Mandela shows concern over East Timor

JAKARTA (JP): South African President Nelson Mandela unexpectedly raised questions about human rights and East Timor on Saturday, during his two-day, 'unofficial' visit.

"I raised questions on both of these issues, asking about the human rights situation as well as the question of self- determination in areas like East Timor," Mandela said of his 60 minute meeting with President Soeharto on Saturday.

Mandela said his discussion on these matters was frank and candid, appealing for dialog rather force in its remedy.

Mandela arrived here by private plane on Friday accompanied only by the chairman of the South African High Council, Cyril Ramaphosa, and personal assistants.

Apart from meeting with Soeharto, South Africa's first black president also called on Speaker of the House of Representatives Wahono before returning to Johannesburg Saturday afternoon.

Mandela was inaugurated as president last May following South Africa's first ever non-racial elections. Due to the "private" nature of the visit, Mandela is here in his capacity as chairman of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Batik

Speaking to journalists at Hotel Borobudur prior to his departure, Mandela disclosed that a number of countries had opposed his trip to Indonesia.

"As they pointed out, (the opposition) was because of the suppression of human rights in this country and of the situation in East Timor," he said.

Clad in a dark blue batik shirt, Mandela also said others had welcomed the visit, provided these contentious issues were raised with President Soeharto.

When asked of Soeharto's reply, Mandela maintained that he was happy and satisfied with the response given.

"I have confidence in the President and his ability to address this question jointly with the opposition," he said.

When pursued on the specifics of the talks concerning this matter, Mandela excused himself from divulging further details saying this was Soeharto's prerogative.

"He told me he was going to address a press conference today," Mandela explained.

At Merdeka Palace, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono briefed the press on the results of the meeting. Moerdiono seemed to play down the talks on East Timor as a general discussion on human rights.

"He (Mandela) fully understood the President's explanation on the development of East Timor," Moerdiono said.

The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as Indonesia's 27th province in 1975. Though now an integral part of Indonesia, Portugal continue to contest the issue in international forums.

Responding to reports that the imprisoned leader of the East Timorese separatist guerrillas, Xanana Gusmao, had smuggled a message calling for his help, Mandela neither acknowledged nor denied it.

He said assuming such reports were true, "I don't think it would be responsible for me to mention them because it might lead to inquiry."

Funding

When queried whether his trip here was to seek funding for the ANC, Mandela said that such questions were absolutely confidential.

Nevertheless he noted that he was very happy with his stay here and that it had been "fruitful in all respects."

During his first trip here in 1990, and again in 1992, Indonesia gave financial donations to Mandela's party ANC.

However, Moerdiono said that during the meeting with Soeharto, no such requests for funding had been made.

He said much of the discussion between "the heads of two political organizations" centered around an exchange of views on development and leadership.

According to Moerdiono, Soeharto also brought up the possibility of counter trade to improve economic ties. Potentially, South Africa would export coal in return for Indonesian oil.(mds)