Government frees East Timorese leader Xanana
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)