Indonesians know little about Timor

DILI, East Timor: Vice governor J. Haribowo lamented yesterday that Indonesians know little about the territory.

He said that people from other provinces have not learnt the native language, Tetun, to be able to communicate better with the indigenous people.

According to Haribowo, a lot of trouble involving the natives and migrants stem from misunderstandings because they do not comprehend each other's culture.

Haribowo made the comment at a meeting with students from the Semarang-based Sugiyopranoto Catholic University who had just completed 50 days of fieldwork in the province.

The 15 students and one teacher from the Sugiyopranoto University helped residents of Kovalima regency build sanitary facilities as well as providing religious guidance, Antara reported. (pan)