E. Timor leader wants integration strengthened

DILI, East Timor (JP): A senior East Timorese politician called on the government yesterday to improve the integration of his home province with Indonesia, economically and culturally as well as politically.

"The central government must take steps to solidify integration. Integration must also be seen in aspects other than political ones," said Lopes, who is currently Indonesia's ambassador-at-large for East Timor affairs.

Lopes, who is now based in Jakarta, arrived on Tuesday for an informal visit just a few weeks after the town was hit by strong ethnic rioting.

The former Portuguese colony was integrated as Indonesia's 27th province in 1976. However, the small but active separatist Fretilin movement has not relented in its campaign for East Timor's independence.

Lopes said that East Timor is facing many pressing problems, ranging from unemployment to underdevelopment.

Lopes balked when asked to compare East Timor's economic and cultural development to the province's degree of political integration. "That question should be directed to officials in this area, both civil and military, because they are the ones that know about it," he replied.

To satisfy restless Timorese youth, Lopes called on the government for better communication.

"The government must be more introspective. They have to be more conscientious and conduct an open dialog with the younger generation," he contended.

Commenting on the five-Timorese youths currently taking refuge at the British Embassy in Jakarta, Lopes lamented their actions and argued that there was no need for them to seek political asylum.

The five men, all in their 20s, entered the British Embassy on Monday, saying they were being persecuted for their involvement in anti-Indonesian-government activities.

Lisbon has since offered them asylum and they could be leaving the country as early as today.

"It's really quite simple, they can't stand being here," Lopes remarked, adding that "maybe they're using political asylum as a way of getting a free ticket."

He stated that if they don't like living here they should not leave under the pretense of seeking political asylum. Instead, he suggested they apply for Portuguese citizenship and leave peacefully.

Lopes recounted that the youths, who have been in Jakarta for several months, had previously visited his office and asked for money. "I gave them what I could," he said.

Lopes expressed some apprehension in speculating on the fate of the five youths after leaving Indonesia, suggesting that their living situation would probably decline.

"Look at those who have left for Portugal, they don't remain in school, they live poorly and they don't get government support after six months," he said.(yac/mds)