Govt remains hopeful of intra-E. Timor dialog

Govt remains hopeful of intra-E. Timor dialog

JAKARTA (JP): The Foreign Ministry asserted its hope yesterday that the all-inclusive intra-East Timor dialog facilitated by the United Nations would still proceed as scheduled.

"The government of Indonesia remains committed to precisely such a dialog and remains hopeful that such a dialog can still take place," said a press statement from the ministry's director of information, Irawan Abidin.

He said that the dialog must remain faithful to the understandings embodied in the statement made at the trilateral talks between UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers last January.

Irawan's statement came after reports that the UN, as the facilitator of the dialog, had gone beyond the bounds of their agreed role.

The UN has upset Indonesian East Timorese leaders by refusing to consult them in the preparations. It could prompt a boycott of the meetings if the dialog becomes something other than what was agreed to during January's trilateral talks.

Without prior consultation the UN has drafted a list of dialog participants, which includes Fretilin separatist leader Ramos Horta.

The foreign ministry also stated that it is now waiting to see how preparations for the all-inclusive dialog develop.(mds)