Dili – The calling back of thousands of East Timorese students currently pursuing studies in various cities throughout Indonesia has been deplored. Students would be better off concentrating on their studies. Not all students supported either independence or integration for the territory.

Joao Bosco, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) faction in the East Timor Regional DPR (People's Representative Council) said this yesterday. "The students should only work for their own individual interests. This could disturb the peace. Practical political education for the community is already part of the UN programme," he said.

A number of students who had newly disembarked from said that they had been "ordered" to come home by Xanana Gusmao. [sentence as received] They said that they had received the call to return from rectors of their institutions, after the rectors had received a letter from Gusmao.

The students said that they would be taking a three-month vacation starting in April, with the special task of offering political education to the East Timorese community. All East Timorese students were expected to be in Dili by 3rd April...