GRIB Demands Apology by Timor-Leste’s Defense Chief

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Thu, January 14, 2013 - By bahol, okezone.com

JAKARTA - The Central Board of the Indonesian New People's Movement (GRIB) deplored the threats made by the Timor-Leste Defence Chief, General Lere Anan Timur against GRIB Chairman Rosalio Marsal aka Hercules. 

"An army leader in a democratic society should not make such a statement that openly that harms organizations or agencies in other countries. GRIB strongly rejects the statement of Chief of Army Major-General of Timor-Leste Lere Anan Timur, accusing GRIB Chairman of wanting to intervene in Timor-Leste," said GRIB Vice Chairman Ghazaly Ama La following the release of these details on Sunday (01/13/2013). 

Ghazaly also rejected Lere’s accusations that Hercules was carrying weapons when he entered Timor-Leste territory. He said that these allegations against GRIB, which is an organization that is part of the National Body Politic of the State of the Republic of Indonesia, were baseless. 

 "For us, the statements by General Lere, are highly tendentious because most of the people of Timor-Leste and the majority of the citizens of Timor-Leste, formerly a part of Indonesia, are proud of him," he said. General Lere’s statement blocking pro-integration citizens returning to Timor-Leste is also thought to reflect the attitude of the military's support for national unity as expected by the United Nations (UN). Lere failed to exercise good judgment in accusing Hercules of attempting to intervene in Timor-Leste domestic politics, because it is also an accusation against Indonesian sovereignty.  “We reiterate, Hercules has always abided by the law of the country when entering it. He cleared immigration and had clear legal status from immigration, which proves that Hercules arrived in Timor-Leste without the agenda that Lere has blamed on him,” Ghazaly said. 

 GRIB asked General Lere Anan Timur to apologize to Hercules for the remarks he made. "We also strongly object, GRIB being equated with the separatist group," he stated. Since it is considered to be damaging to the relations between the two countries, the Government of Timor-Leste were also asked to apologize specifically to the Government of Indonesia for these statements.

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