Party tells Megawati not to visit East Timor

Party tells Megawati not to visit East Timor

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has
advised President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the party's
chairwoman, to skip East Timor's independence celebration because
of the numerous unresolved issues between the two governments.

The party's deputy chairman, Roy B.B. Janis, confirmed on
Sunday that the party's executive board conveyed this message to
Megawati during the party's last meeting.

"We are merely voicing the desires of our constituents, that
there are unresolved problems with the former province and it
would be better if the President skipped the celebration," Roy
told The Jakarta Post.

There is a continuing debate over the President's plan to
attend the celebration of East Timor's independence on May 20.
Currently, it appears that Megawati will accept an invitation to
attend the ceremony in East Timor.

The House of Representatives and the People's Consultative
Assembly have repeatedly urged Megawati not to travel to Dili.

Among the unresolved problems cited by those advising Megawati
against going to East Timor are East Timor refugees in West Timor
and Indonesian assets in the former Portuguese colony.

Government officials have repeatedly said the President's
visit would symbolize the forward-looking foreign policy of
Indonesia, and would also help improve border security with East
Timor.

Roy underlined that advising the President against traveling
to Dili did not mean that the party was defying Megawati.

"I believe there will be no negative political side effects
even if the President goes ahead with the visit," he said.

East Timor voted to break away from Indonesia in a United
Nations-organized referendum in 1999, and will achieve full
independence on May 20. Megawati and other heads of state have
been invited to attend the independence celebration. --JP