Indonesian, East Timor leaders seek international support to settle problems

02/18/2006 04:39:14 AM EST BBC MONITORING INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Text of report in English by Indonesian news agency Antara website

Bali: Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Timor Leste [East Timor] president Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao called on the international community here on Friday [17 February] to support the Commission of Truth and Friendship (KKP) to settle problems between the two countries.

They made the call following a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Tampaksiring where the two leaders heard a presentation from the joint chiefs of the KKP.

The meeting was held following a report from the Commisao de Acqhimento Verdade e Reconsiliacao (CAVR) to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 20 January.

In the meeting Yudhoyono was flanked by foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, coordinating minister for politics, law and security Widodo AS, minister/state secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra and the new military commander, Marshal Djoko Suyanto and national police chief Gen Sutanto while Xanana was accompanied by his foreign minister Jose Ramos Horta, Timor Leste ambassador to Indonesia Arlindo Marcal and presidential chief of staff Hermengeguildo Pereira.

Regarding the CAVR report President Yudhoyono said President Xanana had explained it to him. "I understand what President Xanana did is actually an internal process and problem of Timor Leste and between Timor Leste and the UN alone," he said.

He said he had taken a note of the speech made by President Xanana to the US in connection with the issue.

In the speech Xanana clearly stated that he would continue with the settlement of past problems between the two countries through the KKP, he said.

"What is important for me is we will stick to the commitment and agreement that we have made. Problems end with justice, truth and reconciliation but we will not sacrifice the two countries' hopes and interests to build better relations in the future," he said.

President Yudhoyono said the meeting was held to respond to the results of the KKP's work. The two sides, he said, supported the KKP, so that it could work seriously to settle past problems between the countries properly.

The CAVR report mentioned the massacre of 102,000 East Timorese when East Timor was still part of Indonesia between 1974 to 1999.

Around 85 per cent of the human rights violations, according to the report, were committed by the Indonesian security personnel.

The document also stated that the Indonesian military tried to eradicate the East Timorese by poisoning of their food and water and using napalm bombs and other dangerous chemicals.

In the recommendation the report mentioned the need to renew the contracts of international judges for the Special Panel for Serious Crimes to try the perpetrators of the crimes committed between 1975 to 1999.

The CAVR is a non-governmental organization and President Xanana has already stated the KKP is the only way out of the dark history of the relations between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

The two leaders also discussed the need for cooperation in the border regions of the two countries. President Yudhoyono had said a border incident had taken place.

The two leaders also agreed to meet again to realize their cooperation especially in the fields of investment and economy.

Regarding the two countries' boundary President Yudhoyono said that 97 per cent of the boundary had already been settled.

President Xanana said he was satisfied with the result of the KKP work. "They have done their best," he said. He said the two countries supported and would continue to support the KKP so that it could carry out the mandate already given to it.

Asked about the CAVR report to the UN, he advised reporters to examine what he had said to the parliament of his country.

Source: Antara news agency, Jakarta, in English, 18 Feb 06

BBC Monitoring

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