---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Dengan mengClick banner sponsor anda menyumbang Rp. 1000,- untuk HomePage IndoNews. ---------------------------------------------------------- Finnegan: Heroes or Villains There is no doubt that TimTim (East Timor) is Indonesia's Vietnam. For about 20 years the Americans were trying to become heroes to the free world by the doctrine they had to take a stand and stop Communism in Vietnam or else. For 20 years, the US thought with their military might they could smash a minnow like Vietnam in no time. They were wrong and all wrong. Instead of being the heroes, the Americans were the villains and still trying very hard to shed that image. History tends to repeat itself. For 20 years, Indonesia thought it has to take stand at TimTim, otherwise other areas within Indonesia might demand independence. For over 20 years, Indonesia thought with their military might they could smash a minnow like TimTim rebels in no time. the Indonesians thought they would heroes by rescuing TimTim and incorporating it into Indonesia. They were wrong and all wrong. Instead of being the heroes, the Indonesians are the villains.. Back in March 1998, I wrote: "The Lesson of Vietnam War. What we are hearing and seeing now is the People are demanding political, social and economic changes. If this is really the case, they will get it. No amount of military might can stop it. Gen. Wiranto should study again the lessons of the Vietnam War. Unless, I am completely wrong about the Indonesian people. If so, they deserve what they get. There is no good of praying to God to salvage the nation, God only help those who help themselves." My advice to the politicians is, do not repeat the mistake of the Americans. Unlike them, you have an opportunity here to be become the heroes. You can do this by helping the people of TimTim to become independent. You can help them to create a sustainable independent nation. If you do this, you are not only doing a favour for the people of TimTim but for yourself as well. You will become the heroes not only in TimTim but also to the world at large. You will redeem tarnished and shattered reputation and credibility. You never know, one day, when Indonesia has become the third largest democracy in the world, prosperous again, TimTim might even to ask to rejoin. If you choose the opposite, namely continue to de-stable TimTim through your well known "adu-domba" tactics and trying to create "civil war" atmosphere, you will condemn to become the villains forever. The choice is really yours. Regards - Chai Finnegan ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 1 Feb 1999 jam 05:05:03 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
