East Timorese registration

East Timorese registration

I agree with Mr. Suharno of Yogyakarta when he lashes out at
Bishop Belo and Ramos Horta for raising doubts about the outcome
of the registration of East Timorese (Suara Pembaruan of June 19,
2001). There would be no benefit to Indonesia if it prevented
East Timorese from returning to their homeland. I think these two
gentlemen are afraid of their own shadows and believe that the
East Timorese in Indonesia's territory might attack East Timor.
This worry was reflected in an offer made by Xanana Gusmao to
Eurico Guterres of a position in defense affairs in East Timor
(Asiaweek, June 22, 2001).

If Belo and Horta do believe the result of this registration,
they may ask for Indonesia's permission to see for themselves the
East Timorese opting for Indonesian citizenship. Bishop Belo
said, "Let us have difficult times in 'our own country' rather
than live in misery for ever in 'someone else's country'". For
the East Timorese opting for Indonesian citizenship, "our own
country" refers to Indonesia while "someone else's country" is
East Timor.

In my records, the number of East Timorese entering the
territory of Indonesia stands at over 50 percent of the total
population of East Timor. If a referendum in 1999 had been fairly
conducted, over 50 percent would have chosen to integrate with
Indonesia.

It is always fresh in my memory how Bishop Belo and Ramos
Horta told lies the world over when disseminating reports through
the Western media alleging that some 200,000 East Timorese had
been murdered by the Indonesian Military (TNI) during Indonesia's
25-year rule over East Timor. As a result, the two gentlemen were
awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize.

A 1980 population census showed that the number of East
Timorese then stood at 555,000 people. A population census held
the next year showed an increase to 748,000 people, while in the
1995 interim census the population of East Timorese, including
those without permanent residence, came to a total of 800,000
people. Clearly, an allegation that 200,000 East Timorese were
brutally murdered by TNI is a complete fabrication.

Well, it is our job now to pay serious attention to the
welfare of our brothers from East Timor.

Prior to the 1999 referendum, Indonesia always allocated funds
worth Rp 40 million from the budget. The fund should be
distributed to our brothers in Indonesia.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO

Jakarta