Sutiyoso promises shelter, jobs for integrationists

Sutiyoso promises shelter, jobs for integrationists

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso vowed on Wednesday to provide
temporary shelter and employment for some 40 East Timorese
integrationists who have been taking refuge at the House of
Representatives compound since last month.

Sutiyoso was responding to the refugees' plea to the governor
to help them earn a decent living and assist their struggle for
the return of East Timor to Indonesia.

"If you stay in such poor conditions, it will only tarnish
your image. I hope you will trust me and let me find you a
temporary shelter," he told the refugees while visiting the House
compound.

The visit made at the invitation of the House Secretariat,
which was seeking help in dealing with the refugees.

Sutiyoso said he would contact his friends about providing
jobs for the refugees. "You must work to support yourselves here.
Only then will you be able to fight for your aspirations.

"But you must promise that you will work hard at any position
given to you," he said.

The governor said he had a special relationship with East
Timor because he served there as a captain in the Army's Special
Force (Kopassus). "I fought hand in hand with prointegration
fighters. I explored all the regions of East Timor during my
service there," he told the refugees.

"I even put Dilliyanti, derived from East Timor's capital
Dili, in my eldest daughter's name. She was born when I was still
serving there," he said.

The leader of the refugees, Alex Hafoni, told Sutiyoso there
were 40 East Timorese taking refuge in the House compound. "We
are looking for support from the legislators here because we
still regard ourselves as Indonesians. We have been here for
about one month," Alex, who came from Dili, said.

He said they represented about 150,000 East Timorese refugees
in East Nusa Tenggara who wanted to return to East Timor and live
on their own land.

"We need houses and land to cultivate. We don't have enough
food for all of us here and rely on donations. Sometimes we eat
once a day.

"Such hardship, however, won't cause us to retract our
allegiance to the republic," he said.

Another refugee, Edgar van Erickson from Los Palos, aired his
hope that East Timor would return to Indonesia. "I've been told
my grandfather, a former regent of Los Palos, fought side by side
with Komandan Gubernur (Sutiyoso) in the early days of the
integration," he told the governor.

"Yes, I remember fighting side by side with your grandfather.
You must be brave and don't let him down," Sutiyoso responded.

East Timor integrated with Indonesia in December 1975.
However, the majority of East Timorese voted in a UN-sponsored
ballot on Aug. 30, 1999, to separate from Indonesia and establish
an independent country.

Sutiyoso then told Edgar he could become a television star. "I
think Edgar is fit to be an actor in a sinetron (television
drama). I'm sure you can beat out Pedro Carrascalao."

Pedro is the son of former East Timor governor Mario Viegas
Carrascalao, who fled to Portugal ahead of the 1999 ballot while
still a member of Indonesia's Supreme Advisory Council.

Two other refugees, Marjon Leirima of Liquica and Sipri Babu
of Los Palos, told journalists they would accept any jobs given
them by Sutiyoso.

"Without a school diploma, I don't think I can get a good job.
At least I will be able to support myself," said Marjon.

"I won't choose the type of work. It will be just fine if I
can be a security guard or a factory worker," added Sipri.

Before departing, Sutiyoso learned the refugees were having
rice and green beans for lunch. The governor gave Alex Rp 500,000
(US$53), saying, "Here, buy some decent lunch for your men."

The governor then returned to City Hall with Alex, Edgar and
another refugee, Lorenzo Elio, in his car, leaving his aide,
Teguh, to return in another vehicle. (nvn)