Subject: LUSA: NZ Prime Minister Calls On Megawati Not To Support Militias

24 Jul 01 11:52 East Timor: NZ Prime Minister Calls On Megawati Not To Support Militias

The prime minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, has called on new Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri to address outstanding issues with East Timor, the territory occupied by Jakarta until two years ago.

"I hope (Megawati) will recognize, as (former) President Wahid had, that the situation in Timor must be resolved, especially border issues, with justice", Clark said Monday in Wellington.

Saying she considered Megawati less understanding of East Timor than her predecessor, Clark urged Megawati "not to offer anykind [sic] of support to pro-Indonesian militias" who continue to oppose East Timorese independence from Indonesian West Timor.

Clark's comments contrast with reassuring statements from East Timorese leaders that Dili is unconcerned by the political change in Jakarta and hopeful for normalized bilateral relations.

SAS -Lusa-

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