Insensible figure

Starting from Nov. 1, 1999, East Timor has had no more Indonesian Military (TNI) or Police troops. It means that Indonesia is no longer involved with East Timor. There is one thing though that needs clarification.

The Western media says that when that country was governed by Indonesia, some 200,000 East Timorese were killed. It also averred that in present day East Timor, some 800,000 people need protection from the United Nations.

I think those figures do not make sense. According to the population census conducted in East Timor in 1980 and 1990, figures were respectively 555,000 and 748,000. In the 1995 Intercensal Population Survey it was 840,000. This figure included males and females of all ages, as well as settlers from outside the region.

According to this said census, the proportion of male and female inhabitants was 51:49, while the population aged between 0 and 14 made up 41 percent of the whole population. It means that the male population who were aged more than 14 numbered some 166,500 in 1980, 224,000 in 1990 and 252,000 in 1995.

It is very regrettable there are no figures for 1975, but it can be estimated that there were no more than 500,000 people as a whole or 150,000 males above 14.

Reports by the Western media that 200,000 people were killed during the 24 years of Indonesia's government in East Timor does not make much sense, especially with the accusation of genocide. How is it possible that with the population number at only 500,000 in 1975 and now at 800,000, that there was a genocide?

It is highly deplorable that there has been no denial from competent agencies in Indonesia, including the information ministry, which should have complete data on the matter.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO

Jakarta