NTT leaders warn against rash remarks on Eurico

NTT leaders warn against rash remarks on Eurico

JAKARTA (JP): Local religious and community leaders in East
Nusa Tenggara, particularly those living close to the border with
East Timor, called on authorities in Jakarta to be more
circumspect in their remarks and actions concerning militia
leader Eurico Guterrres as any misperceptions could be
detrimental and incite chaos in West Timor.

In particular, they called on the authorities not to make rash
statements against Eurico, the consequences of which would be
felt not by those making the statements but by innocent people
living near the border.

"If the political elite does not respond sensibly, then those
who will suffer are the people in this border area," said priest
David Amfotis as quoted by Antara in Atambua on Friday.

Meanwhile local community leader Petrus Nahak also warned that
various reactions could result when a misperceived comment
concerning Eurico was made.

Eurico was arrested by police on Wednesday after he was named
a suspect by the Attorney General's Office for the violence which
shook East Timor last year.

Following news of the arrest, there was a small disturbance
near Atambua which was quickly quelled by security forces.

Eurico himself on Friday rejected accusations that he had
violated human rights and, instead, shifted the blame onto former
president B.J. Habibie who held out the option for East Timor to
vote in a direct ballot last year.

According to Eurico, all he had done during the preparations
for and after the historic ballot was to attempt to maintain the
territory as part of Indonesia, following up on a conversation he
had with Habibie soon after the announcement of a ballot early
last year.

"Habibie told me that not even God or the Devil himself could
haul down the Merah Putih flag from East Timor," Eurico told
journalists at National Police headquarters in Jakarta.

"I'm fighting from here, so you keep up the fight over there
(to maintain East Timor as part of Indonesia)," Eurico quoted
Habibie as saying to him.

Eurico, now 26, said he was disappointed to see the government
turning its back on him, despite the militia struggle to win the
United Nations-sponsored direct ballot.

"I once believed that it's right to fight for the Merah Putih,
but it turns out that I was wrong...But I will keep on fighting
whoever tries to take East Timor away from Indonesia," he added.

Meanwhile in Denpasar, Bali, National Police chief Gen. Surojo
Bimantoro said he appreciated Eurico's cooperation with
investigators so far.

"Without disrespect to Eurico's struggle and contribution to
the nation, we have to uphold the law and take action in respect
of violations of the law. If not, any former fighter or hero
could do anything he wishes," said Bimantoro who was in Denpasar
on Friday en route to East Nusa Tenggara where he is slated to
oversee the handover of the provincial police command from Brig.
Gen. John Lalo to Brig. Gen. Sang Made Astika on Saturday
morning.

Bimantoro maintained that East Timorese refugees seem to
understand the reasons for Eurico's arrest.

"The night he was questioned, I asked Eurico Gutteres to call
his men to explain the situation and ask them to stay calm,"
Bimantoro said, adding that he was also carrying a letter from
Eurico to be delivered to his followers asking them to stay calm.

"The letter says that Eurico currently has some legal
problems, but that he is fine in custody at National Police
headquarters. He also asks the militias to keep calm," he
said.(zen/edt/bby)