Antara - The Indonesian National News Agency

November 28, 2001

NO SCHOLARSHIP FOR TIMOR LESTE STUDENTS IN INDONESIA, SAYS XANANA

Kupang, Nov 28 (ANTARA) - East Timorese charismatic leader Xanana Kay Rala Gusmao said Timor Leste did not have enough funds to send East Timorese student for further study in Indonesia on a scholarship.

"EVEN IN TIMOR LESTE THINGS ARE STILL DIFFICULT, SO THAT HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HELP OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OUTSIDE EAST TIMOR, " XANANA Gusmao replied a question from Anthoni, an East Timorese student, during a dialogue with East Timorese refugees in Kupang on Wednesday.

Anthoni, attending courses at a higher learning institution in Kupang, asked the East Timorese government to help East Timorese students studying in Indonesia as the unfavourable political situation in their home country is not conducive to pursuing further study there.

Xanana said, however, if the Timor Leste administration provides assistance to students outside East Timor, it may trigger social envy on the part of students in East Timor who had difficulties in furthering their study.

Many of the very few schools remaining in East Timor are currently in a deplorable condition, mostly without benches, chairs or any other furniture, everything is out or order, so that it is impossible for the Timor Leste administration to turn their attention to the problem of students outside East Timor.

He said, however, that Timor Leste still received some financial assistance from a number of donor countries for the education facilities in the future new state.

"THINGS ARE STILL VERY DIFFICULT IN TIMOR LESTE. PRACTICALLY NOBODY IS buying freshly harvested rice. Therefore it is difficult to support the EDUCATION OR OUR CHILDREN OUTSIDE EAST TIMOR, " HE SAID.

"THEREFORE, IF THE EAST NUSATENGGARA WISHED TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION OF East Timorese students studying in its territory, we all have to thank God FOR THE SACRIFICE IN HELPING THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR, " HE SAID.

Xanana also hoped the East Nusatenggara authorities would accept more East Timorese wishing to further their study in this Indonesian province.

He said he would be leaving for Sweden next month for assistance from the Swedish government to help East Timor improve and promote its human resources.

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