Megawati yet to decide on Dili trip

Kurniawan Hari and Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Kupang

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Amien Rais said he would leave it to President Megawati Soekarnoputri to decide whether or not she would attend the official declaration of East Timor's independence in Dili on May 20.

However, he urged Megawati to seriously consider her decision as the results of the 1999 United Nations-organized referendum were fraudulent.

"If she feels that (the visit) would give more advantages than disadvantages, go ahead if she wants to go," Amien told the press at his office here on Wednesday.

"If I were the president, I would assign the foreign minister (to go there). But if Megawati insists on going there, we pray for her," he said.

East Timor, Indonesia's former 27th province, will officially declare its independence on May 20 after it voted to break away from Indonesia in the referendum. Dozens of heads of state are expected to attend the declaration ceremony.

President-elect Xanana Gusmao said earlier that he would come to Jakarta to personally hand over the invitation to President Megawati. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has already sent an invitation to Megawati.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Tuesday that President Megawati was planning to accept Xanana Gusmao's invitation to attend the transfer of power from the United Nations administration to the new country.

According to Amien, Megawati's planned visit to Dili on May 20 would be premature because there were so many wounds caused by East Timor's secession from Indonesia.

He said East Timor's secession was filled with fraud. He did not elaborate.

"Forgiving will be a good thing, but forgetting history won't be wise," said Amien, suggesting that Indonesia monitor East Timor's progress before paying a visit to the tiny territory in order to keep the country's honor in the international community.

Legislators, including House Spokesman Akbar Tandjung, had earlier urged Megawati to shun the East Timorese independence celebrations, arguing that wounds of having lost a territory had yet to heal.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Wellem T. da Costa, chief of Udayana Military Command, which oversees Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara provinces, said on Wednesday that it would be wise if President Megawati attended the independence declaration.

"My personal opinion is it would be wise if President Megawati goes to East Timor to strengthen brotherhood and friendship between the two countries," Wellem told the press in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara on Wednesday.

Wellem emphasized that Indonesia already accepted the results of the referendum and recognized East Timor's independence and that there was no point in dwelling on past bitter experiences.

"Indonesia and East Timor are two neighboring countries. In the future, we should forge a good relationship," he said.

Wellem said that up to 5,000 Indonesian soldiers were killed in the 24 years that East Timor was integrated into Indonesia, "but the Indonesian military never took revenge against them (East Timorese)."