Implementation of the East Timor Referendum

Implementation of the East Timor Referendum
An important event that occurred during the administration of President B.J.
Habibie is holding a referendum for the people of East Timor for
solve the East Timor problem which is the inheritance of
previous government. It must be admitted that the integration of East Timor (Tim-
Team) to the RI territory of 1975 which was confirmed by TAP MPR No.VI/
M7PR / 1978, on the part of the will of some East Timorese never
gained international recognition. Although actually Indonesia is not
once claimed and ambitiously controlled the area of ​​East Timor. Many
sacrifices that have been given the nation of Indonesia, both life and
property, to create peace and development in East Timor,
which historically are often volatile between pro-integration ones
with the counter. Subsidies provided by central government even
beyond what is given to other provinces to pursue
lag. But it is regrettable that all these efforts are not
never received a positive response, both in the international environment
as well as among the East Timorese people themselves.
In various international forums Indonesia's position is always cornered. As much
8 UN General Assembly resolutions and 7 UN Security Council resolutions
issued. Indonesia must face the fact that to recover
image of Indonesia, has no choice but to attempt to complete
the problem of East Timor in ways that are acceptable to society
international. In Tripartite negotiations Indonesia offers ideas
fresh, that is, broad autonomy for East Timor. The idea was approved by
Portugal but with a different principle, namely this widespread autonomy
the intermediate solution (the transition period between 5-10 years) is not the final solution as it is.
offered Indonesia. Parties who disagree with integration remain
want a referendum, to ensure the people of 'East Timor
choose autonomy or independence.
For Indonesia it is better to solve the East Timor problem
thoroughly, because it will be difficult to realize the Special Autonomy Government,
while the conflict continues to drag on and on both sides of the conflict
will draw up the power to win a referendum. Therefore, through
in-depth study and after consultation with the House Leadership and
Parliamentary factions, the government offered another alternative. If the majority
East Timorese rejects widespread autonomy in a "poll",
then it is natural and wise even democratic and constitutional, if
the government proposed a second Option to the General Assembly of the Assembly, that is
consider the separation of East Timor from NKRI peacefully,
good and honorable.

The people of East Timor conducted a popular consultation on 30 August 1999
in accordance with the New York Agreement. Announced poll results
UN on 4 September 1999, was 78.5% refused and 21.5% accepted.
After this poll there have been various forms of violence, so
for the sake of humanity Indonesia approved the acceleration of troop deployment
multinational in East Timor.
In accordance with the basic values ​​contained in
Preamble to the 1945 Constitution, that independence is a right
all nations, then President Habibie expects
The MPR is pleased to discuss the results of the popular consultation
and poured it into provisions that give
recognition of the decisions of the East Timorese people. Corresponding
with the New York Agreement, the statute endorsed
the separation of East Timor and RI is good, honorable
and peaceful, to show the world that
Indonesia is part of the international community
responsible, democratic, and upholding
high human rights.