New development on Timor?

New development on Timor?

A sentence contained in an official bulletin Buletino Sala
della Sanat Sede issued by the Vatican information office has led
some observers to think that a new development has come with
regard to the East Timor problem. The sentence in question reads:
"East Timor, the former Portuguese colony, was integrated into
the Republic of Indonesia on July 17, 1976, and thereby became
that country's 27th province."

Considering the careful phrasing and the date of integration
mentioned, it appears the statement was formulated for the exact
purpose of providing more room for Indonesia to pursue its
diplomatic offensive. This is also evident given the bulletin was
issued to the press only after it received the accreditation of
the Holy See.

This development is important now that Indonesia has been able
to regain its diplomatic momentum after the controversy
surrounding the 1996 Nobel Peace prize awarded to the bishop of
Dili, Carlos Ximenes Belo, and the anti-integrationist leader
Ramos Horta.

Indonesia's diplomatic position regarding this matter does not
question the awarding of the Nobel prize to Bishop Belo, but
regards Ramos Horta's award as being politically motivated.
Indonesia has won the support of not only ASEAN and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), but also that of
Japan, as was reflected by Prime Minister Hashimoto's refusal to
meet Ramos Horta.

Now we have this heartening piece of news from the Vatican.
Although the exact meaning of the sentence as contained in the
Vatican bulletin still has to be diplomatically verified, this
development nevertheless allows us to continue our diplomatic
offensive and follow up this new attitude of the Vatican with
concrete measures.

-- Republika, Jakarta