Guterres needs Mega's pardon

Guterres needs Mega's pardon

East Timor has been freed from Indonesia. But for Indonesia, East Timor-related problems linger; the refugees; rights violation cases and war veterans who are still disgruntled over former president B.J. Habibie's decision to grant the former province a vote for independence.

Things have been turned upside down since East Timor's independence. Those who fought for Indonesia, like Eurico Guterres, are being convicted for their service to the "Red-and- White" (Indonesian flag).

The former commander of Pro-Indonesia fighters, who refused to join the new East Timor rulers, was sentenced to 10 years in jail by the ad hoc human rights court in Jakarta on Wednesday.

It was ironic that the court said Guterres had failed to stop his men from attacking the house of Manuel Carrascalao, the elder brother of Mario Viegas Carrascalao, former East Timor governor. Both Mario and Manuel joined the new rulers of East Timor.

"If I am punished because of my failure to stop my men (from violence) then what about the chief of Military Resort 164, the East Timor Police chief and the President of the country?" Guterres wondered aloud after the verdict.

The only hope for Guterres is clemency from the President.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta