Momentum for peace in East Timor

Momentum for peace in East Timor

There have been two new developments in East Timor. First, the Indonesian and Portuguese foreign ministers have reached a basic agreement to implement a U.N.-sponsored direct vote to gauge whether the East Timorese prefer autonomy or complete independence. Until now, Jakarta had been staunchly opposed to holding a referendum.

Indonesia's concession on the referendum question marks a major turning point. The negotiations will now focus on determining the methods for implementing the direct vote. Both Portugal and Indonesia will have until the end of April to complete their negotiations. If the situation on the ground does not deteriorate, they might be able to arrive at an agreement by the deadline. We hope that their diplomatic consultations lead to a breakthrough.

Any further violence would be unproductive and pointless. We welcome the fact that both camps are striving to prevent a further escalation of violence.

Both Portugal, which suddenly ended its colonial rule in East Timor, thereby sowing the seeds of chaos, and Indonesia, which took advantage of the situation to invade and annex the colony, bear a heavy responsibility to prevent violence. The momentum for peace in East Timor must not be allowed to fizzle.

-- Mainichi Shimbun, Tokyo