President to visit E. Timor

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri will attend East Timor's independence declaration on Sunday night despite strong opposition from key elements in the House of Representatives (DPR), a report said.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on Tuesday the decision reflected Indonesia's commitment to face the future and the reality of the situation.

"This trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. It also reflects Indonesia's commitment to face the future while remaining consistent with the reality (that East Timor will become a sovereign country)," Marty told a media conference.

He said the primary deciding factor in Megawati's decision to attend the declaration was an invitation from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and East Timor's president-elect Xanana Gusmao.

Megawati's decision however fails to put an end to weeks of heated debate between national leaders and politicians, who are divided on whether or not Megawati should go to East Timor to attend the independence declaration.

Critics ranged from House Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais to legislators from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), which Megawati chairs. They argued that Megawati should skip the declaration on the grounds of unresolved issues, including refugees and Indonesia's assets in its former 27th province.

An hour after the official announcement by the foreign ministry, chairman of House Commission I for Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Ambong, said he regretted Megawati's decision since she made it despite opposition from influential legislators at the DPR.

Ambong said his commission would seek information from either the state secretary or the foreign minister as to why the president had ignored its strong opposition.

Fellow commission member Djoko Susilo of the Reform Faction shared Ambong's sentiments, saying that legislators would question what Indonesia would benefit from the trip.

Foreign policy observer Dewi Fortuna Anwar, however, applauded Megawati's decision to accept the invitation.

"It is a clear expression of the country's good intention and will boost Indonesia's image in the international community," Dewi told The Jakarta Post.

She further noted that the decision was a solid first step toward better relations between the two countries and should not bring any political damage to the president.

Marty said Megawati would stay for only four hours in the East Timor capital of Dili on Sunday. She would lay a wreath at the Indonesian Military Cemetery on Sunday night and attend the midnight declaration ceremony at a lake on the outskirts of Dili.