Guterres and Gusmao

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