Separatist hope keeps East Timor issue unresolved

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

During a recent visit to Dili, East Timor, The Jakarta Post had the opportunity to talk with the deputy military commander of the province, Col. Soekotjo HS. In the interview he talks about the issue of East Timor and his role, as a military man in the province, in helping to resolve the matter.

Question: Many people do not understand why the issue of East Timor continues to drag on? Why after all these years has it not been resolved?

Answer: It really comes down to the fact that there is still a lifeline, a spark of hope (for separatists) being given from abroad by people like Ramos Horta.

If promises persist, such as the possibility of a shadow government, and the fact that it is still an unresolved issue on the United Nations agenda, then it will give hope to those people. Such hope is manipulated, so they can keep on using it.

Q: Is that hope realistic?

A: There is still hope, and some people cling to it. There are of course many who support integration, but there are a few who are still against it.

Who they are I don't know. Who they are overseas is quite obvious, but here it isn't so clear who they are. Who knows what people say in their hearts. But the point is that if hope is diminished, then they won't pursue it anymore. In the end they'll go about working and living a normal daily life.

Q: So the solution has to come from abroad?

A: Talking about things abroad is like finding a solution to the problem of the chicken and the egg. Which comes first?

The issue can only be settled abroad if East Timor is in a peaceful condition. On the other hand, East Timor can only be peaceful if the issue is 100 percent resolved overseas. So which one comes first?"

Q: So your task here is to ensure the security and stability of the province?

A: My duty here is to carry out my orders by making conditions safe. Such security will hopefully help bring about a speedy and beneficial solution. I also hope for the same thing, that those abroad can resolve the issue quickly, too.

Q: Will any foreign resolution really help bring stability and peace to East Timor?

A: Look, if they can settle the matter abroad we won't have to go looking for the GPKs. They will come down from the mountains themselves when they realize that there is no longer any hope (for their cause).

If there are still any GPKs, it shows they still have hope to gain in some sort of independence. But if their expectations are tightly limited, they'll stop. Who'll think of spreading propaganda when they realize that there is no longer any hope.

It's like going to watch a movie. If the tickets are all sold- out and the ticket booth is closed, then there's no hope anymore. You can get angry about it, but there's nothing you can do. But if the booth is still open, people will struggle and push their way through, just so they can get inside.

Q: Given the circumstances you must have a difficult task ahead.

A: My job is really to make sure that the line to the booth is orderly. The task of the military command is to ensure security and safety -- this will help the solution abroad. We (the military) will always hold back no matter what we encounter.

Q: So a resolution requires a combined approach from everyone.

A: East Timor cannot be resolved from one person alone, it has to come from all departments. Not just the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs themselves. My job as deputy commander is to maintain the security of East Timor which will in turn contribute toward a solution from abroad.

I can't say what moves will have to be taken in order to find such a solution. It could take 10...maybe 15 steps. I just don't know. What's important for me is to ensure the security of East Timor.

Q: Despite the tremendous development in the province, people always see the negative side of East Timor.

A: It's easy for people to see the ugly side of things. But I'm always open when people want to come here and see the situation themselves.

The envoy of the UN Secretary General was recently here. Supposedly he heard there was a war going on here. I showed him around and told him to go and see whatever he wanted to. Where is the war? It's all safe. You can go out and safely eat at a Padang restaurant.

Of course you always have the odd one or two unfurling (separatist) banners and such. But I think he can see for himself whether all of East Timor feels the same way.

I just asked him to go back and report what he actually saw objectively. Don't cover up anything and certainly don't add anything to it either.