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