Ambassador clarifies Czech stance on East Timor

Ambassador clarifies Czech stance on East Timor

JAKARTA (JP): Czech Ambassador to Indonesia Milan Sarapatka
denied on Monday a report by The Jakarta Post suggesting that he
believed East Timor would be better off remaining as part of
Indonesia.

Sarapatka, who visited East Timor last week, said statements
attributed to him in the May 20 story under the headline "RI
still responsible for law and order in E. Timor" were inaccurate.

The statements were based on a Dili dispatch by Antara, which
covered the ambassador's meeting with East Timor administration
secretary Radjakarina Brahmana.

The Czech Republic has never recognized Indonesia's annexation
of East Timor, and supports the UN activities, including the
"popular consultation" in the territory in August, the ambassador
said.

"The Embassy of the Czech Republic is concerned with human
rights violations in East Timor. The main precondition for the
success of the consultation in August is the creation of an
atmosphere free from violence and intimidation.

"Only a peaceful ballot can ensure the East Timorese people's
genuine aspiration, whatever it will be -- a special autonomy
offered by the Indonesian government or independence," he said.

"The situation in the province is tense and critical. The
killing of innocent people has to be stopped. The world community
must support talks between proindependence and prointegration
groups, and convince them to sit together and start negotiations
and stop the violence and fighting. The result of the peaceful
discussion would be crucial for the next development of the East
Timorese society."

Sarapatka is the latest among a plethora of foreign
ambassadors and officials to visit East Timor in recent weeks as
the territory gears itself up for the August vote.