East
Timor.

In this context, foreign minister Ali Alatas' observation that
the ballot proceeded smoothly despite outbreaks of violence here
and there may be taken as a welcome indication that the Jakarta
administration is ready to accept whatever the outcome of
Monday's ballot. For this, the Indonesian authorities, civilian
as well as military, deserve to be commended for the way in which
they handled the final phases of the process of the ballot. Many
expected worse, given earlier charges of Indonesian military
personnel giving covert support to pro-Indonesian militias
operating in East Timor.

At this point, though, a warning must be sounded. Reports of
pro-Indonesian militia blocking land and air passages into and
out of East Timor, if true, could yet upset the final phases of a
procedure designed to bring the peace and well-being the people
of East Timor so well deserve. Responsibility for peace and order
having been entrusted to Jakarta, it is the duty of the
Indonesian security officials to ensure that all their good work
is not obliterated by people taking the law into their own hands.

Analysts have warned that Monday's ballot, whatever its
result, may not necessarily mean the liberation of the people of
East Timor from the strife and violence that have plagued them
for more than two decades. As yet, nobody knows for certain what
the people's choice in East Timor is. But whatever that choice --
whether autonomy within Indonesia or full independence -- we hope
Indonesia can prove to be truly helpful in guaranteeing a
peaceful and orderly transition to a better East Timor.

The moment of truth is near and there is no turning back.
Should East Timor opt for independence, Indonesia should, for
once, be able to accept reality and bow out with grace and
dignity.