East Timor youths' illusion?

East Timor youths' illusion?

We may feel outraged by the behavior of East Timorese youths
who remain holed up at the United States embassy in Jakarta since
the recent APEC meeting.

In the end, however, pondering the phenomenon with a cool
head, a feeling of compassion sets in. Hopefully, this feeling, a
fatherly one, will reign in the government's handling of the
protesters.

Subsequently, it is to be expected that the East Timorese
should be able to comprehend that their province is an integral
part of the country. Any attempt to deny this fact will be
futile.

Yet, the protest serves as a reminder for the nation that
although the province is already part of the country, the process
of integration is by no means completed.

That is homework that still needs to be done.

Whatever we do now, we have to be well aware that the process
of integration of the other provinces occurred in a different
timeframe than that of East Timor. Challenges from inside the
country as well as outside the country now are different in
character compared to those during the infancy of this nation.

Moreover, it seems that the psychology of the East Timorese
demands our total commitment and deep understanding.

-- Kompas, Jakarta