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)