Subject: KMP: Two sides in East Timor agree to
disarm
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 14:45:32 +0000
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)Kompas, 19 June 1999 Translated by TAPOL
CONFLICTING PARTIES IN EAST TIMOR AGREE TO DISARM
A meeting took place at TNI headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, 18 June attended by
Defence Minister/Commander in chief of the TNI, the leaders of the National Council of
Timorese Resistance, CNRT, Xanana Gusmao, and Leandro Isaac, and leaders of the
pro-integration side, Domingos Soares and Joao Tavares.
The meeting resulted in a new agreement setting out a Code of Conduct for the
achievement of a peaceful situation to enable the Consultation to take place in East
Timor, as well as an agreement on disarmament.
A few hours earlier, meeting at a different location in Jakarta, Xanana and the
pro-integration side had signed an accord, following three days of discussions.
In the presence of UN representative Tamrat Samuel, and the Peace and Stability
Commission, the Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, CNRT President who is also commander in chief of
Falintil, and CNRT member Leandro Isaac, signed an agreement with the chairman of the
Forum for Unity, Peace and Democracy, Domingos Soares and the war commander of the
Pro-Integration Forces, Joao Tavares on disarmament.
Strained atmosphere
The signing ceremonies took place in the presence of journalists and in a strained
atmosphere. The signing was one and a half hours later than the time journalists had been
invited to come.
Others present at the ceremony were Tamrat Samuel from UNAMET/UN, representative of the
East Timor local government Gabriel da Costa, Lt Colonel Hardiono Saroso, commander of
Wira Dharma Korem (sic. he is commander of the Dili district command), Police Lt Colonel
F. Dengah of the East Timor Police Force, Jose Antonio da Costa, secretary general of the
Dili Diocese and two members of the National Human Rights Commission, Djoko Soegianto and
BN Marbun.
Xanana and Leandro could be seen whispering to each other before the signing took
place. And the two men shook their heads as the third paragraph of the agreement was read
out: 'To hand over all firearms, grenades, explosives, assembled weapons (senjata api
rakitan), as well as traditional weapons, machetes, sticks and other implements to the
competent authorities (Polri). under the supervision of the Peace and Stability
Commission, in accordance with the agreement on security signed by Indonesia, Portugal and
the UN on 5 May 1999'.
Journalists wanting to speak to Xanana were disappointed. He was under heavy guard and
was led away as soon as the signing had been completed, while the others present were free
to speak to journalists.
5 July deadline
General Wiranto said that the PSC (the formation of) which had been agreed under the
Accord reached in Dili on 21 April for the cessation of hostilities, had made significant
progress, leading to actions that would make it possible for peace to be established in
East Timor, creating circumstances that would convince all sides that the Consultation
would take place smoothly.
'The two sides have agreed to hand over their weapons to the Indonesian police and to
end hostilities. The handing over of weapons will go on from now up until 5 July,' he
said.
Asked whether he expected the agreement to be kept by both sides, Wiranto replied that
the leaders of the two sides in the dispute had come to an agreement which meant that
their organisations must comply. To make sure that this happens, the accord will be
distributed to all the supporters on both sides. He said that the PSC would supervise the
handing in of weapons and those handing in weapons need have no fear with regard to their
personal safety. 'The TNI and the police are neutral,' he said.
Asked whether Xanana would be released in order to make the dissemination of the
agreement more effective, Wiranto said that Xanana's instructions would be complied with
by all his supporters, wherever they were. His release depended on his status and this was
a matter for the President.
Xanana saw the agreement as a first step which would make an important contribution to
the implementation of the Consultation. For his part, Joao TAvares said that he fully
supported the agreement.
Asked whether the two sides would accept defeat in the ballot, Joao Tavares said tha
defeat and victory were facts that would have to be accepted, while Xanana said that he
would strive to ensure that no one felt defeated or victorious.
Back to June Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
