Government frees East Timorese leader Xanana

JAKARTA (JP): East Timorese resistance leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao was freed from jail here on Tuesday and immediately sought refuge in the British Embassy.

"As a free man, I will do everything to bring peace to East Timor and to my people," Xanana said before leaving the Ministry of Justice.

In a statement made available to the media, the British Embassy said, "Xanana's stay at the embassy will give him a breathing space."

"In the freedom of the British Embassy, he will be able now to decide for himself his next move," the Embassy said.

Xanana was taken from the Ministry of Justice to the British Embassy, in Central Jakarta, under police escort accompanied by his lawyers and a number of officials.

Xanana's release comes in the wake of increased violence in the troubled territory, following the announcement of last week's ballot.

Justice Minister Muladi, who was also present at the ministry building, said Xanana would be handed over to the United Nations and that they would be responsible as to where and how the proindependence leader would be taken.

Muladi said he hoped Xanana would not leave Indonesia.

A decree, signed by President B.J. Habibie on Sept. 7, states Xanana is free due to his contribution to resolving the East Timor issue.

"Amnesty is given to Xanana and, therefore, all charges against him are canceled," Presidential Decree 108/1999 states.

In a brief statement before leaving the ministry, Xanana thanked Habibie and, in particular, Muladi "who during this difficult time has helped me out".

"I also want to thank the international community and all the people who have supported and demanded my release," Xanana added.

Xanana was captured by the military in 1992 for leading an armed rebellion. He was sentenced the following year to life imprisonment, which was later commuted to 20 years.

Also present at the ministry on Tuesday for Xanana's release was Jakarta-based UN representative Tamrat Samuel, who described Xanana's freedom as an important step toward reestablishing peace and resolving the very difficult problem of East Timor

He said the UN recognized Xanana's role as "an important leader and voice in the Timorese community".

"We hope, in the future, that Xanana Gusmao will be able to return to his homeland and actively contribute to the reestablishment of security and reconciliation," Samuel said.

Jakarta's initial plan was to fly Xanana to Dili and hand him over to the United Nations Mission in East Timor.

The plan was scrubbed as many feared that Xanana would become targeted by rampaging militias.

Later on Tuesday, Xanana told journalists at the British Embassy that he would return to East Timor if circumstances "allowed" him to do so.

"I still don't know where to go. I will go, but I don't know whether I will be going tomorrow," he said.

British Ambassador Robin Christopher said "as a free man, Xanana could choose his own time to return to East Timor".

"While Xanana is making that decision, he asked us at the embassy if he could come and stay here and we agreed," Christopher said.

Xanana said that despite the alleged pro-Jakarta militias running amok in East Timor, the proindependence Falintil would not take up arms and retaliate.

"Although it is very hard for the Falintil to bear the pain and tears of our people, they are determined to continue the cantonment and to continue pursuing the CNRT (the National Resistance Council for an independent East Timor) political stance," Xanana said, adding that he spoke with Falintil deputy commanders on Tuesday morning about the matter.

"They are determined not to make any gesture which could be seen as waging civil war." (byg)