Mandela's call for special autonomy not viable: Abilio

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)