Gama sees hope, progress for East Timor

Gama sees hope, progress for East Timor

The past 22 years have been marked by diplomatic acrimony
between Lisbon and Jakarta over the issue of East Timor. The
recent breakthrough in peace talks in the province and the United
Nations-sponsored direct ballot in East Timor on Aug. 30 have led
to a slight thawing in ties.

During his recent stay in Singapore, Portuguese Foreign
Minister Jaime Gama talked to The Jakarta Post on preparations
for the direct ballot in the former Portuguese colony and the
future of relations between Portugal and Indonesia.

Question: How do you view the situation in East Timor ahead of the
August ballot?

Answer: There is some progress regarding voter registration. I would
not deny there is some progress regarding the reduction of
violence, but it's not complete. There are still occurrences of
intimidation. There are still regular militia activity and there
is still indifference among segments of the Army regarding their
links with these militias.

Q: What should the Indonesian government do to create a more
conducive environment for the direct ballot?

A: We hope very much that security will be restored. We hope
improvements are coming regarding the issue of security. The
credibility of the ballot is essential. I also hope that
democracy in Indonesia will be a deciding factor in this issue.

Q: Is the Indonesian government presently doing enough to curb
violence in East Timor?

A: More control of the militias is needed. And don't increase the
artificial problems in the final stages (ahead of the ballot)
because that will only work against Indonesia's interests. A
firmer grip on the armed forces' activities is needed. The armed
forces is the instrument of the state and it needs to abide by
clear targets of foreign policy.

Q: Are you suggesting that the Indonesian government is in some
way controlling or backing the militias?

A: I would say segments of the Army operating in the territory
(are backing the militias). I have no doubt of that. I would not
say it is a state policy. I am fully convinced we have to
cooperate in order to have a positive outcome in which the East
Timorese, Portugal and Indonesia can in the future work together
for the benefit of all.

Q: Many say it is the historical animosity between the two
warring camps in East Timor -- the prointegration and
proindependence supporters -- which has created the unstable
security situation in the province.

A: That is historically incorrect. What erupted in the territory
in recent months, the militia factor, had never been seen before.
It has been fabricated.

Q: Many people predict that whatever the outcome of the ballot,
there will still be deep resentment among some East Timorese and
this resentment will spark continued violence and chaos there.

A: That is the skeptical approach based on preconceived
mentalities. We must work for a process of trust, confidence and
dialog for the future. We cannot look backward and must remain
open to different solutions. For example, I used to hear people
say that democracy in Indonesia would cause chaos in the country.
This turned out not to be true.

I was educated under a dictatorship where every day I was
taught that if Portugal moved toward democracy the country would
be finished. That was not true. Let's not listen to skepticism.
Let's seek out positive solutions for the future.

Q: If East Timor rejects autonomy and becomes independent what
kind of relationship will it have with Indonesia?

A: I hope in the future East Timor can become a political entity
and at the same time maintain a constructive relationship with
Indonesia and other neighboring countries, like Australia.
Portugal will do its best to help East Timor develop a
cooperative, not confrontational, approach with its neighbors.

Q: Looking at the future relationship of Indonesia and Portugal,
notwithstanding the official acrimony, what are the underlying
ties between the people of the two countries?

A: We have nothing against the Indonesian people. On the
contrary, public opinion in Portugal was very positive regarding
the move toward democracy in Indonesia. We remember our own
political transition to democracy. We are very proud of Asian
countries who in difficult economic conditions still move toward
democracy. What has been accomplished is fantastic.

Q: Indonesia and Portugal recently opened interest sections in
each others capitals. Is this a precursor to greater diplomatic
relations in the near future?

A: I would say our relations are based on secular proximity. We
were the first Europeans to establish contacts with what is now
Indonesia. I hope that if all these processes go well, we, for
sure, will restore diplomatic relations. The possibilities for
doing much in common are open. (mds)