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)