PAN regrets govt inconsistency

President Habibie's statement that a referendum in East Timor is not necessary is to be regretted and shows the arrogance of the government of Indonesia and is inconsistent with the spirit of reform. Habibie's justified this stance by stating that East Timor was integrated into Indonesia by a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree. This reasoning should be roundly condemned because the relevant MPR decree was a product of the New Order and thus manipulated and passed with scant regard to the humanitarian aspects of the East Timorese issue at that time.

We believe that there is a strong element of blackmail in the suggestion that East Timor could be granted independence if Indonesia's proposal of greater autonomy is rejected. It appears as if the people of East Timor are being forced by fait accompli to accept the offer of the autonomy. "If autonomy is not accepted then we (the Indonesian government) will leave."

If the government lets East Timor go overnight, this would constitute an highly irresponsible act because it could give rise to a civil war in the territory. Recent events in East Timor such as the clashes between rival groups proves that such a risk exists. As has been stated by the Bishop of Dili, Carlos Belo, if Indonesia lets East Timor go now, "Indonesia would be worse than the Portuguese colonial administration."

The problem of East Timor has to be resolved once and for all. Therefore, as stated in the National Mandate Party (PAN) manifesto, a referendum is the best solution. However, a referendum need not necessarily take place after a transitional period of ten years because there is the possibility of the territory descending into a civil war. A referendum could take place after a transitionary period of between three and five years. In this era of reform, with a new democratic government in Jakarta after the June election, the people of East timor may choose to stay within a democratic Indonesia. Indonesia should nevertheless be prepared for the eventuality that the East Timorese will choose to set up an independent state. We are confident that in the event of this happening, Indonesia will not feel exploited and trust can be developed as the basis for managing future bilateral relations.

BARA HASIBUAN

Head of International Relations Dept.

The National Mandate Party

Jakarta