Gusmao meets Mega, hands over invitation
Annastashya Emmanuelle and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
East Timor's president-elect Xanana Gusmao visited President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday to convey his personal request to her to attend East Timor's declaration of independence on May 19 through May 20 in Dili.
He was received by Megawati at her official residence in Central Jakarta, where the two leaders met for about 30 minutes.
"I'm here to invite President Megawati to Dili for the independence celebrations," Gusmao said after meeting Megawati, adding that he would also invite several ministers from the Gotong Royong cabinet.
Megawati, however, did not tell the former guerrilla leader whether she would attend the ceremony or not, but Gusmao expressed optimism about his invitation.
"I was well received by the President, but at the moment I cannot confirm her attendance ... yet; I trust the President will attend," he said.
Megawati has expressed several times her intention to join a host of world leaders at the historic event, despite mounting opposition.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda told reporters at the State Palace on Thursday that the President would soon announce her final decision. Hassan did not elaborate further.
Hassan stressed that East Timor should no longer be perceived as a separatist issue as its partition from Indonesia had been acknowledged by the People's Consultative Assembly through its Decree No. 5/1999.
"The decree reflects the stance of the whole nation and not just the government," he said.
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung insisted that Megawati drop plans to visit Dili because the secession of East Timor from the Unitary Republic of Indonesia had left many problems.
The House, he said, would stick to its stance of not recommending the Dili trip. Gusmao also invited Akbar to Dili, but the latter said he would respond after consulting House legislators.
Despite his opposition, Akbar welcomed Gusmao's visit here, saying that his arrival could become the foundation of future relations between the two countries.
Akbar, accompanied by deputy speakers Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, Tosari Widjaja and A.M. Fatwa, held a closed-door meeting with Gusmao that lasted 45 minutes.
Separately, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais maintained his opposition and suggested that the government request foreign minister Hassan attend the celebration.