Prointegration leader backs referendum

Prointegration leader backs referendum

JAKARTA (JP): A Portugal-based East Timorese leader who
supports the territory's integration into Indonesia believes
Jakarta should have nothing to fear from a referendum in the
former Portuguese colony.

Abilio Araujo, who has taken up Portuguese citizenship, also
urged Indonesia to release separatist leader Jose Alexandre
"Xanana" Gusmao as part of the effort to find a lasting solution
to the question of East Timor.

In an interview here Saturday, Abilio said Lisbon had no
intention of repossessing its former colony.

"If the result of the referendum says that East Timorese want
to join Indonesia, the Portuguese government will have nothing to
say other than accept it."

The native of Aileu regency in East Timor said Portugal only
wanted to understand that the East Timorese's choice to join
Indonesia was purely their own.

"Portugal neither recognizes the unilateral declaration of
independence by Fretilin in November 1975, nor the declaration of
independence by the coalition of parties opposing Fretilin in
December of the same year," he said in referring to the outlawed
East Timor independence movement.

Abilio was accompanied by Judith J. Dipodiputro, assistant to
chairwoman of the Indonesian-Portugal Friendship Association
(PPIP) Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, during the interview. Hardijanti
is the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto.

Groups of East Timorese have come out publicly in recent weeks
to demand a referendum in the territory, including thousands of
students who converged in Jakarta early this month.

The government and many prointegration leaders in East Timor
have rejected the referendum plan, saying that it would only
further antagonize divisions and reignite civil war.

As a compromise, President B.J. Habibie's government has
instead offered greater autonomy for the province.

East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares said in Dili
yesterday that he would hold a dialog with the community leaders
in the province about the latest proposal.

"If the we get approval, a 'green light' from the central
government then we will meet to draft a concept with all socio-
political forces in the province," he said. "But the framework
still has to be with the unitary state of the Republic of
Indonesia".

"This will not only be useful domestically but also from an
international standpoint because the United Nations can then also
look to see whether its any good," he added.

He further maintained that calls for a referendum would not be
worthwhile for the East Timor because it would be resolve the
problem.

"Please not that anywhere in the world, that dialog, not a
referendum, is what resolves conflicts," he remarked.

Separately, rebel leader Xanana Gusmao flatly rejected
Habibie's proposal.

The gesture would not solve the problem in East Timor, Xanana
told friends who visited him at his Cipinang penitentiary here to
celebrate his 52nd birthday.

"There won't be a solution to the East Timor issue without a
referendum. This is something the Indonesian government must
understand. Only a referendum will guarantee a solution that is
just as well as a stable and lasting peace," Xanana said as
quoted by Reuters.

"I think the problem of autonomy is not a relevant problem
because autonomy is just a consequence of the integration and it
is not an alternative solution," he said in an interview.

Divide

While agreeing to the idea of a referendum, Abilio said the
poll should not simply focus on whether to remain part of
Indonesia.

"The referendum is not supposed to provide 'yes or no' options
over East Timor's integration into Indonesia as it will divide
East Timorese into two groups," he said, "One group wants to
integrate with Indonesia, while the other one is against it."

"There should not be any civil war in East Timor anymore."

He recommended that the two camps meet first to discuss what
exactly the referendum would ask East Timorese to choose.

Abilio hailed Habibie's offer of a special status for East
Timor. "It will help break the stalemate in the prolonged
Indonesia-Portugal negotiations."

He also argued that Xanana's release would facilitate efforts
for reconciliation. (imn)