Australia to reopen consulate in East Timor

By Riyadi

NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Australia is planning to open a consulate in Dili, East Timor, and form a contact group of countries interested in the troubled territory to help create a peaceful transition to independence or broad autonomy under Indonesian rule.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he had assurance from Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas that Australia could reopen its consulate in Dili in the "not too distant future".

"We are pleased the Indonesian government will allow us to reopen our consulate that has been closed since 1970, 1971 or 1972... a long time ago," Downer told journalists after opening the fourth meeting of the Australia Indonesia Ministerial Forum here.

Separately Alatas said Indonesia "in principle" had no objections to the opening of an Australian consulate in the province, but it should be done at "the right time".

"We have no objection, in principle, but the timing. Just wait for several months," Alatas suggested.

Downer said Australia was in the process of contacting a number of countries, including the United States, Japan and members of European Union, to establish a supervisory body on East Timor.

Through this contact group, countries interested in East Timor issues could discuss ways to help the territory and "perhaps coordinate some sort of assistance for East Timor", he said.

"The contact group would be a new component of diplomacy dealing with East Timor," Downer said.

Alatas said Indonesia did not object to the formation of the contact group.

"Please, go ahead," he said.

Both Alatas and Downer said the future of East Timor should lie with the East Timorese themselves, whether they want to have independence or live inside Indonesia as an autonomous region.

Whatever the decision the East Timorese make, Downer said, Australia was prepared to provide assistance for East Timor.

But he said the big question would be how Indonesia or the United Nations would assess the views of the East Timorese people.

Alatas said Indonesia was open to any ideas on how to assess the will of the East Timorese people "as long as it is not a full-fledge referendum".

"We reject a full-fledge referendum because it is too cumbersome, complex and has too many risks, especially the risk of disintegration and civil war among the people," said Alatas.

He said there were some alternatives available, like those implemented in Irian Jaya, North Borneo and some Pacific countries.

"The United Nations has extensive experience in this matter. I will discuss this with the (UN) secretary-general and his staff to find what is the best way, but certainly not the full-fledge referendum."

Alatas said Indonesia was prepared to accept the decision of the East Timorese regarding the government's offer of wide- ranging autonomy.

"We are now relaxed. We are ready for whatever the East Timorese will decide -- accept our autonomy offer or reject it. No more problem for us."

Downer is scheduled to meet with jailed East Timorese rebel Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao on Thursday, and separately with President B.J. Habibie.

Habibie has frequently threatened to force East Timor to become an independent state if the East Timorese and the international community reject his special autonomy plan for the tiny territory.

In Jakarta, Habibie said he would allow Xanana Gusmao to attend a meeting of leaders of various East Timorese camps anywhere in Indonesia, except at Xanana's detention house in Central Jakarta.

"It will be held soon, the President has given his approval," ambassador at-large for East Timor Lopez da Cruz said after meeting with Habibie at Merdeka Palace.