Source: RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon, in Portuguese 24 Feb 01

Indonesian Speaker dismisses criticism of Timor BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 24, 2001

Indonesian parliament Speaker Amien Rais has rejected talk among leading politicians of the "recolonization" of East Timor.

He was reacting to statements made in a debate in the Indonesian parliament on Friday.

"There is no reason whatsoever for Indonesia or for the Indonesian people to talk about the recolonization of East Timor. I think that is stupid, irrational and irresponsible, and false," he said in remarks broadcast by Portuguese radio on Saturday.

Rais said that East Timor had chosen independence and would be a good neighbour of Indonesia. And he had a warning for the army.

"Our military, our police, must stop interfering in East Timorese affairs by putting a stop to their contributions to the militias. The militias should be eradicated, that is for sure," he said.

Rais also attacked President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"The president is finished. He should resign, he should step down. I think he is attempting a political manoeuvre in order to delay his resignation. For me, he is playing a lost game."

Source: RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon, in Portuguese 24 Feb 01

/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.

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