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