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Indonesia condemns attack on Horta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned Monday the attack on Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and immediately ordered the military to tighten border security for fears the violence could cause instability within Indonesia's territory

Abdul Khalik and Desy Nurhayati (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Wed, February 13, 2008

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Indonesia condemns attack on Horta

P

resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned Monday the attack on Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and immediately ordered the military to tighten border security for fears the violence could cause instability within Indonesia's territory.

Yudhoyono told reporters hours after Horta was shot and seriously injured by rebel soldiers the murder attempt could not be justified and called it an assault to democracy.

"I have prayed for President Ramos-Horta personally so that he can recover and be back to work again as usual," Yudhoyono said.

The Timor Leste president was injured in a dawn gunbattle at his residence on the outskirts of the capital city of Dili, in which rebel leader Maj. Alfredo Reinado was killed.

Gunmen also targeted Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in attacks that many said will plunge the young nation into a fresh crisis following unrest in 2006 which saw international forces deployed to restore calm.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said he hoped the death of Reinado would weaken the rebels group and prompt them to surrender, ending the protracted security problems facing the neighboring country.

In Kupang, Indonesian border security force commander Lt. Col. RM Kusdahyono said military troops had heightened patrols along the border to prevent armed rebels from trespassing.

There were no signs of a mass exodus of Timor Leste citizens to Indonesian territory, however.

"The situation at the Motaain and Metamasin border crossing stations in Belu regency is still normal and there is no indication of a mass exodus yet," he said.

Commander of the Wirasakti Military Command, which oversees Kupang, Col. Winston Pardamean Simanjuntak said the overland border gateways of the two countries had remained open, but border crossers, especially Timor Leste citizens, were tightly inspected to prevent the possibility of armed groups from trespassing.

Yudhoyono said security measures were aimed at preventing the impacts of the violence in Timor Leste on Indonesia.

"We must make sure that we are on the right place, and not interfere with Timor Leste's internal affairs," he said.

Reinado has been supported by people living in the Western part of Timor Leste, usually associated with people loyal to the pro-Indonesian militia.

Many accused the TNI of supporting the militia ahead of the 1999 self-determination referendum.

Shortly after Timor Leste voted for independence from Indonesia, violence swept across the then-Indonesian province.

Yudhoyono said he hoped Timor Leste and international security forces could immediately restore peace within the country.

Chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission I on defense, security and international affairs Theo Sambuaga urged international forces, including Australia, to increase their presence and bring back normalcy to the country.

(Yemris Fointuna contributed to this story from Kupang)

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