Penalty sought for activists

DILI (JP): The local military pressured East Timor University officials yesterday to punish students involved in political activities.

Maj. Gen. Abdul Rivai told journalists after meeting with university officials that many students have been involved in political activities, which he said is in violation of college rules.

"We told the university's officials not to hesitate to take punitive action against recalcitrant students," Rivai said after a meeting held behind closed doors.

Present at the meeting were local senior military officials, vice governor J. Haribowo, acting rector Armindo Maia and deans of the university's socio-political and education departments.

A meeting between officials and East Timor University students were canceled for reasons Rivai declined to disclose.

The university was the target of numerous anti-government demonstrations. Rivai alleged that some students were involved in a recent flurry of violent protests.

He urged university officials to have the courage to punish "recalcitrant" students.

"If no action is taken, the situation could develop into anarchy," he said. "University officials have to understand this."

In a recent incident, a student threw a bottle of mineral water at officials of the National Commission on Human Rights who were visiting to discuss a case.

Such an incident, he said, should not pass without the culprit being punished.

Rivai said the meeting aimed to find a solution to the university and government's common problems concerning political activities involving students. (33/pan)