Govt to deploy 1,800 officers to guard Xanana's visit
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang
Indonesia will deploy more than 1,800 security personnel from the military and police to enhance security during East Timor President Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao's visit to West Timor from Nov. 1 through Nov. 4.
Deputy chief of the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Police Sr. Comr. Arthur Damanik said here on Wednesday that the government would adopt international standards for security during the East Timor president's visit.
"We will deploy more than 1,800 security personnel to enhance security in all areas Xanana will visit during the four-day visit, while the two countries' presidential security officers have already arrived here to prepare for the visit," he said here on Wednesday.
Arthur explained that so far, security authorities had detected no serious threat or security problems concerning Xanana's visit, "but we must remain cautious in anticipation of possible disturbances from certain groups that may oppose the visit."
Also, the East Nusa Tenggara Military District warned prointegration East Timorese not to disrupt the visit, saying anyone who did so would face very serious consequences.
He called on some 33,000 East Timorese still taking refuge in the province to greet Xanana as Indonesia's special guest and do everything to make his visit a success.
According to reliable sources at the provincial administration, Xanana and his entourage, including a football team and dance group, was scheduled to meet with senior local officials and former leaders of pro-Jakarta militia groups, and visit refugee camps in Kupang and Belu regencies.
Daniel Woda Palle, chairman of the provincial legislative council, said that Xanana would use his four-day visit for the dual purpose of laying down equality for the two nations' bilateral ties as well as persuading East Timorese refugees to return home.
According to Daniel, Xanana, who has already visited Jakarta, was expected to portray himself as an East Timor president who wanted to establish a position of equal standing with Indonesia.
"East Timor wants to develop bilateral ties in all fields with Indonesia, especially East Nusa Tenggara," he said.
Daniel said besides that, Xanana was also trying to persuade all refugees to return home, otherwise the issue could become a "ticking time bomb" that could explode at some time in the future.
East Timor declared its independence on May 20, 2002, with Xanana its maiden president. It had been occupied for 450 years by Portugal before it was integrated with Indonesia in 1976. Following rampant human rights abuses, and with international support, the territory held a self-determination referendum on Aug. 30, 1999, at which a substantial majority of the East Timorese people voted for the territory's independence.