Time for East Timor

Time for East Timor

After decades of Indonesian occupation, East Timor is
beginning to see events move at an almost breathtaking pace. Only
a day after rebel leader Xanana Gusmao was moved out of his jail
cell came President Bacharuddin Habibie's declaration that, one
way or another, he expects the former Portuguese colony's status
to be resolved by Jan. 1.

Independence, an option which his government only recently
accepted as a fallback, has suddenly catapulted to the top of
Jakarta's agenda. But while it is understandable Habibie should
wish to rid himself of the Timor headache, so that he can
concentrate on the rest of his nation's pressing problems,
Indonesia cannot be allowed to brush off its responsibilities so
easily.

After 24 years of occupation, Jakarta cannot simply pack up
and leave so easily. To do so risks precipitating precisely the
sort of civil war which erupted when Portugal abruptly pulled out
in 1975, so providing the pretext for Jakarta's invasion.

Already there are signs of growing tension between Timorese
nationalists and those with a vested interest in a continued
Indonesian presence. Some suspect the military have even begun
arming local militia to fight the advocates of independence.

The best hope for the troubled province lies in the now
almost-free Gusmao, who appears remarkably devoid of bitterness
despite the long struggle he has waged. Together with Nobel Peace
laureate Jose Ramos Horta, who is now likely to be allowed to
return to Timor, he is emerging as a moderate figure capable of
building the consensus that would avert another civil war.

That will take time with Gusmao suggesting it may need 10
years of social reconciliation before Timor is ready for a
referendum on self-rule.

So, however much Habibie may wish to wash his hands of the
problem more quickly, he will have to understand Indonesia's
obligations towards those whose rights it has suppressed for so
long will continue at least until Timor is ready for
independence.

-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong