Downer against referendum in E. Timor in near future

JAKARTA (JP): Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said yesterday that he was against a referendum in East Timor in the near future, arguing that the proposal seemed to have been put together in a hurried fashion and had the potential to trigger a civil war.

Downer pointed out any efforts toward reconciliation in the province should be conducted carefully through a process of intensive dialog involving all elements of the political spectrum, including parties regarded as the opposition.

"What I mean is that if we go there in a hurry (for a referendum), we will create the risk of a civil war breaking out in East Timor," said in an interview with Antara in Canberra.

"It would be irresponsible on our part to state our agreement to a referendum just to please certain non-governmental organizations while in our heart we are convinced it will trigger a civil war," he added.

Downer on Wednesday urged Indonesia, in Australia's first explicit call, to release jailed East Timorese rebel leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao to help solve the impasse on the disputed Indonesian territory.

"We would favor the release of Xanana Gusmao in the context of a process of reconciliation and settlement in East Timor," he said.

Shadow

Meanwhile here in Jakarta yesterday, Laurie Brereton of the Australian opposition Labor Party said only the East Timorese people had the right to determine their own future.

Brereton, who is the Australian shadow foreign minister, called on the Indonesian government to discuss the issue directly with the East Timorese people to find the best way to fulfill their aspirations.

"We believe it (any settlement) must be negotiated," Brereton said after meeting with President B.J. Habibie along with shadow defense minister Arch Bevis at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Brereton praised the withdrawal of combat troops and Habibie's plan to give wide-ranging autonomy to the country's youngest province.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald daily reported yesterday that Peter Cockcroft, the chief representative in Jakarta of Australian company BHP Petroleum, held a secret meeting with Xanana last week in Cipinang prison, East Jakarta.

Antara quoted the newspaper as reporting that Xanana had assured Cockcroft that the operations of BHP and other oil companies currently conducting exploration in the Timor Gap would not be affected by the current situation in the province.

Separately, a United Nations official, Francesc Vendrell, also visited Xanana yesterday.

No immediate information was available on the results of their meeting. (prb)