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