Megawati yet to decide on Dili trip
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)."