New approach in E. Timor needed
New approach in E. Timor needed
DILI, East Timor (JP): Security problems in this youngest
province of Indonesia cannot be solved by military operations
alone, a local military officer has acknowledged.
Col. Kiki Syahnakrie told visiting Australian Ambassador Allan
R. Taylor on Monday that the Armed Forces (ABRI) has for some
time started to employ "legal and cultural approaches" to
handling security problems in the territory.
The chief of the East Timor Military Command also expressed
optimism that the various security problems in the former
Portuguese colony would eventually subside, and that Jakarta has
been taking steps to find prompt solutions.
"The (ABRI) headquarters is now preparing a new concept to
deal with security problems," Syahnakrie told Taylor, who was
asking him about East Timorese campaigns for independence.
Among the solutions which Jakarta has been mulling over is the
designation of a "special status" for the troubled territory, he
said.
He did not explain the "special status" in detail but said
that it should be in line with the 1945 Constitution and should
heed the aspirations of the majority of East Timorese who
consider themselves part of Indonesia.
"Security problems still occur here because the local
residents are still easily influenced by the pro-independence
campaign of the Fretilin rebels," Syahnakrie said.
He listed a number of steps that the authorities should take
in dealing with East Timor issue, the first of which is ensuring
that "peace and security" prevails.
Second is ensuring that any financial assistance allocated by
the government to improve welfare and boost development here be
used effectively, he said.
"Only then can we proceed to the political question of East
Timor's integration into Indonesia at international forums such
as United Nations," he said.
The commander said it is too early for Jakarta to set up any
major industries in the province, such as a cement factory
planned for the Baucau regency, given the host of related
problems it would entail.
Considering the inadequate number of skilled people in the
region, Syahnakrie said it is likely that major industry owners
would eventually choose to import skilled workers from other
regions.
This condition was among the reasons for ABRI to start
employing alternative approaches to development here. "We will
intensify development efforts focusing on agriculture, which is
more suitable for the local people," he said.
Better incomes would automatically improve stability in the
region, and, in turn, its image in the international community,
he said.
Syahnakrie rejected the suggestion that the authorities have
been ignoring the Catholic church's offer to help deal with
security problems.
Syahnakrie, however, acknowledged that there are "elements"
from the church who are against the territory's 1976 integration
into Indonesia.
Syahnakrie said the authorities have detained 36 people in
connection with the "Ninja" terror perpetrated by hooded men
against local residents. Sixteen of the men will soon be tried.
Ten other people suspected of involvement in the case are
still at large, he said.
Meanwhile, another military officer denied foreign press
reports about the detention of a Portuguese journalist here. Maj.
Laedan Simbolon told The Jakarta Post that an intelligence team
has investigated the report and found nothing to back up the
allegation.
J. Triswoyo, head of the local office of immigration, told the
Post that "the report was merely a rumor". (yac/swe)