Mandela sincere but knows less: Lopes<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia believes South African President
\nNelson Mandela is sincere in his efforts on East Timor, but feels
\nhe lacks thorough knowledge on the issue, a government official
\nsaid yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Like someone who arrives late to a movie and watches the film
\nwhen it is almost over, he does not know the whole story,\"
\nambassador-at-large for East Timor affairs F.X. Lopes da Cruz
\nsaid after meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
Since returning from a state visit here in July, Mandela has
\nmade three proposals on East Timor. All have been rejected by
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
In a letter to President Soeharto, Mandela urged the release
\nof East Timor separatist leader Jose Alexandre \"Xanana\" Gusmao
\nwho is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence.<\/p>\n
Soeharto replied by saying Xanana could not be released
\nbecause he is jailed for committing criminal offenses.<\/p>\n
Mandela offered to host a meeting between opposing sides of
\nthe East Timor integration debate. Indonesia responded by saying
\nit preferred to continue holding the meetings in Austria, venue
\nof two earlier meetings.<\/p>\n
Mandela's latest proposal to give East Timor special autonomy
\nhas also been rejected.<\/p>\n
\"Mandela must know that as a Unitarian state it is impossible
\nfor us to accept special autonomy for East Timor,\" Lopes said.<\/p>\n
Despite disagreeing with Mandela's proposals, Lopes still held
\nthe South African president in high regard.<\/p>\n
\"He is a great statesman from a great country, but he hasn't
\nhad enough time to look at the details of the East Timor
\nproblem,\" he said. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mandela-sincere-but-knows-less-lopes-1447893297",
"image": ""
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