E. Timorese meet E. Timorese, part II in London<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A delegation of 15 East Timorese left here for
\nLondon last night for the second round of talks with fellow
\ncountrymen who oppose their homeland's integration with Indonesia
\nand are now living in exile.<\/p>\n
The pro-integration delegation is being led by F.X. Lopez da
\nCruz, who is President Soeharto's ambassador at large on East
\nTimor affairs.<\/p>\n
The meeting is the second to be held in the British capital as
\nthe two opposing camps seek to reconcile their differences.<\/p>\n
The first meeting in December was seen as a major breakthrough
\nbecause it marked the first time the opposing camps sat together
\nsince they went their separate ways in 1976.<\/p>\n
Lending credence to that meeting was Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana,
\nthe daughter of President Soeharto and a highly successful
\nbusinesswoman, who was subsequently appointed chairperson of the
\nIndonesia-Portugal Friendship Association early this year.<\/p>\n
The delegation consisted of government officials, legislators
\nand informal leaders from East Timor. They will meet with the
\ngroup led by Abilio Araujo, who is leading one of the anti-
\nintegration camps, from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. Araujo visited
\nIndonesia and East Timor early this year.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday that the
\nreconciliation talks will focus on ways East Timorese in exile
\ncould contribute to the development of their homeland.<\/p>\n
\"The community leaders will not discuss East Timor's political
\nstatus but rather how the people in exile can make concrete
\ncontributions to all aspects of development in East Timor,\" the
\nministry's statement said.<\/p>\n
The gathering is expected to take place in the \"spirit of
\nbrotherhood and mutual respect\" to plan socio-political programs.<\/p>\n
UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the regular
\nsponsor of Indonesia-Portugal talks on East Timor, will send an
\nobserver to the meeting.<\/p>\n
Legislator Salvador Januario Ximenes Soares, a member of the
\nIndonesian delegation, said the Araujo camp is one of four East
\nTimorese groups in exile which opposes the territory's
\nintegration with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Sophisticated<\/p>\n
The other groups led by Ramos Horta, Jose Guiterrez and Joao
\nCarrascalao, are more sophisticated, causing world leaders and
\nactivists to listen to their anti-Indonesia propaganda, Salvador
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"A comprehensive solution to the East Timorese question is
\npossible with all of the four groups being approached,\" said the
\nmember of the House of Representatives (DPR) representing the
\nruling Golkar political organization.<\/p>\n
The delegation heads will issue a joint declaration at the
\nconclusion of the meeting.<\/p>\n
The pro-integration delegates are also scheduled to pay a
\ncourtesy call on Pope John Paul II in the Vatican on Oct. 5 and
\nmeet with Vatican Under Secretary of State Mgr. Claudio Caeli.<\/p>\n
The political aspects, especially the question of sovereignty,
\nis now being discussed between the Indonesian and Portuguese
\nforeign ministers under the auspices of Boutros Boutros-Ghali.<\/p>\n
The two ministers are scheduled to meet next at the United
\nNations in January. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/e-timorese-meet-e-timorese-part-ii-in-london-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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