Carter holds talks with Xanana

Carter holds talks with Xanana

JAKARTA (JP): Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter held talks with East Timorese leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao at the latter's prison house here and expressed support for the territory's direct vote on autonomy in August.

Carter declined to give comments on the one-hour meeting to reporters, saying he would hold a press conference on Wednesday, Antara reported.

Xanana said after the meeting that Carter, who is in Indonesia as a poll observer, was pleased with Monday's elections.

"Carter hopes that all the existing problems in East Timor can be overcome," he said.

In Dili, the new Australian consul to East Timor, James Batley arrived here on Tuesday, the first foreign diplomat to be based in the troubled territory.

The Australian Embassy announced that the opening of the consulate followed an in-principle agreement between Indonesian President B.J. Habibie and Australian Prime Minister John Howard to establish Australian representation in the province.

"The establishment of the consulate reflects our close engagement with Indonesia, a key regional partner. The consulate will allow us to service the consular needs of the increasing number of Australians in East Timor and will facilitate Australia's considerable support to the United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor," Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer said.

Batley, a career foreign service officer, joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1984. He has served at the Australian High Commissions in Port Vila and Port Moresby and the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. His most recent appointment was as high commissioner to the Solomon Islands. (hhr)