Goodbye, and good riddance!

Finally, the biggest burden on our country's chest is lifted. The troubling East Timor will soon be independent. Frankly, I do not feel any attachment to East Timor. Could anyone explain to me why we should bother with this issue anymore? Many political analysts and political elite regretted Habibie's decision to give the choice of Independence to East Timor.

I support Habibie 100 percent, not because I support the East Timorese call for independence, but because I care more about my brothers and sisters (Indonesia minus East Timor). People in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, are still experiencing drought every year, and they are crying for water. Thousands of hungry villagers all over Java are still wondering what they will eat for today. Indonesia's loving citizens in the eastern part on our country are still waiting for a chance to taste development. Our brothers in Aceh are waiting for our extended hand. They are all our true brothers, they deserve more of our love and attention than those ungrateful East Timorese.

Why should we care about them when the recent ballot shows that nearly 80 percent of them don't love us anymore? Why should we feel "responsible" for East Timor after the ballot? During its integration with our country we have supported East Timor, over 90 percent of their revenue comes from the sweat of Indonesians' in the rest of the 26 provinces. Some analysts say that we should help them because any instability that could occur in East Timor would spread to East Nusa Tenggara. A good solution to this problem would be that we build a great big wall between the western half of the island and East Timor using the money we would have allocated for them if they were still a part of Indonesia. One political analyst has even said on TV that we should continue giving scholarships to the East Timorese students in Indonesia. (Some of these students took part in anti- Indonesian protests while they were in Jakarta). As a natural born, Indonesian-loving student, I feel more deserving than any East Timorese to receive financial aid during these crises. As happy as you are independent, we are even happier that a parasite is finally gone. To the UN, Australia, Portugal and other countries who have mocked us on the international forum, I hope you all will enjoy this former province of ours, because for 23 years it's been a thorn in our throat. It's now your turn to take a bite at them. Yet, as an Indonesian, I welcome those East Timorese who still want to be a part of our country with open arms. For the rest of the East Timorese, Sayonara!

ISACH WAHYU ZULFIKAR KARMIADJI

Tangerang, West Java