RI plans to upgrade ties with E. Timor

RI plans to upgrade ties with E. Timor

President Megawati Soekarnoputri is considering elevating
Indonesia's diplomatic relations with East Timor and is seeking
inputs from the House of Representatives (DPR) on her plan.

"We've received a letter from the President seeking input from
legislators," House Commission I chairman Ibrahim Ambong said
here on Thursday. Commission I is in charge of, among other
things, foreign relations.

At present, Indonesia only has an Interest Section office in
Dili, East Timor -- Indonesia's former 27th province.

According to Ambong, there were pros and cons concerning the
plan to upgrade ties with East Timor.

In her letter, Megawati said she had been influenced by the
fact that many other countries had already established embassies
in Dili.

Ambong said the countries included Japan, the United States,
Britain, Australia, and Malaysia.

He disclosed that legislators within the House's foreign
commission were divided on the issue.

"Due to strong pros and cons we will delay talks on this
issue. We want to hear from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan
Wirajuda first," Ambong added.

East Timor seceded from Indonesia in August 1999 after a
United Nations-organized ballot showed a landslide victory for
the pro-independence group.

However, then pro-Jakarta militias -- backed by certain
military personnel -- vented out their anger by launching bloody
rampage across the former Portuguese colony, laying to waste
almost 80 percent of the infrastructure there.

Some military and police personnel, former government
officials, and militia leaders were brought to trial but most of
them were acquitted.