E. Timor leader wants integration strengthened

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)