'East Timor still misunderstood'

'East Timor still misunderstood'

DILI, East Timor: East Timor is still widely misunderstood by
the government of Indonesia and this lies at the root of some of
the recent upheavals and other problems in the province, a member
of the House of Representatives said yesterday.

The government still does not understand "the true heart of
the East Timorese people," Salvador Jaunario Ximenes Soares said
during a visit to his home province and constituency.

Salvador proposed the establishment of a team comprised of
military and government officials, scholars and local leaders to
formulate policies for East Timor which are more appropriate than
the ones currently in place.

He also criticized as "emotional" the tone in which government
and military officials and religious leaders spoke of the recent
unrest in East Timor. (05)