RSVP

Too bad I won't be in Dili for the launching in Dili of the free Timor Lorosae branch of this great magazine Inside Indonesia [October 3]. I will be mid air between the US and Asia. After a meeting with President G.W. Bush I fly to Jakarta for the launching of the Southwest Pacific Dialogue. So I can just congratulate you on the launching.

I am sure Kirsty Sword Gusmao will say good things about the magazine. I will add my voice to hers. But you also better write nice things about the Alkatiri government and particularly about the Foreign Ministry... All the best.

Jose Ramos Horta

Dili, Timor Leste

26 September 2002

Name Change?

Your edition �Outside Indonesia: East Timor� has been read from front to back by my wife and myself. It is, at least in our opinion, one of the best issues. Last month we returned from our seventh tour to Indonesia. Whilst we were in Indonesia we spoke to a great number of Indonesians in English as well as in Indonesian. We noticed a degree of resentment towards Australia in view of the fact that Australia had recognised East Timor to be not only de facto but also de jure as an integral part of Indonesia. However, reading the Jakarta Post and Kompas we also found that the Indonesian government was keen to turn this page of history and closely cooperate with East Timor.

We Australians should not be so critical about Indonesia. Our opinion is that Megawati Sukarnoputri is doing a very good job considering the great differences within her country. We would suggest that you continue to report about East Timor as the young nation develops. You might consider changing the name of the magazine to Inside Indonesia and East Timor.

Yours Sincerely,

C (Kees) H van Rooy