PDI Perjuangan shifts stance, backs Mega's E. Timor visit
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Megawati Soekarnoputri flexed her muscles as chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) on Tuesday, urging party leaders to support her plan to attend the official declaration of East Timor's independence on May 20.
PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary general Pramono Anung said on Tuesday that the party's leadership would leave the decision to Megawati and would ask its legislators to support the President if she decided to go East Timor.
"The meeting has decided to ask legislators in the House of Representatives to support Megawati if she decides to go to East Timor," Pramono said after the party's weekly meeting, chaired by Megawati herself.
Pramono's statement constituted an about-face as the party's leaders, including deputy chairman Roy B.B. Janis, had insisted that they would urge Megawati to skip East Timor's independence declaration, citing numerous unresolved issues, including refugees and Indonesia's assets in its 27th former province.
Noting that East Timor would become one of Indonesia's closest neighbors, Pramono said Megawati's visit to East Timor would have strategic meaning for Indonesia in terms of Asia-Pacific cooperation.
"Should the President push through with her plan to visit East Timor, past problems between the two governments could hopefully be resolved through dialog with (president-elect) Xanana Gusmao," Pramono said.
He emphasized that PDI Perjuangan was the only political party that rejected the UN-administered ballot in East Timor in 1999.
According to Pramono, the East Timor issue was a problem of the past and "PDI Perjuangan must adopt a statesman-like attitude in assessing the issue".
National leaders and politicians have been divided on whether or not President Megawati should go to East Timor on May 20 to attend the former Portuguese colony's independence declaration.
House of Representatives Speaker Abkar Tandjung, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, as well as legislators in the House, have repeatedly urged Megawati not to attend the celebrations.
Some prominent figures, including former president Abdurrahman Wahid, have urged Megawati to attend the ceremony.
"My personal opinion is President Megawati should go to Dili. Her visit will demonstrate to the world that Indonesia wholeheartedly supports the independence of the people of East Timor," Abdurrahman was quoted by Antara as saying on Monday.
East Timor seceded from Indonesia after its population overwhelmingly voted to break away from the country in a UN- organized referendum in August 1999.
Since then, the territory has been under the rule of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor and is set to gain full independence on May 20. Dozens of heads of state, including Megawati, have been invited to attend the ceremony in Dili.