January 13, 2007

KKP to invite Habibie and Xanana in February

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesia-Timor Leste Truth and Friendship Commission (KKP) will invite around 70 people and those concerned with human rights violations in the 1999 post-plebiscite period in East Timor, including former President BJ Habibie and President Xanana Gusmao.

Benyamin Mangkoedilaga, chairman of KKP from Indonesia made the remarks here Friday on the sidelines of the 19th plenary meeting of the Commission.

"We will invite parties or people who were in some way or other related to the human rights violations in East Timor, for their information and knowledge about those happenings, next month. Everybody, including those involved in the act in the field," Benyamin said.

According to him, Habibie was invited because he was Indonesian president in those days.

He also mentioned some other names, inluding Xanana, Archbishop Belo and Gen (ret) Wiranto, former commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

The Commission will hold hearings with them aimed at getting information and knowledge from February through June 2007.

"The hearings will take place in open or closed door meetings, depending on the wishes of the invitees," he added.

Achmad Ali, member of KKP, meanwhile said, the Commission would try to be equal in inviting the parties both from Indonesia and Timor Leste. "It is important to

avoid an impression that the KKP merely corners Indonesia, instead of seeking the truth," he said.

Achamd said it was also important to help people understand the context of the historical events ahead or in the aftermath of the referendum.

"The UN Security Council has given an opportunity to KKP to make reliable recommendations and we will try to have our recomendations accepted by the UN," he said.

KKP has been assisted by a number of human rights experts in the Commission on Truth and Reconsiliation in some countries.(*)