Downer against referendum in E. Timor in near future

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)