Gusmao to meet Wiranto despite Horta's caution

Gusmao to meet Wiranto despite Horta's caution

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Despite strong opposition from a senior minister, East Timor
President Xanana Gusmao is being firm in his decision to go ahead
with a scheduled Saturday meeting in Bali with presidential
aspirant Gen. (ret) Wiranto, who has been indicted by a United
Nations-backed East Timorese court for crimes against humanity in
the former Indonesian territory.

Foreign minister Ramos Horta said he had told Gusmao it was
not wise to meet Wiranto before Indonesia's direct presidential
election on July 5, because it could send the wrong message to
both countries.

"I would say it is not appropriate. If Wiranto really wants to
speak to Xanana, they should wait until after the election.
Election time is always a very sensitive period, it can send the
wrong messages to one side and another," Horta told The Jakarta
Post from his Dili office on Friday.

When asked about Gusmao's response to his advice, Horta said,
"My president decided that he wishes to meet Wiranto. He probably
will go ahead on the weekend and I respect (his decision)."

Wiranto, nominated by the Golkar Party, was Indonesian
Military (TNI) commander and defense minister during the 1999
East Timorese independence referendum, which was followed by
massacres in the tiny territory.

An East Timorese court issued on May 10 a warrant for
Wiranto's arrest for alleged crimes against humanity during the
post-referendum violence.

Gusmao, however, has repeatedly pointed out that it would be
more beneficial for both countries if they moved forward to
promote bilateral relations rather than focusing on past
bitterness.

While stressing that "I do not wish to make any judgment on
Wiranto", Horta said, "East Timorese people and the families of
victims would forgive Wiranto if he acknowledged his
responsibility in the Dili incident".

"... It will also help East Timor leaders to resolve issues of
justice with the United Nations," said the 1996 Nobel Peace co-
laureate.

He said a public apology would help to improve Wiranto's image
and boost his credibility in the international community.

The head of Wiranto's media team, Despen Ompusunggu, was
quoted by the Agence France-Presse as saying on Friday that the
meeting's agenda included discussing the charges against Wiranto.

The meeting comes just two weeks after President Megawati
Soekarnoputri held bilateral talks with Gusmao in Bali.

The two presidents discussed issues including human rights and
the case against Wiranto. Following the meeting, Gusmao said his
government could not annul the arrest warrant for Wiranto.

However, he added, it would also do nothing to realize it.

When asked why he did not oppose Gusmao's meeting with
Megawati, Horta replied that the East Timor president met with
Megawati in her capacity "as the President of the Republic of
Indonesia".

He added, "if the Indonesian people elect Wiranto as the
president of the Republic of Indonesia, the government of Timor
Leste (East Timor) will respect their choice".