How to approach East Timor

How to approach East Timor

Each time the situation in East Timor heats up the question of
how to best administer the territory arises. One strong
proposition which is expressed each time suggests that the socio-
cultural heritage of the people of East Timor be used as a
pointer and guiding principle.

Each time, too, we are reminded of the time factor involved in
the process of East Timor's integration into the Indonesian
Republic. Also, there are factors brought by the changing era,
involving such aspects as the people's increased mobility, the
openness of the region and the differences that exist in the
stages of development and the skills commanded by the local
population and those of other regions.

What kind of management, of administration and development
policy, then, is best for East Timor? The answer is: the one
which the local people perceive as offering them and their
cultural heritage the best possible protection -- autonomy. An
autonomy, perhaps, that is expressed primarily and as far as
possible in the administration's personnel.

The message we want to convey is: it is the proper time that
the Liquisa incident, which has once again placed East Timor in
the center of public attention, is followed up not only in the
military sense, but that it is used to reconsider the manner in
which East Timor society is best administered and approached --
one that is regarded to show consideration to their social and
cultural identity.

-- Kompas, Jakarta