950813

Indonesia ignores

WWII celebrations, will

mark independence

JAKARTA: Indonesia, ignoring celebrations marking the end of World War Two, marks 50 years of a tumultuous independence from Dutch colonial rule this week ahead of a landmark visit by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands.

Security has been tightened for the celebrations, partly to prevent any spotlight-grabbing protests by dissidents from the disputed former Portuguese colony of East Timor annexed by Indonesia 19 years ago, foreign diplomats said.

Flags, bunting and flashing lights in the national colours -- red and white -- have filled the streets in the sprawling capital, Jakarta, ahead of Thursday's independence day holiday.

Indonesia's first leader, Sukarno, proclaimed independence on August 17, 1945, two days after World War Two ended and following more than three years of Japanese occupation.

The formal power transfer from the Dutch, after nearly 400 years of colonisation, came only in 1949 after intermittent and sometimes heavy fighting.

As in previous years, no senior foreign officials have been invited for independence celebrations, which include cultural events, fireworks and gatherings of local and foreign warships.

Indonesia traditionally does not celebrate the end of World War Two.

"Indonesians declared themselves independent. It was not given as a gift by Japan or anyone. Why should we rejoice in the victories of the people of the West when they won the war in Europe and Japan?" Foreign Ministry spokesman Irawan Abidin said.

President Suharto, a former army general, is expected to deliver an annual address to the largely rubber-stamp parliament on Wednesday.-Reuter