Guterres and Gusmao

The whole story of East Timor tells of our impotence in the face of international pressure. Xanana (Gusmao), after he was sentenced by an Indonesian court had to be treated like a president because of international pressure. Guterres, who loudly proclaimed his support for Indonesia, was imprisoned by Indonesian security officers also because of international pressure.

Our leaders, from the chief of police up to President Abdurrahman Wahid, may argue that the arrest of (East Timor militia leader Eurico) Guterres has nothing to do with external pressure. But the law in Indonesia cannot provide evidence that it has courage enough to uphold justice. The law is still subject to pressure, either from those in power or from the international community.

Guterres, who had thought he would be safe because he positioned himself as an Indonesian, had to swallow a bitter pill. Xanana, who should suffer because he took an anti- Indonesian stance, has remained free.

In Aceh we are facing difficulties because no one there has the courage to exclaim his love for Indonesia like Guterres did. We worry about the situation in Irian Jaya, which is now in the process of becoming Papua, because there are no longer people who dare to shout like Guterres.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta