Subject: RT: EU urges dialogue with Timor leaders
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 07:12:39 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>EU urges dialogue with East
Timor leaders 02:42 p.m Jul 13, 1998 Eastern
BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers said on Monday early
dialogue with East Timorese leaders was ``imperative'' in the search for a solution to the
future of the disputed Indonesian territory.
The ministers, discussing a June 26-30 visit to East Timor by a trio of EU ambassadors,
also urged immediate confidence building measures and consultation of East Timor's people
in the search for a solution.
The EU ambassadors were in East Timor last month during demonstrations opposing
Indonesia's rule in the territory just north of Australia. At least two people were killed
during the attempts by Indonesian security forces to control the protests.
Rival groups in East Timor have agreed not to hold protests during this week's
anniversary of the annexation of the territory by Indonesia, police said on Monday.
July 17 is commemorated as integration day. Indonesia invaded East Timor, a territory
of 800,000 people, in 1975 and annexed it the following year in a move not recognised by
the United Nations.
The EU said the demonstrations had given ``added urgency'' to negotiations on the
future of the territory which are being held with the United Nations and Portugal and they
reiterated their support.
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