RI, East Timor to discuss residual issues<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is slated to arrive
\nhere on Tuesday for a four-day working visit to discuss various
\nresidual issues with the Indonesian government following the
\nsecession of the former Indonesian province in 1999.<\/p>\n
During his visit, Alkatiri is scheduled to meet Indonesian
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday and other senior
\nIndonesian officials.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on
\nMonday that cross-border issues, including traditional markets in
\nborder areas, would be among the topics of discussion.<\/p>\n
"Hopefully, we can sign several new agreements that will
\nfurther strengthen our forward-looking diplomatic ties," Hassan
\nsaid after a meeting with Megawati.<\/p>\n
Alkatiri's trip comes on the heels of the furor over his
\nreported statement expressing his intention of asking for an
\ninternational tribunal to try Indonesian Military (TNI) officers
\nimplicated in the 1999 mayhem in East Timor.<\/p>\n
Reportedly, Alkatiri suggested the trial be held in a neutral
\ncountry, citing the "theatrical legal process" in Indonesia,
\nwhich has acquitted 13 military officers of all charges.<\/p>\n
Hassan said he had asked for clarification regarding the
\nreport and, according to him, the East Timorese had denied the
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
"Alkatiri's office said that the report was inaccurate and
\nthey were ready to correct it," Hassan said, adding that East
\nTimor remained committed to maintaining relations with its
\nneighbor, Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The minister added that the working visit of Alkatiri
\nreflected East Timor's desire to strengthen ties with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
East Timor seceded from Indonesian in 1999 after the United
\nNations-sponsored ballot resulted in an overwhelming vote for
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
An Indonesian ad hoc human rights court has tried 18 military
\nand government officials for crimes against humanity both before
\nand after the ballot. Only five of the defendants have been
\nconvicted and sentenced, but they remain free pending appeals.<\/p>\n
Megawati and Alkatiri are slated to witness the signing on
\nWednesday of agreements on cross-border arrangements and the
\nestablishment of traditional markets in border areas.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Alkatiri is scheduled to meet with executives of
\nthe Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, state-owned Merpati Nusantara
\nAirlines, the East Timorese community here and ambassadors from
\nPortuguese-speaking countries.<\/p>\n
Merpati is the only Indonesian airline company that continues
\nto serve Dili.<\/p>\n
Alkatiri will also pay a courtesy call on House of
\nRepresentative Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's Consultative
\nAssembly Speaker Amien Rais.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-east-timor-to-discuss-residual-issues-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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