Govt to deploy 1,800 officers to guard Xanana's visit
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.