Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) has taken the same position as the House's Commission I for political and security affairs, rejecting a visit by President Megawati Soekarnoputri to East Timor next month, according to reports.

"The stance of the TNI/Police faction is clear and final," the chairman of the faction, Lt. Gen. Budi Harsono, said as quoted by Antara news agency. Budi said Indonesia should send an envoy no higher than the minister of foreign affairs to witness the proclamation of East Timor's independence on May 20.

Earlier in the day, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that barring any unforeseen developments, President Megawati would attend EastTimor's proclamation of independence.

"If nothing extraordinary happens from now until May 20, President Megawati will continue with plans to go to East Timor," Susilo said as quoted by the news agency. He was speaking after attending the installment ceremony at Merdeka Palace of Vice Adm.Bernard Kent Sondakh as the new Navy chief of staff and Vice Marshall Chappy Hakim as the new Air Force chief of staff.

The President's planned trip to East Timor has received strong opposition from some quarters, mainly the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, the country's two highest law-making bodies.