Gusmao meets Mega, hands over invitation

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.