Unfortunate distractions

Unfortunate distractions

Different words have been used to express the official
reactions to the latest events, but in conclusion it may be said
that the demonstration by a group of East Timorese students at
the United States Embassy in Jakarta and the rioting which
occurred in Dili in the last several days are highly unfortunate
incidents indeed. Unfortunate, because they occurred at a time
when the government of Indonesia and the people alike are poised
to host this country's most important international gathering of
the year: the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Bogor.

It is an ingrained part of our culture that we always try to
be a good host and that hence we will spare nothing in our power
to make sure that we please our guests. In the case of today's
APEC meeting, the government has taken practically every measure
possible to ensure that the international gathering will be a
success.

Some people have even complained that the authorities are
going too far out of their way to please those guests. For
example, although many Jakartans are naturally delighted by the
fact that two extra holidays were proclaimed for the city, street
vendors, who are being kept from doing their daily business
because of the measure, have grumbled.

Now, suddenly, there are those two incidents.

Actually, judging by the chronology of events, one might say
that they could have been anticipated. Nov. 12, after all,
happens to be the anniversary of the Dili Incident of 1991. In
past years attempts have usually been made to stage protests on
that particular day.

However, seeking reasons or scapegoats does not help to clear
up the situation. A much better attitude would be for us to use
our common sense and not to react in anger. For one thing, this
will prevent us from falling into the trap of emotional decision-
making and the making of unnecessary blunders.

Some of the visiting leaders, such as President Bill Clinton,
have already stated that they will raise the human rights issue
during their visit to Jakarta. Hence, it seems practically
certain that the East Timor issue will be raised during the
planned bilateral talks.

One could argue that since the APEC conference is an economic
meeting that will decide the future direction of half of the
world's economies, one might just as well disregard the Timor
incidents as something trivial, or at least insubstantial. Still,
the issue of East Timor is clearly there and must thus somehow be
addressed, lest it continue to haunt us for many more years to
come.

For the last several years, particularly after the Dili
Incident of 1991, most people here have acknowledged that a fresh
approach should be made in addressing the East Timor issue. Many
feel that a new policy should be outlined, which will put greater
emphasis on psychological considerations and address the
situation of the people of East Timor.

It must be said that the government has already started to
move in that direction, for instance by cutting the number of
combat troops in the area, by creating more job opportunities,
and even, if the reports are true, by considering giving this
27th province a special status.

With regard to the two most recent incidents, it seems that
the government has not moved fast enough with its new policies.
And since we believe that at present East Timor is an economic
and human rights problem, more than a political one, we think
that we should start moving faster. Perhaps more incentives could
be offered for investments in the province. And even other
measures could be taken.

Most important of all, however, efforts may be necessary to
ensure that the understanding of the concepts of basic rights
gets a wider base in the province. In other words, we should do
some serious soul-searching to find out what has gone wrong, and
why. And then we should set out to adjust our approach and our
policies even more.

In conclusion we must say that, unfortunate as they are, the
latest incidents should not be allowed to overshadow or distract
from the importance of the current APEC meetings in Jakarta and
Bogor. After all, this truly is a historic event that could
determine the well-being of the hundreds of millions of people
who live in this region in the years and decades that are to
come. Surely, this is an effort that is worth our fullest
attention.