Solidamor recognizes military's role in E. Timor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Solidarity for Peace in East Timor
\n(Solidamor) non-governmental organization offered on Monday a
\ncompromise that would maintain the Armed Forces' (TNI) role in a
\ndirect vote to decide on the territory's future.<\/p>\n
In a release signed by chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos,
\nSolidamor said it proposed meeting halfway due to the forces'
\nresistance to the presence of a United Nations peacekeeping force
\nduring balloting, which is scheduled for July or August.<\/p>\n
\"Because TNI has been in East Timor for 23 years, it is
\npolitically and morally responsible for security arrangements
\nthere. But during the transitional period and balloting day, TNI
\npresence must be put under UN supervisory officers'
\ncoordination,\" the release said.<\/p>\n
Solidamor issued the release in response to a new East Timor
\nautonomy deal between Indonesia and Portugal in their dialog held
\nunder the auspices of the UN in New York on Friday. The
\nconflicting parties will not sign the agreement until May 5
\nbecause they remain split on direct balloting arrangements and
\nthe size of the UN presence.<\/p>\n
Solidamor hailed the deal as \"a brighter light which leads to
\na settlement\", but demanded some conditions to ensure that the
\ndirect vote could run in a fair, just and democratic way.<\/p>\n
The requirements include the release of Jose Alexandre
\n\"Xanana\" Gusmao, president of the National Resistance Council for
\nan Independent East Timor (CNRT), the disarmament of warring
\ngroups in the territory and the presence of independent observers
\nduring the balloting.<\/p>\n
The Timor Socialist Party (PST) also welcomed and supported
\nthe agreement reached by Indonesia and Portugal, but said it
\nconsidered the autonomy package just one of various diplomatic
\nefforts aimed at finding a resolution to East Timor dispute.<\/p>\n
\"We, PST, have been struggling for the sake of an independent
\nstate (RDLT), (but) we appreciate options offered by other
\npolitical powers in East Timor, including our prointegration
\nbrothers,\" a PST spokesman, Nelson Tomas Correia, told a media
\nconference on Monday.<\/p>\n
Correia demanded that the UN and Portugal take PST into
\naccount in the peace process, and not just the widely known
\nXanana-led CNRT.<\/p>\n
\"The CNRT is not the only political organization which
\nstruggles for an independent East Timor. We cannot accept CNRT
\nleadership, either, because it is struggling for a new
\nindependent state,\" Correia said.<\/p>\n
Six students on a hunger strike in support of PST ended their
\nstrike after seven days on Monday. The six students are now being
\ntreated at Carolus hospital in Central Jakarta. Two others are
\nstill striking.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, British Deputy Foreign Minister Derek Fatchett
\narrived here on Monday for a three-day visit that will cover East
\nTimor province. It will be the first visit by a British senior
\nofficial to East Timor.<\/p>\n
Fatchett is scheduled to meet with several top government
\nofficials, and leaders of political parties and groups involved
\nin the June 7 general election, the British Embassy said in a
\npress release.<\/p>\n
Fatchett is scheduled to visit East Timor on Wednesday to hold
\ntalks with local figures on the two conflicting sides -- the
\nprointegration and proindependence camps.<\/p>\n
\"We have also been prominent in backing the United Nations'
\nactions to secure a stable future for East Timor. My visit to the
\nterritory is the clearest possible evidence of the strength of
\nthat support,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Fatchett, who visited Jakarta three times last year, said he
\nwould urge those he meets both in Jakarta and Dili to find a
\npeaceful way forward. (aan\/amd)<\/p>",
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