Mandela's call for special autonomy not viable: Abilio

DILI (JP): Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares brushed off South African President Nelson Mandela's suggestion of special autonomy status for East Timor, questioning whether the province was ready for such distinction.

"I ask you... are we ready for that?" quipped the governor who was only reelected last week as East Timor governor for a second five-year term.

"Autonomy means that everything comes from us. Ninety-nine percent of the budget East Timor uses comes from the central government," he told The Jakarta Post here yesterday.

Abilio said he agreed with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas who said Thursday that the government did not agree with Mandela's suggestion.

Mandela on Tuesday said East Timor should be given special autonomy. The South African president has made frequent statements and suggestions on East Timor following a visit to Indonesia in July.

Mandela had also sent a letter to President Soeharto urging for the release of jailed East Timor separatist leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao who is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence.

The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as Indonesia's 27th province in 1976, but the United Nations still regards Lisbon as the administrative authority of the province.

In rather indignant fashion, Abilio asserted that Indonesia did not need to be told what was best for the welfare and prosperity of East Timor.

"Personally I don't agree (with the special autonomy suggestion). This is our internal affair... we don't need to listen to outsiders," he remarked.

East Timor Legislative Council Speaker Armindo Soares Mariano said the central government, through Alatas, had already given its answer and thus the issue was therefore closed.

"That's the full jurisdiction of the central government," he said.

"I don't accept it (the proposal). It's impossible for me as a representative of the people to accept it if the central government doesn't accept it," he said.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, the foreign ministry's director of foreign information reiterated yesterday the government's rejection.

"We can't contemplate on giving special autonomy to East Timor," said Gaffar Fadyl. (33/aan)