Australia to reopen consulate in East Timor

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.