---------------------------------------------------------- FREE for JOIN Indonesia Daily News Online via EMAIL: go to: http://www.indo-news.com/subscribe.html - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- The Indonesian Observer, 10th August 1999 Megawati Calls On East Timorese Not To Break Away From Indonesia JAKARTA (IO) - Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri yesterday expressed her hope that the East Timorese will remain with Indonesia after the August 30 direct ballot. "I hope that people here will remain with Indonesia after the direct ballot," said Megawati when meeting with her supporters in East Timor's Liquica regency. She also urged the East Timorese to stop all violence prior to the direct ballot which will determine the future of the region. "Please stay away from violent activities. Let us unify to welcome a better future with freedom and love," said Megawati in front of her supporters in Bobonaro regency, East Timor. She expressed the hope that the direct ballot will be implemented peacefully so that all people can use their rights without any pressure from other parties. "I believe that the East Timorese will use their rights properly, and I also believe that they realize that they have lived together within the big family of Indonesia," said Megawati. Whilst in East Timor Megawati, whose party won the top place in the June 7 general election, visited three regencies in East Timor, including Covalima, Bobonaro, and Liquica. In all places she was always warmly welcomed by the East Timorese who expect that she will be the fourth Indonesian president. In Covalima, Megawati said that although she lived far away from East Timor, she always expressed her solidarity about the fate of the East Timorese. "It has been a very long time since I have had such an opportunity to express my solidarity to [East Timorese] who are part of the big family of the republic of Indonesia. I express my gratitude to the East Timorese who voted for PDI P in the June 7 general election," she said. She urged the East Timorese to use their votes in a mature manner in the forthcoming ballot. National Independence Day Meanwhile, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares said yesterday the commemoration of the 54th anniversary of national independence will still be held in the province even though the province is now organizing ballot processes. "The commemoration will still take place. This republic exists and will always exist so that the commemoration will take place," Abilio told Antara in Dili yesterday. He said even though East Timor people will get busy with a series of campaigns for the ballot from August 14 to 17, they must organize the commemoration of national independence. "There will be no problem," he added. Abilio said nothing special about this year's commemoration of national independence in East Timor. It is similar with other commemorations. "Commemoration of national day will always be organized as a big event. We did it in the past," he said. An East Timorese youth Franquelino da Costa Freitas meanwhile said this year's commemoration of national independence in East Timor will have special meaning. "This is the right momentum to raise the enthusiasm of East Timor people in facing the reality that being integrated with Indonesia is much better," he said. Franquelino emphasized East Timor people cannot deny the facts that they already have freedom during their integration with Indonesia for 23 years. He added the state of East Timor during its integration with Indonesia is far better than its state when East Timor was occupied by Portugal. "This year's commemoration will strengthen enthusiasm to remain integrated with Indonesia. The people would in turn accept wide ranging autonomy on polling day o August 30," he said. He confirmed at the moment there are several youths and students who realize that the best solution to East Timor problem is to accept wide ranging autonomy. "This would be a compromise for pro-integration group and anti- integration group. Most elder people do not want a civil war to take place in East Timor," he said. He emphasized approval on the wide ranging autonomy would be the best solution to a better life in East Timor in the future. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 12 Aug 1999 jam 09:58:36 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
