---------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------- ANTARA, Aug 11 1999 Megawati-ballot: PDI-P Leader Optimistic E Timorese to Opt For Autonomy Within RI Dili, Aug 10 (ANTARA)-Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri expressed optimism here Tuesday that the people of East Timor will opt to remain within the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. "I am optimistic that the people of East Timor will choose to remain with Indonesia," Ms Megawati said here on Tuesday at the conclusion of trips to some East Timor districts. Asked about her impression following her two-day visit to meet with religious leaders, officials and informal figures, Megawati simply expressed her optimism. She also said she would do her best to prevent the East Timorese people from seceding from the Republic of Indonesia. "I will do my best in order that the East Timorese people will remain part of the Indonesian nation," Megawati vowed. Meanwhile, chairman of the PDI-P's East Timor branch Anastasio Martins said East Timorese would vote in their best interest and according to voice of their conscience in the forthcoming autonomy ballot. According to Anastasio, the best option was to vote for wide- ranging autonomy. "Now that Ibu Mega (as Megawati is respectfully called by her supporters) has come to visit us, I believe the people will do her bidding to remain part of Indonesia," Anastasio said. He said Megawati--during her visit to East Timor--had always been welcomed with sympathy and warmth. During the visit, Megawati had also met with Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, East Timor Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and a number of local military leaders. (U.DLI-01/INT-NS/17:25/INT-AJM-00:07/NN01/00:22/TB02) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 16 Aug 1999 jam 06:32:44 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
