E. Timor tells RI to drop its asset compensation demand
E. Timor tells RI to drop its asset compensation demand
Agence France-Presse, Dili
Newly independent East Timor urged former ruler Indonesia on
Wednesday to drop its compensation demand for assets left behind
after Jakarta ended its two-decade occupation of the country.
But Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta played down Jakarta's
decision to postpone indefinitely a visit by Dili's new leaders
to Indonesia which had been scheduled for Wednesday.
"We should best not talk about assets. If they (Indonesia)
want to talk assets, East Timor lost much more," Ramos-Horta told
a press conference.
He said thousands of homes and buildings were burnt down
during the violence that surrounded the Aug. 30, 1999 UN-
organized ballot that led to the separation of East Timor from
Indonesia after 24 years.
"A lot of our people also died, around 2,000," Ramos-Horta
said, adding that both sides should take the "zero sum" approach.
"The two countries should seek their own solution. If
Indonesia gets any claim from its citizens regarding losses they
suffered, Indonesia should attempt to seek an alternative.
"East Timor will also face the claims from its own people and
try to handle them," Ramos-Horta said.
Pro-Jakarta militiamen in East Timor, backed by senior
Indonesian security officials, waged a campaign of intimidation
before the independence vote and a bloody and destructive
"scorched earth" revenge campaign after the result was announced.
Ramos-Horta said that at every meeting between officials of
the two governments, Jakarta had always raised the matter of
compensation for public and private assets.
But his government had yet to officially present its stance.
Ramos-Horta described the postponement of the visit by
himself, President Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri
as a matter of protocol.
"Indonesia wants this visit to be a state visit and therefore
it would need more preparation, and good protocol dictates that
all the senior officials, including the president and the foreign
minister, be in town for the visit," he said.
"The visit has been delayed by the Indonesian side who
informed us that the visit be postponed because there were still
a lot of preparations to make."
He said Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda was currently outside
Indonesia.
Gusmao, president of the nation which achieved independence
just nine days ago, had planned to make his first overseas trip
as head of state to Indonesia to symbolize a new chapter in
relations.
Indonesia's foreign ministry said the visit had been postponed
"till a mutually suitable time and date can be arranged" due to
scheduling problems. It denied the move was related to any
outstanding disagreements or intended as a snub.
Indonesian claims over assets are one bone of contention.
Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975 and
annexed it the following year in defiance of most of the world.
It spent millions of dollars on infrastructure during its 24-
year rule, which also cost at least 100,000 East Timorese lives.
Gusmao was to leave on Thursday for a visit to South Korea,
during which he will attend the World Cup's opening ceremony and
hold talks with officials before returning home.
Ramos-Horta was due to leave with Gusmao for South Korea. He
will go on to Spain, Ireland, Britain, Norway and Australia
before returning on June 20.