East Timor to seek ASEAN membership in 3 to 5 years
East Timor to seek ASEAN membership in 3 to 5 years
HANOI (AP): East Timor is hopeful of joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations within the next three to five years, its foreign minister said on Monday.
"It will take a few years. First we have to get our house in order - the elections, the institutions," Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta said. "Maybe in three to five years after independence, East Timor could be ready for membership."
East Timor will hold elections next month to choose an 88- member assembly that will draw up the country's first constitution.
The half-island territory, which was devastated by pro- Indonesian militia after it voted for independence in a UN- sponsored referendum in August 1999, is currently under the administration of the world body.
East Timor is expected to gain full independence early next year.
Ramos-Horta, who is in Hanoi attending an annual meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, said preparations for the Aug. 30 elections are "proceeding very well, very smoothly." He dismissed concerns that violence between rival parties could mar the six- week campaign period.
"We might have a few incidents but by and large it will be easily contained. I'm optimistic about our forthcoming election," he said.
Once East Timor has established itself, Ramos-Horta said it can turn to the task of applying for ASEAN membership.
"There is a consensus on the importance of ASEAN. All the political parties in East Timor agree with joining ASEAN," he said.
"In the meantime, what we're doing is developing bilateral relationships. We have excellent dialogue going on," he said.
Ramos-Horta said East Timor is very concerned about the political crisis now gripping Indonesia over impeachment proceedings against President Abdurrahman Wahid.
"Whatever the Indonesian people decide in the next few days and hours, we will honor the sovereign decision of the Indonesia people. We will continue our efforts to normalize relations with our largest neighbor," he said.
He said he is hopeful that violence will not erupt if Wahid, widely known as Gus Dur, is removed from office.
"If President Gus Dur goes, I hope he goes as he always was - with compassion, moderation and dignity," he said. "I hope what he would do is to call for peace, call for calm, call on his followers not to go into the streets.
Otherwise, the options are far worse - not consistent with what Gus Dur always wanted, which is peace for his people."