Dili commission clarifies

Dili commission clarifies

I am writing in response to an article that was printed in The
Jakarta Post on Feb. 27, regarding the Commission for Reception,
Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor (Xanana, East Timor
leaders face human rights questioning).

I would like to express my serious concerns over the
inaccuracy of some of the information contained in the article.
Specifically, the article states that the Commission "is planning
to question several proindependence leaders, including Jose
Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, for allegedly committing human rights
abuses in the territory during the period from April 1974 to
October 1999". The article goes on to report that the Chair of
the Commission, namely myself, has stated that a number of East
Timorese leaders "will also be questioned in connection with
alleged atrocities that took place during East Timor's turbulent
time".

I wish to inform you that I have not made any such statements
during my visit to Kupang recently, upon which this report is
based. The comments that I made in response to questions from
journalists in no way implied that the Commission has plans at
this time to question particular individuals. When asked whether
the Commission will consider questioning high-level figures (such
as Xanana) in the future, my response was that the Commission is
independent and impartial, and that if sufficient evidence comes
to light, the Commission will consider questioning any party that
is implicated in serious human rights violations.

This article provides inaccurate information to the general
public, and its contents were unfortunately also repeated by at
least one radio station in East Timor.

During the two-year period of the Commission's work, we will
rely on the media to accurately report on developments, and to
assist us in informing the public of the Commission's progress.
I hope that we will be able to rely on the Post's support in the
future also.

ANICETO GUTERRES LOPEZ

Chairman, Commission

for Reception Truth

and Reconciliation

Dili, East Timor

Note: Thank you for your clarification.

--Editor