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