Observers praise East Timor ballot

JAKARTA (JP): Both local and international observers responded favorably to the largely peaceful direct ballot in East Timor on Monday.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, who helped broker the historic vote in East Timor, told the Associated Press Television News he was filled with "hopeful anticipation".

However, he added it was too soon to say he was "relieved".

He said the government's position was to encourage the East Timorese to remain a part of Indonesia, but he repeated the government's commitment to abide by the results of the vote. "After personally spending so much time on efforts to find a comprehensive and just solution to the East Timor question, of course I'm very happy that finally the opportunity has arrived for such a solution."

Alatas said security disturbances were "sporadic and they were manageable, and we hope that we can bring them to a minimum".

Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto praised the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) on Monday for peacefully conducting the referendum on independence.

"I think on the whole UNAMET has implemented its duty well," Wiranto said amid continuing charges that UNAMET discriminated against prointegration supporters.

"If there has been any deficiency or imperfection then it is only normal. I don't think we should blow it out of proportion," Wiranto said. He added that clashes occurred outside only one of hundreds of polling stations.

The ballot, which could end Indonesia's more than 23-year rule of East Timor, went relatively smoothly, with only reports of minor violence.

The United Nations said more than 90 percent of registered voters cast their ballots.

In the provincial capital of Dili, the UN's special envoy for East Timor Jamsheed Marker was quoted by AFP as saying on Monday that "clearly the voters were not intimidated about going to the polls".

In Baucau, south of the capital, Marker and his wife were swamped by well-wishers who split a coconut and offered him the juice.

District electoral officer Pierre-Paul Martin, a Canadian, said villagers had built the polling booths themselves out of palm thatch, one for each village, AFP reported.

Marker said he was "encouraged" by the enthusiastic turnout, and reports that he was prevented from landing in Viqueque by prointegration militia were not important.

From London, AFP reported British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on Monday welcomed the large turnout for the autonomy vote.

"The international community will now have the big task to help these people into real independence. We may need to look at how we may help with a transition administration, but this will largely depend on the reaction within Indonesia," he said.

From Tokyo, the news agency reported that Japan's Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said on Monday he hoped "the ballot results would be respected". He also pressed armed factions in East Timor to give up their weapons and work for a peaceful solution.

Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said the referendum was "a moment of great emotion" after years of efforts by Portugal to push Indonesia into holding a ballot, AP reported from Lisbon. However, he added "it was still too early to sit back and relax" because "a lot could still happen", a reference to recent clashes in the territory.

Portugal's Foreign Minister Jaime Gama said if voters chose independence, he would negotiate with Jakarta to ensure Indonesia's "gradual, peaceful and dignified" withdrawal.

UN officials said 2,204 East Timorese were registered to vote in Lisbon and voting was going smoothly, AP reported.

While Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the situation was relatively safe during the balloting, AP reported from Darwin that preparations were underway for a possible evacuation of Australian nationals in East Timor.

On standby was a Blackhawk helicopter, a high-speed catamaran and a C-130 Hercules aircraft, Defense Force spokesman Lt. Col. David Tyler said. Darwin, 600 kilometers southeast of East Timor across the Timor Sea, is the closest point on mainland Australia to the Indonesian province.

In Jakarta, legislators voiced resentment against "foreign interference" by "arrogant", large countries.

The chairperson of House Commission I for political affairs, Aisyah Amini, lambasted United States President Bill Clinton's earlier warning to President B.J. Habibie. Clinton said relations between the two countries could be affected if violence continued during the ballot in East Timor.

Another legislator, Usyamah Hisyam, criticized Australian Prime Minister John Howard for calling on Habibie to stress security ahead of the ballot.

With the presence of UNAMET there was no need for such remarks, Usyanah said, adding that the statements were tantamount to "foreign interference in our internal affairs". (prb)