| Subject: LUSA: Xanana welcomes Wiranto's backing of
ET Peace Commission Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 21:39:20 -0500 From: "Sharon R.A. Scharfe" <pet@web.net> 24 FEV 99 - 07:20 East Timor: Xanana Gusmao welcomes Gen. Wiranto's backing of an East Timor Peace Commission Jakarta, Feb 24 (Lusa) - East Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmao has described Indonesian Defence Minister Gen. Wiranto's backing of the establishment of an East Timor Peace Commission as a "quite important step in the process of reconciliation." Gusmao made the remark in an interview with Lusa in Jakarta on Tuesday. Gusmao said the setting-up of the commission would "avoid more victims" and contribute to the creation of an atmosphere favourable to a political solution to the problem of East Timor. The resistance leader, held in special detention in a house owned by the Indonesian ministry of justice, made the remarks after a meeting with top Indonesian military officials, namely East Timor's military commander Col. Tono Suratman. Gusmao also said he was happy with the Indonesian government's announcement earlier this week that deposits in the Timor Gap belonged to East Timor. Oil deposits in the Timor Gap are currently jointly exploited by Indonesia and Australia. Lusa/Fim Copyright© 1996 Agência Lusa E-Mail Agência Lusa Back to February Menu |