Interview: Abilio Araujo

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Note:
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Abilio Araujo's position is not news anymore for some. Yet, this
particular piece, one year old already, has never been translated
anywhere. I just made it for the sake of clarity. And historical
honesty too: for some historians who want to objectively look at
the present from a still distant future. Also, for people who have
realized that there has been a basic change in East Timor, different
than what it used to be. Definite change whose nature is still
unclear and can only be estimated vaguely at the moment.
-Leonardo Rimba (Jan 4, 1997)
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Title: Timor Timur: Presiden Fretilin Bicara Lain
Type: Full Text Translation
Source: GATRA, Weekly, No.10/II
Date: Jan.20, 1996
[Begins]
FRETILIN PRESIDENT TALKS DIFFERENTLY: RECONCILIATION OF
PRO AND ANTI INTEGRATIONISTS IS THE WAY TO DEVELOP EAST TIMOR
Fretilin President, Dr. Abilio Araujo, who has been living
in Portugal visited Jakarta from Dec 26, 1995 to Jan 7, 1996.
About ten days, the 46-year old man went about the capital
and met with a number of high officials. He didn't go to
Dili and was escorted with Ambassador at Large Lopez da Cruz
and Ambassador to the United Kingdom J.E. Habibie.
Among others, Araujo met with Research and Technology
Minister B.J. Habibie, Foreign Minister Alatas, Minister
of National Planning and Development G. Kartasasmita, and
President of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce Aburizal
Bakrie. He even visited with President Soeharto for about
one hour at the president's private residence last Jan 5th.
This is for the first time Araujo came to Indonesia since
leaving East Timor in 1976, shortly before East Timor
integrated with Indonesia. From abroad, he threw a demand
to find a solution for East Timor problem. First, there
should be a referendum. Second, self determination for the
people of East Timor. And third, withdrawal of all Indone-
sian troops from East Timor.
Later the stance of this man who holds a doctoral degree
and owns an export-import business in Lisbon (Portugal's
capital) softened. He supports the All-Inclusive East Timor
Dialog, a forum for the East Timor people who are for and
against integration held in London (1994) and Austria (1995).
As a result, he clashed with Ramos-Horta, another Fretilin
leader abroad (Translator's: Indonesian media always regards
Ramos-Horta as a Fretilin). In the end, Araujo could convince
Horta to attend the Austrian meeting.
A year ago, Araujo sent a letter to President Soeharto,
asking for an audience. And his wish was granted. Though
unable to visit Dili, he was quite satisfied just to visit
Indonesia. He also admitted of being impressed by the
President. "While shaking hands, he said 'God Bless You'
to me. That touched me a lot," Araujo reminisced.
Araujo is now back in Portugal. In a talk through the phone
with Genot Widjoseno from "Gatra", he talked of his experiences
while in Indonesia as well as his concept for East Timor
solution. Here are its excerpts:
GATRA: How the East Timor community in Portugal reacted
 to your Indonesian visit ?
ARAUJO: Positive. I went and met with His Excellency
President Soeharto, then I came back to work.
Everything was smooth.
GATRA: Anybody complaining about it ?
ARAUJO: No. Most of the people I represent were very glad
that I could meet the President.
GATRA: According to you, what should be done in East Timor ?
ARAUJO: Most importantly, there should be tolerance: honoring
the rights of each other and working for stability.
Stability is the main prerequisite for people's welfare.
And I'll help as much as I can.
GATRA: But aren't there groups who are always making noises?
ARAUJO: We ought to see why they do it. That's the reason why
all relevant parties should talk and find a consensus
to solve problems, especially those harming the stability.
In that way, investors would be able to go there and
invest, bringing prosperity to East Timor.
GATRA: How can stability be achieved while anti-integration
groups abroad always throw accusations ?
ARAUJO: That's the reason why I support the reconciliatory
meeting between various East Timor groups and factions.
Only with dialogs are we able to discuss and solve
existing problems. If we are always divided and don't
talk with each other, each group will only continue to
believe its own rightness.
GATRA: Is it true that there are East Timor people abroad
who are still active to invoke unrest ?
ARAUJO: Yes, in my opinion there are certain groups who are
always encouraging the East Timor people to make
disturbances. And as a responsible leader, of course
I don't do such a thing.
GATRA: Who do you think they are ?
ARAUJO: I don't have a proof of which groups doing it. But I
know those who stimulated, supplied literature, and
gave thoughts to the people in East Timor. But, once
again, I suppose through dialogs and exchanges of
infos between us, between those who are outside as well
as inside East Timor, we can achieve an agreement.
GATRA: While visiting Indonesia, did you ever think that
Indonesia was a Moslem country ?
ARAUJO: I myself saw Indonesia as a country with various ethnic
groups, religions, and culture. And what impressed me
was "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" which became the basis of
societal lives in Indonesia. (Translator's: The Sanskrit
words "Bhinneka... means 'Unity in Diversity'). For me,
that is very important to know.
GATRA: In East Timor, the church is the main factor in society.
What do you think should be strived for by the church in
East Timor ?
ARAUJO: I believe what the church has been doing in East Timor
is very positive. Especially in everyday life. And
I think that the church and the government should be
exchanging viewpoints more often about all things
happening in the society.
GATRA: How is Fretilin now ?
ARAUJO: Fretilin is still alive. But Fretilin is now divided
into two factions, and the faction I lead supports
what I do. The second faction is Ramos-Horta's.
GATRA: How many are your supporters ?
ARAUJO: I can't tell it accurately. The Fretilin group I lead
supports my reconciliatory efforts fully.
GATRA: Do you still believe in reconciliation ?
ARAUJO: Of course. To develop East Timor, all groups ought
to make peace. It's impossible without peace. Recon-
ciliation is the only way to develop East Timor.
[Ends]
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