International wishes

International wishes

From Rakyat Merdeka

The result of the direct ballot in East Timor as announced by
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan showed that East
Timor, Indonesia's 27th province, rejected the wide-ranging
autonomy offered by the Indonesian government. Despite alleged
rigging by the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET),
particularly its partiality toward proindependence supporters,
the Electoral Commission of East Timor's Popular Consultation
decided that the direct ballot was conducted fairly and honestly.

As a dignified nation willing to remain part of the
international community, we all must accept this decision with
magnanimity.

I also wish to call on all parties to respond to this decision
by the international body with one voice. The separation of East
Timor from Indonesia is a wish nurtured by the international
community (the United Nations). Whoever is in power in Indonesia
will be unable to overcome such strong pressure. This appeal is
particularly addressed to those holding real power in the
country, such as major political parties, mass organizations and
the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Disputes involving these groups will only be good news to the
outside world, which is actually implementing a grand scheme to
weaken the Indonesian people. Let us not waste our time, money
and energy fighting among ourselves, as such disputes will be to
the disadvantage of everyone.

Let's now try to see that all recent events -- the monetary
crisis, the human rights violations in Banyuwangi, Kupang, West
Kalimantan, Aceh, Ambon and so forth, the trafficking in and
abuse of drugs, pornography and the East Timor issue are all
interrelated. Therefore, in facing common enemies, invisible and
hard to prove the existence of, let's deal with them together in
ways which conform to our Eastern values and religious teachings.

University students who have served as the pillars of reform,
should elegantly fight together against the unjust practices our
country has been subjected to. Don't burn the flags of other
countries simply because our flag is burned in some countries
abroad. Don't resort to unjust reporting simply because the
Western media unjustly reports about us.

The wilder our young people appear, the happier these foreign
quarters will be. Show the Western people that we are culturally
more refined than them. As for Indonesian non-governmental
organizations, they must respect the results of the direct ballot
in East Timor and be aware that our nation is being subjected to
efforts of disintegration.

We know that the policies made by the New Order administration
were very wrong, but we must now close ranks against foreign
intervention and sanctions which will be imposed on us by the
international community. As for the state's leaders, they must
quickly, earnestly, honestly, justly and transparently settle the
crises left behind by the New Order regime.

As for the prointegration East Timorese, they should work
together with others to move toward a prosperous Indonesia for
our common good. Leave behind violence, which will never solve
any problems.

SOEKMANA SOMA

Bogor, West Java