Japan, Indonesia and East Timor

Japan, Indonesia and East Timor

(Indonesian President B.J.) Habibie said Indonesia would
maintain the presence of its national army, probably to save face
for its members. The president should not forget that the wary
eyes of the international community are still focused on
Indonesia. It is an undeniable fact that Indonesian troops
provided military training to anti-independence youths and
encouraged the local population to provide tips about the
proindependence movement.

The fact that nearly 80 percent of the population supported
independence in the referendum shows that the army's ploy has
been ineffective. When order is restored in East Timor,
Indonesia's troops should be pulled out.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government refrained from openly
twisting the arm of the Indonesian government out of
consideration for the stability of the Habibie government. Japan
has also been unwilling over the years to play a large part in
solving the conflict in East Timor. That is not the way for Japan
to deliver on its international responsibility.

Obstacles to peace can be overcome only by a reconciliation
among the population, the restoration of order and a return to
normalcy in the people's daily lives.

-- The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo