Exiled Fretilin members to meet with Soeharto soon
Exiled Fretilin members to meet with Soeharto soon
JAKARTA (JP): A group of East Timorese, in exile opposing the
integration of their homeland with Indonesia, will soon meet with
President Soeharto to thank him for his efforts to develop the
territory, an official says.
F.X. Lopez da Cruz, Indonesia's ambassador at large for East
Timor affairs, told reporters on Tuesday that the delegation
consists of anti-integration Timorese based in Portugal.
They will be led by Abilio Araujo, a leader of the Fretilin
movement, which seeks independence for East Timor, Lopez said.
Araujo, who was the economic minister of the East Timor
republic proclaimed by Fretilin rebels, will probably be
accompanied by Rogerio Lobato, Fretilin's minister of defense, he
added.
The announcement came only a few days after President Soeharto
said he would be pleased to meet with anti-integration East
Timorese wanting to contribute to development in the youngest
province.
Lopez said it was Araujo who had the initiative to meet with
the President.
"The date has yet to be set because we have to coordinate
things with related parties, such as our embassy in London and
the Portugal-Indonesia Friendship Society," he said.
The Society, chaired by President Soeharto's eldest daughter
Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana has twice held reconciliatory talks in
London with exiled East Timorese living in Portugal, including
Araujo.
Lopez said the talks between Araujo and Soeharto would
strictly be in the spirit of reconciliation and would refrain
from touching on the province's political status.
East Timor integrated with Indonesia in 1976 but the United
Nations has not recognized it.
Lopez said Araujo would speak in a personal capacity since
Indonesia no longer recognizes the province's former political
parties.
The East Timorese in exile, mostly in Australia, are currently
split into four groups. They come from the former Fretilin and
UDT (another anti-integration party) liquidated after the
territory became part of Indonesia.
He said that informal reconciliatory talks between pro and
anti integration East Timorese was expected to facilitate formal
tripartite talks between Indonesia and Portugal under the
auspices of the UN secretary general.
He said he was uncertain, however, whether Araujo would visit
East Timor, though said Araujo would be welcome if he wished to
do so.
"He (Araujo) used to be one of the most radical dissidents...
His view changed after watching a video film about East Timor and
realized that the Indonesian government are sincerely helping the
people," he said. (pwn)