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)