Subject: LUSA: Amien Rais says he supports
referendum in East Timor
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 09:34:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Sharon R.A. Scharfe" <pet@web.net>19 AGO 98 - 10:36 East
Timor/Portugal: One of Indonesia's main opposition leaders says he supports referendum in
the occupied territory
Oporto, 19 Aug (Lusa) - Amien Rais, one of the Indonesia's main opposition leaders, has
told a radio station in Portugal that he supports a referendum on self-determination in
East Timor. Speaking in a exclusive interview with the private Roman-Catholic radio
station 'Radio Renascenca' in northern Portugal's city of Oporto, Rais said a referendum
was a ''wish'' of the people of East Timor, adding the aspirations of the East Timorese
population should be respected. The interview was broadcast on Tuesday. Rais also said
that the various political forces of East Timor should discuss technical aspects of the
process before holding a referendum. The leader of one of Indonesia's main opposition
forces representing Muslim interests also demanded the immediate release of Xanana Gusmao,
East Timor's jailed armed resistance leader. He also said he was prepared to talk to the
Portuguese government about the situation in East Timor.-Lusa nnnn
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