Gusmao to meet Wiranto despite Horta's caution<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post Jakarta<\/p>\n
Despite strong opposition from a senior minister, East Timor
\nPresident Xanana Gusmao is being firm in his decision to go ahead
\nwith a scheduled Saturday meeting in Bali with presidential
\naspirant Gen. (ret) Wiranto, who has been indicted by a United
\nNations-backed East Timorese court for crimes against humanity in
\nthe former Indonesian territory.<\/p>\n
Foreign minister Ramos Horta said he had told Gusmao it was
\nnot wise to meet Wiranto before Indonesia's direct presidential
\nelection on July 5, because it could send the wrong message to
\nboth countries.<\/p>\n
"I would say it is not appropriate. If Wiranto really wants to
\nspeak to Xanana, they should wait until after the election.
\nElection time is always a very sensitive period, it can send the
\nwrong messages to one side and another," Horta told The Jakarta
\nPost from his Dili office on Friday.<\/p>\n
When asked about Gusmao's response to his advice, Horta said,
\n"My president decided that he wishes to meet Wiranto. He probably
\nwill go ahead on the weekend and I respect (his decision)."<\/p>\n
Wiranto, nominated by the Golkar Party, was Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) commander and defense minister during the 1999
\nEast Timorese independence referendum, which was followed by
\nmassacres in the tiny territory.<\/p>\n
An East Timorese court issued on May 10 a warrant for
\nWiranto's arrest for alleged crimes against humanity during the
\npost-referendum violence.<\/p>\n
Gusmao, however, has repeatedly pointed out that it would be
\nmore beneficial for both countries if they moved forward to
\npromote bilateral relations rather than focusing on past
\nbitterness.<\/p>\n
While stressing that "I do not wish to make any judgment on
\nWiranto", Horta said, "East Timorese people and the families of
\nvictims would forgive Wiranto if he acknowledged his
\nresponsibility in the Dili incident".<\/p>\n
"... It will also help East Timor leaders to resolve issues of
\njustice with the United Nations," said the 1996 Nobel Peace co-
\nlaureate.<\/p>\n
He said a public apology would help to improve Wiranto's image
\nand boost his credibility in the international community.<\/p>\n
The head of Wiranto's media team, Despen Ompusunggu, was
\nquoted by the Agence France-Presse as saying on Friday that the
\nmeeting's agenda included discussing the charges against Wiranto.<\/p>\n
The meeting comes just two weeks after President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri held bilateral talks with Gusmao in Bali.<\/p>\n
The two presidents discussed issues including human rights and
\nthe case against Wiranto. Following the meeting, Gusmao said his
\ngovernment could not annul the arrest warrant for Wiranto.<\/p>\n
However, he added, it would also do nothing to realize it.<\/p>\n
When asked why he did not oppose Gusmao's meeting with
\nMegawati, Horta replied that the East Timor president met with
\nMegawati in her capacity "as the President of the Republic of
\nIndonesia".<\/p>\n
He added, "if the Indonesian people elect Wiranto as the
\npresident of the Republic of Indonesia, the government of Timor
\nLeste (East Timor) will respect their choice".<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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