Subject: DOS: on Indonesia-Timor Talks
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 09:07:30 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>*EPF502 08/07/98
TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT 8/7 RELEASE ON INDONESIA-EAST TIMOR TALKS
(U.S. strongly supports talks on East Timor's status) (330)
Washington -- The United States welcomes the progress made in the August 4-5 talks on
the status of East Timor between the Portuguese and Indonesian foreign ministers, the
Department of State said in an August 7 statement.
"The two sides have decided to hold further discussions in the expectation of
reaching an agreement by the end of 1998 on wide-ranging autonomy for East Timor. The two
nations also plan to exchange interests sections before the end of the year. We view both
of these moves as constructive, and expect that they will help build trust that will
facilitate discussions of further steps," the State Department said.
Following is the text of the State Department release:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman
August 7, 1998
STATEMENT BY JAMES B. FOLEY, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
INDONESIA: EAST TIMOR TALKS
The United States welcomes the progress made in the August 4-5 talks on the status of
East Timor between the Portuguese and Indonesian foreign ministers, a UN-facilitated
initiative that we have strongly supported. The communique issued by the foreign ministers
on August 5 in New York, and separate diplomatic accounts, indicate that the two
governments have agreed to several positive and constructive interim steps, and are ready
to discuss further concrete measures that could open the way for a solution acceptable to
all parties.
For example, the two sides have decided to hold further discussions in the expectation
of reaching an agreement by the end of 1998 on wide-ranging autonomy for East Timor. The
two nations also plan to exchange interests sections before the end of the year. We view
both of these moves as constructive, and expect that they will help build trust that will
facilitate discussions of further steps.
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