Fulfilling the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize

First of all, I would like to congratulate President Habibie on his wise decision to possibly allow an independent East Timor. This decision might help solve a problem which has troubled Indonesia for many years. However, the Indonesian government now faces another problem. It has to deal with two different groups of Timorese: the fanatical pro-Indonesians and the even more fanatical Fretilin and their supporters. The history of many countries in the world shows that negotiations with politically, ideologically or religiously motivated fanatics tend to fail because they seldom listen to rational arguments.

Keeping this in mind, and in view of the growing tensions in East Timor which may trigger civil war, I urgently appeal to Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Ramos-Horta to mediate between the groups. Both men were honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996.

Bishop Belo should take all efforts to calm the pro- Indonesian group and restrain them from resorting to violence. I believe that these people might be open to convincing arguments from the respected Timorese Bishop.

Ramos-Horta should try to calm his followers, which I believe is not an easy task. Rather than trying to turn them into professional revolutionaries, he should teach them how to work hard to build a society in which people can enjoy the benefits of freedom.

This is a decisive moment in time in which both Bishop Belo and Ramos-Horta can really earn the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to them.

MRS. HILDE MAY

Jakarta