Subject: RT: U.N. envoy urges peace for East Timor
talks
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 09:08:45 -0500
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>U.N. envoy urges peace for East
Timor talks 03:20 a.m. Dec 17, 1998 Eastern
JAKARTA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The United Nations East Timor negotiator said on Thursday
it was vital to maintain peace in the disputed territory to ensure the successful outcome
of talks on the province's fate.
``The most important thing right now is to maintain peaceful conditions in East
Timor,'' Jamsheed Marker told reporters after meeting Timor rebel leader Xanana Gusmao at
Jakarta's Cipinang prison.
``I will stress this when I am in Dili because the negotiations are at an advanced
stage.''
Marker is due to fly to the capital of East Timor on Saturday for a brief visit.
Indonesia and Portugal began talks in August on a proposal by President B.J. Habibie to
grant wide-ranging autonomy to the former Portuguese colony now ruled by Jakarta.
The two countries had hoped to reach an agreement on East Timor's fate before the end
of the year, but negotiations ended last month without result.
The talks are due to resume in early February.
Marker arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday for a nine-day visit.
He will meet key Indonesian leaders, including Habibie and armed forces chief General
Wiranto, as well as East Timorese leaders in Dili.
Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 after former colonial power Portugal pulled out.
Jakarta formally annexed the territory the following year in a move not recognised by
the United Nations.
Marker described his meeting with Gusmao as useful and productive.
``We discussed all aspects of the present negotiations. He has promised his support for
the continuation of these negotiations and this process,'' Marker said.
About five Timorese youth yelled ``Free Xanana!'' and ``Viva East Timor!'' outside the
prison and unfurled a pro-independence flag as Marker finished talking to reporters.
On Wednesday, Gusmao was quoted as saying he was pessimistic that the Jakarta-Lisbon
talks would achieve a breakthrough soon.
Significant progress could only be achieved if democratic change took place in
Indonesia, the official Antara news agency quoted him as saying.
Indonesia has said it hopes a deal can be struck with Portugal by March.
But Foreign Minister Ali Alatas says Jakarta then faces the even harder task of selling
it to the territory's people, many of whom want a referendum on the territory's future.
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