Govt to pursue good relations with E. Timor

Govt to pursue good relations with E. Timor

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In a clear message to forget the bitter past and look toward the
future, the government said on Thursday that Indonesia would keep
good relations with the newly born state of East Timor.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said that future
relations with East Timor could not be separated from regional
relations with the other Pacific countries.

Hassan emphasized, "the existence of East Timor must not
affect regional stability."

Therefore, he said, the government would develop harmonious
relations with the tiny state despite the bitter association of
the past years.

"We may see it (East Timor) as a small entity, but in fact it
is a sovereign country that has the right to do various
activities," Hassan told a hearing with House Commission I for
foreign and defense affairs.

He said that the relations with East Timor should be put in
the regional context, therefore Indonesia would strengthen ties
with the West and Southwest Pacific countries.

He disclosed that a meeting of senior officials of this region
would be held later this month and a ministerial meeting would be
held in July.

He acknowledged that past relations both with Australia and
East Timor were too emotional, and therefore a better
relationship needed to be created.

During the hearing, several legislators cynically questioned
the benefit Indonesia could reap from the recent visit of
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to Dili, but the minister simply
said that the benefit of political activities could not be
measured.

Politicians earlier suggested that Megawati skip her Dili trip
to attend the declaration ceremony of the country's independence,
but most of them changed their stance shortly after the President
confirmed her intention to push through with the visit.

Hasan said that during her four-hour visit the President had
no opportunity to have bilateral talks with East Timor President
Xanana Gusmao.

"If there was conversation, I think it was of personal
matters," he added.