Habibie calls on the nation to accept E. Timor results
Habibie calls on the nation to accept E. Timor results
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie urged the nation on
Saturday to accept the result of the ballot in East Timor with
sincerity and perseverance.
In a conciliatory address televised to the nation, Habibie
said he understood those who may feel bitter with the fact that
the majority of East Timorese rejected Indonesia's offer for
wide-ranging autonomy.
But he pleaded with all the leaders and people of Indonesia
and East Timor to work together and create an atmosphere of
peaceful coexistence.
Habibie reasserted the government's commitment to honor the
result.
"I call on all the East Timorese to remain calm, create order
and ensure security to create a peaceful atmosphere so the next
process and steps related with the direct ballot can be
implemented in an orderly and peaceful manner," he said.
In his capacity as the Indonesian Military (TNI) supreme
commander, the President ordered TNI chief Gen. Wiranto and
National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi to ensure that law and
order were upheld.
Habibie also pointed out that he had instructed Minister of
Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas to continue negotiations with UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan as required by the agreement made in
New York on May 5.
"In the meantime, the Indonesian government will continue to
carry out its task in general administration and public services
before transferring its authority of East Timor to the UN," he
added.
In the afternoon, Habibie met with British Ambassador Robin
Christopher, U.S. Ambassador J. Stapleton Roy, New Zealand
Ambassador Michael Green and Japan Ambassador Takao Kawakami to
brief them on the latest development.
On Sunday morning, several ministers, including Gen. Wiranto,
Alatas, Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi and Gen.
Roesmanhadi will fly to Dili to meet with military and local
community leaders.
Cockroach
While most national figures said they would respect the
results of the ballot, there was an air of despondency in their
comments as they lamented what looks now to be the inevitable
separation of Indonesia's 27th province.
Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairperson of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and leading
presidential candidate, expressed sorrow that the East Timorese
opted to reject autonomy.
"I'm very sad at the result of this ballot," she said in
Yogyakarta on Saturday.
"I always hoped East Timor would remain part of the Republic
of Indonesia," said Megawati, whose party received over 116,000
votes from East Timor in the June 7 general election, and was
second only to the Golkar Party in the province.
She remarked her concern now was for the repercussions of the
ballot, and feared a wave of terror could prompt a wave of
refugees out of the province.
She said she had contacted party leaders in four branches --
East Java, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara -- to assist a
possible influx of refugees.
Megawati was full of recrimination for Habibie, whom she said
should be held responsible for initiating a ballot which could
have such severe consequences.
It was Habibie who reversed Indonesia's long-standing policy
on East Timor in January and decided to hold a ballot.
Separately, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X
also expressed disappointment.
"Personally, I'm disappointed because my hope was that no
territory would ever separate from this republic. Alas, if this
is what the government decides, then we must remain loyal," he
said.
Founder of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Abdurrahman
Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, was unhappy with the process as a
whole and said Indonesia had an international commitment to
respect its agreements.
However, he had strong words about future relations with an
independent East Timor.
"If we have to have diplomatic ties, make it a very cold
relationship, and if necessary, set it up at the lowest level
without having an embassy there," Abdurrahman told The Jakarta
Post via telephone from Singapore on Saturday.
"We are not a cecere (cockroach) nation," he asserted.
The secretary-general of the Indonesian Association of Muslim
Intellectuals (ICMI) Adi Sasono seemed almost relieved East Timor
would no longer be a part of Indonesia.
Adi, who is also the minister of cooperatives, pointed out
that for 23 years Indonesia's foreign policy was held "hostage"
by East Timor with its population of just 700,000.
"During that time, our nation was insulted because we were
accused of violating human rights, yet each year we had to fork
out US$100 million (for the East Timor provincial budget)," he
said.
"All we got in return was enmity, rejection and hate," he
said.
Legislator Usamah Hisyam of the United Development Party (PPP)
said he would urge the House of Representatives Commission I for
security and defense, which oversees the foreign policy, to
summon Alatas and Gen. Wiranto.
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung also expressed
disappointment at the results, but affirmed that he would uphold
the party's commitment to respect the outcome.
Veterans
Meanwhile, veterans, many of them physically handicapped and
widows of the Seroja Military operation in East Timor, told SCTV
they were disappointed with the result of the ballot.
"We should not have let East Timor go ... thousands have
died ... of my husband, only his name remains," a widow said.
"What do our medals mean if East Timor is independent?" one
veteran said.
The Indonesian Military itself officially congratulated the
East Timorese on the results of the ballot and urged all to
sincerely accept the outcome.
"That's what army personnel are also commanded to do:
sincerely accept and honor the ballot result," spokesman Brig.
Gen. Sudrajat said on Saturday on behalf of TNI chief Gen.
Wiranto.
"We will still hold the responsibility over security until
late November and we'll work with other related institutions
during the authority transition," he quickly added.
(swa/23/emf/anr/mds/prb)